"What. Is. That?"

Oliver got off the horse and his thighs were burning. "Oww," he cried. "It burns!"

Allen stepped outside of the cottage. "I almost mistook you for a wolf,"

"Why is it hurting?" asked Oliver incredulously. "Riding a horse I mean,"

"Get used to it, also you forgot the saddle," said Allen clutching something from the ground.

Oliver looked up at Allen like it was all his fault. "Why didn't you tell me?"

Allen just glared at Oliver firmly, and that's when Oliver remembered his place. He shouldn't test Allen's patience.

Allen helped Oliver place the saddle on the horses back. Oliver had the urge to ask a question, he tried to fight it back but he ended up asking Allen anyways. He just felt an unbearable compulsion, "What is the horse's name?"

"Sorry?"

"The horse- its name..." said Oliver compellingly.

"Oh, its name is...Ash," said Allen pulling out his longbow.

The gray horse whinnied as if it was saying, "How's it going, Oliver?" Oliver stroked it on the mane.

Allen notched an arrow to his bowstring. He barely had taken a breath between his rapid several arrow strikes. Each arrow was sent soaring through the air, hitting a separate target. Bullseye, bullseye, bullseye, and bullseye. Not a miss.

"I gave the girl some medicine. She should be fine for now. If we're taking her along with us I think it's best we start moving now,"

Oliver nodded. "Does she have a horse of her own?"

Allen stepped into the stables which were right behind the cottage and put his bow to the side of another horse. Allen gestured Oliver to follow him into the cottage.

Alyss was already awake and ready to leave.

Allen gave her a few things to hold on to in a satchel, like a flint and steel for example. Allen decided that Alyss would buy clothes in the city once they leave the school island.

They walked out of the cottage and to the horses they went.

"Alyss will sit behind me," said Allen finally answering Oliver's question. Alyss raised an eyebrow looking at Oliver. Oliver merely shrugged and Alyss got on the horse behind Allen.

"Follow me," said Allen motioning his horse to a slow trot.

Oliver followed as he prayed he would get used to the burning pain in his thighs when he rode Ash.

Ash shook his mane. Oliver leaned in a bit forward. "Do you understand me?" The horse just whinnied.

The three slowly left the island of Mid-Horizon, and they trotted deep into the City of Horizon. It's such a large and amazing city, even Alyss hadn't ever been this deep int othe city.

It was weird at first. But Oliver soon realized, even in such an advanced Kingdom, some people still prefer to traverse on horseback. It was truly interesting how the Kingdom

worked.

People stared the two Shrouds nervously, Shrouds were mysterious people around the Kingdom, they were people not to agitate, and their uncanny way of disappearing was enough to bring chills up your spine.

Oliver's heart skipped a beat when a car slowed down in front of him. He needed to chill, traveling in the city on horse was more common than he thought.

Allen stopped in front of a store. "Get something... unobtrusive," he told Alyss.

Alyss looked disappointed, she genuinely wanted to buy something nice but of course this Shroud wanted her to wear something inconspicuous.

Alyss got off the horse walking toward the store, she stopped and said, "Wait, I don't have my purse."

Allen looked up to heaven whilst praying to god that something may go well. Oliver pulled out his wallet, "I've got a few bills..."

Alyss raised her hand in the air like solemnly. "I couldn't, you've already got me something once,"

"It's fine really," insisted Oliver raising both his eyebrows as he shook his wallet in the air.

"It's fine-"

"Just take a few bucks," intersected Allen impatiently. Alyss stared awkwardly at the wallet.

Oliver pulled out a bill and realized he pulled out a hundred dollar bill. "Shoot," he thought. "Stupid bill made this more awkward!"

Oliver took another bill out and it was another hundred dollar bill.

"Shit-shitty-shit," he thought, he should've not filled his wallet with a bunch of Benjamins.

"Crap," he finally said and pulled out a hundred dollar bill and handed it to Alyss. "I don't have change," Alyss awkwardly grabbed the bill.

Allen threw his hands up in mock horror. "Stop making this complicated,"

Alyss walked into the store hiding her red face. She wanted to just faint on purpose right now, if only she had brought her purse.

Oliver watched Alyss walk away.

"So," said Oliver. "What's your horse's name?"

"Arbeard," replied Allen reluctantly.

That's a...unique name thought Oliver. Oliver pulled opened his satchel on the horse. He pulled out a book and read. Allen didn't care to disturb him until Alyss returned with clothes in a bag.

Allen nudged Oliver and pointed at Alyss who had finally returned. Alyss handed Oliver some change, Oliver was rather taken aback.

"Woah, you don't need to return the change,"

Alyss's eye's widened, "Why not?"

"I-" started Oliver. "Don't need the change because it's just gonna ruffle in my wallet,"

"That- was literally. The. Dumbest. Excuse. EVER!" thought Oliver.

Alyss dismissed the matter and they continued traveling.

After 30 minutes or so Oliver estimated, they will have left the city and will be heading towards Horizon's borders. Barely a word was spoken as the two horses trotted calmly, Oliver's legs soon became sore as he sat on Ash, he asked Allen to stop for a few minutes so he could stretch his legs.

As they approached the borders of Horizon, Oliver asked Allen a question.

"Why exactly does The Islands of Horizon and The Kingdom of Horizon, have basically the same name?"

Arbeard continued trotting at a steady pace and sat quietly. He sped up when the hill had a steep slope that they had to go up.

Alyss tried her best not to fall asleep, she could use a nice nap right about now. After her body handling that Blood Moon, it was a surprise she could even open her eyes.

"The Kingdom of Horizon used to be the only Kingdom which is why the islands got the name Horizon," said Allen.

Oliver nodded, but even Alyss could tell that he had a thousand questions he wanted to ask.

They rode the horses for half an hour until they left the borders completely.

"Now the challenge begins," said Allen narrowing his eyes.

"About half an hour before complete sundown," stated Oliver.

"How do you know?" asked Alyss.

"I can estimate by looking at the sun,"

"Hm, is that so," Alyss looked up with a sudden shinning in her eyes when she looked at the sun, watching it glimmer in the sky slowly going below the Horizon.

The three of them walked into a golden oak tree forest. It was autumn, the leaves had their orangish golden shades of colors.

And the ground was filled with colorful leaves.

Allen looked down for a second when Arbeard whinnied, he was warning Allen of a coming threat. "Hmm," said Allen aloud.

"What is it?" asked Oliver.

"We're being followed," said Allen.

Alyss turned to look but Oliver stopped her in time.

"Don't look back!" He whispered.

"Several of them," said Allen slowly reaching his bow which was safely on the horse.

"On one, turn around with your horse and aim," ordered Allen.

"Three-two-one!"

Allen's horse Arbeard turned around abnormally quick. Allen pulled out his bow and notched an arrow. He pulled his cowl over his face and as he turned around he aimed, whereas, Oliver stumbled a bit but he did the same.

The forest was empty and you could hear nothing everything was just quiet.

"Show yourself," commanded Allen. "I'm a King's Shroud,"

Several people stepped out. They wore a shade of orange and black, chainmail armor, helmets with horns; and they held sharpened weapons.

"Don't you think your authority is useless out of your Kingdom, Shroud?" said one of them.

This was true of course, it doesn't matter if he's a King's Shroud, outside the Kingdom, his authority is limited. However, people are scared of Shrouds, they have an uncanny way of disappearing and reappearing which caused people to think that Shrouds used some kind of evil dark magic, even now the attackers couldn't properly focus on the man and the boy.

The leader of the attackers looked around a noticed a girl in the back of the Shroud's horse, everyone knows Shrouds don't carry a random girl behind them. This man must be a wannabe.

"Don't worry boys," said the leader sensing his gang's hesitation. "This man and boy will be easy to handle,"

In a flash all the attackers went in many directions, Allen released his arrow and Oliver did the same right after.

Allen shot repeatedly and three men dropped, Oliver shot an arrow and it buried deep into one of their thighs.

He wailed in pain as he fell to the ground. Three more of the enemies charged at Oliver. Oliver panicked and dropped his arrow, then Ash kicked one in the stomach sending him flying, Alyss stabbed one in the back, and Allen took the rest of them out with his bow.

Oliver scrambled to the floor and picked up his bow panting heavily, he had panicked. And because of that, his own horse had to save him.

"This isn't good," said Alyss. "They were so close to the borders, these bandits are getting bolder," said Alyss.

"They weren't bandits," said Allen. "They were Skardians,"

"Bless you," said Oliver halfheartedly.

"Suh-guardian," said Allen. "Must I spell it out for you?"

"Well whatever the case," said Alyss. "It's not a good sign,"

"Exactly," agreed Allen walking up to a figure. "The fact that they're so close to Horizon is enthralling,"

"What are the Sagardians exactly?" asked Oliver.

"Can't you see, they're human," said Allen sarcastically. "Like you and me, now let's go see what this fellow has for us," Allen pointed at a man clutching his thigh which had an arrow piercing through it.

Oliver stared white-faced a guiltily, it was the man he had shot. Of course, he knew that in this world of Horizon you weren't safe outside of a Kingdom, you had to kill to survive.

Allen bent down in front of the injured Sagardian, everyone knew that his death was inevitable.

"Your time is over," Allen told him.

"Do something good, and tell us why you people are so close to the borders?"

The Sagardian groaned in pain. "I...no, we were recruited by the dark-" he gasped to catch his breath.

"Who?" asked Allen. The Sagardian looked up at the sky and pulled out the arrow from his thigh, he looked at Allen and then at Oliver. He then raised the arrow pointing at his chest and a tear streamed down from his eyes. Oliver realized what he was about to do and cried out 'stop'.

But Oliver was a second too late, the Sagardian stabbed himself straight in the chest and through the heart.

"At least...I die in peace,"

"Wait!" cried Allen. "Stay with me!"

The Sagardian stood motionless with an arrow jabbed into his chest. Alyss bit her lip, she felt deep sorrow for the man. But it was one thing to feel sorrow and another to feel guilt. Oliver blamed himself if he hadn't shot the arrow, maybe they could've helped the man.

Allen noticed the pure guilt on Oliver's face. "Don't blame yourself, you did what you had to,"

Allen then crouched closer to the dead man and searched him.

Several seconds later he pulled out an old parchment.

"Well, well, well," he said. "These the Sagardians plans, I wonder what they're up to,"

He handed the Parchment over to Alyss. Alyss studied the old paper thoroughly,

"Wow," she said. "This can't be good,"

She then handed the parchment to Oliver.

Oliver looked at words written on the paper, he tried to read it for a second but he realized this was written in completely different language. He couldn't understand a thing, but the map had enough information to cover.

"I don't understand the foreign language but...the map shows that they're planning a coordinated attack somewhere," said Oliver.

"The foreign language is written in Haururian," said Allen

(Pronounced Haw-Roar-Ian)

"The coordinated attack is with the demons apparently!" said Alyss shifting to the side as Allen got up.

"And that's not a good thing," said Allen.

"We've got to get this to the King right away," Alyss narrowed her eyes and sat on Arbeard.

"No," said Allen solemnly. "It seems we're going on a clandestine mission,"

Allen put the parchment in his saddle which was tied to Ash, he hopped on Arbeard and he urged the horse to move forward sure-footedly.

Oliver followed Allen through the foliage.

They trotted forward for several minutes.

Suddenly both Ash and Arbeard stopped and whinnied, saying: "There's something up ahead,"

"What is it?" asked Alyss.

"Something up ahead," Allen responded and got off of his horse.

"Stay," said Oliver as he got off as well.

Alyss stayed back with the and Allen pulled over his cowl and pulled out his bow.

Oliver did the same.

Allen and Oliver crouched behind a few trees.

"Stop," whispered Oliver. "I hear talking up ahead,"

And Oliver was right, a few seconds later two men came out of a thicket while enthusiastically conversing.

Allen exchanged a soft smile with Oliver. Oliver's super senses are perfect for a Shroud. That's one of the reasons Allen found him a worthy apprentice. The kid not only was not only intelligent in fights but he knew how to assess the situation.

Oliver's smile slowly faded and was replaced by a perplexed and aghast face. The two men were heading straight toward them. Oliver shuffled to the right a bit and Allen stopped him.

"Trust the cloak," he whispered.

Oliver nodded but he was still a bit anxious.

The men were no more than about 7 meters away from the two Shrouds hiding spots.

Oliver felt his chest fall once one of the men looked directly at Oliver. Oliver's temptation to look away and close his eyes was great.

But he somehow found the strength to fight the urge.

A few seconds later the man looked away and continued walking with his subordinate.

Oliver sighed in relief if they hadn't left any sooner, Oliver's heart may have burst.

Oliver and Allen waited for the men to lose their field of vision towards them. Once they were sure that the men had no way of seeing them Oliver led Allen to them using his enhanced senses to track the footsteps and his hearing to listen to them.

Oliver raised his hand, "Hear that,"

Allen furrowed his eyebrows. "What?"

"Shh-"

A faint clang on steel came from the direction behind them. This time Allen heard it.

'Clang.'

There it was again.

And again. Oliver realized that it was getting closer, both he and Allen dived into a thicket whilst disregarding the pain when they hit the ground.

The clinging noise got louder and louder until Oliver could make out more than one bearlike animal, but it walked on its hind legs, it had a sort of a wolfs head with sharp teeth like a megladon if you will. The clanging came from the animals' claws, they scratched them together creating a screeching noise of metal.

There were about five of them, marching in the same direction the two men Oliver and Allen were following.

Oliver wanted to scream out in terror, he felt his throat itch and the hair on his neck stand.

A minute later the beasts marched away. Allen looked at Oliver who was terrified, his eyes glowing with fear.

Only three words came out of Oliver's mouth.

"What. Are. They?"

—————

Author's Notes:-

-CONGRATS! WE REACHED 20,000 VIEWS 👁!!

-Here's an early post for you guys.

;P

+Geographical distribution of the novel's collection

US 43.2%

PH 16.2%

IL 8.1%

ID 8.1%

CA 5.4%

OTHER 19.0%

—

Haururian: Is the language people living in the continent Horizon speak.

But it's normally used by The Kingdom of Horizon

Sagardians: Are a race of warriors, they live far from The Kingdom of Horizon in the Frozen Wetlands.

-Horizon is a continent, as larger than The United States but smaller than Africa.

-The continent has the three main Kingdoms, The Kingdom of Horizon, The Kingdom of Aurora, and The Kingdom of Eventide.

-The Kingdom of Horizon has one main castle that is in the heart of The City of Horizon, another castle is Mid-Horizon which is the school Oliver and Sami go too.

-The City of Horizon is the main part of the Kingdom of Horizon.

-Mid-Horizon is on a different island than the main land where the City is.

-The Town of Beginnings is where students go through once they enter the continent.

-The Continent has magical barriers which hide it, and whenever a evil person tries to expose Horizon to the outside they are captured by a Ministry from one of the Kingdoms.

-Powers are not allowed to be used outside Kingdoms because of an agreement made by the three kingdoms, but it's a different matter in war, demon hunts, etcetera.

-They're also smaller tribes of men living in different area in Horizon.

-Horizon has all kinds of weather, a desert land, Snowy areas, a green highly forest and plant rich environment which is The Kingdom of Horizon. Even a jungle is in the continent.

-Each Kingdom has made a treaty with one another after the fifteen year war from the Dark Lord Moverath- (mow-Veh-Wrath)

-Moverath is said to still be alive, he once had control over The Kingdom of Eventide. But he was stripped of his evil power and Eventide returned to peace.

-Demons And other evil things are centrally controlled by lesser evils (You will see this in the story later on)

But the Prime Evil (Diablo) has complete supremacy over all of them. But since he was imprisoned he is said to be deceased.

-Demons are said to attack harshly on nights and blood moons, Lunar exlipses, e.t.c.

-Quad tea is a shop which has the most variety of tea and pastries, + more.

-Adrian (The character who was introduced on chapter 11) is accepted to the school as a student due to a special negotiation with King Chyrin.

-Sami is known as a famous hero in The City, but not a single person suspects him in school.

-Chris David, (Another character I haven't shown much) has the power to control gravity, he can fly, levitate objects, lower gravity for a certain while. And more.

-I've said this many times I'll say it again,

Any advice is appreciated.

-SHOUTOUT to:-

-Naymorac (Check out his novel)

-Sami_Parker (Yes the one and only...)

-Quadsim_Possessor

(Did I spell that right 🤔)

-The Striker777 (Chris David)

-Adrian_West (The weirdo who wears BLACK)

xD

-xXArcAngelXx

(One can wonder who that is 🤔)

-Khanafif (WHOSDAT?)

-azuraisi

(K I may have spelled your name wrong but thanks anyways)

-AND MOST OF ALL...

The readers!

Peace out ✌️.