DISASTER

Border of Arlyne, the capital of Vidin, specifically at the Arlyne castle, the largest castle in Vidin and the main line of defense for the capital where lies the palace in the middle of the beautiful capital, one of the most beautiful cities across the continent, lovely weather, calm and civilized people, thriving economy, of course no one would think less about the capital of the trade leading kingdom.

The sound of the swords clinking and other weapons sounds were filling the atmosphere inside and outside the castle along with the shouts of the soldiers training inside, some of them were training with swords, spears or halberds together and others were just wrestling without weapons, the high ranking knights were observing them and direct them in the right manner.

At the entrance of the castle, Adam was walking elegantly, the guards at the entrance of the barracks raised their hands and saluted him in an official manner, in a place like this, no one doesn't know captain Adam himself, the main person responsible for the palace's security.

Adam kept walking through the path between the training grounds in the barracks until reaching the gates of the large castle, the guards again saluted him and moved aside to give the captain more space to pass without any trouble.

Inside the castle was a bit calmer than the outside, there were more officers in here than the common guards outside, of course that makes sense since this is the main castle of the kingdom.

Adam walked up the stairs calmly, as always his calm features is captivating, he reached the third floor while passing with several guards and officers who formally salute him as he passes, he walked into a long hall with officers scattered on both sides each one again saluting him, he walked until he reached a wooden door with two knights standing at both sides.

"Captain Adam!", Said both of the knights, they were holding halberds while formally saluting Adam.

"I'm here to see general Rhaegel.", Said Adam seriously, the knights looked at each other in surprise before looking back to Adam.

"O-of course captain, j-just a second while informing the general.", Said one of the knights in hesitation, it's not a secret that the relation between Adam and the general are disturbed since a long time so the knights were surprised to see Adam asking to meet him.

Inside the room, the general was sitting while writing some important documents, he has fierce features with short black hair, he's wearing an armor with a fur cape above it, dark eyes and a very strong build, a brute, literally.

While the general was occupied with his documents a knock on the door got his attention.

"Come in.", Said general Rhaegel calmly but his voice was a bit high.

The door was opened and the knight stepped in formally.

"General! Captain Adam Aravos is here to see you.", Said the knight with a little bow of respect, Adam walked in after the knight finished his sentence, Rhaegel looked at Adam in surprise but quickly he regained his fierce look again.

"Take your leave, and don't let anyone in until me and captain Adam finish what we have to talk about.", Said Rhaegel while looking at Adam seriously, Adam himself wasn't looking good too.

"Of course general, excuse me.", Said the knight before leaving the room and closing the door behind him.

"Sit down, Adam, why are you still standing?", Asked Rhaegel while gathering the scattered documents across his office.

"I'm not here to chat general.", Said Adam seriously.

"I think that whatever you want to talk about doesn't require you standing, I know you prefer walking and you must have come from the palace to here without even a horse, so sit and rest.", Said Rhaegel while looking at Adam calmly, Adam looked to the side while taking a breath before walking towards the chair before the general's office and sat in front of the general.

"You know you can throw titles aside, no need for general while sitting alone with no one around.", Said Rhaegel calmly.

"We're not friends, general, you can call me Adam if you want because you're of a higher rank than me, but I'll still call you general.", Said Adam seriously, Rhaegel looked at Adam in a sort of disappointment before sighing.

"You still don't want to change after all these years.", Said Rhaegel while putting the rest of the documents inside a drawer in his office.

"As long as I'm still remembering what you did then don't expect me to change .", Said Adam seriously.

"For the thousand time, you left me no choice.", Said Rhaegel calmly.

"You did have, you had more than one option to take but you choose the most cruel penalty, I still can't get your words out of my head since this day, since the day I was named the strongest spiritual knight in the kingdom you started acting strange with me, just say it general.", Said Adam.

"you went to take down a dark caster alone without any order, you could have gotten yourself killed even if you're the best.", Said Rhaegel.

"Yet nothing happened, you were afraid that I may end up ranking higher than you although I'm much younger, the looks in your eyes contained fear, general.", Said Adam seriously.

"And I wouldn't have waited for something to happen, your father did have the same fire, that's what led to his demise, the fear in my eyes wasn't from you, it was the fear that you will meet the same demise, you're stronger than your father but you were the same like him, that's why I made that decision.", Said Rhaegel seriously.

"You took me the only thing that I always wanted to be, if it wasn't for his highness I would have stayed useless for the rest of my life because of you, I trusted you to make me better, just like my father, you even taught me how to handle a sword right when I was a kid, you broke my trust with you that day.", Said Adam angrily.

"And I would have made a thousand harsher decisions just to keep you safe just like I promised your father, you were blind by youth enthusiasm and your skill unlike now, Adam, you're a totally different person, look how being with his highness taught you to be much smarter, you weren't like this, you wanted to go and fight whatever evil is there without even thinking about it.", Said Rhaegel seriously, Adam looked away while closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.

"We better change this subject, my opinion won't change, it's a waste for both of our time.", Said Adam without looking at Rhaegel who sighed while looking to the sky from the window by his side.

"Then that means you're not here to forget, tell me, Adam, what brings you to see me after all those years?", Asked Rhaegel in a bit of a sad tone, Adam looked at him with the side of his eyes.

"I need help with something, and you are the most person who can help me with this delicate matter.", Said Adam, Rhaegel calmly looked back at Adam.

"If you came seeking help from me after all those years then it must be more than a delicate matter.", Said Rhaegel calmly.

"It's what it's, I can't speak much, his Majesty entrusted me with this task personally.", Said Adam, Rhaegel smiled.

"You know what? I'm still proud that you have received such status and trust from his Majesty, believe me, that's what your father would have wanted you to be like.", Said Rhaegel proudly.

"You got nothing to be proud of, my days as a knight would have ended because of you, the only reason to be proud of is if you were the one that made His Majesty choose me as his guard and the leader of the palace security and this didn't happen so drop the act, general.", Said Adam seriously, Rhaegel just smiled.

"Even though you're still acting harshly against me, I know that the day will come and you will know that I did the right thing.", Said Rhaegel calmly, Adam averted his eyes to the ground after he listened to Rhaegel, deep inside he can't forgive Rhaegel but he can't be sure if he did this because he was afraid that he will surpass him or he is really saying the truth, he closed his eyes while thinking.

"Will you help me or not?", Asked Adam.

"You didn't even tell me what you want help with to tell you if I'm able to help you or not.", Said Rhaegel.

"You're able to help me, I know you can, I need to know if you're willing to help or not.", Said Adam.

"You know me better than this, of course I'll help, at least I'm helping his majesty, but I'm doing it for you before anyone.", Said Rhaegel, Adam looked at him in much calmer manner than before.

"Fine, listen to me, I'm looking for a person that his majesty needs urgently, unfortunately after a lot of investigation I'm facing dead ends, I only knew the last place she has been in but after that no one knows anything about her.", Said Adam.

"Fine, what can I do to help you with?", Asked Rhaegel.

"I need you to find another one connected to her.", Said Adam.

"I won't ask how you know about this connection cause I know when it comes to investigation and finding clues you're a beast, just tell me who he is.", Said Rhaegel.

"Listen, this girl was a member for a thieves guild in Orstone, they were called the shadow seekers.", Said Adam.

"I heard about them, they are well hidden as I hear.", Said Rhaegel.

"That's what I thought but they have been compromised.", Said Adam.

"So finally the officers in Orstone dealt with them.", Said Rhaegel.

"No, another person find their hideout and wiped them all.", Said Adam, Rhaegel was surprised to hear this.

"Damn! Does this have to do something with recent demon attack in Orstone?", Asked Rhaegel.

"Exactly, there's a connection between this incidents, because the same assassin was after the girl too after he wiped all the guild and he released the demon that caused the havoc.", Said Adam.

"Now that's a lot to take in, so why are exactly looking for this girl?", Asked Rhaegel.

"I think that she holds the answer for a lot of questions.", Said Adam, Rhaegel smiled.

"You know that I know when you lie, but that's fine, I know the sensitivity of the situation you're in, it must be very important.", Said Rhaegel, Adam left a faint smile that Rhaegel noticed.

"When I went to their hideout I found the corner for their leader, apparently his name was Micheal, probably the one dead close to the office in that corner, however, I found a lot messages at his office, most of them were from a person named Lance who was always checking on the guild and Michael, he was supposed to travel to them by now but he never mentioned where he originally lives, he maybe already dead with them and I don't know, but knowing more about him could help me, maybe he's alive and knows something about what happened.", Said Adam.

"I get you, you want to find this Lance.", Said Rhaegel.

"Exactly, even if you didn't find him then any information will be useful.", Said Adam.

"Don't worry, I'll see if there's any Lance connected with the shadow seekers in Orstone, I've my connections in this type of things.", Said Rhaegel.

"That's why I came to you, it's urgent matter general.", Said Adam.

"Don't worry, you came to the right person, whenever I find something I'll let you know.", Said Rhaegel.

"Fine, I think that I'm done here.", Said Adam before standing up.

"You haven't drunk anything, why don't you wait while I order something for you and chat a bit.", Said Rhaegel.

"Sorry general, I've a lot to do now.", Said Adam before turning back.

"Hey, Adam.", Said Rhaegel, Adam stopped before opening the door of the room.

"It was nice seeing you after a long time.", Said Rhaegel calmly, Adam turned his face side to him before nodding then he opened the door, the knights immediately saluted him then one of them entered the room.

"Do you want anything before I close the door, general?", Asked the knight.

"No, just close it.", Said Rhaegel seriously, his fierce manner is back again.

"At once.", Said the knight before closing the door behind him.

"That's a begining at least.", Thought Rhaegel while looking at the guards training down from his window.

Back at the warehouse where John and Edward are staying in, John was standing in front of a window observing the moon, the night was closing in at this hour, Edward was worried at the back.

"Are you sure about this John? What're you doing is very risky.", Said Edward worriedly.

"Keep calm, Edward, I've thought a lot about this and I'm sure that this is our best approach, getting rid of the hunter means victory.", Said John while still looking at the moon.

"Aren't you underestimating him?", Asked Edward worriedly.

"No it's the right way, he doesn't trust anyone except him, this is our only chance, any hesitation means failure, I'm fed up with fear, time to act and prove myself, carve my own name as the one who brought the crimson child to her destiny, can't you feel it Edward? We're just a step away from glory.", Said John enthusiastically.

"I don't know, maybe I'm still afraid from what I heard about the hunter.", Said Edward.

"Consider him a part from the past, he won't expect what's coming.", Said John calmly while looking at the end of the room where there appeared a person tied and his face completely hidden by a sack, it's not apparent though if this person is a female or male but for sure this is an adult, an abducted person who is losing his conscious!

At this moment, Shisk with a guard entered the room calmly.

"Yes, Mr. John.", Said Shisk, John turned to him.

"It's time, you know what you have to do, just be quiet and remember, don't draw attention to you.", Said John calmly.

"At once, Mr. John, excuse me.", Said Shisk before leaving, the other guard followed him.

"Relax, Edward, in an hour you will send my father a crow with a message that we have found the girl and I'm going to bring her to them in a couple of days, tell him that I'll bring honor to the Rascliffes.", Said John proudly.

"Aren't you worried at all, John?", Asked Edward.

"Of course I'm, we're not dealing with a simple situation, worrying is normal in situations like these, but in the same time I've faith in my plan.", Said John, Edward looked at him.

"I don't know if it will work out or not but he really tried, I never saw him this persistent before, I hope it works out, John, you deserve more appreciation from Mr. Alphonse.", Thought Edward while looking at John in a mix of fear and enthusiasm.

Back at the inn, Jaxith and Irene were sitting in their room.

"And that's how Senka raced every horse in that farm and beat all of them.", Said Irene proudly.

"A busy day it seems.", Said Jaxith while taking a look at his sword.

"Is something wrong with it?", Asked Irene.

"Just making sure no dust is reaching it, I've not used it for some days.", Said Jaxith.

"You're in love with that sword, right?", Said Irene while tapping on the table between her and Jaxith, it looks like they're waiting for the dinner.

"It's important to me.", Said Jaxith calmly.

"How long has it been with you?", Asked Irene curiously while resting her face over both of her hands while looking at Jaxith.

"Long time.", Said Jaxith boldly, he was still inspecting his sword, especially the golden mark above the hilt just at the base of the blade.

"You know you can be more specific than that.", Said Irene while looking at the sword too from her side, Jaxith looked at her considering his answer before looking back at the sword.

"16 years.", Said Jaxith.

"That's better, see, it wasn't bad talking about it, wait, what the actual f*** did you just say?!", Said Irene in surprise.

"Maybe I've heard it wrong.", Said Irene.

"You heard it right.", Said Jaxith, Irene looked shocked.

"That means it was with you since you were young, but how is it still in this state? It's like it's a new sword, the blade is still shining, that came to my mind several times, it's from a total different metal like iron or silver, right?", Said Irene in surprise.

"Yeah.", Said Jaxith before he sheathed the sword back and put it to the side, At instant, the door to the room was opened, Miller was holding a tray of food.

"The best cook is back.", Said Irene happily, Jaxith smiled when he saw her being so positive again.

"Looks like I've left a good impression here at Irene, Jaxith.", Said Miller while smiling before he put the tray between them.

"Thanks, Miller, I'll really miss you, but I'll come back to visit you after we solve everything.", Said Irene happily.

"Me too, young girl, now both of you eat, I'll take a quick look at a something outside, I'll come back in a moment.", Said Miller before getting out of the room, Jaxith looked at him while narrowing his eyes before taking a sip from his juice as always.

"Well I'm not waiting, I'm hungry.", Said Irene before she started eating and after five minutes something strange started happening.

Jaxith suddenly felt sharp pain in his chest that he dropped his glass containing the juice on the floor where it broke into pieces.

"JAX!", Shouted Irene in fear as Jaxith started falling to the ground.

"Oh no what's happening?", Said Irene in fear while hurrying to him on the ground.

"AHHHHH.", Shouted Jaxith from the pain.

"Jaxith, what's happening to you?", Asked Irene in panic while holding Jaxith's face with her hands, he was still not able to talk from pain.

"I'll bring Miller, he will know what to do.", Said Irene before she stood up then turned to leave but Jaxith grasped her leg.

"What?", Said Irene in fear.

"Run.", Said Jaxith in painful voice!

"What are you talking about?", Said Irene before Miller walked in.

"I'm sorry, Jaxith.", Said Miller while looking at Jaxith on the ground who was crying from pain and looking inhumanly to Miller.

"Did you poison him?", Asked Irene while looking at Miller in surprise, a tear fell from her right eye.

"RUN.", Shouted Jaxith in low groaning, Irene looked at Jaxith and didn't know what to do.

"RUN!", Shouted Jaxith again in pain, Irene this time tried to run but suddenly she started feeling light headed and stopped, she tried maintaining her balance by catching anything close to her but eventually she fell down losing her conscious!

"No, Irene!", Said Jaxith in the same groans while breathing heavily, he noticed two figures enter the inn and walked towards Irene but his vision was getting blurry.

"Sorry my friend, they got her, I didn't have many options.", Said Miller in a sad tone, Jaxith slowly closed his eyes while noticing Irene being lifted up from the ground.

"Take his sword but don't touch him now.", Said a harsh voice and that was the last voice that Jaxith heard.