章 44: The Seer

Under a blanket of the stagnant fog, countless armored corpses were found lying on the rocky ground, fresh bloods were forming rivers as they flow from the heavily injured bodies. Heavy patters were heard, it was footsteps treading the lonely and murky landscape.

It was a tall demon, whose mouth was covered with a mask hewn from bones, his skin was rough and colored in dark purple, his body was clad in dark armor, there were spikes seen on the back of his arm. He held a long spear whose length was close to his full height. His name was Page nine, Jericho.

An injured soldier groaning in pain crawled away, struggling to withdraw from his presence. Jericho tread casually towards him, he stepped upon the soldier's back, pinning him down.

"Human, let me ask you a question, what happens if an unstoppable spear meets and unbreakable shield?" Jericho said.

The soldier whimpered trying to break free. "I--I-- don't know." He cried.

"Five, four, three---" Jericho counted as he rose his spear.

"Please spare me." He wailed.

"Times up." Jericho spoke lightly, he then sliced the man's head into two.

Then to his right, a lightning ball flew towards him, it struck him yet the ball disintegrated when it was few inches away from his skin, as though there was an invisible shield around him. Only sparks of faint electricity crackled around him. He then pounced into the deep fog, to where the magic came from, and then he found himself landing close to a group of imperial mages. He swiveled his head towards them, shooting out glares of fright on their skins.

"Humans, let me ask you a question, what happens if an unstoppable spear meets and unbreakable shield?" Jericho said.

The mages got startled back. "I don't know."

"Then it's a shame." Jericho swung his spear, slicing the group of mages in one fell swoop, mangling their bodies into two. Blood spurted outwards, bathing the rocks with fresh blood.

The demon continued prancing across the pile of bodies, suddenly a jet black crow screeched, it came into view from the thick fog and landed on Jericho's shoulder. "Lord Sangurn says your needed in Raxin, Cluck!" The crow had four marble eyes, it had two horns on its head and its tall beak was curved like a sycthe.

Jericho grunted, he bent his neck to and fro, cracking his bones as though warming up. "I'm getting bored here, everyone in the human realm are too weak."

"Cluck!" Squealed the demon crow. "Humans to your left."

Jericho rotated his foot to his left, then he faced a jacked up soldier, whose helmet were broken, his armor wasn't in a good condition, and he was winded, mustering all of his strength just to stand on his legs. "Damn you Dersim! And you demons!" Blurted the soldier.

Jericho eloped towards him, when they were close, he loomed over the soldier, he was twice as tall as the soldier. "Let me ask you a question."

The soldier staggered backwards, he then took his armor off, his stomach revealed a magic circle filled with runes, it glowed in crimson as though it was on fire. "I'm gonna die with you monster!" He screamed desperately.

Then a sudden explosion bursted outwards, it covered a large vicinity, sending tremors on the earth, blowing out a gust of the wind in all directions.

When the explosion and the thick smoke subsided, Jericho emerged from it unscathed, the crow on his shoulder cackled. "Cluck, cluck, humans are truly idiots. Everyone knows you're unstoppable, yet they keep trying."

"I'm still looking for the man who knows the answer."

***

Blue strolled through the road, he eyed the shops and buildings on the corner, desperately seeking for unhexers on the town. In this world with magics and runes, it wasn't unlikely that there would be individuls who could lift a curse, or so he hoped. Once his curse was lifted, he would quickly kill himself, the pain on his heart already swallowed him whole, it was unbearable. The world infront of him looked grey and bleak, literally, nothing in this world is worth living for. He covered his face as he struggled to contain his frustration, then his shoulder bumped into somebody.

"Oh sorry." Said Skylar.

Blue casted a sneer, his eyes sharpened towards him.

Skylar got confused, then Blue continued walking away, grunting. Skylar's eyes followed Blue as he shrunk away from sight. "What a mean person."

Blue tucked in his hands on his pockets, wearing his sullen face for everyone to see, his presence was reeking in negativity that other people avoided him, afraid of picking up his sad energy. Then a certain building caught his eye, he opened the door, stepped inside and found himself inside a tiny room. Just infront of him was a table, above it was a crystal ball that sat upon a thick, sleek folded blanket. Behind the table was a short old hag, rubbing her palms on its smooth surface.

"Young man, do you want to know your future?" The old hag spoke raspily.

Blue rose his lip, pleased after he realized he met a seer. Normally, he would find seers in his previous world to be hacks and complete hogwash, but this world was different. "Old woman, I would be very pleased if I can know what will happen to me in the future."

The old woman nodded, she gestured for him to come close. Blue leaned forward. "What is it, old woman?" He said.

"Give me your hand."

Blue smiled. "No problem." He extended his arm and the old woman recieved it, she got startled after she noticed he had tall and sharp nails, protruding. But she ignored it and continued her work.

The old woman narrowed her eyes, her voice strong and serious. "What do you want to know?"

"My death."

The old woman chuckled. "Well it's a common request, so why not."

The old woman carressed his palm, and while he does it, Blue had a stoic and calm face.

She then motioned her hands around the crystal ball. The ball's surface glinted, showing nothing but a warped reflection of his face. "Your death will not be grand, but it will be meaningful." Spoke the old woman.

Blue laughed menacingly. "As long as I die, it doesn't really matter."

The old woman chuckled. "You're an odd fellow, pleased at your death."

"Anyway, what else." Blue said.

"You will die in a certain way in which I cannot comprehend. I never saw this before, definitely my first time." Her tone told she was shocked.

Blue squinted his eyes attempting to assess what she said. "What do you mean?"

The old woman looked into his eyes. "But before you die, you will be reborn as a new being and then your death will shake the world."

Blue grunted in rage. "Old woman, enough with the obscurities!" He hissed.

"They may be obscure but they are accurate." The old woman spoke.

Blue sighed. "Just when I thought you weren't a hack." He stood up and rotated to the door's direction.

"Geez, people these days have no respect." Said the old seer.

When Blue stepped upon the doorway, the old woman's voice halted his foot. "Be sure to take care of the girl who is with you."

Blue's eyes broadened, he turned his quizzical face to the seer, his expression revealed he had a hard time swallowing her words. He then composed himself. "Anything else?"

"Avoid the man who seeks your soul, it will lead her to trouble."

Blue was puzzled, he looked away and left the room. As Blue sauntered on the road, his head bent down, thinking deep. Right now, since his death was ensured there was no reason to look for anyone else, the woman was enough, but at all cost she must be protected. "The man who seeks my soul, who the hell is that?" He rubbed his chin.

***

On a certain narrow street, Celina and Shekurya stood beside each other, holding their blades, they faced Zemur's men, it was obvious their intent was to take her away.

At the same time, four charged towards Shekurya, Shekurya dashed across them, leaving several after images on her trails, thus confusing the enemies. "What the?" The enemies said. Without their notice they were already cut down by Shekurya, four of the enemies fell on their knees, bleeding out.

While three charged towards Celina, she sidestepped away and dodged their swings, she deflected the blades coming at her, however, there were too many of them, she couldn't keep up. She was forced to scoot backwards since the enemies were too much for her.

Currently, only three were chasing Celina, as for Shekurya, she sliced down everyone else effortlessly, as though they were dummies. Celina didn't want to look lame, she strengthen her pose and faced the three pursuers. They rose their blades above their heads and were about to strike, Celina leaped sideways, parrying their swings. She then pounced back at them, and used the side of her blade to hammer one of the pursuer. When it struck him, he groaned and crouched in pain.

Celina dodged quick when a man lunged his blade into her stomach, the blade was inches from her skin. The man continued charging, Celina quickly sidestepped, then extended her foot outward, the man's foot jostled against hers, causing the man to fall over.

With only one remaining, she sprinted into the last man's direction, she then halted when the tip of her blade was right infront of the man's face. The nervous man then dropped his sword. "I give up." He said hoarsely.

Celina sighed and after a blink, she noticed the man was gone, already heading towards the alleyway.

She brandished her sword then sheathed it back to her waist. Having seen Shekurya fight, it was obvious she was an excellent fighter, even better than her.

Lord Helrick went towards their sides, comforting them after that battle. "I think we should continue to the mansion." He said.

***

Captain Shugart found himself pissing on the alleyway, he was the captain of the city guards, who protects the city from its walls to its interior. After a round of ale he was slightly dizzy, the sudden attacks of the demons and Zemur few days ago burdened him quite a lot.

When he spun and was about to leave the alley, a figure who was on the streets blocked his path. "Captain of the city guards." Zemur said.

Shugart gritted his teeth, he unsheathed his blade. "Zemur! The leader of the Freedom Seekers! How did you enter the city?"

Zemur's head was cowled, and he had a cloak that hid his body. "It was simple really, we blended in with the travellers, but we could only enter by groups."

Shugart stomped his foot. "Those guys are dozing off again, damn it."

Zemur smirked. "Anyway, I have something to tell you."

"Screw yourself Zemur, you will be apprehended here." Shugart said

"If you help us capture, the eighth and third Pillar we will assure you a home, free from any threats. Imagine, living peacefully with your wife and children." Zemur said.

Shugart's face remained unwavered. "Who would wanna be complacent with those "things" around."

Zemur snickered. "If you ever change your mind, just visit Fort Landigo." He then went away, and disappeared from Shugart's view.

Shugart raced quickly and left the alley, when he looked over where Zemur went, he was completely gone.