Ch 3: Like Father, Like Son - Pt 1: Day of Discontent

"And a little less than a year later, you were born, Aoi!" Hakuma looked quite proud about that.

Ignoring my father's comment, I pondered my parents' appearances. I could definitely believe my mother was an Angel, but something was missing. "Hang on. If you are really an Angel, does that mean you have wings?"

My mother nodded with a smile. "Sure do! In fact, your father does as well."

"That's right!" My father stuck his thumb up with a stupid-looking grin. "Why don't we go outside and show him?"

I jumped out of my chair, slamming my hands on the table in the process. "Really?! Can I see?!"

Miyo reached up and patted my head. "Of course you can, Aoi!"

Out in front of the house, my parents stood side by side with some space between them. Suddenly, two massive pairs of wings appeared from their backs. They were more or less what I had imagined. Each wing extended about as far to their sides as they were tall, and the feathers looked so soft. The only difference I could identify was the color. Naturally, my mother's were white, and my father's were black.

"Wow! That's so cool!" My eyes lit up as I admired the sight of something I never thought possible in my old life.

Hakuma chuckled. "I'm glad you like them, Son."

Another thought came to mind, and I looked at the ground with the side of my forefinger placed against my chin. "So, does this mean I have wings, too?"

My father crouched down and put his hand on my shoulder. "Someday when you come of age, your wings will grow." He was smiling at me when I looked up. "Personally, I am really looking forward to finding out whose wings you get."

Almost in a whisper, I let my feelings slip. "I kind of hope I have both..."

Hakuma removed his hand and turned his head toward Miyo. They shared the same concerned expression. My mother stepped forward and hugged me tightly. "I appreciate you saying that, Sweetie."

* * * * *

We made it three years since our last run in with those men, ever since I learned the history of my parents. Though my parents neither confirmed nor denied it, I deduced that our pursuers were most likely Angels sent by Miyo's father to rescue her from Hakuma. I never fully grasped the whole “romance” thing, but even I could tell my mother was much happier here with the man holding her heart than she ever had been or ever would be without him.

My parents had settled back into their old routines of hunting and gardening, but I was getting antsy. This time, we settled relatively close to a small town, and I my itch to check it out was growing more and more unbearable. Eighteen years in this world, and all I knew about it was that Angels and Demons existed, they naturally did not get along, and they had magical powers. As I sat against a tree reading a book my mother purchased from a traveler, countless questions ran through my mind.

Can Humans use magic? Are there any other races out there like Elves or Dwarves? Maybe even something like Vampires? Do Humans even know that Angels and Demons exist, or are they hiding themselves? What was society like? What does a typical town look like? Are there adventurers and guilds? Are there super strong guys out there who can punch someone across the room like it's nothing? Oh, what about dungeons? Is this world like an RPG? I was never all that into them, but I bet it'd be awesome to experience it in real life. Well, as long as I didn't get killed, anyway.

"Argh! I can't take it anymore!" I tossed the tattered book to the side and jumped up with a swing of my arms. After briefly admiring the colorful sky and the setting sun, I marched inside.

Miyo was stepping over the bench to take a seat, ready for dinner. "Thank you for helping me set the table, Darling. I really wore myself out today."

Hakuma placed a tray of skewered meat and vegetables in the center. "Of course. You always do so much for us around the house and to make sure we have delicious food on our plates. What kind of husband would I be if I never pitched in?"

I stood silently and waited for the two of them to look up. "Mom, Dad, I'd like to go into town. I'm old enough and strong enough to stand my ground, and it's been a while since anyone bothered us."

My parents exchanged glances, and my mother sighed lightly. "I suppose it won't do you any good to be cooped up here with us for your entire life. Maybe it isn't a terrible idea."

"I'm afraid I cannot allow that." With his blunt interjection, my father stared me dead in the eyes.

Accompanying a slight frown, the inner portions of my mother's eyebrows rose. "Darling, it is only a quaint Human village in the Kingdom of Rustig. I'm certain it will be all right if Aoi takes a short trip. I can go with him if--"

"Absolutely not!" A fist forcefully pounded the table, and a clang from the dishes followed. "There is no way I would allow both of you out of my sight away from the house."

"Then, why don't you come with us, Darling? It'd be our first ever family outing. It might be fun."

"Fun?" Hakuma recoiled with repulsion. "You remember the last time we tried to have a 'fun' time in town, don't you?"

Miyo was doing her best to keep the argument I accidentally started from escalating... "Well, yes, Darling, but--"

But Hakuma was not having any of it. "No. I will not change my mind on this matter."

I had to take some of the pressure off my mother. I had to think of a suggestion that would break through my father's adamance. "How about a duel? If I can beat you, then you'll let me go to town. If you win, I'll give it up for now."

My father took a step back from my mother and faced me. His seriousness lessened just by a little. "Ha! 'For now.' It doesn't matter. You truly believe you can beat me?"

Maintaining firm eye contact, I clenched my fists tightly. "Honestly, I doubt it. But this is important enough for me to try."

Hakuma narrowed his brows. "Very well, Son. You have my word."

At that, we stepped outside, swords in hand. It was a tough battle, and we were more closely matched than either of us anticipated. The one advantage I had was that I was in my prime. My father's breath grew heavier with each clash of our swords. Until finally, I knocked his blade loose from his hands.

"I won! I really did it!" I held my blade high to the sky.

"Don't get too ahead of yourself, Aoi." Hakuma smirked and made a motion with his arm.

"Huh? But you lost your--" As I attempted to explain the conditions of my victory, the pommel of his sword struck me in my left temple.

On my butt recovering from my daze, I rubbed my eyes and stared at the weapon that somehow flew across the yard. The moment I figured out what happened, my sense came right back. "Did you use magic?! That's cheating, isn't it?!"

"Treat this as a lesson, Son. There is no such thing as fair in battle. When it comes down to it, it's kill or be killed. Anything goes." Hakuma picked up his sword and returned it to its sheath. "Right or wrong, that's the unfortunate reality of the world we live in."

Jumping back to my feet, I could not contain my frustration any longer. "You and Mom might have lost your chance at a life out in the world, but you made that choice! I never had a choice! You made that decision for me!"

Hakuma's voice was growing desperate. "That isn't the point of any of this, Aoi! The villagers will take one good look at you, and they won't care who you are as long as you look like that! I know how kind you are, but others won't even give you a chance to show them!"

"What if there is someplace amazing out there that I'll never see?! What if there is some purpose waiting for me to find it?! What if I want to meet someone and have a family of my own?! How am I supposed to do any of that if I'm held captive here like some prisoner?! What's the point of even living if I don't have any control over my own life?!" Turning my back not expecting an answer, I stormed off to the house.

My father calmed down and spoke more sincerely. "I'm doing this to protect you, Son. I don't want you to go through the same experience I had when I was around your age."

Pausing in front of the door, I regrettably went too far. "How are you any better than the man who locked up the love of your life to keep her away from you...?"

"Aoi... Son, I..." My father weakly reached out for me before his arm slowly fell back to his side.