THE INTERROGATION

The door of the tavern in Lumina was opened wide and Adam walked in calmly as the door slowly closed behind him.

There were a few people in the tavern at this time, Jacob, the tavern keeper, looked at Adam suspiciously, he was checking the suit he was wearing which is clearly for an important person, Jacob decided to ignore him and went back to cleaning the mugs in front of him.

The people were already looking at Adam, they were wondering who he is and what he's doing here, it's not everyday they see someone like him specially in a distant village like Lumina.

Adam started looking around him at the few people who reluctantly looked back at their drinks drifting away from Adam's serious gaze, he of course notices the attention he was getting, not just in here, but in all of the village since he reached it, just a couple of guards that the village people know so someone like him obviously will attract too much attention.

Adam walked slowly towards the counter where Jacob is standing behind with his back to Adam while cleaning some of the mugs, Adam reached for the counter and pulled one of the stools to sit on and raised his arms above the counter while looking at Jacob.

Jacob noticed that Adam was now behind him and looking at him, this made Jacob feel worried.

"What can I bring you, sir? It's the first time I see you here in Lumina so excuse me for asking about your drink, I know the favorite drink for every guard in here and the few officials that come every now and then.", Said Jacob politely while turning to Adam.

"May I ask you about your name, sir?", Asked Jacob, Adam was still silent while looking at Jacob.

"Jacob, right?", Asked Adam calmly.

"Yes, sir.", Said Jacob politely.

"My name won't matter, Jacob, you won't see me again, unless you want me to come back.", Said Adam seriously, Jacob started looking worried.

"I'm afraid that I don't understand what you mean sir.", Said Jacob.

"Don't worry, just be cooperative and everything will go smooth, we can start by a glass of water, I don't drink during the work hours.", Said Adam confidently, he's playing it right, he needs the complete control on Jacob to tell him whatever he knows about Jaxith and in the same time he doesn't want to make him panic.

"Of course, sir, just a minute.", Said Jacob before he brought Adam a glass of water, Adam calmly drank half of the glass.

"You have a nice kid and wife Jacob.", Said Adam while smiling, Jacob got more worried, is he threatening him or what?

Jacob sat calmly in the opposite direction of the counter while looking angrily at Adam.

"What do you want and who are you? And you better not bring my family in whatever seek.", Said Jacob angrily.

"Then you better be straight forward about what I'm seeking.", Said Adam boldly, Jacob was still looking angry but he noticed a source of white light coming from below so he lowered his head to find that Adam's hand that's holding the glass of water above the counter is shining in silver aura!

Jacob even sensed heat coming from it and noticed that water started producing bubbles as if it was boiling!

"Who are you?", Said Jacob in fear.

"Actually I'm a good man that they send when things get complicated, but I can be a bad man too if you want.", Said Adam seriously in a quiet tone so that only Jacob can hear him, Jacob started sweating from fear and Adam stopped the silver aura.

"I've some questions for you and I know that you hold the answers that I need, you answer them then you won't see me again, you hide any single piece of information and things will get even more complicated, I'm also the one they send when things get more complicated, but as the bad man.", Said Adam seriously, Jacob decided to tell him whatever he wants, he now knows that Adam isn't an ordinary human and he doesn't want to take any risks with him specially that he mentioned his family.

"What do you need?", Asked Jacob calmly.

"Words on the street that you're the closest friend to the infamous monster hunter.", Said Adam seriously.

"Do you mean, Jaxith?", Asked Jacob, he was getting even more worried now because Jaxith hasn't returned yet.

"Indeed.", Said Adam.

"Did he do something wrong? Jaxith is a good person, sir, and if he did something wrong then I'm sure there must be a misunderstanding.", Said Jacob, he was afraid that Jaxith may be in danger.

"No, nothing like that, his reputation precedes him, I know he was helpful to all of you but at the same time, his past is a little vague, don't you think?", Said Adam.

"Do you mean before he arrived here in Lumina?", Asked Jacob.

"Exactly.", Said Adam.

"Well that's tricky, may be I'm close to him but Jaxith is like a sealed gate, he never speaks about himself, he always dodges the questions about his past or family or from where he's actually from, he's not from Vidin if you don't know.", Said Jacob.

"I do know he's not a Vidinian, but I expected more from you than this Jacob.", Said Adam boldly.

"Sorry, sir, Jaxith is more of an introvert than an active person, he's either hunting or in his house, the man is 27 years old and still doesn't want to know even a single woman, it's like he just doesn't care about anything, but he's not a dangerous person, sir.", Said Jacob.

"Don't worry, you can say he has something so important that he doesn't even know how important it is.", Said Adam.

"Something like what, sir?", Asked Jacob.

"Don't bother yourself with this, you can tell me another thing, he's using a black sword, did he use another weapon or sword when he came here?", Said Adam.

"No, it has always been this sword and nothing else, I could even feel that this sword is close to him, he's even keeping it in good condition, it's about seven years since he came here and the sword was with him which means that it was with him before even he came here.", Said Jacob.

"Did you notice anything unusual about this sword before?", Asked Adam.

"No, if its length and weight is normal I guess, it's heavier than normal swords.", Said Jacob.

"I see.", Said Adam while thinking.

"Jaxith is clearly hiding something, he doesn't want anyone to know anything about him.", Thought Adam.

"Don't you think that it's strange for someone like him to appear from nowhere to settle here? Come on, Jacob, you're the closest one to him here, I bet that he told you a thing or two.", Said Adam.

"Jaxith in general is either hunting or in his house, at night before he goes out to hunt he usually gets here and has a drink, that's why he spends some time here, but that doesn't mean that I'm close to him, I always tried to understand him more but he's just like that.", Said Jacob.

"Heavy drinker?", Asked Adam.

"No, it may sound stupid but actually he doesn't drink wine, beer or the alcoholic drinks generally, he only drinks orange juice.", Said Jacob.

"What?", Said Adam in surprise.

"As you heard, another mystery to be solved about almighty Jaxith.", Said Jacob while smiling, Adam paused for a moment while thinking.

"Did something unusual happen to him before he went to Orstone? You say that he always drink before going to hunt so you must have noticed something unusual about him, if there was.", Said Adam seriously, Jacob thought about this and remembered how Jaxith looked odd the morning he came early, he decided to tell Adam what he knows, better safe than sorry, this man is dangerous and he was sure that Jaxith can deal with whatever is happening better than him, he can't risk his family.

"Actually there was something strange with him that day.", Said Jacob.

"Like what?", Asked Adam curiously.

"He came early this day unlike his habit, he came into the tavern at early morning, I was still arranging the place and there was no one else in the tavern, he didn't look well and I don't mean his health, it's like he wasn't the same Jaxith that I know.", Said Jacob.

"What was the difference?", Asked Adam while fully focusing.

"The usual Jaxith is sharp focused, but in that day he looked like he wasn't focusing well, I thought at first that he was going to hunt early but he told me that he had a bad night so I thought it's from Albes' dogs but he said that it has nothing to do with the dogs, I tried to freshen him up a bit and he smiled but I could easily notice that he was faking this smile, he was even zoning out while I was talking to him, this wasn't Jaxith.", Said Jacob.

"That's all of it?", Said Adam, Jacob thought about that day before looking back at Adam.

"He asked me a weird question actually.", Said Jacob.

"What did he ask?", Asked Adam.

"He asked me what I would do if I felt that someone was in danger but at the same time I'm not sure if it's a trap or not.", Said Jacob, Adam started looking carefully at Jacob, finally something useful.

"I told him that it's a risk I'm not willing to take specially that I don't know if that person really needs help or not and also I'm not the one carrying sword, but he is, I told him that it's his habit to help people and he is smart enough to deal with any trap or someone trying to mess with him.", Said Jacob.

"In other words you told him to go and see if that person needs help or not.", Said Adam.

"Exactly.", Said Jacob.

"Don't you know who that person is?", Asked Adam curiously.

"No sir, he was just confused between Wolford and Orstone and I told him that the town with hills is Orstone, after that he left the tavern and I didn't see him since that time, there are even some news about an incident at Orstone a few days ago, is Jaxith connected with that sir?", Said Jacob worriedly, Adam looked at him for a moment before looking to the right side, he was connecting all the information.

"No, Jacob, and you shouldn't think much about that, is there any other thing that you want to tell me about Jaxith? Anything suspicious.", Said Adam.

"No sir, there's not much to say about Jaxith, but on that day he was strange, like something was on his mind, beside that, Jaxith is always the same.", Said Jacob.

"I understand, thank you for your cooperation.", Said Adam while standing up.

"I've really told you what I know sir, could you please keep my family out of this?", Said Jacob worriedly.

"Don't worry, nothing will happen.", Said Adam.

"Thank you.", Said Jacob, Adam turned to leave but stood silent.

"You should erase what happened now from your mind, Jacob, I wasn't even here, right?", Said Adam in a commanding demeanor without even looking back.

"O-of course sir.", Said Jacob I fear.

"Good.", Said Adam before walking out of the tavern, Jacob finally started breathing normally, he was stressed by Adam's presence, he looked down at the glass which was half filled with water, it's now empty with some condensed water droplets on the walls from the heat!

Adam walked to his horse while thinking deeply about what he heard from Jacob.

"So it wasn't a coincidence as I thought, Jaxith did know that something was going to happen, the question is how? How did he know that the hybrid was in danger? Maybe He's a friend of one the thieves in the guild and went to help him but he found them dead and instead helped the girl, or maybe he has connection with the assassin that killed all of the guild and he knew that something was going to happen, or maybe another possibility, but at least that's a progress, I've some leads to follow for now and hopefully I'll reach them before something drastic happens.", Thought Adam before riding his horse.

Between Blamore and his yet unknown intentions with Irene and the urgent need for Irene as a future queen in Reldret with Adam tailing her, Jaxith's quest is going to be even harder by the time.

It was evening now in Ebonmere, Jaxith was sitting alone outside of the inn on a wooden bench while looking at the clear sky, his expression was the same calm expression as always.

The door of the inn was opened from inside and Miller came out.

"You still sitting here?", Asked Miller.

"I'm waiting for Irene, it's getting late and she hasn't showed up yet.", Said Jaxith.

"Don't worry, she was playing with some kids from the village before the sunset, I thought you would be with her.", Said Miller.

"No I don't want to be with her while having fun, she needs some space after what happened lately to her, she was dealing with no one except me the past few days.", Said Jaxith while looking at Miller.

"In that case I think you're right, especially that she is an adventurous one.", Said Miller with a faint smile.

"You should excuse her for what happened this morning, she's sensitive with that matter.", Said Jaxith.

"I understand what happened, Jaxith, she didn't do anything wrong, maybe she gets angry easily but of course she was defending herself, but I really didn't expect this harsh reaction from you.", Said Miller.

"He asked for it, I was holding myself but he crossed all the lines there.", Said Jaxith.

"It's okay, Jaxith, I don't blame you for anything, excuse me now, the evening is usually crowded like this here, I'll get back.", Said Miller while turning back.

"If you need anything just tell me.", Said Miller before he closed the door behind him.

Just after that a horse neigh echoed which in turn caught Jaxith's attention towards his left side where he spotted Irene riding Senka towards the inn, he looked in relief that she was safe.

Irene reached Jaxith and dismounted from Senka.

"Hey Jax.", Said Irene while smiling, Jaxith can easily deduce that she is happy.

"So you found some kids to have fun with.", Said Jaxith.

"Yeah, actually they were the ones that asked me to play with them, I was just watching them, they reminded me of how I used to have fun with Flinn and Leo and the others when I was with the guild.", Said Irene, there was a bit of sadness behind her words.

"Anyway, how are you now?", Said Irene as she moved to sit beside Jaxith.

"I'm fine, it's good that you have fun here, that's what matters now.", Said Jaxith before he raised his left hand to move Irene's hair away from the side of her face.

"Is something wrong Jax?", Asked Irene.

"I'm checking your burns.", Said Jaxith before he lowered his hand.

"I've forgotten about them, I'm not even feeling them, how are they now?", Said Irene.

"They're gone, that's why you're not feeling them.", Said Jaxith.

"Wow, I didn't think that Emelia's potion is so effective.", Said Irene in surprise.

"Actually it's not the potion only, it just helped a bit this morning.", Said Jaxith.

"Do you mean that there's another thing that helped?", Asked Irene.

"Yes.", Said Jaxith.

"What's it?", Asked Irene.

"I think that this quick healing is due to the activation of your demonic side.", Said Jaxith.

"Is that something good or bad?", Asked Irene worriedly.

"Of course it's good, don't be naive, think of it as a superpower, you will need this during our journey, who knows how many dangerous encounters we will meet so if you got injured it will be good to know that you won't be in great danger, that depends on the limits of your healing of course, you're not a complete demon.", Said Jaxith in a comforting manner, Irene looked relieved after hearing him then looked at the sky.

"I didn't know that you like to watch the sky at night.", Said Irene.

"I prefer any peace or calmness.", Said Jaxith.

"Yeah I know you do, you're sooooo peaceful.", Said Irene while averting her eyes at Jaxith.

"What are you implying to?", Asked Jaxith, she is clearly making fun of his talk.

"I didn't leave directly this morning, I saw everything.", Said Irene while smiling.

"Saw what?", Said Jaxith.

"You miss with her, you miss with me.", Said Irene while making a funny expression before bursting into laughter, Jaxith just looked at her silently.

"I'm ready to bet that he pissed in his pants from fear.", Said Irene while laughing loudly, Jaxith looked at the sky again with a little smile.

"Come on, you should be laughing rather than this weak smile, life isn't always serious, Jax.", Said Irene.

"I'll try.", Said Jaxith.

"I think that's your way after all, by the way, sorry for losing my temper this morning, you talked to me about this more than a time about that.", Said Irene while looking at the ground.

"Look up girl, I didn't mean that you let any a**hole talk to you like that, you didn't do anything wrong, with the mayor you were the one with a mistake and he was having the upper hand so we needed a smart approach to let him leave you without anyone following you as we still don't know the people following you, but what you did this morning is something I'm proud of, your self respect is the most important thing in your life.", Said Jaxith.

"So that's why you got angry with him?", Asked Irene.

"Yeah, he got no right to talk to you like that.", Said Jaxith while looking at the sky, Irene looked at him with a warm smile.

"But that doesn't mean that you won't work on your temper.", Said Jaxith before looking seriously at her.

"Fine grandpa.", Said Irene sarcastically, they sat for a while like that before Irene told Jaxith that she was starving and both of them went into the inn, just as they entered there was a carriage approaching the inn.

It was crowded in the inn just like Miller told Jaxith, people were enjoying their drinks while chatting about several things, Jaxith could even hear some of them talking about what he did this morning defending Irene, Irene was walking behind him proudly until they reached Miller and the door of the inn opened and two gentlemen entered entered with two guards in front of them, these two men were John and Edward!