Hersa, A Sudden Disaster

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Nero’s home was a small one, its rusty iron fence and overgrown lawn a clear sign of being unmaintained for years. In fact, despite its modest setting, it would almost appear like a retrofitted abandoned house. Yet, regardless of its outer appearance, one would be greeted by a different scene upon passing through its crooked wooden door.

A standard flat’s typical living room appeared before Nero’s eyes as he closed the creaking door behind him. On the ground was an old carpet that lined a path over old wood with different unadorned pieces of furniture resting near. A couch rested on one side, and a bit further behind everything else was a kitchen with an outdated mini-electric stove on its surface. A small box TV, cd players, and other old-era electronics were arranged on top of a small table as the television stand rested in the room’s corner.

Carefully looking around this room, one would see a few pictures hung atop the walls and two square-shaped windows that were loosely open, their curtains gently swaying backward by the calm drifting winds of the afternoon.

It looks like mother left the windows open again; she can’t keep doing this… it’s not safe, even more so for what happened that time. 

Nero said inwardly as his eyes recalled an old scene when a group had almost robbed them of everything, including their lives.

Not bothered to dive into those memories, Nero hurriedly walked up the windows and bolted them. While fixing the curtains, his eyes drifted outside, noticing a few rough-looking men walking by the lawn.

As if one of them had felt his gaze, he lifted his head and turned towards Nero. His face was full of piercing. Even his tongue, which he stuck out soon after, had large rings. He boldly looked at Nero for a moment with a snickering look, chewing his gum before walking away.

In response to the man’s actions, Nero didn’t tremble or show fear like most teenagers; he stared at the back of the man sternly, far different from the ordinary youth as he knew well how to get around in this environment.

While Nero was staring in the direction the man went, muffled coughing sounded from a room behind him, waking him from his current mood.

“Mother! Try not to move around much. I’m home now,” Nero said worriedly as he hurriedly grabbed his backpack and ran towards one of the doors; he promptly opened it and entered.

Instantly, he was greeted by a white room with a small bed with silver sheets and curtains with red rose patterns. Pictures were mounted on the wall, with roses in a vase on the dresser and a mirror.

On the bed near the windows, a woman was resting. She had thin almond-shaped eyes, goldish-brown pupils, an elegant nose, and delicate lips, adding more to her fine facial features as her long silver hair loosely hung down her chest.

She wore a white dress of elegant making, and if one looked at the slender frame, it would be more than enough to enamor one’s vision. However, one would also notice that she wasn’t only gorgeous but gravely ill from a simple glance. Her skin was pale white, and below her eyes was a dark shade, giving her an exhausted and weak look.

This woman was Hersa, Nero’s mother and the most important person in his life since his father left them behind. No one in the world could take her place, as Nero’s mind was worth his care.

Currently, Hersa had leaned against the bed frame with her palm covering her mouth as she stared out the window with a lost look. Usually, she hid her flare-ups, especially when blood came out of her mouth, but things didn’t go her way this time. When she heard the door open, her eyes regained color as she turned and faced Nero.

“My sweet little Hero, hehe—oops, I meant Nero. Since you’re back so early, you must have worried about me. You know… you shouldn’t worry about me so much and go out to play more. I’m just fine. Now come on, tell me about your day?” Hersa smiled as she moved the bloodstained cloth from her mouth.

Nero felt like crying. He hurried over to her side and grasped her arms as he spoke with misty eyes, “Mother, don’t say that. Your body is still weak, and I must hurry home to help you as soon as possible. As for school, it was fine. I did my best to study no matter the trouble.”

Hersa felt warm when she heard Nero’s words. Her eyes glossed over his figure, noticing the worn-out clothing. She rubbed his head like a kid and replied, “No matter the trouble, you say? Then that’s good. You not backing down shows your strength of character. You’re always so smart and hardworking, just like your father.”

Nero frowned as he heard the latter parts of her words. He clenched his fists and spoke with a severe look on his face, “Mother, I am not like him! I will never acknowledge him as a man who leaves behind his family. Even without him, I promise I’ll make you better again and make you live a better life!”

Hersa looked at Nero deeply with an even more gentle smile. She didn’t seem the find his words about his father offensive but amusing.

“Hehe… I always can’t get over how similar the two of you are. You truly are your father’s son.” Hersa said while pinching Nero’s cheek, ignoring the pouting expression on his face.

She smiled and wanted to speak once more, but suddenly. Her face changed, forcing her to hurry and put the cloth in her mouth again as she coughed.

Nero seeing this grew panicked. He now remembered that he still hadn’t given her the medicine. Not wasting any time, Nero took out a vial from his backpack with a serial number on its surface. He hurriedly held his mother carefully, waiting for her to finish coughing before he spoke, “Mother, drink. I got that medicine again…”

Hersa seeing Nero’s expression, sighed as she took the flask. She knew this medicine was only a temporary relieving agent and could not treat her illness. Nothing in this world can cure her condition, and one could say that her path was already fated.

Nevertheless, she knew he wouldn’t give up, based on his stubbornness that came from herself rather than his father. With a single motion, she down the contents, soon after feeling better as a wave of drowsiness came over her. Nero nodded and fixed her properly, placing her head atop the pillow before covering her with the sheets.

Hersa struggled to open her eyes but couldn’t due to being weakened. She could only open her cherry-red lips to speak, “Nero, you should stop cursing your father. He… he has his reasons, as for me, you… you must learn… that I too… must someday…”

Hersa wanted to say more, but the medicine was far too potent. Before finishing her words, she fell into a deep slumber, making soft noises.

Nero wasn’t foolish. He knew what she wanted to say and where her illness would eventually lead. Nonetheless, he didn’t want that; he didn’t want anything to take away his mother.

“Rest easy, mother. I’ll take care of everything else,” Nero said before turning around and leaving the room.

After closing the door, Nero looked at the clock and saw roughly 6:50 pm approaching the dark hours, which started at 7:00 pm. 

It’s getting late, but I can get mother’s favorite treat before that store closes if I hurry now. It’s only a few blocks after the checkpoint.

Nero made an innocent smile as he wanted to see her expression later when he got her that treat. 

After preparation, Nero locked up the house and headed outside. By the time he arrived at the checkpoint, the sky was dark. The soldiers pointed their guns toward him as one person walked forward. Naturally, the patrolling border guards only grew stern at these hours.

“You there, halt your steps! All unauthorized personnel is not allowed entry into the Prominent Region!” An unfamiliar soldier said as the former watchmen had already changed shifts.

Nero didn’t want to waste time arguing. He tossed his identification card, which had a unique symbol of EV-ST on it. The soldier nodded as he spoke, “He’s an Everbright Student. He’s authorized.”

Not wasting time, Nero promptly left the Gutters and walked a few blocks down the now bustling night-time scene of Rambruck. There were lights everywhere as cars drove by the street alongside people that moved on the crowded sidewalks, enjoying the nightlife.

Some of them couldn’t help but notice Nero’s shabby attire. They whispered to themselves with looks of mock and disdain. Even if he heard them, Nero didn’t care about these busybodies; he had more important goals and a mission to achieve, which was to acquire his mother her favorite treat.

After arriving at the cake shop, Nero entered and purchased a slice of Vanilla Chocolate Cake that was listed for 5 EU Credits. The EU standard for Earth Union is the standardized currency for all humans in the modern age.

Nero felt pleased that he didn’t meet any hassles like his previous times. He promptly left the shop and began to head home. While walking, his eyes swept by the various individuals, seeing happy families enjoying a night outing and friends playing together.

Nero was slightly annoyed, so he cast his sights upward to avoid them. Above was the typical scene of the starry-lit sky, but unlike the norm, one could see a massive golden ring looming beyond the heavens.

From a glance, it would seem like it loomed above the world, but it existed even farther at an unknown depth in the universe. It spun in chronological order as complex runes flowed around its entirety as if it was calculating numerous things.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen it, that strange thing that no one else can notice. I wonder, what truly is it?

Nero felt curious as she stared lost for a while before he shook his head, clearing such thoughts. He was about to head back home, but he soon felt a familiar feeling. As if someone was watching him, startled by this, Nero turned around and looked at the people passing by curiously, but he still didn’t see anyone.

While Nero was mature and experienced many things, he was a youth. He soon grew anxious as he felt the situation was out of his control.

Shortly, a figure caught Nero’s attention, a person’s silhouette, which though vague, left an impression upon sight. Though he couldn’t see it clearly, Nero felt a wave of danger as he saw the person start to walk towards him, ignoring the crowd.

Not good. Who the hell is he? What does he want?

Nero’s heart rate increased as the person walking didn’t seem to carry friendly intentions. He didn’t dare to dally and hurriedly picked up his pace. 

Nero tried to move along with the crowd to the checkpoint, but sadly, he soon found that a few other individuals were edging toward him.

With a look of panic, Nero no longer took the main path. He hurried off into an alleyway as he felt that all of them was potentially an enemy, even more so when they stared at him with a look he’d seen only in a few dangerous person’s eyes. It was as if the world had suddenly turned against him, causing his head to spin due to his current state of panic.

Darn, I don’t know who’s chasing me, but they better not think I’ll be caught so simply!

Nero inwardly cursed as he began to run as fast as he could with the cake held in his arms, but while sprinting, he could hear the rustling footsteps behind him, inching closer to his location with each passing second.

He ran as fast as the wind, not daring to look behind, causing his heart to beat faster and faster. The echoing footsteps behind him acted like a shadow that trailed him, one that beckoned his death.

Eventually, Nero speedily arrived at an empty street on the opposing side of the alleyway. It was a tranquil area with no individual around, giving one an odd feeling as this was typically impossible in the bustling Rambruck.

This street… it’s so quiet. What’s going on? 

Nero wanted to question it as he had only now stopped to take a breather. However, before he could even catch his breath, a loud ‘honk‘ resounded, stirring his mind into chaos as a truck appeared within his field of vision.

Nero instinctively wanted to react, but sadly, his eyes could only watch as the speeding truck approached him in horror. No one knew its origin or from where it drove. It was as if it spawned out of the darkness, with its two taillights shining as it illuminated his entirety.

A harsh breaking noise sounded throughout the vicinity, followed by a loud explosive boom. In moments, plumes of smoke had begun to rise from a nearby corner shop. The truck had tumbled over within it, with a cluster of flames around it.

If one looked at where Nero once stood, one would see a pool of blood connected to his body which lifelessly lay on the cold ground. The chilly wind of this gloomy night blew the flickering flames from the nearby crash, following a trail of oil that moved from the truck toward Nero’s mangled body, burning everything in sight.