iii - adevărul
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He glanced back at the sleeping people he leave behind as he followed Alibaba to came to Fog Troupe's headquarter. The rotten smell tend to be far stronger when they are closer, he could only pinch his nose from time to time. But Alibaba doesn't seems too bothered, judging by his relaxed posture, he even suspected Alibaba didn't know a thing about the foulness.
(Such innocence, such purity.)
Apparently, Alibaba Saluja, he learn later on, was another user of Metal Vessel, Conqueror of Amon in Qishan. The charismatic leader of Fog Troupe was a late teenager, with blond hair and equally bright eyes full of hope.
(Even if it's covered in fog, it's still there. Hope.)
That night, the leader take him to met his new comrades. At the point, he could only stared blankly at the pile of debrish that stood tall in front of him with a few people sat around it.
"This is our new recruit. Say hi to Ren Shirou." Alibaba intoduced, pushing him forward, breaking his train of tought.
He just smiled, trying real hard not to vomit right there and right then because of the rotten smell that seems to linger thickly in the air. From several of his new comrades.
(Gross. But he was somehow used to it. He wonders why.)
"Nice to meet you."
One of his comrades, a young man with curly black hair and rotten smell radiated strongly from him—from the sword he carried along—smiled at him. He hold the grudge to simply backed off, it's imroper. "Welcome to the Fog Troupe. I see, Alibaba had made himself a new ally."
(How does he know about the concept of "proper" and "improper"? Sara never have any spare time to teach him manner.)
A woman approached him next, "Shall I call you Shirou or Ren, then?" She, too, have a strong foul smell.
He continued to smile slightly, "Shirou is fine."
(He is fine.)
(I am fine.)
(Is he?)
The night passed, and he once again found himself speaking with Alibaba. Just the two of them. Standing in the port, watching as the dawn came.
"You know? Actually I am the Third Prince of Balbadd." the blond said. "I ran the last time I was here."
(He ran.)
He just hummed, not too surprised by the revelation. A Dungeon Capturers were either have King's blood in them or was choosen by their respective Magi as their King Candidate. Alibaba have both of them. The leader have the blessing of a Magi, and the blood of King.
(He knows.)
"You fought for your people. It wasn't something I against." be exclaimed.
Alibaba just stared oddly at him. "You are really something." the blond said. "I expect you to throw a fit just now." The wind passed gently. "You're quite the extraordinary one, aren't you, Shirou?"
(..a name of his own...)
He raised an eyebrow. But then just giggled slightly. "I am nothing but a human with his quirks." he then smiled for so many times at the leader. "What am I supposed to do wasn't even a Dungeon Capturers could control."
(He's not supposed to be controlled by anyone.)
Alibaba stiffened. The leader stared at him intently, suspicious. "Are you another one?" he finally asked. "What are you here for?"
A sincere hum was made as he bought his sheathed sword in front of Alibaba. "I am. I don't know, this is just the first town I found after I cleared Niyet in Quor. I was send near here." he replied, drawing the sword enough to show Alibaba the pentagon on the base of it's blade.
(Not exactly near. But he didn't lie. He don't want to lie.)
"That is a nice sword you have, Shirou." Alibaba commented, once again relaxed. "Then, what is your purpose, exactly, joining Fog Troupe?"
(I want to make everyone happ—)
"I want to help people, that's all."
(There is more of it.)
Because he know; to help one is to doom another. In order to save many he need to doom a few. He can't save everyone.
(How does he know?)
He just want to be useful.
He just want to save someone.
He just want to see that smile on their faces.
He just doesn't want to have any regret in his life.
(Does he..?)
(He forget about the foul smell.)
Not an single truth. Nor a lie.
Alibaba beamed at his words. "This is the first time I see my fellow Dungeon Capturer!" And hope filled his eyes as he ranted on about his Dungeon adventure.
(Deep in his heart, he eminently worder if his decision to have a name and greater responsibility is alright.)
(steelismybodyandfireismyso—) He nodded, late as it is, he didn't care, "Me too."
(He isn't lying.)
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trivia:
Adevărul means "truth" in Romanian
they assume Ren is his first name and Shirou is his last
