Chapter 2: Reason
The sun came out of the horizon and a new day begins. The usual training with the boy's father started. After about an hour, the training ended.
"Very good, you're getting the hang of using daggers I see." Congratulated his father "We'll stop here for today"
Will simply smiles. "Is there something wrong? You're not rushing home to hit the books today." asked his father in a mild tone.
"I promised I'll show Scarlet some of my magic." Will smiles happily. "I see…" the father stopped for awhile before continuing "Well, I guess I'll go help your mother fix dinner. Have fun with Scarlet alright? Don't let her cry now."
"Yes, father." Will waved goodbye and went to a plain. A single tree is seen in the middle of the vast field. A girl was sitting below the leaves, waiting for someone. She has bright red hair and golden eyes overflowing with vigor. She was just about the same age as Will and is his best friend for the span of time he's been in the village.
"Scarlet!" Will rushed to meet his friend while waving his hand. "Will!" smiled the girl as she sees him "What took you so long?"
"Sorry Scarlet, training took too long hehe" said the boy, scratching his head.
"Look, father gave it to me." Will proudly shows his Fire Blend to Scarlet. "What's that?" asked Scarlet, knowing nothing about the sword. "It's called a 'Fire Blend'. A magic sword that has power over fire." Will explained
"Waah" Scarlet widened her eyes in amazement. "Then you promised to show me some magic right? Let's see it."
"Ok, um… let's see." A long pause ensued. "Don't tell me you forgot what to say…" sighs Scarlet. "No, no, I know it. Um… right I got it!" shouted Will, suddenly remembering something. He started closing his eyes and whispers an incantation.
A spark appeared but nothing more. "That's it?" Scarlet said, raising one of her brows. "Let me try." "You sure?" questioned Will. "Yeah, this may work, I read it somewhere when we visited Geffen library."
"Let's see… " Scarlet chants, a ball of fire appears on her hand. Will's eyes widened in amazement "Wooooooooowww, you're good at this Scarlet!" praised Will.
"Hihi," a pause again, Scarlet felt the ball of flame burning her skin "Hot hot hot hot hot!" she shouted shaking her hands. The ball of flame disappeared. "Hehe, you're still not that good." Said Will with a tint of mocking. "That's not nice. At least I'm better than you. bleeee" after a little pause, the two started laughing. The sound of laughter echoed throughout the plain. It was already night and they both went home.
"Don't stop practicing okay? I just know you'll be good at it someday." Scarlet shouted in the distance as she waved goodbye. "I won't, I promise I'll be the best!" Will answered back.
A door opens, "Home already?" Will's father cheerfully greeted. "Dinner's ready dear." Rachel said. "Okay mom, I'm just gonna go change." Will answered. He went to the back room and changed. "Hurry up or there'll be nothing left for you, hahaha" said the father laughing.
knock knock
A knock on their door was heard, "I'll get it" told Orson to his wife.
As the door opens, three men wearing all black garments greeted him. "A long time… Orson… "
Orson's face turns grim, "What are you doing here…"
"We wish to speak with you… comrade."
"I am no longer in the guild… Leave me alone. Please."
"I'm afraid not, you see, we need a person like you on our next mission said the guild master."
"I will not go back to the guild."
Curious of what the four men are talking about, Will approached the door. One of the visitors saw Will. He gazed at him striking terror into the boy's heart. The boy hid behind his father.
"What are you doing here Will? Go inside and accompany your mother." said Orson in a cold tone. The child has never seen his father like this before. It is as if he suddenly changed to another person.
"Is it because of the boy? He's not even your real child and you go all this way, leaving behind your only ally. I should've killed him five years ago… You getting all soft on a kid we were tasked to kill."
Will was stunned. He couldn't understand what they are talking about. What do they mean by 'I should've killed him five years ago'? The boy couldn't remember what happened before he woke up in the village. The boy trembled in fear, he feared the men. He feared his father.
"Please" his father again requested, "We'll talk later, Will, I'll tell you everything. Just… Not now… Go back to your mother… Please…"
Will was trembling, but he knew his father is serious, and so he went back inside the house. He hid himself near the door, listening to what they are talking about.
"Che… So this Francis kid is that important to ya huh?" said one of the visitors.
Orson remains silent. "Let's get back to business, we want you back." Said one of the men, "And 'No' isn't the answer we want to hear."
"The guild isn't the same anymore, the guild I remember only hunts down criminals and those that break the law. Officials abusive of their power… Those are our only targets." Pausing awhile, Will's father continued, "Now, we accept contracts from anyone and everyone as long as they have the money to pay for it… The guild is no longer the one we all know, I was a fool to accept that contract to wipe out the Francis family. I advise you all to leave as well, the old assassin's guild is gone, there is no reason to stay there, killing people for no reason"
"Hm, so you won't return huh?" grinned one of the men, unveiling a blade from inside his cloak. "Then the guild master also said this… 'If he refuses… dispose of him'"
Orson throws a sharp look at his visitors. There is no turning back. A battle is going to begin.