Vincent Midnight(Father)
My heart was full of pride for my son, Hiro, and all his intellect and talent. But I never expected that he would become an adventurer-- yet in a world so demanding, it seemed necessary for him to have the strength to survive.
I hadn't known what kind of person he had become, but if choosing to explore the world would give him the means to do so, then who was I to stop him? So, reluctantly, I gave my permission and even sent off my own household Butler as his mentor.
But as the sun started setting, there was still no sign of my son! Fear slowly began to creep in-- what if something had happened? Would I ever see him again?
As the nightfall deepened, I found myself pacing back and forth across the room, waiting anxiously for any news. The silence was unbearable, and I couldn't stop imagining all sorts of horrors that could have befallen my son.
Just as I was about to lose all hope, there was a loud knocking on my door. I rushed over to open it,
My heart leapt when I pulled the curtained door handle, hoping that it was my son Hiro on the other side. But to my disappointment, as I opened the door, a stranger peered back at me with surprise. I had so hoped to finally see my son after such a long absence, yet no matter how hard I wished, it still wasn't him.
As I locked eyes with my old adventure friend, a wave of mixed emotions washed over me. It was difficult to reconcile the face in front of me with the memories of our wild escapades, and I felt like I was losing grip on reality. A part of me wanted to embrace him and reminisce about old times, but another part felt betrayed by the fact that we had grown apart and moved on with our lives without each other. The conflict within me was palpable as I struggled to find the right words to say.
Surprised to see him instead of my son, I asked "William, what are you doing here?" His name alone reminded me of the days we had gone on secret adventures together. Rumors followed William everywhere and people called him the Lord of Warfare. Despite my suspicions, a part of me was glad he was here.
But when he saw me, his expression changed from polite disinterest to curious surprise. His mouth curved into a slight smile as he said, "Vincent! It's been too long. How are you?" I was taken aback by the warmth in his voice and the glint of recognition in his eyes. I suddenly felt like an old friend, but it had been years since I'd seen him. The familiarity conflicted with my own uncertainty.
He spoke again, but this time there was a hint of something dark in his voice. "I know where your son is Hiro," he declared, "The little boy that's your? I know where he is." His words hung in the air like a storm cloud, full of fear and suspicion.
I sprinted toward him, gripping his shoulder with a vice-like grip, and let out a primal scream, "Tell me, do you hold the knowledge of my son's whereabouts?"
His head oscillated in a reluctant motion, but my desperation surged, my voice escaping my lips like a torrent, "Where is he? Is he among the living?"
William's eyes held mine as he spoke slowly, deliberately, "He is alive, Vincent. But he's in grave danger."
I felt the blood drain from my face as the implications of his words sunk in. "What do you mean?" I asked, my voice shaking with fear.
William's expression grew dark as he spoke. "Hiro has stumbled upon something dangerous, something that has caught the attention of some very unsavory characters. They're after him, Vincent. They want whatever it is that he's found, and they won't stop until they have it."
My mind was racing as I tried to process the information. My son, in danger? It was unthinkable. But I knew that William wasn't one to exaggerate. If he said that Hiro was in trouble, then it must be true.
"What can I do?" I asked, feeling helpless. "How can I help him?"
Just as I thought we were in control, a sudden twist in the tale unfolded, and a voice pierced through the tension. "You mean to tell me," the voice began, "that our dear son embarked on a perilous journey without his trusted butler to guide him through the treacherous unknown? Or, dare I say, has the butler betrayed us?"
The voice resonated in my ears from behind, and as I swiftly turned around, my eyes met my wife's, a mixture of anger and shock etched across my face. Yet, the tone of her voice carried a peculiar blend of terrifying seriousness and fearful anger, leaving me slightly unnerved.
She stared at me with a look that suggested she already knew everything, and I knew that I couldn't hide anything from her anymore. She looked up at me, and despite her obvious disapproval, she nodded before turning her gaze away.
"I understand, Vincent. You must go after your son." Her voice was soft but firm, almost commanding. "Do not worry about us, we'll manage somehow. Go save our son."
Her words left me speechless.
However, she continued with unwavering determination, "I am accompanying you on this journey, to make my thoughts known to that cracked piece of a butler who believes he's just a mere servant. I shall reveal to him the indomitable might of a true butler."
Her words carried an intense fervor, as if she was ready to unleash a force that would shatter all doubts and expectations.
I stood frozen for a moment, my mind racing to comprehend the situation. But before I could find my voice, William stepped in, his calm demeanor a soothing balm. He addressed her, his words laden with a mix of reassurance and curiosity, "Fear not, madam. Your son has been taken captive by the nefarious Blackthorn family. He is alive, but they intend to use him as a pawn in the grand arena of the kingdom, where he will be forced to battle for glory and gold."
His revelation hung heavy in the air, painting a grim picture of our son's fate, as we grappled with the harsh reality of his predicament.
In that moment, the weight of those words struck me, igniting a fire of anger within my chest. Yet, my wife's fury outshone my own as she let out a primal yell, a roar of indignation. "So, they've turned him into bait in a deadly game, and now they expect him to fight for the honor of a nation?! They're treating him like a mere pawn!"
Then, she turned to me, her eyes ablaze with determination, and posed the question, "Will you take me with you?"
William, taken aback by her resolve, swiftly responded, "Certainly, madam. We shall require all the assistance we can muster."
I hesitated, torn between concern for my wife's safety and the urgency of our mission. "But, my dear..."
"We will not allow anyone else to be lost, especially not my son," my wife declared, her gaze a cold and unwavering challenge as she fixed her eyes on William. "If we can't protect them, then no one will. I'm not afraid to face death if it means shielding someone else. It's what I'm here for, after all."
With a resigned sigh, William relented, "Very well, madam. Your presence is most welcome among us."
I spoke with a sense of surprise, "If the Blackthorns wish to bring trouble to my family, then so be it. There will be no mercy this time, only a war between families, not nations."
William responded with a touch of reassurance, "Indeed, miss. Let us hope that casualties on both sides are minimal."
Trying to lighten the somber atmosphere, I turned to my wife and inquired, "Darling, do you recall where I stashed my precious weapon?"
Her face brightened instantly, "Didn't you leave it in the item box tucked away in the storage room? I think it should be at the bottom of the container."
I nodded in agreement, grateful for her quick memory. With a newfound sense of purpose and a smile on my face, I headed towards the storage room.
Upon swinging open the door to the room, an unpleasant stench assaulted my senses, causing my nose to crinkle in disgust. This odor had lingered for quite some time, and although I loathed using such a cramped space for items that lacked an immediate purpose, I grasped the necessity of it. The room's contents were held in high regard for a very compelling reason.
Describing the room's contents proved challenging, but it sufficed to say that it was an arsenal. Swords gleamed alongside spears, bows stood in rows, and quivers of arrows were neatly arranged. A myriad of weaponry adorned the room, a testament to the seriousness of the times we found ourselves in.
I seized my most treasured sword and armor, the steadfast companions I never ventured into the dungeon without. These were my most prized possessions, simple in design yet exuding an aura of undeniable strength. The breastplate, forged from sturdy metal, was adorned with intricate engravings and symbols, each a potent emblem of protection against the forces of darkness.
With a determined heart, I peeled off my shirt, baring my skin to the world. My pulse quickened as I undid the clasps that held the chest plate together, a palpable eagerness filling me as the cool metal embraced me once more. As the armor settled into place, I reached for a new blade, a majestic longsword, and gracefully swirled it through the air, feeling the power of the weapon surge through every swing.
After gauging the sword's weight, I gently released the drawstring on the leather scabbard, allowing the blade to glide through the air with a graceful whisper. My arms were strong and my grip steady, making it seem as if I wielded not a weapon, but a tool of pure enchantment and wonder.
My body bore the scars of countless battles, forged in the crucible of combat through years of relentless training.
Stepping outside to where William and my wife Serena stood waiting, I announced confidently, "I am prepared." My arm swept gracefully from side to side, a display of readiness.
Before William could respond, Serena interjected with a hint of concern, "Are you absolutely certain about this, dear?"
I chuckled, my confidence unwavering. "What do you mean? I could take on a thousand foes, and you know you can't handle it alone, right?"
e glanced back at me, her silence speaking volumes.
William replied with a hint of humility, "Well, I can't argue with that, you are undoubtedly stronger than me."
We shared a hearty chuckle, a moment of lighthearted camaraderie amidst the seriousness of our mission outside.
"That doesn't matter," I said firmly, looking straight into her eyes, "The point is, I won't leave you two behind. If anything happens to you two, I'll kill every last person responsible."
"Any families that dare to harm my precious boy will face their reckoning. No mercy shall be granted," she declared with a fierce growl, her teeth bared in determination.
William regarded his wife with curiosity, perplexed by the intensity of her anger towards a situation that had not yet come to pass.
I nodded in agreement, sharing her determination. "Let us proceed without delay!"
The sensation of being reunited with my wife and William on this journey to rescue our son felt like a return to the good old times, evoking a sense of nostalgia.
We walked at first, but soon picked up the pace, transitioning into a brisk run, determined to reach our destination in time to save Hiro. We were willing to make any sacrifice necessary for his safety, confident that we could handle whatever challenges lay ahead.
I couldn't help but smile when I noticed my wife giving William a piggyback ride, a touching display of trust and camaraderie. I increased our speed, invoking the powerful skill known as "Rush Way," allowing us to zoom through forests, towns, and mountains with higher motion speed.
As Vincent Midnight, a Royal Knight with a Gold Rank in service to the King, I led the way with unwavering resolve, determined to bring our beloved son back safely, no matter the cost.