Chapter Five: Move Forward
The next day, after the conclusion to the rescue of Cana, Erokhi's party met at the main floor of the inn and seated themselves at a round table. The main floor was a typical bar-like setting with circular tables placed everywhere, a large shelf behind the counter that were filled with various liquors and wines, and even an old piano near the entrance. The old innkeeper was behind the counter, and a young bartender who washed glassed cups occasionally that was by his side showed no hint of tedium while indulging himself into his work. The innkeeper, Kravis, studied over the list of people staying within the rooms of the inn, realizing that only three parties stayed with them at the time. His thoughts ran over the lack of people staying at the inn, for they had up to ten rooms, but only three filled. Business was always like this, and Kravis had the impression that it wasn't necessarily their inn that was the problem, but the location. Siauliai was a small town, and hardly any travelers came down this way.
The bartender noticed the worrying wrinkles of the innkeeper made his pale face worsen, "You're gonna die tomorrow if you keep stressing yourself out, old man."
"Heh, let death take me by the throat then," Kravis gave a chilling chuckle, afterwards forcing out a rough cough. "I've been around here too long, boy. Each year, the world dies inside. I can feel it, and most definitely, they are proof of it."
Kravis glanced over at the table of revelators in the empty sea of tables. They sat in silence, eating their breakfast of scrambled eggs, stacked pancakes, and apple jellied biscuits. It was certainly delicious and well-thought-of towards the people who would be eating the meal. The bartender couldn't help but smile at them as they ate his food, but was shocked by the swelling tears they tried to hide.
Law stared at the food on his plate, noticing how messy he had eaten and a burning image of the Vubble he murdered crossed his mind. It didn't help keep the tears back, but he bit his lip with all his might, and stuffed down the food. "It's…good."
Shiba realized the pain of her comrade, sniffing at the shape of her party members, but managed a bold laugh, "I'm manlier than you now, Law."
"This is how every day will be, huh?" Erokhi finally spoke up, his burning eyes bearing into his pancakes. "Waking up to a demanding job and dealing with not knowing myself. Who I was before…if I had any family…anything."
"I guess it hit us all last night," Law gave a small smile, chuckling away his pain. "Who would call on such wimpy revelators such as us?"
"I wish I would never be called on," Shiba tucked her legs close to her body in her seat, wrapping her arms around them. "I took this all as a joke, but seeing what Law did and how freaked out I was last night…I…I was fully human first coming here, laughing off my worries and hunting the Kepas, for they weren't a threat and were child's play. As a Wizard, I don't have to feel my blade slicing the heart of the enemy because I simply can cast away any challenge before me. I wonder about myself sometimes, and wonder how much of a coward I was before to take the role of Wizard. Forget all that crap about blowing everything up and scorching the battlefield. It was all fake. I'm…fake."
"Shiba," Law softly spoke as he stared at her big eyes that gathered tears. "You don't have to put on a face for us. We're a team, and together we can become strong. I know we haven't been together long, but I want the trust of my allies. That's probably the only thing that's pushing me forward at this point."
"It's weird how strangers become friends so quick," Erokhi gave a relaxed smile. "We had to be good friends in the past."
"I believe that too," Law grinned brightly.
"Then tell me!" Shiba suddenly shouted.
The boys glanced over at her as she snapped up out her seat and slammed her palm on the table. She cracked first, tears streaming down her shaking cheeks, "What will you do if I die?!"
Law gave a pleasant smile as sizzling tears followed down his face slowly, "Who is manly now?"
"Law, you idiot!" She clenched her jaw, trying to stop her shaking legs. "How will you feel when we—"
"You fight!" Erokhi gritted his teeth, trying to force his tears not to come, but without his consent they fell. "Don't go getting yourself killed. I won't allow it. I'd rather sacrifice myself first before anyone dies before me."
"I ain't letting you die either, boss," Law smirked. "I'll have your back, and Shiba's as well."
"We need to get stronger," Shiba explained, a soft patter of his tears hitting the table. "I believe in you two, for you both are all I have in this world as a friend. The only people in the world I can share my feeling of being bound by fate, and thrown into the fray."
"Who knew Shiba could be so sentimental," Law wiped his tears away. "Moving forward is the only thing we can do. We must search for the answers ourselves, for no one can break their backs for us."
"Indeed," Erokhi gave a strong nod, rubbing away the staggering burn that meddled with his sight. "Klaipeda is where we need to be. I feel like our answers will be there."
A forced smile appeared as Shiba's teary face, "You guys are growing some balls finally."
"I already had balls. They're just bigger now," Law played along.
"What~! Mine are just as big as your head! That's how much of a man I am than you! Bow before your Queen, peasant!"
Erokhi laughed at her absurd manner, "Who made you Queen?"
The young bartender was astonished by the shift of their conversation, as if the mood around them glowed of unlimited possibilities and hardships. He never dreamed of being in the position of a revelator. No matter how much the stories of heroes perked his interest, he couldn't desire to be one because he was scared. All heroes are built tough, and do things that naturally a human couldn't possibly do or deal with. The emotions the revelators felt was equal to that of a hero, but they had human qualities. They were human through-and-through, and they challenged their hearts to adapt to the trials they face, for they understood that only they can do what they do and carry the will of Laima.
Kravis scratched the back of his slicked silver hair, resting his azure eyes upon the revelators, "I guess this is why I continue to stay here."
"What do you mean?" the bartender asked.
"The first trial of a revelator is to conquer the fears and the evils they must commit to for the common good. They sacrifice everything for people they don't even know across the land and allow fate to drive their passions forth. That is what a revelator is. Human beings with a strong will to survive and do the impossible."
"Just like in the stories, huh?"
"You always loved the heroes in the books, didn't you, Neal?" Kravis laughed dryly.
Neal sighed in relief, his smiling eyes watching the soon-to-be-heroes, "I guess so."