Chapter-25

  The trio, led by Drake, entered the underpass as soon as the twin suns rose.

  The trio followed the crazy demon.

  As crazy as he was, he was a genuine guide. He guided the trio exactly how they needed to go. On the way, he explained all the varieties of plants and insects they encountered.

  As they almost reached the end after a long, tedious journey,

  Drake spoke out, "So where are you from, Leo?"

  "From the Western Kingdom," said Leo cautiously.

  "What about you guys?" asked Drake. "From the West," said Ryan. "I came from the kingdom ruled by the Hell Star," said Reed, not hiding his discontent.

  "Where were you from, Mr. Drake?" asked Leo.

  "Where I came from, huh? That's boring talk. Instead, let me tell you about where I went," replied Drake cleverly.

  He continued, "I went to all the corners of the demon realm. I have seen the great Glaciers of Death with its freezing cold, deadly magical horrors, the Forest of Nightmare, the Grand Ocean of Oblivion. I have seen it all."

  "Wow, that's wonderful," said Leo with genuine surprise on his face.

  Reed said, "So you are a homeless vagrant, huh?" Mocking Drake.

  "Hehehe, I am but a wanderer, roaming the realms searching for something that may not exist," said Drake.

  "Really? What exactly do you search for, Mr. Wanderer?" asked Ryan.

  "Little brother, have you ever wondered, ever felt as if the world is too small? As if we were all confined in a box, limited, shackled?"

  "What do you mean, Mr.?" asked Leo with genuine curiosity.

  Drake continued, "Ever wondered how there is nothing about what exists beyond the realm of our kingdom? Ever wondered why the king prepares his grand army? For what purpose? To fight who? Ever wondered how there is no record of anyone ever going out of the realm? No records of anything beyond the Ocean of Oblivion"

  Leo frowned his fists clenched ,his gaze sharp fouced on Drakes words.

  Drake continued

  "It's like the whole world is trying to hide something. So tell me, Leo, what is the truth? Are the lives we live truly living? Is our life truly free?"

  Leo's eyes frowned. His thoughts were in disarray. Ryan and Reed were also curious, but they didn't seem to be too affected.

  Drake continued, "Sorry for that. I get like that sometimes. Forget it. It's just the rambling of a madman."

  Just as Drake said this, the gang light appeared.

  "We are here," said Drake.

  The trio came out and looked at the marvel before them.

  Before them stood a grand kingdom. In the middle, a grand tower reaching to the skies, lit up under the night sky like stars fell out of the sky and settled under the shade of the tower.

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  They could see the skies filled with demon mages, decorating the sky with their mana like painting a canvas. The mana was vibrating on a different level compared to the Western Kingdom.

  They came out and took a look at the gates.

  Unlike the old, ancient, huge gate of the Western Kingdom, the Tower Kingdom had more magical gates, shining by runes, no guards in sight. As the trio neared—

  "State your purpose," a voice came from the door. "It was a mage transmitting voice via mana," explained Drake.

  "Hey Tim, it's me, Drake," said Drake.

  "It's you, you vagrant rat. So you didn’t die yet, huh?" spoke the voice.

  After the voice faded, the grand door opened. The tall tower in the centre of the kingdom was still shining brightly. On closer look, a flame burned on the top of the tower.

  Drake spoke, "That is the Everburning Flame of the Mage Tower, once lit by the 24th Demon King. It's said to be capable of burning the soul. Surprisingly, it doesn't burn the physical form."

  "That's great to know," said Ryan.

  Leo was still mesmerised by the sight. After all, he was still a boy.

  "Let's continue to reach the tavern. We need to go to the marketplace," said Drake.

  "Let's go, Mr. Drake," said Leo politely.

  The trio started moving. On the street, they could see children playing.

  A small boy with a sword in his hand spoke, "Dumb beasts! I am the Crimson Sword. I will protect the Western Kingdom!"

  Ryan saw this and burst into laughter. "Seems like someone is famous."

  Leo's face turned red. He was obviously blushing. "Shut up, Ryan," he said, embarrassed.

  Reed too laughed.

  They reached the marketplace. It was a thriving marketplace, the whole street filled with mages. The stalls filled with their weird gimmicks, mixed with a few genuine artifacts. The demons haggling, children playing, housewives fighting.

  The gang, each fascinated by their own interests, all scattered.

  It was a lively street. There, only one stall was empty — a tent. Leo saw it. It was like something called him in, drew him toward it.

  The boy opened the cover of the tent. It was pitch darkness inside,the air filled with smell of strange herbs , illuminated by the light of a candle in the middle On a round table nearby sat an old woman, her face filled with wrinkles, her nails grown for years, wearing a long robe.

  He continued forward. "Welcome, young saviour," said a voice echoing through the tent.

  It continued, "Fate brought you here. Take your seat."

  "Who are you, madam?" asked Leo with a hint of fear in his eyes.

  "The right question is, dear, who are you?" spoke the old witch.

  "What do you mean, madam?" asked Leo.

  "O great one, you carry a burden of centuries. You are the one who will save the realm, responsible for breaking the shackles of posterity," said the witch.

  The screen of the tent opened again. It was Drake. "What are you doing here, Leo? Let's go. It's late," said Drake.

  Then Leo stood up and he reached the tent, ready to exit.

  "Caution, young prince. Fate demands you pay a huge price soon," said the witch.

  Leo started to sweat, his throat dry, eyes wide ,his heart beating rapidly his forehead sweating after hearing the witch's words.

  Before he could ask anything, Drake pulled him by his hands and they left.

  They gathered the gang and reached the tavern. They checked in.

  Drake spoke, "Guys, that completes my guidance. Take care of yourselves. Goodbye." His eyes almost tearing, he leapt and hugged Leo. "Take care, little brother."

  Leo smiled, slowly hugged him back, and said, "Goodbye, Mister Drake."

  The trio said their goodbyes to Drake. The crazy demon left the party.

  The trio went to take a well-deserved rest after their long journey.

  In his bed leo lied his heart still racing from the witches words ," who am I , what am I doing just what is the truth" he thought to himself ,but he knew tomorrow would be a long day so he decide to take his much needed rest .

  In the tent of the witch—

  A figure slowly appeared out of the shadow. A figure of a woman about 5 feet 10 inches in height, her face covered by a hood, but couldn’t hide her elegant figure.

  "Is he the one, teacher?" asked the figure of the girl.

  "It is," said the witch.

  "Then let me go. Give me your blessings, master," said the figure.

  The witch remained silent.

  "What is it, teacher?" asked the girl.

  "The boy’s flames burn bright. He will be the one that will light up this realm’s abyss," said the witch.

  "Are you worried about him, teacher?" asked the girl.

  "No, not him. The one I am worried about is the one who came to find him.

  That one’s soul burns so bright that even the boy’s light seemed to dim before it," said the witch.

  "Isn’t that good, then?" asked the girl.

  "Only time will tell," said the witch.

  Not understanding, the girl left the tent, saying her goodbyes.

  The witch whispered to herself, "After all, a candle burns the brightest just before its life comes to an end."

  What will happen next? Where will the journey take the trio? What will Reed do next? Who is the mystery girl?

  Stay tuned to find out.

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