As the carriage halted, the distant hum of the city sounds around them—distant chatter, the clopping of hooves on cobblestone. The air is warm with the faint scent of fresh bread from a nearby bakery.
«Francis» We're here.
They had arrived at their destination, a house. Perhaps a really basic one, almost exactly the same as the ones sitting on its sides with the only difference being the color. But to Pathos, it didn't look like that, the house itself towered him like a giant tree.
He had never seen a house this big in his life, probably because he had spent his years in a small house that fitted the necessities and nothing more. Maybe it was a long guess from his part but, he began thinking just how much space there could be inside.
«Pathos» Is this where your parents live?
His eyes seemed fixated onto that building like it was a carousel or something, despite him not even knowing what a carousel was. But unfortunately for him their arrival meant something else.
«Francis» Yeah. I guess this is where we part ways, huh, Pathos?
His gaze shifted in an instant facing Francis, his statement made his previous spark in Pathos's eyes disappear into thin air, that expression that he previously had towards that building slowly lowered into a small frown.
He knew this moment would come, but for some reason he couldn't help himself but get quite heart broken that they had to depart.
«Pathos» Yeah... I know... I can help you bring everything down if you need me to.
He softly asked as he desperately searched for an excuse for him to stay, but Francis didn't catch it.
«Francis» There's no need—my parents will help with that.
«Pathos» Oh... alright.
Francis turned towards the desperate calls made by Pathos and was quick to notice his averting gaze, something about it made his previous red flags about this strange kid disappear. Maybe he was wrong, but now he wanted to fix his mistake.
«Francis» If you want, you can stay here for a while.
Francis asked with a warm smile stapled to his face, but his question would be met with Pathos's flying hands that waved around implying "there was no need".
«Pathos» No... no, don't worry about me. You've already done enough. I wouldn't want to take more from you.
«Francis» I get it...But listen.
He slowly reached for something from his waist—a small bag probably filled with coins. Francis held it out towards him as the bag made numerous clinks.
«Francis» Since you don't know this city, and I'd never forgive myself if you faced it empty-handed. I want to give you some silver. At the end of the road, just past the fountain, there's an inn. Until you find who you're searching for, you can stay there—on me, alright?
He grabbed Pathos's hand and placed the sack in it, gently pushing it toward him. Pathos stared at the bag, then back at Francis with awe.
«Pathos» You don't need to. I already have some money, and you probably need it more than I do.
Pathos gently tries to return the sack, extending it back towards Francis who simply pushed it back while shaking his head.
«Francis» What are you saying? It's my pleasure to help you. Having you around… it felt almost like you were there to teach us something for our future son.
Francis meant what he said, maybe that was just him realizing it just now but, both mother and father have to tend to their son with unconditional love. Despite who he turns out to be, despite the mistakes he may make, they were still his parents.
Having Pathos around felt like a lesson that both he and Petra needed to understand, both of them treated Pathos with kindness despite what he looked like and the condition he was in. Something rare on days like this.
But the only one who didn't seem to understand it was Pathos who looked genuinely surprised by his statement.
«Pathos» Eh!?
Francis pushed the sack back toward Pathos and quickly dismissed his previous words said out loud.
«Francis» Never mind that. Just remember—if you need anything, you can always find us here, alright?
Finally Pathos took the silver gifted to him, holding it firmly as Francis let go.
«Pathos» Alright...
After exchanging some glances with one another, Pathos nodded and slowly exited the carriage's front seat. Once his foot had connected with the floor he looked back readying himself to say goodbye, but before he could, someone else stopped him.
«Petra» Wait! You're forgetting something.
Petra jumped down from the carriage holding both her belly and Pathos's cloak. The fabric is clean, free of mud, and despite its worn condition, Petra has made it look nearly new. While taking deep breaths and mumbling to herself "I shouldn't have jumped down with such urgency" she extended his cloak to him.
«Petra» Here, this is your cloak. I cleaned it as best I could.
With her hand extended Pathos approached her with concern for her well being and completely ignored the cloak.
«Pathos» Hey you shouldn't have come over here in such a hurry! Are you ok!?
«Petra» Yeah I'm ok…It's just that…ah....I took more than I thought it would. But I'm ok…Here.
Petra offered the folded cloak to Pathos with both hands. Pathos stared at it for a couple of seconds until his eyes began to well with tears as he took the cloak. He couldn't speak, couldn't even look at her. Just nod.
«Pathos» Thank you...
It was just then that Pathos understood what Francis meant by it. But could he really be content with something he never even intended to do? Despite what his mind may think the answer was lair right in his hands a warm, cozy and embraceful cloak prepared just for him.
Perhaps both of them gained something they never expected from this encounter or perhaps it was just Francis overthinking things a bit too much. Yet he couldn't help himself but tear up a bit.
«Petra» Hey, don't cry on the cloak or all my hard work will be for nought!
«Pathos» You're right.
Pathos stared at the cloak, tears threatening to spill over it once more. His fingers reached for his eyes to clean them while all he could bring himself to do was share a shaky laugh.
«Pathos» I won't need your help anymore. Thank you, Petra. Thank you, Francis. I wish you both the be–
Before he could finish. She quickly closes the distance between them and gives him a short hug. She was warm. Just for a moment he felt safe, something he believed he would never feel after what happened.
«Petra» We wish you the best too. Stay safe, alright?
She steps back, her hands still on Pathos's shoulders. While Pathos was fighting back the urge to cry yet again. He really was trying his best not to cry but Petra made that quite hard.
«Pathos» Yes... I will.
As Petra returned to Francis, with a hand that gently rested on her womb. She glanced back and after twirling around beside Francis she waved her hand up in the sky like a flag, while Francis raised his hand.
«Petra» Take care, alright? And make sure to drink plenty of water!
«Francis» And remember—if you ever need anything, come back to us!
Pathos waved back with a smile on his face, his thoughts drifted.He sees Petra and Francis as perhaps one of the most perfect of families, one not born by a statement but by love, pure love.
Pathos finally turned away from their direction, eyes fixed on the long road ahead. Though he still thought about them, his focus shifted back to why he's here. Yet, he couldn't shake off the feeling of deep gratitude he held toward them.
«Pathos» At this point...
He looks down at the folded cloak in his arms. The sun's warm embrace touches his skin, and for a moment, he doesn't feel alone. Light catches the emblem stitched into the fabric, and he realizes just how much heart Petra had poured into this simple gift.
«Pathos» There's no need to throw this away anymore.
The brand new cloak which now held a completely different value thanks to Petra's dedicated hands, was what gave him the courage to continue moving forward. The cloak that reminisced of the past, now was what gave him strength in the present.
«Pathos» Ah!? I completely forgot to ask them about Jhoel!?
But being caught up in the mawkiness made him completely forget about Jhoel. Something that perhaps he should have paid more attention, despite the many "strange things" that happened in his journey.
Frantically rubbing his head and forehead from shame, he began wondering if he should go back and ask. Strangely however he felt like he shouldn't. As he has stated many times he didn't want to bother more than should even though that was a simple question whose answer didn't take longer than a second to reply.
«Pathos» No i should't, maybe if asked around…
However a part of Pathos wanted something, something that wasn't about Jhoel nor about the happy couple he had left behind, it craved. No–needed that thing. That desire became greater to the point his need became loud turning into a grumble.
«Pathos» Food wouldn't be bad either. Just how long have I been asleep in that carriage? Judging by the sun…three hours? or four?
His stomach grumbled again this time louder as it desired some food.
«Pathos» Yeah I should really get something—That apple despite being so sweet it didn't feel me up.
Pathos looked at his surroundings. Many people come and go, and the little shops never stop—almost as if they were endless. Some sold pelts and rugs, others precious gems that shone with color, and one even sold vases of different shapes and sizes. Eventually, he spots a shop that sells sweets.
Now, he understood well this wasn't the time to be taking sweets at a time like this. It was something that his mother had taught him, that sweets always came after eating something proper.
However that was not what he was thinking right now, those were some etiquette that he had grown up with and had learned to follow unconsciously but Pathos was still just a kid, a kid whose parental supervision was long lost.
With the excuse of asking around for this guy named Jhoel he slowly made his way towards that stand, only then, he began wondering just how much Francis had given him to cover for his needs.
Pathos took the sack and started counting the silver coins. It was a process that consisted in 3 stages; the first were Pathos's initial thought that he could be able to count all the coins by simply opening the sack, then the second where he understood that it was impossible for him to count all of them without separating them, followed by the third step where he sat on the stairs of a random house to separate and count them all.
«Pathos» About 353 silver coins... I need to make this last until I find Jhoel.
After successfully finding out the total of coins he was given he quickly shoved them back into the sack. His figure rose as he made his way towards the stand of succulent sweets.
The shopkeeper that stood proudly behind his colorful stand had a quite odd look. Perhaps it was simply Pathos's imagination but for some reason his face and everything to it remained him of a lion. The way his hair was pushed back and the way his bangs reached his jaw connecting it to his beard that for some reason didn't reach the chin.
After playing around with his imagination Pathos finally reached the stand only to be met with a loud roar from the keeper.
«Shopkeeper» Welcome! What can I do for you?
That loud welcome didn't help with his current relationship with the lion Pathos had in mind.
«Pathos» Sorry to bother sir lio—I mean sir—sir. I'm not here to buy anything but could you happen to know anything about someone who goes by the name Jhoel?
The shopkeeper scratched his beard and quietly hummed as he tried recalling someone that met the kid's description.
«Shopkeeper» Jhoel, huh? Mhm... I don't know anyone that goes by that name.
«Pathos» Really?
As the shopkeeper's smile failed to falter, he immediately waved his hand around as he admitted to his abrupt response.
«Shopkeeper» Nah I lied. I do know him. He is a very popular guy in this city.
Pathos looks confused for a moment, before stating what was on his mind.
«Pathos» Then why didn't you tell me earlier?
«Shopkeeper» You think I'd just give you that information without buying something?
Oh Brother…His first impression of this strange looking lion was indeed true, he was prideful, but maybe it was dumb for Pathos to assume that a lion wouldn't follow his nature.
However, Pathos's eyes during their ten or twenty second conversation were analysing the entire stock of this said lion, an aspect that the shopkeeper noticed and used as leverage for making this kid buy some of his things.
Almost instantly Pathos made his request.
«Pathos» Alright then—give me five of these and three of those.
He pointed first at some muffins, then at the donuts.
«Shopkeeper» Now we're talking! That'll be one silver coin.
The shopkeeper started putting everything into a bag with quite the urgency too, after taking a moment the lion gave Pathos the bag of pastries.
«Shopkeeper» Here you go, all yours.
«Pathos» Here.
After Pathos took a silver coin out of the bag Francis gave him, he flicked the requested coin at the shopkeeper who caught it with precision.
«Shopkeeper» Pleasure doing business with you.
The shopkeeper placed the coin in one of his pouches and then leaned forward, resting his arms on the wooden frame of his stand.
«Shopkeeper» So, about Jhoel… As I said he is very popular around those parts, his shop is situated northeast of the city sooo…. By here I would say go straight and reach the fountain. Once there, look for where the angel above the fountain is looking and head to its left.
«Pathos» I see, I see
Pathos continued thinking while rummaging through the bag. He settled on a muffin, took it out, and took a bite. The muffin's sweetness bursted across his tongue, soft and warm like it had just come from the oven, with a hint of cinnamon that made his eyes widen in surprise. He's taken aback, completely astounded by the taste.
«Pathos» W... Wow!?
With pride, the shopkeeper puts his hands on his waist.
«Shopkeeper» Good, huh? Only the best for my customers.
Yet as Pathos glorified the sweet taste of the muffin, the shopkeeper looked behind Pathos as if something or rather someone was there waiting for his turn.
«Shopkeeper» I'm going to have to ask you to leave now.
«Pathos» Huh? Why?
The shopkeeper pointed behind Pathos. As he slowly turned around with his mouth still full of that muffin his eyes pried open as he noticed the large line it had formed behind Pathos's back.
«Pathos» Oh! Thersh's a bihg line!?
As his mouth barely made any words the shopkeeper suddenly burst out with his usual tone that almost blasted his eardrum.
«Shopkeeper» Scram, kid! I got business to deal with!
Gently demanded by the silent shopkeeper, Pathos nearly instantly ran off with his bag of sweets while keeping the muffin that he previously took into his mouth with half of it poking out.
«Pathos» What a guy. At least these muffins are good. I wonder what the donuts are like.
Pathos left, continuing toward his destination. As he walked, he couldn't help but feel a quiet joy as he looked around. The city filled his heart with a feeling he had almost forgotten.
Eventually he reached an open area. To his left a large fountain stood about 26 meters tall, serving as an intersection for the numerous carriages. But someone was laying on the fountain's edge—a man wearing a white tight shirt and golden-brown pants. Under his head, a black coat that served as a pillow.
He gazed at the strange man that for some reason seemed at peace with himself despite the many noises of horses and carts that clattered the gravel.
Probably factors that would normally make sleeping impossible, yet he looked at ease. A bird lands on the man's head and starts pecking at it. Is he dead? is what Pathos thought after watching the scene that occurred before him.
One of his legs was thrown over the other one while his hands gently rested under that coat. Maybe because the city itself had this many colors some people simply rested on open places so they could enjoy the view. Perhaps he was the only one who found this weird.
Just as he averted his gaze to the angel statue resting on top of the fountain. A loud splash interrupts his thoughts. It came from the fountain. He looked to find the stranger had fallen in—only the coat remained still on the fountain's edge.
«Pathos» He fell!?
A chill crept up Pathos's spine as quickly put the sack of sweets in his waist and dashed forward. Something didn't feel right. The stranger vanished in an instant. Pathos rushed to the fountain, dodging multiple carriages. As he reached the rim he leaned forward and found…Nobody….?
As he tried to make sense of whatever just happened. Behind him liters and liters of water poured down as if someone was dropping an entire bucket of it, followed by someone's voice
«???» What a drag... They were one of my favorites…
Pathos turned around, startled. It's the stranger, soaked, twisting his pants in a futile effort to dry them. His back was facing Pathos but above this stranger there was something else, a hole–or rather a wormhole.
The stranger didn't even notice that a kid was standing right behind him. But when he did he immediately tilted his head to the side as Pathos looked at him with the utmost confusion.
«???» Something wrong?
As if Pathos was the strange one over here! The man that disappeared and reappeared out of nowhere asked the kid if something was wrong, like he didn't just fall in a fountain.
«Pathos» No... It's just that... I was worried for you because I saw you fall in. But now I'm wondering how you reappeared like that.
The giant wormhole above him could be a clear answer but just as he asked it disappeared out of tin air.
«???» Secrets I can't share, kid. You know how magicians never reveal their tricks?
«Pathos» Yeah?
«???» Think of it like that.
He walked over to his coat, quietly making his way past Pathos as if nothing happened. But as he approached the kid he noticed something about him… His attention shifted towards Pathos who was just standing there bamboozled.
«???» Hm?
Pathos backed off, worried that he may do something for him. However the stranger's face reached closer and closer to Pathos's chest like he was looking through a window of sorts.
«Pathos» W-what?
The stranger's eyes lighted up like he's discovered something he had been longing for a while now
«???» I can't believe it!
He grabbed Pathos's shoulders and shook him violently as if the both of them knew each other for years.
«???» You've awakened your Prometeo too!?
«Pathos» Ah!?
The stranger stopped shaking him. Only to continue as he kept on speaking.
«???» The Prometeo! The thing that gives you supernatural powers and makes you a lot stronger!
«Pathos» I've never heard of that! Nor do I know what it is.
Finally the stranger stopped his violent shakes but his tone remained the exact same energetic one.
«???» That's impossible—you have to know what it is!
«Pathos» I'm sorry, but I didn't understand a single word that came out of your mouth.
The stranger sighs in disbelief. While Pathos adjusted his own clothes, hair and everything that was put out of place by this madman.
«???» The Prometeo—God's gift to humanity, meant to help us fight off demons! How come you don't know anything about it
Yeah this guy was nuts, God's gift, supernatural power yeah this guy has to be taken to a doctor and fast. However it was then that Pathos put the pieces together, all the things this madman had spoken, all of those were factors that perfectly aligned with what happened that night.
He didn't know anything about those bolts yet for some reason some parts of this stranger's ramble made sense, with the supernatural aspect and everything.Pathos's hand reached the mouth while Pathos tried to make sense of the information he just received.
«Pathos» I think? I get what you're talking about.
«???» Are you certain?
The stranger's hand rested onto his waist as he watched the confused boy trying to understand the situation.
«Pathos» Yeah, I think..?
«???» So you do know what it is?
«Pathos» No. Not really…I would lie if I said I did.
The madman's head fell, as if he was crushed by the news that this potential carrier of the flame hadn't a single clue of what that flame he previously called Prometeo is capable of. As he recomposed himself he began elaborating everything with a certain vagueness.
«???» I see. Weeeeell. For starters those supernatural powers come from a flame that we call Prometeo.
The stranger entangled his fingers with one another as he explained everything with uncertainty that only he seemed not to acknowledge.
«???» It's like, connected to the soul for some reason and it works almost like a second soul? That at the same time once either the soul or the Prometeo dies the other dies as well…So it needs to be used with care.
After this brief explanation he had given Pathos, he took a moment to look at the boy only to realize that this explanation didn't make much sense to him. The problem wasn't the boy, but this madman's poor explanation skill. Once he noticed the confused gaze of the boy he remembered that this kid didn't know anything about this flame.
Although it was a bit odd, normally the Prometeo is something well known in this city–no the entire world should know of something like this, mainly because said flame was born once humanity was created.
«???» Oh! Right, you don't know anything about it. As I said, The Prometeo gives you supernatural powers, for the purpose to fend off evil, at least that's what it's supposed to be. Nowadays almost anyone can have it, so the purpose to "fend off evil" kinda lost its value. It used to be something very very VERY sacred, and rare too.
The stranger clapped his hand like he needed to explain not only to this kid but to himself who was growing bored of this argument.
«???» So for short. Prometeo equals power but overuse causes death or unrepairable damage to the soul. Did I make it clear now?
Pathos recalled the night he fainted after seeing his mother in the carriage with the soldiers. After this casual explanation started making sense the pieces aligned with one another. However there were still some pieces that were left out but at least he was starting to understand something.
Those…pains, they were the result of his over use of the Prometeo.
«Pathos» So what you're saying is—it's like a double-edged sword. You gain powers, but using them too much could kill you? That's it?
«???» Eeeexactly.
«Pathos» Then I assume you have this Prometeo too?
«???» Mhm!
The stranger finally walked past Pathos grabbing his coat and pulling it over his shoulder
«???» Name's Ruem. Pleasure to meet you!
He extended his hand for a shake, waiting to form a new friendship.