A few days passed, now 4 people were doing exercises in the morning. Anthony kept a steady pace with them then, but in the afternoon, him and Allison would do a hard core routine once more. He needed to squeeze as much as he could endure in the little time he had left. His mom supported him with sleeping pills so he could rest more comfortably at night, and it did helped, but just a bit. It helped him not to wake up as easily as before, but that didn't stop the nightmares from coming.
Even when someone was telling a truth, that didn't meant people believed it to the letter. Doubts and questions always arose, and as days passed, mom and dad asked a few. Today was slightly different, as the questions before were about the future.
"Son." Dad seemed to be pondering something, trying to think how to properly express himself.
We were all eating breakfast after a few hours of exercising, and it seemed they started to feel the effects. Dad seemed to be in better shape then expected, but mom was taking it harder. As it became straining with each passing day, their purpose for keeping up the exercise started to falter. In the end, they still had to work, and without preparing, they started to exercise. It was taking time out of their busy schedule, and the little free time they had left, they spend it resting.
"Dad, there's no need to say anything." I calmly responded. "I can assume what you're going to say, or at least what you have in mind." This morning seemed to be harder for them to keep up the routine, even though it was a simple one. I could surmise they were faltering on their resolve to push themselves and spend time training. It was something he was all but used to seeing, even he himself was just like that in the past, but then again, giving up meant certain death.
Dad raised his brow, clearly intrigued.
"What's wrong?" Allison asked, she was the only one confused, since everyone else seemed to know what was going on.
"Son, I have something in mind, I want you to reasonably think about it."
I gave him a steady gaze, and nodded.
"Alright."
"Ok." He nodded. "You seem to be more mature, and more confident in yourself as of late."
It seems they felt the difference in me in the last few days, especially dad since he came back, I was practically a different person.
"I want to know how certain are you, of the events of the future."
"It seems to me that you don't want vague answers like, 'very certain' right?" I asked.
"That's right."
I nodded, and pondered for a bit.
"I'm more than 85% certain it will happen."
"85..."
"So there is a chance that it will not happen." Mom said, hopping for the better.
"That's 15%." Dad said to mom.
"Still, it's better then nothing."
Both of them nodded.
They seem to be having some ideas of their own, and conjectures like that were often lethal in the life he had lived. Leaving things to chance lead to an early death, he himself never left anything to luck before, and that was something he was not about to change anytime soon.
"You both seem to have the wrong misconception." I broke them out of their little bubble of ideas.
They both stare at me again.
"Me, sitting here with you all, seem more unbelievable to me, then they coming to invade once again." I gave them a steady gaze. "I still believe this is some kind of illusion, and that you 3 are just not real."
"..."
"..."
"The only reason I have doubts, is because there was no power of any kind known to us that let someone come back in time." It was just something truly shocking, especially in the circumstances he was in just before travelling back.
I looked into my hands, to me, they were still the same as always, dirty and scarred. "I have lived through many things, and I have lost many dear friends along the way..."
I clenched my hands into fists.
"I only know battle, and death..." It was really hard not to reminisced about the past, about his companions, and how they died. That one last battle left a really big scar on him, and it was something he could not just walk away from.
"I'm just a withering man stumbling forward, waiting for the day when I can finally rest in peace."
I closed my eyes, and gave a deep sigh.
All of them remained silent, pondering his words.
"I wish, with all my heart, that my own words were not real." Opening my eyes, I glanced at them. "I truly hope, that when the day comes, that nothing would happen. That all we did to prepare, to be in vain. That's what I wish for."
Standing up, I said. "You do what you have to do, believe my words or not, it's up to you. I hope you keep pushing yourself as you have been, at least for two weeks. In two weeks, I'll know for sure how real my words are, and then I'll be able to show you proof. Until then, please keep working hard."
My gaze was steady and not a speck of doubt could be found in them.
"Alright, I think we can do that." Dad glanced at mom. "Right?"
She nodded, but she still seemed not really convinced. It was understandable, not to believe 100% the words of a young boy. I myself would not believe those words, not entirely at least.
"I do believe though..." The innocent little Allison said.
The only one who believed him more, was Allison. She always complained about the hard exercises all the time, but never stopped. She also never seemed to doubt my words about the monsters attacking, which left me a little speechless. But it also made me dote on her more, especially her pure and bright personality of hers. It was probably because it was a time of peace, and her world was not tainted yet.
"Alright, we're looking forward for what you have to show us in two weeks." Dad said, giving a comfortable smile.
"Honey, we will try hard." Mom also nodded. She probably still had doubts, but still managed to suppressed them somehow.
It was probably as much of a compromise as he could get, even if they didn't try or believed him, in two weeks he could have changed their minds, albeit it would have been two weeks lost for them without preparing. Anytime lost now was really precious, one day lost, was one day they could never get back.
As he placed his full focus on training, days went by. He discarded all distracting thoughts, there was nothing he could do for now, or maybe he did, but just opted not to. Now that everything had been slightly settled, he let loose and concentrated on fully training himself. In the mornings he would keep pace with the whole family, and in the afternoon he would push Allison a bit more by herself. But he himself would do exercise anytime in between as long as he could, he would rest his sour and aching body from time to time just barely enough each time he did so.
Today was August 14, and he decided to fully rest, he needed to prepare for tomorrow since he needed to do something special, a whole day of rest would be enough for what he needed to do. Even if he took a day off, he told them not to rest and to keep up the training.
This week, mom started to go to work, and would do light exercise just before leaving, shortening the time and effort she placed on training. There was nothing I could do for now, so I just didn't say anything and remained quiet. I was obviously displeased, but everyone had priorities in life. Tomorrow, I will change their views on how things stand, until then, I would keep my disapproving opinions of their actions all to myself.
Dad was different, since he went to work after a full routine in the mornings, and would come back around 2 in the afternoon from Monday to Friday, on weekends, he would do a bit more since he didn't work on those days.
Today was Saturday, so they didn't had work. We were all eating breakfast early morning, they seemed a bit exhausted after exercising, with only Allison looking a bit better. She seemed to be taking the training well, better than expected. Even dad, who seemed tired, was fairing slightly better then my predictions, the only exception was mom, who was taking it harder. It seems that she viewed the exercise as a burden instead, which made it more complicated for her, exhausting her more mentally then physically. Still, I was glad she did placed a bit of effort nonetheless.
Enjoying my last bite, which I always found it complicated since that meant there were no more food, we all finished breakfast.
"Dad, there is something I have to do tomorrow..."
"Oh? And what's that?" He asked.
"Well, it's something I need a bit of help with."
"Do tell."
"For that, some things need to be bought, I don't know if you could help me with that?"
"Are they hard to find? or expensive?" Dad rubbed his chin in thought.
"No, they're just simple things, it's just that...well, I have no money."
"Oh? How much do you need?"
"You're going shopping? Can I go?" Allison pleaded with puppy eyes. I was really getting fond of this little girl, and I didn't mind her tagging along.
"I don't mind. And dad, I would like for you to come too."
"You don't want me to go?" Mom said, pouting.
"I don't mind either, but what I want is really just simple things, if you want, you can rest, you seem a bit tired after all."
"I AM tired, ok I'll rest then." Mom said, nodding.
"You wanna go now?" Dad asked.
"After you guys change it's fine, after all, you guys just exercised."
"Alright then."
"I'll take a quick shower!!" Allison darted to her room.
I watched them go, and then stared at mom, who was washing the diches.
Walking towards her, I said. "Mom, you really seemed tired, I'll finish those."
"Oh, ok then." She stepped back and let me washed them, but didn't leave just yet.
"Son, I'm not really sure what you're planning to do, but please don't do anything dangerous, ok?
Her words carried concern and worry, making me feel slightly warm in my chest.
I gave a gentle smile. "No need to worry mom." It made me a bit nervous that she seemed to think I would do something dangerous, women intuition was really a frightening thing.
"Mmh ok, I'll trust son." She nodded, and leaned close to me, giving me a light kiss on the cheek.
"Ok, I'll rest a bit, I am really tired this time." She said, walking away.
Little did she know, that small show of affection, had a great impact on me. It felt electrifying, sending a light shock throughout my whole body. A strong warm feeling pervaded me, and made me reinforce my belief, my belief to protect them. This was exactly what I wanted to protect, and when something small like this happen, it made me remember, they were not just an illusion, they were real. My family was real, and that I needed to protect them, no matter what it cost.
"Whooosh."
We were all in dad's car except mom, who stayed resting.
"So, what are we buying?" Asked dad.
"I need leather work gloves, a small shovel, a big backpack, a hunting knife, rope, boots, and some other small things like that."
"Are you going hunting or something?" Dad raised an eyebrow.
"Something like that." I nodded.
"Can I go too??" Allison beamed from the back seat.
"Not this time, but maybe next time." I answered her.
"Oh." She looked like a sad puppy.
"If you keep up the exercise, I'll really take you next time."
"Really??" She beamed again, seeing hope.
"Yeah."
"You better not go back on your word!"
"I promise, but you better not slack off."
"Can I go too?" Dad asked.
"Nop, you're far from ready, you'll only get in the way."
"Oh." Dad also pouted, looking down.
We went to a big famous store, known for selling this type of products, making it easy for me to find everything I needed. Dad was really helpful this time since he didn't say a thing about the prices, I wasn't really sure how much money our parents had, but rich, we were not, that much I knew.
After buying everything, we headed back, but before reaching home, there was something I had to tell dad.
"Dad, there is something I have to say."
"What is it."
"I didn't want to tell mom about it, or else, she would worry, or might try to stop me."
"Alright, let me hear it first."
"Tomorrow..." I sighed.
"Go on."
"Tomorrow, I will enter a rift."
"What??"
"What??"
Both dad and my little sister were flabbergasted.
"No you're not, out of the question." Dad was firmed in his answer.
"Brotheeer, it's really dangerous, what if you get stuck inside and never return??" Allison was very worried as well.
Dad stopped the car before reaching our house, not wanting to have this conversation there.
"Dad, I'm very sorry about this." I calmly said.
"You're not going, No it's no, and it's not up for debate." He looked at me, looking mad.
"Don't go, bother!!" Allison, on the other hand, was very worried, her face showed nothing but concern.
"This is something I 'have' to do."
Even though they were really agitated, I was very calm about all this.
"You don't seem to understand my words, boy!" Dad's anger seemed to be rising.
I sighed.
"Dad, the only reason I'm telling you all of this, is because I need your help tomorrow, if it was not because of that, you wouldn't even know about it."
"Is this related to the 'proof' you wanted to show us?"
"Something like that."
"Kid, you're crossing the line this time." He glared at me. "I'm not gonna let you do this."
"You don't seem to understand, dad. I'm not asking for permission, I will do it, with or without your approval." My eyes locked onto his, showing nothing but firm resolution.
We stare at each other for a short moment, in silence. Allison was really worried right now, and she didn't even dare to make a sound. She was not expecting for a fight like this to break right after having a light trip to the store.
Dad gave up on the staring contest, and looked to the front. He was really mad right now, and it took tremendous self restraint to not scream, or even punch me.
"Dad, were you a soldier in the past?" I asked.
"What? what are you talking about now?" Dad seemed to be a ticking time bomb right now, and anything could set it off.
"Were you a soldier before?" I repeated myself.
"I was, what is that have anything to do with this?" He asked, looking annoyed.
I got off the car and stepped on the lawn in front of a house.
"Come, dad."
Both dad and my little sister joined me outside.
"No wonder you were a bit fit, have you kept in shape after leaving the army?"
"That's right, but not as much as before, again, what does that matter?"
I stretched a bit, flexing my muscles.
"If you manage to land one hit on me, I'll listen to you, if not, you'll help me, how about that?"
"What??" Dad was really surprised now.
"Are you guys fighting??!!" Allison was flabbergasted.
"The only way for me 'not' to go to a rift, would be only if you can 'make' me not go." I said, giving the impression of looking down on dad.
"You punk! you're really crossing the line this time!"
"What are you doing, brother??" Allison didn't know what to do anymore, even her small hands were trembling.
"You don't need to worry, sis. But please, stay out of this."
"You really wanna do this?" Dad was not playing anymore, well, he probably never was.
"Like I said, I 'have' to do it, there's no other way."
Dad nodded.
"Alright, then I'll put a stop to this nonsense now."
He approach me with quick steps, and upon reaching me, he swung with force, intending to punch me in the face. But right when his fist was about to connect, I turned my face while side stepping, avoiding by a very small margin.
It caught dad by surprise, and when he tried to regain his balance, a heavy blow had been delivered to his ribs.
"Ugh!"
The blow had been delivered with precision, and even if he had a tough body, it still hurt. Without wasting time, he quickly swung his other arm, missing me completely once again. With great precision and fast reaction speed, another blow had been delivered. This one had hit his other side, but with a bit more force backing the punch.
"Uuughhh!!" This blow took his breath away, but dad still continued to thrust forward with his momentum, swinging his arm for another punch.
Anthony had stepped back right after connecting his punch, predicting his next move, completely avoiding it with easy. After missing the second punch, dad had already been in a bad position, and now with the third, Anthony kicked right when he's dad was raising his leg mid step with pin point precision on the shoe, so as not to hurt him more then necessary. Throwing his balance off completely, dad fell, did a roll, and made a defensive posture. All that happened really fast, within a few short seconds.
In this crossing of fists, Anthony had complete control of the fight the whole time. With a calm gaze, he stare at his father, not a speck of evidence that he had just being throwing punches just now. It was evident to all, Anthony was far better in a fight than his own dad, an ex military soldier.
It was as if he was dealing with a little kid instead, and with Ethan's vast experience as a soldier, he knew, his son was going easy on him. He could have done much more damage if he had wanted to, and above all, he could tell that even though it was a short spar, Anthony had probably not even broken a sweat, while he himself was already rolling on the ground.
Having process all this very quickly, he calmed his rampant emotions. It was hard to digest that he had been thrown off his high horse with such ease, after all, he still carried all that which he had experienced as a soldier. It was really a hard stone to swallow, but Anthony's gaze on him was deadly calm, no ripples of any kind of emotions could be found. He felt the same once before, when he faced his old teacher, someone who had gone to war on multiple occasions, but was already getting old and decided to teach the next generation. Anthony had the same eyes as that old men, and carried that same unparalleled confident demeanor, that with not even taking a defensive or attacking stance, he could crush him all the same.
"I told you before..." Anthony's gaze seemed to turn distant. "All I've known for more than 20 years, was nothing but battle, a battle with my own life on the line every single second. This..." Anthony gestured to his hands, the grass, and him. "This is nothing but child's play."
Ethan sucked in a breath of cold air.
Those were the exact same words his old teacher always said.
'If I had been serious, I could have killed you a dozen times.'
"If I had been serious dad, I could have..." Anthony didn't finish his own words, he just left their meaning drift in the air.
Ethan's emotions once again run wild, and for once, he felt defeated. Before Anthony said those words, he felt he still had a chance, but not anymore. Was this really his son??
"Brother!!" Running with her full strength, Allison rushed to Anthony, and kicked with all her might.
Anthony's mind was in tune to fight his own father, but in the brief moment that Allison rushed in, all his guard had been lowered, she was his sole reason he was able to push forward as of now, and he truly doted on her very much. He was not expecting to be attacked by her, his only weakness, and exploit a small moment of carelessness. He turned to her trying to calm her down and say everything will be okay, but he just didn't have that chance.
The kick landed right in the shin, and she was not holding back one bit.
"Aaawww!!!" I ended up rolling on the ground as well, rubbing where the kick landed, but the deadly pain did not fade one bit.
"Don't ever raise your hand to dad ever again, you hear??!!" She screamed, pointing her finger at me as I rolled on the grass, little tears almost escaping from her beautiful eyes.