The Third Party - Chapter 30

Ken’s POV (12 yrs. and 3 months old)

“To make things easier for you guys, I’ll use a spell that will share my memory to you two, okay?” I asked, the two nodded in confirmation, Okay so it was like…

“Are you guys reluctant? I could not tell you both if it’s not okay with you two.” I can’t subject them to a heavy subject such as this one. As I look at them, well Wilbert’s just confused, while Celine looked in turmoil and upset.

(Walks forward and hugs the two)

“I’m sorry if this may have caused you both to have complicated feelings.” I said as I look at both of them still in my arms. “I have kept this secret from the both of you for a long time now, and both of you are my friends,

You two have the right to know the truth, why I have a scythe, why I have weird magic, and most importantly why the three of us had to go through what we went through 8 years ago.”

Wilbert’s brow rose in question, while Celine got confused. I smiled softly.

“Remember when the three of us were suddenly told by my father to go to this forest to train?” They nodded. “Our decisions were influenced at that time as well as theirs.” The frown returned, but even deeper.

“What do you mean?” Wilbert asked. I’d let the both of them go before saying…

“I believe this will give you answers, Memory Magic: Shared Moment.” Two light balls not too bright or dim, the size of a tennis ball conjured atop my palms.

“I promise this won’t hurt, I’ll just put this on your forehead for you to know what I mean.” I waited for them to give me a green sign, and when they nodded, I slowly pressed the orbs unto their forehead,

Disappearing as it was absorbed into their minds, there was nothing special going on outside as the orbs just faded into their forehead, but I’m sure they’ll be overloaded with the information I gave them about me, more like, overwhelmed.

I’d included in the orb the experience I had when I first touched the scythe, and the memories I had when I was confronted by master Klein, two years after the three of us became their disciples,

Master told me what they had talked with my parents as well as the other important people here at the village, and when he deemed that I was matured enough for the subject, he didn’t hesitate to talk to me.

I had a funny reaction when he told me on the last part that I was mature enough to know so I asked how he deemed I was mature enough to be informed, he told me that my behavior was a lot different as a kid, he even gave me evidences such as that he had observed me even on training partially because he was persuaded by my parents.

I got surprised, master mentioned that I don’t act kids my age, that I’m more open to things than others, and that I’m more accepting than most, and that I’m determined? I don’t know, he specifically mentioned this one, so I’m like… mehh…?

I surprised Master Klein that I’ve known of the subject of me being the blessed child of the moon, but the topic of other blessed child dying by the hands of the victims of the moon, was something I could not have thought off.

The subject was uncomforting, I must say, and to think that the blessed children before me were killed even as a baby, I could not bring myself to think of justice for them, I mean hey, it all happened in the past, and the people who committed such crime are dead, I could not bring fury to their descendants, that would be unfair.

If only things were different for them, but hey, if it wasn’t for this power, what and who would I be today?

‘Struggling to find a leverage?’ -White-

‘True that’ – Ken-

‘Do you find it weird that you got chosen as a blessed child?’ -White-

‘Yeah, I do, and I wondered of that from time to time. Well it would be possible since the ancestors of this bloodline had narrowed down the heritage of this power anyway, and I got born into this bloodline, who would have known.’ -Ken-

‘Agreed’ -White-

‘Why was I born on this bloodline anyways?’ -Ken-

‘Don’t ask me, I don’t have anything to do with how and why you were born in this lineage.’ -White-

‘Mm, kay.’ -Ken-

‘Mm, *nod*.’ -White-

‘Has the moon known about your and my existence?’ -Ken-

‘Yes, but not to worry I’ve already conversed with it. It wouldn’t be bothering us with the mission at hand.’ -White-

‘That’s a relief. I could always count on you to make things uncomplicated.’ -Ken-

‘But I wouldn’t be doing it every time alright?’ -White-

‘Okay!!’ -Ken-

‘Good’ -White-

‘Hey, have you asked its gender?’ -Ken-

“What? Why would I ask that?’ -White-

‘To at least give them a gender specification so that when we address them, we wouldn’t be rude as referring to them as it’ -Ken-

‘Hmm, good thinking, I’ll go ask them now.’ -White-

“Okay, take care.’ I wave upwards as White ascended to the sky to meet up with the moon. Thank you for giving me this privacy White. Ah, I think they’re finished digesting the information. They blinked a couple of times before recognizing their surroundings.

“Are you guys okay?” I ask slowly, I fear that if I do things abnormally they might overload? Or something? They nodded, but they held their heads down.

“What’s wrong?” I pushed my face unto their line of sight one by one so they could not avoid looking at me, they’re-

Almost to tears… *Flustered*

“H-Hey… Wha-… A-… (scratches neck)” I held them back again in my arms, and then the water poured.

Their sobs reverberated throughout my entire being as they cry their hearts out as I caress their backs in comfort, I might have added my memory of how the fear ate me alive and that I couldn’t talk or tell someone about it for the time wasn’t right… I should have not done that.

“I’m sorry, both of you, I should not have added my memories of sadness in it.” I said as I continue caressing my hand on them both, they hugged me even harder with Wilbert’s head pressed more on my temple, Celine’s crying her eyes out on my chest, I can’t help but tear up too, but I’ve expected as much, so I didn’t bawl mine out, I’m more happy that they care.

-After a few minutes of consoling-

“Are you guys okay now?” as we sat at the makeshift armchair made out of clay with a cushion of straws wrapped in a makeshift blanket which I enchanted to be soft, maybe you’re thinking that we’re having a heart to heart talk in the middle of the forest, not to worry, the place we are is not that dim or unpleasant to the feel.

Just a couple of tall trees, I think this is kind of near the place where we first met Coralia.

‘Wow, aside from everything, that’s what you thought?’ -White-

‘Hey, at least they would get to picture the location we are currently at, thankfully, the class ended early, so the sun isn’t that really gone yet. What? You’re questioning about the chair and cushion? Can I not make this comfortable for everyone?’

‘Now, now, don’t get angry at them.’ -White-

‘Okay, only because you said so *pouts*, kidding.’ I can’t show this to the two, or they might suspect I’ve gone crazy.

“Are you really okay to talk about it here?” asked Celine.

“What better time would be than now, and don’t worry about me Celine, I’ve prepared myself for this day.” I replied, easing up slightly her tensed shoulders.

“I can’t believe it, after all this time, your magic, your weapon, even the part where we went to this forest, was all but influenced by that parchment?” said Wilbert in disbelief, I nod in disbelief.

“Are you not afraid Ken? About what happened to those children, have you ever had the thought that it might have happened to you?!” blurted Wilbert, which made my eyes open wide.

“Calm down Wilbert, please, calm down first.” I reply, he took huge breaths and exhaled them in a controlled manner, I know much that when Wilbert is emotionally attacked, he’ll get very angry, so I follow him in the breathing exercise.

I don’t know where the trait came from but I’ve observed it right from the very start it manifested itself in the form of Wilbert smashing a sword on the ground in frustration of not improving, luckily I was there or more like ran over to him whenever he had such episodes, and helped him throughout, with Celine of course.

“Okay, I’m calm.” I narrow my eyes. “Okay I’m not calm, I’ll just be quiet here now.” He said, and I nod in appreciation. I look at Celine who has blood shot eyes, and a tear stained face.

“You know that it’s okay to break down sometimes right Celine?” I said, out of all of us -the old disciples-, Celine had always had it worse when it comes to self-confidence, she would timidly stand idly by not really much participating in the class when the three of us were first introduced to the four magical beasts disciples of our masters.

And I think her timid self got influenced when I started forming friendship bonds with the disciples, leaving her out, and I think Wilbert also had a part in this albeit unintentionally.

But I showed her how to be strong as I had noticed how she faltered those days, I didn’t give up on encouraging her all the way, until she got used to the ambiance and got herself, a self-confidence she worked hard for, both of them came a long way and I’ve been there by their side, supporting and accompanying them, but it seems this was a major shock for them.

“Yeah I know, but I’m more concerned for you.” she stuttered over some of the words she spoke.

“I’m fine, having you guys know about this, is more than enough for me.” I said, softly smiling. “The pain I’ve kept in store on myself must have affected you both gravely, and I’m more concerned of this for you guys.” I said, worry evident on my tone.

“Why? Why would you be more concerned about us? You’re concerned that we would be in pain?” I nod. “Of course we would be in pain, and it hurts that…” Wilbert stopped.

“That?” I encourage.

“It hurts that you didn’t tell us sooner!” he exclaimed. He looks so… torn.

“I’m sorry, it’s not that I didn’t want to tell you guys, we were still young then, and like I said, I didn’t want you guys to know I carry such a heavy burden, it would only worry you both.” I explain. They lowered their head, it breaks me to see them like this.

“Do you not trust us?” Celine asked after a moment of silence.

“Of course I trust you, both of you.” She looked at me angrily, asking for answers.

“Would you let me explain?” I ask. She nodded her head repeatedly, Wilbert wanted to say something but got stopped by Celine holding her arm in front of him, giving him a stern look, before looking up to me. Why does it feels like I’m being interrogated.

Okay, Ken, stop, this is not the time for jokes.

“I don’t mean to offend the trust that we all have for one another, I could say that the reason why I kept it a secret was because I didn’t want you guys to worry about it, and especially me, but I know that both of you will be upset since we’ve all promised that we’d tell everything to one another anything that bothers us.” The two nodded.

“But knowing of this big subject, I could not just throw it in front of you two and expect that the both of you would accept it right at the get go.” The two nodded again, but this time, weakly.

“I had to prepare you both, that’s why at every other turn I would talk about deep topics, even at the most cliché times, and I wouldn’t give up if the both of you did not give me satisfactory answers.” They both smiled at the memory. “Or at the very least, your answer from your heart.”

“I could not accept or even begin to think how our friendship would have become if I have told you guys about this, I treasure you both so much, and I wouldn’t do anything risky if it wasn’t for the betterment of everyone, especially for the two of you, remember that.” The two nodded again, thank goodness they understood.

“Then, what about you now? Are you okay with this?” Celine asked.

“I’ve learned to accept it bit by bit, you know what I’ve said in the past, there is no use in obstructing, changing, oppressing, or hindering the things that are within us, let’s accept those things, for our greatest treasure is what we have, not what we don’t have,

and I don’t wanna go on and on about how we can take advantage of such things since I’ve already told about this to you guys in the past, what are we gonna do, have a history lesson?” I exclaim, making them laugh a bit.

“How? How did you learn to accept it?” asked Celine.

“I had you guys, and my family and everyone, so I was okay through it all.” I explain smiling softly.

“But, how about us?” she said.

“I’m sure you’ll both get used to this, I’ll be with the two of you every step of the way.” I smile and they nodded. This kinds of makes me wonder if we’re all just gonna be nodding and smiling all through-out our talk.

“Does it not hurt? Not telling us?” asked Wilbert.

“It did, but now that you guys know, I feel like a heavy load was lifted off my shoulders.” I replied, making him pout.

“Still, not telling us makes me grumpy.” said Wilbert. I chuckled.

“Right, although I do understand now why you did it, I kind of wished you had told us sooner.” said Celine.

“Why?” I ask.

“So we could have been there for you, helping you.” She explained. I smiled even wider.

“Like I said, having you both at my side we’re more than enough encouragement to hold on.” I exclaimed, making her nod. The atmosphere turned silent.

“Do you guys still trust me?” I ask softly, making them abruptly turn their gaze towards me.

“OF COURSE.” They shouted simultaneously.

“*Chuckles* awww, thank you.” I said, tears threatening to fall again, I stood up and hugged them both, us meeting halfway.

“Thank you.” I say again.

“This is nothing.” said Celine.

“Yeah, what are friends for.” said Wilbert.

“Just know that despite what happened, I’m glad you told us.” Celine said, and Wilbert nodded.

“*GRINS* Mm!!! *nod*” I released our hug, wiping some of the excess tears on my face. “Shall we go home now?”

The two nodded and I returned the makeshift chair and cushions.

“Can you believe it? A four year old, undergoing all of that?” said Wilbert to Celine.

“Yeah, it almost feels so unreal.” She exclaimed.

“Yet here we are today, even though we were influenced by its magic in the past, it honed us to what we are today.” I said and look at them. “Strong, determined, and most of all, trusting of one another.” We all smiled together as we savor the moment of one each other.

“You know I’m proud of the both of you.” I said.

“How can you say?” asked Celine.

“It’s because not only were you both matured enough to understand, your decisions were also influenced more by your thoughts other than your feelings, I’m very proud of the two of you.” I grin, as they smile, Wilbert’s blushing, awwwww, so cute.

“Stop being so sappy, and what’s with you and always monitoring us, are you like our father or something.” He says jokingly while crossing his arms and pouting.

“You can call it like that *chuckles*” I reply as I finish reshaping everything and got ready to go.

“Do you guys want to have dinner at my home?” I ask.

“YES PLEASE!!!” they said simultaneously. They really love it when I invite them for I always cook.

“Okay, hold on, we’ll teleport home so I can prepare the food in advance.” I said, and they nodded. The three of us held hands and I slowly envelop my magic through us three before making us teleport away to my home, leaving no trace of where we were. I thank this day to have come, at least now my heavy burden has been lessened.

-Quest, “Tell your friends the truth” completed, here is your reward-

‘White since when did this quest pop out’ -Ken-

‘Since when you didn’t look at it.’ -White-

‘Huh?? Then why hadn’t I noticed?’ -Ken-

‘You just scrolled the quest bar, remember?’ -White-

‘Oh, yeah right, ahehe.’ -Ken-

‘Geez.’ -White-

‘Gomenne nya’ -Ken-

I’m glad to have passed this hurdle in life, what would be waiting for us in the future? Guess I’ll just have to wait and anticipate, anticipate every possible outcome whether it be good or bad … (continues ranting)

‘Can you stop that?’ -White-

‘Oh, hehe, okay I’ll stop.’ -Ken-

‘Paranoid as always.’ -White-

‘*GASP* I am not.’ -Ken-

‘Not talking to you.’ -White-

——-