Percival walked through Monad's Street, he felt as if he needed to talk to Alastair as soon as possible. He had an idea of the danger that was to come, however he had no idea how to face it.
When the time comes to fight again.. what if I can't hold myself back from losing control? Am I supposed to just sit back and watch as it takes over, I may even end up killing someone close to me.
I need to speak to Alastair about getting proper training, I can't rely on my ability for the time being, I need to learn how to fight without it.
If i can learn how to fight without it, while also learning to control it, then I'm sure there's nothing that can stop me from saving everyone.
I know i have the powers of death.. but I want to use it to save life.
Percival entered the bar, it already looked a bit better than yesterday. Alastair and Lisa were sweeping away the dust surrounding the many items and surfaces in the room. It seemed as if they had gotten the light working too. The light was very dim from age, however it helped to light up the bar enough to see what needed to be done.
"Hey lad, you're here early. Would you mind helping us by taking apert the broken bar and the tables on your right". Without looking up, Alastair had known it was Percival who had entered the building.
Percival, whos voice seemed a bit shaken, said without waiting. "Sure thing sir, although i need to speak with you about something rather urgent if you have time?".
"I'm not too busy, so we'll head downstairs first, then feel free to clean what you can up here after that".
The two headed down to the main area, with its iconic table covered with many types of gambling assets. Cards, poker chips, and dice were all laid out along with some drinks to accompany them.
As they sat down, Alastair looked to Percival, his eyes widening. He had already seen what had happened to Percival, it was not something that he had suspected.
"So you've met brother. And it seems as if he hasn't changed, always running straight to action rather than thinking things through properly
"We seem to perfectly contradict each other. I can see into ones past, whereas he can see into ones future". His voice echoed quietly, as if something deep had strung his heart.
"I know you must've been taken aback by the things my brother described. And I understand you may not believe the ability you possess can be used for the good of lives.
"In all honesty, your ability is that of a death bringer. Lives are lost everywhere you step. Theres something I have not told you about your ability, it is somrthing you can learn to control at will; it is not something that you can control at this moment however.
"You're ability brings with it a constant surge of death. And i don't mean that people will die by being in your vicinity. What is mean is that wherever you go, danger follows. You may experience many incidents in the coming months, one after the other. However, I don't want this to affect how you go about your day to day life. Lisa and myself can protect ourselves, you just need to learn to protect yourself to ensure you aren't in danger.
"which is why I will teach you how to use this ability. I'll teach you everything you need over time to control your transformstion, along with your constsnt emissions of death. Youll become someone who fights for the good of humankind. You will learn to control it, that much I promise you young Lad".
Percival looked towards Alastair, he hadn't needed to say anything at all, yet Alastair understood what he had been feeling and what thoughts ran his mind numb. He had thought about the proper way to tell Alastair since he left the Divinstion centre. Although he had forgotten about Alastair's ability.
"Thank you sir, I've been thinking that I may have to put a hold to using my ability, and for the meantime, I want to learn how to use a normal weapon. Something I can rely on without the need of my transformation.
"It's something that I think will help me learn more control at the same time". Percival looked towards Alastair, the look in his eyes, serious, perfected.
"Then we'll have you choose a weapon. Have you got anything in mind young lad?".
"I would like to get better at using a scythe, not the one that comes with my ability, just a normal scythe if you could get me one..?".
Percival looked down towards his hands, he had figured that if he knew how to use a scythe without relying on the point at the tip, then he wouldn't be scared to materialise his soul shatter scythe.
In his mind he envisioned the different ways he could attack without the tip, slicing across the body, or perhaps digging it into their back and pulling them closer, that way he could learn hand to hand combat. So long as he didn't drive the scythe into a person's heart, he had nothing to worry about.
"Alastair. I've been meaning to ask you something. Does the phrase 'hold your gaze towards the future in front of you' mean anything to you?".
Alastair's eyes widened, he seemed taken aback, as he stumbled over his next words, he finally choked out. "Ah.. yes. Those were the words of the first awakener, at least from what we know. She was said to be the first one to wield the Soul Shatter ability. She was also the one who nearly brought about the destruction of the human race with that ability".
She was the first and last person to wield this power. The only thing I have to go on with lesrning thid ability, is the person who served as the almost end to the world. Something with that kind of power cannot be contained by a little bit of training.
"Thank you Alastair, do you know why she said that by any chance? What the meaning or reasoning behind those words are?..".
"Those were to words she passed on to the last Awakener. She had killed every other ability wielder, however those words were the last words uttered to the only Awakener she let live. He had a very weak ability, and she saw no challenge in him; she spared his life.
"Those words became the statement we use to this day to forge our bond to the cause of ending this war. To kill all the creatures that roam this planet". He drew a symbol of a heart on his chest, symbolising to Percival what could be the only ability to end the war for good.
Percival hung his head back, letting out almost sigh that seemed to come from the very depths of his lungs. "I'd like to get started with training straight away, the sooner I can learn to fend for myself the sooner I can start to control the ability I've been given".
Alastair looked at Percival, a smile approaching slowly on his face. "Not before you help me and Lisa clean up the bar".
They both let out a hearty laugh, Alastair almost falling out of his chair, which seemed to make Percival laugh even harder than he already was.
As the sun started to set, and the exhaustion set in from the constant cleaning that they had all done. They looked around at the room upstairs. It had started to look a lot more like a bar now and not so much like a shabby shack of broken dreams.
Alastair seemed to hold a look of Deja Vu, remembering the times before the bar had become an abandoned upstairs storage area. He smiled, happy with his work as he looked at the two standing beside him
"Thank you both. You really don't know how happy i am to have this place back up and running again".
Percival looked towards Lisa, then back to Alastair and smiled with a slight chuckle. Words weren't necessary, they all stood and took in the moment before them. The lights that lit the bar upstairs, the tables and chairs that seemed to lingered around the floor, a sense of accomplishment embedded in every piece of furniture. A new looking vinyl player had also been installed behind the bar for music while guests sat and drank. The shelves were filled with memories of another time. The stage, ready and set for a performance.
The bar seemed to come together, and looked as though it was ready for service. The only thing missing, were the drinks that they would serve, along with the wood that still boarded up the broken windows.
....
Later that night, Percival made his way down the street that led towards his apartment block. He was making his way down the dimly lit pathways that formed infront of him.
Whoosh!
Crack!!
Something had flown by him, barely missing his ear and landed in the concrete set out in front of him.
As he turned around, he noticed Alastair, who looked quite pleased with himself. As he turned to look at what had been thrown, he noticed a long stick, connected to a stainless steel blade in the shape of a crescent moon hanging from the top. The tip of the blade stuck into the concrete, and the stick jutted out, as if waiting to be held.
"I figured you'd want your practice scythe as soon as possible. I may have found one laying around in the bar. I thought when best to give it to you when you aren't expecting it". He let out a chuckle and hit the palm of his hand on his knee. As if he couldn't hold in the physical motion from the laughter.
Percival smiled and grasped the weapon in front of him, sliding it out from the concrete. It felt light, but also had a weight to it that seemed as if it would be effective while swinging.
"I expect you to be at Finns by 8 tomorrow morning. It's going to be a full day of physical training, so come prepared to do a lot of work young lad". Alastair pointed to the scythe now in the hands of Percival. "Don't forget to bring the weapon, it's greatly important. It also seems to have a mind of its own, so don't let it out of your sight".
Percival nodded, waving goodbye to Alastair. He looked down.
A mind of its own.. but it's a weapon. I'm sure I'll come to understand his weird wording one day, but it might take me a while.
I'm already super excited for tomorrow, I don't even know if I'll be able to sleep in all honesty.
Once again he looked towards the weapon in his hand. A pressure that was light, but undescribable seemed to emanate from within the handle. As if seemingly waiting for something.
Percival looked towards the stars in the sky, half covered by the smog in the atmosphere.
Tomorrow will be good. I'll learn to fight. I may even learn something new about myself. That seems to be the case every day..
I'll become...
Death who carries with him the embrace of life.