Before Karl had time to look around, Friday had crept in on him. He stood a little outside Amira's home, tilting his feet as he tried to muster the courage to knock on the door. The week was actually very quiet. Andreas had returned on Wednesday and had immediately lifted the illusion he had thrown at their classmates.
It turned out that Andres was also a really nice guy, he just had a problem with his confidence, which was what made him try to play big and strong. When Karl had first discovered it, he had welcomed Andreas with open arms. When Andreas then admitted that he had just moved to the city and did not know any, Karl took it and made it his job to drag Andreas around a tour of the city so he could get to know the surroundings and the people. Karl could not help but laugh when he came to think of his little number from earlier in the day.
Andreas had admitted late Thursday night while they had been sitting down at the station and watching the trains run back and forth that even though he had had lots of sex, he had not been with a girl he had not paid for it, or used an illusion on her. When Karl heard this, a plan began to form in his head. Friday morning he had found Emilia before she entered the classroom, and heard if she would be willing to do him a mega favor.
“What kind of service do you want me for? and why should I help you? just because I have forgiven you does not mean I like you. ” she asked grumpily.
"It's not for my sake you have to do it." started Karl. "A new guy in my class has started and he's in the market for a girlfriend, and as far as I know you do not have one at the moment." Emilia stood looking at Karl for a while. "Why do you think I would be interested in him?" she asked with an incredible amount of contempt in her voice.
"Let's see, he's new here, so he does not know anything about your reputation" here Karl looked very tellingly at her, "So he is probably one of your best options to get a date without expecting anything special from you ”explained Karl. Emilia stood there for a while, thinking before she got a sad smile. "Unfortunately, you are probably right." she replied, looking rather sad. “I'm sending him in your direction here for lunch. He is reasonably shy so be nice to him and remember he is new to the area. ”
Karl had had a hard time getting Andreas to go over to her. But it had succeeded after Karl had guaranteed that she would not reject him. Karl himself was wildly nervous about how it would go, but luckily everything went well and Andreas came to the back and looked like someone who had won the lottery.
"You are absolutely amazing, if I had known last Friday that you could get me a date before the week was over I would never have tried to control you like that." Had Andres half shouted between mouthfuls of his tunsandwish.
"Are you going to stand here all night or do you go in and get your date?" there was a gnawing from the shadow. "There is very little else" Karl replied weakly. "I thought you were looking forward to this evening," shadow asked wonderingly.
"I do too" begin Karl. "But I'm so nervous I almost dare not knock" while Karl took a deep breath and got ready to knock, shadow was dying of laughter over how ridiculous Karl was in his eyes.
before Karl could knock, the door was opened by Niels. the two gentlemen stood there a little and studied each other. Karl wearing a pair of simple black trousers and a gray shirt against Nielse's jogging trousers and a loose white t-shirt.
"Are you going to stand out here all evening and talk to shadow or do you plan to come in so your date can start?" Niels asked with a raised eyebrow.
Karl was completely stunned and did not manage to react before the shadow slipped out of his sleeve. "I just asked him about the same thing, but the fool is so afraid that it will go wrong that he almost considered running away" laughed shadow as he slid past Niels.
"I was not running away… I was just doubting if I had remembered to turn off the light in my room and considered whether I should go back and check." Karl mumbled faintly, but no one heard him or would have believed him.
Shadow had already settled down on the sofa in the living room with Niels. “Come over and sit down Karl. It takes just 5 minutes before Amira is ready. I also just want to ask you something, ”Niels said as he patted the sofa next to him.
Suddenly the cold sweat sprang up on Karl's back and in his neck. he was about to go out of his good skin. this was it. The conversation with the girl's father about what would happen if he hurt his daughter. Karl sat down carefully and held his breath. instead of the dark evil voice and the threats that Karl expected, Niels just smiled big at him and asked.
"Where are you going? I'm just curious." Karl was completely in shock at how calm it all went that it took a while before he got the answer. "Shadow made a deal with another warlock we met a few days ago that we could get a table at the restaurant his family has just opened downtown." Niels sat and thought a little. "The new steakhouse that everyone is talking about?" Niels asked cautiously
"If it's the one lying down overlooking the harbor then yes" Karl replied and quietly begin his voice and regain strength. “Okay it's it, how can you afford it? even I would have to consider it twice before I went in there and ate. ” Niels asked again wondering.
“Do not ask me shadow says that Andreses family owes us so much more than just a single night at their expense, something that they should be happy that their son is still alive after he chose to attack an active member of a of the 5 old families. ” Niels rolled his eyes violently.
"Did someone attack you outside of an official duel?" Niels asked in a voice that was just about to shout. "Yes, he tried an illusion that would leave me as his slave." Karl replied and did not quite understand how big it was.
"Okay, it's all cold," exclaimed Niels. "Then there is nothing for me but to hear if you take her home with your parents tonight or if you slip into a hotel or if we should be aware that you are here tomorrow and eating breakfast?" Karl just sat with his jaw all the way down in his lap.
"Hahahaha you should see your face" exclaimed Niels as he rolled around on the floor laughing. "I have to stop teasing, but just so we are completely clear, it does not matter that I practice, but now remember contraception, I am not ready to become a grandfather yet." got Niels out between laughs.
Before Karl could react, Anesofie entered the living room from the kitchen "now do not make Karl more embarrassed than absolutely necessary." she laughed as she rolled over to the couch with a cup of coffee.
"Do you want a small cup, Amira should be down in 2 minutes" she asked happily. Karl was so out of it that he just took the cup and started sipping the coffee. "If Amira decides to take him up to her room, we'll just check if the soundproofing you have installed works." laughed Anesophie, while Karl was scratching at the coffee.
Before more remarks could be fired, Amira came down the stairs. She moved with a grace and confidence that she could be wearing a sack and she would still look amazing.
But it was definitely not a sack she was wearing, it was a beautiful depth blue dress sprinkled with lots of glitter. Even the slightest movement made the light play in the beautiful dress.
Karl quickly got up and took a few steps towards her, but the words he had planned died in his throat. The only thing he got out was a quiet "wonderful" Amira lit up so she must have heard him.
"You also look good tonight, shall we see how to get out of here before my father gets funny ideas?" she asked quietly, and Karl nodded at once in panic.
They reached out the door without too much embarrassment from Amirar's parents. "How do we get into town?" Amira asked. it was almost 3 km so it was a bit far to walk in the dress she was wearing.
"I have a solution you will not believe" Karl replied with a big smile and fished a piece of paper out of his pocket. "Take a small step back," Karl said, starting to unfold the paper. "Shadow and I were down at the restaurant earlier today putting up that gentleman's twin," Karl explained as he smoothed out the paper.
Apparently there was a convoluted ritual that Amira could not grasp either head or tail in. "What should this ritual do" she asked as she studied it more. “It is a short distance teleportation circle. It can only teleport maxs 5 km. and can only be used once, but it should also be enough to get us down there. ” replied Karl.
Amira stood and looked a little again before turning to Karl “what drives this ritual? do we have to sacrifice something big for it to work? because then I'm fine taking the bus. " she said quietly. "Don't worry, it only requires a good mana, so no sacrifices today." Karl replied and took her hand.
"Stand where there is a ring with the symbol that looks like an i and a k combined." Amira took a careful step up on the paper and looked at Karl "Ready?" he asked, getting a nod in response. "Ok" Karl replied before pumping mana into the ritual. "From here to there" Karl said and the evening was illuminated by a strong flash of light.
In the center of the center located on a small elevation lay a newly opened steak house, which already had a reputation as being absolutely stunning. after it has only been open for 2 months, there was already a waiting time of up to 4 weeks to get a table. out in the enclosed courtyard, where only the staff had access, a large symbol had been drawn on the ground.
Without warning, the twilight was broken by a bright light and two people appeared out of the light. "It was… different" mumbled Amira as she was a little pale. "Are you okay?" Karl asked cautiously, "Yes I'm okay just did not expect to get motion sickness" Amira replied. “Sorry should have warned you about that, approx. half of all those who are teleported that way get dizzy from it, ”Karl replied. "It's okay we should see to come in and get some food" she asked and had regained some of her joy as the nausea subsided.
"By the way Amira I have a little thing for you" Karl said as he rummaged in his pockets. "It should be right here somewhere… there it was" he exclaimed happily before handing Amira a small box.
Amira just stood there for a while looking. "Then open it and see what's in it." called Karl happy. Gently, Amira opened the small box. Inside, she found a small beautiful green jewel the same color as her eyes.
"It's is a pendant, I thought it might be I was so lucky you would put it on and go with it." Karl quietly explained “there is a tracking ritual engraved on the back, a simple drop then it starts sending out an emergency signal I can track. I thought that then I can always come to your rescue if something should happen, and then I think it sees…. ” Karl stopped talking there as Amira held up a hand in front of him.
"Not only do you invite me to the most expensive restaurant in town, you also give jewels that are both beautiful and functional on the first date? You are well on your way to it not just being a goodnight kiss" laughed Amira loudly.
Karl turned completely red in the head and nodded weakly with his head. "Can you help me a little?" Amira asked, lifting her hair, "I can't get to the lock myself," she explained as she pointed to her necklace. Karl quickly opened her necklace and put the new pendant in. They stood for a moment before Karl pulled himself together and continued the date.
Karl took Amira's hand and led her in through the back entrance. “Welcome Karl, good to see you. Let me introduce my family, ”exclaimed Andres, who met them right inside the door. "Hi Andres, did you not have a date today?" Karl asked uncertainly.
"No, it's not until tomorrow, I would be here myself and help today." answer Andres and start leading them through the kitchen and out towards the restaurant. As he walked, he introduced his cousins who worked in the kitchen.
"Hi! see where you go, your big busehead ”sounded sour from the girl that Andreas had just hit with in the door when he was distracted while he told about his cousin at the barbecue. "You can even be a bully sister." snapped Andres, "Karl, Amira my sister Laura" Andreas said quickly as he pulled them through the door and closed behind him. "She can be a bit of a handful, and then she's mad I've taken your table tonight, as it's usually hers." explained Andreas.
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Andreas quickly led the young couple over to a table that was a little hidden behind a couple of curtains. “Here is our best table, you have a view of the restaurant, but at the same time you can not be seen properly from the rest of the room. But now I have to let you go and enjoy your evening, click once on the button in the middle of the table, then I will get a beep and come immediately, so you do it just when you have decided what you want. “Andreas chattered off quickly and happily.
It was clear to notice that he loved helping the family run the restaurant. “By the way, before I go. Today's specialties are steak of crocodile meat. ” said Andreas before disappearing out from behind the curtain again.
Karl and Amira quickly found out what they wanted and got it ordered. Instead of an embarrassing silence, Karl manages to start normal conversations. they talked so naturally together that they did not notice that time passed and before they could look around, they had had their food and were well on their way to eating it, as Karl had an unpleasant feeling in his stomach.
"Hi shadow, can you also sense something in the air or is it just me" Karl thought quietly. While he start looking around a bit. "You're right there's something in the air, but I can not place it" replied shadow. Amira noticed that Karl had suddenly become silent.
"Something wrong Karl?" she asked worriedly. "I do not know," he replied quietly
"I can feel something in the air and shadow can not immediately figure out what it is." he whispered as he began to look for the source of the strange sensation. Suddenly there was a bang, and a large yellow demon with chains like clothes burst out of the door.
"Come on young warlock, I know you are here" exclaimed the demon. Karl was immediately ready for battle "Who the hell is that" Karl asked quickly. "I'm not sure, but judging by the color of his skin over his appearance, I'm guessing he's an older member of Gabe's clan." answerd shadow. "Gabe's?" Karl asked as he gently got up and worked himself in between Amira and the demon. "Gabe as in Andreas's guide." replied shadow.
Before Karl could say or do anything else, the demon turned his gaze to Karl "Well there is him the pig who beat my little brother with unfair tricks" the demon exclaimed and started walking towards Karl.
Karl did not know what to do but he got ready for battle. without hesitation the demon struck out at Karl with incredible strength. karl could not manage to get away, but luckily shadow managed to make his shadow shield. Even with the shield, Karl was thrown through the room and slammed so hard into the wall that he made a crater.
"Come now, your little squat, show me what you have," roared the demon, and continued towards Karl's crumpled figure. Just before the demon was about to strike again, Karl's voice penetrated the screams of the other guests. “Dawn flicker”
The blow that should have turned Karl into plucked fish slipped Karl without problems around and was with one behind the demon and was just about to use his mana ball to knock it out. But at the same time Karl had a violent pain in the side and found himself lying on the floor. Instead of being shocked by Karl's sudden movement, the demon had twisted around himself and planted a fist in Karl's side, breaking 2 ribs that had only just healed again.
"Is that all you have punk!" shouted the big yellow demon scornfully. “You would not have beaten my brother so easily, do not hold back. Or are you a little chicken who does not dare to defend himself ”laughed the demon. "Shadow a little help here?" shouted Karl almost in his head as he got properly on his feet again. "What do you want me to do?" Asked shadow as he tried to come up with a plan.
"I have an idea" was all Karl answered quietly as he looked around and could see that most had come out of the restaurant now.
With one, Karl ran towards the demon with mana pumping around in his legs. "The second dance of the shadow zenith siesta" shouted Karl loudly. This time, instead of landing behind the demon, he reappeared, over the demon's head. "Arcane arrow" Karl screamed in panic and charged it with as much mana as he could.
There was a loud bang and the sound of a floor cracking. Karl thought he had won, but when the dust settled the demon stood with an outstretched hand and had grabbed the arrow. The sound had come from the wooden floor as it gave way during the combination of the demon's weight and the pressure from the arrow. "Is that really all you can dish up?" The demon asked confused.
Before Karl could answer, the demon continued angrily “I do not think you are motivated enough to defend yourself properly. If I now take your little girlfriend hostage, then it may be that you want to get together and make a bigger effort, ”laughed the demon.
With a quick movement, the demon turned around and grabbed Amira who had not had the opportunity to escape due to the location of their stall. The demon fills the entire entrance to the private stalls.
“Shouldn't the two of us take a trip out into the night. Then I will show you how a real man does ”laughed the demon as he reached out for Amira. "Dawn flickers" Karl screamed before appearing between the demon and Amira.
"Keep your clammy hands away from her, blood style manaboldt" the 5 little red balls exploded quickly against the demon's chest. Another mana ball hit the wall behind Amira with a loud bang. "Run, I'll hold him back." shouted Karl as he got ready to continue the fight.
"It tickled little warlock, my brother mentioned something about you having found a way to make the mana ball a little stronger than usual, but you still need more strength if you want to do something to me" the demon laughed as the dust settled again.
Amira did not hesitate to try to run out of the hole in the wall that Karl had made. But before she took many steps, a flame flared up in front of her. "Where do you think you're going, little lady, we should have some fun" came the demon's voice from inside the fire.
Before Karl could react again, the demon had teleported over and picked up Amira. "It's going to be fun to see if you can find me again little warlock, maybe next time we meet you can do a little more resistance, you have a week to find me before I have my fun with the girl" laughed the demon as he got the flames to flare up again.
"Otherwise I have brought home a small delicious case, she can probably entertain me for a few hours, the last one did not last many days" Karl just stood there in shock and glowing on the flames burning out. His date had just gone to hell.
Karl stood for a long time, just looking at where the demon had last stood. He did not register any police or ambulance. It was only when Andreas went up and tapped him on the shoulder that he sensed something again.
"Both your and Amira's parents are there, and I have explained to them what happened, if anyone asks, it was a terrorist who detonated a bomb inside the restaurant," Andreas explained as he began to lead Karl over where his parents stood.
Both Karl's own parents but also Amiras looked like some who were about to go down with a breakdown. Niels stepped towards Karl when he noticed him and was about to shout at him as shadow flowed out of Karl's sleeve. ‘
“Before you start shouting at him, know that he tried everything that was in his power. Karl gave everything he had in him in an attempt to save Amira, but no one had told us that we would have to be ready to take the fight with a full grown ironskin "shouted shadow into Niels' head.
"Furthermore, we have a technique to track her and we have a week for Karl to heal and become strong enough to get your daughter back." Before anyone could say more, Karl collapsed with a bang.
Slowly, Karl returned to consciousness. The first thing that met him was the bright light and white ceiling which could only mean that he ended up dead or in the hospital. From the burning pain in his side, he was probably still alive and in the hospital.
"Good to see you're returning to the world of the living." it sounded calmly over from the corner where Karl could faintly sense shadow. "It's good to be back, but I have two questions." Karl started "okay what are they?" asked shadow.
"Why does it feel like there is fire in my side and how long have I been gone?" shadow felt a little before answering. “Your side is burning due to the fact that we had to forcibly restore 2 of your ribs and both your liver and one kidney were so badly damaged that even the best doctors would not have been able to repair them. But then it's good you have access to magic doctors. Your ribs and internal organs are right now regrowing themselves faster than your body can comprehend, and that's what makes it feel like your side is burning. ” started shadow.
"The other is a little hard to say for sure." Karl looked very strangely at the shadow "How can it be difficult to tell me how long I have been unconscious?" Karl asked quickly.
Shadow sat looking at Karl for a long time before responding slowly. "You've been in this room for almost 3 weeks." "What!!!" Karl shouted. shadow holding a hand up to stop Karl's outburst.
"You've been in here for 3 weeks, but it's only been a few hours in real life." Karl was just about to shout something more when shadow words registered for him. "A few hours?" he asked, unable to understand the words at all. "You heard right a few hours, we are in a time pocket that does not run on the same tic as the normal world."
Before Karl could say more, his mother came in the door. "Good to see you're up again." she said as she sat down in a chair. "Hey shadow how long before he can go out and train so he can save my daughter-in-law?" she asked quietly as she began to sip on her tea.
"He should be on his feet before the day is over" shadow replied and looked apologetically at Karl. "Your mother is a monster, she has been hounding around with the staff and has demanded regular updates on your healing." Karl was about to start laughing when he heard shadow tired voice in his head. "Is the great strong shadow afraid of a normal human being?" Karl asked sarcastically.
Shadow never got to answer due to Karl's mother. “Do not talk telepathically! If you are fresh enough to talk behind my back, then you are fresh enough to start building your tragging and teleportation, rituals, it does not require big movements or mana. ” she exclaimed angrily and went her way.
After Karl's mother had disappeared, it was not long before Karl was dressed and on his way out of the time pocket. When Karl stepped through the portal between the worlds, he found himself in the attic where his father had cleared all the floor space. Without hesitation, Karl went and found his favorite book.
Gently, he slid his fingers around along the red ruby. "Then it's time to prove how strong this family really is." Karl mumbled quietly. "If only my ancestors were here to help me now. I could really use the help. Shadow says that nothing I have available is close to being able to damage a full grown ironskin, so I just have to hope there's something in here a place that can help me ”before Karl could open the book, the old text on the ruby changed.
Your cry for help has been heard my child.
Karl froze at once and could not believe his own eyes. "I know the book is enchanted to protect the knowledge that is inside it, but this is new" muttered Karl quietly again. “Hello book?.? I feel really stupid now, but I can use all the help I can get. ”
you should not feel stupid.
I can well understand this is weird.
I'm an imprint of one of your ancestors.
I do not know how long ago it is I was alive.
but I have helped many in the family over the years.
you are not the first to ask for my help.
tell me about what's wrong my dear child.
Karl did not hesitate to start telling his ancestors how he had discovered the book and how he had discovered that he could read it. Karl told about how he had changed in the ritual for new beginnings where he had invoked shadow. He told about how that he had met Andreas and challenged him to a duel.
Here his ancestor, who calls himself an index, had broken in and said that Andreas should be happy that Karl had let him go alive from there. They spent a lot of energy analyzing how Karl had managed his fight against Andreas and Gabe, whom Karl had now learned was a young ironskin.
Shadow had reappeared when Karl managed to tell about Amira and their date. With him he had brought food and drink. "I think I told you the whole index," Karl concluded dejectedly.
there are many things we need to achieve and have only a short time.
you luckily have several advantages.
you can use narratives.
and you have already learned the secret of our family.
"You think about using blood to amplify our magic," Karl asked quietly.
yes and we are going to take advantage of that.
I have enchantments here in me,
which we need to teach you to fight.
once you have learned everything shadow and I can.
then you should probably be able to handle this ironskin.
we start tomorrow, right now just sit down and relax
we must have you healed first before we begin training.
Karl obeyed without hesitation index and slipped down into his bed. “It is absolutely incredible with your family, not only are you generally strong, you have also found out how to bind souls to objects. Your family is absolutely amazing and it's without us even starting to talk about your abilities with your blood techniques. Commented shadow before going to bed.
Elsewhere in the world far away from Karl's home, Amira sat trapped and chained in an old damp basement. The only light that penetrated was through a small window high up in the ceiling.
"Well, you have calmed down now" was the deep voice of the yellow ironskin when he came down the stairs.
"Stay away you satan, just wait until he comes and saves me" Amira screamed angrily. "No I do not think he does, your little rescuer could not even hurt me, how could he ever win over me, and for that matter I would like to see him find this place." the demon laughed scornfully.
Slowly he reached in between the bars and lifted Amira's head. Suddenly the demon gave a roar and pulled his bloody hand to him. Amira had no intention of letting him touch her, and the bite mark in his hand could not say it more clearly.
"You stupid slut here, I would offer you to get up and sleep with me, but now you can stay here until you get wiser." he hissed angrily as he sore his hand and walked up from the basement again.
“Come on, Karl. I'm waiting for you." she said quietly as she looked down at the pendant he had given her, on which some of the demon's blood had ended up. "At least now you must not come and claim that you can not find me." was the last thing she said before going to bed.
In the attic of Karl's, a small green crystal begins to shine. The crystal had found its sister.