Drake had always had a stubborn mentality he inherited from his father, it was something that really irked the old butler, but it was also what he admired about Drake. To be perfectly honest, Butler Gerald was one of the only people in the Black clan that disliked the way Drake was always treated in the clan. However, every time he wanted to do something about it Drake would always stop him.
Butler Gerald did not have any descendants so he treated every one in the Black clan as his own and he hated the way Drake was always treated like a prisoner or outsider after all he had held the boy as an infant and watched him grow up.
When Drakes parents died he was one of the only people who looked after him, but even after his parents died he still retained his old stubborn attitude never bending even if it meant that he himself would suffer, he would never abuse his power or take the easy way out of his troubles. He was almost too mature for his age and the old Butler respected him for that.
"Like I said it's nothing, I'm fine." said Drake.
At this point they stopped in front of a small forest that led into a mountain it was in a position right beside the clan, it started beside the clan and stretched into the distance.
"Just remember, I'm always here for you." Butler Gerald said turning to face Drake.
Drake nodded and continued walking off into the forest, "Thank you Grandpa G." he said and disappeared into the trees.
Butler Gerald felt pain in his heart when Drake called him that. It had been what Drake used to call him when he was little, but since the day his parents were lost he had never called him that again.
Drake sat at a cliff that allowed him to overlook the entirety of Black city while also giving him a good view of the stars that hung over head. This used to be him and his father's favorite spot at the waist of the mountain. Whenever he was not doing anything they would come here at night to watch the stars.
A fire burnt brightly to the side lighting up the dark, with a few cleaned and dressed pheasants roasting over the flame with oils dripping down from it filling the air with sizzling sounds and giving off a pleasant aroma.
The city was still alive in the distance brightly lit in the dark of night as the festivities continued, but all that had nothing to do with Drake as if they were worlds apart.
The bushes rustled as the sound of footsteps approached, "I thought you would be here," a voice came as the face of a smiling man became clear in the light."Do you have room for another?"
He had Black hair sporting a clean shaved face and a tall well built physique dressed in a black sleeved shirt and suit pants, holding his jacket in one hand and packs of canned drinks in the other. This was Anthony Black he was the current clan master of the Black clan, he was Leo's Father and the younger brother to Drake's fallen Father.
"I see you have dinner already prepared, my goodness that smells good. Do you mind if I join you? I brought drinks." He said and threw a can of soda to Drake who readily accepted it while opening a can of beer for himself.
Drake gestured over to the space beside him and got up to get them both a roasted pheasant before seating and chowing down his meal, taking a swig of soda every now and then. It was quite an amazing sight that's because Drake was currently seated and eating with one of the most influential characters in all of Black city and the Black clan like it was something common and nothing quite special, but any one who knew these two would know that this really wasn't anything special.
Only a few of the higher ups in the Black clan knew this but Drake and his uncle weren't just on good terms with each other, they were actually really very close. Anthony had always been real close with his big brother David, his wife Celine and Drake, he loved his big brother when he was alive and so even after their death he always took care of Drake hidden in the background in the clan even though Drake did not allow him to intervene in the matters of him getting bullied and all, but Drake did not like people getting in his business.
"It's a very lively celebration down there. Are you sure you don't want to join in?" Anthony said as they looked over the brightly lit city.
"Believe me. I think it's best if I don't go down there." Drake replied.
"Did you ever wonder why I made it so this day is always celebrated every year?" Anthony suddenly asked out of the blue.
"Exactly eight years ago today, Black city faced that disastrous tribulation, the day the Black gate opened in front of our city, the day Black city lost so many people including my brother and his wife your parents." He continued.
"Did you ever hate me for making it so it was a day of celebration instead of mourning?"
Drake remained silent not answering. if he was to be honest he really did resent the fact that instead of mourning and paying respects to the souls of the ones that had fallen that day they turned it into some holiday forgetting the sacrifices that were made that day.
Anthony sighed before speaking, "There is no day that goes by, no passing minute that I don't miss my big brother. I mourn their absence every day, but I also know what kind of people David and Celine were. They wouldn't like to see us being down and unhappy every time we remember their sacrifice. No, instead they would want us to celebrate their lives and what they represented, what they stood for."
He had told this to Drake because he knew what kind of person Drake is. He could tell that Drake had some resentment in his heart regarding this matter. He hoped that Drake would finally find peace and let the past go.
He took a swig finishing his drink before turning and starting to walk away. "Take good care of yourself Drake, Happy birthday, I'm sure they're celebrating with you. I hope you can also celebrate them in your own way."
Drake sat in silence under the starry sky as he overlooked the distant city with his drink in hand. He let out a deep breath and said softly smiling to himself, "Maybe he was right. It's much better the dead are remembered this way and are celebrated." at that moment he felt a load drop from his shoulders.
Suddenly, his Sky link on his wrist abruptly flashed a few times in alarm drawing his attention.
'Hmm, an emergency alert?' he thought then called out, "Queen, what's going on?"
"Ah sorry about that boss. Something just came up not to far from your position so we were alerting all our people in the area. Sorry to disturb you."
Drake turned back to the city in the distance thinking about what Anthony had just said to him and after a few seconds a smile crept up his face.
"Hey Queen, tell me what the situation is?" he turned back to his Sky link.
"Hmm? Are you sure it's really nothing to get yourself worked up about." said the voice a bit uncertainly.
"It's alright. I'm just a little bored right now. Maybe it would be good to talk a little bit." Drake smiled.
"If you say so, but don't blame me for talking about business on your break."
"Talk to me." He nodded.
"Actually we're kind of running low on hands to help with this particular situation that's why we used the emergency alert."
All the guardians are occupied?
"No, this isn't something we need to bother the Guardians about. It's something anyone from the three units can handle. The problem is they're all busy with their own missions. The Black swords are mostly out in the wilderness while the Black scorpions are doing recon and training, as for the Shields we both know they never leave their posts."
"What grade is the problem at?"
He frowned slightly then asked, "What's it about?"
"A few minutes ago, a convoy escorting a team of scientists was hijacked by terrorists, the military lost contact with them about a hundred miles southeast of your position."
"A hundred miles?! That's a bit too close for my liking, I don't want the imperials swarming Black city because of some investigation or things could get ugly if I'm recognized. Send me the co-ordinates, I'm going we need to settle this fast." He said solemnly.
"You're going personally?"
"Sure it might be a nice walk. Send me the details!"
"Yes sir. Oh yeah, you might want to check out with Omar first, he has something for you."
"The tailor?! What for?"
"Hehe, it's to die for."
"Alright then. Janus, give me a portal!" He said as he started off into the forest away from the cliff, and a silvery portal appeared in front of him and he walked through.