Bastian walked behind Gerald Lazhar, his steps still awkward on the dirty streets of Mad Hat Island. Though he appeared calm, his heart was pounding. Everything he had just experienced felt like a nightmare he never wished for, but this was the reality he had to face now. He didn't know who else to turn to, except the man walking ahead of him.
Lazhar led the way through narrow, dark alleys filled with unpleasant smells. Unlike the bustle outside, this place felt emptier, as if hiding many secrets. Yet, there was a strange sense of safety that came over Bastian whenever he looked at the man, though he couldn't quite understand why.
After a while, they arrived at a modest building at the end of the street. It was an old weapon shop, with a wooden sign above the door reading "Gerald's Weaponry." There was nothing remarkable about the place just an ordinary spot in the midst of the crime-ridden chaos of Mad Hat.
Bastian eyed the shop cautiously. "Is this your place?" he asked, half-surprised. He never imagined Lazhar owning a weapon shop. To him, the man seemed more like someone who observed the world from a distance, not someone involved directly in dangerous affairs.
"Yes, this is my place," Lazhar replied, opening the door. "Come in. This place is different from the world outside. Here, you're safe."
Bastian hesitated for a moment, but eventually stepped inside. Once inside the weapon shop, he was greeted with a view that was just as shocking. The walls were lined with all kinds of weapons swords, knives, and firearms. Each item appeared well-maintained, some looking quite valuable. It was a room far removed from the chaos of the outside world.
"Take a seat," Lazhar said, pointing to an old wooden bench in the corner of the shop. "You must be tired."
Bastian sat carefully, still looking around, trying to understand more about Lazhar and this place. The shop felt more like a hidden headquarters than a normal shop. There was so much he couldn't grasp, and he realized there was a lot more to learn.
Lazhar sat behind a large wooden desk at the back of the room and began writing on a piece of paper. The silence enveloped the shop, only interrupted by the sounds of his busy writing. Several times Bastian wanted to ask questions, but he held back. There was much about the man that intrigued him.
"So," Bastian finally broke the silence, attempting to ease the tension. "What exactly are you doing here? Why did you save me earlier?"
Lazhar paused for a moment, looking at Bastian with a deep, piercing gaze. "I didn't do it for a reward," he answered softly. "I just feel you have more potential than to be just another victim on these streets."
Bastian furrowed his brow. "Potential?" he asked, confused.
Lazhar gave a thin smile. "Yes, this world is not a friendly place, kid. Only the strong survive. Do you see this place?" Lazhar gestured around the weapon shop. "It's not just for business. I know a lot about this world, and I can teach you how to survive."
Bastian felt an even deeper sense of confusion. On one hand, he felt there was something he could learn from Lazhar, but on the other, he sensed the man was hiding something. There was a mysterious aura around him, as if there were more stories left untold.
Lazhar continued, as if reading Bastian's mind. "There's nothing truly good in this world, my boy. Everyone has their own past, and I am no different. I'm not a good man, and I don't plan to be a hero. I just survive."
Bastian swallowed hard. "And I have to learn from you to survive?"
"Exactly," Lazhar replied firmly. "You've seen how bad this world is. If you want to stay alive, you need to know how to face every danger that comes your way. You can't rely on luck or hope that someone will save you. You need to learn how to fight back."
Bastian stared at Lazhar seriously. He realized this was a hard choice, but the only one he could make. "Alright," he answered quietly. "I'll learn."
Lazhar nodded with satisfaction. "You have potential, Bastian. I can feel it. But remember, the path you'll walk won't be easy. Many will try to bring you down, and this world will show no mercy. If you want to survive, you need to be strong."
Bastian nodded, though deep inside, he felt a bit anxious. He knew he had just begun a very dangerous journey. But in a world full of chaos and evil, it seemed there was no other choice.
Several hours passed, and Lazhar finally stood up. "Now, let's start with the first thing you need to learn: how to use weapons."
Bastian looked at the weapons scattered around the shop. Some of them looked quite intimidating. He felt a bit hesitant, but his resolve was firm. He had to learn to survive, no matter how difficult it might be.
"Alright," Bastian replied, his voice sounding more confident. "I'm ready."
Lazhar smiled, this time with a more serious expression. "We'll start with the basics. If you want to survive, you need to know how to use weapons properly."
And so, Bastian's journey began. He would learn more about this dark world, and perhaps, more about himself.