Liam's Route
INTRODUCTION.
The side-narrative 'Route' explores the adventures of a select few characters in the main plot, providing a deeper and more intimate perspective on their experiences, thoughts, and feelings. The story takes on a more personal and character-driven tone, as readers get to delve into the minds and motivations of these key figures, expanding on their roles and enhancing the overall narrative of the main story.
"What's his name?"
A dark, menacing voice echoed through the broken-down estate. There, at the home of his beloved companion, he had settled into his chair.
The man, with his white locks, was now reunited with the woman who had brought their child into this world.
The woman shivered in fear as she pleaded with the mysterious man before her.
"You must provide him with a title." she begged.
However, the man remained unmoved.
"No." he said sternly.
"I refuse to grant that wretch the privilege of possessing my name."
His arm stretched out and directed the woman's attention to their child, the tiny infant with the short, platinum mane, napping peacefully in the midst of the contentious climate. Despite the discord between its parents, the youngster maintained a tranquil composure.
"Take your pick but under no circumstance should the lad bear my name."
The man muttered under his breath grasping hold of his sword and gazing at the child with malice in his eyes.
He was torn between making a fatal
choice as he reflected upon the events that came
forth from his errors.
"If the damned material didn't break..." he
lamented.
The woman spoke out, pleading with the man:
"Do not become distraught. He has not committed any wrongdoing. But, I beg of you, bestow him with a name."
However, her pleas fell upon deaf ears as the man hurled vulgarities at her.
"Shut your mouth, wench. Why didn't you put an end to that brat once he was born?" he said in a vicious tone.
"Forgive me."
The woman apologized in a state of panic.
However, her apology was left unnoticed as she was met with a sharp slap across her cheek.
In the meantime, the infant was left undisturbed, even after tumbling down to the ground, and continued to drift in a peaceful slumber.
"Liam." the man barked in a commanding
tone.
"That shall be his name." he declared to the prostrate woman.
The woman was bewildered as the man prepared to depart the premises.
"Where are you going?" she inquired.
"Do not address me, whore. My affairs are of no concern to you. The men demand my presence." he retorted, signaling his readiness to exit the residence.
"From this day on, don't try to communicate with me." he stated, as he made his exit.
The woman was overwhelmed with grief, and tears began to stream down her cheeks.
The woman approached the infant, who was now awake, and observed him gazing as his father left.
The young lad smiled, then returned to slumber, the peaceful expression on his face unchanged.
_
In the midst of the gloomy surroundings, where the darkness was all around and the city was a wreck, a feminine voice suddenly sounded out a familiar
name:
"Liam!"
A child emerged from behind a dilapidated home, cradling an animal in his left hand. He stopped at the sound of his name, raising his head as his eyes adjusted to the darkness.
"It'll soon be time for dinner, go wash you-"
The words died on her lips, as her eyes landed on the child's hands, which were clasping the decapitated corpse of a rabbit.
The boy, who was merely twelve years old, smiled, exclaiming:
"Watch, I'm just like father!"
The woman shook her head in disapproval, retorting:
"No, no, no! You must never be like that scoundrel! He's no decent man!"
The boy attempted to persuade his mother, proclaiming-
"Mother, he promised that if I demonstrate to be a viable man, he'll acknowledge me like his own son."
He then proceeded to lift his shirt to reveal wounds on his abdominal area.
The woman stared in horror, covering her mouth and shedding tears:
"Oh my... Ashurah, lend us your strength."
The man, Liam's Father, manifested himself in their presence, his gaze sharp and body towering at the staggering height of six feet and seven inches.
He presented them with a package and uttered:
"There's ten Denos here. It'll suffice for you two for about a month and half. Do not expend it frivolously because I shan't return."
The man then promptly made his exit.
The child, whose smile was aglow, tugged on the man's cape, presenting to him the carcass of the animal that he had just slaughtered.
"Father, look here," he proclaimed, as he lifted the deceased animal.
"Am I a man yet?"
The man furrowed his brows and unsheathed his blade, stabbing the boy in the shoulder.
He then blocked the mother's attempt to administer aid to the suffering lad, sternly stating:
"An animal's existence is far inferior to that of a man. You're nothing but a major disappointment."
The boy accepted his father's assessment, as he emitted a pained groan while addressing his parent.
The man, his blade now sheathed, allowed the woman to look after their son.
The woman then confronted the man, and slapped him across the face, saying: "That was entirely unnecessary."
The woman was sent flying across the room, shattering the furniture, as the man delivered a swift slap.
"Wretched whore." he spat, before unsheathing his blade yet again.
"Maybe I should have just done away with you instead!" he said, pointing the sharp edge of his weapon in the woman's direction.
The man managed to regain his composure, then swiftly left the premises.
The son, Liam, observed his mother's unconscious body, and gritted his teeth in disgust.
"Pathetic." he hissed, under his breath.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
The police of the city of Metrol drove through the streets, their vehicles' sirens howling at loud volumes.
On their persons was a notice, which requested information regarding a most wanted criminal:
"Liam, the White-Haired Demon. Age: 20. Wanted.
Reward: 10,000 Denos."
The featured image depicted a man with platinum hair and azure eyes. Though his grin was that of a demon, his features possessed a remarkable elegance.
The word spread like wildfire among the members of the police force.
"That blasted serial killer."
"Dammit, he's near here."
"Damn, I heard that he executed twelve girls last week."
"My girl needs to be safe, no matter what."
The men shouted at the police vehicles, a sense of urgency evident in their tone.
The man behind the wheel directed his attention towards a lady seated behind him, who had raven tresses and jet-black irises. Her build was tight, while her demeanor remained unchanged.
"Is there a problem?" the man asked.
"No, no problem at all." the woman replied, her tone flat.
The lady posed a hypothetical question:
"What if this man were to spot me? Would he take away my life?"
To this, the man chuckled:
"Ha…..haha... Certainly, you must be joking." he chuckled, shaking his head.
"There is no possible way he'll do such a thing." he added, his voice full of confidence.
"Indeed, as an individual who's qualified to become a Djuinn Wielder, there is no way that I would fall to the clutches of such a lowly murderer."
The woman expressed this statement to herself, uttering the words in a nonchalant tone.
The man, whose face was concealed beneath a cloak, swiftly deserted the alleyway in which he was present.
"Shit, I better leave here." he muttered to himself, his tone hushed, as he attempted to avoid any potential attention being drawn to him.
"Hey, boy..."
The words echoed in the bar, their origin being traced to a pair of shady men who stood nearby.
The two individuals were both burly in stature and harbored weapons in their pockets.
Liam, upon hearing this, immediately reangled his gaze towards the two men, who proclaimed:
"Chief Udolph seeks you out."
The individual known as Liam, who was of small physical proportions, took notice of their intimidating demeanor, as a sense of confusion engulfed his form.