Fate mocked him so blatantly.
Like a story that begins in the same way. He had woken up once again. This time it was another room, larger, more decorated. The bed he was lying on was twice the size of the previous one.
He tried to sit up, but an uncomfortable pain prevented him from doing so. With his right hand he lightly touched his throat, a dry, suffocating sensation, along with the soft touch of bandages.
From the waist to the neck they were covered with bandages, and now he was wearing some kind of blue pajamas.
--Hump! To think that you would wake up after three days...
After the sigh, he turned his gaze slightly to see that on one side of the bed there was a woman sitting in an armchair, which seemed to have been made for reading, because on one side there was a large dark oak bookcase.
The woman's look was peaceful, and at the same time somewhat displeased. She was cutting an apple, trying to shape it into a rabbit, but without a doubt what she had made didn't look like a rabbit at all, it looked more like a spider than a rabbit. The woman left her attempted rabbit on a plate on the nightstand.
--This is not my thing...
He said in a sigh. His peculiar gaze rested on the boy's amber eyes.
--I hope this time you don't have problems.
He expressed, while crossing his arms and a look on his face that begged him not to do it.
Finally Aether managed to sit up. To realize that her braid had disappeared. Something that upset him a little, mainly because of the mushroom shape his hair had taken.
--Thank you...
The boy's voice was fragile and raspy.
The woman quickly raised an eyebrow in surprise.
--Because?.
He questioned.
Aether didn't say anything, just delicately took the plate and his thoughts were lost in the peculiar fruit sculpture.
The woman just sighed and sat down.
When the boy finished the fruit, he suddenly tried to stand up, but he seemed unsteady with so many staggers.
--I'm sorry for the problems...
He began to move towards the door while holding on to the bed and some furniture.
--I appreciate the hospitality... I have to go... I must... Someone... Search.
Talking exhausted him, walking exhausted him, but he couldn't stop for something that must be so insignificant to someone like him.
--Hey!.
The woman stood up.
Aether was already almost nothing from the door. But before touching it, it opened abruptly.
Father, where is the new one!?
A large number of children of different ages began to surround him, while he shouted in unison with excitement.
--You're bigger than I thought.
Said a boy.
--Why is your hair golden?
a girl asked.
-Where are you from? How old are you?
The one who seemed to be the oldest among all the children questioned.
Aether moved his gaze from side to side, looking at each child in surprise. Why were there so many children? he wondered. But a feeling of restlessness and bitterness flooded his chest. Among some children he dazzled one who did not have an arm, a girl who was missing a leg and used a crutch, another who seemed to be blind. Some had marks all over their bodies, scars, or missing limbs...
--Very good, very good! Everyone back down! He still has to rest.
The woman expressed while applauding.
The children seemed upset, but despite everything they obeyed. When everyone had left, the woman gave a loud sigh as she closed the door.
--What happened to them?...
The woman turned around and saw the melancholy and bitterness in Aether's gaze... After all, the eyes are the "windows" to the soul.
The woman sighed, as if everything would get more complicated every time.
--This is the bonfire house... An orphanage and all those children were abandoned for one reason or another...
Aether clenched his fists slightly.
--For the moment it is best that you rest.
The woman expressed as she looked at the boy's staggering.
She opened the door.
--In a while a doctor will come to see your condition.
Aether extended his hand as if to ask the woman something, but before he could do so she had already left and closed the door.
He just stayed silent, staring into nothingness...
╰───────────✧──────────────╮
--Okay, say ah, please.
Aether was being checked by an older looking man, who was wearing a white coat.
The man used a wooden stick and a somewhat rudimentary flashlight to see Aether's throat.
--Umm... It looks a little swollen... It has bruises, that's something I've never seen before.
The doctor stopped examining the throat, then took out a stethoscope.
--Take off your shirt please.
The doctor expressed and Aether obeyed.
The doc put on the stethoscope and put the other end on Aether's chest.
His eyes widened for a moment as he moved the stethoscope.
--Can I have your doll?
Aether extended his hand and the doc grabbed it. He began to take his pulse and his expression filled with surprise.
--The pulse is irregular, but there is pulse... Then why can't I hear the heart?
The doctor began to get lost in thought, until Aether caught his attention. He made a gesture with his hands and mouth, trying to explain to keep silent.
He slightly loosened the bandages on his chest...
The doctor was surprised. A feeling of disbelief and terror filled his chest. Well, the young man who was in front of him had stabbed himself with his right hand. He moved and molded his flesh and bones as if he were melted candle wax. The sound it caused was disturbing and twisted.
Finally the boy opened his chest slightly with both hands; as if it were a book. The reason for this was to show something.
In the center of his chest was housed a dazzling gem, the size of a human fist, of an exuberant red color and shine, a pure and true red impossible to recreate.
--This is...
The gem shone in one intensity or another depending on what it did. The doctor quickly deduced that that was the heart... Or whatever it was.
--In all these years I have never seen anything like this before...I feel like I'm seeing something I shouldn't see...Why are you showing it to me?...
--Equivalence of exchange... One secret for another...
Aether ran his hand over his chest; and as if it were a handkerchief cleaning a stain, the hole in his chest had disappeared.
--Secret?... Well... I still have the stuffed animal I slept with when I was a child, but I'm sure that doesn't interest you... So I imagine what you want is information. Correct?.
Aether nodded slightly.
The doctor sighed heavily.
--Well, what do you want to know?... As long as I don't know anything out of my reach, I can talk to you.
Aether's expression stiffened slightly.
--How many are there?... How many children are there?
The doctor's face became serious.
--...Why do you want to know?...
Aether was silent, and took a heavy bitter swallow.
--W-I want to help...
He expressed with a slight stutter.
The doctor once again sighed.
--Seeing it like this, it seems suspicious... But knowing that the person in charge has "interest" in you, I don't think it's a lie or you're an enemy.
The doctor cleared his throat slightly.
--Well, I can only say that currently there are 500 children. That they still don't do mandatory training...
The doctor was interrupted.
--That doesn't interest me... I want to know how many children are in an abnormal state.
--Ah, so that was... Well then... 1200.
The dry, stoic way he said it surprised Aether.
--Approximately there are a total of 600 children with early stage diseases, 400 with diseases without a cure, 50 with missing limbs, 100 in terminal stages and 50 who may not last more than a year. The ages range from 8 to 17 years old... Something else.
Aether's expression became thoughtful, as he placed his hand on his chin.
--...~The quantities will be too many~.
He began to whisper.
--~I don't know if I'll be able to do it, but I have to do it~... I may have asked too much, but could you help me by getting some materials?
--Well... You seem more trustworthy than the second herald... Wait, I didn't hear that...
╰───────────✧──────────────╮
--Well, as a doctor this was the only thing I could find. Iron, calcium, water, fluorine, salt, sulfur, fluorine, phosphorus, and four large pots aside, and tea... There is also what you asked me for. Here are your clothes.
The doctor handed over Aether's clothes and Aether took them.
--I do not recommend that you wear that type of clothing in a place as cold as it is.
The doctor commented.
--Thank you for your concern... But at this point, I would like to be alone.
--Well... I trust you won't make a bomb or something... Right?
Aether laughed uncomfortably.
The doctor left and closed the door.
Aether looks at all the objects... He took the ink and began to draw a huge circle with scribbles inside on the floor. It was slightly larger than the pots ordered. He divided the materials equally into each pot.
Finally finished, but there was still some missing.
-- According to my calculations, the required amount would have to be 90% to 80%, but the most viable limit would be to use 85%... Well, with that it's time to start.
Aether stood over the circle. He extended his left wrist, opened his right palm and as if it were a knife he cut his wrist. His blood began to drip and flow around the circle.
--An equivalent deal...
After a few moments his complexion began to pale.
They put their palms together causing a deafening noise. Red rays began to unleash.
Abruptly he joined his palms with the circle. The spilled blood began to cover each line of the circle and its scribbles, and then began to shine.
MY BLOOD FOR THE LIVES OF THESE CHILDREN!
At this point. This is what a man would do? This is what a hero would do? This is what a traveler would do?...
...This is what a brother would do?
[To be continued...]