"He Who kills Transcenders?" Kairi questioned.
Kairi sat down in utter confusion, he thought, Is he joking? He then looked to Huweyn, Chucking,"I didn't know he made jokes from time to time."
Huweyn looked at Kairi with a serious expression,"He isn't joking." He then looked back to the old man,"Well, since you've told him that much, you might as well tell him the rest."
The old man then began to reminiscent,"It's a long story, a really long one, I started off as an orphan with nothing, from a young age, I learnt of the dog eat dog principle, I indulged in theft to survive, bread anything, I didn't have a purpose nor did I have a dream, I thought a nice bed was in itself a dream. But then on one of my endeavors, I was taken away by a group of individuals, they promised me food and water for free without having to steal anything, I didn't know why I went along with them, just something about them was intriguing. After surrendering to their care, I was taken to an orphanage. For the first time in my life, I had a roof over my head, fresh clothes, and a soft bed, and there were others like me—It was like a dream but then it all went downhill."
An orphanage… Kairi found himself drawn back to the olden days."So how and where did it all go wrong."
"The ones running the Orphanage, they were also so weird, quiet and silent, they were always observant, too observant, never speaking. At first, I thought it was because of an initial care and concern as well as passage for personal development for all of the children, then as some time passed, they became more strict, they even had us perform physical exercises. Then training turned into other practices, they made us start using Soul abilities, made us fight one another, separated us from one another, beat us, stabbed us, starved us, all to polish our skills, made us abandon our emotions, along with whatever attachments we had to our old life. I followed obediently, after all, I had no purpose and then they gave me one."
As the story continued, the more distressed the old man's face became, he looked like he had seen a ghost, his knees shook aggressively, tremors shook the entire table.
Kairi, noticing all this, felt reluctant to even ask anymore of him. It looks like even just telling this story to me is opening old scars—It's better that I have him stop here and now.,"If it's bothering you in any way, you don't have to tell me anything… It's fine, Mr. Ibnir." Kairi pleaded.
With widened and distressed eyes, he retorted,"I have to tell you, for my sake." He then took a deep breath,"They told me my only purpose now was to be a human weapon for them, a weapon of destruction, and that I would serve to rid our nation of all the Transcendent hypocrites."
"Transcenders? But why?"
"Because not everyone is fond of us. I believe that the organization he belonged to was related or interconnected with a criminal or political syndicate, or even a rebellion made of regular citizens who found it unpleasant they weren't able to use their Soul abilities without a permit. Transcenders are usually the ones standing up to them, standing up to such people." Huweyn elaborated, with a serious expression.
"They were a crime syndicate working in the underworld, whenever hit list of Transcenders popped up for a bounty, they'd do anything to complete it and earn the rewards, turning children into disposable warriors is no problem for them—I was one of them. They'd tell me that though my abilities were still lacking, that I, was exceptional, and my growth was superb, they trained me and I became their willing dog, killing was no problem for me. I lacked all sense of morals like there was nothing in my heart, affection, love, tenderness, angry, hate, all of it was a concept to me, I didn't know what was or what is, I didn't have a goal, I didn't have anything, but I had a purpose, and I fulfilled it because I didn't want to be left without one. I killed because I was told to, I butchered because I was ordered, I slaughtered because it was my job."
Kairi sat silently, the entire time, he had assumed the nature of the old man, that he was a kind yet distant person, but the entire time, the act of kindness he expressed as well as his constant rejection was a facade or shield to protect himself from the past. From his sins.
The old man's story had moved him dearly, he felt as though if he wasn't fortunate enough to have Elissa, and be taken into the Oprhanage, that his life could have also taken a dark turn.
"So how did you get away?"
"I didn't, on one of my assignments, around the time I entered in my adult years, I had the worst fight of my life, one with a Transcender whose power far exceeded mine. Threads that were so thin and concentrated, that were so fast and interconnected, manifestations like crafty sculptures, I remembered his name though barely, he was called Akira."
"Akira The Unraveled. A name known throughout this entire nation. I'm sure that you, Kairi, have at least heard the name, maybe from a book?"
"I-I believe so."
Amidst the short moment of silence,"The day I met Akira, was the day that Ibnir was born. It was the day I escaped the Syndicate—They had all thought of me to be dead." He then placed his hand on Kairi's shoulder,"Listen here young lad, the world of Transcension is a world of no return, your life will constantly be filled with risks, death, and your morals may soon then waver; Transcenders aren't always the good guys, they can be brought for a hefty sum, it's best you Stray far away from such a chaotic path."
With a smile on his face,"It's fine, Mr Ibnir. I'll be fine, after all, I have Huweyn, as he is already a Transcender with some degree of experience and because he has been so good to me, I trust in him completely."
Huweyn smirked, shaking his head,"You shouldn't put so much trust in people, that's an important lesson for you to remember today."
"Speaking of lessons." Kairi rose up from the table,"It's about time we get it done." He then looked down to Ibnir, bowing his head, he expressed his gratitude for the meal,"Thank you, Mr. Ibnir. I apologize if I delved too deep into your personal life."
"It's fine. Just don't get yourself killed lad."
"Far from my list of wants or needs." Kairi chuckled.
Kairi and Huweyn then made their way outside, finally attempting to finish what was previously unfinished—Huweyn's lecture.