Chapter 21: Tears
The journey continued, an endless, monotonous march into the deeper woods. While some prepared themselves for an inevitable battle, one figure decided to alleviate his profound boredom by playing a solitary game on the roof of a royal carriage.
Cassian was bored, plain and simple. The problem was that FADE, his unique stealth technique, had not reactivated since his big reveal. It couldn't be helped. Adventurers kept sneaking glances at him, sizing him up, and that was honestly not how he had pictured his big debut. He had expected cheers, a calm, respectful atmosphere, maybe even a few eager adventurers asking for his autograph—well, he didn't expect knights bowing to his feet, that was an impossible dream.
Instead, they looked at him with profound disbelief and judgment.
SIGH. Cassian gave a long, audible sigh.
"Well, it can't be helped," he muttered inwardly.
"They're still in shock and disbelief."
In order to pass the time, he picked out his customized deck of Arcane Cards and began to play a solo game. Sad, perhaps, but he was winning.
Playing cards alone took him back, back to those early, vulnerable times when he was just a kid playing with the old man. He always ran home, crying and wounded, and the old timer always accepted him with open, non-judgmental arms.
"If only he were alive to see me now," Cassian whispered, raising his head to the indifferent, distant sky.
"At least he's at peace. I miss him so much. I want to tell him about all my adventures, all the creatures I've faced, but I can't now. It's sad," he murmured, a genuine ache settling in his chest.
He closed his eyes, instantly recalling the simple, powerful mantra the old man had given him, a lesson he would carry forever.
(Flashback)
An old man sat on a rocking chair on the porch of a simple wooden house, enjoying the twilight shine painting the sky in glorious colors. He found it marvelous and smiled, a peaceful, wrinkled expression.
Suddenly, young Cassian came running in, his small face streaked with tears and already beginning to swell from fresh bruises. He barreled into the old man's lap, clutching his tunic and sobbing uncontrollably.
"Cassian, what's the matter?" the old man asked gently, pulling the boy back slightly. He was startled by the extent of the bruises on Cassian's face.
"What's wrong? Who did this to you?" the man asked, worried about etching his voice.
"Those… those boys… they… they were… m-mean," Young Cassian stammered, dissolving into renewed tears.
"There, there," the old man said, patting his back with a rhythmic hand.
"Have you told your parents?" he asked.
Cassian nodded miserably.
"Good. Now, what did they say?" the old man asked.
At the mention of his parents, the small boy's eyes welled up again, and he burst into fresh sobs. The old man instantly knew the answer, but he needed to hear it to be sure.
"They didn't s-say anything…" Young Cassian whispered, hiccuping. "They called me… st-stupid and pa-pa-patitick… patitick…" At that age, he struggled with complex, cruel words. He meant 'pathetic.'
"Pathetic?" the old man clarified, his tone neutral.
"Now you're saying it too!" Cassian cried, his small body shaking with hurt.
"It's okay, it's okay," the old man soothed. "Cassian, listen to me." He waited until the small boy finally looked up.
"It's okay to cry, or to run off by yourself. It's normal for others to pick on you because they simply can't comprehend the potential you have inside. Do not give up. Believe in yourself the same way I believe in you."
Even though young Cassian couldn't fully grasp the meaning of 'potential' or 'comprehend,' the old man's earnest words warmed his bruised heart. He wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, a small sniffle escaping him.
"Now, I want to teach you something. Something you should always have in mind," the old man said, his eyes twinkling.
"Really? What is it?" Young Cassian asked, a genuine smile finally lighting up his tear-streaked face.
Seeing the excitement, the old man's own heart softened. "Now, I want you to repeat after me," he said, and Cassian nodded eagerly.
"In every darkness..."
"In every darkness..." Cassian repeated.
"There is always a light."
"There is always a light," Cassian recited.
"And I am the light." Young Cassian declared, finishing the thought with a proud, beaming smile.
The old man chuckled softly. "Such a smart boy," he said inwardly.
"Well, it's getting late. Do you want to play cards?"
"Yes!" Young Cassian shouted, jumping down from the man's lap and rushing into the house to retrieve the worn stack of cards.
( End of Flashback)
"He changed my life and helped me through the darkness," Cassian thought, opening his eyes and returning to the dense, cool woods.
"I'll live on because I know that's what he would have wanted. All my adventures, everything I do as the Mystic Mage, is dedicated to him and him alone."
A sudden, sharp yell ripped him from his introspection.
"Get ready! We're here!" The Commander roared, his voice echoing through the air as the entire column plunged much deeper into the thick, menacing core of the woods. The time for reflection was over.