‘I’m trying to understand what’s going on. Why is everyone treating you that way? Assassins? Aren’t you like… Wait, what’s your age?’
‘Fourteen.’
‘Right… damn, fourteen. Okay, so why would assassins be going after a fourteen-year-old? Are you not liked or something?’
Malakai paused, debating whether or not to explain.
But after a brief moment, he decided to tell him, at least, enough to give the man context.
Valentine was going to be in his head for what he expected was the rest of his life.
It was better he was filled in.
‘Yes,’ Malakai finally said. ‘I’m well hated by everyone.’
‘That’s terrible!’ Valentine exclaimed. “What could you possibly have done?”
Malakai paused again.
Then, slowly, he began to speak, narrating the events of his life.
But he left out many details, only offering what was necessary.
To Valentine, the way Malakai spoke, with that cold, detached voice, it didn’t even sound like he was recounting his own memories.
It sounded like he was telling someone else’s story.
A tragedy told by a stranger.
When Malakai finally stopped talking…
Sniffle… sniffle…
He frowned slightly, hearing the sound of Valentine crying inside his thoughts.
“That’s so sad,” Valentine said between sniffles. “Such horrible people… it’s a terrible thing that happened to you. You’ve been through so much.”
Malakai didn’t respond.
But even he didn’t realize when his hand had tightened into a fist on his lap.
He had gone through a lot, so much that someone his age shouldn’t have had to endure. He knew this well.
But… this was the first time someone had actually said it to him.
Valentine eventually stopped crying. His voice, which sounded a bit shaky, returned.
“I understand now, Malakai… why everyone is acting like that. While I was growing up, I wasn’t treated well by the people around me either. I was always bullied. Treated like trash. It was because of either my overweight stature… or my inability to stop apologizing for everything, even while getting beaten. It extended into my workplace too, which eventually got me fired.”
He paused, then continued softly.
“Returning to my late father’s farm had been my way of escaping the world. A place where I could finally be myself without worry. And… while I can’t even begin to compare our situations… believe me when I say this, Malakai…
I understand.”
Surprisingly, Malakai had listened to everything Valentine said. And only one question formed in his mind.
“You went through all of that… and you still decided to sacrifice your life to save humanity?”
He couldn’t comprehend it.
Valentine had been treated like dirt, discarded by the world, and yet, he’d still chosen to give his life for it?
It was… utterly shocking.
Valentine let out a dry laugh. Malakai could feel the man smiling sheepishly in his mind.
“Haha… yeah, that’s me. I was treated terribly. But I can’t blame the whole of humanity because of the sins of a few. It’s wrong.”
Malakai fell silent. The major reason for his shock was the clear fact that he couldn’t imagine himself doing such a thing. It was… commendable. People like Valentine were insanely rare.
‘Maybe it was fate that the essence found him at that farm.’
Though it was hard to admit, especially after seeing the man, Valentine deserved respect.
Sensing the silence, Valentine cautiously brought up the one topic he knew was sensitive.
“Your goal is… revenge?”
Malakai’s thoughts turned cold.
“I understand why you’d want that, but—”
“Don’t go there,” Malakai cut in sharply.
“But…” Valentine tried.
“Nothing is going to change my mind. Drop it.”
Valentine fell silent.
But Malakai could still feel the sadness in his heart. He ignored it completely.
He knew exactly what Valentine had wanted to say…
That revenge wasn’t worth it.
That it wouldn’t bring his parents back.
That it wouldn’t change anything.
That it would only ruin his life.
Malakai had already thought about all of that. But…
He had still decided to do it.
He wasn’t going to stop.
Valentine didn’t speak again after that. He could tell Malakai wasn’t in the mood.
The ride continued in silence. Hours passed.
And just as the sun began to set on the horizon, the group reached Ironhold.
Just like Vitaemore, Ironhold, despite being a major hub for commerce, where people from all across the dome came to trade, buy, and sell, had been built as a fortress first.
Towering, fortified walls surrounded the city, looming high above the horizon, reinforced with layered steel and stone.
Massive iron gates stood at the front, wide enough to admit caravans and convoys alike. Water moats surrounded the entire perimeter, deep and constantly flowing, with retractable bridges that could be drawn in at a moment’s notice.
High watchtowers dotted the walls, manned by evolvers.
Humanity inside the dome lived in settlements like this, walled, reinforced, and prepared for anything.
Though the dome was humanity’s sanctuary, it was far from being peaceful. One-third of the planet had been enveloped by the dome, but it was still a vast expanse of land, especially for the small number of humans who had survived the Fall.
Which meant there were still vast, unexplored areas, teeming with mutated beasts, corrupted wildlife, and unknown dangers.
The outside of the dome wasn’t the only place riddled with danger. Even within the dome, danger was everywhere.
Fortunately, with the Sanguine emblem engraved into the carriage and with Varek, a Blood Knight captain, leading the group, entry into Ironhold was swift and without any resistance.
And soon enough, they landed on the familiar grounds of the Blood Knight outpost, Redmourne faction, the same branch Malakai had stayed at before and where he always stopped to stay the night during his missions.
The moment the familiar carriage touched down, the Blood Knights in the compound began whispering amongst themselves.
“They’re back already?” one of them muttered.
Another scoffed, “Looks like they decided to abandon him in the pits. They must’ve known it was a hopeless case.”
Malakai had made too many stops at the branch during his previous missions for them not to recognize the carriage.