70 Granny Mo

The students from Class 1 rushed to the stage as the shocked audience watched on. Tallis and Yuki rejoined the rest of Class 7 casually. Arata nodded at them both in satisfaction. Ryouma watched with a look of pity as the Class 1 students began digging into the stage to find their classmates. He turned to Tallis and Yuki who were coming offstage.

"That was just mean."

Tallis shrugged.

"Boss's orders. I just do what I'm told."

Bardric sighed as he still had his eyes on the Class 1 students on stage.

"I still have nightmares of that day. Poor guys had no clue what happened until it was over."

Cephas shuddered.

"I have been terrible with enclosed spaces ever since that day."

Arata ignored the complaining classmates as he locked eyes with one of the Class 1 students. Arata hadn't seen him this entire time and this was the first time he had seen him. He wasn't here previously but Arata hadn't noticed when he had arrived. Unlike the rest of Class 1, he was still standing by the side of stage in the Class 1 waiting area.

He had black dreadlocks, tied into a ponytail, revealing a stern yet handsome face. His hazel eyes filled with disdain as he stared at Arata. Arata felt that his eyes had a pulling quality to it, as if it was trying to absorb and devour his vision. Arata was hit by a burst of clarity and the young boy seemed to be pushed back slightly by something. The boy gave a grim look to Arata before walking away. Arata was confused as to what just happened when a voice could be heard in his ear.

"Meet me in front of the Arena. Bring Ryouma."

Arata turned his head and looked into the stands, locking eyes with Eamon. Eamon nodded before standing up and bowing to his friends before taking Eva and walking out. Arata turned to Tallis with a serious face.

"I have something I need to do. Follow the plan and things should go well. If anything unexpected comes along, you and Akari can make the necessary decisions."

Tallis and Akari gave him a curious look, as did the rest of Class 7. After a moment, Tallis nodded. Obviously, this was something important. Arata nodded in gratitude before turning to Ryouma with a serious look.

"Let's go."

Ryouma didn't know what was happening, but he knew Arata was serious so he nodded and followed Arata out. As they entered the tunnels that led to the entrance, away from everyone in the Arena, Ryouma turned to Arata.

"Captain, what's going on?"

Arata shook his head.

"I don't know. From what I can gather, I was attacked just now by one of the students from Class 1 and Eamon protected me, somehow. We are going to meet with him outside."

Ryouma was stunned. Arata was attacked? When? Why didn't he sense any danger or see anyone charging at him? How was he attacked? As they came outside, Eamon and Eva were standing on the side. Eamon pulled out a scroll.

"I think you are probably a better driver than me."

Arata realized instantly what Eamon was holding. A Black Hole Scroll. Eamon continued.

"The coordinates are already set, you just need to control the barrier."

Arata nodded as he grabbed the scroll.

"Easy."

Eamon led them to a quiet area between some trees, out of view of any passer byers. Although there was no one passing by, as everyone was at the Arena, there was always the need for caution. Eamon sat down on the grass and Eva sat beside him. Arata sat across from them with Ryouma. He spread out the scroll and grinned.

"This is one of Father's better scrolls."

Eamon smiled at the comment. Arata grinned as he channelled his Energy into the scroll. Dark Energy burst out of the scroll and consumed them. They began travelling through the Shadow Realm at a blistering speed. Eamon and Eva were both fairly comfortable, obviously used to this form of transportation. Arata was also calm and at ease. Only Ryouma seemed like he was going to throw up. This was his second time travelling in this fashion and he disliked it just as much as the first time.

The Energy disappeared as they arrived at their destination. Ryouma lay back, sprawled out on the floor and breathing heavily.

"What's so bad about walking? It is such a nice way to travel."

Arata smirked at Ryouma before standing up and looking around. They seemed to be in a dark cave. He sensed the symbols that were embedded in the cave walls and knew that his father had arranged the formation. He looked around and saw a light at the end of the cave, clearly the exit to the outside of this place. Eamon and Eva walked towards the light, Arata and Ryouma followed behind them.

The cave opened up to a luscious explosion of green. The cave was set beside a beautiful stream of water with a small bridge. The bridge led to a garden with bright green grass, tall trees and multicolored flowers. As Arata looked up, there was a glass dome over the entire area. In the center was a quaint little house that seemed perfectly fused together with the nature around it.

There was a lady kneeling down as she worked on the garden. She had faded red hair with streaks of grey in it. Although she had wrinkles and seemed to be well into her years, she gave off a youthful and rich aura. She had well defined features that made her glow and radiate elegance as she patted the soil around a flower she had just planted. She nodded her head with satisfaction. Arata saw her and grinned as he ran over.

"Granny Mo."

The lady looked up and smiled warmly as she saw the young boy running towards her. Arata kneeled down before her and smiled happily. She caressed his cheek with care as she smiled. Her face suddenly changed as she grabbed his ear, pulling on it hard.

"What is the meaning of you coming to see me so late? You have been here for a couple months already and I only get a visit from you now? And you still have the gall to call me Granny?"

Arata started squealing in pain as he twisted and tried to get out of her grip, to no avail.

"Aaaahhh I'm sorry, Granny Mo. You know that I want to keep a low profile. I can't just walk over and AAAAAHHHHH!!!"

Arata was cut off as his ear was twisted by the lady. She gave him a fierce look.

"I don't give a crap about your little image you want to try and maintain. I should have been the first person you came to see once you got here. To think that my lessons have yet to sink in."

Ryouma had a confused look on his face as he watched the scene play out before him. Who was this lady? Eamon stepped forward with an awkward chuckle as he coughed quietly.

"Lady Moriah, it is good to see you again."

The lady looked up to see Eamon and Eva. She nodded as she smiled warmly to them, speaking to them with a softer and more gentle tone.

"Hello, young ones. It is good to see you again. I'll be with you in a sec, my dears."

Her face changed again as she looked back to Arata and continued to chastise him harshly. Eamon sighed, seemingly out of options. He would have to wait until Lady Moriah had calmed down before continuing. She finally stood after a couple of minutes and released Arata's ear, which was now a glowing red color. He had his hand on his ear with a sulky pout on his face that Ryouma had never seen before. He was truly a child at this moment.

The lady then turned to the confused Ryouma. He was slightly terrified being looked at by her. She smiled gently at him as she walked over.

"You must be Ryouma, Arata's first Shadowguard. I do hope Arata hasn't been causing you too much trouble. Who am I kidding, he causes havoc wherever he goes. A trait that he unfortunately got from his Father."

Ryouma bowed politely, still confused as to what was happening here. The lady seemed to read his mind as she chuckled.

"How rude of me. I haven't yet introduced myself. My name is Moriah Rose from the Rose Clan, also the current Principal of the Royal Institute of Axist. It is a pleasure to meet another student."

Ryouma went wide eyed as he discovered who she was. His eyes lit up as a look of awe spread out over his face. He bowed so quickly as he began rambling.

"M-My honor is the pleasure. I-I mean the honor of mine is....no the pleasure is yours. No mine. I mean.... It is an honor, Lady Moriah."

Ryouma was completely stunned. He was now in the presence of his idol. Moriah Rose was also known as the Great Phoenix of the Rose Clan. She was a powerful warrior that fought for the people. She would step in and intervene when she felt that ordinary citizens were being mistreated by those with power. She was someone that Ryouma looked up to as he wished to follow in her footsteps in helping those that are weaker. He was so excited that he could barely contain himself.

Lady Moriah chuckled as she saw Ryouma stumbling over his words. She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder.

"Calm, little one. Breathe. Come, let us go inside."

She turned and walked over to her little house. Arata followed along, still rubbing his ear. Eva followed suit. Eamon turned to Ryouma, who was still stunned.

"Come on, let's go."

Ryouma nodded absentmindedly and followed Eamon inside. As he walked through the door, he felt like he was still outside. The interior seemed like they were inside the forest still. There were vines and branches that curled around to make furniture, from tables to chairs to cupboards etc. The place was colorful as there were different colored flowers that covered the inside. Lady Moriah sat down at the table made from a tree stump, the seats all seemed to be made out of some kind of plant. Ryouma found that the seats were extremely soft and comfortable.

As they all took their seats, Lady Moriah turned to Eamon with a serious look.

"So, who do you think it is?"

Eamon frowned in thought.

"It is hard to say right now. There seems to be some sort of interference of some kind and I'm unable to pick up on everything. There is a lot of disturbance that is blocking my vision. Either my cultivation is too low, or what is happening is something that I am not allowed to interfere with. But I do feel that I can at least point someone in the right direction, but I cannot go there myself."

Lady Moriah nodded quietly as she pondered over his words.

"I'm more inclined to believe in the latter. I assume that is why you came to me with Little Arata and Ryouma here."

Eamon nodded.

"The young boy in Class 1 is a scout. I can see the people behind him, but not the people behind them. The method used on Arata today is reminiscent of a technique that was forbidden centuries ago. It involves altering one's mind through visual contact. From what I sensed from it, it is definitely a technique based off of one of the old scrolls stolen by the Reapers in the raiding a few years ago."

Arata's face went dark.

"The Demons of the Valley."

Eamon agreed.

"Indeed. They are obviously the one's that put him up to it, but we need to find out who put the Demons up to it. Now the kid is obviously not normal to be able to use such a technique. I don't think he expected to be blocked, so he will definitely be more cautious. But we need him to act if we want to find out more."

Arata was slowly understanding the situation.

"So we need him to act. But if he is on guard, he is less likely to act unless he has a direct order to act."

Eamon smirked.

"Exactly. We need a direct order for him to act now."

Moriah grinned.

"So that's your plan."

Arata looked at Eamon questioningly.

"How are you going to get the Demons of the Valley to give him that kind of order?"

Eamon smirked.

"By invading the Valley itself."

Arata was stunned. Ryouma was still confused as to what was going on. Moriah leaned forward.

"I think that it is time to get things rolling."

Eamon turned to Arata.

"Are you ready to fulfill the duties that is required of you?"

Arata understood what he was asking as he stood up and bowed.

"This servant is ready and willing, Young Master Eamon."

Eamon smiled warmly. As did Lady Moriah, who nodded her head in satisfaction.

"That's my boy. So, Young Master Eamon, what do you need from Little Arata?"

Eamon went serious as he blinked and his eyes began to glow. He seemed to be looking at something that wasn't there. He blinked again before looking at Arata with an intense look on his face.

"I need to kill you and your Shadowguard."