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Erik Ashura just reached eighteen.
It’s quite a cliche. “Once one reaches eighteen years of age, they shall now embark on a journey to rediscover themselves.”
He remembered his father laughing at that idea once. His father did not achieve the status of Ashura King just due to his coming-of-age. No, in fact, his father spent his life–from childhood to adulthood–scavenging the world. Mahendra was forced out of his family and later, out of the city that once saw him as one of its greatest warriors.
Since then, he fought through the 3000 worlds trial and it was no easy task. Mahendra failed multiple times, breaking every bone in his body and nearly destroying his own soul. However–while brandishing the great swords known as the Ashura’s Teeth–Mahendra succeeded the trial and was crowned as the Ashura King. From that day onwards, his name was known throughout Arcapada but not as Mahendra. They know him as Martis.
The same story goes for Erik’s mother.
On the contrary with his father’s beginning, Alucard’s beginning was more hopeful. But, hopeful in a way how a child would explain it. His mother was a child prodigy in swordsmanship and hunting demons. From a young age, he had trained alongside Erik’s grandfather, Roland, and their once closest mutual, Tigreal. It appeared like a golden heroic tale Erik would read from the Moniyan library but it all went dark after Roland’s death. His death turned into a domino effect that caused Alucard’s life to collapse. As if to rub insult to injury, Alucard was cursed into being a half-demon.
Yet somehow, he didn’t let that falter his resolve. Despite his hatred for the Moniyan Empire, especially the Light’s Order, Alucard is still a formidable demon hunter.
The two people are Erik’s parents. To be born as the Ashura Prince, sounded like something one would dream of. When in reality, it bears a burden that only Erik knew.
Standing on the balcony of the royal palace, Erik gazed ahead. The kingdom is big but not as massive as the Golden City far up over the horizon. Back in the days, Martis used to serve the Golden City’s king until the day he fell for the 3000 Worlds’ trial. Erik recalled Alucard saying that a capital in the Moniyan Empire is also called the Golden City. Both of his parents came from a “Golden City” and became powerful in their own right so where does that leave Erik? Even when he stood alone on this balcony, he felt like he stood under the spotlight. He is further away from others and yet he cannot shake off the feeling of being watched.
Can I even be like Mom and Baba?
“Earth to Erik!”
Erik jumped up with a loud shout. He spun around – eyes wide in alarm – but his tensed body deflated when he realized the “intruder” was none other than his mother, Alucard.
The Ashura Queen is a title bestowed upon partners who are married to the Ashura King. Normally, they are beautiful women who would prance about in the palace dressed in gold and silk gifted to the king. Unlike the Ashura King, rarely the queens are warriors themselves. Most of the time, they were wedded for political purposes and to be flaunted as trophies by their husbands. Alucard is different. He proved to others why he deserved the same respect as the Ashura King – he fought Martis in a duel and won.
Deep down, Erik was told that it was more than just a showcase of power. In fact, his parents are two broken pieces who found each other. They would never admit it but he thought that sounded romantic.
“Mom, I-” Erik faked a cough. “Sorry, I was a little distracted. Did you call me?”
Alucard raised a brow at him. “Yes…” He slowly responded while still studying his son. “...I was about to ask if you’d like to join tomorrow’s hunt but I see you have other plans at the moment.”
A blush flashed on his cheeks. Erik bowed his head in shame. He heard his mother chuckle before a finger tipped his chin up to face Alucard.
“Wanna talk about it?” Alucard asked in a voice so soft that it sounded very soothing. Though, it did send a chill down Erik’s spine since it sounded like a different person despite being familiar with it.
Still, Mom always offers a resolve for whenever he’s stuck in a corner.
“Well…”
Erik dropped his gaze to the ground as he grabbed onto his arm. His mouth opened but he hesitated. Should I even tell Mom about this? It seems too trivial.
“Erik?”
“It’s…”
“You’re 18 now, right?”
Erik’s head snapped up. He was taken aback by Alucard’s question. His mind went blank, trying to register the question before slowly nodding his head.
“I know turning 18 is a terrifying experience for many of us. This is the time for you – let’s say – leave the nest to find your place in the world.” Alucard stepped aside to stand beside Erik by the balcony railing. If anyone were to see them right now, they would see twins instead of mother and son. From the blond hair to the face, Erik is the exact copy of his mother.
“I was like you but I was too hopeful…” Alucard let out a hum before shaking his head. “No, more like naive. I thought I had fully understood what the world is and how I should walk my fate but instead, I saw the ugliness of it. At that time, I had lost all hope.”
Alucard did not mention it directly but Erik unconsciously turned to the arm covered by silk. Underneath that silk sleeve was a demonic arm fully corrupted by the Abyss. Erik pursed his lips as he looked away.
“But fate isn’t just a linear path…” Erik looked up to his mother. Alucard was facing ahead but he continued to talk. “Fate is like a tree, Erik. It has many branches and these branches are possibilities. Each of these branches bear fruit or maybe they don’t. That is up to your decision. Maybe some are close to a different tree, leading you to more branches to choose from.”
Alucard placed a hand on Erik’s shoulder. He turned to him and smiled. “This is just the beginning, Erik. For as long as you live, there is no definitive ending to your fate. Even when you feel like you have failed, I want you to stand up and keep walking as I have when I failed. You can be whoever you want to be – a demon hunter, a warrior prince –” Alucard tapped onto Erik’s chest. “For as long as you hold on to what you believe in, nothing can stop you, my dear son.”
Maybe he’s just imagining it but there was warmth coming from his heart. Erik couldn’t help it. With a big smile on his face, Erik jumped onto Alucard and wrapped his arms around his mother’s waist. He felt like a child again especially when those strong arms were around him. It has always been this way, hasn’t it?
No matter what the trouble is, these arms will always be there around him. Protecting him even from his own doubts.
“Mom…” Erik softly asked, “Do you think I can be more than just an Ashura Prince?”
There was silence after that question slipped out of his lips. It was never his intention to ask but he's curious to hear what Alucard has to say. How does Mom see me?
But then, the silence became deafening. The dread deep in his heart grew so much that it was squeezing at his windpipe. Erik kept his head down, unable to withstand the deep glare from his Mother. Alucard’s face was blank. There was not a hint of emotion, nothing that could give Erik a clue on what’s inside his head. The suspense made his heart pound hard against his chest.
Shame filled his heart alongside dread. A voice blamed Erik for asking such a question. You’re born an Ashura Prince. What else do you think you are? The voice continued to scold him. No matter what you try to be – a demon hunter, a warrior – you’ll still be the Ashura Prince. All your achievements will be tied to your parents. Nothing more.
“Erik…”
Erik snapped out of his thoughts. He blinked once before lifting his gaze, seeing those warm indigo eyes of his mother. In fact, they seemed to be more blue today.
“Mom?”
Alucard let out a sigh. Then, slowly, a smile stretched onto his lips. His blue eyes turned warm and all of Erik’s anxiety melted away like ice on a sunny day. Alucard reached out an arm to give Erik’s hair a gentle ruffle. Something the prince was definitely not liking.
“Mom!” Erik angrily shouted.
Instead of feeling guilty, Alucard chuckled and did not stop messing with Erik’s hair.
“You are and always will be the Ashura Prince. Do you know why?”
Erik gently pushed Alucard’s hand away. With an annoyed grumble, he answered, “Well…I am born to the Ashura King Martis and Ashura Queen Alucard.”
“That’s obvious. You’re not born to a horse couple in a stable, aren’t you?”
“Mom…” Erik groaned while rolling his eyes, which made Alucard chuckle even more.
Alucard placed a hand on Erik’s head. “You are the Ashura Prince. There’s no changing that. But like I said, fate is not linear. Being my son is just a part of you. As for the rest of it?” Alucard tapped his finger on his son’s nose. “You’ll figure it out yourself.”
He then led Erik out of the balcony. “Now come on. Your father is antsy. He’s looking forward to joining his son’s first hunt. And I look forward to having something nice on my plate for tonight.”
END