A Differing Path

Chapter 1: A False Premonition

Godrick's POV

A haze of red flooded my vision as enemies of various shapes and sizes surrounded me. I clutched at my blade ready to battle all of these beasts who dared to get in front of Carleon's sword. When there I saw, within their claws, the one person that should have never been here, my son, Salvator.

He looked at me and yelled out, "Dad, help me," as tears rolled down his cheeks. I couldn't stop myself from alleviating the head off of that monster. The creature who thought it could get anywhere near my child and live.

However, when I caught my son he was wounded and bleeding! How?! He was fine a moment ago! Now scarlet flooded out from a gash that ran across his body, and his eyes dulled into gray.

Everything went still. It was just Sal's body and myself there surrounded no longer by monsters but a void of darkness. Somewhere in the shadows the sharp noise of crystals breaking echoed.

I couldn't do anything to help him. He cried out for me to save him, but I was too late. How long did they have him? Was I still fit to be a hero when I was unable to save the one person who mattered the most? The light of my life was extinguished in an instant.

Then like fire an insatiable feeling of anger rose up within me. No longer would those creatures be allowed to breathe. They must pay for the life that they dared to take from me. They shall pay for the soul that they took from me with their deaths.

As I rose to enact justice a haze of purple flooded my vision and a yell pierced through darkness. A blade made up of purple crystals appeared in my hands and then. . . I fell off my bed.

My vision began to clear and harsh breaths escaped me while I tried to reason what just happened. Was that all a dream?

Is Salvator safe?

Like lighting I ran to his room and threw open the door. There he was, safe.

"Dad, is everything ok," he sleepily murmured as he raised his hand and rubbed his face. I walked closer to see if there were any wounds on him. He seemed to be physically well, there were no cuts or bruises to be seen.

"Yes," I huffed out, relieved that he was fine, "I wanted to check up on you." I sat down at the edge of the bed and hugged him. He fiercely returned the hug and answered back by declaring, "Of course I'm fine! Nothing bad can happen to me as long as you're here!"

I allowed myself to lay on the bed and couldn't help but smile. He has so much faith in me and my ability to protect him.

The dream must have been a result of the upcoming treaty with the Demon Lord, Damian King III. Even after having talked with the Lord himself extensively over easing the tension between our two kinds I must still be anxious. The dream had to be false. After all, why would Damian allow for any of his subjects to hurt or kill one of his dearest friends.

"Oof!" I was brought out of my thoughts by Sal shoving an elbow into my chest.

"Come on! You woke me up and now I'm hungry," he yelled out as he sprung off the bed.

After coughing a bit I followed him out the door and said mysteriously," So you wish to venture forth to the land of meals."

Excitedly he grabbed my hand and answered, "Yes!" He tried to pull me forward into the hall, so I gently picked him up and put him on my shoulders.

"Very well then," I happily answered back.

He giggled as we passed by the various statues in the Banquet Hall.

Due to the treaty I had been invited to stay in the hall till the signing of the treaty. The hall is acting as the final meeting place between humans and demons now that the treaty is almost ready to be signed. I was specifically asked by St. Joan II to be present for all negotiations between the two races because, and I quote, "You, Godrick, were the one to initiate this union between races. It only seems fitting that you shall be there for the creation of what you have started." So I brought my son with me.

I didn't know anyone that I could trust to take care of him while I had to be away for months on end.

At most, I could handle being away from him for three days, and only because he was watched over by my most trusted friend, Iris the Archer. She would pick him up and let him stay at her home while I was away taking care of the problem that forced me to leave. However, this series of meetings for the treaty has now been going on for over ten months and I am glad that I chose to bring him with me. He has been able to see and enjoy many of the great sights that Carleon has to offer, and I am able to guarantee his safety.

As we arrived at one of the smaller dining rooms we were joined by the sight of the rising sun. "Wow, this has to be one of the best ways to see the sun rise," Sal breathlessly said.

"On my shoulders," I couldn't help but ask with a smile.

"Yes! You are helping me see it better, so you are also making this the best way," he stated with a finger pointing high. As if he was ready to challenge anyone who dared to say otherwise.

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Author's Note

If the view of the paragraph is a bit off it is more than likely a result of this work being posted from my phone. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed the first chapter of this story. Please do feel free to post feedback on the story. Thank you for your time.

- The Unknown