Elda and I had finished telling our stories. Now it was Albert's turn. To tell the truth, I was most interested in his story after hearing about his sister from Rivien Hands.
"The story—"
As Albert began to tell his story I stopped him. He was left bewildered, I felt sorry for that but I needed to finish something important first.
"Let me store it first.." I pointed toward the white box left on the bed. Seeing the vial just used had some drops left, I held it first.
Rolling my sleeves the bandage done over it soon came into view. Elda's eyes widened in shock alongside Albert as they saw it.
"How did you get injured!?"
Hearing the shock in her voice I simply stretched my arm upward. "Just a scratch, I got last night."
Elda grabbed my arm pulling it toward her. Albert too leaned forward to inspect it.
Why were they doing this? I could only watch it in utter disbelief since they won't let me move.
"You should have used the potion on yourself first instead of me."
Pulling my left hand, I shook it due to the pain left in it. After the pain cooled down I started to undo the bandage over it— Revealing the cut on my hand, if focused deeply the torn pieces of flesh could be noticed inside it.
Albert felt nausea upon seeing it while Elda just gave it a look of disbelief.
"...It's alright" I muttered, Elda's injuries were much deeper than mine. Using it on myself would be nothing but idiotic. Using the vial, I didn't drink it like Elda had done. Instead, I poured the drops over the wound.
Drip—
Drip—
Two drops slowly fell on my hand, and a surge of pain soon followed. Not closing my eyes I focused all my attention on the wound. My thoughts accelerated at a fast pace to observe what was happening.
Then I saw it—
The muscles were being remade slowly out of nowhere. Like a miracle, my injured arm was repairing itself at an unnatural speed. Unlike normal healing abilities that accelerate the body's repair system or increase immunity. This drop was a true miracle.
Finally, the pain ended all of it happened considerably fast for Elda and Albert to observe much but for me who had changed his perception to slow motion. I managed to witness it all.
With a sigh of relief, I stretched my arms up and down. Feeling satisfied I stopped and stored the box back into my bracelet.
"Sorry Albert, I stopped you in the middle of your story."
He nodded understandingly. "Don't worry, it's okay.... That looked painful," he said, referring to my hand.
"Alright then go ahead. What's stopping you now?"
Hearing my casual tone Elda just shook her head in disbelief. She sat on the bed's edge, letting her legs swing back and forth. Albert being himself didn't mind either, he sat in a comfortable position, crossing his legs while sitting on a chair he leaned back.
He then sighed as if in deep thought. Elda was about to say something but I stopped her.
"I was an orphan, but I was not alone. I had an elder sister. Our parents abandoned us at such a young age I can't even remember them now..."
Unknown to Albert himself he was smiling gleefully, he was telling his life story— His tragedy but why was he smiling? Only gods would know the answer to this question.
"So, left alone in an unknown place my sister took care of me from a young age, our age difference was not much... She was three years older than me. Weirdly enough I was also three years old at that time."
Albert paused for a moment, lost in his own thoughts. His smile grew a little sadder but his eyes remained bright.
"Like that she took care of me, doing all kinds of work from a young age to make sure we didn't die from starvation.... To tell the truth her most charming and astonishing part was her will to never give up. If I asked how I could help her she would just brush it off and tell me 'To grow up first'.... she was an idiot for telling me this."
A small chuckle escaped his lips. Elda looked around the room, the way Albert was telling the story was... scary. He was so immersed by his own story, that his eyes felt empty... the way he was talking was nothing like his past self.
"Our life continued like that we struggled from poverty together for the next thirteen years. Of course, we took many loans as working day and night got us nowhere. Then she turned nineteen with a baby on the way, on the east side of the city she continued to work every day… She could barely stay awake from all the fatigue—— I don't know who the father was... she never told me after all. Nor did I ever see him or hear anything related to it, she kept this secret to her heart. Maybe she was clinging to hope that her future would change one day."
Albert's story was grim but he talked about it with such fondness. It was as if he enjoyed telling about their hard times. Elda felt a pang of sadness, she never knew how hard life could be for someone.
"Then one night everything changed, as I had grown older so obviously I also started working to help her, staying home less frequently or staying out all night to do odd jobs of labor.... Coming home late at night. I saw her crying... My sister who had never cried all her life was crying for the first time—– I don't know what to do now. I secretly watched her, after some time she acted like nothing happened and greeted me with her gentle smile asking how my day was."
Albert took a deep breath, his eyes glazed over as he remembered the day. The room was silent, not even the wind outside was making any sound, it was eerie.
"That night I had decided, that I would tell her something— That how grateful I was to her... I was scared to be alone— She was the reason I had survived. How much I love her and I would never leave her side."
He laughed and leaned back as if embarrassed he rubbed his neck with a smile.
"But I was too embarrassed to say it at that time... Next day she vanished— Before I knew it, I was left alone."
Elda and I felt our hearts sink, a deep sense of longing could be heard in Albert's voice.
"I don't know where she is now or what she is doing. — Boss, I regret not telling her this, that night.I really wanted to say that I would always be by her side. No, maybe I should have said that I could barely survive without her. If I said that maybe she would not have left me."
Albert's voice was a mere whisper as he spoke, his eyes misty with unshed tears. The room was thick with emotion, a stark contrast to the light-hearted banter we had shared earlier.
"Albert— I can never understand what you have lost, but I— We can feel your sorrow, your longing for your family. I am sure your sister didn't run away... She must have a reason for leaving you behind. I promise I will help you find her one day."
Hearing me, Elda nodded along. She put her hand over Albert's comforting him.
Unlike me and Elda who was still secretive in our story— Albert had completely opened himself to us, showing us his deep scar. Maybe he didn't give it deeper thoughts like us and wanted to share his tale with someone who helped him.
"Ah! It's alright, no need to comfort me." Embarrassed by such attention, the usual Albert came out. Rubbing the back of his head, he looked around bashfully.
So we continued our conversation— Sharing about ourselves, on what we were good at. We didn't talk about our past anymore. Forgetting what was left behind but keeping it deep in our hearts we laughed and shared this temporary joy.
One of my goals has been achieved— To gain their trust and create a sense of belonging among us. Previously I would have never thought of doing such things but now after I met with Greth. I needed to do this.
To make sure I am always on the correct path I had decided upon myself. They are my people now— My friends.
Thinking like this I couldn't help but chuckle. I was greedy— After all, I had nothing but I wanted everything.
Hearing my laugh Elda and Albert turned to look at me with questions clearly visible on their faces.
"If you have something funny to say let us hear it as well," Elda asked in a curious tone.
Instantly Albert's face turned pale, as if he had seen a ghost.
"A joke? Do you know what kind of tea is hard to swallow?"
My sudden question caught both Elda and Albert off guard, breaking the tension in the room. Albert's eyes widened, expecting something absurd.
"Tea? Hard to swallow?"
Unlike the experienced Albert, Elda was still new to Asher's absurd nature. So she could only play along.
"Reality."
Hearing the answer Elda looked instantly changed from curiosity to disdain, Albert smacked his head before speaking.
"Ignore him."
She nodded with a sad smile as if she made a mistake.
Wait, What with this reaction?
"I am going to sleep, don't disturb me anymore."
I was done with this absurd talk if they can't appreciate humor. Let them suffer. Closing my eyes I drifted to sleep.
Instead of being sad at Asher's annoyance they both looked at each other and laughed openly.
Making sure Asher was finally asleep Elda spoke.
"He has become much more open don't you think."
Albert gave a glance at her before landing on the couch.
"Yes— He was much more reserved when talking with me. But now he feels more open. But I am more surprised at him being so young, I was sure he was older than me by a year or two."
Elda leaned on her bed, her body relaxing.
"Well, age is just a number. From what I have seen and heard till now— He is much more capable than us. Stronger than us not just physically but mentally as well. He is smart and cold yet kind. I won't comment on his sense of humor."
Elda said with a smirk, which grew wider as she watched Albert nod in agreement.
Soon all three of them rested and fell asleep. Dreaming of their life and praying for a better future— This time not just for themselves but also for each other.
*****
Night had finally descended, the moon was clear with no signs of clouds obstructing the night sky.
All three of them were sound asleep at that moment a loud ring of bells resounded in the air. Spreading through the city.
Cling—!
Cling—!
From the Temple, the bells keep ringing non stop waking the trio from their slumber.
Soon another voice echoed throughout the city— This time it was a person speaking.
"Atlas residents, please stay indoors. No one is permitted outside. This is for your safety, so kindly remain in your homes. This is a warning."