A Story of Betrayal

This chapter continues the flashback. It doesn't stop until the break

"Vincent," the man replied, "How nice to see you. Janus, you go away now. We've worked out the plan and I have things I need to discuss with the boy." He shot a sharp glare towards the notorious Drifter. With a flashing smile, Janus suddenly teleported away. This act made Vincent nervous indeed.

"I have been searching for three years now. Uncle never let me go out before to do so; I am sorry that I waited so long. But after his murder, I took the opportunity to find you. I'm all alone now. Finally, we can be a family again. So, where do you live? And why didn't you call home all these years," the boy inquired. His eyes were glowing as if they really were emeralds. It had been a hard road for the youth.

The man—who we all know is Leehalt so I'll stop beating around the bush—told his foster son, "I have been doing quite well. Along with my associates, I am going to free humanity from their chains. We will transform Filgaia into a green planet once again. That has always been our goal. However, now the methods have changed. Not only with the planet evolve and transform, but so will the human race. It is the only way to save this wretched world. The power of Demons will lead us to a glorious new future."

Vincent backed away. Ever since childhood his uncle had told himstories of the horrors of Demons. Also, something in his gut was begging him to fight back. This was not the future everyone on Filgaia wanted. Almost as if there was another person inside of him. "Demons! But we cannot trust such a vile race. I'm sure there's another way. I'm not ready to give up on my humanity. If we work together, we can find the answers to the problems." He walked forward once again and reached out his right hand.

Only to have Leehalt blast him with an Eliminate Scanner. "Foolish boy, you are turning your back on the hope of humanity. So they will be Demons in the future; at least they will be able to survive. Filgaia is dying and since the Elw have vanished and the Guardians have forsaken it, only the Demons are left to help. I have put all of my faith in my newly acquired Demonic powers; faith to save us all."

"Demons are evil," called out Vincent, "They only wanted ruin for our world in ancient times. It was they who caused the world to deteriorate, the Elw to vanish, and the Guardians to weaken. Only the power of humanity remains. You once walked the path of a scientist. You worked for the usage of our new technology to save this world. Have you forgotten everything you taught me when I was a child?"

"I have seen the light after we were nearly destroyed in the accident at the lab. Humanity is not able to handle this on their own. Demons are the only hope left. Besides, why should you be concerned over the means? I only wish to make a Filgaia that is better for all. You won't have to worry about all of the hardships that you encountered growing up. It will no longer be survival of the fittest," Leehalt stated.

Vincent informed him, "But I still have not given up hope. Drifters are always looking for the new way to rejuvenate and protect the world. One of these days we'll have our breakthrough. I lived in the worst possible conditions in Little Rock because of the failing mines. But I'll change my future and make something of myself. That way, I will never be ashamed. I must do what I believe is right and keep my pride as a human being. The dark forces will only lead to Filgaia's utter destruction if we rely on them."

Leehalt shook his head. "Sad and pathetic. I thought you were above such wild sentiment. I raised you to follow the path leading to the strongest power. Those thoughts are that of a weak willed coward. Why can't you see the light my boy? Join the great side of the Demons and protect this world."

"I am not a coward!" Vincent retorted, "You're the coward for running away from humanity. I'll admit that a human isn't as strong as a Demon. Nor are they really powerful beings. However, by hiding behind that power and ignoring the one you were born with is cowardly in itself. I know that power like that can lead to ruin. It happened in the war after all. Besides, my heart is showing me the right path."

"You speak like a fool. I would like to shoot the man who said that you learn your attitudes from the world around you. This is nothing that I or my brother would have shown you as a child. It's more like the sentimental idiodicy that your fool of a father and his best friend Elliot believed in," Leehalt muttered.

Vincent exclaimed, "My father! But you told me I was abandoned on the side of the road. That you found me and took me in. So how do you know of my birth father?" For so many years, he never had thought about where he came from. But now, with a hint thrown before him, Vincent found that he wanted to know. No matter where it led to, he needed to hear about his true origins and birth parents.

Leehalt looked at the boy; anger filling the youth's heart. "Your father has always been the one plague on my existence. He always wanted to outshine and out do me just for the sake of being on top. But his last straw was stealing away the one girl I loved; your mother. I decided to get my revenge. So when your mother gave birth I stole away to the house where she was being looked at by the doctor. In the window, I saw two women, a young baby that belonged to the doctor, and my beloved's twin children. Both you and your sister were tainted with your father's blood. I took you to cause him to suffer as I did."

"I was kidnapped!" the young man called out, "But it didn't get you anywhere. And now that I know your true game plan, I no longer trust you. I will defeat you and avenge all of the suffering that you have caused to my real family." He pulled out the pistol and fired a round at Leehalt who dodged the hit.

"Why do you think I told you all of this? Because you could never hope to defeat me. You'll die right here and now. And I did get somewhere. I had the pleasure to know that I had deprived my rival of his only son. But your mother, selfless and kind as always, hid the truth about her babies from the others in the family. I think she was trying to protect their feelings while she suffered inside. To this day, I think no one but her knows that you even exist. That's enough talk, now you die," Leehalt called to the youth.

He cast another Eliminate Scanner on the wounded lad. The blow sent Vincent back into the mountain. Then, he chuckled as he teleported away. With wounds that bad it was a miracle he was able to survive; as if some other force was protecting him. Vincent began crawling towards Baskar to get help.

F...F

He told his friends, "And that's how I met you all. I'm guessing the curse was placed on my bracelet either as we spoke or in the instant I was hit with his spell. I feel guilty though. All these years of believing I was unloved by my family. Yet my birth mother is suffering because she couldn't save me."

Lyla brought the young man into an embrace; much to her surprise. "It'll be ok. We'll find out where you come from. Then you can meet the family you lost. It will take time, but I know that you can make it. And your mother will be able to finally get this off of her chest." She patted him on the back; a single tear falling down. It would be a long hard road but they had to get there. For the sake of a family.

Teefa's Last Words...

Well, now we know Vincent's story of how he got there. Next we should arrive in Claiborne. I have a lot of fun planned while they search.