Haunting Memories
Meanwhile Aruma and Ryo looked around the ground for any hint of Rhy and Thum. Hobeo's ability to manipulate one's mind through illusions completely hid the smell of Rhy and Thum. It also changed the geography of the field messing with it's size and dimensions turning it into a maze with a lot of traps. Even though Aruma's ability to smell demons and monsters is on another level, he wasn't able to smell any of them.
" You said you can smell them? " asked Ryo
" Yes, I can " replied Aruma
" Well, it's not working " said Ryo
" I KNOW !! " shouted Aruma as he tried to search his pocket and waist.
" Damn it, I'm out of wine " said Aruma
" I am guessing that not training and indulging yourself in alcoholic addiction have nerfed your abilities " said Ryo to himself
Aruma grabbed Ryo by his collar and raised him high in the air.
" WHAT DID YOU JUST SAID, YOU LITTLE NERD WANNA BE SMART BOOKWORM! " asked Aruma
" Nothing.... nothing " said Ryo as he tried to free himself from Aruma's grip.
" You know what nevermind " said Aruma as he dropped Ryo down to the ground.
" I fucked up my life... grieving over someone who's family moved on but I wasn't able to..they kept on convincing me to move on...but I held onto him like a stupid idiot " said Aruma
" Are...are you?? Are you crying??? " asked Ryo
" NO MY EYES ARE JUST WATERY " shouted Aruma
" Oh boy...a crying old man...in this illusion where we could die any minute...one mistake and we are dead...how do i deal with this " said Ryo to himself
Two alter egos appeared and landed on Ryo's shoulder.
" Who are you ? " asked Ryo
" I am Ryo...and he is Ryo as well...we are just your moral implications on how and why you should deal with something " said the little figure on the right shoulder.
" Weren't you guys depicted as Evil and good " asked Ryo
" Nah, you got no balls to be evil and you use logic a lot of time like a lot " said the figure
" So it's Heart " said the figure on left side
" And your brain " said the figure on right side
" Am I hallucinating?? " asked Ryo
" No you are just overthinking " said the figure on the left side
" Aruma sensei...maybe you should open up " said Ryo
" WHAT!!! " asked Aruma
" Maybe sorry open up...sorry " said Ryo as he ducked
" Guess you are right pal " said Aruma
" It's been many years as far as I can remember " said Aruma
" I worked hard for everything in my life..from poverty to bad luck and to people leaving me I've seen it all...I was about to commit suicide when I was 15 years old..Orphaned, hungry and no place to go I decided to jump from the cliff in a nearby valley...As soon as I was about to jump..my conscious kicked in..the urge to live the passion of life warmed my heart. It was too late however, I already took the leap of fate and I closed my eyes as I felt the wind crashing right at my face. Suddenly I stopped and I felt a jerk... something caught me..It was a net thrown by a boy similar to my age..He managed to pull me up..I was not that heavy....rather skinny due to malnutrition anyways so it really didn't matter. " said Aruma
" Woah Sensei that's....sad but " said Ryo
" He dragged me up with all his strength and pulled me away from the danger. I saw his face... but it was blurry..I fainted as I was about to ask his name..When I woke up..I was in a Dorm..a room full of sick and injured people but I was kept hammock..away from the sick..I was covered in band-aids as I scratched and injured himself when I was caught in the net. I looked around but I was unable to find anyone..I dragged myself out of the hammock as I limped in the hallway in hope of finding that boy. I accidentally entered the dinning hall which had many many dishes served and plated..For a man who hasn't eaten anything in a week...this was a fucking feast and I dived in the food literally. Shoving my face in the delicious food..A hand grabbed me from behind. That boy with a dozen men looked at me while I stared at them..I was beaten many time when I was caught stealing food. He raised his hand and as a reflex, I shivered and covered my face in defence, only for him to keep his hand on my shoulder and saying the words that I remember to this day. He said :- " Don't worry that food was for you..Eat as much as you want...once you are done meet me at meditation room.. Nobody will hurt you...Trust me my friend ".
Those words...were full of hope and compassion... Kindness pierced my heart as I started to cry and eat at the same time.. " said Aruma as he started to cry
Ryo looked at him as he could do nothing but listen to the old man's story.
There was a rustling in the nearby bush. Ryo stared at the bush. A man wearing a black cloak appeared from the bush.
" It's been many years Hasn't it Aruma " said the man
" Is it really you ??? " asked Aruma as he turned around.