Memories of the Forgotten

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Chapter 4


Standing in the early morning light, John Aaron watched the horizen, staring off into the empty space. His eyes looked as though he saw something there, something that others couldn't see. His black hair had been cut shorter, and his body held a light tan, but nothing else much had changed about him. Resting at his side was a sword, said to be a demonslayer. Of course, he had by now made that legend true, having destroyed 3 powerful demons already, including a bunch of lesser ones.

"He's not coming back." John turned his head to see a woman with golden hair and amber eyes, wearing a white robe. She walked to his side, and looked to John, while he continued to stare out to the plains, still looking as if to see something no one else could. "He's gone John. He's not coming back, so stop." She had a voice of concern and worry about him. He had been coming here for some time now, every morning just to stare out into that emptiness.

"I know Jessica. But still... I feel that his presence isn't yet gone, even though he is." John had refered to Beras, a demon that had lived inside a tower that was to the south of him. 6 years ago Beras came to an end, and his tower came crashing down with him. Now, no trace of tower could be found nor any of Beras. John had avenged his father, who gave his life to the demon in order for his own son to have a future. "Damn you Beras..."

"John..." Jessica hugged him, pressing herself against him, in the hopes it would take his mind off of the demon. John returned the hug breathing in her scent which calmed him down. "Just let it go John."

John smiled and closed his eyes, until he felt a second pair of hands hug his waist from behind. "Monica..."

"Morning, Mommy and Daddy. Are we gonna play today?" The young girl had shorter golden hair like her mother, yet her eyes were the same sea-green as her father. They both knew that one day she would learn magic, yet they were also unsure of what element of magic she would learn. John himself didn't know what his own family trait of magic was, yet he knew Jessica had water magic.

John's mother was overcome with illness when he was only 2, and was left to be raised by his father alone. Yet his father knew nothing of magic, for John's mother was where he inherited the gift. So when the time came for him to learn, he couldn't. His father couldn't teach him the gift, and the magic within him slowly faded. When his father was taken from him, Jessica had appeared.

Jessica was an angel, sent down from heaven to teach John magic. Yet in her time spent with him, she had learned to love him. In the end, she shed her wings and her angel powers to stay on earth with him. They had been together ever since braving dangers and fighting to protect each other and those around them. At the end of the journey, Jessica and John married and had a daughter. John seemed to know she would be born and they had agreed to the name Monica.

Now they had grown, thier family at peace. Yet it never stopped John from training his magic, making sure that he was still as strong as ever. He wasn't sure why he was training still. It was more out of habit then anything else.

Jessica smiled and returned home, while John set to work, raising his hands up, the palms facing the sky. Monica had sat down to watch as two spheres of water appeared in her father's hands. He threw them in the air and started to juggle them. Monica giggled as the water balls arched over John's head. A little focus and the water became fire, accompanied by a squeal. John continued to throw the fire until they went up high and dispersed into wind magic. Monica clapped her hands loudly, earnning a grin.

Suddenly, John became alert to something approaching. He wasn't sure what it was, but he quietly said to his daughter "Go find Mommy. Tell her come here soon." Monica got up and dusted some dirt off her clothes before heading back to the house. As soon as she was out of sight, John raised his hand. "Fire!" A burst of fire came forth which was immediately smoked out by some invisible force. "Wind magic... Alright, show yourself!"

John checked his surroundings when a dagger came flying through the air. Pulling back, John was able to dodge it, but another blast of wind magic knocked him down. Suddenly, a familiar laugh was heard. "So, this is what John Aaron does now, host shows for local children. Pity, I thought you'd be doing something constructive."

"Hello Midas." John got up and brushed himself off, looking to see Midas. His black clothing and cloak had returned, but it seemed that he kept his scarf off, and as such, was unable to hide the grin on his face. "Glad to see you... well, I think. Not exactly the entrence I expected."

"Old habits die hard," Midas said, walking over to him, making sure to pick up his blade. He was refering to the first time they had met, in almost similar fashion. Of course back then Midas was really trying to kill him, and John wasn't sure which side he was on. Midas thought a little life-or-death situation would spark John to train harder, and the fact that John had lost to him, yet survived as well could only ensure it.

"So what do you want then Midas? What trouble do you need my help with?"

Midas shook his head. "Now now John, I don't see you for years and this is how you treat me? What makes you think-"

"If you wanted to visit, you could have done so anytime," John argued. "You know that, I know that, so cut it out."

Midas looked to him with a serious face. "Wow you've certainly changed. In any case, I've had this bad feeling and I wanted to know if you could help. I sense darker times approaching."

"No Midas. I'm not leaving here, not now. In case you haven't noticed I have a family now. I can't just go off and help you."

"John, you know I woudn't ask this of you if I really didn't need your help. But I do, you and Jessica can-"

"Midas, you once told me I could back down from this. You once said I could quit and not be pushed into something by Fate. I have a daughter now, I can't just leave her. I can't just go off and hope everything will be alright with her while I risk life and limb."

Midas knew not to argue with him. Yes, Midas could tell there was somehting wrong, something that would affect the world. Yet he knew he couldn't just uproot John again, not like before. Before he was alone and wanted answers. Now he was in comfort, living with a family. No matter how much the world could have needed him, Midas couldn't expect John to give up all he had to answer to it's needs. He couldn't ask it of him if John chose not to go.

Jessica and Monica had returned by this time, both surprised to see the newcomer. "Midas! Wow, it's been so long. Please, come and have a drink with us." Jessica had offered.

"No thank you. I was just about to leave." Midas walked away from John, past the two women. He gazed to Monica, thier daughter and for a moment understood why John had chosen to stay. He wanted to be near her, to protect her and his new life. He didn't want to lose it, not after he had lost his own parents to forces beyond his own control. Midas nodded to her before walking away.

"Daddy, who was that?"

"Just and old friend," John said. He looked back to see where Midas had gone, but he had already vanished from sight, like he was never there.