Chapter 2

"Ah, my esteemed purchaser of fried fowl," I remarked.

"My name is Lily," she replied in a voice that was both calming and commanding, betraying the weight of her leadership role and personal struggles.

"I see you took out Luke with ease," she gestured towards Luke, whom I presumed to be her second-in-command.

"I am here, you do realise that right." Luke interjected.

"If it's not too much trouble, would you excuse us for a moment?" Lily requested politely but firmly as she sought a private conversation with me."

"Why?" Luke inquired, instantly realizing his mistake as he was met with a fierce glare. "Fine. No need fir the death stare."

"What do you want with a solitary restaurateur such as myself?" I questioned.

"So you believe that a lonesome restaurant owner can accomplish this task," she retorted, gesturing towards Luke. "You are greatly overestimating the capabilities of a mere restaurateur."

"I don’t have any business the both of you nor do I want to," I declared, turning away from the group. "It's about your father," she interjected, and a multitude of emotions coursed through my body: fear, trauma, anger, pain. However, I maintained an outward composure and concealed any hint that hearing my father's name alone instilled terror within me. "My father is dead;died in a car accident ," I retorted. "I am not referring to your adoptive father but rather your biological one," she clarified. "He is the one who expired in a car accident

"So that was the story you told everyone just so that you could as you say it have a normal life, How amusing!. You should know that our world would be much safer if he were indeed killed in such an accident. Are you aware of what he has transformed into?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"So, are you implying that you were not aware of your father's tyrannical actions in which he has enslaved multiple clans?

“I always knew my father was merciless but never did I imagine he would go to such lengths for power. He is willing to resort to mass murder just to obtain more power. Honestly, I am not surprised. He was a terrible father who made sure I witnessed the execution of anyone foolish enough to betray him or cross him”.

"I assume this means you are unaware of the rumor about him searching for the elemental champions," she said.

"Are you serious?" I laughed so hard that I fell down. My father has always been a man of reason and reality; he does not believe in legends or myths. So, it came as a shock when I heard that he was looking for mythological guardians with powers bestowed upon them by gods to protect the earth. "Are you certain my father is seeking out a myth?"

"That is not why we're here; we're here because we want you to join our resistance."

"No."

"Please."

"No."

"People will die if we don't fight back."

"Do these people matter to me?"

"Well, no..."

I smiled at her and said firmly, "No." She sighed and pulled out a piece of paper from her pocket. "This is where we'll be staying. If you change your mind, come meet us here." Taking pity on her futile efforts, I took the paper knowing full well my answer would remain unchanged.

As I turned away from her into the darkness of the alleyway one last time, Luke and Lily were engaged in conversation behind me.

"Do we really need him?" asked Luke.

"We do, and you know why," replied Lily.

"He still gets under my skin though," complained Luke.

"I couldn't care less; if it bothers you too much then feel free leave," retorted Lily bluntly before adding snidely: "So rude."

\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*\*

As I approached the threshold of my abode, a multitude of thoughts flooded my mind: the state of affairs at my restaurant, the current status of my financial situation, and the absurd proposal presented to me by those foolish individuals who believe that I would abandon everything I have worked tirelessly to establish in order to engage in combat with my own father. Retrieving a key from within my pocket, I proceeded to insert it into the lock when suddenly - as if anticipating my arrival - the door swung open and revealed an unexpected figure.

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