26 Etheric fruits 4 (2/2)

”Help me up.” she said.

”We need to leave before the Tunsen bird returns and discovers that the fruits are gone.” she said.

”You must really think we are allies.” Ed said and she paused. That is true. They were not. Just a while back she was going to join the group and kill Ed, but when her group turned on her, she thought to side with him. If she was in his place right now, she would kill him so that he does not tell any one anything. She immediately paled at the thought. If she thought that, so could he.

”Sir... you are going to leave me here? Please, I know the demon lands. I can help you navigate this place. My people, the mermaid clan will be grateful if you....” she hurried started to plead. She did not get to finish when Ed picked up the sword lying by the captain and stabbed her. Regret filled her eyes as her words hung in her throat, never to be finished.

Ed turned and walked out of the cave as though nothing had happened.

In a large courtyard, a boy appeared suddenly causing those around to go alert. He started coughing blood the moment he appeared, alarming them all. This was the boy that had escaped from the cave. Before escaped, he had circulated the energy in his core in the opposite direction, causing him severe internal injury. He had wounded himself so that he would escape a punishment.

Returning to the clan without their leader was a capital offence. No matter what happened, they would still prefer that he died there and they avenged him, than return alive without his young master.

”Ah Fude! What happened? Where is the young master?” they asked.

”Young... young... enemy.” he struggled to say.

”Inform the patriarch!” they called. Some moments later, a large man appeared at the scene. He was accompanied by two elders.

”Where is Didia? Speak!” the large man bellowed.

”His core is wounded. It is a miracle that he is alive.” one of the elder said and placed his hand on Ah Fude's back, injecting him with his energy. Only then was Ah Fude able to breathe.

”Young master was killed. Everybody was killed.” he said weakly after a few breaths. Every one gasped in shock. Their young master? The same young master, full of life and a bright future?

The large man turned red in anger. His chin trembled as he asked, ”Who did it?”

”He never said his name. But,... he was a spirit picking junior.” Ah Fude said and they air around them chilled.