CHAPTER 232: People Are Killing Others

"Have you heard? Hydra Kingdom was burnt down to nothing in just two days. People saw it one day and then after a few days, it was already gone."

"I did, heard it wasn't a normal fire, said they couldn't even see a single building."

"Could it be the working of the darkness?"

"Isn't that too scary already? What is Qillian Empire doing?"

"They are roaming around, I presume they might even be playing around just like in Nembus Kingdom."

"The party they attended, they should have just left after their work there then maybe Hydra Kingdom wouldn't be in such a state."

Eight youths with hoods in them were sitting at an inn, eating dinner.

They just passed by this village to eat, they have no plans on spending too much time in it.

But since they already came by here, they thought they could have some food before continuing. Yet here they are listening to another round of nonsense from people who only knows how to chat around.

"I apologize, if it wasn't for us inviting you guys, they wouldn't have this kind of talk," Felix said with clenched hands.

"Don't be, that's all they do anyway. All they can do is talk and nothing more. They can't even help their own kingdom."

Saphira shrugged at him before gesturing that he should just continue eating.

Willow choked on a bread she was eating as a dessert, but before she could ask for it, a drink was placed right by her hand.

Drake who placed it there, continued putting his attention on his food as if he didn't do anything.

Willow wanted to thank him but because he acted nonchalant she chose not to say anything.

Just like with White Tiger, she knew it was Drake who sent him, she wants to be alone and pushed everyone away but White Tiger's warm fur and him simply being a beast, an accompaniment, she felt calm and peace.

Among all the mythological beasts, White Tiger has the warmest of fur.

The birds were warm but his was still different.

It was soft all over unlike the feathers that still has some hard part.

Drake remained nonchalant about that, Willow no longer has the chance to say thank you.

"Let's go," Saphira said seeing as they were done eating.

They had their hoods on and so no one really recognized them, they were treated as simple travellers.

Even if the current condition of the world was like this, there are still travellers around.

Especially in such a big land with different kingdoms in it.

"How long before we reach Atria Kingdom again?" Saphira asked Hunter.

"About two weeks in our current pace," he answered.

"Well, it is better to check every crook and cranny to ensure that demonic beasts aren't hiding anywhere or that the dark forces aren't around."

The dark forces are now added to the things they are to look after, since the number of bodies in Hydra Kingdom does not add up to their population.

"There are rumors going around that people are killing others. Could it be that war is coming?"

"There are very few who recognized some, they were said to be from Hydra Kingdom."

"What? Then could it be that Hydra Kingdom went rogue?"

"It seems they were moving without other thoughts other than killing."

The eight of them glanced at one another, it seems they are really on the move.

Saphira cleared her throat and approached the people who were talking.

"Do you perhaps know the strength of those who are attacking people?" she asked in a lower voice.

They were stunned to hear someone suddenly asking but they still replied.

"It is said that they were quite physically strong but no other information was given. A few of those who encountered them have died."

"Oh, thank you."

"Be careful traveller, you might be attacked."

She bowed in gratitude before returning to the rest.

"Heighten your senses, you have fought with a whole lot of them. You will surely feel them around," she commanded as they walked out of that village.

And they did, they walked with more vigilance and looked around them properly.

They can no longer have any more mishaps.

'Lily, is it possible to pass your ability to their swords?' Saphira silently asked.

'I think it is fine, as long as you can control it the way you did with yours.'

Saphira walked over to Hunter, "Look for a hidden cave, I need to do something."

He didn't ask and simply did as she asked.

Soon he lead them to a cave beside another mountain.

It was deeply hidden by the enormous amount of trees that was growing without anyone caring for them.

If it was raining, it would look like a dreary one.

"Before Lily, which is Light, hatched, I can already take a part of her power and use it around me. The lands we passed and all."

They looked at her seriously not understanding why she was suddenly speaking of this.

"My sword was not only incorporated with Vermilion Bird's power but of it as well. And as I did, I realized that the family heirlooms were the same."

Each of the other six looked down at their own swords.

Saphira looked at Drake, "The current condition of these swords isn't good. Can you make it into something as sturdy as mine?"

Drake thought for a bit, "I guess I can, I was able to study the metals surrounding the outer core of the earth's layer. I can use them."

Saphira nodded her head before looking outside, "Hearing what the others were talking about, our current state is still lacking. This place is good enough..."

She returned her look towards them, "We will continue training here while Drake rebuilds the swords. And when I say swords, your's Felix is included. We may not be able to incorporate the power of the phoenix but I think we can do it with the Light ability."