My 8 E-books written over the years by Alina Udrea - HTML preview

Chapter 2: Hizzy

⦁ So you want to fly to Loyalis? Asked Mongo. ⦁ Yes, will be like a little vacation. And truth be told, since you have become the master of the dragon I have wanted and have been longing for a chance to ride it. Saying that, Scar blushed although he was usually very confident and he wasn’t the type to blush but now he did, he blushed and then thinking at the fact that he felt his

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cheeks hot, he blushed even worse.

⦁ Then it is settled. Tomorrow morning we ride to Loyalis, said Mongo. Then he left thinking he would miss Alyss till he would be back. But the king had spoken and he couldn’t have refused the king. On his way to bed all he could think of was the elf, Alyss, and how he would miss her. He would at least tell her that he was to leave for Loyalis before he left.

After half an hour of twisting in bed without getting any sleep,

Mongo decided to see Alyss right away and tell her of his departure. He had to see her before he left. So he put on his trousers and a blouse and went to see her. When he got in front of her door he froze, he had second thoughts thinking that maybe he should just get back to bed. But then he finally knocked softly on her door. He heard footsteps coming towards the door and he waited. Then the handle turned and there she was in front of him, sleepy but still looking great.

⦁ What happened Mongo? What are you doing here this late at night? Alyss asked yawning.

⦁ Nothing… sorry to wake you. Scar and Miiah want me to accompany them to Loyalis in the morning, they will visit Bratty and Mean. We are going to ride Aggy and we might be staying there a week or two. So I won’t see you for a week or two and wanted to see you before leaving.

⦁ Why?

⦁ Isn’t it obvious? I will miss you, I…I like you. Alyss looked at him and then leaned forward and kissed him. He kissed her back and then she kissed his forehead and told him he had better get some sleep before the journey to Loyalis. ⦁ I guess I’ll see you when you get back Mongo. ⦁ Yeah, sure, take care little one.

And saying that he left. He went back to his place and fell asleep

almost as soon as his head hit the pillow. He dreamt of the journey and of how the land of Loyalis would look like as he had heard it was a beautiful land with amazing scenery.

The first warm rays of light woke Mongo from his sleep. He packed some stuff for the journey and went to meet with the King and Queen. When he arrived at Aggy’s pen they were already in front

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of it looking eager to leave. He bowed and opened the pen. Aggy was still asleep and snoring so loudly that Mongo wondered if he could wake him. He approached the ancient creature and patted it on its nose. Then Mongo whispered in Aggy’s ear and Aggy slowly woke up. ⦁ What is it my friend? Asked Aggy telepathically. ⦁ I need your wings. The King and Queen want to visit their friends, the rulers of Loyalis, and they want to fly so they asked me to ride you and get them there. So can you take us there my friend? ⦁ Of course I can. And I am also glad, will be good to spread my wings. I got lazy after the battle against your enemies. So this will do me good.

Then Aggy lifted his body from the ground and stretched its wings. He got out of the pen and waited for Scar, Miiah and Mongo to climb on his back.

⦁ Maybe riding to Loyalis the old- fashioned way using horses and not a dragon could have also been taken into consideration…. Said Miiah a little scared when she saw herself up on the ancient beast. ⦁ Don’t be afraid my darling, Scar reassured her. I am sure Mongo wouldn’t have suggested riding Aggy if he felt it was dangerous in any way. Horses would have been fun too but would have taken longer to get there. And be honest, isn’t this way better?

⦁ You are right my love. I am sure Mongo wouldn’t jeopardize our lives, not on purpose anyway. So let us enjoy the view! ⦁ Everybody ready? Asked Mongo as Aggy was eager to lift from the ground.

⦁ Yes, do your thing mister dragon tamer! Laughed Miiah and no sooner had she said the words when she felt a little dizzy as Aggy lifted and started flapping his large and powerful wings. She felt the wind through her long hair and looked down to see the castle getting smaller and smaller until all that remained was a small dot behind them.

⦁ Oh my God Mongo! Said Scar with obvious delight in his voice. We should have ridden Aggy earlier. This is awesome! I can’t believe it! When we get back from Loyalis I will want to ride Aggy at least every weekend as the rest of the days I have to deal with the kingdom’s problems and affairs but not on Sundays! From now on Mongo, you will prepare Aggy every Sunday as I will want a ride!

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⦁ I am glad you like it my lord, answered Mongo with a smile on his face. Glad you like it!

⦁ Sorry to disturb your conversation and interrupt your new found joy Scar, said Miiah with emotion in her voice, but take a look down in that clearing please! I think someone is in trouble! The last words came out of her mouth almost muffled.

⦁ I think Miiah is right, said Mongo looking down at the spot where Miiah had seen someone in trouble. Get us down Aggy! He said in a commanding voice to Scar’s surprise who at hearing him thought he would have been a good general for his armies too. Aggy descended slowly from the height where he was and as they got closer they realized what was in front of their eyes: a lonely woman was being attacked by a pack of savage wolves which seemed very hungry and ready to tear her apart. If they had been late a single minute she would have been dead but they got there just in time to save her life. Aggy burnt the wolves and Miiah went to check on the poor girl.

⦁ Are you OK? Are you hurt?

⦁ One wolf bit my arm, it is bleeding badly,the poor girl could barely answer.

⦁ Let me see. What is your name? Asked Miiah while she already took the girls arm to inspect it.

⦁ I am Hizzy my lady. Thank you all for saving my life. If it wasn’t for you, I would have been wolf food. And if you leave me here, I will still be food for some other vile creatures. Please take me with you… and she started crying and sobbing.

⦁ Your arm looks pretty bad. Stand still, I will stop the bleeding and heal you. And Miiah focused her inner strength and prayed in an ancient language and healed Hizzy’s arm. The bleeding stopped and there was only a small scar left now as a reminder of the wolf’s bite. 9

⦁ You healed my arm, thank you again. I don’t know how you did it but thank you. And please let me come with you or I will surely die out here.

⦁ But where did you come from? Asked Scar looking at her and wondering if it wasn’t a trap.

⦁ I escaped from a farm nearby, I was a slave since I was a child. My family sold me when I was 7 years old to a rich family to do their

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chores. In return I got just enough to eat to keep me alive and I slept in the stables in a hay stack. I don’t want to go back there, please. You can’t have saved my life just to send me back… ⦁ Hush, said Miiah moved by her life story. From now on you will be my personal maid. I am the queen of Donn and this here is my husband, and she pointed towards Scar. You will work for me and you will be paid weekly and will have your own room and everything you need. Do you want this?

⦁ Thank you, my queen, God bless you and everyone you love. Then she bowed her head and wiped her tears.

⦁ And from now on everywhere I go, you go. So, hop on. ⦁ You mean on that thing? Asked Hizzy frightened at the sight of a fire breathing dragon especially as dragons were supposed to have been extinct.

⦁ I assure you that Aggy is harmless, Mongo intervened in the discussion as Aggy was his dragon. Here, see? And asking that he went and patted Aggy on his nose. Purring like a cat! And Mongo laughed to make Hizzy feel better and less afraid of what was nevertheless an adult sized fire breathing dragon. ⦁ What if he only acts like that with you because he knows you? Asked Hizzy still unconvinced.

⦁ Hmm, he didn’t always know me. He will know you too if you let him. His name is Aggy by the way.

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⦁ He has a name? Asked Hizzy puzzled. ⦁ Yes, he does. Now come on up before more wolves come, ok? ⦁ OK, she said and she let herself in their hands, trusting them completely as they had just saved her from the pack of wolves. They hadn’t saved her only to feed her to the dragon, right? Then she hopped on top of Aggy and the great dragon lifted in the air again to continue the journey towards Loyalis.

The rest of the journey was smooth and uneventful and soon they arrived at the border of the great kingdom of Loyalis. First thing that captured their eyes was the field of blossomed flowers and the strong scent that got even at the height they were flying at, making them dizzy with delight. It was a mixture of colors and scents. With the evil king Dova gone and under the rule of Bratty and Mean, the kingdom was thriving and the people were happy and content once

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more.

The towers of the castle were glistening in the sun like diamonds

on the night sky. They all descended in front of the castle gates and after answering the two watchmen guarding the entrance they were allowed to enter. Scar and Miiah were admiring the structure of the castle while Mongo went ahead to announce their arrival, hoping at the same time to pleasantly surprise both Mean and Bratty. He was escorted by a guardian. The castle halls were long and high and beautifully decorated clearly showing a woman’s touch, Bratty’s touch, as Mean had always been a messy guy. There were vases with fresh flowers everywhere and the furniture was also nicely carved. It was so welcoming that it felt like a home. It was Mean and Bratty’s home, they had managed to turn the gloomy castle to a cozy home. Two enormous wooden doors were at the end of the halls marking the entrance to the throne room where Mean and Bratty would be sitting on their thrones instead of a laboratory with dusty spell books. It was pretty odd for Mongo to see them like that instead of just the mages he was used to but as far as he had heard, rumors about the kind and honest way they ruled the land had reached his ears so it meant that they could really be more than just mages. He knocked on the door and entered. Bratty was wearing a beautiful sleeveless long black and blue dress and Mean had also given up his usual mage clothes and was clad more suitable for the rank of King and, of course, he was wearing a golden crown.

When the door opened both Bratty and Mean were agape at

seeing Mongo enter their throne room. Bratty was the first to speak: ⦁ Hi Mongo, old friend, what brings you here? And welcome! ⦁ Hello Lady Bratty! And Mongo bowed courteously. Hello Mean! I heard only good things of you two since you have become rulers of this old piece of land. It looks like Scar has made the right decision in naming you two rulers over Loyalis.

⦁ Enough with the flattery, Mongo! Mean cut his enthusiasm short, not because he was bad at heart but it was the way he was and he couldn’t help himself. He still had some work to do when it came to diplomacy. What brings you here old friend? Good tidings I hope. ⦁ It is not what brings me here but rather who I bring here…Scar and Miiah have come to pay you two a visit and have a little vacation

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from being rulers of Donn. And also a nice young lady whom we rescued on the way from a pack of hungry wolves. She will be Miiah’s maid from now on.

⦁ Well, where are they? Asked Mean always impatient. But hardly had he asked that when the front wooden door opened once again, this time to make room for the King and Queen of Donn, Scar and Miiah. Hizzy was close behind Miiah, shyly entering the throne room. It was the first time in her life that she entered a throne room and she was bewildered at all the luxury that was obviously everywhere. ⦁ Hello Bratty darling! Said Miiah and she almost ran to hug her old friend. Hizzy not knowing what she was supposed to do as Miiah’s maid, stood watching everything unfold and decided it was better to wait until she was needed.

⦁ Hi, Bratty answered with a quivering voice. She was struggling not to cry of joy as she didn’t want Mean to think that she was weak. But the moment they hugged, she let her tears loose. She decided that appearances weren’t all that important.

⦁ Oh, let’s go to my private chamber and talk, said Bratty. So much has happened since Mean and I left. If you trust Hizzy, she can come too. ⦁ Of course, she is my new maid. And Miiah, a good judge of character, smiled and took Hizzy by her arm as she was still standing coyly in a corner.

They went to Bratty’s chamber leaving the men to discuss their

business undisturbed. Miiah and Hizzy followed Bratty along the corridors till they got to a large and beautifully carved wooden door which Bratty opened with a key she had hanging around her neck on a silver necklace. It was a small key encrusted with a small ruby as red as blood. The door opened and they entered. The room was quite the opposite of what Miiah had expected: it was simply furnished with a bed, a rectangular table in front of a large window and four simple chairs around the table. At a closer look one could notice that one of the chairs was more used up than the rest as it was probably the one Bratty always used. It also showed that she hadn’t had visitors as the rest of the chairs almost seemed stuck in their place. Bratty asked Miiah and Hizzy to have a seat at the table and she offered them to help themselves with some cookies which were on the table and which seemed freshly made.

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Bratty was so the first to talk:

⦁ I missed you so much Miiah! I don’t really have friends here. Don’t get me wrong, they are all loyal to us, the people love us but I don’t have a close friend to talk to like we used to talk. ⦁ Oh, I missed you too Bratty! But Loyalis need you and Mean. The people here have been oppressed for too long under the rule of Dova and now that you two rule it is like a breath of fresh air for them. ⦁ Yes, I know, I am not complaining…you are right, let’s change the subject. So what really happened? What brought you here? ⦁ Scar had to raise taxes on the people to be able to pay for a wall to defend the same people who complained about the taxes. But Noah said it had to be done as the treasury was almost empty after the war against Dova. That war has cost a lot of money. So Scar needed a break and thought of you and Mean.

⦁ We are honored, answered Bratty visibly touched by Miiah’s words. But our treasury is not full either. We can’t help your kingdom with money I am afraid as Dova took everything from these people to pay his mercenaries and when we came here, we found only poverty and desolation. So first thing we did as King and Queen was to give back to the people what was stolen from them, to give them back their lives and a reason to live.

⦁ Oh, we haven’t come here to ask for money, just to house us for a week or two, that is all, said Miiah smiling innocently at Bratty. ⦁ In that case you are more than welcome! And Bratty hugged Miiah again in a huge bear hug.

Meanwhile Scar was talking with Mean explaining the situation in

Donn and the reason they had come here, mainly telling him the same thing Miiah was telling Bratty in another room. ⦁ So do you suspect another attack from someone? Asked Mean curious to know if his friends were in any danger and already making plans in his head to help them however he could. ⦁ Not that I know of but I want us to be prepared. Scholar is a great inventor and I trust his invention. The Wall will only be used in case of an attack. In times of peace it will be underground. ⦁ Sounds interesting, said Mean. Talking of interesting stuff, there is a prisoner in the castle dungeons who is probably soft in the head. He keeps talking nonsense. He keeps repeating that he will call an army

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of undead to liberate him and that he will destroy us all. He claims to be a shaman of sorts but he looks ragged and as I said, he is probably as daft as a bush. But there is something about him, I can’t quite put my finger on it.

⦁ Maybe we should see him, said Scar in a good mood. If you don’t have anything better to do, we can go now. You made me curious. How come he ended up in your dungeons?

⦁ Found him one day in small cave mumbling something and he was surrounded by human skulls. Lots of skulls. So I thought he should stay in our dungeons rather than out there. He may be crazy, but he is dangerous.

⦁ Okay…let’s see this guy, said Scar and he took a flaming torch from one of the walls as they were descending the steps towards the dark and dank corridors which lead to the dungeons.

⦁ Let me help you, said Mean, and he summoned a ball of light to light their way.

⦁ Oh, yes, I forgot you could do that. Thanks Mean, and Scar put the torch back.

⦁ It’s nothing, just a little magic.

The more they descended, the worse the corridors reeked of

human filth, mold and animal droppings. Scar began to cough obviously disliking the odors.

⦁ What? Asked Mean peevishly. We are in the dungeons, not in a motel. What did you expect?

⦁ You are right but the stench is unbearable. If your prisoners don’t die of anything else, they will die of diseases from all this mess. ⦁ Ok, I will have their cells cleaned tomorrow. It was only the second time Mean came here and the first time he came to see the prisoner everything was pretty neat. But then again it was known he was going to see the prisoner and surely his guards had cleaned everything before. This time he came with Scar without letting anyone else know he was coming so nobody deemed to clean. As they were getting closer to the shaman’s cell they could hear him mumbling indistinct words, words that seemed like an incantation. Scar saw him in the middle of his dim lit cell in a yoga position mumbling to himself.

⦁ Hey, Scar said in a commanding voice, who are you?

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The man stopped his babbling and looked attentively at both men, Scar and Mean. Then after a long pause, he answered in a high pitched voice:

⦁ My name is not that important. What I can and will do is of importance. Two nights from now it will be full moon, then you will know my name. And he started laughing like a mad man. As much as Scar and Mean tried to get any other information from him from that point forward, it only proved useless as the man totally ignored both kings and went back to his mumbling.

⦁ So what do you think? Asked Mean a bit irritated. Is he for real or just a nut case?

⦁ Are you afraid of a shaman? I thought you were a powerful mage yourself…

⦁ I am a powerful mage! And Mean was now even more annoyed by what Scar’s words implied. Just saying that maybe we should check on him in two days again, just in case. I am glad you are here, but if this weirdo proves dangerous, well what I am trying to say is that this is not your problem. I will deal with it, you just relax, that is why you came here in the first place, not to find other problems. ⦁ If he proves to be a problem for you and Bratty, then we will deal with it. What? Do you think I would miss out the fun? No worries Mean, my sword is as sharp as ever, said Scar who was almost glad to have found an adventure here. This would surely take his mind off the raised taxes. Let’s get some rest now, I am tired. ⦁ Agreed, good night and see you tomorrow my friend. Then everyone went to sleep, everyone but the shaman… Chapter 3: The shaman

As soon as Scar and Mean left, the shaman began his incantations again with even more zeal.

⦁ Hah, they think these bars can stop me? The shaman was saying while looking almost as if in a state of delirium. Nothing can stop me now! I will have my undead army in less than two days and everyone shall tremble at hearing my name because I am the one and only Ivory Shaman!

By the time he finished his sentence he was already so worn out

from anger of being in a cell in the stinking dungeons that he collapsed to the ground with a thud. The anger in his eyes slowly

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diminished until all that was left was a blank stare and then his voice was heard once more repeating the same incantations all over again and again.

The shaman kept repeating his magic words restless for the

following two days until finally the moon was up on the night sky. It was a full moon, just as the shaman had said. When the midnight hour came, the Ivory Shaman felt an immense power in his words while he spoke them and then his eyes started to glow in the dim lit dungeon cell. Then everybody in the castle felt something which resembled an earthquake as the earth shook terribly. The shaman had indeed raised the dead who had fallen under Dova’s command, all the dead soldiers who had fallen on the soil of Loyalis. They were all now under his command for him to rule as he pleased. But he couldn’t bring Dova back from the dead as he had died on the soil of Donn, not Loyalis and Ivory had no power there. But on the other hand he thought that it was probably better this way as it was now his army, not Dova’s. So people would remember him, not Dova. Ivory felt the quake too and knew he had done it, he had indeed raised the dead soldiers to fight for him. He was planning to take over the world one step at a time, starting with Loyalis then Donn… Scar and Miiah also felt the movement of the earth, just as Mean, Bratty and Mongo had. They all woke up startled wondering what was going on. Mean was first to remember the shaman’s warning so he looked out the window and there it was, the full moon, just as he had predicted. He urged Bratty to put something more adequate on and they went to Scar and Miiah’s room. They too were already awake and properly dressed wondering the same thing, what on earth was going on?

⦁ This must be the crazy shaman’s work! I bet my life on it! Said Mean while the two women were wondering what they were talking about. Scar put the women up to date with what they knew and they all decided to go to the dungeons and check the shaman’s cell. They almost ran down the steps and when they were in front of his cell, they were in awe: the cell was empty. Not a trace of the shaman, not a trace of any kind. Just empty.

⦁ I thought there was supposed to be a shaman in here, said Bratty irritated.

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⦁ We thought that too, there should have been a shaman in here, said Mean contemplating everything. The crazy son of a …!! ⦁ And I thought he was just plain crazy, said Scar to reassure Mean in a way that he couldn’t have known that the shaman was actually the real deal.

⦁ Damn, continued Mean, this can only mean one thing. ⦁ What? Asked both Miiah and Bratty at the same time. ⦁ That the shaman has indeed raised his undead army. Miiah, Scar, it seems that your vacation has just turned into an adventure, if you want to help us that is.

⦁ Of course we will help! Said Scar. Where is Mongo? He will be of great help too as he has his pet dragon.

⦁ He didn’t want a room, answered Bratty, he said he would sleep in Aggy’s pen for the first nights until Aggy would feel comfortable enough with his new surroundings and only then he said he would take a room. So he must be with Aggy.

⦁ Ok, then that is where we are going! Said Scar. Meanwhile, the shaman was back in his small cave where he had been captured by Mean’s men. He could have escaped anytime but he wanted to see his enemies, to have their image printed in the back of his mind when he would take their lives. He wasn’t in a rush to escape as he could just as well perform his incantations in the dungeons as well as in his small cave. And besides, he bet that when Mean and Scar found his empty cell they must have had a dumb look on their faces. He would have loved to see that. But one can’t have everything, can he? He would have to be content with the gaze in their eyes when he would rip their hearts out for what they had done. They had killed his brother, Dova. It was true that while Dova was alive he was jealous of everything he had, power, money, armies. But now that he was dead and he had nobody to be bitter on he felt it was his duty to avenge his premature death. And no, he wouldn’t raise Dova from the dead although maybe if he found his body and brought it back to Loyalis he could. But he wouldn’t be the same so there was no point in doing that. He didn’t care about the mercenary army of undead which he had resurrected, they were just mindless pawns in his hands to handle and command as he wished. He would finally have his long waited for revenge and it would be a bitter sweet

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one, just as his relationship with his brother had been. Chapter 4: the Neon Knight

In a small village not far from Mean and Bratty’s castle, on the

outskirts of the village, there lived a rather uncommon family. Uncommon because the man of the house was believed to be dead but he had come back to his wife and three children, a daughter and two sons whom he had named Vampy, Killer and the youngest was Benny. He had named his oldest son that way, Killer, as he wanted him to be a tough man when he grew up, a man to bring fear in the hearts of his enemies. And indeed, the son grew up to be just as his father wanted him and even more, he was as ruthless with his enemies as he was kind and generous with the oppressed. Then they had Vampy, their lovely daughter and a few years later, the youngest son came and they named him Benny.

The Neon Knight, the man of the house, the one returned from

the dead, was proud of his three children. Killer was a skilled warrior and Vampy was a good archer. Benny was still young but he showed them that he could handle daggers pretty good.

The Neon Knight felt blessed every day for the opportunity to be

back with his family and also have all his memories. He was indebted to the heroes who had released him and who had given him his life back. He took an oath to help them if the time came when they would need him. Little did he know that time would come pretty soon as Loyalis and its people was threatened to be massacred by hordes of undead.

So one day as he was relaxing with his wife taking a stroll after the

family dinner he felt that something was not right. That night when he went to bed, on the full moon night when the shaman was summoning his army, the Neon Knight suddenly woke up from his sleep all sweaty and hardly breathing. Deep in the core of his heart he knew that something terrible must have happened although he couldn’t put his finger on it. As much as he tried he couldn’t go back to sleep. He silently left the bed which he was sharing with his wife

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who was still asleep and went out for air. Then he felt something like an earthquake and he was sure of it: something bad, something evil had happened.

He fell on his knees and when his knees touched the ground he began to have images of an army of undead soldiers in his head. He knew it in his heart that the images were as real as he was. He had to warn his family, to find a safe place for them and then he had to warn the king of Donn. So he slowly got up from the ground and ran to the house. His wife was cooking while his two children were arguing about something but he couldn’t focus his mind to find out what they were arguing about. He had only one thought on his mind: saving them, saving his family.

The Neon Knight started to struggle as he didn’t know how to say

what he was about to say. How could he explain that he saw images of an undead horde coming to destroy everything and everyone? His wife, Susan, saw him in the doorway all sweaty and she immediately realized that something was wrong. So she asked Killer and Vampy to be quiet and then spoke to her husband. ⦁ What is the matter? Susan asked him. What is wrong with you? ⦁ Susan, I want you to listen to me. This is no joke. I want you to take the kids and hide in the basement. Block the door. You have plenty of supplies there to last for a month. An undead army is approaching. ⦁ How do you know all these?

⦁ I don’t know. Maybe because I too have come back from the dead. I must warn the heroes who have set me free. And I will fight by their side. You hide in the basement and don’t come out for any reason. The Neon Knight had such a forlorn look on his face while he was saying these that his wife was sure he wasn’t kidding and that matters were as bad as he depicted them.

⦁ Ok, I love you, take care and come back to us! And Susan started crying.

⦁ Don’t cry my love. I came back last time, I will come this time too. Take care of the kids Susan! Hope I will see you soon! ⦁ Where are you going, father? Asked Killer with concern in his eyes. ⦁ Father? Asked Vampy who was also concerned as she had no clue 22

about what was going on.

⦁ A great danger is approaching and I have to warn the people who can

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defeat this army of darkness. Take care of each other and hopefully we will see each other soon.

Then the Neon Knight left in a hurry for Scar’s castle. He was

determined to find his friends and let them know of the danger. He owed them his life and he was ready to pay his debt if it came to that. But he would fight till his last breath to defend the ones who had released him. If it wasn’t for them he would still be a brainless puppet in Demonizer’s hands. He owed them the remaining of his days, all he had he owed to the courageous heroes who had also saved him when they saved Miiah.