The root - Act 2: Part 3

(Do you know how I said there will be 2 updates on Saturday? I won't be able to make that since I have a sudden exam scheduled on the day. So listen carefully now, since that won't be possible for me, I'm posting one today and two on Sunday. Also, seeing how many people are distressed about not being able to buy chapters, I'm thinking of making this story free as long as I can get away with it. But I will need your comments, reviews, votes and collections for the same.

So, if you want to read more for free, please provide me with feedback and I will see you on Sunday. I'm so sorry for this though. )



The pair decided to retreat to their room as soon as they covered up the body. It had been decided that the body will be burnt up to prevent any further contamination and then sealed up in the area beneath the branch.

There had been too many protests but since the council head had approved it and the brother of the deceased had not objected, it had been finalised.

When they entered their room, the black cat they had picked up sprinted to greet them. Ignoring Kei completely, it rubbed against Xiao's legs before he gave in and picked it up in his arms.

Now with Xiao’s arms supporting it, the cat laid dormant and went back to sleep. The picture was rather domestic if one ignored the tension in the brows of the pair. It had taken a lot of time and a good chunk of the morning had been utilised for the same.

“I had a talk with the others about it. The abyss decided to sit back on this topic but Ray decided to help. So that’s one problem down. But still lack the firepower and to delete that thing we have no reliable option” Noah opened the door and entered explaining what went on.

However, when he took the view there was a cloud of silence all over. His gaze was fixed on the bundle in Xiao’s arms.

Xiao looked down at the dozing cat before facing his cousin again. He knew the question in his cousin’s eyes and felt compelled to answer it.

“Don’t worry, this cat is safe. Kei has a special power that eliminates contamination, but it is limited in nature. We decided to test it out just in case” Xiao lied. Kei played along as he nodded.

If he explained it like this, then he could turn Kei into a trump card while disclosing just enough to sate Noah’s curiosity. For some reason, he didn’t want to disclose all about Kei to Noah.

It just didn’t feel right to him. Besides, the panic it would cause was not worth it.

“Now I see why you kept him by your side. Was it due to a wish?” Noah asked but Xiao had no answer for him. His feeling about the issue was really confusing, his instincts non-existing even.

“Something like that. Why are you jealous?” Kei saved him by diverting Noah’s attention and Xiao was grateful for it. His inability to answer could cause more misunderstandings to occur.

Like this, he could prevent it all and as long as Kei played along, everything would turn out to be ok.

“No. Anyway, the firepower is still an issue. Most of the other branches say that they have no one to spare as the mysterious raids are getting more and more frequent. Any suggestions?” Noah asked the duo in front of him.

Thankfully, this was a topic they had an answer for. The foresight shown yesterday had really paid off.

“Last night before we left for our rooms, Mira and Kren thought something was fishy and made a wish in advance. It was accepted so the world tree most likely already decided on the price for it from them” Xiao explained but instead of relieving the man in front of him, it seems to do the opposite.

The frown on Noah’s face got deeper as his eyes got sharper.

“Xiao, we tell them that you’ll become a suspect of their death. We can’t take the risk” Noah reasoned and Xiao was taken back. He hadn’t thought of it that way at all.

“You’re a good speaker, so you persuade them. Besides, most of these people care more about themselves than the ones who died” Kei was the one who said this and even with a glare targeting him he was unbothered.

Really, this guy seemed to take everything like it was none of his business.

It did reassure Xiao a lot though. To have such a person on his side.

“I’ll try my best but be prepared for the worst Xiao. If the situation got out of hand I won’t put you above myself again” then Noah left and closed the door behind him.

It did sting Xiao that his cousin would consider his position before him but he could honestly not ask him to choose himself over his position. Noah had fought tooth and nail for it and he deserved it.

“Some relatives he is. You don’t need him Xiao for I’m here” Kei’s concern touched him but it didn’t eliminate the hurt Kei’s words delivered.

The cat in his arms snuggled beside his chest and he felt grateful for the support, even if the cat was heavier than a normal animal.

“Anyway, any tips on how to provide the manpower for the task?” Xiao tried to force his voice to be cheerful but quickly dropped when faced with purple eyes and their owner. It was better to be natural about it all.

“If I say to let me handle it would you agree?” Kei asked and this was the first time Xiao actually considered it.

He knew Kei was powerful but was he powerful enough to go against the branch himself? Somehow he felt it was a yes and he was out of options and time.

“Alright. But when it gets dangerous, you’re out and we think of something else” Xiao said in a tone that bordered on finality. He would not take no for an answer and luckily for him, he’ll not have to force the topic since Kei agreed pretty easily.

“I’ll be sure to be careful. But what should we do about the hunters?” Kei asked as he jumped on the bed.

Xiao followed at a more sedated speed. His body demanded rest and the early rise of the morning could still be felt in his body.

“Rest for an hour and then we’ll eat something. Since hunters came here in peace we can’t accuse them right off of a hunch. We’ll look more into this once we deal with the problem. After all, we have to fulfil” Xiao said as he and the black cat joined his companion on the bed.

The one hour rest turned into a two hour nap before Xiao’s alarm buzzed.

The pair woke up and made their way into the common hall. There were murmurs that followed the pair but no one really distrubed them. The news about the wish had no doubt spread around.

Sitting at an isolated table, he could see Noah and the council head discussing something over food. It must be serious enough for Noah to actually sit and discuss with that man.

Carefully making their way there, the pair joined the one in s heavy discussion.

“-ask them again, surely they would agree? The circumstances are dire” two heads turned toward him when he let out a fake cough. Whatever that was being discussed laid forgotten in their haste.

“I came here to inform you that I found a way to arrange the firepower. As soon as Ray arrives, ask her to pay down the protection spells all around. The abyss ones and start evacuating just in case. I’ll take the field once she’s done” Xiao suggested while Kei quietly ate his food.

No one asked for his reason. The news had definitely been leaked out by someone and in a controlled manner even. He was thankful for Noah and these were the times that made him really appreciate his cousin - even more so than usual.

“I extend my thanks to you Iussum and all your partners. Then I’ll start making preparations. We’ll continue later Sir Noah” the man quickly took his leave while Noah made a weird face at that.

“He’s a crafty one, but at least he knows what he is doing. He really helped in your case today and now I own him one. Thanks a lot” his cousin said in a grumpy voice and Xiao chuckled.

This was the classic Noah alright. Grumpy but caring in his own way. Even the stress of what had happened earlier melted away from him.

Kei just observed them from above his food plate.

The rest of the lunch was spent in comfortable silence and the pair separated from Noah to go their separate ways. They had a task to do before they could do anything else. As they walked toward their destination, there was a sudden feeling of distress in the air.

Ray was close by and that meant they had to wait for a bit. As much as Xiao wanted to see her, they could not change for her to attack them right now.

So, pulling Kei with his hand, he ran back to their rooms.

“Ray is here. We need to wait for Noah’s message before we go out” He explained to the taller teen who looked shocked at being pulled out his hand.

“Ah, right. I forgot” Kei answered as if just coming out of a daze. It was cute how out of it he got with just a small surprise pull, the impassive face no longer so.

Every time he tried to touch the cat, it ran toward Xiao, and after a while, he gave up and just observed. The confirmation took fifteen long minutes to come and as soon as it did, the pair was out of the door.

The clearing was quiet and the disconnect with the world tree could be felt in their senses due to the barrier of the abyss’s power. It would not hold on for long though. They had an hour at most.

“Stay here, I’ll blow it up right now” Kei as he sprinted forward in the circle but Xiao stopped him by catching his hand. He realised that he didn’t want for Kei to be in this dangerous situation at all but they had no other choice.

“Stay safe and remember, come out as soon as you feel any danger” Xiao called out to the taller man who nodded with a small laugh.

“I’ll be right back then” with that Kei was off. As soon as he crossed the line, Xiao could no longer see him. However, his impulse urged him to follow the other.

He almost took a step before there was a feeling which urged him to dodge. This one was much stronger than before and followed it to automatically jump toward the right side.

Just in time to miss a spear in the head which bounced off the array in front of him.

“Yo, look there is a person here. Think we can get a nice sum for his head” his attacker asked a group of people following him. Every one of them had a mask on and wore fully black. Even their hair was not visible and none of them was unarmed.

“Do what we came here to do and stop fooling around. That thing could bloom anytime and we will be worse than death if we don’t bring the samples back” another called out and Xiao realised that this was a planned attack.

“Luckily for us, someone decided to do the pillars for us. Do you think the headquarter arranged it? Or any other team of hunters is here except us and captain?” so they were hunters and the one leading was really talkative.

Suddenly, the person in front of him was impaled on a sword and fell dead within seconds. Even his companions looked surprised, all except for one.

“He exposed us so I gave him a mercy kill. Now don’t waste time” and before Xiao could piece together a plan to get away, he was attacked. He wanted to run away but he no longer could. He had to stand his ground here.

Kei was still inside and the wish was still active. Besides, he had answers to get here. From their words, it looked like the situation was deeper than he thought it to be. If so, he needed to take a deeper look.

He pulled his weapon out as soon as the first one attacked. No more mercy for them.