Little update: A big thanks to those who are following this story so far! In case you are wondering, this is a self-written story (an amateur attempt I know) during the days when I was fascinated by the stuff about knights, castles, kingdoms and sorcery, you get what I mean. For those who wish to check out the previous chapters, here's the link! With that let the adventure continue!
Chapter 33
On the way to the graveyard, Edward suddenly popped a question. "What if Leo and the others lied about his location?"
"I don't see why they would want to deceive us. After all, the sons of Doria must unite as one in order to defeat the evil."
"I mean, they just said he was buried under the name of Kar Ayom to avoid suspicion. It could have been anyone's name, right?"
"Edward, I think it would be very coincidental if a person shares the same name as Rak and Moya read in reverse."
"Still.."
"Don't worry. The 'D' mark can't be forged."
"So what if he's still asleep?"
"Then we have to find ways to wake him by hook or by crook. We don't have much time."
They walked through several rows and columns of tombstones and finally, Edward pointed to his left and shouted, "Found it! Kar Ayom!"
Both of them walked towards the tombstone and what greeted them was a depression in the ground that was in the form of a human shape. Selera and Edward stared at each other, not knowing what to say. There were only two possibilities. Either he had woken up or someone had abducted his body.
"We have to go to the castle," said Selera.
"So you think he woke up on his own?"
"That's my guess. And I'm also guessing that he will make his way back to the castle upon awakening."
"We don't have a choice, do we?" sighed Edward.
Just as Selera turned to head out, Edward noticed a sling bag on the ground.
"Isn't this Maltov's sling bag?" Edward said as he bent down to pick the bag.
"Be careful, Edward! The Selerion crystal might be inside."
Edward cautiously pried open the bag, and indeed, the Selerion crystal was there, exuding a yellowish sparkle.
"It's time the crystal returns to its rightful master." Selera said as she took the sling bag and kept it with her.
Rak and Moya reached the warehouse by nightfall and it was indeed vacant.
"No one has been here ever since we left." Moya said he pushed open the gate.
On one hand, Rak was relieved to hear that. They desperately needed a decent form of lodging and a shelter to shield them from bad weather. More importantly, they needed a proper bed to sleep on. On the other hand, he had a weird feeling that they were being tailed. During the journey, there were times when he experienced something or someone behind them. However, when he turned back to look, there was nothing. He then wondered if he was getting too sensitive and scaring himself in the process. After all, he had led the life of a vagabond before this saga, so he was trained to be overly-cautious. However, he decided not to mention his discomforts to Moya, fearing that it might create unnecessary alarm.
"Rak? Why are you in a daze?"
"Oh no, nothing. So I'll be taking your granddad's bed?"
"If you don't mind," replied Moya.
Rak was extremely exhausted and he fell flat on the bed without dusting away the layers of cobwebs. Moya was tired as well, but he did not sleep. It would be dangerous for both of them to be asleep at the same time, leaving no one to guard the premises. He did some cleaning up of the area, then he sat outside and started reading "Book of Destructos".
Observing him nearby was Maltov. He had come to terms with his invisibility and he did not want to give himself away yet. A few days later, Maltov discovered another weird phenomenon in him. He did not feel hungry or thirsty after almost three days without food and water. He tried eating the wild berries but he couldn't feel full either. In addition, there were no signs of fatigue in his body. It seemed as if he had an endless source of energy.
Throughout this period, he had the time and freedom to follow the two of them around and observe what they did.
Rak did most of the hunting, cooking, cleaning, and most importantly, getting the water from a well, which was neither too far away nor not too near. Other than that, he often sat on his bed and examined his collection of crystals. Every time Rak opened his pouch, Maltov would try to peek into it because he had a faint memory of pocketing a yellow crystal before passing out. However, there were no yellow crystals in his pouch.
As for Moya, he would be outside the warehouse, reading his spell book and executing the spells. Maltov found it a pleasure to watch him chant incantations and perform acts of sorcery to disrupt the forces of nature. There was fire, water, sandstorms and so much more. He watched Moya gain confidence day by day as the spells came out more and more powerful and destructive day after day.
Maltov also realised that the pair seldom chatted. Excluding meal times, they hardly communicated. They seemed to have tasks at hand and a mission to fulfill. Maltov did not have the slightest idea what it was, but he felt that he ought to be their extra man and help them in their quest.
Until one day, he woke up in the corner of the warehouse to see the two of them were packing their stuff. From the looks of it, it was likely that they were leaving this warehouse for good.
Just then, Rak muttered, "Are you ready?"
Moya nodded, and said, "Let's do this together."
The two of them got their stuff and headed towards the door. Afraid of losing them, Maltov rushed forward but he tripped over a stone on the floor and fell face down. He tried hard to swallow his yelp of pain but his impact on the ground raised the alarm bells in Rak.
He lifted his head and saw Rak scan the space where he was situated, but he was sure Rak could not see him. So he tagged along with the two of them as they headed northwards. The arduous and demanding journey seemed never-ending as it stretched to almost two weeks. At times, Maltov got bored and wanted to return to the castle since it was more or less in the same direction, but curiosity always got the better of him.