Chapter 41 Ian

The party in the Alize's mansion resumed after the Thomas family left. People were murmuring about the incident that just happened.

The situation was awkward.

Kiara was pissed as she felt humiliated. She had never seen someone so unreasonable. Even that girl's father had few loose screws.

"I am sorry on their behalf. Why don't you guys come and meet Sophie and My daughter? She wanted to meet you guys."

"Okay."

Kiara let go of her anger and they went to see the baby girl. They went inside the castle.

There were guests inside the castle as well. The large hall was adorned by an enormous glass chandelier on the ceiling. A piano was being played by a pianist in a tailcoat, accompanied by other musicians playing their instruments. There was nice slow music going on warming the atmosphere.

At the end of the hall, on a luxurious chair, a woman with blonde hair was sitting with a bundled up baby. She had beautiful purple eyes with elf-like ears. She was wearing a white gown which was neither extravagant nor any less.

Alize introduced them. They looked at the infant that was sleeping tight, with not a care in the world.

"She is pretty," Pansy said with amazement.

"Cute." Kiara also had a look at the baby. Her previous anger was gone with a poof.

With that, the previous awkward atmosphere vanished and was replaced with enquiries of the baby.

"Oof. I never thought Kiara could get angry like that," Jeremy whispered to AAarav.

"She overheard that girl trash talking, and then it turned absurd."

"Hm. You should be careful. That family is famous for their notoriety. They behave like Kings and Queens wherever they go."

AAarav became worried. 'Did we messed with wrong people.' Anyway there was no crying over spilt milk. They got busy talking about other things and the party progressed. Soon they proceeded to the naming ceremony. The mother and the baby sat on their chair and a priest blessed both of them. It was not something out of ordinary. The priest chanted some blessings, and that was it. Alize's father came forward and lifted the baby, and he announced the name, Alicia. In the end, close relatives went and gave gifts for the baby.

The ceremony was mostly boring. The four of them were enjoying the food and talking with each other. Few people were dancing to the music. Seeing them, Pansy wanted to dance too. But Jeremy had two left feet. Aarav very gentlemanly asked for a dance and was rejected ruthlessly. Kiara then took Pansy and danced with her.

"Dude, she is upset with you."

"Hm. What did I do?"

"I think it's something to do with the Thomas girl."

"I don't remember doing anything that would upset her."

"Then, you are beyond saving."

"…"

Well, he can't do anything about it. He tried to ponder hard but got nothing. Sometimes, he wished he had powers like Shula and read other's mind. It would be a lot easier.

The party came to end. AAarav somehow managed to dance with Kiara. He just went and apologized. He didn't know what made her upset. He tactfully apologized and was forgiven.

After a few days, reports of enraged animals came. The Soul HQ in Caito ignored such reports. Animals were supposed to be wild. There was nothing new. Then a weird report made their heads turn. The report was that blue horses were behaving weirdly. Many changes were being seen in their behaviour. It suddenly started eating meat instead of grass. They were attacking humans too. One blue horse even ate a man. It made people terrified.

They were still engrossed with the blue horses' case when many such cases came flooding in. Other animals were turning hostile to humans. According to one witness testimony, it seemed that the animals went berserk. It was worst for vegetarian animals as they started eating meat.

Many officers were dispatched to check on the case. Aarav was also sent. He was in the same team as Jeremy.

"The animals finally went bonkers."

"Finally? You are talking as if they were tolerating something."

"Of course, they were. Us humans. We came and settled on this planet. The original inhabitants would be pissed. They finally lost their patience and are taking revenge."

"Jeremy if you are done talking nonsense then go down and look at the situation", Ulnas yelled at him for being loudmouthed. Jeremy and AAarav then flew down.

On the ground, there were signs of struggle. Articles like shoes, bags, bottles were left behind. There was blood on the ground. It was a sign of an animal attack. They followed the blood trail and soon found the mangled body of a child. It was spine-chilling.

The dead body was collected and stored in a box.

They saw many similar sights in multiple places. Animals in Caito were known for their peaceful nature. Because of the guardian, the animals were protected, and she, in turn, protected humans. AAarav tried contacting Valenthia, but the connection failed. He had tried to contact her as soon as he heard about the reports. She was MIA. He felt something had gone wrong as he could always feel Valenthia's presence. For a month, their connection was getting dimmer and dimmer. Either she was too far away or she was hurt. Aarav was afraid of the second possibility.

After several days they were dismissed. Aarav was nearby Alchemy Town. He decided to catch up with Samuel and the rest.

After arriving in the town, he went straight for the lab where Samuel worked.

It was about time, office hours ended. Many alchemists came out of the lab. He waited outside to wait for Samuel. A lot of people walked out, but Samuel was not among them. AAarav suspected he came to the wrong place. He checked the address again.

He was in the right place. But he had not informed Samuel. He was not sure if he was in the lab. He just went inside the lab. Indeed Samuel was inside. He was busy with work.

"Work time is over."

Samuel looked up after hearing a familiar voice.

"AAarav. What are you doing here?"

Samuel said with a cheerful voice. They hugged each other.

"Why are you still working. It's way past off time."

"Says the one with panda eyes"

"Ah. Does it look that bad?"

"Hm. You are having a hard time with the recent cases."

"Its lot worse."

"Why are you doing something that animal control should do. Is there even something like animal control here."

"There is. Valenthia. She is out of reach for ages. Makes me worry. "

"Good for you for being friends with a big shot."

"She is nice. She will be nice to you if you meet her."

"I wanted a favour from you."

"Favour. You name it."

"Can you keep Ian with you?"

"Are you going somewhere?"

"I got a message from Tamara."

Samuel told him about Tamara. She was in Crillon planet. She was mistaken for a lost princess who looked very much like her. Because of some situation, she had to impersonate the princess. And then Brad was kidnapped because he could become a legible heir to the throne. He went missing after that. Tamara wrote them a letter and asked them for help. She asked not to bring Ian because what happened to Brad could happen to him as well. The situation was much more complicated. So Samuel decided to go with Brandon and Aadil. First, to help Tamara out of the situation and find Brad if he was still alive.

People kept going missing. He wanted to reunite everyone so they can protect each other. But now, he cannot guarantee his sons security. He decided to leave him with AAAarav who could very well protect.

AAarav filed a missing child case. A young childlike Brad was very hard to find. He was very much as good as dead.

He had dinner with the rest of them and then booked an Inn to rest for the night.

The next day he met Ian in his academy.

"Ian. How are you doing?"

"Just the same. I was a student back home. Nothing much changed."

"Is it tough?"

"A bit."

"Why don't you come to Caito? It has better academies. You can even get private tutors."

"I know why you are trying to take me to Caito."

"… Uh well."

Aarav didn't know that Ian was already aware of the situation.

"I overheard Dad talking to Aadil. I don't want to go to Caito. I will go to meet Mom. "

Ian had always behaved maturely. The first time he was realizing, Ian was a teenager. He was very attached to his mom. Now when he knew her situation. He would want to go.

"If you heard your Dad, then you know that it is not safe for you to go."

"Nowhere is safe. I just want to stay with my family. I don't want to be left alone."

Ian was crying. He was seeing him crying for the first time. Maybe he cried when they got separated. Now he would be left.

"You won't be alone. At least not for long. I promise you I will send you back to your family after things settle down."

"Empty promises. You said you will find a way home. You never came. Instead, mom and Ruth were taken. Why should I believe you?"

"…..There isn't anything that could convince you right? "

"…"

"Then man up to hear the fact. You are 17 this year. Except for studying diligently, you can not help your dad. If you leave this planet with your dad, you will still be a burden. You neither have the skill to support anyone or strength to protect anyone."

Ian was red with anger. He too knew his shortcomings. He was a meritorious student. Apart from studying, he was not good at anything. He can not fight back. A streak of tear trickled down his cheek. Aarav patted his back

"Do you want to get stronger?"

"…"

"There's one way if I teach you. Then you can help your dad, protect your mom. Don't forget where I work. I have the power and authority to go to your mom and save her."

"You are only a temporary officer," Ian murmured to himself.

"So are you coming with me?"

Ian nodded his head. Whether it was a yes or no, it wasn't clear. AAarav left him be. Ian was a child but he could think for himself.