28 a SHOCKING SURPRISE

"You've managed quite an impossible favor to ask, young apprentice," laughed Grog cracking his neck as to relieve the stress. "I haven't pushed my spirit to this extent since Kyrin's Campaign."

He has just finished teleporting all of the villagers to the designated point to the North. The four brothers are now all that's left of the huge crowd of villagers from the Cotton Village now known as the Seventh Sentry Fortress. It took them almost half an hour, but they managed to finish their plan earlier than expected.

"I'm sorry master," bowed Reus with a smile. "This is a special circumstance and it won't happen again."

"Right you are apprentice," he smirked. "I'm not supposed to interfere with mortal affairs. I can justify this now but if we are to repeat this again, the other immortals will know of my unlocked potential. We don't want them to know of this just yet."

"Understood, Master."

"So, where shall I send you off to?"

"To the Weaver's Village Sir Grog!" imposed Karus raising his hands almost instantaneously. He wants to see Lime again and being away from her for a month suddenly disturbed him. Not that she wants to see her because he wants to, he's just concerned for her wellbeing, what with her training and whatnot - or that's what he wants himself to believe.

"No, Master," rejected Reus in a hurry giving Karus a wide frown, "There's a military installation just a mile to the Weaver's Village and if my sources are correct, they might have soldiers posted there. I suggest we retire to my village."

"Your Produce Village?!" reacted Yosh, "But they're all vegetarians there! They don't eat meat and I like meat!"

"You're too hard on them they eat meat too..."

"Yeah. Fish," added Kayzar almost in spite. "As if that's real meat..."

"We need to lie low for a while. One problem at a time, right?"

"That is correct young Nagozulians," agreed Grog stepping forward, "What you did tonight is dangerous and reckless. Without my help from all those Sibaras, you all could've died or worse, you could've started another civil war. A Daomagarian killing a Nagozulian Prince, whatever the reason might be, can be considered an act of aggression and will surely lead to war between your two nations. Do not ever attempt to try that again. It's best for you to stay put and rest until things clear up and what better place to go to than the Produce Village."

The three nodded, sad as they did but convinced, nonetheless. With this all five of them disappeared into the night, restoring the forest's tune of a lullaby that they once robbed the diurnal critters from enjoying.

-------ooO0Ooo-------

The morning after gave a frightful buzz in the Nagozul's War Chamber. Tons of stacked paper lay scattered across the twenty feet long round table. Three inches off the center of the table lies a three dimensional floating image of a map of the southern part of Nagozul made from mud, moss, and rocks complete with running rivers and clouds and some occasional critters made with clay walking about in the prairie, when the molder feels the need to be entertained being bored which now is almost every three minutes. This image is being maintained by a pair of Earth Molders, a Water Caster and three Wind Blowers all standing focused on the southern part of the table heading right to the door of the war room.

One can be seen confused looking at the table and the humongous model of the map seeing countless papers on every key landmark. These scattered papers are can be usually assumed as reports comprising of orders, requisitions, and rally points - but this particular morning is specifically reserved for the problem about last night's disaster. It's as if they are under attack which is true since a lot has happened yesterday that looked like a coordinated strike to Nagozul.

Prodea hasn't been able to sleep yet for two days because of these coordinated attacks. In fact, she has been blaming the disappointment to herself after the fact that she didn't, yet again, anticipated this kind of surprise skirmish coming from her secret enemy that stabbed her while she's blinded in her peripheral as she paid her attention for trivial things instead of focusing on him - or her as she hopes. And the mystery is too much that she grew fonder with her mysterious rival making her commend the shadow's great win in this game that she thinks they are both playing.

"Grand Commander," squealed a Young Soldier perspiring in both fatigue and fear for her terrible news, "W-We have lost them..."

"WHAT?!" Prodea roared as he stood up, making the soldier flinch, "You mean to tell me that all those villagers just vanished into thin air?! Search it again!"

"I-I don't want to disagree, Grand Commander, but we did so ten times already. We have created a grid and box them in as planned but it appears as if they are nowhere to be found. Even the Siba..."

"Get out!"

The soldier almost jumped as she scurried outside the door without a second's notice. All of those who are in the room are both baffled and mystified until an old Sibara Master Assassin spoke in his ordinary slow and scratchy tone.

"All those who are in this room are all at least a Major, Yes?"

"Indeed, Master Alein."

"Ah. So, I can speak freely."

"You don't mean..." whispered a young Sibaran master behind him but he silenced him almost instantaneously by a wave of his hand.

He's old but he is fabled to be the fastest Sibara Officer alive, and still is, that's why they fear him. But that's what everyone wants to believe since he's now inactive from missions and no one can tell otherwise. No one wants to make him prove it either since that would mean a duel between Sibaras and a duel with one requires, by tradition, to mercilessly kill the other one in a death match to protect their honor - an unnecessarily troublesome ordeal just to prove a point.

"I believe that he has transported all of them into the veil," he continued. "By that I mean they could be anywhere."

"That may be possible," responded Prodea unconvinced, "but transporting all of them to the veil and back requires a lot of energy. I'm sure there are other reasons behind their disappearance?"

"Yes, and going to the Veil and back would take a toll on his vessel," Added General Jowl who is rather excited at this new theory, "The more he enters in, the harder it is to get out."

"Yes, General but your facts about the Veil is inaccurate," smiled Prodea looking at the Master Assassin as if ordering him to explain.

"She's right. Although you're right about going outside of the veil being harder to do than going in. It's a long topic but to cut it short, it's the time inside that's breaking our mortal vessel that's the problem. The longer he stays there, the harder it is for his vessel to contain his soul thus giving him the problem of getting out. Imagine the thought to be like your soul being ripped from out from your body by a violent imaginary claw. You'll get the point."

"What's this veil thing you're all mentioning?" asked Duke Tabarius to the crowd. This gathered a lot of dismayed frowns.

"We will apprise you on that matter later," answered Prodea. "Please continue, Master Alein."

"Bathala has created our vessels to become an indestructible container of our souls. It requires a lot of energy to siphon our souls out of our containment vessels. It would require the primary life sustaining systems of our body to become destroyed or be nonresponsive for it to prevent it from escaping to the ethereal realm of the dead on which only souls may enter.

"There is a thin line that separates our realm and the realm of the dead. This is called the Veil of Transitus, a realm only souls can enter. Initially, only Yagisivians can enter this realm to talk to the dead and to communicate with Bathala's Heralds. But as you all have known, Grand Master Sibara, our great clan leader, found a way to pierce this marvelous world without the use of temporary separating the vessel and the soul. That is the Shadow Step. In this realm, it is believed, by reading Grand Master Sibara's journals, that there is a huge unknown force that would try and reap the soul out of its vessel. It will do so continuously as you remain there that is why it will be harder for a person to step out than it is to step in. It also means that the longer you stay there, the higher the chances for the unknown energy to steal away your soul to oblivion."

"So, now that we are in the same page," Prodea entered as the commander stopped explaining, "Let's continue to discuss about any other possibilities of escape other than Yiv's Mass Relocation through the veil?"

"Well," General Jowl coughed up getting their attention, "I can think of two more. But it will be as absurd as the moon glowing blood red."

"Not that it's impossible, the moon turning red" commented Prodea smiling which made the General smile too remembering his history, "Please do go on."

"Well we can account for the Rogue Elf who is with Yiv. Old scriptures suggest they can quickly move from one point to another using their natural energies by utilizing Mother Earth. The forest is filled with trees deeply rooted to the Earth. They can use that to travel underground and create a tunnel to escape."

"I commend you for your imagination General Jowl, but merely using an antique Elven Arrow can't really force me to believe that he is indeed a rogue elf. There are far more logical explanations than that and I'm sorry but until we have further proof from the matter, we can't accuse those lizards of trying to start a war against us again. If we give pursue that then we'll have famine in our hands, and I don't like to deal with another problem if that can be avoided."

"Why famine?" asked Duke Tabarius.

Prodea just smiled at him as if giving him the idea not to ask irrelevant questions that interrupts them, but General Jowl obliged to apprise him.

"We have a standing truce from them from the previous war. We're willing to spare and forgive them from their sins against our kingdom and in turn they will give us an annual tribute of one Elven tree and also a continuous supply of rich soil in our agricultural lands. If things break out, we'll be left with unfertilized soil or worse, they could poison our lands turning it to a barren wasteland."

Prodea cleared her throat as if bored signaling the General to continue on point which he did so hastily.

"Yes. Another idea is the utilization and mobilization of the Immortals."

The crowd from the room gasped and silence robbed the tongues of every person in the room until Prodea laughed.

"General Jowl. Are you seriously considering the reports from the Seventh Cotton Fortress?"

"Yes, Your Highness but---"

"What if they are just delusional? Hallucinations caused by fear can be the most rational explanation to what they saw."

"Your Highness, though I believe with all my heart that the mighty Grog and all other immortals would not subject themselves to be recognized in collusion together with these vile elements such as Yiv, the fact is, they have been proven to have been harboring malicious intent to our kingdom as represented by Shihiku."

"Yes," Prodea stood up with eyes filled with concern which gave fright to the officers who are in attendance. "That is probable. The teleportation technique of Grog. Why did I miss that?"

"If that's the case," added Jowl, "then we are doomed, Your Highness. Not that my faith is wavering, but our force's efficiency has been greatly reduced in half from the withdrawal of our Daomagarian relief forces and, with all due respect, with your Global Binding Spell."

"Yes. That," she said with eyes of irritation as she realized that he's subtly pointing at blaming fault, "We must provide ourselves with necessary defenses. It is imperative that we can defend ourselves against these pesky immortals."

"The Immortals? You mean the first beasts of Bathala?" asked the Duke with great fear.

"Yes, Duke Tabarius. Those Immortals."

"What shall we do Your Highness," asked another General standing firm for their orders.

"We cannot lift the Global Binding Spell," she continued in her usual commanding tone looking at Jowl as if hinting that she has been insulted with his statement earlier on, "that would make our position weak. No. We will be using, quite an unorthodox method today."

"Are you implying of the Dark Arts Your Highness?" asked General Jowl in a stern look standing slowly as if opposing to the idea.

"Yes, General, I know what you are implying but drastic measures are needed in dire situations such as these. Wouldn't you agree?"

"But that involves a lot of mortal sacrifice."

"A sacrifice that is well acceptable. I have arranged everything with the Empire of Leonus for this and they are willing to comply."

The Duke nodded as if forced, but still in agreement.

"I'm afraid I must advise Your Highness to take caution in hasty decisions such as these. The protection of any mortal life is the paramount responsibility of the Nagozulian Army."

"Oh, do relax, General Jowl," Prodea scoffed insulted with his words, "I should advise you to do the same. Choose your words carefully General. I wouldn't be so lenient next time."

"I'm sorry Your Highness." The General Bowed to yield but his face revealed a serious and angry look as it is hard for him to mask it.

All of the other Generals have fear for this method for they do not approve of such measures to gain an advantage, but they are unable to contradict her since they are at a dire disadvantage against the Immortals. Yiv mobilizing with the Immortals can mean the end of the Nagozulian Kingdom as they know it. If a war breaks out between them akin to the catastrophic Elven Rebellion, they believe they would not last for a month, they might not even last for a week with their current diminished forces. Desperate measures are indeed needed on these desperate situations.

The military powers of Nagozul have been slowly declining by the decade since the last Elven Rebellion. Their military power has even led to the contractual acquisition of relief forces from Daomagar. All of the Generals have been wondering that this may very well be due to lax measures of Nagozulian Policies since they are so busy with politics and cultural developments that they have been unable to advance in their elemental masteries. It's the Royal Family who's at fault for the lag of military advancement but no one wants to point the first finger. After all, they all, as a nation, benefited from the lasting peace they are experiencing now. Anyone would choose sitting lazily in the afternoon talking about philosophy and other deep thoughts to their colleagues than to actually work all day and talk about war and war-like preparations. Although it has brought them a thousand years of peace, problematic situations, such as what's happening to them right now, makes solutions somewhat impossible to conjure up considering the military powers that they have currently in disposal.

"Generals," she continued, "move out to your positions. Mobilize your troops and orders and reconvene here after ten hours. This meeting is adjourned. You're all dismissed."

After her commands she rushed on sprinting out of the room as fast as her graceful walk can manage, smiling secretly to the accomplishment of her plan. She knows Grog is with them and that just sealed the deal. With the threat of the Immortals in place, she can do anything she wants to without any fear of being contested upon, even if she continued on exploiting the Dark Arts. This way, she can openly admit utilizing it for the benefit of Nagozul and still be called its protector. A win from her she thinks as she thanked her mysterious enemy from making that stupid mistake of including Grog in the equation.

-------ooO0Ooo-------

"WAAAAAAAAAAKE UUUUUUUUP!!!"

"whhuu-? What's happening?" Karus jumped from bed almost dashing unsheathing his katana with one eye on his left lazily clutching the base of the eyelids almost reluctant to obey the troublesome orders of his brain.

"A little jumpy. I like that!" Laughed Yosh as he went to their table to grab an apple to taste. "I give it a seven out of five."

Karus quickly sheathed his sword and shouted as hard as he can. "Stop screaming in my ear to wake me up! This is the last straw! Next time I wouldn't be able to control my temper!"

Kayzar sat up scrunching his eyes getting used to the bright radiance of noon, greatly annoyed too from the fact that he's still not ready to wake up and cash in all hours of sleep he missed from the five days they have been planning the rescue. "Okay, Karus. I'll sanction one beating. I won't hold you back. He clearly deserves this one."

"Hey, hey, hey! Chill!" shouted Yosh as he rushed to the door screaming. "I'm just getting back at you for making me stay at the back to watch Kuya Reus last night! You made me miss all the fun with those smug Si..."

"Those excuses won't save you." He sternly looked with a devilish glow. He feigned standing up to dash and Yosh disappeared instantaneously as if in a blink of an eye.

Karus was the first to come out from Anagea's womb. Being twins he's considered older than Kayzar and although medical studies has proven it is the opposite, Nagozulian culture still practices this belief. The two do not recognize who's older between them but Karus respects Kayzar in a sense that he's some sort of an adviser on decisions like pursuing an enemy or basically anything relatively equal to these sorts of events that Karus wants to act out on impetuously.

Karus reacts impulsively on events appearing before him. He is pessimistic which should make him cautious on things, but he engages his gut whenever it calls up to him rendering him to have numerous unforeseen consequences to deal with after satisfying the urge.

That's when Kayzar steps in. He stops him on his track to make some sense out of him before he does something stupid that would require them both to fix later, before he could drag him to be included in the reprimand too which has been always the case. That's what people do normally with twins. They immediately think that the mistake of one is the mistake of the other.

Kayzar is baffled by this kind of thinking, and it has happened on numerous occasions. Too numerous in fact that it became everyone's habit to blame him for Karus's mistakes. He cannot lecture people about this kind of thinking, especially to those superior to him giving reprimands. Doing so would make him insolent and he wouldn't be surprised if that will result to longer reprimands. What he can do however, is to just stop Karus from doing something that would drag him down with him. This understanding has been yielding some positive results from its first implementation so Karus is now used to asking Kayzar's permission before doing any act, and vice versa.

"K-Z," mumbled Karus in slouch at the bed, still yawning. "Is it the right moment for our assessment?"

Kayzar yawned too being infected by his brother jumping, back in bed but is now awake. "Affirmative, I think the area is secure."

Karus joined him lying in bed too, watching the tiny cracks of their ceiling. "We haven't been discussing the condition of Grandmama. I think that should be quite disturbing."

"What's disturbing? The fact that we're prioritizing on our villages? Or the fact that we don't care about her anymore? Which one?"

"You see... that!"

"Which one?"

Karus smiled as if getting Kayzar's joke. "She's still our Grandmama whether we like her or not. Or at least that's what Mama told us to think."

"Even if they sully Daddy's name? Even if they insult Mama as to her incapability of rearing us or when they told us they are teaching us not to be respectful of our elders, especially to them? Even if they have been insulting Mama's heritage as a Daomagar? Even then?"

"Well, you're right. I think for one thing, they are wrong to think Mama's teaching us to disrespect them. We're only doing this because they are treating us like commoners, a second-class citizen at that."

"Wait, I think slaves comes to mind, yes?"

Karus chuckled in agreement. "To think that we're only respecting them because Mama orders us to clearly is a very indicative point of how disturbing our childhood experience is. I suppose we're going to have some issues in the future when we're adults right?"

"Like having problems with old grannies because of our subliminal responses to what we've experienced as a kid?"

"Yep."

"Nah, we're too smart for that."

"But what are we going to do about it?"

"Well, it's not like you want to plan to visit..." he sat up straight with squinted eyes looking at Karus's serious and smiling face, "Oh no, we won't!"

Karus sat straight up and calmed him down. "No, no, shh. If you don't want to go, we won't go. Jeez! I'm only suggesting..."

"There is a standing order for our detainment, and you want to go to the Palace to visit Grandmama who, based on our spies, is indisposed in some sort of Sleep of Death? You want to go there? We don't even know if she's really sick. For all we know it's some sort of ruse to get us there. You know how dramatic all of them are."

"C'mon K-Z! Do you really think they will go out of their way, raid some villages, torture some people, create fortresses, just to get us back to the Palace?"

"Hey, they have deployed all of Nagozul's military when Gantee went missing remember? I noticed none was spent when Yosh went gallivanting in the Maze, but when Gantee went missing, they deployed all of the soldiers for his immediate rescue even hiring some Daomagarian First Class Strike Teams to track his snoozing lazy ass in the lower catacombs. That kid is into some freaky things. I still can't figure out why he's down there in the first place."

"But this is different K-Z. I think Grandmama has really been attacked. I don't know who, but it looks a lot more like Yiv."

"Ate-Liv won't hurt her. As much as she wants to, she can't and she wouldn't."

"Well, can you account for her alibi?"

"What!?" Kayzar stood up almost irritated. "What the Yit'ard's the matter with you? You are accusing our sister a serious offense. That's treason, for goodness sake. And if you can't recall, that accusation is not to be treated so lightly."

"Hey, calm down! I never said that's final." He whispered trying to lower their heated argument. "But who else can do that there? Nobody in Nagozul can practically do that to the Queen. Surely the economy is practically stable. It's not going up but it's not going down either. People are content and there are no reports indicating otherwise. No one in Nagozul will harm her and she's providing enough reasons for them not to. Remember the monthly festivities that we have been experiencing for years now? That has been keeping all of our citizen's attention occupied. Everyone's happy so far. So that means it's an outside hit."

"So, you deduce what?"

"Daomagarian, maybe. Sibaras are a good start. And Yiv is at the top of the list."

"Well, you're right about one thing. Sibaras. Notice any changes lately?"

Karus' eyes bulged realizing what he's pointing at. "No. That can't be."

"It can't be a coincidence either."

"So, what Juni is saying then...?"

"Yes, first the foreigners, then the Queen, then the rapid deployment of Sibaras. You can piece it off together. That can't be Yiv. Besides, if Yiv targeted the Queen, then what would she gain."

"Nothing."

"Exactly. And who's gaining everything?"

"A-Aunt Prodea..."

"Precisely. And who's currently Grand Commander?"

"She is..."

-------ooO0Ooo-------

"Your highness!" yelled Zeba running towards Prodea before she enters her sacred chambers. It took a couple of seconds before she reached her which gave Prodea quite an irritation since she doesn't like wasting her time, even by mere seconds. This is actually an unreasonable response but seeing as Prodea has accumulated much hatred on Zeba from what she identifies as her annoying personality, this can be anticipated and be regarded as ordinary.

"Yes, Zeba. Waste my time further. And better yet, let's have tea together if you're up for it."

"Really? I was just thinking of that custard cake..."

"Zeba!"

"Oh yes. All of the materials have been secretly prepared at the antechamber just outside where your ritual is going to take place at the lower catacombs."

"Ah, so a status report. Such a redundant thing. I told you to set it up right before midnight, am I right? So why are you telling me that you have already accomplished what I told you to do in the first place?"

Zeba's eyebrows sloped confused. "To inform you that I have already managed to finish it before lunch?"

"Ah yes. But do I need to know that? Hm? Before lunch, after lunch, when I tell you to do something before a specified date, I expect you to do that perfectly. You need not inform me of such trivial matters we're not in the military. I do not have time to attend to every small detail you want to boast about. Next thing you know, you'll have your way of informing me about what goes on about your day. Heaven forbids."

"But I thought you're now the Grand..."

"Yes, you thought. Don't think too much Zeba. You'll only hurt yourself."

Zeba frowned a little and bowed. "Of course, sorry Your Highness."

"Well, since you're here and oh-so-quick at doing your chores, and since I don't want to waste any more time, I want you to relay the reminder to the Duke. Remind him to meet with me at midnight at the catacombs. Escort the slaves, five at a time, to our secret chamber in a twenty-minute interval. Bring one of his Selected General for our experimentation. I'll be there an hour after midnight. I trust you can do that without disturbing me, right Zeba?"

"Uh... Do you mean their Knights, Your Highness?" he proudly pointed out.

"Don't get smart with me, Zeba. I know the difference in our military designations. When I say General, I meant their highest-ranking military officer, and that is their Knight."

"Oh, sorry your highness."

"Is there any other thing you want to lecture me about since you're in a roll for successfully infuriating me?"

"No, your highness. I'm sorry."

"Good. Be sure no one bothers me till then."

"Yes, Your Highness."

And with that note, Prodea stepped inside and shut the door on her way in leaving Zeba to walk away grumbling in dismay.

-------ooO0Ooo-------

"Whoaaa!"

Yosh dashed on through almost ramming into Reus which he parried right away. Reus is at the edge of the Village away from prying eyes holding Piks in his arms.

"Sorry Kuya-Reus. No time. Got to hurry."

"Just be careful. Dashing that fast can seriously injure a Nagozulian upon impact. And all of the people in this village are Nagozulian."

Yosh was about to run away to escape Reus's reprimands when he noticed Piks squawking.

"Wait a second. What are you doing?"

"What? This? I'm sending my report to the north. That's what Generals do: send reports to the Grand General."

"YOU WHAT!?"

"Yes, I'm updating Mama and Daddy of our stay here. I'm telling them we are fi..."

Before Reus even finishes his sentence, Yosh clicked his tongue in dismay and dashed on forward disappearing to the Forest. Reus shrugged and let Piks fly out to send his communiqué to the north. This is when he saw two familiar faces hiding in the bushes.

Reus raised his hands and waved. "Yo!"

-------ooO0Ooo-------

"Hurry Argentis," whispered Auric in his silvery liquid-metal figure protruding to a tree, hiding in the shadows.

"Yes brother," Argentis replied finally catching up forming on the ground kneeling, keeping herself hidden in the bushes, "D'ya think I'm doing it on purpose? I don't want to lose my good hand you moron!"

"Ei shush, 'Der's Yosh 'an Reus. Keep quiet."

"Told you they'll be here. This is their hideout. Always has been. Reus can't keep his mouth shut telling tales about this place."

"An I'll stuff yer mout' wid mah blade if ya don't shut 'yers."

"Yeah, Yeah. Let's run around back. We need to find Kayzar. They don't concern us."

"Okay, Okay. But slowly, it's daylight 'an yer Communion aint 'dat great."

"Hey! You're one to talk, you haven't even completed yours yourself. You're shining silver still. That's not Shadow-like."

"At least I'm not glowin' like gold 'ye lumpy..."

"Lumpy?! You're calling me fat!? Say that again! I dare you..."

"Shh... Yosh is goin' away."

"You're lucky we're on a mission, you big tongue-less brute!"

"Ei is Reus wavin' at us?"

"What?! We've been compromised... But I thought?"

Kudos's eyes immediately turned red with a murderous look. "Argentis, quickly. 'Da mem'ry poshun. We must neu'chalize 'im before he reveals our posishun."

"Understood."

Auric sprung out of the tree and dashed on to Reus's position. Argentis followed him behind unsheathing a blade from her boots lacing it with a generous amount of the violet colored memory potion in a vial. Their movements can never be compared to any Daomagarian warrior Reus has ever seen. Shockingly Marvelous is the word that can describe their two-man strike team as Auric pulled Reus into a lock suspending him about an inch or two above the ground while Argentis pushed her dagger to Reus's sides enough to injure him for the potion to circulate into his bloodstream but not enough to kill him. All it took was a mere two seconds. A thirty feet long strike to the target in just under two seconds with maximum efficiency and precision can make any mortal to revere them and put them in a pedestal of great warriors. But all this effort is for naught. A shame really, if only the target is not Reus.

"Is that supposed to tickle me?" Reus beamed his wide smile at the now perspiring and confused Madj putting all her energy, all her Daomagarian strength, to at least scratch Reus's side with her little sharp dagger.

"What are 'ya doin'?" Whispered Kudos as if mad at Madj.

"Yes, more importantly, what are you both doing?" asked Reus now wearing his smile off. "I really don't have any time playing like this. Does this mean I'm dead or something? Can I get off now?"

"Uh... Yeah... that's right? Gotcha!" Yelped Madj pulling back her dagger behind her. She brushed Reus's uniform as if fixing it and tapping Kudos as if signaling. Kudos understood this right away and freed him from his tight lock. "Now that you're done, we're on to Karus, Kayzar and Yosh."

"Yes! Sorry 'bout 'dat." Kudos smiled wide apologetic. "D'ya know where we can find 'd o'der rascals?"

"Your extreme 'Hide and Seek' games are weird," smiled Reus. "Why can't you play a decent simple Hide and Seek? I'm not sure I approve of that kind of game play, but no matter. I'm sure Karus, Kayzar, and Yosh seems to enjoy that kind of hide and seek, those rough-housing monkeys. Just be sure to stack up with a lot of White Angel Potions while you're playing that. Your blade seems to be dangerously sharp and I don't want any accidents happening here."

"Yes, Sir! General Reus Sir!" they both replied in attention as if in ridicule.

"Oh, please! You don't have to make fun of my promotion..."

They both laughed uncontrollably getting Reus kind of dismayed.

"Yeah, yeah make fun of the working guy. Your unemployment days are nearly over, I have already asked Master Narra to enlist you to the Nagozulian Army."

"What!?" shouted Madj. "That's unfair! We're cooks! We don't know anything about fighting!"

Kudos slaps her laughing. "'Dat's a joke, Madj. Don't get riled up on 'sum joke now. A terrible joke at 'dat. You shud consider practisin' in 'd mirror, Reus."

Reus chuckled a bit seeing Madj reaction to the bad joke he just made. "Don't worry. Just as long as I can still string up someone, I'm still better than my Uncle Sarram."

"Yes, Tenk heavens he's a prince not a jester, 'dat Prince Sarram."

"Hah! Good one." Reus fixed spectacles which has been out of place for quite some time and waved his hand in farewell. "Hope you guys manage to surprise the two, I mean Karus and Kayzar. They are both so uptight now that they can use some smile for a second or two. They're just inside their personal quarters near the village square. It's the red one so you won't miss it."

"Thanks, See you again General."

"Cut that General Joke Madj I'm serious!" he laughed and then he walked away far to the village.

The two waited for some time and began being paranoid. They scanned the area looking for any witnesses and have discussed what happened when they have been satisfied.

"What 'd Yit'ard happened Argentis!? You're supposed to bleed 'im"

"I know..." she pulled her blade and pushed it to the ground. She created a loud smash burying half her arm on her test, striking the ground with her weapon. She stood up with her head tilting in confusion. "I don't feel weak. My strength is at my best I don't know why I can't wound him. It's like he's being protected with a thin layer of a sturdy transparent armor."

"We need to be careful with 'im next time. We can't get lucky next time."

"We should report this to Master. I think this is a great development. This is what Karus and Kayzar is talking about, Reus's new powers."

"Yes, but first we 'shud track Kayzar. We don't wanna get Master mad again."

"Yes, and I don't want to lose my good hand as well."

-------ooO0Ooo-------

"I think this is far enough..." Yosh determined, panting in great intervals catching his breath. "How can he do this to us Luna?! To think he can betray his brothers like that! Hmpf! I'm going to show him! I'll reset his Piks and we'll see who's sorry now!"

Luna just gave a purring meow with eyes as round as the moon. Yosh understood what she wanted to say and yielded right away.

"Alright, alright. Whatever you say. He's following orders and whatever thingies he's doing being General Clumsy Stick! But he should've given us the heads-up. To think we would one day return in our quarters unwittingly stumbling into a Royal Escort to the North. Whew! That would be troublesome indeed.

"Don't get me wrong, I don't hate them, but I don't really want to go to the North now. The North isn't what I expect. I can hardly see Mama and Daddy. And Rika's always with Mama. He's keeping us all there cooped up as if they knew we're going to escape and free all those people in Karus's Village."

Luna gave a series of meow as a reply and Yosh laughed uncontrollably.

"Right you are my friend. If we didn't bump into him, we'll surely be deported and I'm not ready to spend my year locked up in my quarters there, no siree!"

He knelt down and buried a seed on the ground. He pulled his canteen and poured a generous amount of water for the thirsty seed. The earth suddenly livened up with a series of light tremors and then a sprout magically pushed up to the earth blooming into a Violet radiating its shiny purple gradient still with some droplets left clutching on every petal.

"Hmmnn... I could leave but what would they feel about it?"

Luna shrieked a series of aggressive meows remembering what Karus would do to him if he were to be found but Yosh disagrees.

"Wait, wait, wait. I know Kuya-Karus will be avenging his interrupted slumber but think carefully Luna before deciding. I don't want to betray my brothers the same way I don't want them keeping information from me. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, or something like that. I heard some pretty smart guy said that, kind too by the looks of it, it's in a book maybe, I didn't pay attention, the point is, I don't like being kept out of the loop so I have to leave them a message. They would do the same for me too. But Kuya-Reus? Now that's a different story."

He grabbed a pen and a piece of paper from his knapsack and written a note on it. Luna grumbled circling Yosh protesting but to no avail.

"There! Get out as soon as possible. Master Narra or Mama will be coming to lock us to the North. Stay at your own peril! That should do the trick."

As he tried to grab Luna, he sprinted ten feet away and sat there as if mad. Yosh stood up looking angry.

"Come here now! You have to send this to them."

Luna kept persisting. She stood up, ran in circles, and then sat once more. This made Yosh to stress his point by stomping on the ground.

"Luna! I'll come back for you after an hour... or maybe Iyom. I have to go to Kyrin, he's going to teach me some cool technique about transmission or some sort of things they do sprouting trees or such. You have to give this message to them, it's the only way."

Luna reiterated her tantrums only this time she ran for a couple of feet further.

"You just pull out a petal here and Iyom will come, Look." He crouched letting Luna see it and then pulled a petal. After ten seconds nothing happened so he pulled another. Again, nothing happened. "Huh. Must be the wrong seed..."

"WHAT'S YOUR PROBLEM!" shouted Iyom transmitting in front of him, "Can't you wait for a bit? Am I your slave?!"

"Jeez, Calm down old mister. If you don't, wrinkles will pop out of their..."

"Shut up brat! I'm not old!"

"Not on my count."

"Enough! Do you want to transmit or not?"

"Wait, I just need to..."

"Oh... poor baby needs to pee first? I don't have all day!"

"No, I need to deliver this message to my brothers and..."

"Well you just have to pull the flower, huh? Pulling the petals when you're not ready yet? I told you not to do that countless of times! Quit wasting my time!"

Yosh got irritated and walked up to him and vented. "Hey grumpy mister, shut it and listen! I need to send this message! Luna will bring it there and then be back for you to transmit! Any problems you got to those conditions you can take up to your father! He's the one inviting me over! I'm having a bad start to my day so quit whining and start helping!"

"Whoa, whoa, don't get all too crazy now! What's gotten over you...?"

"You... You... Argh..."

"Hey, you!" shouted Iyom calling Luna signaling with his fingers while whistling which insulted her. "Yes you, come here."

Luna stood up and sat again as if smiling being petulant getting back for his whistling calls.

"I said, COME HERE!" with his shout, his eyes turned cat like activating his Eagle Eyes which brought Luna to some sort of hypnotizing spell rendering her to follow his commands unwillingly at a very quick pace. Iyom snatched the paper from Yosh and rolled it. He grabbed some grass and magically turned it into a cylindrical holder and then tied it to Luna's body along with the message. "Send this now and return here as soon as possible. Get the Owl too on your way back! Hurry or I'll eat you."

With the end of his speech, Luna ran as fast as she can without blinking, without any reaction, as if possessed which troubled Yosh tremendously.

"Hey! What have you done with my Luna!? And what are saying about eating her!?"

"Relax crazy monkey. I don't eat cat, but Ra'Ark does." And he pulled Yosh before he can ever react, transmitting him to the forest of Kyrin by mere seconds.

-------ooO0Ooo-------

"Ina'ther Kalikat'ure! Bive meo kapan'wer upto mai'un-la'ash an'he kapan'weris nof lan'ven 'nu lo'thin."

Prodea's chants echoed loudly in the large chambers at the lower catacombs. This particularly large venue, where Juni died, remained a secret in Nagozul and thus they are particularly well protected from intruders or anyone just snooping around. That's why Prodea is still keeping it still even after Juni's horrible death.

The thirty slaves shiver in fear's cold damning embrace all clumped sitting, hugging each other in comfort, unwittingly unaware of their fate in that huge red glowing summoning circle etched in the ground. Zeba, Eryk, and Tabarius are watching at the corner of the chamber almost cringing by the second as Prodea finishes her deafening ritual in a strange unknown language. Every word coming from Prodea's mouth hurts their ears almost as if every echo physically stabs it from the inside. There is an unknown force surrounding them, a force so dark and evil, their very presence in that chamber feels as if they are dying by the second.

The General, handpicked by Tabarius himself, is standing naked in a small summoning circle just a few paces north of the slaves. He is standing tall of about six feet with muscles bulging out of his body almost as if impressively sculpted by the ages and scars so many you'll understand immediately how extensive his battle experience is.

As fine and impressive as a human specimen he is, one can feel sorry as anyone can detect the fear and pain he's been enduring in that circle. His morose eyes, red and almost teary, relates what his shaking knees are saying, almost wanting to kneel. It's as if he wants to get some help but is unable to shout for it as he fights it off stressfully with all of the veins popping out of his face and body, being all red and sweaty. The three observers just gnaw their teeth in both agitation and pity for the poor General.

The pity they are feeling have been greatly misplaced. Unbeknown to them, after Prodea finishes her loud disturbing chants, the slaves began to stand up, forcibly, one by one. All of them stood up in fear as if being pulled by some unknown, indescribable phantom. Some slaves grabbed the ground screaming, but nothing can stop it from pulling them out five feet high to the air. One by one, their eyes and mouth glowed a yellowish iridescent beam of light that stretched the room's tall ceiling. Still screaming in both fear and agony, they shrieked their final call for help until the yellow light turned into neon crimson with their blood rushing out of every orifice in their body leaving their shriveled corpses behind. Their blood and water accumulated on top of them with Prodea floating around it still chanting her distressing ritualistic prayers, eyes closed in full concentration.

The bodies that have been suspended in the air dropped down into the ground turning into dust on impact. This have shocked the three observers with Duke Tabarius and the Earl Eryk running away retching in both disgust and guilt. Prodea saw them and chuckled a bit and wondered if it is wise to invite them there at the catacombs for, she believes that they are still not ready to see this kind of Magick in action.

But who can blame them? No one can be ready to see this kind of horrifying thing, and even if one boasts around to say otherwise, they are either an incompetent proud fool or the devil himself. To hear those men and women cry and beg in agony certainly can turn any brave man to coil up cringing.

As the last drop accumulated into a one giant red sphere of what seems to be the life force of thirty slaves come into fruition, Prodea shouted her last chant.

"Sy te kapan'wer ni'f Dim'ion, Io pinak'un-wa'eash ko'I an nata'den ka'kay-ti'al."

The huge red sphere dropped down from its place and into the General. The splash on impact bathed the General in the blood of those slaves sacrificed. No droplet was turned to waste for any droplet splashed managed to trickle down fast for him to assimilate. The whole assimilation lasted for about a minute as the last drop was absorbed by the General writhing in torturous screams. Duke Tabarius is about to intervene being concerned when Prodea touched down and stopped him.

"Witness the transformation of a mere Mortal to a Superior Mortal. A Titan!"

"A manufactured titan?" Zeba muttered, "But such things are only possible with the help of Dim'ion..."

"It's just a mere spell Zeba. You don't see Dim'ion anywhere here. I did this, not him!"

"But it's his spell!" Roared Zeba feeling guilty for what has transpired.

"Yes! It's his spell. That's why they call it the Dark Arts. If it's Ana'giel's then it's White Magick now wouldn't it? But it isn't!"

"You said this wouldn't happen again! You gave me your word!"

"Enough Zeba!" snapped Prodea with eyes burning bright with white light of the All Seeing Eye, "Stop your impudence now! This is not the time nor the place. Besides, you don't have the right to give me a speech about morality. Not now, not ever."

Zeba's crunched up face of anger cannot be cast away, but she stepped back and yielded, for now. Prodea knows they will have a long and heated argument later, but she brushed it off thinking she clearly has her by the throat and there's nothing she can do about it.

"Rise Sir Haaron," Prodea commanded.

The coiled up, shivering muscular General stood up slowly now erecting almost seven feet tall with slabs of muscles now twice in size as before and has now changed skin color to dark red. He is still in pain, but it can be noted that it is slowly dissipating by the second.

"Now kneel! Kneel before your Master!"

The Knight was shocked with her command, but he cannot control himself. He tried to fight it but every fiber in his being wanted to obey the echoing voice of Prodea.

"Speak! Who is your Master!?"

"You are, Grand Commander Prodea."

Zeba was shocked to see what Prodea has done. If she can make soldiers as powerful as titans and raise an army with it to do her bidding, then she can be a very terrifying enemy not to be engaged with. This made her reevaluate everything they are doing for the past years, planning everything to this date. He looked at the two emissaries and noticed they are not surprised, as if they know, as if they are in agreement, as if they consented. Then fear swallowed her whole as if the warmth of life escaped her. One thing is certain on this very specific night: she helped to create a monster.