Rebirth

Chapter 10: Departure

He felt like nothing as if his body no longer existed and the world around him was equally as devoid. Were his eyes open? He couldn't tell.

"Ah, my child, how strong you have become. You have grown into a handsome young man."

"Who are you?"

"The one who created you. The one who created the world."

"Are you…God?"

"No, but, oh, such flattery. I am like Him, but I am not Him. He is fair, but I am not. I favor my two sons over the rest of Earth's inhabitants."

"Your two sons?"

"Yes, they are my favorite. You are my youngest, Lang, and I watched you grow into such a beautiful person. What more could a mother ask for?"

"You're my…"

"Yes, I am. You understand why I could not possibly raise you. You needed to experience the world. I'm afraid, though, that the world has been cruel to you. The world has placed so many burdens upon your shoulders yet you wear them boldly. I want you to rest now—rest to your heart's content and I will send you back onto the world."

"Am I dead?"

"I will not let you die, my son."

Lang felt a cool zephyr flow over him and soon he faded from the strange dark world.

/

Nancy paced nervously through the kitchen while Hawke and the other two Vigilance Corps members finished up their late dinners.

"Why isn't he back yet?" Nancy asked for the hundredth time.

"Perhaps he hasn't found Dein yet," Marcus suggested.

"Or maybe…maybe he's lost…maybe he's hurt and he needs our help."

"Captain Lang?" Boerto said in disbelief, "I'd like to see the day when he's taken down."

"He's not invincible, you guys," Nancy argued growing frustrated.

"If he's not back by tomorrow morning, we'll go looking for him," Marcus said to alleviate Nancy's worrying.

"Oh, could you?" Nancy said with relief.

"Not a problem," Boerto confirmed, "But I don't think you need to worry, he'll be back before then."

Nancy prayed that Boerto was right. She hated spending the night at the mansion without Lang being there too. He made her feel safe and secure. Now she would feel antsy and nervous as she forced herself to sleep.

/

Lang still lay sprawled in the opening near the center of the forest. Birds were chirping incessantly in Lang's ears beckoning for him to wake.

He groaned a little as he sat up on the ground. His chest still throbbed from the impact, but Lang judged himself strong enough to make it home.

"Galea?" Lang requested.

His origin appeared before him immediately.

"Are you feeling alright?"

"Strangely, yes, I'm fine."

"It looks like Dein and Igohl got away from us."

There was no one in the clearing besides them and Lang couldn't think of any way to track down the two tyrants. Without further provocation, Lang and Galea headed back home. The distance seemed a bit daunting to Lang, but he soon exited the woods completely and stepped into the province of Nohl, his hometown.

The day was early morning, exactly the time when he should've been getting up to start his daily regimen with the Vigilance Corps members. Today out of the all days, Lang would be on time to the meeting. Lang trudged down the main road all the way to the mansion whereupon he ran into Nancy.

"Lang! Where the hell have you been? You must like worrying me to death about you. Why didn't you come sooner?"

"So many questions, so early in the morning. Let me gather everyone first before I explain things fully."

"It's something serious, isn't it," Nancy questioned.

Nancy saw the grave look in Lang's eyes and knew that she was right. Together they walked into the mansion. Marcus and Boerto were already awake, now all Lang needed to do was wait for Hawke—the town's eldest member. Merely because of his age he held significant clout, but he only used his influence in serious matters like these—like the one Lang would have to inform everyone else of.

"See, I told you he'd be alright," Boerto said.

"Everything isn't alright," Nancy said back to Boerto, "But at least he made it back."

Marcus and Boerto looked at Lang questioningly, but before Lang could respond, Hawke emerged from the hallways.

"Is that Lang up so early?" Hawke asked when he evaluated the occupants in the room, "This must be a special occasion."

"In a way," Lang responded, "I have something to discuss with all of you. Now that you've joined us, Hawke, perhaps I can begin."

Lang watched as Hawke took a seat at the head of the table. There was a seat left where Dein usually sat, but no one seemed to notice.

"I wasn't able to bring Dein back. I did, however, find him. Dein has gotten himself into something he knows little about, only caring about the power he was able to acquire by submitting to someone else's will. He proved to be too powerful for me to handle and he escaped." There were worried faces all around and Lang looked them all equally in the eyes. "In a sense, he's made a pact with the devil, but I plan to get him back. Dein is only a victim, perhaps sorely misled, but a victim nonetheless. But that's not why I gathered all of you. The demon that Dein has chosen to associate himself with is the very same one that was responsible for Earth's imminent destruction eleven years back. Though he's weakened, now he's found a host and I have no doubt in my mind that he'll continue with his venture dragging Dein along with him."

"Wait, you can't mean to go after him all by yourself? You said it yourself that you couldn't handle them all by yourself," Nancy argued.

"Yes, I know that. But I know a few people who may be able to help."

"Maya and Kazan," Marcus said, "Yeah, they're the same people who were with you before."

"And what if they decide they don't want to help you," Nancy said.

Lang closed his eyes then, "I'll just have to make things right myself."

"Lang!" Nancy said urgently, "You can't do that."

"You have nothing to worry about. You see that I'm still here and well even after my encounter with Dein."

This fact only cooled her down a little.

"So, Lang, you plan on leaving once again," Hawke said thoughtfully, "Vigilance Corps cannot afford to lose its leader with so few members."

"I'm aware of that also," Lang said slowly, "And for that I am sorry. I don't plan to be gone for long."

"I understand the gravity of the situation," Hawke said, "Already, I see some prospective members in the town. Perhaps when you come back you'll see some new recruits."

"That is good to hear, Hawke. While I'm gone there must be someone to take my place—someone to serve as a pseudo-leader."

Lang looked at Marcus and Boerto and quickly made his decision. Marcus was shocked to have been chosen and honored. Boerto was only glad that he hadn't gotten chosen—he was far too much of an introvert.

"Then it is done," Lang said.

It was still early and Lang saw no reason not to leave at that moment. They tried to talk him out of this decision, but Lang was steadfast and soon he had his supplies and equipment packed. Obviously, Lang didn't want to make a big deal about his leaving, but Lang hadn't realized that his influence was near as great as Hawke. Lang was well liked among the community and he would be sorely missed once they found out about his departure. Dating back eleven years, the town held him as a hero.

"Lang," Nancy called after him just as he arrived at the main gates of the town. She had literally ran to catch up to him.

"What is it, Nancy?" Lang said already knowing it was her without turning around.

"Let me go with you, Lang, I—

"No. You know I can't do that. It's far too dangerous for you. Your place is here."

"Is that all you think of me? I'm just a cook, to you? Let me tell you something—I can do much more than that. I know I can."

"I know you can."

Nancy was startled by the immediacy of his agreement.

"I know that you're much more than that, but I couldn't bear to take you with me. Even if you say you could protect yourself, I'd always be worrying about your safety."

"But I probably couldn't protect myself," Nancy said looking down, "I guess would be a burden."

"It would be a bit of an incentive to look forward to your cooking as opposed to mine every night," Lang said with a grin.

Nancy laughed then, "You just make sure to make it back safely."

"Knowing that you'll be here waiting anxiously for my return is enough reason for me."

"R-really?" Nancy said again caught off guard. "What about Vigilance Corps? What about the town?"

"If those were my only reasons, I would not have come back at all."

And then Nancy truly was blushing though she would never in a million years ever imagine herself doing something so girly.

"I'll be back, Nancy, I promise."