As Keel slowly woke up from a deep slumber, he realized the room was devoid of the soothing noise made by his worrying parents last night.
'Had they left after making sure I wasn't dead?' Keel's thoughts spun as he surveyed the now empty hospital room, feeling lonely once more. 'Maybe I need to prove I've changed before they trust me again...' Just as his mentality was changing for the worse
Click, followed by a soft creak
As hushed voices came through the now open door Keel feared the worst... 'Is it that serious?'
"Are you saying we can take him home Dr. Noel?" the unmistakable sound of his mother's voice all too soothing for Keel as he was sure she'd left.
"Yes Mrs. Arden, other than a slight concussion which likely resulted in him passing out he is otherwise fine" a slightly high pitched, yet reassuring and slightly amused voice answered her questions.
'Nothing compares to a mother's love' Keel thought to himself silently remembering the vow made previously.
As his mother and doctor entered the room they were met with the amusing sight of Keel clearly eavesdropping in on their conversation.
"Keel, I thought you better than this, you're almost 20 now, can't keep on eavesdropping as you did when you were 12!" trying to look upset, yet failing miserably, his mother turned to apologize as Keel quickly interrupted
"I'm sorry mom, where's dad? Can we go home now please?" his hurried voice clearly not surprising his mother as the doctor replied instead of Mrs. Arden
"Yes young man, you can leave, but you have to rest. No strenuous activities" His voice still carrying a slight amused sound.
As the doctor left and the awkward silence fell upon the room once more, Keel stole glances at his mother. His throat suddenly feeling sour as if filled with lead. His lips parted only to be pressed together in a thin line.
Each memory of ignorance and dismissal sifted through Keel's mind, as the weight of every unspoken apology fell heavy on his shoulders...
Shifting in unease, Keel tried to clear his throat "Ahem" "Mom, there is no apology good enough..." His words heavy with unspoken regret.
As Keel searched for the right words to say, this turned into something more than just an apology, this could very well be a turning point
As Keel pushed forward, his emotions in turmoil as if fighting a continuous uphill battle, the sound of his mother's tender, yet deliberate movements as she continued packing what little he had with him. Oddly soothing to his ears.
The weight of their shared story, the years of silence and misunderstandings heavily pressing down upon both of them.
Finally, as they walked through the door, she said "I forgive you, Keel," though her words containing a trace of cautious curiosity
"I'm curious, what brought this sudden change? I'm sure falling on your head did nothing to help the situation." She chuckled, a faint soft laugh and a breath of relief. Her eyes filled with careful optimism about the future
....
As the scenery changed, the car drove over more and more rugged terrain, what started as a drive through the city soon turned into trees and farms. The city nothing more than a speck of black in the distance.
As the car pulled into the driveway, Keel couldn't help but reflect on the past. He had been 27 just two days ago, yet now he had not even turned 20; if there was ever a chance to reestablish this relationship, it would be now.
...
Keel stopped and looked on as in front of him was a house he barely remembered. Add on 7 years, and in the blink of an eye, 9 years had gone by. What once felt familiar was now foreign, yet Keel was filled with boundless hope as he saw his father waving them down from the front door.
"Keel, there is no need to say anything," His voice carrying his usual gruff, yet soothing tone. "If your mother has forgiven you, so have I"
Keel's eyes widened, he clenched his fists, as tears threatened to fall, he remembered how he'd left them 9 years ago
"Keel, if you leave out that door you can forget about ever coming back! I will not have any son of mine making a living off of violence and gangs." What he used to think of as anger now sounded desperate as this is what would become Keel's biggest regret.
As Keel was heading toward the door, a surge of vitality flooded his body, his senses sharpening as though a dam of power had burst from within. He was reborn
[Quest Complete - Reward List:
5 Levels
+Necklace: Foundation of The Builder, Rank: Unique (Growth)
Foundation Of The Builder
Effects: Enter Axion anywhere, not bound by gates
Option 1: Claim any Territory in Axion as your own [User has to develop and protect his territory] (Upgradable)
Option 2: Whenever you kill, gain resources corresponding to their levels (Upgradable)
Option 3: Locked
Option 4: Locked
"This is insane," Keel mumbled beneath his breath as the necklace manifested underneath his clothing, out of view from both parents.
Keel forced himself to focus on the conversation going on around him as both his parents had to leave for work in a few hours, yet did not trust him enough to get himself into trouble by himself.
"I promise, I will not do anything silly while you're gone," Keel said already sounding exhausted by his parents' nagging, although he felt all warm and fuzzy on the inside. 'I've missed this'
As they ate breakfast, the conversation flowed. For an outsider, it might seem tense, but for both parents and Keel, this was the longest conversation they could remember.
As they reluctantly said their goodbyes, Keel could not help but feel restless at the thought of once again entering Axion and starting his journey, but before that:
Name: Keel Arden
Age: 19
Level: 7
Race: Human (1st evolution, Mortal)
Class: Builder (Growth)
Title: [None]
Current Zone: [None]
Skills: Strategic Insights
Health: 80% (Slight concussion)
Stats: [Human average 10]
Strength: 7
Agility: 10
Intelligence: 12
Charisma: ?
Luck: ?
Current Objective:
1: Rank "?" - Nexus has taken a keen interest in you... Make him believe in your abilities.
Reward list:
+ 25 levels
+ Information about your enemies
Penalty for failure:
-Forget the memories from you past life
"How pathetic" Keel murmured as the changes to his body finally settled in.
As Keel was about to command the portal, he quickly realized "I am an idiot" Keel exclaimed as he quickly activated strategic insight
[Strategic Insight: Has a certain chance of slowing down time if user is in a critical situation - Gives user certain knowledge which could prove useful]
Strategic Insight Activated:
Prepare for battle!