Reunion

I was awoken by the sound of someone’s voice. I heard the footsteps of several people running towards me, accompanied by someone shouting my name. Confused on the ground, I looked at Harold and the guards, with swords in hand, running in my direction. W-What happened?

"Darx, what happened? Who was here?" Harold asked in dismay.

It took me a few seconds after hearing Harold's question to remember what had occurred. I was trying to receive my awakening when everything went dark, and the girl from my nightmares appeared in front of me. I turned my head in all directions trying to find her, but she was no longer here. At the same time, I could see Harold's confused face watching my actions.

"Darx, I need you to tell me what happened. I felt a dark and unknown presence."

Did Harold feel her presence? So it truly wasn't just a dream. I tried to get up off the ground, but my body felt strange. It is difficult to explain, but it feels different and, at the same time, weird.

"Darx, I need you to talk to me and tell me what you saw." Harold asked one more time.

"I-I'm not sure what happened." I said as I got up with difficulty.

"That presence... Did you see someone come in? The guards and I were guarding the entrance, and I'm sure no one came through the door."

I am just as confused as Harold. I don't know what happened. The nightmare that I have had since I was a child suddenly manifested itself. What makes me worry most is how paranoid Harold looks and the fact that he says it was a dark presence.

"Tell me step by step what you saw." Harold asked looking worried.

"I did things as you told me. I left my card on the pedestal, and then I stood in the middle of the magic circle in front of the goddess's statue. I closed my eyes, asking the goddess to allow me to be an adventurer without anything happening for a few minutes, but later I, I..."

"What happened after?"

"When I opened my eyes, everything was dark..., and she appeared."

"She? Are you talking about the goddess [Imris]? But it is impossible, that is not her presence." Harold said, confused.

"The goddess [Imris]? I-I don't think she was the goddess. The woman who appeared in the dark seemed to be in trouble. Her hands were chained, and she seemed to be a prisoner."

Harold looked more confused now than before I said anything to him. Who is she, and what is that bond between us that she says we have. I have too many questions.

"Did you see anything else? I don't understand the situation at all."

Should I tell him everything? I still haven't told him that she is someone who has appeared in my nightmares since I was a boy or the horn I saw on her head. I just don't know..., but I think I should investigate a little further about what is happening before saying more.

"T-That was all I saw..."

"Search the room for any sign of trespassing." Harold commanded the guards who spread out across the room. "I don't understand anything. It's too weird."

"May I ask how you felt her presence?" I asked Harold. "Is it something that all adventurers can do?" If it's something I can learn, maybe it will help me find the girl of my dreams.

"It is not something that everyone can do. It is a skill that I received when I became an adventurer. Only people who get the same skill or one similar to mine when they receive their awakening can detect presences."

"I see..."

"By the way, what happened to the ritual? Did you receive your awakening?" Harold asked.

It is true. With everything that happened, I forgot the reason why I'm here. Did I manage to receive my awakening? My body feels different, but I'm not sure. I turned around, focusing my gaze on the pedestal where my card is and where it will be marked if I succeed.

I walked slowly to the pedestal nervously, knowing that my future would depend on what is on that card. I reached the pedestal and slowly lowered my gaze.

"W-What?"

I saw what was on the card, but I don't understand. Harold came closer after seeing my reaction to later see my card that was still on the pedestal.

"What's going on?" Harold questions himself, grabbing the card.

The reason for my confusion is because, in the area where my class or rank should be, there are only question marks that seem to have been carved with fire. The section where the list of skills that adventurers receive upon awakening are just question marks too. Another weird thing is that the edges of the card had traces of burns.

What does that mean? Did I fail?

"Did I fail to become an adventurer? Did I not receive my awakening?" I asked in dismay.

"I-I don't know. In the three years that I've been in charge, I've never seen anything similar." Harold replied.

"What? What should I do?"

Harold was thoughtful for a while and then approached me, giving me my card.

"Do you feel different? Do you feel stronger?"

I tried to feel changes in my body, but it is only the same sensation that I have felt since I regained consciousness. "My body feels a little weird but not particularly stronger."

Once again, Harold got lost in his thoughts when the guards finished searching the room and came to report what they had found.

"Did you find anything?" Harold asked.

"No, sir! We went through every corner, but there is no trace of any trespassing." One of the guards replied.

"I see..."

Harold was silent, thinking, when at the same time we all noticed the magic circle in front of the statue lose its brightness to remain only as a mark on the ground.

"...That magic circle will stay that way for the next six months." Harold said.

I see, so it is for that reason that the ritual to become an adventurer is performed every six months. I suppose that every six months, the circle recovers its energy.

"Darx, can you go to the castle?"

"To the castle...!?"

"Normal only adventurers who receive an 'A' rank or some of a 'B' rank who receive a rare skill are asked to go to the castle, but I'm quite curious about you." Harold said, approaching me. "There are several things I want to talk to you about, so please go to the castle before nightfall, and there I will explain more in detail."

"I understand..."

"Good! Show your card to the guards at the castle entrance, and with that, they will let you pass. Take advantage of the time you have before dark in case you have unfinished business, and I'll see you later."

I left the room, still incredulous of everything that happened. I walked down the hall to the exit when a group of people rushed me. I had forgotten that the recruiters would be here. "Hey, what is your rank?" "Let me see your card." "We are looking for healers in our guild. Did you happen to receive a class from that category?" "Why did it take you so long? Let me see your card."

The recruiters practically **** my hand to show them my card, and when they saw my card, their reaction was one of confusion. "What is that?" "I've been a recruiter for years, and it's the first time I've seen a card like this. Are you trying to rip us off?" "Are you an adventurer or not?" "What is your rank?"

"I don't know." I really don't know.

"Surely, you failed to become an adventurer, and you modified your card to try to deceive us, but we are not stupid." "I wasted time waiting all this time for a charlatan." "Go to hell." "The things that townspeople do to stay in the city. Go back to the garbage dump where you belong."

Angry, all the recruiters walked away from me. What is their problem? They were the ones who approached me, and for not being what they expected, they insult me as if it were my fault. Whatever, I won't waste my time with them.

I have more important things to do. I have to fulfill the promise I made to Amelia and go find her first. I wonder if she's outside waiting for me. Then I want to go see Oliver before I have to go to the castle. It's been a long time, and I really miss them.

I walked to the exit, where there were hardly any people compared to when I arrived. I looked around, looking for Amelia or Oliver, when I heard a familiar voice from my left.

I couldn't help but smile when I recognized Amelia's voice after all this time. I turned to my left, happy, and ready to greet her.

"Ame...lia!"

I called her name, but her appearance shocked me, and my words were cut off. What is Amelia wearing? Amelia normally wore quite demure clothes, and I was used to seeing her that way, but her new style is the opposite. Amelia is wearing tight-fitting clothing that leaves a lot of skin exposed. A blouse that shows a lot of cleavages and a miniskirt. Besides, her makeup is more marked and jewelry that seems expensive.

Either way, I was happy to see her again.

"Amelia, I wanted to see you."

"You took too long to get out. Were you the last one?" Amelia asked.

"Something like that..."

"You have not changed at all." Amelia said, showing a smile.

"And tell me, how have you been? Is Oliver coming too?" I asked.

"I haven't seen Oliver in a long time, so I don't know."

Amelia didn't see Oliver recently? I thought they would not spend a day without seeing each other. Maybe Amelia has been busier than I thought. After all, she is in one of the best guilds.

"Have you been busy in your guild? You stopped sending me letters months ago, so I'm curious to know what your life as an adventurer is like."

"It's hard to explain. And what about you, Darx? What rank did you receive?" Amelia asked.

I don't know how to answer that question. I'm not sure if I received my awakening or not. Even Harold didn't know what had happened.

"Something weird happened, and my rank didn't show up." I tried to explain, not being very clear in the process.

"Did you fail?" Amelia asked with a worried expression.

"I'm not sure. I don't know how to explain it." I said, showing my card to Amelia.

Amelia saw my card looking confused. "I haven't seen anything like it. Is this really your card?"

"Yes... Even Harold couldn't give me an answer."

Amelia fell silent and an awkward silence formed. Amelia seems confused. Somehow I felt like I failed to fulfill the promise I made. Trying to break the silence, I asked the first thing that came to mind.

"So you changed your style. Is it the fashion in the capital or something?"

"It's not quite my style but it's the style of clothes my boyfriend likes me to wear." Amelia answered, staring at me.

What?

"Boyfriend...?"

"Yes... The reason I am here is not to meet you again but to say goodbye to you." Amelia's replied while her eyes reddened and tears began to fall from her eyes.

"What are you talking about? I don't understand?" I asked confused.

"My boyfriend doesn't want me to see you again, but I have to let you know why and I didn't want to do it by letter."

"Your boyfriend told you? Why would he say something like that, and why do you listen to him? W-Who is he?"

"Yoo, Darx. Long time no see."

I recognize that voice too. I turn to my right, and just as I thought, it was Kase's voice, which was getting closer. What is he doing here?

"You were taking a long time, so I came to say hello." Kase said, walking towards Amelia.

"Sorry, I didn't want to make you wait," Amelia replied, wiping her tears.

"And Darx. What rank did you get?" Kase asked.

"I..."

"He failed to become an adventurer." Amelia quickly replied.

"Really!? Not receiving rank is pitiful, even for someone like you." Kase, said mockingly.

Kase then approached Amelia and kissed her. A deep kiss which Amelia accepted. Even from where I am, I can see their tongues playing with each other.

"W-What's going on?"

"Oh, sorry, Darx. I forgot you were here. Didn't Amelia tell you??"

"Tell me? Don't tell me that Kase is...?" I asked Amelia, incredulous.

"You sure are slow, Darx. You never really noticed?" Kase said while hugging Amelia, and then his hand went up to her breasts' height and began to rub them.

"Ahmn... Stop..., Not in front of Darx." Amelia said between moans.

"Kase, stop!" I said, annoyed.

"Oh, don't worry. She likes it." Kase said as he continued to fondle Amelia's breasts. "We have had this kind of relationship ever since we met in the village. Isn't that right, Amelia?"

Since they were in the village? It can't be. Amelia wouldn't be able to. It must be a lie.

"Amelia... Say it's a lie."

"I-I'm sorry, Darx. What Kase says is true... I'm really sorry..." Amelia answered between moans.

All the times Amelia told me nothing was going on. Were they always lies? She has really been lying to me... Why Amelia? How could you betray the trust we formed since we were children like that? Did I really mean so little to you?

"What's wrong, Darx? Why the gloomy face? Do you want me to cheer you up by telling you how I took Amelia's virginity? Or how while you were worrying about her 'feelings', she was sucking my cock? But those stories can be too much for a virgin like you. HAHAHA!"

Anger took over me. I don't care if he's an S rank or whatever. I have never felt such anger for anyone.

I charge against Kase, but he easily dodged and he kicked me hard in the stomach, which took my breath away. Kase was about to hit me again when what I felt was a slap. The sound of the loud slap was caused by Amelia looking enraged.

"Darx, don't be pathetic. You didn't even manage to become an adventurer, so what do you think you are doing starting a fight? Never do something so foolish again. You better go back to the village. Riledo is not a place for you."

"You heard her, Darx. You better leave the city, or you won't know when other bandits will get in your way. Hahaha!"

Bandits? Now that I think about it, the bandits said that someone influential sent them. Don't tell me it was Kase...

"You sent them." Furious, I said.

"I don't know what you are talking about." Kase responds with a cynical laugh. "I'll take care of Amelia, so leave the city for your well-being." Kase said as he left with Amelia while hugging her.

"Don't look for me anymore, Darx. I wish you good luck." Amelia said.

Amelia didn't even turn to see me and just walked alongside Kase. Amelia, why?

"I am quite famous and I have an image to take care of, so feel lucky that I cannot draw attention in a bad way; otherwise, your head would already be separated from your body now." Kase said threateningly.

Kase and Amelia went downstairs, where a blonde girl was waiting for them. Kase's kick was so strong that after a few minutes, I still couldn't recover. Lying on the ground, I could hear the comments of the people passing by. "Are you crazy? Who would try to start a fight with a hero?" "Idiot." "That's what happens when you don't know your place." "Dumbass."

I didn't want to be in that place anymore. With difficulty, I got up and walked without direction. I continued walking until the sun was already beginning to set. I wanted to be alone and I stopped in a desolate alley. I sat on the floor, leaning my back against the wall.

All the way, I could only think about the times that I thought there was something strange between Amelia and Kase, but I wanted to trust her, and I believed everything she told me. How could I be so stupid... Amelia has changed too much, she is no longer the same Amelia with whom I trained in the forest, dreaming of being adventurers and achieving great things together.

I had many mixed feelings and I couldn't hold back the tears. Could I have done something different to avoid this situation? What were my feelings for her? Did I love her? I don't know... It's... It's just that I thought we'd always be together. But that doesn't matter anymore. Everything is over now.

Night came and I should be in the castle by now, but I didn't have the will to do anything.

I left the alley and went without much encouragement to the castle. The castle is huge and can be seen from anywhere in the city, so I don't need to ask for directions. The castle is in the highest part of the city so it will take me some time to get there. I started running, trying to get my frustration out until I reached the castle entrance. After showing my card to the guards, they looked for my name on a list, and when they found it they let me pass.

To get to the castle, I had to pass a small bridge through which a moat passed underneath. After passing a gate, a long path awaited me, which was surrounded by trees and some lights that lit the way. There were also guards everywhere and several times I had to go through checkpoints where I had to show my card.

I finally arrived at the donjon where after showing my card once more, they let me pass. Inside was Ryul with a large group of other people.

"Darx, I knew you would make it!" Ryul said enthusiastically.

"Save the talk for later and follow me." Harold appeared, addressing the entire group.

The castle is beautiful. We ascended some long stairs and after advancing through a large and wide corridor, we reached a massive door that was guarded by many guards.

"Inside is the queen who will give you a few words, so behave." Harold said as the guards opened the doors.

The whole group and I entered. Several in the group were nervous. Ryul especially. We advanced through the large room until we reached a dais with two thrones where two women were sitting.

"I can't believe I'm in front of the queen and the princess." A voice among the group said.

"Princess Kathleen is as beautiful as the rumors say." Another voice said.

"I am most impressed by Queen Zara. Under her reign, everything will be fine." said a third person in our group.

The queen and the princess? I never imagined seeing someone from royalty, but there is no doubt that even someone from a small village like me can recognize the royal presence of the two women sitting in front of me. They really do radiate something special.

"Welcome to Riledo"

.

.

Queen - Zara

The queen of Riledo. She is the descendant of royalty and has always been the kingdom's ruler ever since she took power when she was still a teenager and even when married. Her husband died years ago.

.

.

Princess - Kathleen

A shy girl who will be the next queen of Riledo.