Jan 19, 2014

Chapter 14: Lunch break

“Two burgers please, and ten packs of ketchup.”
“Ten packs? Would you like some fries with that, mister?”
“No, just that.”
“Ah..um, okay then. Would you like to eat here or take away?”
“Take away would be fine.”
“Right, please wait a minute.”

He was probably used to it. Every time he went to buy food, he got the same looks from people. Maybe because of his strikingly tall figure, or his unique hairs, or just because of the weird order. Whatever it was, he didn't mind them. He knew how to cast aside others’ judgments. Even though he came from a noble family among the secret society, he didn't want to be treat like one. He chose the path he wanted, and left the peaceful and luxury life to join this organization.

I don’t want to sit here and enjoy life while others are suffering.
I don’t want the power which only serve the well-being of the minority.
I want to protect people.

That was what he said to his father when he was told to inherit the family’s business. Even the family’s magical weapon making art couldn't appeal him one bit. Having learnt the history of the society, he had thought that human was just pitiful creatures struggling in the fight against nature. However, after years studying and training, he came to realize that human was far more capable than just struggling. He admired the 1st generation who had invented weapons to fight Nohigu, then 7th generation for capturing one of them; the 15th generation would never be forgotten in the memory of the society with their effort to protect the mankind. Therefore, he decided to cast aside his name, the noble name of the 23rd generation’s Gerahdine family, to become a soul hunter. He was banished for straying from the code of the family. But as long as he could serve the good of humanity, he didn't mind.

“Here’s your order mister. Two take-away burgers and ten packs of ketchup. Please enjoy your meals.” The cashier said with a smile.
“Thanks.” He took the food and walked away.
He thought he would be happy since he was doing what he wanted, but he couldn't see any sights of joy in his work. He even earned his name in the organization and admiration from the society as the number two of the hunters, but all of that just made him question himself more and more.

“Ray! Over here.”
His partner’s small build made him hard to see in a crowd. Luckily, Ray’s height helped him a lot in these situations.

“Here you go, burger and ketch up, as always.” He handed the bag to his partner.

“Thanks.” He tore the ketchup packs and enjoyed his meal.

“So, any news?” Ray asked, chewing his burger.

“Not much, the enemy did well on hiding themselves.  However, some magic traces remained in the southern direction. It would be a matter of time.” He tossed the wrapping paper aside, started to eat his burger.

“I see.”  Ray gave out a sigh.

“What is it?” His partner asked.

“Isn't it called irony? When I first join the Elements, I swore that I would fight to protect human, regardless they are magus or the rest. But it turned out to be in my effort to serve, I ended up breaking my own code and killing more people than I had imagined.” He stared at his lunch.

“And your point is?” The man sitting next to him continued eating his favorite ketchup.

Ray closed his eyes for a second, as if to let the words he spoke just now sink into the conversation.
“Nothing, just thinking out loud.” He took a bite from his burger.

“Yeah, it’s better be.” The partner didn't look at him, yet he paid attention to every words he said.

Unlike Ray, who came to the organization for his passion and reasons, Zaire’s path was totally in haze. Even though he was acknowledged as the strongest hunter by the organization and the society, very few ever heard of the name Zaire before he took down his first target, with his own hands. The people in the society only knew him as the first from the rest to be accepted by the organization. They could only guess about his past, about the hardship he had been through to possess such unseen power, enough to fight a magus without magic. He was thankful for the Elements to take him in and raise him to be the top. If Ray joined for the sake of protecting human, Zaire would do whatever it took to protect the organization. They were different, yet they were assigned as partner.

“Do you know why do we start to hunt the soul-bearer?” Zaire asked.

“Hmph, If I remembered correctly, it was the society’s 1st generation to figure out the existence of Nohigu and how dangerous they are to human. Therefore, they decided to started to fight for-” Ray explanation was interrupted by Zaire.

“Blah blah blah. I didn't ask about the history, I ask why do us start to do this work.”

“Isn't that obvious? To protect.” Ray said.

“Right, to protect. Even what we want to protect is different, it all comes down to the protecting shit. We can only fight at our strongest state if we have something to protect right?”

“Right. That’s what we learned on the first day.”
“Good, if you still remember it, then I don’t have to remind you that in the sake of protecting my belief, I am willing to cast aside everything. I will resort to any methods possible to bring down the threat to the organization, even if it means I have to take down my family, or my friends – If I have one obviously. I bet you understand that better than anyone, right Ray?” Zaire sudden raised his voice, a grin appeared in his face couldn't hide his threatening intent.

“I understand.” Ray replied to his superior with a solid look on his face.

“Then I have nothing else to say.” Zaire started to unwrap the burger.  “You know the importance of this mission don’t you? Failure is not an option here.”

“Yes. It was foolish of me to think like that.” Ray cast his eyes down.

“No no no, there’s nothing wrong with holding on to your code. It’s just that you have to consider the priority. And in this line of work, the priority of the organization should always come first.” Zaire talked while chewing.

“You know, sometimes your talk doesn't come together at all.” Ray sighed.

“It makes sense to me. That’s good enough. And Ray.”

“What is it?”

“Please do something about your height.” He tossed the wrapping paper to the bin.

“Shouldn't I be the one to say that?” Ray chuckled.

“Whatever. Alright, let get moving.” Zaire stood up from the bench and stretch his legs.


Two soul hunters were having lunch. Now they began the hunt again. 

-End chapter 14- 

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