Aldrin, whose face showed signs of discomfort, said:
"This path is dangerous... you suffer alone... you can't share your pain with your family. Your friends will leave you, just like raindrops slipping through your fingers. Your mind becomes unstable, your soul falls apart."
Then he looked into Vantias's eyes and continued:
"Are you still willing to do this? Have you thought about your family? If something happens to you, what will become of them?"
Vantias paused for a moment, assured himself that his decision was serious, and replied thoughtfully:
"I'm doing this for my family... I want to save them from the threats that might come their way. If I don't do this, it means I've betrayed myself."
Aldrin gave a faint smile and said:
"Then you have a seat here..."
He opened the door. The room was large and full of books. The scent of ink and old books filled the air. A faint smell of flowers also lingered. Sunlight streamed directly through the windows.
In the middle of the room, a sofa was placed. A man about forty years old, with long black hair and eyes, was lying on it asleep. He held a bottle of wine, with several other bottles scattered around.
Aldrin sighed, put his hand on his head, and muttered under his breath:
"He'll never get better..."
Then he went toward the man and gently pushed him off the sofa onto the floor. The man suddenly woke up. Vantias was surprised and just watched the scene.
The man stood up groggily and bleary-eyed, squinting as if the sunlight hurt him. He looked at Vantias and said in a sleepy tone:
"Hey Aldrin... who's this kid?"
Aldrin sat behind the desk and answered:
"He's a new member... his name is Vantias. He's the bearer of the mark. I want you to work with him, accompany him on missions. Simply put, you're partners from now on."
Vantias bowed his head a little and smiled, saying:
"I'm Vantias. Nice to meet you, sir."
The man took a small vial from his pocket, drank some of it, and said:
"This kid talks very formally..."
Then he sighed, took another drink from the vial, and said:
"I'm Vensing... a level two guardian..."
He looked at Aldrin and said with a curious tone:
"Didn't I tell you not to make me a babysitter again?"
Aldrin didn't answer and just stared at him. Vensing raised one eyebrow and…
laid back down on the sofa. He seemed to spread pain and exhaustion through his body. He said:
"Well kid, tell me, what's your goal in joining here? Are you planning to kill yourself?"
Aldrin sighed and said:
"Vensing..."
Vensing raised his hands slightly and said:
"Okay, okay... but he needs to know what he's getting into."
Aldrin spoke calmly:
"Help him adapt. Tell him about the missions and solve the cases together. But first... we start the ceremony."
Vantias repeated:
"Ceremony?"
Aldrin took a golden cup from the shelf and poured some holy water into it. Vensing took a knife out of his pocket.
He took Vantias's right hand and made a small cut. Vantias felt a brief pain. Blood started dripping.
The blood fell into the cup. The blood and holy water immediately mixed. Suddenly, a blue light shone from inside the cup.
Aldrin, holding the cup, said to Vantias:
"Kneel to start the ceremony."
Vantias asked with curiosity:
"What do you mean by ceremony?"
He knelt, took the cup with both hands, and looked at Aldrin.
Vensing said:
"A vow everyone remembers at the start... now whatever I say, repeat it."
Aldrin said firmly:
"We are the guides of the path of light, and yet, mere mortals;
Who battle darkness and madness."
Vantias repeated:
"We are the guides of the path of light, and yet, mere mortals;
Who battle darkness and madness."
Aldrin continued:
"We protect the innocent
Though none remember our names.
We have tasted death and madness,
But we no longer fear them."
Vantias paused briefly, then said:
"We protect the innocent
Though none remember our names.
We have tasted death and madness,
But we no longer fear them."
Then he drank from the cup. The taste of blood filled his mouth, but along with it came a sweet flavor. Warmth spread through his being. His mind felt lighter, his irises enlarged, and now he saw more clearly.
For a moment, he thought maybe there was no turning back.
Aldrin said softly but seriously:
"Do you swear to protect the innocent? Even if you must sacrifice your life?"
Vantias felt anxiety. He knew this decision carried great responsibility. He didn't rush. He thought:
"By accepting this oath, I'm entering a world where morality no longer matters... only the goals remain..."
With a quiet voice, he said:
"Yes."
Aldrin nodded in approval.
Tap!
Then he slapped Vantias hard across the face. Vantias was shocked and stunned. He looked at Aldrin, who replied:
"And this is so you never forget your oath and always stay true to it."
The pain spread across his face but the memory stayed. Something that would never be erased from his mind.
Then Aldrin gently placed his hand on Vantias's shoulder, helped him stand, and said with a warm smile:
"Welcome back, brother... to the path of light."
Vensing drank from his vial again and said:
"From now on, you're a level three guardian... well, come on, let me show you the way."
Vantias thought to himself:
"I still don't know how these ranks work... I'll ask them later."
Vantias nodded and followed Vensing. At the last moment, he glanced at Aldrin, who smiled at him, then stepped out of the room.
Vensing was a little unsteady walking and occasionally veered off the path. While walking, he said:
"Vantias, do you know what the greatest duty of a guardian is?"
Vantias thought a little and answered hesitantly:
"To protect themselves?"
Vensing stopped for a moment, surprised. He expected a different answer. A cliché one. His expression changed and after a pause he said:
"That's right..."
Vantias continued walking. Vensing followed behind him. Vantias spoke calmly:
"I used to think the best thing a guardian could do was sacrifice their life... but then I realized the greatest thing a guardian can do is protect themselves...
As long as they're alive, they can save more people. One sacrifice saves one life, but a great sacrifice saves hundreds...
It's about using your life against reality."
Vensing looked at him carefully and said:
"Right... few people think that way... but before the mission, I need to show you something..."
Vantias asked, surprised:
"What do you want to show me?"
Vensing's face grew sad and said:
"You'll see for yourself..."