"Josh…do you know where Michael is?" Elyas's desperation for the answer was evident in his voice.
Joshua raised his head, meeting the eyes of the man half a head taller than him. "He was a good kid. Helped me alot, the only reason someone like me got the job was his recommendation… you raised a good kid."
Elyas's eyes glistened with hope. He couldn't contain his excitement as he asked hurriedly. "He really is alive! where is he?"
Joshua's warm smile, as if reminded of something, slowly faded.
"He was here, I'm not sure how long ago. I lost track of time a while back. But be sure, he's grown into a great man, capable man. He even had a fiance when he left Mistwood."
Elyas let out a sigh of relief. He now knew that his son was alive… but he still needed to see him. He had left his son in the middle of an apocalypse. Michael at least deserved an explanation or better yet, an apology.
"You said he left. Do you know where to?"
Josh shock his head.
Elyas was somewhat disappointed, but still, it was no reason to feel down. He had confirmed his son's safety, all he had to do now was acquire the help of the Librarians or the Protocol in finding him.
With this done, a wave of relief washed over him, it was as if he had turned as light as a feather. Joshua looked at his face, now adorned with a shaky smile, and said:
"Old friend…I asked us to talk because I need you to do me a favour."
Elyas nodded "What is it?"
Joshua's face once again formed a warm and friendly smile.
"I need you to kill someone."
…
"Why did he ran so hurriedly? Noah asked the giant walking beside him.
"It's none of my business. But what is, is the tab he left me to pay!" Julius raised his hand, waving and pointing it in different directions as he tried to keep himself calm.
"Why did he have to pick the most expensive option!?" This time he shouted, not able to keep his anger under control.
Noah looked at him with pity and sighed. "I'll talk to him. Don't worry I'll make sure he atleast pays half of it."
"Yeah you better! Otherwise I might have to rip your boyfriend in half! That bastard—Fifty coins. Fifty goddamn golden coins! That's three months salary!"
Noah glanced at him with a weird expression. Seemingly only caring about the first part.
"What do you mean boyfriend?"
Julius scanned him up and down. Clearly not calm enough to put it lightly.
"Dont give me that bullshit. Every Protocter in this damned city, including the retirees, know that the former captain had sneaked a man into his house."
"..."
"It's nothing serious."
"Oh, no feelings? so you just do it? I didn't expect you to be that kind of person, but alright." Julius sneered. His usual self seeping through his anger.
Noah turned red, either flustered or anger. Julius seeing his face, calmed down even more and laughed.
"It's not like that! You know what I promised the old man. You should know better than anyone that—"
"I know. I'm just messing with you. But you should really make him pay up. Even as a D.E.B teacher and a retiree of the Protocol, I can't afford it."
Noah raised an eyebrow. "Don't you have a few sealed artifacts laying around? I heard they fetch a good price. Especially now that Benders are on the rise thanks to that red lunatic."
Julius nodded. "Yeah I know. But i want to save them for my kids. It'll act as a good investment in a few years when me and Angie have our second child."
Noah stopped, his mouth as open as the city gates. He couldn't believe what he had heard.
"Why didn't you tell me?! You have a child?! Is it a boy or a girl?" He slapped his forehead before adding, "Shit, i should have given you a gift already! Wait, does that mean that I'll be uncle Noah?"
Julius stared at his friends actions. "Your more happy than I am! No need for gifts yet, thers still a few months."
Julius paused, then, his face brightened with a grin. "But I'll make sure to come pick up my medal when the baby's out of the oven. After all, I put a lot of effort into it."
staring at Noah's unamused expression, he laughed again.
Noah's joy after receiving the news wasn't effected by his friends perverted jokes. Wiping away tears, Julius narrowed his eyes. Staring ahead into the darkness.
"Who is… If it isn't the devil himself!"
Noah did the same. squinting, his eyes took a while to adjust. He noticed two men conversing in the middle of the street. One of them was familiar.
He raised his hands and waved.
"Hey! Elyas! we're going home…What are you doing outside? it's snowing!" He shouted. The sillutes turned their heads. As Noah and Julius moved closer, they managed to hear parts of the conversation.
"I…consider… approach. I'll notify you when it's done." Elyas said with a somewhat solemn and grim tone.
Josh nodded and walked away. moving past the giant and Noah.
Julius turned back. His eyes following Joshua who ignored their presence as he moved towards Telly burger.
"Hey, why is this guy here? isn't he afraid to die?" Julius, still looking at josh voiced his opinion.
Elyas, only a few steps from him, stopped and gave him a questioning look. "Is that supposed to be a treat?"
The giant looked down. It took all his willpower to not beat him to a pulp. Elyas wasn't backing up either, infact he was probing the giant to attack.
Noah looked at all of this. Not wanting their relationship to be strained any further, he unceremoniously explained. He had to do that a lot recently.
"Can you two not fight for two seconds? And you Elyas…do you remember what Julius told you about the restaurant?" Elyas although surprised by the question nodded.
After seeing that, Noah added, "Good. One of its powers is that it keeps its employees alive, as long as the business is open, and they are considered employees ."
Noah glanced at him before shifting his gaze back up at the giant. He clearly looked irritated, rightfully so.
Elyas was puzzled by Noahs answer. He gave it some thought and after a bit, understood what Julius was trying to say. "You mean, that If they stop working…"
"Yes, if they stay outside for too long they will die. A lot of things can do that to you, including me." The giant rolled his eyes.
"Also you have to pay your tab. I'm not paying for shit.I'm going home. Bye Noah."
With that, Julius started to walk home. Towards the South Street, ignoring Elyas entirely.
"Let's go. I need to wake up early tomorrow." Noah followed his example. Walking alongside the wind to his warm, cosy hovel of a home.
Elyas stared at them both. At Julius's figure disappearing into the night, at Noah doing the same, going east. Seeing the gap increase rapidly, he rushed to catch up.
"Hey Noah, do you know a gardening shop?"
Elyas tried to ask it as innocently as possible. But the weird look Noah gave him, told him he had failed… for the most part.
"Yes I do…But it's winter, I don't think gardening is going to bare you much fruit… Why are you asking anyways?"
Elyas glanced at him from the side. Not hesitating for a moment, he answered honestly.
"I'm going to buy a shovel."