Lucas:- I heard there was one legend who could use all spiritual powers. It happens every 500 years. I heard there was a knight in the Imperial order who could use 6 spiritual powers. He was the right hand of the current Emperor. He was blessed that his offspring will be like him too. I wonder who that lucky child is.
That man:- Wow. I can't believe I was saved by a spiritual warrior. Thank you all of you. (As he speaks Zen, Lucas and Nora suddenly remembered that he was there too. They forgot about him while talking.)
Lucas:- It's fine. Are you fine Mr? DId you get any injuries anywhere? (He said while turning toward his side)
That man:- Yes I'm fine thanks to you guys. I don't know how to repay you. (He said while bowing down to the ground in front of them)
Zen:- It's truly fine. Why are you bowing like that? We are not that high class people. You also don't need to repay us. It was our duty. We just did what a true human should do. (Zen lends his hand to that man.)
That man:- No. Please at least let me introduce you guys to the village head. It would be an honor for us to serve a spiritual warrior and his companions.
Zen, Nora and Lucas look at each other. Then Nod at agreement.
Zen:- Ok. fine, Then we will meet the village head.
That man:- Really? Thank you so much. Let's go.
They picked up their backpacks and followed that man.
Nora:- Umm. Why is there no one on the road even though it's daytime? (She asked this to that man)
That man:- Actually no one gets out of their house if there are no urgent problems. Everyone is so afraid of those monsters. From the moment they appeared they have made our life so tough. (He replied with a frown in his face.)
Lucas:- I see. Then why did you get out?
That man:- Well, Last night my little sister was having a bad stomach ache. It somehow went down. But I was afraid that this ache would start hurting her again. As it was day time, I thought those monsters would not appear. That's why I got out to buy some medicine. But it looks like day time is also not safe anymore. (He said with a sad expression.)
That man:- Oh, look. We are here. That's the village head's house. (He pointed his finger toward a house)
After that he called out the village head and told him everything that had happened.
Village Head:- So, you guys helped him. Are you guys going to stay here for a while?
Zen:- Oh? No. We are just gonna stay here for a night.
Village Head:- Then please stay in my house for tonight. It would be a pleasure to serve you guys.
Nora:- There is no need for it. We didn't do anything heroic. It just happened to be a coincidence.
Village Head:- But still. I insist. Please stay here.
Lucas:- If you are saying that much. Then I think, it's ok.
They went inside his house. After freshening up, they took some rest. Then they went down for dinner as it was night already after their rest.
Village Head:- We couldn't prepare enough food for the short time. Please enjoy the meal even though it's very little.
Lucas:- Yes, we will enjoy it. You prepared a lot. It's like we are having a feast.
Zen:- Yeah. It's a lot.
Nora:- umm. I have a question. I heard it was a lively village, then what happened? What's actually happening here? What were those weird looking creatures? (She asked while eating)
Village Head:- Sigh. It's a sad reality. I still remember clearly those days when our village was a lively and prosperous one. But a few months ago, some people started going missing. We searched for the cause of it. But we couldn't figure it out. Then a few days later they started to attack us publicly. That was the first time we saw those monsters. They were accompanied by some hooded men sometimes. At first, they came at night but they attacked even in daylight. We don't know what those creatures are or what they are called. But they came from Hebassia. I heard 40% of places in Hebaessia (Trobotdom Duchy capital) are invaded by those monsters.
Zen:- What? Hebassia is now invaded by those? (He stopped eating in shock)
Village Head:- Sadly yes.
Lucas:- Then what will we do now? We wanted to go to Hebaessia. (He said with a worried expression)
Village Head:- Don't go! It is so dangerous now.
Nora:- No. We will go. We wish to be Imperial knights, we can't back up in fear of some monsters. And Lucas can use his spiritual power. So we must go. (She said with a confident face.)
Zen:- I agree. If we can't face some monsters, then how will we compete in the competition?
Lucas:- Ok. Then we will go at any cost. And we will eliminate those monsters as much as we can on our way. We can't let them invade like that.
Village Head:- If you guys have made up your mind. I can't stop you. I just wish you good luck. If you can eliminate them, our village will also be free from them. Be safe.
Zen:- Don't worry. We will do as much as we can.
After eating dinner they went to sleep. The next day, they said farewell to the village head and set out for Trobotdom Duchy. They encountered a lot of those monsters on their way. They couldn't kill them but they injured those monsters. They were too powerful to kill. After 5 days, They arrived at the capital city of Trobotdom Duchy. The news of a spiritual warrior arriving in the Duchy spread like a wildfire. The news quickly reached the duke's ear. He invited them to the castle.
To Be Continued
**Khadiza Jahan**