Ikaros

The city where the gathering of races resides . A true haven for all races except monsters . Well one can say that even the beast are monsters here so let me define it clearly .

Monster :

A being which may or may not be humanoid or human .

A being which lacks the capacity to think and destroys and kills with/ without discrimination .

A being which may or may not look hideous .

A being which commits various atrocities without repenting.

Now a trick question does the Witch count as an monster .

Argements :

Killed vast majority without discrimination

Destroyed towns and villages as collateral

Counter

Some of the argements doesn't satisfy the given definition.

The witch had the capacity to think.

And her intentions are still unknown .

Anyway .

The city of Azar where dwells equality in all beings .

And that equality is maintained by the gathering of races.

Ok the streets of this city you could find every species except vampires because they can't roam during the day . And weirdly Elves ?

I haven't spotted a single elf aside from the one in the council who is deaf ?

And McElroy had the same question.

McElroy:

Hey Leris , why is there only one elf in this city .

Leris glaringly looked at McElroy.

McElroy:

Umm is something wrong .

Leris : (Glaring , intense Intimidation)

Don't talk about him like that. You don't know what he had to sacrifice to be seated in the council .

McElroy:

What ? I just asked why I could only see one elf here .

Leris :

Well elves don't come here because they have a special tendency not to leave their forest .

Leris :

I would like to leave the issue of elves behind for now .

McElroy:

Fine .

Leris :

I have a place which serves some really good authentic dishes .

Era :

Let's go .

Era was particularly excited for the food looks like something good is coming along my way .

Walking through the streets darting each and every corner of the city . My eyes located something.

Just in the back alleys . There was a boy which could be seen visibly holding a sword in his hands although it was broken . Fending off some hoodlums . Both in the mixed category of races .

One of them was a werewolf like being who used his claws to lift the boy up and throw him against the wall of a building . Where he was injured to the point that he was coughing blood .

Hoodlum :

Hey kid , don't faint on me now tell me where did your parents bury it .

He slapped his cheek to the point where it was black and blue.

Hoodlum :

Tell me where it is and I'll even promise to forgive your debt .

There is always a dark back alley in cities like this .

I wanted to move on but I just couldn't see him get beat up more .

Jay :

Hey can you leave that child alone .

Hoodlum :

Piss off , this is none of your business.

Jay :

Can you tell me what the kid did .

Hoodlum :

This kids parents owe us money . But they ran off leaving him here.

Jay :

How much is the debt I'll settle it .

Hoodlum :

Hoj if you're willing to go this far for this brat . It seems you have a lot of money on you . Give it to us and we'll let you live .

Jay showed them a pouch full of gold coins .

Jay :

Oh you mean this.

Jay grabbed some of the coins and flicked them at an incredible speed Which knocked them backwards and caused them to fall .

And by judging the the mass would be approx 20 grams it would have to be flicked at an incredible speed to cause that much damage .

The werewolf grabbed the coin and broke it with his first .

Hoodlum:

Don't mess with us , you don't know who we are .

Jay casually walked over and kicked the werewolf in the shin .

Jay :

Don't even want to know .

Jay turned towards the kid .

Jay :

Hey kid are you fine .

The werewolf swung his claws towards Jay .

Jay :

This will the last mistake you might ever make .

Leris :

Don't kill him .

The werewolf stopped his attack after seeing her again .

Hoodlum :

It's her again , what a pain in the ass come on boys let's move on .

Leris rushed towards the boy who was beaten black and blue and used a potion in him which just only cured the intense swelling .

The boy started coughing harshly .

Leris gave him some water to drink out of her flask which she carries when she's out of city .

The boy hurriedly drank the water .

Leris :

Calm down now I've driven them away . Now tell me your name .

Ikaros :

My name is Ikaros .

Jay and McElroy once again were shocked to hear that name .

Ikaros . The second head of the Immortals .

Jay :

I regret now even saving this kids life .

Era :

Don't because you were fated to make that decision .

Every iteration of you saved the child in some way or the other . Even the most resilient iteration of you who ignored everything. In the end ended up saving that child .

Jay :

I don't know how I'm supposed to feel good with that .

Era :

I didn't console you I only spoke the truth .

Jay :

So should I end him now .

Era :

Think about it . Just as Maria this child is sinless . But unlike Maria his story spins in a different way .

Killing them will do you more harm on your sanity than good .

Era :

You think that's okay since you could potentially complete the stage earlier . Since if you end his life now he would never become the head of the Immortals.

That is for sure , but then what ? does it make things easier for you ?

Era :

Does this assure your Absolute Victory . If yes then go ahead end his life right now .

Era :

If not then end your bloodlust right now .

Jay :

You're right . You sure do have your way with words .

Jay :

McElroy stand down .

Leris turned towards us as she tucked the big behind her back . It seems that she sensed my intentions .

Leris :

I was right you are monsters .

Jay :

Leris , we can explain .

Leris :

You were about to do something horrible to this child werent you .

McElroy:

Just listen to us .

Leris :

I want nothing to do with you .

Within her pouch placed on her right hip she removed a entire stack of papers and threw them in the air .

And these papers joined together to form a pale wall .

And from behind the wall we could hear running noises

Jay :

Should we go after them .

McElroy:

If we chase her then she'll think the same thing .

Jay :

Then do we wait .

McElroy:

I'm sure she'll come around eventually.

And we left .

Meanwhile.

Leris :

I need to get this kid safe as soon as possible before they catch up . Let me check their location.

Leris : (Looks behind)

What ? There is no one behind me . Could they be hiding somewhere secretly trying to ambush me.

But where.

Ikaros :

Umm , I've been trying to tell you that after to carried me and run they even didn't try to pursue.

Leris :

So it means , that Ive ran all this way for nothing .

On the other side .

Jay :

Hey Era the paper wall she made . Was it just a trick or magic.

Era :

You should just ask her . Oh here she is 4 , 3 ,2 , 1 ...

Leris :

Because of you I had run 650 meters . Without taking a single breath. What do you have to say about it.

Jay :

Nothing , you should've just listened when we tried to communicate.

Leris :

Then tell me what were those evil intentions .

Jay :

Nothing just a mistake .

Ikaros intervened .

Ikaros :

Hey Mister why did you save me , you don't even know me

Jay :

Well let's just say it was your lucky day .

Ikaros :

I will never forget this thank you for helping me .

And that's how they met . Just like with Maria they had the chance same for Ikaros but once again they couldn't do anything.

The name Ikaros is well known throughout the Greek mythology as the boy who flew to close to the sun .

And his wings burned down which resulted his fall as he plumetted down to the earth resulting in his death .

That name was given to Ikaros by his parents in order to let him know of the limits . Because like Ikaros they once too ambitious for themselves to handle and resulting in their death.

And Ikaros hated his name because it tried to remind him of the limits he can reach . But he still defied them .

And he reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship . Despite having , no mana or no sword to his name .

The loop stays intact .

We once again started shopping but this time with Ikaros to show us around.

Ikaros :

This shop here looks like an run down shop but the owner conducts auction for many illegal items such as slaves , forbidden texts , drugs and all sorts of things .

Leris :

Let me note it down so I can later arrest them . And gain some credit .

Jay :

Ikaros how have you lived your life until now ?

Ikaros :

My parents used to live at the outer border of the city .

We were a family of 4 . My parents and my younger brother .

At first my father's business was not the great but It used to fill out stomachs with food atleast .

So I was happy .

With with all family dilemmas. Due to my brother being young both of them had to look after him more . Which made me jealous . And when I told them everything they just said to grow up .

Finally when the situation was bad they ran away with my younger brother and then I found myself working for the streets after I heard of my parent's debts . They ran without ever saying anything .

Even if at that day they said " We hate you , and we are abondoning you " Maybe I would have been less resentful of them .

Maybe I would have stopped searching for them all this time . But deep in my heart I still believe that one day they would return and everything will go away like a nightmare.

But it didn't . And that's how we ended up meeting Mr Jay maybe it was fate .

But having someone stand up for a worthless stranger like me was the best thing happen . Since many years .

McElroy: (Crying)

This is so sad , I hope you find all the happiness in the world .

Leris : (Emotional and crying )

Ikaros I'm going to adopt you and raise you as my own .

Don't you dare deny me Okay.

Ikaros :

Umm , please don't cry . It's not that bad .

Jay :

I will give you a choice . I will give you this bag filled with gold and your freedom to return to the streets in search of your parents. Or leave your past behind and start a new life with her . The choice is yours .

Ikaros :

I have searched for my parents for many years but if they had cared they would have atleast looked for me .

I still believe they are there somewhere searching for me .

Ikaros :

But now I think I have to start a new life I can't be stuck in them forever can't I . Today I leave the life in the streets

Ikaros :

Thank you for such an opportunity Ms Leris .

Leris :

Just call me Leris , dear.

And with that a new chapter in Ikaros story began . I still think back about it what should I have done . In the future this boy will challenge me in the war . I can end the story right here .

But my principles , my ego won't let me . It's really a headache .

The gathering of races fell after some time in history .

The reason is unknown