Chapter 122 - Meeting You Again

The early 1970's; Brookland Forest, United Kingdom...

FWIP! THUD!

"Ahhh, I lost to you in the sword fight again... Damn, I guess I am really getting old now, Zeus." Tossing a bright wide smile on his masculine elegant face, a tall, middle-aged handsome man dapped up in complete formal black attire, rolling his sleeves up above his muscular elbow wiped his forehead sweatdrops, looking at Zeus affectionately.

Zeus standing all tall and charming, appearing to be in his late teenage years was facing him head-on with a sly smirk on his face. Due to his intense workouts, even though he seemed to be blooming in the fresh adolescence years of his life, his body was fully grown like an adult.

He was standing in his bare body devoid of any shirt. His broad compact shoulder along with the triceps busting in his forearms was enough of a sight to make the heart of any maiden shaken up from inside. Following the masculine seductive abs over his lower abdomen made him too enchanting to even steal a glance. Flaunting his dark black shimmering hair bangs upon his temples, he wiped off the sweaty perspiration from his lower abdomen, walking a step closer to him. 

"Uncle Steve, I know it well that you actually lose to me every time on purpose. But this seems unfair, I am not a small kid now. I have already entered my early adolescence period of life, so without any hesitation, you should keep up a strict fight with me." Mumbling in a soft voice, he stared at him invincibly.

"I can see it quite well, Zeus. You are grown up into one of the most exquisite men in the entire Brookland and it makes me so proud of you. But...no matter how much you grow old, for me, you will always be the little Zeus who was trembling in fear when you met me for the first time.

A bit embarrassed at his honest remark, he frowned his face diligently and tried to whine out his complaints. "Uncle, stop calling me a kid! Of...Of course, I would be scared...Any small kid will be scared if they meet a man for the first time who had been gripping a sharp sword in his hand... But that's what makes you the toughest swordsman in our pack, uncle. That's what makes me more passionate to learn swordsman skills from you." He tossed a small simper, glancing straight into his eyes.

"Hahaha!" The man softly patted his head giving him a warm smile with his deep blue eyes shimmering in gleam. "Zeus, you will be the next alpha of our pack. So, it's my utmost privilege to share my swordsman skills with our future leader. Also, you are the only son of my childhood friend, I could at least do this much for Aelia by teaching her precious son the best skills of using the sword in a fight. It will define your elegance, dear." He asserted in a genial tone.

"But..." All of a sudden, his smile tainted away from his grimace as he lowered his eyes down from his gaze. Fidgeting a bit nervously, he whispered his worriment to him, "I am...still perplexed about it, uncle. What...What if I don't stand up to the expectations my pack will have from me in the near future? What if I fail to avenge my grandma's death from those Lupos? I...I am giving it my all to be the toughest Romano and the worthy alpha, but inside my chest...it feels strange."

"You are the worthy one, Zeus." Softly caressing his shoulder, he tried to soothe his perplexed state of mind with his bold assurance. He took a deep sigh out and gazed at him fixedly, "I believe you... In fact, I have always treated you the same I would treat my own child. I know it well, you will be the wise and the worthy alpha our pack ever had. Just don't ever doubt yourself... Always do remember, I will be always on your side, no matter what happens in the forthcoming future. Okay?" 

His deep brown eyes were glistening in tears as he raised his chin up, looking at him with a small sad smile on his face. "Thank you...for having your faith in me, uncle. I promise I won't let you down...ever again." He proclaimed in a deep low pitch, nodding his head firmly. 

But...destiny had already set up other merciless pathways for their future...

.....

It was 23rd September 1984 when the cursed fateful day wrecked his heart forever leaving a deep scar inside...

Rushing vigorously through the woods, fanning hard and almost running out of breath, Zeus was at the edge of his breakdown. He was biting his lips desperately to hold himself back from wrecking down and ran straight through the woods.

After a while of desperate rushing, his feet finally halted when he saw the person he was chasing after slowly drifting apart from his sight. Steve was walking ahead at a staggering pace looking all worn down and alone from behind.

Choking his tears in, he dashed forward and gripped his arm from the back, intending to stop him from leaving.

"Uncle Steve!"

Hearing his sudden loud yell, he flinched a bit hard and quickly glanced at him, turning behind. Zeus was trying hard to hold back his bitter tears and Steve was quirky enough to observe the mental breakdown he was enduring though.

"Zeus? What are you doing here---"

"Why are you leaving me, Uncle Steve? You promised to stay forever by my side and now...you are leaving me too? Why? Why are you abandoning your pack? This...This is your home, uncle! Why are you leaving everything behind? Where are you heading to? How would you live without us...without this forest?" He grumbled out his frustration in a crooked voice, clenching his arm quite hard.

"Zeus, calm down... You are breathing too hard, my child. Don't stress yourself so much--"

"All this... for a human? You are leaving behind your family just for a mere human?" Swirling his teary pupils wider, he screamed out vexing his grudge at him. "How did you become so weak, uncle? You...You are not the Uncle Steve I have always known... You are definitely a weak helpless person running away from us!" 

Watching his whining his perturbations out, Steve stood all numb gawking at his face intensely. After a moment of complete silence, he chose to reciprocate his answer, "Zeus, she is not just a mere human... I love her. I love her so much that it would leave a permanent scar in my heart if something ever happens to her... She is the woman, I treasure more than any other woman in my life. That's why I have made my choice to stay by her side from now on." 

Tears started rolling down his cheeks as he invincibly stared straight into his eyes. His heart was throbbing hard in agony, all he could do was helplessly stand and glare at him evoking his rage.

"I know, everyone in the pack is disgusted with my decision right now. I know somewhere deep down in your heart, you must be despising me today too. I am sorry for causing you pain...

Zeus, one day, you will meet someone who will be worthy of your love. That person will hold the power of making you fight against the whole world just to keep her by your side...that's the same thing I am doing right now. Hopefully, one day you will understand the reason behind my helpless decision that I am making today. But one more thing, once you find the person meant for you, protect her with all your might... Remember, fate is always cruel to everyone but never give up on your love even if destiny turns against you." Tapping his shoulder for one last time, Steve smiled at him holding a teary sad gaze.

Zeus didn't utter a single word and listened to him standing silent and still. Slowly, he unleashed his grip over his arm which was restraining him back from leaving and a wave of profound sadness shook his inner core.

"And I will forever keep believing in you, my little Zeus. I know, you will be the wisest alpha our pack ever had as our protective shield till now. Also, don't blame or pressurize yourself too much for every little thing that will ever happen. And..." He gulped his saliva making a frown face as he lowered his gaze down from him.

From his facial gesture, it seemed as if he was in a dilemma before proclaiming something after a short pause, "I know...Aelia must be despising me too much right now. But, do take care of your mother, Zeus. She might appear stubborn from the outside but she always had a soft side hidden from the world. And probably...someday...we will cross paths again in life where I can challenge you for a sword fight with me again just like our good old days. Till then...Don't forget me...okay?" 

Bursting out in grief, Zeus hugged in his warm embrace as both of them could feel their warm tears shedding on each other's shoulders. The night cool breeze was floating mildly but the atmosphere had a deep sullen aura when two fond hearts were biding their final goodbye in tears before parting their ways in the entire lifetime. That night seemed much darker, long...and heavy.

....

Several years later...watching the exact same face with the exact same warm smile hung on the portrait aroused the profound wave of sadness that was churning him from inside. He wanted to wail out aloud and a huge thunderbolt lightened up the entire room as it started raining heavily, emitting a gloomy aura. Covering his face with his trembling broad hands, he started sobbing bitterly kneeling and bending down on the ground. 

"I...I never wanted to meet you again like this...Why? Why did you have to meet me again like this? What the fuck?" He grumbled out in a low tear-soaked voice, closing his eyes shut.