After delivering the bandits to the village that hired me and collecting my hard-earned reward, Megan and I made our way back to our village. For someone who was supposedly injured she was sure bouncing excitedly while we walked.
As we entered Cayo village, a small settlement fortified by a massive log fence and a sturdy gate, the guard let us in without hesitation, promptly shutting the gate behind us. This place used to be a thriving town before the deities stirred and brought about the end of the world. Now, monstrous creatures roam the land, and only those chosen by a deity can join a faction to train the wild beasts that threaten to destroy anyone who can't master them.
Today was the day Megan and I had been waiting for—we were finally joining a faction and would receive our first familiars, starting with a summon. The first familiar is always a summon, and after that, it's up to us to track down and capture any familiars we want. I was stoked about getting my first familiar, but there was a twinge of sadness; I had hoped to travel with my dad after today, and now he wouldn't be here
Coming up to her family house, Megan threw her arms around me and surprised me by kissing my cheek. "I have to go get ready for the summoning ritual and diety selection but I'll see you soon! I know that there won't really be time to talk during but afterwards I have something that I need to talk with you about, alright?"
"For sure, I'm all clear after that," I said with a grin.
"Great! I'll see you in a bit!" She gave me a tight hug and then bound away towards her family's house and right before she entered she waved at me and grinned. I waved back helplessly. It's weird to think of her as an adult. Even though we're both eighteen, I turned eighteen before she did but they only do the summoning every six months and in our society you aren't considered an adult until you go through with your first summoning. So the two of us are officially going to be considered adults after today.
My smile vanished as I lowered my arm, confident she was snug in her happy little world. I hadn't fibbed; I had zero plans, nothing on my plate. Alone and adrift since my dad's death, I was left wondering what the hell I was supposed to do next. I walked by the shattered remains of the looted shop that had become my inheritance after my dad passed. Nowadays, it was an open invitation for anyone to step inside without a key.
I walked into the wreckage of my dad's old shop, pushing through the shattered front door and navigating the treacherous landscape of jagged glass and twisted metal. It hadn't been long since the place was ransacked, the culprits likely one of the very villagers who called this place home. I didn't have the money to fix it, and that's why I've been working harder than ever, even without a familiar.
With a couple of hours to spare before the ceremony kicked off, I decided to head up to the cozy two-room apartment above the shop for a well-deserved nap after scrubbing off the grime. I strolled over to the wood stove, fired it up, and boiled some water, pouring it into the tub. It was wild to think that homes once had hot running water flowing freely, no mana stones or water phantoms needed. How did that even work? No one really knew; it was just one of those lost pieces of knowledge. After boiling several pots and mixing in some regular water, I was finally ready to dive in. I sank into the tub, letting the warmth wash away the day's stress. Once I was cleaned up, I changed into fresh clothes and strapped my Techie Fui wristband back on—only took it off for a good scrub. I tossed my gear onto the bed, right next to my pillow. I never let my gear out of my sight; it was prime target material for thieves. Just as I settled in, my wristband erupted with a loud beeping.
[Conditions are satisfied. The individual is solitary and has the summoning ceremony planned for today. Initiating access to restricted information.]
A voice I never thought I'd hear again crackled to life from my wristband, a recording that felt like a ghost from the past. "Hey there, champ! Can you believe it? You're finally eighteen, my little boy has grown into a man!" There was a moment of silence as he cleared his throat, the weight of his words hanging in the air. "I wish I could be there with you, I truly do, but if you're listening to this, it means I'm no longer around. Looking back on my life, I have my share of regrets. I wish I had taken you on those adventures or simply spent more time at home with you. You were my joy, and I realize now that I didn't show you that enough. But it's too late for regrets, too late to change the past. Just know that I tried my best. I wanted nothing more than to be with you, and I've always been so proud of you, even if I struggled to say it. Being your father was the greatest gift I ever received."
I had to share this with you, but there's more I need to say. I wanted to ensure you were by yourself before revealing this. Whatever you've heard about my passing, whatever dreadful incident they've claimed it was—likely something to do with phantoms—know this: if my familiars have vanished without a trace, it was no mere accident; I was murdered. I've programmed your wristband to unlock after you hear this message, revealing the location of my concealed lab. I suspect that whoever took my life has already ransacked my public lab. Don't feel too disheartened; that lab was merely a front. Keep the location of my true lab a secret, even from those you think you can trust. I can't pinpoint who it is, but someone has betrayed me. I've uploaded some of my phantom evolutionary research onto the Fui wristband, along with the coordinates to my hidden lab. The choice to visit is yours, but guard the information on that wristband closely. If you choose to go, you'll uncover the truth. If not, the secrets will perish with me; I have no one else to rely on. On a lighter note, I want you to embrace life fully, travel the world as you've always dreamed, and seek your own version of happiness. It takes on many forms. I'm incredibly proud of you, and I love you, son. Happy eighteenth birthday, and congratulations on your first summoning. I know you'll shine brightly!
With a definitive click, the recording stopped, and I covered my eyes with my arm, fighting back the surge of feelings and trying to wrap my head around his words.
Coming Next Time: Betrayal