Right-hand man

"What? Are you not willing to answer me?" Arsenal asked the young lad. "Is your master that important or is it that I am not worthy of knowing who he is?" He squinted his eyes as he stared at him.

"Not that," Ralph replied and sighed. "He's dead... Being dead for a really long time so I don't know what to say about him," he shrugged.

"Say the least you know," Arsenal pressed.

"Fine. He is the founder of a new clan called the 'Shadow clan' He took me in when I had nowhere to go and since then he has become my master. I trained under him and became this strong but unfortunately, someone killed him," Ralph spoke and Arsenal could feel the pain in his voice as he said the last part.

"Have you been able to avenge his death?" He asked but the lad shook his head. "Hmmm, I will help you do that since I am your new master."

"Can you really go against him?" Ralph asked, his voice displaying the uncertainty lying deep in his heart. "You are strong but he's stronger than you."

"Oh, really?" Arsenal asked and flashed him an intense glare. "I am not a man of many words but believe me when I speak."

Seeing how serious Arsenal was, and coupled with how strong he was currently, it didn't take the lad any further time to fall to his knees and bow.

"I am willing to become your servant, my people will be your people and your matters will be ours," he said with a voice as clear as crystal.

Arsenal smiled briefly before helping him up to his feet. "You won't be my servant, you will become my right-hand man."

Ralph was no fool, despite his young age, he knew the meaning of that title, the roles meant to be played and every other thing associated with it. It was a very crucial matter to him and he was scared to accept it. Being a servant was better than being a right-hand person, nevertheless the advantages.

Seeing his difficulties, Arsenal smiled. "I am a simple man, as such, I won't make things difficult for you. But if you are still unwilling, it's fine."

The lad fell silent for a while; of course, the offer was a lot tempting but he had to weigh the pros and cons of agreeing because it's his life he is placing on the line. 'Never mind, this is a lifetime opportunity. He's very strong and there is something about him that feels so mystical, I can't miss this opportunity. If I end up dying in the process, it is worth it'

"Have you concluded?" Arsenal asked him after some time.

"Yes. I accept," he replied.

"Very good then," Arsenal said and jumped straight to business. "I believe there are demons around this town, you know your way around better than I so I want you to go around and gather them here."

"If I may ask... Who are you, sir?" Ralph asked with uneasiness.

"You want to know who I am?" Arsenal asked him and he slowly nodded his head. Arsenal laughed and turned around with his back facing them. "My identity is fishy and complicated. Even I don't know who I am."

Ralph glanced at Muna before facing Arsenal again, he didn't know what to do or say.

"My identity doesn't matter. What matters is that I may be either evil or a good man, it depends on my mood," Arsenal said.

Though the answer didn't quell the curious mind of Ralph, the lad knew his limit. As such, he didn't ask further.

"I will leave and do as you've commanded me," he said to Arsenal, and before anyone could turn, he disappeared, and the only thing they noticed was his faint shadow running after the body.

After they were gone, Arsenal turned to Muna and noticed she was restless about something.

"What is the matter?" He asked her.

"Him," she replied, staring at the entrance as if someone was standing there.

"Him?" He asked, pretending not to know what she was talking about.

"I don't trust him," she replied.

"But I do," he said. "He should be the same age as me, I can make him a friend."

"But..."

"No buts, my decision is final," Arsenal said but Muna was unwilling to back down yet.

"Arsenal, you can't just accept someone you don't know," she pressed, hoping that she could at least change his mind but it didn't work out the way she wanted, rather, it made things worse for her.

"Since when did you get to tell me what to do?" Arsenal fiercely turned around and asked her. At this moment, he had forgotten that he was too weak to even do anything. He grabbed her by the jaw and pulled her face close to his own. With a piercing gaze that sent shivers down the girl's spine, he said. "As long as I am concerned, you are under me. As such, you don't have the right to tell me what to do and what not to do. Whenever I make a decision, let it be that way; whether it ends up good or bad, it won't concern you!" After he said that, he pushed her away from him.

"Okay, fine!" Muna replied and left the place for him.

After she left, Arsenal brushed his hair backward and let out a deep sigh.

"What the heck was that?" He muttered and his expression turned gloomy. He gazed at the entrance and wanted to go after Muna but after another thought, he sighed and didn't go again. He had never spoken to her like that before but he didn't know what had taken over him that made him suddenly become angry over her nagging. He felt bad for having spoken to her the way he did but then, he didn't want to admit his mistakes. One part of him was telling him that he did the right thing while the other was saying the opposite and funny enough, the one that felt right gave him reasons as to why it was so; he had no choice but to reason with that part of him.

He sighed and went to sit down at the chair where Ralph had occupied earlier, he had his strength to recover so instead of dwelling on the 'unimportant issue' he had better use that time to recuperate.

After some time, he heard noises coming from the entrance and when he looked, expecting to see Muna, it was Ralph's shadow. His brows slightly folded but he didn't let it show.

The shadow walked into the place and waved his hand, when he did, a group of people fell to the ground, grumbling.

"There are still many more demons lurking around, they aren't easy to catch but we are trying our best," the shadow said and left immediately.

"Who are you!" One of the demons asked Arsenal as he rose to his feet. It was an old demon man dressed in black, he looked quite aggressive.

"Who am I?" Arsenal who had his head rested on his hand asked the demon as he sat straight. He locked eyes on the demon and suddenly, the demon fell to his knees and began to tremble. "I will tell you who I am but first, you must pass the test I am about to give you."