Before all the pieces could be set in their places, we need to backtrack for a little bit. Before the darkness occurred, and even when it happened, Cadell and Seqina were moving according to the tasks they were given. Cadell was the first to move among them.

Cadell went outside the house some hours after Kael went to his classes. He went to an obscure alleyway where he encountered some shady people trying to mug him. Unfortunately for his muggers, he’s a grade A mage. All of the people that attempted to attack him were quickly handled by his magic.

“Don’t try to rob your elders young ones, do you understand?”, Cadell asked, but the people he was talking to were all unconscious.

“After all these years, you’re still strong brother”

The voice pulled Cadell’s attention. There’s a middle aged man standing at the end of the alleyway.

“Brunus..”, Cadell uttered. He recognized the voice, and walked towards the man. He embraced Brunus, and Brunus hugged him back.

“It’s been a long time, brother”, Brunus greeted.

Cadell and Brunus were not brothers by blood. Both of them were past protectors for the kingdom, and Brunus was one of the people that Cadell considered as a genuine friend.

They talked about the old days for a while. They laughed at their adventures, and they smile at great stories where they were together. Then, after some time, Brunus stopped narrating his stories.

“Do you need me for something, brother?”, Brunus asked. “I don’t think you returned without a good reason”

Cadell smiled.

“You got me. You know me too well. I’m sorry for returning, only because I need something from you”, Cadell said.

“I don’t have any problem with you needing me. If anything, I am thankful that I’m the first person in your mind when you need help”, Brunus stated, consoling Cadell.

“I appreciate it”

“Now, looking at you, I feel like you’re burdened by something great. What is it, brother?”, Brunus asked.

Cadell hesitated at first, looking around him to make sure that no one’s listening. And then, he spoke.

“We’re against demons”

Brunus heard Cadell clearly, but he was too shocked to accept what he just heard. He asked Cadell to repeat the statement, and Cadell said the same thing. He was baffled, his surprise was shown on his face. It was his dream to fight against demons, but he was not ready by then. He tried recovering his composure, but his agitation and excitement only grew when Cadell started narrating more about Kael, and the demon magister.

Brunus thought for a while. He had no reason to not believe Cadell.

“Kael huh, what an interesting child. It’s good to know that we have someone as powerful as him”, Brunus said.

“Thank you for believing me”, Cadell stated, but he immediately followed through, stating Kael could not join the battle because of Red Curse.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“It’s a losing battle”, Brunus said, knowing that they just lost a valuable ally.

“It is”, Cadell agreed. “But, we have no choice”

“You’re right”, Brunus said. He was still willing to help his friend, but he knew that they must gather all the help they could get. And so, he invited Cadell. “Let’s call the others, I know where they are”

Cadell was delighted that Brunus was still on board with his aim. He accepted Brunus’s invitation, and they walked towards a nearby shop.

“You still know him?”, Brunus asked, pointing at a man.

“Drogo..”

The man noticed Cadell staring at him. He realized that it was his friend who he didn’t meet for so long. He ran to Cadell, and they greeted each other.

“Cadell! You’re alive!”

“That’s rude, boy”, Cadell said, then they both laugh at each other.

“It’s been a while, I thought you will never come back”, Drogo stated. From there, he told stories to Cadell, stories of their past. They were enjoying their talks while Drogo led them inside his shop. But like Brunus, Drogo knew that Cadell went to him because of something important.

Cadell told Drogo the same things he said to Brunus. Drogo was alarmed by the revelation that demons were inside the town. Cadell told Drogo that they were already working to report the problem to the king, which calmed Drogo down for a bit. After Drogo’s recovery, Cadell went on to request Drogo to assist them with the fight. Drogo looked at Cadell with a sullen face.

“It’s better to rely on the king for this one. I apologize Cadell, I can’t join the fight”, Drogo stated.

“Wait, what do you mean? Our friend returned to us and asked for our aid and you wouldn’t help him?”, Brunus asked.

“I have a child, Brunus. I can’t die while my child is still young”

Brunus tried persuading Drogo, but Drogo didn’t step out of his decision. Cadell stopped Brunus from trying to convince Drogo.

“Thank you for your time, Drogo. Don’t worry, I won’t force you to join us”, Cadell said. He stood, and said his farewell. Brunus followed him, unsure if that was the right move to do. Drogo thanked Cadell for accepting his refusal.

Cadell felt disappointed, but he didn’t show it. He looked at the sky, wondering if he made the right decision. But then, when he was lost in thought, the sky was suddenly filled with dark clouds, blanketing the whole town in darkness.

“What happened?”, Drogo asked. He went outside to see why it became nighttime all of a sudden.

“I don’t know”, Cadell replied. He was still looking at the sky, curious as to why the dark clouds formed. As he was observing, he realized that the clouds were moving away from a source, which he deduced to be the center of the strange phenomenon. He looked at the direction where the ominous clouds were moving away from. Then something struck him that made him terrified.

“It can’t be, it’s too early for this”, Cadell stated. Brunus heard what he said, but before Brunus could ask him, he already answered. “These clouds must be coming from the academy”

“How do you kno–”

Brunus couldn’t continue his words. He understood why Cadell became terrified. But because he realized, he became terrified as well.

“Brunus, this is beyond my expectations. As a friend, I want you to get out of town”, Cadell said.

“And you?”, Brunus asked, but he already knew Cadell’s answer.

“I must help my master”

Brunus forced a smile for himself.

“I won’t go anywhere. As a friend, I want to help you”, Brunus stated.

Cadell forced a smile as well.

“Thank you”

Both of them could barely move themselves, but they managed to run. The destination might be the place of their deaths, but that’s yet to be determined by their future.