24 What do you mean? (1/2)

Time : 11:48 AM

The battle ended within a few hours, with the guardians atop of a heap of corpses. The guardians looked around to sense if they left any demon still breathing.

”To think they would march at double speed as they hid their presence behind the dark storm...We can't lower our guard until all the DKs and their army's are sealed” The fourth guardian, Kenji Inouye stated in a low voice as he looked at Erina Lancelot, The Third guardian.

”You know all well that sealing all the dark forces with only three of us Guardians remaining without the divine spirit is nearly impossible, Kenji.” Erina sighed as she confirmed that no dark presence left lingered in the battleground.

”Do you sense it? That energy signature...Erina...” Kenji looked at Erina who widened her eyes as they looked towards the North wall.

”Captain Shinichiro sortie all the protectors and take a count of the injured and march them into Areon.” Erina ordered as she reached the top of the North wall along with Kenji.

The rain stopped as the clouds started to scatter letting the sun rays fall on a city in shambles. The city's alleys and streets were filled with light as the sun reached overhead of the city.

Silence filled the air as the guardians and Leo looked at the masked man.

”Talk...” Kenji said slowly as he looked towards the man before him who stood in silence.

”Didn't you hear what he said? TALK!...GOD DAMN IT!!!” Erina yelled at him unable to control her emotions any longer.

”What do you want me to talk about? huh....what?....” The masked man questioned as he faced Erina and Kenji.

”We thought you died...talk about how you are still alive...talk about why you didn't come back...” Kenji answered as he faced him with a darkened face.

”I am no longer bound to anyone and I have no reason to answer any of your questions.” He said in a soft tone as he slowly turned his head to face the North of Areon, which would lead them to a destroyed Tristina. He started to walk away as if he had no intention to talk about anything.

”Shin...I will give you one advice as the head of the Takahashi's and also as a man who looked after you. 'Answer all the questions before you leave, if you don't want them to pester you.' I am telling you to do so because I want you to live in peace.” Ryu said slowly as he closed his eyes.

”Wait, what?...Shin...” Ken looked at the masked man in disbelief.

”Shin...” Izumi's pupils contracted as she watched the mask man. Zeyner had already understood who he was.

The masked man stopped in his tracks and turned back to face Ryu and the others. The mask on his face split into six pieces and retracted back into his body, revealing his face.

”Alright then...ask away...” Shin said as he turned his face towards Leo and the two guardians.

”What do you mean by 'ask away'?!! What do you mean by that 'I don't care' face?!!” Kenji shouted as he looked at Shin.

”Shadow...” Leo called out calmly as he looked at Shin.

”Wait...Shadow!...you mean...The...Shadow!!..The Seventh Guardian...!” Zeyner exclaimed as he looked at Shin. Izumi and Ken looked at Shin in disbelief as their jaws fell with their eyes wide open.

”No...not a Guardian anymore...I was...but not anymore.” Shin said calmly as he looked at Zeyner.