31 A promise long forgotten

Sitting in some kind of interrogation room was both Azeal and Riyku. Both of them were the opposite of one another. Riyku was leaning back in the metal chair, a heavy breath releasing from his lips. "Now then, Riyku Von Rosario, can you explain what this power you showed cased was?" Azeal inquired, with his hands clasped together as he leaned against the table. A serious look in the man's eyes which were glued to Riyku. "I can, but at the same time, I can not," Riyku told Azeal whose brow would raise slightly. "What do you mean?" Azeal questioned with curiosity in his voice. "I do not truly understand the power I possess either. I just know that I possess it." Riyku would explain and the male would nod lightly. "Okay, then tell me what you do know," Azeal stated and Riyku would huff heavily. "Before I do that, will this information be leaked to anyone, or will it stay between us?" Riyku asked and for a moment silence would befall the room.

"It will remain confidential; however, whether it stays between us depends on my verdict." Azeal would state firmly. It did not take a scientist to understand what Azeal meant by the verdict. He was talking about whether Riyku was human or something else. "Then, no matter your verdict I request one thing," Riyku stated, and Azeal would narrow his eyes. "And that would be?" He inquired. "That no harm comes of anyone associated with me," Riyku stated firmly and for a moment there was silence yet again. "Very well, I will keep to my word that no matter what my verdict is. Those associated with you will be left alone." Azeal would state and Riyku would nod lightly. "Thank you." Riyku would express and Azeal would shake his head. "Now then. When you first showed up, it was at the Highschool campus where you were brought into the University. Your file claims that you come from the County of Desires. It is quite a ways from the University, were you never leashed?" Azeal inquired and Riyku shook his head. "Not to my memory." Riyku would answer and Azeal would proceed with another question. "Speaking of your memory, it appears that you have Amnesia. How much do you remember?" Azeal inquired and Riyku would shake his head. "Not much. I found myself on Campus Grounds and that was all. I only knew my name, but other than that. I did not even know where I came from." Riyku stated and Azeal would raise his brow, "So, you did not even know you came from the County of Desires?" Azeal questioned and Riyku would shake his head again. "No."

Another brief silence would befall them as Azeal processed the information. "I assume that you do not know why you are here either?" Azeal questioned him and Riyku would shake his head. "I do not." The response Riyku gave was firm. A soft nod would come from Azeal, "Alright. Moving on, I have heard from outsources that you have been cleaning up the Lower District and helping the people of the Shopping District with mundane tasks. Not only that, but you have rescued a few people here and there when you noticed something fishy was going on." Azeal would state, which brought interest to Riyku's face. "How?" Riyku inquired and Azeal would chuckle lightly. "The Intelligence network of the Hunter Legion is nothing to scoff at, Riyku. You have been acquainted with one of your members more times than you realize." Azeal stated which caused Riyku's brow to raise in confusion. "I have?" He inquired and Azeal would nod. "I would like to ask you. The footage I was sent to watch of your battles during the Death Games, I noticed something about you. You would only take a life if need be. Regardless of how you get it done, you will not take a life unless there is a clear reason. Tell me, what changed when it came to Bell Perez?" Azeal inquired and Riyku's body tensed.

"I..." It was then that there was a knock coming from the door which drew their attention. "Come in," Azeal stated. Walking into the room was the Headmistress of the Overhaul. "I was wondering when you would show up. You are quite slow, Madam Evie." Azeal stated and the woman shook her head with a huff. "You know damn well that it takes forever to get to the Captial from where I reside. Now then. Azeal, this interrogation is over." The woman stated firm which caused Azeal's brow to raise. "Oh? And on what terms gives you the right to call it off?" Azeal stated and the woman would slam some vanilla folder on the table. "This. I will be damned if you take one of my students out of the Games simply because he exhibits extraordinary power." Azeal would look to the folder that the woman expressively placed on the table. "I think you misunderstand. I was called here to perform a questioning, not place someone under custody." Azeal would look back to Evie while pushing the file towards her. "Geez... Riyku, you just have all the women wrapped around your finger huh?" Azeal gave him a soft playful expression. While Evie blinked rapidly. "But I was told that he was taken in." She seemed generally confused and Azeal would only chuckle. "There must have been some miscommunication down the line. For that, I apologize, but to assure you I am merely investigating whether or not he is human. As you already know, there are people in the Legion who can exhibit power relative to his own." Azeal explained which seemed to catch Riyku's attention for a moment.

"Since, I have gained the information I wanted. I can safely say that you are human even though some of your methods are inhumane. Though, I won't question why you did what you did to Bell Perez. I can place the pieces together myself. Therefore, you are free to go. However, I do want to suggest you something, Riyku." Azeal would move around the table and after fumbling in his coat pocket he would pull some kind of card. "This is a number to a recruiter of the Hunter Legion. His name is Egon. If you have any thoughts of joining the Legion, tell him that Azeal sent you. He'll know what to do from there." Azeal explained as Riyku got up from the chair. He would take the card and look it over which held an emblem design of a blade that radiated some kind of powerful aura. Below that was the name Egon, Recruiter for Hunter Legion. Riyku would stuff the card into his pocket. "I'll give it some thought. Thanks." Riyku stated to Azeal who nodded. "Alright, let's be off. I'll guide you two to the front door and after that, you are on your own." Azeal stated and before Evie could even put her two cents in Azeal was already shoving her out of the interrogation room and Riyku followed after them.

Now that the Headmistress Evie and Riyku were outside of the building that had read 'Hunter Legion' on it. Riyku would scratch his arms out with a heavy yawn. "You just had to go and make trouble for me, didn't you?" Evie narrowed her eyes at Riyku who shook his head. "Don't flatter yourself. I haven't made any trouble for you just yet. I still need to make true of our bet." Riyku stated with a smirk as he looked up at the sky, taking note that it was already night with how starry the sky was. "Have you heard anything on the condition of the girls?" Riyku inquired softly and Evie would nod. "They are stable. I believe that Lira's ability to take in mana naturally is what saved her life. As do the Medical Team. So you can rest easy knowing they are fine." Evie stated which seemed to release a lot of tension that Riyku had built up. "Thank you," Riyku stated, which caused Evie to look at him with a shocked expression. Taking note of this Riyku would poke the woman. "Did I say something funny?" He inquired with a playful smirk and Evie only sighed heavily. "You have changed, quite a lot over these past three months." Evie would reply which caused Riyku's expression to become soft. His eyes shifting towards the sky once again. "I believe it is because of those five that surround you." Evie would add and Riyku would nod. "Yeah. I believe so too." Riyku stated softly, a gentle smile curving across his cheeks.

"Well, let's get going. I'll drop you off by the hotel that you will be staying in." Evie stated and Riyku would follow her. "Not with you?" Riyku inquired with a playful tone and the woman smirked. "No. You just aren't that exciting." She replied and Riyku sneered at her, "Or you know you can't handle me." His comeback caused smirk in return, "Guess we'll have to find out someday." She replied as she moved to the driver's side of her car. Unlocking it and getting into it, shortly after Riyku would get into the passenger side. "This hotel, I did not hear anything about it," Riyku stated. "That is because the winners of today's match were going to be told afterward. You were not present during that time so I took it upon myself to inform you. The room is already paid for anyways and it is only for tonight. Afterward, you will be returning to the University." Evie explained to him. "What of the girls?" Riyku inquired and the woman would nod. "They have been transferred to a medical facility on the Overhaul. As I said, they are fine. You just get some rest when you get to your room." Evie stated firmly and Riyku nodded softly. It didn't take long to get to this hotel. It wasn't anything super fancy, but it wasn't dirt cheap either. Stepping out of the vehicle, Riyku would look back in to give Evie thanks before shutting the door and moving into the hotel lobby.

Standing at the counter the male was greeted by a receptionist. "Good evening, are you here to check in or check out?" The man asked with a smile. "Checking In," Riyku replied. "Certainly. If I can just get your name." The man would remark and Riyku would nod, "Riyku Von Rosario." He replied and the man would get to work. Typing upon the computer beside him before looking back to Riyku. "Your name has been registered to room three-two-one. It is on the third floor and down the hallway on your right. Enjoy your stay, Mister Riyku." The man stated as if giving him the good to go expression and Riyku would nod. "Thank you." He would proceed to the elevator and press the button that side number three on it. Though before the door would close a small petite female with pale skin and silverish hair would make her way into the elevator. Riyku would look down at her for a second, "Going up?' He asked and the girl looked up at him and nodded softly. "I am. Third floor." She replied, her way of speech was nothing like that of a child but more of a teenaged girl. "Alright." Riyku would lean back against the railing when the doors closed and the elevator started moving.

There was not a word, just the two individuals inside of the elevator, but to the girl, this was a special moment for her. She seemed quite content, almost as if she were at an extreme form of peace. But who was this girl? Why did she expression such content, and tranquil peace? Riyku had not noticed it his mind was elsewhere. The girl did not seem to mind, though this moment was short-lived. The sound of the elevator reaching its destination changed her expression back to the seldom one it was beforehand. "Aren't you getting off?" Riyku inquired when he noticed the girl had not moved. "Not yet, I forgot something downstairs. You can go first." She replied and Riyku would nod. "Alright, take care." He stated as he stepped from the elevator. Watching the back of the male depart from her view caused her expression to sorrow. "Father..." She whispered gently.

Riyku would walk up to his room and place his wristband against the scanner which made a beep and the door seemed to unlock. He would push past the door and flick on the lights of this two-bed small hotel room. It was just a modern well kept and cleaned hotel room with a small bathroom, two beds and a small study table along with a screen pinned up to the wall which was probably a monitor to watch shows, movies or do just about anything that was required of a monitor. However, the male would bring up his inventory with the mental command and displace all of his clothing which included the suit into his inventory. He would then move to the bathroom, turn on the shower water and proceed to take a much-needed shower.

Once that was said and done and he had cleaned himself up with proper hygiene the male turn off the lights and proceed to one of the beds. Getting under the blanket he would move his hands behind his head and stare up at the white ceiling. "A lot has happened these past several days huh? From finishing up preparations to hanging out with the girls and Skylar. Everything has been quite eventful. Even my game against Barron. The surprised look on his face when he lost to me by one point on the test scores." Riyku would chuckle softly. "then came the games. Everything escalated so fast that I have not had enough time to think of a way to rescue Coco..." Riyku muttered to himself and a brief moment of silence befell him.

"Seraphina. Are you awake?" Riyku inquired softly and the silence that came after would be his answer. "Well, if you can hear me. I just wanted to say thank you. Everything you have done for me has helped me. Honestly, I do not know if I would have retained my composure after everything finished, if not for you. This power... is dangerous. I can see why you want me to steer clear from it, but... I need to know. Why I have this power. The answers Harvester and you gave me can not be all. There must be a definite reason for all of this. If... The reason.... is..." Riyku was steadily beginning to feel the fatigue take over. His eyes slowly dropping as she started to slip into slumber's embrace.

"Father! Father!" A cheery voice called to him which caused him to open his eyes. The vision provided went from stary night sky much like the one he had looked up at before to a small petite pale girl with silverish hair. Her crimson eyes staring up at him as she smiled brightly at him. "Yes, Iris. What is it?" The man's voice, Riyku's voice seemed to perch through.

'Another dream?'

The girl would bring her hands from behind her hand to open her palms and show him a strange stone with a grayish aura and some kind of ancient character engraved upon it. "Here for you!" She exclaimed and Riyku seemed to smile. Reaching a pale gray hand out to grasp the stone from the girl he would move his other hand to pat her head softly. "Good Job, Iris. I am so proud of you." Riyku would indulge her with affection that she seemed to thrive on. "I will always be of assistance to you, Father. I am happy to help you." The girl, Iris would express happily. "That makes me happy to hear, Iris." Riyku would reply. Iris would giggle softly, "So... umm, I noticed that Skeith and Seraphina are not here. Did they already finish their task?" Iris inquired curiously and Riyku shook his head. "No. They have yet to finish their respective tasks. This would make you the first as usual." Riyku stated which made Iris happy. "Well then, Father. If I may, why are you trying to collect all of these ancient stones?" Iris inquired which caused Riyku to sigh softly.

"Well, it is a long story. Care you take a seat?" Riyku would ask of her and she would nod, both of them moved to a nearby tree and sat against it. Their eyes seemed to glance up at the skies above them. "Long ago, before I created you, before I knew of Skeith, before I knew of Seraphina, and before I created Nira. I was a small human boy. I grew up with two brothers and my mother. We grew up in this small village somewhere in the western region of the world far out from any of the wars or kingdoms of the lands. That does not mean we did not do business with those Kingdoms, but for the most part, we remained neutral to their stands. You see, back then the crops we grew were pure. The soil was fertile and every harvest was bountiful. So our plot of land was perfect. Though the leaders of these Kingdoms knew that waging war would ruin the soil and since we had no military might we were not seen as a threat. However, that did not mean we were weak either. I and my two brothers discovered we had abilities of our own called Mein. When the village Magi learned of this, he offered to train us. In all honesty, those were the best years of my life. Helping the village folk, playing with my brothers and training with the Magi." Riyku would begin to tell a story and Iris would listen without a word, well that was until Riyku had not mentioned a father.

"What of your Father?" Iris inquired and Riyku shook his head. "I do not know. Neither do my brothers. When we asked our mother, all she told us was that he had to return to where he came from. We did not understand that and even to this day, I do not know what those words mean. However, that did not stop our mother from loving us day in and day out. Her bright smile was something me and my brothers wished to preserve and cherish. It was truly a blissful time, but all great things come to an end." Riyku's voice turned sorrowful. "Our village was attacked by some kind of beast that would steal our woman for breeding and slaughter the men and children. I, my brothers and the Magi tried out best to save and defend the village; however, we were outnumbered and overrun. I was the first to witness the death of our mother, and my closest friends. At the time, I did not realize what was going on with me or even going through my mind, but I told my brothers to save as many as they could and run away while I hold off the beasts. They were reluctant at first, but decided it was the best course of action since I was the strongest one of them." Riyku would explain softly.

"So what happened? Did you win?" Iris inquired and Riyku shook his head. "No, I lost. I died that day and was reborn as a demon. I went through life there and eventually made it back to this world; however, my village was gone. My brothers and the Magi as well. Filled with anguish, I traveled the lands in search of a purpose. It was not till years later did I find out that I could travel back into time. As long as I could pin-point the coordinates of the time-line I would be able to return and save them. Save my brothers, my friends, and the Magi. I would be able to protect everyone, keep them safe and we could leave life as it should have been." Riyku stated as he gripped the stone tightly in his hands.

"So you see, Iris. The reason I am collecting these elemental runic stones is so I can return to that time. So I can save everyone. Thanks to you I have the Rune of Time, but I need the Rune of Space and the Rune of Illusion. I already have the Runes of Wisdom, Valor, Nature, Bright and Blight. So just two more and I can realize my goal." Riyku stated to which Iris would look up to her Father. "But... you'll be gone, right? Will you come back?" Iris asked softly. This caused Riyku to give a pained expression. Since he had not realized what it meant to travel back that far in time. "I will," Riyku replied it was a hollow statement. "Promise!?" Iris exclaimed. Riyku would swallow deeply before nodding softly. "I promise." He would state a more firm and expressive reply to her. Some part of him was determined to return to this timeline, or maybe even figure out a way to bring her with him. But, he knew the chances of both were nearly zero. Still, he would make that promise to her.

Overjoyed the girl would hug his arm tightly. "Good! You promised, so don't you forget it!" Iris exclaimed happily and Riyku would chuckle softly and pat her head gently. "I would never dream of it. Come on, let's go see if we can find those two slackers." Riyku stated as he tried to get up and Iris would giggle getting up with him. "Okay. Maybe they need a good lecture from you. They seem to hate it when you do that, but afterward, they try their best to avoid such a lecture." Iris stated which caused Riyku to chuckle lightly. "Perhaps you are right." Riyku would reply to her.

"Hey! Who the hell are you calling a slacker!? Here!" A masculine and unruly voice shouted from the distance which drew Riyku's attention. The shine of an object heading his way caused him to reach out to grasp it. "I completed my task as well, Darling. So save that lecture for another time." A feminine voice, one well recognizable as Seraphina called next as she walked up to the male. "The Runes of Space and Illusion," Riyku stated when he examined the stone that the man had throw his way. "Yup. So is that it? Are we done? These tasks lasted long the last ones. I would like a break." The man stated or more so complained. "A break? Geez... aren't you suppose to be some super war demon or something. You just seem more so lazy than not." Seraphina called out to the man who shook his head. "Our fearless leader here has no ambition. Therefore, I see no reason to start hazing buildings and pillaging villages." The man replied as he rested his hand upon the hilt of his blade which was sheathed by his hip. In truth, the man standing beside Seraphina looked like he could have been her brother. The complexion was the same, and the raven hair color matched just fine. "Yeah yeah, blame it on Riyku." Seraphina rolled her eyes and moved to kiss Riyku on the lips. "My reward." She licked her lips after a deep passionate kiss.

"Ugh." The man would roll his eyes. "Call me if you need anything. Actually! Don't. I would like to rest for a bit since I have not slept in days." With that, the man would turn into some kind of mist and seep into Riyku's body. A soft yawn would part Seraphina's lips, "As am I. I think I'll get some sleep as well. You can call me anytime though, unlike a certain lazy demon." Seraphina would remark before looking at Iris with a smile. "Take good care of your Father now, okay." Seraphina would smile softly at Iris who nodded. "I will! Sleep well, Seraphina. Make sure Skeith doesn't do anything stupid." Iris would reply and Seraphina would nod before turning into black mist and seeping into Riyku's body. This just left Riyku and Iris who were looking at one another after Riyku pocketed the two stones. "Alright, let's hand home. I'll cook you up something to eat and we'll get some rest ourselves." Riyku stated and Iris seemed quite happy about all of that if anything it was more so that she was just happy to be around her Father once again. Well that was what one could take from her expression.