Asrea Village

"We are here," Ash said the moment he stopped his motorbike in front of a metal arc with 'Asrea' name carved on it. It's like something you would usually see in villages. 

"What is this place?" Kithe asked after stopping his own motorbike and removing his helmet. 

Ash looked at him and grinned. "I told you to trust me right?" 

Kithe has been skeptical about Ash's idea because he said that he will bring Kithe to someone who can heal him instantly. 

"If this is a waste of time, I will really kill you," he uttered, then he put his helmet back on to start the engine. 

Ash chuckled and started driving again inside the village while Kithe just followed him. He has no choice but to trust Ash anyway. 

To an average person, the location is nothing more than a typical village, which is the opposite for  Ash and Kithe because they got a different vibe the moment they drove in.

For some reason, Kithe felt a swarm of eyes on them the moment they entered the village, prompting him to raise his guards. 

"I'm sure you felt that too," he told Ash. 

"Just chill, man," Ash replied while laughing, causing Kithe to heave a sigh. 

They just drive straight ahead until they find a three-story house that has an old design like an ancestral home. It's not like other houses because of the chilling vibe it gives. 

They removed their helmets and parked their motorbike outside. 

"Is this the place?" Kithe asked. 

"Yep. Let's go!" Ash said but before they could go to the front door, they felt several people aiming towards them. Kithe immediately turned his back gracefully, putting his right foot upfront, and raising both his arms to prepare for combat but Ash just stood up unbothered. 

Just as they expected, several people were at their back, aiming at them as if they'd kill them. They are surrounded by people with glowing green eyes while holding their bows and arrows. 

"The fxck is this," Kithe glared at Ash and was about to form his sword when Ash grabbed his shoulder to stop him. 

"Chill, man. Let me handle this," he just said and stepped forward.

"Who are you and what are you doing in our village?" a woman who appears to be the leader asked while glaring at them. She's wearing casual clothing but she is definitely not a regular citizen just like the others. 

Ash smiled at her and raised both his hands to surrender. "We're not enemies and didn't come here to fight." 

The woman didn't put down her weapon and remained in her position as the people behind her. 

"Tell me your name and the reason why you came here," she said firmly while aiming at Ash. One wrong move and his head will get pierced by her poisonous arrow. 

Meanwhile, Ash couldn't care less about getting shot at because he can easily avoid that so he bravely stepped forward. The woman's brows knitted as he tries to get closer. 

"Stay where you are," she threatened him but Ash just stopped when they were only a few meters close making Kithe shake his head. 

"I know you won't shoot me, Dyna," Ash smiled, annoying her. Yep, he knows her. 

Dyna gritted her teeth and held her bow tighter. "Are you mocking me?" 

"Heh, I just know you won't hurt me because you still love me right?" Ash answered, making Kithe's brows furrowed. 

"What?" Kithe blurted out, causing Ash to laugh. 

"It's true, right Dyna?" Ash questioned. 

"You… asshxle! That was a very long time ago!" Dyna exclaimed and was about to kick him when someone spoke behind them. 

"Stop fighting just after seeing each other, Dyna and Ashton." An old man came holding a stick to balance himself. He's wearing a white thick robe and has long grey hair. Despite looking weak and old, there is something about him that would want you to bow down to respect him. 

"Supreme leader!" they exclaimed as they bowed with their right arm behind their back.

When the old man appeared, everyone in the room, including Dyna and Ash, bowed down except Kithe. He has no idea who the man is, which is why Ash had no choice but to grab his head and force him to bend down his head. 

"I'm sorry, the supreme leader. I came unannounced," Ash said while his right arm is behind his back. 

"It's okay, Ashton. I'm glad you came back to visit," the old man replied. 

"Supreme leader, I don't think we should let him go back to the village whenever he wants," Dyna abruptly said and scowled at Ashton. "We never know if he's still an ally or an enemy." 

Dyna's team who's at her back started gossiping. They are just teenagers and had no idea that Dyna and the supreme leader know Ashton. 

"It's alright, Dyna. I know Ashton has his reasons why he left ten years ago. Besides, I've known him and his family since," the old man said and walked towards Ash and Kithe. 

"Thank you so much for understanding, supreme leader," Ash politely said and bowed his head again. 

"But--" 

"Enough Dyna," he interrupted her and then sighed. Dyna can really be a hard-headed girl but she's a really kind person. He knows that she only cares about the village but it won't change the fact that she's also doing this because of her personal feelings towards Ash. 

The supreme leader smiled and looked at Kithe who's still confused. Kithe looked away upon having eye contact with him because he felt his power through his eyes and he couldn't match its intensity. 

"You must be the next inheritor of the Demeria clan," he said while staring at him. He can sense a familiar bloodline from Kithe and he's absolutely sure that he's the next in line. 

"What?" Kithe questioned, confused by what the old man said. 

Ash immediately looked up and said, "He does not know anything yet, the supreme leader." 

The old man understood what he said and nodded, then looked at Dyna and the others who were still aiming at the two. 

"Put down your weapons. They are not enemies," he said leaving them with no choice but to cease. The supreme leader looked at the two again and spoke, "Follow me inside," then looked at Kithe. 

"Your injury is getting worse, we must heal it immediately," he stated, surprising Kithe. 

"How did he know about that?" Kithe pondered as he stared at the back of the supreme leader. He's been bearing the pain and it's getting worse every minute. 

Ash smiled at him and tapped his shoulders, "Didn't you hear what the supreme leader said? Let's go inside." 

"You have a lot of explaining to do," Kithe replied and followed the old man inside the house. 

Ash paused when he remembered something and turned around. Dyna is still scowling at her because she's against the idea of the supreme leader. 

"I will kill you outside the village," she told him. 

"Yeah, yeah see ya later, babe," Ash nodded with a smile and winked at her, making her blush. 

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