24 The Lost Purpose

The dreary clouds dropped a sullen mood upon the town, its thickness brought despair upon the folks, to the point it becomes suffocating.

But it didn't stay for long, abruptly, the gloomy clouds retreated, slowly, letting the blazing sunlight pierced through. The clear, blue sky came into view, it brought a pleasant air upon the face of the town. Birds chirped on the borders of the town as the sunbeams stretched across the territory. The sun glowed proudly when it woke from its slumber.

Sunlight casted upon Blue, he slowly sagged his arm to his waist, then he faced Don and Radmun, who were on top of the bull.

As Blue approached them, Don felt uneasy, his eyes narrowed and Radmun gripped his weapon.

Blue strolled to the two, seeing both of them were nervous and wary, Blue spoke. "Don't struggle, I have no intention of bringing you harm."

"Who are you." Don said cautiously.

Radmun sneered. "Don, he was the guy who miss Celina was with, we have to be careful because I have a feeling this guy is evil." He said, and aimed his bow upon Blue.

Blue laughed when it reached his ears. "Sorry to tell you, but evil is subjective. Now then, enough chitchat."

As Radmun held his bow, Don pushed his aim away from Blue. "Radmun, I think it's pretty clear, we have no chance against this guy, it's better if we comply." Don said.

Radmun reluctantly complied and slung his weapon to his back. "Damn."

Blue unrolled his wings wide, then glided to the two, he scooped them with each of his arms, tightly locked around their chests, and then he carried them into the broad, liberating sky.

Seeing Lomin was left alone, Radmun had his familiar return to the other dimension.

With the rooves of the building swaying past their sight, Don was shaken as his foot dangled several feet away from the ground. "Hey, return me now, I need to recover my knives."

Blue grunted. "Shut your trap, this is a deal between me and that woman." He said.

Don sighed. "Just what the hell is the connection between the two of you."

Blue smirked. "She's my hostage."

Don rotated his head slightly, glaring upon Blue. "What is her worth that you would held her as a hostage."

"She has everything that I seek."

Don narrowed his eyes. "And that is?"

"Death." Blue said coldly.

Don's grimace became uneasy. "Could you clarify?"

Blue snickered. "In other words, I want to end my eternal life."

Don snickered. "Really? Because if you're truthful, then we can't resist. I mean how could we beat a powerful and immortal being?"

On the other side of Blue's arm, Radmun flailed his body. "Let go of me you bastard!" He said, irked.

Blue ignored him and tightened his grip, he was annoyed, but he'd like to burst it out unto Celina. Then Don began to speak again. "Anyway, I've always wondered what's it like to live for a long, long time."

Blue flinched his eyes when a feeling pricked him, he then moved his lips. "Basically, you'll learn to not care." He said with a fading voice.

Don sighed as he reflected upon it. "If you've lived for long, I'd like to hear your insight about purpose."

Blue sniggered as though amused. "Purpose? Purpose is just an illusion, people fool themselves into thinking their lives matters. Everything will bound to end, I've seen fools who work their lives on something which won't even matter in the grand scheme of things. On my previous days, I was one of them, and the things you do now as well."

Don smiled weakly. " I have to agree that our petty purposes could be insignificant. But purpose makes us humans alive, no matter how silly or small they are. I think you should seek one yourself."

Blue grimaced a bit, his forehead wrinkled, he paused his lips and reviewed his life for a moment. He then spoke with a sneer. "Even if I find one, it will come to an end, and what then should I do? Currently, this is the best purpose I have, to find the end of this painful journey." He said shakily.

Don strayed his eyes to the ground. "So what will you do if you find out one day nothing can kill you?"

Blue bursted a grunt, he seemed displeased. "Enough talk, we're close." He said coldly.

In the open, Celina, Shiela and Turner stood still as though waiting. Then Blue made his descent and threw their bodies recklessly like some sacks, they landed besides Celina's foot with a groan.

Celina furrowed her eyebrows. "Blue could you be a bit gentler?" She said.

Blue smirked as he approached her. "I brought them safe and took care of the demons, I need the info now."

Celina strayed her eyes as though thinking. "Actually, I-----don't know." She said with a chuckle.

After detecting she was clueless, Blue's eyebrows fell, his face contorted. "Damn you woman! I thought you're gonna tell me everything you know, that was part of the deal!" He said angrily.

Celina winced as she was being yelled upon. "Well, I mean I told you everything I know, and I know nothing, so I kept my word." She said, on the verge of smiling.

Blue sneered, he was tempted to hurt her, he slightly lifted his arm and while it remained suspended, Don's words earlier resounded in his mind causing him to shudder, upon a realization, he then dropped his arm to his waist as though exhausted, he then turned around. "Just meet me at the western area when you're done here." He said, with his rage quelling.

He took off into the sky and was headed into the western forest.

Celina was in a state of trance as she observed Blue shrinking to a dot, she expected they will argue for a bit long. Blue being calm earlier had her slightly worried, "Blue did something happen?" She thought to herself.

She sunk her eyes upon the ground and noticed the guys groaning in pain.

Radmun carried himself up as he brushed the dirt on his trousers, and beside him, Don stood back up with a sigh.

Radmun then lurched forward to Celina's front. "Hey, Miss Celina you owe us an explanation." He said loudly.

Celina chuckled. "Well, I'll tell you everything."

While Celina spoke, Don narrowed his eyes as he snuck a glance upon Turner.

Turner seem disgruntled, and every second or so he clenches his fists.

It bugged Don a bit.

After Celina was done talking, Radmun laughed frivoulously, he patted Celina's shoulder. "Well then, all you have to do is to unseal your magic right? Then this guy won't be a threat for long. I was scared when he said, he'll end humanity." He said.

Don stroke his chin, he pointed towards Celina's face, he then smirked playfully. "Celina, if you play your cards right, maybe we can use him and even help us win." He said.

Celina then flitted her eyes to Shiela, who gave a nod, "that's right Cel, I never saw someone who could create that much power." She said.

Their collected stares squeezed some pressure unto her, she then let out a sigh. "Well, I'm not sure if he can assist us for that long though." She said

Turner worriedly went close to her. "Anyway, I don't think it's right that you should continue your journey with this person." He said assertively.

Celina chuckled. "We don't have a choice do we."

Don stared at Turner and he noticed something felt off, but he couldn't point it out directly.

Don cleared his throat loudly, he interrupted them and stole their attentions. "Turner, I think Celina is right. Currently, that Blue guy is like a giant monster with no way to cage him, the best choice we have is to have her restrain him."

Turner scowled as he turned to Radmun. "Hey Radmun, is it okay for you to see Celina travelling around with that monster? I've seen what he can do, he destroyed an army of demons and killed a giant beast at ease."

Radmun scratched his head. "Well, if Don says it's okay, then I have to agree with him and besides it's her decision not mine." He said casually.

Turner smacked his lips, he laid his eyes unto Celina, he putted his arms upon her shoulders. "Please, I think you should just come with us, we'll find the legendary sword and slay that monster together." He said, begging.

Celina had a calm face, her expression reeked in defiance and boldness. "Turner, I'm a capital mage too, we are all risking our lives to save our kingdom. I don't need your concern, so just focus on your given mission." She said with some weight on her tone, then deflected his arms off her shoulders.

Seeing Celina's stubborness, Turner gave up, his face sagged. "Excuse me." He said with a lowered voice, he sullenly broke off from the group in silence.

Shiela approached him. "Hey where are you going?" She said concerned.

Turner continued walking, unperturbed from her voice. "To settle some things." He said coldly, then went away, until he was far.

"That guy let his emotions took over him." Don said.

Don glared upon her. "Celina, I have something important to ask you." When Don's words took her attention, he then proceeded. "If this Blue person would take the life of an innocent person, what will you do?" His eyes narrowed out as he awaited for her answer.

Celina paused for a bit, anxiety flooded her throat, her lips were shut, she bit her nail as she thought about it.

After a minute of silence, Don turned around. "Think about it for now. And as for me, I'll go back and recover my knives, let's just meet later." He said, then trailed off.

Celina just noticed her injuries, aching, the pain ate her wounds, she fell on her knees with her arms sagging, her face sweated while she breathed out hard. The bit marks on her limbs echoed out a twinge to all of her parts, she was feigning to be tough a while ago, and now she reached her limit.

Shiela crouched and attended to her side, her eyes softened when she saw Celina's state. "Radmun, we need a health potion now." She said.

Celina forced a smile, her worn out eyes glanced upon her. "Don't worry, I'm fine. I just need some rest."

Shiela shook her head. "You're clearly not okay."

Radmun sneered behind her, when he was about to took off, he noticed several guys were getting close, so he stayed still. He peered and recognized it was the Baron, flanked by men clad in gleaming armor.

When the Baron and his men went close, an armored man brought a crate upon the team. Radmun brimmed with ecstasy, he checked what's inside and his eyes glistened like gold. It was a pile of silvers and gold coins, there were some health and mana potion as well, splayed on the top.

When Shiela noticed it, she sprang up, took a potion then gave it to Celina.

Baron smiled as he gazed upon them. "I hope the reward is to your liking, I sincerely owe you brave warriors a lot for protecting this town, why don't you join us this night for a dinner."

Radmun nodded, he stood at his full height, with his chest puffed up. "Hahaha, of course, we will come."

Baron seemed please so he gave a nod.

His son went forward, his eyes surveyed their area and he was a bit confused. "Where are the others?" He said.

Radmun sighed. "Somewhere, and you don't need to worry, they're still fine and kicking." He said.

Celina lifted herself, after a gulp of the potion a soothing touch flowed through out her body, her wounds closed and the pain rested, until she felt relieved.

Health and mana potions were naturally expensive and rare in the kingdom, most shops have only few stacks of these item, thus, due to the political climate it was difficult for them to acquire potions. Thankfully, the Baron lent them an ample supply of cash and potions, it will be needed for their journey.