The Prince of Prophecy and the Bladeless Sword

9. Faceless Creature

They watched the fight between Azlan and the faceless black creature. The light that shot quickly belonged to Azlan. Leon watched from his position with both hands holding Zenata's body. Actually, what is that black creature?

"This is an established safety zone. You don't need to break into it even if there's a commotion. Get out there!" Azlan shouted angrily at the creature floating in the air.

There weren't just one or two creatures there, but there were several. The bright light that was still shining chased away the black creatures. After the creatures left, the light there began to dim.

"Everyone, come in. It's safe now," said Azlan to the other guests staying there. They came out of their respective rooms when they heard the commotion. When the creatures came, they were afraid.

There are guards in each room who reassure the residents that the situation has improved even though it is still tense out there. The darkness that everyone fears.

Azlan's sharp gaze was fixed on the children. With his magical powers, he closed the door easily without touching it, making a loud sound that shook the children.

"Didn't I tell you not to make a fuss before the sun rises?" Azlan approached them angrily.

"We don't know what happened, but Zenata suddenly screamed and opened the door," replied Gio who immediately covered his mouth when Azlan's sharp gaze was directed at him.

Leon did not respond and paid attention to Zenata who was still unconscious. Viona tried to wake her up but failed.

"Lay Zenata on the bed, I will help her get up," said Viona.

Leon said nothing carried Zenata's body and laid her on the girl's bed. Gio and Sean stood not far from the table and fixed the fallen wooden chair.

No one spoke there, not even Azlan who calmed him down.

"What is that?" Sean spoke up, starting a conversation and looking at Azlan.

"Faceless Creature," Azlan answered briefly. His gaze fell on Leon who was still standing watching Zenata.

“Is it because they imposed a curfew?” Sean asked again to make sure the rule was enforced every night.

Azlan nodded his head. “Yes. They are the King’s troops stationed in every corner of the Summer Village. They will eat anything after six in the evening, and they will disappear before six in the morning as if nothing had happened.”

They listened to him, including Leon, who for some reason felt uncomfortable when he accidentally saw the black creature.

“The girl will be fine,” said Azlan suddenly.

"How do you know?" Gio asked worried and afraid.

“That girl wasn't prey, more precisely, she almost became Faceless One's prey. "Wait, the girl will wake up soon," explained Azlan.

“Prey?” Sean asked again. The man seemed unable to contain his curiosity.

Azlan’s gaze fell on Sean, realizing that the man was a guide even though he was not a leader.

“I’ll explain to you later so that you can be careful,” Azlan said then.

Hearing Azlan’s words, Leon also became curious. Viona approached the table to listen more carefully.

“After the fall of Sky Light, the City of a Thousand-Appearances and King Blackyn came to power, every corner of the city was overshadowed by evil. In this Summer Village, they placed the Faceless Ones who would move at night. Anyone who wandered outside at night was the Faceless Ones’ prey, they could not be bargained with or do anything, it had become a rule that even the residents themselves did not know,” Azlan said.

“No one knows? Then, how do you know?” As usual, Sean would ask the questions. The man would be more critical.

“The fall of Skylight has been going on for about 300 years. That has been enough for us to observe, and it has become a deep-rooted fear that has become a habit. Even so, there were still those who violated the rules. As a citizen, even the village chief could not save anyone who was in the grip of the Faceless One.”

“But you managed to save Zenata,” Gio said.

“That’s because the girl hadn’t been in the grip for too long. You must have seen how the girl’s face was facing forward as if being pulled?” Azlan said.

They looked at it, Zenata’s face looked a little strange, stretched forward as if being pulled by something invisible to the eye.

“Besides, the girl has a protector,” Azlan said, making them look at each other.

“Protector?” This time it was Viona who asked.

Unfortunately, Azlan answered with a smile. “You’ll find out later.”

“Isn’t there a way to stop the evil?” Leon asked for the first time in minutes.

The question made Azlan shake his head slowly. “If only there was, those 300 years wouldn’t have been this heavy and dark. Since there’s no way to stop it, we can only accept it even though it’s very scary.”

“Is there no way to stop what’s happening?” Sean took over the question again.

There was no answer from Azlan other than a tired sigh.

“There is always a centre to everything that happens,” Leon said ambiguously. All eyes were on him. “I mean, there must be a centre that caused this crime to happen,” the boy explained.

Azlan smiled faintly, no one noticed the smile at all.

All eyes were back on Azlan.

“There is indeed a centre,” Azlan said softly. “However, it is your job to find that centre. The center of destruction.”

Sean’s eyes narrowed. “Does that have anything to do with why we are here?”

Azlan then chuckled softly. “You are indeed a compass, Sean.”

Sean flinched slightly.

“However, finding out what happened, isn’t that your job?”

Everyone was silent, including Leon.

“But we are confused,” Gio said. “Is all this real? What should we do?”

“There are many things you can do. It’s just that you are not used to it, and you are confused about how to start,” Azlan said. The man then cleared his throat, and leaned forward slightly, propping both of his hands on the table. “You can start by looking for information this afternoon and then discuss it. For now, be quiet and talk a lot. Get some sleep so that your stamina is full tomorrow.”

It was an indirect message and order.

“Enough. That’s all I have to say. Good night.” Azlan said goodbye and then quickly disappeared, making them jump in surprise because the man seemed to have disappeared into thin air.

“Is he a ghost?” Gio commented in fear.

No one responded to Gio because Sean and Leon had started to be able to control themselves regarding the situation they were facing. Viona might look calm, but the girl was still not used to it. Moreover, Gio was still whining about what happened, as did Zenata who actually wanted to go back. However, it seemed like they wouldn’t be able to move carelessly because it was all in vain.