Adventure of Exiles

It was Karla.

Mom.

Felix blinked and he saw her again.

He was back at home again. The shabby townhouse where his mom and him lived in with other families in the same building.

The thatched roof leaked, wooden walls worn, and the floor was always dirty.

But it was home.

“Whatever, mom.” Felix said indifferently.

“Don’t whatever me, mister. I worked hard every day for you. You know times are tough.”

“Yeah, I know, mom. That’s why I been making some money on my own. Here.” Felix put down a bunch of coppers and silver crowns he had.

He would never forget the look of disappointment on his mother face, “you been pickpocketing and gambling again, haven’t you?”

“Tsk. I don’t see what the problem is. Don’t get caught, don’t have any issues. Makes sense?”

“Felix! Listen to me! You need to stop. If not for me but for yourself. Soon you will be at the military academy at Strausehaven and being known as a thief will be a serious issue.”

He chuckled, “mom. I’m just not cut out to go to some fancy academy. Can we really afford it anyways? What will I even learn how to write my name with pretty flourishes? I’ll never be anything more than some rat from the streets in the eyes of the nobility anyways.”

Karla frowned, “don’t, Felix. Things are different after the war. Anyone can climb up to success with the royal army. I believe in you, Felix. Let me worry about the money issues, I’ll work more if I need to.”

Felix rolled his eyes and looked away. Sounds a lot like her dream not his. He hated how she was draining herself for this dream of hers.

“Don’t need you to work yourself to death, mom. I’m fine being who I am. Anyways, I got shit to do.” Felix got up from the dinner table. Him and his friends were going to work the streets of the upper city, a lot of easy marks there.

Karla sighed, “come home for dinner, Felix. There is some laundry still to do tonight as well. I’m making roasted pork. Innkeeper Adrian gave us some extra pork he had. Wasn’t that nice of him? He also wants to see you succeed, Felix.”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m going now.”

“I love you, Felix.”

“Whatever.” He paused at the door and looked back to see her clearly. His mother was a beautiful woman, blonde hair, brown eyes and a kind face.

Maybe this was his chance. He could turn back. Go back home and help his mother around the house, listen to her hum as she washes the dishes. He could sweep the floors like she been nagging him to for like what a week now? Do the laundry. Most importantly he could tell her how much he loved her.

He felt a shaking of his shoulders.

He looked around, there was no one around him.

Lisa shouted, “Felix, are you alright? Come on snap out of it!”

Her voice pierced through the veil.

Felix sighed and closed his eyes.

He knew what happened next.

He spent that day with friends and didn’t come home.

He stopped by the inn where his mother worked the next morning. Adrian found Felix and broke the news.

He told Felix in a soft voice.

It was quick and sudden. A heart attack.

Why couldn’t he just say he loved her back?

Because he was an ungrateful asshole, that’s why.

Like the shitty son he was, he didn’t cry then.

Didn’t cry when he got her ashes.

Didn’t cry as he left his home for the last time. Taking what his mother saved up with him.

Barely uttered a word when he joined the Order of the Raven.

He just needed to leave it all behind him, he needed to run.

Felix opened his eyes. The illusion faded away.

He saw Lisa and Jan fiercely fighting against Lyndis, her talons slashing away. Bolts of ice and fire being shot at Lyndis.

She slashed Jan and shoved Lisa. Lisa slammed against the wall hard.

Felix found himself blinking again and saw Lyndis looking at him, her face distorted into a grotesque mockery.

“Aren’t you an ungrateful one. I gave you the chance to make things right.”

Felix understood Ingrid. He couldn’t blame her for being possessed by Lyndis.

To get a chance to make things right. To tell the loved ones what have been said, ‘I love you.’ or ‘I’m sorry.’

But Felix knew all too well. His mother was dead, he never will get a chance to tell her that.

Only thing left to do was to make it big and live a good life before seeing her again.

Felix griped his sword with a silent rage. This bitch. Can’t run from this.

He went over to Jan, “get up. Be ready to end this.”

He then moved forward, his sword crackling with lightning.

Lyndis was startled. Felix was right up to her and slashed.

She parried the blow, but it was too late.

Felix was already in motion, he stepped in close and slashed through her chest.

Lightning coursed through her body.

She shrieked, “no!”

Lyndis swung her arm around. Felix couldn’t evade and was caught with the slash of the talons.

He vaguely felt his left arm and shoulder being cut, but he didn’t care.

He then let go of his sword and punched her with a silent rage.

Following up with another blow he heard and felt the snapping of bone.

Lyndis staggered and was shocked that she was struck by such a blow.

Felix picked up his sword and backed away.

Lyndis snarled, her face distorted with rage.

“Enough of this.” Jan said as he stepped in. He finished his incantation, and his staff was burning with a white light.

“Begone!” Jan cried as he slammed his staff against the floor.

Lyndis was pushed back and was sent back to the far side of the room. She tried to move forward but the white light burned her.

She shrieked in pain, her skin melting away.

Felix and Jan watched silently.

Lyndis let out one final cry before disintegrating into ash.

Jan sighed and looked at Felix, “it’s over.”

Felix nodded and he walked over to Lisa, Felix helped her to her feet.

“You ok, girl?”

Lisa winced, “ow. My back hurts.”

She looked at Felix and gasped, “Felix, you are bleeding!”

“Just a scratch. I’ll rub some dirt on it.”

“Please take this seriously! There is blood everywhere let me take a look.”

Felix shrugged, “whatever, you would want to do.”

Lisa took off his hardened leather armor and lifted his shirt.

“Well?”

“The wounds aren’t deep. Let me fix this.” She held her staff and touched it against the wounds.

Felix felt warmth on his body. The pain faded away.

“How does it look?” Felix asked.

Lisa didn’t answer right away, “uh, fine for now. We should get a healer to take a look at it as well.”

“Yeah, an actual healer you mean not you?”

Lisa smacked Felix on the back.

“Ouch. Hey.” Felix said.

It didn’t hurt.

“You deserved it.”

“I did not.”

“Sure. Whatever you say.”

Felix rolled his eyes and looked up to see Jan. He had bandaged his cuts on his own. He had a long and gnarled piece of black wood in his hand and a journal in the other.

“Thank you, Felix...you saved my life.” Jan said.

Felix stretched his arm, “no big deal. Part of the life of a mercenary, am I right?”

Jan shook his head. “Not for me. I haven’t had frontline experience like you have. Combat is truly terrifying, but it had to be done. Now this family can finally rest in peace.”

“Not too bad for a bird brain, eh?”

Jan scoffed, “yeah not too shabby. Here’s the staff piece you are looking for.”

“Thanks. What’s in your other hand?” Felix asked as he took the long hunk of wood.

Written in some weird old ass language, Noah should be able to figure it out. Felix put the staff piece in his bag.

“This? I found Erick’s research on Lyndis as the Knight of Delusions. It turns into some unhinged mad ravings towards the end, the poor bastard.”

“What are you going to do with it?”

“Simple.”

Jan then threw down the journal. With a flick of his wrist, he pointed his staff towards the journal and a small wisp of flame flew out and lit the book on fire.

They watched it burn until there was nothing left but charred remains.

“Let this twisted wicked knowledge be lost to oblivion. Hopefully this will never happen again. Come, we should leave this place.”

“I think that would be best.” Lisa agreed.

“One moment.” Felix replied. He went over to where Lyndis was burned and with a jar, he put in some ashes into it.

“What are you doing?” Jan asked incredulously.

“It’s for the surviving family. They deserve to know what happened.” Felix replied as he sealed up the jar and put it in his pack.

Jan sighed, “I suppose that’s the best we can do.”

Jan led the way out and they followed.

Lisa turned to look back to the basement, “I feel bad for that family.”

“Yeah, me too.” Felix replied.

Lisa looked at Felix.

“What is it? Is something on my face?”

Lisa looked at Felix, “I...I know this isn’t my place to ask. But what you see when Lyndis cast her magic on you? Who were you talking to?”

Felix frowned.

“I know you told me not to ask about your past, but I want to help.”

“It can wait until we get out of the haunted murder house.”

“Alright. Just thought I would offer.”

Lisa nodded and soon they got back outside.

Felix was surprised how long that fight was.

Jan had a look of relief and exhaustion on his face, “ah, sunlight. How I missed you.”

He turned back to Felix and stuck out his hand, “I should return to Starlight Sanctum. I have a lot to report on, the military tried to bury this whole affair and people should know the truth. You are welcome back to the shop any time just don’t get into more fights, Felix.”

“No promises.” Felix said as he shook Jan’s hand.

Jan rolled his eyes and pulled Felix closer, “remember what I told you. Retrieve the Staff of Eternal Night for the Restorationists, you will be rewarded handsomely.” He whispered.

“Don’t need a reminder.”

“Good.”

Jan then went over to Lisa and shook her hand.

“Thank you for your help, Lisa. When you are done reading those books, I love to have an educated conversation about the literature with you. I’m sure it will be intellectually educating unlike talking to bird brain over there.”

“Hey! I can hear you.” Felix snapped.

“I know.” Jan replied.

“Hehe. Sounds good, Jan. Good luck with your research.”

“You two stay safe.”

They waved him goodbye as he left.

“So, let’s go find that healer. We can go to back to your mercenary house and find one there.” Lisa said.

“Ugh. Senna is going to be there isn’t she?”

“Yeah, what of it?”

Felix groaned, “I think I rather bleed out.”

“Stop being dramatic.”

“Fine, let’s go.”

They started walking. Felix couldn’t help to take one look back at the house.

Maybe he was still seeing things, or the blood loss was starting to get to him.

But he saw his mother Karla clear as day. She was smiling and waving Felix goodbye.

He couldn’t help but to wave back.

I’ll make you proud, mom. I swear it.

“Come on, slowpoke!” Lisa shouted from up ahead.

“I’m coming.” Felix turned and followed her.