Jayden entered the bar in panic and confusion. He took support on a wall and took heavy breaths.

“Huh..huh... What the hell is happening to me? Is Grandpa Joe alive? Was that is ghost?” he talked to himself in panic. There was sweat all over his body and also the blood near his eyes dried, making his appearance scary and pitiful.

“Arghhh, this pain is tormenting” Jayden shouted in pain and agony. When his eyes gazed at the cabinet filled with liquor, his eyes lit up.

Jayden frantically reached the cabinet, opened a bottle and frowned it, to relieve the pain.

…

“So, that's how you ended up there for 5 years huh? I pity you” Valerio consoled with a sigh.

The others remained silent without any words. They couldn't even imagine being struck in an unfamiliar place for 5 years without any support around them.

“Haha, it's nothing much” Jayden tried to shake off the gloomy atmosphere.

“It must have been hard for you, losing your grandpa and being stuck there for 5 years. If you need any help, feel free to ask you” Valerio said with a smile.

“Thank you, Mr. Val, that means a lot to me” Jayden sighed with emotion.

“What's gonna happen to Arthur?” Jayden asked with a frown.

“I'm not sure but I think he will wake up soon” Valerio replied when he suddenly looked at Jayden with a smirk

“Do you wanna work here?” he asked.

The twins looked at Jayden with sparkling eyes. Jayden looked at them with a helpless smile and shook his head.

“Thank you for your offer Mr Val, but even though it's been a long time, I have to pick up my career again. I'm still a magician. I can't let my passion slide off like that” Jayden replied with emotion. Magic was the only thing he knew, and he was not willing to give it up.

“Haha, I like that spirit of yours” Valerio patted Jayden’s back with a laugh.

“Well then, I'm gonna get going. I should start the groundwork for my grand comeback. I'll come by if I have time” Jayden waved them goodbye. He was happy he found some people to fall back on in case he encountered any troubles.

“We’ll get an invite to your show right, bro?” Kael asked with a teasing smile.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

“Haha, do you even need to ask? You guys will get a front-row seat, after all I wouldn't be here without you guys” Jayden replied with a laugh, but his tone was very sincere.

Jayden tipped his hat which appeared out of nowhere.

“Mathew, please show him out” Valerio said.

“Sure, I’ll-” Before Mathew could reply all the lights in the facility started to flicker violently.

“A shortage?” Kael asked in confusion.

“No. I can sense that sinister Nova you guys were talking about from Arthur’s room” Valerio replied with a frown.

“He’s up?” Jayden asked.

“I think so. Mathew and Kael, stay here, me and Jayden will go take a look” Valerio said as Jayden and Valerio instantly dashed to Arthur’s room.

‘What a thick bloodlust’ Valerio thought in amazement as he stood outside the door to the room where Arthur was resting. The crimson Nova was seeping out of the door.

“I don't know if I am that sensitive to Nova, but I can feel a metallic taste in my mouth from that Nova” Jayden said. Even though he experienced it before, it still made him uncomfortable.

Valerio nodded and opened the door. The thick crimson Nova assaulted them. The thick Nova swirled around Arthur’s sleeping figure. The whole room was filled with Nova.

Valerio slashed the air in front of him with a frown. His Nova instantly overpowered the Crimson Nova and the Crimson Nova vanished completely.

‘He just overpowered that Nova completely. Just how strong is the man?’ Jayden thought as he looked at Valerio in amazement.

“You alright?” Valerio asked as looked at Jayden. Jayden nodded without saying anything.

They entered the room and gazed at the still-unconscious Arthur muttering something.

“Don't hurt them”

“No…I'm not gonna be a burden to you guys anymore..”

“This time I'll protect you”

Arthur kept on muttering these lines repeatedly. His face had a pained expression and he was sweating profusely like he was stuck in a nightmare.

“What's happening to him?” Jayden asked in confusion.

“Something must’ve happened to him back there, I think mentally he’s still stuck in that moment” Valerio explained with a frown. The situation suddenly became complicated, if they made any mistake now, Arthur’s psyche may be damaged permanently.

Jayden looked at Valerio for a while and went near Arthur. He kept his hands on Arthur’s forehead, closed his eyes and sent some of his Nova into Arthur.

Arthur visibly calmed down. His pained expression eased, and his mutterings stopped.

“Arggghhhh” Arthur woke up with a loud scream.

“Calm down Arthur, it's okay. You're safe now” Valerio said in a soothing tone trying to calm Arthur.

Arthur looked around everywhere in confusion. He was sleeping in an unfamiliar room, while old man Jayden and Uncle Val were looking at him with concern.

“Uncle Val? Old man? Where are we?” Arthur asked in panic and confusion. Suddenly he remembered something

“What about Kael and Lyra-” he asked in a panic, the Crimson Nova was once again starting to form around them.

“Calm down, they are safe. You saved them” Valerio replied.

“I did?” Arthur asked in doubt. The Crimson Nova started to fade away as fragments of memories slowly appeared.

“I…I killed someone?” Arthur asked in a shaking voice. His hands were shaking as he held them together, trying to calm himself. Tears started to well up in his eyes.

Valerio instantly placed a seal around them to prevent Arthur from leaking his Nova subconsciously.

“Arthur, look here” Valerio said seriously. He looked Arthur straight in the eye. Arthur met Valerio's gaze reluctantly.

“You did nothing wrong. You only did that to save Kael and Lyra. They are alive thanks to you. Not to mention, you weren't even yourself when it happened” Valerio consoled him.