Born in Blood

"I'm alive, old man," Liam said, smiling after hearing his teacher's voice. "You almost killed yourself from sadness, didn't you?"

Lloyd guffawed, grabbing the attention of those in the restaurant. "Nice to see your sense of humor isn't dead, either. Where are you, kid? My knuckles miss the top of your head."

Liam snorted playfully, but his tone grew stern a moment later.

"I'll need you to do something for me, old man. I'll start explaining what happened…"

Lloyd's face went through multiple emotions, which eventually changed to anger when Liam explained Emma and Yannis' betrayal.

He himself thought they were fishy, but he missed any action from their side.

Liam hadn't mentioned anything about his time underground. That could come later. Now, he was explaining something else.

"...And that's the gist of what I want to do. Can you help?"

Lloyd scoffed. "Don't underestimate me, kid. Of course I can."

***

Liam perched atop a tree near the ravine, his attention towards the night sky as he stargazed… and waited.

His flowing hair rested on his shoulders – as Liam didn't find time to cut it. He still wore the same hairy robe, made from bat hide – but cleaner since he took a well needed wash.

It wasn't long before he sensed and saw three figures approaching from roughly 100 meters away.

Liam already coated himself with his mental waves, concealing his presence – which was a whole lot more effective due to his strong consciousness.

Lloyd, Emma and Yannis were nearing the ravine. Through the King's Eye, he could see their aura. More specifically, the 'Ora' that surrounded their bodies.

Lloyd had a translucent aura, Emma's was slightly brownish – since she was of the earth element – and Yannis' was an orangish hue.

Emma looked stern, a frown scrunching her features. Yannis on the other hand looked tense and uncomfortable.

"You sure you said he's alive?" Emma asked, her eyes scouring the surroundings.

"Yes. I heard his voice. I brought you two along so we could discuss how to divide the merit points. The kid is hiding from his mother, you see." Lloyd explained, and his Jade started to glow a second later.

Abruptly, a wind-made spear whirred in Lloyd's hand, which he instantly rammed into Emma's chest – piercing her chest.

"Urk!"

Simultaneously, a shadow fell from the tree Yannis was under, landing a powerful kick on her back that caused her spine to crack.

Liam used Cartilage Brace to strengthen his knee. The strike caused Yannis to fall and scream in pain – before she could react, Liam pulled her arms and pushed her body down with his foot.

"What is the meaning of this!?" Emma bellowed, the hole in her chest leaking gobs of blood, but she popped a pill in her mouth that stopped the bleeding.

Lloyd didn't speak – his figure blurred, landing a flurry of kicks, punches and slashes on Emma's body, pushing her backwards as she desperately tried to defend with her spear.

As that happened, Liam shifted his attention to Yannis.

"You didn't expect me to survive, did you?" Liam growled, increasing the force he exerted on Yannis' body, making her shriek. "Was it the Royce family who sent you?"

Yannis didn't respond, doing her best to suppress her groans of pain, but unable to – especially since Liam moved his foot to press against her head.

Liam's mental pressure and strength did not fit his age in the least.

Yannis' consciousness threatened to break.

"Stop—!" Emma shouted from a distance as Lloyd continued to pressure her.

"Answer me." Liam said icily, the surroundings turning frigid.

The bloodlust radiating from Liam's figure made even Lloyd scowl – despite it not being directed towards him.

"Yes! They did! We were main-branch soldiers, and master Adrian ordered us to take care of you. Let my sister go, please." Emma wheezed desperately, speaking in between attacking and defending.

'Adrian… so that's my father's name.'

Cracking noises sounded on Yannis' bruised and battered body.

Suddenly, she slipped from Liam's hold by dislocating her joints, whipping out her daggers and aiming straight for his neck.

"Die!"

Lloyd and Emma watched in shock as Liam instantly evaded the daggers and put his mouth on Yannis' neck.

"Huh?"

…Biting out her jugular vein.

Liam chewed the piece of bloodied flesh while Yannis stumbled and fell, her neck spurting… a raw bite mark revealing the muscle underneath.

Life left her eyes.

"Yannis! You… you whoreson!" Emma shouted, tears flowing down her face.

Liam spat, his cold eye glowing golden in the dark.

"I've had better… magical beast is definitely better than your sister's flesh."

Lloyd grimaced. 'Just what did he go through during these three months? He looks like… a wild animal.'

It wasn't the revenge that Lloyd felt uncomfortable with. He probably would've done the same. It was the indifference that bothered him.

Before Liam could continue his torture, Lloyd shook his head. Another wind spear pierced Emma's heart, killing her instantly.

"That's enough, don't you think? She wouldn't have said anything more, anyway."

Liam's cold demeanor gradually softened, and his bloodlust reeled back in, his face shifting to a smile.

"How've you been, old man?" Liam clasped his hand with Lloyd's, pressing firmly. 𝘣𝘦𝘥𝘯𝑜𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝑐𝑜𝑚

Lloyd snorted and shook his head. "Worry about yourself… how about you start explaining where you've been? Also, what's with the eye?"

Lloyd didn't fail to see the changes in Liam's physique – his earlier grip was to assess his strength.

Liam nodded, but then remembered something.

"I'll explain everything. Do you know about Rogan's Forgery?"

Lloyd nodded. "I've heard the blacksmith is quite eccentric. I've never gone to him, though."

"Tell him you're my teacher. I'll see you there, but I need to meet with my mother first."

Lloyd nodded again. "Careful, lad. She's a bit… grieved. Rightfully so. You shouldn't start any mission or fight for some time before she's calmed down."

Liam let out a solemn sigh. "I'll try. Thanks for your help, old man."

The two departed shortly after – but not before looting Emma and Yannis' rings.

After that, Liam started to run home.