The Eca

Chapter 3: Mission

Fred is staring at Elrik.
"How did you know my name?" he asked. "And how did you know me?" he continued while his first question wasn't answered yet.

Elrik stared at the others then turned to Fred.

"I knew you from your childhood. I was observing you your entire life. You might not know me but I was one of your neighbors." he said taking another sip of his drink.

"A few days after you are born, your father was sent to a mission to retrieve a stolen orb. Your mother who was just having rest to get well was forced to follow your father. That time, we were outnumbered by the enemy. There were no guardians to help your father. He didn't even know that Natasha, your mother, was sent after him for reinforcement. Your mother was a healer. And that helped her heal faster from giving birth."

Elrik turned his eyes to the fireplace. When he turned to Fred, his voice is low and full of sadness. "Unfortunately, they never made it back to the headquarters." he sighed.

Fred can't believe his ears. His thoughts was filled with more questions. These things that he's hearing for the first time brought so much confusion to him. He turned to Elrik when the old man spoke again.

"At that same day, you were entrusted to me by the council. And me thinking about the better person for the job, I brought you to my sister, Karun, but you've known her as Teresa. She became your mother since then. And to make sure you are being protected, I lived in the neighborhood."

"So who am I then?" Fred asked while clasping his pocket to check that the ball is still there, hidden. It's hard for him to trust anyone anymore after hearing all the things that's spinning inside his head right now.

"You're one of us." Melvin said without being asked.

"What do you mean one of you? What are you exactly?" Fred said.

Elrik stepped toward Fred and put his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Relax Fred, we'll explain everything to you later. But first, put something on that stomach of yours. I can here it from here you know." Elrik smiled and offered Fred a chair to join them on the table.

He went to the kitchen to grab some steaming soup and breads. James helped him and they brought the foods to the table where the others are waiting. Melvin and Tomas are talking while Fred sat alone silently. He almost forgot how hungry he was leaving home without bringing any food with him

When the food was served, Fred reached for a bread and a bowl of soup. He need to eat. He want to be ready for what's coming next whatever it is. He don't know if he should expect any more surprises or secrets to be revealed. He's also thinking if he should tell them about the eca ball that the woman he had known as his mother has given to him. He decided to keep it to himself for a while.

While they are eating, Elrik explained everything to fred. What day is it and why is he there. He being there was not an accident. Everything was planned.

After a few more moments, the color of the flames in the fireplace turned to blue. Everyone stared at it. It extended in front and grew larger then it started to spin in a clockwise direction forming an oblong shape of fire. The color of the flames suddenly turned yellow and a middle aged man walked out of it. Fred's eyes grew in bewilderment.

The man look like he's on his early sixties. He wears a long black robe, black pants and a circular spectacles. His hair is well trimmed and he weigh around 250 pounds. His head is down but he is staring at boys on the table. His eyes looks like he's examining them one by one. He and Fred's eyes met and it was Fred who looked away immediately. The man continued to walk toward the table where Fred and the others are.