Chapter Text
Cale wakes up slowly, a peaceful air surrounding him as he slowly sits up and stretches his arms. Slowly he turns his head and looks out the window once more.
Ah.
The sun is just rising.
Cale stares deadpan at the slightly orange sky, why must his body have no muscle memory but the instinct to rise with the sun still exists.
What kinda double standard is this world?
Grumbling at the unfairness of his situation and the bullshit that is having to rise with the sun as a soldier, blatantly ignoring his lack of sleep in the first place was entirely in his own hands.
Stretching once more Cale heads towards the bathroom. Might as well get ready for the day.
He has plans to complete after all.
—
By the time Ron entered his room Cale was up and ready for the day. The slight widening of his eyes is the only sign showing his surprise at Cale's newly gained (to him) ability to wake up early for once without external influence.
Smiling brightly at Ron Cale gestures at the couch across from him.
“Sit if you don’t mind. I have some business to discuss.”
As Cale says this a layer of mana seems to spread around the room, ensuring the conversation would go unheard by even the most determined of evesdroppers.
Seeing all of this Ron sends Cale a look, seemingly knowing damn well what Cale is up to.
Cale’s closed eye smile never breaks.
Ron makes his way to the couch, sitting down as Cale sets a file in between them.
Opening up Ron sees the familiar swirls of Cale’s handwriting. The file detailed the events of an attacking mad dragon that happened in the previous timeline, in addition to the details Cale and Alberu were able to get out of Choi Han and his crowd over the years.
While the file was comprehensive it is clear that they were lacking in information. Looking back up at Cale, Ron silently raises an eyebrow.
“As you have gathered we are lacking a lot of information in regards to the attack, however one thing I’ve gathered from it all is that it’s something that’s easily preventable… we just need more information to go off of.”
“You want me to investigate the circumstances that lead to the original attack.”
“Yes, today my father will be asking me to go to the palace in Basen’s place for the upcoming celebration. On the way there I will be stopping in that town, there I want all the information you’ve gathered after you leave today. From there we will endeavor to prevent the situation.”
“…and you’re sure the baby dragon was being tortured?” Ron asks, a dangerous tone in his voice.
“Positive.” Cale says, looking Ron in the eyes, his red brown eyes shining with a mixture of determination and surety.
“I will do what I can.” Ron nods his head at Cale, already thinking about what he will need to bring with him for this sudden mission.
“Great!” Cale says as he claps his hands together, the previous energy of their interaction is gone. In place of a commander now is a spoiled young master. The closed eye smile seems dangerously similar to Ron’s own at the same time.
Cale stands up heading towards the door, the mana previously shielding the room falling away naturally like a small flow of water.
“I’m happy that’s settled, now to wrap up the rest of my plans-“ as soon as he opens the door he is face to face with a waiting Choi Han.
The previous closed eyed smile wiped away as Cale’s entire expression dropped, a deadpan look encompassing his face.
“What are you doing here.” Cale asks, sounding less like a question and more like a demand. (He silently ignores the rapid beating of his heart at the sudden appearance of the black haired menace.)
“I finished talking to the Count.” Is all Choi Han says, staring intently at Cale, his gaze never straying.
“And?” Cale asks looking thoroughly disinterested.
Choi Han looked at Cale in determination, “I’m going to be stronger.”
“What does that have to do with my father?”
“I will pay you back.”
What.
Wait- Wait a second does Cale have this straight? Is-Is Choi Han implying he has a…debt to him.
The overwhelming urge to maniacally laugh takes over Cale as he struggles to keep the smile off his face.
“Ah I see,” Cale says, ignoring the look Ron shoots at him from the corner of his vision, it seems someone figured him out. “I believe I will have something you are able to do, however I need to work out a few more details, but I should be able to get back to you at the end of the day.”
Understanding what Cale meant, Choi Han nods his head slowly turning to leave. Before he can fully walk away Cale opens his mouth again, against his better judgment.
“…Why?” Cale asks quietly, Choi Han stops turning back around to look at Cale, his head tilted in question.
“Why do you not want to go back to that village?”
“…you told me to get stronger I needed to grieve and take care of myself…So I’m doing that?” Choi Han says trailing off slightly while looking at Cale confusion in his eyes.
…
Holy shit it was that easy?
With how much he remembers Rosalyn and Lock fight Choi Han in taking care of himself (plus Cale’s occasional help in the form of goading) he imagines driving that lesson home that man would be harder than… this.
Cale nods at Choi Han, and starts closing the door. Choi Han, understanding the silent dismal, continues walking to his room, a feeling of peace and anticipation settling in his chest.
As soon as the door closes again, mana fills the space one more quickly forming another privacy banner.
“AHAHAHAHAHAHA” Cale’s maniacal laughter filled the space. Ron looked at him in some form of disappointment.
Slowly Cale turns to Ron giggles still escaping his mouth as he desperately tries to calm himself.
“Ehe I-I can’t express how perfect this is. First of all, that bastard owing me?! The best thing that could happen today! Oh the old Choi Han would be rolling in his grave at this shit!”
Ron stares deadpan at his manic young master, the look in Cales eyes is a scary one, the air around him seeming slightly frozen. But the maniacal glee doesn’t disappear even after the young man takes a break from his laughter.
“Ah, this makes it so much easier.” The Manic grin stayed on his face, “I trust you to work towards that assignment Ron?”
Quietly Ron nods his head, his eyes piercing into Cale, trying to divulge everything that possibly went wrong in the previous timeline that has led to this bone deep insanity.
Oh Cale is good at hiding it from most people, admittedly he always has been. This mania is not necessarily something new but it’s more pronounced. He knows many things went wrong in the last timeline, but it’s clear that his young master appears to have quite a few screws loose.
Of course Ron is not one to judge, he’d be a hypocrite to do so. But it’s disconcerting to see the sudden change, to see it so clearly and severely, when previously Cale was just a lost young man, now he’s found himself, but seemingly exchanged a bit of sanity in order to.
Smiling lightly as the grinning teenager, Ron settles his hand on Cale’s head, rubbing gently for a minute, seeing the mania in his eyes lessen, instead they seemed to glisten. Followed instantly by a sharp breath.
Smiling softly at his charge Ron takes his hand back, ignoring the pain in his heart when Cale’s head instinctually follows his hand, a small pout forming for a second on the young man’s face.
“I’ll prepare to set out tomorrow, young master.”
Cale, seemingly deciding his moment of vulnerability is over, turns around quickly and mutters a couple of ‘yeahs’ walking towards the door again, the privacy shield melting away once more.
Right before he steps out of the room he pauses for a second, his head sternly facing forward.
“Stay safe, Ok?” He says, quiet enough to miss if not for Ron’s trained ears.
“I'm always careful young master.”
In response Cale’s hand tightens on the door knob before making the rest of the way out of the room. The door silently closed behind him.
—
Cale is used to feeling disappointed, it’s something he grew accustomed to throughout his youth. Surprisingly the least disappointment he ever felt was during the war.
Sure people died but by that point it was something he was unfortunately numb to, people came and went like the tides of the ocean. Where Cale would sit alone a solitary boulder among the crashing waves and shifting currents.
Of course that’s not the best analogy, he also had some determined crustaceans that stuck to him, like a determined king, and a vengeful cat.
But hearing those words from a man he’s long since known as dead. It hurt in a oh so familiar way. He knows Ron didn’t mean harm by it, in fact if this was Cale of 20 years ago he’d be very comforted by it. He’d have worn those words like a safety blanket, there to keep him calm in nights of doubt.
Of course he’s not Cale of 20 years ago, he’s the Cale of today who knows damn well you can be as careful as you’d like and still die. He’s here living after experiencing it himself.
(Alberu would like to point out that dying running at the white bastard isn’t exactly careful. But in Cale’s professional opinion it’s careful if you have a plan, and he did have a plan. It just… didn’t work to the degree he hoped it would.)
Letting out a loud sigh he starts to head to the entrance of the mansion, planning to head back to the tree and finish getting the shield when he was stopped by Hans.
“Young Master.” The butler calmly calls out to Cale, “The Count is requesting yours and Young Master Basen’s presence.”
Numbly Cale turns back around instantly heading towards his father’s office, he forgot this would happen so soon. Oh well just another thing to add to the bullshit of the day.
As soon as he entered his father’s office he waited in front of the desk, Basen already there, twisting his hand at the end of his shirt.
Roll
Unroll
Roll
Unroll
It’s a numb observation, knowing his brother had insecurities was a given, he started this whole damn act in the first place cause he recognized them. But the man who he became recognized the anxiety he sees, the nervous glances, both at Cale and His father.
Shame, Cale supposes he’ll have to help his brother through them. Basen hadn’t gotten past it by the time the attack happened, it’d be nice to see that change.
Eventually his father puts that damn pen of his down, however he never glances up from the paper. (Would it be too much to ask after all these years for his father to look him in the eyes, ignoring the 20 year transmigration. His mother died 10 years ago in this timeline, when has enough time passed damnit)
“Cale.” His father speaks in a monotone voice, still staring at that damned paper.
“Yes father.” Cale responds to everything about him neutral, his voice, posture, even his face. Years of conditioning both pre and post war coming in full force to not show anything.
To once again be that boulder within rolling waves, unmoving, stagnant, blank .
“I’d like you to represent our family at the upcoming celebration in the Capital for the King's 50th Birthday.”
Next to Cale, Basens stiffened that constant roll unroll stopping, his fingers curled hardly clenching at his shirt. His eyes nervously glancing at his older brother.
Cale breathes deeply through his nose, glancing off the side away from the two ghosts of his past, replaying a song and dance that already has happened before.
“Of Course Father.” Cale says. The silence after his agreement is deafening, encouraging his ears to ring(more than they already seem to at least.)
Eventually Cale’s father lets out a light cough, something more so to fill the silence than anything else.
“Great, be prepared to leave in four days.”
And with that he and Basen we’re silently dismissed. The heavy door of his father’s office rang out behind him.
Ah.
The disappointment is back.
An old friend? A fated enemy? Who the hell is Cale to say. By this point though he thinks it’s safe to say it’s a faithful companion, ever pressing behind him. (Never seeming to let him go.)
“Hyung?” Basen quietly asks the familiar roll unroll pattern settling in already.
Slowly breathing out, trying his best to let go of the disappointment. (The feeling of water in his lungs, dark and muddy.)
Turning his head to Basen, Cale tries his best to let out a light smile at his brother. While in his youth he was pretty good at keeping the act up, he’d let the mask slip around his siblings. Everything he did was for his siblings after all, he wouldn’t want them to think he hated them.
So they might have gotten the impression of more so mild dislike instead, but in his defense he was committed damnit.
“Hmm?” Cale quietly hums at Basen, words still seemingly clogged in his throat.
Basen seemed to freeze as though he wasn’t expecting Cale to even respond to him. Gripping the end of his shirt, he takes a breath. Centering himself Basen firmly faces Cale, determination shining brightly in his eyes.
(His eyes feel like a breath of fresh air and a punch straight to the gut. They’re so damn alive.)
“Are you sure about going to the celebration?” Basen blurts out, his eyes widening as he registers his words, before quickly backtracking, “I mean- It’s not like I doubt your ability Hyung, I mean are you comfortable with it? You’re not just saying yes cause father asked right?”
Cale couldn’t help but let out a slight huff of amusement at the sight of the panicking boy, a fond smile openly painting his face. He reaches out a hand settling it on Basens head before rubbing it slightly. (The motion replicating Ron’s from just an hour prior.)
“I’m sure Basen you have nothing to worry about.”
Basen freezes up at the sudden affection from his elder brother, his eyes widening and his mouth dropping open in surprise.
“Besides,” Cale continues, “I have my own reasons to go, ya know people to see.” he adds on unconsciously, thinking about Alberu. (Gods he misses him right now.)
Catching onto Cale’s words Basen squints his eyes suspiciously at his brother.
“People?” Basen asks, making Cale painfully aware of his lacking social life at this point in time. (Granted it's not much better in the future, which honestly makes it worse now that he thinks about it-)
Avoiding eye contact, Cale drops his hand from Basen’s head moving it to lay loosely in his pocket.
“A-Ah you know… I haven’t seen…” Quickly think of something, “Eric or Amiru in a minute.”
Basen lands a deadpan look at Cale, seemingly catching the bullshit coming from his mouth.
“...Right.” Basen says.
“A-Anyway, I really gotta start getting ready, never know what you might need on a trip from home right?” Cale quickly says not so subtly, making a retreat from his brother's piercing stare.
As soon as Cale was out of sight Basen let out a sigh, his hand coming to rest on the top of his head.
“...What was that?” he quietly asks himself.
—
That was close, Cale thinks to himself, walking casually to the bakeries in the area once more. Admittedly after saying Eric and Amiru’s names, a pit seemed to form in his heart once more. They were the closest people he had to friends for most of his life, until the war took all that was good from him.
Taking a deep breath Cale wills his fist to loosen, Ron will kill him if he reopens those damn wounds on his hand.
Cale numbly notices the bakers seemingly throwing their products at him for some of his money. He’s vaguely aware of spending money, and walking the full way back to the tree. Only fully centering himself once he sees familiar golden eyes, shining in excitement at the sight of him.
His vision coming back into focus he sees in the distance Hong pulling on his sister's hand and pointing at him, the excitement of the boy evident in every movement he makes.
Cale focuses on the sight in front of him, letting the fond smile paint his face as he walks over towards the siblings, just a little down from the entrance to the hilltop that holds the man eating tree.
“Hello Mr. Henit-“ halfway through Hong’s sentence, On pinches his ear slightly. A silent reprimand to Hong that they shouldn’t know the man’s name.
“Hello Kind Mister!” On says quickly covering up her brothers slip up.
Seeing this Cale pushes his laughter down at the kittens' attempt to hide their origins. While it wasn’t necessary, the kittens were very unaware that he already knew. Which had the temporary effect of great amusement for him.
“Hey,” he casually greets, already reaching into a bag he’d subconsciously grabbed in his haze. Handing both of them sandwiches.
The expressions on the kittens brought a fond smile to Cale’s face, happy he’s able to help the kids even before they are his kids. (Just because they’re his mentally already, doesn’t mean it’s true yet. They’re still living on the streets, and he’s gonna do his damndest so that they won’t have to any longer.)
As they both moved to grab the sandwiches Cale instantly notices the slight limp in On’s step.
Now that won’t do.
After making sure the kids had solid grips on their food before stepping back patting the two on the head before heading towards the tree.
First he’ll get through the bread he has and then run and get some more plus medicine.
—
As he feeds the tree more and more he becomes more aware of the tree slowly turning white, the black in the wood slowly bleeding away from the top, leading down to the roots. With nothing else to really pay attention to during the mindless task of putting bread in a hole (And other food items he apparently bought. Seriously why are there so many full blown sandwiches in there.) He found himself study the details of the tree itself, becoming familiar with every dip in the bark.
Watching as white slowly bled into the black he couldn’t help but equate it to pouring paint on a fully vertical canvas watching it slowly drip down, eventually to fall and stain the ground with it.
The grass itself lightens slowly as the dark void he puts the food into shrinks. Watching his hand disappear for a second in the void before he pulls it back out he wonders for a moment if he should be concerned about the dead mana, before quickly shrugging.
If it was an issue he’d probably already be in pain.
Probably.
Maybe he shouldn’t tell Alberu about this.
Shaking his head he focuses once more on the reparative motion.
A small hum starts up resonating out of Cale’s chest as he falls into the rhythm of feeding the tree. The sound whilst pleasant to Cale, and effective in passing the time, was strikingly haunting to anyone passing by. Unable to see to the top of the hill and see the recognizable red hair of the Count’s son, a new rumor started to spawn, the man-eating tree was evolving, a humming tune whistling past its branches to lure those unaware of its presence to the tree.
Cale, however, was unaware of this rumor, and happily continued his tune until his hand hit the bottom of an empty bag. A frown crosses his face before he lets out a sigh, “Sorry about this, one more bag should do it though.”
Standing up he stretches out before picking up the bag, turning around and walking away from the tree, waving his hand behind him once more.
-See you soon.
Cale feels a shiver run up his spine at the voice, jumping slightly he turns his head back towards the tree, eyes wide.
That… isn’t normal.
Taking a deep breath, he tightens his grip around the bag in his hand. He’s just gonna… not think about it.
( Sure it might not be the smartest, but he doesn’t think he’s too far gone to be really hearing voices… so If he acts like it isn’t there it isn’t.. right? Right????)
Beelining it down the hill, Cale quickly recenters his thoughts, steps on repeating in his head as though to focus on literally anything else.
Medicine for On, one more bag of Food, and get the damned shield.
With a heavy breath he centers himself once more.
He can do this.
—
Leaving some more food and the bag of medicine with the two children, Cale heads up the hill once more, noting with amusement the fog following him up, covering him from view.
On truly does seem to have a sense for when to cover up Cale’s antics.
(On had already heard the rumors spreading and decided to repay the young master's favor. The medicine just happened to be a nice touch that sweetened the deal.)
Approaching the tree once more, Cale finds himself sitting in front of it staring for a moment before reaching his hand into the bag and grabbing a loaf of bread, studying both the loaf and the tree before letting out a loud sigh.
What’s the use in being nervous, sure this is a plan that will put him toe to toe with the White Star, and as much as he hates to admit it, that will always make him nervous.
The feeling of a sword through his chest as flames burn all around him will always stay with him.
But for as nervous as it makes him, its for the same reason that he has to do it.
After all, if he doesn't, no one else will.
‘Besides,’ he can’t help but think, a snort escaping him, ‘It’s not like I'll explode.’
With that thought he drops the bread into the ever shrinking hole, continuing the pattern one after another, dully he notes all the variations in pastry this specific bag had. At one point, Cale was even awarded a head pat from the most likely sentient tree, after feeding it an especially nice apple fritter.
-Ahhhh, Thank you Thank you Thank you kind sir
The voice from earlier resonates in Cale’s head, the red head jumping once more at the sound.
-Really you’d think people would learn that starving is just no good. They had wanted me to starve, so I left the temple with some friends. Shame that we ended up separated though, I ended up dying eating dirt so this really was the perfect meal sir!
Cale stares wide eyed at the tree, watching as the black hole at the bottom of the tree shrunk away into nothing, the tree itself lightening into pure white bark, a shimmering silver flowing along the tree like veins.
-You’re truly so kind feeding a starving tree, especially something so nice , so I’ll give you all I can offer, this is my power that lied to rest after I died, so now I leave it to you! Know that your heart will alway protect you.
At the voice's words the silver light pulsing through the tree shoots out, hitting Cale directly in the chest, before the silver glow fades to nothing. Cale’s heart starts pounding, a protective shield being strengthened around his heart with every beat.
A victorious grin stretches across his face as he lifts his hand up, allowing the protective power to flow forward, forming a glowing silver winged shield in front of Cale. Its glow was noticeably brighter then the lackey’s was back then.
Tilting his head slightly, Cale’s eyes move back towards the half full bag of food.
-Ah sorry I wasn’t able to finish it all, I really am quite stuffed. But you young man haven’t eaten all day! You should really eat at least something out of that bag there, not point in buying it all if you’ll let it go to waste.
Cale jumps once more, ‘ Why the fuck is the voice still here?’