The Hidden Legacy; I Will Rise Through Every Pain

Painful Memories

Andrew couldn't believe his eyes. He momentarily turned towards the exit before heading out and squeezed the complimentary card Hannah had given him and threw it into the trash can. Andrew immediately headed home angrily.

**********

Andrew lived on the outskirts of the city. He stood in front of his weathered apartment building, its faded exterior displaying the signs of neglect over time.

Inside Andrew's apartment, a simple and humble space, the worn-out door was unlocked, and he stepped inside.

*Bammmm!*

He slammed the door in anger, frustrated by the events that had unfolded before him.

The small living area had different uses, but it wasn't in the best condition. The off-white walls were faded and had some cracks. The carpet was old and worn-out, and you could tell it used to be softer.

The furniture in the room didn't match and looked like it had been passed down through generations or bought second-hand. There was a faded and frayed couch against one wall. In the middle of the room, there was a wobbly coffee table with coffee cup rings and a stack of textbooks on top. A couple of chairs that didn't match provided extra seating, and their cushions showed signs of being used.

Feeling upset and frustrated, Andrew went to his room and threw himself onto the mattress. He couldn't stop thinking about what had happened recently.

"I was so dumb! She already had a boyfriend, but I thought she liked me... Arrrrh!" he muttered angrily, holding a pillow and pressing it against his face. It was hard for him to accept that he had developed feelings for someone who was already in a relationship.

"I will never trust anyone again," Andrew vowed to himself.

Deciding to move on from the situation, he got up from the bed and took off his shirt. Underneath, there were stains and blood on the garment, so he quickly threw it into the nearby laundry basket. He took off a ring that his mother had given him and carefully placed it on the table, momentarily forgetting its meaning as he dealt with his emotional turmoil.

Walking towards the mirror, Andrew examined his slim body, replaying the fight with Stanley in his mind and remembering how surprisingly agile he had been. "How did I even manage to do that?" he wondered aloud, looking at his injured fist.

Andrew extended his hands, hoping to find some trace of newfound strength or muscle, only to be met with the same slender appendages as before. "How was I able to perform those flips? Where did that inspiration come from? Was it something extraordinary?" he pondered, desperately searching for answers in his own reflection.

All of a sudden, the ring on the table started to shine in a bright green color, flashing on and off. Andrew couldn't take his eyes off it. "What's going on? Is this like something from a movie, or is it actually happening?" he said, shocked and with his mouth wide open in amazement.

Andrew carefully walked towards the ring, grabbing a baseball bat he found in the corner of the room. He took small steps, treating the ring as if it could be dangerous. Suddenly, the rapid beeping of light stopped, and a holographic image appeared. Right in front of Andrew's eyes, his father's figure appeared.

Andrew was shocked because he had never seen his father in real life. He had only seen a picture of him that his mother had shown him. The reason was that his father had passed away when Andrew was just three years old.

At the same time, his father's voice came from the hologram, capturing Andrew's attention..

"Andrew, if you are watching this message, it means I am no longer alive. You have reached an age where you deserve to know the secrets that have been passed down through our family for generations. You are my rightful heir and the bearer of my legacy. Throughout the generations, the firstborn sons of the Everest bloodline have been entrusted with this ring. Only the blood of the firstborn son of the Everest lineage can inherit this powerful legacy," Andrew's father spoke.

"You have been bestowed with the extraordinary abilities that come with this ring, and you may have already experienced some of its powers during dire situations involving your blood. This ring has the remarkable ability to enhance your intelligence tenfold and enable your memory to store information like a computer's hard drive. Furthermore, it grants you exceptional martial arts skills. I will personally teach you all the necessary skills associated with the ring. Please note that the voice you are hearing now is not my real voice, but a programmed simulation designed to answer any questions you may have," Andrew's father explained further.

Andrew now understood why he possessed enhanced reflexes and strength, which helped him confront Stanley.

However, Andrew had always yearned to meet his father in person. This opportunity felt like a chance to communicate with him. Overwhelmed with emotions, he finally voiced the one question that had been haunting him for so long,

"Dad! Why did you leave us so soon? Why did Mom have to suffer, especially when the Everests are known as one of the wealthiest families in Lantana City? Why did Mom have to endure poverty? Couldn't you have left something behind for us to survive?" Tears welled up in Andrew's eyes as he remembered about the hardships his mother had endured while raising him.

Even though Andrew's mother came from a rich family, she was kicked out by her father because of a long-lasting fight between their families. After Andrew's dad died, his mom was also kicked out from the Everest family, and Andrew was just a kid back then.

To take care of both of them, his mom had to work many part-time jobs, which made her really sick. Andrew always wanted to help his mom, but she would get angry and not accept any money he earned. Sadly, his mom passed away three years ago from all the hard work she did.

Having tried everyother source, Andrew went to the Everest family, hoping they would give him money to help his mom, but they attacked him and threw him out of their place. Since then, he made a promise to cut off all connections with them.

"Why do you want me to be part of a family that caused me so much pain? Why?" Andrew couldn't hold back his tears anymore and started crying.

"Andrew, I'm sorry for all the troubles you and your mom went through. I know I can't change the hurtful past, but I promise you that you can overcome all the pain and rise above it."