A Train Ride

Prequel: When He found his purpose

•Vengeance? Is that truly what You're after?
~Are you really asking?
•Yes, I am asking. Now answer.
~They burnt my village, killed my father, raped my mother and sisters, massacred everyone I knew, and you ask me, whether it's vengeance I'm after? No, I want to prank them. Of course it's vengeance I'm after, you fool! I will not rest until my hands are stained in their blood for all eternity!
•The only fool here is you.
~Oh? And how is that?
•A wise man once said; vengeance dulls the pain, but it does not cure the illness. You are seeking a quick relief. Something to stop their screams that are ringing inside your head, along with my voice.
~Shut up..
•Your errand is a fool's one. You will never find peace in revenge.
~Shut up
•After you kill them, every single one of them. What will be left of you? The charming little boy your mother adored so much?
~SHUT UP! MY MOTHER IS DEAD, AND DO YOU KNOW WHY? ITS BECAUSE OF THEM! ITS MY DUTY TO WHIPE THEM FROM THE FACE OF EARTH!
•Who said differently?
~..what?
•Did I stutter, brat? Who said it isn't your duty to massacre them?
~But you just said..
•I know what I said. Your course of action is the correct one. Your drive, however, is flawed.
~And what do you propose?
•Find another one, you imbecile!
~..and how do I do that?
•Your problem, not mine
~I have an idea, but you won't like it
•I dislike your mere existence, so it won't make that much of a difference to me. Do tell.
~Trial and error.
•..I should have just kept to myself and let you get killed.
~Gee, thanks for your overwhelming love and support.
———————
When Jackal, one of the mercenaries hired by the military to enforce their rule on the village of Cyanostone, woke up im his bed, he felt something was off.
Every mercenary was given a hastily constructed hut -constructed by the villagers, of course- for their own, because the military wanted to ensure their loyalty.
Jackal was a man of instinct, as his name suggests, and when he felt something was off, he knew something was off. So, he took his gun, and exited his hut, to make sure everything was alright.
Last time he did this, he found two brats from the village with torches, trying to burn down one of the mercenaries' huts. They were killed on the spot, of course. Can't have the villagers growing a spine, now, can we?
It's the smell thought Jackal something doesn't smell rig-
And those were Jackal's last thoughts, because in the next second, he was burning.
——————
A young man, about seventeen of age, stood on the ashes of the twenty mercenaries' huts he just burnt.
"Well, that was satisfying" he said to himself, but there was an undercurrent of unsureness in his voice.
"Well, better get going then, and try the other option. Hopefully, it turns out to be the one"
And with that, he walked away, his whole body covered in the darkness night granted him.
——————
In the village of Canus , in a dark alley, Adrian, a soldier of the military, was about to do something he enjoyed very much; he was about to rape a little girl, no older than eleven.
What a treat, he thought, last one was 15, and she didn't even scream
He advanced on the girl. She was huddled in the corner of the alley, gasping and sobbing at the same time.
Accalia knew what was coming, her mother warned her about this specific soldier, and his favoring of the young, supple flesh. She knew she was doomed, as he usually kills the girls when he's done with them. Accalia was terrified, and she prayed to anyone who would listen, for a miracle to happen.
Suddenly, she saw a shadow drop from the sky, and a silver flash.
Just as suddenly, Adrian was lying on the ground of the dirty alley, and over his body, stood a hooded man.
Everything about him was covered in shadows, except for the hand holding a silver dagger, dripping with the fresh blood of Adrian.
"Who are you? What happened? What is this? Please don't hurt me" Accalia was rambling, and she knew it. This stranger just killed a soldier, and Adrian no less!
"Easy, sweetheart, easy. I'm not here to hurt you" the mysterious man spoke, his voice soft and low. "Who am I? I'm not exactly sure, so I can't tell you. What happened is, dear Adrian simply got what was coming for him." He continued in the same voice, "Now, love, please go home, and don't venture out this far away again, okay? I'm sure your mommy is worried sick about you. I have to go now, so take care!"
With those parting words, the mysterious man turned his back, and walked out of the alley. When Accalia tried to follow him, he disappeared right after leaving the alley, leaving her to wander about him on her way home.
——————
On the roof of an abandoned building, a hooded young man was resting. He was laying spread eagle, and appeared in deep thought.
"Well, this was certainly more satisfying" he mumbled to himself. "Well, time to think on it, I guess" he whispered, and fell asleep almost immediately after.
——————
•Well?
~....well what?
•Have you realized just how big of a fool you were?
~I have.
•So? Do you know your purpose, your driving force now? Do you know why you're going to massacre every single one of them? ANSWER ME, YOU IMBECILE, DO YOU?
~I do. I know. I have found my purpose.
•Then? Are you going to keep me waiting? Out with it! WHAT IS YOUR PURPOSE? WHAT DRIVES YOU? WHY ARE YOU GOING TO KILL EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM, WITHOUT TURNING INTO ONE OF THEM? ANSWER ME, CHILD!
~My purpose.. The thing that drives me, the thing that pushes me forward. Who I truly am.
•...
~Protect.
•..what?
~My will to protect. I want to protect everyone from them. I want to put a stop to the suffering they inflict on innocents. I WANT TO LIVE UP TO THE NAME MY MOTHER GAVE ME! I, XANDER KNIGHT, WILL PROTECT EVERYONE FROM THE WRETCHED MILITARY!
•..well said, Xander. Well said. I'm proud of you. I'm proud to call you my protégé.
~Thank you, for not letting me be consumed by my darkness. You'll always be my greatest friend and mentor. Thank you, Amanda.
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