On Rivaril's coast, which was still pristine and unpoisoned back then, a refreshing wind blew, scattering the scorching heat of summer. While the peaceful sound of waves hit the shore, the Council members sprawled on their sunbeds were enjoying the moment.
Firel took a deep sip of the freshly squeezed fruit juice in his hand and stretched with pleasure, looking at the sky.
"Isn't the weather magnificent today, gentlemen? What do you say, shall we have a wrestling tournament while the sea is this calm? Maybe this time you'll break that legendary losing streak of yours, huh?" he asked, his laughter echoing on the beach.
Hakan rolled his eyes and smirked. "As if he doesn't know the result won't change, he still gives hope... You are very kind, boss."
"Don't give up, Hakan. If you do your best, surely one day you might overthrow me. Take example from your brother a bit."
Hakan's smile faded slightly. "Batuhan? You can't be serious, boss; he is at a level I can never reach."
Lying on the adjacent sunbed, Batuhan ruffled his brother's hair roughly but affectionately. "You're embarrassing me, brother, don't exaggerate!"
Firel raised his glass. "Don't sell yourself short, Hakan. Even I came to these days by scratching with my fingernails. No one is born a champion or a loser. Everyone here stands here because they managed to achieve something, good or bad."
He scanned his team with his eyes.
"Take Carlos, for example... In the back alleys of Ucmag, just whispering his name was enough to make people tremble. He was a legendary tough guy."
The Council members murmured in agreement.
"Or that pervert Morris... He turned fantasies that even the richest, sickest nobles of the Hollow couldn't imagine into reality. He was number one in his business."
Firel paused for a moment, then exploded: "AND NEDİM... THIS IDIOT TRIED TO STEAL MONEY FROM THE STATE HAHAHAHA!"
His laughter was so violent that fruit juice spilled from his glass. Except for Nedim, the entire council joined Firel's joy and burst into fits of laughter.
"Haaah..." Firel wiped a tear from his eye. "What I mean is, not counting Nedim, you are all men who know how to climb from the bottom to the top. None of you had a silver spoon in your mouth. Golden platters weren't offered to you. We just fought and succeeded."
At that moment, Father appeared in his black robe, contrasting with the cheerful atmosphere of the beach. His face was pale as a sheet, and his steps were tense.
"Firel... Can we talk?"
Firel smiled, trying not to spoil his mood. "Of course, Father! What do you want to talk about? Come, don't be shy, join us. Look, we have ice cold drinks."
"It's... a somewhat private matter, Firel."
Batuhan intervened, raising his beer mug. "Come on, Father! Don't treat us like strangers; sit here, we'll confess our sins!"
When the seriousness on the Father's face didn't change, Firel let out a deep breath and left his glass on the sand.
"Alright... I'll take a walk with the Father. We'll wrestle when I get back, start warming up accordingly!"
He began to walk along the coastline with the Father.
They walked silently for a while.
"Rivaril's weather is wonderful today, isn't it?" Firel said, punching the Father's shoulder amicably to soften the mood. "At least that coal smoke from the mainland isn't here."
The Father held his shoulder and gave a forced smile. "Yes... Classic summer weather."
"So? Why did you call me? You look like you've seen a ghost."
"I..." The Father paused, words knotting in his throat.
"HAHAHA! Father! It's rare to see you this tense. We are friends; tell me whatever your problem is, and we'll handle it immediately. Did the church roof leak? Did you run out of wine stock?"
The Father took a deep breath and parted his lips.
"Two days ago... While conducting research in the old mine tunnels with Nedim..."
"Yes?"
"We found a previously unmapped tunnel. There were rare mineral deposits and..."
Firel stopped suddenly. He didn't like the Father's trembling tone at all. He grabbed the collar of his robe.
"Don't beat around the bush, Father. Spit it out."
The Father avoided his eyes. "The deposits we found... were full of pure S.E.P. (Spiritual Energy Pathogen)..."
The world stopped for a moment. Firel's brain tried to process what he heard. Astonishment gave way to anger. He lifted the Father by his collar, feet dangling off the ground.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU FOUND S.E.P.?!" he roared. His voice drowned out the sound of the waves.
"We made a mistake... We didn't know..."
"A MISTAKE?! EVEN THE MOST IDIOTIC MAN ON THIS ISLAND KNOWS HOW DEADLY AN S.E.P. MINE IS! DIDN'T YOU FEEL IT WHILE APPROACHING?! ESPECIALLY YOU, AS A PRIEST, HOW COULD YOU NOT NOTICE THAT ENERGY?!"
"I FOUND AN EGG!!!" the Father shouted in desperation.
Firel paused. "What egg?"
"In the deepest part of the mine... There was a ritual area. It was as if it was placed there to feed on that poisonous energy. On the altar, an egg as big as a palm was sitting. So I..."
"SPEAK, FATHER!!!"
"I... I couldn't leave it there. I took it. But as soon as I took it, there was a tremor in the mine, the ceiling collapsed. The S.E.P. deposits were damaged. Toxic gas... started leaking out."
Firel dropped the Father onto the sands. He rubbed his temples with his hands. This was a disaster.
"What is the extent of the toxic gas? How much time do we have?"
"For now... We have it under control for now. We controlled the situation. It is workable in that area with the holy masks I produce, so we don't need to close the mine completely."
"Where is the egg?"
The Father swallowed. "That is the main subject I wanted to talk to you about... The egg hatched."
"What came out? A giant worm? Or a poisonous lizard?"
"Out of it... A human baby came out."
Firel froze. "Human?"
"It would be more accurate to say half human. Judging by the birthmarks and structure... Half bird. Probably a Vulture species. In fact, the marks resemble a crow species that went extinct 200 years ago."
"A vulture? Aren't they the weakest, scavenger bird species? How could a baby survive inside such intense S.E.P., in that poisonous mine?"
"I don't know, Firel... The only thing I know is that he is now my responsibility. But I am not a warrior. I cannot teach him how to survive in this world."
The Father looked into Firel's eyes.
"Please, Firel. Teach him how to survive."
Firel turned his back. "I can't do that, Father. I am not a babysitter."
"I know you have a child too! Isn't her name Susana? Your daughter waiting for you on the Mainland!"
Firel turned around rapidly, lightning flashing in his eyes. "Father... You will not utter another single word about my family. Forget their existence."
Putting his pride aside, the Father fell to his knees in front of Firel. Tears were streaming from his eyes.
"Boss, I beg you! This child is not normal. He was born inside that poison. Only you can teach him how to live, how to fight on this cursed island, in this savage world! I'm not saying put him in your daughter's place... Just give him a chance."
Firel looked for a long time at the man prostrating at his feet. The wind had picked up, and the sun hid behind the clouds.
"The child..." Firel said, his voice icy but containing a crumb of curiosity. "What is his name, Father?"
The Father raised his head with hope. "Aiden... I named him Aiden."
Firel looked at the horizon. It was as if he felt the webs of fate.
"Find me again when he is able to talk and walk. Until then, hide him in the church basement. No one will know about that freak half beast."
Without waiting for an answer, he turned his back and walked with heavy steps toward the council, toward where that fake joy was.