Kenichi came to an open area, encircled by dead trees that twisted and turned as if they were in agony. He waited for a moment, remembering what the letter had said.

“I know you’re out there.” Kenichi yelled out to the darkness beyond the ring of trees.

A cold silence filled the air, one that felt like the temperature dropped. Kenichi stood there, feeling a pang of regret inside of him. In this ring of trees, he felt like he summoned death itself.

Death stepped into the ring, it was an elf. His hair was golden and tied into a ponytail. His emerald eyes were sharp and gazed upon Kenichi, taking note of him. He was wearing a white silk cloak adorned with several patterns of sun.

“How did you know I was out here?” He wasn’t asking, he was demanding. Even without opening his Gate, Kenichi could feel his murderous aura. Just one wrong answer and he would die.

The letter that Aria had given him had detailed this interaction, on what needed to be said and what he would ask.

“I’m not your enemy. I wish to bargain.”

“Bargain?” The elf cocked his head, his elegant lips twisted in a malicious smile. “What is there to bargain for? Your life? That is forfeit.”

Kenichi shook his head. “I’m not here to bargain for my life. I’m here to bargain for another life, and position I will be placed when the Harvest starts.”

“Oh? I see. Looking from that attire and the necklace you’re wearing, you’re from the Moon Cult.”

Anger rushed up his face. “We’re not a cult.”

“That’s what a cultist would say.” The elf sneered. “So, you wish to bargain for another’s life? That won’t do at all. We need every single one of you. Why shouldn’t I just take you here, right now?”

On cue, Kenichi handed him a letter that Aria had written. In that envelope that Kagami had given him, there were two letters. One addressed to him. The other addressed to Oberon.

Reading the curved and elegant name on the letter, the elf gave him a hard glare.

“How do you know my name?” A dangerous tone escaped from his mouth.

“You will only understand if you read the letter.”

The elf looked at the letter with suspicion, peeling open the letter with careful intentions as if the letter itself may explode. He unfolded the letter. His eyes progressively widened as he reached the end of the letter. When he was finished reading it, he gazed up from the letter to Kenichi.

“Is everything on here true?”

“It is a prophecy. It has the potential to become true, but-”

“Only if I follow each step perfectly.” The letter hung at his side, clamped between his index finger and thumb, as he muled at the potential of what was written there. “I remember hearing that the Moon Cult had a woman was an interesting ability. She could find a future she desired and following the steps she would achieve it. Am I to take that this is from her?”

Kenichi knew from his letter what to do. He had to push him a little further.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“Yes, that’s correct.” He nodded.

He leaned in, a professional smile. “I don’t believe you. Why would you hand something this important to us?”

Kenichi held a finger to his lips. The elf understood what he meant, and snickered.

“It doesn’t matter. The Warden’s senses extend far and wide. No matter what we do, he will know of this. I’m sure he already knows now. So, come and out and say it. Why should I believe you?”

“Given to me, was a letter, that told me how to obtain the future I desire. To destroy the Seal.” Kenichi revealed. “Both events on the letters are junction points. Depending on how it is handled will decide the future.”

“I see.” Oberon gave the letter another look at. He looked over at him. “Then, you should hand me the other letter then.”

“I’ve already destroyed it.” Kenichi told him. “I didn’t need to grant you that letter.”

“No. You did.” Oberon smiled. “It’s part of it isn’t it? The grand design. To allow Fate to flow in your direction. Wouldn’t it be better to ignore this?” He waved the letter in his hand.

Kenichi closed his eyes in resolve. “Do what you want. It matters not what you do. I have already casted my stone. It is time to do yours.”

Oberon’s smile faded. He voiced his annoyance.

“Your quite strong willed. You’re not so shaken easily. As expected of a Guardian of the Moon. That’s fine. What do you say, boss? What do you make of this?” Oberon asked the man in charge of this spider’s web.

A long silence followed. It made Kenichi wonder what was being said, but he even without opening his gate, he could feel, beyond his closed eyes, a conversation was being had. One that did not involve him. It was no different than waiting in a lobby for the news that would affect all of this.

“Hey!”

To that, Kenichi opened his eyes. The elf looked displeased, and tossed him a vial.

“Seems my Master is interseted but in order for this deal to be struck, you must knock out your friends.”

“They’re not my friends.” Kenichi caught the corked vial. It was filled with a clear liquid.

“Ha! How cold of you. As expected of someone from the Moon Cult.”

#

Kenichi watched as each one of them ate the stew. He had dipped his thumb in the vial and plunged his thumb into the stew as he handed each of them a bowl of the stew.

And he watched each one of them fall to its effect.

Yoru gazed with smoldering hatred at Cedar, not knowing it was him. Cedar though, knew who’s fault it was. He stared up at him in disbelief, doing his best to fight off the effects of the drug. He struggled to do it, but in his own way achieved it.

He managed to stand up on his two feet, breathing hard, his legs wiggling, threatening to crumble at even the slightest breeze.

Oberon stepped into the clearing, whistling at the prince.

“To fight the effects of the moonshade, that is quite an achievement. But it is time for you to sleep.”

Oberon blurred, reappearing in front of Cedar. He punched the prince in the gut. Cedar gasped in pain, but he stayed awake. A weak smile spread across his face. The elf widened his eyes, unaware of the prince grabbing the elf’s arm.

“My turn.” He managed to say.

Cedar slammed his fist at the elf. The impact sounded like a cannon exploding. Yet, it was Cedar who pulled back. His fingers bent in the wrong angle. Kenichi could see the man was in great pain, but the prince swallowed his scream.

Blood dripped dripped between the two, as if there was an invisible wall between them. Oberon cocked an eyebrow and nodded at Cedar.

“Impressive.” He lifted his hand.

Cedar gasped, he held his throat, and his face turned blue. Oberon turned to Kenichi.

“I’m about to test if what your letter say is true. That the prince here is immortal and will revive once I kill him. If he stays dead, then the deal is off.”

Kenichi nodded. “Go ahead.”

Blood dripped from Cedar’s red eyes as he gasped for breath. He smashed his fist, hitting an invisible barrier. The elf chuckled at his futile attempts.

“You won’t be able to break my barrier.”

Cedar kept on punching, each successful one weaker than the last, until he slumped on the ground, finally dead.

“So.” Oberon turned to him with a smile. “Truly, how does it feel like to betray your friends?”

Like swallowing a vial of poison. Kenichi wouldn’t say that though. He held faith in Aria’s future, and that was enough to form an antidote.

“Just fine.” Kenichi said as easily as he breathed.