Chapter 19

Author: Thanks for reading and for supporting me.

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BLUE TOWN

BLUE BIRD MAGIC SCHOOL

SIM'S ROOM.

On the table in his room, chief Sim sat. His right hand man and personal guard, Ried, before him.

Ried was the hot cool kind of guy. Really good looking and can even join the contest for the 'Good Looking Guy Of The Year'. And win. The fourth position. That's if Den, Yuuki and Simon join.

(You'll all know about Simon later)

Anyways, Ried only had his master in mind.

He (Ried) was Sim's first disciple and the only one he trusted the most among all his students.

There was a reason.

Ried was devoted to this man. Following his every command without asking questions. Whether it was good, or bad.

Even when he found out the hideous truth, he still stayed by his side.

He respected the man, and cared about him, cause he was the only one there when he needed someone.

Ried was willing to die for him. He would do anything, and everything to please him.

That's why he was in an awful mood after failing to fulfill his wishes.

The thief was to be captured back alive. However, he lost his life in the woods. And what he stole was also missing.

He has failed his master.

"Tell me" his master commanded and he had no choice but to share his failure.

"I'm sorry master. The thief lost his life and I lost the key" Sim was taken back on hearing this but kept his cool.

This was bad news.

Sure the key was fake, but this also brought nothing good.

They didn't know who it was that was after him and who now had the fake key.

Could it be the same person or was it someone else?

"I'm sorry. The poison was way too deadly. Killed him before we could catch him"

Yeah well, he figured that out.

Looking up, he noticed a depressed look on Ried's handsome face. He wasn't angry or that upset, so what was up with that look?

*Sigh, he sighed and then tried to comfort him, "Is okay. The key was fake anyways"

Hearing this, Ried's eyes widened in shock.

Was the key really fake?

"Did you really think I'll keep it in such an obvious place? Don't forget, is very important"

He also wondered why the key was kept in a safe in the reception hall for all eyes to see when it was so important.

But it turns out it was fake.

It was his fault. He shouldn't have expected less from his master.

"This news shouldn't go out yet"

Now that was going to be hard. Many guards knew what was stolen.

Guess, he had to shut them up.

Money should solve everything. Death wasn't always the answer.

"Also, send a message to the four. We have a meeting"

"As master says" he said, head bowed while chief Sim stared at nothing. A smile on his aged yet good looking face.

He had a plan in mind.

*********️️********

Traveling alone was no fun. There was no one to talk to. Argue with.

No one calls him master in a soft, annoying yet cute tone.

He (Den) missed Mira.

However! That mission he gave her was very important.

His people have always been his first priority.

He had to make sure no harm befall on them.

Finally, their lives were adding up, slowly fixed. Took them long to gain this and he didn't want anything destroying it.

And so, he had no choice but to journey alone.

Still, for some reason, he felt he was not alone.

He felt no other presence, yet, he still felt accompanied.

NIGHT

Night fell, and finally, Den was close to Live village.

However, instead of continuing, he had no choice but to rest in the inn an hour away from Live village.

He was exhausted and his body wasn't up for the hour walk.

He wonder if it had something to do with the consequences (From using that forbidden technique)

Maybe it did. He should have rested for more than a week to gain control over his body fully, yet he didn't.

He also had to use his energy to fight off those living dead with the energy consuming sword.

Perhaps, he should have rented a horse or something. It would have been easier, and he would have reached in no time.

Instead, he wanted to walk.

Seriously, what was he thinking?!

Entering, he was welcomed and given a room, one he requested.

Den couldn't see anyone. He was way too tired to check out his surroundings.

Shown and given the key to his room, Den immediately made his way to his room.

However, instead of resting right away, he decided to bottle down some wine before heading for bed.

Mira wasn't here to discipline him and this might as well be his last chance. And so, he took it.

He sat on his bed, drinking while looking at the starry sky through the window.

So quiet and so calming.

So peaceful. Almost like there was nothing happening in the world.

"Time really flies. It's been twenty-five years already"

And he wondered if he did the right thing.

Giving up on revenge.

Was it really the right thing? It felt like nothing changed.

Life still moved on.

The evil ones still enjoyed their lives and gained more after so many deaths while the innocent struggled to get back on their feet.

If he had taken revenge, would any of this happen?

He couldn't help but question his decision.

At the moment, life has never felt so unfair.

But Den had no idea, what was really unfair, was yet to come. And he'll feel it the hardest way.

*******️️*******

MORNING ⛅

RECEPTION HALL.

They were called for a meeting, and all the heroes showed up. Except for one. Who was still on his way.

Around the huge table, the heroes occupied. Alone in the room organized for the meeting.

The heroes present were Six's former friends.

One was Sim. He was the chief of Blue Town and Blue Bird Magic School.

Two, Ebra Lens. The chief of Helius Town and Helius Magic School.

Three, Frederick Doug, the chief of Lex Town and Lexton Magic School.

And lastly, four, Blake Ward, chief of Stan and Stanton Magic School.

Five, will be introduced on his arrival.

Time hasn't stopped for them. The men have aged, but still look good. And one can't help but ask, did they take care of their appearance over the years? Or was it karma? Who knows. I don't.

Anyways, none of them knew why they were called but seeing the worried look on Sim's face, they also couldn't help but worry.

Just a few days ago, they heard about Fall.

One of their allies.

What was happening? Why were they called? Was it related?

They were all worried out of their minds.

"Some days ago,......the demise of Fall was heard. And a few days later, someone tried to steal the key I have"

Hearing this from Sim, their faces clouded with fear and concern.

They were in panic.

Composing himself, Ebra asked,

"Chief Daunt, do you think someone is after us? If so, who could it be?"

Sim looked up, looking at his direction before answering, "Someone is after us for the keys"

For the keys? The golden keys they all had.

But who could it be?

"The attack on Fall, trying to steal the key,......I believe, all these were warnings. They want to announce their return"

"Who?" A bewildered Ebra asked.

And Sim answered, "Demon Island", surprising the three. Their eyes widened in shock as they stared at nothing and the fear in their eyes couldn't be missed either.

"There were petals of red roses at the scene. They've returned" Sim added.

This was bad.

If demon Island had really returned, this meant they were all in danger.

"They've been quiet for so long. Why after twenty-five years? I never thought they'd come. And the worst part is,........we know nothing about them while they know all about us" an anxious Sim said, scaring the three even more.

At that critical moment,

"Thief! Thief! Stop!" Was heard, drawing their attention.

OUTSIDE.

Jumping off the roof, the thief who was none other than Mira made a run for it.

She was eavesdropping on their (The four heros) conversation when a guard in Blue Bird spotted her.

She had no choice but to run, but then, she found out exactly what she was supposed to.

This was not the end though. She'll be back.

INSIDE.

The four were still in shock, in panic about what just happened.

"This must be no common thief. I'm sure someone was spying on us. Someone heard our conversation" Ebra said and they knew he was right.

They thought the same.

"I have a suggestion," Sim announced.

Gaining their attention, he continued, "How about this? I take in all the keys. For safety reasons"

This threw the others to the wall. And they looked at him, glaring.

There was no way.

And the man could see that.

Deciding not to say much on the raised topic, he got up, "Please get some rest" said this, before making his way out of the room.

There's so much more.

So much more to this.

It looks like the present four no longer trusted each other.

And I wonder why.

*********️️*******

NIGHT

On a rainy late night, screams could be heard.

Not the happy, or excited kind of screams. No one was screaming out in enjoyment in the heavy rain at this late night.

No.

It was.........

Screams of horror.

Screams for help.

Screams from sufferings.

Coming from a well known small village, caged in the middle of a barrier.

A melodious flute could also be heard.

Soothing, calming yet deadly.

The screams got louder and louder as the houses caught fire, burning. The heavy rain couldn't help. And after some time, it was quiet. Dead quiet.

Almost like the place was now a cemetery.

And in the night sky, above the small village was a thick red smoke.

Formed, was a message to anyone who was in the area to see it.

'Revenge, The hell gate has been opened. The demons are back for revenge' was written in the sky by the red smoke.

And then, the imaginable screen went black.

**********️️******

THREE DAYS LATER.

NIGHT

Waking up to see the beautiful night, Den screamed out.

"Ahahaha!!!!"

He just woke up and realized he had slept through the day.

He was supposed to leave early this morning but woke up to see it was night time already.

Was he that tired? Or was it the alcohol?

Was it the two?!

This was bad! He shouldn't have drunk when he knew of his mission!!

Den blamed himself but it was too late.

This guy had no idea, he hasn't slept through a day but for three days straight.

Restless because it stayed hidden for a long time, his body was now getting back to its normal state after he used that forbidden technique.

He should have seen this coming. After using the forbidden technique, he should have gotten a lot of rest to help his body regain its usual state.

However, this useless main character chooses to ignore all reasons. And I wonder why he's the main character.

Den: That's not in your place to say.

Author: Shut up and let me insult you. Also, you're not supposed to interrupt. How much did you hear?

Den: From 'However' going..........

Author: Great. Now leave.

Den: I wasn't done.

Anyways! Now!, he was in perfect shape. As such, he decided to leave tonight.

Right away!

*********️️******

After freshening up, dressing up and putting his mask back on, Den made his way downstairs. Feeling a bit restless and of course, guilty.

Mira was busy doing her job, he was sure of this, and here he was, sleeping like a baby.

Mira should never hear of this or he'll never see or hear the end of it.

In any case, he'll have dinner and then leave. Didn't matter if it was late or not.

The journey must continue.

Also, his destination was only an hour away.

He should be fine.

Taking a seat on an empty table in the corner, he viewed his surroundings.

Finally noticing.

There were a lot of people here. All were..........guards from Blue Bird Magic School.

He wondered what they were doing here. Did the old fool send them?

Amidst them was an old man, whom he recognized as the manager of this place.

He looked terrified, horrified while saying something.

"I tell you, I was there! The sky was red! And whoever consumed the red smoke died! The red smoke did a lot more!"

What the heck was he (The manager) talking about? Did he (Den) miss something? Well, this is what happens when you sleep through the day with no care in the world.

How I wish to correct him, it has been three days already.

"Old man, you're not making sense! How can smoke kill so many people?" One of the guards spoke.

Again, Den was confused, wondering what he missed and what they were talking about.

None of this made sense.

Of course smoke can kill people.

"It happened around 9pm. I was.....I was in the village, visiting an old friend. Suddenly, we heard screams. We came out and the whole village was trapped in a barrier. Some tried to escape but they couldn't"

Huh?

Seriously, what was the manager talking about? Did something happen while he was asleep?

It's been only a day and there was trouble already.

Oh, dear Den, how I wish to correct you,....it's been three days already.

"Suddenly, a flute was heard, and then,.....and then.......a red smoke came out of nowhere. The person playing the flute was nowhere to be seen"

Flute?

Seriously! What was this old man blabbering?! Was he okay?

Well, maybe if he shuts up and listens, he'll understand.

And he (Den) did exactly that.

"It was soothing, calming and spelt danger at the same time"

"Old man, you're not making sense. Smoke called by a flute?" Another guy from Blue said, unconvinced, in disbelief and he wasn't the only one. His comrades were as well.

A flute.......... Emitting a red smoke..

….......'Death Flute!' it couldn't be! Someone was using a death flute!

But that was only found in Demon Island!

What the heck was going on?!

Den was in disbelief, in shock.

"Whoever inhaled it dropped dead and I guess it was poisonous" the manager said.

"Then how come you made it out alive?" The man who seemed to be the leader of the group asked, suspicious about the story he just heard.

"I don't know," the old man replied, still shaking in fear as he recounted what happened.

"Maybe they needed someone to tell what happened. That's why he didn't die" a man who sat at the table behind Den said.

He was dressed in black, wearing a black mask which revealed his eyes alone.

His sword leaning on the leg of the table, beside him.

He was the first person Den noticed when he took his seat.

Surprised, Den turned back but could only see the man's back profile.

That voice sounded familiar so was the figure he was seeing.

A smile lit on his lips, and he (Den) looked back at the old man.

"Why were you chosen?" Another guard asked.

"How would I know?! Am the only one who made it out alive!" The old man answered back, annoyed.

"Did you see the people who did it?" The leader asked.

"No. However, after some time, it was quiet and I believe everyone was dead. The red smoke combined, forming these words, "Revenge, the hell gate has been opened, the demons are back for revenge"

Den was taken back.

His eyes widened in shock, and he wasn't the only one.

Everyone in here was surprised by what they just heard.

However, the youngest waiter who stood beside the counter wasn't. He looked worried.

"Demon Island...... they're back?"

"I thought the place was locked. Only the five heroes have the key"

"How is this possible?"

The people from Blue Bird Magic School began whispering to themselves. But their questions were heard loud and clear.

Demon Island........... Demon Island was back?

Impossible!

Den couldn't believe what he was hearing.

Hold on,.....the village........

"Which village was destroyed?!" He asked, horrified, terrified.

And his fears came true the moment the old man looked at his direction and confirmed his suspicion.

"Live Village"

Huh?

Im—Impossible!

It couldn't be!

Zil!

Hurriedly, Den got up and rushed out. Totally forgetting, he hasn't paid for his stay yet.

But that was okay, the guy who sat behind him joined him, and before he stepped out, he gave the manager a huge sum of money. Paying for his meal and Den's stay, shutting up the agitated manager who kept shouting after Den that he hasn't paid yet.

*****️

Running through the woods, Den sweat like crazy.

Still in shock, still in disbelief but even more worried and scared about what he'll find.

What he'll see.

That kid.......That kid wasn't dead, right?