Raven was stunned by the sudden change in atmosphere. A moment ago, this old fogey was interested in him and a bit curious, but now, he was chasing him out?
"Get him out of here! I want nothing to do with him!" Wikes kept waving his cane in the air while raising his voice.
"What the hell, Wikes? What's gotten into you?" Roland was taken aback and hurriedly shoved Raven behind him in a subconscious act to protect the boy.
"Do you know what you are asking me to do?! In fact, even if I spelt it out for you, you would not understand! I refuse to involve myself in this matter! Leave! Don't come back here with him!" Wikes was adamant about his stance on the matter.
"..." Roland stared at Wikes for a long time, shock evident in his eyes before shaking his head. "I don't understand why you are acting like this, Wikes, but whatever this is, it doesn't make sense."
"From your point of view, maybe. But from mine? It makes perfect sense." Wikes shook his head. "There is nothing else for me to say, Roland. My decision is final." He turned around and walked back where he came from while Roland stared at his back.
"Fine! But I'll be expecting an explanation later!" Roland bellowed before turning back to Raven and giving him an apologetic look. "Sorry, kid. We need to go."
"...It's fine." Raven's tone was cold as he was reminded of how he had been rejected by the people of his village. This was no different. He had been a fool to get his hopes up.
Raven followed Roland as the latter led him through a winding, complex pathway that eventually returned them above ground.
"No one wants me around. It's not hard to understand that. I should be on my way. Thank you for trying." Raven immediately said after the two of them returned to being under the light of the sun.
"Look, kid-"
"There's no need for you to say anything else. My path was already predetermined from the day I was born as I was. There is nothing anyone can do to change that… Goodbye, Roland. I appreciate the help."
Raven was just a boy, but the cold firmness in his tone was enough for Roland to know that he was not just saying random words. He intended to abide by those words that he had spoken.
"…" Roland's head hung low for a time before he sighed. "Very well. I wish you all the best on your journey, Raven. Just remember, not everyone is beyong saving. I will not try to lecture you about righteousness, but not everyone deserves to be burned down like those you did in the past. Some are innocents."
"I used to be innocent, once upon a time too. But this world stole that innocence." Raven said as he turned his back on Roland and walked away. The air between them was cold and Roland knew that he could no longer get through to Raven. He only sighed and clenched his fists, vowing to pry out the reason for Wikes treating Raven so badly out of the old bastard's mouth.
As Raven vanished within the cover of the greenery and shrubs, a secret passageway that was different from where Roland and Raven had exited from opened behind the man. Wikes walked out, supported by his cane.
"What was the meaning of that? Why did you send him away like that?" Roland's voice had a strange calm to it, but Wikes could easily tell how angry he actually was.
"It is quite simple. That boy is not ordinary. I sent him away because it is not right for him to grow under me like so. He must survive on his own. However, I will provide occassional guidance to help him hone his abilities." Wikes revealed his true train of thoughts, surprising Roland.
Roland's head snapped to Wikes. "What? Why should he live out there? With all the danger around in the world?"
"It is exactly because of all the danger that I sent him out. He cannot grow into his full potential if he remains sheltered. That is why he was orphaned, and that is why he was cast away. A sheltered life will never allow him to live up to his destiny." Wikes responded, speaking in a sagely tone.
"…I don't understand what you mean, but everything that you have done so far in the time I have known you has always paid off. I just hope that this choice you have taken will not end up being the wrong choice for the first time." Roland eventually said.
"Don't worry, Roland. It will all pay off in the future." Wikes revealed a wicked grin and patted Roland's shoulder before turning around and retreating into the open passageway. "Come in for a meal. One of my boys managed to catch a rarity in these parts. It will be nice."
Roland sighed but followed after Wikes, leaving the secret passage to seal itself shut after they had entered, disappearing from the sight of the world.
Meanwhile, the subject of their conversation had a cold look on his face as he stealthily made his way through the forest. The sun was high up in the sky and bright rays of light broke through the curtain of leaves created by the large, aged trees of the forest. He instinctively avoided the rays of light that shone down directly, sticking to the less illuminated areas.
'This reminds me of those Vampires that mother told me about when I was little.' Raven recalled an old memory, but it did not bring a smile to his face. Instead, it made the fury and vengeance in his heart burn hotter than ever. After this rejection, his desire for revenge had been raised to an all new high.
'I will make this world pay for depriving me of what was mine. I will avenge my mother and my childhood. And I will start with the White Empire.'