Chapter 15

Author: Thanks for reading.

Den: Am sick.

Author:................Take some medicine.

Den: I hate medicine. Pamper me.

Author: After your death.

Den:.................Am gonna die now.

Author: See you later.

**********️️****

DAYS LATER

The location is unknown. Only a dimly lit meeting room is revealed. At the left end of the large table sat a man, his face hidden by the darkness.

And at the other end stood a young lady. Short, dressed in black and wore a black mask, revealing her eyes alone. Hiding her 'Might be' beautiful face.

The man, though his face can't be seen, there are still some parts that's revealed.

Like the black long sleeve shirt he wore. Bigger than him. And one can say he was really skinny.

What's under is unknown because of the table.

Anyways, their identities are yet to be unveiled.

Judging by how hard it was for the lady to breathe, how she was shaking and how she glared at her master, it looks like she was in a terrible mood.

And she was. She was devastated, heartbroken and angry at the same time. But she can't vent out her frustrations, or scream out like she always did. It was her master before her and she had to act professional.

At least, until that topic was raised.

"Done with the task I gave you?" The man asked and she lowered down her head, replying, "Yes master"

"Good. You left no trace, right?"

"Only left what you ordered me to. But......if you want me to check again, I'll do just that" she said, watching as the man nodded. After a few seconds of silence, her master brought up what she had been waiting for.

"Okay...........what about Pike? Did you find him?"

The topic has been raised.

"Yes. I found his dead body" and silence blew.

One burning with anger and intense feelings for revenge while the other was awfully quiet.

This wasn't like her master.

Didn't he have any orders for her after hearing this? Why was he quiet?!

"That boy should have listened to me"

This wasn't what she wanted to hear!

"I want revenge. I already know who did it and I want revenge" she stated, seriously.

"Give him a proper funeral"

"Master!" She called out to him, infuriated but the man ignored the awful mood she was in.

Including the tone she just used.

"We'll talk about this later. First, check out the place"

Annoyed, angry and feeling defeated, the lady slightly bowed and left the room. Vowing to take revenge on her own if she met the murder.

The moment the door slammed shut, the man let out a heavy sigh. Feeling devastated, angry and guilty.

Pike was more of a son and brother than an ordinary student to him. He cared about that boy. Loved him so much.

Yet,......he also couldn't bring himself to ruin his plans, all for revenge (For Pike)

This was why he felt guilty.

None of this would have happened if that boy listened to him.

"You think so" he heard Pike's voice from behind.

This..... shouldn't be happening now.

********️️******

NIGHT

'Fall' this was the swordsmith school.

Their next destination.

This school became famous after Demon Island was destroyed.

Impressive swords were donated by the school, providing great help in the defeating of demon Island. This was why they became famous.

But Den knew all this was nonsense.

After traveling for days, they were a step away from that place.

To get there, they had to cross a lake by boat and were already on a boat.

This boat was no ordinary.

Made from magical materials, it could take you anywhere you want and could be called for services as well.

A small town near Fall, separated by the lake, was where these boats were rented out or bought.

That wasn't all. The boat needed no boatman and could sail on its own.

Dropping customers at their destination, it would return back to its owner and when needed, you only had to whistle, and it would come back.

Sure, this small town isn't the only place that has these kinds of boats.

They're almost everywhere. In possession of those who have the money to buy them.

Truth be told, they weren't that expensive and were great for business.

Coming back!.........

It was just the two (Den and Mira) of them and their luggages. In the automatic boat to their destination.

"Master" she called out to him, drawing Den out of his thoughts.

He looked at her, answering, "Huh?"

"You still haven't told me anything but I've figured it out"

Huh? What was she talking about? Figured out what?

"We're visiting all the troublesome places"

Oh, that's what she's talking about.

Den thought there was no need saying it when she'll figure it out herself.

She was smart, and knew him well.

"I just.......I don't get why"

Come to think of it, she never told her about the strange feeling he had back in peace town.

Well, it is never too late.

"I had a strange feeling back in peace town. Like.....like trouble's approaching" he said, and Mira's mind wandered off.

Figuring out something, she asked for confirmation, "Oh, was it after we helped Mr Hond?"

Nodding, he replied, "Hmmm"

"No wonder you suddenly decided to leave. It wasn't time yet"

"Yes. I have to know it has nothing to do with the old fools and demon Island. Or........ the golden keys" Den said and she nodded.

True. You can never leave out demon Island or the keys when it concerns the old fools.

"Well, I hope it is nothing. Am getting tired of this journey already. Trouble finding us wherever we go"

She also needed to go back home and have a good rest.

Hasn't had one since they left on this journey.

It has always been like this.

"Mi, do you know there are many kinds of magicians?"

"Huh?" A confused Mira asked, looking at him.

What was up with him? Suddenly acting like a good master.

"I know," she answered anyway.

"And there are all kinds of humans who aren't exactly normal. More like extraordinary"

She knew that as well.

Hold on, what was wrong with him?

Why was he asking all these questions she already knew answers to?

"Master, are you okay? You're not behaving like yourself" she said worriedly, making Den chuckle.

"Right. Am not myself" he said, looking up.

Must be because he was thinking about that guy (Yuuki)

He wondered where he was.

Anxiety and curiosity was getting the better of him.

"Master"

"Huh?" Den answered, coming out of his thoughts.

"You said Spider spoke to someone before you showed yourself. He even called that person master"

True, but he only heard a bit of their conversation.

Focusing on this part only.

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

And then, the master replied, 'Don't tell me I didn't warn you'

The signal then disconnected and Spider said, 'And he hung up on me'

Afterwards, he showed himself.

"Don't you think they'll come for revenge? Aren't we in danger now?"

Hmmm, this smart student of his was right.

They might or might not be in danger.

Well, Den didn't care.

He was more concerned about the strange feeling he had.

*******️

Reaching the lake shore, the two got off the boat with their belongings, of course, Mira in possession of them.

The boat then sailed back and none of them were surprised because they already knew about it.

Without wasting much time, they head into the woods

Almost there, they noticed a strange feeling in the atmosphere. Felt it the moment they got off the boat but chose to ignore it.

However, now, it was even more obvious.

Something wasn't right.

But they made no attempt to stop until they reached their destination.

Before the large closed gate of the school, it was now more intense.

Nothing in the atmosphere screamed danger, but something just didn't feel right and also, was awfully quiet.

This wasn't like Fall. Not a single light or person was seen at the shore or here.

Normally, there would be guards at the entrance and the shore. And few skilled guards would be sent to look out for intruders who might have escaped from the guards at the shore or entered their territory through different ways.

However, they did not encounter any of them.

Normally, with these guards around, it was almost impossible to get in. (Even he and Mira had to use some tricks to get close and observe)

Yet here they were. Facing no trouble.

Something was definitely wrong here.

"Maybe they threw a party. Had too much to drink and were now pass out"

"I'll like to believe that Mi, but this strange feeling am getting can't be ignored"

True, her master was right. She could feel it too.

Also, even if what she said was true, there would still have been a few guards sent out to keep watch and protect, in case they got attacked in their vulnerable state.

Any sensible leader would do this. And the leader of this school was very sensible.

So, what the heck was going on?

"Let's check it out"

"Mmmm" Mira replied and they proceeded.

Jumping high over the wall, Mira held tightly onto her sword, ready for any threat, that's, if there was one.

They landed gracefully, gently and safely on the ground on the other side.

And what they saw surprised the living life out of them.

Though dark, they could still see with the help of the bright moon and as they walked, they took in the view.

It was quiet, and the street seemed empty, not a single soul around. However, the spoiled fruits, vegetables, damaged objects like tables, chairs, wardrobes, drawers, street stalls and so on, all over the street couldn't be ignored.

And they couldn't help but think those (The damaged objects) must have come out of the houses. Houses belonging to the students.

This place looked more like a small town but it was actually a school.

Students are provided learning materials and shelter.

It really was an ideal school in this world.

However,.....at the moment,.....it looked more like a haunted place.

It also,.........smelled like death. Which only Den could smell. The scent was so strong that he felt nauseous. This was confusing, he didn't smell this when they got to the gate.

Continuing, they noticed the lifeless rusty swords on the ground. Abandoned by their owners.

So many swords, one can't help but wonder what happened to their owners.

But then, what caught their attention and leveled up their dislike to this scene even more was the withered petals of red roses around.

They just noticed, paying more attention, they realized they were everywhere.

The petals of red roses signified 'Demon Island'

This......this meant someone was announcing the return of demon Island.

Someone was portraying as demon Island.

Probably, the same person or people, who made such a scene.

"I don't like this master" Mira stated, a deep frown on her beautiful face.

"I don't either," Den replied, burning with rage. So much that it was hard to breathe, felt so hot and he almost took off his mask. But he controlled himself and tried to calm down, knowing full well it won't be good if he was recognised.

Judging by the scene, Den figured something happened and it took place some time back. However, they still didn't know the whereabouts of the people.

It would be bad if he was recognised. Now wasn't the time to show himself and truth be told, he never wanted to be recognized.

Anyways, speaking about the whereabouts of the people, not even a drop of blood could be seen. Nobody could be seen. And this brings up the burning questions.

Where did they all go? what exactly happened here? And how come they didn't hear any of this from the village nearby?

Perhaps,...........the villagers still didn't know about this. It was hard to get in and outsiders were strictly forbidden.

Gosh,.......this scene increased his fears even more.

That strange feeling he felt............

And Mira drew his attention before he could continue, "Master, let's split up. I'll look for something useful"

That wasn't a bad idea. She might find something relating to what happened here.

"Okay" Den replied and she ran off.

Alone, he looked ahead. Eyes on the main house where the leader resided. He took off, decided to check it out.

Knowing the leader's room in the main house Den went there.

Of course he knew. He used to spy on them after all.

Mmmm, it was the same.

Entering the premises, he found swords all over the ground. Not stained with blood and not a single body seen.

Just like on the streets.

What exactly happened? He couldn't help but ask himself this question again.

There was no trace of magic, he didn't smell it.

It only smelled like death, and there wasn't a body either.

Red rose petals were all over the place. It wasn't only on the streets.

Who could do this?

Petals of red rose signified demon Island. And whoever left them knew what they were doing. They literally announced themselves as demon Island, and he couldn't help but wonder why. This action will definitely bring trouble.

That's not all, fear, anger, hatred, this kind of emotions will definitely stir up in the hearts of people when they find out this.

Why would they do this?

But then,............*Sigh, he was still worried.

Reaching the leader's room, Den noticed the lights were out but he could see perfectly fine. Wasn't that dark.

He saw nothing useful.

The room was clean. The fixed Bed indicated no one had laid on it. Everything in the room seemed to be in order.

Meaning, the person or people who did this wasn't in search of anything. And it seems no thief or bandit had come around.

Surely, the outside world had no idea of what had happened here.

And the sword on the table caught his attention. The leader's sword was here. Abandoned. Seriously, what happened?

Why did they do this? And what exactly did they do this for? Was there something else they wanted?

The man (The leader of Fall) was rich. Did they want his wealth?

He should look around. If he finds something, he might find out why they were attacked.

Den was sure they were attacked. But he didn't know what happened to them all. Were they all killed? If so, where were their bodies?

Enough, he had to look around.

Before Den could take a step into searching the room, he sensed something from behind.

Immediately, he picked up the sword.

And in the next second, the loud sound of two swords crashing was heard.

The force that came with it, messed up the room.

Leaving most of the furniture completely useless.

Den was taken back. He didn't feel the attacker's presence until they got close.

A mistake, and he would have ended up dead.

Who was this?

Taking a look at the sword, Den recognized it right away, and he looked up to confirm his suspicion.

The attacker wore a black mask, eyes revealed and from a glance, he recognized those eyes.

This........

He watched as the attacker jumped back, lowering his sword to his side.

Funny.

Den chuckled, "If it wasn't my destined partner. What a dramatic way to say hello" he said, smiling.

Yes. It was Yuuki. They met again.

He (Yuuki) chuckled, shoving his sword back into its scabbard before saying, "You're fast, strong" he looked at the sword Den held in hand, which was now lowered down "You must be a swordsman"

An ordinary sword............If one could hold an ordinary sword and turn it into extraordinary, this meant the person was way beyond ordinary.

Den was beyond ordinary. His energy was on a different level, like him. The mess in the room proved it. And truth be told, he was the first one, able to block his attack in just a short time,........ could it be he was just as strong as he was?

"And I can see you're awesome yourself. I didn't sense your presence. And.......why did you sneak an attack? I could have lost my life" he said the last part, a deep frown on his face.

"I don't walk with just anyone"

This reply put Den in a good mood and he couldn't help but smile.

Oh, he didn't.

Amusing.

"We meet again. It is fate after all" Den said, and they stared at each other, smiling.

"I........" Before Yuuki could complete his words,

*Boom!, a loud explosion sounded out, shaking the ground and the room they were in.

Gaining their attention, confused and curious, Den could only think of one person.

"Mi!"

His beloved student he parted ways with.

Hurriedly, Den dashed out and a concerned Yuuki followed behind.