As Eugene and Gustavo prepared to resume their escape, a different conversation was taking place within the castle of Tahan's king.
"Look, I don't care what your master says. He had already cashed in his favor when he asked me to place a wanted order for the boy. That was already pushing limits. I had relations with his father, and I have just ruined everything." A figure that was seated on a large and luxurious couch said, waving his hand and shaking his head. Standing a few meters away from him was a person dressed in dirty brown robes with a hood over his head
"Very well, I shall relay this response to my master." The robed figure nodded and bowed before vanishing in a plume of dust.
The figure on the couch sighed and stood up. He turned around to look at the expansive city that was visible from the floor to ceiling window behind him. This man was the King of the desert Kingdom of Tahan, Hazzan Tahan. With his jet black hair and a paid of sharp eyes on his face, he always looked like a born fighter, and he was indeed.
Hazzan was a seventh circle mage, it was a height he had reached only recently, so he was not particularly outstanding among the mages that had reached his vaunted height. But even still, every seventh circle mage was a gem on their own. Getting to that level showed that they not only had the talent, but also the skill.
What people did not know, however, was that Hazzan did not reach this point on his own. He had relied on some external help, which had come from none other than the leader of the Sand Shamans of the Sand Sea!
In order to acquire the what he needed to advance to the seventh circle, he had made a deal with the Sand Shamans, where he would owe them a favor in the future. However, there would be limits to this favor.
Hazzan sighed as he looked out the window. He did not regret what he did one bit. He just felt it was a bit sad that the Sandwall name would die out like this. If only Gabriel had been less greedy and chose not to cross the Sand Shamans.
"Oh well." He shrugged and turned just as a firm knock came from the door to the private study he was in. "Come in."
"Your Highness!" A guard came into the study and went down on a knee. "We have located the boy and are now in hot pursuit through the city! He is with one man, who has been identified as Gustavo, the Head Guard of Gabriel Sandwall!" The man reported with a firm tone.
"I see. Well, chase him out of the city, no further. That is the least I could do for him. Best of luck, young Eugene." Hazzan said with a passive expression, the last part barely a whisper under his breath.
"As you wish!" The guard stood up and rushed out of the study, closing the door behind him.
.
.
"They are gaining on us!" Gustavo called from the back of the automobile. He already had his sword ready and was planning on fighting back if anyone came too close.
Vroom!
The magical engines of the single seater hoverbikes that the city guards used to chase them revved violently as they increased their speed. Seven hoverbikes chased after the automobile, and they were gaining speed quickly. The technology that the hoverbikes worked on was more advanced and recent than what the automobile ran on. This difference in technology was what allowed compact and smaller vehicles to easily keep up and even close the distance with a larger and more robust automobile.
Gustavo's expression grew dimmer when he saw that the hoverbikes were beginning to speed up. He glanced back at Eugene with a sigh. They were already nearing the city gates, but he was sure that the place would be securely blocked. They would need brute force to break through.
As Gustavo was deliberating their choices of escape, Eugene was also going through his own inner battle. He knew that Gustavo was already thinking of throwing himself at the soldiers chasing them to buy time for him.
Right now, he was trying to rouse the attention of the mysterious Demon that was within him. He did not know if he would get help, but that was his best bet right now.
However, as the time ticked by with no response, he grew frustrated. Why did the Demon ignore him now? He could die! Wasn't it interested in him for some reason?!
Gradually, the walls of the city came into view, along with the large city gates that had been closed up and barricaded. A large number of soldiers were gathered there, ready to stop Eugene from escaping. At this time, the soldier that had gone to the King's Palace had yet to return with the orders to just chase Eugene out of the city, so no one knew that they should have at least given him a chance to escape.
As they approached, Gustavo made up his mind.
"Eugene, I want you to know... I've always seen you as something of a son of my own. Remember me when you get out there, and remember, revenge isn't always everything." Gustavo said to Eugene in a heavy tone. He sucked up a deep breath, and before Eugene could even think up a reply, he flung himself out of the automobile and into the approaching group of hoverbikes.
Midair, Gustavo unsheathed his sword and his blood boiled within his veins. Qi rushed through the damaged qi channels, ripping them apart even more, as he pushed everything he had. This would surely ruin him, and if he survived, then the chances of him ever being able to fight again were slim to none. He would most likely be crippled all his life.
That was IF he survived.