The way to become the Great Sorcerer

Chapter 24: Remember where you came from

I was10 years old when I remember the last time I saw my family. I was born from a poor family, my mother who was ill, bedridden in the comfort of our home. My father, who works day and night to support his wife and son. Even so, he still doesn't have enough money. Everything was so pitiful I might say and as a boy who wanted more than to watch his parents suffer, I want to be like other kids, playing around, having new toys every week. Unfortunately, every child can’t choose which family they would live with.

Being 10 years old, I totally knew the suffering of my parents yet I still blamed them for being what we were. Living in poverty in a rundown house, no money to buy any food, I even despised my mother for being such a burden. Having that illness made our entire life so difficult. I wanted to run away, but what would a 10-years-old kid do? I tried looking for a job but they dismissed me saying that I’m still too young. I for sure am aware of that fact. However I can’t do anything but swallow the bitterness.

I wish for that time to just hurry up and grow old, wanting to leave my disappointing parents that had nothing. I want to live life in luxury. I stopped going to school, I look around everywhere to find easy money. I even think about living in an orphanage so that I can find a new, richer family that would adopt me. But reality always gets me.

“Why aren’t you eating? Mommy would be sad. Look Dad is anticipating!”My mom said.

Her frail voice sounds so cheerful. She clasped her hands together as she watched me eat the food on the table. I almost gagged because of the bitterness in which both of my parents was alerted. My father quickly stood up to offer me water. I drink it out hoping to erase the taste.

“What is this?!” I half shouted at them. My father scratched his head. He stood there awkwardly.

“It’s the food your father brought home. You don’t like it?” My mom said in a gentle way.

“It tastes rotten!” I said standing up.

“How can you give this to your child!” I slammed my hand on our table. It made a bang sound. My actions caused the bowl to flip, spilling the content inside. Both of my parents flinched.

“Son!” My father shouted, warning me of my behaviour.

“Don’t call me son! I never wished for you to be my parents!” I shouted back at him.

My words made both of my parents' eyes widened.Disbelief and pain was painted on their faces. Suddenly my mother coughed violently. My father who was beside her quickly crouched down to give her a glass of water.

I watched as my mother couldn't stop her cough. My mother's skin was pale, her entire body was skinned and bones. Her eyes filled with dark bags. It seems like single touch on her can easily break her. My mother’s illnes is something that we can’t figure out. With a lack of money and financial support we can’t get her to a hospital for check up. I scanned down our rundown house. Our ceiling that was made out of metals has visible holes in it. I was pissed off and I don’t know why.

Maybe because I was tired of being in a porr family or because of the sound of my mother coughing in the background made me annoyed. All I want is to live in a house that’s it’s sturdy. I want a mother who won’t be a burden to our family. And I want a father who is not a loser. That’s all I want. I want to be like other kids in my neighborhood who had a stable home. I clenched my fist. I tried to stop my tears that was teasing to come out of my eyes as I choked in my saliva.

“I hate both of you!” I shouted at the top of my lungs.

Their attention focus on me. This made my mother stop coughing.

“Why was I born in this porr family!” I did not care if our neighbor heard us or my parents shocked faces.

“ I wish both of you are dead!” I shouted one last time. Before running out of the house. I heard my mother called my name but I was too mad to even bother.

I suddenly bumped into someone. I looked up as I felt annoyed. I saw my grandmother looking a at me with a stern face. She grabbed my arm in which I winced.

“Where are you going?” Her voice made me tremble in fear.

I have always been scared of my grandmother. Her disgusted face was the only thing that have from her. I pushed her with all my might making her fall due to her surprise. I did not turn back when she threw curses at me. I run away not minding that I wasn;t wearing my slippers.

I cried as I continuously wiped my tears hoping for it to stopped. I was filled with anger and hatred. I don’t want to go back to that house i’d rather die. Living in the strrets maybe better for me. Finally realizing that I was far from my neighborhood. I crouched down, my head hung low as I sobbed there. People who were waling passed me, tried to ignore and avoid me. Who would want a filthy child anyways?

I sat there for an hour as I watched the busy street in the city. Colorful lights twinkle around the city as christmas song were blasted in full volume. Families and couple enjoying the christmas. I watched there completely dazed. All of the people were minding their own business, too endorsed in celebrating the holiday. My eyes puffed because of crying, my throat was dry because of sobbing, and my feet were completely bruised from running barefoot. I was helpless and had nowhere to go.

I shiver there, hugging myself as I try to warm my body with rubs.My breath was visible because of the coldness of the night. A single snow landed on my knees.

I suddenly thought of my parents waiting for me at our house but I quickly dismissed it. A growl comes from my stomach as I clutch it as If my actions would stop it. Suddenly a small hand appeared at the corner of my eyes with a meat bun in it’s palms. I looked up at the owner and saw a child, maybe the same age as me. He wore full winter clothing to protect himself. He was clean, he wore a smile that could lighten up the whole world.

“Hello! Would you like some of my meat buns?”

I vaguely remember what happened after that day but I do somehow remember a Lady that help me get home. It was the day that changed my life. I scoffed at the memory, wondering why I recalled those events. I stared at the city before walking away. Heading inside to the building. I saw normal employees working in the office.

These sorcerers are smart enough to cover up their headquarters. This building is your average company filled with employees who needed money. They noticed me but quickly went back to what they were doing. Although I strut down in the halls with my horns and tail, they act as if they couldn’t see it.

I stopped and scan the employees. ‘It seem they did some magic of the people in here’

A hand touched my shoulders that made me alert. I quickly turn around, ready to attack the random person with my elbow. As quickly as i act , the person dodged it. I turn myself to face the culprit. I was slightly surprised on what greeted me.

“Loki! Don’t leave us!” Two female voices said in unison.

I grimaced in disgust, ‘Who is this?’ I thought trying to search my memory. ‘Right they were the twins that sat opposite from me a while ago’ I passed by them not encouraging their presence.

“Eh? Loki? wait for us!” They said following behind me.

I ignored the two's antics, having enough to deal with strangers I decided not to mind them as I walked down headed outside.

Suddenly a hand grasped my wrist, stopping me on my tracks.

“ Loki, your appearance.” They warned me in unison. I noticed in the corner of my eyes, a mirror that currently shows my look. Vsibile horns and tails. I clicked my tongue as I swat the hands that was holding my wrist.

“Don’t follow me.” I said before continuing my way. I brushed the hair that was bothering my eyes, hiding my horns in the process. The twins didn’t follow me as I expected, however they called out my name one last time.

With the papers in my hand, I walked around the city letting my feet take me .

“ Damian.” I muttered under my breath as I read the name that was in the paper.

Now that I clearly see his face, I can totally admit that we had the same appearance. Our only difference is our eyes. My brows furrowed as I slowly crumpled the paper. ‘Just you wait.’

I folded the paper and tucked it safely under my pockets. When I realized where I was, I halted. A familiar house was in front of me. Though It wasn’t the same as I remember. Half of the house was demolished, no roof or ceiling was evident. The only remains was the ruins of the said house. I stare at it nonchalantly. ‘They left, huh? As expected’ After a minute of looking at the ruins, I decided to leave to do what I was tasked to do.

Suddenly an old woman approached me, I tried to avoid her but he called out to me so I can't help but to stop.

“Excuse me young man, Have I seen you before?” Her frail voice asked out to me. I shaked my head indicating that she was wrong. She stared at me before nodding at my answer. I took a step, trying to escape but what she said next made me stop.

“Do you want to see the family that lived here?” She asked while looking at the demolished house.

I was hesitant for a second. ‘She knows where they are?’ I thought. I freeze in my place while she waits for my answer. If im going to appear before them, would thay me mad? Would they be happy? I thought of any scenarios that can possibly happen as i stood there not moving an inch.

The old woman seemed to notice my hesitance, nevertheless she continued her way, “If you want to, you can follow me.” She said in a chic manner. With her cane supporting her she slowly took one step at a time. I watch her back. I eventually followed her. ‘ Seeing them one last time is enough for me.’ I thought while we walked.

It took a minute. I noticed that we were far out from the neighborhood I used to live in. I noticed cracked statues of angels that were left untouched, maybe, for a decade. The palace was filled with dried leaves and sticks and it clearly shows that no one was taking care of it. I was confused. ‘Where would this old hag take me?’ My annoyance rising up as we walked with her infront of me leading in utter silence. “Hey old-”

“We’ve arrived.” She cut my words before I could finish it. And at that exact moment I realized as I looked down on what she’s looking at. My eyes slightly widen as I read the names on the dirty tomb.

Here Lies ‘Emma Constancia’

Lovingly remembered by her Family

Birth: May 8, ****

Died: December 31, ****

----

Here Lies ‘Albert Constancia’

A dear son and a Husband

Birth: June 1, ****

Died: January 4, ****

“They died ten years ago.” The old woman said

. Her voice fille with loneliness. I stood there unable to say anything. ‘They died a couple days after I left.’ I thought.

“The wife died because of her Illness.” I panned my head when she spoke again. I already expected her fate.

“Her worries for her son contributes to her death.” I look back at the tomb again and gulped. I don’t know what to feel in this moment. Should I be happy? Should I be sad? But i can’t feel anything.

Deep inside me I want to feel emotions and react about their deaths but no matter how I tried I can’t seem to feel anything.

“Her husband died not too long. Looking for his son and coping with his lost wife, his health deteriorated.” The woman continued.

“The couple was a loving family, the only thing bad about them was being poor.” She said. I agree in my head on what she said.

“And also by raising an ungrateful son.” Her voice suddenly lace with a sinister tone. Her expressions changed into a scowl while sge glared at nothing. My eyes widen on what she said.

She slowly turned her head to my direction. Her eyes staring into my own. as she uttered the words that made me feel chills on my spine.

“ Why did you come back now , Felix?”