Oliver and I had teleported back to the real world. It was eight in the morning. We had finished our breakfast and were all set for the journey.
The first thing I looked out for were monsters. I didn't want to be teleported and immediately be taken out by ravens. I looked around the building. As the building was half destroyed, there was no glass protecting us. We went to the edge and stared below. Yes, it was a large fall. But I could do it.
I had learnt how to fly during the battle at Mount Hysuptris. But that was just one time and I did not trust myself. Maybe after loads of practice, I would someday be ready for a flight. But I was not taking any chance at this point. Oliver and I took the elevator and got to the ground floor. We exited the building and joined the streets. We followed the path which leads towards Trouflet town. We were soon outside Foster town. No cabs were around, not even flying taxis this time. One thing I hadn't thought about was transportation.
How were we going to get a cab? No hermits? I guess the answer was clear. "Let's walk to Trouflet town, shall we?" I told Oliver. He looked at me as if I was joking. I wasn't. There was no other option I could find. We started our travel by foot. Five minutes had passed and yes, I was tired. We had barely even left Foster town out from the horizon and I wanted rest. My legs were paining but I didn't complain. We continued. Now I was desperately looking around for some help. Of course I found none.
An hour passed. With only one small halt in between, we had made some good progress. It would still take half an hour more for us to reach our hometown but there was no other way. Thankfully, we hadn't met with any ravens yet. Maybe they hadn't reached the area yet. Nevertheless, we continued as fast as possible.
After about fifteen minutes or so, I found the first raven. Trouflet town was on the horizon and this stupid creature needed to show up. There were trees around us and I hid behind one of them. Oliver was hiding on the other side of the road behind another tree. We were looking at each other and then looking at the humongous bird flying on top. I doubted we should go for the kill. One cackle from the bird and the whole flock would find us. Not a good idea, I decided.
The situation worsened when I found more ravens around us. I found about six of them in the air, looking down but thankfully, having no trace of our existence. We had to act quickly. But I saw no safe way of dealing with them. I looked at Oliver. He mouthed something which may have meant, "Run deeper, around more trees and move forward." It was difficult to understand but when I saw him running inside, I got his plan. I too ran at top speed inside from between the tall trees. The plan was positive because the ravens didn't seem to notice us.
The disturbing part though was that the birds were patrolling the area. One false move and we would be caught. They were also travelling further towards Trouflet town which wasn't good. I worried how we would reach Adonis without getting caught. Also, I had no idea where Oliver had gone. He was nowhere to be seen. I had my phone with me but I dare not call him and make a noise.
The ravens shrieked every so often which made my heart jump every time I heard it. The birds really needed to sound better. By now, my legs had given up. After running for what seemed forever, I fell down, surrounded by the trees. It was hard to watch Trouflet town through the large tress around but I managed to see it close by. I took a quick two-minute rest and got up. I was almost limping as I walked, tired of the journey. The ravens were nowhere to be seen which was good.
After five more minutes or so, I reached Trouflet town. It was a strange sight not to see a soul present outside. They had got the message of staying inside their houses and after hearing the ravens shrieking, who would even come out? I walked slowly, looking around for a sign of Oliver. I didn't find him.
I knew my way to Adonis's workshop and continued. I still had a little longer to go. That's when I heard the ravens once again. They had arrived in Trouflet town. I followed a narrow path behind the shops so that they would not find me immediately. But that did not make me invisible. I needed to do something.
I kept going for some time till the workshop was right in front of me. All I had to do was make a run for it, assuming Adonis would open the door before it was too late. Before I could think of a plan, I heard the birds again. All of them were cawing furiously. I slowly gazed out of my hiding place behind the shop and found Oliver standing in the middle of the road like an idiot. Why was he standing there instead of hiding? You can argue that he was my best friend after all.
The ravens rushed towards him to attack. Oliver didn't even have a weapon now. I had no choice but to launch Magnum. I unsheathed the battle-axe and threw it. It hit the raven nearest to Oliver and the others retreated to the sky. They looked at me with fury. Yes, that was terrifying.
I called out to Oliver, "Run towards the workshop!" and spawned Magnum back into my hand. We both rushed as fast as we could but one of the ravens caught me. The bird may have had experience catching prey because the way it caught me, I couldn't move my hand which meant I could not use Magnum. Oliver had nothing to shoot the bird and help me.
That's when the door opened and out came Adonis. He looked up at me and called, "Blaze?! And Oliver too? Wait, I'll help you guys." He went back in. I hoped he would show up soon because I was being taken away by some bird pirates. I hoped to see Adonis come out with a weapon that would blast the whole region. That's the impression I had of the weapon smith. But rather, Adonis came out with a screwdriver in hand and small knife.
"That would be so useful!" Oliver yelled sarcastically. Adonis thanked, "I know! Of course it will!" He closed one eye and tried to aim the knife at the raven which had caught me. It was flying away and we didn't have whole day for the old man to target. Moreover, I was afraid it would hit me. Adonis threw the knife with such force; the bird dropped me. I was flying in the air but luckily unlocked the Zantai power. I didn't quite glide or fly but had a soft landing. Better than being embedded into the ground.
The bird had fallen too. I looked at Adonis who approached the creature. Before I could stop him, the old man cut off the bird's neck. First thing: it was a gross sight. I hope you get over it. Second thing: It angered the other ravens and also attracted about ten more of them to enter the town. Adonis was a great fighter of his time without a doubt. But he did not how to act at what time.
I knew what would be the result and ran as fast as I could. Considering I had just been dropped from the sky, I ran pretty quickly. Oliver joined me and Adonis turned around. Oliver and I had reached the workshop and were waiting for Adonis to make it in. The moment Adonis entered, I shut the door, almost letting a furious raven inside.
The screeching of the birds could still be heard but we were safe at least for some time. "It has been a long time!" Adonis exclaimed, bringing three chairs from one corner. As usual, his workshop was as dirty as it could be. All three of us sat on the chair and started talking; the ravens cawing outside.