Chapter 166 - Change of course (1/2)

”Of course. Give me seven years after this war and I'll show you where my confidence comes from.” Nightin says as the blade sinks deeper into his heart, blood gushes out from his wound at the mere thought of Charlotte. Phoenix was fine by herself since she was free from the shackles of life, but Charlotte was being restrained and he's left helpless to help her.

”I'll command my species to follow you for now, we'll be hiding ourselves in the air and will only make an appearance when needed.” The Skyhawk leader says before screeching to the sky, the other Skyhawks immediately took off into the air and soon, all of them vanished from sight.

”So, just what do I call you? I can't possibly be calling you by your species name.” Nightin asks as they pick up momentum and was only about two hours away from the bandits hideout. Nightfall was near because they were delayed, but there should be enough time for them to arrive before the sun sets.

”You can just call me Ark.” The Arkhawk replies as its body dwarfed itself and in just the matter of a few breaths time, it was just a handsome and elegant looking bird perched on Nightin's shoulder.

Ignoring the curious glance of the soldiers around, Nightin asks Ash ”Do you have a contract beast of your own?”

”You'll see when the time comes.” Ash says, his tone was amusing, but serious. There was a reason for Nightin's suspicion as well, Ash had been quite calm throughout the previous event, as though him having those two aerial species as contract beasts aren't worth mentioning.

Maybe only Ark is his contract beast for now since he has yet to sign one with the Skyhawks, but he was full of confidence that it'll happen after this war.

The army then remained silent, the only sound that could be heard was the clanking of armors, the ragged breathing of soldiers and the footsteps of passing mounts.

”Halt!” The bandit leader or the captive, commanded for everyone to stop as he pulled on the reins of his horse after speeding to the front of the army.

Seeing that their general wasn't going to mention anything, the soldiers stopped in their tracks and Nightin asks the captive ”So captive, why did you call for an emergency brake?”

”I have a name and the name isn't Captive, it's Caps!” The captive retorted back in rage, only to realise that tens of thousands of soldiers were giving him the death stare, soldiers whose blade has been polished by blood, their body tempered by those that fell before them.

”It doesn't matter, if I say that your name is captive, then that shall be your name.” Nightin replies amusingly, but his face changes suddenly as he asks ”So? You have yet to answer my question.”

”Ah right! In front of us right now lays the hidden entrance to the bandits main headquarters which you guys address as hideout. Follow me, it's a portal that we'll be passing through.” Before Caps can lead them to the portal however, he felt countless killing intent harboured towards him.

”Hey, didn't all of you agree to not kill me?” Caps hurriedly shouted as he attempted an escape, but a cage of wind descending from above trapped him within.

”So you tried to confuse us so that we'll get lost in the vast desert while you escape and enjoy life somewhere else?” Ash was the one who asked this time, his eyes burning with flames as two swords made from his imagination trapped Caps head in the middle.

”Just what is it that you want from me?” Caps screamed at the top of his voice as tears flowed down his face ”First I was forced to become a bandit because my parents are even though they've passed on and now that I want to leave this hell, you guys are still going to stand in my way?”

Caps sounded pathetic, but no one felt empathy for him, only slight sympathy. Ash however smirked and told him ”It doesn't matter, I'll just extract the information about the entrance from your mind.”

”Wait don't!” Caps interrupted as he hastily retreated backwards. He may not have extracted information from the mind of a living person before, but he has heard about the dire consequences which follow after the process of excruciating pain. Even if he remains alive after this process, he'll only be alive as an idiot for his whole life, someone who lost his sanity.

”Are you really going to confess now? Throw your spirit ring over.” Ash says, the two swords inching closer to Casper neck that a blood trickled down his robes.

Without any hesitation, Caps throws the ring over. After a few moments of silence, he realises that Ash was still staring at him. How does he know!?