The next day, an uninvited guest came to Zave's house. The knocking sound echoed through the house. Leorna opened the door.

"Grandpa Ger!" she exclaimed excitedly.

"Leo dear, how are you? You've become so thin! Have you been eating well?" Gerelt Ghasia pinched her cheeks. Leorna brushed his hands away.

"Grandpa Ger, I’m angry with you! You haven’t come to see me in such a long time," she puffed out her cheeks.

"Sorry!" he said, caressing her head. "Don't you welcome your guests inside?" he asked.

"Yes! Yes! Come in, Grandpa! Grandpa Ger has come to our house!" she welcomed him and shouted to call Zave.

Zave came out from his lab after hearing the shout. "Gerelt! Why did you come?" Zave asked.

"What?" Gerelt was stunned by his welcome.

"Grandpa, how can you say that to Grandpa Ger?" Leorna was also stunned and angered.

"I mean, I was asking why he came, leaving a lot of work!" Zave explained. He was worried Gerelt would meet Aiden. He doesn't want it to happen for Aiden sake. "You go and play with Bucky upstairs," he advised her.

She was about to ascend the stairs but was stopped by Gerelt. He handed her a basket containing her favorite sweets. She was overjoyed, took the basket, and ran upstairs.

"Leorna! Eat less! Otherwise..." Before Zave finished, her figure disappeared into her room. Zave sighed. "Have a seat!" Zave said. "Tea or milk?" he asked.

"Who drinks tea or milk? I’m not a growing kid!" Gerelt said with a laugh. He picked up a beer bottle and poured it into a goblet. Gerrlt noticed Zave's hands.

"Why do your hands look burned?" asked Gerrelt.

"Same as you, dark infection," Zave said with a smile, but his tone was mocking. Gerelt was stunned.

"How?" he asked, more than eager to know. Zave handed him the goblet.

"A bastard kidnapped Leorna! This is hers; I took it," said Zave while looking at his hands.

"What?" Gerelt dropped the goblet, and beer splattered on the floor. "Kidnap? Leorna? Who? Why didn't you tell me?" Gerelt asked, angered and clenching his hands.

"I tried, but your department said you were out of the country," replied Zave.

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"Why didn’t you even tell me at the tavern?" asked Gerelt.

"Did I have time to speak? You flew off like you heard someone ding-ding your girlfriend," Zave mocked ruthlessly, also peeking at Gerelt's hand.

Gerelt noticed Zave's peeking and retreated his hands. Zave called Mineo to clean the mess on the floor. Gerelt took a medium-sized pouch from his coat.

"This is what you asked for!" he said, placing it on the table. They both heard footsteps coming from the stairs. It was Aiden. Zave's worst nightmare became true.

"Who is this young man?" asked Gerrelt.

"He is my patient, staying here for treatment," Zave replied. Gerrelt narrowed his eyes when he noticed scars on Aiden. Since Aiden was wearing a sleeveless shirt, the scars on his arms were clearly visible. Gerelt stood up from his seat and came near Aiden. He grabbed his hand and inspected the scars. Zave's face changed to a serious expression. Gerrelt's hands trembled, and his eyes widened upon seeing the scars. Aiden could feel his tremble.

"Ha ha ha! Miracle! Marvellous! This is why you asked about norticles!" Gerelt laughed loudly and looked at Zave with a grin. Zave's face turned ashen.

"Aiden, why did you come down? Didn't I tell you to rest? Please go to your room!" Zave said in an angry tone. Aiden was confused about why Zave was angry and who this old man was.

"You don't need to go, Aiden! Let me introduce myself. I am Gerelt Ghasia. I am Zave's best friend." Aiden struggled to pull his hand from Gerelt's grip.

"Hello! Nice to meet you," he said out of courtesy. Gerrelt sniffed near Aiden.

"Hmmm! Where are you from, Aiden?" Gerelt asked with a grin. Aiden grew nervous, his heart pounding.

"I... I..."

"He is from the north, a city named Linty," Zave said suddenly before Aiden could answer.

"Oh! I don't think so. Is this a norticle's bite?" Gerelt looked at Zave and asked. His facial expression was growing weirder. Zave noticed Gerrelt's hands turning blue.

"No! He was stung by two stinger bees," Zave made up a reason.

"Ohhh! Two stinger bees! Hmmm! Interesting. Can I have some of your blood? Just a little, very little!" Gerelt grabbed Aiden's hand again and asked with a twisted expression. Aiden struggled to free his hand.

"Shit! Why do I always meet crazy people!" he cursed his bad luck.

"ENOUGH, GERELT! Leave his hands!" shouted Zave.

"No, Zave, you don't understand. His blood is a revolution," Gerelt said, turning to Aiden. "I just want a little. I'll take it without causing the slightest pain," Gerelt continued, his face twisted with intent.

Suddenly, he felt something sharp against his throat. It was Zave, pointing his saber at Gerelt's neck.

"Take your hands off!" ordered Zave. Mineo was frightened by the scene.

"Zave! Are you pointing a saber at your best friend for a stranger boy?" Gerelt was surprised.

"Take them off! I won't say it twice!" Zave repeated, gripping the saber tighter. The tension in the room was intense.

"Ok! Cool!" Gerelt let go of Aiden's hand.

"Go!" urged Zave. Aiden ran upstairs, went to his room, and shut the door.

"Mineo, look after the house. I'm sending off my friend," said Zave in a serious tone.

"No! I can go myself," Gerelt replied jerkily. "Take your thing; I don't need it anymore!" Zave said, pointing at the pouch. Gerelt begrudgingly picked up the pouch.

"You will regret this!" he said and left.

"Can you always save him?" Gerelt thought as he flew into the sky using a fire booster spell. Zave sighed heavily, collapsed on the couch, took a beer bottle, and gulped it down.

He was disheartened that his close friend had changed. The dark infection amplified his obsession and greed for a cure for Norticle venom. He couldn't let Aiden fall into his hands or anyone else's. Aiden might become the key to the cure, but it would come at the cost of his happy life. Zave was worried that Gerelt would spread the news.