Yui and Hein do not believe what they are witnessing. Yui’s memory cleansing spell failed to affect Shin.
Hein : Alright, let me do it.
Yui : *coughs and leaning on the wall*
Hein : You stay here for a while. I’ll come and help you once I’m done. *walks towards Shin*
Hein approaches Shin who is still in pain and put his 5 fingers on Shin’s face.
Shin : What…are you doing….
Hein : This will be quick.
Hein starts to chant something and a cloud of fog starts to appear around Shin’s face, engulfing his face completely. The fog is making Shin dizzy. He feels as if the entire world is being dragged into a whirlpool. It is making him feel very tired…Slowly, darkness starts to engulf his entire vision….
He falls to the ground, unconsciously.
Hein : Right, that should do it. Let’s go back Yui.
Yui : *turns to look at Shin*
Yui thinks : Thanks Shin…. Hope you’ll lead a normal life from now onwards.
A magical portal appears on one of the buildings’ wall. Together, Hein and Yui step into the portal and disappear.
3 hours later……..in the underground storeroom of the restaurant, leading to the back alley.
Japanese lady : Shin, where are you? *notices the back door is open and walks towards it*
The Japanese lady pushes the door open and looks outside. She notices a lifeless body nearby and immediately recognizes the body.
Japanese lady : Shin! What happened?! *runs towards Shin*
She tries to wake him up.
Shin : ….what…? Oh Naomi….where…am I?
Naomi : What happened here? You’re in such a mess. Did you fight with the ruffians again?! I told you not to mess with them before.
Shin : No…I… cannot remember what happened.
Shin tries to stand up.
Shin : Gosh…my body is …feeling numb…and my head… I feel like there’s a hundred of a needle stinging my brain…
Naomi : Let me help you back to the restaurant before the ruffians come back.
Naomi helps Shin to walk slowly back to the restaurant.
A large shadowy figure has been observing their movements from the corner of a building. Upon seeing Naomi and Shin entering the restaurant, the shadowy figure turns around and slowly moves away. It’s Jon Uwara.
Jon : Sorry to have you involved in this Shin….*leaning on the wall nearby*
Jon takes a small device out and speaks to it.
Jon : HQ…can you guys sends someone over? I’m hurt quite badly and cannot move much.
HQ : Alright Lieutenant. We’ll send someone right away.
Jon : *looks relief* Thanks mate. Out.
**************************
Elsewhere, 4 hooded figures sit at a round table inside an old dark room. There are only 4 candles illuminating the entire room. The furniture inside the room is very old and there’s a large painting of an old man hanging on 1 side of the wall. The old man inside the painting looks as if he is observing the meeting in front of him…smiling sinisterly.
Figure 1 : *bright red eyes looking at each of the 3 person slowly…observing* Have you all come to offer your services to me?
Figure, 2,3,4 : Yes my lord Zatsu.
Zatsu : Hmm…I sense…. great powers in each of you. *smiling* Before I tell you all the details of my plan, I have something which I need 3 of you to take care for me. Something…which is bothering me lately. This will be my first test to see if you are indeed worthy to join me in my conquest.
The 3 figures waiting patiently for Zatsu…..
Zatsu : I need the 3 of you to “persuade” few special individuals that I’ve discovered….I need these individuals to join me…to join us. Here’s the list of names for each one of you. *hands a piece of paper to each of the 3 hooded figures*. There are only 9 of them, 3 in each piece of paper. Use whatever means possible to bring them to me. If they resist or prove to be too…difficult, kill them.
Figure 4 : Leave this task to us, my lord Zatsu.
Zatsu : I believe 3 of you will not disappoint me. *smiles* That’s all for now. We shall meet again soon. Dismiss.
The 3 figures disappear into thin air, leaving Zatsu alone in the room.
Zatsu : The hour will soon come…. We will get back what used to be ours….and destroy all those who dare to oppose us. Hahahha
**************************
Back in Alvea….
Hein is sitting inside his room. He looks outside the window. The evening sun is shining brightly, giving a harmonious feeling to the already serene world of Alvea. In the horizon, the towers of Taz Alrell stand tall. It is a sight to behold.
Hein slowly turns his attention away from the captivating sight and onto a spell book nearby. He reaches for the spell book and flips through the pages until he found a piece of paper. He looks at the paper filled with 3 names, each accompanied by a picture.
Hein : Shin Hikasegi. I didn’t expect you to be one of the 3 people I need to find. Guess it is your destiny not to lead a normal life.
Hein put down the spell book on a table nearby. He walks towards a mirror on the wall nearby. He put his index finger on the mirror and murmurs something. An image of a person starts to appear slowly on the mirror. It’s Yui.
Yui : Yes …sir… you looking for me?
Hein : Hopefully you’ve recovered from your injuries. I have an urgent task for you. I need you to bring Shin Hikasegi here, immediately.
Yui : You mean the guy who saved me from the big man?
Hein : Yes, that’s the person.
Yui : But…why? Why would you want to bring him here? He’s a human and it is a big offence to bring a human to Alvea.
Hein : I know but for now, I cannot think of any other way. Time is running out for him. I believe there are some dark forces lurking behind our shadows and my sources told me that Shin, might actually be one of their targets.
Yui : Him? A target?
Hein : I don’t know the details but trust me Yui, we have to get him here as soon as possible.
Yui : Alright then, I’ll bring him to one of our hideouts in Alvea by today.
Hein : Thanks Yui. Let’s hope that you can make it in time.
Yui : I understand sir. I’ll be going then. Out.
The mirror returns to normal.
Hein : Now, I shall move on to my next target… *grins*
**************************
Yui gets herself dressed up as a normal human girl and steps out from her room. Her little brother is playing chess with his “familiar” in the living room.
Little brother : Sister, where are you going? I thought today is an off day for you? Ah ha! You going on a hot date, aren’t you? Hehehe
Yui : *looks at her little brother with a scary face* I AM going on a date….is there any problem with that, Shinjo Keihara?
Shinjo : *scared* er..no..no problem at all. Heh..heheh…
Familiar : Master…checkmate….You lose again.
Shinjo : WHAT?! Arghhh. Let’s play GO now. No more Chess! No more Chess!
Yui : Dad, mum, I’m going out now. I won’t be back for dinner! *steps out and closes the door behind her*
Shinjo : *smiles* Alright you foolish familiar! Let’s see how are you going to beat Alvea’s best strategist! Muahaha
**************************
5 hours later, Yui arrives outside the Japanese restaurant Shin is working in.
Yui thinks : I don’t think he can remember me anymore. So trying to convince him is totally out of the question. How can I possibly bring him to Alvea then? I cannot just barge into the restaurant and cast the spell. Neither can I cast the spell here and make him disappear in front of so many people. What should I do?
1 minute later….
Yui thinks : Arghh, I’ll just use the Charm spell.
She enters the restaurant and finds Shin talking to a customer near the sushi bar.
She starts to cast the Charm spell and slowly walks towards Shin.
Yui thinks : The Charm spell should be able to make him follow my instruction.
Yui : *looks at Shin* Shin Hikasegi, come to the back of the building now.
Shin : *confused* Er..ok… *looks around for Naomi* Naomi ! I’ll be right back !
Yui walks off and heads towards the back alley, with Shin following her from behind.
Yui thinks : Hope I didn’t attract any unwanted attention.
Shin : Yes miss? You looking for me? How do you know my name?
Shin suddenly becomes panic.
Shin : YOU…!
Yui thinks : Oh gosh, don’t tell me he remembers me!
Shin : YOU….are not from the ruffians are you?! *backs off a little*
Yui : DO I LOOK LIKE A RUFFIAN TO YOU?! *sighs* Of course I’m not. I’m here to save your life.
Shin : *puzzled* Er..?? Har??
Yui : Forgive me. This is for your own good. *begins casting a binding spell*
Yui’s binding spell binds Shin’s hands and legs.
Shin : *nervous* What…what are these??! Who are you? What do you plan to do? I don’t have any money! I’m…not that handsome also… Just take my Nokia 3300 and go! Just let me go!
Yui : *sighs* Just shut up. I’m just doing my job. I’ll teleport you to Alvea. Be quiet or I’ll have to shut your mouth myself.
Shin : Al…vea…..where did I hear the name before….?
Yui starts to cast another spell, this time a World Portal spell, next to Shin. The huge portal starts to materialise 5 seconds later.
Suddenly 2 ice spikes fall from above with high speed, striking the ground next to Yui. She is shocked. She looks above and sees a cloaked figure standing on top of the restaurant building.
Shin : *starts to sweat and panic* You…are here..to rescue me..right?
Cloaked figure : I am here to take you away.
Yui thinks : Guess what Hein said is correct. Someone IS definitely chasing after Shin….but why?
Yui : WHO ARE YOU? WHAT DO YOU WANT?
Cloaked figure : Please hand over Shin Hikasegi to me, Miss Yui Keihara. I am not here to harm any of you. Neither am I here to fight.
Yui thinks : A girl’s voice?
Yui : For someone who just launched a sneak attack on me, you sure sound pretty polite.
Cloaked figure : Forgive me but you would have been dead by now if I were serious a moment ago.
Yui : …….
Cloaked figure : I do not wish to repeat myself further. Hand over Shin Hikasegi or I’ll have to take him away by force.
Yui : Sorry but I cannot give him to you. *goes into battle stance and starts to gather magical particles around her*
Cloaked figure : So be it.
The cloaked figure jumps down towards Yui. The air pressure from below pushes the cloak behind, revealing the attacker. It’s a young girl, younger than Yui.
and then Yui notices something…..
Yui thinks : How..could it be? This girl…she’s from Alvea…
To be continued…
