chapter - 36

  On the road to central domain, the silence of the air was interrupted by the turning wheels colliding against the pebbles on the ground. The carriage was illuminated by the twin suns’ rays passing through the grey cover of the old carriage, steered by demonic horses, which were renowned for their lasting stamina—creatures that could keep running for weeks together.

  Inside the carriage were Leo, Melody, and Ryan on one side. On the other side sat a father-daughter duo and a woman in a long hooded robe covering herself, with a mask hiding her face.

  The carriage journeyed smoothly for two days.

  On the third day, something happened.

  A screech of some sort was heard. The carriage came to a sudden stop. Leo, Melody, and Ryan, who were sleeping, were all shaken awake along with their three other passengers.

  Ryan spoke, “What was that?”

  Leo replied, “Something is outside.”

  Melody spoke, “Let’s check it out.”

  The trio got down from the carriage via the back and headed forward.

  In front of them stood a four-foot-tall beast standing on two feet, its full body covered in silver fur—a demonic ape.

  The carriage driver got down from his seat and spoke, “Dear customers, fret not. I am a fourth-circle mage. One silver ape is barely able to make a dent. Rest inside, I shall take care of it.”

  Saying this, he wielded his wand and fired an earth-element mud ball spell. The ape dodged it by a hair and ran back into the forest, vanishing.

  The coach driver puffed up his chest and spoke, “It’s taken care of now. Please rest well, dear customers.”

  Ryan and Melody turned back.

  Leo spoke, “Wait. Something is not right.”

  The screech heard before was now amplified hundreds of times. The green forest was replaced by silver trees. A horde of silver-scaled demonic beasts emerged.

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  Ryan spoke, “Here I thought nothing went wrong.”

  Melody spoke, “There is never a peaceful day with you guys, is there?”

  Leo spoke, “Get ready.”

  The trio drew their swords.

  The first wave of apes came near, there where hundreds , ground shook when they moved their scent filled the air ,

  Ryan spoke" well I guess we escaped from the evil mage just to become ape fodder ".

  Melody replied " if we get out of here alive I am sewing those lips of yours".

  Leo swung his sword" focus they are here".

  The horde of apes approached the carriage , the trio ready to fight for their life , inside the carriage the child sat on her father's lap her fragile hand shaking ," father are we going to die" she asked, Her father with a face filled with sweat smiled and spoke "don't worry child I am here".

  the ape leading the horde leapt from the tree branch on course to the carriage , the father daughter duo hugged each other tightly,

  At that moment a soft melodious voice rang from the corner of the carriage "don't worry child you are safe". the long-robed woman stepped out and placed her staff on the ground with an elegance rarely seen in the whole demon realm. A blast of purple static surrounded the carriage, forming a sphere of protection around it, letting out waves of purple thunder that shocked every ape.

  The apes cried out in pain and retreated before this overwhelming force.

  Silence came again.

  Ryan spoke, “That was over without a fuss.”

  Leo spoke, “Thank you, miss.”

  Melody followed, “Thank you, great mage.”

  The hooded figure spoke, “Worry not they are peaceful beasts they just get riled up when one of their own is threatened."

  Ryan replied," so much for peace those damn apes were ready to have us for breakfast".

  melody sneered," we just escaped with our lifes yet you have time for jokes you fool ".

  the hooded figure chuckled .

  the hooded figure spoke " It’s been a while, Ryan.”

  Hearing the voice, the hairs on Ryan’s body stood up. His usual carefree demeanour disappeared, replaced by a gaze of reverence. He bent his torso to ninety degrees and spoke,

  “Greetings, leader. Forgive me for not being able to greet you earlier.”

  Melody and Leo saw this and wondered who the woman was.

  Melody spoke, “Ryan, who is this?”

  The hooded woman removed her hood, revealing a long streak of silver hair, with the mask still on. She spoke,

  “I am Lara Legion.”

  Ryan interrupted, “She is the great leader of the Legion—the one who will put an end to the tyranny of the Demon King. Lara Legion.”

  Lara spoke, “I was waiting a long time to meet our newest member, Drake.”

  Drake lowered his head and spoke, “Greetings, leader.”

  She replied, “Just call me sister.”

  A weird sense of nostalgia swept over Leo’s long-frozen heart.

  As he was about to reply, the silence in the air was broken once more.

  A blood-red thunderbolt struck from the direction of the forest. Leo was the first to sense it.

  It was aimed at Lara.

  He jumped and pushed Lara out of the way. Before they could even realize it, the wheel of the carriage was hit and rotted in that very second.

  A scream followed—a deafening scream, clearly something that should not exist in this world.

  Then a dark red, ominous aura was felt by Drake.

  Ryan spoke, “Get your blades ready.”

  A shadow was seen at the edge of the trees, coming towards them.

  The trio and Lara got their weapons ready.