Was That Illusion?

Zen:- But what do you mean by what the granny said? (He asked confusedly.)

Lucas:- After you fall asleep, take the medicine. The granny appeared again….(tells him in short) That's what happened. 

Nora:- Maybe she is telling the truth. 

Lucas, Zen:- So???? 

Nora:- I have no problem either. But if you two dare to cause me trouble, I will abandon you two. (She replied indifferently. She was happy inside as everything was happening the way she wanted.)

Lucas, Zen:- Yayyy!! 

[Author:- They didn't tell Zen about that old woman saying that he has something hidden.]

They continued their breakfast while discussing their further plan to get to their destination. 

Lucas:- So where are we going now? 

Zen:- Umm. We have to pass Trodrand City, Warkinles Village, Hebaessia, Drawayles Town. Since the Hebaessia isn't too big, we can cross this within 11 days I hope. After the Drawayles town, we will cross Kinslake lake. Then we will reach Locwizest forest, after the forest, we will enter Devlorchy Arch-Duchy. After then, we will be able to reach the empire capital Nocture. But the problem is the Arch-Duchy. It's way too big. We would waste a lot of time there.

Lucas:- Ughhh. What a long way, man!! 

Nora:- Then we are gonna stay in Trodrand City for 3 days. We will buy our necessary things and medical kit from there. Since we won't find everything at the village later, we should buy it in advance. After the new year, we will leave for Warkinles village. 

Lucas:- Then let's leave now. 

They got ready to start their journey together. After they finished their breakfast, they set out for Trodrand City. They safely got out of clover forest as it was day time. Dangerous animals don't attack much in the daytime. As they passed the Clover forest, they got to see the Trodrand city border. Which was situated on the other side of the forest. They were now too tired. So, they look for a good Inn to stay in around the city border area. After they found an inn, they got fresh and went down for lunch. After lunch, as it was afternoon, they planned to look around Trodand city and look for a good inn further. 

When they were looking around the city, that bat was still keeping an eye on them. They didn't notice that bat even for once. It was hiding itself well. That bat again flew to that young lady. The bat again turned into a man.

Bat:- Greetings my Lady. (He said with a bow) 

Lady:- Did they reach Trodrand city safely? 

Bat:- Yes, my lady. My lady, if you don't mind. May I ask a question?

Lady:- What is it? 

Bat:- My lady. Are you sure, this boy is the one we are searching for? What if he isn't the person we are hoping for?

Lady:- Hmm. He is that boy. I clearly saw the mark with my own eyes. My eyes can't deceive me. He is indeed the one we need. 

Bat:- I understand.

Lady:- Now, go! Stay with them. Your only work is to monitor them. We can't lose him. (She was fully covered in a hood, only her red heart lips were seen.) 

Bat:- As you please! (He changed into his bat form and flew back to them)

The next day, they found a new inn on the other side of the city and moved in. In these 2 days, they bought the things they would need for the journey and trained themselves. They heard that the citizens will celebrate the new year eve grandly at the city central point. So on New year eve, they went to the city central point. 

It was all cheery and bustling in there. People were running around and having fun. Some aristocratic couples were walking around the carnival hand in hand. Festivities were all around. Childrens were giggling and running around. Seller's were in a festive mood too and were calling for buyers loudly. Fireworks were booming in the sky. It looked so gorgeous. The colourful lights were hung around the streets.

Lucas:- Wow. It is so bustling here. (He said while looking around.)

Zen:- Yup. Everyone is enjoying it so much. I didn't think that their new year celebration would be this grand. Awesome.

Nora:- Look at the stalls. They are filled with various things. Let's take a look. We might find something useful for our journey.

Lucas:- That's right. Let's go. ( Nora and Lucas went toward the stalls.)

Zen:- Wait for me... ( He heard some awkward sounds. So he looked behind and saw something in the sky. That silhouette was huge and monstrous looking.)

Zen's POV:- W-what was that?

Lucas:- Hey!! Zen. What are you doing here? Come already. ( Lucas approached Zen from behind.)

Zen:- ( He looks back at him) Lucas. T- there. Look there. There is a ( He looked back at there but there was nothing.)

Lucas:- What? What is there? ( He tries to see what Zen was referring to.)

Zen:- Oh? N-nothing. It was a beautiful firework. So.. hehe.

Lucas:- Sigh. There will be more beautiful fireworks there. Let's go.

Zen:- Ok.

Zen's Pov:- Was that my imagination? Or was it really a monster? Emm. Nah. If it were a monster it would have attacked already. I think I don't have anything to be nervous about.

Then Zen and Lucas joined Nora. They looked around the carnival. Then they went back home. After 3 days staying at Trodrand City, they left for Warkinles village. 

After 2 days of journey, they made it to Warkinles village. But when they entered the village, they felt quite creepy. The village was known as a happy and prosperous village. But it was all quiet, gloomy and human-less even though it was daytime. They kept walking in search of an inn. Suddenly they heard an uproar. 

Lucas:- Guys. Did you two hear that? 

Nora:- The sound, which sounded like a monster's roar?

Zen:- I heard that too. What is actually happening here?

To Be Continued

**Khadiza Jahan**