Receiving The Stones

Lucas, Zen & Nova:- Greetings to the sun of the duchy. (They said with a bow)

The duke:- All the pleasure is mine. How are you all now? 

Zen:- We are fine now. 

The duke:- I heard you just woke up, Zen. I'm sorry that I called for you guys right away. I just couldn't wait to see our saviors in the right state. All of you are still so young, yet did this type of hard work. 

Zen:- No, It's fine. We were also planning to leave by tomorrow. We can't delay anymore.

The duke:- I see. Thank you so much, brave warriors. I don't know how to repay you guys. After that day, It's been three days. But they didn't return. We are hoping that they won't come back. Even if they return, it won't be as bad as then. 

Nora:- It's good news then. 

The duke:- Sure, it is. Now, tell me what do you want as your prize? 

Lucas:- We don't need anything your Majesty. 

The duke:- Are you guys sure? Not anything at all?

Nora:- Yes, your grace. We don't need anything.

The duke:- But still I can't let you guys go empty handed when you all fought while keeping your life at stake. If you guys don't want anything, then let me offer you this. (The servant held a box in front of them and opened it. There were 12 stones. Green, Light Gray, Yellow, White, Pink, Light Blue, Dark Blue, Brown, Metal, Black, Purple, Red) These stones were gifted to me by an old lady. She said that these stones are precious stones. It contains magical powers. It might be helpful for you guys and please keep the little appreciation of mine (three little pouches of gold.) Don't deny it. You guys will need it in your journey. 

Nora:- Thank you for this kind gesture. If you're insisting this much, then we shall take these stones with us. It would be an honor for us to accept your appreciation. Thank you so much.

Zen:- Then we will take our leave by tomorrow morning. It was such an honor to live these few days in this great castle.

The duke:- I see. Our castle door is always open for you guys. Come visit us whenever you wish. Please join me for dinner today. 

Lucas:- We will. Thank you, your Majesty.

On the other side,

Bat:- My lady. It looks like he is truly that person we were searching for. He has the dagger spiro. But how did you see that even before his awakening?

Lady:- I told you he is the one. He is that knight who we were looking for. We must keep him safe from the peoples of *Nocturna Eclipse*. And that dagger spiro was visible slightly in his childhood but that wasn't clear enough for a human to see.

Bat:- Yes my lady. They have already encountered him. We must do something. Otherwise he might not be able to make it to the Moon Knight Empire. 

Lady:- Don't panic. I will not let them take him away. I need him. He must stay on our side. Go back to them. Don't move your eyes from them for a second. If anything happens, don't act hastily. Try to help them without their attention. We can't reveal ourself.

Later, at dinner time, they joined the duke at the royal dining table. There was the prince too. He thanked them for saving his life. They talked about this and that. They took some rest after the dinner in their rooms.

On the contrary, In the Dark Castle, a man was sitting on the throne. Some mysterious man was kneeling on one knee before him. 

The man:- It's the first time you guys retreated. What happened to the Emberbeasts? (He asked coldly while sitting on his throne)

Soldier:- We apologize to my lord but it looks like we mistakenly encountered the "Moon Knight". He awakened his thunder spiritual power. There was a dagger tattoo on his neck. The same as that man. Currently he has only one spiritual power.

The man:- I see. It's fine he might have another spiritual power highest. We don't have any time for him. If he keeps causing trouble just capture that boy alive like him. Don't let it drag you out of track. Keep aiming for your mission. 

Soldier:- Yes my lord. I think we should change the location now. We searched high and low but still there wasn't any sign of it.

The man:- Ok. Then do it. We must find those first before those vampires. Without that it would be a risk to operate our main plan.

So they changed the location and started planning to go to another place to find that precious thing. 

After some time, Lucas and Nora went to Zen's room to make a plan. 

Zen:- We have already delayed 5 days here. Should we change our plan a little about stopping anywhere?

Lucas:- But that's impossible. We still have a lot of distance to go. The Arch Duchy is huge. 

Nora:- That's right. 

Zen:- Then we can't do anything. We might not have any time to practise before the competition after we reach there.

Nora:- That's better than rushing off and worn out yourself. We might have fallen ill from the rush.

Zen:- Hmm. Fine. 

Lucas:- Okay. But what do you think about those stones that his majesty gave us? 

Nora:- Hmm. Those stones do look quite extraordinary. What might these stones do, I wonder. (She picked up the box and opened that box) 

Zen:- Yeah. I was wondering th… wait, is that stone shining? (He point at a green stone which was slightly shining)

Lucas:- Oh yeah. That is really shining. Let's take a closer look. (He picked up the stone from the box.)

As soon as he touched it the stone shone brightly catching them unprepared. They were all surprised. When the light subsided, they opened their eyes. But the stone wasn't in Lucas's hand. 

To Be Continued

**Khadiza Jahan**