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Chapter 14: Memories
Location: Unknown
A group of people, their faces hidden beneath deep hoods, sat gathered in silence. Moments later, two more hooded figures entered the chamber.
A man seated on the largest chair in the room spoke.
“Elder, what are you doing here?
Aren’t you supposed to be in London?”
“Yes… it’s about that, Leader. I believe we need to call an assembly,” the Elder replied.
The man leaned forward.
“Why? What happened in London?”
The Elder hesitated, fear evident even through his posture.
“Leader, I think it would be best if I speak in front of the entire assembly.”
After a brief pause, the Leader nodded.
“Very well. I respect your decision. Pass my message—
The Leader of the European Division has called for an assembly. Inform all other division leaders.”
One of the attendees spoke carefully.
“Sir, if I may ask… what subject should I mention for the assembly?”
The Elder took a dramatic pause before answering.
“Tell them it concerns the event from nearly twenty years ago…
about a certain someone we do not speak of.”
“Understood, Elder,” the attendee replied, rolling his eyes slightly.
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
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Back to Devhara
The Tanaka family walked into Billy’s Diner.
“This place is so empty… how is it still running?” Vincent asked.
“You’re right,” Aniela replied, “but your father bought this place for me a long time ago.”
Valerie smirked.
“I didn’t know you were such a sentimental dad.”
“It’s not about sentiment,” Darwin replied calmly.
“It’s about memories. Not many people know this, but your mother and I met as kids in this city. It was brief, but we did meet. Back then, this place was our Sanctum Sanctorum. The three of us—or sometimes just the two of us—hung out here all the time.”
“You mean you, Mom, and Uncle Ash?” Vincent asked.
“Yes. If you’ve lived as long as I have, you’ll realize that memories are far more valuable than material possessions. They keep you grounded. They shape who you’re meant to become—at least, that’s what I’ve learned from my past.”
Aniela gently rubbed Darwin’s arm, trying to comfort him.
He said nothing—only stood there, eyes distant.
“Sentimental,” both kids said in unison.
“Alright, alright. That’s enough,” Aniela said, stepping ahead.
“Let’s go. It’s been far too long.”
---
They chose the front table near the window in the nearly empty diner. A few minutes later, a waitress approached.
“Is Billy here?” Darwin asked.
“No, sir. He stepped out for an errand.”
“That’s fine. We’ll order. Kids—fries and milkshakes. There aren’t many options anyway.”
“Yes, Dad,” both kids replied, clearly annoyed.
“But I wanted a burger,” Vincent muttered.
“Young man, speak louder or don’t speak at all,” Aniela scolded.
---
When the food arrived, the children froze after the first bite—shocked by how good it tasted.
Darwin smiled.
“That’s because of this place. The vegetables, the animals, the herbs—even the people born and raised here carry a trace of magic. Food tastes better. Children grow stronger.”
“So even simple food tastes better than in the outside world?” Vincent asked.
“Yes, but—”
“That’s great news for me,” Valerie interrupted.
---
When it was time to pay—
“Why are we paying, Dad?” Vincent asked.
“If you’re willing to use the services of anyone—or any organization—you must be willing to pay a price. Paying early is always better than facing loss later.”
---
As they stood to leave—
“Ah, almost forgot.”
Darwin pulled out a black card and handed it to the waitress.
“Give this to Billy when he returns. He’ll know what it means.”
“Alright,” she replied, confused by the cryptic request.
---
Hours later, Billy returned, muttering curses under his breath.
“What happened, Dad?” the waitress asked.
“Nothing, my dear… and that’s the problem.”
She hesitated.
“Someone came by earlier.”
“More assholes?” Billy snapped.
“Language,” she warned.
“Yeah… sorry.”
She handed him the black card.
“He said you’d understand.”
Time seemed to slow the moment Billy saw it. Fear and excitement washed over his face at once.
“Did you see the man who gave you this?” Billy asked urgently, gripping her arms.
“Yes—but he wasn’t alone. He came with his family—Ow! Dad, you’re hurting me!”
Billy immediately let go.
Now grinning wildly, he laughed.
“Things are about to change.”
He paced like a fanatic.
“Close the diner for today. Take this money—go out, have fun. Leave me alone.”
The confused girl left.
Billy made a call.
After a few rings—
“Why are you calling now?”
“He’s back.”
A pause.
“Who?”
“You know exactly who.”
Silence… then—
“Finally. I’ll inform the others.”
The call ended.
Billy walked to the back of the diner and stared at an old photograph—three children, smiling without a care in the world.
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