When their hands clasped together a mysterious blue aura surrounded them and took them away from the hell on earth. As the energy faded away the physical feeling of displacement combined with the trauma he had just experienced caused Barron to release bile from the lowest reaches of his stomach.
Looking at him with judging eyes the man said, "Hmmm… I thought you'd have a stronger stomach than that." Rage at yet another display of the man's coldness Barron let out another attack of flailing fists which were easily dodged.
Sighing the man said, "Save your energy boy. It's not me you want to fight. You might not realize it, but I just saved your life." Slouching in the defeat Barron simply leaned against the man's stomach. So emotionally exhausted that he felt as though he'd collapse and yet tears were still bringing themselves to his eyes. However the man did not give the poor, lost, and emotionally tormented child any form of comfort. Instead he only spoke of the cold harsh reality Barron had found himself in.
"There is nothing left for you in Oakvale. If you had stayed you would be as dead as the rest of them."
Not even acknowledging that the child, while not verbally, was seeking some form of compassion he turned and walked away. Stumbling from the lack of support Barron nearly fell. He only stood there as he watched the man's retreating back.
Realizing that Barron was not following him the man turned his head to the side and said, "Come with me.", before continuing onward. Barron chased after his only hope of survival.
As they walked down a path the man began to speak, "My name is Maze, and I'm the head of the Guild of Heroes. You must have heard of it." Barron only squeaked a weak, and very small yes in reply all the while wondering why a so called "hero" couldn't save his family.
Soon after they found themselves entering a small hidden fortress that was reminiscent of the more humble temples spread throughout Albion. As they walked up towards the gates the man, Maze said, "You'll find nowhere safer in all of Albion. Nor a better place to call your home."
Looking back at Barron as they walked Maze said, "And if it's vengence you want, you'll need the training only we can offer."
"Vengeance?" Barron wondered to himself, "Is that what I want?" As he thought to himself the boy decided that, yes, that is what he wanted. After all the idea of having the guilty at your absolute mercy would sound absolutely, sinfully pleasant to anyone in such a situation. Especially to a child such as Barron.
Just before opening the gated Maze said, "Here we are. I will introduce you to the Guildmaster. He will be your guide from now on."
Gripping at Maze's long coat so as to not get lost Barron hounded the man like a shadow. As they walked together throughout the large complex men and women of all shapes and sizes whispered to one another as they stared at both Maze and Barron in astonishment from under their hoods. This only served to make Barron tighten his grip on Maze's coat. Eventually they made it to a large circular room. Barron having stopped while looking around the room had finally let go of Maze.
Walking up to an elderly man he explained what was going on, "I've brought you a new student." Then in a commanding tone he said, "Put him in the dorm up stairs with the girl
Looking down at Barron with a speculative eye the Guildmaster said, "You don't look much like hero material to me. But Maze knows what he's doing I suppose."
Nonchalantly the Guildmaster said, "Well, follow me then.", as he made his way up the stairs.
Once the Guildmaster had guided Barron to his new room he explained, "You will be sharing this room with Whisper, one of our brightest young pupils. She's playing in the woods right, but you'll meet her in the morning."
"For now you should get your sleep. Your training starts tomorrow." The elderly man said before leaving the room. Once he was gone Barron finally let the tears spill out. Exhausted and heartbroken he sat on what would be his bed for many years to come. Oh why did thing have to become so horrible? Why, out of all the places in Albion, was he here? And most of all, why did his family have to die? They were not horrible people. In Fact they were really quite average. So why did they have to die, only to leave one scared, confused, and lost member behind? How could fate be so unnecessarily cruel? These were the thoughts racing through Barron's head as he cried himself to sleep.