Chapter 18: Rejection
Kyle opened his eyes immediately. Despite being in the underground medical centre he knew it was morning. A ripple of emotions coursed through his chest as he thought on the dream he just had. The Mercenaries of the Ever-Garden and Gods. Their fight played our right before his eyes and watching everything, he saw their strength and couldn't help feel so small in comparison. Amongst all the questions that swirled inside his mind two sat out amongst the rest. Was Estile okay and more forebodingly, why did he have the dream now?
A soft murmur broke him back into reality and as he looked down he spotted Lillia curled beneath the blankets, her head tucked against his chest. For a moment Kyle's young mind went blank. The memories frantically aligned themselves trying to make sense of the situation and finally with a calm breath he remembered. Other than talking nothing else had happened and before they realised it, both of them were asleep.
Gently Kyle brushed back her purple hair and smiled. He had to wonder what kind of dreams Lillia had. Most her life had been isolated within the Garden and now a young adult she was a soldier in the war against the demons. Even with her identity as the current Hero, what else did she have? She'd never explored the other cities, walked in the countryside alone or gone on an adventure with no point or destination. Then again Kyle had barely either.
With a careful ease Kyle slipped out from the bed causing the sleeping girl to whimper as his warmth vanished. He looked into the mirror against the wall and tilted his head not sure what to think. Dressed in a plain hospital gown his figure wasn't hard to see as a simple swish would expose his skin. The feminine figure matched his face, a far desire to what he wanted to grow up to be. Yet now with his hair white and only a sliver of flax left he could almost see the ghost of someone far greater than he was.
Unable to look any longer Kyle got changed into his uniform and exited the room. The thought of waking Lillia did pass through his mind but there was something he wanted to clarify first. Not even several metres out from the door Bethial spotted him.
"Kyle shouldn't you be resting?" the large man eyed him with a mixture of concern and pressure.
"I'm fine now. If I stay there any longer I'm going to get to antsy," Kyle smiled back amicably.
The Captain raised his brow, "Really? I thought with Lillia and yourself together there would be plenty you could do."
His sudden words caused Kyle to redden deeply, "N-nothing happened, we just talked!"
An unusual laugh broke the man's lips, "Of course. I'll not pry but perhaps you shouldn't leave her behind. Out of all of us she was the most worried. She thought you had given up your life for hers."
"I'll... keep that in mind," he nodded before turning his expression more seriously. "Captain I have a question."
"Go ahead."
"Have you received word about the next incursion?"
Bethial paused, his expression unable to be read clearly, "What makes you ask?"
"Nothing really," Kyle replied a little flustered. "I just want to know."
Judging him innocent the Captain responded, "The answer is no. Our sensors indicate that nothing is out of the ordinary, at least for now."
"Good," the young man's relief was clear. The dreams always came with demons and if they had as usual, Kyle didn't know what he could do. His body couldn't help but shake remembering the trauma of the battle.
"Now that you've asked your question, allow me one as well," the Captain stood in front of him squarely. "How much do you know of the Hero twenty years past?"
Kyle looked at the Captain unsure how to feel, "I saw some notes on him in Melissa's office and in the Hero's training ground. Maila also mentioned him before. She said he was different."
"Right and someone that was true to his duty," Bethial tapped Kyle on the shoulder. "You should look into him a bit more. I met the man once when I was first starting as a member of the Hero's Guard. Though at the time I didn't know he was the Hero, he was truly someone to look up to."
"Ah sure."
"Good," the Captain let go. "Now I've checked on you, you look well enough to leave. I'll pass it on that you're free to head back to the Garden. I'm sure Maila has a lot to talk about."
"Haha...," Kyle laughed dryly and as the Captain left went back to wake Lillia. At least for now it seemed that their lives would be a little more peaceful or so he hoped.
*
As soon as Kyle entered the range of the Garden's lodge a swarm of children leapt towards him. At first it was just Mitsu who, reading a book outside, noticed him first. Then as soon as his name left her lips the others appeared in mass.
"Wait not all at once!" Kyle spread his arms as the first few collided into his chest with cheerful glee. It didn't take long till he was pulled to the ground and the children crawled around him laughing. Although the older ones refrained from jumping there were a few exceptions like Himila who led the charge.
"Okay that's enough. He'll die at this rate," Lillia bent over and picked them off several at a time. Having already visited for a small time while Kyle was in the medical centre the children already had their fun with her.
Amongst it all Maila watched a few steps away with a pleasant smile, "Congratulations on making it back. I already said as much to Lillia but really, good job." The children naturally gave him some space as Maila addressed him.
"It was... eventful," Kyle smiled back.
"So I heard." She clapped her hands. "Now I know it's a bit early but how about we make some lunch. It's been a while since the children had your cooking." A cheer of life spread through the crowd and once more Kyle felt his arms jumped and pulled against.
"Not so rough. I was going to cook anyway. I'll be with you all in a moment," he managed to placate them once more. "Go off and play while Maila and I get things ready."
"We're not going to cook together?" one of the younger ones asked innocently.
"Umm not this time," he was hesitant to say yes. Although he knew some of their skills improved, it would be better to test them on another day. The children slowly dispersed. Many of them wanted to linger but knew better than to stick around too long. Three however didn't budge as they gripped Maila's dress tightly, staring at Kyle with cautious yet empty eyes. He leaned closer to them, "And who might you three be?"
The trio, one boy with a deep blue hair and two girls, one with a soft yellow and the other a pale green, squirmed and hid as much as they could behind their caretaker.
"They're new," Maila said and gently aided them to come out. She pointed them out in turn starting with the two girls. "This is Misty and Claudia and this is Andre. They arrived while you were gone."
"Well Misty, Claudia, Andre, it's nice to meet you," Kyle offered his hand towards them with a gentle care. "My name is Kyle, I work with Maila to take care of you all."
At first the three backed away but seeing Maila's insistence, slowly Andre took the lead and touched his hand. Misty came soon after and then finally joining them was Claudia. They couldn't be older than five and even compared to Rudy and Lana the next youngest they looked so small. Misty's yellow hair, Claudia's green and Andre's blue. Like the other children though the shade differed the base colour remained the same.
"Lillia can you help me take these three to play while Kyle and I make lunch?" Maila gestured for her to take the children, something that none of them seemed to like.
"Let's go you three," with practised ease Lillia coaxed them away from Maila.
Once a fair distance away Maila looked to Kyle, "Thank you for coming back."
"Thank you for waiting for me," he smiled and sensing that something else a bit harsher was coming quickly steered the conversation. "The new children, Misty, Claudia and Andre, just where did they come from?"
"I see what you're doing but I'll answer as best I can for your sake," her eyes lingered on their backs as Lillia took them inside. "The church brought them here. I know it seems suspicious but trust me when I say they weren't forced to come here."
Kyle couldn't help but frown. He trusted Maila but there was a lot about the Church that he couldn't wrap his head around. "So they just find children with interesting hair colours and bring them here to be Heroes?"
"It's more complicated than that, don't make it sound simple," she sighed. "I hope one day you'll see the entire picture and hearing that you might be having a meeting with them soon, maybe you'll get those answers sooner than later."
"Hopefully. After all that happened I'm a little-," before Kyle could finish a sudden instinctual response forced him to dodge back and reach for the dagger he wasn't carrying. Maila's hand hovered just where his neck had been. For several seconds neither of them said a word, the atmosphere between them tense.
Finally Maila let down her hand, "When you first came here you wouldn't have even reacted." She smiled conflicted.
"Like I was saying, a lot happened."
"I know. I read Bethial's report. Even the bits he didn't show others," her eyes lingered on his arm and chest. "What I want to know is why?"
"Why what?" Kyle looked at her genuinely confused.
"Why did you change so quickly?" she folded her arms. "Even amongst the children none of them have improved as fast as you did. Do you know what that means Kyle?"
"I'm a fast learner?"
Maila nodded, "Fast enough to be compared to the Hero. That holds weight Kyle. More than I think you know. The last person I knew who did that...."
Intrigued Kyle finished for her, "You mean the Hero from back then don't you?"
Maila paused, "Yes I do."
Kyle was beginning to understand why the Captain had spoken to him, "The Hero from 20 years ago...." He paused and realised the connection she was trying to make. "You think he and I might be similar?"
"Maybe." She frowned clearly anxious, "I don't know. There's a lot we need to consider and if we're wrong, you're the one who'll be in danger."
"I think I've already shown that I can handle danger."
"Not like this Kyle. It's not about fighting, it's about compatibility and responsibility." Maila breathed a calming breath. "For now let's make lunch. The children have been waiting for you a long time now"
Kyle nodded and looked to where the children played with Lillia outside. Despite all the mysteries and his future being up in the air, it was nice to come back.