25 Season 2; Chapter 5: Headed

I jumped the rooftops of each house I passed. The smell of blood roamed the whole village. It was a massacre. I've seen countless slaughter, but this was without reason. This village was isolated from the world, without any worries and affiliations. But citizens here lived peacefully. They neither have to deal with expanding their territories nor do they need to protect themselves from invaders.

I've spent months researching and documenting all the happenings in this village, memorized all the corners and alleys. The people that lived here had already grown fond of my presence, so did I. But for what reason were they slaughtered? The trail of blood and bodies out in the open were disturbing, almost traumatizing.

More to all my worries, this village is close to Lawrence's Villa. And according to what I've seen, the perpetrators are experienced and brutal. Not even a single life is seen, not even the animals. There aren't any trails for me to follow, nor any scent. These perpetrators are not only brutal and heartless, but they are also professionals. What were they after?

"Help!"

I stopped. Who was it? I turned my head to look at the surroundings but saw no hint of any person. Where? I sprinted. Then I realized..., the voice that shouted help was nearing the entrance of a certain woods. My instincts burst off, my anxiety flared, and my senses heightened. Glowing eyes and glowing hands, it was time.

I landed off the last house, closest to the forest entrance. In the distance, I saw a figure fallen on the ground. Someone familiar, a guard? Yes, it was. Michael Ein, a guard of Lawrence's Villa. The Mt. Apple Villa. I leaped to meet the fallen guard; Scanned his body. I needed to go to Lawrence, I thought. No, I must.

But the injured, I should help the injured and ask him what happened. I shook him. "Mr. Ein!" I called. "Can you hear me?" I asked.

Mr. Ein's eyes flickered a couple of times, then closed. Was it too late? He lost too much blood. I was too late..., too hesitant..., too preoccupied. What was I thinking? I was foolish! How could I overthink when a person is struggling for their life! There's no time! I must leave and seek for Lawrence. The prince! He will not be scath!

I ran towards the trail. Then the shade of trees greeted my entry. It was quiet. No animals heard, no wind. Sound Manipulation Magic? Gale Zephyr and a mix of Aether. Tis' forbidden. Are they perhaps mercenaries? Who would hire mercenaries to kill a prince? Outrageous! Even my footsteps and jumps don't have sound.

I have a long way to go! Must fasten! Must speed! Must save! Lawrence, stay safe. Stay hidden. Stay away from the dangers! "Heed my creed. Fasten and bolt, rush and charge, forbid and permit. Now heed my faith. Grant me speed, grant me power, grant me strength. Let me run with the wind. Anemos Tachýtita."

I've accelerated a hundred times faster than a human movement. The speed was too swift for even someone to catch a glimpse. It will take only a few minutes before I reach his Villa. Please, endeared constellation of hope and protection, divine being, protect my cherished.

Each step I took felt heavy and dangerous. It was as if being dragged down- pressed into the earth. It wasn't gravity control, no. The presence left a terrifying, notorious, and suffocating atmosphere. Who could it be? I ran. Faster, faster, and faster. Suddenly, lingering anxiety vanished as I felt the presence of someone I know. It must be him. It must be.

Finally, the villa is visible to my sight. The gate was upfront- I hid on a random tree. I explored my eyes to any alien presence, but it seemed too quiet. Or was it because of the Magic? No, even so, I would be able to detect an unfamiliar.

I waited and waited in front of the gate. Thirty minutes later, I still felt the familiar presence inside the villa. But my heart started to race faster and faster. What was happening? What is this? It feels downright terrifying but captivating. What an intense pressure.

I've waited too long; I should go inside unheard. Securing Lawrence's life comes first. I jumped down. No sound. That's right, The Sound Manipulation Magic. Although, even without the spell, not one would notice my presence nor hear my movements. If one could, entitling me as Veteran Assassin would be deceitful.

I silently walked towards the opening of the gate. While carefully guarding each corner for any plausible attack. The eerie pressure felt greater, making me tremble. What was it? Why did I shake? It wouldn't be possible, would it? I asked myself as one idea came into mind. I walked faster, giving more focus to my surrounding.

Then another pressure pressed upfront. It was an ominous one, unlike the previous one, more likely to be evil. What? I don't even understand what I'm saying. Suddenly, a dark mist appeared right in front of me. The shiver-giver pressure felt intense. But it wasn't as powerful as the previous one. A presence I could withstand? I asked.

Although withstandable, it still left frightening. This power is ominous, dark? For some reason, it gives me chills. Is it mysterious? But one thing is accurate, whoever possessed this power is an Inheritor. But what is his Inheritance? Is he an Elemental Inheritor, a Role Inheritor, or a Unique Inheritor? Without certain pieces of information, I would not know how to deal with the enemy.

These missing pieces of information will lead me to my demise. I must heed cautiousness. How? It's getting closer, becoming more intense, more frightening, more pressuring. Who are you? Then a figure appeared before the dark mist. He was wearing a cloak, hiding his face, apparently scraped. But not enough. Is he almost unscathed?

"Who are you," I commanded.

He did not respond, continuing to walk towards me. I felt agitated. His presence was troubling, too fear alarming. Is he an Eclipse & Gale Zephyr Inheritor? No. That would be outrageous. But the mist. What is it? Effects? Fire, Water, Ash? Heartwood? Too rare. Was it the effect of multiple inheritances combining each other? No.

The guards that protected Lawrence were no more than ordinary plebians with the expertise of swordsmanship. There were few, like Gavin, but he and the other chivalric knights participated in the war. How about the Escorts? They are trained warriors, barbarians. But they don't stay inside the villa of Lawrence. Then it must be my first thought.

He disappeared. I panicked. How? Where? Unique Spatial Inheritance? No! Is that guy 'the' famous mercenary? Impossible. Then she should be on Prince Lawrence's side. But why is she attacking? Is this Betrayal? Or is she clueless?

"Patricia Moon Veil," I called her out.

She appeared right in front of me, too suddenly, her sword on my neck. I'm sure it scraped me. Is she going to kill me?

"Your name?" she asked in her calm tone.

"Charlotte Anastasia Juliette Triorius. Tenth Princess of Empire Alexander." with confidence, I introduced myself.

"Code?"

"A-U1-C-Lioness," she answered.

Patricia withdrew her sword and bowed. "I'm sorry, your highness." she apologized.

"No. I'm sorry. I must have alarmed you while you were on your mission. But what is your mission in this villa?" I asked.

She stood straight. "We were assigned by an illegal faction to reclaim what was theirs, an escapee. A slave, what they said, we took the job, but the prisoner ran over here," she answered.

"Do you understand what you've done after the massacre you've made?" I asked.

Patricia's eyes widened. "Pardon me, your highness, but I do not know what you speak of."

She does not know, I thought. Sighing, I gave her an answer. "You've attempted an attack on an ally. This person's significance equals the status of the Emperor, higher than mine. Prince Elijah Lawrence Xavier Royale Kingsley Sage. The heir of Emperor Leighton. The Eight Prince of Kingdom Sage."

Patricia stiffened. "I-" She couldn't respond.

"I will pardon your unit, but if the Prince is hurt, my power cannot help your safety," I told her.

She nodded. She disappeared, already moving - to fix her mistakes - even without my command. I glanced at the area, saw the dead bodies. Lawrence will not be happy, I'm sure.

Suddenly, my legs stopped moving..., as if pressed against the earth. Who? How? Wh..., aa..., t..., is..., th..., i..., s..., presence. Everything dimmed out.