Milan sat down beside Astrape, battered, bruised and exhausted. Astrape stared at him, puzzled. "Milan, I'm kind of confused", said Astrape.
"I'm sure you are. Sorry I lied".
"About what? About being some bigshot in the military program?".
"Hm, was it that obvious?".
"You said everyone else acted more like a fan when you're around. And no body I met just now has acted that way, quite the opposite in fact. So… what's up with that?".
"You live under a rock, don't you? At first, I thought you were just joking but I'm really surprised you haven't heard of me all this time? I'm possibly the most popular student in all of Vex academy", Milan responded as he looked down.
"Why do you say that like it's a bad thing?".
"It is… when you're famous for the wrong reasons".
"And what exactly is the reason?".
"You see", Milan continued, "I'm cursed… at least that's what they all say".
"And… is it true? Are you really?".
"I… I don't know".
"I don't get it".
"Fifteen years ago… not too long after I was born, there was a strategic attack organized by an elite terrorist group right here in Enosi. I don't know the official statement; I like to assume that Enosi was the one attacked because it's the capital of Stoicheiodis but I grew up hearing otherwise. They say I'm… the son… of the man behind everything, the leader and orchestrator of the attack or so I'm told. Everything that happened the lives they took that day, the destruction they caused and the lives they destroyed… it was me… I'm to blame for everything", Milan revealed as he placed his hand on his chest.
"What do you mean when you say it was your fault?".
"The terrorist group that attacked Enosi was no ordinary group of mobsters. They were a force to be reckoned with and on that day, they weren't afraid to show it. A nuclear explosion occurred… claimed the lives of an entire city, too many lives were lost that day and it eventually cam to be known as…"
"The Red Massacre", Astrape interrupted.
"Yeah, you know about it don't you?".
"Uhm, yeah… history class".
"That's not all… the group behind this attack, they weren't just powerful they were smart as well. No one in this world could harness enough power to wipe out cities on their own but they found a way to do it all on their own. They created some sort of device or source of raw power or something and that's what caused the explosion. Of course, they were defeated in the end and at the cost of many lives. But rumor has it that before the last of them drew their last breath they made sure to use their last Essent to place whatever power they had used to cause 'The Red Massacre' into a baby, a child they believed to be their crowned Jewel, meant to grow up under their guidance and bring all of Stoicheiodis to their so-called justice and harmony to the world by any means necessary. Astrape… I am that child".
Astrape was silent. His head fell.
"I haven't been told if whatever caused the 'The Red Massacre' is really in me but I can feel it is. This dark, menacing presence and it scares me", Milan added.
"Why are you telling me this?", Astrape questioned.
"I was wondering why you didn't avoid me you spoke to me like… normal or at least I think so. And so, my first thought was that you must not know about me. You're probably the only person in all of Vex Academy who doesn't. So, I decided to be honest with you instead of getting my hopes up for nothing. You don't have to talk to me anymore. I don't want you to feel forced".
"Uh…I…", Astrape stammered, "I don't know you that well to say you're not what the rumors say you are. But… I don't know you well enough to say you are. Let's just… keep things as is. Plus, you promised to help me with the Bash Tournament and I'm kinda desperate so…".
Milan's lips quivered. He held back tears as his fingers shivered and he beat his lower lip. He turned around, "Thanks, Astrape".
"Yeah… no problem. Are you alright though?".
"Yeah, I'm good. I just need a minute that's all".
"Alright, I'll see you around then I guess".
Astrape took his leave and headed back to his room.