Luka, after a long and honestly annoying effort to not flip out, managed to arrive at the temple. frustration and sorrow filled his being, but it wasn't like he could just get up and leave just yet; he had a promise to keep, no matter how hard it was becoming at the moment.
Luka, after leaving Lima behind, decided to take a quick jog around the village. That was his first mistake; his second was, apparently, just existing. or so the villagers thought, the ungrateful bastard—no, he wouldn't let them get under his skin. It didn't mean they left him alone, though; they decided this time they would, in addition to looking at him in disgust, throw accusations his way.
"Look at him, pretending to be a hero like his brother."
"Isn't he just a sheep in a wolf's clothing?"
"Bringing trouble to our peaceful village."
The comments echoed, and the more he heard, the heavier his steps became. Luka reminded himself to stay focused on the promise he made to his brother. The affirmation that he would bring Kale back and prove that humans and monsters could coexist spurred him forward, despite the judgmental atmosphere.
He eventually arrived at the temple, the sacred place where the annual baptism would take place. The grandeur of the temple's architecture contrasted sharply with the narrow-mindedness of the villagers, leaving Luka caught in the middle of conflicting worlds.
He found it morbidly amusing. They called their brother the true hero, when the reality was completely different. Luka took a deep breath, steadying himself before entering the temple. The interior was adorned with intricate carvings and sacred symbols, contrasting with the village's, quite frankly, lack of tourist sites. He approached the ceremony area, where, just like in recent years, a lack of new aspiring heroes could be seen.
The atmosphere inside the temple felt tense, the weight of expectations bearing down on Luka. He could sense the disapproving glares from some villagers who had also made their way to the temple, likely to witness the spectacle and judge him further. Ignoring the hostile energy, Luka tried to focus on the promise he made to himself and his mother all those years ago.
After the priest finished his prayer, there was a heavy silence as they all waited for Ilias to descend and bless the only aspiring hero present, that hero being Luka. but soon the seconds turned into minutes, and the wait was slowly making Luka fidge with uncertainty.
"Uh, how long is this supposed to take?" Luka was starting to lose his patience, and the audience's gaze on him wasn't helping either.
"See?! I always knew he was a fake hero." One woman proclaimed this, and soon others started to voice similar thoughts. Luka turned back to the priest in hopes of help, but was disappointed to see a cruel smirk on his face too.
Luka gritted his teeth in frustration. The weight of the villagers' disdain pressed upon him, and the absence of Ilias's felt like a cruel twist of fate. He couldn't shake the feeling that this was more than just a simple rejection; it was a public shaming, a rejection of not only him but his ideals and dreams.
Inside him, Lukas felt something stretching, almost snapping in half. His vision was getting blurry, and his heartbeat was accelerating. He was very tempted right then and there to pull his sword out and swing it around, just like Kale had taught him, only his targets wouldn't be monsters but monsters.
Luka's hands clenched into fists, his inner turmoil reaching a boiling point. He fought back the urge to lash out, knowing that yielding to anger wouldn't solve anything. Instead, he took a step back, his gaze sweeping over the disapproving faces in the temple. Did they really hate him so much? What did he ever do to them to deserve this?
'Maybe coming here earlier wasn't the best idea; yes, Perhads Ilias was busy dealing with something and couldn't come, right?' When Luka refused to let his anger explode, despair took its place instead, and now he was trying to come to terms with reality.
In the midst of the disheartening atmosphere, Luka's thoughts raced. The words of doubt and scorn from the villagers reverberated in his mind, and he struggled to find solace. The dreams of heroism and proving that humans and monsters could coexist seemed to crumble before his eyes.
As he turned to leave the temple, the weight on his shoulders seemed unbearable. The temple doors creaked as they closed behind him, shutting out the accusing stares and harsh whispers. The world outside embraced him with open air and open space, offering a moment of respite from the judgmental eyes—or at least from the people who knew Ilias didn't descend.
Luka wandered aimlessly through the village, the words echoing in his ears. The conflicting emotions inside him swirled into a tempest of frustration, sorrow, and a lingering spark of determination. The promises he made to himself and his family still clung to his heart, refusing to be extinguished by the villagers' disdain.
He found a quiet spot by the village outskirts, near a gentle stream, where the sound of flowing water provided a soothing backdrop. Leaning against a tree, Luka gazed into the distance, his mind wrestling with his hopeless situation. His gaze fell upon the keepsake ring that hung around his neck—a connection to his mother and a reminder of the promises he made.
Luka's thoughts turned to Lima, his slime companion. The idea of monsters and humans coexisting, which once held such promise, now seemed like an unattainable dream. Was it all just a naive fantasy? He questioned his brother's beliefs and his own purpose in this world.
It wasn't like he would give up just because Ilias didn't deem him worthy of being a hero,but something else was dragging him down. "Do I really want innocent monsters to coexist with such disgusting creatures?" Luka decided that the tree was as good a replacement as any and started punching it to leave his frustrations behind. Cutting it would be too easy and unsatisfactory.
"Why?! What did I ever do? One disease shows up, and suddenly my whole family are the bad guys!" The punches carry enough strength to rock the tree. "They left my mother to die! And for what? It didn't solve anything!"
Luka's fists continued to pound against the tree, each strike an outlet for the pent-up frustration, anger, and confusion that swirled within him. The village, the ceremony, the judgmental gazes—it all added fuel to the storm of emotions raging in his heart. He felt betrayed, not only by the villagers but also by the very ideals he held dear.
As he paused for a moment to catch his breath, the realization dawned on him. Maybe Kale was right. Maybe the world isn't as simple as he once thought. The complexity of the relationships between humans and monsters, the biases, and the pain inflicted on both sides—it all weighed heavily on Luka's shoulders.
He looked down at the ring, his mother's keepsake, a tangible link to his past and a reminder of the struggles they faced. In that moment of vulnerability, Luka allowed himself to question everything—his purpose, his ideals, and the very essence of heroism.
Kale's words were starting to make sense to him now. "He always spoke about how everyone was trash. and like a fool, all I did was endure it all." How could he not see it before? His brother always spoke harsh words against anyone who deserved it. Kale befriending Lima was proof that it wasn't just bias against everything and everyone.
He looked down at his bleeding hands, a consequence of specializing with a sword and not his fist. Just as he was about to fall to his knees, a powerful tremor, accompanied by a distant sound resembling an explosion, pulled him out of his thoughts. With nothing to do besides sulk and throw a tamtrum, he decided to investigate.
Moving deeper into the woods, he found a crater that had what appeared to be a Lamia. She had purple skin and silver hair; currently, she lay there motionless. The Lamia lay there, unconscious, her snake tail coiled loosely around her. The remnants of the explosion were scattered around the impact site, and the air tingled with residual magic. As Luka approached cautiously, he noted the peculiar markings on the Lamia's skin—intricate patterns that seemed to pulse with an otherworldly energy.
Luka cautiously approached the fallen Lamia, his sword still sheathed but ready for any unexpected threat. The air around her crackled with residual dark magic, and the intensity of the tattoos on her skin hinted at her formidable power. As he observed her closely, it became evident that she was the source of the earlier explosion.
The situation unfolded before him, leaving Luka torn between his better judgment and the empathetic side he inherited from his mother. He remembered her stories about the struggles monsters faced and how they, too, harbored dreams, families, and emotions.
The young hero hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether to leave her be or attempt to help. His internal conflict intensified, reflecting the broader struggle between humans and monsters that had become an unwelcome theme in his life.
Despite the villagers' scorn and the absence of divine blessings, a spark of compassion remained within Luka. He decided to act on it, lowering his sword and carefully approaching the unconscious Lamia. His intention was to assess her condition and, if possible, offer aid. It was a small act of defiance against the prevailing prejudice and a step toward redefining his own path as a would-be hero.
Kneeling beside her, Luka examined the Lamia's injuries, mindful of the dark magic that lingered around her.
A darker and more sinister thought popped up in his mind. What if he convinces her to prey on those villagers? Luka shook his head, dispelling the dark thought that had briefly intruded upon his mind. The idea of manipulating the fallen Lamia to harm the villagers felt both morally reprehensible and contrary to the principles he held dear. Despite the anger and frustration he felt towards his fellow villagers, resorting to such malevolence wasn't the solution he sought.
But he was too exhausted mentally to care about this woman; she looked well enough. As Luka turned to leave, a faint groan escaped the Lamia's lips. Her silver eyes fluttered open, revealing a momentary confusion before focusing on the figure standing nearby. Luka hesitated, unsure of how she would react upon waking.
The Lamia, still lying on the ground, surveyed her surroundings with a mix of alertness and curiosity. Her eyes locked onto Luka, and she offered a weak but appreciative smile. "Well, aren't you a surprise? Not many humans would approach a monster with such concern." In reality, she was glad Kale decided to come for her; she had already given up on convincing him.
Luka, not knowing about the misunderstanding forming at the moment, avoided her gaze in guilt. He was just about to leave her lying there defenseless. "It was nothing. and I mean it."
Alice, the Lamia, managed a slight chuckle, feeling a mix of amusement and gratitude. "Nothing, huh? Well, I appreciate it nonetheless. I don't often get humans extending a helping hand."
Luka's conflicted emotions played on his face as he glanced at Alice. Her yellow eyes, though weakened, held a certain depth that spoke of her experiences and struggles. It reminded him of the stories his mother used to share about the misunderstood lives of monsters.
"I'm Alipheese Fateburn VI, by the way. but you can call me Alice." She crossed her arms. "We never really got the chance to introduce ourselves." Luka, understandably, was confused by the strange wording.
Deciding to test a theory of his, he decided to play along. "My name is... Kale." He crossed his arms and trying to look as serious as possible.
"Didn't take you for one to follow pleasantries." Alice nodded in appreciation. "What made you change your mind, Kale? I thought you would take a rain check on your decision."
Luka had to grip his hands very tightly to avoid messing up. Alice met his brother. Luka swallowed hard, struggling to maintain his composure. The unexpected revelation threw him off balance. He wasn't Kale, but he hesitated to correct the Lamia. A part of him wanted to see where this misunderstanding would lead, and another part feared the consequences of revealing his true identity. Any associate with that guy couldn't be kind.
Clearing his throat, Luka decided to play along with the ruse. "I... had a change of heart, I guess. It felt wrong to leave you here injured, especially considering our... history."
Alice regarded him with a mix of skepticism and curiosity. "History, huh? You're full of surprises, Kale. I never thought I'd see the day when a human would rescue me. Maybe there's hope for your kind after all." Alice was now the one in confusion; since they had only recently met, did he find her particularly funny to the point where he would lie so blatantly? Or was that a human custom she wasn't aware of?
Luka's inner conflict deepened as he listened to Alice's words. The false identity weighed heavily on him, but a part of him wondered if this encounter could offer insights into his brother's experiences and perspective.
Alice attempted to sit up, wincing at the lingering pain. "Well, Kale, it seems I owe you one. I'm not one to forget a debt, you know." She had blacked out after being punched once by Ilias, and not believing she would just leave after that, she thought she didn't kill her thanks to Kale's intervention.
Luka, still grappling with the falsehood, managed a hesitant smile. "There is no need for debts. Just take care of yourself. And maybe..." Realizing that the best strategy to not reveal himself while asking questions was to let her talk on her own, he desperately blurted out, "Come fish with me?"
Alice raised an eyebrow at Luka's unexpected invitation. Fishing with a human was not on her list of anticipated activities, but the peculiar circumstances of their encounter had already shattered her expectations. She couldn't help but find the situation amusing.
"Fishing, huh? That's an unusual proposition, especially coming from you. Well, I suppose a change of pace might be interesting." Alice's tone held a playful edge as she considered the offer. The idea of engaging in a mundane activity with someone she perceived as a human added an unexpected twist to her day.
Luka, relieved that his impromptu suggestion seemed to divert the conversation away from potentially revealing his true identity, nodded. "Great! There's a quiet spot not far from here. It's a good place to clear your head, you know?"
As they ventured towards the fishing spot, Luka maintained a careful distance, still trying and failing to come up with a strategy. Alice, on the other hand, was silently pondering the oddities of her encounter with Kale. Humans were supposed to be hostile, and after her first encounter with Kale, she was inclined to believe it, yet here was him, offering a friendly gesture after saving her life too.
Luka and Alice settled by the tranquil pond, surrounded by the soothing sounds of nature. The tension that lingered from their initial encounter began to dissipate in the serene atmosphere. Luka was relieved to see Lima nowhere to be found; he really didn't consider what he would do if those two were to meet.
Luka handed Alice a makeshift fishing rod, a simple yet functional tool he had crafted during his escapades from the village along with Lima. "It's not much, but you can keep it—a small token for our friendship."
Alice inspected it with genuine curiosity, appreciating the gift. She did find his naivety weird. Was this really the same guy who insulted her and Ilias to their faces? "A token for our friendship, huh? You're an interesting one, Kale." It wasn't exactly a lie, but now she found this guy suspicious, she wouldn't let it show, though. A human capable of keeping Ilias away was a good human in her books.
Luka, still posing as Kale, offered a genuine smile. "Well, I figured fishing might be a good way for us to, you know, understand each other better. No better place for conversations than by a quiet pond, right?"
Alice couldn't help but chuckle at Luka's sincerity, finding his attempts at befriending her both amusing and perplexing. At the very least, even if he was a little suspicious, she could trust those innocent-looking eyes. She cast her line into the pond, watching the ripples on the water's surface.
Luka, still trying to maintain his false identity, couldn't help but appreciate the tranquility of the moment. The simple act of fishing, usually a solitary endeavor for him, or annoying for that matter, even arousing at times, took on a new dimension with Alice by his side. He found himself contemplating his beliefs again.
Alice, on the other hand, was gradually warming up to the peculiar human who had seemingly defied the norms associated with his kind. She observed Kale's thoughtful expressions, noting his sincerity in his attempts to bridge the gap between them. Despite her initial reservations, a seed of curiosity sprouted within her about the human named Kale.
"So, Kale," Alice began, casting a sidelong glance at him, "what's the deal with this sudden friendliness? Humans don't usually go out of their way to make friends with monsters, let alone rescue them."
Luka, maintaining his facade, pondered Alice's question. It was a valid inquiry, so he couldn't exactly dodge the subject. He decided to offer a carefully crafted response, keeping his true intentions hidden. "I've... seen the struggles monsters face, and I've come to realize that not everything is as black and white as they say. I want to understand more, to find common ground, if possible." There, an answer that makes it seem like I didn't trust monsters initially, but now I want to try.
Alice raised an eyebrow, skeptical yet intrigued by Luka's words. The sincerity in his voice was evident, and she couldn't shake off the feeling that there was more to this human than met the eye. "You're an odd one, Kale. Not your typical human, that's for sure." And too strong, for that matter.
Luka chuckled nervously, still juggling the complexity of the situation. "I guess you could say I'm on a quest to learn more and understand both sides better. And what better way to gain insight than through unexpected friendships?" He cringed on the inside, but Lima had taught him that a cheerful and optimistic demeanor goes a long way in making friends, so he pushed through.
Alice, now fully engaged in the conversation, couldn't deny the allure of those words. "Well, I'll play along. But remember, Kale, that monsters and humans have a long history of not getting along. You might be setting yourself up for disappointment."
Luka nodded in acknowledgment. "I'm aware of the challenges, but sometimes it's worth taking the risk. Who knows, maybe we'll discover that our differences aren't as impossible to resolve as they seem."
As they continued fishing, the sun began its descent, casting a warm golden glow over the tranquil scene. Luka, still posing as Kale, and Alice, the Lamia with her own secrets, found themselves caught in the moment. This was the start of a very unlikely friendship.
The moment was shattered into pieces when Lima popped out of the pond. "Hey, Luka, who is your friend?"
I'm actually working on another story about the great monster war. Want to see it? Express your interest, and I'll do it.