Leon entered a quaint building that mirrored his childhood home.
Inside, he found the familiar sofa in the hall, a weathered TV, a dining area connected to the kitchen, two rooms on the first floor, and one dedicated to his parents. Two swords adorned the wall alongside a picture of a young Leon.
Everything seemed frozen in time, but his room held new additions:
A substantial mana stone, nearly weighing one ton, was in the middle of his room, and a digital safe measuring 6.7 x 6.7 x 9.1 inches was placed at the cupboard.
Grabbing the safe and returning to the hall, Mickey asked Leon, "Do you know the passcode for this safe, Colorless?"
Leon replied with confidence, "Yes, I know. It's probably 1577755."
Mickey, curious, inquired, "How do you know that?"
"1577755 is my Mana Chamber number that I use for the Soul Link Pod. If everything has unfolded as my father predicted, this should be the passcode."
As the passcode was entered, the safe obediently opened. Inside, Leon discovered a letter and a tape.
As he picked up the letter and began reading, tears welled up in his eyes. Mickey sensed his need for privacy and retreated, allowing Leon to read the heartfelt words:
"Dear Son,
I know it's a somber moment, but if you are reading this, it means I failed to protect and fell in battle. You've embarked on the path I set for you, and I apologize for keeping you in the dark. Your mother wanted you to have a peaceful childhood.
You will likely find the safe passcode, as you've always been sharp, like your mother. I yearn to explain everything about the situation, but the time isn't right. By now, you've encountered Blackshirts, Kenzo, Royals, and Cadet soldiers. Leon, remember this—protect everyone but trust no one.
From the beginning to the end, you're on your own in this journey. Hearing this from me must be painful, but it's the path you must tread. Your mother bestowed upon you swords and a mana stone; wield them wisely.
--
As Leon read the letter, he couldn't help but notice a few tiny teardrops that had left faint stains on the paper, and a subtle trembling in his father's handwriting. An overwhelming sadness enveloped him, and tears flowed freely from his eyes. His very essence, both his mana and soul, seemed to resonate with his emotional agony.
Continuing from there, Leon felt a deep connection to his father.
--
Leon, the road ahead is filled with death and suffering. You might curse my name for leading you down this path, but never lose hope. Soon, you'll meet individuals who may aid or betray you. Place your trust in your sword and press forward.
I know you were expecting a warm, heartfelt letter, but this one contains instructions and excuses. I'm sorry I failed as a father, Leon. When the time comes, you'll have to choose between yourself and others. Whatever you decide, I'll be proud of you.
November 1262 A.U.
With love, Father
Cyrus Stronghold"
Upon finishing the letter, Leon was overwhelmed with anger, and his soul cried out in agony. He stormed out of the building.
Mickey closely trailing behind, shouting for him to halt, and quickly pondering, "Has he already committed the tunnel path to memory?"
As Leon reached the top floor and entered the Zatora Cabin, he confronted Miss Zatora.
"Miss Zatora, I've read the letter my father left for me."
Zatora stammered, "Leon, I don't know what to say. No one has ever opened that safe or read the letter before. You must trust us."
Still seething with anger, Leon retorted, "That's not the issue. The date on the letter, November 1262 A.U., marks the day my father died. He knew he wouldn't return. It happened during the same Solar Eclipse, just a few kilometers from Dollows Dome. Why didn't anyone come to his aid in battle?"
Zatora, taken aback but composed, replied, "I understand your anger, betrayal, and confusion, but your father believed his death was necessary for your path."
Leon, tears in his eyes, pointed to the letter. "See the tear stains on this letter and the trembling handwriting. My father wasn't prepared to die that day. He must have felt fear and loneliness, fighting alone. He didn't die protecting others; you all abandoned him."
Zatora remained silent. Leon stormed off, and Mickey followed him without uttering a word.
Inside his hideout, Leon detected a familiar scent and discovered Dune in the dining area.
Dune greeted him with a wide, childish grin. "Welcome home, Leon. I've prepared breakfast. Let's eat."
Overwhelmed, Leon dropped to his knees and asked Dune, "How do you know my father's recipes, not just the taste and smell, but every detail?"
Dune, still smiling, replied, "Aunt Vikora and Uncle Cyrus taught me these dishes."
Leon rose slowly, took a seat at the dining table, and silently consumed the meal. When he finished, Dune asked, "How was it?"
Leon told him, "Dune, my father was afraid when he went into battle on the day he died. But before he left, he cooked this meal for me, hugged me, and promised to return for dinner. Why didn't he speak the truth that day? It was his last meal, his last hug, and his final day."
Dune moved closer to Leon and said, "I remember little since becoming a Dollow, but I vividly recall my father, Aunt Vikora, and Uncle Cyrus. We were all awaiting one thing: your arrival. Now that you're here, tell us who cooks better—me, Uncle Cyrus, or my father Kenzo."
Leon questioned, "Kenzo is your father?"
Dune responded playfully, "Yes. Don't tell me you haven't tasted my father's cooking. It's a competition between me and Uncle Cyrus. Who won? Tell me."
Mickey interjected, "Leon, he's Commander Kenzo's son. He was born underground but was brought here once he became a Dollow, and Zatora followed him here, leaving Kenzo."
As they sat around the table, Dune added cheerfully, "Yes, my father is a Commander like Uncle Cyrus. Pretty cool, right? He's currently searching for a way to bring me back while also looking after you, right?"
Mickey chimed in, "Colorless, everyone faces challenges in life; we can't simply lie down and wallow in despair every time. We can't afford to stay down."
Leon, with a somber expression and finally composed, said, "I don't think I'm emotionally stable enough to grasp everything and move on. This world is still quite new to me. I only wanted answers about my father's death, nothing more."
Mickey, irritated, responded, "I'm already weary of your constant lamenting. How many times will you repeat the same thing? 'Not stable enough,' 'can't understand,' blah, blah, blah... Stop whining. As I told you before, your duty is to fight for us and, if need be, to die for us. We'll handle the rest."
Leon chuckled slightly and said, "Thank you for taking care of me, Mickey."
Dune chimed in, "Thank you, Mickey."
Mickey became a bit flustered and told them to hush, which led to laughter, and the atmosphere lightened.
Leon glanced at the safe and wondered about the tape. Mickey retrieved the tape, inserted it into the TV, and, after a few minutes, noise emanated from the screen.
"Hello, hello, Leon. Dear, is this working? I can't seem to record it."
Watching the TV, Leon spotted an unfamiliar woman and pondered, "Who is she?"
Dune exclaimed, "Aunt Vikora!!!."
Leon was shocked, unable to speak, and fixed his gaze on the TV.
"Leon, I think it's working now," she said with a chuckle.
"Hey, Leon. It's me, Vikora, your mother. I know it's an unusual way to begin a conversation, but I spent most of my life on the battlefield. Forgive the awkwardness for the rest of the video.
I understand this might be bewildering for you. I probably couldn't even hold you when you were born."
Tears welled up in her eyes.
"I want to share my entire childhood, how I met your father, and how eagerly I awaited your arrival. I longed to witness the man you would become, to be there when you wielded your first sword, to attend your wedding, and meet your children, among other things.
I'm deeply sorry, Leon, for leaving you alone. Neither your father nor I will be present when you watch this, and he likely left a letter instructing you to follow your path, make wise choices, and never lose hope.
Leon, forget about everything. I want you to enjoy the dishes I taught Dune, take care of him, and protect your friends. I'm not sure what slang they'll use for future children, but just chill, Leon, loosen up a bit, okay?"
Leon laughed upon hearing her words and said, "I'm crying a lot today." Mickey and Dune agreed, both with tears in their eyes.
Vikora, her expression intense, continued, "Leon, you're probably wondering why I'm recording this..."
Leon and the others gazed at the TV, consumed by curiosity, as Vikora pressed on.
"I was recording this because your father is an idiot, and I want to say this to you."
Cyrus interrupted, "Vikora, why are you saying bad things about me to our son? You idiot."
Vikora shot back, "Shut up, Cyrus, always spouting nonsense about destiny and fate crap."
Leon burst into laughter while witnessing his parents' childish bickering.
Mickey added, "Your parents are the calm and composed type, unlike you."
Leon smiled and said, "That's absolutely true. My parents were cool."
Vikora eventually regained her composure and continued speaking.
Vikora pressed on, "Leon, you're my son. I know you'll meet people who care about you, make foolish choices on your journey. It's okay to make mistakes; don't forget to seek help from others. I want to say this one last time: I'll always be proud of you and will support you from within your soul."
Leon felt a profound sense of peace and closeness to his mother.
He felt an incredible calm deep within his soul.
Before turning off the TV, he heard, "Dear, how do I turn off this contraption? I hope it brought joy to Leon."
"Press the left button. Are you sure this is the right button?"
"Dear, I hope he encounters good friends."
Cyrus reassured her, "Don't worry, Vikora. I've arranged everything. He'll meet great people like Ash, Codey, Mickey, Amelia, and more. Each one of them will protect our son."
With that, the TV tape went blank. Leon and Mickey were left stunned by his father's words.
Leon wondered, "How much did my father predict and plan for the future?"
Leon held no resentment toward his father. Instead, he felt grateful for the connections he had forged with Ash, Codey, and others.
"Thank you, Father, for everything. I'll walk the path you laid out for me. Mother, I'll make choices that would make you proud. Both of you, watch over me."
Leon clenched his fist, looking up at the sky with unwavering determination to fulfill his parents' wishes.
[End of Chapter]