A Remaining Podeshire 1

Chapter 3 (Part 4)

     The night has passed, and another day as well. Once dusk bites the land again, people lit candles in their houses and lamp posts. Slowly, the blue atmosphere turns warm and orange, mixing with a tint of purple. On the horizon, dark, thundering clouds approach and envelop the sky. It will reach the city soon.

     In the Fuers' bathhouse in the backyard, a door swings open as Oliver steps outside while drying his hair with a towel. He then switches his bathing slippers with his black shoes beside the door. Wearing a clean white shirt and knee-length shorts, Oliver immediately heads indoors in the main household.

     The thunder from afar growls as Oliver opens the backdoor leading into the kitchen. While slowly closing the doorway, Alexander suddenly appears on the other side of the room. Oliver almost drops his towel in surprise after hearing Alexander's deep voice.

"...Kid."

Oliver gasped. "Oh- oh... do you need help, sir...?" he asked politely.

"My wife's getting anxious over the darkness. Do you mind if you lit the candles now?" Alexander requested.

     Oliver nodded as he raised his right hand. Then, he snapped his fingers, and all the candles in the chandeliers ignited. And the room became bright, extinguishing the darkness.

     Unexpectedly, Layla rushed to the dining room while holding a letter. Then, she poked her husband on the back. Alexander crossed his arms as he faced Layla.

"What's wrong?" Alexander asked, arms still crossed.

"Read this..." Layla said while passing the letter to her husband.

     Alexander then took a moment to read and comprehend the letter. Once done, he glanced at Oliver with a smirk. Confused, Oliver stood still, tilting his head to the side.

"Well, then..." Alexander returned the letter to Layla. "Kid, tomorrow will be the best day of your life," Alexander stated as his smirk became a grin.

Oliver forced a smile. "T-thank you...?"

"Oh, kid. Also, wear your finest clothing tomorrow morning. I want you to wake up early as well," Layla bid her request as she pointed at Oliver.

"Alright, Ma'am..." Oliver nodded as he sighed.

     Hours have passed already. The dark, thick clouds have swallowed the last sunlight. And the wind became more violent as the trees swayed with the breeze. While the storm raged nearer, the thunder roared in the sky, and the blinding lightning bolts struck through the clouds.

     Oliver lies in his bed, staring at the ceiling as he listens to the approaching storm's bellows. Suddenly, he hears a sharp knock coming from the window. Oliver slowly rises from his bed and peeks through the glass.

     While gazing at the empty garden through the glossy glass, a stone flies and strikes the window. Oliver gasps and falls to his back, surprised by the unexpected projectile. Oliver then quickly unlocks the window and opens it, ready to confront who is throwing rocks.

     As he peeks out of the window, a stone flies towards Oliver's face, and he instantly spots it. Oliver swiftly grabs the rock before it can land on his skull. Then, rage fuels in his head as he throws it back on the ground.

"Reckless moron!" Oliver yelled. His eyes scanned the garden and spotted Gregory, frightened with shaky knees.

"I... I'm sorry! I was trying to call for you for half an hour already!" Gregory apologised, slightly scared.

     Oliver spots Gregory wearing a white vest under a black coat with a fur trim. Seeing Gregory makes Oliver smile. Slightly humiliated for swearing, Oliver scratches the back of his head and giggles.

     Gregory smiles at Oliver, and the two stare into each other's eyes. Oliver crawls through the window frame, gently closes the panel, and hops off to the ground floor. As Oliver straightens his back, Gregory crosses his arms and walks closer to Oliver.

"I never knew you swear, Mr Podeshire..." Gregory said, smirking with his eyes half-closed.

"Mhmh," Oliver giggled and placed a finger before his lips. "Shh!"

     Oliver grabbed Gregory's arm and pulled him towards the wooden fence. They climbed up and jumped on the other side before scurrying into the grassland through the woods. They both sneaked away to the plains, where they sat beside each other while looking at the starless night sky.

"Hey, Greg. Earlier this afternoon, my adoptive mother received a letter. Then, my adoptive father or... stepfather or... bruh- I don't know which term to use..."

Gregory giggled. "It's okay, no worries. Use the term adoptive parents, by the way, since they adopted you. Now, go on..."

"Okay, where were we? Oh, yeah... as I was saying... my adoptive father read the letter and was... like, 'Oh, tomorrow will be the best day of your life!'... like... huh??" Oliver explained, trying to mimic Alexander's voice.

"...Maybe you're promoted in your job?" Gregory guessed.

"Highly unlikely; I don't have a job yet," Oliver replied. "But, I am supposed to be the Defender of Asbranne, who somehow vanished and... became useless..."

"You're not useless. You make me smile and laugh," Gregory said, smirking at Oliver as he leaned his head closer to him.

"...So, I am a laughing stock now?"

"No?" Gregory leaned back as he raised a brow. He then giggled. "Hehe."

Oliver then let out a deep, shivering sigh. "...But, am I truly useless, though? Aren't my ancestors portrayed as the saviours of this city? Meanwhile, here I am... still haven't mastered my power..."

Gregory suggested, "Then, I think it'll be best if you start mastering your power."

"What if my adoptive parents get angry about that idea...?" Oliver inquired.

"Then, do it when they're not looking," Gregory responded as he looked at the sky.

"Are you sure about it?" Oliver asked as scepticism whirled inside his mind.

"I promise. But! You have to promise me something, too," Gregory stared at Oliver in the eyes as he leaned closer to him.

"What is it?"

"Promise me... you'll master your power."

"...I promise, Greg."