"Are they letting crazy people in the town now? He might be dangerous."
When Invictus was done wallowing, he decided to talk to Aeriel after he got back about Rahel. The tiniest drop of conscience wanted Invictus to let the old lady go and live her life where she could be happy.
"Spending some time with people really has the heart interfering with your mind. It hinders your decisions and gives you the exact amount of
conduct to think twice about your wicked decisions."
Aeriel does not seem to understand what Invictus said.
"Um, can't Lord Invictus just cut to the chase?"
"Innkeeper Rahel is a kind soul. I don't want her to perish along with the poor souls residing in this town, but I can't think of an excuse to pull her out of the misery she'll be put in."
His words brought a smile to Aeriel's face because deep down, humanity in Invictus' heart still hasn't faded completely. It's just there, imprisoned in a blockade of corrupting ill emotions.
"You need not worry, Lord Meliora. Lady Rahel and I have talked about your plan." She said with a sweet smile on her face.
Invictus was not used to seeing Aeriel so flippant other than being serious. Aeriel always has this unbreakable barrier around her, putting off monotonous vibes to it.
"Talked about? What do you mean?"
"Hehe! The innkeeper and I are going away after your little fireworks display. I've thought about it. I'm gonna hone my painting skills and continue my study. Will you believe it? Lady Rahel told me she will help me achieve my goals!"
Achieve her goals. A part of Invictus was genuinely happy that Aeriel is finally thinking for herself; of her own future. He was like the two sides of a coin, one being happy for Aeriel and the other being envious.
Because all the goals he had in mind when his family was still there were now all gone. Only the remnants of his past remain the pain that built up and grew larger as days passed by.
"Aeriel, Zeb, and Rahel get to achieve their goals in life. At the end of their struggles, going through hardships to attain what they yearned for, they will feel satisfied. But what about me? I can see that only suffering awaits me in the path I'm currently taking. That by the time I exact vengeance, only emptiness will remain."
Still, knowing the fact that there is nothing good awaits Invictus, he won't stop. What is once decided can't be taken back again.
"Well, that just makes things better for me and my heart." He stopped to pat Aeriel's head. "I can't imagine what will become of Rahel once the fireworks display transpires."
She giggled when patted, "she agreed to watch alongside us, Lord Meliora. It seems that the innkeeper has some grudge against some of the townspeople."
Now, Invictus understood why the innkeeper is willing to leave the mountain and witness the downfall of one of the most self-sufficient towns in Estaria.
Aeriel also told Invictus that one of Rahel's dreams was to have a daughter. But lost hope when her husband died of an illness. The innkeeper focused on her business and now decided to move out.
For the innkeeper, Rahel, sacrificing her inn in exchange for having a loving daughter like Aeriel is a total win-win for her. She knew she was old and should be spending her time with her child, so when Aeriel offered to be her daughter, Rahel unhesitatingly accepted Aeriel.
"Where is innkeeper Rahel at?" Invictus asked, letting go of Aeriel's head seeing how she was enjoying herself.
"In her room, packing her luggage," she answered, now slightly sad because Invictus stopped caressing her. "I wish you would pat me some more."
She pouted her lips like a kid and waited for Invictus to put his hand back on top of her head, but it was to no avail because the man had gone to Rahel's room.
Invictus gently knocked on Rahel's room and was permitted to come in. Inside the room, he saw the innkeeper sitting on her bed, clothes and valuable items around the floor, and the free space on her bed.
"I've heard about your despicable scheme and that you're actually the hero of our kingdom."
"That was just a title. If I could turn back the time, I'd never take on the obligation to save Estaria from the imminent destruction."
Rahel was tapping on the free space beside her, motioning Invictus to come and sit down with her. She temporarily stopped what she was doing and turned to face Invictus after settling down.
Suddenly, Invictus felt Rahel's warmth around him when the innkeeper wrapped her motherly caring arms around him. Her hand pulled his head closer to her and said nothing until Invictus broke the silence between them only to get silenced by a gentle hush.
"Let me just give you a hug. I don't expect you to cry because I know you've done it well enough already. With Aeriel going away, you'll become a freeman. You'll then have nothing to lose. And exacting revenge."
Invictus laughed, not because he was trying to be rude, but because Rahel was different from his mother and he somewhat liked the innkeeper for her remarks.
"You're a wonderful soul, innkeeper Rahel."
He hugged her back, reminiscing about the last tight embrace he gave his mother before she passed away from illness.
"My mother was an amazing person. She was so caring and didn't like hurting others, even though we were being ridiculed and persecuted. I don't dislike her for forcing me to forgive and forget because that's just how she was. One important thing I hate is the people that trampled our lives over and over again despite the forgiving nature we showed them. I'm just glad that I finally woke up to reality."
"Invictus," Rahel began, looking at him in his eyes as she gently pulled away. "Happiness only exists when your goals in life are achieved. And goals that are gained from shedding blood and tormenting people aren't happiness but tribulation. In reality, putting justice upon your hands and condemning sinners... is highly unlikely a goal."
~