Ramza looked at Esmeralda. "Granny, thank you for showing us what happened to our comrades. Can the magic crystal ball show us where the bodies can be found?" he asked, feeling hopeful. "We just want to give them a proper burial," he spoke sadly.

Esmeralda shook her head. "I'm sorry, guys. I wish I can help you in finding their bodies, but the magic crystal ball has limited power. It can no longer continue showing us anything. I don't know why it refused to show us what happened to the men's body..." she said regretfully.

Zemeth released a deep sigh. "It's okay, Granny. We're very grateful for your help. At least this way, we already know what happened to them," he said, his voice devoid of strength. It would take a long time before he can fully accept in his heart that his friends were already gone.

Ramza was in deep thoughts, rubbing his chin. "Where did the men's bodies go?" he asked aloud.

Zemeth sighed heavily. "Maybe those vampires took the bodies and bring them inside the castle?" he answered.

"If the boys are indeed dead, why would they bring the dead bodies inside the castle? What's the point?" asked Ramza.

"What if the boys are not dead yet? And they just lose consciousness. I won't be surprised if the castle is going to use them as a bargaining chip - the next time they open the blazing barrier," Zemeth suggested.

"That is also possible. A long we don't see any dead bodies to bury then there is a possibility that the men are still alive but their location is unknown," Ramza agreed. He can't help but feel hopeful.

Esmeralda sighed. "If they are taken inside the castle, then we must be very careful when they open the blazing barrier again. There's a great possibility that they would trick us again just like what they did to Ivy's impostor. Let's not buy their tricks no matter what!" she warned the men.

Zemeth took a deep breath. "You got a point, Granny. Thanks for reminding us," he said.

Ramza rose to his feet. "Granny, we will go back to the castle to guard that place. Thank you for your help in finding the boys."

Esmeralda nodded her head. "Don't mention it. I'm glad I contributed something. Don't worry, guys. Aspen and I will volunteer to watch the castle tonight so that you all can have long rest back on the island."

"Thank you, Granny!" Zemeth said and stood up. "We will take our leave," he said.

The men left the mountain through the portal.

A minute later.

They reappeared in the vicinity of the castle.

They found Grandpa Jegun sitting pretty under the shade of the tree. They approached his location.

"Grandpa, why are you sitting under the shade of the tree? Aren't you afraid of those demonic birds' venom? They can be around us, lurking somewhere, watching us," Zemeth said.

Jegun grinned. "Just relax guys, no worries this time. I protected my whole body with the invincible coat, it will make the venom slippery and it will just drop on the ground without harming my body," he replied nonchalantly.

"That's great, Grandpa!" Ramza enthused.

"Come here, lad. I'll coat your body too, this way we will be safe from those deadly birds," Jegun said.

Ramza stood still while Jegun waved his hands all over his body.

A few minutes later, Jegun was done. He looked at Zemeth. "You're next, lad!" he said.

Zemeth stood still while Jegun wielded his power all over his body.

A moment later.

Jegun smiled. "I'm done, lad. Now we're all safe from those demonic birds!" he declared confidently.

"Thank you, Grandpa!" the men said in unison.

"You can continue resting in the trunk of the tree if you're tired. Don't worry my invincible body shield will protect you from those venomous birds," Jegun said smugly.

Zemeth roamed his eyes around the area. "Where is Agran?"

"He's just nearby, patrolling the surrounding area. Don't worry about him, I already coated his body with the same invincible shield we are wearing around our body. He's safe," Jegun said. "He told me that since I'm old already, I should rest here under the tree and guard the barrier just in case it will open up. He will patrol around the place for me," he explained.

"I admired that kid, such a very eager and hardworking guy!" Zemeth praised Agran.

"Indeed, he is. So, let's just stay here and discuss our missing brothers," Ramza told them.

Zemeth took a deep breath. "Granny Esmeralda told us that this could be a trick used by the vampires. She was thinking that the bodies of our four comrades were being hidden inside the castle for the future used by them. So, let's stay alert and vigilant. If Granny is correct with her theory...then we should not let our guards down. Remember what they did to Ivy? They copied her image and sent us an impostor that killed Immortal Vearah," he said in a dispirited voice.

Jegun nodded his head. "Yeah...this could be a trap!"

Ramza looked beyond the trees. "I'm kind of hoping that our comrades are still alive and safe... hiding somewhere..." he spoke optimistically.

"I hope so!" Zemeth feels the same.

"Me too!" Jegun chimed in. He was not only sad but devastated that they lose four brave warriors who are ready to fight for the good cause. Even if there's a tiny seed of hope, he is willing to believe in a miracle during these difficult times of their lives.

"How long this will last, guys?" Ramza asked them all of a sudden.

Zemeth and Jegun looked at Ramza.

"What do you mean?" asked Zemeth.

"This fight against the monsters? How long we keep guarding the blazing barrier?" Ramza asked.

Jegun released a deep sigh. "Until we annihilate all the monsters? The dark armies? And the vampire brothers? Maybe, if we can put an end to the castle, that will be the time we can finally have peace of mind and live our lives the way we want it to be," he answered.

Ramza looked at his friends.

Zemeth shrugged. "Until the battle is over. Because right now, we can't leave and go back to the Nephilim Kingdom and pretend that we don't care at all. We can't leave the powerless humans to fight the evil creatures on their own. Being the powerful ones, we have the responsibility to protect the innocent and weak ones," he said.

"I know. I just wish that we can finish the castle quickly. I'm afraid that if this battle will go on for a long time, we will all perish just like our four brothers," Ramza said dejectedly. He can't understand why he felt hopeless right now.

Zemeth patted Ramza's shoulder. "Soon... my friend. All this...will be over. In the end, good ultimately prevails over evil! I'm sure of that!"

"I hope so," Ramza murmured sadly, even so, he wore a depressed expression on his face.

Jegun sighed. He refused to say anything. Right now, he wanted the battle to end and rest in peace on the island. That is how he envisioned to live the remaining years of his life. But he can't leave the boys to fight the battle on their own. Now that their numbers were already reduced to six, they needed each other's help the most.

When the silence is getting unbearable...

"No matter when this battle will end...I'll fight to the end with you, guys!" Jegun declared bravely and passionately.

The two younger men looked at the old man with respect and admiration in their eyes. They were deeply moved by the old man's commitment to their cause.

"Thank you, Grandpa, for sticking with us through thick and thin!" Zemeth said as tears shimmered in his eyes. He's feeling emotional all of a sudden.

"You are one in a million, Grandpa! I admired your outstanding bravery," Ramza smiled brightly, feeling better again.

Jegun grinned, wanting to spread good vibes to his depressed companions.

~

Back on the mountain.

Aspen arrived at the house.

The girls were sweeping dry leaves in the front yard.

"Girls, where is Esmeralda?" he asked.

"She's in the prohibited room, preparing the poison powder," answered Kate.

Aspen left the girls and proceeds to the back of the house where the prohibited room was located.

When he arrived at the door, it was closed. He knocked on the door. "Esme, are you there?" he said aloud.

"Yes, I'm here!" Esmeralda's voice rang in the air. "I'm coming out in a few minutes," she replied.

"Okay, just take your time. I'll wait for you inside the house," he said and left the area going back to the house, entering through the kitchen door.

~

A few minutes later.

Esmeralda exited the prohibited room. She was done preparing the poison powder which is ready to be used anytime. Later, she will put the powder inside the spray bottle.

She entered the house through the kitchen door.

She went upstairs and found Aspen in the living room, relaxing on the wooden bench. "How're the people in the villages?" she asked, plopping down on the bench, facing him.

Aspen shrugged. "Some people obeyed and left their houses, some can't leave their properties and their livestock so they opted to dig a hole on the floor of their houses..."

Esmeralda sighed. She understands why some people can't leave their homes. "It's okay. If the time comes that we can't control the monsters... they just have to hope for the best and hide quickly. Of course, there is no guarantee for safety if they won't relocate, but at least... digging a hole to hide their entire family is their best defense against those flesh-eating monsters," she said.

"I wish people will listen to my warnings and just go away as far as possible, much better and safer that way," Aspen said.

"Did you tell the village leaders to have at least appoint two to three people who will guard their villages 24/7 to watch for the sign in the sky? They have to wait for that specific signal that I'm going to release in the sky signaling of incoming danger," she said.

Aspen nodded his head. "Yes, I told them to look out for the three explosions in the sky that look like firecrackers, signaling that monsters are being released from the castle and they have to hide away immediately for safety," he answered.

"Good!" Esmeralda said. "By the way, don't leave the house. I volunteer to the guys that we're going to patrol the castle tonight so that they can take a rest on the island, poor men... they've been guarding the castle the whole day," she said.

"No problem. I'll stay here for the whole day. I'm not going anywhere," Aspen replied.