Arthur looked at the knight. He was trying to offer comfort, talking about assistance to work in a cleaning team. Like it was some favor
But Arthur knew better.
He didn't need to be told what this meant.
He is a Gouler now. A failure.
The realization hit him.
He had failed again.
Again he is inferior, he has not accomplished anything.
Unwanted.
Around him whispers turned to laughter.
"He is doomed now. The life a Gouler awaits him" some of them laughed.
"He should've backed out. His fate would have been better than this. I bet the knight would dumb him in the Gorgory sect. The worst team" another said among the noble kids.
. Arthur gripped his cane and slowly stepped down from the platform. Dragging his cripple leg as he limped toward the line of other failed awakeners. Other future Goulers.
Among those that awakened and are put on a special lane is Razel. He was watching Arthur closely, His green eyes looked dulled. He wanted to call Arthur but stopped.
He knew the pain
He knew that kind of future. A Gouler future.
Arthur kept his head low. He did not want to witness any more awakening. He didn't deserve to see it. Like anything could change now.
He stared at the dirt.
Not again, why me?. Why me?.
A tear slipped down his eyes. He didn't know when it was falling. He wiped it away quickly.
he shouldn't cry. Not here.
The knight's voice boomed out that all the kids surrounding the platform could hear. "I am happy to announce that the awakening ceremony has concluded. Thank you all for participating. Good luck to those who awakened, and to those that did not. Please do not be discouraged. Your future can still be bright"
He waved his hand and a pen shimmered into the knight's hands. "For those that have awakened, please fill in these forms before leaving. The rest may return home. Thank you."
That was it.
Arthur turned and walked from the platform.
But a firm hand gripped him.
"Well well, if it isn't the fresh gouler" John said stepping in front of Arthur.
Arthur shifts awkwardly. To him he felt more inferior to John.
Especially after he is awakened.
"I told you. but it seems you are just a disgrace to our bloodline" he sneered. " Father was right to outcast you and your pathetic mother out"
Before Arthur could respond John fist drove into his stomach.
Arthur gasped, stumbling back and doubling over in pain. He hadn't seen that coming, it had been that fast.
"You are not worthy of the noble name" John said coldly. "Now begone"
Arthur quickly straightened up and limped away, feeling a few kids' eyes on him. Some of them laughed, but he didn't pay attention and just kept going.
Soon, he found himself in the middle of the street. Houses lined both sides, and vendors called out as they sold artifacts.
Arthur walked on moving fast, he just had to reach that alley past where his mom worked and dive in there to reach a small part. He thought as he walked.
But the crowd on the street didn't let him see the way. A knight rode his horse in front of him blocking the view.
Finally he found the alley and turned in. It was a narrow way- he had presumed it would lead into the forest. but instead he came out into another street.
What? But this was the street I had passed. He cursed that's when he saw the pale, familiar face , long and beautiful staring at him.
Arthur mom. Alice.
She wore an old apron made from animal hide. In her hands , she carried a jug of wine Arthur could feel in its presence. She carried a jug of wine.
"Arthur" she called, rushing towards him .
"What happened? I thought you went to the awakening ceremony, why are you here?" She questioned her concerned eyes, as she looked at the boy up and down.
(K)
Arthur struggled to find words.
He couldn't tell her, why couldn't he say he was a failure.
He knew, she knew about the former Arthur being weak but he should have at least awakened.
(K)
He was just about to answer when the air around them changed. The heat vanished in an instant, replaced by a chilling cold.
Arthur gasped as a shimmering grey wave out of nowhere opened behind his mom.
It formed a going circle.
"A gate" someone heard someone calling behind them.
Scream echoed to the street as a giant point slammed into the earth.
A towering body, scaled body steps through the portal, five times tall, the size of the buildings around them.
Its flesh was rough, its massive head lowered towards Arthur and his mother.
S single twisted horn of its four heads.
And its multicolored eyes gleamed hungrily.
It roared.
The sound of buildings trampled from the sheer force.
" it an ougly, Run" Arthur mother's pushed him away and and turned to flee. but Arthur scrambled.
arthur tripped and fall down.
"No" Alice screamed. Without hesitation , she ran back and threw herself between Arthur and the approaching ougly.
"Leave my son alone and take me" she shouted, staring up defiantly at the creature.
But the beast didn't hesitate. It swatted her aside with one massive claws. Her body slammed into a brick wall. Her head cracked against the stone, splitting a small wound, blood poured out.
No, Arthur eyes Widened in horror . No, he thoughts frozen in place.
The creature planted a claw on her shoulder, pinning her down. She screamed.
No. The word echoed through Arthur's mind .
He couldn't watch her die, this was Arthur mom, before him. She had suffered enough.
Suddenly, images flashed through his mind, a memory. Being pushed onto the road, and he couldn't run. He then remember his mom voice crying out trying to save him.
It was happening again..
"Run escape Arthur" Alice argued him. He pushed himself up but didn't run.
He can't leave her, he can't let her die.
Not now, not never.
if i hadn't been crippled, if i just run, we might have escape least. But he..
He fist clenched.
I can't let that happen. I won't run anymore.
He grabbed his cane trembling and faced the beast.
Dragging his leg behind him, he charged.
"If I had not been crippled" Arthur shouted tears streaming down his face. "If I was born healthy, then all would have never happened. I can't just sit down and let it happen again. I can't just let my disability made the best of me. I got to protect her, even if it is the last thing I do"
"Arthur no" Alice screamed. But Arthur struck the beast leg with the cane.
The ougly reared its head at Arthur and dropped Alice.
"No Arthur please run" she pleaded as she watch Arthur hit the cane repeatedly.
The cane crashed, his hand ached but he didn't care.
The oung slash at Arthur and he sent him, flying. He caught him and hit him to the ground and struck him in his heart.
"No Arthur no" Alice weeped, but she couldn't move. She couldn't do anything.
The oung dropped Arthur on the ground and turned towards her again. But before it could take a step, a blast of blue light slammed into it, sending it flying backwards
"The Knight are here" Arthur heard voice swamped around him. He laid there bleeding, his breath slowing, heart struggling.
He looked at where Alice, someone had carried her away.
He smiled, At least he ....saved her. He had no regrets.
If only I had done this before Maybe I wouldn't have died back then either.
He looked up if towards the sky. "I saved her" he whispered.
If I had a second chance, I would prove them all wrong. I will become strong, but it too late. He thought.
Something appeared in his fading vision.
{System awaken}
{Welcome, player, you have unlocked the path system}
He didn't understand what it meant.
But now it was too late. He don't know if
he can come to life again.
I hope you are save Alice, h thought
At least he was finally free.
He smiled, as the darkness embraced him.