Further away from Drakos, there is the Valok sect, the wielders of nature and the ones who are famous for their loyalty. The head and heir of Valok territory worry about their faces. The incidents are reported from weeks ago of the children of their territory gone missing. Surprisingly the kids who are meeting are aged 13 to 15. Unlike adults, they can't use their powers and they are not connected to their spirit wolf which makes them vulnerable. Their parents can't sense them which means they were kidnapped after making a plan.
It isn't a good sign.
The head gazed at his only heir Lance. Lance knows his responsibility but looks like he failed this time.
"I apologize. I will find them as soon as possible," said Lance.
"We don't only have to find them but the solution to this problem." The head of Valok said calmly.
"I will," Lance promised him.
"This is an unexpected situation. It feels like something is going to happen soon and it won't be good."
Lance didn't say anything and listened to his head leader. He had failed this time but not again.
One of their guards approached them quickly. "We found two women with the five of our missing kids, they claimed to have them."
"Bring them to me, Lance." Head ordered. Lance nods and follows the guards towards the borders. When he got near he felt the chaos. A very dark aura is present nearby. His instinct was confirmed when his gaze landed on the two women.
...
Jade and Valerie in their investigation found five more kids taken in the basement. It wasn't that people but the kidnappers were wearing the same uniform as their previous ones. Both of them slashed the men blocking their path. Until they reached the basement and found the men throwing the magic stones and raising evil spirits. Jade sighed done with the daily occurrence.
"Sword of Destruction." Muttered Jade vanishing the spirits.
Since Valerie is taking care of spirits Jade slashes down the remaining men to prevent them from raising evil spirits. She left two men for questioning. Jade's gaze lands on the magic stones that look empty in their palm. Seizing the stone from him Jade threw it at the nearby evil spirit, The spirit get sucked into the stone. She gazes at it in awe. She focuses back on the men.
"Where did you get the stone from?" Jade asked.
"Black market." He replied.
"Tell me how to get there."
They didn't want to disclose the information but the dangerous aura around her made them give her a black stone. Jade took it and raised her eyebrows at them.
"It's a teleportation stone, it will directly lead you inside the black market," he explained.
"Alright, I will need some kind of permission to get in."
"Yes, everyone in the black market has anonymous ID."
"So where you taking those kids?"
"Capital, we will get further information there."
Jade nodded let them live and took out their ID for the black market. She can make a fake one with it. Jade can kill them but her mind says that Zebulon will come here. And the kids look unharmed. Once Valerie was done with evil spirits she tied the men down. Jade freed the kids and assured them softly.
"Where are you from kids? We will send you back safe." Jade said to them. The kid's bodies shook and they started crying. Jade paused and glanced at Valerie who stopped midway when she heard them crying.
"You take care of kids I will check the territory." Said Valerie.
"You can't leave me alone. I don't know what to do with kids." Jade plead.
"Remember all the troubles I had been in due to in. This is my revenge." Valerie smirked at Jade.
Valerie turned around and left Jade alone with the kids. Jade can order her but she doesn't because Valerie is her closest friend. After half an hour she was able to calm them down and Valerie was back too. The kids told them they were from Valok territory. That made both Jade and Valerie worry. One of the most powerful territories taking them back can cause trouble if they refuse to listen but then again they can't let the kids stay away from their parents. Making decisions they get transported with the help of a portal into the nearest border of the Valok territory.
The kids looked at them amazed. Slowly they walked inside thinking they would leave once they found houses but instead, they felt the presence and soon got surrounded by the guards of Valok territory. The kids soon run to adults who are their parents.
Should have hidden our presence, I am an idiot. Jade thought to herself.
"We found these kids while investigating. We are here to get them back at home safe." Said Jade.
"Yes, mom. They saved us and they can even do magic." Said one of the kids with excitement.
"Wait here until our leader comes." said the guard.
"We don't have a time." Jade cut them off turning away.
"Stop. I am here." Said a boy approaching them but paused noticing the aura. "Lance, the heir of Valok. Give me a chance to thank you and know a bit more about the situation."
Jade glanced back at the boy with a sigh. She was in a hurry but better explain everything so she handed him my map and marked the territory.
"This the place where I found these kids. My original intention was to find the kids of my territory who were missing." Jade explained.
"Alright, that makes sense. Our leader wants to see you."
Jade glanced at Valerie who looked done. Jade nods at Lance and follows him inside the territory. Walking towards the Castel they heard gossip of the people.
"They are from the territory of eternal darkness right?"
"Yes, but they never step out."
"Did they kidnap our kids?"
"Head better give them severe punishment."
"Can you feel their aura, they are dangerous."
"Remember everyone hates them."
"Stop, they were the ones who saved the kids. Go back and I don't want you to insult our guest." Lance's cold voice made everyone silent.
Valerie and Jade are surprised too. Normally people outside their territory didn't like them but it's the the first time someone stood up. Shanking their head they ignored the people and approached the leader.
The leader noticed the Jade aura. He smiled and welcomed them in.
"We are in a hurry so please make it quick," Jade said to him.
"I want to thank you for saving them."
"It's fine. We are at work so anyway." Jade said and added. "According to the kidnappers they were taking them to the capital, that's all I know."
"Alright, leave me alone with her." the leader ordered making his people leave but Valerie didn't move. Jade nods at her. With a glare on Jade, Valerie left them alone.
"I can feel his presence in you. Tell me your identity." The head asked. Jade narrowed her eyes.
"I work for my King. That's all you need to know." Jade replied.
"We never see him around. I wonder what he is up to."
"He is relaxing and enjoying his life to the fullest."
"Right, that person only cares about his people and loved ones. Anyway, I hope we can meet again and next time you tell me who you are."
Jade gave him a quick bow and walked back to Valerie who was standing with his hand resting on her sword. Finding her master Valerie's body relaxed. Lance also noticed her and smiled at her.
"I am Lance, the official heir of Valok." Lance introduced himself properly. Jade smiled at him.
"Jade and she is Valerie, my friend." Jade introduced politely.
"I hope we can get along, I need to find missing kids."
"How many of them are missing?"
"Around 40."
"If I find them on the way, I will bring them back."
"Why don't you stay here for the night? It's late." Lance offered.
Jade would have to accept it but her dad will be waiting for her.
"No, I need to report back to the king." Jade declined.
Lance let them go. He wondered why they hadn't asked anything in return and also said to bring the kids back if they found them, not to forget the additional information they gave. Lance hadn't heard good things about the people of eternal darkness, all he had heard was the being the embodiments of chaos and destruction, It only proved to him that never judged books by their covers.
But for now, he has to head toward the capital to find the missing kids. Joining the tournament will be hard for this year.
But he won't give up.