"What the who was that?" Felichs thought as they began to look around frantically.
"Is something the matter sweetie?" Sana asked with a concerned look on her face.
"Yeah I'm fine, I thought I heard something out back. It was likely just my imagination though." Felichs responded smiling to ease their mother's worry.
"Pahaha, they just seem to be the cautious type is all. No need to be concerned, it's better to care for your surroundings rather than ignore them and end up a fool ."
"I'm surprised you referred to me in that manner. Most people meet me and just assume 'he must be a dude, so I'm gonna call him a dude' It's really irritating" grumbled Felichs as the tension began to ease from their body.
"Well, when people choose to see only that which lies on the surface they can never see someone's real face." Responded the visitor as they tipped their hat. "By the way Felichs, what are your thoughts on the current state of Emovere? I asked your mother this question before your arrival, and her answer was quite intriguing." the visitor chuckled, taking another sip of their tea.
"You mean a country where the poor are poor in every aspect and the rich are only wealthy in their pockets? Or do you mean a country where war is a pastime and the solution is supposed to be some stupid tournament?" Gibed Felichs.
The visitor let out a soft chuckle and then asked, "Now, I don't mean to pry when asking this but is there any reason you haven't drank your tea? I promise you it's safe if that's what you're worried about." The visitor remarked in a concerned manner.
Felichs laid back against the wall and gently tossed the cup up in the air, before swiftly kicking it across the room, flying directly into the knife. It was crushed completely on impact.
"You come in here with tea, and have a full-on conversation with us like we're best friends, yet you've been hiding your real intentions it seems and you haven't even introduced yourself. Pretty rude if you ask me. So who are you and what do you want? And don't think about not answering because those weren't questions, I will get my answers." Felichs smirked at them.
The visitor let out a boisterous laugh, "I see, I see. You are as intelligent as I imagined! Maybe a bit too much on the hot-headed side, but you'll learn to calm that someday. Yes! Yes! Alright then my dear, your wish is my command." The individual stood up and bowed, "While I can't reveal too much at the moment, I am the host of the tournament, Tournouá Tou Ménos! The one that shall save this land! Also, for now, feel free to call me Tournament. I'm here to give you this box and the chance of a lifetime! Please open it."
The box was small, no bigger than a box of tissues. It was burgundy with a white ribbon in the shape of a flower on top, with a small note saying "To Felichs, Happy Early Birthday."
"Guess you don't know everything about me, my birthday isn't for another three months." Felichs chuckled.
"Is that so? Mine actually just passed." Tournament responded with a chuckle of their own.
Felichs raised their eyebrow, then shook their head showing little concern for the comment, and slowly opened the box. Inside was a small letter and a much smaller box. They read through the few pages, looking up at Tournament every so often, then they opened the smaller box, and inside it revealed a watch.
"So you want me in this Tournouá To somewhere? What's odd though is why bring an invitation if there's no limitation? Seems it would've been easier to send that guy on the horse again, or maybe someone with both their feet intact." Questioned Felichs with a raised eyebrow.
Tournament chuckled aloud. "So, you noticed that too eh...the poor fool. Regardless, after my messenger didn't return, I decided to come myself. Plus, after I learned you were here I just had to see you for myself...The one who night favors."
"That's the second time I heard that phrase said to me...I mean there's a benefit to being black but damn this is feeling racist..." muttered Felichs to their self.
Felichs shook their head and chuckled a bit before responding, "Wait, wait, wait, hold on a second. You said you've only been here for awhile...so how exactly did you know he didn't return?"
"Hmm? Oh, well that's a secret for me to know." Tournament giggled.
"And you to find out?" Felichs responded slightly confused by Tournament's unfinished statement.
Tournament said nothing in response but smirked as they sat back in their chair smugly.
After the conversation, Tournament bid Sana and Felichs farewell, wishing them both a peaceful night. As they left they made sure to leave some food and extra tea packets on the counter as a parting gift. Before leaving though Tournament whispered something in Felichs ear, causing their eyes to grow wide and a single tear to roll down their cheek. After seeing them out, Felichs helped their mother get into bed before heading up to the roof to watch the stars. Many thoughts ran through their mind about the earlier conversation.
"What did you mean by I'm special? I'm not a piss-ass noble and I'm here, my future's as dark as this country's heart. Hell, will I even... ugh whatever. I don't care what that creep says or thinks. I'm just a regular person, who will live a regular life that someone from Pauper lives and when I die, hopefully, I'll be reincarnated as something worth caring for or maybe my soul will finally be sent to Fos, so I can just sleep. I'm tired...so tired..."
They started to lay back, scraping their teeth to calm themself, as they stared at the night sky. The sound of sharp objects scraping together was like nails on a chalkboard for Felichs, but the frustration it caused helped ease their anxious mind.
"Ughhh this sucks. These stupid trees are blocking the moon tonight. Why did we have to live here of all places? I mean, mom was in the military, so why the HELL are we in this poor ass town?"
"I'm sorry...I'm so, so sorry..." sobbed an unfamiliar voice.
"H-huh? Mom? Is that you?" Sporadically whispered Felichs.
"It's all my fault. If only I fought harder that day, then none of you would have to go through this..." continued the voice.
"Wait...I heard this voice earlier when that creep was talking to me, but whose voice is this? Well, I wish whoever it is would just respond to me already instead of crying." Whispered Felichs once again, this time with clear frustration in their voice. "Ugh, whatever, I'm going to sleep. Keep talking to yourself weirdo...then again, if someone passed I'd be the weirdo talking to themself."
"You...child of Pauper, will face many trials and tribulations. You MUST overcome them and unleash your full potential. I can not aid you in this journey, nor can I give you my name, but one day I will be able to. For now, though, I will leave you with this. Our connection is NOT by chance but one of fate for you are one of the special ones that I made sure would hear my voice when the time comes."
Felichs lowered their head before responding, "I...I'm not special. I'm just so tired..."
They began to doze off mid-sentence before falling asleep for the night. As they slept they thought back to the simpler times before their mother's illness.
One Year Ago
It was a chilly afternoon, as the snow lay on the ground. Those of Pauper hated this time of year the most as many did not have the proper clothing to support them in the harsh winter conditions. A retired medic by the name of Sana had returned home. She had a child, who was seventeen at the time, whom she hadn't seen for about three years since being on base. As she approached her home all the nerves had finally set in.
"What if they're still mad about the incident from a few years ago? Do they still even live here? Have they found a new home? What if they hate me and want nothing to do with me anymore...?" Sana thought to herself as she slowly rubbed her face.
While her nerves were high, her faith in Felichs was even higher. She knew that even if they left, her child was not dead and wherever they may be, they were safe. However, in hopes that Felichs was home, Sana decided to lightly knock on the door as a way to not startle them, but as she reached out a hand grabbed by the shoulder causing her reflexes to set in. She grabbed the person's wrist and bicep then proceeded to flip them over her. She was about to continue on the attack as she readied her knife until she realized who the attacker was.
"Argh...I guess it wasn't the smartest idea approaching from behind, should've thought that one through." Felichs said as they slowly got up from the ground while rubbing the back of their head.
Sana reached out her hand to help them up before giving them a big hug.
"I'm so sorry sweetie, I have to remember this isn't war. Not everyone is trying to kill me. I'm also sorry for being away for so long, I know I said it was only supposed to be a year...I didn't think I'd be forced to stay longer." Sana said as tears began to roll down her face.
"It's ok Mom, I get it, you're one of the best doctors in all of Emovere. So, when duty calls, you have to do what's needed. And as far as the flip, I'll be fine, I've dealt with way worse this week. With that said though, if you hug me any tighter I- I won't be ok." chuckled Felichs trying to lighten the mood.
"I know, I just, I just, I feel so ba-" responded Sana before Felichs cut her off.
"I said it's fine, I can take care of myself. Plus Mediocris is only a few miles away and there's a really nice bartender there that I'm good friends with. He would let me visit and if I was hungry, which was all the time, he would give me some food to eat." Felichs said with a big smile on their face.
"HONEY WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR TEETH, WHY ARE THEY SO SHARP?!?!?! Sana screamed as Felichs tried to shush her.
"Keep it down Mom, you want everyone to know? I did this as a way to defend myself in case I'm ever attacked and need a last resort...or sometimes as a first resort"
"Well, I don't like to hear you're getting into fights. I mean, I get you have to protect yourself, but I don't want to lose you...I'm glad you were able to make another friend, after always being by yourself for so many years."
"Yeah...a friend..." Felichs thought to themself.
"Well anyways, how about we get inside, and I cook up some food for us? I was able to get enough food to last us a few months. And I even learned how to cook from this cute chef too." Sana smirked.
"That's just like you...meet someone cute, yet never get enough money out of them so we can leave Pauper." Felichs grumbled.
That evening the two went inside and cooked a nice warm meal together.
"Mmm...mmm...mmm! This is really good mom!" Felichs said trying their best to form a smile.
"Teehee, you don't have to lie, sweetie, I know I'm still a lousy cook. I wanted to try the recipes I learned, but I think I added too many seasonings. Maybe if I recook it with a tiny bit less it'll taste better!" Sana spluttered as she jumped up and started rummaging through the assorted seasonings.
"I think it needs more than a bit less seasonings...actually a lot less," Felichs mumbled to themself. "It's fine mom, I haven't eaten since yesterday so I'll eat anything, to be honest."
"Huh? Why haven't you been eating? Questioned Sana.
"Kinda forgot...kinda spent my day and night in a cell..." Felichs giggled as they bit into their potato.
Sana stared blankly at Felichs as she rubbed her head. She took a deep sigh before responding.
"What am I going to do with you? Didn't I tell you to stop getting in trouble? What did you do this time?"
"It wasn't my fault. The food looked good, and besides they would just throw it in the trash at the end of the day anyway. So, I thought about helping myself to it." Grumbled Felichs.
The rest of the night was filled with the two of them laughing, eating, and talking about their respective stories over the past few years. This would also be the last night Felichs would smile as it was also Sana's last healthy night before her illness would pop up drastically changing the future forever.
Felichs felt something fuzzy on their face causing them to wake up. Much to their surprise it was an owl sitting on their face.
"Why do these stupid birds keep using my face as a nest?"
"Who, who."
"I-I'm not doing this," they sighed as they tried shooing the owl away
As they slowly sat up a small piece of paper fell from the owl's talons onto their lap. The paper was stamped with a bloody handprint. As they unrolled it they started to breathe heavier and heavier. The words inside caused great fear to build up in Felichs.
"So, it's kill or be killed, eh? Idiots. Killing a bunch of random people won't change this country. If a business is failing everybody calls for the head to step down and be replaced with someone new. That's because they're in charge. They make the decisions. Inadequate workers can slow a business down, inadequate bosses will run a business into the ground. So killing a bunch of randoms isn't gonna change this country. It's these heads that need to be changed." They mumbled to themself as they shoved the paper in their pocket
A few houses down sat a shadowy figure on top of a house as the moon surrounded them.
"Maybe they're more like me than even I had realized,"
Another individual appeared from a shroud of mist.
"Don't you think this is a bit unfair? I mean are you sure they're even worth going through all this trouble for?" The man chuckled as he sat beside Tournament.
"Unfair? Is it not unfair that such a special person be stuck in this wretched environment, Fox? Is it not unfair that the less fortunate not be given more AND better opportunities in life? Life is all about unfair advantages and disadvantages, so why can't I give an individual with numerous disadvantages one tiny advantage?"
"You've got a lot of interest in this kid, you know that? I'm surprised you didn't tell them your real name...Tournament."
"Touché. Jokes aside, don't you think it's absolutely beautiful when you can find someone in life who thinks the same way you do?"
"Ehh, I don't know. I mean the last time I did, he died. The poor bastard." Fox shrugged. "As for this situation though, what if Felichs doesn't want too-"
"Oh trust me, they will. Once they know the truth they'll have no other choice."
The next morning Felichs woke up and jumped down from the roof. They went out back to grab the water bucket and towel, then went to help bathe their mother. This had become an everyday routine for the two ever since Sana had contracted her illness. They even had a song they would sing together; Sana would sing the first line, and then Felichs would sing the second. The third and fourth lines would follow this same pattern.
"The nights are so long, but soon the Sun will rise
We give the moon its hugs and say our goodbyes
We watch the Sun peek through the clouds in the sky
Until it rests again and calls forth a moonlit night"
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