The Unseen City hummed with the activity of politicians and diplomats, all working diligently to manage the arduous task of rescue and reconstruction. The government convened in the city hall now that the whole court district and most of the downtown was destroyed, their discussions filled with the utmost delicacy and careful consideration. The incident that had razed the city and claimed countless lives had become a topic of heated debate, dominating the conversation of many.
Steve, his brow furrowing with concern, sat at a wooden table in the modest apartment he rented in Paasilinna after deciding to stay and help with the repairs, his gaze fixed on a newspaper. The article before him cast a shadow over his thoughts, revealing a startling revelation. "The person killed was not the city mayor but an impostor... The real mayor was found dead in his own home," Steve murmured, his voice heavy with disbelief.
Damon, sitting across from him on a worn-out sofa, had also been reading the very same article. His voice was laced with a mix of confirmation and apprehension as he spoke. "That damn woman, Joanne, wasn’t lying."
As Steve continued to peruse the pages, his eyes fell upon a striking image on the last page. It depicted a chessboard, meticulously arranged. The pieces, one side red and the other purple, stood frozen in a timeless battle. Steve's gaze lingered on the board, his mind racing to decipher its meaning. The red side, once again, had suffered defeat.
Determined to gather more information, Steve reached for another newspaper. "The Imperial Sun Army is preparing for another invasion of Qing's land," he muttered. The world seemed to teeter on the precipice of chaos, with conflicts brewing on every corner.
Damon, sensing Steve's growing unease, let out a soft hum of agreement. "Arashi has returned to Japan. I hope he's not dragged into this nonsense war. The same goes for Lowe; he left for France with Aran."
Steve's lips curled into a wry smile, his skepticism evident. "I didn't know Lowe had friends," he remarked, his words laced with a hint of amusement.
Damon chuckled softly. "Nah, I believe Aran and Lowe have known each other for many years.”
"When did they leave?"
"They all left the day next after Kyrie did," Damon sighed, a note of concern creeping into his voice. "I don't know what that Kyrie lad is thinking."
Steve, folding the newspaper in his hands, leaned back in his chair, his mind swirling with questions and uncertainties. He couldn't shake off the sense that sense of dread he always felt before a catastrophic event happened.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
"What do you mean?" Steve asked.
Damon's expression grew somber, his eyes clouded with worry. "Kyrie left to travel to Greece, his homeland. Yet, Greece is preparing for another war against the Ottomans," he explained, his voice heavy with concern.
Memories of what Kyrie mentioned of his haunting vision in Egypt resurfaced, their significance weighing heavily on his mind.
As the room fell into a contemplative silence, Steve remembered the conversation he had with Kyrie.
"I heard a strange, haunting voice of a woman singing as if recounting some ancient myth," Kyrie began. "In my dream, I found myself standing in a desolate prairie, the grass beneath my feet lifeless and withered. Before me, a tree stood tall, its branches reaching towards a gray sky. And there you were, Steve, in front of me."
Steve's eyebrows furrowed, his mind racing to make sense of Kyrie's words. Memories of his own encounter with De Hard resurfaced. "I, too, had a similar dream," Steve admitted. "It was when I first met De Hard. So, that’s how you lost your good arm?"
Kyrie nodded, his expression a mix of resignation and determination. "In that strange vision, I inexplicably saw my daughter... And it was through that visit that I discovered the true nature of the uncanny power residing within my right arm."
Steve couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for him. "But at the expense of your other arm. Great!" He remarked, his tone laced with a touch of sarcasm. "Why did Zaid want you to go to that place?"
A solemn look crossed Kyrie's face as he recalled Zaid's words. "He said it was to help me... According to him, as I unravel the mysteries of that strange vision, I will begin to comprehend the power that saved me. I will uncover the intricate threads of my future, even the day of my death, which is known as the Truth. I still find it hard to understand what he meant."
Steve's mind reeled at the weight of Kyrie's revelation. He remembered the moment when, in his vision, the bird had taken flight swallowing whole, the sense of foreboding that had gripped him. "The same has happened to me," Steve acknowledged.
"Zaid mentioned that as long as we find the answers within that vision, it will continue to expand, revealing more and more," Kyrie sighed.
Just as the weight of that memory settled upon Steve, the sound of the door closing interrupted his thoughts. Hatta, an ever-energetic and playful companion, had entered the living room.
After the events in Paasilinna, three weeks had passed, and Steve, Hatta, and Damon found themselves still residing within the city, as they wanted to help in the reconstruction. Hatta approached the others, a mischievous grin spread across his face as he revealed his latest acquisition—a ring adorned with a black onyx and a Wockjeibaa, the very same kind of dragon that Steve had valiantly fought in an attempt to rescue Alice.
"Now that you have that ring, what do you plan to do?" Steve asked, his curiosity piqued.
Damon's eyes sparkled with excitement as he replied. "I intend to embark on a journey, traveling far and wide to seek out and challenge the most renowned martial artists in the world. I want to test my skills against the very best."
Hatta, unable to contain his amusement, let out a hearty cackle. "And while Damon gallantly battles his way through, I shall be there, ready to mock him mercilessly should he ever taste defeat."
As laughter filled the room, Steve couldn't help but feel a sense of camaraderie and anticipation. Little did they know that their paths were about to diverge even further.