Theoron
"Look at that over there, napping again."
I assume they're referring to me, given my current posture, with my head resting on my folded arms, slumped over the desk.
"Didn't he do that few hours ago?"
"I know, right?"
The trio laughed together, their voices ringing out in a way that suggested they felt superior. It seemed they had no better things to do than to engage in petty gossip. Since morning, they had been busy chit-chatting among themselves, casting judgment on others, and I was merely another topic to fuel their conversation.I could hear one of them sighing.
"The Creed family's potential is being wasted"
"Unlike his brother, who has been working hard on expeditions."
"You're right."
Throughout my life, people have constantly drawn comparisons between my brother and me. While he is often praised for his diligence, kindness, and dedication to our family's legacy,I've been viewed as a disappointment. Honestly, I don't dispute their assessments, as they align with reality.
"I'm curiuos to see how his life unfolds" one of them mumbled.
"The Creed clan's future would be doomed if he were to be the only heir"
I've never pondered such far-reaching questions as they have. Do their lives revolve around me? Why are they curious about matters I've never contemplated?
Resting my head on the cool surface of the desk, I allowed the murmurs of the classroom to fade into the background. The chatter of my classmates felt like a distant hum, almost comforting in its familiarity. With my eyes closed, I surrendered to the weight of exhaustion that settled in my bones.I could hear their laughter, the occasional snicker directed my way, but it didn't pierce my foggy state. I didn't care.
In this hazy half-sleep, I drifted into thoughts that felt far more significant than anything happening around me. My imagination taking me somewhere else, a place free from judgment, where my existence felt lighter.
I was transported back to the faimliar vibrant sunflower field. The air resonated with contagious laughter, and I found myself smiling alongside my younger self, carefreely chasing after my two other friends through the sea of golden blooms. The world seem brighter, full of promise and untained joy. As I ran through the sunflowers, the laughter grew louder, and my younger self's grin mirrored my own.
I woke to the same cacophony of chatter surrounding me. I must have fallen asleep right as those girls were gossiping about me. Stretching and yawning, I wondered how many hours I had lost to sleep. Glancing out the window, I noticed the bright blue sky, birds flitting about near the clouds. I guessed the teachers were on another break. The empty chair designated for them since morning only reinforced the notion that no one seemed to care.
"When will the Fariya expedition end?" a feminine voice drifted through the air.
"I don't know."
"But I heard that the devils from the east and west sides of Fariya have been eradicated."
"Aren't those the ones led by the Savants?"
"It is," she replied.
The enigmatic Savants, wielders of arcane power, had become indispensable in the perpetual struggle against the malevolent forces of darkness. Their presence on the battlefield was a beacon of hope, a crucial factor that could swing the tide of war in favor of humanity.
As the ranks of Savants swelled, their collective strength grew exponentially, casting a tantalizing glow on the horizon of possibility. Rumors whispered of their rapid ascent, of their unyielding pursuit of mastery. It was said that they tread the narrow path to transcendence, their footfalls echoing through the halls of Haven.
Their ascension was a phenomenon, a harbinger of a new era. The Savants' exceptional prowess relegated the rankers' achievements to the realm of the mudane.
Their umparalleled accomplishments have set the stage for an unprecedented ascension, making it plausible that the Savants might surpass even the Ruling Gods in Haven.
"I wonder how the rankers in the south and north are faring right now since they're fighting without Savants." uttered the girl, her voice trailing off into comtemplation.
My mind became consumed with worry, as I reflected on my conversation with my brother before he departed for his perilous crusade against darkness.
"Wish me luck!"
"For what?"
"The war."
"War? You just returned from another conflict a few weeks ago," I said, remembering the severe injury he had sustained.
"Weren't you supposed to be on bed rest until you recover?"
"I pleaded with them to let me join," he said with a grin.
"Why?" I asked, concern lacing my voice. He laughed it off.
"I can't tell you exactly why, but I need to do this."
"What?"
"I'll let you know the reason when the time comes" I nodded, still puzzled.
"Why can't you just join after you've recovered from your injury? Is it really that important?"
"Yes. I promise I'll explain soon after this war."
"How long will it take?"
"I can't tell you exactly how many days," he shrugged.
"There's no time limit."
"At least let me know where exactly this war is happening."
"Fariya," he replied.
"I'll be in North Fariya."
I hope you're safe, brother.
An uneasy feeling stirred within me as I refused to entertain darker thoughts. I closed my eyes, praying for his safe return.Please let my brother return safe and sound, I begged, heavenly Father.
The news spread early that morning: the war in Fariya had ended. Reports indicated that all the rankers had returned home. The slaughter of powerful devils by the Savants had become the hottest topic of discussion among the townsfolk. This conflict between gifters and devils was one of the longest battles in recent history. The rankers returned with pride, having achieved victory. Yet, my primary concern remained my brother, who had not yet returned. Nearly all the participants had come back, but I waited impatiently for days as every ranker returned home. The last batch of rankers would arrive tomorrow.
Brother, you must come back safe. Please, come back safe.
I stood frozen, gazing upon the lifeless form shrouded in white, my world was disintegrated. All the prayers and hopes I had nurtured over the past days came crashing down as I faced my worst fear. My brother, my rock, my guiding light, lay before me, still and silent.
The sheer weight of reality crushed me, refusing to let me breathe. I couldn't bring myself to pull back the sheet, to confirm the unbearable truth. My mind recoiled, unable to comprehend the horror before me.
A hand rested gently on my shoulder, and I turned to see the owner of that comforting touch. His eyes brimmed with sympathy, filled with a deep sadness that spoke volumes.
"I know it's hard, but you need to face this."
Mikhael's voice, laced with empathy, urging me forward. With a gentle hand, Mikhael guided my trembling fingers to the edge of the white sheet. As I hesitated, Mikhael's gaze drifted to the still form before us. I could see jaw clenched, fighting back his own emotions for his dead friend.
I turned my gaze back to the body in front of me. My hands trembled as I reached for the sheets. I had refused to confront the reality, but deep down, my heart knew. Slowly, I pulled back the sheets, revealing his brown hair, then his closed eyes, nose, and finally his entire face. My fingers brushed against his cold, pale skin.
My heart sank, heavy as lead, theratening to implode. My stomach churned, twisting into knots that seem to suffocate me. The room spun, and my legs trembled beneath me. I felt my very existence unraveling.
As I turned my gaze back to the body, a mix of dread and inevitability washed over me. My hands trembled, as if weighed down by the gravity of the moment, as I reached for the sheets. The fabric seemed to whisper against my fingertips, a haunting reminder of the reality I'd tried to escape.
With hesitant slowness, I pulled back the sheets, unveiling the face that had once smiled, laughed, and comforted me. His brown hair, now dull and lifeless, framed his pale features. My eyes lingered on his closed eyelids, remembering the sparkle ocean eyes that once shone beneath them.
My fingers brushed against his cold skin, sending a shiver down my spine. The chill of his flesh was a harsh reminder that this wasn't a nightmare, but my waking reality. I felt my heart shatter, the fragments piercing my soul.
As I revealed his nose, his lips, and finally his entire face, a wave of grief crashed over me. His features, once full of life and vitality, now seemed frozen in eternal silence. The stillness was suffocating, a heavy blanket that smothered my senses.
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I took in the familiar contours of his face, now transformed by death's icy grasp. My mind reeled, struggling to reconcile the brother I knew with the lifeless form before me.
A sob welled up in my chest, threatening to burst forth, but I held it back, frozen in this moment of unbearable truth. The world around me melted away, leaving only the anguish that filled my heart.
My brother.