CHAPTER 23: THE PURPOSE
Woli's answer was ice-cold.
"Nox has made his move."
Kaito asked curiously.
"What is Nox, Master?"
"We're heading to the capital immediately. You'll get your answers there."
Ren narrowed his eyes.
"What happened to Master Andre's body?"
Aiko was also worried.
"Yes, I can't see it either."
Rin took a deep breath.
"If they really are Nox… I've heard why they take bodies. You know too, don't you, Master?"
Woli nodded in confirmation.
"As I said… we're going to the capital. All your questions will be answered there."
YORK CITY – THE RUBBLE
Commander Garm and his soldiers had arrived at the city's entrance.
A soldier asked.
"Commander, what do you want us to do?"
Garm's voice was tired but determined.
"Gather the debris. Collect the dead… and bury them. Afterward, we will hold a funeral ceremony for them."
ON THE ROAD
Master Woli and the team had mounted their horses and set off.
Rin broke the silence.
"Master… I want to say something."
"Go ahead, Rin."
"When we first get to the capital… please, let's bury Raven's body."
Woli's voice softened.
"As you wish, Rin."
UNDERGROUND – BUMB'S ESCAPE
Bumb was fleeing underground at full speed, wounded.
"Damn humans… they pushed me too hard. My Ren is almost depleted. If anyone shows up now, I can't even fight."
He gritted his teeth.
"I need to get back to base quickly, without drawing attention. I completed my mission… the rest doesn't matter."
DORN KINGDOM – NOX BASE
Raimen was impatient.
"Bumb still hasn't returned. Do you think he failed?"
The Leader's voice was cold and harsh.
"Bumb is strong. I don't believe he failed."
"My mission didn't take this long. We're still waiting for him. This is irritating."
Another voice spoke from the shadows. It was Neo – one of Nox's senior members.
"Enough, Raimen. Stop being so grumpy. You may not like him… but learn to show respect. He shares the same fate as us. Don't forget that."
Raimen shot back.
"Do I need to ask you how to treat people, Neo?"
Neo stepped out of the shadows. He was about one hundred and ninety centimeters tall, with light brown hair. His brown eyes were gleaming.
Raimen also stood up. The two came face to face in the center of the cave.
Just then, the Leader spoke quietly.
"Are you children? You're disturbing everyone here. As Neo said, everyone here shares the same fate. Even if you don't like him, you will respect him, Raimen."
Raimen tried to object.
"But—"
"Silence!"
The Leader's voice was firm.
"I said you will respect him. I hate it when my orders are talked back to. You know this."
"I thought there was freedom of speech here. Am I wrong?"
The Leader's purple eyes glowed. He spoke more quietly this time.
"You're right. Everyone here is equal and has freedom of speech. But no one has the right to overstep their bounds. I hope I've made myself clear, Raimen."
Neo stepped in.
"It's fine. We get along well, sir."
"Good. That's what I wanted to hear."
CAPITAL FLORIS – THE ENTRANCE
Woli and the team were approaching the capital.
"When we enter the city, first, Rin, you go handle the funeral arrangements. I'll take Kaito, Ren, and Aiko to see the Chief. When we're done, we'll join you. Then we'll hold Raven's funeral."
Rin nodded.
"Yes, Master."
The capital was its usual bustling self. The sun scorched everything. Merchants' voices filled the air. Everyone was in a hurry.
Woli let out a sigh.
"I missed this sight. Let's keep going."
As they entered the city, everyone stared at them. Because there was a corpse behind Rin's horse.
When they reached the hunter's palace, the guards immediately rushed over upon seeing Raven's body.
"M-Master Woli? Is this… Raven?"
Woli's voice was heavy.
"Yes. He sacrificed himself in battle. He died a hero."
The guard bowed respectfully.
"I-I see. Soldiers, take Raven immediately and prepare the funeral ceremony."
"That would be great. Rin, go help them. We'll be right there."
NOX BASE – BUMB'S RETURN
Bumb finally reached the cave entrance. He was in human form, his arm regenerated.
The purple-robed guards stepped aside.
Bumb entered. He was carrying Master Andre's body on his back.
Raimen stood up.
"Finally made it, huh?"
Bumb replied with a tired voice.
"It was a bit tough, but I completed my mission."
The Leader spoke with pride and praise.
"Well done, Bumb. I believed you could do it."
Raimen grumbled.
"No need to exaggerate. I could have done the same."
Bumb turned his head.
"I'm sure you could have."
Then he turned to his leader.
"Thank you, Impernos. Hearing those words from you surprised me."
The Leader's name was Impernos.
"Anyway, let's not waste time. Put both bodies on the purple marble immediately."
Raimen and Bumb laid Master Andre and Hunter Risk's bodies on the leftmost purple marble.
Two purple-robed guards brought a green life crystal from behind.
The moment the bodies touched the marble, all their life energy was very quickly absorbed into the life crystal. It happened so fast, everything was over in an instant.
When the transfer was complete, Master Andre and Hunter Risk's bodies were completely decayed and withered.
Impernos spoke with satisfaction.
"Good. Fifty more bodies left. We're very close to our goal."
CAPITAL – THE CHIEF'S CHAMBER
Master Woli and the team entered Chief Erwin's chamber. Inside, only Chief Erwin and two guards were present.
Kaito was surprised.
"Where's the Council?"
"The Council isn't always in this room, brat."
Erwin greeted them with great cheer.
"Woli? You've finally arrived. Welcome. Why did it take so long?"
Woli's answer was calm.
"You know why, Chief."
Erwin's half-closed eyes suddenly sharpened.
"Yes, I know. Why did you go to York without asking me?"
"A friend of mine died. I couldn't turn a blind eye."
"And were you able to change fate?"
Woli froze. Then he spoke.
"I couldn't… but you can. You have the power."
Erwin took a deep breath.
"If only things were as easy as you think, Woli. I understand you. You're angry because your friend died. But with great power… comes great responsibility."
His voice grew heavier.
"And remember, in the end, everything happens as it should. I knew the city wouldn't be destroyed, and it wasn't. I also knew Andre could stop that Djinn – and he partially did. The Djinn retreated. I never said Andre wouldn't die. So what I said came true."
He fixed his eyes on Woli.
"But interfering with fate… isn't what you think it is, Woli. You already know that."
Woli bowed his head.
"You're right, Chief."
He straightened up.
"Anyway… there's something I need to tell you. About my mission."
Erwin nodded.
"Finally."
Woli turned to Kaito.
"Hey brat, do you know why I was there the day your family died?"
Kaito was confused.
"Why?"
"Because there were clues about Nox. And they led me to that city. I was personally assigned by Chief Erwin."
Woli's voice grew heavier.
"But things didn't go as planned. I had just captured a Nox member when… I heard a loud sound. And something inside me told me to go toward that sound. So I went."
Kaito's eyes widened.
"That's when I saw you there. I saved you… but a Nox member escaped."
He paused for a moment.
"And today, I'm certain. Nox has made its move. During the fight with that Djinn, I saw a mark on his neck. A purple cross inside a circle, with a line going through the center. It's definitely Nox's emblem."
Erwin nodded.
"I understand. Yes, you're right. Nox has made its move. In the Dorn Kingdom, a famous hunter named Risk has disappeared. And everyone in the village he protected is dead. We've also received word from Ginra."
Woli's eyebrows furrowed.
"Ginra?"
"During his journey, he passed through three villages. All of them were in the Dorn Kingdom. The villages were destroyed, and every victim had purple veins on their necks. This is definitely Nox's work."
His voice hardened.
"What I'm saying is… Nox has made its move. And they're coming for all of us."
Kaito could no longer hold back.
"Who is Nox? And what is their purpose? Please, just tell us!"
Erwin's half-closed, almost shut eyes opened wide. His voice filled the room.
"Nox's purpose is…"
He took a deep breath.
"To resurrect Morde."
TO BE CONTINUED...