Chapter 6: Revealing the truth

'Should I really tell him the truth?' Thought Ray as he fell into a dilemma. Hypothetically speaking, telling him the truth will be very risky as he can have some kind of hatred towards the holy kingdom and he ends up with his head between his hands but also if he wanted to kill Ray he would've done so when he was unconscious or even now while he's standing in front of him.

'Fuck it, I lost enough already. Dying won't be that bad but in the off chance that he will help me it will be a great leap for me.' Sighing he looked straight into Galdof's sharp eyes.

Taking a deep breath he started narrating his story. His birth, his family, his life from when he was a child up until his parents' death. Along with that came myriads of emotions: sadness, hatred, happiness and nostalgia. Emotions that he hated and wanted to forget, he wanted to just live happily with parents and enjoy his life yet he was not allowed to. Why should he suffer such a miserable life? Where's the fairness in this world? it took a long time to tell him everything, Galdof was deathly silent letting the boy speak and empty his heart so that he at the very least could feel a little better.

Reaching the point where he fell off the misty pit, Ray ended his long monologue and waited anxiously for Galdof's reaction. the seconds felt like hours, is this the end? is he going to let me go? will he help me. Dancing between hope and anxiety he breathed slowly while looking down. Ray didn't like to rely on people that much, in fact he despises those who use people and never repay them back. Yet ironically he had to do that when he was at his lowest point. Fate was really playing with him like a doll.

As for Galdof, he just had this complex expression on his face that no one can read or know what is he thinking off. Minutes passed, finally, the old man spoke "You went through a lot of hardships for a young boy. Listening to your story, I could see you want to seek revenge I suppose?" He asked with a tone full of pity and even a hint of sympathy. He was sympathising with Ray and could see that he went through hell and back and even death came knocking on him multiple times but he still lived through that. It was the voice of fate choosing a rather different outcome for Ray's life.

Ray nodded his head vigorously, there was nothing he could wish for except for killing those heads of the ruling families. Even if it meant his death he would do it without a second thought. Even if he survived, what he will do with his life when loses his purpose. Wasn't death the best possible outcome to end his sadness and pain. All of this dark thoughts bugged Ray's mind and changed his point of view of everything.

Galdof saw all these emotions appear on Ray's face and could only sigh "Hatred is the source of all pain Ray. Even when someone wants nothing but that I can't say that I approve of your choice but for me, living with regret is even more painful. You have to seek what your heart wants and I as a stranger have no right of stopping you. So, how are you going to do that?" the question made Ray feel speechless. He was very weak, inexperienced and basically with nothing that could help him. So he just stayed silent. He had no idea about what this world has or how he will go back to the holy kingdom and even if he did, he will also need strength. Yet he had neither of those things.

"I.....honestly, don't know. I will just let fate guide me where I'm meant to go. I stayed alive even when they wanted me dead. So the only thing I could do is believe that justice will take place and I will get what was rightfully mine all this time back." He said with strong unwavering determination in his eyes. His fists clinched tightly to the point where his finger knuckles appeared.

'Such words came out of the mouth of a small child. What a pitiful soul!' Galdof could only pity Ray. Then, Galdof took a deep breath and then smiled slightly.

"Listen, Ray, how about this? You can stay here and learn more about the world you're in right now and when you feel you're ready to leave and follow your path you can go. I can't allow a child to die just like that, not when you needed help the most. Maybe this was meant to be." His words were a huge shock to Ray. 'He's going to help me.'

For some reason, he felt tears dripping down his cheeks. Maybe because of the huge distress that was relieved from his back or maybe because he felt that Galdof pulled him out of a deep problem where he got nothing to do. But the thing he was sure of is that he was grateful for this old man and he will try his best to pay him back.

"Thank...you..hick...thank you so much. I will never forget...hick...this favour in my entire life." He spoke through his hiccups and tears while bowing to the old man. The old man's smile widened and he just looked at Ray without saying a word.