Zayne was on his way to Red Feather City, walking along the main road, which was usually filled with carriages and ordinary people wanting to get somewhere better than their small villages.
However, today the place was ruined. Destroyed carriages lay on the ground as well as the bones and armor that remained after the silhouettes had disappeared. Even if it was already finished, the people of the Lax River Region would still have a long time to deal with the consequences of what had happened.
"Well, I hope it doesn't happen again, I have to find out exactly what caused it, but to do that I have to find them..." Zayne muttered, looking at his ring. It was faded, like an ordinary trinket, but Zayne knew he had to wait for night as well as the light of the moon.
Step. Step. Step.
Gradually Zayne reached Red Feather City, as he supposed the city was intact, though it was full of destruction around it.
"Agh... If Landow Village was my beginning, this town become my home for a while." Zayne sighed as he passed through the main gate.
At the same moment, several guards ran up to him. Normally Zayne wouldn't have noticed this, but there was a clear expression of concern on their faces.
"Mr. Zayne..." One of the guards muttered with a dark face, gripping the hilt of his weapon tightly.
"Hmm? Why do you look like that? Is something wrong?" Zayne was completely puzzled.
"We're sorry, but we just don't have any other choice right now." The guard said, taking a deep breath and raising his hand.
The next moment, several spears were aimed at Zayne, as the sharp tips practically plunged into his neck.
Zayne didn't dodge, his instincts just didn't work, for he didn't sense from the guards the kill intention, they were just following orders.
"May I ask what's going on?" Zayne frowned, clenching his fists tightly.
"I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to tell you. It would be better if someone else did. Please follow us, as you are under arrest." The guard said respectfully.
Zayne was annoyed but did not resist.
'Well... If I start fighting right here, things could get a lot worse... although, I still don't understand anything.' Zayne inwardly shook his head.
...
Crackling.
The wooden door opened as Alden, along with Rina and Solomon, stepped inside. They stood in front of the cell, inside which sat a young man with black hair and deep blue eyes. There were no chains on his hands, but he just couldn't get out without a key.
"Well... Am I finally going to get an explanation?" Zayne muttered, looking at Alden, whose face did not have his usual smirk.
Alden took a deep breath and glanced at Solomon as if passing him the word.
"Zayne, I realize this is an unusual situation, especially since you are considered a hero of this city, but before we explain everything, tell me, have you used Chaos Energy recently?" Solomon asked with a slight wave of his hand.
Zayne wondered, he didn't know if using Azure Cross counted, but he definitely did something else.
"Yeah..." Zayne nodded, "I recently activated Chaos Coin, it happened a few hours ago. However, I didn't want to get it and did it to save my friend." Zayne grew more serious as his gaze turned cold.
Solomon's eyes went wide, and a broad smile appeared on Alden's face.
"Hehehe, it happened exactly as I thought it would, didn't it?" Alden looked at Solomon.
"Hmm?" Solomon rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "I guess so. Now I see why you called me here."
"Maybe someone can enlighten me?" Zayne frowned, crossing his arms over his chest and stomping irritably.
Alden smirked, put one foot on the other, and said, "Zayne, do you remember that guy you beat up during the banquet? That one that when he was drunk tried to attack Elin."
Zayne nodded, "Sure, it's been a long time since I was as angry as I was at that moment. That's the kind of bastard I hate the most."
Those words were sweeter than any dessert for Alden, for it was confirmation that his plan could be put into action.
"Anyway. The Goren Family and the Palanie Family, at a general meeting, said that the uprising of the silhouettes started because of you. They say you used Chaos Energy, which eventually led to all of this." Alden waved his hand.
Alden continued, "In fact, with your words, you even confirm their theory, however, there's one very important BUT... You used Chaos Energy during the day and not at night, so that makes it obvious."
Zayne gave him a questioning look.
"Haven't you figured it out yet?" Alden smirked, "Zayne, they set you up. You became a hero by saving a town from the Apostle, or becoming a favorite of the Fate, then you disappear, use Chaos Energy to insult the Fate, and for that, the Fate unleashes its wrath on our region. Honestly, I'm even surprised they had the brains to adjust all these facts to their theory to be more convincing."
"Damn... Now I'm beginning to understand what's going on... and maybe they're right about something. I'm not entirely sure yet, but the silhouette uprising happened because of my fight... Though I definitely wasn't the one who summoned them..." Zayne muttered, rubbing his chin, "By the way, why did people even believe that I used Chaos Energy? Did they just say that, and that's it?"
Alden shook his head, "No, in that case, it would have been a big blow to their reputation. They did the smart thing, they got their Oracle to state it."
Zayne's eyes went wide as he realized the whole situation. The world of the Fallen Fate was still new to him, but he had learned some principles well enough.
"Obviously, Oracle simply obeyed their orders than broke one of the sacred rules of all Oracles." Alden waved his hand carelessly, "Zayne the situation is more complicated than you think, the whole point is that they said they would send a request tonight to the nearest Oracle Academy that is associated with Order."
"Order...? Oracle Academy...?" Zayne muttered, then he shook his head, "Whatever, what happens in this case?"
Alden fell silent, he looked at Rina, who was obviously very worried about Zayne.
Rina sighed, "They will send Oracles to check to see if you have Chaos Energy in you, given that you used Chaos Coin, they will sense it and give you a severe punishment."
Zayne wasn't too worried, but seeing the fear that appeared in Rina's eyes as she spoke her last words, he knew he couldn't take it lightly.
"Damn... Even though they're lying, it looks like they actually can get me in a lot of trouble, doesn't it?" Zayne uttered, then he looked intently at Alden, who was smiling slyly.
Alden bit his finger and said, "Yeah, if we just wait until tonight, that's how it'll happen. However, there is another option."
Alden stood up and spread his arms with a predatory look, "Zayne it's time for revenge. For hurting Elin by one of them, for setting you up for their own personal motives, and for being attacked by those two the night before the auction!"
Zayne's eyes went wide as he realized that Alden knew about this and that the Goren Family had ordered him from Andre and Tina. Then, his gaze became as cold as ancient glaciers, giving Rina goosebumps.