A Different Life

3. Mysteries

(Welcome back! So I'm finally updating this story... I apologize to everyone (if anyone at all) who has been reading. I don't like this chapter at all, but I hope you enjoy it somewhat.

To the side, we have Batman Ezio~ Haha, nah. That's my idea of Alocer, dear old dad, since TabithaDarkDreamer said he's basically the Assassin's Creed assassins in black instead of white... so there you go.)

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I stared with a mixture of shock and wonder. This man... this was my dad? The man in my dreams every night? The man that had given me to my mother for my own safety?

He smiled at me, though there was something almost... dark about his grin. I glanced at Alexander questioningly, wondering if this was some kind of joke. He seemed to read my expression and nodded, gesturing with his hand.

I looked back at the man in front of me. He had taken a few steps forward, still grinning. "Yes, Alexis. I am your father. Did Maria ever tell you my name?"

I shook my head, thoughts flicking to mom. She had told me little about my father, of course, least of all his name.

"Of course she wouldn't..." I swore I heard him hiss under his breath, but his expression remained unchanged, so I thought I had imagined it. "Alocer. It's Alocer, my child."

As if the realization of his name had snapped me out of a daze, I blinked several times, expression finally fading from that idiotic, surprised look. "It's... it's great to finally meet you." I nodded, more or less to stall while I thought of something else to say. "Uh... Mom told me you were powerful. Did I get my powers from you? I know mom's a witch..."

Alocer smirked a bit, though it was unnoticeable to me at the time. "Yes... somewhat." He replied mysteriously, causing me to raise an eyebrow in question. He waved a hand, as if dismissing the subject. "I have long since awaited meeting you again. Do you know why I chose now to send Alexander for you?"

"Uhm... no." I replied, tempted to make a sarcastic remark... but I decided not to. I mean, this was my first time really meeting my dad. No use in showing him how much of a smart-ass I am just yet.

"Training." Alexander answered with a grin, looking down at me. "Special... classes, if you will. You need to learn more of the art of combat."

Let me stop you there, reader. Writing about this has been... like a weight lifted from my shoulders. So let me offer you some information I know now, that I didn't know then, that I wish I had known then... and that you should know now in order to entirely understand.

They have no interest in teaching young me combat skills... but what I learn does come in handy later. I can't... entirely remember what happened after they lead me away from the cave, into a larger cavern. But what I can gather now, is they had me fight demons... demons much more powerful than I. And they had me fight alone. Can you guess why?

To bring out my demon half... of course, I don't learn about those until much later. Hell, I don't even know my dad is a demon - let alone the Source. So yeah, they failed.

But... that's all you need to know for now. Carry on.

The next thing I knew, I woke up back at home. I was in my bed, but on top of the blankets, as if I had just sprawled there, passing out instantly. Everything ached... and that was the only thing that stopped me from thinking it was all a dream. I groaned, pushing myself up on my elbows.

"Oh good, you're up. How are you feeling, dear?" My mother asked, walking into my room.

"Exhausted. How'd I get here?" I muttered, looking around my room in confusion.

"Ohh, honey. Evan brought you home, don't you remember? He said you were studying together when you started complaining about a fever. You passed out, and then he brought you home." Oh, that makes sense... Wait, what? No... I met my dad! Evan... how could he have brought me home, if I wasn't with him?

Or was I? I tried to remember, but couldn't recall anything after Alexander and Alocer lead me to the training room. I flexed my wrists in front of me, making a fist with each hand in turn, releasing it, and then repeating several times. I felt... different. But just a little. Even if I couldn't remember it, maybe that training had worked after all... maybe I was stronger.

My mom was watching me, worried. "Do you feel up to going to school today?"

"Yeah... yeah, I'm okay mom, really." I gave a short, reassuring grin. Normally, I'd jump on the chance to skip school... but I had to see Evan. I had to ask him what actually happened. And, for some reason... I felt like I shouldn't tell my mother that I had met Alocer.

"Alright. You still have some time before school, so why don't you take a shower and get dressed while I make you breakfast?" I nodded, thanking her as she left my room.

A while later, I was clean, dressed, fed, and ready as I'd ever be for another day of... school. I should have skipped, I thought as I sleepily rubbed my eyes, looking up at the huge building I called prison.

"William Fores School for the Gifted" was spelled out in huge white letters above the entrance. That's the school's cover name, so to speak... not everyone can know it's really called Alchemist Academy, you know. Normal people would start to suspect it's a school full of witches. That's why it's a school for the "Gifted." You'd normally think it's for those super-smart, advanced kids that are way above their grade level. But of course, we know it's a different kind of gifted. And that's why only those with magical powers are accepted.

Anyway. The bell had yet to ring, so I headed to my first class - which was on Restoration spells - early. Hopefully Evan would be on time too, and I'd have a chance to ask him about yesterday.

And of course... he wasn't. He was late, running in just before the teacher, Ms. Griffin. He took his seat, giving a wave in my direction as the teacher began, but I just sighed in response. At least I'd be able to talk to him after school...

And, some hours later, I did finally get my chance. But I found it odd that Alexander wasn't in today... in fact, the entire Potion Foundations class was canceled for the day, which got us out of school early.

"Hey, Ev." I greeted as I caught up with him outside. He grinned in reply, asking me what's up. "Uhm... about yesterday..."

"Don't worry, I covered for you. I figured your mom would be mad if you got home late, so I told her we were studying at my house." He interrupted, nodding as he spoke.

I sighed, walking beside him on our way home. "Well, yeah, that. But I mean... I wasn't with you. I was with..." I paused. I hadn't wanted to tell my mom... but should I tell Evan? He's my best friend, after all. I decided I could trust him, and continued "I met my dad. Mr. Ermorian took me to see him."

"Whoa. That's great!" He smiled before answering my question, "Yeah, you were with me, remember? Mr. Ermorian dropped you off at my house. We were playing some video games before you passed out. Then I took you home."

I don't know why, but something didn't seem like it added up. I mean... Evan was my best friend. He couldn't be lying, right? Still, even though it made sense, I had a weird feeling about it. Plus, why wouldn't Alexander just take me back to my house, instead of Evan's?