Kyra snapped her fingers and released Crimson from her control. Crimson could not understand how she was able to control him.
What is her power exactly? First it was plant controlling type. But then the black thorns emitting death aura came. And she was able to wield the same magic properties as him. How is that possible? Plants don't control people for fuck's sake!
Crimson was clearly disturbed. When he was released he was still disorganized. Kyra turn her back on him and walked away.
"Hey! Where are you going?" Crimson shouted after him. Kyra stopped.
"My job is done. No reason to stay." After saying that she head to another direction. Crimson huffed in annoyance and shouted again.
"You're going to Beast realm right? Have you been there before? Do you know where is the Half Peak Mountain and what the Fang of Baltrux look like?"
The more Crimson throw questions the stiffer Kyra's face becomes. Seeing this, Crimson smirked arrogantly.
"See? You don't know. Well, I know! That voice said the two of us right? And you can't go to the Beast Realm without knowing where to go! You need me!" Crimson smacked his chest and put his hands on his hips. As if proudly saying 'you are nothing without me.'
Crimson caught Kyra's collar and drag her to the demon palace. Humming along the way. He chose not to notice Kyra's strange looks. Kyra turn to the remaining members of the Twelve Dukes. Violet, Verdant and the shadow controlling demon she killed earlier.
Surprisingly he was still alive. That body she wrangled must have been one of his shadows. Kyra fall into a deep thought. Her thoughts unknown.
After Crimson dragged her to the map room, he let her see the 3D real time image of the Beast realm territories. Indeed, it was difficult to find the Half Peak mountain. Not when most of Beast realm territories are composed of tall mountains with rough peak and dangerous creatures living on the plains.
As Kyra studied the map, Verdant came up beside her and handed a drafted map made by the scouting demons. There are different shades of color on the map, marking the degree of risk in different regions.
"The entrance where the portal will take you is here." Verdant pointed to the blackest area in the mark. The blackest area meant the danger level is six stars and the strength of creatures living in it was also six stars.
"This portion of land is called Void. Because of the high concentration and danger, the surrounding was polluted. No longer habitable by weak animals."
Verdant was not able to went on with his explanation because of the sharp gaze Kyra has been throwing at him.
"Yes? Is there some part you don't understand?"
"Give me one good reason not to kill you right now."
"What?" Crimson was surprised by Kyra's sudden hostility. Verdant has done nothing except expressing goodwill, now she's threatening to kill him? Is this girl a ticking massacre bomb? (Like you're the one to talk – Verdant)
Verdant paused then his lips curled slightly.
"I have no excuse." He surrendered easily. "If you want to kill me, I will gladly offer you my life in the condition you won't harm any of my kin. And also..." Verdant gently looked at Crimson. "Take care of our Prince."
Violet has been itching to say something but chose not to act rashly. He can sense danger. But he's nowhere up against the first champion. If she wants to kill one of their own, they can't stop her.
Kyra studied him closely. It took a long time before she spoke again.
"How did you dispel the corruption from the curse?"
Verdant bowed slightly and said sincerely. "Its part of the components of my magic. Do you know that plants can produce fresh air by absorbing the polluted ones? My magic is like that. It feeds on dark polluted curse to grow. That's why I was able to remove the corruption spread in your realm."
At his explanation, Kyra's face darkened. "Who are the humans who formed a contract with you?"
"Its #$^$%& " Verdant showed a surprise expression. It was not only him, even Violet and Crimson are surprised. Only Kyra looks unfazed.
A prompt suddenly appeared in the air. And a voice spoke, "First champion Kyra Burkhardt is forbidden to extract information about the perpetrators of the faery realm's destruction from other sources. First offense is tolerated, second offense will ensue punishment. Please heed with caution."
Now the demons present in the room are even more confused. What's going on? Why is the Tower forbidding Kyra to find out? Is there something she wasn't allowed to know?
Kyra's eyes seethe with silent fury staring at the letters. But it was only in a split second. After that, it disappeared. As if it wasn't there from the start. Kyra only sigh and took the map in Verdant's hands.
They thought the matter was finished. They did not expect Crimson to start it again.
"Hey, the reason why you have to do what the Tower tells you to do. Could it be because of this?"
The temperature drops immensely. The others can actually see the shadows of Kyra's black thorns resurfacing from the ground.
"Why do you have to do as it says? You're strong! Are you willing to be its slave? You can find it out yourself!"
Kyra slowly looked up at him with unreadable expression.
"You're nothing if you rely on your own strength alone."
Crimson looks ready to refute but Kyra stop him. "That's the fact I learn in the hard way."
Crimson's mouth were rendered speechless, along with the others. Seeing he won't say anything, Kyra continued.
"I don't care if you want to do this or not. But you have to know that you are standing here today because of the Tower. And it won't let you get off easily once you received its gift."
What Kyra did not say... is that Crimson's power has the same origin as hers. It's one of the Top Ten SSS - Class Ghost Skill.