Phantom

The recent events had left the city of Marcos in ruins, Minds of the residents scattered. How would one even begin to make sense of the fact that the largest human settlement in the entire country almost fell in just a single night at the hands of a creature never believed to exist, and saved again by beings of the same blood.

After the battle ,princess Emberle was laid unconscious in her room with little signs of recovery. Ernid was in the same state but was placed under heavy guard under house arrest a few miles north outside the city. As for Grey, he was back behind a cell in the castle basement with tighter chains around his neck ,legs and arms.

The corpses were gathered and burned outside the city along with the tears and regrets of the survivors. After two days had passed, reconstruction was already underway. Overseen by prince Cid and the order of black knights. Though no one was in high spirits

Fear had creeped in, the fear of the unknown, fear of another attack ,fear of sleeping as the nightmares would echo in a distance in the darkness of your own mind.

The citizens of Marcos had seen the true colors of the world after thousands of years of peace. All the ancient texts about exodus they had ignored, had come knocking on their doors. As the sun rose from the horizon ,a new day began.

A glaive knocked and entered Johnathan's office "Sir ,his Majesty would like a word with you" he said.

Johnathan lifted the book he had placed over his face and sat up straight to look at the knight

"*sigh*...what about?" he asked tardishly.

"He says it's a private matter ,sir"

"oh ,right...of course it is"

He left with the knight and followed him to the throne room where he found king Marcos standing by the window silently watching his people rebuild the city down below. His arms folded behind him.

"you wanted to see me?"

Asked Johnathan as the glaive quietly left and closed the door behind him.

" 'we truly are nearing the end of days' ...my wife said this to me the day I watched three children fight and defeat a demon barehanded as I and my knights hid behind a wall"

Marcos announced. His voice sounding slightly temperamental, but Johnathan stayed silent.

"And do you know what I felt?" He asked as he turned to look at him, "It was relief. I was relieved it wasn't me fighting that thing, I was relieved I was the one being protected. My own daughter lies half dead on her bed with a devil in her heart and here I am feeling relieved it wasn't me out there. I know, I'm a bad king, even more so, a father but I dare you to deny you felt the same way"

Johnathan still does not respond, but the facial expression he tried to hide gave Marcos the answer he was looking for...so he began to plot.

He walked up to Johnathan and placed a hand on his shoulder and said, "I need your help, Johnathan. This pathetic feeling ,we must eradicate. Help me secure our safety from anything that may make us feel this way ever again!"

To this, Johnathan found himself no longer able to keep silent. "...let me guess," he said, "You either want control over those kids like you do over the princess or you want them dead"

"I'm starting to think you might know me too well. I want you and the knights to find out who or what that flying girl was. I heard she woke up earlier this morning" Marcos said as he went to sit on his throne.

"And? Then what? What happens when you realize you can't control them?" Johnathan asked, slightly distressed.

"Then we kill them" Marcos casually replied.

"What if we can't? ...back then ,princess Emberle rejected drawn blood and fled to the boy's arms. For someone known to lose all self control at the sight of blood , that's already a red flag. Now call me a coward if you will but my instincts tell me this is one shit show I want no part of"

"He's only human, Johnathan. What scares you?" Marcos asked with a light mocking chuckle as he slouched on his throne.

"You don't believe that. You and I both know you don't believe that...and neither do I." Johnathan replied, "You saw what I saw. He was the only one who didn't show any signs of possession but he still fought that thing to a standstill. what the hell do you make of that? how's that even remotely close to being human?"

"So, what are you implying?"

"Nothing, your highness." Johnathan said as he calmed his voice, "I'm just saying that just this once, plan B might not be an option. It might be safer to have them as allies"

Merlin then appeared behind Johnathan like a ghost in his shadow that only Marcos could see. "I agree with the blondie" he claimed, "What I found about that girl is rather interesting. She does not carry a heart like Emberle...but perhaps something better."

With the information he had gained from Merlin, Marcos appeared in front of Grey's cell with a glaive and a maid holding a tray of bread, soup and a cup of tea as he held up a lantern.

"Morning ,lad, I don't suppose you could care for some breakfast? unlock the bars and his chains" He commanded.

The guards obediently do as he said and he entered the cell. The maid rushed in front of Grey and placed the tray on the ground Infront of him. He starts eating as soon as he stoped rubbing his wrists, making a mess of the breadcrumbs.

"Forgive my poor hospitality, I just didn't know what to make of you. I trust you can understand?" Marcos said politely.

"No ,I can't understand. I save your city and you lock me up, then give me a peasant's meal and expect me to be pleased? If anything, I feel insulted." he said with a mouthful, "You're lucky I'm hungry. And where is my sister?"

"Don't worry ,she's in better conditions. I have her in a house not far from the city. I can arrange for you to see her if that will calm your heart" Marcos replied, ignoring his repulsive tone and lack of manners.

"But I suppose leaving the city is out of the question?" Grey said after swallowing a large chunk of bread.

"Sadly so."

"Makes sense. I guess I underestimated your fear of the unknown. But tell me something," He then emptied the cup of tea like it was a glass of water before he continued to ask, "What's wrong with my sister? I'm sure you've already done your little research on her and stuff."

Marcos glared at him, unabele to hold his temper anymore. "Aren't you a little too informal in the presence of a king?" he said in contempt.

"... and you're a little too unfair to a hero so I'd say we're square." Grey brushed off the glare, "What's wrong with her? She was possessed but she could still hear my voice, she was listening to me."

With heavy sigh, Marcos let his frustration go and decided it best to continue feigning politeness, "How long have you known about her condition?"

"long enough."

"...If you're not willing to trust me then why should I trust you?"

Grey arranged dishes on the tray as he had finished eating. "Fine, that's fair I suppose. Let me see my sister and I'll tell you everything you want to know. But I expect the same from you" He said as handed him the tray, the maid stepped forward to take it instead.

"Very well then." Marcos agreed, "In the meantime ,you shall remain here unshackled until I call for you"

"Already feels like home. I wonder if this is how you treat all your guests!" he shouted as the cell door was locked behind the king.

Far South of Marcos, beyond the canyos, caves and mountains , through the forests and past the dry lands, there was a small village near a river. Here children laughed and played as men worked in the fields and chopped wood while women washed their blankets and clothes in a nearby river. It was a truly peaceful place, a simple society with a balanced structure and little to complain about. But within this village, one of the men heard a call.

"psst"

He looked around him but he didn't see anyone trying to get his attention so he continued to chop his wood. Then the sound came again, this time it sounded closer but he still couldn't tell where it was coming from.

***Thus Merlin's explanation to the king cuts in

'what I learned about that girl is truly interesting' He had said.

***

The sound came again for the third time ,but this time it sounded harsher and more like a wounded man. "PSSSST! Over...*cough* h-here!"

The man reluctantly followed the sound to the trees behind him. He slowly walked into the shade to investigate.

"that's it...good, almost there" it continued to encourage him as he went further into the forest.

**

'She holds the power of [the soul gate]. Everytime it's activated ,the gates of hell are breached just barely enough for a demon to squeeze through'

**

As he went deeper, he saw a vivid dark figure of a person hiding behind a tree. "come on, just a few more steps," the figure said.

The man was confused as he could hear something burning but could see no fire. He could smell it too, it smelled like ash the closer he got to the figure but no matter how hard he looked there was no sign of a fire or smoke anywhere. So he timidly asked, "H-hey, buddy, are you okay?" as he got closer.

Then the figure replied, "Good! Perfect! That's close enough."

It's body turned to collective black smoke and it instantly flew towards him so fast that he had no react. It was so thick that when it hit the man on the chest he was thrown at a distance.

'We can't kill her because whomever is on the other side will just boot her back and another demon will come with. We can't chain her or lock her up because we still don't know what her brother is capable of'

The man opened his eyes after a few seconds and sat up straight while shielding himself from the sun. "Ah ,so bright up here," he complained.

He looked at his hands with a pleased expression and smiled, then proceeded to celebrate.

"ha...haha...hahahahaha. I'M FREEEEE!! hahahaha" he laughed wholeheartedly as he fell on his back and stretched out his arms. "It's impossible, they said. Demons cannot survive on earth ,they said. Ha! bullshit, just possess a human before the curse takes effect and that stupid contract is cheated"

"Maria, I'm coming for you!"

We can't kill her, Merlin had warned the king, because whomever is on the other side will just boot her back and another demon will come with. We can't chain her or lock her up because we still don't know what her brother is capable of. This was what forced him to overlook Grey's behavior.

"Johnathan is right, great king," Merlin had said, "You need them as allies."