Tome of Paladins : The DawnLight

15. Unexpected Situation

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3rd POV*

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Peter who listened to what Nilfour said was taken aback, because some people who heard his chatter including Gavin tended to be just silent, confused and unsure whether to believe his words or not.

Although there are some who actually take Peter's words seriously.

...

Peter whose mind start to gettin' jittery was then awakened by 04 who again stated that Peter should continuing his words.

"Continue." Said Nilfour.

"… Okay." Peter replied.

"When Rick drove us there, he was still in the same state. When we got there, there was indeed odd mist in the cemetery that i saw. But, about the black tombstone. I. ummm." Peter glanced at the silent Gavin, listening to what he had to say.

Despite the things that Gavin doesn't believe in, along with all of his conjecture and theory, he is someone who tends to listen, and argues in his thoughts until he is very sure of the series of words he composes and arranges in such a way, only to often pass the time the conversations of the people around him.

If a topic puzzled and confuses him, he tends to close his eyes, fold his arms under his chest, then with a serious face, pretend to listen while occasionally nodding his head.

While what is in the mind of his, of course things that are haphazard and messy.

Which Peter once asked what he was thinking, ending with himself wondering how Gavin could talk about trains, only for a moment then linking up with a poem about floating far away in a stunning blue sky, Then continuing on with other strange, unrelated things.

Away from the initial subject that he conveyed when answering his question.

… …

Peter then proceeded carefully, remembering what he had seen in the middle of that night, at the cemetery,

"I saw more things on the tombstones than what Gavin saw. Ummmh. Even though there are scratches, I don't think they're from ordinary nail. There's also something stuck there. Like, fingernails with dry blood splattered here and there. The tombstone also had various strange words such as, 'Those who wish, pay the price', 'Here lies the promise', 'The opposite direction, against you', 'Spill your blood, and receive the blessing', and a bunch of other random stuff like that. Basically, I was stuck wasting time reading those writings, before Rick asked us to go back home.

When I heard him, I immediately looked back. What surprised me was, there was no longer any big lump on the side of his neck. No whispers. Nothing, as if it was just a mere imagination on my part. But even so, for some reason I didn't feel relieved. I followed the others to get into the car. Then he first took me and Gavin back to the mansion. Meanwhile Josh and Glen stayed in the car."

Peter took a breath, then with a trembling mouth and hands that started to clench, Peter's tone began to contain his fear, "Me and Gavin then out of the car... Then. My eyes accidentally caught a glimpse of the car door glass. For God's sake, that night when he picked us up to go to the cemetery, I didn't pay close attention. But, when he drove us home, I just realized... the car door glass was a black reflective mirror. It was also night, dimly lit and not much light except the headlights in front Gavin's fence.

It was impossible for me to see what was in the car, since Rick himself turn off the light inside too. But I can see Rick. Only him. And he looked at us both with a smile and a crooked, twisted neck that went almost to the back of his. *takes a deep breath*. I almost screamed at that moment. I didn't even dare to go to the toilet or my own room after seeing that." The more he spoke, the more eloquent and frightened he became, especially at that crooked neck.

'No wonder he looked stiff. Then insisted on staying in my room to check things out on the CCTV to make sure Josh and Glenn were doing fine.' Gavin thought.

...

"I ...", Gavin with his speedy hand reached quickly, immediately covered Peter's mouth. 'It's at the part that aren't supposed to said. Darn, there's someone from The Central here. Who knows what will happen to both of us if he were saying it. Maybe we'd end up being convicted instead. With excuses like, You're staying the night here, so we can protect you both better. Of course, the stay is until further notice.' thought Gavin inside.

With a calm face alongside a slight relaxed smile, the latter took over and continued the words Peter had left off, while removing his hand from Peter's mouth, then sat back down with a well mannered posture, "He was scared, so he slept in my room. Surely not on my bed, but on the sofa in my room. There is also a computer near the sofa. I advised him to play some games to calm his nerve."

Peter, who seems to have just realized that he almost screw things up by saying something that shouldn't be said, just nodded in agreement with Gavin's answer.

"Okay, but now, I'd like to ask you two again to make sure, if you haven't missed any other details.

There are no lights that suddenly go out, then come back on.

Some of the hinges on a window or door have problems, causing them to open and close on their own. There are strange sounds such as wheels turning, plates or glass breaking, knocking on doors, or someone's footsteps suddenly echoing out of nowhere. Or you can somehow had an inkling that there's someone hiding in a dark corner of your settlement?", Nilfour then try to clarifying their statement, in a soft yet deep voice, like most adult male voices.

And somehow in the intermediary. Peter and Gavin, who listened and heard the voice of Nilfour, found themselves as if drifting into silence, in a spinning and sometimes turbulent circle of memories, immersed in the bow of the water current that focused their thoughts and attention, on what happened at the night when they were already in the Mansion.

Even at the last stretch when they came out of that strange experience, Gavin and Peter seemed to automatically and normally ignore it.

Like a dream that drifted, carried away by the waves in the design that connects into a state of nothingness. The only things they remember and realize is the question's from Nilfour.

"No, no sir. Nothing. The coast is clear." Jolted awake, Peter responded with the word and tone's of the game he and Gavin used to play.

Gavin added with a nod, ignoring Peter's antics.

"Alright kid, you both stay first at the attendance lobby. We'll let you know when you both could go back home." The Chief Inspector dismissed them from the room.

Then Gavin and Peter excused themselves and walked out.

... ...

"What do you assume about this?" asked the Chief Officer to Nilfour.

*Sigh*

"Don't know much, but one thing's for sure. We're screwed. Never expected thing's to happen like this. All five have been under our watch since the Awakening Age. Five from the thirteen's Egrius Candidates are in the same group, the same Region, and the same City. But now we've lost three. One of them is even from the line of Murhall Nobility. A Paladin. Uhhhh." Reaching his mask with his left hand, Nilfour complained in a tone full of remorse and irritation.

The Chief Inspector just glanced at him nonchalantly, till which he quip at him, "I heard that kid named Rick has an uncle who is a member of Sanguine Pine. And a lot of cousins too."

"uhh... Sir George. Please spare me." Nilfour replied with distress tone.

"Tell me what happened?" asked Sir George ignoring his complain.

"We noticed on the first day when Rick Benisson already had a problem. Death Energy linger all around him. So at night, we help him set to sleep. Then we tried to Exorcise it. But keep failing. Few of those who first attempt using Banish are injured instead. So we know, what's inside is basically a Singularity on Zeta Rank Spirit. We tried to identify it with Gaze. But all we could see was pitch black, empty without the slightest glimmer of light. I immediately sent a request to the Headquarters, for the Sanctifier Specialist's help. And unexpectedly, Lady Fayra also join on the team that took over the task." Nilfour answered all the while intrigued.

"Then why didn't they arrived yet? Isn't it basically done, if a Priestess takes over." Sir George replied. Also confused and in doubt as to why, someone as important as Priestess joining over the job of an Exorcist.

"Basically, that's also one of our main problems. I've given a call to the Headquarters, when the Support Team didn't come at three hours from the scheduled time. Their answer stated that, the team that took on the job including Lady Fayra herself had already left. I immediately reported that they crossed the three hour limit. After waiting for more than five hours, we got a reply that the team was estimated to arrive in about three to four days. They informed us, that the plane carrying the Exorcist Team was stuck in the Hocus Mist. Some who are trying to help are also caught up in it."

'Even though Lady Fayra is on board, they still need three-four days. The spell and its scope must be quite something.' Thought Nilfour in between.

"At first I wasn't sure, if it happened because they were trying to come here to exorcise the Spirit inside Benisson. But it all happened, when we follow them to the cemetery. Suddenly, there is that mist. It appeared out of nowhere, unexpectedly sync as if it was already there. Just waiting for us to separated from the five teenagers.

I was stunned to realize that the mist was basically a Devil Spells. It really is of no coincidence, and maybe the problem is more than what I concern myself with. I told my team members to investigate the surrounding cemeteries, stay alert and away from the mist,,, Then I came following them inside." He explained.

At the end, there's guilty and remorse tone mixed into it.

With anger in his eyes, Sir George replied with gritted teeth, "So you! As the leader and the only High Ranker, left your subordinates without so much of an instructions, then go recklessly inside without a second thought, all alone,,, You've even came up with a conclusions, that the people whom managed to trap Priestess for days, is likely in the same group you're facing. But you're still get inside. What if it's a trap to keep you there. Away from your team? A trap to kill you.

You can also ask for help from High Rankers in other Regions. Wow, kid. Aren't you good? You don't even tell your subordinates, if there's anything beyond what's in the Mission Description, they can call me out and ask for help." The longer he spoke, the louder his tone became. George reprimand Nilfour with a sour face because he knew very well how dangerous sometimes the tasks and responsibilities assigned to the Igniters.

One of his legs, which was replaced with a metal, is a testament to his long experience and career as a Rune Master.

"But you're retired..." In a weak voice, Nilfour replied trying to justify himself, but was cut off by a deep sigh.

*Sigh*

"How did those in The Central gave permission to put you into the Seat. Don't tell me now they're just offer to anyone who can fight in Elysium." Sir George stared at Nilfour, complaining with disappointment written all over his face.

Nilfour only looking down at the ground.

Even with the mask covered his face, those who overheard their conversation could definitely imagine Nilfour's expression.

*Cough*

"Continue. What's in the mist?" Sir George coughed to clear his throat, then asked again.

"After I went inside. I could still see the boys. Then I tried to rush, stop them continue any further. But then i stop, because of a sudden attack from an Undead."

... ...

The scene at the moment Nilfour realizes that he can still see and determine their position.

He quickly tried to hurry and chase the five teenagers.

However, his Sense caught something odd on his left rear side.

…

…

An attack.

Nilfour nimbly dodged by pulling his shoulders, then jump to the side to create a distance.

He then set his sights on the attacker.

A Mourning Templar. Then he observe his surrounding.

'Da*nit', Nilfour grumbled inwardly.

There were also several other Spirits.

Two Raging Shades, and a Howling Widow. And unexpectedly there is one who almost tip the entire balance of the fight that will occur.

A Demon.

The demon in front of him is also one that has never been seen or recorded before.

"Chill, please don't overestimate me too much?" Nilfour complained with cold sweat all over him.

He could handle these few Spirits. But with the addition of a Demon. 'And what if there's another attack ready to ambush me when I'm off guard. What the hell. Aren't this usual conduct and case belongs to the behavioral traits of a Half-Devils. But why there's also a Demon here', thought Nilfour.

He also concern himself with safety of those few teenagers.

...