"Great," Soyin smiled widely and turned to Iplis as if just remembering she was there.
"Oh, Doran wanted to talk to you."
Iplis sighed then stood and made for the door, that led out of the house. Soyin followed her with his eyes until he heard the door close. He stood abruptly and moved the table so that he could move closer to Kioku, his face was uncomfortably close to Kioku's.
"You and Mora are Godslayers too right?" Asked Soyin, excitement danced in his eyes.
"You're a Godslayer?" Asked Zeru with a stunned look.
Soyin moved back and nodded with a wide smile, he started stroking his chin as he gave Kioku a searching look.
"Master did say your Rin would be weak but I didn't think It would be this weak."
"Rin?" Asked Kioku and Zeru simultaneously.
"Man you're clueless," Soyin let out a cheerful laugh after he spoke.
"You mentioned a master, who is,-" began Kioku
"Nevermind that now," Soyin said shaking his head.
"Come on, I'll give you a tour of the town."
'I don't think I'd feel safe around this guy, he feels like a Mora type,' thought Kioku.
"I'll stay to watch Mora," said Zeru with a mischievous look at Kioku. Kioku knew Zeru just didn't want to be anywhere near Soyin.
"I can't blame him, he looks worse than Mora.'
"It would help to know the area I guess," said Kioku as he stood. The two walked towards the door and stepped out into the town.
Kioku was immediately greeted by the blinding light of the sun and recoiled. 'I got used to the Shadow Realm, I forgot how bright the sun is."
Kioku and Soyin walked through the town with Soyin pointing out mildly interesting features. The buildings were made of wood but each had different decorations, the shop owners decorated their building with paintings of their products and the home owners went with simple flower or animal patterns.
Kioku soon noticed that almost everyone within the city had a savage warrior like aura. His senses were sharp so he could tell that no one in the city was weak.
'Master once said that the warriors of the Norse realm, the Vikings, had savage aura, it's no wonder they're able to survive.
"And over there is the brothel," said Soyin in an almost eager voice. "When Mora recovers, we definitely have to go together."
'The Whore Yard?' thought Kioku. 'What kind of name is that.'
"What's a brothel?" Asked Kioku curiously. Soyin gave Kioku and incredulous look as though he was seeing him for the first time.
"You've never been in a brothel?" Asked Soyin loudly in a shocked voice.
"How old are you?"
"Nineteen," said Kioku slowly, he wondered what age had to do with it.
"What kind of place is it."
"Ah, my friend, it's a paradise for us men to escape the cruelties of life!" Shouted Soyin with his arms spread.
"How?"
"Oh my naive prince," said Soyin in a dramatic tone, he wrapped his arm around Kioku as they walked.
"It is by fate we meet, there is much I must teach you of adulthood."
'He's definitely worse than Mora.'
"Soyin!" Shouted a voice. Kioku and Soyin turned and saw a tall muscular looking man who looked about thirty striding towards them.
He wore long green robes and had a shaven head giving him the appearance of a monk, his eyes were a stormy grey.
"Kioku, this is Doran," Soyin said, a hint of disdain in his voice. "He leads the town's forces againist the demons."
'No surprise, his aura is stronger and more vicious than the rest,' thought Kioku as he looked Doran up and down.
"Your unit grows weaker by the day Soyin, no surprise if you recruit such weaklings" Doran said, looking down coldly at Kioku with his stern gray eyes. Doran suddenly threw a punch at Kioku who instantly raised his hand to block the attack.
"Impressive," Doran retracted his hand and rested it in his wide sleeves. Kioku's shadow expanded and several blades of darkness rose and pointed towards Doran who's eyes widened in fear.
"Thanks," whispered Kioku icily. "But if you ever try to hit me again I'll kill you."
"I wouldn't mess with him Doran," said Soyin with a smile. "He can arrange for your early funeral if you're not careful."
Doran was about to speak when a loud horn rang through the air. Doran's expression hardened and he raced forward leaving behind Kioku and Soyin, he was later followed by several other people who wore similar green robes.
"What's happening?" Asked Kioku
"Demon attack," said Soyin with a yawn. "It's a level one threat so Doran and his men can handle it, we only respond to powerful demons. You want to take a look?"
Kioku nodded, he wanted to make sure it was a minor threat like Soyin said. 'Always access a situation before relaxing,' remembered Kioku.
The two climbed on top of building and raced to the entrance of the town and upon arrivals they found Doran and his men battling a small number of naked red skinned creatures with black horns.
"Like I said minor attack," Soyin said in a bored voice.
Kioku wasn't paying attention to Soyin's words, he just noticed that the forces fighting the demons were wrapped in a green light. Kioku looked behind the front lines and saw Iplis, with her arms outstretched being guarded by two of Doran's men.
Soyin noticed Kioku looking at Iplis and gave him a sly smile. "Excellent eyes my naive prince but I warn you that's a tough fish to reel in."
"It's not like that," Kioku said irritated by Soyin's nickname for him.
"Her abilities intrigue me."
"Yeah," Soyin looked at Iplis with serious look as he spoke. "Without her I don't think we would've held on this long."
'So she's that important then,' thought Kioku.
"Anyway, let's get you back to the others."
Soyin started to walk away but Kioku remained looking at Iplis. 'What is it about her, that feeling from before.'
Iplis felt someone looking at her and noticed Kioku. Kioku turned to leave and as he did he felt a sudden pain in his chest and fell to his knees, his eyes flickered from black to blue repeatedly.
"This...ha.....its...."
Kioku lost consciousness just as he realised the cause of the pain.
His soul was crumbling.
♤♤♤
Deep within a sea of darkness, a pair of blue eyes suddenly opened, the pair of eyes were majestic and had an ethereal feeling. The eyes stared around the sea of darkness in slight surprise before a soft chuckle sounded.
"I'm surprised you accepted my invitation, being who you are," came Hakai's voice. The blue eyes looked around but couldn't find the direction the voice came from.
"I accepted it because the one who invited me was you, you know, being who you are," the voice that spoke was majestic and calming but the blue eyes narrowed after their owner spoke.
"Well I'll cut right to it then," Hakai's voice became dark and heavy and had a pressuring feeling to it.
"I want to know if you will act during this war."
"I do not act in these matter Hakai, you know the nature of my role prevents me from doing so," the blue eyes had a strange look in them, one that appeared like longing and regret.
"Even if he is involved," whispered Hakai.
"Especially because he is involved."
"Then this meeting has no point, we can end here," Hakai's voice faded away as he spoke these words.
The blue eyes lingered before the presence of the figure slowly disappeared from the sea of darkness.
"Darkness and the soul are closely linked, whether you find that connection remains up to you."
"May light fall beneath you on your path to the end."