"The fall of the Faredawn family was quick and precise. In a single night, it seemed the family had lost all power. No one knows what happened to Garson that night, only that he disappeared. When the Rennex family saw the weakened state of Faredawn, they struck. It wasn't longer than a month before ruin was left in the wake of the Faredawn family."
-Winston Auzzek, Merchant of Edaria
~~~(POV: Justin Xander)~~~
~~~(Location: Faredawn Estate, Geonia, Aeternitatem Genesis)~~~
~~~(Day, Date, Time: Monday, April 15th, 10:17 PM PST)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 19 Years)~~~
Aside from the increase in my (Primeval Divinity) stat, there are a few more notifications from the system. Instead of focusing on that, there is much more important business to attend. My eyes lift from the unconscious form of Garson on the ground.
They turn to Felicity, and fear consumes her features. Staring at a man with a sack over his head. Committing an act of barbarity in front of her.
To her, Garson was so much stronger than her. I come busting through the door and put the man to sleep with one move. Her fear isn't unfounded after seeing this. Seeing that I'm not moving in her direction, she raises an eyebrow. Likely unconsciously.
"Celia has sent me to rescue you from him. Get some clothes on as fast as you can, and we're leaving. Who knows how long before someone gets curious about the sudden halt to your screams."
As I say her name, she sits up straight. Covering her body the best she can. As I give her instructions, she doesn't waste a second getting the clothes that Garson likely tore off back on. While she's doing that, I pick up Garson and sling him over my shoulder.
I move toward the room's window and open it. Since there isn't enough room to bring myself and Garson out simultaneously, I have only the option of breaking it, which I can't do yet.
"Why are you bringing him with us!? I thought you were sent here to rescue me!?"
The aggressive whispers of Felicity pull my attention from the outside view. I turn around, and she's fully dressed. Waiting for an explanation, she has an upset and angry look on her feminine features.
There isn't time for a long explanation. I don't want to spend any more time here; I step toward her and hold out my hand. I don't want to pick her up without permission. It could cause her to scream and thrash. Alerting people downstairs when I break the window.
"It's time to leave this place, Felicity. Your suffering is over."
I soften my voice and relax my tense body just a bit. Trying to convey that I'm not who she thinks I am. I wouldn't hold it against her if she didn't believe me. If she decides to make this harder, it'd be because of all the trauma she's been through.
But surprisingly, she takes a gulp and reaches out a shaky hand. Eventually, taking mine. I gently pull her into my body and hold onto her. She doesn't blush or become embarrassed.
Her mind is focused on getting out of here and giving me the last trust she has for men. I turn us to the window, and with great strength, I leap through it. Glass breaking as I do this. Clearing the street below and landing on the neighboring roof.
"Hold onto me tightly. I'll be taking you to your sister now. She's outside of town with a man named Gregon Hareson. He's the stable owner of the Griffins here in Geonia."
I feel her arms wrap around me as I leap from rooftop to rooftop. Heading for the gate closest to Gregon's home. I feel her body tremble. Doing her best to remain composed after everything she's been through.
It's about what would've happened again for an unknown number of times. It's clear she's Celia's sister. She has some similarities to her, but their strong personalities and will to live stand out the most. In that, they're identical.
"Who are you... And how do you know my sister... I thought she was dead... When Garson so-... I thought that was the last time I'd ever see her..."
A brief pause comes from her as she can't say the word sold. Preferring to skip it and finish her question another way.
Her voice isn't weak or fearful anymore. There is exhaustion. Who knows how long she fought Garson tonight... Add that to her constant suffering at the hands of the man; I'm surprised she's got the strength to ask me more questions.
"I'm a friend of Celia. She'll explain everything when you see her again. And don't worry about Garson coming with us. He'll never hurt you again, I promise."
She doesn't react externally to my words. All I see are heavy eyes and a listlessness to her. After all this time and all her fighting, her hope has come true. She's been saved. It makes sense she's missing life and energy.
I don't know if she has any more questions for me. If she does, it seems she's too tired to ask anymore. Instead, we arrive at Gregon's house after a few minutes. Geonia is large, so it takes some time to get around the city—even when using roofs to do so.
Getting past the gate guards wasn't hard. Given they were drunk and sleeping. If Sir Rehan saw that, he'd personally teach them a lesson.
But I won't rat on them. Thanks to them being drunk, getting out of Geonia with two people attached to me as I ran was easy.
After I stop and let go of Felicity, she falls to her knees and takes a second to compose herself on the ground. All I do is wait for her to gather her strength. Seeing her sister after so long will be a reunion that requires strength.
I approach the house's door and gently knock on it. I hear footsteps, and the door opens to see Gregon. His eyes bounce between my hooded head and Garson over my shoulder. Now that we're out of the city, I open my inventory and unequip the sack.
Showing him my features.
A small sigh escapes his lips as he's about to say something. However, he's interrupted. A body rushes past the both of us. Celia nearly falls over as she reaches Felicity.
"From the looks of it, you were successful in your quest. You brought back Garson alive so they could have revenge?"
I nod my head in response as I watch the silent but tearful reunion of the sisters. I decide that they need time alone. I take Garson around the house to the barn next to the Griffin stables. Gregon is following next to me.
We haven't spoken a word. Right now, we know it's about Celia and Felicity. Getting Garson away from them before he regains consciousness is the play here.
After everything he's done to the two of them, I don't want him awake with them in the same room.
There is a clear calmness in both Gregon and me as we enter the barn. I keep Garson on my shoulder as Gregon prepares a rope and chair. We spend a few minutes making sure he's secured and trapped.
So when he does wake up, he won't be able to escape. Legs and arms are bound tight and with a special kind of rope, according to Gregon. I would like to use (EoC) on it, but now isn't the time for that.
"I honestly didn't know if you could keep your word about rescuing her sister so fast. You're an impressive young man, Zaediel. Ever since I met you, my life has gotten so much more interesting."
The silence is filled with the considerate words of Gregon. The first time I met the old man, I extorted him for a Griffin to reach (Red's Hold.) Now, it's almost like we're friends. And that thought is quickly confirmed by a message from the system.
[+20,000 Rep with Gregon Hareson!]
[+20,000 Rep with the Hareson family!]
[You're now friends with Gregon Hareson and his sons!]
"I'm a man who keeps his word and promises, Gregon. I told Celia I'd rescue her sister and do it fast, and I did. After everything those two have been through, having someone keep a promise is the least they're owed."
I don't envy parts of AG—the parts where people are used as toys and possessions. I've seen this in the past in other VRMMORPGs, but it affects me here. I can't explain it, but I hate it so much. I didn't like it before, but to me, it wasn't important.
This change is something I didn't see or feel. It just happened. Out of nowhere. A part of me is glad that I feel this way now, but another part is confused.
Why now...
The timing of it all is strange, and when I got that boost to my (Primeval Divinity) stat. It lined up perfectly with what was going on. I know I won't get answers anytime soon, but it's something to keep in mind.
"That's well said, Zaediel. I hope all the women you've rescued can start their lives over now. Put all of this behind them."
Yeah.
I hope so, too.