As they made their way back home Riu told them about his contract skill. How he came to know Oren and Blue, how he was able to rampage. He wasn't able to explain why he rampaged though.
"You can stay at my place for now. I'll have Dad call your dad to let them know." Silvia said, placing water besides him.
His legs gave out the moment they got to her house, he was currently in a hospital wing they had.
"He's not my dad." He picked up the water and took a long drink
"Right. Sorry. Also, thank you." She said before leaving.
Riu stared at where she left. Had he done something big? He didn't understand but ultimately decided to check the new skill he got.
{ Echolocation -Mana skill
by sending mana waves into the ground, you can sense where someone or something is}
"What a good skill. Too bad I only got one." He muttered.
He looked at his levels as well. Just as he thought, he was max level now. He decided that he would take the test the next day. For now he needed rest. There was a knock on the door and after a bit it opened.
"How're you feeling?" Mr. Ren walked into the room
"Like I had all my limbs teared off." Riu admitted
"Mana depletion will do that." He laughed
"Did you need something sir?"
"Not me." He said warily, glancing at the door, where Principal Lou stood.
He felt his blood freeze. What in the world was he doing here? This is a guild masters house!
"Thank you Dennis." Principal Lou said smoothly, walking into the room, "now if you don't mind." He motion to the door.
Mr. Ren scowled, but left nonetheless. Their strength difference was enormous, even if he wanted to fight him, Mr. Ren would loose before he even moved.
"Sir, why are you here?" Riu asked, having forgotten all of the pain he was currently in.
"I wanted to see for myself." Was all he said
See for himself? What did he mean by that?
"You- no, nevermind," Principal Lou shook his head, "you take the guild test next week don't you?"
"Yes?" He wondered what the principal was going to say.
He nodded, looking him up and down and sighed. He turned around to leave but stopped at the door. He turned his head back ever so slightly.
"I knew your mother. A wonderful woman she was." He opened the door and was met with Mr. Ren and Jack.
"What the hell-?" Jack looked confused than angry,"what the hell are you doing here?"
"I was stopping by." Lou said happily
"You knew my mother?" Riu asked, in a daze
"No, he doesn't. He wants to use his skill on you." Jack snapped
"Why lie to the poor boy, he deserves the truth." Principal Lou said, starting to look angry as well.
"That was not her wish." Mr. Ren said, "you know that better than anyone."
"Maybe, but he will find out eventually." Principal Lou said stiffly, getting agitated
"But not now." Jack insisted
Rius mind was spinning. He wasn't an idiot, all three of them knew his mom, maybe even Mrs. Ren and Kaira. They were keeping it from him. Red began to blur his vision l.
"You all know her?" He asked quietly
He was looking at the ground, trying not to cry. How many times has he lied awake wondering about his parents.
"Riu." He felt his head rise. Jack has put his hand on his head, "I really want you to know everything, but now is not the time."
"Does it have to do with how the world is now?" He asked
Jack hesitated, "no, this happened years before. You were an infant, no, you weren't even thought of."
"And I can't know why?"
"You'll know when the time comes. Right now, you are too weak, mentally and physically. The fact that you rampaged in the tower proves that. When you get stronger you will know everything." Mr. Ren said
"Does anyone else know?" He asked, they all shook their heads.
Riu thought for a bit. They were talking about his mother, but not his father. What happened to them that made it to where he couldn't know them? What were the three of them to his mother?
"What about my father?" He asked
Almost immediately, all of their faces turned sour. Especially Principal Lous.
"That bastard is the reason we're in this mess." He snapped
Riu looked at him in surprise.
"It's a story you will find out later. I'm sorry I can't tell you now." Jack said
"Are you really?" Riu's fist clenched, "I think you don't care at all."
Mr. Ren looked sad, but none of them objected which made him even more angry. All he wanted to do was run away to Embers house, like he used to when things happen, and tell her everything. He wasn't even sure if they were even friends anymore.
Riu wanted to cry, but he couldn't. He wasn't a child anymore, he was a player. Principal Lou must've noticed his expression because he pushed Jack out of the way and put his hand on Riu's shoulder.
"Riu, you are still a child. You can show your emotions." He said
Riu bit his lip, he has spent years being told that he was too old to cry. What was different?
"I'm sixteen. I'll be seventeen in a month." He looked principal Lou in the eyes
He saw pain. Riu could care less, he was too angry to say anything more, so he slapped Principal Lou's hand off him and ran out. He couldn't stay out there anymore. He had to get away. Too much just happened.
He continued running with what seemed like forever and ended up outside Embers house. He looked at it, the place that once felt like a home to him seemed like a complete stranger. He walked a bit further before breaking down. Jack, he knew of his mother. If that was the case then why all yhe neglect? Why did he wait so long to get him? Why let him go through hell?
Mr. Ren, principal Lou, they were bastards too. How could something like this be kept a secret. It was more then absurd.
"Riu?" He head snapped up to see Ember looking down at him.
He didn't say anything. Should he apologize or ignore her completely.
"Are you okay?" She sat down next to him
"Why should you care?" He asked, drying his tears
She looked hurt but she stayed, "your my friend, of course I care."
"We're still friends?" He asked, looking at her
She laughed, like the question was ridiculous, "of course dummy. People fight all the time. It would be weird if we didn't fight time to time."
"I'm still hurt by your words." He said ,putting his head on his arms
"I know," she sighed, "I talked to someone and they told me that what I said was insensitive. I'm sorry."
Riu smiled, he had been waiting for too long to hear those words, "it's O.K. I don't care if your friends with Aiden. I'm not going back there."
She looked stricken, "what do you mean?"
He took a deep breath and told her everything, start to finish. She stayed silent the whole time. Only answering when he finished.
"Take some time away, but don't leave completely or you may never hear what you want to know. If I think about it, Principal Lou always did look at you more warmly than others." She said
"But what should I do?" Riu felt helpless, like on the day DragonTale came to life.
"This isn't their will. It's your mother's. You should respect that much. Be mad at them for keeping the fact that they waited this long to tell you, be mad for the neglect and the time it took for them to even get you. Be very mad." She said "but don't hate them."
Riu smiled, "Alright."
"Let's go to my house. You can stay there for a bit." She said standing, helping him up.
"Is Aiden a good friend?" He asked, as they made their way back.
"Yes. He makes sure we are safe when we go in a dungeon and he's funny and kind." She said
"Sounds like your in love." He said, belching
She slapped his head, "What about Silvia?"
He smiled, "She's the same way."
"Maybe we should all get together and try to be friends." She said
Riu laughed. That would never happen, but it was a good thought. Just thinking of all the chaos that would unfold.
"Let's go to my room." She made her way upstairs, Riu following in suit.
"There's some people I want you to meet." Riu said
"Who?" She sat down and sang her legs
He rubbed the necklace and Oren, Blue and Espi came out. She gaped and reached her hand out.
"What?"
"I have a contract skill." He said scratching his head
"This is amazing!" She whispered
(Who is this human?) Espi asked, curiously sniffing her
"Shes my best friend." He said
"What?" Ember looked up from patting Blue.
(She seems like a good friend.) Oren said, as she started to scratch Espi behind the ears.
"Ember, can I tell you something?"
"Of course."
Riu ended up telling her about everything, him ranking up, his tower experiences and his trouble with his emotions. She silently looked at him then smiled.
"I always knew you were different. I'll keep it a secret. As for your emotions, do some exercises for them."
"Oh so easy." He collapsed on her bed
"Are you going to rank up today or tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow." Espi gave a irritated squeak and ran under the bed
"How long will you be gone?"
He shrugged, he was setting up his bed. He's spent many nights here, so they had shoved a mattress under Embers bed for him whenever he went over. He collapsed onto the bed and within a span of a few minutes, he fell asleep.
He had that dream again. The one with the soft spoken voice. He could see her a little better now. She seemed as though she was a beautiful person, with long white hair and piercing purple eyes. Just like his. Was this woman his mother? Are these his memories of when he was an infant?
The man came in one again. He couldn't be his father, right? He did some pretty bad things in his dreams. He tried to look at his mother's face again. She was looking at him, smiling softly. She said something that Riu didn't catch.
Then he woke up. He was covered in a cold sweat. He looked at the clock. It was 6 am. He got up and turned to the others, who seemed to have woken with him. Blue was cuddling with Oren and Espi was on top of Ember.
(Master?) Espi yawned sitting up.
"Lets go." He said
(Alright dear.) Espi and Oren disappeared while Blue teleported onto his head.
He decided to write a note telling Ember he'd be away and not to wait for him. It was better than worrying her. When he got everything ready, he opened his window.
{Do you wish to take the quest?}
"Yes."
The world soon became distorted as he was teleported somewhere. He took a look around, it was a forest.
{Hunt 0/100 Demlings and 0/1 Demons.}
"Demons, that's going to be difficult." Riu took out his spear.
A small demling appeared. Demlings were small and ugly like goblins, but they had horns, wings and better weapons most of the time scythes. Their body's were pitch black so you couldn't even tell if they were naked. It's blood red eyes stared at him before it let out a bloodcurdling scream and launched itself at him.
Espi appeared and let out her own screech, attacking the demling head on. It's screech had called for reinforcements, cause soon enough the bushes began to move as more and more appeared.
"This might be easier than I thought." Riu said, smiling as he lifted his spear.
By using String of Fate, he stopped the demlings movement, making it easier to kill them. He activated echolocation.
"There are quite a few of them over there." He whispered to Espi
She nodded, following him as he stalked among the over grown weeds and trees. There were indeed more demlings in that area. What an amazing skill.
(Eh?) A demling raised it's head towards them, but before it could do anything, Riu sliced it down.
{You have killed 100/100 demlings anymore will be counted as bonus points}
"Bonus points?" Riu asked, wiping sweat from his forehead.
The bonus points would probably be added to his final prize at the end. Who knows, if he does good enough he may raise two ranks instead of one.
Riu and Espi continued to walk through the forest, easily killing the demlings as they went. Eventually they stopped to rest and Espi wondered off. Riu decided to distribute his stat points equally through all of his stats.
(Human, there's a castle over here.) Espi called
"A castle?" Riu went towards Espi.
There was a deep cliff and at the bottom was indeed a castle.
"That's probably where the demon is." Riu said.
"Lower demons are like demlings. But high demons had a humanoid appearance, only noble demons could speak though." Riu explained to Espi as they made their way towards the castle
(It would be nice if a lower demon was the one waiting in the castle.) She said, riding on his shoulder.
He nodded in agreement though he doubted it. He noticed how much more calm she was since they had made a contract. He stopped in front of the castle doors, which were made of wood and silver.
"Let's get this test over with." Riu pushed open the giant door.
Though the castle was big, it only had one room. It was large, covered in black bricks and red banners. The floor was covered in red carpet. There was a giant black and silver throne at the end of the room. In it sat the most beautiful man Riu had ever seen.
He had long black hair that went down to the middle of the back, his face was pale and delicate looking, if you were unaware he'd look as though he was weak in health, long horns coming out of his forehead, blood red eyes and big black angelic wings. He wore a suit with gloves.
He sat in the throne and looked down at him, silent and unmoving.
(He not a lower demon, is he?) Espi asked arching her back
Riu shook his head, to answer her and to stop staring. He raised his spear.
"So you came here to fight?" Riu froze.
He had forgotten demons of higher rank could speak. He was used to the telepathic conversations with his contracts.
The demon disappeared. Riu turned, looking everywhere.
"Argh!" He fell as the demon grabbed his throat and pushed him down. Espi flew, hissing
"Your soul looks mighty delicious." He said, lick his lips, revealing pearl white teeth.
Riu was doing his best just to breathe, his hand was tightening around his throat.
"Yin, get off of him." Riu tried to look up.
Another man who looked just like the demon but with blonde, almost white hair, no horns, angel wings and a white suit with a black tie came up.
"Aw that's no fair." He pointed
The demon got off of him and stood behind the new man, who bowed slightly.
"I apologize. We are not the ones you are meant to fight." He said
Riu looked back at the throne as Espi climbed up his leg, spitting profanities at them. Sure enough, a demon respawned.
"Well human, let's see what you can do." The demon or as the other man said, Yin told him.
The two of them disappeared. The demon was still a high ranking demon, but not like those two. As Riu dodged and made his own attacks with Espi and Oren, he couldn't help wondering about them. Who were they?
{ You have beat 1/1 demons!
You have killed 254/100 demlings
You have survived|Yin|s attack!
Bonus points will be counted}
Riu looked over the window. Just surviving his attack gave him bonus points. He must've been one important beast.
{Yave raised 1 rank.
You have gained 26 levels
You have gained a [diamond box]
You have gained stat points.}
Now he was level 126. Now his levels will be messed up until he reaches S rank. A diamond box . . what an amazing gift. He walked towards the glittering little box and opened it.
Inside were two skills.
{ Hellfire
This skill produces a very hot fire
Angels touch
This allows for the healing of Internal and external injuries. These skills are able to be fused. Will you fuse them?}
The skills were amazing. Fusion between skills isn't that rare, but the skill that comes out is random. You need luck on you if you fuse them. Riu thought for a bit before pressing yes.
{Skills are fusing!
1
2
3
New skill has been generated!
You have gained the skill Angels Hellfire
This skill depends on how you wish to use it, it can be hot as hellfire it serve as healing to injuries. You can heal your self.}
"Yes!" Riu shouted with joy
An ultra rare skill! This was even more amazing then the other two skills.
(A good skill?) Espi asked
"Yeah an amazingly good skill." He said
(Are we leaving now? This place gives me the creeps.)
"Of course." He picked her up and headed out.
It was still the forest
"What's happening?" He asked in a hushed voice
(What's wrong?)
"After completing the quest I'm supposed to go immediately back but we're still here." He explained, looking around
(Could it be because of those mans we met?) She asked
"It's men, and it might be." He said darkly, he didn't know what the time ratio was here to Earth, he could've been away for an hour or a day.
{Error has occured! Please wait patiently as it is fixed}
The window popped up. Then another and another.
"Wha-?" He stared at all of them
( Human?) Espi shrunk into him, scared.
He couldn't answer her, only tighten his grip on her. Suddenly there was a window that popped up.
{Error has been fixed.
Please proceed!}
He placed his hand forward and said "take me back." And his world became black.
He didn't know where he was, no he couldn't even see. He suddenly heard voices. He couldn't place them, though, they all sounded male.
"It is him right?" The first one asked
"Definitely. He looks just like her. He will awake his true abilities soon." Another replied
"So we should leave him as he is?" Another chimes in, this one younger.
"We have to. This damned system is reûm its making sure we can't get a hold of his saúrean so there is no point." The second one said replied to the third
What a strange language. What was it? Riu couldn't place it before the system jolted him back to some random alley. His head was spinning and this words and men were still fresh in his mind. He knew things were going to become a lot more difficult then before.
He felt his jacket begin to squirm as Espi poked her head out. She looked up at him and gave a small shiver before going back inside his jacket.
(That was very scary saúrean) she said
"Do you know what that means?" His Language Interpretation skill wasn't working.
(Of course I know what it means. It is our language after all.) She huffed
"What is it then?" He asked, getting slightly impatient.
She hesitated before answering ( I cannot say. Your Language Interpretation skill will decipher it when you become stronger.)
He expected that, "than please do not speak it. It feels weird not knowing what your calling me."
She looked at him with a serious gaze, (you have no idea.) And she disappeared into his necklace. He stood there dumbfounded. What was that all about? He shook his head and took out his phone.
"What the?" There were over 50 missed calls from Ember, Silvia, Marcus, Lily, Jack, Kaira, and even Aiden, though Riu suspected that Ember made him call.
He tapped on Embers number and she answered immediately.
"What the hell!??!" She yelled
"Ow! What?" He held the phone a mile from his ear as she screamed
"Get over here immediately!" She said hanging up.
Ok. . .?
* * *
He sat at her table as her and her parents berated him. Apparently he had disappeared for a whole week.
"Ember you know where I was." He said
"I thought it would take a few hours, not a whole dang week!" She said, hysterically.
I patted her head, "I'm sorry."
"Yeah your going to be. I have Jack and Kaira coming over along with Silvia, her father, Marcus , Lily and the principal." She said
Riu inwardly groaned at this. She invited everyone.
"Don't you hate Silvia?" He asked
"I do. But after watching her completely freak out cause she couldn't contact you made me invite her." She snapped.
In no time at all the living room was filled with everyone expecting a explanation. Riu shofted uncomfortably at all the attention and looked at Ember for help. She shrugged and motions at him to get a move on.
He looked back at all of them and bowed his head. He quickly thought of an excuse. Coming up with nothing, he decided to wing it.
"I'm sorry for leaving like that. I'm talking to Ember, Silvia, Marcus and Lily." He said looking each one in the eye.
"Where were you?!" Silvia yelled, standing
"I'll tell you later. Not now." She seemed to understand. They had just become friends, telling them everything was not going to happen right away.
"Will it happen again?"
Riu nodded "hopefully not as long."
"Well?" Jack tapped his foot.
"I hope your talking to someone else." He said not even looking at him
"You disappeared for a whole week. Can I not be worried?" He asked.
Unfortunately, Aiden was here too, smirking at the whole scene.
"Fir god's sake," Riu snapped, "no you can't! You haven't been worried about ne in years! You are not my real family so stop acting like it! All your good at is keeping secrets. I hate you all and I wish you never entered my life!"
Before any tears could fall, he ran towards Embers room. He did have the courage to face them. Aiden's was probably laughing so hard, while jack was preparing his punishment. The door opened and Ember walked in with Silvia.
"Hey, I'm sorry, I shouldn't have gotten so mad." Silvia said, sitting next to him
"It was natural. I poofed out of existence for a whole week. Friends worry about each other." Riu said, attempting and failing a smile.
She didn't smile back and instead, pushed his head on her shoulder so he could rest. Ember was squeezing his hand and eventually, he fell into a deep sleep.
His sleep was silent and he slept better than he ever had. To the point his body had to force him to wake up. He groggily looks around to see Ember coming in.
"Good morning, no evening,sleeping beauty." She said laughing
"How long was I out for?" He asked
"You slept the rest of yesterday and all of today." She said
"Oh." It only felt like a couple of hours.
"Jack, Principal Lou and Mr. Ren are still here. Oh and Aiden too." She said
His stomach did a flip. He didn't know if he could even look at them right now. He regretted what he said, but it was true. Why did they suddenly care now?
"I can ask them to leave if you want." She suggested.
He nodded and she left the room. He watched her go, sadness weighing in his stomach. He knew he would eventually have to talk to them about this, but he didn't want to right now.
How would he handle going into the tower and fighting monsters if he can't even face his own foster family? Maybe this life style wasn't for him.
He immediately slapped himself to get rid of such thoughts. Facing monsters was nothing compared to facing people you know. He'd take a thousand monsters over his foster father.
He grabbed his shirt and stared at the ceiling. He knew he would make things right later, but right now he wanted nothing more than to be with his real family.