Adventure of Exiles

Isaac remembered.

The day his brother, his hero, his everything was killed.

Killed by him.

He was given a mission to eliminate those who still resisted the rule of Manstein.

Stephen had briefed him on the mission. Find the rebel leader on the boat out at sea by the Duchy of Sachsen. Eliminate him and throw the body into the sea.

Simple.

And he completed it.

But as he was about to strike down the target.

“Thank the gods…you are ok, brother. We were so worried. This? This isn’t your fault…I always love you brother. Always.”

“Brother...”

Why did he say that? Why did he call him brother?

And then it happened.

Like a bolt of lightning striking him, his memories returned.

That face, that voice, that was his older brother.

The piercing pain in his mind was overwhelming why couldn’t he remember?

He was in so much agony that he fell into the water.

The last thing he saw was his brother.

But then he awoke on the beach of Kurkenburg with no more memory of anything.

***

Those painful memories. He was just a child. It felt like a blur.

He just remembered running. So many soldiers were around.

His father was killed for being a traitor to the crown.

And his mother was cut down in front of him and his brother.

All he had left was his older brother.

His brother was all he had left in this world.

But he was lost too. They got separated as they ran away.

He wandered around lost, alone and afraid.

Soldiers found him. Isaac was sure he was going to die.

But there was one soldier with a fancy uniform who looked at him, “he’s a good candidate. Take him.”

***

He was lost and useless. He was living a meaningless existence.

Until the Military Grand Council found him.

They took him in, fed him and gave him a purpose.

Trained him to be a soldier.

Every time they gave him a meal it came with a vial of blue liquid.

He didn’t know what was in the vial.

But he was told to always drink from the vial. Every time. Without question.

The vial made his mind quiet.

They trained him.

Always drink the vial.

Taught him how to fight.

How to kill.

Always drink the vial.

To protect Lyris.

Always drink the vial.

Never question.

Always drink the vial.

***

Isaac awoke.

He was in a dark place shrouded in a grey fog. There was a dark blue river with a gentle flow downstream.

He was back in the lands in between death.

“Here again.” Isaac said out loud.

He just walked by the shore of the river and sat down.

And he wept.

He was so tired.

He was tired of the pain, the suffering, the constant guilt.

He wanted nothing more than to just die at that moment.

Isaac was crying for some time when he felt a reassuring rub on his shoulders.

He looked up and saw Halja sitting next to him.

Her features were still pale, her black hair was down, and she was not wearing a cloak.

“Sorry...” Isaac said as he wiped his tears.

Halja smiled warmly, “there, there. Don’t be so hard on yourself.”

“You didn’t tell me about my past to spare me the pain. You knew.”

Halja just ruffed Isaac’s hair, “I did. You are a kind and gentle soul.”

“I didn’t want to know.”

“Well...what do you want now? Would you rather be lost and ignorant? Or would you rather embrace the truth of your past? If it was up to me, I would have told you everything back then and let you decide what to do from there. But sister Herta wanted to spare you the pain.”

“Do you think she was right? Would I be better off not knowing? Knowing I’m a murderer.”

“You are just a lost boy, Isaac.”

Isaac didn’t respond, he was too tired. He put his head down.

“What are you going to do now, Isaac?” Halja asked as she brushed some of her black hair back.

“I want to die.”

Halja nodded, “really. But are you sure? I don’t like the idea of taking you yet. After all you are the one who told me you wanted to live last time. That you had to keep on going on your journey.”

“Things are different.”

“Are they? You still have a lot ahead of you. You have people who care for you. And I have an offer to make.”

Isaac raised his head and looked at Halja.

“What is your offer?”

Halja flicked her hand and a shimmer vision appeared in the mist.

There was Emily trying desperately to heal Isaac’s cut neck.

It was surreal watching her try and save him.

“That sister of mine always sooo dramatic. This and the little stunt she pulled blessing Emily at just the time she needed it the most. So, over the top. Don’t ever let her tell you she doesn’t have favorites. She totally has some favorites.” Halja sighed as she pinched her forehead.

“Why are you showing me this.”

“Ah, yes. While the Strass line has been blessed by Herta I ultimately get to decide to let your soul return to the living or not. Now the offer. I’m giving you a second chance. I can take your soul back. You won’t die. You will wake up again. Not as Thirteen. As Isaac.”

“But what do you want in return?”

“Same thing I wanted before. You to become my reaper and I’m a generous goddess. You’ll live your life as a normal person. You’ll keep living your life until it’s time to die. But until then you’ll serve me and help me guide souls to the afterlife. All you have to do is take my hand.”

Isaac looked at that hand.

Is that what he really wanted?

He looked at the vision.

Lisa, Noah, Emily. They crowded over him.

Felix was ready to fight.

Michael was lying on the floor.

Isaac looked away in shame.

But then he turned back to get a good look at what he done.

He must atone. For Michael, for his brother, for what he has done. To die would be an easy way out.

Isaac took Halja’s hand.

Halja’s eyes gleamed brightly.

“Excellent! I’ll see you again soon. But for now, they are waiting for you.”

Isaac felt his body become heavy, he closed his eyes.