My Shard Bearer System - Elias's Legacy
Chapter 71: An Old Leader

Chapter 71: An Old Leader

Elias took a single step back for a moment and put his hands above his chest and stated "Woah; of course not, we’re just looking for someone that has been effected by something... that’s... Ugh; screw it, has a shard that’s exposed out of there body.

Elias furrowed his brow, stepping forward slightly. "And what do you mean ’too’?" he asked. "Who else has tried to hurt your kid? I’m sorry to hear that, by the way. No one should have to go through that." His tone was genuine, but he remained cautious. "And, if you don’t mind me asking—who exactly are you?"

He extended a hand, offering a firm shake. "My name’s Elias Kael."

The man hesitated, as if debating whether to accept the gesture. Up close, Elias could see him better—late thirties, maybe even early forties. His face was worn, dark circles carving deep under his tired eyes, as if sleep had been a luxury long out of reach.

Finally, he stepped forward, clasping Elias’s hand with a surprisingly steady grip. "Joji Qiáozh."

The moment the name left his lips, Yui’s posture shifted. His head snapped up, his eyes narrowing in silent recognition. But he held his tongue, watching the man carefully.

Joji continued, his voice heavy with exhaustion. "A group of rogue bandits or thieves drove us from our homeland. We were in the middle of rebuilding when my son, Ānbè Rinkān, was attacked by a shard—or crystal, whatever it is." He let out a slow breath, rubbing his temple. "I thought he died from the wound, but then... he healed. And after that, he started talking to himself. At first, I thought my young son had lost his mind."

Elias’s chest tightened slightly at the words. It was a story he had heard before, different faces, different places—but the same underlying tragedy. Joji shook his head, voice dipping lower.

"Then the powers came. And the attacks started. People feared him for showing them. We were hunted, forced to flee. We came here hoping to find someone who could rid my son of this—this curse. I called in aid, someone who might be able to remove it entirely. But..." He glanced around, as if watching for unseen pursuers. "Some of them followed me here. We were forced into hiding."

Yui finally spoke up, his voice sharper than before. "That country you’re talking about... that’s the Eastern Nation of Fuhongo." His jaw tensed. "The one the aliens practically wiped off the map."

Joji gave a slow nod. "Yes. Something like that. Many of us survived... but only thanks to preparations and the sacrifices of countless others."

Elias glanced toward Yui, catching the unreadable look on his face. "Wait—Yui, you know him?"

Yui exhaled sharply through his nose, shaking his head. "Not personally. But I saw him on broadcast often enough." His voice carried an edge now, his words no longer laced with simple curiosity but something more pointed. "Every time he stepped down on the throats of the people. Every time he passed another law to make education a competitive sport—where those who failed were nothing more than dead weight to be discarded by society."

Elias a bit shocked looked back and forth at the both; slight seeing some similarities and Dot’s chimed in "Ohhh; those are bad things right?"

Yui crossed his arms, eyes locking onto Joji’s. "Isn’t that right... former President of Fuhongo?"

Elias’s eyes widened. "The President?!" The weight of the title hung in the air for a moment. His thoughts swirled in a mix of confusion and apathy. "I should probably feel honored to meet him," he mused. "But honestly? I feel nothing. Maybe even a little pity."

His train of thought was interrupted as Joji straightened his posture, his weary expression hardening. "Yes, that is correct. Though, many of the things said about me are... not entirely accurate," he admitted, his voice level. "But I am the former President of Fuhongo. A nation that, as you likely know, no longer exists."

He let out a tired sigh, glancing at the floor. "After the alien attack, what remains of my country is nothing more than land governed by the Federation’s military. But that is not why we are here, is it?"

Joji’s eyes darkened, his exhaustion giving way to something sharper. "What do you want with my son?"

His voice carried a wary edge, the tone of a man who had spent too long on the run. "I imagine the others want to rip that shard out of him, or worse—use him as a tool for their own gain. Maybe to sell him off to the highest bidder. Or... kill him before he becomes a threat."

Elias took a slow breath, steadying himself. He could feel the tension in the room rising. "Maybe I can help him," he offered. His tone wasn’t forceful or commanding—just sincere. "How old is he?"

Joji hesitated before answering. "He just turned twelve." His voice dropped slightly. "He’s always been sickly. This... stress has not been kind to him."

Elias nodded, extending his hand forward. "Dots, create an iron pole."

There was a slight pause before Dots responded, uncertain but willing. "Uhh... okay?"

The faint hum of energy dissipated as the iron pole fully materialized in Elias’s grip, the cool metal firm in his hand. He lifted it slightly, testing its weight before letting it rest against his shoulder.

Joji’s eyes narrowed, his expression caught somewhere between confusion and disbelief. "I... I don’t understand." His voice carried the hesitation of someone who had seen too much, someone who had been forced to accept the impossible but still struggled to believe. "What—how did you do that?"

Elias met his gaze steadily. "There are others like your son. Myself included." He took a step closer, lowering the iron pole to his side. "I’m sure your last few weeks—hell, maybe your last three years—have been nothing but pain, but we can help you."

Joji let out a long sigh, rubbing the back of his neck as if trying to force out the tension. "Let me guess. You’re with the military, aren’t you?"