Hereditary Void

He couldn't wait up for her again. Once more, he drifted off before she returned from her night shift. When he woke, the first thing he did was leave his room to look for her. He passed her room, but, just like before, she wasn't there.

Then he made his way toward the living room. Before he got there, though, he heard a harsh, grating noise — something heavy being moved. When he arrived, he found his mother standing by the sofa, awake this time, staring at it with a distant, strange look.

After what happened yesterday, looking at her was still hard. Even though she had already forgiven him, the shame was nearly unbearable, guilt almost tangible. So he didn't say anything when he saw her. He just stayed quietly in his corner, looking at her, admiring the view of the most beautiful woman he knew, wishing with all his heart that things could be how they used to be.

She continued staring at the sofa for a long moment, for reasons he couldn't tell. Then she shifted, looked straight into his eyes as though she sensed he was there, and smiled. It still hurt to meet her purple eyes, even though the surprise and disappointment were gone, but looking away felt awkward after being forgiven, so he forced himself to hold her gaze and return the smile.

A moment later, she spoke softly and simply:

"Good morning, son."

"Good morning, mom."

As she walked toward the kitchen, she folded her hands gently in front of her.

"I'll make breakfast, okay?"

He nodded.

"Sure. I'll get ready."

Tav went to the bathroom and bathed with water from the barrel — realizing he'd need to refill it later. He dressed in his uniform, combed his hair in front of his cracked mirror, gathered books and notebooks into his satchel, then headed to the kitchen.

Breakfast was already laid out: two plates, each with bread and an egg, and a steaming pot of coffee. The strong aroma filled the kitchen, lifting some of the tension between them.

His mother sat at the table, gently blowing on her mug. Tav sat opposite to her, expression blank, unsure what to say, or what would be right to say, actually.

He didn't linger. He drank his coffee, ate his bread, all without a word. Then he stood and, in a neutral voice, said:

"I'm going."

With his bag on his back, Tav walked toward the door. But something was missing. Something he always did before going to school and that made his day feel incomplete when he didn't. But he didn't have the courage to do it, not today, not after what he had done to her.

"Wait."

He froze, hand on the doorknob, surprised at his mother's sudden gentle voice. She reached out and began straightening his satchel.

"Did you pack everything you need?"

Still facing the door, still without the nerve to turn around, he said:

"Yes…"

"Good."

She zipped up the bag, then, without warning, pulled him into a hug, wrapping her arms around his chest gently.

"I love you, son."

Yes… that's what had been missing. Tav grabbed her arm, feeling the warmth of her skin, the comfort of her embrace. Then, with tears almost spilling from his eyes, he whispered:

"I love you too, mom."

He stepped out of her embrace and opened the door. Summoning courage, he turned to look at her. She stood there, calm and tender, gazing at him with a gentle look and a soft smile so beautiful not even the gods could imitate it — a smile that warmed his heart and coaxed a real smile onto his face.

"See you later."

She nodded.

"See you."

He stepped through the doorway, still smiling. But the moment he closed the door, the moment he left her side… his smile disappeared.

Descending the stairs of the three-story building where he lived, Tav passed by crumbling walls, empty glass bottles, and scattered papers on the floor, lit by dim oil lanterns, until he reached the exit. Jumping over a bottle and walking past the same two drunks from yesterday, he opened the door. Bright daylight hit him like a blow.

Suddenly, the familiar, oppressive streets of the East spread out before him. The streets were crowded with drunkards, addicts, and vagrants, with piles of trash scattered here and there. Horse shit dotted the cobblestones, along with open sewage running beside it. Both contributed to the district's signature stench, which matched its grotesque scenery.

That was his home. That was the place he belonged to, and maybe always would.

But Tav needed to prove otherwise. He needed to show that the grime he walked through that morning did not define him. He was a Sanctum student. And he was going to live in the Center.

***

Sanctum Academy.

Tav shivered a little when he read the name engraved above the thick pillars marking the school entrance. Even so, he took a deep breath and stepped forward. Then another step. Then dozens more, until he reached the building where his math class would be held.

It was gray and overwhelmingly oppressive, like almost everything else here. Hallways made him feel small, hunched, but he kept his head up. Even the curious and judgmental looks from the others didn't intimidate him enough to make him stop, even knowing that they all probably already knew what he did yesterday.

Only when he opened the door to his classroom did he freeze. The sharp creak echoed through the room and hallway. A chorus of angry, surprised voices rose.

"What are you doing here?"

"How aren't you expelled?"

"Get out, for the gods' sake!"

"Come back to make another mess?"

Teidad, Cart, Lindt... all of then shouting for him to leave. Only Cheirav and Yannick remained quiet. Yannick, as always, seemed completely unfazed by the situation, not lifting her eyes from her book for a single second. Honestly, Tav didn't even know how she'd reacted after that fateful alchemy class. Maybe he should talk to her…

Cheirav, on the other hand, stared at him with rage flickering in his eyes.

Tav sighed.

This is going to be a long day…

Pretending not to care about anything he heard or saw, he walked to his desk and sat down. Shortly after, the math teacher arrived and, just like the students, gave him a judgmental look. Fortunately, class started soon after.

As the teacher began, Tav felt slightly better. He liked learning, after all, and once everyone quieted down to focus, he managed to set his problems aside. He did his best to absorb as much of the lesson as possible, writing down and memorizing every line, every word, every formula.

When the class ended and students filed out, the weight hit him again. Some classmates — as well as upperclassmen and freshmen from other rooms — threw crumpled papers and copper coins at him, telling him to go back where he came from. He tried to ignore it, and to some extent, he managed, but it was still exhausting to make it to the strategy building.

When the next class began, Tav once again entered his focused state and absorbed as much as he could from the discussion on the art of war. As a school primarily designed to train warriors for the royal guard, the art of war was mandatory for everyone. Honestly, it wasn't Tav's favorite subject, but there were worse ones. Still, he gave it his best.

After that, his next class was in the languages building. Once again, the walk was tense, though not as bad as before. The class itself was engaging, and Tav learned some interesting things about the origin of certain words in his language.

That was the last class. It was over. Finally, his school day had come to an end. Now, all he had to do was go home.

He sighed with relief crossing the academy gates. To be honest, he'd expected his return after yesterday's incident to be much worse. At the very least, he figured he'd have to clean up all the stuff he ruined in alchemy class, but no one from the Academy had come to speak with him.

But none of that mattered anymore, not until tomorrow. And tomorrow belonged to the future. The future's problems could wait.

When he reached the wall, at the edge of the entrance to his wretched home, Tav felt even more relieved, and that relief only deepened when he finally stepped into the district.

But suddenly, just a few steps into the East, a strong hand yanked him into an alley and slammed him hard against a wall, sending him crashing into a pile of garbage. Tav felt his back crack, and a throbbing pain shot through his spine. It felt like he'd narrowly avoided a fracture. The force used was too great to be human... It was the strength of a germinated.

Catching his senses, he looked up and saw who had pulled him. The same hateful red-eyed, red-haired boy who had stared at him with savage contempt earlier that day.

Of course. Things had been too calm. It was obvious something like this would happen. Getting out of Sanctum without at least one beating was unthinkable after what he'd done. Cheirav and his two loyal followers had just been waiting for class to end so they could corner him somewhere out of Sanctum's sight, away from consequences.

Cheirav clenched his fist, rage burning in his eyes.

"I told you you'd regret staying in Sanctum, didn't I?"

He kicked Tav in the face, sending him rolling in the mud. Tav tried to rise, but the hit was brutal. His cheekbone was swollen, throbbing like hell, and a splitting headache throbbed inside his skull. Tasting the metallic flavor of blood in his mouth, he propped himself against the garbage heap, feeling the muddy earth beneath his hands.

Fuck… that hurts…

Cheirav grabbed his hair, yanked him up, then pummeled his ribs. The earlier pain had been fierce, but this blow hit like the full force of a germinate. Tav felt his ribs crack, his lung give way, and his stomach threaten to empty all of his breakfast. He flew across the alley, rolling, mud smearing his body like a grotesque painting, until he crashed into a brick wall with a brutal thud that cracked it.

His back cried out, ribs screaming agony. He vomited. Something snapped inside — all clear: broken bones.

Fuck...

A dark feeling suddenly settled in his chest. One he never imagined he'd feel. The omen of death. Tav didn't know if his instincts were right, but he felt like Cheirav could very well kill him here, today. There were no witnesses, and no one would help some kid in the East, especially one getting beaten by a Sanctum student who was clearly a germinated.

Fighting back wasn't an option for obvious reasons. Running was his only chance, even if deep down he wanted to beat the crap out of Cheirav. He tried to stand. But the pain was immense, the suffering endless. He couldn't even move his arms from the agony. Even so, he forced his limbs to grip the ground, to lift his body, even if it was collapsing.

Cheirav kicked him down again. Blood spurted from his lip. Tav sneered defiantly as Cheirav leaned close.

"By the gods… How does Sanctum accept a useless nobody like you?"

He crouched down and grabbed Tav by the bangs, putting their faces inches apart, his voice low and menacing:

"Don't force me to kill you, rat. Just promise you'll quit. If you swear, I'll let you rot in the East in peace."

Cheirav cocked his head.

"Do we have a deal?"

It was simple. In fact, giving up was something Tav found himself tempted by. But his convictions were stronger than his desire. And his convictions told him he could not — would not — disappoint his mother. He would fight to the end to make her dream come true, even if his life was at stake.

So, feeling the warm blood from his own body running down his lips, Tav smiled.

"Not a fucking chance, asshole."