Chapter 6

...Chapter 6...

By the time the city fair came into view, it was almost dusk. As the sun dove into the bay of shadows, the city fair turned into a tapestry of colourful fireflies under the vast expanse of amber and crimson brush strokes. While the music of happiness and harmony echoed through, the streets bustled with gossips and giggles of joy.

But amidst the warm atmosphere I noticed something amiss.

“Hmm? That.”

“What’s the matter Cynth?”

“Huh? Do you see those ruins over there?”

“Yeah, they look pretty ancient. But what’s there to look at? Is something wrong?”

“It may have been normal if those were just year old ruins but what if I tell you that they weren’t here the last time I visited the city fair?”

Lily was dumbstruck in the face.

“What? How can that be? They look more than hundreds of years old! “

By the looks of her I think she became aware of the tense situation we got ourselves into.

Elis also sensed something was wrong from the changing mood while Elex was the only one still oblivious.

“Sis? Why did we stop? Let’s go fast so we reach their on time. Sis? Sis?”

“Wait a second you dummy! Can’t you see eldest sis and sister Lily are discussing something really important right now. You should wait.” Elis tried to stop Elex.

“Humph! Who are you calling a dummy? I am not.”

“It’s ok. Don’t argue with each other. Now, what are we going to do Cynth? Should we report it to his grace?”

“Yes. I will when we return tonight and I also think we should ask and warn the people living nearby about it so no one gets into danger.”

“Hmm…”

“Elis, when we go over, please look after Elex while Lily and I investigate a little.” She nodded.

I turned my gaze to Lily and she replied with a nod. We began to strode towards the decapitated place but only after a whisper slipped my tongue.

“Illusioa” The magic word for illusions.

...***

...

‘Clop-Clop-Clop’

There were some Caravans not too far away from those ruins. These people are probably here for the night market. The city night fair of Enchandel is renowned for it's beauty and cheerful atmosphere in the hearts of people even outside the empire.

Some kids were playing in front so we decided to ask them about it.

‘Clip-Clop-Clop’

“Hey kids, come here. I have something to ask you”, asked Lily.

“Huh?” They stopped playing and looked at us with confusion and distrust.

“Don’t worry. We only want to ask you about something, nothing else”, Lily tried to assure them.

“What do you want to know?”

We both got off our horses while Elis and Elex remained mounted. The kids came near and surrounded us, Lily tried to calm them. Unlike me she is good at this stuff.

“Calm down kids. Do you know something about th__”

“Who are you people?”

A voice interrupted followed by a slim figure coming out from one of the tents, it was a lady followed by a man. They must have heard the commotion we caused. Both of them were dressed as nomads. The lady was looking tired probably from the work while the man was well built with a broad frame holding an axe and a dead wild boar. He must be going to the city night fair to sell it.

“What do you want?” She asked again.

“Long live Enchandel with blessings of the goddess.

Hello. We are here just to collect some information on those ruins over there. Do you know something about it?” questioned Lily.

“Long live Enchandel with the blessings of the goddess! Are you talking about those ruins?” asked the man.

“Yes.”

“We can tell you but who are you first?”

His eyes scanned us four up and down. He seemed suspicious of us. Though we're disguised, accompanied by my spell he shouldn't find anything wrong.

“We are informants sent by the duke to report to him any unusual and suspicious activity going around. His grace really cares about his people.” I tried to reassure them.

Both of their faces lit up

“Ah! So his grace sent you. Oh, thank the goddess. What do you want to know, we’ll tell

you”, said the lady in excitement.

“She is my wife. Don’t mind her rude behaviour. You may not know this but rumours about the tension in the royal palace have been floating around almost everywhere so she was relieved to hear that you weren’t from the capital.”

What does the capital have to do with here?

“Capital? Rumours? Can you please be elaborate kind sir”, asked Lily.

The man looked at us then to his wife. He signalled her to take the children away. She grabbed two children by arm and others followed behind. Lily and I both exchanged glances.

The man lowered his voice and gestured to keep discreet. “You know about how the whole of Astor royal family was wiped clean due to the unfortunate ‘incident’ many years ago? And about how there was only one descendant left to inherit the crown? Well apparently there are words going around that it’s a fake. So the Aristocratic faction is being quite blatantly bold. Some of the nobles are trying to rise in power against the imperial court so it’s really messy there in the capital. We thought that you were sent from the capital which will only attract attention to this peaceful place and the nearby residents might even get harmed.”

“ Huh? Is that so? But how do you know all this?”

He scoffed, “Everyone in the empire know this because the power game is getting pretty intense and obvious.”

“Thank you so much kind sir but will you tell us about how those things appeared here and when? The ruins.” I asked.

“Ah! Those! They just appeared overnight a few days ago, about half a week before. As for how? We have no idea. I just know that strange sounds come from in there every night, like somebody is calling out to someone. Due to this we don’t allow children to go near it afraid that they’ll get hurt.”

“Thank you for your cooperatio___.”

“Aaaahhhh!!”

Help!!!

Somebody please help!!”

It’s that lady’s voice.

“It seems to be coming from that direction. Let’s go!” I led the way and rushed towards the voice. We soon got there, but something was not right.

“What happened!? Why did you shout?” asked the man to his wife.

“—isn’t here. Sob-sob” she was wailing and looked quite frightened.

“What isn’t here?”

Then it hit me, sudden realisation. A child was missing. A tanned boy around 7-8 years old. The one whom Lily asked questions.

She said pointing to a particular direction,

“Son! Our son! H-He_ Sob!! He went towards that damned place when I wasn’t paying attention and suddenly vanished.”

“What? How did it happen?”

The kids said in a low voice “We were all playing when a monkey showed up out of the blue. It snatched the ball and went in that way. We all said to just leave it be but....he insisted on retrieving it.”

“He said it was his birthday gift so he had to get it back.”

“He went to look for that ball saying that there’s nothing dangerous. It must be some animal making those weird noise.”

The man went silent. He looked sorrowful and worried as well.

Lily also looked troubled. She glanced at the man. He was gritting his teeth and clenching his fists. Suddenly he said, “I’ll go and look for him.”

“NO! You can’t!” Lily interrupted.

We all turned towards her. No-Lily! No!

This can't be what I think it is.

No.

She wouldn't.

She probably wouldn't.

“But why? He’s my son! I need to save him__”

“I’ll save him.”

“Huh?” Everyone gasped.

Uh-Oh! This girl! I knew it, but I still hoped to be wrong. Atleast once.

My gaze shifted to her.

As expected, she too anticipated this and met my eyes.

I short her a warning ,‘Don't Lily! Don't you dare!'

She raised her brows as if asking me— ‘You dared two years ago. Why can't I?’

What? She's still holding a grudge about it. Looking at her one really couldn't tell.

It really slipped my mind that Lily can have deep grudges while still wearing a sweet and unconcerned smile.

“I’ll save him and bring him back. I promise.”

She smirked at my helplessness.

Hah—Lily...

I can’t let any of them go when I know just how dangerous it can be. I have some experience in handling unexpected situations from my last trip but they may not. I can still get out unscathed but I doubt they can?

“I'll go. Both of you won't move an inch from here.”I held Lily's arm. Her face changed colour as fast as her smirk.

“Cy__ Rose! No!”

“It’s alright.” I tried to 'console' Lily. Her face showed split second worry but soon turned to condemn.

She mouthed— ‘You can't stop me.’

Oh dear, you're still new to this game.

I placed my hand on her shoulder while the other squeezed her fingers.

I grinned and mouthed ,‘I can.’

Then I whispered a word of power, a simple yet effective one— ,“Bez hnutí”, and pressed her shoulder and fingers. Word to still someone.

She glared at me, her eyes dripping with worry, condemnation, and hate. She played her lips again, ‘I hate you, but just not enough.’

Although a simple and easy spell but it's really annoying. She won't be able to move for around an hour, that is if she tries to put in some effort at breaking it.

“But sis__”

Other's didn't notice a thing.

“Alright-Alright! We don’t have time for further discussion. I’ll go. It’s decided. Now you both be good and stay with sister.” I turned to face the couple. “Sir I’ll bring him back safe and sound and also mam, please stop crying and lookout for other children.”

They were both shocked and grateful. I mounted the horse and grabbed the reigns. I took a last glance at their faces. Everyone's were the same as I anticipated except Lily.

I thought she might still be grumpy about my trick just now but it was different— she looked as if someone had wronged her terribly. Her eyes became red as well as her nose and I'm worried if I had provoked her anymore then she would really burst into tears. Just as I was about to turn she opened her lips again ,'Just don't disappear.'

I nodded.

With a gentle nudge I dashed towards the nothingness without listening to any other word.

...***

...

‘Clop-Clop-Clop’

“Wha_?” just as I was only a few metres away from those ruins suddenly everything in sight disappeared, to be more accurate it got covered with this mist. Golden mist.

I jumped down and went a little closer to take a look.

I’ve never seen anything like this before. It seems this place isn’t as simple as just some old ruins. It could be something more, may even be something dangerous. Lets get out of here once I find that boy.

When I finally reached quite a distance inside the dilapidated surroundings__

‘Whoosh’

What was that? Something or someone suddenly passed by behind me.

'Swish'

Again!?

What’s going on here?

‘HEHE’

Huh? I just heard someone’s laughter.

‘Yo——on’t —e to!’

What was that? I couldn’t hear it properly.

‘RUSTLE’

Huh ?

Who’s there? Let me go check. I went into that direction from where the voice came but just then I heard more.

“HEHEHE. You think this petty trick could stop me?’ The voice was heavy and domineering but also full of maliciousness.”

Then suddenly something flashed from that side and the mist started to disperse. Two figures emerged from the settling fog.

They stood not too far away from me facing each other. Even though they were metres apart but there glares filled the unmeasured space between them. One seemed like a monk probably in his nineties with a face full of wrinkles and a mole between his eye brows. His eyes had the look like they witnessed centuries pass while he stood there as if guarding that pedestal behind him was his sole purpose of existence.

While the other was middle aged man. His gaze was cold and distant like that of a predator. His iris was the colour of snow and a cold yet dangerous aura surrounded him. On top of his head was a crown made of ice which glittered occasionally along the ice crystals sticking on his beard. He wore an unsettling grin and an expression of pure mockery probably enacted to his opponent.

I hid behind a broken stone pillar as soon. Although I was quite a distance from them but there voices echoed through the walls making every word mirror clear to ears.

“BWAHAHAHA!”

The middle aged man laughed maniacally and said “ah. Don’t make me laugh, come on old man. You won’t be able to hold on even if you wanted to. You know it.”

“It doesn’t matter. I will not let you succeed even if I had too put everything of mine on line. You know it too. So it would be better to return back where you hail from”, determination shot from his eyes while the abbot said those.

“Daring you are to say this right in front of me, I must say. You won’t regret it I hope. Then be prepared to face the consequences of your audacious words.”

The man let out a creepy chuckle and maliciousness around him grew more. He raised his hand and spread out his palm.

Some ice crystals appeared out of thin air and, he shot them at the old man.

Oh no. Though I don’t know what is happening, but he’ll get hurt really badly if those hit him.

They went so fast that I didn’t even have time to collect my thoughts. Suddenly something flashed again but unlike last time it was different.

How?

I don’t know for sure but it felt warm. It is similar to the holy magic but much pure.

Much powerful. Much closer to the essence.

‘Ancient magic’

Yeah. Although I don’t know much about it and didn’t experience it as much but somehow I know it is ancient magic.

The flash formed a barrier and protected him but the crystals repelled in all directions and destroyed everything in its way.

A pillar near me shattered to bits.

Ugh. Such destructive powers. Where is that naughty kid? Once I get him I should leave this place without a second thought.

After another flash I saw the middle aged man gripped in grooves.

“Hah! You think this can hold me down.”

He closed his eyes and just then all the vines turned to ice crystals and shattered to dust.

Then a few more shots went through from both sides and I had no choice but to dodge or hide. I tried looking for a way to get away but all of a sudden__

‘Slam! Tap–tap’

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