Chapter 06
"The Son Of A Coward"
Rex, tell me one thing," Rosemary asked quietly as they walked together.
"Why do you want to become a warrior?"
Rex stopped. For a moment, he said nothing. Then he turned toward her, his eyes filled with a deep, burning anger.
"Rosemary, I belong to the lower caste," he said slowly. "And I want to become the most powerful warrior of the upper caste."
Rosemary was shocked. "But why? Power alone cannot heal hatred."
Rex clenched his fists.
"Because I hate my father."
Rosemary's voice trembled. "Why would you hate your own father?"
Rex laughed bitterly. "Father? A man who abandons his wife and two small children in the lower caste and leaves them to die alone—can he be called a father?"
"Rex, please don't say that," Rosemary pleaded.
"I'm leaving," Rex said coldly. "Don't try to stop me."
"Rex… don't go," Rosemary cried. "Please don't leave me alone."
But Rex had already turned his back and walked away.
On his way home, the streets felt heavier than usual. People whispered as he passed by.
"Traitor's son."
"Coward's child."
"He ran away and left his family."
Rex's blood boiled. His fists trembled, but he controlled himself. Without looking back, he hurried home.
Inside the house, Rex splashed water on his face again and again, trying to calm the storm inside him.
Ruhana watched him silently before asking,
"What happened, Rex?"
Rex looked at her, his voice breaking.
"Mother, how long do we have to suffer because of Father's cowardice? Since childhood, I was insulted. Stronger boys beat me. Everyone looked down on me—only because I am his son."
"Rex!" Ruhana said sharply. "What are you saying?"
Mika stepped forward. "Brother, please calm down—"
"Stay out of this, Mika!" Rex shouted.
"That man destroyed our lives," Rex continued.
"He left his wife and children and never once tried to find out whether we were alive or dead. Is that what a father does?"
"He abandoned us in the lower caste," Rex said with burning eyes.
"That's why I will become strong. I will erase every insult I suffered because of him. I don't care where he is. For me, my father died years ago."
Before Rex could say another word—
SLAP!
Ruhana struck him hard.
"Enough!" she shouted.
"Not another word against your father."
Rex stared at her in disbelief.
"I know what your father has done for this world," Ruhana continued, tears in her eyes.
"This world does not know his truth, so let them speak whatever they want."
Unable to control his rage, Rex stormed out of the house.
Ruhana fell to her knees before a faded portrait hanging on the wall.
"How long will I hide your truth?" she whispered through tears.
"He is exactly like you—your anger, your pride, your fire."
Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed behind her.
"Mika…"
Ruhana turned around—and froze in shock.
That evening, Rex returned home. As soon as he entered, he noticed a girl sitting beside Mika.
Ruhana smiled gently.
"Don't you recognize her?"
Rex looked carefully, then smiled.
"Yes… Lyra."
"Lyra," Rex said warmly, "you've grown so much after all these years."
Lyra lowered her gaze, her cheeks turning red. She had loved Rex since childhood, and seeing him again made her heart race.
Rex gestured toward the door.
"Come, walk with me."
Outside, Rex asked, "So, what brings you here?"
"You won the tournament," Lyra replied softly.
"I came to congratulate you."
"That was a long time ago," Rex said with a small smile.
"Still," she said, "thank you for inspiring me."
"Where are we going?" Lyra asked.
"There's a place," Rex replied mysteriously.
"You'll understand once we reach."
As they walked, they talked about the past, laughter slowly replacing the pain Rex carried inside.
Elsewhere, I spoke to Sam.
"The time has come."
Sam looked serious. "Sensei?"
"We must go to that place."
"But Sensei… isn't that only a legend?"
"No," I replied. "It truly exists. And you remember the object I told you about when you were a child."
"Yes."
"We must retrieve it now," I said firmly.
"Only you can obtain it in this world."
"We leave tomorrow morning. Inform Rex as well. We are going on an important mission—and he will come with us."
Sam bowed his head.
"Yes, Sensei."