"I killed my parents."
Alex said flatly making Preganos flinch with the unusual response. Preganos looked at Alex. His face melancholy smile.
"That's evil, no?"
Alex asked again. Preganos stayed quite. Even with his vast experience, he couldn't understand where this boy was going and how to respond to such statements.
"I was seven. I got out of school. Taken to hospital and was told that my parents fell victim to terrorist attack. Their lungs in shambles. Burned and full of holes. The doctors told me they have no more then three days to live. They asked if I wanted to end their suffering or let them suffer for for my sake... they suffered enough. I pulled their oxygen masks... with my own hands... at the same time so they can leave together... killing them in the process..."
Alex said as he looked at both of his hand as if the feeling still lingered. His hands slightly trembled. His face married with a resigned smile.
"Tell me honestly old man. You thought I was evil the moment you heard me say I killed my parents didn't you? No matter how much you try to rationalise that there maybe something in between. But the second part change your view..."
Alex asked with a teasing smile. Preganos slowly nodded with a frown. He didn't turn to look at Alex. Gazing at the sun, Alex turned to look at lthe sun as well.
Wind softly blew, carrying a cold breeze and smell of rain. It will be rainy season soon.
"The reason I told you that is precisely because of that. Its all about perspective. You can't define yourself what others think of you but you can certainly judge yourself. People doesn't define what you are. You do. And you asked if I think your evil or not? I do. I think your evil."
Alex said. The turned to Preganos with neutral expression.
"Not because of the beef you have with the Kah or Kha guy. No. Far from it. I don't care. The reason I think your evil is because you brushed past my safe zone... you tried to rid of me with Kha didn't you?"
Alex asked. His voice eerily calm. Face never changing expression. Preganos looked at Alex from the corner of his eyes. Alex was watching the sun rise now.
Preganos felt his heart hammering against his chest. He had indeed hoped to kill Alex along with Kha because he was too dangerous to leave alone.
A Lost One with this much power with just few months after arrival was unheard of. Alex was too much of a balance breaker. But things didn't go as planned. Alex survived.
Unscathed.
Preganos had felt relief that Alex wasn't half dead because then he would definitely attack him. And dread because he didn't know what will happen to him or his city that he had been protecting for 15,000 years.
But his worst fear came true. Alex lived. And he didn't know what to do.
"Don't be too stiff old man. You old timers have a nack for taking drastic measures when you see threats miles away and 99% of the time, they have nothing to do with you..."
Alex looked at Preganos who was sweating slightly and smiled softly.
"... just like me."
Preganos looked very uncomfortable. His eyes trembling ever so lightly.
"So you should stop worrying about what others think. Try define who you are by yourself and use other people's perspective as references. Not literal foundation."
Alex said while ruffling his hair to get rid of the cooled down sand. They were all over his hair.
'I need to take a shower. Where is my man Deborah?'
Alex thought while already feeling like he was inside the bathroom. His desire to shower spiked like a pervert seeing a women.
"And I don't blame you so relax. I volunteered myself. So can't blame you for taking the chance."
Alex said as he turned around.
"What... Would you have killed me if you had taken the offence?"
Preganos finally spoke with hesitation evident in his voice.
Alex stopped and looked back. Gazing directly at Preganos's gaze.
"No."
Alex smiled.
"I'm not a good person old man..."
Alex said as he pointed at the city with his thumb. His smile full if warth and benevolence.
Preganos's heart sank. He got the implication.
'I was really stupid...'
He couldn't help but curse himself for the mess up. He had made a big blunder in his calculations. Although he couldn't see anything when used his Seer Bloodline Arts, he had still thought he could take care of a newly arrived Lost One.
Who could blame him? He was a proud Transcendent after all.
But it was a grave mistake.
'I need to make up for the mistakes some how...'
Preganos started to make plans for his next course of actions.
Preganos saw Alex had disappeared when he was distracted. He sighed. Tension released. He felt as if the weight he was carrying on his chest come down.
Preganos eyes subtly glowed golden and looked up to the sky. He saw many invisible gazes, watching.
But he could guess what their reaction might be right now. All the leaders had thought of banding together to deal with Alex if he turned out to be too out of control.
And the one that can subdue him will keep him. That's why Preganos had tried to kill Alex. If something couldn't be his, it will be no one's.
But his mis calculation almost cost the city and other leaders got help in deciding how to deal with Alex.
'Mistakes happen and only then solutions and preventions emerges...'
Preganos thought as he retreated his gaze. They were watching from the beginning. And they had seen what Alex can do. If, even after seeing all that, they want to mess with the boy, they might as well prepare to lose their city at the least.
"Sigh ~ I'm too old for these kind of stress... I should find a successor soon..."
Preganos murmured as he made his way towards the city.
=====
One week has passed since the pirate attack on Am city.
The Am city has turned to its usual peaceful atmosphere as if the attack were a dream. No one knew of the hero who had saved them. Alex had requested to keep it that way.
Today was an exciting day for Alex.
'It's time to go to Japan BABYYYY!!!!'
He screamed internally. He was standing in front of the Am city air transport with Deborah and Preganos to say good by to him. Alex was practically excited about the fact that he was finally going to the place where the cannon events will start.
And he even has the chance to enrol with the main characters!!
Alex looked at the airport bustling with activity and people.
Preganos has booked a first class plan ticket for Alex which only the most influential on Antarctica can book. It was direct three day travel which normally takes one month. But to board on that plan, he first needed to go to the Wark City. A coastal city at the south of Antarctica...