Lance has asked Hyena how and why he got cursed, so Hyena agrees to tell him everything. He tells him about the great war, and about his time as a soldier for The Great Demon, Midnight. He then tells him the rest of the story.
After waiting for almost two hundred years for Midnight to return, Voltimara has almost lost all hope, but then finally the scent of Midnight was strong enough to trace.
Voltimara: Finally! He has returned! (Voltimara yells in excitement)
Huntress: Can you smell it too?! (Huntress asks after she rushes over to him)
Voltimara: Of course! The power of Midnight has been unleashed! We can finally track him! (Voltimara says happily)
Huntress: Gather the rest of our comrades! We must give them the good news!
The clan is summoned and all gather to be addressed by Huntress.
Huntress: Rejoice! For our wait is over! Midnight has returned! (Huntress informs them happily)
The Dark Hyenas all cheer
Scavenger: Did Clonera successfully free the Great Demons? (Scavenger asks happily)
Huntress: Doubtful. Besides, Midnight was never trapped in the Voidstone. (Huntress reveals)
Scavenger: What do you mean? I saw him get trapped myself!
Huntress: Our master has always been free, his scent lingered in the air ever since we learnt of the Great Demon's capture. His scent is now strong enough to track, and Voltimara will be the one who will find him.
Seeker: (Laughs) Voltimara can't track better than I. I'm the Seeker, tracking is my thing. (Seeker boasts)
Huntress: Oh really? Did you notice our Master's scent? (Huntress asks the proud Seeker)
Seeker: I... No. (Seeker replies sadly)
Huntress: Do you know why that is?....It's because Midnight doesn't want to be found, he's probably concealing his presence to stay hidden. But now that he's revealed his location, I want Voltimara to find him.
Ravager: Why don't we all go? (Ravager suggests)
Runt: Yeah, I'm tired of waiting patiently. (Runt adds, agreeing with Ravager)
Huntress: Most of you can't camouflage yourselves yet, and the last thing we need is to be discovered by humans.
Seeker: Okay I get it now. Once Voltimara finds Midnight, he'll reveal his exact location to us.
Voltimara: That's the plan.
Huntress: Clonera and the others made a mistake by leaving, they didn't trust me and now they're on a wild goose chase.... Have faith in me my friends, And we shall be reunited with our master!!! (Huntress yells excitedly)
The Hyenas all cheer again, for it was only a matter of time before they see their master once more.
Voltimara sets out on his journey to find Midnight. He travels day and night, camouflaging himself to stay hidden from humans. Then after three days of tracking, he finds the source of Midnight's scent.The source is a destroyed village called Horizon, the village has been completely decimated, dozens of bodies litter the ground, all impaled by Dark Spikes or crushed beneath giant footsteps, the scene is gruesome and Voltimara can barely stand it.
Voltimara: Only Midnight is capable of such destruction, I have to find him. (Voltimara states as he looks around)
As Voltimara looks around, he spots a rising torrent of Dark energy in the distance, he rushes to the scene knowing that it could only be Midnight. As he finds the source of the Dark energy, he finally sees his master. The Giant Demon known as Midnight is covered by Darkness and turns around when he notices Voltimara's presence. His blood red eyes peer into Voltimara's very being, scaring him half to death.
Voltimara: (Kneels) Master! It's nice to see you're in good health. (Voltimara says as he trembles)
Midnight The Great Demon Of Darkness: Voltimara, what are you doing here? (The giant demon asks, surprisingly in a calm voice)
Voltimara: I.... Um (Voltimara stutters, terrified by his master's looming presence)
Midnight would never hurt a Dark Hyena, but he's been separated from the clan for so long that Voltimara doesn't know what to think.
Midnight: Why won't you speak? Do you fear me Voltimara? (Midnight asks, still intimidating, but calm)
Voltimara: No! I mean yes! I mean!... I exist only to serve you master! (Voltimara says as he prostrates on the ground)
Midnight: Do you think I would hurt you? (Midnight asks)
Voltimara: It would be an honour to die by your hands master. (Voltimara states, still prostrating)
Midnight: I never imagined that I would bring so much fear and death into this world. I wanted a simple life, but instead I was thrown into war. Tell me Voltimara, what did you think of our war with the humans?
Voltimara: (A bit nervous) Speaking honestly, I thought the war was unnecessary. I know the humans betrayed our trust, but they were not directly responsible for The Queen Of Spirit's death. They do have some faults, but not all humans are thoughtless creatures, some may actually be good, but we won't find any if they're all wiped out. (Voltimara manages to say to his Master)
Midnight: (Chuckles) Thank you Voltimara. I now know I'm making the right choice.
Midnight stretches out his enormous hand and the injured body of Lance Grey floats to his palm. Midnight sets the child on the ground gently and shrinks to a humanoid size and form. This form is covered in an exoskeleton armor, that makes him almost look like Future Lance, but way different.
Midnight: Voltimara, I want you to look after him. Guide and protect him like you would me.
Voltimara: But Master, who is this human child? (Voltimara asks, very confused)
Midnight: I have no idea. But from this day forth, he shall be your new Master. (Midnight says before placing his hand on young Lance, Dark energy then flows into Lance's body, enriching him with the powers of a Great Demon)
As Midnight continues to transfer his powers, his body begins to slowly disintegrate.
Voltimara: Master Please! Why are you doing this?! (Voltimara asks with tears in his eyes as he tries to stop Midnight)
Midnight: It's okay. This is my act of retribution, make sure the boy wields my powers properly. He's the only one who can stop Dawnbreaker if he returns. Goodluck Voltimara. (Midnight wishes, before he's completely gone)
Voltimara is struck by grief, but must still carry out his master's last wish. He carries the unconscious body of Lance by biting his shirt. He takes Lance out of the ruins of Horizon Village and relocates him to a spot where he could be easily found by Knights, who had recently arrived in search of survivors.
Voltimara camouflages himself an watches as Lance is rescued by the knights and taken to the Heart Kingdom. Voltimara continues to watch over Lance secretly, only intervening If his life was in danger. Now Lance has grown a lot since then, and is listening to Voltimara tell him this story.
Lance Grey: So, You're telling me. I have the powers of a Great Demon? (Lance asks with terror in his eyes)
Hyena: Yes but, they're your powers now, and you can use them however you wish. (Hyena tells him)
Lance stares at his hands and can now see the stream of Dark energy flowing from them. Lance screams in terror and runs out of the house, Hyena tries to stop him but Lance torrents into the air to escape from him.
As Lance Jet's through the air, flashes of what happened to him on that day, play out in his mind.
Adam Runestone (Lance's Father): Son, when you become successful. Don't forget your old man. (Adam tells young Lance with a smirk)
Young Lance Runestone: Okay father, I promise I won't. (Lance replies)
Adam Runestone: (Smiles) Good. (Adam says, nodding in satisfaction)
His wife arrives out of nowhere and smacks Adam on the head.
Susan Runestone (Lance's Real Mother): What are you saying?! (Susan yells in anger)
Adam Runestone: Oww, I was only kidding. (Adam says, rubbing his head)
Susan Runestone: I don't like jokes like that, our son is going to be a great man, one who doesn't forget to take care of his family.
Adam Runestone: I know, I raised him after all. (Adam tells her confidently)
Susan Runestone: What are you talking about?! You're barely even home! (Susan yells at her annoying husband)
Adam was a workaholic, He worked day and night to earn enough money to provide for his family. While Susan was a superwoman who took care of all the house chores and still worked anytime she had the chance. Even though they were always busy, they still made time from young Lance, to ensure that he had a normal childhood.
Lance Runestone: Mother, Father. Don't worry, I'll never forget you even If I become a great man. (Lance tells them happily)
Adam Runestone: When you become a great man son. It's when, not If. (Adam corrects him)
Susan nudges Adam.
Susan Runestone: Whether you're rich or poor, we'll still love you with all of our heart. (Susan tells Lance before hugging him)
Adam Runestone: Don't forget It kiddo. (Adam adds, joining in the hug)
Lance's flashback ends and he's now plummeting from the sky with tears gushing from his eyes. He crashes to the ground and grabs his head, trying desperately to hold back the painful memories, but they still resurface.
Lance remembers the day when the Giant Demon Known as Midnight entered his village, The Great Demon raised It's hand and the sky turned black. Then Dark Spikes began to rain from the sky killing everyone in the village, Adam and Susan tried to save their son but the rain of spikes kills them in their tracks. And the last thing Lance remembers, Is the blood red eyes of the Demon, before he's impaled.
Lance Grey: I Don't Want This! I Don't Want This! I Don't Want This! (Lance repeats, still crying)
As the tears continue to rush from Lance's eyes. He thinks about the friends he's made, and the family he has now. If this power can keep them safe, he may have no choice but but to accept them. Lance wipes the tears from his face and takes a moment to gather his thoughts. Afterwards he decides to go home.
As he enters his house, Lance see Elizabeth Grey (His adoptive mother) Already gathering a search party.
Elizabeth Grey: Lance, you're back! (She says as she rushes over and hugs him)...Oh where have you been? (Elizabeth asks with a worried look on her face)
Lance looks around and sees people from his neighborhood, like Mr Manuel the local baker.
Mr Manuel: Honestly Lance you had us all worried, don't stress you mother like that.
Lance Grey: Sorry for worrying you mom, thank you all for caring about me. (Lance thanks his neighbors, holding back his tears)
Lance's Neighbor 1: Don't be silly Lance, we all got your back, you're our future Elite Mage after all. (The man says with a smile)
Lance's Neighbor 2: Yeah, make us all proud kid. (The man says, showing Lance a thumbs up)
The people from Lance's neighborhood stay a while before leaving to go to their respective homes. As Lance tries to go up to his room, Elizabeth stops him.
Elizabeth Grey: Are you sure you're okay son. (Elizabeth asks, still a bit worried)
Lance Grey: Yeah, I'm okay. I'm glad to have to have you as my mother. (Lance says before coming back to hug Elizabeth)
Elizabeth Grey: I'm glad to have you as my son. (Elizabeth replies, returning his embrace)
As Lance goes to his room, he calls out for Hyena, but he doesn't get an answer. Hyena was gone.
Hyena has returned to the clan, and their not happy.
Huntress: I'll only ask you once Voltimara! Where is Midnight?! (Huntress demands to know, with the might of the Dark Hyena can clan by her side)
Note: Lance was born a hundred and ninety three years after Midnight was supposedly trapped in the Voidstone.
Midnight destroyed Lance's village two hundred years after he was supposedly trapped. Meaning Lance was seven years old when it happened.
Next: The Elite Mages Pay Lance A Visit.