Waking up Ash could feel that something was different about today. Maybe it was because they would be leaving, or because he would start his journey as a full on User, but there was one thing he knew for sure, that today would be a major turning point in his life.
After washing his teeth and looking in the mirror he could see it on his face. He was anxious, scared of what might happen tomorrow, how life working for the SCC will be like, and what will happen to the people of Blackheart.
There was slight feeling of guilt within him as he felt he was abandoning everyone, but at the same time he knew that there was nothing he could do.
Walking away from the mirror he headed for the cafeteria where the children had already gathered for breakfast.
This time the breakfast was attended by more people than usual as both Father Adam and the man calling himself Floch was present.
Ash sat next to Will like he had been for the last few days, but the only thing he could focus on were the two guests present.
"...sh..Ash. Hey Ash you listening?"
Taken out from his state of focus Ash spoke.
"Yeah, I'm fine."
"You sure you seem kind of out of it."
Ash couldn't deny it. The presence of the two guests greatly disturbed him. Specifically Floch, as Ash knew what he truly was, or atleast what he wasn't.
"I said I'm fine! Anyways when can you see your ability?"
"It should be just before lunch so a few more hours."
As Will got his turn just before lunch it was logical to think that's when he'd get the results.
"You could check just in case."
Ash was referring to the Soul Chip Interface, as there was no human input needed to show the results.
"Oh...right...umm...yeah nothing still."
Ash hearing this went back to eating and the two were able to quickly finish their food.
Soon everyone else joined them and it was time to leave, but no one did as everyone knew that Adam would have something to say, as he's usually only here for lunch.
And right then Adam stood up and looked across all the children in attendance.
"Today many of my children will be leaving with the SCC convoy, so before then I wanted to say my final goodbyes to them now as I don't think I'll be in attendance during today's lunch. So to those leaving, I hope for the best, and I sincerly hope they will find fulfillment in what they'll be doing. That is all you are all free to go. Goodbye."
With his speech done Father was ready to leave when unexpectedly someone spoke up.
"Why won't you be here for lunch Father?"
The one speaking was none other than Ash. No matter how uncharacteristic it was for him to do this he had to know, as he felt it might be connected to Floch.
"That is..."
But just as Adam was about to answer he was cut off.
"That is a secret, but it's not something you should be concerned about."
Floch having interrupted Adam looked at Ash with a friendly smile or atleast that's what it wanted to be.
"He's just helping me with something, don't worry it's nothing dangerous."
'Like I'd believe that.'
With that the two left, afterwhich everyone else did the same.
Exiting the cafeteria Will looked at Ash and asked.
"Why did you do that?"
Ash was flustered as he didn't want to worry Will. The reason why he had never warned Will before was because they were only suspicious of the man, nothing to actually indicate that he'd kill them. His actions so far were friendly and nothing he did indicated he'd hurt them.
With nothing better to say Ash decided to just say what felt right to him.
"I just felt like I had to."
...
Time passed and it was almost time for lunch, by now Will might know his ability too. But Ash was preoccupied with something else.
He was standing before a lonely store at the edge of town.
'It's time to say goodbye, this time for real.'
Walking in he looked around searching for Granny Agate. She was there standing behind the counter looking at Ash.
"So you've come to say goodbye."
She instantly understood Ash's intentions, it wasn't hard for her to guess as she knew Ash very well.
"Indeed I have."
Ash carried the maturity of an adult in that moment. He was leaving the nest.
Looking at him Agate signaled to Ash in an inviting manner.
"Come, I'll show you upstairs."
Following her Ash slowly walked up the stairs, and entered her home.
"This is my home."
The house was small and tidy, just like the store below. The walls were old, the furnitures were out of style, and the air smelled still, but at the same time it also felt warm, like a proper home should.
Agate then walked to a wardrobe and started going through it. Once she stopped, she took something out and walked towards Ash.
"I want you to have this."
She went ahead and placed the object in Ash's hand.
Following this action Ash went ahead to inspect it.
"Can I really have this?"
"Only you can have this."
Ash couldn't believe it, when he came here he never expected to receive a gift like this.
"My son treasured it greatly, he told me it had cost him two months of his salary."
"Wait if it's so expesive I really can't accept it."
"Just take it I'd rather it be used than just having it here collecting dust. Besides no matter how much you try to hide I can see that you like it a lot."
Agate was correct, after all there was no way Ash wouldn't like a present like this.
What he held in his hand was top grade military grade sword, made specifically to be used by Users. It was able to absorb one's soul energy to amplify it's sharpness and destructive power. It was one of the best weapons for a close ranged fighter.
"I hope you can keep my son's legacy alive through this sword. Use it the best you can."
Agate hugged Ash, but this time there were no tears, just a warm hug among a family saying their final goodbyes.
...
In the depths of the wasteland
"How far are we going?"
A masculine voice asked.
"Till the next town over, I've told you already. Besides aren't you the one that knows this place the best? Huh, Mr. Exile?"
"You can't hold my past against me, It's not like you know me anyways. Impostor."
Adam didn't enjoy the way Floch was talking as if he knew everything.
"Oh, but I do know Adam. It's funny how you act like some saint here considering all you've done before. Hahahaha."
Adam was greatly disturbed upon hearing "Floch's" laugh. It was uncanny and strange, he couldn't even comprehend why he'd be laughing.
"Commander of the Third Corps of the Holy Church. The one that slaughtered everyone under him. Hahahaha. I have to give it to you, you are pretty strong. To kill so many people, even your town Blackheart doesn't have that many living in it."
Adam's moral was hitting rock bottom. This was a past he was less than proud of, and something that haunted him to this very day.
'He knows everything.'
"Reinhardt must really have a soft spot for you, I'd have for sure killed you. Even if you were under mind control, to even allow that to happen is something that alone warrants death in my books."
Adam couldn't hold it anymore as his anger was slowly rising.
"Who..."
"Huh, I couldn't hear you?"
"Who the hell are you!? What do you want!?"
Suddenly the man stopped in his tracks and looked Adam dead in the eyes.
"You'll soon find out who I am. And as for what I want."
The man proceeded to point towards something in the distance.
Looking in the distance what Adam could see was large stone pillar streching into the sky.
"The graveyards?"
"Yes, more specifically the warding stones."
Adam was confused as he knew that the stones were things even his master Reinhardt couldn't handle.
...
A deep hoarse voice resounded across the great audiance hall.
"Adam for your crimes you are to be exiled into the Mediterranean Wastelands. There you will keep this stone under the guise of it being a burial tool, against energy leaking. And protect it with your life."
Adam was sitting before the great figure in cuffs and with chains binding him, and though he could probably escape from them he chose not to as what would await him then would be worse than death.
"May I ask a question?"
Though reluctantly as he was in no position to speak Adam spoke up.
"You may."
"Isn't the energy leaking just local superstition, for what reason are we taking this stone there in reality?"
The figure paused for a moment and then spoke up.
"I can't afford to keep it here in Primus, it's too dangerous, even for me. As the Mediterranean is the place with the least amount of towns it's the place most fit for their keeping."
Adam was shocked as were few things that even the great Reinhardt would find difficult to deal with and seemingly these stones were one of them.
"What is that stone really, Master?"
Suddenly he could feel his chains being pulled from behind, but the Reinhardt signalled for them to stop.
"I want everyone other than Adam to leave."
Although reluctant all the attendants left as none would dare to defy his orders. Once everyone left Reinhardt spoke up once more.
"I've got this stone from a fight not long ago, and since then anyone who guarded them died not long after. If I kept them here I'd meet the same fate sooner or later, I can feel it, this thing can kill me."
Adam shuddered upon hearing this as it was inconcievable that one of the Four Heavenly Kings could be killed by an item no larger than an egg.
To his surprise in the very next moment he saw Reinhardt taking the round stone and breaking it into pieces.
"Why...?"
The next moment the shards of the stones started floating and slowly reassembled themselves into one.
"See I can't even destroy it. Adam I want you to take this stone and destroy it. Afterwhich try your hardest to seperate it before it can reassemble. The wastness of the Mediterranean Wasteland should allow for you to keep them far enough apart."
Adam finally understood what Reinhardt wanted him to do.
"As you are being punished, you have no right to say no, but still I want you to know one thing."
Adam tensed up hearing this but listened on nonetheless.
"Should someone come looking for this stone..."
Then he paused for a brief moment.
"Then you should consider yourself, and everyone in the Mediterranean Wastelands as dead."