Eventually Michael managed to calm himself down after the huge announcement. It had not even been 24hrs since his father had given him this token on his last breath, and now he had met a descendant of the person his ancestor saved.
Now that he thought about it further. Grandpa Yin was so strong, couldn't he have sensed and prevented what had happened to Rigante Village?
Not wanting to offend this old man, Michael asked cautiously "Grandpa Yin, did you sense anything last night from Rigante Village?".
Grandpa Yin looked at Michael in confusion "Where is Rigante Village?"
"It's just 2 hours south from here, at the foot of the Eastern Mountains" he replied matter-of-factly.
"…Young man, the Eastern Mountains are on the other side of the continent. We're in the Dragon Empire on the west coast" the old man explained with a weird look.
"…" What the actual F*** he cried internally. He hurriedly combed through his memories of his day, trying to think of what he may have missed.
"I buried my family, I found Jason and I carried him out of the front gates for 2 hours before we found this place" muttering under his breath, he flexed his brain muscles as tight as possible but came up short.
Grandpa Yin looked at Michael who had his face scrunched up in furious thought. "It's been a long day; I think you should head to bed. We can chat more in the morning".
Michael hesitated for a moment before nodding, he was really exhausted after everything he'd been through. Now that his safety was guaranteed and his belly full, he was starting to get tired.
Grandpa Yin took him into the same room that Jason was in, there were two single beds on either side of the room. Unlike the rest of the house, the bedroom was homely and cutely designed. It was clear that this room belonged to a woman.
"This used to be my Granddaughters room" smiling softly Grandpa Yin had a look of reminiscence on his face "She loves the colour purple".
Looking around at the purple drapes, purple bedding and the walls Michael slowly nodded "I wouldn't have noticed" he said sarcastically in his mind.
"Have a good sleep, let's chat in the morning about a few things" giving Michael another once over, Grandpa Yin made his way outside and closed the door.
Finally left alone and in a safe place, Michael suddenly felt a wave of fatigue. He had so many questions that had yet to be answered and was left with an empty feeling in his heart.
He laid down on the bed and stared at the lilac-coloured ceiling "This is the first night without father, mother and Rosa…" he extended his hand to the heavens, as if he were trying to reach them. Tears began to fall from his eyes uncontrollably and for the first time since he could remember, he cried himself to sleep.
Michael soon woke up from his sleep, what greeted him was the usual sight of his favourite napping place at the foot of the Eastern Mountains. He rubbed his eyes vigorously, thinking this was just a dream. "W…Was it all just a dream?" not wanting to get his hopes up, he ran to the lake to wash his face.
Looking at his reflection, he saw the usual face staring back at him with a little difference. The eyes that used to hold a touch of laziness were now filled with deep seated pain and maturity.
"The village…" Michael quickly stood up and ran forwards to the path he would usually take to the village. As soon as he got to the path he ran into an invisible barrier and was knocked back a few feet.
"What is this?" after stumbling back to his feet, he yelled in frustration.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you bro" a chirpy voice like that of a 10 year old was heard throughout the plains.
"What the f***?" startled, Michael cursed out loud. He looked around the area in fright, trying to figure out where the voice was coming from.
"Didn't your mother ever teach you cursing was bad?" the voice continued.
At the mention of his recently deceased mother, a ball of anger began to stir from the pits of his stomach. "You keep my mother's name out of your mouth you f***er".
"Whoaaa take it easy squirt" the voice replied playfully.
"Where the hell are you?" after getting angry Michael started to run around the area, furiously looking for the annoying voice.
"You won't find me, I'm part of this place" the voice stated matter-of-factly.
After 20 minutes of running around and cursing Michael was starting to get tired. The flames of anger were starting to simmer, and he sat down in exasperation.
"Alright, I give up. Where are you?" huffing and puffing, Michael said in resignation.
"Are you sure? I could do this all night" the cheeky voice replied.
He sighed and nodded slightly. Suddenly, a 10-year-old boy appeared next to him, his features looked very similar to his own.
"What the hell is this?" he cried. He felt a little uncomfortable looking at what seemed to be him 5 years ago.
The young boy cupped his fist and bowed elegantly "Greetings master, I am the relic spirit of your Eternal Pendant. I am called Archibald Regalia Sebastian Edwards. Or Archie for short".
Without missing a beat Michael responded "Archibald Regalia Sebastian Edwards… A.R.S.E, how about I call you Arse instead" a wicked grin forming on his face.
It was now Archie's turn to panic "N…No master, please no" the thought of having to respond to Arse for the next few hundred years drained the colour from his face.
"I'm sorry m…master, please forgive me. I won't play games anymore!" he dropped down to his knees and started grovelling.
Looking at the grovelling 10-year-old version of himself, he clicked his tongue in annoyance "You better listen to me from now on, okay Ar----chie"
Archie nodded profusely with apologetic eyes.