After Nux was done going through the inform boldly written on the holographic image presented before him, he glanced at the red-haired boy who was still panting.
"The chasers are no longer coming after you so can you tell me what crime you've committed."
"Don't tell me you didn't even know what I did but still went ahead to help me," the red-haired boy said. "You are the most foolish person I've ever seen."
"You can call me that, thank you," Nux replied. Sadly, the boy was right on calling him foolish because who in their right senses will offer to save a stranger at the expense of their own lives?!
"Still..." The red-haired boy mumbled and looked away. "I still have to thank you."
Nux smirked. "That's more like it."
"By the way, my name is Val and I am an orphan living under that bridge," Val said, introducing himself. "What is your name? I haven't seen you here before and you don't look like you are here from any of the four kingdoms so where are you from?"
"My name is Nux and I am from another world," Nux replied, unsure if anyone would believe his words.
"From another world?" Val asked. Unlike the rwacyNux had expected from him, he seemed more curious than doubtful. "Tell me about your world, Nux."
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Nux asked him.
Val nodded, his eyes brimming with anticipation. "Yes, yes!"
"Fine but we have to leave here first," Nux said and the boy agreed and led him to his house.
It was a container-room with only bed and a chair inside. Nux took the chair while Val went straight to the bed. "Well, there's nothing about my world except for its...."
"... So you see, there is nothing really special about my world."
Val scratched his head as he began to think of everything Nux had told him.
Sensing that the little boy must be confused, Nux decided to help ease his confusion. "What is the matter?" He asked him.
"Everything you said about your world... Why do I feel that they are all bad things? Is there not anything good about it? Even a little?" Val asked, scratching his nose. "Bad governments, bad friends, inadequate food supply... The rich having everything they want while the poor ones suffer... Is there not anything good at all?"
"I told you that there are beautiful places," Nux said.
"But not everyone can visit it, isn't it? You poor people can only dream of being there in dreams," Val replied.
Nux sighed but grinned afterwards. "True that but that's not all yet. We have a lot of beauties, many of them flock around me too."
Val shook his head. "But did you not say you are still a virgin? What's the point of having a lot of beauties around you when you couldn't even sleep with one!"
"Hey, shhhh!" Nux gasped, placing a finger on his lips. "A kid your age don't suppose to talk about stuffs like this."
"Hey, I'm no kid," Val replied with a glare. "I am thirteen years old already."
"Thirteen years old? That means you are still a baby," Nux said and Val's face turned red.
"Stop calling me a baby!" He grunted and made to pounce at Nux but the latter caught his hands and stopped him from moving. "Let go of me!" He yelled.
"Stop moving around and I'll leave you," Nux said and Val stopped moving. "Good, now let us get serious."
Val eyes Nux and then went back to sit on the bed. "What is that?"
"Tell me why those men were chasing after you," Nux requested.
Val sighed and brought out a bracelet and showed it to Nux. "I stole this from a maid serving at the royal palace."
"From the looks of it, it belongs to a royal family member. How did it end up in the hands of a maid?" Nux asked.
"I don't know," Val replied with a shrug. "It's not like I care about all that anyway. I am going to sell it to the black market, with the money, I'll be able to take care of myself."
'I don't know how things work here but I bet this bracelet is going to cost a fortune since it belongs to the royal family'. "Very well then, when are you selling it?" He asked after thinking about selling the bracelet.
[Ding]
[Return the bracelet to the it's owner]
"What!" He suddenly yelled frightening Val who was about to answer him.
"What's the yelling for?" He asked.
"We can't sell that bracelet," Nux replied. 'I don't know what this damn voice in my head is but all I know is that I can't fail the tasks given to me or I'll start all over again'.
"What do you mean?" Val asked angrily. He was not ready to give up his idea of selling the bracelet, not for any one or any reason. He had put so much effort just to steal it so giving it up was something he wouldn't dare to do.
"Isn't it all about money? I'll help you make some money, okay?" Nux persuaded him.
Val was hesistant but Nux didn't rush him. He knew quite well what the kid was passing through because back in his world, he was also an orphan who got separated from his parents. They had abandoned him because he was born with an illness that caused his skin to peel at such tender age. After taking him to many hospitals, they could no longer continue and the couples dropped him at the doorstep of their house before leaving for good.
He was picked by an elderly lady who was living alone. The old lady took care of him and equally treated him, but unfortunately, she died afterwards. He was left to wander the streets, learn the act of robbing people and take care of himself. It was during one of his operations that he got killed.
Money as far as he is concerned is everything so he understands the boy's behavior and what he was passing through. From the looks of his surrounding, he was currently in Kyrovia, the second poorest kingdom. Things were hard even for the rich ones.
"Have faith in me," he said to Val who frowned slightly. "We will return this bracelet and demand for a reward, that's what we will do."
"What if it doesn't work?" Val asked. He was familiar with how things worked in the kingdom, there was a possibility that instead of rewarding them, they would rather be punished, especially him for stealing the bracelet in the first place.
"Are you scared?" Nux asked him.
Val nodded his head. "I am."
"Don't be because I am here," Nux assured him with a smile on his face.
Val gazed at him, he saw hope in his smile. Despite his shabby looks, Nux had one thing that he didn't have — Confidence.
"Fine, I'll give it a try."
Nux beamed and leaned closer, giving him a ruffle on his hair. "That's great."
Before noon, the two boys set out for their journey to the capital of Kyrovia which was Kyra. It was a day's journey from Val's town so they were expected to reach before the noon of the following day. With Val's little money, they boarded carriage ride and began their journey.
During the journey, Nux couldn't comprehend the uncertainty he was having about his mission. He didn't know if he was going to succeed or fail but he didn't want to doubt himself yet as it was too early to conclude the outcome.
Throughout his miserable life, he had always been optimistic, never doubting his capabilities and always believing in himself. Even in his most difficult situations, he would keep on pressing forward, he was always known for his thick-skinned nature. So even at a time like this, he forced himself to smile, pushing away the fears that were beginning to arise.
Returning the bracelet was not his idea... He didn't care if it was the right thing to do or not, he just had to carry out tasks given to him.