I am not curious as to why Aldrich is hiding in the bushes; his story was not a secret. Withstanding a rough childhood, Aldrich Wycliffe had abusive parents. He was often left outside of the house and struggled to find joy in his life. At school, he was bullied for his smaller stature. I wouldn't be surprised if he did run away from home sometimes to avoid the life he's living. Anybody would do that in his position.
Aldrich was short even for a middle schooler. Sitting at 4'6, he had course blond hair, frail-looking limbs, and pale blue eyes. His school clothes were rumpled and dirty, only sparsely washed. He was a sorry sight to see in the big city. However, although he doesn't look much currently, his swordsmanship will become feared by all enemies.
What was most unsettling about his story in my past life was his attitude. At first, he seemed to idolize the angels, treating them as his savior and benefactor. This was evident when he became the angel's human representative, gathering followers to join him and seek refuge with the angels. They spread his past and placed him on a pedestal, a poor child who lost his parents and found sanctuary with the angels. As he grew older, his faith also became unwavering, proving to the angels that he was worthy of the title of Holy Knight.
But the dirty methods the angels used to lure Aldrich into joining them came to bite them back. Although I don't know what Aldrich found out, I do know that Aldrich had become extremely hateful towards the angels, and went on a killing spree. He killed everyone affiliated with the angel faction, and even made his followers leave.
Joining a faction had severe consequences. A person couldn't just join and then leave however they wish. In a way, the system distinguishes the various factions that the humans join, and removing what the system identifies holds dire consequences. Usually, the punishments are so detrimental to development that no human in their right mind would choose to leave their faction. But that's exactly what Aldrich did, and even forced the people who followed him to do the same. I could only imagine what had happened for him to be so desperate.
Aldrich stares at me from the bushes. The look he gives is as though he wants me to move out of the way. Cautiously I move away from the playground and into an alleyway across the road. It's too much of a coincidence to see Aldrich in such a remote area in the middle of the night, something doesn't add up.
Thankfully, Aldrich's senses and awareness for his surroundings are nowhere near developed. Although he stares into the darkness of the alleyway, I can't sense his gaze focusing on me.
So he's just doing it for show. What secret does he have to make him worry so much?
As I watch on, he sits back in the bushes and doesn't move. I begin to wonder if he's living in the bushes. But just as I am about to leave, a small silhouette can be seen walking down the road to the playground. I can't make out any clear features, except that they're a female based off the slim build and two clear ponytails in the shadow. I check the time, it's 1 am in the morning. Could this be some secret love affair between Aldrich and this girl? What the fuck did I just get myself into?
When the girl reaches the playground, Aldrich appears from out of the bushes. As if this is a natural occurrence, they begin to converse. Curious, I initially move in closer to hear what is going on.
" Aldrich, how many times do I have to tell you, you shouldn't keep sneaking out in the middle of the night. I can't always be here whenever you run away from home."
"I know, I know, but I can't stand being at home. You know how my parents-"
"Yes, but you need to stand up for yourself some more Aldrich. You have the talent to make a huge difference in the future, you've shown me yourself..."
"Shhh. I don't want you to mention it anymore. This is a secret between us ok? Nobody else can know about this."
So there is someone Aldrich trusts. I thought it was only the angels but it is possible Aldrich trusted other people before Doomsday. Either way, there is no point in bothering him now. In fact, it could ruin the relationship with him if I interfered more. This would spoil my plans to recruit him. I turn to leave and find some other place to spend the night when I heard Aldrich's voice call out a name that sent shivers down my spine.
"You are the only person I believe in Avesta."
Avesta? The girl's name is Avesta? My brain jolts awake and furiously begins to process the information. This is a variable I did not expect.
The world had gods. Though. not quite the gods most people would imagine. Gods were simply other-dimensional beings that can process and transfer powers to earth. The amount of power depends on the strength of that god and the number of followers. This mechanism is why the angels and demons are trying to take control of humanity, not only to strengthen the belief in their "gods", but also to gain more transferrable power to earth, eventually consuming it to assimilate into their territory.
In my previous life, after Aldrich abandoned the angel faction, his followers formed a small cult, praying and worshipping a small god called Avesta. Although I do not know the details, their end was definitely a tragedy as I never heard about either of them after some time. However, I do know that the god Avesta and the Avesta I see in front of my must be related in some way. It can't be a coincidence that Aldrich in the past followed a god the exact same name as his childhood friend.