Barbro gave them a grave face. "Why? You guys are disappointed that it's just this old church and me?"White also seemed annoyed that her efforts to provide them with shelter were not appreciated. White looked away and flew towards the corner of the church to warm herself with the morning sun.Eryk was still holding Alyssa's unconscious head while staring at the church building. The church looks badly damaged by the fire. The stones blacken in large patches. And half of the tiles were gone, leaving charred wooden ribs exposed to the weather like exposed ribs. The church building made Eryk imagine a rotting creature pecked at by vultures."Not everyone can have a feather bed and running water," says Barbro. His lips curled down slightly before his smile returned on its own. "Come in! I know you guys have nowhere to go."The doves rose from the ground and flapped their wings. They entered through a gaping hole in the roof and perched on a high log. White also joined them and watched Ery
White jumped off the roof and landed on one of the wood piles not far from the fireplace. Because her movement made some pigeons disturbed and flew away."What else haven't you told me, White?" Eryk asked."Didn't you hear everything from Evan Harris? Your mom is also a bird summoner—all kinds of birds.""So?"White turned her head in annoyance. "Don't you think maybe you also have the same ability, Eryk? You just haven't realized it yet.""Is that so?"Black's turn was to fly out of the window and land near Eryk."I thought. You seem to have inherited your mother's abilities," Black said. "How do you think you can talk to me? I'm a crow. I am also not a summoned spirit bound to you. But you can talk to me."Eryk had not thought about that before. "But, the other summoners—""You mean like Evan Harris and Alyssa? They were highly skilled summoners, Eryk. As for you… even before you entered into a contract with White, you already understood the language of the birds." Black convinced E
"It would be unfair if you started a fight against Sam. How about we start with me as a fellow bird summoner?" bargained Barbro."Well, fine. No problem," said Eryk. "Whichever I'll try."Barbro sat in the nave beneath the missing white cross. He sat hunched over the empty altar table, and his legs dangled from the edge."Are you ready?" exclaimed the dove summoner."Come on, Eryk!" shouted Black from the balcony above."Give him a lesson, Barbro!" Sam shouted next to the crow."I am ready!" said Eryk.Barbro whistled like he did back in Eryk's lair. Then there was the roar of hundreds of doves' wings that descended from the roof beams and landed at Barbro's feet."Okay, that's an awesome start," muttered White, tilting her head."I can't stand it," Black whispered, covering his eye with a wing. "Can the albino bird compete with hundreds of pigeons?"Eryk stretched out his arms and summoned the birds with the power of his will. Eryk felt warmth rising from the bottom of his stomach. T
"Power of will," said the dove summoner. "And With frequent practice! Because my ability to control spirits was not inherited from my parents. I got it myself through effort and searching.""So-"Barbro interrupted Eryk. "Even if that ability was inherited from your parents, you still need to train it. Everything doesn't happen naturally. Like when you were a baby. You also need to practice eating. Is not it?""Teach me then!" said Eryk."It took months," said Barbro. "No, years of intense training. There isn't enough time.""I can learn quickly," said Eryk, trying to sound more confident than he actually felt.Barbro smiled. "Even if you could do that, you're not a fighter, Eryk. The people we will face… are brutal. No mercy."Black and White joined them at the bottom of the stairs. Black's beak was tightly clenched, showing tenacity."We can't give up, Eryk. We can't just hide.""Why are you so excited?" quipped White."Is it right?" asked Barbro. "Stay here with us. We'll be safe."
Eryk had a dream. A dream he had never had before. Eryk seemed to watch as a tall, pale stranger moved the knocker on his parent's house door. The moonlight glistened in his snake ring."That's Venom. Do not open!" shouted Eryk. But no sound left his lips. The door opens by itself.Eryk felt the horror that sent him flying. This time, Eryk entered his parents' house and stood behind Venom.The door slammed shut behind them.Eryk saw his parents standing side by side in front of the dining table. On the table were two half-filled wine glasses. Eryk's mom faced Venom with determination. The folds of her white dress fluttered around like bird wings. It was as if she controlled the air around her."Get out of my house!" Eryk's mom ordered through clenched teeth.Eryk could see the sweat glistening on his mother's forehead as if she was exerting herself."I won't say where it is!""Do not come close!" shouted Eryk's dad. He stood next to his wife, brandishing a fireplace stick.Venom just
"What place is this?"Eryk and the others stood in front of a luxurious apartment building in the middle of Rockwool City. Eryk carried Alyssa on his back. He bent slightly and occasionally corrected Alyssa."This apartment is one of Master's properties. Several units are still vacant. For the time being, we can hide here safely.""Okay, we'll take Alyssa to where you want to go. After that, we have to continue the search. You're okay if you're left here alone with Alyssa?""Yes. We will be fine," replied Duri.Eryk led them into the apartment building after placing the key card in the scanner by the door. When they were about to enter the elevator, another resident noticed Eryk."Are you all right?" asked a middle-aged woman. "Is she hurt? I think you should go to the hospital." The woman looked worried for Alyssa.Eryk became awkward. He just realized that not all humans can see summoned spirits. Only summoners can see the presence of the summoned spirit. At this time, the middle-ag
Eryk and the two summoned spirits flew across Rockwool City and returned to the abandoned playground. The playground was covered in a lot of police lines. Eryk watched from one of the tall trees nearby. Indeed, there was not seen any human movement, let alone the police. However, Eryk remained vigilant and didn't take any risks by returning there."What are we going to do here?" Black asked. "You don't think you're returning to the lair?""I need your help," Eryk said to Black and White, who were perched on a branch above his head."I knew this would happen," Black grumbled."Only if you want. I still have White. She would never refuse my request."The white owl didn't argue. She only turned her head 360 degrees to express her approval and was ready to accept any task, even if it cost her life."Of course, I will help. Don't we have the same goal? Revenge for the actions of those who have hurt us, "continued Black.Eryk nodded firmly. "Your job is only to find out whether cat summoner
"What are you thinking? You don't look okay," White sneered as they walked together to find the Joker's house."My parents did everything they could to protect me so that the line of bird summoners would not be broken. However, I can't control various birds like my mom. I will ensure their deaths are not in vain," said Eryk."Your parents sound very brave," Black said. It was as if the crow could read Eryk's mind. They had arrived on the other side of the river. "You must be proud.""I think so," Eryk said again.They started up the river's north bank, where arched structures line the embankment. Shops and stalls are closed at night.His newest dream is an ever-present shadow. The screams of his parents as the snakes enveloped them sounded like a faint echo. Eryk didn't feel ready to tell White yet, not when his horror was so fresh.All his life, Eryk let bitterness towards his parents grow. But now it feels like the anger is misdirected. It was Venom who deserved to be the target of