Chapter 13

Author: Thanks for reading and for supporting me.

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They had no other choice.

On the path ahead, leading to Heavens knows where, Den walked beside the man, followed by Mira and the old man.

Master,........he won't let the guy walk or breathe in peace.

This was the first time Mira has seen her master shown interest in someone who wasn't a beautiful woman or connected to a case.

So much that he stick to him like glue on paper.

Or is it paper on glue?

Well, you get what she mean, right? This was surprising considering her master wasn't that trusting of people.

'When you meet someone, find out one good thing that benefits you before you befriend them' her master always said but he was not doing that right now.

Or was he? Has he already figured it out? Also, Can the man even breathe with him (Den) around? Just watching suffocated her and she wonder how the man was holding up.

With the glowing crystal ball held by the man, they could see so much better now. And Den had a lot of questions for him. He wanted answers!

"What are you doing here? How did you get here? And why aren't you using your ability to disappear like the first time we met?" An excited Den asked. Right now, he looked like a kid getting a candy after doing something right.

"I........." The so-called savior who was none other than Yuuki, was speechless.

He felt so excited, so much that he couldn't let out another word. They met, again.

This..... definitely was fate.

Seriously! He still couldn't believe his eyes! All this happening so suddenly,......this was crazy!

But then.........to his question,.......Yuuki knew why he couldn't use 'Shadow'

For some reason, he couldn't use it in this place.

There must be a spell or something, forbidding him to use it.

That aside......was this really happening?!!

This was crazy!!! He never thought this guy will join him.

Then again, there was only one path ahead.

'You're the light in the darkness. How can we see without you' these are the very words the trio said when he asked if they wanted to go ahead without him.

Their answer made sense and he also didn't want to reject the idea when he (Den) suggested it (They walk together).

And........hold on,.......he.....he just remembered something. The excitement he felt almost clouded his mind.

He asked about his ability, 'Shadow'

How did he know about that? Not many knew.

Besides him, the sun and his group, no one else knew.

So,.....how did this guy know?

Suspiciously, Yuuki stared at Den who smiled at him when their eyes met,

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to. Instead, tell me, what are you doing here? You were in the black market, right? And how did you find this place?" He (Den) asked leaving Yuuki astonished. So much that, he forgot all his suspicions.

He wanted to know about him. Yuuki wonder if he also felt the same strong feelings he felt.

Wanting to get close.

Wanting to know more.

Wanting to be...........Ah! He was too embarrassed to say it!!

*Sigh,.........well, about his question.

After the alarm was triggered, the one who had what he wanted opened a secret passageway and went in.

He followed, and after knocking her out, he took the crystal ball from her, including what he came for.

He had no choice but to move forward and find a way out. Definitely, the lady's room would have occupied by guards after the alarm was triggered.

However, he couldn't open his mouth and share this.

After all, he still didn't know this guy. Also,............he was too anxious to speak.

Guess it really was fate after all,

......................Did this mean,......he could have good days?

Now, from Yuuki's thoughts, confirms.

Yes, he was the same man who paid the woman in room 12 a visit.

He was told, what he had to retrieve was with an old man and he'll give it to someone in room 12. His description was given as well.

He saw the old man, who was none other than Mr Hond, entering room 12.

He didn't see Den and Mira, only the old man who was last to enter.

Yuuki waited for some time, before going in. And it proved right. The old man had already given it to the lady and has already left when he showed up in Room 12.

That's to say,........Yuuki already knew about Mr Hond. Only that, he never saw Den and Mira with him, and was worried seeing them together now.

Didn't know if the old man was related to those bandits or not. What he had in his possession to give to the woman was trouble.

What if the old man meant harm.

................ Well,...... he'll have to keep watch on him. Just to be sure he means no harm to this guy (Den). And about why the old man was sent to give the item to the lady, he'll find out later. His (Mr Hond) identify as well.

"Looks like you don't talk much"

And he (Den) really was talking a lot. To a stranger he just met.

Seriously, did this guy also feel exactly what he felt?

Yuuki was curious.

What did he (Den) know about it? Did he even know?

*Sigh, he (Yuuki) was going crazy with all these questions.

"Anyways, am Den, and the young girl is Mira"

"What about me?" The old man said, annoyed Den left him out.

But Den ignored him. Like the old man was air and couldn't be heard.

"What about you?" He asked Yuuki, angering the old man even more. Well, he was treated like air after all.

"How did you know it is me?"

Oh, he (Yuuki) asked this instead. Den wanted to know his name.

Just to.........

"Master has an incredible memory" Mira answered, interrupting his thoughts.

That wasn't it.

"Your eyes. I could recognize them anywhere. I couldn't sleep in peace after seeing them" Den replied smiling shyly.

Rolling her eyes, Mira said, "You slept like a baby when we got here"

"Keeping your mouth shut suits you well Mi" Den replied back, rolling his eyes in annoyance.

What was she saying? Trying to embarrass him?!

Shifting his attention back to the man, a smile graced his face as he said,

(Too bad they couldn't see that beautiful smile, on that handsome face of his. Damn mask)

"I know we're not close. Just met. But like they always say, gaining friends is better than gaining enemies"

This (Gaining friends is better than gaining enemies) surprised him (Yuuki) a lot.

Reminded him of something he wanted to forget.

For a very good reason.

Studying, Den noticed the change in his eyes from what he said, proving his suspicions right even more. He (Den) couldn't help but smile.

"We've been walking for so long. Am tired already" the old man said, exhausted.

Annoying Den. Why was it that they kept interrupting?! Just spoiled his good mood as well.

"I knew it was a good idea to leave him" Mira said, shaking her head.

If only her master listened to her.

"I'm tired!" The old man yelled in frustration, making a stop.

Exhausted, he (Mr Hond) leaned against the wall.

*Crack, a loud cracking sound was heard and right away, they knew, he has triggered a trap.

"First trap activitated. I wonder if you can catch me" spider's voice was heard, angering Den.

He was still around.

Suddenly, the glowing crystal ball stopped working and seconds later, disappeared as well, worrying and confusing them.

However, it wasn't dark. Crystal balls like the one Yuuki had earlier appeared on the walls, glowing and lightening up the place.

But then, they had no time to react to this.

Two huge walls coming out of nowhere and blocking their way back and ahead, they could think of nothing else except escaping alive.

Slowly, the walls moved towards them, trapping them in the middle and as the walls got close, the space got consumed.

There was no other way out.

Panicking, the old man screamed out for help but that wasn't helping.

He was only making noise.

Thinking fast, Mira thought of a solution. Her sword. It could cut through anything.

However, when she reached out for it, she realize it was gone.

Her eyes widened in shock, in disbelief as she began looking around while hands roamed around her waist.

Where did it go?

"Search around! There might be a way out!" An anxious Den yelled out, gaining her attention.

However, before any of them could take action, Yuuki announced.

"My sword can cut through anything" drawing out of his sword.

Mira was surprised. Yuuki still had his sword so how come hers was missing? Certainly, she didn't misplace it on their way. She literally had it a few seconds ago so how come it was missing now?!

Yuuki's sword, the heavenly sword was one of the greatest swords and sure enough, it could cut through anything.

It was a weapon from the heavens after all.

However, the moment Yuuki drew out the sword from the scabbard to save them, he was suddenly attacked.

He felt a sharp pain in his chest, leaving his body weak.

It was unbearable.

Breathing heavily and in pain, he fell on his knees, dropping the sword and the scabbard. Not to forget, worrying the three.

"What's wrong?!" Den asked worriedly but Yuuki couldn't hear him.

There was a ringing sound in his ears and the pain was too much for him to focus or hear anything.

The walls getting closer and closer, Den had no choice. If he didn't act now, they'll be crushed like nothing.

He reached out for the sword, surprising Yuuki.

And before he (Yuuki) could warn him of the consequence, Den picked up the sword, surprising Yuuki even more.

He could touch it.

"Down!" Den yelled out, another surprise for Yuuki.

He (Den) knew the impact as well. Not only did Den know about the heavenly sword but how it was used as well.

This.......This was shocking.

Heeding her master's command, she immediately pulled the old man down, shielding him with her tiny body.

Guess Mira wasn't heartless after all.

The old man finally noticed this.

Den didn't think twice, he gracefully swung the sword and the powerful wind it emitted, broke the walls into pieces.

Giving them a way out.

This surprised everyone. Even Mira who was his student.

She knew her master was strong, but this........ could she even say it was him?

It was the sword, right?

"Everyone okay?" Den asked, looking at the two with a smile before looking back at a weak Yuuki.

And a worried look covered his smile. He rushed to his side, helping him (Yuuki) lean against the wall.

Getting up, the old man stretched out his hand for help but Mira ignored it.

Shielding his body wasn't enough. He even wanted help to get up?

Seriously?!

Not to mention, what just happened was his fault!!

Having no choice, the old man got up on his own, keeping his insults to himself.

"Are you okay?" Den asked Yuuki, worried.

Still in shock, Yuuki who could now hear shook his head, speechless.

He still wasn't okay. He was sweating like crazy and though it hurt a bit now, he still felt weak.

Yuuki knew he won't last long. He had to use his energy again.

"Master that....." And suddenly, Mira felt dizzy, her words getting cut.

And she was not the only.

What.....What just happened?

Did they trigger another trap?

None of them knew.

Tired, weak and dizzy, Yuuki couldn't think and slowly leaned back his head against the wall, slowly losing conscious.

The rest where no less. It felt they had no control over their bodies. They were too tried, too weak to think. They couldn't see well, couldn't let out a word, trying was pointless. They fell on the ground, losing conscious.

And then, the screen turn black.

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SOME TIME LATER

EXIT

They were in the Ric Woods. Turns out the passageway led outside of the town, into the woods.

"Ahaha!!" A horrified old man Hond yelled out, waking up from his dream.

"You're back" Den's voice came through and the old man realized he was not alone.

Mira, Den and the new guy sat around a lighted fire. Warming themselves from the chilly night.

Shivering, he decided to join them.

Taking a seat on the ground right beside Mira.

And now, he felt warm.

"None of you left" he said, happy to know they didn't abandon him.

"Well, I can't carry you back to town and this guy can't either. Mira also refuse to do it. So we had no choice but to wait for you" Den answered.

Hmmm, he was happy a few seconds ago but now all he felt was anger.

They left him in the cold! Didn't even bother to get him close to the fire.

Seriously?! Did they think he was that heavy?! They didn't even bother to try and get him to a safe place with a comfortable bed!

*Sigh, he should drop this topic.

"I had a dream. I inhaled a poisonous smoke and died" the old man shared, visibly upset and Den chuckled.

"I wish that was so" Mira said in a low tone but they all heard loud and clear.

Though annoyed, the old man decided not to comment.

Sometimes, it was better to stay quiet.

"I don't know what happened but we only lost conscious" Den said and he (Mr Hond) nodded.

That explained why he was still alive.

"I guess we lost spider master. Don't worry, we'll find him again" Mira assured Den, knowing how much this meant to him.

Did they?

He asked himself.

Feeling someone's burning gaze, he looked on his left and sure enough, someone was staring.

The man whose name was still unknown to him.

Felt like he was staring into his soul.

He has been doing this ever since he woke up.

What was wrong?

Looked like he was trying to figure out something.

Well, who cares! This was a great opportunity.

"You're staring. Am I that handsome?" He teased, smiling.

Getting up and taking his sword which was already in its scabbard, he said,

"Is nothing. I guess we'll part ways here"

Yuuki was still confused. He woke up with his sword by his side. By this fire, warming him from the chilly night. He had no idea of what happened after he blacked out. In fact, none of them knew. And Mira only said, Den brought them here. He was the first one to wake up. Set up the fire to keep them warm while waiting for them to wake up.

His sword was brought by him as well. Another surprise, Mira's sword which went missing while they were under attack appeared back.

(Yuuki noticed it too, that's why he volunteered to use his sword to save them)

Den had said it was beside Mira when he woke up.

Still, Yuuki was confused and suspicious of the event that took place while they were in the passageway.

Some things didn't add up and he was..........*Sigh, enough of this.

He didn't have much time.

Yuuki had to meet one of his former comrades. He had to tell him, he already got what they wanted.

Also,........he was sure they'll be fine with the old man. He didn't look like a threat. They should be fine.

Mmmm, positive thinking always takes you far.

Turning around to leave, Mira gained his attention, "Wait!" She said and he turned to face her.

"Thank you for saving me. I didn't get to say it before"

Oh, just that?

Smiling, Yuuki replied, "Is okay"

"Why are you leaving now? Is late" Den voiced out, unable to let him leave. He really tried to hold back, but he still help but try to stop him.

Finally, they met again and he was leaving already?

"I'll be fine on my own" he replied, disappointing him (Den) and it stated on his face.

Too bad he wore a mask. Then again, his eyes said revealed it and Yuuki noticed.

Definitely, he (Den) felt it.

"You won't tell me your name?"

Not now. Yuuki was sure they'll meet again. And when they do, he'll tell him. And he'll also find out why Den could touch his sword. It really was worth finding out.

Ignoring his (Den) bullshit, Yuuki disappeared into his shadow, again, leaving no trace of him.

"What the! Can a human do that?!" The old man exclaimed in shock. This being the first time he was seeing something like this.

"A shadow can" Den said, smiling.

It was fate, and they'll meet again.

"Master, I think......" Mira didn't get to complete her words.

Den lost consciousness, falling hard on the ground and everything, played in slow motion, right before her eyes.

Terrified, she yelled out,

"Master!"