Memoria: Friendly Shadows

Chapter 0x: Betrayal Means Bloodshed

Alvarro Residence, Tharus City - Retradea
Room, Night time - Year 1,245 a.w.

An old man is talking to a boy, it looks like theold man is stating the child a bedtime story..."As time moves and flow, there will always be lifeand along with it is death. There were twice thatour homeland had faced such great wars. There weresuffering and pain, of course. However there werealso a few brave heroes that gave others the hopeand salvation. Have you heard of it, child? The story of our world's creation, and a fallen god who have brought us ruin. It was so long ago, waybefore technology were as advanced as of today."the old man told the boy. "Umm, grandfather? Didthe heroes win?" the child's reply to the old man."Of course they won, it would be sad if they havelost does it not?" He answered the curious boy. "Itis time to sleep, little boy" the old man said. "Aww, but I wanted to hear more." the boy have said."Maximo, my grandson... There will always be ruin,evil will never be ended, and peace can never be attained. But do not fear for there will alwaysbe hope. Do not fear my boy, all you need to do is,to do everything you can." The old man stated as he walks out the room. "What do you mean, granpa?" theboy quickly replied. The old man stopped, turned hiseyes back to the boy, and said "One day, Maximo...one day, you'll find out what it means. Now, rest well my boy, you still have school tomorrow". "Okaygranpa, goodnight" the boy told his grandfather asit switched off the lights.

Downtown, Tharus City - RetradeaTrain tracks, Night time - Year 1,245 a.w.

A man was being chased... "No, no, no, oh god how?"the running man said as if he was afraid. "Marlo!"the man wearing black robes shouted. The man whoshouted, tapped the shoulder of the man who he was chasing. The man who was being chased was named Marlo, He then quickly kneeled or rather crouched in fear and beg "Please, spare me! I,I-I'm not the one who betrayed the revolt! Please Flavio, please, please reconsider". The man who was wearing black robes wasnamed Flavio. "Do you know how much people died in the operation, because of your mistake!" Flavio said. He unleashed a blade hidden from inside his robes and said "You've done enough, you've done well, but it nowall ends here". Marlo grabbed his feet and cryingly pleaded "Please, I have a son and a wife, I have a family and they need me. Please... Don't". As the blade comes down and reaches his flesh Marlo has continued to beg. Until the large blade finally struckhis heart. The man named Flavio left as he walksaway and disappear into the shadows, Marlo said "Isthis the end? My family, forgive m--" and breath hislast.

Marlo's Point of View

"No, no, no, oh god how?" I thought I can escape therevolt by reporting it to the government. However I was wrong, wrong indeed. I need to get away from Flavioas fast as I can. He'll kill me, It is already halfan hour since I got away from headquarters. What?! D-did he just tapped my sh-shoulder. Impossible he wasso far away just a second ago. It's no good, I'm adeadman, wait... maybe I can still convince him. "Please, spare me! I,I-I'm not the one who betrayed the revolt! Please Flavio, please, please reconsider"His eyes, Just a second after I said that he drawn outhis blade and raised it. I'll beg, beg, beg! "Please, I have a son and a wife, I have a family and they needme. Please... Don't". My family...

(Flashback)

Farshio Residence, Tharus City - RetradeaGarden, Daytime - Year 1,243 a.w.

In the garden a boy is holding a butterfly in the palmof his hands. Marlo approaches the little boy and callshim son. A few moments later a woman came out the houseand the boy said "Daddy look! Mommy's here"...Son: Aww, the butterfly was too cute. I'm sure mommyand daddy would love to see it.Marlo: Oh! hey, what're you doin' here hmm?Son: Oh It's daddy! Daddy! Look here, a butterfly!Marlo: Ahh... You've catched one, it'll be happy if it's free you know.Mommy: Hey, hey, hey... look at this both of my sweetiesare bonding out together. [giggles]Son: "Daddy look! Mommy's here"...Marlo: Ohh, Miranda... come here, you're son found abeautiful butterflyMiranda: Ahh, what a lovely butterfly you've caught Shay, but you do need to set it free or it'll die. Shay: Okay mommy, Can I ask a question?Marlo: What is it son?Shay: If I die, will you both be sad?Miranda: What makes you say that? Of course we will.Marlo: Son... [shocked] remember, I-I'll protect youno matter what it takes. I'll protect our family, sopromise me that you'll stop thinking about death. Canyou do that, Shay?Shay: [tears] F-ather...

(Flashback End)

That's right! I promised didn't I? Miranda, Shay I...As Flavio's blade comes closer to pierce my flesh I feared for my life. What will become of my preciousfamily If i die? I can't fathom the outcome howeverif I beg, beg, and beg, will the course of fate change.I'll try and plead, I want to see them once more. "Please, I have a son and a wife, I have a family and they needme. Please... Don't" My desperate call to live. Butthen again my fate has already been set in stone. As his blade cut through my heart all I could think ofwas my family, and my promise. "Is this the end? My family, forgive m--" those were my last words. I cannot movemy body, is this death? As my consciousness fade Isaw him, I saw him vanish into the darkness. This is theend of the line for m-me...