Chapter 13 On the 24th of April

Crimson Vanguard - The Principal's Office

Aiden, Ryder, Dax, Damien and Freya all present each of them standing up while the principal sat down talking to them.

"You all performed wonderfully well in your match ups, I am impressed now I see what makes you guys so special each of your abilities are unique and also a valuable asset on the battlefield so which is why I'll be sending the 5 of you on a mission tomorrow and I expect you to deliver as always, tomorrow—" 

"OH YEAH A MISSION I PROMISE TO DO MY VERY BEST I'LL KILL AS MANY AS I CAN AND SAVE AS MANY AS I CAN AND I WILL DO IT WITH PASSION !" Dax butted in not even letting the principal complete his sentence.

"Geez man what is wrong with you ?" Damien asked his voice laced with annoyance.

"Both of you shut and let the old man talk!" Ryder's voice thundered through the room echoing off the walls.

A heavy awkward silence hung in the air like a challenge punctuated only by the quiet tick of the clock on the wall, the Principal's icy stare penetrated through their hearts giving them a solid warning without uttering a word.

"As I was saying" His voice broke the awkward silence "On the 24th of April a school named Brookside High School would be celebrating their 50th anniversary, it's going to be a huge event holding over a thousand and five hundred people, both present and former students are going to be part of this event in fact 50% of the city of Ashford would be lit up by this event"

"Our enemies are no longer confined to the shadows—they've grown bolder, stronger, and more relentless. After careful calculations, we've determined that there is an over 80% chance that the upcoming event will be attacked. But that's not the worst of it.

If they strike there, it won't stop at the event. The chaos will spread, and the city of Ashford will be forced to confront the truth it has ignored for too long. The evil that lurks beneath its surface will no longer be hidden. By the time their attack escalates, 85% of Ashford will realize the terrifying reality— and the dangers within it are far greater than anyone ever imagined."

"Their goal is not just destruction– it's fear they want the people of Ashford to live in constant terror to wake up every day dreading what lurks in the darkness"

Their face etched with worry on hearing what the principal said.

"Whoa that's huge are you sure we should be the ones to handle this, it sounds kinda serious" Damien inquired his voice low and measured his words dripping with gravity.

The Principal clasps his hand together resting his elbow on his desk his expression gradually turned sulky.

"I know I shouldn't put this much pressure on you, but we have no other choice. We are currently planning on sending Mr. Zane and seven of our instructors to the Crimson Vanguard in Silvervale—they're planning an attack to recover the 11th Seal of Alzarel, on the 24th of April which was stolen from them some time ago. They believe they have complete intel on the enemy's hideout, but they need all the firepower they can get to reclaim the seal.

As you all know, our school holds the 12th Seal of Alzarel. We've already lost eleven to the enemy. If there's even the slightest chance of retrieving one, we have to take it."

"The Alpha Squad of the 2nd year would be a back up plan if things go haywire but as for the third year Alpha Squad they are going to act as the school's line of defense against any attack we don't have much instructors so that's the best we can do for now, it isn't perfect but for now we can make use of this strategy."

"Any questions ?" The room broke into deep silence with no one having anything to say.

"Okay then, that's all for now, you're dismissed" The Principal declared.

The five of them turned around slowly, their faces sullen with grave intensity. Yet, their spirits were high, and their fists clenched with determination. With that, they walked out of his office, their expressions serious.

"What's with the sad face ?" Mr Zane appeared sitting on top of the Principal's desk with his back facing the principal who wasn't surprised at all by his entry.

"Am not sad, knowing that those kids are the ones handling this mission gives me even more hope, but!" "Was handing you over to Silvervale the right choice ?".

"Based on priorities it is, I know our city might be in danger and I need to be here to fight but if Alzarel's let loose there'll be no city to fight for" Mr Zane added.

"The people of Ashford finding out about what this city really is, do you think it's inevitable ?" Mr Zane asked.

"The only certainty right now is a bloody Halloween on April 24th. I can feel it—the enemy is planning something big and moving fast. They've cornered us, forcing our hand into one desperate move. As it stands, casualties and the exposure of the truth are inevitable. Our focus must be on minimizing both," the Principal said gravely.

"I don't know about any bloody halloween but one thing is for sure, we're gonna win" Mr Zane said his usual grin slowly spreading across his face.

****

Kai lazily pulled out his phone, his thumb mindlessly flicking through his social media feed. As he scrolled, a video played—some excited teenager grinning at the camera.

"On the 24th of April—"

He swiped past without a second thought, only for another post to pop up.

"On the 24th of April!"

Another scroll.

"April 24th, it's happening!"

His brows furrowed slightly, but he kept going. Yet, no matter how fast he scrolled, the same phrase followed him. Different faces—boys, girls, even adults—each repeating those same words with growing excitement.

It was everywhere.

He exhaled sharply, tapping the side of his phone. "Wow everyone's really excited about our school's 50th anniversary, thank goodness I got a date", he slides his phone back into his pocket, taking off on his stolen skateboard.

****

"On the 24th of April, the world shall bear witness to true liberation. It is the day when the Demon King Alzarel, bound for over a thousand years, will finally break free from his chains. How fitting it is that such a monumental event will unfold under my watch.

For now, everything unfolds precisely as anticipated—no unexpected variables, no setbacks. The pieces fall into place with a perfection only I can orchestrate. There is but one thing left, a mere formality, really: the event that will set everything into motion.

Once it begins, there will be no stopping it. The world will tremble, and all shall be as I have planned."

He spoke with the calm confidence of a man who had already won. His voice, as smooth as velvet yet laced with an undeniable menace, echoed through the room.

 He was a master of control, each word delivered with the precision of someone who knew the outcome before the first move had been made. No hesitation, no doubt—just the cold certainty of a man who had orchestrated every detail of the grand design.