PART 7 :-
ENCOUNTER WITH BULLIES
Bond perspective:-
"Why don't you die, curse? Then our home will not be destroyed," a boy among them told him.
Well, I understood that he was bullied by everyone here—both students and staff—and he never protested. It seemed like both of our childhoods were not normal.
"Hey, you. What's your name?"
"What's the point of telling my name to a bunch of otiose people who don't even know how to respect others?"
A boy from the middle, maybe their leader, said to me, "You think you're some kind of eminent person? One punch from me is enough for you."
"Coming in a group just to bully one person and talking about power—what are you, an idiot?"
The whole class stared at him and chuckled.
"Don't make me angry."
He was about to punch me, but Bright stopped his hand and said,
"Well, you should stop now, Dex. The class is going to start."
...…..
Dex perspective:-
What's that, curse come with that boy. It's looks like, he really make a friend finally. Does that guy really doesn't know about curse.
"Hey you, what's your name?" I asked him .
"What is the point of telling my name to the bunch of otiose. Who doesn't even know how to respect others."
What did he just tell me? No one has ever disrespected me like that before. What does he think he is, a VIP?
"You think you are some kind of eminent person? One punch from me is enough for you," I said.
"Coming with a group just to bully one person and talking about power—what are you, an idiot?"
That guy was so annoying; it made me angry. Well, it looked like I had to teach him a lesson.
What? The curse stopped my hand? That has never happened before.
"Well, you should stop now, Dex. The class is going to start," Bright said.
What's with that look? His eyes are different. They don't look hopeless anymore.
"Don't touch me with your hands. What if I also become cursed?"
"Let's go, Bond."
So his name is Bond, huh.
"Hey, don't you know about his curse? He is untouchable. If you stay with him, you will also inherit his curse."
That look… that's the one I was waiting for. Those eyes filled with sadness. You deserve that sadness with your cursed life.
"People like you deserve to be destroyed. If he has power, then it's not a curse—it's a gift."
What did he say? Can't he understand what I said?
"He saved me. People with gifts sold me and tortured me for their own desires. So to me, his curse is a gift."
"You don't understand. Most of us lost our parents in the flames because of him. They said it was an Azuron[*]. Everyone burned that day, but he survived. He was laughing like a devil."
[He shouted, pain trembling in his voice. ]
What am I even saying to him? It's not like he will understand our pain.
"Did you see that?"
"Aa… umm… I mean, we were just babies at that time. How could I remember?"
"And you all blame him, huh? What is the guarantee that you all know the exact truth?"
"Umm… No matter what you say, I will never forgive him or let him be happy."
"Alright, everybody, take your seats," the teacher announced.
[ The conversation ended as the class teacher entered. Everyone sat in their respective groups, and the class began. Bond and Bright were sitting together in the same group. ]
[* Azuron :- Blue Flame]
PART 8 :-
THE BELIEF FOLLOW IN LAND OF AARU
Class teacher perspective:-
"So, before we start our class, today a new member is joining our family. Please introduce yourself."
So that's the new kid everybody was talking about. It's really surprising how he managed to escape from there.
"My name is Bond."
"Just this? Nothing more?"
"I just want to forget my past. Do you have any problem with that?"
It looks like he is lacking communication skills.
"Umm… hm… ha… no, it's okay. You know, in our previous classes we taught language and manners. If you don't know them, you might cause trouble."
"Hmmm. I know basic language, and nobody in this class really knows manners, so you don't have to worry about that."
And it seems he's lacking manners as well.
"So, let's start the class then."
"In your childhood days, we teach you all about language, manners, and give you knowledge about our land. This is so that in the future you can go to the academy, any workplace, or pursue any profession you like without any problems. Your future studies depend on this foundation."
"So, today we will study our land and religion. As you all know, we live in the Land of Aaru—one of the biggest and most important lands in this world."
"And now about our religion. We all follow the belief of the Bird."
"Now, I know some of you are already thinking about clans. Each clan believes in a different bird and worships it. For example:
HORUS :– They believe in the Falcon. It symbolizes the sky, divine order, and kingship. That's why they have the right to rule the land.
NEKHBET:- They believe in Eagle. It symbolizes as a protector. So they always become the warrior, and protect our land.
RA :- well it's a brunch of Horus, or you can call it's also beleive in same Bird falcon or Hawk Bird. They symbolizes as loyal and intelligent so they play the role of a ministers or a Lord in our lands.
BENNUE :- They believe in the phoenix. It symbolizes care and emotions. Most of them are in our medical care and science, but their percentage in number is so low."
"I hope you all understand about the clans. Each clan has a head, called a Saishu."
"What about the slave clans?"
You children should not have knowledge about the slave clans, or you might end up like us as well.
"Aaamm… well, there are clans like…
HAGAR:- They are normal slaves, they did most of the slavery.
SHABTI:- They are magical slave. The are huge help in medical because we all know their are only some people left in Bennue clan. And they are great help because of their magical powers.
MAMLUKS:- They are known as slave soldiers. They directly serve our warriors.
HEM NETER :- They are servent of God, so they serve only HORUS and RA clans.
"There are so many other small clan as well, and they all chose their profession along side with their beliefs."
" Hey Shaman[*], told us something about other religion and clan, we already know about this thing."
"If you want to become a Faris[*] or a warrior, the academy will give you the knowledge about other religion. For you kids, you have to follow and know your own religion first."
"What!!!! That's so boring. I thought, today we are going to learn about other religion. "
[Bell ringing]
What? It's already time for the class to end.
"Okay, we'll discuss this later."
[* Shaman :- A teacher or a person with knowledge, who guide other. ]
[* Faris :- Those who travel across the world in this story are supporters of the warriors. They accompany them in battles and help defeat their enemies. ]
PART 9 :-
BEFORE THE TROUBLE
Dex perspective :-
He thinks he can told me anything and I accept it.
[Giggling in the floor.] I will make, both of you pay for this.
"Hey guys, We have to make a good plan, so that they never smile again."
"Yeah, that's for sure."
...…
MC perspective :-
"Today, class feels like it ended early, you know."
School feels good when you have a friend. We have to finish our work so that we can get our food.
"Hey Bond, let's go to the market in the city. You don't have any clothes or personal things."
"I don't have money."
"Don't think about that too much. I have some money. You don't have to worry."
"But you already gave me your clothes," he said, still hesitating.
"It's okay… it's okay… You are my friend."
"But if I go to the city, they might find me."
"I don't think so. Hmmm… I know someone who might help us."
[ Entering in the Lord office without permission. ]
"Hey Lord, we need your help."
"First of all, who gave you permission to enter my office? And how did you even get in? And most importantly, it's 'sir' for both of you kids!"
"Where are your manners?"
"Don't worry about that. No one in this hostel has manners," Bond answered.
"Well, your guard sleeps too much. We need your help," I replied.
Lord groaned. "Not again! What do you want now, Bright?"
"As you know, Bond doesn't have any clothes or basic daily necessities. He can't even go to the store. And nobody will help me because I'm cursed."
"So you want me to go to the store and buy his basic necessities?"
"Yes, yes!"
"What am I? A caretaker?" Lord shouted. "I give him shelter, food, and treat the other students, and now you want me to go to the market? I am your master, not your servant! Now get lost. I have important things to do."
"Hey, at least give us some money. You know we need it," Bond said.
"And why should I give you money?"
"Because we do most of the staff work, which saves your money," I argued.
"And I let you live here!"
Bond and Lord both started arguing.
"We don't need much. Just give us some money, that's all."
With a sigh, he finally agreed. "Fine… here's some money. Now get lost."
[ In the ground]
"He should have helped us. But at least he gave us money. Now we have enough."
"Hey Bright, why does only Lord call you by that name?"
"Well… if Lord had never told me my name, I would never have known it, that's for sure."
"Now, what should we do?"
Deep in thought…
"How about changing your appearance? If nobody recognizes you, it might not be a problem."
"And how am I going to do that?" [wondering]
"He… he… he… leave that to me."
[ Bright started to change Bond's appearance. He brought a cap from Lord, placed a mask 😷 over his mouth, and put black sunglasses on him. ]
"How do you manage all these things?"
"When I go to the market, many people throw things at me because of my curse. So I collect them—just so nobody recognizes me. Well, the cap is from Lord, though… he scolded me again. Ha… ha… ha…"
"Why do you do all this for me?"
"I just don't want you to wear cursed things."
"Thank you. But then, what will you wear?"
"I have this sheet to cover my mouth. It will be fine."
[ Both of them going towards the market. Meanwhile, someone watching them from shadow.]
...…..
Dex perspective :-
So, you're going to the market. That's fine… but I'll make you regret that decision. If anything bad happens there, all the blame will fall on him.
...…..