Bound and Broken: An Isekai Adventure Dark Fantasy (Melas Book 1) by V.A. Lewis (autobiographies to read .TXT) 📕

to the state it was before it got damaged. Only a high grade healing potion would return it to normal, since they restore your body to as pristine a condition as possible. The Mancis Company probably had a mana tool designed specifically to remove the 'stamp', so a cheap, regular healing potion could heal the burn mark. But unfortunately I do not have that, or a high grade healing potion."

I slumped my shoulders and sighed. "Can’t you at least try?" I asked meekly.

Victor shook his head apologetically. He tipped over his bottle, and nothing came out. "As you can see, I’m out of healing potions. It was a fairly low quality one, and it was half empty before I used the rest for you. But there are more average quality potions where I’m headed. You could of course try them if you’d like if you feel like following me. However, that once again begs the question: what are you going to do now?"

"Oh, uh, I don’t know? Follow you and try that, I guess? It’s not like I really have anywhere else to go, and this stupid mark just paints a huge target on my back." I raised my shoulders uncertainly.

"But what happens after? Let’s say we somehow remove that mark from your face. Would you just go back into the world, and pretend to live like normal? Or better yet, what do you— Melas— really want?"

"What do I want?" I blinked.

"Yes. I’ve seen your magic. Your control over mana is excellent for a child. Something that should’ve been expected, knowing your mother. And yet, it’s even beyond that. You’d be a great boon if you joined our cause." Victor extended an arm towards me.

What is this, some sort of cult? MLM? Jehovah’s Witness?! I stared at him. At the young man who saved my life. And I saw a glimmer in his eyes.

I looked at his outstretched hand. At the offer he gave me. I wanted to take it, I really did. But I hesitated.

"By joining your cause, do you mean join the Dark Crusaders?"

"Yes." He nodded.

"So you want me to become a terrorist." I narrowed my eyes.

"As I said before, the more appropriate term is zealots. Personally, I believe that is a far better fate than being a slave. And I don’t just mean the kind of slavery that exists in the Free Lands. But a kind of slavery that the Holy Xan Empire holds over all of us with their false teachings. After all, aren’t they the reason for your mother’s death?"

My gaze snapped up to meet his; there was no grin and no knowing look. His face was serious. His eyes locked onto mine.

"...how did you know?"

"The same way I knew you were her daughter: an educated guess. Your mother was a rather prominent figure for over a decade. A thorn in the shoulder of the Church that just disappeared, leaving behind a mark that they would never forget. Even in obscurity, it was only a matter of time before a team of Inquisitors, or a Saint or Saintess found her."

"I see." I felt… angry. Victor was right; the Holy Xan Empire was wrong. They killed my mother. Took away the only light in my second life. I—

"You asked me earlier. About what I really want. I… don’t know. I think— I thought I wanted revenge. To hurt those who have wronged me. And yet…" I shuffled my feet.

I didn’t know. I remembered my mom. My slavery. My death. And something burned inside me.

But I also remembered death. And more recently, I remembered blasting a guard— someone who was trying to kill me— with magic. And seeing the blood on his arms, and thinking that if I didn’t miss. That if I...

My stomach wretched.

I just didn’t know. And Victor noticed.

The young man slowly lowered his hand, and sighed.

"Vengeance. It is something I can sympathize with. It is a truly noble task. But a long and arduous one too. I understand that this is a difficult question, considering your young age. But it is something we all must make eventually."

But I’m not a child! I didn’t have the energy to retort. And even if I did, I wouldn’t actually say that; because let’s be honest, my situation was very complicated.

I just stood still as Victor walked away from me and to the waiting horse. He paused right in front of it, and turned to face me.

"However, until you make your decision, you can’t just wander around by yourself. These lands are not safe for you. So I put this offer out to you: come with me, and the Dark Crusaders will offer you protection."

I blinked, but he continued.

"At the very least, we can protect you until you lose that brand upon your face. Of course, if you decide to lend us your power, it would be very much appreciated. But we can’t force you; we simply offer those like us— those who see the truth of this world— some kindness, and hope that maybe they’d do the same. So what do you say?"

I met the Dark Crusaders gaze, and he just waited. I felt some reservations, but not as much as before. After all, it was an enticing offer; there were no commitments on my end, and I only received benefits in return. It would be stupid to refuse. So I took it.

"I’ll follow you. For now, at least," I finally said.

"Very good." Victor grinned. He climbed up onto the horse, and proffered a hand to me. "Come on."

"Wait, we’re going now?"

"Of course. It’s still hours from midnight, and I’d like to reach the outpost as soon as possible. Honestly, I consider what happened back in that city a blessing since I now have my own horse, and don’t just have to hitch a