Chapter 14

Author: Thanks for reading. Please comment and rate the book.........

Den: If you like it. No, like it or not, rate it. This is my life story after all and I don't.......

Author: *Sigh,

Den: That's one deep sigh. Are you okay?

Author: You frustrate the living life out of me. Why are you here?

Den: To help you.

Author: I don't need your help. Also, you're not supposed to be here. You passed out, remember?

Den: This is my conscience.

Author:................ Just leave.

Den: Fine. Who cares about helping you?! Am leaving!

Author: What are you? A five year old kid?

Spider: Live is really full of surprises.

Den:.............

Author:............. Is life.

Spider: Huh?

Den: Is he supposed to be here?

Author: Am leaving. Am tired already.

*********️️****

FLASHBACK

NIGHT

WOODS

In the Ric woods, near the town and not far from the exit of the secret passageway stood a man.

None other than,........

Spider.

His mask left back at the entrance of the secret passageway, his face is finally revealed and I must say, he's not bad looking.

However, he is nowhere close to our main character, Den. Dude is even more good looking than him. Ah, he (Den) shouldn't find out I said this or else, I won't hear the end of it.

Anyways, Spider held a small square like wooden box and it had a huge red emerald on it which was glowing.

He was talking to it.

Having a conversation with his master. Who could also hear him.

This device was a transmitter. An ordinary person couldn't afford or see it because it was mostly sold in black markets.

"I got the information. The nuisances haven't taken action and it looks like they never will. But I still haven't found out where they are. Also, the five fools aren't alert either. Living in peace like there's nothing wrong with the world" he shared.

Getting this information was why he came to the black market. Wasn't much, but this will do for now.

"I understand. Hurry back, we need to talk about our plans"

Now, he (Spider) didn't like this. He was having fun after all.

"Come on master, after years of staying quiet, I am finally having fun. I met someone interesting"

Then again, he must already be dead. His traps, the bear trap icons, the spikes, the pit trap, the maze trap and so on, they're nothing he could easily escape. He and his companions must be dead by now.

*Sigh, Too bad. He really liked him and thought he could be his companion. The first time he saw him in Live village (In the woods where the old shed was), he felt he was the one.

Well! He'll just get his body and turn it into a living dead as a play toy.

However,......if he escaped his traps alive,.......... he'll keep him.

Then, he'll be worth a playtoy for him.

"Don't tell me I didn't warn you" his master said and afterwards, the emerald stopped glowing.

Meaning, the signal has been disconnected.

"And he hung up on me," he said, smiling.

However, that smile only lasted for a few seconds.

"Someone interesting? Were you talking about me?" And it was replaced by a surprised and horrified look.

Hurriedly, he spun around and to his surprise saw his play toy, standing right before him.

He was the one who whispered those words into his ears.

Spider recognized him. It was his voice that sold him out.

Feeling threatened, he jumped back, putting some distance between them while staring in shock, but the fear in his eyes couldn't be missed.

What...... What's this?

He didn't sense him! Didn't hear a sound on his arrival! And.........how was he able to escape alive! Spider was confused.

He was sure they triggered his first trap! The........No, they should be dead! How come he was here?!......why?......why was he shaking? Why was he scared?! What's this?! He should be happy! This meant this guy was worth his time!

He was worth being his play toy!

Yet,......why was he shaking? Why was he terrified? What was so terrifying?!

He looked up, and the moment their eyes met, he got his answer. This must be it,........this guy, his eyes...........that wasn't all, he was emitting a dangerous aura.

Invisible yet noticeable. So suffocating,....................No! He had to get himself together!

There was no way he'd meet his end in this guy's hands!

He was strong, powerful! One of the great six members of demon Island.

He'll survive.

No one could escape his magic.

"You must be wondering how I made it out alive" a sarcastic Den said, smiling.

Guy wasn't bad looking. If he didn't mean business at this moment, he would have loved to talk about good looks.

He (Den) thought, staring into his eyes and Spider felt a chill down his spine. Those eyes, it felt like he (Den) was staring into his soul. Not to mention,......they revealed how gleeful he was. Was this fun? Was he having fun?

He was.

Den felt like he was having the best moment of his life. He loved this. Fear, panic and confusion was visible in his (Spider) eyes and scent. And he loved this.

What was this? Another present from karma for a job well done?

"I don't think so," Spider replied, taking a step back, cautious and ready.

Preparing to attack with his magic, 'Dream Butterfly'

"Just listen to me"

But Den was making it hard. Was it on purpose? He needed to concentrate and his talks weren't helping.

This guy.....who was he?!

Maybe, he (Spider) should have found out before he started this game.

"The moment I stepped into that secret door,.......it no longer was your playground" a delighted Den shared.

"Huh?" He asked, a bewildered look on his face.

What was this guy talking about?.

Hold on.......That......

And realization hit him hard on the head. Noticing, Den confirmed,

"Exactly. That place became mine the moment I stepped into it"

Spider's eyes widened in shock as he stared at him. Wasn't possible! What was he saying?! Wasn't what he was thinking right? But he (Den) confirmed. Spider was confused, he couldn't wrap his head around it and it stated all over his handsome face, making Den feel satisfied.

"I don't want to reveal anything else. Seeing that bewildered look on your face,......brings a lot of......... satisfaction"

Enraged, Spider glared at him, thinking he'll kill him no matter what!

Plans changed, he wanted this guy dead!

He didn't care. Didn't want to know or understand what he meant. How he escaped unharmed.

What he meant by the place becoming his when he stepped into it.

He didn't care.

Following through with his plan, he released an intense overbearing arua, to intimidate Den.

But to his surprise, Den showed no fear. The sick guy laughed, finding the terrifying scene hilarious.

What........what the heck?! Such power! And this guy showed no fear!

He was laughing...... laughing at him!

What kind of crazy sick person was this?! He couldn't see what he looked like either (Den wore his white mask, revealing his eyes alone. This guy had like ten of these white masks. Always prepare to hide what he looked like)

This was crazy!

He has never met anyone like him.

What most people feared on seeing, wasn't the same for him.

"You're the weakest guy I have ever met in my life!" Den said, disappointed.

He took a step ahead, though frightened, Spider composed himself, taking a step back.

"Hey" he (Spider) called out angrily, looking up. Meeting eyes with Den, he stumbled back, terrified.

Anger, hatred and murderous intent was visible in those eyes. Those terrifying eyes............. terrified the living life out of him.

This time, to the point where he almost wet his pants.

Is a good thing he held back.

He has never seen this before.

What has he gotten himself into.

Still, Spider chose to compose himself. He still believed he could do it.

He still believes he could kill Den.

After all, he was one of the strongest members in the demon Island

If he loses his cool now, he'll definitely lose the fight.

"Tell me, why did you choose Live village?" Den asked and the anger and hatred in his tone couldn't be missed. His eyes, no less. It almost felt like he was threatening him.

Crazy right?

Putting on a strong look, Spider replied, "I was bored. I simply wanted something to play with and I found Chief Sable"

Wow, now Den was even more furious. Burning deep inside.

He could hear the words, 'I told you so. Kill him'

And for the first time, Den agreed.

"Four people lost their lives because of this stupid reason? Their souls were stolen. They didn't get a chance to fight back"

"But they left in peace, without feeling any pain" Spider countered, angering him even more.

"I don't want to hear this...............I made a promise. I'll bring back your head and I intend to keep it"

Spider chuckled, "My head? It won't be easy getting it" he (Spider) said, but even he felt unsure of what he said.

Staring at those terrifying eyes, he was reminded of something. Something dangerous, something violent, something hard....... to tame. He was reminded of a

"Monster" the word escaped out and Den found himself hearing it. "Huh?" He (Den) asked, enraged, beyond that and Spider saw it in his eyes.

Monster,........Den hated when he was referred to as one. Definitely, this guy was not escaping alive.

"Brace yourself for what's coming" he said in a deadly threatening tone.

"You........." was all Spider was able to say. He felt a cold breeze past him, then a ringing sound in his ears. His master's words played in mind and the last feeling he felt was a presence behind him.

It was Den. Holding a black sword. The hlit had black vines wrapped around it but caused no harm to him (Den). Almost like it knew him, liked him. And it gently wrapped around his hand.

Slowly, the vines covered the all blade, feeding on the blood on it and in no time, it was clean. Clean like it never went through a change and nothing happened. Like Den didn't just accomplish what he wished for.

Thump, something fell hard on the ground.

It was a head.

Spider's head, eyes still open, widened.

With such incredible speed, Den passed by Spider. The cold breeze he felt and the ringing sound in his ears came with his end. His head was cut off and the last feeling he felt was Den's presence behind him.

He (Spider) had no idea. He felt nothing. No pain, everything happened so fast. His master's words, 'Don't tell me I didn't warn you' played in mind.

He didn't even get a chance to think he was right.

No chance to fight. No chance to get ready. He should have paid heed to his master's words.

No one was ordinary, he.....he....made a huge..... mistake,..... again.

And his (Spider's) eyes closed.

At this moment, it looked like Den was no ordinary person. Strangely enough, his white clothes were not stained with Spider's blood even though he was close, and it was everywhere close.

It was like the wind was on his side, blowing away the dirt that could stain his white clothes.

No evidence could lead to him. No one was around. His clothes untouched and his sword already cleaned by the vines.

Who can accuse him?

An emotionless Den stared up at the starry night sky, holding tightly onto his sword.

The scent of blood................

He hated it.

Still, he has fulfilled his promise, and no one saw it.

But Den was wrong.

Someone did see it. And it was not just one person but two.

One here, not far from where he stood and the other, above, watching what just took place.

However, none of the two had any plans of exposing him.

"Ahah!" He yelled out, felt a sharp pain in his head and like on cue, his sword disappeared, freeing his hand. He held his head with his hands, falling on his knees while tightening his hold.

Seemingly to be in immense pain, slowly, his vision began to get blurry.

Body weak.

Making it impossible for him to leave right away.

This was one of the prices he had to pay for using that forbidden technique to kill Spider.

A price he accepted cause he knew,.....it was for greater good.

**********️*****️

MORNING ⛅

INN

DEN'S ROOM.

Is a new day, a beautiful morning filled with hope, happiness, pain, sorrow and regret. Well, everyone has their own problems after all.

Just waking up, our main character stared up at the ceiling, taking some time to think.

His dream was exactly what happened last night.

Last night, in the secret passageway, Mira, Yuuki and old man Hond, all lost consciousness but he didn't. And that's because he was the cause of it. Den had planned for it, but never thought he'd encounter Yuuki again.

After the three lost consciousness, he left to find Spider.

Found him, and killed him.

What happened in his dream was no mere dream.

It was real.

A flashback.

After ending Spider, he took some time to recover from the price he paid (After using the forbidden technique) and then, took care of the head.

Afterwards,......he went back, woke up Mira and together, got Yuuki and old man Hond out of there, and then!,..........we all know what happened afterwards.

This (Paying the price, Losing consciousness after Yuuki left and dreaming about killing Spider) was no surprise to him.

Every time he uses that forbidden technique, he'll pay the price, dream about it, and then......lose some of his memories.

Now,......he wonders which memory he lost.

He remembers everything that happened after he left the kingdom of peace and beyond that.

Everything about his four former homes and his new home in the kingdom of peace.

However......he couldn't help but feel,.....he was missing something.

Something.......... something........

Yes!.........Exactly what happened, after he left Cloud Crush?

And he broke into laughter,.......the name still made him laugh. What a weird and lame name for a.........! *Sigh, What was his old man thinking?

In any case,.......this was it.

He couldn't remember.

He had an incredible memory storage and this piece was missing.

Guess he had no choice but to ask Mira about it. Surely, after knowing, he'll remember.

*******️

Mira was here to see her master when she saw old man Hond coming, probably, with the same intention.

Making a stop before her, (In front of Den's room), the old man asked,

"You're also here to see master Den? I wonder how he's doing"

Den really scared him when he suddenly fainted.

He thought it was something serious but it turns out he only fell asleep due to exhaustion.

Seriously, that guy.

"Yes. I believe the master is alright" she said but was still worried.

It certainly wasn't what she was thinking right?

She proceeded to knock and to her relief, her master's voice came through a few seconds later.

Telling her to come in.

Immediately, she opened the door and they entered.

They watched as a perfectly fine Den placed a huge box on the table, adding a letter on it, before taking a seat.

Well, he didn't forget to wear a mask.

Seriously, Mira didn't think it was necessary anymore. The people who might recognize him were nowhere near.

Her master was too dramatic.

"Mr Hond, please take a seat. You too Mira" he said with a smile and they complied.

"I hope you're well. You really scared me"

With a friendly smile on his face, Den replied, ignoring Mira's burning gaze, "Yes. I'm sorry, I must have been exhausted from what happened"

Exhausted from what? Using a sword? But they fell asleep right afterwards. That didn't do the magic?

Mr Hond was confused, but chose not to pry any further.

"Well, I am glad you're fine. I'm leaving today. What are your plans? Are you coming back to peace town?"

"No," Den replied with no hesitation.

He wasn't done yet. He still had six more places to visit before he could go back. Just to be sure that troubling feeling he had back in peace town was nothing.

Well,......it still didn't look like it was nothing cause he faced a disturbing situation when he got there (Live village)

Still,.......... before anything else,......

"Can you do me a favor Mr Hond?" He asked, earning curious and bewildered looks from the two.

A favor? What did he (Den) want?

The old man thought.

"Please send this to Live village" Den said, a finger pointed at the huge box on the table.

Looking at the box, the old man couldn't help but wonder what was in there.

"Please don't open it" he (Den) said, like he could read his mind.

He (Mr Hond) planned to do exactly that.

"Okay, well, I know that village"

"That's good. Please send this to the chief. And this letter too. The chief will know what to do" a grateful Den said.

Mmmm, he (Mr Hond) was even more curious now. What exactly was in the box and the letter?

"Okay. Then, take care of yourself. I'll take my leave now"

"Thank you" Den said and they watched as the old man left with the box with the letter on it.

Struggling, but none of them made an attempt to help.

Talk about having a useless child.

Well, I've been there. Watching my mom carry something heavy without attempting to help.

Mmmm,......... we're all useless sometimes.

"Master,......." The young girl drew his attention right after the door slammed shut.

Mr Hond must have been really annoyed because he showed no mercy on the door.

Feels like deja Vu.

My mom would do the same.

*Sigh, I have to do well.

Coming back, remembering what he planned, on meeting Mira, Den went ahead. But not before taking off the annoying mask.

He placed it on the table, before asking,

"Mira, can you tell me how we met? I want to re........."

"You used that thing,.....again" Mira cut him off, a serious look on her beautiful face.

Exactly, this was what Den couldn't remember. And the annoyed Mira couldn't help but think, what she thought came true.

He really used that forbidden technique.

And if she was right, "That box contained Spider's head"

Smiling, Den answered, "Yes"

"I figured after you passed out. Everything fixed together. You used that thing again, that's why it was so dark. The trap, losing conscious, my sword going missing"

And she knew why that guy's (Yuuki) sword didn't disappear like hers did. It was supposed to be their way out.

Perhaps, her master also wanted to see that guy in action again. Too bad it didn't happen.

Anyways,

"It was all your doing. Because you didn't want us seeing that side of you. And I wonder why I was included when I already know"

She has seen it.

"Not the hideous one. You've only heard and haven't seen"

And he'll like to save her innocence. That's the only thing that kept him moving as well.

Seriously, this girl.....she always figure everything out.

"And you know the price for using it"

"And I know why I shouldn't. But I did. I have fulfilled my promise" Den said, smiling.

*Sigh, he......he looked so happy.

Still! She was angry!

"Figure out yourself!"

She's not going to tell him how they met.

But, *Sigh, she was worried.

Looking worried, anxious, she looked up, "Master" and called out to him, gaining his attention as he looked at her with a bewildered, "Promise me, no matter what, you'll not use it again. Not again. I don't want to lose you"

*Sigh, this mood she was in,.......... guess he had no choice.

"I promise" he said with a smile and Mira relaxed, smiling back.

She got what she wanted. Now,........

"By the way, did you see? Is Spider good looking?" An eager and excited Mira asked.

Den couldn't help but chuckle,

"I did. And he's not that bad. Definitely handsome, but not that bad" he answered, leaving Mira confused.

Uh? What was this supposed to mean?

*Sigh, "Too bad he was evil and dead now, I would have gone after him"

"I'll pretend I didn't hear this" the annoyed Den said, rolling his eyes.

Now, their next mission was checking out that swordsmith school.

He hopes they'll meet no trouble there. Their journey has really been full of surprises.