Zane: The Atlantean Prince

CHAPTER 6: EURUS

Zane is pushing Anne's wheelchair while his mother, Althe is carrying his younger brother, Wane. His father is holding the shopping bags. They bought groceries and toiletries for their personal use.

"Wane, your field trip to the zoo is this coming weekend, right?" Althea asked her son. "We have a patient who needs special attention all the time. I can't be with you so your father will be there instead. I was just lucky to be free today since the patient's family is present today."

"It's okay, Mom, I understand." It was difficult for him to speak, because his right cheek was swollen, too. "Dad and I can manage."

"I do think you need to see a doctor." His mother looked around. "There is a clinic over there. Let's go."

"But, Mom..." he protested. "I am fine."

"Zane, just follow your mother. She knows what's best for you." His father's voice sounds commanding, which means he is serious.

"Okay, Dad." He sighed. He can never say no to his father. He was always by his side whenever he had arguments with his mother, but this time, he said to follow his Mom. His father gets mad, and he would not want to make his Dad mad at him. He looked up to him so much.

They all proceeded to the clinic located on the lower ground floor of the mall. Only two patients are waiting in the small receiving area. His mother went straight to the reception area. His father sat on the couch.

"Brother," Anne called him. "I'm thirsty."

Zane looked at the paper bag where he put the water bottle. "It's empty. I will just go out and buy from the vending machine. I'll be back."

He went out of the clinic to look for a vending machine. He could not leave go to the other floor and be away for long. His parents would be worried about him. He glanced at the restaurant near him, there was a poster of their menu outside. He checked the drinks available, and he was shocked upon seeing the prices. He placed his hand inside him; there were only a few coins there. "I should have for asked some money from Dad." He glanced at the poster again. "They are all too pricey for a drink. I will just look for a vending machine."

He scanned the whole floor and used his perfect vision to search for a vending machine but he could not find one. He approached the security personnel roaming around and asked. "Sir, is there a vending machine for drinks on this floor?"

"Kid, why are you roaming around the mall without your parents?" the guard asked. "It's dangerous for kids to be alone."

"I'm not a kid anymore, I am ten," he proudly said. "My parents are in the clinic. My younger sister is thirsty and she is paralyzed. I am buying water for her."

"You are an adult. Right. You are a good older brother." He pointed at the car park exit. "There is a vending machine just right beside the car park exit door. Don't go too far."

"Thank you, Sir." He waved his hand and ran towards the car park exit.

The security personnel laughed while looking atrunningunniny towards the car park exit glass door. "Kids these days are way smarter than before. Such an adorable, independent kid."

A few people were passing by going into the mall. He let out a wide smile after seeing the vending machine. He picked some coins from his pocket and inserted them into the machine. The pup picked up the bottled water and decided to go back to the clinic when he heard a familiar, weird sound not far from him. He felt his body freeze, and he felt goosebumps. That growling sound was so similar to those monsters three years ago.

He slowly looked behind him, and there he saw a scary man who looked the same as the scary creatures they had encountered three years ago. It had a pale, bloody face, fangs, and its eyes were black. His claws were black and sharp. Zane's eyes became wider when the scary man started walking towards him.

"Get away from me!" he screamed loudly, which made the creature cover his ears, but it still continued approaching him, then it suddenly flew away. A man in white shirt and black pants appeared in front of him. He looked young, with clean cut hair and a few beards surrounding his jaw.

"Are you okay, kid?" he asked. "Did that monster hurt you anywhere?"

Zane just nodded. "Y-yes. I'm perfectly fine. Thank you for saving me." He was still in awe because of the unvelievable strength of the stranger who saved him. He was tall and lean, and he stood like the hollywood actor who portrayed god in the movie he just watched a few days ago.

The man turned around and faced the monster. "How dare you attack during daytime. Just because this is a covered area?" His sword appeared out of nowhere, floating in front of him. He held the sword grip and aimed it at the creature. "Stop messing with humans."

"Stay away from my business, whoever you are." The monster snarled at the man. It started to attack Zane's savior. He threw punches to the man but he easily avoid all his attacks. He attacked again, this time using his claws. "You won't last just by avoiding my attack! you will die today!"

"Is that all you got?" He smirked. He was so quick that he avoided the monster's claws, then he slashed the monster a few times before it fell to the ground and started disappearing. His movements were so quick but Zane was able to see everything. His perfect vision could cope up with him.

Zane's savior faced him. "Where are your parents? You should not be roaming around alone. It's dangerous." He looked at his own sword and just realized he used his power in front of a kid. "Oh, what the heck." He slapped his forehead out of frustration. "Now you know my little secret."

"Don't worry, this is not the first time seeing that monster," Zane said. "I saw them three years ago, and we had an accident because of them."

"You managed to survive?" the guy asked in awe. "They don't let go of their victims until they consume your blood and soul."

"Ah..." he tried to think fast about what excuse he should use. "S-someone I do not know appeared and slayed them all, then I lost consciousness."

"You are lucky enough to encounter these creatures twice, and be saved twice." He touched Zane's head to pat him. "Go back to your parents now."

"What is your name? I just want to thank you," he stopped him from leaving. "I won't tell anyone."

"Eurus," he said. "How about you?"

"Zane Cole. Nice meeting you. I'd like to be like you someday, fighting those monsters."

"I'm sure you will." He grinned.

"I gotta go. Thanks again!" Zane waved his hand and ran back inside the mall.

He went back to the clinic and handed the bottled water to Anne.

"What took you so long? Were you lost?" his Dad asked. "I was so worried about you."

"N-no, Dad, it was difficult to find a vending machine." He can not tell his father about what happened earlier. He can not even remember what happened back then during the accident. "Dad, can I learn some sports?"

"That would be great, son! What sport do you have in mind?"

He paused for a while and thought about the sword Eurus used. It looks so heavy and it seems there are no sword fighting sports in any school. "I don't like fencing... How about archery?"

"That is a cool sport, son. I will enroll you in an archery training school then."

"Thanks, Dad." He smiled widely. He wants to be like that man someday, protecting people from monsters, especially that scary monster who made his sister suffer. He stared at Anne who was laughing while watching on TV at the reception area. "I will protect my family from those evil monsters."