The old man patted Lucien's head roughly. His hands trembled. He gently ruffled Lucien's hair. His bones cried, and his eyes were lifeless, hollowed by time.
In a hoarse voice, the old man asked, "A shepherd, and a hunter. What differentiates the two, boy?"
"I do not know, grandpa.What does?" asked the little elven child. He did not look a day over ten.
The old man cleared his throat, the rasp echoing in the little boy's ears, making his body shudder with anticipation. "A shepherd is kind, guiding lost souls to their right paths. A hunter is ruthless, plucking out evil creatures and throwing them into the depths of hell."
Lucien's ears perked up. "Evil creatures? But everybody on our land is nice, no?" His brows furrowed, and his shoulders tensed for a moment.
The old man chuckled—though it sounded more like a weeping hyena. That sound was enough to make Lucien tense all of his muscles and clutch the old man's tattered robes.
"Now, now. Don't be so tense… There exist many evil creatures in this world. It's only a matter of time before you see them. That's why you have to be brave and strong. So be brave, okay? And make sure your strength backs up your bravery."
The old man whispered mirthfully. Lucien ducked his head and looked down at the ground.
Lucien looked up at his grandfather with wide eyes which shone brighter than the sun. His wide smile spoke louder than words ever could. The old man smiled back.
The memory faded like smoke on the wind, leaving only the smell of death and the silence of the graveyard around him.
'In Loving Memory of Lucifer Virel who was fated to an untimely passing.'
Lucien read the words on the grave, overridden with grief.
Silent tears mourned his grandfather, each drop a reflection of their memories. The salty taste of his own tears reminded him of the soup his grandfather used to make.
Nobody came to visit the old man, not even his own children. Only his grandson was there, standing by his grave and having mourned for five days and six nights without food or water.
On the sixth day, Lucien heard footsteps behind him—light and nimble.
A feminine voice called out to him.
"Hey, Lucien…"
The warmth of her hand on his right shoulder seeped through his clothes and even his skin, soothing his very soul.
Lucien looked back at the individual, the dark circles around his otherwise beautiful amber eyes a stark contrast to how he normally was.
Weariness clung to him like a second skin.
"...What do you want, Serane?" Lucien asked calmly, slapping the individual's hand off his right shoulder.
Serane walked to stand beside Lucien, her eyes locked onto his grandfather's grave. Her gaze also held a profound sadness, yet also undeniable warmth.
"A grey tombstone with just the old man's name written on it. Truly is an anticlimactic ending, isn't it..?"
"How long have you been here?" She asked, and her brows furrowed. Her warm, violet eyes locked onto Lucien's, looking into his very soul.
Lucien met her gaze steadily, his expression empty.
"None of your business." He retorted coldly, moving his gaze back to his grandfather's grave.
Serane punched Lucien in the gut hard enough to make him cough.
"Of course it's my business! We're friends!" She reprimanded, slapping Lucien at the back of his head. Her voice trembled as she cursed at him, all while she hit him lightly all over his upper body.
"When I heard you didn't eat or drink for so long, I got concerned! Have you lost your mind!? The ceremony is in a month!"
Lucien moved his gaze over to Serane, looking at her with the same empty expression. His otherwise beautiful amber eyes were completely devoid of emotion at this very moment. He silently took a step closer to her.
His brows had always been low-set, but it seemed intimidating at that moment. He was clearly malnourished, and also stressed—his high cheekbones casted dark shadows across his gaunt face, making the hollowness of his cheeks even more apparent.
Serane physically jolted when she met his gaze. Her lips curled downwards into a frown, and her eyes radiated even more warmth than earlier. She walked closer and hugged Lucien.
"I know it's difficult for you, but your grandfather wouldn't want this either. The ceremony is soon, remember? Do well and make him proud, okay? We'll both pass and leave this stuffy forest." Serane said, her voice a soothing lullaby for Lucien. She patted his back rhythmically, each pat matching his heart-rate.
Lucien's body trembled, and he wrapped his arms around Serane, hesitantly. Silent tears streamed down his face and onto her hair, and she kept patting Lucien's back, tangled in a warm embrace.
Soon after, Serane let go, and Lucien did the same. She gave him some food and water.
By the end of the sixth day, Lucien finally went back home to his grandfather's house. It was a small cottage a good distance away from the village, which looked as though it had stood there for a few centuries at the very least.
Lucien walked into the cottage, observing the dusty windowsill, the old, creaking bed, and the distinct smell of death.
TIK-TOK, TIK-TOK, TIK-TOK.
The pendulum clock ticked. The only source of sound in the otherwise silent cottage.
Lucien sat down on the bed, hunched over with his elbows resting on his knees, arms relaxed.
He looked at the nightstand by the old bed, noticing a small button on its side which he had never noticed before.
Curious, he scooted over to the headboard, and clicked the button. He immediately heard the sounds of cogs turning and pistons opening in the house.
Lucien jolted, startled by the noise. He walked around the house, trying to follow the path that the sounds came from.
He walked around the house, yet found nothing. Then, from the corner of his eye, he caught the sight of a lever on the kitchen wall.
I've never seen this before. Grandpa… just what have you been hiding in our home..? Please, just come back. Lucien thought to himself, his heart aching.
He pulled the lever downwards, and the house started shaking.
Crap! What's happening!? Lucien tensed, leaning his body on the wall.
He watched as the floor of the hallway leading to the bedroom opened up, revealing a staircase reaching down into the abyss. He could only see sixteen steps, while the rest of the steps, if there even were any more, were shrouded in thick darkness.
What… what's this..? Lucien questioned, unable to find an answer. Although his sadness hadn't vanished, his mind was temporarily overridden with another emotion.
Curiosity.