As the carriage halts, the distant hum of the city sounds around them—distant chatter, the clopping of hooves on cobblestone. The air is warm with the faint scent of fresh bread from a nearby bakery.
«Francis» We're here.
«Pathos» Is this where your parents live?
«Francis» Yeah. I guess this is where we part ways, huh, Pathos?
With a sad expression, Pathos looks down at the ground.
«Pathos» Yes... I know... I can help you bring everything down if you need me to.
«Francis» There's no need—my parents will help with that.
«Pathos» Oh... alright.
Francis looks at Pathos and notices he can't bring himself to meet his gaze. Francis smiles, realizing Pathos is distraught about saying goodbye.
«Francis» If you want, you can stay here for a while.
«Pathos» No... no, don't worry about me. You've already done enough. I wouldn't want to be a burden.
«Francis» I get it... Listen.
Francis grabs something from his waist—a small bag of silver coins. He holds it out to Pathos.
«Francis» Since you don't know this city, and I'd never forgive myself if you faced it empty-handed. I want to give you some silver. At the end of the road, just past the fountain, there's an inn. Until you find your parents, you can stay there—on me, alright?
He grabs Pathos's hand and places the sack in it, gently pushing it toward him. Pathos stares at the bag, then looks back at Francis with a worried expression.
«Pathos» You didn't need to. I already have some money, and you probably need it more than I do.
Pathos gently tries to return the sack, not wanting to accept it.
«Francis» What are you saying? It's my pleasure to help you. Having you around… it felt like having a son.
Pathos's eyes widen in shock at the statement.
«Pathos» Ah!?
Francis pushes the sack back toward Pathos.
«Francis» Never mind that. Just remember—if you need anything, you can always find us here, alright?
Pathos finally takes the sack of silver coins, holding it firmly as Francis lets go.
«Pathos» Alright...
He gives Francis one last look before hopping off the carriage. He turns to wave goodbye, but someone stops him.
«Petra» Wait! You're forgetting something.
Petra jumps down from the carriage, holding Pathos's cloak. The fabric is clean, free of mud, and despite its worn condition, Petra has made it look nearly new.
«Petra» Here, this is your cloak. I cleaned it as best I could.
«Pathos» You're not mad at me?
«Petra» That again? I was never truly angry at you... Well, maybe a little. But I calmed down. We're friends now.
Petra offers the folded cloak to Pathos with both hands. Pathos stares at it, his eyes beginning to well with tears as he takes the cloak. His hands shake. He couldn't speak, couldn't even look at her. Just nods. Despite everything that happened in these past days, they were the only ones who showed him kindness—like he was their son. His tears slowly run down his cheeks, dampening the cloak.
«Pathos» Thank you...
«Pathos (thinking)» Now I get it. This is what Francis meant when he said as if I were their son.
«Petra» Hey, don't cry on the cloak or all my hard work will be wasted!
«Pathos» You're right.
Pathos stares at the cloak, the tears threatening to spill over again. Petra's teasing words bring him back to the present, and he manages a small, shaky laugh. Pathos wipes his face with his arm.
«Pathos» I won't need your help anymore. Thank you, Petra. Thank you, Francis. I wish you both the best.
«Petra» I'm sorry for this.
«Pathos» For wha—
Before he can finish, Petra sees he's still crying. She quickly closes the distance between them and gives him a short hug. She was warm. Just for a moment—like family. He didn't want to let go... but he did.
«Petra» We wish you the best too. Stay safe, alright?
She steps back, her hands still on Pathos's shoulders.
«Pathos» Yes... I will.
As Petra returns to Francis, her hand gently rests on her womb, where their baby is. Both she and Francis wave at Pathos.
«Petra» Take care, alright? And make sure to drink plenty of water!
«Francis» And remember—if you ever need anything, come back to us!
Pathos waves back with a smile on his face, his thoughts drifting.
«Pathos (thinking)» What a beautiful family they are. I'm jealous of their child... But...
He sees Petra and Francis as the parents he never had. Despite the injustice done to his own family, he can't help but smile.
«Pathos (thinking)» My family was once just like theirs. I hope what happened to me never happens to that child. Now that I think about it... I never even asked their baby's name. What a shame.
Pathos finally turns away from their direction, eyes fixed on the long road ahead. Though he still thinks about them, his focus shifts back to why he's here. Yet, he can't shake off the feeling of deep gratitude he holds toward them.
«Pathos (thinking)» At this point...
He looks down at the folded cloak in his arms. The sun's warm embrace touches his skin, and for a moment, he doesn't feel alone. Light catches the emblem stitched into the fabric, and he realizes just how much heart Petra had poured into this simple gift.
«Pathos (thinking)» There's no need to throw this away anymore.
«Pathos» Anyway, I need to ask around for some information about Jhoel.
Pathos's stomach starts to grumble.
«Pathos» And maybe get something to eat... I tried not to take too much of their food, and now I'm starving like crazy.
Pathos looked at his surroundings. Many people come and go, and the little shops never stop—almost as if they were endless. Some sold armor and weapons, others precious gems that shone with color, and one even sold vases of different shapes and sizes. Eventually, he spots a shop that sells sweets.
«Pathos (thinking)» That looks promising. Oh! Let me see how much Francis gave me.
Pathos takes the sack and starts counting the silver coins.
«Pathos» About 353 silver coins... I need to make this last until I find Jhoel.
Pathos walks up to the shopkeeper, who immediately greets him.
«Shopkeeper» Welcome! What can I do for you?
Pathos quickly explains that he's trying to find someone named Jhoel.
«Shopkeeper» Jhoel, huh? Mhm... I don't know anyone by that name.
«Pathos» Really?
«Shopkeeper» I lied. I do know him.
Pathos looks confused.
«Pathos» Then why didn't you tell me earlier?
«Shopkeeper» You think I'd just give you that information without buying something?
«Pathos (thinking)» Come on...
«Pathos» Alright then—give me five of these and three of those.
He points first at some muffins, then at the donuts.
«Shopkeeper» Now we're talking! Here you go, all yours. That'll be one silver coin.
The shopkeeper starts putting everything into a bag. Pathos takes the bag of pastries and flicks a coin to the shopkeeper.
«Pathos» Here.
«Shopkeeper» Pleasure doing business with you.
The shopkeeper puts the coin in one of his pouches and then leans forward, resting his arms on the wooden frame of his stand.
«Shopkeeper» So, about Jhoel... He lives in the northeast part of Serras. Shouldn't be hard to find—since he owns a clothing shop under his own name.
«Pathos» I see.
«Pathos (thinking)» Northeast of the city. How lucky—I managed to find some info already!
Pathos continues thinking while rummaging through the bag. He settles on a muffin, takes it out, and takes a bite. The muffin's sweetness bursts across his tongue, soft and warm like it had just come from the oven, with a hint of cinnamon that made his eyes widen in surprise. He's taken aback, completely astounded by the taste.
«Pathos» W... Wow!?
With pride, the shopkeeper puts his hands on his waist.
«Shopkeeper» Good, huh? Only the best for my customers.
The shopkeeper looks behind Pathos and notices something.
«Shopkeeper» I'm going to have to ask you to leave now.
«Pathos» Huh? Why?
With great pride, the shopkeeper points behind Pathos. He turns and notices a long line waiting.
«Pathos» Oh! There's a big line!
«Shopkeeper» Scram, kid! I got business to deal with!
«Pathos» What a guy. At least these muffins are good. I wonder what the donuts are like.
Pathos leaves, continuing toward his destination. As he walks, he can't help but feel a quiet joy as he looks around. The city fills his heart with a feeling he had almost forgotten. He eventually reaches an open area. To his left stands a large fountain, about 26 meters tall, serving as an intersection for the numerous carriages. But someone is laying on the fountain's edge—a man wearing a white tight shirt and golden-brown pants. A black coat under his head serves as a pillow.
«Pathos (thinking)» Another strange one?... Even with all the noise the carriages make, he's still sound asleep. Must be broke or something.
A bird lands on the man's head and starts pecking at it. Pathos watches in disbelief.
«Pathos (thinking)» He's still sleeping!?
Pathos quickly composes himself. He refocuses on his goal. The inn had to be close—he just needed to look around for a bi—
A loud splash interrupts his thoughts. It came from the fountain. He turns to find the stranger has fallen in—only the coat remains dry.
«Pathos (thinking)» He fell!?
A chill crept up Pathos's spine as he dashed forward. Something didn't feel right. The stranger vanished too quickly. Pathos rushes to the fountain, dodging multiple carriages. He looks in—but sees no one. Then, a loud stomp sounds behind him, followed by a voice.
«???» What a drag... And I just got these.
Pathos turns around, startled. It's the stranger, soaked, twisting his pants in a futile effort to dry them. But Pathos is more concerned with something else.
«Pathos (thinking)» How did he get here so fast!?
The stranger notices Pathos, who appears shocked.
«???» Something wrong?
«Pathos» No... It's just that... how did you get behind me so quickly?
«???» Secrets I can't share, kid. You know how magicians never reveal their tricks?
«Pathos» Yeah?
«???» Think of it like that.
He walks over to his coat near Pathos. Upon closer inspection, he notices something about Pathos—specifically, his chest.
«???» Hm?
Pathos backs off, worried. The stranger's gaze is fixed on Pathos's heart.
«Pathos» W-what?
The stranger's eyes light up like he's discovered something he's waited decades for.
«???» I can't believe it!
He grabs Pathos's shoulders and shakes him violently.
«???» You've awakened your Prometeo too!?
«Pathos» Ah!? I don't know what you're talking about!
The stranger stops shaking him.
«???» The Prometeo! The thing that gives you supernatural powers and makes you a lot stronger!
«Pathos» I've never heard of that!
«???» That's impossible—you have to know what it is!
«Pathos» I'm sorry, but I didn't understand a single word that came out of your mouth.
«Pathos (thinking)» This guy is nuts!
The stranger sighs in disbelief.
«???» The Prometeo—God's gift to humanity, meant to help us fight off demons! How come you don't know anything about it
«Pathos (thinking)» What's he talking abou—wait... supernatural powers?
Pathos suddenly remembers the strange lightning he experienced but never understood.
«Pathos (thinking)» So that's what it is... I'm finally starting to understand.
«Pathos» I think I get what you're talking about.
«???» Are you sure?
«Pathos» Yeah, I think I've got the full picture now.
«???» So you do know what it is?
«Pathos» Not really. I just know I have this strange ability, but I didn't know it was called Prometeo.
«???» I see. Well, what you need to know is that the Prometeo is like a flame that resides in your body. Some say it represents the soul, but I think it's more like an engine—specifically for the heart. If you use up too much of it, your body can shut down completely. Meaning you could die.
Pathos recalls the night he fainted after seeing his mother in the carriage with the soldiers.
«Pathos (thinking)» That explains why I passed out... I was that close to dying? No wonder I felt like my body was being burned alive.
«Pathos» So what you're saying is—it's like a double-edged sword. You gain powers, but using them too much could kill you? That's it?
«???» Eeeexactly.
«Pathos» I assume you have this Prometeo too?
«???» Mhm!
The stranger picks up his coat and slings it over his shoulder.
«???» Name's Ruem. Pleasure to meet you!
He extends his hand for a shake.