Case of disappearance
"Did the weather change so quickly?" Farkan thought to himself.
"The sky was clear just a moment ago," he sighed.
...
"What is this? A power... it can even take down a rank five warrior," the fourth deputy muttered in shock.
"Damn it... should I attack him?"
The black vortex started growing larger and larger, with lightning bursting out of it.
Thousands of bolts shot toward the fourth deputy.
He raised his hands to shield his face, but deep gashes, up to five centimeters deep, tore into his flesh. His clothes were soaked in blood.
"I have to ru—"
The third elder punched him, sending him crashing through hundreds of trees.
"A savage serpent."
A massive snake appeared behind the fourth deputy.
"Finish him."
The third elder motioned toward the snake.
Boom!
The snake exploded in the middle, struck by a single bolt of lightning.
It was the fourth deputy's chance to escape. He had already opened a portal leading to their base.
He dashed inside, but the third elder left him with a parting gift.
A dense surge of lightning shot toward the fourth deputy's hand, tearing it apart.
He coughed up a large amount of blood as he stumbled through the portal and vanished.
The third elder stared at the aftermath. Two seconds later, he collapsed, the vortex disappeared, and the weather returned to normal.
...
Sil Fu appeared before Farkan.
"Sir..."
"Speak."
"The third elder had an extraordinary ability. He was close to killing the fourth deputy if not for his decision to flee."
"Oh? Impressive."
"Well done," Farkan patted his shoulder.
"Now, go to the city and inform them that the third elder lost consciousness and vanished. Then return to your base. Tell the alliance leader that I escaped from your hands and that he was weak."
"Understood, sir."
"Ah, one more thing," Farkan smirked. "Go in secret, without the alliance leader knowing."
Sil Fu raised his head. "Where should I go?"
"To the kingdom. Meet with the Minister of Internal and External Resources and gather all the information on the elders. Follow me. From now on, if you ever bring me important news or an update, come here."
He started walking toward a small cave.
"Here. Come to me when needed."
"Understood, sir."
"By the way, when you head to the kingdom, wait three months before leaving."
"Got it. See you later, sir."
"Take care of yourself. Next time, I want to see you at rank five," Farkan said with a faint smile.
A low growl echoed.
"Quiet," Farkan glared.
He was holding a small panther cub.
Stepping into the cave, he lit a small candle. It was of moderate size.
"Good thing I scouted the city before coming here."
He pulled out a knife from his waist and grabbed the panther.
A small growl.
"You're happy? Haha, foolish beasts."
With precision, he sliced off its right and left legs, placing them beside him. Then, he severed its head and the remaining limbs.
He left the cave, walking about 150 meters away before tossing the cub's body.
From there, he kept watch through the night.
"No one's around," he muttered.
"Now... time to create an ability."
Sitting cross-legged, he placed the formula before him, along with the panther's legs, then closed his eyes.
...
The third elder lay in a medical chamber, having been carried there by the kingdom's guards who rushed to the scene.
All thanks to Sil Fu.
A look back in time...
"People, people!" Sil Fu shouted.
The crowd turned toward him with curiosity.
"Boy, what is it?" someone asked.
"The kingdom's third elder is unconscious over there! Get the guards to carry him back, quickly!"
Two men sprinted inside the kingdom, searching for guards to aid the elder.
Sil Fu glanced sideways and spotted five guards rushing over.
The red-and-black portal opened.
"Seize him!"
Sil Fu smirked and stepped into the portal, vanishing.
The guards scanned the area until they found the third elder, then carried him back to the kingdom for treatment.
One guard remained behind to question the bystanders.
...
The third elder's eyes fluttered open. A physician stood beside him.
"Where am I?"
"You're in the kingdom. Don't worry," the physician replied.
"Alright... wait," his eyes widened.
"The fourth elder!"
He sprang from his bed, pushing the physician aside, and rushed out of the room, only to find the king and his deputy waiting for him.
The elder bowed in greeting.
"Third elder, explain," the king demanded angrily.
The third elder recounted nearly everything, except for his special ability and his brutal clash with the fourth deputy of the demonic alliance.
"So, the fourth elder got separated from you, and someone from the demonic alliance went after him?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. They were both strong... I hope the fourth elder wasn't killed."
"Guards!" the king bellowed.
"Split into scouting teams and search for the fourth elder!"
"As you command, Your Majesty!"
"And you as well," the king ordered his deputy, a rank five warrior at the early stage.
"Yes, Your Majesty," the deputy responded.
The king placed a hand on the third elder's shoulder.
"We'll find him. Don't worry."
...
Inside a massive, modern chamber, a throne stood—decorated with human skulls.
A man sat upon it, radiating an overwhelming presence. A mid-stage rank six warrior, with long black hair and piercing blue eyes.
"Tell me what happened," he spoke in a deep, gravelly voice.
...
end.