Vonruil Has A Family

Sam asks in a hesitant tone “Ah, brother Vonruil, why did…”

Cutting Sam’s sentence midway Vonruil says “I never said such a thing. To be honest, whatever has happened in the past year and half, I don’t know. All I remember is I was fighting with Rival and thought they were taking you to a safe place. I came back only two-three months ago, that’s the reason I don’t really know what’s going on except the fact everyone hates me.”

“Brother, what exactly happened?” Peter says in a hesitant tone “I mean, I don’t think the rumors about you are true, like with us Ethor saying you told him to take us to that place.”

Taking a sigh Vonruil says “First of all relax. I ain’t your teacher or father. Stop hesitating so much. It’s a long story, and now it’s of no use…”

Cutting Vonruil’s sentence midway Peter says “How can you say that? Brother, we all looked up to you to save us, and when we found that Rival was defeated, man, that was the biggest celebration the earth ever saw.”

“Yeah, but after a few days the joy just crumbled down.” Morris says in a sad tone “Then your allies came and told how they had to defeat Rival cause you ditched them. And, then you told Ethor to take us to that place or else you won’t let anyone go. Ethor said he is forced to do so because of you. Since then, everyone has been despising you.”

Morris says “Brother, why are you letting them trample on you. You should make things right.”

Just then Vonruil feels a sizzling feeling in the tattoo area and remembering says “Don’t worry I have my way.”

Jumping up Peter says “Can we join you?”

Gleaming Morris says “Yes, we three are with you!”

“Boys, this ain’t a game.” Vonruil says in a calm tone “And in a sense it’s my personal matter.”

“Brother, don’t mind us, but this isn’t only your war.” Picking the conversation from Sam, Peter says “Yes, if you say Ethor is your personal matter, then he’s our personal matter as well. He betrayed you, we can understand, but he separated us from our families as well.”

Seeing Morris clench his fists Sam says “Actually the day we escaped the guards had spotted us, but (Looking at Morris who was barely able to hold his tears) Morris’s father also saw us and distracted the guards and got shot by them. He died that day. Morris’s mom died a few days later casue she didn’t get treatment in time. As for us, my only relative was my mom who died in the sea cause of the ice sheet and Peter, his mom was his only living family but she died during the war. Peter grew up alone, till he met us and since we escaped together, we began to live together as a family.

Getting up Vonruil takes Morris in an embrace and Morris starts crying, so Vonruil says “Morris, I’m an angel so I don’t really know what parents are, but whenever you miss them, I’ll always be there for you. (Seeing him crying, Peter and Sam also begin to cry. Putting a hand on their shoulder). Boys, I did say you can come whenever, but from now on you can stay here. Consider this as your home. I don’t have much, but I can give you three times meal. As for your families, I will avenge them.”

Seeing the boys Vonruil decides to tell them his side and says “Actually when I was fighting with Rival, I was all alone. When I saw them…I mean my so called allies joined hands with Xidan, Rival’s henchman and forced me into the abyss. It took me 459 years to get out. Each day, how I spent and what I suffered, only I know. When I came to earth, I found out about the situation but at the same time I lost my powers as well so whatever I could do as a human, I did and am doing. Though recently I have regained a little bit of my powers, but still I had no intention of doing anything, but today…in short, I’ve decided to get my position back and teach those allies a lesson they deserve.”

Seeing the boys are speechless, Vonruil begins saying “Boys, maybe I might sound selfish, but honestly after coming back, I really lost my will to do anything. Just as a Warlord, giving up my life is being a coward, and at any cost one thing I will never be even if I forget myself is be a coward. So I decided to live as a commoner. AS for how I came here, an old man saved me from the forest. It was the owner of this house, who brought me back and treated me. I got conscious a few months back. But the people downtown beat him to death for saving me. He gave up his life but didn’t tell them I was here. When I found out he was dead, I somehow managed to take care of myself. I didn’t want to waste his efforts in saving me so I took care of myself.”

Suddenly Sam says “Brother, you just said you were hurt, badly…”

Before Sam could complete his sentence, Vonruil gets up and begins to open his shirts buttons. The boys look at each other and then at Vonruil and are totally confused as to what he is going to do.

As Vonruil takes his shirt off, the boys gasp and look with wide eyes. Vonruil had a large scar on his chest, two stabs on his stomach. He had cuts on his arms and several cuts on his back.

As Vonruil puts his shirt back Sam says “Your wounds are still not healed. I was learning medicine before we got taken to that place. I need some stuff, then I can treat your wounds.”

“Wait, you had a bath….” Peter says in a worried tone

“I didn’t.” Vonruil says in a frank tone “Though I’m not a medical person, I know water won’t be good for my wounds. I usually just damp wipe myself.”

“Don’t worry brother, I’ll bring the medicine required on my way back.” Morris says “Sam, give me the list of what you want. I’ll get my pay today…”

“What pay?” Vonruil asks confused

“Oh, I’m the only one among us who found a job. And, today I will get the pay…” Before Morris could complete his sentence, Vonruil says “If you boys want to stay with me, none of you will work…”

Intervening Sam says “But we don’t want to be a burden for you and how will we…” Cutting Sam’s sentence midway Vonruil says “Guys, as the elder among you, I’ll work, you stay at home. And, the more you stay off the radar, the better it’s for me. I don’t want anyone to know about me. Now everyone thinks I’m Jason. Since you guys stayed overnight, and I live all alone, if you guys continue to stay here, they won’t mind it.” Vonruil gets up and opens a drawer and removes a wallet. Placing it on the table he says “This wallet has all of the money I make. It’s always in that drawer. Whatever you guys need to buy, just take from here. If the money is less, let me know, I’ll arrange it.”

Sam says “Can I go buy the medicine myself?”

Smiling Vonruil says “Sure, (Getting up Vonruil pushes the wallet towards Morris) Morris, you and Sam can go. Peter, your hand is hurt so better stay at home. I’ll be back by ten. (Seeing the boys are looking worried) I’ll try coming sooner and don’t worry I have no intention of leaving here. I will be back.”

Smiling Sam gets up and hugs Vonruil. Vonruil feels a little soft in his heart and says “Ok, you guys aren’t kids, see you.”

As Vonruil leaves, Sam says “He’s totally different from what everyone told us.”

Agreeing, Morris says “Yeah, but did you notice, though he smiles, his smile is like it has no emotion in it.”

Peter says sulking “After what he told and seeing those scars, anyone would be emotionless. Just think how badly he must have been hurt to have such scars and how he must have fought Rival all alone.”

“Yeah.” Sam says “Got betrayed by friends and I heard his love also left him and now she is marrying some prince, man how can a person who’s been through all of this, have emotions intact?”

“Guess so.” Peter says in a half convinced tone. “Still he felt a bit weird to me. Ok, so he has no emotions left after all, but he’s nice to us.”

Seeing Sam making a bed, Peter says “What are you up to?”

“You guys didn’t see he was sleeping on the floor cause we took over his bed.” Stating his point Sam says “And the wounds. He can’t sleep on the floor. I’m amazed his wounds didn’t bleed…”

“Then that’s why that t-shirt was thrown in the dustbin. It had blood on it.” Morris says “At first I was going to ask, then I forgot.”

Shaking his head in disbelief Sam says “See, I knew it. His wounds are still not healed, sleeping on a rough surface, of course his wounds are bound to bleed.”

Getting up Morris says “If that’s the case, then do it quickly so we can go to the market and get whatever you need to treat his wounds.”

Agreeing Sam nods his head. Peter also gets up and writes down a list.

Handing the list over to Sam, Peter says “And get these things as well. Apart from instant noodles, there’s nothing to eat here. Thankfully there was some flour left so I made the pancakes, but from now on noodles are the only thing I can cook unless…”

Smiling Morris says “Don’t worry. We are buying food, so he shouldn’t be angry if we use the money.”

Then as Sam and Morris leave for the market, Peter gets up and begins to clean the house. Talking to himself Peter says “Ok, so he has no photos. The clothes also look a few months old. So, that means when he was brought here, that old man must have bought him new stuff. He doesn’t have much furniture, so he definitely doesn’t have friends. Then no one will be bothered with us staying here, (getting a bit serious) and that means he’s also totally lonely and he needs us just as much as we need him.”

Just then Peter hears a knock and goes to open the door. Sam and Morris are carrying heavy bags. As they keep the bags on the table, they pant and sit on the chairs.

Peter goes and gets them some water. As he keeps the glasses he says “One of you could have come back home and told me to come. Anyways, let me quickly make something. It’s getting late, he can come back from work at any time.”

As Peter sets the table he calls out “Guys, dinner is ready.”

As Sam and Morris come to the table, Morris says “Man, it’s been ages since the last time I saw a dinner table with food for me to eat.”

“I never thought I would ever see a diner table with food on it ever again.” Sam says sighing

Just then they hear a knock so Peter goes over to open the door and sees a woman “Oh, you’re the boy Jason allowed to stay over for the night. Looks like it’s you three who are staying over. I heard from the shopkeeper he has company now. It’s actually good, the poor boy is all alone. That’s why I brought him some stew, it might be less for all of you…”

“Oh, no no, I have already made dinner, so Jason can have the stew.” Peter says trying to make the woman comfortable.

Smiling, the woman says “Oh, then take it. Don’t stay up late as he often comes late.”

As the woman leaves, Peter comes in and placing the bowl of stew on the table says “She must be a neighbor. She came over to give some stew to Jason and said not to wait up too late as Jason often comes home late.”

Chirping up Sam says “GREAT, then let’s wait for him. Let Vonruil…”

“Hey we should call him Jason as well, using his real name might cause him trouble.” Just as Peter finishes his sentence, they again hear a knock. Getting up, Peter says “I’ll get it.”

As he opens the door he sees it’s Vonruil.

As Vonruil comes inside, Peter says “A neighbor came. She brought you some stew. And told me and the boys to stay up as you often come late.”

Looking at the table, Vonruil says “Yes, I don’t really have much to come back home for but now with you boys I can’t let you guys stay alone in the night. The forest is nearby and lots of rebels are living up there. They strike whenever they feel like it. Guys, why are you going through so much trouble?”

Shocked Peter says “What trouble? It's our home and we are a family (Suddenly stopping, he says in a hesitant tone) sorry, We should have…”

“Guys, I didn’t allow you to stay here as paying guests. Of course if you are staying here, it’s your home. As for family, I did allow you to stay here as brothers, so yes.”

Smiling Sam says “Then we’ll call you ‘Brother’, no name as now we can be informal.”

“Isn’t calling me by my name more informal?” Vonruil says as he keeps his bag on the side table.

“That would be too informal.” Sam says “Brother, you gave us a home, and an elder brother whom we can look up to as a father, so we need to keep some level of respect.”

Seeing Vonruil is going towards the bathroom, Sam says “Brother, yesterday night cause you had to sleep on the floor, your wounds must have opened. Don’t take a bath. I made some disinfectant water. Can you please sit here and take off your shirt? I’ll wipe you. The wounds won’t get wet and then I can do the dressing also.”