Chapter 28: The Night Festival Begins!

The moon hung high in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the town. A somber mood permeated the air, a stark contrast to the usual tranquility of the night. The events of the previous night had left everyone on edge, and the explosion from the temple only served to heighten their anxiety.

Ruchir and his friends were gathered in a small courtyard, their faces etched with concern. The explosion's echo had barely faded when Mira spoke up, her voice trembling.

"That came from the temple," she said, her eyes wide with fear. "We need to check it out. Now!"

Without hesitation, Ruchir, Garret, and Alice sprinted toward the temple, their hearts pounding. As they approached, they saw the once majestic structure now in ruins, flames licking at the crumbling walls.

The air was thick with smoke and the acrid smell of burning wood. Townsfolk were gathered around, attempting to douse the flames with buckets of water, but the fire seemed to have a life of its own.

"No, this can't be happening," Ruchir muttered under his breath. "The temple was our only hope against the Blood Man yesterday. Without it..."

"Stay focused, Ruchir," Alice said, her eyes scanning the surroundings. "We need to help put out this fire first."

They joined the townsfolk, trying to combat the blaze. But as they worked, a sinister presence began to fill the air.

Shadows moved within the smoke, and a chilling, familiar sound reached their ears—the low, guttural growls of the Blood Men.

"Look out!" Garret shouted, pointing toward the shadows.

From the smoke emerged a horde of Blood Men, their eyes glowing with malevolence.

Their twisted forms lunged at the townsfolk, who scattered in terror. Ruchir and his friends stood their ground, weapons at the ready, but a sense of dread washed over them.

"Without the temple's sacred energy, we're defenseless against them," a woman said, her voice filled with fear.

Garret's face paled, and he muttered, "What are we going to do now?"

Alice, ever the pragmatic, smirked despite the dire situation. "Garret, you're always such a pessimist. We have to do it even if we have no way."

Before Garret could retort, Scholar Dwayne stepped forward, his expression grim.

He extended his hands, and a soft, golden light began to emanate from his body. The air around him shimmered, and a sense of calm washed over the area.

"Everyone, fall back!" Dwayne commanded, his voice carrying an authority that brooked no argument.

The townsfolk and Ruchir's friends retreated, watching in awe as the golden light around Dwayne intensified.

The Blood Men snarled and hesitated, sensing the change in the air. Dwayne's eyes burned with determination as he chanted ancient words, the golden light coalescing into a brilliant aura around him.

"This is Righteousness Energy," Alice whispered to Ruchir, her eyes wide with awe. "It's a fundamental substance that sets true scholars apart from ordinary supernatural powerhouses."

Ruchir watched, mesmerized, as the golden light pulsed and expanded, enveloping the Blood Men.

They howled in agony, their twisted forms writhing as the light touched them. Their regeneration slowed, then stopped entirely, and they began to disintegrate, the ground beneath them healing as if cleansed of filth.

"What kind of miracle is this?" Ruchir asked, his voice filled with wonder.

Alice nodded, her gaze never leaving Dwayne. "Righteousness Energy is one of the purest forms of heaven and earth spiritual energy. It takes talent, opportunity, and hard work to achieve it. It's said that if it ever returns to its true form, it can even revive the dead."

Garret gasped, his eyes wide with shock. "Resurrection—the forbidden spell."

Dwayne's voice rose above the chaos, his chant reaching a crescendo. The golden light flared brightly, then subsided, leaving the temple grounds eerily quiet.

The Blood Men were gone, reduced to ashes, and the flames were extinguished.

The townsfolk began to murmur, their fear replaced by awe and gratitude.

Ruchir approached Dwayne, his heart still pounding. "Scholar Dwayne, that was incredible. I've never seen anything like it."

Dwayne turned to him, a weary smile on his face. "Righteousness Energy is a powerful force, Ruchir. It is not something to be used lightly, but in times of great need, it can turn the tide."

Alice stepped forward, placing a hand on Ruchir's shoulder. "You see, Ruchir, Righteousness Energy is what differentiates true scholars. It's a mark of their dedication and purity. Achieving it is no easy feat."

Ruchir nodded, absorbing the information. "So, it's more than just power. It's a testament to one's character and effort."

"Exactly," Dwayne said, his smile growing. "It requires a balance of talent, opportunity, and hard work. Only those who possess all three can hope to harness it."

Garret, still in shock, shook his head. "I can't believe it. Resurrection... it's like something out of a legend."

Alice grinned. "Well, legends have to come from somewhere, don't they?"

As the reality of the situation settled in, the townsfolk began to organize themselves, cleaning up the debris and tending to the injured.

The temple, though damaged, stood as a testament to their resilience and the power of Righteousness Energy.

Ruchir and his friends lent their aid, their spirits lifted by the knowledge that even in the darkest of times, there was hope.

The aftermath of the battle left the town in a somber mood.

Though the immediate danger had passed, the realization of the temple's destruction weighed heavily on everyone's minds. Ruchir, Garret, and Alice sat around a small campfire, their expressions thoughtful.

"Do you think the Blood Men will return?" Aliceasked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ruchir shook his head. "Not tonight. Scholar Dwayne's Righteousness Energy should keep them at bay for now. But we need to be prepared for when they do."

Alice nodded. "We should use this time to strengthen ourselves. Learn from this experience and be ready for whatever comes next."

Garret sighed, staring into the flames. "I never thought I'd see something like this. It's like we're living in a nightmare."

"It's a nightmare we can overcome," Ruchir said firmly. "We just have to stay strong and work together."

The others nodded, drawing strength from his resolve.

Just as the group thought no more Blood Men would appear, a frail, old temple priest emerged from the shadows, his steps slow and labored.

His robe, tattered and stained with soot, hung loosely on his emaciated frame.

Beside him, a bloodshot temple knight, bearing the marks of battle and exhaustion, guided him forward with a firm yet gentle grip.

"Thank you," the priest rasped, his voice barely more than a whisper. "Thank you for saving the poor children of God from this massacre."

Scholar Dwayne stepped forward, bowing his head respectfully. "We were only doing our duty, holy one."

Garret, standing beside him, nodded. "We couldn't stand by and do nothing. These people needed our help."

Alice, her eyes softening as she looked at the old priest, added, "Your faith and resilience are what truly kept hope alive."

Ruchir, determined to get to the bottom of the explosion, spoke gently but firmly. "Father, can you tell us what happened here? How did the explosion occur?"

The priest shook his head slowly, a look of confusion clouding his eyes. "I... I do not know, my child. Everything was normal today. The usual prayers, the rituals..."

Ruchir's brow furrowed. "Think carefully, Father. Was there anything out of the ordinary?"

The priest's face suddenly brightened with realization. "The Mayor. The Mayor came to pray today. He wanted to thank us for our role in yesterday's battle against the Blood Men. He brought gifts—monetary gifts and some medicines."

Dwayne's eyes narrowed. "Did you accept these gifts?"

"We refused the money," the priest replied, "but we kept the medicines, to give face to the Mayor. It seemed harmless enough."

A stark realization struck Ruchir. He turned and hurried into the now ruined temple, the others following close behind.

As he entered, the smell of burnt wood and incense filled his nostrils, but there was something else—something familiar.

He sniffed the air, trying to place the scent.

Suddenly, a memory flashed in his mind. He was ten years old, traveling in a caravan with his father during a harsh winter.

His father had used a specific herb to ignite a fire in the freezing winds. "This is Magnolia," his father had explained. "A cheap herb, easily inflammable and so strong that cold winds are useless against it."

Ruchir's eyes widened as he recalled the scent. "Magnolia," he murmured. "It's Magnolia."

Dwayne turned to him, puzzled. "What do you mean, Ruchir?"

Ruchir explained, "This smell... it's from a herb called Magnolia. It's highly inflammable. My father used it once to light a fire during a harsh winter. It burns so strongly that even cold winds can't put it out."

Alice's eyes widened. "So you're saying the explosion wasn't an accident?"

Garret frowned, suspicion creeping into his voice. "The Mayor gave them those medicines. Could he have planted the Magnolia to cause the explosion?"

Dwayne's face grew stern. "The night is still long. We need to get to the bottom of this. Let's move toward the Mayor's mansion."

As they made their way through the town, the weight of the priest's revelation hung heavy in the air. The Mayor, a figure they had trusted, now seemed shrouded in suspicion.

The town was eerily quiet, the usual sounds of the night replaced by an oppressive silence.

The moon cast long shadows across the cobblestone streets, and the flickering lanterns added to the unease.

The Mayor's mansion loomed ahead, an imposing structure with high walls and guarded gates.

They approached cautiously, the air thick with tension. Scholar Dwayne motioned for them to stop just outside the gate. "We need to be careful. If the Mayor is involved, he might have more traps set up."

Garret clenched his fists. "I can't believe the Mayor would do something like this. What could he possibly gain?"

Alice replied, her voice steady, "Power, control, fear. People do terrible things for many reasons."

Ruchir nodded, his jaw set with determination. "We need to find out the truth. We owe it to everyone who suffered tonight."

Dwayne led the way, signaling the guard at the gate. "We need to see the Mayor. It's urgent."

The guard eyed them warily but nodded. "Follow me. I'll take you to him."

They followed the guard through the mansion's expansive grounds, their eyes scanning for any signs of danger.

The guard led them to a grand hall, where the Mayor sat at a large table, seemingly deep in thought.

The Mayor looked up as they entered, his expression a mix of surprise and concern. "Scholar Dwayne, what brings you here at this hour?"

Dwayne stepped forward, his voice firm. "We need to talk, Mayor. There was an explosion at the temple tonight. The priest mentioned you brought gifts, including some medicines."

The Mayor's face paled slightly. "Yes, I did. I wanted to show my gratitude. Is there a problem?"

Ruchir stepped forward, his eyes locked on the Mayor. "The explosion was caused by an inflammable herb—Magnolia. It's highly suspicious that this happened right after your visit."

The Mayor's eyes widened. "Magnolia? That's impossible! I would never endanger the temple or its people."

Garret, unable to contain his anger, stepped forward. "We need answers, Mayor. Did you or did you not know about the presence of Magnolia in the medicines you gave?"

The Mayor stood, his voice rising. "I swear, I had no idea. The medicines were from a reputable source. I had no reason to doubt their safety."

Alice watched the Mayor closely, her eyes narrowing. "If what you say is true, then someone else is trying to frame you or use you as a pawn. We need to get to the bottom of this."

Dwayne nodded. "We need to inspect the remaining medicines. And we need to find out who supplied them."

The Mayor nodded, visibly shaken. "Of course. I'll have the remaining medicines brought to you immediately."

As they waited, Ruchir couldn't shake the feeling that something was deeply wrong. The Mayor's shock seemed genuine, but the coincidence was too glaring to ignore. The medicines were brought to them, and Scholar Dwayne carefully examined each one.

After a few moments, Scholar Dwayne looked up, his expression grim. "There's no doubt about it. These medicines contain traces of Magnolia."

The Mayor's face fell. "I swear, I had no idea. Please, believe me."

Ruchir stepped closer, his voice softening slightly. "If you're telling the truth, Mayor, then someone is using you. We need to find out who and why."

Garret nodded. "We need to trace these medicines back to their source."

Alice added, "And we need to ensure the town is safe. Whoever did this might try something else."

Scholar Dwayne looked at the Mayor, his eyes piercing. "We need your full cooperation, Mayor. This is bigger than all of us. Lives are at stake."

The Mayor nodded, his resolve hardening. "You have my full cooperation. Let's get to the bottom of this, together."