21 Side Story 2 : The hero of the North

A boy was running in a hurry on a snowy plain. No matter where he looked at, he couldn't find anything else other than the endless snow in front of him. The only thing that existed other than him, was the creature that was chasing him maniacally. The huge bear was faster than him so it was only a matter of time before it would catch up. Their distance was becoming closer and closer and Edward couldn't prevent the despair he was feeling from appearing on his face. He turned his head instictively to see how far from the beast he still was only to realise that in front of him was a wide- opened mouth filled with sharp teeth ready to touch his skin.

'Noooooo!!!'

"Wake up! Wake up boy!"

Edward started to slowly regain his consciousness. He could hear a voice shouting at him, but he still hadn't recovered from his drowsiness. Suddenly, he recalled the fight in the forest. The memory of that monster biting his body made him jerk awake..

"Aaarg!!!" a groan escaped from his mouth after trying to sit up on the bed he was reclined

"Easy now... Relax... Your injuries were very serious. I used light magic to help you, but even this was not enough. I even had to use some precious herbs on you, so don't waste my efforts on trying to save you"an old voice sounded in his ears

Trying to calm down, he raised his head, looking around in daze. He was in a small room where there was a bed and even a desk with some chairs. Then he looked at the man who was in front of him. He seemed to be in his fifties with his hair starting to turn grey. His clothes couldn't be described luxurious, but for the small boy who grew up under extreme poverty, everything seemed dazzling in his eyes .

"Do you plan to sell me as a slave?" the boy asked indifferently, but the man could feel his vigilance in his voice.

"Your treatment cost me 15 gold coins, do you think that you are worth this much?"

Upon hearing this, Edward almost fainted again. He had never seen in his life a silver coin, much less a gold one. He couldn't believe so easily though that old man inspite of the fact he was his savior

"Why did you save me?" Edward asked without dropping his guard at all.

The man shook his head upon seeing this. This was a world where even a little kid had to look at everything with suspicion in order to survive.

"In this world my little boy, people are capable for the worst. This is something that you probably can already understand from the pointless wars around you that have only taken things from you and never have given you anything, but they are also capable for the best. Don't you also have someone in your heart that you can love and trust unconditionally?"

In Edward's mind the image of a little girl appeared. She was his pillar, as well as his reason to continue fighting for a better future despite the adversities he had to face

"But you and I have never met before.... You shouldn't have a reason to help me" the boy said with doubt

"I saved you for my own reasons. I want the day before I die to look back at my life with a smile on my face. If I let a little brat like you to die just like that, then I am sure you'll come to hunt me one day" the man said with a laugh

********

Three days had passed before Edward managing to get up from the bed. His injuries had pretty much healed, but his body was now filled with countless scars making him look really intimidating, especially the one on his right cheek.

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"Will you return to your siblings?" the man asked the boy with a smile

"I am really worried about their welfare, more so when they must think that I have died" Edward answered anxiously.

"Do you want me to come with you? With me you can cross the forest without worry."

The boy didn't think to refuse. He bowed to the man to show his gratittude and said emotionally

"Thank youfor everything you have done for me Mister Frank"

*******

The sun had started to decline when the two of them reached at the other side of the forest. Edward couldn't contain his excitement as he started to run rapidly towards the small wooden hut. When it appeared in his sight he couldn't restain himself anymore as he began shouting

"Catherine, guys, I am back! I am alive! I am not...."

He couldn't speak. It was like he had lost his voice. His body was tembling. He couldn't believe what he was seeing... He didn't dare to believe what he was seeing. He felt an indescribable terror that made the fear he felt when he fought against the bear seem like a lie.

'Catherine, at least you...'

Edward entered quickly inside the hut only to see a large man looking at him with amusement.His clothes were filled with blood while in his hand he was holding the head of a girl. Her headless body was covering a little boy as if she was trying to protect him

"Why?" Edward asked with a quiet voice

"Hahahaha, another brat suddenly appeared. If you are obedient like a good slave should be then I'll spare you on the contrary of that kids over there" as he told that he threw the head to the side as he walked leisurely towards the boy.

Edward felt an invisible energy inside him to awaken. Concentrating it on his right hand, he threw a punch at the approaching man. His hand passed through his enemy's body like it was made out of air. Only a stunned expression was in time for appearing on his face before he take his last breath.

"Why?" the boy questioned the dead man with a small voice as he continued hitting the man's face. By this time, Frank had also entered into the hut, watching silently by the side

"WHYYYYYY?" his head had long since it disappeared with the hands of the boy hitting the dirty floor. A cry of pain coming from the deepest part of his soul came out from his mouth

'Goddess Maria, if you watch us from way up high, why do you let this madness to continue existing in this world?' Frank prayed as he closed his eyes....

One hour. If they had come sooner for only just one hour, nothing of this would have happened. A single tear flowed from his right cheek..

********

One week later...

Edward was sitting on the snowy ground with a dead expression on his face. In the past week he was silent staring at the sky without anyone knowing what he was thinking. Frank had approached him quietly and had sat near him before opening his mouth

"Your sister managed to save that little boy. She was a true hero"

Tears started to appear in Edward's eyes as he answered

"His name is Antony... Please Mister Frank I ask you..... I beg you to take care of him on behalf of Catherine"

"What do you plan to do?" Frank asked sternly

Edward took a deep breath and started talking again but with a determined face this time

"This country took away my parents, my friends and now even my sister... I will never forgive this country. I will become stronger, I will rise in ranks and when I have become strong enough.... I will betray it with the same way it betrayed me.. I will stop this war with my two hands.." the boy exclaimed and then turned his head to the old man

"When that time comes Mister Frank, please give me a hand"

Frank looked with amusement at the little boy and then he let out a small laugh

"So be it Edward... No, I shallcall you Edward Thundergod from now on.... From the ancient times, justice was symbolised by the image of the thunder. But remember, this name doesn't only carry your hatred against your enemies, but also your sister's sacrifice to protect that little boy. As long as you don't betray my expectations for you, then I Captain Frank de Alvin, magician of the Elite Squad of Grenmar Empireswear to help you with your revenge.. What do you say?" the 50 years old man asked with a smile

Edward looked at him with an unusual gleam in his eyes

"To a better future.."