CHAPTER 3: DARK HOLE

Meanwhile right in the middle of the united city far away from the fortress, in the middle of the day that same Friday. There was a big hole in the earth that was caused by the earth shake. Many people around gathered and pondered bafflingly. The hole was so deep that no one could see the end of it. About an hour after this had happened, there was another earth shake just as loud and thunderous as the first one, but this time around it caused a lot of damage. The initial hole in the earth became very massive, and it swallowed thousands of humans, cars, and buildings. This tragic incident had people running for their lives. Everyone went crazy and scared. This enormous opening in the ground kept on expanding slowly as it swallowed more and more, emitting lots of thick black smoke that looked like shadows. And the terrifying destruction continued. Suddenly, a group of young magicians widely known as The Nobles appeared at the location of the pandemonium and began casting spells to undo the damage that has occurred. With their magic, they were able to stop the massive hole from its continuous increase, and they were also capable of saving lives by teleporting cars and people to safer places. This took a lot of energy, so they couldn't do much. This hole was so wild that it created a demarcation in the city. The Nobles had never seen a thing like this in their entire lives of being superheroes. This was something they did not understand, so they created a magical barricade round the hole before they proceeded with studying this strange occurrence. Generals, commissioners, head of the bureau and many other governmental individuals were at the place of the incident. This made the news and the whole world saw this.

After a long-lasting trip that took hours, Chief Ezra Kazim had finally arrived at his old friend's house, Anthony Dazel. Anthony Dazel lived in a sanctum located in a small village called Galatua also known as a place of peace. This village was named after the first ruler they ever had, and the people of this village valued peace over everything. Anthony was always alone in his shrine, and he never liked to be disturbed by anyone. Then Chief Ezra got to the doorstep of the Dazel's shrine and knocked. He did not get an answer, so he let himself in and walked towards a section built in the form of an altar, where he heard a voice saying.

"I know what brings you here, far away from your comfort. I have nothing to show you, you should as well just take your leave now." Anthony said.

Chief Ezra: "If truly you know why I have come to see you, then you have something to tell me."

Anthony Dazel stood up from his meditation and approached chief Ezra, and he looked at him right in his eyes and said.

Anthony Dazel: "The danger you're so scared of has already begun. I suggest you go back now and face your problems."

Chief Ezra: "So you've seen this in your visions, and you kept it to yourself?"

Anthony Dazel "What do you expect me to do, warn you? Back in the days, everything about the clan had always turned out good for everyone and bad for me. It's time you all face the mayhem, I owe no one nothing."

Chief Ezra: "Anthony do not do this, you were never like this, Sarah will never have wanted you like this"

"Do not ever speak about my wife!!" Anthony yelled with tears in his eyes and said,

"Oh Chief Ezra, you think you know a lot, but you know nothing. Leave my premises! Go! All the people you love will die and the walls you live within will crumble. You all will pay for what you did to my wife. You will know no peace. Now leave my house this instant."

Chief Ezra left in anger and rushed back to the castle, he left Galatua by a bus and went to the railway to take a train. Chief Ezra was furious and confused, but he could only hope all what Anthony the prognosticator told him were lies. Chief Ezra got to the railway and stood in the crowd for about a minute waiting for the next train. His head was pounding with thoughts of what the worst could be and how he could save his family from it. Chief Ezra Kazim a level 6 sorcerer of the Belmont clan was fully aware that the irresponsible and selfish actions Lord Bruce Belmont made will surely have consequences. In his wondering moment, a train arrived and everyone was in a rush to get on the train. Just as he wanted to step on the train an old lady grabbed his left arm and put something in is robe then she said to him.

"Take this, it will save you all"

Chief Ezra could not ask this mysterious old lady any question because time was not on his side. He tried to look into his pocket to see what the old lady dropped inside, but the crowd was much and the force of the struggling passengers pushed him into the train. Chief Ezra then raised his head, trying to locate the old lady, but she had vanished. Later on the train Chief Ezra reached for his pocket with his left hand trying to feel what it was, he did not want to bring it out of his pocket in public because he could sense it was magical. But from what he had felt with his hand, he knew it was a box wrapped with fabric. The journey on the train took long, and all he could think of was what Lord Bruce Belmont had done. All the things Anthony said bothered him so much that he did not pay attention to the radio on the train talking about a tragic incident that has occurred somewhere. Finally, he reached his designation, Chief Ezra quickly walked to a quiet corner to check what the box contained, but he was unable to open it. The box was spell sealed. He could not wait any longer to get to his magical chambers also known as the underground lab back at the Belmont fortress to properly open this box. He was still far out from the walls in another land.

It has been declared in most regions that magic must only be used by those with the license of magic, like The Nobles. Using magic without a license is highly illegal by law, and it attracts punishment. Every sorcerer in the Belmont walls has a license, and a license can only be issued four times by a person. Once a magic license is given to a citizen it is valid for twenty years, after twenty years that license gets expired, and it has to be renewed if that citizen wants to still use magic. Chief Ezra had already renewed his license three times in his life, and his last license had expired. So, Chief Ezra had to find a place where no one will see him use magic, then he opened a portal that took him right back to the underground lab of the fortress. As soon as Chief Ezra got back, before he could do anything a group of other councilmen walked in, he turned around in shock to see who could just barge in without knocking and said.

"Who dares?" Chief Ezra yelled. "Oh Nicholas, it you" he concluded.

Chief Ezra said this as he tried to hide the wrapped magical box the old lady gave to him, he did not want anyone seeing it until he figures things out.

Nicholas: "Where have you been chief? This is almost midnight and the whole council has asked about your presence"

Chief Ezra: "Is there a problem I should know about?"

Nicholas: "today has been completely strange. Countless abnormal incidents occurred today. A marketer vomited in the middle of the market and collapsed, now she is sick And she lays in the hospital. The color of the walls have started changing on the outside just this evening, and we observed it is coming from the ground. I think it is best you should come with us to the council chamber and hear what the others have to say."

Chief Ezra and the others walked up to the castle straight to the council hall in a rush. Steven Belmont and all the councilmen were present. Everyone stood up as a sign of respect as Chief Ezra walked to his seat walked to his seat. Chief Ezra then said, "Steven please you may speak and enlighten me on the matters at hand, what is going on."

Meanwhile Steven has not yet told anyone about the disappearance of his father and the potential threat as was discussed earlier that day with Chief Ezra, Malmö and jade, he had been busy with pressing matters arising within the walls.

"Acquiescence to speak freely I demand." Steven said.

"Acquiescence granted" everyone replied.

"My father, Lord Bruce Belmont, has gone to the dark realm hoping to bring back his long-lost wife, my mother. This happened about twenty-four hours ago, and….

Nathaniel: "What in the light's name are you talking about, young boy? What nonsense?"

Councilman 2: "Lord Bruce will not do that, I do not believe this, why will you even make up such an expensive joke at a time like this?"

The hall became noisy from the sounds of different side chatters and argumentative questions.

Nicholas: "please let us let the man speak as he elaborate on our questions orderly. Steven, if what you are saying is true that means our Lord Bruce Belmont tempered with dark magic, and he has broken the fifth decree of the pride, Is that what you are insinuating?"

Steven kept silent out of bitterness and anger.

Nathaniel: "speak up young man"

Chief Councilman Chief Ezra: "Steven is absolutely correct, our almighty Lord Bruce Belmont has left this realm without notifying anyone"

Councilman 2: "you knew about this too?"

Councilman 3: "what is going on here? Who else knows about this?"

Chief Councilman Chief Ezra: "just jade and Malmö, no one else. Malmö is the only one that saw Lord Bruce when he opened a dark portal and vanished, so Malmö told Steven and Jade, and then they told me. We planned understanding the situation properly and telling the right people first, but we were obviously too late, please forgive our judgment and let's move on to the necessities."