54 Chapter 49 - Farewell... Old Friend (1/2)
The sun was setting. Darkness was upon them. Only a day was left till the horde appeared in front of the city. Griff had, thanks to Sylvie slapping him a bit, become reasonable again.
The adventurers were lined up at the gates of Alfrum, waiting for the battle plan.
Griff was standing next to Sylvie, Rin and Reiner. Rin and Sylvie were simply staring at each other with their arms folded. Both behind Reiner and Griff respectively. Griff and Reiner were sweat-dropping at this as they tried to talk sensibly.
”So, when I was in the woods Alatar used magic to raise a several foot tall rock wall. But that won't last long.”
”Exactly, we don't have the numbers to keep it strong.”
”What was the purpose then?”
”We're stalling for time. We have to be sneaky with traps and defenses... but let me tell you this Griff. This whole thing will not go as smoothly as we wan it to. That's how war is.”
”Chaos... that's what you're saying right?”
”Yeah, we'll be fighting just to live at some point if things go down hill.”
”I can see that happening... with most of the stronger adventurers and magicians of the city evacuated.”
”Ran away you mean!”
Reiner gripped his fists angrily.
”They live here lavishly and leave when it i conveniences them. Sure, our city may be one of the smallest in Kulva but we're one of our kind! Free from noble grasp.”
”I... don't think that matters at all Reiner. They just wanted to live.”
”And we're suicidal?”
”Okay... you got a point. And for the love of god can you two weirdos stop this staring contest it's giving me the creeps.”
Reiner sighed.
”Please, Rin. Now is not the time. Tomorrow we'll be fighting for our lives.”
”Psh fine.”
Both of them uttered.
A large clap resonated. Leebus was standing on top of the newly enacted stone wall.
”I have one thing to say before tomorrow... sleep!”
Leebus then jumped down surprisingly nimbly and proceeded to walk away with Alatar to the only open bar at this time, James's bar.
”What was that all about... I was expecting something fancy.”
”Hey now. The master doesn't want us to get more anxious than we are right now. Come on all of you, let's find a tavern to sleep. It'll most likely be our last at Alfrum.”
They were about to walk away before Griff said loudly.
”No wait! James's bar. Let's stay there for the night.”
Sylvir and Rin shrugged at the same time to show it didn't matter, then continued to glare at each other for the well timed movement. Reiner started to drag Rin, and Griff decided to do the same to Sylvie, which backfired. Griff was being dragged by Sylvie now.
”This one?”
Reiner said as he pointed at the bar.
”Yeah... can you let me go now?”
Sylvie raised Griff from the ground and Griff thought she was about to toss him inside, but she simply placed him on his feet.
”Huh?”
Griff was confused as she didn't act aggressive this time.
”Don't misunderstand. It's the night before a war. I can't harm you heavily inside this city as well...”
”Ae across you again.”
”What?!”
Griff suddenly slammed his hand on the wooden table.
”Don't say stuff like that! Nothing is decided ye-”
James slammed the table too, he was angry.
”Oh bullocks you little brat! You... you have to go on without me. My soul isn't able to handle this life. I'm scared... scared to lose my life every second now.”
Griff looked at James with a slightly agape mouth.
”...listen. You have to grow out of me, out of Alfrum. Heck... it's about to become a warzone.”
”What exactly-”
[Listen to him Griff. He's giving advice I could never give.]
”You're too fixated on this small city. Yes, it may be the first place you have felt safe a long time, but now it will be destroyed and you can do nothing about it. No one can. All we have is our lives. You see? All we have earned is now meaningless, it's about to be destroyed.”
James took a deep breath and continued.
”Our paths will never cross... as long as I don't want to. I don't hate you Griff, it's just you remind me of so many things I'd prefer to forget... and I'm well aware of how you've become attached to me. Those old farts-”
He gestured at Alatar and Leebus who were casually snoring on each others shoulders.
”They know so too. Why do you think they paired you with those two? Your solo missions? I can't do this kid. Grow out of me. You've limited yourself... I'm not your family...”
Griff was slightly tearing up now. This man... that he had considered a brother was rejecting him. For what?
[Trauma isn't something easily healed. You of all people should know that.]
”I-”
”Shut up and listen! I'm going to leave this bar any second now and never come back... just listen.”
James was crying now. His hiccups echoed through the bar.
”I- Don't get me wrong.... I liked looking after you, seeing you learn like a newborn... heck you still are a little kid to me, but... I have nothing to teach you too. ”
He wiped his tears and squeezed both of Griff's shoulders.
”I am not your family. I can never be. Friend?... that boat has long sailed away. I'm too scared... but... that doesn't mean you can't find one Griff... you had said you had no dream to me right?”
Griff, with a shaky voice responded.
”I... I have one now... get stron-”
”That's no dream. That's an objective. That doesn't define you kid. I've decided. My parting gift to you will be a dream. A dream to blossom kid... find a family... if you can't... MAKE one!”