The Arks 175 The Ark Of Joining The Nes

"You are lying..."

"And a small girl around the Campania's area. She became a dark blob of energy and started sucking everyone's souls. I'm on my way to kill her. Well, I was, 'til I saw this fine mess. So, I'm heading back home to put there and go off on another journey."

"I don't believe your words. I refuse to believe it!" screamed Yan, shivering.

"If you think I'm lying then riddle me this. Where were the Mages when your brother died?" asked Ashley, as he leaned towards Yan's ear.

"Where were they, when your mother was..."

"Shut up!" screamed Yan as he pushed Ashley away.

The poor boy hugged himself as he sank onto the ground. His two best friends had just been killed. He lost his mum, he doesn't know if his father will ever come back. There was nothing he could do now. He was barely a child, who should have a home.

Yan didn't know what to do. If he accepted Ashley's offer, then he would have a home, possibly things to eat. If he doesn't, he'll be killed, and all he has live for will be naught. He can't stop now, not when he still can move. He still got his body. His techniques, his knowledge, his organs.

"So, I'll ask again. Will you join me?" asked Ashley, extending a hand.

"If I do, what will you give me?" asked Yan, shivering.

"A family, protection."

"And will they accept a small person like me?"

"If by 'small', you mean young, then it won't be a problem. I've got lots of kids under me. So long as you can complete your missions, you'll be awarded. And if they don't accept you, then I'll erase them. I'm in charge of the nest, anyways."

"I meant, a poor person like me. You are n.o.ble, right?"

"If I was, I wouldn't be here. My brother is the next Marquess, so I'm left behind. And my brother wants to work with the Mages. I'm the total opposite. I loathe them," he replied, waving off that matter in disgust.

Yan sighed and looked at Ashley.

"Fine, I'll join you."

"About time! I thought I'd have to kill you too. Come on, let's get you changed. No good being scruffy in my nest," said Ashley, happily dragging Yan towards the Campania domain.

Yan sighed once more as he followed Ashley to the dock of the Teuton domain. Tossing him a fresh pair of clothes to wear, Ashley looked around before finding a boatman. As Ashley quickly got himself of a little wooden boat, Yan's stomach began to growl.

"Oh, right! I forgot. Here, take this," said Ashley, tossing Yan a bag.

"It's not poisonous," replied Ashley, as he paid off the owner of the small boat.

Yan looked skeptical but opened the bag anyway. His jaw dropped as he reached in and took out a loaf of bread. In that entire bag, it was filled with many different types of bread. From sourdough to baguettes, everything was fresh.

Though it was still cold, it was so much better than what he had before. Yan took a small nibble off from the tiny loaf in his hands. As he began munching, a surge of emotions racked through his body. before long he was sobbing while downing the loaf of bread in hunger.

"I got the boat!" yelled Ashley, motioning Yan to get onto the boat.

Yan rubbed his eyes, clearing his tears and went over to Ashley with the bag of food. Ashley then untied the ropes and started sailing towards the Campania domain.

"That was one difficult boatman. he refused to let this old thing go. Had to pay him in gold coins to convince him," complained Ashley, as he rowed off.

"Gold coins?!" exclaimed Yan, in disbelief.

"What do you expect? I'm of n.o.ble ranking. Even if I don't acknowledge it can't be denied that I'm the brother of a future Marquess."

"And yet, I don't see any n.o.bles helping us..." replied Yan, in sadness.

"Don't expect those who have the power to always help the weak. Learn to stand on your two feet, walk on those legs you've built. And you'll realize that you can be much more powerful than those born with power."

"What do you mean?"

"The fact that you can withstand nights after nights of torture and you were pushed to the brink of death. Yet, you refused to stand down, refusing to allow the weight of the world to crush you. You stood up and used your techniques to change your world. That's how you become powerful."