129 Returning Home (1/2)
Weeks after Elric left the US to travel back to his hometown in the Philippines, his eyes were shocked to realize the unbelievable changes that took over his homeland.
The wide grassy planes and distant mountains he grew up with are long gone and replaced by various towering hotels, apartments, bars and so on - a typical first-class city with modernized technology fully implemented in the system.
After reaching the now-unfamiliar street he used to walk by since he was a child, Elric stepped out of the taxi with his mouth gaping in surprise.
Ten years!
It only took ten years for all of these massive buildings to sprout in his homeland! Just what really happened ever since the day he left the human realm on that fateful night?
Looking at all the modern traffic lights and the buzzing street crowded by people in decent clothing, Elric's mind was still at loss.
The least, it should have taken about twenty or thirty years to have such kind of modernization to take effect.
His gaze locked on the street signs and even double-checked his current address just to confirm if he was at the exact street he grew up.
\”I really am home. Just not what it used to be.\” Elric muttered.
The small sari-sari stores are gone, the smelly poultry farms are gone, the calming breeze of the sea and so did the peaceful sound of the countryside is long gone.
Accepting the fate of his homeland, Elric recalled the direction to his house and made his way right away while walking calmly on foot.
Elric wore simple black shorts for his lower, brown shoes complimented by his white polo with the long sleeves curled up to his solid elbows - revealing a manly stature that all the women he passed by are easily hooked with passionate gazes.
With the effects of his constant evolution and upgrades, not a single one of his previous contacts had an idea that it was him.
The old Elric was a skinny four-eyed with little to average skills; while the present one was like a full-blown gentleman with a very respectable and manly presence.
He looks like a perfect bachelor!
Unfortunately, despite his efforts in trying to find his old friends, the ballooned population of the place made it incredibly hard for him to trace them. Not to mention, he was afraid if they might be one of his old victims during his last rampage.
Right now, there is only one way to find out.
It took quite a while before he finally reached the place he really came for - his house.
But to his surprise, what greeted him from the usual place of his small nepa-house is now a two-story apartment.
The forest where he fought against the Manananggal and found the Dragon girl is now surrounded by a tall and solid wall. It is now one of the current town Mayor's private property.
Looking back at the apartment, Elric decided to ask one of the rushing passersby that looked like a student of one the community college - it was a young man who looked familiar to him somehow.
With a gentle voice, Elric approached the young man,
\”Uhm excuse me. Do you mind if I can ask some-\”
\”Don't talk to me!\” scoffed the young man.
Without even sparing Elric a glance, the young man snobbishly walked away. Elric, with a gentle smile, scratched his head in apology.
The young man's tone was cold and condescending. As if Elric was just a thrash that doesn't deserve his time and attention.
Little did he knew, Elric can easily flick him to death.
Fortunately, Elric's renewed mind and spirit brought him with a heart of compassion, kindness, and humility that Instead of complaining, he chooses to ask for forgiveness and smiled innocently.
\”I see. I am sorry for bothering you.\” Elric replied gently.
\”Hmp,\” the young man tightened his backpack with a pull and continued. Elric could not help but look at the young man with a tinged of disappointment.
\”He does look familiar.\” Elric thought.
It was a faint memory but he was pretty sure he had seen him somewhere. However, right now, his focus is to find out what happened to his home.
As for his grandmother - he has long accepted the fact of what had transpired that night. It was painful, but that was it.
Trying to grief over it again brings nothing bad deep sadness for him. What he can do right now is to move on and prevent that disaster from happening again.