Disappearance

"YOU'RE A GUILD MASTER!?" Ezekiel repeated again starting from morning till noon, after Evan told him last night.

"How many times would I have to tell you?" Zach replied, irritated by the repeated question that never ends. To how many times he answered it, he never counted. "Yes, I am a guild master"

"THEN HOW COME YOU DIDN'T TELL US?" Ezekiel asked, fidgeting in excitement for the upteenth time. Never wavering in the wild energy of his.

"To how many times I told you! I RETIRED!" He shouted, leaning back at his cozy chair at his office.

His room is full of shelves of trophies from earlier wars and achievements. As a three shelves sat on the right side, filled with numerous medals from when he became a soldier long ago. At the left was filled with armor stands of different kinds. The left started with a stand clad with black armor, with five long vertical holes lined up in where the mouth was supposed to be. With the upper part of the helmet is lined horizontally from left to right. Different varities also lined up from it. One with a stand clad with green armor, another with a blue one, and lastly is a grey armor, that looks seemingly forged over and over, to make it more sturdier and suit the large soldier that is going to wear it.

As Zach continued to lean and relax at his chair, checking some paperwork he left by from a year ago, while Ezekiel analyzed the artifacts and armor that idly placed there for anyone to see whenever guests come. Evan sat idly at the right chair, staring at the two armor stands without any armor.

"Looks cool huh?" Zach said, staring at the armor he especially ordered to be crafted at the highest quality, yet Evan felt that something is wrong with the armor, as if it isn't right. "If you were wondering" Zach added, admiring its authentic beauty. "Those are mere replicas of the armor the five heroes wore during the time of war to the emperor".

Ezekiel pointed at the red armor, staring at it is if it's something very important. Something that he felt he has worn a long time. "Whose armor is this?"

"Ah!" Zach looked to where Ezekiel has been looking, and went ahead to explain it. "That armor belonged to you're first ancestor" He pointed at the crest on its shoulder, a three headed monster spewing fire at its front, one with fur, another with horns, and lastly that looked like scales, had been forged in the shoulder part of the armor.

A Chimaera.

"Emeric Reige" He answered in glee. "My Great Grandfather told me of his tales during the war centuries ago"

By seeing the crest on its shoulder, Ezekiel immediately distanced himself away, fearing that it might come alive and devour him whole. The two then stood up and went to him out of worry.

"You okay?" Evan asked, kneeling at his scared friend while analyzing what made Ezekiel get scared this much. Zach offered his hand to help him stand up.

"Ye-Yeah" Ezekiel replied, accepting the offer and sat at the left seat to calm himself, thinking that they are not in the capital as of the moment. Evan remembered the last time they talked about Ezekiel's family ties, and vowed that he would never bring it up unless Ezekiel wanted to talk about it. Zach saw the silent understanding between the two and didn't ask. Instead, he went to his seat and continued to search for what he was looking for.

Calming down, Ezekiel realized a big flag hanging vertically behind Zach, but was rolled up and so the contents of it, he never knew. Wooden cabinets also formed behind, used as storage for the various data and paperworks a leader has, incase of needed information for a certain problem. An ink and quill was placed at the right edge of the table, while a variety of papers were littering the desk, leaving no space for any thing to place too. He saw nation's requests, resource status, and many more.

"I think this is what you are looking for" A woman answered from the door, wearing a striped dark blue vest, with white long sleeves on both her arms. She also wore black trousers, and short heeled black boots. Her brown hair was tied up into a ponytail, as she looked at her boss seriously. Her brown eyes still happy from seeing him after so long.

She went inside, as her heels started to clack at it hit the wooden floor beneath, handing over the paper Zach needed. He scanned the contents, smiled, and looked at the lady in approval.

"Thanks" Zach answered, happy to see an old friend of his.

"Welcome" The girl replied gently, as she hurriedly left the room afterwards, leaving both Ezekiel and Evan confused to who she is. They both looked to where the door is, before turning their backs to face Zach again.

"Who is she?" Ezekiel asked, curiousity overtaking him.

"Ah, that was Linow, my assistant" Zach answered, reading the paper she sent him to see if it was the right one.

"Assistant?" Ezekiel added, leaving him in disbelief. "How did you hire such a beautiful lady?"

Evan also wanted to speak, but loyalty holds him back. He only listened at the conversation, as talking freely feels like cheating on her, even if he wasn't sure of her condition as of the moment.

"We were close, and she insisted on being my assistant when she knew if was guild chief" Zach replied, still reading the last part of the paper, before sighing in relief.

"What's the paper you're holding?" Evan asked, finally able to talk and change the topic.

He held the paper in front of them and they read the contents on it. It was written in a gothic alphabet, as the paper used felt it was very old, seeing brown like dirt on the sides and corners, and in the center, were the contents. Evan read it out loud because he was the first to thought so.

"This is a Direct Order from the Guild.

Adventurers who partake in the defense will be given one day of time for every Scorpix kill.

The ones that are injured beforehand will be tasked on patroling the city and will be given two days of time.

Officially yours,

Zach Melivion" He finished, seeing a stamp of approval on the bottom right corner of the parchment.

"You're surname is Melivion?" Ezekiel asked, realizing that he never actually knew his surname in the first place.

"Yeah" Zach replied, grinning since his surname got discovered by the little rats.

"How come people don't introduce themselves with their surnames?" Evan asked, wondering ever since the day he came here, thinking that its normal enough to people to only have a name.

"Imagine this" Zach said, placing the paper down and crossing his fingers while using the table as a foundation. "If you were to live so long, would you ever need a surname in the first place?"

Evan only tilted his head little and narrowed down his eyes, realizing he has no idea whatsoever of the cultures the people held, and thought of everything he knew in the village is normal. Even Marco didn't fill him in on this, only obsessed with skills with various weapons and stuff. Not that he can blame him for doing so. Zach knew that Evan had no idea, seeing his expression just now.

"People don't really use their surnames that much except for royals" Ezekiel answered, leaving Evan bewildered to see his friend filling him in on information, as the only time he did so was with how Chronos works last time. "As everyone has a surname of their own, but only a royal's surname is the only one that really has an impact, knowing that they are descendants of heroes and all" He finished, then regretted it afterwards. Since Evan didn't knew about his and wouldn't want for him to know how big of an importance Ezekiel's surname is. Judging from his reaction a month ago, he never cared about the status. But, if Zach knew, they might be in big trouble.

"Hey, that meant that the Rei...." Ezekiel covered Evan's mouth, knowing that he doesn't know what's happening. He was forced to stand up just to reach Evan before he tells something.

"Don't worry" Zach said, calming him down. "I already know you're surname from Avilius, remember?"

After that reply, Ezekiel didn't know if he would be happy or be very nervous. At the moment, he felt both.

"And I won't turn you in" Zach replied, realizing that the amount of parchment beneath his arms, and started stacking them up. "Since the ol geezer in front of you might become a killing machine if he knew you were locked in"

With that, Evan started to become suspicious of Ezekiel. However, seeing that deadly glare of his, he decided he won't want to know yet, as he felt he might be plunge into a war or something if he knew.

Ezekiel started to remove his hand, glaring down at Zach while he continued to stack the papers, and felt the ominous aura he felt in front of him. Though he just accepted it and continued on, knowing it was his fault for talking to much.

"So" Evan change the topic to release the heavy pressure between the two in front. "Will adventurers really accept the issued order about the Scorpix?"

"Normally they won't" Zach answered, feeling pretty happy and stacking the papers neatly on the right, and thinked on how he will organize them later while talking to Evan.

"But since Zach's back" The lady came back, searching for something at Zach's desk. "They will probably accept it or they would be dead before they knew"

Hearing that, it made them both shiver in fear. Then, Evan remembered what happened during the forest incident, and asked Zach about it.

"Oh yeah" Ezekiel added "If you were insanely strong during those times, why did you team up with Evan?"

"Ahhhhh, you don't want to ask about that" Zach replied, remembering staring at the endless void behind the boy's back. But now, he just saw an oblivious young boy, staring at him and wanting to know the answer why.

"I guess he never knew huh..." He thought to himself.

"Why not?...."

"Is the paper the one you're looking for, Chief Melivion?" Linow interrupted, wanting her job to be done as quickly as possible.

"Ah yes" Zach gave the order to Linow and she went outside again, thinking that she might be hanging the issued order on the parties and adventurers. Both of them turned around to see her go, before facing him again.

"Lastly" Ezekiel mustered his courage to ask him one last question before he goes, knowing how inconsiderate what he will ask be. "How come you didn't defeat Avilius that time?"

The room went silent for a while, as piled up regret stirred at Zach's heart. Leaving him depressed for not saving his wife at time.

"Dude" Evan sucker punch Ezekiel in the stomach, making him realizing how thoughtless and stupid his question is. Still, Ezekiel stood his ground.

"Don't worry" Zach fakingly smiled, hiding the pain inside his heart. "It was also my mistake for not doing anything in the first place"

He paused for a while, fixing his thoughts before answering his question with pride. Wanting to accept the past behind him and move on, even if it pains him so much.

"My wife was already on a contract with him the time she knew our daughter was kidnapped" He stared at the grey armor, admiring its beauty to relieve him of the sadness he felt. "I only ever knew one day after we invaded Avilius, seeing a letter behind the portrait when we're still complete"

He turned around the chair he sat on, and faced the wall where the rolled up flag is. Holding in the tears in his eyes, not wanting for them to see him cry.

"Oh, right!" Evan thought of a way out, dragging Ezekiel right behind him to the door. "I remember that we actually need to prepare traps in the outer walls" He is near the door along with Ezekiel, opening it to leave the room. "I'll see you next time!" They both left, closing the door.

They left an old man crying, wanting to seriously kill himself to be with his wife.

Only his daughter is the only thing the one giving him his willingness to live in this cruel world.

>:T

They both hurriedly walk back to the inn, as Ezekiel stared down at the pavements, ashamed to what he has done to the old man.

As they got home, Evan quickly punch him in the face, leaving a bruise at Ezekiel's cheek.

"WHY THE HELL DID YOU ASK HIM THAT!" Evan shouted, reeling in anger to what Ezekiel has done.

"Did you know...." He whispered to himself, unable for Evan to hear what he was saying.

"WHAT!?" Evan grabbed his collar and raised him up. Only when he was raised from the ground did he got the courage to speak.

"He didn't knew what pain was like" Ezekiel replied, leaving Evan seriously irritated now and wanting to beat Ezekiel to death. However, someone stopped him from behind and dragged him upstairs. Leaving Ezekiel all alone, reminiscing of the past he hated the most.

>:T

"LET GO!" Evan struggled, wanting to give a good beating to Ezekiel to let him know what pain is like.

"NO!" A lady replied, knowing from the voice, he recognize it as Miranna. "I WON'T LET YOU GO!"

"LET ME GO...." He got slapped from his cheek, leaving a red trace of what seems like a hand. Then, Miranna looked at him dead in the eye, crying. Seeing that, Evan stopped and calmed himself for her sake.

"I'M SORRY FOR WHATEVER HE HAS DONE" Miranna kneeled to him, making him very awkward at the moment and asking her to stand up, yet she didn't listen.

"No, it was my fault for bringing the conversation up" He replied, even though he didn't. Yet, he felt a sense of guilt to guiding him to ask that question.

"MASTER EZEKIEL HAS BEEN TORMENTED FROM THE PAST. SO PLEASE, JUST UNDERSTAND HIM AND DON'T LEAVE HIM" Miranna answered, as Evan was struck in pity, never seeing this lustful woman to be so loyal to Ezekiel.

"I'm sorry. I won't ever leave him just because of a mistake like that" He patted his head, which made her calm down and think rationally from now on.

"I'm sorry too" She stared up at him and saw how beautiful she is for the first time, atleast when she wasn't so hell bent on violating him in the first place.

"Can you atleast tell me what's happening?" Evan calmly asked, wanting to know the answer about his family for so long. Breaking the vow he made to himself.

Miranna thought long and hard, seeing the pros and cons and analyze to see if he was fit to know the truth about his family. After a while she spoke.

"He always thought that he was the cause of both his mother and his little sister's death. Seeing both of them die in front of him, saving his life in return" She finished, breathing heavily, as if a heavy burden was finally off his back. Never did she knew, that Ezekiel saw the whole thing, and ran off downstairs and went outside. Evan saw him and tried to ran, but he was stopped by Miranna.

"Don't" She blocked his path to wherever he went. "You'll only make it worse" She narrowed down her eyes to a stare filled with pain inside her heart, as she continued to block him off.

"Please let me go to him and make him see reason...."

"Just let him be. And he will come back"

After the incident, Ezekiel didn't showed himself for five months.