The next morning...Alice, Vine, Martha, and June wake up.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡBiLU7C661Z 維尼
Alice stretches her arms and notices a present. “(Yawn) good morning. Hmm...a present? It has my name on it,” Alice examined the present.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡdQzWdUIsmg 維尼
Everyone got presents except June and Roy’s mother. Alice, Vine, Martha opens their presents with their name on them. Martha opens her present which is a bull mini-figure.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡISf3jwVZoY 維尼
“Whoa, this is my family’s symbol. Great gift,” Martha said in awe.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡwMW5HQ4XpC 維尼
Alice’s present is a yellow scarf. “Yellow scarf? This should keep me warm in this freezing winter,” Alice put on the yellow scarf around her neck. 8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡU3LKJtpBDe 維尼
Vine opens his present containing a grey scarf with red patterns and a familiar object. The object triggers the memory of his family.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9KrubFxo5d 維尼
“This is....Why did he give me this now??” Vine questioned the object and tightens his grip. Alice sees Vine getting a mini figure of a gargoyle.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcJ21p3oAA 維尼
“That’s a nice gift there, Vine. It’s the mini statue of a gargoyle,” Alice said.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7uwMujACE 維尼
Vine starts to cry upon inspecting the gargoyle statue. “I may be a Valkyrie but my family also studied and imitates gargoyle’s ability to turn themselves into a stone statue. I missed my family. (Snort) They died protecting me when I was small in the Night Realm. Why can’t the Night Realm be peaceful for once?” Vine cried.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡEN7eHjJ0Df 維尼
“I feel sorry to hear that,” Alice squint her eyes with a sad look and put her hand on his shoulder.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡhCIVzG23SQ 維尼
“I guess the Night Realm is a cruel place for you,” Roy said with a sad face.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6PpEsFAJNP 維尼
“It’s always like that in the Night Realm! You either hide or fight! Humans saw you and they will kill you just because we are monsters born in the night. Gargoyles, Spirits, Vampire, anything will be killed or exorcised by the Humans. (Sobbing) It’s like the Dark Age is all over again! Why?? Just....why?? I don’t understand!” Vine sobbed.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡHYNHN5c8tL 維尼
Alice, Martha, June, and Phoenix give him a hug of comfort.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡKOwVHMJu5D 維尼
“Don’t worry, you are safe here,” Alice said.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9hMXQibCF 維尼
Phoenix leans his head backward.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1Cl5fjeNm 維尼
“Humans can be very cruel indeed especially against something unfamiliar to them. Xenophobic...,” he whispered and turn his head to the back with squinted eyes.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡgoeJxINhvz 維尼
The next morning, Alice, Martha, Vine, and June wave goodbye at Roy and his mother.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡmqr7ttn7Br 維尼
“Thanks for everything, brother Roy. Yesterday was a great celebration!” Alice admitted with an overexcited tone.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡskla2lb8sC 維尼
When Roy saw her eyes glimmering with excitement, Roy can’t help but try to hold his very wide smile for her innocent view of the world.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡW9peiPyp6r 維尼
“I’m happy to see everyone enjoyed the celebration with us. Come over again someday. And you too, Alice,” Roy’s mom gave a happy face.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡZz3lNprpAv 維尼
Alice gives a wide grin and shouts,” Y-yes, madam!”.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡUhPxBNEMBz 維尼
When everyone turns their back, Roy stopped Alice.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡbIeqMDtbfh 維尼
“Alice! Next time when you go on an adventure.....Remember to bring me and Phoenix along with you!” Roy said.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡl8gMmTtQu9 維尼
Alice turns her head to him. “I will. I promised you this time,” Alice promised him.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡ115lGB2yhd 維尼
Everyone waves goodbye and leaves the town. Back at the village, everyone greeted their return. Alice sees Poema standing to greet them.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡezwF8zkYDa 維尼
“Welcome back. You seem happy today,” Poema said with a pleasant smile.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ4yNU5FjzX 維尼
Alice gives an excited grin and jumps around. “Oh yes I am. I made a friend with a spirit last night,” Alice told him.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8nbtZSNoRM 維尼
“Spirit? Is that the reason why you left the village early in the morning yesterday?” Poema asked with one raised eyebrow.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡI4WPLAwvqA 維尼
Alice flinches from Poema’s expression. “Uh oh....,” Alice gave a nervous face when Poema found out what she did yesterday.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡL5RRkxLo6v 維尼
Poema gives a smug face while knocking his ears with his left index finger. “Don’t underestimate my ears. As the Beast Master, no sound could escape my hearing. I heard your footsteps yesterday morning. So, did something good happen?” Poema said.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡSsALEyGqvF 維尼
“Yes. A new spirit will be helping us this time,” Alice pulled out a talisman paper with Krampus sigil on it.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡNqDS5Hvk1W 維尼
The sigil of Krampus bears the meaning “Punishment” behind the menacing symbol of the sigil. Poema seems shocked and afraid upon seeing the symbol.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡYvbvikf1V5 維尼
“That symbol...Don’t tell me...the sigil of Krampus??” Poema stuttered.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡvscrVc4obZ 維尼
”It is. Krampus gave us the sigil on this piece of empty paper talisman that I made it myself,” Alice admitted.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0R7JxHVkn 維尼
“I don’t believe it! You actually befriended with the Devil himself!” Poema exclaimed in disbelief.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡD3w1YOLveo 維尼
Alice puts the talisman in her pocket and notices Martha’s mother approaching from afar with something in her hand.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcpUMjvb1R 維尼
Alice turns at everyone standing behind Martha’s mother with a perplexed face. “Hmm? Did something happen?” Alice asked.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4PrAsJrwgD 維尼
Poema looks at her with a smile. “Frieda made a weapon for you,” Poema said.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8HZE2PmZe 維尼
“For me? What is it?” Alice wondered.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡC7U9Poy2FV 維尼
Frieda walks forward and gives her a knife kind of weapon wrapped in cloth. Alice opens the cloth wrapping and takes out the knife from the scabbard with a curious look in her eyes.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Ub3L7pOSB 維尼
Alice examines the knife curiously. “What do you call this kind of weapon? It looks unusual,” Alice wondered.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡjVjTYuf4z1 維尼
“It’s called “Badik”. This is a traditional long knife weapon used by Buginese and Makassarese of Indonesia. It’s small, easy to carry, and often used in ritual, martial art, or combat. You can also use it for self-defense if you want to be careful from inflicting lethal strike in a duel,” Frieda explained.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡj2SRemHg1c 維尼
“I would call it convenient because of the multi-use. If you wear a cape, you can hide it beneath the cape and no one will notice it,” Martha said.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡELOY94Uxe5 維尼
“Whoa....this is the first time I had my own self-defense weapon. Thank you so much! You are the best family I ever had!” Alice’s shouted with sparkling eyes.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnF9u43ij9 維尼
“Too bad that your family hasn’t returned yet to see you finally responsible enough to carry a weapon for combat in case of emergency,” Poema put both hands on Alice’s shoulders.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPBOw50cQQ 維尼
“All of you are my family too,” Alice admitted.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXljvdmN48 維尼
Vine suddenly feel self-conscious and tried to walk backward but June blocked him from behind.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡkYKeVvcPiS 維尼
June’s eyes look down on him. “Why the long face, child? Do you not feel part of this village’s family?” June asked with a soft voice.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUiQRHYB39 維尼
“I....Yes, I am,” Vine admitted.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWMVNLISg2 維尼
June could hear his voice shrinking from the insecurity of whether the Magi villagers really think of him as part of them.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡjAWWg0urLp 維尼
“Never let your insecurity doubt you, child. I have heard what the villagers said,” Vine is indeed one of us no matter the race or background”. That is their conclusion after I asked them about you,” June hugged Vine from the shoulders behind him.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡaoBC6W7TOt 維尼
“That’s right!” Alice approached them.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡZeXFH7JTln 維尼
Alice opens both arms wide. “No matter the races, no matter the background, no matter the gender, anyone will be gladly accepted as a family here,” Alice said.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡxv70idyheS 維尼
“We...are....the Magicians! We....accept...anyone! We...accept...changes! No matter the isolation, we shall see the change of the world and protect them! In the name of the Guardians! May the universe bless us all!” Alice and everyone shouted their vow out loud.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEbF0ccnuv 維尼
June gives the brightest smile while Vine cried when their vow deeply moved him.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡhk02XRzHTw 維尼
“Our ancestor has sworn this oath until now. Always remember that!” Alice said.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡamfckYo9jI 維尼
As everyone celebrates the day, the oath made by the Magi Village and its ancestors will never be forgotten. Meanwhile...on the other side of dimension, a boy shrouded by eerie smog approaches the door and slams it open with his smog much to the sudden shock of others in the middle of recovering from their wound including Mirage. The eerie smog engulfing the boy seems to be controlled by his will and may form into anything from the bearer’s imagination.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1tRuOmsJYL 維尼
Poltergeist gives a frightened look on his face. “Kiiii! It’s him!” Poltergeist screamed upon seeing the boy.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Op07MYXv8 維尼
The boy slams Poltergeist using the smog that formed into a vine. Argill takes out his harpoon spear and charges at the boy.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡyBxEw96ZZO 維尼
Argill growls at the boy. “Me not scared of you! Harr!!” Argill swung his spear at the boy and missed.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡytUV66wURl 維尼
“Hm, miss me. Tah!” the boy put one hand on the ground and kick him with a double sidekick.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡteR7HniCib 維尼
The boy’s kick flung Argill to the wall. “Grah!! The kid got a strong kick,” Argill said, his hand rubbing the back of his head.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXuAUGoeCg 維尼
The boy notices Nagi and his smog extends toward her.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡOorvydoUDf 維尼
“Hngh! Barrier!” Nagi creates a magic barrier out of fear.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡERieptYYeO 維尼
“Hehe..hah!” The boy shatters her barrier in an instant and blows her away with wind generated from his smog that appeared as wings.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡKimGhINwno 維尼
“Shaa! Oof!” Nagi’s back hit the wall behind her and lay unconscious.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡt1Ju7U8GHg 維尼
Argill quickly cradles her head in his arms. “Nagi!!” Argill shouted with a worried look on his face.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTRB0uD2mT 維尼
Mirage stop tending his wounded chest and stand up from his seat with a fearless look on his face. The boy gives a wide creepy smile and kneels in front of Mirage. Gaour was the only one who didn’t attack the boy out of fear, his back leaned on the wall beside the door where the boy opened it. 8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡbVZgmjM30i 維尼
“I came to visit, Mirage,” The boy said.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYmcQpJlAU 維尼
“Hrmm....You are the only child dare enough to call my name without referring me as “Master”. Hmph, insolent Human, or I shall say...Shaner, he who bears the Forbidden Force,” Mirage said with an offended tone and reveal threatening teeth.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡBMp8Zbt58Y 維尼
Everyone hissed, growl, screech with a hateful but fearful look on the boy.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡpGzo646zrP 維尼
“Hihihi....Hahahaha!!” Shaner gave a maniac laugh with his black smog expanding further to form the shape of a lion giving a mad howl and he vanishes into thin air.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡaXKHULDRHF 維尼
Mirage falls back to his seat with a growl. “Hrmph, close call,” he said with sweat on his forehead.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡgD78RQX2hO 維尼
Gaour stops leaning and walks closer to Mirage. “The child is insane! The demon responsible for his revival changed him,” he said.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡMS22XDMdtc 維尼
Mirage turns his head at Gaour. “So you saw the Demon under that smog. The smog was the Demon’s aura,” Mirage growled.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡCztbhj4rGX 維尼
“Who...is that boy? ” Nagi whispered in her weak state and tried not to pass out.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡftIDyMruaR 維尼
“Don’t speak, Nagi! You need rest,” Argill said anxiously.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8CF9bnfek 維尼
Poltergeist floats up and looks at Nagi. “He was the spirit boy Alice met when she came to the Night Realm for the first time after meeting the Valkyrie boy. The boy was the first who managed to control the Forbidden Force when his spirit was brought to Hell,” he said.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡYEXGltKDUU 維尼
“Was the child evil?” Argill asked.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡRQZWYXgFzd 維尼
Poltergeist looks at Argill and shakes his head in disagreement. “No...the boy was no evil. It was an injustice case for the boy’s spirit to be sent to Hell but it wasn’t long before the boy found the hidden lair blocked by magic. The magic’s purpose was to prevent any demon from trying to claim it but since the boy’s spirit was a human, the magic didn’t affect him. Sadly, Oza who was tasked with guarding the lair of Forbidden Force died after the boy claimed the Demon. I suspect that the Demon used that boy to kill him,” Poltergeist told what he heard when he was in Hell.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡvwSiAayjhQ 維尼
Poltergeist sighs and look down. “I didn’t realize that it was him who done it,” he said.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡRHKDzOiQ3F 維尼
Argill looks at them. “Does this mean the boy is our ally?” He asked.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡE2FTXWOawy 維尼
Mirage lets out a snort and grumble. “The boy is neither enemy nor ally. He is dangerous as the Forbidden Force controlled him, be wary for him,” Mirage said to Argill.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQkeptWCE2 維尼
Mirage looks at Argill, Poltergeist, Nagi, and Gaour with a deep gaze. “Follow him! The boy should be hunting the Apprentice, it shall be our chance to eliminate those accursed Magicians!” Mirage said.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3xubKWH82J 維尼
“Grrr! Yes, master Mirage!” Argill roared excitedly and vanish along with Nagi in his arm.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxhbtdYQuo 維尼
“Gihihi! I’m thrilled for this!” Poltergeist said and disappears into thin air.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡJxa8UZgwB2 維尼
“Pleasantly,” Gaour gave one knee on the floor and leave the room. 8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡxz85bUJajK 維尼
Mirage grips his single axe tightly with intense eyes and checks the wound.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5krjJJT2bR 維尼
“Hrmm....the children’s kick still hurt on the chest. The boy must be eliminated together with the children,” Mirage thought and leaves the room.8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iftiMUT2c 維尼
43Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡicGvHcmDHH
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To be Continued8964 copyright protection39ＰＥＮＡＮＡYpqBQbgJd2 維尼
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