Chapter 112: A Little Bit Broken
Chapter 112
A Little Bit Broken
AAAAAGGGHHHHHH!!! Sylas didnt linger about too much after catching up to the peak of his Way, immediately heading for the library. This time around, he had a clear goal in mind: putting faces to the names the Son of Anur, whatever that may mean, mumbled. It wouldnt be easy, but at least he had a frame of reference, that being the Kingdoms nobility.
He paused in front of the library abruptly, his lips twitching. Standing by the door frame and leaning onto it was Agnes. He hadnt seen her this loop and had begun to think she may not have remembered it this time around, but it looks like she did. It was better this way, as he would have even more help.
Yo, he called out. Where have you been?
Praying, she replied, stepping aside while Sylas opened the doors and walked in. Memories came flooding back, steeped in the deep past of when he first met Valen, when the boy was hawked at still by the castles maids.
Praying for what? he asked.Updated from novelbIn.(c)om
"Answers, mostly," she said, her tone heavy. "As to how they could allow a monster like that to not only live but swallow an entire village in his vileness?" Sylas glanced at her and noted the black circles underneath her eyes. She seemed tired, but not the kind of tiredness that emerges from hard work--it was the sort steeped in pain and anguish and long, languid, sleepless nights when the restless mind belts and beats and screams into the void.
Did you get any? Answers, I mean.
... no, she said, sitting down. Just... memories. Its different with the dead, she added, looking at him. It makes sense. But... a person killing their own kind?
I always figured you were naive, Sylas said, reaching for the two main books he was after that detailed the recent history of Noble Families in the Kingdom. But this is bordering dangerous.
What do you mean? she frowned.
Its just who we are, innately, he said, dusting off the books and handing one over to her. We are warlike, greedy, selfish, and hopeless. Primal.
Thats--
"The difference," he interrupted, looking up and at her sternly. "Is that we have the capacity for change. We have the ability to choose--choose not to be any of those things. That's the difference between good men and not-so-good ones. That choice. Most people will choose to be good. Some will choose to be evil. Others neither. He chose neither."
What?! How is he not evil?! she argued, ignoring the book.
Then, do you think Im a good man? he asked suddenly. No, even more importantly--do you think you are a good person?
...
House Anurs roots run long and deep, their hands intertwined with many of the Kingdoms projects. Be it road pavements connecting many of its lustrous cities, or some of the monumental projects that distinguish our Great Kingdom from the others, House Anur is always at the forefront, representing the fierce Loyalty and Love to the Crown that should serve as an example to others.
...
Sylas' frown was deep as he leaned back. Lady Lea Anur... was the Kingdom's current Queen, the very same one that effectively banished Valen and had begun stirring the ire of the Kingdom through her antics. That would make Prince Wyvenul the current King, the passive sort that stood by and watched it all happen. And House Anur, though it wasn't specified anywhere, was likely the most powerful house in the Kingdom.
And that man... was the supposed son of Anur. There was a caveat there, however, Sylas recognized; it would be easy to immediately jump to connecting the man to the House Anur, but there was the alternative--that he was somehow connected to the original meaning of the word, that is annun. Which would make him the Holy Son.
Sylas wasn't willing to jump to either of the conclusions as both were loaded with possible misinterpretation. Rather, he decided he'd probe the man himself for answers eventually. Until then, a headache would suffice. However, bit by bit, he was pulling the curtain. The Kingdom was no longer as alien as it was when he first landed in it. Though many corridors still remained unlit and harrowing, it was at least not a void no longer.
Hey, he called out Agnes, causing her to look up. Im sorry.
H-huh? For what?
For being a jackass, he said. In my hurry to get somewhere, I forgot to be human. A common thing, really.
... its fine, she said. You were a jackass, but also right. Besides, youre always a jackass. So, are you apologizing for being who you are?
You terrify me, you know that? Sylas said suddenly.
What? Why? she exclaimed, looking at him strangely.
... because you remember, he replied, causing her confused expression to vanish, replaced by a faintly painful one.
I might forget, you never know, she said.
Dont know which is scarier, to be honest, he sighed, leaning further back, rocking the chair. But... for while you remember, Ill try. To be nicer, I mean.
... its fine, she cracked a wide smile, the dimples of her cheeks pronouncing the contour of her lips further. I dont mind you the way you are.
Really? Ah, you must be as fucked up as I am, then, he said.
I might just be, she chuckled. But... nothing wrong with being a little bit broken, Ive learned, she leaned further, resting her head on her arms, her smile mellowing out further. It just means weve survived whatever tried to kill us... and found the strength to live on. Sylas chuckled, shaking his head. Though, it was nice to hear it, even if to just mask his mind for a little while. He was not unwhole, just a little bit broken.