Melting the Barbarian Heart

Chapter 10: Truth About The Past

Elsa follows him to a room. He unlocks it and they come inside. Inside the room, there was plenty of photos hanging on the walls. Most of them are his photos. "Wow...", Elsa said.

Then she noticed one big photos was covered behind curtains. "What is that?" she ask. John opens the curtain revealing a picture of a beautiful woman and John holding a girl. "That's my wife. Her name is Sophia. And that little girl is Maria. She's 2 at that time. She's probably 8 by now" said John while touching the photos.

Elsa just stay silent and keep looking at the photo. "They're beautiful ". John just smile faintly. "What happen to them?" Elsa ask him. He started to explain everything to her.

"I was a captain of a special force team where my job is to keep Hartington safe, my kingdom. You see, you're not the only one who born with a superpower. In my case, i was born with a super strength. I weigh 3 times more than a regular human as baby. When i was 5, i was able to lift a band wagon with one hand. Everybody was afraid of me. Even my parents left me. I had no friends, no family, no one. I was all alone. My strength grew stronger as i grew older . At 12, i was attacked by a tiger when i was hunting in the forest. I defeated the tiger but my body was all scratched up".

"One man saw my potential. And he recruited me in the army. Its not easy during the first 3 month because everybody was afraid and hate me. But they became closer and closer to me and finally treat me like a family. At the age of 17, i was selected to join the special force. Everything went really well. We won almost every battle because of my super strength. When i was 20, i was promoted for the captain's place and i became the youngest man to become the Captain of special force in history".

"Just when i thought my life couldn't get any better, i met her. The woman of my life" . "What is she like?" she ask.

"Ohh she was a total package. She was beautiful, caring and of course, a great cook. Every man on Hartington were after her but she rejected all of them. I met her at the palace during a royal ball. I was standing near the king and queen to watch their safety. She came to me. I was so captivated by her beauty that i froze in front of her".

"Evening, Sir John Lewis" her soothing voice still ringing in my ears. "Would you care to join me for a dance?". "Uhhh can- can i?" i stuttered. She chuckled and hold out her graceful hand to me. I gulped. That's the first time i was scared of anything. I reached her hand and she pulled me to the centre of the hall. Then we started dancing. Everybody was watching us. I wasn't a good dancer but i get used to it. It feels like the world stops spinning. It was magical".

"After 2 years, i married her. Best decision of my life. Then our little Maria was born. Our life was perfect. Untill one day, when i came home from work. My front door was slightly open. I rush into my house. My eyes are wide open. All i saw was both of my wife and my daughter was on the floor, bathed with blood, lifeless. I go to them and hold them. I couldn't contain my tears anymore. I cried so hard knowing that my two most beloved person were not with me anymore."

" Then i heard a scream from outside of my house. "He killed his wife and children!" she yelled . "No no no. It wasn't me! I dont kill them! I swear! ". I was taken to the king and the king said to me, "I should have known. A monster should never live with humans . I banished you from here! I don't want to see your face in this kingdom again!!".

"And here i am. At this dirty, little house that i build myself". Elsa realised that her tears is flooding her cheeks. John noticed her crying and comforts her, "Hey, why are you crying?".

Elsa wiped her tears and said, "Im sorry. I just couldn't help myself. Im so sorry for your lost. And im sorry i said you don't understand anything before". "It's okay. It's not your fault you know. That was a long time ago".

They both stay silence after that. Elsa felt really bad for him. To break the silence, he said, "Hey. You said that you want to get back your powers right? Maybe i could help". "Really?!" she ask excitedly. He nodded. "Thank you so much John!" then proceeds to hug him. John was shocked. Elsa realised what she's done and quickly release the hug.

"Ehem. I mean thank you for your help. That's very kind of you". John smiles. "We train in the morning tomorrow" and gets out of the room. "Got it". Then she ran to her room and buried her face in the pillow with embarrassment.