The Heart of Gaia

"STOP!"

I heard her familiar voice...

"IS THIS WHAT YOU WANT?!"

Vines emerged from nowhere that clung onto my body, forcing me to a halt midway. With my eyes wide open, I stared at the silhouette of a woman from beyond the bars.

The bright light beyond made it hard to recognize who this character was, slowly my eyes adjusted and I saw Cordelia.

I knew that she had despised me, maybe even planned to kill me herself.

"YOU SELFISH BRAT!"

I saw her unexplainable face, she trembled with anger but at the same time her expression was softened by tears...

"Why is she crying?" I thought.

"YOU ONLY EVER THOUGHT OF YOURSELF!"

"IS THAT HOW BADLY YOU WANT TO DIE?!"

The vines forced my hand that held the knife closer to my neck.

*Sob* *Sob*

She cried as she talked. Making it hard to understand what she said.

"Your father gave his life to save yours!"

"Your pathetic life that you'd want to throw away in an instant! You want him to die in vain? He wasn't just a father to you! but was a dear friend to us as well!" She added.

"I saw him after all these years! Some of us didn't even get to have the chance to meet him again!"

"He left you to us! This was how we could finally repay him! We owed him a lot! And you'd dare die?!"

"You've still have a lot to take responsibility for! Those lives you took are yours to repay! You can't and will not die! not under my watch!"

"Your life is not your own!"

"You have to Live! Live you ungrateful scoundrel!"

I saw her desperation, as she unloaded all of her pent up emotion in one succession. It was unfitting of her usual calm and collected manner, but there was one thing that she said that clung to mind...

"Live."

That word itself, I could remember my father uttering before his last breath. One word, I purposely avoided it deep down--I didn't want to live a life in constant denial.

I've let go of the knife as it clattered onto the floor. The sound reverberated then what followed was silence.

I took a look at Hackmann, he was shocked beyond all reason. It's as if this was the first time he saw Cordelia throwing an emotional fit.

"M-Madame?! Are you alright?!" He said concerningly.

"I-I'm quite alright, pardon my uncouth behavior..."

She took a deep breath, trying to regain her collected personality back.

"It's fine Madame, But how can you say that?!"

I saw his face turn from concern to aggrievance immediately, I could tell he couldn't tolerate the facts that he had recently heard.

"Hush yourself Hackmann. The verdict has yet to be verified, especially with the arrival of the Commander."

"But Madame! I thought it was decided already?! Did the Commander change his mind?!"

"How can this happen?! He can't go free, roaming around! In fact! he needs to die!" He shouted.

"Enough! We're not letting him free! As much as I want to hurt that child like you, we still need to uphold our current status. This is for the benefit of our group."

I could tell, Cordelia is barely holding herself together.

"B-But I looked up to you Madame! Did those men that died under you didn't matter at all!?"

"Fine!" She interrupted.

She wove her hand to her forehead, clearly distressed about the circumstance.

"The commander gave us permission to explain that child's past to only specific people. I know that Bardel himself hasn't said anything to you yet."

"I want to know Madame! I want to know why the Commander would willingly let go of such a freakish murderer! I want to know why is he involved!"

"He is the Last of The Cursed children of Laxxo..."

"WHAT!? THEN! WE SHOULD KILL HIM! IF HE'S A DIRECT DESCENDANT OF LAXXO!"

"It's true, I should just die, I'm worthless... I'm a living disaster." I uttered.

"No, Knoxx. This is something you should know, with your father gone, only a few people know of this and I'm one of them."

"You too Hackmann! Listen well!" She added.

"Let me rephrase what I said earlier--He's the last direct descendant of the Vihztecian Tribe."

"Vihztecian?!" Hackmann mused.

I've heard that name before but couldn't quite recall from where, it sounded familiar. I wonder who and what are they.

"That's right Liah!"

I heard an unfamiliar voice echoing from the farthest end of the prison. Soon it's owner revealed itself.

"Commander Rhys!?"

They both said in unison, so this character was the esteemed Commander of the Liberators. He sauntered towards Cordelia and placed his arm around her.

"No need to be so formal Liah! and..."

He wore an extremely stupified face while looking at Hackmann.

"Who are you again? ? Jack-chan? Axe-man?!"

"It's Hackmann Sir!"

"Ah! that boy Bardel saved, glad to see you're doing well!"

"Yes Sir!" Hackmann saluted.

"Can you please keep to yourself?" Cordelia threatened.

"Oh! My bad! My arm felt a little tired liah!"

Immediately he pulled his arm away.

It was hard to believe that this man was the esteemed Commander of the Liberators, he was too care-free and relaxed in person. I imagined him to be more serious.

He has a charismatic look despite that large scar underneath his right eye, he had his long, silky and brown hair tied. Was not too taller than Cordelia herself. The brown overcoat he wore accentuated the entirety of his clothing, from his pants to his leather boots. It was clear he had some sort of fashion sense.

"So you're old Leo's son?!"

I didn't answer as I stared at him in a reserved manner.

"Quiet aren't cha'?, Don't worry I don't bite."

He smiled.

"If you don't mind Rhys! we're in the middle of something important!"

she was clearly annoyed by his presence. While Hackmann stood at the side like a well-mannered dog.

"I know, allow me to continue."

She nodded in agreement.

"The Cursed Children of Laxxo, wasn't actually what you thought they were."

"What do you mean?" Hackmann questioned.

"They're actually a peaceful but powerful tribe, from what we gathered." Cordelia added.

"Yes, to be honest They were known as the Vihztecians. An ancient civilization before the war." Rhys continued.

"And you have their blood."

Rhy's dramatically pointed towards me with burning passionate eyes.

"Why?! what's so important about having their blood? what are they?" I answered.

I questioned as all of this new information that seemed unreliable, I didn't want to trust them.

"We couldn't gather much since most of what's known about them had been destroyed, but from what we know; they're the most prestigious wielders of Corr at the time"

"So much that when your father came back from the war, he had injuries from magical means."

My mouth fell wide open with bewilderment.

"Which was impossible. I know, Leo was a special case with his unique ability. Nobody knew how he got his powers but it's main properties was he couldn't be harmed with magic."

That would explain how I could kill him, even though it was generally unbelievable. I hated myself even more.

"Then they want my power?" I uttered.

"Precisely Knoxx, that's why your father sacrificed himself before so that we could escape." said Cordelia.

"No one knows how strong they are, but from what I can see, you hold vast amounts of Corr within you Knoxx. It's as if another being is within you."

A being huh? her remark reminded me of a certain individual.

"And if the Empire gets a hold of that, eventually they'll figure out how to use your power."

All of this because of some stupid power I have. I don't think that they'd be able to control this, even I can't.

"Tsk." reacted Hackmann.

I could only assume that he wasn't liking the situation, his frustrated look made it clear that he wanted justice for what I did. Especially after his remark.

"Then why don't you just kill me?!" I questioned.

If I died then all of their problems would be solved, Empire won't get their hands on this seemingly almighty power. Liberators won't have to go through the trouble of protecting me.

"We can't."

"Why?"

"Other than personal reasons, your power can help our cause. And that's why I'm here."

"I thought the process would be further delayed?" Cordelia mentioned towards Rhys.

"No, there would be no reason to. I only delayed it because I didn't want any unnecessary action."

At the end of his sentence he gazed at Hackmann. He couldn only drop his head low in response, not daring to look at the Commanders eyes.

"Knoxx, your punishment--You can't and will not die, until you've truly served the Liberators and it's cause. You'll only die of natural causes and until then, you serve under my orders."

I stared at him, this didn't feel right. But I could understand why he would do so. Although I didn't want to carry this weight and burden.

"Commander, Madame. I'll excuse myself..." Hackmann intruded.

"You may be excused." Cordelia ordered.

With a salute he left. The over-bearing emotions must've taken it's toll on him, he left with such a disgruntled face. But there were a lot of things in mind that I wanted to ask.

"Then How did I survive? Are you sure that I'm the only one left?"

"It all happened sixteen years ago after the war, the day when your father betrayed the Kingdom of Cyneweard which is now the Empire we all know."

"That day, he took something important with him. Something that we didn't really knew until I found Leo himself a few years back."

"It was you Knoxx." Cordelia followed.

"The kingdom wanted to exploit your lineage and it's power that's why your father betrayed the kingdom. He was swallowed with guilt and hate for the kingdom."

"We aren't sure if there are any others of your tribe left. Since he was the only Ranking officer in the field at the time, but even with an army of thousands behind him; he returned alone."

"We could only assume that's how devastating their power was."

So my father was the only one left from the War? there would have to be at least some people left? I know my father well, he'd help people even if he had to risk his.

"But it shouldn't be impossible for any survivors right?" I followed.

"The chances are slim but there could be, hiding in the shadows. Even the Empire can't cover everything." Rhys replied.

My mind raced at the possible thought of knowing what happened in the past.

"Don't even think about it knoxx."

I saw cordelia with a passive-aggressive look on her face, as if she saw through my thoughts. In reply, I wore an awkward smile while deliberately scratching my head.

I'll find out soon enough...but there was one thing that constantly bugged my mind.

"Why did the Empire go through so much trouble of massacring an innocent tribe?"

They both pondered for a second.

Until Rhys took something from his pocket, it was a small Viscorr that glowed prematurely like-wise it's size.

"It's because of this, from what we deduced."

"V-viscorr? But aren't they common?"

"Here it's common Knoxx, but for the rest of the world it's a hard resource to come by. It's pretty rare." Cordelia theorized.

"The Empire sells it for a very expensive price, sometimes other countries would be willing to trade rare artifacts for it." She followed.

So the king was blinded by the endless riches that it could bring. Conspiracy, murder and cover-ups--The Empire had stooped so low since then, now crimes rampant around the country of Ystallia.

"Anyways Knoxx, my decision if final. But I'll need a lot of convincing to do, I'm going to need your help Cordelia; After all this is your sector."

She nodded towards him.

"Until then, you'll be staying here. So take care of yourself."

He pinched his nose and fanned with his right hand.

"The place smells and looks like a pigsty." He remarked.

As soon as he waved his hand goodbye, Cordelia followed right after. In mere moments they had gone.

I was left to my own company again, couldn't complain as my mind was filled with uncertain amount of sentiment...

So much so that I couldn't discern my own feelings as the unending questions bombarded my head.

"Never ending questions..." I muttered.