Journey of the Son of Ares

A few days of traveling went by pretty quickly. Aurelius was no longer a stranger to all the troubles there were in constant traveling, and with Cade and Balgair, the trip had shaped up into something fun.

However, what they were going to do weighed him down. It didn't help that Cade and Balgair weren't really the best people to talk to about it. They just scoffed at his remarks, as if the value of human life was an elaborate joke living in his mind.

That's why he sought some time alone at the docks of the city they were passing through. After he arrived at the place, he sat on the ledge and hung his feet while he looked down at the rippling water. Even when it didn't feel like there was any wind, the water just had to keep moving.

Then a foreign hand touched his shoulder. He hadn't expected there to be anyone in this place at this time.

He looked to his left and saw a man sit down beside him. The man was slim and wore clothes that seemed to be of really high quality. He had dark skin that was coupled with a large head of hair that was in a dome shape.

"Yo, fine morning today, eh?" the man asked with a smirk.

Aurelius looked back at the water. "Yeah, I guess."

The man followed Aurelius' gaze. "Mmm, so how did a lil boy like you get 1000 gold placed on his head by Numen?"

Aurelius's eyes widened, and he turned, ready to supply essence. He knew the underworld was present everywhere, but he had thought he could at least get a single moment of peace. Also, the piece of cloth was starting to put pressure on his hair, which was starting to get painful, so he removed it just this once. This was the consequence.

The man raised his arms with the same smirk still on his face. "Hey, hey. I'm not here to try putting your head on a plate. Guessing by how long you've been wanted, many people a hell of a lot stronger than me have tried and failed."

Aurelius relaxed his arms, realizing that if the man had been lying, he would have tried ambushing him instead of doing what he did. "Then why are you here?"

The man tilted his head. "Can't two people talk out of interest nowadays? I mean, you've got golden hair and baby blues, plus you're wanted by a criminal organization. I'm just curious as to how a brother ends up like you."

Aurelius chuckled a little and sighed. "I get it. But you're gonna need to tell me something in response."

"That's my job, fella," the man said with a laugh.

"That's your job?"

"That's your first question?"

Aurelius gave a nod.

"Well, I'm an informant. I'm like a library for criminals. Pays good money, I assure you. And I don't have to get my hands or feet dirty. Pretty nifty, am I right?"

"Oh, that's cool. You won't sell my whereabouts, though, right?"

"Of course not, you my guy," the man said, patting Aurelius on the back. "Now you gotta answer my question, though. How did you get yourself in trouble with Numen."

"I stole thousands from a family that happened to have ties to Numen. You can probably guess the rest."

"Damn, son. Where'd all that money go? You should go buy some new clothes with it or something."

Aurelius looked down with a frown. The outfit Balgair had gotten him was working just fine. What was so bad about it?

"Is that your second question?" Aurelius asked, looking at the man briefly.

The man scoffed. "Forget it."

"Oh, by the way, what's with your hair?Seems a bit impractical to have a dome like that on your head. No offense."

The man laughed a little before answering, "None taken. The hair serves its purpose. It hides my massive brain. You wouldn't believe the intellect I'm hiding under there." The man gestured wildly with his hands.

"Pfft, yeah, yeah."

"You don't believe me?" the man questioned, sounding all serious.

Aurelius raised his hand in a panic. "No, no. I believe."

"Eh, just kidding. My mother liked to style it like this when I was little, so I kept it," the man said, chuckling as he shook Aurelius by his shoulder. "So what's with your hair then? I'd say it's even more peculiar than mine."

Aurelius touched his hair. "Yeah, I guess you're right about that. It's from my father. Not much else I can tell you."

"You're from Zalfari?"

"Why does everyone keep asking that?" Aurelius asked, remembering that Balgair assumed so as well.

"Oh, you don't know?" the man asked, with a tilt of his head. "That's weird."

"Well, what is it? Tell me."

"Zalfarian royals are the only known people to have golden hair. And they're exclusive about it, too. People in Mircrest probably don't have much knowledge about things on the other side of the Great Ocean, but some may have heard of it."

"You seem to know a lot about it, though."

"Well, an informant's supposed to be informed," the man said, tapping his head. "But I'm sorry to say, this isn't really my expertise."

"Well, is there anything else you can tell me?"

"In exchange for?"

"Well, what do you want to know?"

"Where do you come from, how old are you, and who are you traveling with?"

"I'm from the Thropes, I'm 16 years old. I can't reveal who I'm traveling with, though. Ask something else."

The man held up a hand. "No, that's enough. You should've just said you were alone if you didn't wanna tell who you were traveling with, though."

Aurelius scratched his head.

"But you're from the Thropes? That's... Wait, 16... Was it 18 years ago that... he disap..." The man leaned his head back and laughed. "Shit, that's wild. Wow, like for real."

"What?" Aurelius asked and impatiently pushed the man a bit to get him to say it.

The man looked at Aurelius with a smirk. "You're the son of the Zalfarian God of War."

Aurelius' face dropped. "What?"

"Or the Hero of Zalfari. Whatever you wanna call him. Depends on what side you're on."

Aurelius gulped, and seeing his expression, the man only grew more sure of his theory.

Aurelius stared blankly at the water. 'God of War?'

The man's expression grew more solemn as Aurelius stayed quiet for even longer. He then patted Aurelius on the back again before standing up. "I guess here's a good point to stop our conversation."

Aurelius turned and reached out a hand. "Wait, can't you tell me more?"

"Sorry, I really don't know much. I've just read the few history books I've got my hands on and just managed to connect some dots. I'm not sure, though, so it's probably best to go off of your own information."

Aurelius put his hand down. "Ah okay. Can I get your name, though?"

"Oh, I'm Damian. And you are?"

"Aurelius."

"Your father gave you that name?"

"Yeah. How'd you know?"

The man tapped his head again with the same smirk on his face.

Aurelius chuckled.

The man then turned and waved. "Well, see you around, Aurelius. Maybe come to Arkryk sometime; I got a nice place there."

"Huh? Okay, alright. We'll see, Damian," Aurelius said, watching as Damian's figure got smaller and smaller before he turned the corner and disappeared from sight.

Aurelius then turned back to the water. 'The God of War or the Hero? Depends on which side you're on. Is it like that for me too? Do people see me as a monster?' Aurelius thought, his hands interlocked and rubbing against each other in an effort to create some warmth.