33 Another Storm (2)

(What actually happened when they parted ways. Zero's perspective)

The 4 men were frantically running up the stairs of the underground system to catch up to the group of 'Royal Knights' that is going to detain the Duke for his misunderstanding betrayal to a member of the Royal bloodline.

"Everyone faster!" Ezekiel shouted to inform others that were currently running up the stairs of Ischyrós underground system.

"Hey! What about Young master Xarth!" Lex yelled as he noticed that he was not with them.

Everyone stopped moving at that time and looked behind their backs. They couldn't see the bright platinum hair that is usually eye-catching to the naked eye.

"Xarth-nim?" Zero was confused as to where was his employer at that serious time.

Harold frantically looked straight down in hopes to see his little brother casually walking up with a clear frown on his face. Yet, nobody came up, at that moment, Harold was seriously going to go back down to drag Xarth out of the underground system...He couldn't wait any longer and started to dash his way down back to get a hold of Xarth. When suddenly someone stopped him halfway.

He held onto him with a strong grip. Harold could felt the rough texture of the man's hand implying that he might have done a lot of training to get that hand so rough and obstinate. It was Zero, he had a pretty serious gaze as he meets with Harold's.

Zero tightened his grip on Harold's wrist. "Young master Harold, go on ahead your testimony is much more important than mine. Don't worry about Xarth-nim I will definitely bring him," he said with a keen gaze.

Harold felt something but he couldn't distinguish it, he quickly moved Zero's hand away from his wrist before letting out a sigh. "Promise me that you'll bring him back." he finally knew what he was feeling, It was reassurance. Yet, he doesn't know how it got connected to that, but he definitely felt assurance when Zero said that he'll be the one taking the action.

Someone then chimed in at that moment. "Make sure you do Sir Zero. Lex give him a communicating device so he can update us of their whereabouts." It was none other than Ezekiel, he ordered Lex to hand a communicating device to Zero. So that it can act as reassurance that he'll carry the mission safely and perfectly.

Lex reached out of his spatial bag and gave the communicating device to Zero. "Just press the red button to call us if something had gone wrong or update us on your situation. It's already set on a speed dial to my communicating device, just make sure you don't lose it. Since I've infused it with lots of Elemental Wind magic and Elemental Water magic." he made sure to explain in full detail so Zero can't be confused about the device.

'Hm...Surprisingly that thing looks like a cellphone from my world.' Zero pondered this as he was greatly shocked that the device looks similar to his most loved creation of science a cellphone.

Zero quickly grabbed the communicating device before bowing down. "Hope you make it on time and also be safe." he lifted his head with a smile before swiftly making his way down the stairs to go where Xarth is.

Everyone just nodded their heads then quickly shifted their bodies and went upstairs to quickly stop the 'Royal knights'. Zero on the other hand continues to rush down the stairs unaware of his surroundings. He didn't notice it but, he made a wrong turn and gone to another path that leads outside of the Lancaster Territory specifically to the forest surrounding it. He could see an iron door in front of him, which made him happy at the thought that he successfully made it back to Amoth's chamber. Zero was hoping after he opens the door he will see Xarth with an annoyed expression on his charming face. Since they have left him behind when he had just gotten healed by the Elemental. Surprisingly Zero was also happy at the thought that he was about to get scolded by Xarth which was surprising.

Since he felt differently towards Xarth than anyone he had ever met in that unknown world. Truthfully when Zero first made an appearance in this world, everyone just seems so nice to him he wasn't even getting scolded when he donned goof or destroyed something. He thought that it was nice of the people to go through lengths like that to treat him of importance. Then on a great morning, when he was casually enjoying nature's air, he overheard some of the Villagers talking with one another.

"Hey, ain't Park Min Ah scary? One of the villagers chatted with his friend.

"Yeah, he's pretty scary. Why should we always keep on treating him like he's some sort of a nobleman?" his friend asked back since they were infuriated with all the good treatment he always gets from the other villagers. Though those two were the only ones that felt that way, although Park Min Ah doesn't have a way of knowing that.

"Since he's pretty strong, we couldn't stand against him. We'll probably just get blown away. Though, my impression of him could change if he wore to do some work. He should use that strength of his into something useful." his friend added while puffing his chest out.

"I agree. Well, then I will head back to the lake to catch some fish." the other villager commented before grabbing the net on the ground.

"Yeah, sure, I'll head to the field to look at the crops. See you later." The two villagers waved goodbye to each other and headed back to their assigned station.

After he overheard the villager's conversation Park Min Ah corrects his way and keeps on insisting, that he should do work from now on, or if someone has any errands he'll gladly do it. So he can't feel indebted or burden the people more he had done.

Zero slowly opened the Iron door to only see the sunrise on the right corner of his eyes and the vast green leaves of the forest surrounding the castle.

'What the? Did I make a wrong turn?' Zero was suspicious had he made a wrong turn and lost his way? Yes, that was definitely the case.

Since he was fast, Zero retrace his steps but still ended up on the other side of the forest. And he repeated this process yet he still ends up on either the left side of the forest or the right side of it.

Zero stared at a space and thought to himself. 'Ah...I'm lost.' he quickly reaches into his robe's pocket and took out the communicating device and contacted Lex.

He lightly pressed the red button...suddenly a blue screen popped out. It was a screen made out of water Lex shortly appeared inside the screen.

"Great thing you called. I was about to contact you as well." Lex wore a gloomy expression as he had said that.

Zero stood stiff, he was feeling guilty since he didn't fulfill his promise and just listened to what Lex has to say. "We didn't make it," Lex informed him in a downed tone, he then continues to inform further. "And the Magic barrier wore off resulting to a group 'Wanderers' circling the city. We're currently at the knight's training grounds waiting for you guys. Young master Ezekiel also assigned Sir Wymer to take lead as we head to the capital to confront His Highness. How about you? How's the situation there? Are you already on your way here? We'll wait for you." he continuously asked yet Zero still looked stiff.

"Hey! Sir Zero why won't you respond? Is there something wrong with the communicating device?" Somehow Lex was feeling baffled by how Zero is acting.

"No, It seems that I have lost my way. I just can't seem to find the correct path to Amoth's chamber and I also have a feeling that Xarth-nim is already not there." Lex sighs as looks onto Zero's face on the communicating device. "Alright, I'll keep quiet of this. I'll give some teleportation scroll to Sir Wymer if Xarth happened to stumble his way here. Don't worry too much, I would say to Sir Wymer that it was Young master Ezekiel's orders and to assure you I'll stay behind at the Duke's mansion in the capital to wait for his arrival." although they only spent a couple of hours together Lex seems to think that they all had a connection. Since they all experience a life and death experience together.

Zero felt relieved and glad to hear those words out of Lex's mouth. "Thank you, Lex. I would definitely return this favor tenfolds." Lex scoffs. "Don't mention it. But still, look for Young master Xarth. I don't know if I could take Young master Harold's wrath if he finds out. since he greatly cares for him." he mentioned. Zero's eyes started to widen. "What? He cares for him?" he was bewildered by Lex's unusual words. Lex looked shocked by Zero's questions. "Duh! Can't you notice he awfully gets clingy to him and glances at his way for every goddamn 5 seconds!" he was sure that It was obvious from the viewpoint of others or it's either that your just that dumb to not notice it.

Zero just smiled and bid his farewell to Lex. "See you soon, be safe." Lex just grinned and waved his hand goodbye to Zero.

'He's different than I initially thought.' Believe it or not, Lex was scared by Zero's first appearance. Since he has black hair and black eyes that usually symbolize the Demon King and uncommon to humans, he was feeling suspicious. Who wouldn't be? When a Swordmaster from out of nowhere came into a highly secluded place that only a few knows about. And was also tasked with something important, you just can't help but be curious as to what type of person he is. Lex misjudged his feelings he was not scared of him, he was just simply intrigued and curious of Zero.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Xarth was dumbfounded at the scene in front of him. Everything just seem to never go his way, a lot of things happened since he met Zero. He was force to fight and he even experience the infuriating pain he dislikes so much. 'Nothing surprise me any more.' he was determined to believe his thoughts to overcome this troublesome hurdle...

A man and a woman sitting on a chair while casually eating their breakfast was what Xarth was witnessing. Of course he's not surprised that they were eating breakfast specifically he was surprised since he recognize their faces. The two people in front of him are unmistakably the other main characters of the novel.

She wore a sleeveless white dress that reveals her fair white skin, Brown, curly hair gently hangs over a fine, charming face. fierce red eyes, set far within their sockets.Small delicate build that seems like it'll crumble with one touch.

Her name is 'Liliana', contrary to her fragile build you can't really say you can defeat her. Born with overwhelming talents In the art of summoning.She had reach greater heights since she has connection to a very special Summon the 'White Tiger' that is known throughout the continent to be picky and prideful. She is very kindhearted and would help you in a heartbeat. But what makes it dangerous to get chummy with her is because she has a crazy older brother.

He wore a black full body clothes covering almost every part of his body, Light blue, straight hair awkwardly hangs over a full, wild face. sharp yellow eyes, set ferociously within their sockets. With a build of a standard teenager male though has some good muscles, he had gotten when training almost everyday.

The man seating with a ferocious glare on his face was. 'Agis' a talented Assassin trained to perfection to silently kill his prey from within the shadows. He is very overprotective of her younger sister to the point that if you even touch a single strand of her hair. Agis will undoubtedly cut the hand of that person.

For some unknown reason Agis started to grit his teeth. "Bastard!! Whatcha looking at!?!" he yelled and was looking straight right at Xarth's direction.

'Ha...This is why I don't what to meet them. I definitely don't want to have any connection to this crazy f*cker.' Xarth was feeling troubled with all the things that happened around him. At that moment he really wants to just ditch those people, still he's already here in he Capital might as well see it through and finished it for all.

To be continued.....