It's been a week since Rian left his home. He has no money left or a place to stay. It was the worst idea he thought but then again going back was not possible. His father's face is still lingering in his head making him reject the idea of going back home.
I will only go back once I prove myself worthy of being a leader. He promised himself.
But for now, he needs to find food and somewhere he can lie down for a few hours. On the way, he noticed a few people wearing the uniform he never saw, and his gaze landed on the two young boys who seemed scared. Rian recognized them instantly, they had an aura of Valok territory. When Rian was young his dad used to bring him and Ezio to Valok territory in case of festivals or meetings that's why they are recognizable.
"They should be within the territory, Valok people are overprotective of their children and they can't leave the territory until they come of age and that's when their power activates." He muttered to himself. Something is wrong he concluded and decided to follow them.
He noticed that they were bringing them into a house that looked rather empty and abandoned. He noticed a few of the men guarding the house. One of the kids tried to run away but got kicked by the man. They held the kids up like a slack of bags and carried them inside. Rian jaw tightens. Without wasting time he approached the house and flew the man away with his wind.
Without wasting time he got inside the house and silently followed the man carrying kids who were taking them inside the basement. His heart breaks when he hears more children screaming while a whipping sound enters his ears.
When he reached further in he found two boys on the floor getting hit. Beside them is a little girl who has a dark aura and she is looking at the man hitting her blankly. The two boys got thrown beside the girl.
"Why won't this girl cry?" The man demands. The little girl gives him a wicked smile.
"I can't feel anything."She replied.
"Should I kill you then?"
"Go on. If you do them, my lord will sense it then all of you will die."
Her answer made everyone in the room shiver in fear, even Rian tensed up. Without wasting further time he exposed himself and hit them with his making them fly away. In the process, the kids hit the wall and started crying harder. Rian cursed and ran to the kids and checked them up.
"Forgive me, Kids. I am a bit of an idiot." Rian muttered a quick apology to them. And then stood up facing the kidnappers while shielding their bodies with his.
"Who are you? Never mind kill him." Ordered one of them.
"You are going to regret hitting the innocent kids" Rian yelled and made a whirlwind making them hit the wall. A few of them pass out. The remaining guy threw a stone on the floor while running outside the basement. Rian noticed the spirits rising from the broken stones.
"Wind of Divine slaughter." He yelled killing them together. He smiled when the spirits stopped moving but then they rose again double than before.
"Kids, hide behind me. I will try to distract them and run away." Rian ordered them.
He never feared for his life but today it feels like he will certainly die here. He gulped and remembered his family especially his sister Hestia who had always supported him. A determination made its way into his face.
"Not so easy but Let's try again." He muttered and yelled "Divine Wind cleansing."
He punched the spirits away from them as they screamed in agony but did not vanish at all. Rian knew he had to keep up but he wondered how long he could with his weak body and with not enough sleep. But at the same time, he wants to save the kids. He called out his divine spirit but felt nothing more than a calmness. He doubts he can do it.
"Don't worry hold up for a bit. I can feel their presence they are here." The five-year-old girl patted his back with affection.
"Who?" Rian dared to ask. It's surprising to see this girl not scared at all, unlike kids from Valok territory. "Are you a kid from eternal darkness? Leviathan." He asked.
The girl didn't reply but Rian got his answer when two women entered inside with a sword hanging to their hips. An aura of terror spread inside the basement.
...
When Jade and Valerie reached the place they found the men running out of the house. Without thinking twice they slaughtered them. Their clothes are similar to that of the past kidnappers. When they reached the basement they found a boy protecting kids while the evil spirits attacked him.
"He is weak," Valerie comments receiving a slap on her shoulder.
"Be nice he saved our little girl see," Jade said motioning to the girl who smiled at them.
"There are too many. Looks like this guy did multiply them."
"Step back," Jade ordered Rian who stared at her in horror.
Jade pulled out her sword and pointed it at evil spirits. "Multiple sword of destroyer." She muttered closing her eyes.
Multiple swords get manifested in the air and attack the evil spirits vanishing them together. Rian finally slumped down, his exhaustion taking over.
"You should stop killing people for once." A new voice called out the voice Jade knew well.
"And you should stop being late. I win." Jade replied to Zebulon who approached them.
They walked near the kids checking them and the boy who almost died while saving them. Valerie took the girl in her arms and patted her head giving her comfort. Jade smiled at the boy.
"Hi, I am Jade and this girl is Valerie. This guy over there is Zebulon." Jade introduced with a smile.
"You didn't give me the name when I asked you," Zebulon whispered to Jade, but she ignored him.
"I am Rian. And how you did do it?" Rian asked finally calming down and feeling safe around them.
"By my destruction powers. Thank you for saving kids even though you didn't need to pull that stunt." Jade responded. Rian nods.
"It was idiotic." Said Zebulon while rolling his eyes. Valerie didn't say a thing but agreed with a nod. Rian didn't have the energy to argue.
"You are hurt, Let me send you back home safely." Jade offered. Rian shook his head quickly not wanting to go back.
"I don't have a home. Don't worry do your thing I will leave soon." Rian replied panicked.
"Orphan or running away?" Jade's questions make Rian more panicked than before. "Or are you on an adventure?"
"Never mind. Leave me alone," said Rian.
"If you don't have a home then you can stay in Valok territory. They won't mind since you saved their kids." Said Jade.
"No. I am fine."
"Running away then," Zebulon concluded.
Jade pointed her sword at Zebulon's neck. Rian finally stood up ready to leave before he got caught up by any of the people who could recognize him. And the head of the Valok knows him well so he can't risk going there.
"He saved the kid and at least provided him a safe place to stay and meals to eat." Jade scolded Zebulon because he worked for the Emperor and she was sure he could manage.
"Why don't you take him then? I am undercover can't risk it. Besides, why do you even care about him? The " Zebulon argued.
"He saved my people and if I could take him with me I would have. We both know he won't survive at my place."
"I can't take him too, I don't stay in the same place for long. He can't enter the place where I live."
"Then find another way," Jade said stubbornly.
Rian and Valerie glanced at them not knowing how to stop the argument. None of them wanted to back down, and finally, Zebulon smirked losing his facade. Jade's sword inches away from his neck.
"Alright. I already planned to help him." Said Zebulon. Jade placed the sword back and punched his shoulder annoyed.
"Stop playing." She said sternly.
"As you wish, Your Highness."
"They seem close." Rain whispered to Valerie.
"I didn't know about it too. My master is a traitor." Valerie responds.
Jade shot them a glare and focused back on Zebulon. "Then take Rian with you and I will send the kids back safely." She ordered him. Zebulon saluted her.
Zebulon inspected the area and asked questions to the kids. Valerie checked the area near to houses. Meanwhile Jade talked to Rian.
"So you ran away, I won't ask why you must have your reason but take our help." Said Jade. Warmth spread inside Rian's heart.
"Thank you. By the way, I want to learn how to vanish them, I am weak." Rian confessed. A displeased expression formed on Jade's face.
"No one is born strong, we just get stronger by experience. Don't look down upon yourself."
Rian stared at the woman in front of him. This was the first time he received advice instead of criticism. Jade patted his shoulders with a bright smile and said.
"I will teach you how to vanish them."
Rian nods with a smile. "I will work hard and won't give up until I succeed."