Chapter 45: Fierce Training

"How-how is Jenny going to get to the Furnace," Howard asked, standing outside as his last minutes started to pass by, watching the stars twinkle in the night sky. "She didn't come through the portal."

"She's around us. If we hold her, she'll get sucked in," Reece patted Howard's back and gently kissed him on the forehead. "You doing okay, sport? Ready to depart." Reece smiled and saw Monica and Jenny talking by a tree before she brushed back Howard's black hair and kissed him one more time. "That-that's for saving Kellen. I'd kiss you on the lips but I might leave a scent."

"Heh, I had no choice. She's my family now," Howard grinned, and pointed at Indell, "Anyways, before we leave. Did you notice something weird about Indell?" Howard felt a strange desire permeating from his eyes every time he looked at Barabin. Seeing him approaching, his stomach turned, causing him to slightly tremble with fear. "I-I feel like he wants something."

"He wants to be immortal probably," Reece rubbed Howards' hair, grabbing his hand and pulling him over to the larger group. "However, he knows he can't. As a girl, trust me when I say he's on our side."

Reece had once wanted to be an actress, but usually kept her dreams hidden deep inside of her. However, after years of acting in various plays, and television shows, she could almost sense from a distance someone's hopes and dreams.

Her first show had actually been a few miles away from Montgomery in another town called Saprun. When she had gotten on the stage, the entire world seemed to follow her every movement, causing a burning desire for her to lead the entire world.

However, when her horns grew slightly out the top of her head, the only play she got to orchestrate was at the West Branch. After 5 years in the Furnace, she took command and let her dreams vanish into the distance like a shooting star in the night sky.

However, watching Howard grow up in front of her eyes, she almost felt happy she'd left the surface behind her. Seeing Monica's eyes glimmer when looking at Howard, for some reason she blushed. Pushing him into her arms as she laughed and spun in the air.

"Monica-Monica's so cool! Have you kissed her yet," Jenny said with a smile, "She's so pretty! Heh, she even told me when you met her you slept in her bed the first night."

"Nothing happened!" Monica stomped her feet on the ground, "I-I said keep that a secret Jenny!"

"I didn't know that," Reece smiled, patting Howard on the back as Indell got closer and closer. A long snake like road appeared over the hills with the mansion in the distance, making it take a ton of time for him to appear in front of them. "Heh, Monica, you better watch out. I think if he saves my life, I might fall for him."

"I-I already let Harley sit on Howard's shoulder," Monica slammed her foot, "Not-not you too! Can't we just got steal a few guys off the street!"

"If you did, they'd turn into zombies instantly," Indell laughed and flipped Howard a small jar. "Anyways, you're leaving in two minutes. Barabin just finished reading a few letters left for him."

"I-I'm… I'm grateful she left those for me," Barabin smiled, seeing Indell's beautiful grandmother in his eyes. "I-I'm so glad she still thought about me! Heh, I want to cry!"

"Please don't. It'll be weird," Harley said, yawning and holding a large box case. "What? Indell got us some clothes. It's better than waiting for Ki Storms."

"Thank you," Monica said, crossing her arms, "You-you're a good man."

"Am I?" Indell shook his head, "I-I think good men have less aspirations then me. Maybe someday, Monica, you can fix that part of me."

Indell crossed his arms, wanting to reach out and go to the Furnace only to see it for a minute. However, if he did, all his time planning for the next few months would disappear. Looking at the large private army guarding his fence, he sighed, hoping that the container he'd given Howard would have a good effect. "Anyways, you must go. Twenty seconds until you reappear in the Furnace."

"I-I think you want to be a good man," Howard said, offering a handshake that immediately got accepted, "However, you're not there yet. Heh, in a few years, you'll be like Barabin!"

"That would be amazing," Indell said, bowing once as a black force appeared behind Howard as he held Monica and Jenny's hand. "However, even seeing this is enough for a young man like me. Great Grandfather, remember, the Yurenklan can make portals. Once you find them, send me a message. They'd be great allies."

"Grandson, when I come back. I hope to see a ring on that finger," Barabin smiled and waved his hand, beginning to disappear into the strange formation from behind. "You-you're a knight in shining armor without a stead."

"I have my ways," Indell laughed, waving his hand, "I'm rich! Don't underestimate me!"

"Don't underestimate yourself!" Howard laughed, disappearing into a force that nearly sucked Indell of the ground. Watching them disappear, Indell could only drop to the floor with tears coming out of his eyes.

'Did-did I make the right decision? Should I really have given him that?' Indell laughed and wiped off his tears. "How perfect! What a perfect demon king! I can't wait to see what future he brings, hahahaha!"

###

Back in the West Branch,

Lera sat in the cavern hitting a ping bong ball back and forth on a stone bench.

She had been left behind, once again, but at least got to spend some time with herself and memorize a few songs. Touching against the floor, Lera jumped and and let out her most pure thoughts, smiling and turning her back to the wall as her wings flapped in the sky.

"I love you Howard!" Lera laughed, flipping in the air onec before seeing five figures appear from the shadows. Instantly realizing she'd said the truth outloud, Lera gulped before zooming towards the exit.

Summoning the wind behind her, a large force propelled her forward and towards the exit.

By the time she reached the oasis, Howard had finally reappeared, scratching his head as he looked at a layer of smoke blocking his vision.

"Did you guys hear something?" Howard laughed, shaking his head. "Anyways, we're finally back! What do you think happened?"

"Your training is probably ready," Barabin said, tapping Howard on the back. "It's also time for me to spend time with the wife! She's going to be so happy I went crazy!" Barabin rushed off, disappearing out the tunnel as Howard scratched his head. Looking at the canister in his pocket, he took it out, spinning open its secret holding cap as Monica grabbed his hand.

"We just got back. Finding out what happened is more important," Monica grabbed the container, "How about I take that to the room. And-and tonight after your training we can open it together!"

Monica smiled and turned to Jenny who seemed to have trouble standing in the new world. Feeling her legs tremble, Jenny clutched Howard's hand tightly, stepping back towards the wall as her fangs flared.

"What-what's happening? Why do I feel so strange? It's like something is getting sucked inside of me?" Jenny felt her nails starting to stretch out of her hands, her teeth beckoning against her lips. "What-what is that? I-I feel something in the air?"

"Come with me," Reece rubbed back Jenny's hair. "You have horns on your head right. Do you feel hot or cold or something else?"

"I-I feel warm. Such a nice warm," Jenny smiled, jumping into Reece's arms. "Hold me! I feel like I can fly!" Jenny flapped her wings happily as the crew disappeared from the tunnel.

Back in the West Branch, a strange building of wood and steel had been built that towered even over the mountain. At the same time, a dark feeling seemed to spread in the air, as dozens of women ran back and forth cursing underneath their breath.

Turning to Kellen, Howard scratched his head, wondering if a war had erupted,

"Heh, the four gaurdians are in the West Branch. This means hell has been unleashed haha! Anyways, Howard, you saved my ass! How about I sing you two a song tonight?"

"Howard, here, is now mine," Reslan walked outside of the strange, massive building and gently tapped the metal frame. "I spent the last twenty-four hours planning. Shall we make you suffer?"