Chapter 10

At that moment I thought that was it for Dein, I would imagine so did Vendar as both him and I desperately run to stop the unstoppable

I could see the flaming fist of that monster reaching for Dein's chest... we knew we couldn't do anything to prevent it

Suddenly, as if someone had switched the non existing lights off, everything darkened...I couldn't see anything, and neither did I hear anything resembling of a punch being thrown

Had I lost my senses?...soon it became clear what was going on, as my eyes started to adapt, details started forming in my vision

*Dein!* Vendar shouted as he run to hug his brother

...the man was nowhere to be seen, and Dein seemed fine

What did just happen?!

I look around to find nothing...how can a huge man with flames covering half his body just disappear? That would be simply impossible, the fire would at least leave a trail behind

This doesn't make any sense, and that makes me all the more worried...we should be prepared for the worst

*Vendar, don't let your guard down* I whisper to Vendar who immediately raised his stance and held his brother behind him with his left arm

...

A few seconds passed with nothing happening, everything is still and quiet

And the one to break that moment of silence was Dein * Guys don't wo...*

*shhhh* trying to keep him down Vendar silenced his brother with his hand

Dein seemed irritated from that action and started struggling to get Vendar's hand off his mouth

*ghuuhuh*

What is this kid thinking?!

Suddenly I see a shadow raise from behind me, and also notice the surprise in Vendar's eyes which are looking a little above my head

...shit

Instinctively I dash forward while turning around with my arms covering my chest, waiting for a punch while squinting my eyes, ready to take on the pain

...

To my surprise nothing came my way...I slowly open my eyes, and what I see is not what I expected, the origin of the shadow was actually nun Marybeth who had stood up without me noticing...she looked terrible, barely able to stand, her clothing worn out and lots of parts ripped off, while most of it was now covered in red stains of blood

Really, just seeing her standing makes me relieved...but the danger is still present, so I stay still

*stupid boys...the danger is gone, how long are you going to be standing there?! How about you help me?!* nun Marybeth said in as much of a scolding manner as she could muster

It's gone?...it's hard for me to accept it but I trust her words...it was probably her who got rid of that monster of a man

Without letting more time pass I give nun Marybeth my shoulder to help her stand

as soon as i get her on my shoulder she speaks

*Daniel, you need to leave right now, I have no idea how long it will take for that man to return and it brings me shame for I can't protect you, but I can't endanger the rest of the kids...* she says while looking towards the second floor's opening where some midget heads pop out from

*I know that very well nun, thus we were planning to leave tonight...but didn't you get rid of him already?* I couldn't help but ask

*I didn't do anything, if you want to know ask your little friend later* The nun said as she pointed her fragile looking hand to Dein who for some reason wore a proud smile

**Dein?!** both me and Vendar express our confusion at the same time

I would really love to see what kind of relation Dein has with the disappearance of that man but the urgency of the situation won't let me waste more time

*Vendar, Dein, is everything ready?*

I ask as I slowly lay nun Marybeth on to a still intact dinning chair

*just one thing* Vendar answers as he rushes with his brother to the back door

Now looking around and reflecting on what has happened, seeing the dismembered parts of the four underlings of that monster of a man, taking a look at the beaten up nun and the faces of the scared children that try to take a sneak peek from upstairs...and then looking at myself

I brought this kind of destruction to those people and I get out of it just fine, even though I wasn't able to do anything by myself...I thought I was pretty much untouchable for a kid, but I now realise how wrong I was...for some reason I now have some pretty powerful enemies and compared to them I'm weak a...

Pulling me out of those thoughts was a flying object I noticed at the last moment that was coming my way

Catching it I confirm that it's my backpack, looking at the direction it came from, upstairs, I see a black boy that I later recognise to be Camol, the guy that first approached me at the cafeteria

*Daniel, make sure to come back sometime*

Camol said with a smiling face

*I'll be sure to when I settle some things*

I say smiling back to him and the others that started slowly coming out

Running sound of the wooden floors started coming closer and soon... *we are ready to go Daniel* Vendar showed up with his brother each carrying multiple baggage

*ok then, I should be leaving...I apologize for everything, I'll make sure not to cause any more nuisances*

The kids smile as I make a bow and quickly head to the Vendar and Dein who simply stand waiting for me

But before I get to make a second step nun Marybeth speaks out to me

*Daniel, come to my office for a moment before you leave*

Not wasting any time I help her stand up again and assist her along the way

Inside of the office are me Vendar and Dein, watching as the nun searches for something among a pile of papers

Her office is really simple, all there is, is a desk, two chairs and a small library...but there is this one thing that really stood out to me from the first moment I got in here and that was a weirdly shaped metallic object that looked like a staff

I can't get any information by identifying the item, so I would guess it's of great value

*here it is* the nun says as she picks up a small scroll from the pile of thrown stuff in the corner

Unravelling on the desk, I can tell that it's a map, there are two islands in the middle, the right one being half the size and a bit above the left one, and a red dot being drawn somewhere above the right island...where the map shows to be sea

*what's this?* asks Dein

*this is a map of what's discovered till now by the kingdom...and the red dot is where I suggest you go to*

*you want us to go to the sea?* Vendar asks with confusion

*no you stupid kid...there is more to this world than this map shows you, head there and search for a man named architelos... He may be the only one who would accept you and put you under his protection, go there and you'll be safe...that is if you survive that long*

*who is this man?* I ask

*he's just someone i know, you don't need to know more about him till you meet him, just give him this when you meet him* she says while handing me another scroll

*I trust your words nun, but just a stupid little question, where exactly are we on this map?*

*sigh* she quickly takes the map, a pen, ink and starts drawing some lines

*just follow this line* she hands me the map and from what I understand we are just a bit lower than the middle of the left island

*I trust that you can figure the way out along the way, just follow the direction of the descending moons, going along the main road of the capital you should reach a big town named Endopoli, from there you could look for a traveling caravan but be careful, as long as you're in this country the church will be your main concern*

...after a small pause of the nun looking at each of us and lastly at Dein she speaks again

* also, Dein... I would love to know how you got your hands on that power, but just make sure to not ever again use it in front of others...though it may already be too late*

whispering the last bit, the nun stared down for a moment as if she was spacing out

*Well, thank you for everything nun Marybeth...we will be leaving now...*

After looking at each other we bow ***thank you for everything!***

The nun's face brightened up a bit and she walked us off together with all the other kids, waving their hands

Without taking a second look back we walk forward into the woods and head for the road we are supposed to take

...

...this night was a complete mess, and I'm not sure if in the end I should be cursing or endorsing my luck... and as to how we survived...

Looking at Dein still with his proud smile on his face, walking through the trees, right beside me...for some reason I pat his head without second thoughts and surprisingly he isn't bothered

This little guy... whatever he did I'm glad I have him with me... both him and Vendar

...

The sun was slowly starting to rise and we were still walking on the main road, on our way we only once saw a carriage passing by, of course noticing it we hid in the forest till it passed...but it was really convenient how there is almost no one using the roads at night, from what Vendar told me that is because the monsters usually get more aggressive around this time, and there also is a danger of bandits setting ambushes in the forest

But now that daytime arises, we'll have to be traveling inside of the forest while still being close to the road, using it as a guide

After about 3-4 hours of walking through the woods, we came across a river, and seeing the amount of life that passes through it, we decided to make a stop

Hiding our stuff in a safe spot, we get some strong sticks that have fallen and sharpen them with a knife that Vendar brought

We have come far enough from the road to not be noticed, so we can now start fishing, after taking our clothes off we jump in...it's kinda embarrassing, being naked in front of others, but I guess it's normal for kids our age in this world... Looking at my naked friends, I notice something I hadn't before... both of their backs are covered in whipping scars

Well... I could take a guess but I'm not gonna ask for now

Anyway, the water level isn't too high, it barely touches my waist...after taking a look at the fish and the water I position my two legs in a way to keep myself as steady as possible against the small current of the water

...my first target has been found, a fish about double the size of my palm had just crossed between my legs...with the spear up and aiming at the fish, I take my first shot!

*slush* ...and of course I miss, scaring the fish and all the smaller ones around it

My shot was quite fast but for some reason it didn't hit...

*slush*

*slush*

*slush*

After three more tries I get kinda mad... and hearing Vendar and Dein laughing at my failed attempts I actually decide to use a bit of power burst.

Continuously using this skill in meditative sleep has made it really useful, it no longer is a one use thing, I can completely control the amount of power it applies to which part of my body I want with the help of extreme body control and in the end I can use it multiple times, as long as I don't overdo it

...finding a fish big enough, aiming with the small wooden spear, and waiting for the right time...I strike! *slushkrak!*

...ops...

Picking up my "spear" I confirm my kill

...I got one! ...even though I broke my spear...

*Daniel... you should probably leave the fishing to just us next time*

Says Vendar with a pitying voice after seeing me trying to get the fish out of the broken stick

*this stick just wasn't strong enough...*

I say back in a joking manner while scratching my head

*sure it wasn't...*

...

After I while I decide to train a little...and by train I mean sleep

*Vendar I'll take a quick nap, make sure to wake me up when things are ready*

I say as I lay my back against a tree

*that's fine, but you know it won't take us more than 20 minutes right?*

*I know, I won't be sleeping for much longer than that*

I am also able to immediately fall asleep when I want to... something that I really appreciate, remembering all the times I couldn't rest at the hospital

Closing...

...

And slowly opening my eyes, the usual small white room fills my view

Slowly getting up and doing some stretches, something that I do every time I get in here...

...*ahum...*

suddenly a voice comes from behind me! Spooking me so much that I instinctively jump away, and turning around I slowly get to see the origin of the voice

*it's been some time, have you missed me?*

A familiar voice and a familiar figure stands in front of me

...

Please tell me I didn't die...