In a blink of an eye, his scenery changed. No longer was he surrounded by trees, and the smell of decaying leaves. There was no moonlight here, and yet he could see. The seven balls of flames of different colors drew his attention. They floated on top of the pedestal, not even touching the platform as if it was the work of magic. Then he heard a voice.

“Alas, you have come, my successor,” it said. The voice of an archaic old man full of charisma and a bit of enthusiasm.

“Did you hear that?” Zach asked. The one beside him was as confused as he was or perhaps even more. Teena could not comprehend what just happened. From being kidnapped by a toad to being transported here where the sky could not be seen. Unconsciously, Teena shifted her feet a bit closer to where Zach was.

“No, my lord… No, I don’t hear anything,” Teena replied.

‘Ah, shit. Am I going crazy?’ he thought. His gaze landed at the center of this underground chamber, a statue posing as Rodin’s The Thinker, and for Zach, he slightly grinned at the similarities. Who would have thought an artist of a different universe would have the same artistic mind. Well to be fair, it could hardly be called groundbreaking. Since it was just a man sitting while thinking.

“Preposterous. Only a layman could not see the artistic beauty of a sculpture like this, and to whoever that artist you speak of, I give them my salute,” again that voice resounded in his mind.

“Who are you?” Zach bellowed. Taking Teena by surprise.

“My lord?” Teena feebly asked. Her eyes roamed across the strange room as goosebumps crawled over her skin.

“It’s rude enough that you read my mind, but at least have the decency to show yourself to your own guest,” Zach said.

The sounds of stone cracking drew their gazes. Zach witnessed with a frown, looking at the sitting statue moving into a standing position. He could feel his arm being grabbed tightly by Teena and he could guess she was probably in the process of losing her mind right now.

Then the statue stood upright as two balls of flames alighted inside the eye socket of the statue. “Pardon me for my rudeness. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Astabuen Silvoth, a pleasure to meet you both,” Astabuen said. Speaking directly into their minds bypassing the need of having a vocal cord.

“My lord…” Teena’s voice trembled. “The statue… it’s speaking to me.”

Zach could feel her nails digging through his skin. Thankfully, his defense was enough not to let his skin bleed.

“I know,” Zach said. Despite facing an unknown stranger, Zach recalled what had been happening throughout the night. From the beginning up to now, the point where Astabuen spoke about greeting his successor dawned on him.

“Why go through the hassle of all of this if you want to meet me?” Zach asked. “Is it really necessary to kidnap her just to flush me out?”

There was no answer. His question was met with silence as the statue did not move even though the flame in its eyes still burned.

“Ahem, it’s unfortunate but it seems my taming skill had been rusty,” Astabuen said. “And I do apologize for taking you, young lady. Since to tell you the truth, it’s been a while since I last use it.” There was a hint of embarrassment in his voice as if Astabuen himself couldn’t believe the thing he had done.

“My lord,” she whispered. “I think he’s sincere.”

Despite what Teena said. Zach could not shed the suspicion he had over a soul residing in a statue. To make things worse, the statue it inhabited wasn’t exactly a head of a human.

“You really expect me to believe you? You of all things?” Zach said. Glaring at Astabuen.

“I assure you, my successor, what the young lady said is right. I am truthful with my words, and despite the impression you have of me for my statue’s appearance I will ignore it outrightly despite it being wrong,” Astabuen said.

“Again, it pisses me off that you’re reading my mind so nonchalantly,” Zach said. “You may fool my naive friend over here, but you won’t fool me, demon.”

“Demon?” Teena asked. That word immediately frightened her as she covered her gaping mouth. “You mean the tales of nightmare are real?” she glanced at Astabuen horrified over the tales that kept her early nights awake.

“Huh,” Astabuen sighed. Making sure the two humans could hear it in their minds. “I can admit that your idea of a demon shares the same appearance as me and my people. But I can assure you this, we are not the same. These little horns you see on the statue’s head it’s not like the horns of your demon. To us, to me, these horns are no different to your hair.”

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“Well, demons do have the tendency of weaving lies and decent in between their friendly words,” Zach said, smirking. “From what I’m seeing, you’re no different… whatever your demonic name is.”

“Enough!” Astabuen roared. The seven flames in the chamber flickered while the statue cracked even more. Whatever Zach’s intention was, he really did manage to piss Astabuen off.

Rather than holding Zach’s arm, Teena was practically stuck to Zach’s body, fearing whatever that had just happened. He could feel her breath brushing over his skin, and yet the statue held his attention the most.

“Hoo, you’re finally showing your true self, eh?” Zach said. Raising his sword, ready for whatever confrontation he might face.

“Huh,” Astabuen sighed. This time he had given up on why he had been treated like this. “In what way should I show you for you to believe I am not one of your demons.”

“Reveal the path for us to return, and I’ll think about it,” Zach said.

“But then you might leave,” Astabuen said.

“So? That’s our freedom to choose. Freedom to leave whenever we want. But judging from how you said it, it sounded like you want to imprison us,” Zach said.

“Fine, do as you will,” Astabuen relented. Another circular formation emerged on the floor, glowing in a bluish light. “Once both of you step inside the circle, the two of you will be transported back to the forest like before. And you are free to go.”

“Don’t you have a physical exit like stairs or something?” Zach asked. He could not shed his suspicion over whatever was written on the floor as it could be anything besides transporting them back to the forest.

“Unfortunately no. The extent of how my abilities can affect the Prelude realm can only be this much,” Astabuen said. “If I even try to attempt an inch further, then my demise will be coming shortly.”

“Hmm,” Zach did not say a word. He eyed the transportation circle and glanced back at Astabuen. “Before we leave, aren’t you going to say anything to my friend over here?”

“You mean the young lady?” Astabuen asked.

“Yes, the one you forcefully kidnapped,” Zach replied.

“Ahem, I believe I’ve apologized already to the kind young lady here,” Astabuen said.

“My lord, it’s fine,” Teena said. “I don’t mind.”

Again, her naiveness made him question whether he was too mistrustful of others. Nonetheless, he believed an apology wouldn’t be enough for such drastic action. Please be reminded that he and Teena had been dragged out of the safety of the fort to a part of the forest where death may knock on their door at any second. So yes, they were obliged to demand something.

“No, Teena,” Zach said. “In this world, words are no longer enough to show one’s sincerity.”

Zach glanced back at the statue. “You told me I’m your successor, am I right?” Zach asked.

“…yes,” Astabuen hesitated. Not knowing where this conversation was leading to. If Zach do not want to be his successor then he was screwed, and if Zach wanted Teena to be the successor then it would entirely impossible to do.

“Give her a skill then,” Zach said. His thought process was leaning towards Astabuen being a potential NPC with the ability to give a one-of-a-kind class. But that was just an assumption of his since anything could happen.

“What if I couldn’t?” Astabuen asked. Rather than getting flustered, the old soul changed his temperament. Playing along with Zach’s game as he had been living a long life of ups and down before reaching this desolate end.

“Then that’s goodbye then,” Zach said. Turning around, heading towards the teleportation circle.

“Even at the cost of great power?” Astabuen baited him. Zach stopped on his track, not moving an inch, not even turning around to face Astabuen. Unknown to Astabuen, Zach allocated his four points to Spirit in the hope of protecting his mind from being read. It was a gamble for him, but nothing else was better than that.

“Yea,” Zach answered. Taking his steps forward, bringing along Teena by his side. Step by side, they inched closer to their exit. But then they stopped.

“Wait!” Astabuen’s desperate voice called out to them.

“Give her the taming skill, and we would be even,” Zach said.

“I am sorry, but that I cannot,” Astabuen said. “Despite what you desire, the taming skill is one of my stars. It cannot be taught to others unless he or she is the Seven Star’s successor.”

Zach's interest was piqued by the mention of that unique title.

“Then what else you can offer?” Zach asked.

The statue slowly moved its head towards Teena. “May I know your class, young lady?” Astabuen said.

“An archer, Sir Demon,” Teena said. Rather than his name, she called him Demon. It seemed Astabuen was a bit too hard for her to remember.

“An archer…” Astabuen said. Contemplating for a second before a small white orb emerged from the top of his palm. “This will suit you.” Before Zach could open his mouth, the orb had flown straight to Teena and vanished right into her body. He frowned and glared at Astabuen for his abrupt action. Then he glanced back to Teena.

“Are you hurt?” he asked.

“No, my lord,” Teena said. Staring at the empty air rather than at Zach who was in front of her.

“What do you receive?” he asked.

“Arrow Production,” she said, smiling. It was a gift that lightened her burden as she knew best that making an arrow was not an easy task. Zach and Teena walked back towards the circle, and before they stepped inside, Astabuen asked again.

“Will you come back?”

Zach just glanced for a brief second and left in silence. Under the moon, Zach and Teena returned back to the fort, fighting against the swarm of ants. By luck, they reached the fort in a short time. It was through a feat of superhuman speed and strength. Zach grabbed Teena by the waist as he jumped right back on top of the battlement. He placed her down as they shared a gaze.

“Oh, you came back,” Mathias said. He woke up after hearing someone land on the battlement. It seemed he wasn’t worried much despite Teena being kidnapped and Zach going out to save the day. It was either he did not care or he had that much trust in Zach’s capability.

“Don’t tell anyone,” Zach whispered. Holding a finger over his lips.

She stared at those alluring lips, falling into a daze before snapping back in just a second. “I will take it to the grave, my lord,” Teena said.

Zach smiled. “Good. Then protect the fort while I’m gone,” Zach said.

“Eh?” Teena was confused. Before she knew it, Zach leaped off the battlement and ran straight back into the forest. It was so sudden that Teena could only stare.

A yawning Mathias approached Teena with his barely open eyes. “What the hell is up with him? Is there someone else that needs to be saved?”