Maria, god of misfortune by Leandra A. (little bear else holmelund minarik txt) 📕

"My name is Jin, I came here to hunt down parasites plaguing the land...what about you? What's your name kid?"  he asked him.

"I don't have a name..." he answered him hesitantly "But they called me monster maybe that's my name," he muutered, then suddenly the rain just starts pouring.

There was a long silence after that -- both of them just stared at each other's eyes and stand still on the tranquil rain. The silence just broken down when Jin move closer and then kneel down in front of him. he then lay his hand to feel the rain then look at the kid's eyes again.

"Would you like to come with me and live in a place where in you'll never be again drenched on this cold rain and blood alone...Shin?"  he asked him and then gave him a gentle smile.

"Shin?"  the kid look confused by what he meant by calling him in this name.

"Yes...that will be your name...Shin... which means New and also Heart "  he then pats his head and hold his hand. "From now on you will live like a man with a new heart!" he carried the boy and laugh while holding him.

The man brought him back with him and decided to take him as his child. He has no wife and was not even on his thirties so his men upon hearing can't help to think that it's a waste for him. But he was determined in taking care of the child he found and promised him that he will never let him felt all alone again.

"Come inside you'll get yourself wet..." Jin called out to the young Shin who was staring blankly at the dark sky. "Why do you always love watching the rain, Shin?" asked by Jin who was concerned on him getting drenched in rain while sitting on the veranda.

"I like watching the changes on the scenery colors that always happen when it's raining...Jin"  answered by him and then he tilt his head above to watch the rain pouring from the sky.

"Jin what is a monster?" The kid suddenly turned his head to him and ask this. He then explained that he heard the other children and villager calling him again by that name.

Jin who was taken a back with his question then place his hand on the boy's head and rustle his hair "A monster was something who doesn't have feel anything aside from greed and doesn't value life"

 The Kid just innocently stare at him "Didn't I say that from now you should stop worrying about this things? You just have to make an effort for them to know you better - Shin" He chuckles.

The kid little by little begun to open up and act according to his age. He was saved by the kindness Jin has showed him. As he grew older he begins to realize the importance of being alive and protecting a loved one. All of this was shown by Jin and the people around him that he treasured.

"I was saved by a man whom I never met as well when I'm on the verge of dying, I can't explain the feeling I have felt at that time and promised to myself that I'll make sure to do the same thing and save many lives as possible." answered by Jin in when the grown up Shin asked him on why did he decided to become a general.

Jin then have asked Shin to promise him that in case he died he wish to pass on these will to him and make sure to live from now on by not just protecting himself but live to protect his reason for living.

It was then a day after this that the news of Jin's death arrived on the the village. He felt unexplained sorrow and grief that he never felt before-- to the point that he cannot even shed a single tear to show the unbearable sadness he is in now. 

The only thing that keeps him from breaking down was the promise he made with him on that day which made him decides to get stronger and never again lose anyone -to live and most of all never again feel that way.

I can still remember the first time I almost see death and the first time I brought death to others. It is funny to think that the first man I killed was the man I thought once will save me and will show me the answer on what is my worth.

Back then I was walking aimlessly while holding carelessly a little life that was given to me. The pain and grief I felt earlier when I saw death and almost die as well from the first time, have long gone -- only emptiness and numbness has taken over me.

"Are you a lost child?" A man suddenly spoke to me but I was so out of it that I didn't even bother to answer him.

"Is that your sibling?" He then reached out his hand to the baby I was holding tight, it made me flinched then shrugged away his hands and glares at him.

"Whoa...Easy...I won't take your baby from you" He chuckles and then reach out his hand again waiting for me the hold it. "My name is Kaede, if you have nothing to go... I can give you a place that both of you can stay and live happily from now on"

I stares at him blankly "There's a place that I can be in?" I muttered and reached out the hand which I thought will show me a path now.

At that time, I failed to see that man's evil grin as he watches me fall into his lie-- I honestly thought I was saved. When we got back to his house, what I saw first were the distorted and horrid face of other children like me who are bound by ropes and was crying. I turn my back and what I saw next was his face which was hidden most by his sun glasses but I can almost feel his cold breathe as I step back away from him.

He was smiling but it now reeked of evilness and even though I want to run away, my body won't move an inch. "What are you planning to do with us?" I can hear the hoarseness of my voice that was trembling in fear.

Kaede grins at me and lean forward "Don't worry I won't hurt as long as you quietly obey me all times"

I grit my teeth and give him a nod " I...I understand" 

He made me and the other children do some dirty works for him. From begging money on people in streets it got escalated to stealing and other mischief. The same routine went on everyday until almost three years has gone past.

Elle has also turned three years old and wasn't yet aware of the things Kaede made me do. I beg him to just let her stay at home and let me do all the dirty works for him. But as one would expected once a liar will always be deceitful and will turn his back against you. His eyes would always follow her and it cause me unease and fear. It was creepy. 

"Hey, want to go somewhere with me princess?" I saw him kneeling down and holding Elle's arm tightly. I hurriedly run over to them and then pushes him away from her.

"Elle are you alright?" I frantically asks her and she just gave me a nod.

"Hey, I'm planning to sold that kid to a rich pervert man that will sure give me a large some of money in exchange with that little girl" He grumbles and then grabs her away from me.

I bring out the knife that I was hiding and hold it tight with both of my hands. He just smirked at me and even dare me to come and stab him with the knife. I turn my gaze to Elle and saw her crying and trembling with fear. To my surprise that actually made me calm down and so I straighten up and then shift the knife to my right hand and tighten my grip on the knife. I take a deep breathe in then begin walking forward to him slowly.

"What's with you, why are our eyes looks like that?!" He looks surprised and as if he has seen a ghost as he watches me getting closer to him. He then shove Elle away and rushed forward at me.

I just stood still and wait for him to come at me. His eyes were focused on the knife that was on my right hand  as he come closer, then when we were just an arm apart I dropped the knife that's on my right arm which caught him off guard. Instinctively his eyes, as well as his body, follows the knife and I was able to avert his focus on me.

I drew out another small dagger that I was hiding at my left hand and stab his neck with it. "Shit! I can't believe that I was by a ki..." A large thump then follows as he fell down on the floor.

A large pool of blood appeared as his blood  flows non stop out of his neck. For a second, I thought I saw myself that was drenched in blood as I watches the lifeless body of the first man I killed. This thought suddenly brought down a chill into my numb body.

I was so confused on what's happening to me, but sure even as a child, I know that the something inside me has died as well. My hands suddenly trembles and I can hear myself screaming a soundless voice

How much a man life's worth and what is really life's worth--until now I haven't got an answer for that. But I guess in order to know the answer, I need to hold on to this beautiful lie called life.

***

"Kai, are you sure it's safe to stay here in Hellas?" Elle asked me while looking all serious and worried,"Are you not worried on the news that Two Big kingdoms have joint together to take down this small country?" she debated and anticipates my answer to her question.

"I know how you feels but I can't take away this feeling that I need to stay closer to that man in order to know all the answers to my questions, that I've had in mind since from the start " I said to her and then gave her smile to reassured her that everything is going to be alright.

But in order to be on the safe side I did asked Elle and our men to leave this place and wait until I called for them, but she and the others refused saying that they won't leave me alone in danger. But who would have thought that right now I'll find myself seeing almost my own death once again.

''I don't know if this man was brave or just plainly foolish'' is what I thought as I look at General Shin who is eating in front of me.

This man selfishly brought me together with him on this place, that no one would thought he himself will go to. I can't believe it myself but