Year 2: The Battle of Rhodes - Chapter 4

DISCLAIMER - Hi everyone, TheGrompFather here. Ewan's backstory and his past are, in my mind, essential, to the plot of The Children of Eris and understanding who he used to be as a person, and how that will impact him now that he's in Aangapea.

HOWEVER.

As I'm sure some of you might have guessed or presumed from the previous chapter or the foreshadowing regarding Ewan, it is not a pleasant story. Therefore, I place this disclaimer warning here regarding Ewan - if you would rather not read it or would like to skip it, please hit Control F and search "Skip to Here" in the window to jump past it. 

Thank you for your understanding and please enjoy the chapter.

There was once a teacher called Ewan Walsh.

He was young for his profession and started just after getting his degree, with no prior experience in the world of work, and with very little in his bank.

However, that was because Ewan Walsh could never keep money for very long.

If anything, money wasn’t something he desired; rather, it was just what enabled his desires.

Mostly.

His job enabled the rest of his desires.

Not to teach, but rather to hold a position of power.

***

“Mr Walsh, this is too hard!” Protested Elysa, throwing her head back and flailing her legs.

“Elysa, these are basic questions about Welsh history.”

“What’s there to it? We fight England, we hide, we fight England, we hide - there, I summarised Welsh history!”

“That’s not even kind of accurate.” Ewan sighed. “Elysa, if you don’t know these, you’ll never pass the exam.”

“I know, but.” She pouted and lay her head on the table. “I didn’t even want to do this stupid subject.”

“First, ow.”

“Sorry.”

“Second.” Ewan smiled. “You need a good grade in history or else you’ll never-”

“I know, I know! I chose the university myself, so I know!” The schoolgirl sighed heavily. “I hate exams.”

“I don’t think there’s anyone who likes them per say.”

“Then, why does everyone make us do them?”

“Because it determines your academic abilities for-”

“One test, with random questions, some of which might be really easy or hard depending on who wrote them, gets to decide my whole future?”

“W-well-”

“What if I had a bad day?” Elysa asked. “Or what if I learn more later? Why should these tests be the sole-?!”

“Okay, enough of the greater philosophical and moral debate regarding exams and their pros and cons,” Ewan said. “Focus on passing first and reforming later, alright?”

***

Ewan dressed himself once he was done.

As always, he took a few pictures, though the girl he had just been with didn’t know.

He wasn’t going to use them for anything other than insurance.

To make sure they didn’t talk or betray him.

“Did you enjoy it, Katie?”

The girl rolled onto her side, still panting, and huddled herself beneath the blanket. She nodded and smiled. “Thank you, Mr Walsh. It’s a shame we can’t meet more often.”

“If the school ever found out-”

“I know, but I can’t wait until I’m eighteen.” Katie lazily pulled herself up, letting the blanket drop from her nude body, and hugged Ewan, kissing him sweetly. “I just want to show off to the world my handsome boyfriend.”

Ewan chuckled and nuzzled her neck. “Don’t worry. You’ll graduate before you know it.”

***

“Smoke?”

“I’m good, thank you.”

The woman shrugged and lit the one in her mouth, putting the pack back in her jacket pocket. She took a long drag, then sat up on the bed.

“How was it?”

“Not bad,” the woman answered. “Could’ve been worse.”

Ewan laughed. “What high praise.”

She shrugged. “A hookup’s a hookup, what can I say? I’ve been with people who rocked my world. You’re like a.” She grinned beneath his eyes. “Five.”

“Really? Then, shall we go again and let me take you to Heaven and back?”

“You can try, but.” She blew smoke into his face. “Wait until I’ve had a mint.”

***

“Mr Walsh, do you have a minute?”

“Mr Hope? What’s the matter?”

“Hmm, it’s nothing major, but that girl you tutor after school, Elysa.”

“Yes?”

“Her parents were calling reception earlier, hounding the receptionist to get you to call them. Something about her grades not being good enough for the course of her choice.”

“Ah, again?”

Mr Hope nodded. “I don’t suppose you could talk to her and get her to stop them?”

“I can try, but no promises,” Ewan said.

“Thank you. I’d hate to have to involve the police and chase them for harassment, but they’ve been rather more abrasive as of late, and-”

***

“I’m sorry my parents suck!”

Ewan laughed. “That’s not what I wanted to hear.”

“But it’s the truth, sir!” Elysa playfully stuck out her tongue. “Honestly, what are they doing? I’ll try talking to them tonight, but I make no promises.”

“That’s fine. I didn’t either.”

Elysa giggled. “Say, Mr Walsh, do you think it might help if you spoke with them in person and walked things through with them?”

“Sure. If you can’t convince them.”

***

“Mr and Mrs Stevens, thank you for taking the time to meet me. Now, regarding your daughter, Elysa’s, grades-”

***

“Here you are.” Ewan handed the prostitute a stack of notes. “Keep the change.”

“Rare to get two tips in one meeting,” the woman joked, though neither of them was amused by the comment. “Don’t suppose you have any ointment or-?”

“Fresh out, sorry.”

“Can I get another ten to-?” Ewan didn’t hesitate to put it into the stack of notes. “Cheers, love. Don’t mean to pry, but a teacher like you just throwing money like this? You sure you can afford it in this day and age?”

Ewan laughed. “I can.”

Once the woman was gone, Ewan surveyed his near empty apartment and smiled.

He was not a materialist and kept only what he needed.

Anything more than that was a waste of time and money, both of which could be better spent pursuing much more pleasurable avenues in life.

“Hmm, maybe I should cut down a little bit,” he thought aloud. “Katie’s gotten a bit too big for her head, thinking we’re actually lovers. I need to hold it in, keep her around for a bit, then break it off amicably so I can get back to my usual routine.” He sighed and turned on the TV to watch the news. “Still.” He smiled lustfully as he recalled Katie’s expression during their last meeting. “She’s very sexy.”

***

“Who is this?!”

“Oh, no one.”

“Don’t lie to me!”

“Dear, I’m not. I don’t ever ask for my one night’s names,” Ewan answered calmly.

“W-w…what?”

Ewan raised an eyebrow. “Look, Katie, don’t get me wrong, you’re great, we’re greater and all that, but a man has his needs and it’s impossible for one woman to be enough for any man.”

“…What…are you talking about?” Flabbergasted, Katie took a step back, while the woman who Ewan had just slept with stood awkwardly nearby, eyeing up the front door. “You…you cheated…on me?” Tears began to trickle from her eyes. “Why?”

Confused, Ewan said, “I just said why.”

“…B…but I…love…loved you.”

“I love you too.”

“Liar! If you loved someone, you wouldn’t do this to them!”

Seeing her chance, the woman fled the apartment as Katie screamed at Ewan for longer.

“I didn’t want to have to do this,” Ewan mumbled, pulling his phone out of his pocket. It wasn’t the usual one he had at work or the one he used in his free time.

It was a burner phone.

“…What…is that?”

“Keep your mouth shut, or I send these.” He showed her explicit photos of her on the screen. “To everyone we know. And I mean everyone.

“Your parents, your friends, your teachers, your enemies, everyone will see these. And do you know who they’ll be sent from? Your ex-boyfriend that you cheated on.”

“…Huh? But-that’s stupid, insane even! I never-!”

“Photoshop, my dear.” He changed the photo to one of her and a man she’d never seen before, perfectly inserted into the frame. “Is a wonderful tool, made even easier these days.” Ewan smiled a little solemnly. “I never wanted to use these, but.” He began walking towards her and she started to back away in a panic. “I never thought you’d catch me like this.

“I thought maybe once you graduated and you moved in, you might get suspicious of the times I’d come home late, but this.” He chuckled and pressed her against the door, pushing his body tightly against Katie’s. “This might be even better.” Ewan forcefully cupped her chin and savoured the tearful expression on her face. “From now on, you will do everything I say when we’re alone together. You will spend at least your usual three nights round here each week and do whatever I say.

“Refuse even once, and I hit send on this message. Understood?”

***

Power.

Pleasure.

Those were the two things Ewan Walsh had ever desired and he had both in the palm of his hand.

The level of control he had over Katie was electrifying, addictive and he craved it every single day.

She would say what he told her to, do what he demanded and he did not hold back on her.

Any and all fantasy he had that he once deemed too depraved he inflicted on Katie, and it was the greatest time of Ewan Walsh’s life.

“Once you head to university, this relationship will end. Until then, do what I say and who knows?” He chuckled and tenderly stroked the hair of the sobbing teenager. “You might even grow to like it.”

***

For three months, he kept up his new relationship with Katie while casually meeting people every weekend for intimacy, all while building a greater relationship with Elysa, the next girl he had set his sights on.

Based on his analysis, it’d only be a matter of time before she’d fallen for him completely, and then he’d make his move.

***

He made his move and managed to get a kiss from her, and he was elated.

Until.

***

“What is the meaning of this, Mr Walsh?!”

“Mr Smith? What-?”

Pictures and witness testimonies were thrown to the ground before him.

Confused, Ewan picked one up and saw it - a picture of him kissing Elysa.

“I-this isn’t-no, this is a malicious prank and-!”

“Remember, you can’t tell anyone about this.”

He froze.

It was his voice coming out of the recording device in Katie’s hand.

Red eyed and standing with four police officers behind her, Elysa holding her hand, and teachers around them in the room, the device played on.

“I won’t, don’t worry.”

“Good. You’re so cute, Elysa.”

“Thank you, Mr Walsh.”

“Please, call me, Sir.”

“Is that what you’re into…Sir?”

“Haha, it might be. It might just be you that-”

“For a teacher to lay his hand on not just one student, but two, and worse!” Mr Smith bellowed, roughly grabbing Ewan by the collar, though a police officer moved to put himself between the two teachers. “You forced yourself upon that poor girl for months! How dare you! What gives you the right to ruin a young woman’s life like that?”

“Sir, don’t do anything you’ll regret,” the officer said to Mr Smith. “If you assault him, he can sue you and you’ll suffer at his hands, alright? Let us take it from here, okay?”

Angry and red in the face, Mr Smith wanted to punch Ewan in his mouth and break all his teeth, but he held himself back and released Ewan.

“Mr Ewan Walsh, at this moment, you are-”

“You stupid bitch.”

“Mr Walsh-”

“You.” He locked eyes on Elysa, a fire blazing out of control inside his heart. “You did this. You ruined everything, everything!”

“Sir, if you-”

Ewan had punched the officer in the throat.

Then, he grabbed the taser and the bat.

What followed next was carnage.

Panic.

Blood was spilt.

People fell down in seconds.

Punches, kicks and more flew.

Ewan, bloody and bruised, leapt at Katie, but Elysa took the punch.

So, he choked her with his hands.

They were large, too large for the girl’s throat, and he began to crush them.

“You stupid bitches!”

He slammed Elysa’s head hard against the ground, then against the side of a cabinet, all while the staggered teachers and Katie fought him and tried to pull him off her.

The police were slowly getting back up, but the light was draining from Elysa’s eyes fast.

“Why?! Why?! Everything was perfect!” He smashed her head again and blood dyed the carpet. “Why?! You and your stupid bitch friend!”

He threw an elbow at Katie’s temple, nearly knocking the girl out as the police finally pulled him off Elysa, but it was too late.

In his anger, Ewan had killed the girl who had exposed his crimes.

Then, he ran.

He broke free of the police and ran from the school.

Patrol cars were dispatched, notices were put out on social media, the school was devastated, and Ewan Walsh ran.

And then he met his end.

He tripped, fell and cracked his head open on the pavement, in an alleyway not often walked by pedestrians.

There, Ewan Walsh, the young teacher who had been incredibly popular with his students and who had forever scarred the community he lived in, died, alone and cold, suffering pain that he could do nothing about.

That’s…how…I died?

That’s…that’s how…I lived?!

***

Skip to Here

Ewan vomited his guts out.

He coughed and spluttered, then threw up again.

“…That’s…who I was?” Ewan laughed bitterly; tears trickled down his face. “All…this time, that’s who…I was?”

Ewan couldn’t stop laughing at the absurdity of it.

All this time, I was…scum.

…Then, why was I chosen?

Why am I one of the Summoned Heroes?

Shouldn’t I…have been…on that side?

“Ah, that’s a good look in your eyes.”

Slowly, painfully, Ewan lifted his eyes from the ground and saw Xi Shi sat before him, on top of a pile of corpses, some fresher than others - no doubt victims that fell whilst Ewan’s memories returned.

Her smile was gentle, pleasant even, but it was haunting. It was like the one he’d seen in his memories - of his old self, of the satisfaction he felt playing with other people.

With his hand shaking, Ewan clutched Gungnir but couldn’t muster the strength to raise it up.

“…How did…you know?”

“Like I said, you are just like me.” Xi Shi purred. “Charybdis spotted someone like her not too long ago, and I have simply done the same. Birds of the same feather, I believe is the phrase, right?”

“Someone…like her?”

Xi Shi giggled. “Dao Chen.”

***

“Human bodies are so frail, are they not?” Charybdis asked rhetorically. “Without much force, skin can be pulled or ripped off it. Without much effort, it can bleed out and die. Without doing much, one can kill them. A broken neck, for example, and they drop down dead.” Charybdis giggled. “Yet, if in the hands of someone skilled, the human body is in no great danger.

“A skilled surgeon can make it appear as if there was never anything wrong with your body. A beautician can make even the ugliest of human’s look like a natural beauty. A masterful torturer can play with their victim’s body for dozens of hours without inflicting any lasting harm or ensure that the victim remains in great agony for days on end.

“Dao Chen.” Charybdis twirled the poisoned dagger between her fingertips as the hero in question, kneeling and pinned by two Dread Knights, was forced to watch Talon, broken and bloodied, lying on a table beside Charybdis, unable to move or breath properly. “What do you think would happen if I put this dagger that lets us transform into your companion’s body?

“Do you think the poison would overwhelm her and destroy her, or do you think she’d changed into a great sea creature like us?” Charybdis smiled sweetly. “Shall we find out together?”

***

“I’m…not that man.”

“But you are, Ewan,” Xi Shi said. “You did those things, even if you didn’t remember until now.”

“That’s…”

“What I’m quite curious about is why you forgot. Did you injure yourself or was it the mercy of the Gods? I wonder. Regardless.” Xi Shi leant forward. “You remember the elation, right? The satisfaction? The sheer delight of that pleasure, no?”

“…I…”

“Think about it, Ewan. The control. The dominance. The sheer thrill of every single moment. The luxury of that lifestyle, the way everyone bent to your will and how you lived how you wanted. Wouldn’t you want to return to that?”

Ewan didn’t answer; he just stared at the floor, and released his grip on Gungnir.

“You did nothing wrong, Ewan,” Xi Shi said, her voice echoing in his ear like sweet honey. “If you don’t live life to your own desires, then what’s the point in living? Why should anyone else matter? It’s your life, your story, and it’s up to you to do with it what you will.

“Come to us, Ewan. Serve the Demon Emperor and savour riches and pleasures beyond your wildest dreams.

“After all, living for one’s pleasure is not wrong.”

“…I…”

That’s who I was.

I can’t run away from that.

I imagine if I told everyone who I used to be, they’d all hate me.

Would they even believe me? He bit his lip. I don’t deserve their forgiveness, so they should…hate me, hate me as much as the Demon Emperor, maybe more. It’s what I deserve.

It’s who I…am…

I’m…

I…

“…No.”

Xi Shi raised an eyebrow but kept her mouth shut.

“I’m…not that…guy.” His fingertips stretched out and slowly crawled their way around his Divine Artifact. “I’m not him…Maybe you’re right. Maybe there’s…people who think living…living like that, for just yourself is fine…” He got up on one knee, clutching Gungnir much more firmly. “But!” He rose to his feet and thrust Gungnir forwards, shifting into a defensive stance again. “I’m not that man! That man died and was lost. I am Ewan Walsh, apprentice to the great hero Dante and one of the chosen Summoned Heroes of Aangapea, chosen to lead the Free People’s Alliance and defeat the Tyrant of the East!

“I’ll spend the rest of my life working off the blood debt that I’m carrying over from my old life, but I shall never ask for forgiveness for my crimes! Though Ewan Walsh died, his cross is mine to carry and I shall never forget that! Xi Shi!” Ewan put on a brave face and stared her down. “One day, I shall surpass and defeat you! Until then, I’ll do everything I can from my friends, my comrades and every single person in the west and in the east that has ever suffered at the hands of scum like you and the Demon Emperor!”

Slightly amused, Xi Shi stood from her makeshift thrown and took up her halberd.

“Then, show me, young hero.”