the time, I had no idea what was going on, I was completely unconscious. But, when I came to, I was in a cave, covered in bandages, and in front of me was a warm fire. And there he was, sitting across me, fast asleep."
There they were, as the raging storm outside blanketed the world in the deafening sound of the howling winds.
Inside the cave, they were safe, shielded from the relentless snowstorm. Borin turned his head toward the cave's entrance, witnessing the unfolded chaos outside for himself. As the silence broken by a single voice.
"Oh, you're awake, good," the boy said.
Borin turned his head toward him. Seeing that boy was awake, Borin asked, "Wait, did you...?" He examined his body, noticing that the pain had eased, him wrapped in fresh bandages.
"Don't worry," the boy said. "I've treated your wounds and managed to stop the bleeding. So you'll be alright."
Borin smiled wide and replied, "So, you patched me up, huh? Well, thanks a lot, kid, I really do appreciate it."
The boy for a moment paused, before smiling back. Borin then asked, "By the way kid, if you don't mind me asking…"
The boy tilted his head. "Ah? Yes, what is it?"
"Well you see, I noticed the storm outside and was just wondering… did you carry me here?" he asked, curious as to what had happen.
The boy nodded his head. "I did. You were unconscious and losing a lot of blood. Therefore, I had to act fast. The storm was getting worse by the second, so I found this cave for shelter."
Borin glanced around the cave and nodded his head. "I see. Therefore, this makes it the second time you've saved my life. Well, in that case…"
Borin forced his weakened body off the ground. Struggling, he made his way towards the boy, who immediately protested to it.
"Hey, mister! You shouldn't be moving just yet, you could reopen your wounds!"
Ignoring the warning, Borin knelt before the boy, bowing his head deeply in the process. "Allow me to show my gratitude. If you hadn't shown up when you did, I would be dead. Therefore, thank you, truly."
The boy looked at Borin's bowed head, clearly surprised by his actions. "You don't have to thank me. I just did what any other adventurer would have done. So there's no reason for you to bow your head like this, I didn't do anything special."
Borin raised his head and grinned. "Maybe so, but you chose to help me. That is something worth thanking you. I mean you saved this old man from kicking the bucket! Hahaha!"
Borin's laughter echoed throughout the cave, and the boy could not help but chuckle softly. Though the storm outside raged on, it could not pierce the warmth and camaraderie inside the cave.
After a moment of silence, Borin broke the quiet. "That's right, now that I think about it; I didn't even catch your name, kid."
The boy's expression froze, his face growing pale as he sat in awkward silence.
Borin continued, "Well, my name's Borin. Borin Stonefist. See?" He turned his head, revealing his name etched onto his neck.
"You probably already know this, but every living being in this world bears their name like this. So, what about you, kid? What's your name?"
The boy hesitated but eventually answered, "I… I don't have a name."
The atmosphere shifted, the boy's admission cutting through the air like the storm's winds. Borin blinked in confusion. "Wait, you don't have a name? Then that means… you're a…"
"That's right," the boy said softly. "I'm a Null."
Borin's thoughts raced. 'A Null, huh? A being without a name… I never thought such a person could exist.'
"Interesting," Borin murmured to himself.
"Huh? What do you mean by that?" the boy asked, puzzled.
Borin waved his hand dismissively. "Oh, it's nothing, don't worry about it. I'm just surprised, is all. I've only heard stories about Nulls. I didn't think I'd ever meet one in person."
The boy looked away. "Not many people like having me around. So it's hard to know what to expect."
The boy then turned to Borin. "Are you afraid of me mister?"
Borin smiled warmly. "Now why would I be afraid of you? You saved my life. The only thing I'd fear is you're fighting skills, now that's something scary!"
The boy chuckled. "Is that so? Well, I guess people would avoid me because of that."
"And besides," Borin added, "a weapon's worth isn't in its shine but in the steel beneath it. That's what I always say. So no, kid, I'm not afraid of you. Beside something tells me you're full of surprises. I'm just excited to see what they are! Hahaha!"
The boy then felt a strange sense of relief. 'That's odd,' he thought to himself. 'Most people avoid me when they find out I'm a Null. They either fear me or hate me, but Borin… he's... different.'
The boy smiled softly and said, "Thank you, Borin."
Borin grinned back. "No, thank you, kid."
After the Storm
Once the storm had passed, they made their way through the forest. As they approached the city's bridge entrance, Borin stopped to take it all in. "Never thought I'd get to see this place again. It's good to be going home again."
The boy glanced at him. "It's still a long walk. Think you'll be alright?"
Borin chuckled. "Sure, I've still got some fight left in me. Though a drink and a nap sound even better."
The boy smiled. "Then we'd better get moving."
As they walked, Borin's eyes kept drifting to the object strapped to the boy's back, a sword wrapped tightly in bandages. Noticing Borin's gaze, the boy asked, "Is something the matter?"
"Huh? Oh, no, it's nothing," Borin said. "I was just wondering, what's that on your back?"
The boy reached for the hilt, carefully unwrapping the bandages to reveal the blade beneath it. The once-proud steel was marred with rust, its edge dulled by time and wear.
"This… it was a gift. It's very important to me."
Borin's eyes sparkled with a mix of curiosity and concern. "A sword like this, huh? But why keep it wrapped up like that? Doesn't it have a sheath?"
The boy shook his head. "No, it doesn't."
Borin ran a rough hand along the corroded blade, clicking his tongue. "Tch, this thing's seen better days. If it means that much to you, why not let me fix it up?"
The boy hesitated. "You don't have to do that."
"You're right, I don't," Borin said with a grin. "But I want to. And don't worry about the price. I'll even throw in a sheath while I'm at it."
The boy chuckled. "Well, when you put it that way, I can't wait."
Laughter filled the air as the two continued on walking toward the city. A new bond forged.
Back to the Present
Borin finishing his tale with a firm smile said, "And that's the story of how I met the kid and ended up with the task of forging a sheath for his sword."
Elira, resting her chin on her hands, said, "Wow, I can't believe you actually went through all that."
Borin nodded his head. "It was long before I even took you in as my apprentice."
"Seriously, why didn't you tell me this before?" Elira asked.
Borin laughed heartily. "Simple, you never asked! Hahaha!" He said.
Elira groaned. "Seriously? That's your excuse. Ugh, screw you, old man." A brief sadness flickered across her face as she muttered under her breath, "Guess I misunderstood that guy…"
Borin raised an eyebrow. "Hmm? Did you just say something Elira?"
Elira quickly brushed it off, as she said, "Nope, just talking to myself. I'm going back to work." And as she left, Borin watched her with a knowing smile.
Meanwhile, outside, the boy walked through town, straight heading towards the inn where his siblings were waiting.
On his way there, he noticed a group of children playing. He smiled at the scene of this, but haunting memories flashed before his eyes, twisted images of their faces and laughter.
Clutching his chest, he desperately gasped for air. His bereaving heavy.
The children, noticing his distress, looked at him with concern. One of them tripped and fell, and the boy quietly helped her to her feet, before simply walking away without a word.
Later, at the inn, he stepped inside, removed his hood and headed upstairs to his room, where his siblings, Sirius and Kael, greeted him.
"Hey Bother. Welcome back." Kael greeted him warmly.
"Thanks'; it's good to be back." The boy replied kindly.
Sirius handed him a letter. "Hey, brother, there's a letter for you. And apparently it's from the guild."
End of Chapter 16.