After that unexpected encounter with the undead, these two sat when the chance to recuperate had arisen. Many secrets were uncovered but the most curious one wasn't young Luke but his mystery seatmate. Though the way he converses with him is rather informal Luke couldn't care less to remember his name
'So that fire is something like a Grave Keeper technique? I kind of guessed how these guys battle against the undead now. So it seems quite mysterious how they could make something like that,'
'But I kind of get its principles, their technique is grounded. Which means I don't need any secret training… how do I know this? Well, Royce once gave me a novel called 'Part-time exorcist' and he told me to read it carefully. It must have belonged to someone he knows but the context is these techniques rely on theories,'
"If you know the theory then you know how to formulate the technique?" Luke takes a deep breath and closes his eyes whilst he focuses on his thoughts
'What is fire? A natural phenomenon of a spark from the friction of two combustible materials where it creates a flare. Its temperature is hot… depending on its color lies the heat it exudes. But now here's the hardest part: the human body isn't combustible. So like the book says it needs a medium, so the substitute is Order, focus it in my palms?'
He remains focused on the thought whilst he pours an enormous ounce of Order through his palms. The resulting outcome came in such a frightening way. Or so he thought. The amount of Order he focuses on remains the same and he sighs in disbelief
"I knew it wouldn't be that easy… but I hope I might as well just create even a little small flicker. Guess talent might be one of those underlying factors,"
Although nothing occurred young Grimes did manage to apply every detail to making a fiery flame. But the reason for his failure was due to the seal intact within the vicinity of this misty space. The amount of Order he exudes is rather frightening and so the seal negates his attempts
"What took you so long?" He was then greeted by his seatmate's crankiness after he returned from afar
"What's it to ya? Do you think I live in the forest? Ask anyone from the village and they'll say the same thing. Who in the hell would like to take a dump in the forest," Luke irritatingly replies, and his seatmate whoever he is leaves after taking the shovel along with some tissue
'For some reason why do I feel like I've seen him before– Oh shit! Now I remember who he is… William Blaize. The bastard son of Richter Crux, also known as the head of Crux winery. Ryan's father… I think I saw him from time to time in Ryan's house. Never saw those two talk so that leaves him collecting the money his father owed by giving birth to him,'
"Blaize… that sounds familiar. Have I ever dunked you on the toilet– Hey what gives!? That almost hit me!!"
He manages to escape by a hair when a ball of flame suddenly fires from the area where William lies. "So you did forget? You have a lot of nerve… I would've burned you right here and now if only the situation
Is within my control. I can't manage this scenario alone, even if im master Alphen's apprentice im not yet strong,"
'Apprentice? Control? Alphen? Everything he says is more or less connected to the organization. But seeing as he doesn't act skeptical or does anything suspicious. I guess that he thought I'd just awakened considering I survived that whole ordeal with the undead,'
Luke quickly shifts from his tone to the air around him and replies according to the situation at present. "Seeing as this whole thing was just recent, the Organization hasn't made its move. What you're not gonna shake it? I've been sent here after I found out that I was a Keeper, the organization wants me to prove myself,"
William's POV
Luke remains his hands steadily awaiting to be shaken and at that moment William's curiosity is relieved
'The organization sent him…? We are lacking in numbers, but even if the Elders aren't the ones managing this region it's strange. But then again we're talking about this vile piece of human garbage. I could see his potential right from that fight although he hasn't learned any techniques he's rather good. I was commissioned with an exam before I became admitted but to think they'll go so far as to make this guy walk through hell,'
William's overall perspective of Luke was beyond positive but measuring his talent was way beyond his reach. To the Organization he's nothing more than a foot soldier who's chosen by the former Guardian as his successor. Although he was open to the cruelty of the world even he wouldn't know that the allies he trusted only saw him as a tool
"Let's forget about the past. I'll call you Luke since you might become my ally after this… just call me Will. If you need anything just ask," He shakes his hands whilst donning a smile to hide his truest intent
'Right… you're gonna be my junior the moment you've been approved. Although I have long forgotten about revenge I can impose any orders upon those lower of my rank. I'll make sure I get my fill,'
Luke's POV
'Just hold it in Luke… slow steps will win the race. I'm so good at acting I might try auditioning if this whole Keeper thing didn't work. Carefully handle my teammate huh? Royce you lousy ass teacher. I don't know what you're trying to tell me… however, I might choose the most beneficial option at hand. You better keep me in check Will, who knows I might as well stab you when you least suspect it. As long as we're here I can keep myself from killing you so be at ease but don't you ever trust me prick,'
Although their faces were full of smiles, the air around them was something they'd failed to hide. The ominous air and the upbeat tone of their chuckle within a fog where they could easily meet an undead. Different they were these two teens were brewing something dreadful and yet they came to a conclusion to cooperate
East side of the forest
"Mr. Royce, do you see anything?" One of the teachers called after Alex climbed on top of the tree in the guise of searching for his students
"Hold on… I think I'm seeing something,"
'As if I could see anything in this fog. The thickness itself doesn't burden me much but it's rather taxing to search for the students… Even though I've been driving off the undead just by my immense amount of Order, it's rather odd. How long has it been since I encountered any mishaps?'
He takes a deep breath and sighs. "Luke, you better keep living… it'll be a waste if you die. Come to think of it, the effects of the sealing technique are closing in on him. The lack of undead must mean that they're being enticed by the large amount of Order which has no form of hostility,"
"Guroooooaaaghh!!!" From afar he hears a loud intimidating howl that is far too deep to be a wolf and the volume is different from a cougar
"Was that a bear?" Alexander was concerned with Luke's life however he couldn't risk leaving the people in his stead
"Damn it… if I let them die it'll be troublesome if their deaths were to be related to me. If that happens it'll be harder for me to traverse from one place to another. Grimes you better survive!"
In the far east of the fog lies a cave unlike no other in it where bones and there reside a ghastly beasts of fright. A rotting corpse of a bear was present, its body grew in perfection and its head flickered with whitish flames. The skull was visibly seen, its eyes glowing blood red, and the dreadful air grew even restless as it munched
"Graaaaah!!!" The bear loudly growls upon seeing that not a single source of sustenance remains
"Oh dear… it seems that you've run out of food. Go then, I'll permit you to leave. I think it's about time for those Keepers to see my wonderful creation. You better prepared for this beast isn't any other that you monkeys have ever faced," As the bear left its cave the fire exuding from its body burned the towering piles till not an ash remains
Each stomp it took was comparable to a quake, the black smoke permeated his body's reach enhancing the undead. The power it displayed truly embodies the term Chaos, where it walks the dead moves right after his march. What it seeks was never to be seen, its mind corrupted, and all that was left was but an empty shell fully succumbed