Chapter 9: Drift
*It's 10Am.*
'Herald wakes up feeling a bit dizzy and exhausted, his muscles are giving him a bit of an uncomfortable feeling.'
'Anyways, he gets up, checks his phone and finds out Muruem has sent him a message back saying "I was worried, i heard the news honey and i understand. Be safe please."
Herald smiles while reading the message. He goes on to wash his face and and finds out that Oumad left him some of his clothes to wear meanwhile the others were washed and left to get dry from blood, sweat and tears..'
'Oumad is nowhere to be seen in the house, he also left some food for Herald to eat on the table.
This hospitality warms Herald's heart and makes him appreciate his brother in life more and more.'
'After finishing his breakfast and cleaning the table, Herald thought that Oumad may be having one of his early walks in the forest, so he got out and looked for him.'
'After 5 minutes of walking, he spots him standing on what it seemed from afar to be a very well made grave of flowers and plants..
Herald knew immediatly that it's Jasmine's grave.'
He approached Oumad slowly and stood next to him.'
Oumad notices his friend and greets him, "Good morning brother, how are you feeling today?"
Herald, "Pretty good... I mean, having this 5stars hotel treatment can make anyone pretty good."
Oumad, "It's nothing, you deserve it... It has been quite some time since i had someone coming to my house so i didn't feel lazy."
Herald, 'I see, glad i was the first one...."
After a minute of silence, Herald says "..She was a lucky woman, i am sure she had no regrets other than not being able to continue on living with you. May her soul rest in peace,.."
Oumad, "Their...
Its their souls."
Herald, ".....Yes, my appologosies.. I haven't noticed the little grave next to hers."
Oumad, "..So, what are you going to do next? You're not planning to go back to your lady?"
Herald, "I am, i will head out right now.
i came here to hug you and say goodbye for now."
*They both hug, the most brotherly hug two friends can ever have.*
Oumad, while tapping Herald's back, "Take care of yourself brother, i am sure you can handle yourself."
Herald, "Same goes to you, I love you man."
*Herald then, goes on his way to his home...*
'After an hour, he's finally again in his neighborhood. It seemed for a moment that he was gone for a year when it was just one day.'
'As he was about to open the door.. None other than Zubatch spots him from afar and shouts at him, "HERALD! wait for me.."
Herald, looks at the sound source and with a bit of a surprised face he answered, "Oh, Zubatch!"
'Zubatch descends from his house and comes to greet him.'
"Hey man, i heard what happened to your friend, am sorry to hear so.."
Herald, "..Yeah, it was unfortunate..."
Zubatch, "We noticed that you didn't come home last night so we were pretty worried, Muruem asked me if i knew something about you."
Herald, "Oh yeah, thanks a lot.. i guess she's home now right?"
Zubatch, "Yeah, i didn't see her leave it since yesterday, go check!"
Herald, "Alright, have a good day"
Herald then proceeds to put the keys and open the door, before he could complete the process.
Muruem opens the door as fast as possible after hearing the sound of keys,
she hugs herald so tightly.
Herald, smiling "...Hahaha, looks like someone was missing me?"
Muruem in an upset tone "You fool! Missing you wasn't bad but worrying is.
You should've told me that you were fine before 4 at the morning Herald!!!"
Herald, embarassingly, "Yeah..you're right haha.. but i wasn't thinking properly, you have to excuse me...
You're not going to let me enter my house though?
Muruem, "Oh shit, sorry..."
Herald took a seat on the couch of the hall room, and Muruem took a seat on Herald's thighs as she always does and preffers..
Muruem, *while playing with Herald's long hair*, "It must have been tough on you..
I know how how you love your friends and cherish them.
I was heartbroken to hear what happened from Merry."
Herald, "Yeah you know everything already, so i don't need to expand on it.."
Muruem, "Well, life continues baby..
You know how late i am to work? just to wait for you."
Herald, appologizes, "Oh yes, am sorry honey.. You didn't need to.
You should go now right?"
Muruem, "Only if you feel good and fine. Am your woman before being a worker wherever."
Herald, admiring what Muruem had just told him, kisses her on the lips and says, "Yes you are, after hearing this i don't think i can be any better, you can go without having to worry."
Muruem, says excitedly, "Yaay, am glad to know that.
I've made for you your favorite meal by the way, you'll find it in the kitchen.
Im going to wear my clothes and head to my work."
Herald, "Oh really!!?? I fucking love you."
'in the middle of this sweet romantic moment between two souls that love each other. Someone is ringing the bell.'
Muruem, "Hmm, someone is on the door. I'll go see who first."
Herald, "No! Let me do so.
It must be something concerning me"
*Herald goes and opens the door.*
Herald, shockingly "G..Guiado..."
*His face expression changed from being safe and easy going to menacing and serious*
Guiado, "Greetings, can i have a moment?"
Muruem asks from afar, "Who is it honey?"
Herald replies to her question, "It's a friend of mine, you can do your thing meanwhile i talk to him"
Guiado, "First, sorry for your loss."
Herald, "Yeah... Thank you.
Although you could have said it way before now."
'Herald is reffering to when he thought about Guiado but he didn't appear.'
Guiado, "I have told you, part of accepting your situation is exploring it on your own. I wouldn't risk changing such big event either."
Herald, "Yes, i am aware."
Guiado, "The reason for my sudden visit is.
I am asking you to be prepared for a long trip, starting at a week from now."
Herald, looking confused, "..What do you mean?!!
What kind of trip??"
Guiado, " The trip of Truth, You will join your Atlantean brothers in our Academy."
Herald, has no clue about the true meaning of Guiado's words,
"...There is an academy of the Atlanteans?!
Why haven't you told me before??"
Guiado, "Things should go by their proper chronological order Herald. In fact i wasn't going to tell you about this just 3 days after your awakening.
To your credit, i was surprised and impressed by the level of improvement you have reached in such short time, not only that but the recent incidents that you have faced are not by mere accident, your line of fate is special Herald."
"The Association is very interested after observing your journey. Therefore i am here to invite you."
'Herald is astonished by the amount of informations put in front of his face at this moment, it feels like being recruited to a high quality institution, or being promoted at your job.'
Herald replies, "... How long is this trip supposed to be? "
Guiado, "Eternal...But dont think you won't be able to ever return again, you can resume your ordinary life whenever you feel like it after passing the first 3months.
Afterwards you will be asked to return only when crucially needed."
Herald, "...What if i refused to go?"
Guiado, "Nothing will happen, aside from being destroyed by your own self, Herald.
Thats if you chose holding on to your power and knowledge, If you chose to sacrifice your powers then you will return to your ordinary earthly life. You will never be able to reach even a fraction of what you've reached in this past 3days alone.
You have 7 days to decide Herald, Dont feel pressured. The choice is completely yours.
I wish you well brother, Goodbye."
'Guiado again disappears from Herald's sight instantly...'
'Muruem had just finished preparing herself to go out and says, "Did your friend come to check on you?"
Herald snaps out of his deep thoughtful moment as he heard Muruem's voice, "...Yeah!
You're ready to go?"
Muruem, "Yes, how do i look??"
Herald, "Too good to be outside..."
Muruem, "Awwwnn, when will your flirting skills gonna stop improving!?"
'Muruem kisses Herald, tells him to be careful and to just take rest for today,
Then leaves the house.'
'Herald lays down on his bed,
while looking at the roof...
Takes a deep breath and realizes....
What a tough situation he's in...'
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