They were walking, the night sky was covered by dark clouds. The city looked as if deserted, since most of the people went to Elizabeth's, and the rest of them were asleep. Ed unbuttoned his jacket and shirt’s collar, as he had a bit of a trouble breathing. It wasn't at all warm outside, however, as it was October and even considering the climate in which Gormilia was located, the nights were cold. Suddenly, he felt something. He wasn’t sure, however, if it was the aura of the deity, yet he still walked where the smell of magic was leading him. Unfortunately, he was getting more and more stuffy, when he felt stronger traces of mana and got shivers on his spine.

  “What is it, Ed?” Kasei spoke to him, still in a form of a weapon.

  “I think we’re here.” Ed was looking at a white brick building. It was apparently the City Hall. He silently slipped inside. He looked around to see if there was anyone inside; except a bodyguard sleeping in a chair, he didn't notice anyone else. He carefully began walking towards the stairs, which were on the other side of the hall. The rest of the room was filled with sculptures, painted portraits hanging on the wall, doors to other rooms and carpets on the ground. Together with the weapon held in his left hand, Ed walked with his right hand stretched out in front of him, where he focused his magic.

  Slowly he took a step on the staircase, when suddenly the bodyguard mumbled something in his sleep, but did not wake up. Ed took a deep breath, and took the next step. After a while he found himself upstairs, but the aura he felt led him higher and higher. He continued, still keeping his eyes wide open and listening carefully for a slightest sound. After a while he reached the very top, where the surroundings weren’t as pretty: there was a rusted bell hanging from the ceiling, but you could see the panorama of Nayo. The room itself was made of wood, with lots of pillars that supported the roof. Ed now felt the aura even more clearly: he wiped the sweat from his forehead as he started to feel like he was burning.

  “How is it?” asked Kasei.

  “I'm sure there's something here... but where?”

  As he started looking, he got a little calmer. However, this did not last long, as he heard someone's footsteps and quickly hid behind a pillar. He looked out from behind it, and saw an adult man climbing the stairs. He had black hair, bright complexion and blue eyes. He was in his forties or so. A black coat covered his whole body. The man started looking around the room as if he was looking for something.

  ‘Another chosen one?’ Edward wondered. He grabbed the handle of the spear firmly, then jumped out from behind the pillar and pointed the blade at the stranger. The man froze for a moment, raising his hands slightly up. He looked straight into Edward's eyes, who was obviously anxious.

  “Heh” the man snorted, relaxing a little. “I thought so.”

  “Thought what?”

  “That it wouldn't be easy to get a seal.” He dropped his coat, revealing a shirt with a vest underneath. He wore gray pants and a belt, on which he hung a case with a sword. He quickly pulled out his weapon and hit the spear. Edward jumped back. His opponent smiled and combed his hair with his hand.

  “I am Hemv of Myzen, one of the chosen ones.”

  “I've already figured that out for myself” said the golden-haired. “I’m Edward from Rebellar.”

  Hemv jumped at Ed again, he pushed him away with Kasei and his magic. After the push, the black-haired man managed to regain his balance and then he straightened up.

  “You fight well for a young man. However, the fact that you have an animal-person weapon is not enough to defeat me!”

  “GAH, WE'LL FIND OUT!” screamed Kasei. Hemv and Edward fought, clashed with each other, trying to hurt one another as effectively as possible. Hemv managed to slash Edward’s arm, and the boy jumped away. He clenched his teeth and looked at the hurt arm. The fabric of his clothes was cut and blood was flowing from the wound. Then Hemv charged at him again, but despite the pain he managed to avoid it.

  “Ed, are you okay?!” asked Kasei.

  “Yes, I’m fine...” he spoke with pain in his voice.

  “How long can you hold out, Edward?” asked the black-haired, and then he struck him with another blow, trying to hit his belly. Luckily, the golden-haired man turned around in time, so only his hip took a blow. “Soon I'll send you back to where the deity came from.”

  “What are you fighting for, Hemv?” Ed asked, slightly limping. “If you want to kill me, you must care very much about it.”

   “What do I want?” He smiled. “Wealth. Disgusting wealth.”

  “Wealth? Is that what the deity chose you for?”

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  “Exactly. Nayo used to be my home. I was one of the richest, if not the richest of all. I had a wonderful woman, with a well-known name. But one day they robbed me!” He screamed and threw himself at Ed again, the injured golden-haired man used his spear, this time managing to stab the enemy with it. The black-haired man jumped back and put his hand on the chest Ed just hurt. He laughed.

  “They took everything from me. They framed me for some religious crime... You probably know, the thieves believing in the god of light. They believe that if they destroy all the unbelievers, their beloved god will take away all the suffering that he allegedly cursed this damn world with because of those who don't believe in him! They framed me, they robbed me, they took away my woman... My wish is to make all of them, these thieves, die in agony. And then I will take all their wealth! And then I'll be rich again! So a brat like you won't take my seal! There’s no way you could understand!”

He shouted and then charged. Edward also jumped at him, they clashed, tried to hurt each other. Edward felt a strange anger grow in him, one he had never felt before. One which he... couldn't explain.

  “I understand more...” said Ed, who looked at him with fury, reminding himself of his mother, who had been killed by the believers of the Light. “Than... you think. But... you, despite losing someone close, still want money?”

  “Of course I do. They'll help me find someone new. I will be respected again, I will have a beautiful woman! It'll be like old times! And the deity will provide me with that!”

  “The new one...” he repeated it and got even more pissed off. “So you didn't really love her, this woman?”

  “What...” Hemv looked like he was about to explode. “OF COURSE I DID! BUT THAT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT I CAN'T FIND SOMEONE NEW AND REPLACE IT, YOU STUPID BRAT!” He attacked him again, Edward blocked his sword with his spear.

  “If you loved someone...” Edward clamped his hands firmly on the spear handle and focused his magic. “You don't forget that someone. You don’t replace them... They can’t be replaced...! And the death of these thieves won't ensure your wealth’s return!”

  “SHUT UP!” screamed Hemv, then jumped far away from him. He grabbed the sword's grip harder, then resumed his attack, running straight at Edward. “PEOPLE LIKE YOU WILL NEVER UNDERSTAND, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER! AND NOW BE SO NICE AND JUST DIE!” He ran, aiming the sword at him. Edward felt sudden fury.

  “You, too... will never understand why I have to win!” The golden-haired shouted and stabbed in the man’s direction. After a few seconds, blood started dripping on the wooden floor. Edward slowly opened his eyes, but quickly regretted it. His opponent was pierced on the spear that Kasei was turned into. His pupils turned into small points. Hemv coughed, and drops of blood fell on Edward’s face. He quickly pulled Kasei out, and the man limply fell to the ground and slowly bled out. Then... he was dead. At that sight, that strange anger disappeared. Instead, he got hysterical, he didn't know what to do now. He started panicking. He dropped Kasei, grabbed his hands by the head, and started... laughing, out of fear. He couldn't do anything else, so he laughed even though he was absolutely scared. Kasei had turned into her animal form, she was also shaking, her fur was dirty with blood.

  “Why... Why have I done that?!” He was laughing. “Why did I... Why did I kill him?!”

  “ED, CALM DOWN!” screamed the frightened redhead. “TAKE THAT SEAL AND LET’S RUN!”

  The boy started looking around. He finally noticed something strange near the bell. He ran up there, saw it was a scroll. He took the scroll in his hands, felt the stifling aura again, then he and Kasei started to run. They just ran. Luckily, the bodyguard didn't wake up, when they exited the town hall

  They were running, just running, no matter where, just away from there.

~

  Elizabeth said goodbye to her guests, she talked to each one herself. Mr. Stavu had four men having trouble taking him out of the house in their arms, because he got drunk so he couldn't walk. The woman ordered the servants to start cleaning, but then she realized that her main guests were nowhere to be found. She left the room through a large door, walked through a dark corridor, and headed for the room she had assigned to them. She opened the door. It was dark inside, but the window was wide open. She looked at the bed, there was a square red dress, and an elegant suit next to it. She came closer, looked at the clothes, which looked unused. After a while, she also saw a piece of paper. She picked it up and read the thanks and the request not to worry, written in beautiful letters. Elizabeth smiled.

  “Oh, that Ed. Carolina disappeared sometimes like that too.”