Loneliness...
It is probably the worst possible feeling anyone could experience. To feel sadness and joy and have no one to share them with does hurt. To be alone is considered a curse than a blessing. And to die alone is the worst possible death.
Loneliness is everyone's greatest fear.
There was a man that considered himself a loner though he had many friends. They had accepted him, but he did not accept himself. To him, his friends lived in a different world while he lived in a world of his own. He longed to live in their world, full of joy and peace, but how could he when he bore a great burden?
A burden called Lutz.
It was a burden he didn't ask for. It was a lonely existence that the Lutzes before him had accepted.
But Rune Walsh, the fifth generation Lutz, had denied such an existence.
That denial had sparked a change within Esper society, a change in which the truth about Lutz came forth. What had made Rune Walsh renounce all protocol to tell his fellow Espers the truth? And what did it lead to?
The following passages contain the answers to these questions. It is the story of what ushered in a new age in Esper society...
"Is everything set?"
"That's the fifth time you asked that question," Rika sighed as she took a seat next to her husband by the fireplace. She had just finished preparing for the arrival of the guests they were expecting.
During their years together, Chaz and Rika had accumulated other furniture. There were now two couches standing in front of the fireplace with a round small table in between them. There was also an extra table and a couple of new chairs. The Hunter hoped that the furniture would be enough to accommodate all his guests.
"Well, I just want everything to be perfect," Chaz grinned as he placed an arm around his wife's shoulders, who leaned her head against his shoulder in turn. The Hunter looked at Rika, who looked as vibrant and cheerful as the day he first met her.
"It's been a long time, hasn't it?" Rika asked as if she could read her husband's thoughts.
"Yes," the Hunter replied, "it's been twelve years since our big adventure. I wonder how everyone is doing." When he said everyone, he meant those that he hadn't seen in a long while, which is simply to say those who lived elsewhere than Motavia. The last he had seen of Kyra, Raja, Wren, and Demi was during Gryz's wedding and they only stayed long enough for the reception.
The only other person that he had not seen for twelve years was Rune. Chaz frowned at that thought. Even Kyra, last he talked with her, said that even she didn't know where the legendary Lutz was. No one had seen hide nor hair of him ever since they had defeated the Profound Darkness. It was as if he completely vanished from Algo altogether. The thought unnerved him a bit.
Rika sensed that her husband was troubled about something and asked, "What's wrong?"
"I was just wondering," Chaz replied as he stared out a window, "about Rune. I'm hoping that he'll come along with the others."
Rika lifted her head and pushed herself slightly away from Chaz. "Since when did you start wondering about him?" Rika asked with a smirk.
"Ever since we parted ways," Chaz replied softly as he removed his arm from Rika's shoulders and stood up. He then went towards the window he was staring at. He looked up at the sky, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Landale as it entered their atmosphere, but all he saw was the cloudless sky and a flock of birds.
It was the same as the day when he and his friends had parted. It seemed he was there again, back in that field, saying farewell to everyone. He remembered a small part of the exchange between himself and Rune.
"Won't we...meet again?" he had asked hesitantly.
"Probably not," Rune had replied bluntly.
"Damn arrogant wizard," Chaz muttered to himself. "Always trying to avoid contact with anyone." He continued to stare at the sky when suddenly...
"Hey, dad!" a young boy exclaimed as he popped up in front of the window.
Chaz gave a short yell as he fell back, stunned. He then looked at the window and saw his son beaming at him. "A-Alex!" he cried as he got up and dusted himself. "Don't scare me like that! You nearly gave me a heart attack!"
"Sorry!" Alex apologized with a grin as he climbed through the window. "You were staring into outer space that I couldn't resist the opportunity. Besides, you always said to keep your guard up."
"You've got a point there," muttered the Hunter as he watched his son walk happily over to the couches.
Besides the new furniture, Alex Ashley was another addition into the Hunter's life. The boy was only eight-years-old but because of his Numan blood, he was fast maturing into adulthood. His slightly pointy ears were another sign of his Numan heritage, but other than that, he was his father's son. Alex had short blonde hair like Chaz and he was skilled with the sword. Chaz had no doubt that his son would be an excellent Hunter, probably even surpassing him.
Alex happily hummed to himself as he strode over to the small round table between the couches. He then stopped and went to pick a fruit out of the bowl in the middle of the table when Rika slapped his hand away.
"Those aren't for you," she reprimanded him. "Those are for our guests."
"Mom," Alex whined while he rubbed his hand and took a seat opposite from her. "You keep talking about these guests. When are they going to arrive?"
"They'll arrive here anytime now," Chaz replied. He was about to reclaim his seat next to Rika when there came a knock on the door. He grinned at Alex. "See? What did I tell you?"
The Hunter walked over to the door, as the knocking became persistent, while Rika went into the kitchen to prepare the drinks. She could hear the welcomed greetings as Chaz ushered their guests inside. Humming to herself happily, she placed some cups and a pitcher of ale made special for Guild members on a square tray before bringing them out for her guests.
As she entered the common area, she saw that their guests were already seated on the couches. Chaz was happily talking with Hahn and Gryz and their wives while Alex entertained the children of their guests.
The children were playing a board game on the floor of the common room. Of course, Alex was there along with Hahn's daughter, Sarah, and Gryz's twins, Tyce and Lyn. Sarah was the oldest, being nine-years-old, and so one year older than Alex. She had inherited Saya's long hair, but it was brown like Hahn's. Tyce and Lyn looked like most Motavians with their blue fur and red eyes. They were seven-years-old, the youngest of the bunch, and full of energy.
Rika walked carefully towards the couches as she maintained balance of the tray in her hand. "So Chaz, what made you plan this reunion?" she heard Hahn ask as she approached the group.
As the Numan placed the tray on the table and poured the ale into the cups, she heard her husband reply, "For old time's sake, Hahn. It would be nice to know what everybody's been up to. Aren't you curious to know what's been happening in Dezoris or if Wren found out anything interesting while maintaining the systems of Motavia and Dezoris? I'm willing to hear anything new besides rumor and gossip. Thank you, Rika," he added when she handed him a cup and was echoed by the rest of the group when she handed them their drinks.
Rika then took her seat next to Chaz on the opposite couch facing their guests. "I see that your children are doing well," she said referring to Hahn's daughter and Gryz's twins.
"It's been peaceful," Gryz stated and Hahn nodded in agreement.
"And I would prefer that it would stay that way, but sometimes I wish there were some excitement. Not as big as the one twelve years ago," Chaz added quickly when he saw everyone's shocked faces. "Just something to break the monotony around here."
"I suppose," Hahn mused, "but I'd prefer this life than to a life of fighting. You don't have to worry about if you're going to live or die or making your family worry about your safety. It's worse if you have to abandon your family."
"Well, it seemed that my husband has grown in wisdom today," Saya teased while Hahn just blushed.
"I wish my husband were as wise as yours," Lia, Gryz's wife, said. "All he does is joke around. I think Grandfather Dorin had a bad influence over him."
"Speaking of Grandfather Dorin, how is he?" Chaz asked innocently.
"He's dead," Gryz stated sadly.
A cloud of silence hovered over the group as they absorbed that simple statement. "I'm sorry to hear that," Chaz apologized meekly. "I didn't know."
"It's all right," Gryz said before downing the rest of his drink. "He died a happy Motavian. He had no regrets." Then, hoping to change the subject, he complimented on the drink. "This is good stuff!"
"The best from the Guild," Chaz agreed as he drank his slowly. "They always give me bottles of the best ale after I complete a mission." He then placed his cup down on the table and leaned back. "By the way, have any of you seen Rune around?"
The answers the Hunter received startled him.
"Are we almost there yet?" a small boy whined as he impatiently shifted in his seat. He had been sitting there for the past five hours. His mother had suggested that he sleep on the way, but he couldn't. He was brimming with excitement just at the thought of visiting the desert planet of Motavia for the first time.
"ETA is in one hour," Wren replied from his pilot's seat.
"Is that long?" the small boy asked. He was only four-years-old, having no knowledge on the concept of time. There came a laugh from his side. The boy scowled as he turned and asked, "What's so funny, Grandpa Raja?"
"Your innocence!" Raja chuckled. "Ah, to be a kid again," he added wistfully as he calmed down. "Come, Shayne," he beckoned the boy on his lap, "let Grandpa Raja tell you a story to pass the time away."
The boy smiled as he cheerfully jumped off his seat and onto Raja's lap. He had always found Grandpa's stories to be exciting and fun unlike the stories he heard at home in Esper Mansion.
Raja smiled fondly at the boy. Though he wasn't his grandfather by blood, he was attached to the boy and treated him as if he were his own grandchild. Besides, he was quite fond of being called 'Grandpa'. It was certainly different than being called a religious title now and then.
When the boy had settled down, Raja thought for a brief moment on what story to tell. He was already running out of ideas. He had told almost every known story he could think of. "I've got one!" he exclaimed as an idea struck him. The boy leaned in eagerly as the Dezorian priest unraveled his tale.
Kyra smiled as she watched Raja and her son. She knew that Shayne was quite fond of the Dezorian priest and she didn't mind her son calling Raja 'grandpa'. She thought it was kind of cute. Besides, it was the least she could do for the priest. She had saved the priest from the Black Energy Wave along with the others all those years ago. Raja had returned the favor six years ago when...
She shuddered at the memory. It was best to leave the past behind, but she knew that her friends would want to know what happened once they see Shayne and her husband. She would leave the explaining up to her husband and Raja. The Esper Magician shuddered again as she drew her cape around herself, as if the memory was a biting wind that left her shivering in its wake.
A man sitting next to her noticed her distress and reached out to touch her hand comfortingly as he asked, "Is something wrong?"
Kyra nearly jumped at the touch of his hand, but quickly realizing whom it was, took his hand and gripped it as if finding strength. "I was just thinking...of old memories," she replied softly.
The man smiled softly as he returned her squeeze. "I will never let anything happen to you again, neither to you nor to Shayne," he reassured her, knowing full well that she still thought about the incident six years ago.
"I know and I'm glad," Kyra returned with a smile of her own. She squeezed his hand one more time before letting go.
The man reluctantly withdrew his hand, but kept a worried eye on Kyra. She never fully recovered from that incident, occasionally suffering nightmares from it and too afraid afterwards to return to sleep. He would have to rock her back and forth, as if he was comforting a child, lulling her back to sleep. Sometimes rocking alone wouldn't work and he would resort to singing a lullaby much to his chagrin.
Her demeanor had also taken a change. Once cheerful and impulsive, Kyra was now despondent and cautious. She rarely smiled anymore, becoming more withdrawn. The only time she would smile was when their son was around, probably for the boy's benefit.
Thinking of his son, he turned towards the boy. Shayne sat attentively on the priest's lap, fully engrossed in Raja's story. He smiled at that. At least his son didn't have anything to worry about, not for another three years when his Esper training will begin. He was also relieved that Shayne hadn't noticed his mother's despondent behavior, but knew when the child grew older and become maturer that he'll start questioning about it.
The man sighed as he leaned back in his chair. He hoped that this trip to Motavia would lighten Kyra's spirit a bit. The truth be known to him, he didn't look forward to this trip. As a matter of fact, he outright refused to go, but surprisingly enough, Kyra insisted. Shayne had begged him to go and Raja convinced him to come along. It was three against one and he gave in.
He smiled as he remembered Kyra cheerfully talking about the reunion and just seeing her so full of positive energy convinced himself that he had made the right decision. This is for Kyra's sake, he thought as he gazed at her. I'm doing this for Kyra.
"Why that arrogant bas---!"
"Chaz, not in front of the kids!" Rika interrupted him before he could finish the word.
Chaz was up on his feet, his hands clenched into fists, breathing angrily. His face was red with uncontrolled anger, but turned a shade darker from embarrassment when he heard Rika's scolding. "Sorry," he apologized meekly as he calmly sat down. He then took a sip of his drink then sighed. "I can't believe that Rune would visit you guys, but not me. Why was he avoiding me?"
Both Hahn and Gryz shrugged. "Maybe I can answer that question for you," Saya suddenly inserted. The others looked at her prompting her to continue.
"I always watch him as he visited Alys' grave," the schoolteacher began. "His eyes shown much sorrow that sometimes it looked as if he was willing to follow her unto death. It...frightened me."
Hahn took her hand, giving her strength to continue. "One day, while I was placing fresh flowers unto Alys' grave, he approached and I confronted him. I told him what I felt in my heart. I told him he should find happiness again and to go on living for Alys' memory." She gave a short sardonic laugh. "I'm sure that the dead Hunter was turning in her grave seeing Rune so melancholy and I told him as such. I also told him that Alys would want him to be happy again."
Chaz nodded in agreement. "I'm certain Alys would very much like that for everyone."
"I know that she's proud of you, Chaz," Rika added.
"Yes," said the Hunter. Then he turned to Saya and asked, "What happened after that?"
The schoolteacher shrugged. "I don't know. He stopped visiting after that day. I hope he had taken my advice to heart."
"I'm sure he's fine!" Chaz exclaimed with a grin though deep down in his heart, he wasn't so sure. The Esper Wizard couldn't have taken his life away. He had a role to carry out. He was Lutz, the spiritual leader of the Espers. And didn't Rune say that he had to watch over all Algo?
Suddenly, a knock on the door broke through the Hunter's thoughts. He looked expectantly at the wooden portal. Were they here already? There came a knock again then a voice: "Anyone home?"
The voice was a bit muffled through the door, but Chaz recognized who it was. "It's open!" he shouted. "Come right in!"
Rika stood to get more drinks while Chaz moved some extra chairs near the rest of the group. Hahn and Gryz continued to sit with their wives. It seemed that they were disturbed by the story Saya had relayed to them. As if they were accepting Rune's death, Chaz thought as he resumed his seat. He didn't feel like greeting their other guests. It seemed that story had sapped the cheerfulness of this occasion.
The door opened and five figures entered. "What's with the long faces?" Raja blurted when he saw the group seated by the fireplace. "It looks like someone just died."
Chaz sighed as he stood and motioned the group to sit. "Sorry, but we just heard something disturbing," he replied. "It's good to see you guys though and maybe you could lighten the mood with your stories, Raja."
The Dezorian priest gave a hearty laugh. "Don't I always?"
As Chaz welcomed the rest of their guests, Shayne looked on curiously from his perch on his father's arm. "Dad, who are these people?" he asked innocently.
"Friends," the man replied as he watched their host very carefully. He hadn't taken notice of him yet since he was standing behind the group.
Soon, the group was prompted to sit when Rika arrived with more drinks. The remaining group began to thin out as they took their seats. The two androids, Wren and Demi, sat on the chairs followed by Raja. That only left Kyra and...
"I can't believe it!" Hahn gasped followed by Gryz's, "After all these years..."
"You!" Chaz exclaimed as he stood up to face the man. "Rune!"
"Hello, Chaz," Rune greeted with a smile. "It's nice to see you again," he looked at the group, "all of you."
"So, who's the kid?" Saya asked. While everyone was shocked to see the man that they thought they wouldn't see, she was more curious about the child. Had Rune taken her advice to heart after all?
Rune's face flushed slightly, embarrassed to what he was about to say. "This is our son, Shayne," he replied as he placed the boy down. "Say hello, Shayne."
"Hello," the boy greeted cheerfully as he bowed then smiled at the group.
Chaz and the others were shocked at the news. "Your---" the Hunter began.
"---son?" Rika finished for him.
Raja laughed at their shock. "I guess the idea of Rune having a son doesn't strike well with them."
"But he said our son," Hahn mused, recovering quickly from his shock. "Who is---?" He suddenly stopped as the answer struck him. He looked from the boy to Kyra then to the boy again.
Shayne had dark blue hair much like Kyra's, but it was a little long and tied into a ponytail much like Rune. Though the boy's features looked like that of Rune, Hahn was certain that Shayne had inherited Kyra's impulsive behavior.
"I see," Hahn muttered to himself.
"What's there to see?" Chaz demanded of the scholar.
"The mother of the boy." The scholar smiled knowingly towards Kyra, who flushed slightly in embarrassment.
"Kyra?" Rika asked uncertainly as she caught on to what Hahn was implying.
The Esper Magician smiled as she nodded in reply. "Yes. Shayne is my son as well as Rune's."
Silence filled the room except for the children's soft laughter that could be heard in the corner of the common room, as the others absorbed this bit of shocking news. Chaz slowly sat down as he muttered, "You have a lot of explaining to do."
"Yes, I know," Rune said then briefly glanced at Raja before taking a seat next to the Hunter.
Shayne and Kyra were about to follow, but the Dezorian priest suddenly shot up from his chair and steered them away. "Why don't we take the children outside to play?" he suggested.
"But Raja, you just got here," Gryz protested.
"Don't worry," the priest reassured him. "Maybe your wife could help me watch over them and yours too, Hahn?"
Chaz was about to protest, but felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Rune's pleading eyes, which shocked him yet again. This didn't look like the Rune he had known twelve years ago and he wondered what caused him to change so much.
Saya and Lia were all too happy to accompany the children. Alex grabbed a ball made of sand worm hide from his room before following the others outside.
When the house grew quiet, Chaz quickly turned to Rune. "Why did you have to do that?" he demanded. "Raja and Kyra just got here."
"Please Chaz," Rune explained, "Raja knew what was coming and didn't want Kyra to hear it, any of it. It's too painful for her."
"What do you mean?" Rika asked softly.
"A lot has happened," Rune replied, his gaze piercing as he looked at their faces. "I think it's best that you hear it from the beginning. Then you'll know why it's too painful for Kyra...
"For both of us..."
