Madhav watched through the cameras. Witnessing Donovan be carried to the nearby infirmary as numerous people surrounded him. Hoping he's fine. Gary, Samuel alongside some other people, including Sultan, had reassured everyone that he's fine. Just exhausted from using too much magic. Madhav must admit, from the short times he watched Donovan kill that creature, he showed levels of magic control and prowess that can only be present within the more experienced mages.
As he stepped out of his room, he found himself in the town's streets. For some reason, the security force room didn't have many connections towards the Arena. So he had to stay in a random inconspicuous room.
He began to stroll through the ruined street. He thought to himself, Samuel and Gary were quite interesting people as well. He had never seen them in action like that ever before. But now he knows what they're capable of. And is glad that they are on his side. A nearby building was demolished. Almost as if someone had crashed through it. Madhav recalled hearing fighting outside, but kept quiet so they didn't know where he was. He did take notice of the odd yet powerful rumbles nearby.
Speaking of rumbling, he spotted the building that was in total shambles. Rubble strewn across the area. But something was odd about the destroyed building. If he can visualize it, all the nearby rubble inside and outside the building would have not been able to complete it and return it to its full glory. It's almost as if some pieces had disappeared entirely.
Just as he walked past that, he turned to the side of his alleyway. His chai and food immediately reached his throat the moment he laid eyes on the body. It was a man. Cladded in black and red clothing. Dried blood had seeped out from his neck as he laid against the wall.
"What the hell-?!" Madhav stumbled backwards, "Oh my god..."
In the midst of his shock, a hand reached out towards him and grabbed his shoulder. Causing him to jump away from the hand, "Ah! Who's there?!"
"Child. It's me..." The familiar and soothing voice quickly calmed Madhav down.
"Headmaster Avshino..."
"Yes...I'm here Madhav." He helped his student stand up from the ground, "What's wrong? What did you..."
Madhav turned away from the alley. Unable to bear the sight of the body. But headmaster Avshino took one quick look and quickly changed his demeanor, "Madhav."
"Yes...?"
"Try your best to forget about this. We'll clean that body up. But right now, return to your friends. I'll have a talk with you and your team later." Headmaster Avshino said, "Is that clear?"
"Yes..."
"Good. Now go."
Madhav kept his eyes away from the body as he ran through the broken and bloodstained street. Yet devoid of bodies. Hoping that he could forget that scene. But it's never leaving him. Anytime he closed his eyes, he saw it. The horrid and broken body of who was once possibly a great man.
Avshino on the other hand was conflicted on what to do. There's no other teachers who are aware of what's actually happening. It's only him, and the soldiers of Hanlerk. But sooner or later, the security force will find out. And he wondered what he and the trio would do.
But as of right now, he must dispose of the body. He walked up to it and held out his hands. This method is unorthodox, but effective. A light green glow emanated from his palms before it shot out towards the body. Shining him in a cone of magic that quickly shut down. Leaving no traces of him but a sizzling black spot where his body was.
"Now I wonder who did this..."
***
It had been a couple of hours after the attack. Donovan rested quietly in a hospital bed. Being watched over with most of his comrades. But the unfortunate part is that Elyssia, Rovanne, Matthew, and Aziroth are present. Leaving them in need to be cautious with their words.
There were numerous other people in the infirmary, but Donovan was given a room of his own for now. They can hear the cries and relief echoing through the hall as many people tended to their family or friends. It's a shame that there were a few deaths among the humans. Maybe if they were more careful, they would have prevented it.
"So. You guys know each other for how long?" Rovanne asked.
"Eh...A couple years." Karasu recalled, "We have known each other since we were young."
Elyssia picked up on that fact of what he said. Taking a mental note of that for later. Rovanne kept on asking more questions, "Ohhh...So you three are joining the S-rank soon? I've never seen you before."
All five of them stared at each other, not sure on what to say. They should have let Donovan talk instead. He's a way better liar compared to them, "Uh...I guess you can say that." Aurora said.
"Great! Now-"
Footsteps marched towards the security force, notable enough for them to turn around and face the approaching person. It was Mister Kiro. The Haelfein teacher, "Hello there. Elyssia, I need you and your team to come with me. The headmaster wants to speak with you. Aziroth as well."
"Alright. Come on then." Elyssia stood up.
"But Gary and Samuel can stay. He wants to talk with them later." Mister Kiro added.
"Copy that."
As soon as they left, Sultan closed the door and quickly sat back down, "So. Let's get back to our mission."
"Do you always stress about this? Take a break for once." Gary said.
"Not while we're actively completing it, Gary. You should know that by now." Sultan said.
"Well yeah. I guess he's right. I mean...I did encounter some of the red hands..." Karasu mentioned his experience.
This caught everyone's attention, especially Samuel, "Wait, you did?!"
"Yeah! They're mostly...well dead now. I disposed of their bodies and all. And did get some good info." They all leaned in towards him as he explained what little the soldiers told him. His plan to kill Donovan. Maestro being their leader. And his goals.
"That ties into my encounter..." Sultan murmured.
"Oh now YOU met a red hand?" Gary whined, "You guys are getting all the actions."
"I really can't believe you just said that after the arena." Sultan palmed his face, but continued onwards. Explaining the balanced tides mantra his enemy spoke. And their perfect world. They're still unsure what it means.
"Atleast we're closer to finding out what the hell they want." Aurora commented.
"And which is?" Another voice entered the conversation as Headmaster Avshino entered the room they were in. Shocking the newcomers. But Gary defused their worries.
"No worries! He's the guy who hired us." Gary reassured them.
"Yes. That's me." Avshino closed the door behind him and took a random chair nearby, "I see that reinforcement had arrived. May I ask your names?"
"Aurora black."
"Karasu Yuga."
"Sultan bin adil al Bilal."
"Headmaster Avshino. Pleasure to meet you." He shook all of their hands, "Now, I will need some answers from you. If you have any."
Sultan was hesitant to tell him, But Samuel decided to do it himself. Going into full detail of all that they know. And possible theories. Leading the headmaster to become even more worried. But he tried his best to cover it up, "I hope you all know that this is something that won't be forgotten right? Soon, the whole world will know what happened here."
"Yeah, we know."
"The problem is that they might start doubting the safety of this school. And that is a problem for me. They will need someone to pin the blame on. And that's me. So we don't have much time before all hell is let loose." The headmaster spoke.
"How much do you think we have left?"
"Probably until June or july. So I'm relying on you to solve this issue. I can't let this school turn into a pile of rubble." The headmaster stood up and walked around the room, "You see, do you ever wonder why this school was built?"
"Oh dear, it's another long talking session..." Gary groaned.
"Back before the years. Around the B.C, Magic was kept hidden from the world. Knowing the human's wild nature, this country was used as a hidden paradise for the wild creatures of the world. Those with magic did their best to come here and hibernate. Away from prying eyes. That's why in history, there were abnormal paintings or depictions of mythical beings being hunted and killed. In fear of meeting the same fate, they fled here.
"Overtime, this place became a haven for the magic sorcerers and mythical creatures. It became a silent rule and statement that the country of Dalsinor is now a blessed country. Here, this very school, Cainlocke, was formed by great mages. One of them being my ancestor. And we kept this place in its original glory. Teaching new and naive mages all over the world how to control their powers.
"Look out the window and gaze upon this country. If you go back in time and see Dalsinor in the same spot you're standing now, you would find no difference at all...And I intend to keep it that way.
Avshino turned around, "So! I...Is Gary sleeping?"
They turned to their friend who was quietly snoring near the edge of Donovan's bed. Seemingly had fallen asleep from Avshino's story. Aurora chuckled at Gary's silliness that she always loved in him.
"The disrespect..." Sultan stood up, ready to wake him up.
"No no! It's fine. Let him have his rest." Avshino reassured him that it was fine.
"Hmph."
"Still, I have to thank you for what you did. Aurora, I'm grateful that you saved all of the students in the arena from certain death. I would have not forgiven myself if I let that happen."
"It's no problem sir."
"And for you and your friends Samuel, It was quite a sight fighting that beast from what I heard. I Wish I could see it myself. I thank you, Gary, and Donovan for your hard work. Heard you were a spectacle."
Samuel turned away, unsure of how to respond to the compliment, "Thank you...headmaster."
"Although for some of you, it would have been nice to double check your works. Finding the corpse of a red hand laying by an alleyway is surely not the correct move to do. Especially since one of my students saw it."
Karasu's face went pale upon hearing that, "Shit...! I forgot about him! Ah damnit!" he slapped his forehead.
"Karasu..." Sultan shook his head.
"So it was you. From the looks of it, you haven't slept for weeks. So I can understand."
"That's the thing, headmaster. Karasu here sleeps on average, eighteen hours a day." Aurora mentioned.
"Oh wow. Alright then. Are you sure it's not a side effect of a blessing or something?"
"It is. Karasu's blessing always makes him go light-headed and sleepy at times." She added.
"That's true...Talking about sleep...I just wanna doze off. Very quickly..." Karasu laid his head against the wall and closed his eyes. Before becoming mostly motionless.
"And there he goes..."
Avshino chuckled at the sight, "Never thought I would rely on some teenagers for this."
"Actually sir, I'm turning eighteen soon. In april." Sultan mentioned.
"Oh really? I always assumed Donovan's the oldest."
"No, he's the youngest actually. Born a few months after Aurora."
Avshino fixed his eyes on the injured Donovan. WHo's sound asleep on the bed as tubes of healing fluid dripped into his bloodstream. Slowly healing him. He had heard and seen how the battle started. With Donovan's arm being cleaved right off his body. And for that to happen to such a young man.
"How old is he?"
"Like fifteen."
"My oh my...And to be such skilled soldiers of Hanlerk at that age."
"Just how it is really..." Sultan said, "Is there a post office nearby? I need to write a letter to my wife."
"Yes, there's...wait for your wife?" Avshino turned to him, "You have a wife-?"
"I do. And two kids. Twin brothers around eight months old." Sultan answered, "Long story on why I'm married. But it was arranged."
"His wife and children are really good people!" Samuel said, "Trust me!"
Avshino chuckled lightly, "I can imagine that. The post office should be near the sixth gate. To the right when exiting the infirmary."
"Thank you Headmaster. I'll take my leave now." Sultan reached out towards the door, "Don't go causing more havoc now you two. Got it?"
"Got it." Samuel, and Aurora said. As Sultan left, the both of them tried their best to haul the hulking Gary off the bed and to the nearby couch. Letting him sleep out all of his exhaustion.
"What did Hanlerk feed him to make Gary this big?" Avshino joked.
"The normal diet. But a shit-ton of protein and everything. He can eat like five rotisserie chickens by himself." Aurora said. Pulling a blanket from her bag and placing it over him, "Seeing how everyone is right now. I'm confident I should rest as well. Even though I should stay awake."
"Why?"
"The red hand y'know? They could be out there." Aurora said.
"Don't worry about that." Avshino waved her off, "I'll manage that. You rest as well Samuel. Trust me. You need it."
As he exited the room. Aurora pulled out a soft sheet from her bag. As she laid it against the ground, it transformed into a small mattress for her to sleep on in the room. She wrapped a blanket over herself before sleeping.
Samuel still stood awake. Unable to fall into the allure of a restful dream. Something is keeping him awake. As he stood up from his chair, he turned to the mirror nearby. Taking a second to observe his reflection.
He donned a white shirt given to him by Sultan. But it was particularly big enough to be comfortable. But small enough to show his physique. He had never done this often. But why not now? He began flexing his arms. Nodding in approval of his body. It's not as strong or well-defined as his other friends. But it's still good.
In the mirror, he realized that he didn't have his blindfold on. That's odd. He's wearing one right now. His reflection slowly showed to him multiple dark red gash appeared from under and above his eyes. And another vertical slit on his forehead reaching in between his eyes.
Blood quickly flowed out from his gashes as the reflection stopped imitating his movement. And stared him down ominously. His blood quickly covered his face and stained his eyes.
"It won't be long." His reflection spoke as he leaned forward into the mirror.
"W-What...?"
"Open your eyes." The gashes under and above his eyes suddenly burst open. Revealing new eyes. With multiple pupils and irises. It reached out from the mirror and grabbed Samuel's face, "Open your eyes."
"Wah-! Let-Go!!" Samuel struggled under his grasp.
"Ignore the worldly distractions. Find your true self. Be who they requested for." The vertical slit in his forehead splits open. Revealing another eye. With four pupils and irises. All staring at him, "Akelqu-Jurga."
"AGH-!" Samuel squirmed in his grasp. Before suddenly dropping down to the ground. His face was relieved of the pressure. The hands had let go of his face. In a panic, he pulled out his sickle, ready to fight. But there was nothing to face. Nothing to attack.
The cold and blackened room filled with his sleeping friends remained unbothered by his experience. He turned to the mirror again. Seeing through the blindfold his normal appearance. Nothing happened. Not physically at least.
It was then the allure of slumber finally grabbed hold of him. Draining his life essence like a leech as he stumbled to the ground and laid against a cabinet, "Maybe I need some sleep..." His eyes flutter shut immediately. Dragging his mind into the depths of his brain as his body immediately fell sound asleep.
However, his reflection stayed. Watching him as he slept. The same bloodied version of him. Next to the reflection. The towering figure cladded in a dark exoskeleton that infused into its body gazed at Gary. And a third, almost ethereal being covered in silver markings stared at Donovan.
None shall see them again for a long time. But eventually, whether the souls of mortals like it or not. They will appear in the physical realm soon. In times of need. They just hope that it won't be in such a horrible time.