Kyran took a moment to check on Last Sight and Black Flower's Thorn. They had never been near the ocean before. It was a brutal experience for most weapons. He remembered the weapon Sylvia had shown him that had traveled to the ocean. Most had been pitted by the salt or brittle in some way. Last Sight seemed to be fine at the moment. Black Flower's Thorn... Kyran ran his fingers along the blade. His scowl deepened. Adalinda would be replacing it. Merely for the barest damage that had been done.
His weapons were stowed away before Kyran sat down upon the docks. What was he going to do now? Adalinda had stolen his jewels. Probably to keep him confined to this island. Kyran wished the girl would listen to him. How hard was it to take no as an answer? He didn't want to join the guild! Clearly his will had no part in the matter. She wanted him to join and so join he must.
Kyran stood up with a sigh. The path to the company building was clearly marked out. If it wasn't the lacrima pointing it out, the guards would have. Kyran straightened his shoulders as he prepared to walk down the path. The wind blew, throwing his leather duster out behind him dramatically. He could do this. The only thing standing in his way was himself. Kyran forced one foot in front of the other. The guild wouldn't be like his village. They would accept him. So long as he hid his demon. No one could accept that ugly part of himself.
The walk became easier as the building grew larger. Apprehension grew in his stomach. This wasn't a good idea. Groups of people always ostracized the different. Kyran stopped in the middle of the path. No friends, no family, no guild, no groups of any kind. That was an old oath he had made to himself when he was younger. Nothing could hurt him if he wasn't a part of anything. Yet there was a longing, a need to belong somewhere, drilling a hole in his chest. It hurt to think about never belonging anywhere for as long as he lived.
You can't do it, Key, my boy. The demon slid into place, its voice slithering across his mind. Not because you don't want to. Because you need the freedom. The ability to bleed whoever you want, to take whatever you need in the moment. Kyran grit his teeth. His eyes squeezed shut against that insidious voice. He couldn't let it win. I won a long time ago, Key. You put up only token resistance. Give yourself over to me. Let go. I'll take good care of your body while you sleep. You'll be safe from the hurts of the world and I'll get to play! Everyone wins! The demon sounded eager, triumphant. It was sure this would push Kyran over the edge. Sure that he would finally give it what it had always wanted.
"No. I'll join West Fiore Trading Company. Not for Adalinda, not for obstinately defying you but for me. To find that one place I belong. If it doesn't work out, I'll join different guilds until I find the right fit." The demon wailed at his defiance. Kyran let a smile slip across his lips. He could do this. The demon had showed him his iron core. His steps were swift and sure as he approached the building. His focus was upon the open doors. Once through them, there was no turning back.
Kyran paused as he stood between the doors. This was it. The step that would propel him into the future. It might be bad. It could be good. There was no telling where it would lead him. But fear wouldn't hold him back any longer. He would step gladly into tomorrow and accept what it had to bring. The smile upon Kyran's face was wide as he stepped through the doors. Let the future come.