I felt like I was floating on air as I walked back to the house. All I could think about was that girl who appeared at the lake. Her name is Shana, she she lives by herself somewhere in this world, and she was discriminated by everyone in this world a few hundred years ago. Just who is she?
"Hey, welcome back Hiro!"
"Are you ready to train again?"
Xylvia and Leonna greeted me as I found my way back near the house. Xylvia looked like she was training pretty hard since she was covered in scratches.
"I...uh..."
I couldn't say anything. All I could could think of was Shana.
"Hey, I have a question." I said.
"What is it?" Leonna asked.
"Have you ever...seen someone who...wasn't really there?"
Leonna took a moment of silence to think about the question I asked.
"Do you mean like a dream?" she asked.
"No...I mean...like...uhh..."
I didn't know what to say, but I didn't even get a chance to anyway. The reason why is because the three of us were suddenly engulfed by a bright light that nearly blinded me. I had to close my eyes to keep from losing my vision.
When the light wasn't as bright, I opened my eyes to see a familiar looking room again.
"You really like to make it obvious huh." I said with a smirk.
"I should be glad that you're able to immediately recognize where you are. I'm glad that you know me so well."
The goddess Gleam stood wight in front of us. Of course, she wore no clothing whatsoever. She was just completely naked.
"Why did you summon us here?" I asked her.
"I was starting to sense a weird disturbance somewhere near this city," Gleam said. "I think it might be the Army of Darkness."
"What are they trying to do?" Leonna asked.
"I think that they'll try and destroy this town and kill all of it's citizens, and then...I think they might want to capture and kill me as well."
A few chills went down my spine. The thought of that army actually making their way here and obliterating everything and everyone made my heart race. I know that I can't do anything to stop them from getting here. I'm way too weak. But even so, I can't just sit around and do nothing. I need to find a way to get stronger...fast.
"Do you know how many there are?" Xylvia asked.
"Based on how many life forms I can sense, I'd say exactly 3,241 individuals."
"H-Holy crap..."
Before I could even process that number in my head, A grey cloud of ash suddenly formed right between me and Gleam. Red flashes of lightning sparked within the clouds and eventually the shape of a person formed. The figure was made of grey clouds of ashes, so I couldn't tell who it was. But within the red lightning bolts outlining the figure and it's body of grey clouds of ash, I was able to make out one key detail. A hood was covering it's head.
"I see that Gleam still can't find people with real power." the figure said.
It's voice was garbled and full of static yet clear to understand.
"Who are you?" I asked it.
"I'm the one that will make you shed blood and tears until the end of your days." the figure said.
"No one knows who this person is," Gleam said walking towards it. "But people always refer to it as Hell's Figure."
Hell's Figure?
"Hell's Figure is the leader of the Army of Darkness. Not one of the leaders...the leader.
That didn't really surprise me that much. Considering how fast this person knocked me out, it's easy to see why this guy is the leader.
"I take it you know of my plans to invade your pathetic little palace." the figure said.
"You will never succeed," Leonna said stepping in. "The hero will definitely put a stop to you."
"The hero? Hmm...no, I don't think he will."
What the figure did next didn't surprise me at all, but it was definitely going to scar me for life. The figure reached over to something and showed us...the head of a person.
"Ahhhh.....AAAAAAAUUUUUUUHGGGHH!!!" Leonna screamed.
Xylvia covered her mouth with her hands. My eyes widened, but I didn't falter. I knew that something like this would happen.
"So my suspicions were correct," Gleam said. "I knew the hero never went into hiding. He was too noble of a man to turn his back on this world."
"I've always wanted to see a despairing look on someone's face after showing them the head of the man that protected them from people like me," the figure said. "I guess I'll get plenty of chances to do so...hehe...WHEN I MARCH INTO YOUR TOWN AND KILL YOUR TOWN TONIGHT!!!"
Silence filled the room. Leonna and Xylvia looked completely pale, Gleam was faltering on her words that she tried to speak, and I...did nothing. I simply stood there, with probably a dumb look on my face. I couldn't process anything that the figure say. I heard nothing...except for one word.
"...tonight..."