[Hermes]
"Ummm, Rayleigh? Where are we?" I asked in worry because right now I'm seeing a bunch of graves.
OMG, is he going to kill me? Lolz, if he does then he'll go to my hate list…
"We are here…" we stood in front of a grave that was different from all of them. It was covered in grey flowers, but there weren't withered. It made me wonder how flowers in this place breed since I never saw grey colored flower as their natural color
"… come here…" I slowly neared him and the grave. He motioned for me to sit on the ground which I complied. He sat after me and brought out his wine from his coat
"… do you want to know who she is?" oh, so this person is a female? Good to know…
"… well, since you brought me here… I should as well know…" he laughed and stared at the grave with a soft smile
"… she was the fairest of all maidens I've met… the strongest, the bravest… and the kindest…" he drank the wine and looked at me right in the eye. My body felt tense… something was so oddly familiar… but I shouldn't rush to conclusions first… It's time to hear an old man's story
"The first time we met, it was the most unexpected scene… She wore that smile, even though she was all battered up and is on the brink of death… Did you know what she said?" I shook my head in response. There was a moment of silence but then he continued
"She said that she'll travel the world that was full of excitement and danger… Why should she follow the rules that the world never had in the first place? She wants to be free from everything… And she said that in front of the Pirate King's crew…" my head felt fuzzy for no reason but I had to endure the pain to hear this story that I never heard from Oda's manga
"… she was beautifully shinning… she travelled with us to the very end…" he trailed off and looked a bit sadder than how he looked like when he started the story
"… she gave birth to a child with no name given… For some reason, she wanted him to chose his own name to abide with… So the child grew with no name… but he seemed happy…" he settled down his drink and looked back at the grave
"Because of being a former pirate and a wife of one of the most feared pirate… she was hunted down and was killed…" my chest felt heavy that made me want to suffocate together with my head aching like hell which is not very helpful. Everything is too familiar… It feels like I know this before… is it from some OP specials? The greenbook they are talking about? The SBS? Damn… I should remember where it was from…
"… her last words… it was for her child… a child that was taken away for his safety…" I held my head who was sweating from all this time. Damn… it hurts already… I should go…
"… she wanted me to tell… that you were so brave…" then my breathing started to get irregular… I couldn't process anything… I feel too light headed to understand everything. But one thing was for sure, this man is telling me that I was her son. Of course, I know it was impossible. I didn't come from here, but my head wants to tell me something different.
"… she— are you alright?" he looked at me with worry evident on his eyes. I gave him a small smile telling him that I am fine
"Rayleigh… I know she was a good person… I could feel it… but are you sure that you got the right person..? You might've mistaken something in here…" he looked at me but then sighed. He smiled and ruffled my hair furiously (which became a habit to everyone who sees him)
"Waa— Rayleigh, stop!" he laughed and stood from his position…
"I guess my job here is done. I'll have to leave now and go to a certain person. But if you want to, you can come with me…" I thought of it for a moment. Right now, he is talking about Luffy and is willing to train me with him. Even thought this offer would change me, I have other plans in my mind
"I'm sorry Rayleigh, but I have other plans in my mind…" I smiled widely at him that I never did to anyone from what I could remember
"I want to be stronger… but in my own way. I'll become stronger and stronger so that no one has to protect me… I don't want to die while leaving someone hurt, you know…" he chuckled and walked away while I wave my hand as a good bye.
"RAYLEIGH! Some day we will meet again and become stronger! I live my life to the fullest so that someday, you will be proud at me!"
"I have always been…" I heard him say that but I just didn't mind it and kept waving until his figure disappeared. I looked at the grave once more and gave it a smile
"I'm sorry that I never get to ask your name. But somehow, you have an important role I my life. You died honorably so you don't have to worry. I bet your son is proud to have a mother like you." The wind blew gently making my body be at ease
"… I will inherit your will and search for adventure in these dangerous seas! If you don't mind… please guide a stranger like me towards the path of excitement…" then I turned my back and got ready to leave. I made a few slow steps but then followed by huge ones until I was running. I was happy for no reason. One day, I might wake up from this dream and return to reality but I don't care. What I am doing right now is what that matters. And besides, I want to be myself right now that I'm here…
'Wait for me… New World!'
[Few Days Later: Ace's Execution]
Today is the day where all the Ace fangirls weep. The day wherein Ace is to put to death and let the new era start. Where am I? Here at the corner of some crowd trying to watch this day's sorrowful event. Well, to tell you all the truth, I cried like a girl when I watched Ace's execution. But this moment, I got the feeling that everything has changed and this war's outcome will be uncertain. I don't know where that thought came from though… It's just random but it feels too real.
"Isn't that… Mugiwara no Luffy?" yes, this scene is where Luffy was shouting for Ace and Ace talking to Luffy. But the scene changed and went to someone else. My stomach growled that made me frown in response
"Awww… C'mon. You can't just randomly get hungry at these kind of time… Didn't I just fill you up last 15 minutes?" yes… this is one of my main problem that I noticed a day ago… I get hungry every 10-20 minutes but I don't really eat that much. Maybe because I'm still growing? IDK, it's just weird since I could starve myself for 2 weeks and now starving is one of my major problems
"I should go buy food… since I already got my earnings from Shakky~san…" Yes, I got my reward on working for Shakky~san. I did her errands and some work like chores for the bar. Even though it was a simple job, she gave me additional 3% of my earnings which was nice.
"Hmmm… I should go for a cheap bar. I don't want to waste the money I've been working for…" then I made my way to the nearest bar which was a bit deserted. Of course, cause Ace's execution was showing today, so there'll be lesser costumers to come. Good thing that the owner was still there, cause I'm practically starving here like hell…
"Yooooo~ Can I order food? I'm really hungry…" the guy, who seemed to be the bar owner, nodded and went to his kitchen to get some food. I sat in front of the counter and waited for him to come back. The scent of the food came to my nose that made my mouth watered.
'Damn… It smells so good…'
He returned back with a plate of special seafood fried rice and vegetable soup
"Waaaaahhh… It looks so delish! Thanks for the food!" then I dug in slowly so I won't choke on my food. This shop looked like it was run down but its food is really worth to eat!
"Waaaaahhh… That was nice. Thanks again for the food!" then I lent him money but he refused it
"No, it's alright. This shop just opened a while ago so you are the first costumer ever came. And since you appreciate the food I made, I'll make that for free. Hope you come by again…" I smiled and nodded. I waved my good bye and was about to go back to where I was watching until I bumped into someone
"Owwwiiie! That hurts! Hey watch where you are—" I looked up and paled from who I just saw
"—going..?" he smirked down at me and pulled me up harshly by my shirt
"Hey! Let me go! You tulip! Bastard! Idiot!" I kept hitting him with my feet but he punched me hard on the stomach making me get KO'd. He took me in his arm and carried me where I don't care… I slowly lost the remaining of my consciousness and accepted the darkness…
He's gonna pay for that when I wake up…
/TO BE CONTINUED/
Yay! Kid is meeting Hermes at last! Though their meeting was a bit too harsh, we should hope that both of them should get along. Anyway, I'm quite happy that people appreciate my male OC! Yup, it's quite a rarity right now that's why I got this idea of making one. And I'm really thankful that you guys like it. Hope you guys stay with me till the story reaches it's /THE END/
-June_Venoia(Anoia)