Chapter 6: Revelation

As Mr. Lambda led Ryland towards the cave exit, Rocco and Juice went about their duties, collecting staffs and salvaging parts from the fallen Dracula Bats. Ryland watched them go, feeling a sense of detachment from the two men who had come to their aid in the heat of battle. They were allies, nothing more.

Before leaving the cavern, Mr. Lambda and Ryland searched for something to cover up the albino Dracula Bat. As they approached the creature, Ryland spoke to it softly, assuring it that everything would be alright. To his surprise, the bat seemed to understand, nodding its head in response.

Shaken by the strange interaction, Ryland and Mr. Lambda quickly made their way to Mr. Lambda's unique vehicle, a rugged, heavily modified truck capable of navigating the treacherous terrain of the wasteland. With Ryland at his side, Mr. Lambda revved the engine and set off towards Ryland's home.

When they arrived, Ryland called out for his grandfather, Alan Vorheus, who emerged from the house to greet them. Mr. Lambda shifted uncomfortably, feeling out of place in the presence of the man who had been a great benefactor to him in the past.

"Why is Mr. Lambda here, Ryland? Have you gotten yourself into trouble again?" Alan asked, his tone tinged with concern.

Ryland and Mr. Lambda exchanged a glance before launching into their tale, recounting the events of the day in vivid detail. As they spoke, Alan's expression shifted from confusion to intrigue, when Ryland mention about the staff that Ryland wielded to fought the Giant Dracula Bat.

When they finished, Alan's gaze drifted towards Mr. Lambda's vehicle, where the staff lay waiting to be examined. Without a word, Alan hurried over to the vehicle, reaching out to pick up the staff. But as his hand closed around the weapon, he was startled by the sudden shriek of the albino Dracula Bat.

"What in the name of God is this creature doing here??" asked Alan in shocked.

Ryland rushed forward, reassuring his grandfather that the bat was with him. With a trembling hand, Ryland handed the staff to Alan, who took it with a mixture of awe and reverence.

As Alan examined the staff, tears welled up in his eyes, his emotions overwhelming him. Ryland watched in silence, unsure of what to say as his grandfather grappled with the significance of the weapon in his hands.

As Alan examined the staff, a solemn expression crossed his face. "This staff," he began, his voice tinged with emotion, "once belonged to your father."

Ryland's eyes widened in surprise, his mind struggling to comprehend the significance of Alan's words. "My father?" he echoed, his voice barely above a whisper. "But... he died fifteen years ago. He was just a farmer with agricultural abilities. What does that have to do with a powerful staff like this?"

Alan placed a reassuring hand on Ryland's shoulder. "Calm down, Ryland," he said gently. "I know you must have a lot of questions. But let's go inside first. We can talk more comfortably there."

Ryland nodded, his mind still reeling from the revelation about his father. Together with Alan and Mr. Lambda, they entered the house, where they found O'kuyo waiting anxiously.

O'kuyo's eyes widened in concern as he took in the solemn atmosphere. "What's going on?" he asked, his voice filled with worry.

Alan exchanged a meaningful glance with Ryland before motioning for O'kuyo to join them at the table. "There's something we need to discuss," he said gravely.

As they settled in, Ryland attempted to release the albino Dracula Bat, but it resisted, preferring to remain in the dark. Alan explained that the bat preferred the darkness, so Ryland moved it into his room, which was already dimly lit.

Returning to the table, Ryland found Alan deep in thought. "What's wrong, Grandpa?" he asked, concern lacing his voice.

Alan took a deep breath, steeling himself for what he was about to say. "Ryland," he began, his voice grave, "it's time you learned the truth about your parents."

Ryland's heart skipped a beat as he listened intently, his eyes locked on Alan's face.

"All this time, you've been told that your parents were Roland and Elena Vorheus," Alan continued, his tone somber. "But the truth is, those were not their real names."

Ryland felt a surge of confusion and disbelief wash over him. "Not their real names?" he repeated, his voice barely a whisper.

Alan nodded solemnly. "Their real names were Xavier Dragonheart and Xania Thistletouch."

The words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. Ryland's mind raced as he tried to process the revelation. Xavier Dragonheart and Xania Thistletouch... the names sounded vaguely familiar, but he couldn't place them.

Mr. Lambda's reaction was even more pronounced. "What?" he exclaimed, his eyes widening in shock. "Xavier Dragonheart and Xania Thistletouch? But... that's impossible!"

Ryland turned to Mr. Lambda, his confusion deepening. "Who are they?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Why would people know my parents by those names?"

Mr. Lambda's expression darkened, his mind racing with memories of a bygone era. "Xavier Dragonheart and Xania Thistletouch," he began, his voice grave, "were two of the most famous Heroes of the New World."

Ryland's eyes widened in astonishment. "Heroes?" he repeated, his voice barely a whisper. "But... how?"

Mr. Lambda shook his head, his expression grim. "They were known as the Double Cross," he explained, his voice tinged with reverence. "Both their names started with the letter X, forming a cross. They were legends, Ryland. Legends."

Ryland couldn't believe it. "What kind of heroes?" he asked, his mind racing with questions.

Mr. Lambda's expression flickered with frustration and excitement. "Kid, you are the son of heroes, you know," he said, his voice tinged with awe.

Ryland's mind spun with disbelief. "Heroes?" he repeated, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Mr. Lambda sighed heavily. "For a son of heroes to be so ignorant is unheroic," he muttered under his breath before launching into an explanation of Xavier and Xania's exploits during the Five-Years War.

"Your father, Xavier Dragonheart, was the leader of the Dragon Faction," Mr. Lambda explained, his voice filled with reverence. "He fought valiantly on the battlefield, commanding his troops with unmatched skill and bravery."

Ryland's mind raced as he tried to reconcile this image of his father with the man he had known. "A leader?" he repeated, his voice tinged with disbelief.

Mr. Lambda nodded solemnly. "But your mother, Xania Thistletouch, was equally formidable," he continued, his voice tinged with awe. "She led a faction of healers known as the Twin Snake Faction."

Ryland's brow furrowed in confusion. "Healers?" he repeated, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "But how..."

Both Mr. Lambda and Alan exchanged knowing smiles at Ryland's reaction. "Your mother's abilities were not to be underestimated," Alan explained, his voice filled with pride. "When people heard the name Xania Thistletouch, they cowered in fear. She had the power to make your organs explode from the inside, or take away your senses with a single touch."

Ryland's eyes widened in shock. "What?" he exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief.

Mr. Lambda nodded grimly. "Xania was a badass, no doubt about it," he said, his voice tinged with awe.

Ryland's mind reeled with the realization that his parents were not who he thought they were. "And my father?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Alan's expression grew solemn. "Your father's abilities were just as remarkable," he said, his voice tinged with reverence. "He wasn't just a farmer with agricultural abilities, Ryland. He was a summoner."

Ryland's eyes widened in astonishment. "A summoner?" he repeated, his voice barely a whisper.

Alan nodded solemnly. "Yes," he said simply. "Xavier had the ability to summon creatures to aid him in battle. It was a power unlike anything the world had ever seen."

As the weight of Alan's words sank in, Ryland felt a sense of awe and disbelief wash over him. His parents... heroes of the New World? Summoners and healers, leaders and warriors... it was almost too much to comprehend. And yet, deep down, he knew that there was more to the story than he could ever imagine. And O'kuyo, witnessing it all, shared in Ryland's mix of shock and curiosity, eager to unravel the mysteries surrounding their shared past.