Rise of The Underworld

Believe and prejustic

Everyone gathered in front of the Western Paya shop, their eyes fixed on Lio with a mix of anger and disappointment. Lio slowed down, his eyes cast downward, as if trying to say "sorry." But before he could utter a word, the crowd erupted in a chorus of accusations.

"What have you done, Lio?" Jack, an elderly man, shouted, his voice trembling with rage. "Look what you've done! You've destroyed our land, our world, our home! Our Lord Paya built this with his own blood, and you've lost the grace of Mister Paya!"

The crowd's words cut deep, and Lio felt a crushing weight of guilt. He knew he had made a terrible mistake. "I know," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "And I'm going to make it right. I'll return the child..."

But before Lio could continue, the secretary of the Head of Western Paya appeared, announcing, "The Head is here!"

As Lio and the Head of Western Paya passed each other, the air was thick with tension. The silence was palpable until the Head spoke up.

"Are you afraid, Lio? You're scared, aren't you? That's all you're capable of - running away from your mistakes. We, the people of Western Paya, are not afraid of death. We've faced it with honor and honesty. But you... do you deserve to be a part of us? Are you a true warrior?"

The Head's words pierced Lio's soul, and he felt a deep sense of shame. He knew he had to make things right and prove himself worthy of being a member of Western Paya.

Martha's voice was filled with empathy as she said, "Yes, Lio, the Head is right. We're not blaming you for Western Paya's condition. We're concerned about your safety and Percy's. Now that they know where we live, you need to take him somewhere safe. Find your own path, Lio. To be a conqueror, you don't need a crutch to prove yourself. You can stand alone, and I believe in you."

Lio's eyes welled up with tears as he felt a surge of gratitude. "Thank you... today you've all proven that you're my family, the best I could have ever imagined."

Martha continued, "Take someone with you if you want, Lio. You're not alone."

But Lio's determination was evident in his voice. "I won't take anyone with me. And, Mother, if you have faith in me and believe in the power of faith, don't worry. I am my own destiny, and I believe in myself. I can change my path whenever I choose to. I am in control of my own fate."

With a sense of resolve, Lio stood tall, ready to face whatever lay ahead, armed with the love and support of his family.

"The next morning, Lio and Percy were about to leave. Lio looked at everyone who was there to encourage him to say goodbye. 'Go on your journey and come back safe.' The emotions were conveyed directly; they didn't have to say anything. Looking at them, the atmosphere became silent. This was the first time he was going far away from home, leaving everyone behind. A sequence of uneasy thoughts roamed through his head. Just then, Mic came out holding a bag in his hand, shouting, 'Stop, Lio! I'm coming with you. Don't leave me alone!'

Lio: 'Hey, why are you coming with us? You have a wife; you need to be with her. And what about your job?'

Mic: 'My wife understands; she knows how much this means to me. And my job... I can always find another one. But this, Lio, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'm not letting you go without me.'"