Author Note: Thank you so much for all your encouraging words. I know that
this fic has many mistakes. I'm not good at grammar. I wondered is someone
out there willing to beta this fic??
Warning: None at this chapter
Disclaimer: standard disclaimer
Chapter Three: The Long Path
Cleo didn't have to wait for long. Not long after she get back to the inn, dejected because couldn't find any traces. She saw Orphen entered the bar. From the look at his face Cleo thought that he might not find much too.
" Do you find something?" She asked, moved closer at Orphen who slumped at the chair.
" No," The black haired boy sighed." It's like that he had devoured by the earth. I scanned the city, any possible place he might be, asking everyone, but still couldn't find anything."
Cleo frowned, thought that he saw something that rarely flashed at Orphen's eyes: desperation. But it vanished suddenly as the sorcerer stood abruptly, banged the table with his hands." If that so, there's only one place left."
"Place? What place?"
"That damn fortune teller in the festival," He smiled sourly." I hate to say this, but her words were true. She must know something about Magic. Come on, Cleo!" He ran to the door." Let's get back to where it's started."
*****
The festival was closed at noon. Various tents stood lonely at deserted corner, some being folded, some being wrapped with thick fabrics. Line of counters along the way, shut tight. There was no thing left from a beautiful place that filled with shimmered lights at night. The road dusty and the wind brought along layer of ash.
Orphen tried to open the iron door lead to the festival park. A chain bound over it's bar and hadn't even budge even tough being given some good kicks.
" Orphen, it's closed," Cleo stood behind the angry boy." Don't you think it will be better if we just get back here at night? Looks no one inside anyway."
" Shut up," Orphen growled, rolled his eyes." She's waiting for me. I know it." He closed his eyes, muttering some spells, and at the next second the door destroyed, fell into flaming pieces.
"That's settling," Orphen grinned widely, brushed the dust from his hands." Come on, Cleo!"
Cleo gaped, crossed her arms at her chest." That's so barbaric!" She protested." You could teleport us easily, right? Why have to destroy things??"
Orphen ignored her, simply lead the way.
"Yeah," Cleo said sourly." You can't control yourself after Magic is missing. What happened to you?"
Orphen stopped, glancing back." Huh? I'm worried about my apprentice. He is weak and not yet mastered any strong spells to protect himself. Don't you worry about him, Cleo? You look didn't care..."
"Of course I do!" Cleo protested." He's already like a small brother to me. We've been together for almost one year now. I want to protect him too, you know??"
"That's right," Orphen shrugged," That's what I feel too. I can't disappoint that old man Bagup. He trusted his son to me."
Cleo not answering. Orphen sighed, felt rather bad that he's been lying. But it was for the best. He knew that Cleo had a crash on him. Telling the truth will only hurt her. Besides, Orphen confused with what he would have to say. Nah, that was very silly.
"Orphen I believe that's the tent." Cleo cut his thought, pointed at a familiar small tent. Nothing different only this time it was being closed.
Orphen walked closer, shifted the black curtain of the tent and saw the black hooded woman sat inside it, waiting. He wasn't surprise, even tough he could hear small gasp from behind.
"How did you know that I'll come?" Orphen asked, took the empty seat.
The smile grazed beneath the shadow of her hood." You had lost what has been important to you. You're confused. I can see the despair at your eyes. You had no clue and you thought that I'm the one who could answer your question. It was easy to read. I know that you'll come back here."
"I didn't trust you before. Sorry. I take back my words." Orphen sighed, lifted a steady gaze. "Can you help me? You must know where he might be."
There was an uncomfortable silence.
"No."
"What??" Orphen shouted." It can't be! You can read the future! You must know where he's right now!!"
"That's right," Pair of dark eyes gleamed." But my ability hadn't designed to search missing peoples. I read the line of destiny, not the trail of trace. Besides I don't think that you're being sincere."
"Of course I am. How do you know that I'm not?"
The lady only smiled." That kid. Is he important to you?"
Orphen stunned, not expecting such kind of question, but he managed to nod.
"You'll do anything to get him back?"
"Hell-YES! But why-?"
The lady waved her hand to stop his comment. She made a sly smile." Then show me your honesty."
Orphen glared." Just say what you want! I said that I'll do anything and I meant it. We don't have much time!!"
The lady's eyes flickered." All right then.give me all of your money."
"FINE!!" Orphen snapped, reached over small bundle tied at his belt and threw it on the table." This is all I have."
"But, Orphen!" Cleo protested." That's all we have. You don't want us starving, do you?"
"No," Orphen answered calmly." I'll think something else."
The crystal ball flickered. "I see that you are honest. Well, then I'll tell you anything I know. The boy is being held now. By force, of course. I could see that it was some kind of old storage. Dark and dirty. He is going to be taken away soon. He is scared, I can see it. He cried few times. And if you want to save him you better do it fast."
" I know it!" Orphen growled." But you just picturing vague place. A warehouse. It must be damn hundred of it in this town! Can't you be more specific??"
The lady frowned, concentrated. Her ball brightened, made a small hum." It was much water, goods landed and shipped.small port.I know it..The downtown port, east of here. Mush illegal action being performed. The large warehouse at the center of it.That's what are you looking for."
"Great!!" Orphen got up." Come on, Cleo!!"
" Wa..Wait!!" Cleo followed the young man outside." How we get there?"
"Teleport."
" B-but Orphen, you shouldn't."
Orphen snorted." The hell with that. You're coming or not?"
Cleo pouted." Of course I am."
*****
After some mistake of teleporting, caused them to end at various strange places, finally they arrived at the right place, the dirty small port with rotten garbage scattered everywhere, dumped along with rusty irons.
" Finally!" Cleo sneered." Looked like your skill had degenerated. The great sorcerer now even couldn't use teleport."
"Shut up!!" Orphen hissed, looking around." I don't know the exact direction. That damn woman only said east, and east is very wide!!"
Cleo followed as Orphen ran at an old beggar sat near cramped boxes.
"Hey, old man, do you know a large warehouse at the center of this port?"
The old man nodded." Of course. Everybody here knows that place. It's where they performed restricted auction. Many illegal goods from other country that you can't see anywhere being sold there. They also sold people sometimes, usually to be common whores or slaves."
"Whatt??' Orphen eyes bulged." This is bad! Where's the way??"
The old beggar pointed, confused as the foreign young man dashed at the direction very fast, like being chased by ferocious monster. He sighed." Kids this day."
"Orphen!! That must be it!!" Cleo shouted, pointed at large warehouse in front of them. Many cars being parked around it, with people got in and out carrying various things. They hurried to the front door, but being stopped with the guard.
" The auction had ended, please leave now."
" E..ended?"
"Yes," The guard replied," All of the things had been sold."
" W-what??" Orphen yelled." Tell me! Do you sell people too?"
The guard frowned." People? You mean slaves? Yes, we did."
"Was there a boy amongst them? The one with blue eyes and short blonde hair."
" Hmm..that's very common, but wait! You mean that cute little boy? He's amazing! The bargain for him was very high."
" Where is he?" Orphen demanded, fisted his grip." Tell me! Where is he now??"
"I think the man that bought him already left, but if you fast maybe you could find him at parking lot behind the warehouse."
" Thanks," Orphen yelled, waved his hand as he stormed over. The parking lot wasn't big and his heart leapt as he saw the familiar figure not far away.
" Magic!!" He called, grinning widely as the boy turned his head and stared stunned at him.
" Oshou-sama!"
Note: That's it, nothing serious at this chapter. Real thing will be begin soon! Stay tune :D
Review pleaseee
Warning: None at this chapter
Disclaimer: standard disclaimer
Chapter Three: The Long Path
Cleo didn't have to wait for long. Not long after she get back to the inn, dejected because couldn't find any traces. She saw Orphen entered the bar. From the look at his face Cleo thought that he might not find much too.
" Do you find something?" She asked, moved closer at Orphen who slumped at the chair.
" No," The black haired boy sighed." It's like that he had devoured by the earth. I scanned the city, any possible place he might be, asking everyone, but still couldn't find anything."
Cleo frowned, thought that he saw something that rarely flashed at Orphen's eyes: desperation. But it vanished suddenly as the sorcerer stood abruptly, banged the table with his hands." If that so, there's only one place left."
"Place? What place?"
"That damn fortune teller in the festival," He smiled sourly." I hate to say this, but her words were true. She must know something about Magic. Come on, Cleo!" He ran to the door." Let's get back to where it's started."
*****
The festival was closed at noon. Various tents stood lonely at deserted corner, some being folded, some being wrapped with thick fabrics. Line of counters along the way, shut tight. There was no thing left from a beautiful place that filled with shimmered lights at night. The road dusty and the wind brought along layer of ash.
Orphen tried to open the iron door lead to the festival park. A chain bound over it's bar and hadn't even budge even tough being given some good kicks.
" Orphen, it's closed," Cleo stood behind the angry boy." Don't you think it will be better if we just get back here at night? Looks no one inside anyway."
" Shut up," Orphen growled, rolled his eyes." She's waiting for me. I know it." He closed his eyes, muttering some spells, and at the next second the door destroyed, fell into flaming pieces.
"That's settling," Orphen grinned widely, brushed the dust from his hands." Come on, Cleo!"
Cleo gaped, crossed her arms at her chest." That's so barbaric!" She protested." You could teleport us easily, right? Why have to destroy things??"
Orphen ignored her, simply lead the way.
"Yeah," Cleo said sourly." You can't control yourself after Magic is missing. What happened to you?"
Orphen stopped, glancing back." Huh? I'm worried about my apprentice. He is weak and not yet mastered any strong spells to protect himself. Don't you worry about him, Cleo? You look didn't care..."
"Of course I do!" Cleo protested." He's already like a small brother to me. We've been together for almost one year now. I want to protect him too, you know??"
"That's right," Orphen shrugged," That's what I feel too. I can't disappoint that old man Bagup. He trusted his son to me."
Cleo not answering. Orphen sighed, felt rather bad that he's been lying. But it was for the best. He knew that Cleo had a crash on him. Telling the truth will only hurt her. Besides, Orphen confused with what he would have to say. Nah, that was very silly.
"Orphen I believe that's the tent." Cleo cut his thought, pointed at a familiar small tent. Nothing different only this time it was being closed.
Orphen walked closer, shifted the black curtain of the tent and saw the black hooded woman sat inside it, waiting. He wasn't surprise, even tough he could hear small gasp from behind.
"How did you know that I'll come?" Orphen asked, took the empty seat.
The smile grazed beneath the shadow of her hood." You had lost what has been important to you. You're confused. I can see the despair at your eyes. You had no clue and you thought that I'm the one who could answer your question. It was easy to read. I know that you'll come back here."
"I didn't trust you before. Sorry. I take back my words." Orphen sighed, lifted a steady gaze. "Can you help me? You must know where he might be."
There was an uncomfortable silence.
"No."
"What??" Orphen shouted." It can't be! You can read the future! You must know where he's right now!!"
"That's right," Pair of dark eyes gleamed." But my ability hadn't designed to search missing peoples. I read the line of destiny, not the trail of trace. Besides I don't think that you're being sincere."
"Of course I am. How do you know that I'm not?"
The lady only smiled." That kid. Is he important to you?"
Orphen stunned, not expecting such kind of question, but he managed to nod.
"You'll do anything to get him back?"
"Hell-YES! But why-?"
The lady waved her hand to stop his comment. She made a sly smile." Then show me your honesty."
Orphen glared." Just say what you want! I said that I'll do anything and I meant it. We don't have much time!!"
The lady's eyes flickered." All right then.give me all of your money."
"FINE!!" Orphen snapped, reached over small bundle tied at his belt and threw it on the table." This is all I have."
"But, Orphen!" Cleo protested." That's all we have. You don't want us starving, do you?"
"No," Orphen answered calmly." I'll think something else."
The crystal ball flickered. "I see that you are honest. Well, then I'll tell you anything I know. The boy is being held now. By force, of course. I could see that it was some kind of old storage. Dark and dirty. He is going to be taken away soon. He is scared, I can see it. He cried few times. And if you want to save him you better do it fast."
" I know it!" Orphen growled." But you just picturing vague place. A warehouse. It must be damn hundred of it in this town! Can't you be more specific??"
The lady frowned, concentrated. Her ball brightened, made a small hum." It was much water, goods landed and shipped.small port.I know it..The downtown port, east of here. Mush illegal action being performed. The large warehouse at the center of it.That's what are you looking for."
"Great!!" Orphen got up." Come on, Cleo!!"
" Wa..Wait!!" Cleo followed the young man outside." How we get there?"
"Teleport."
" B-but Orphen, you shouldn't."
Orphen snorted." The hell with that. You're coming or not?"
Cleo pouted." Of course I am."
*****
After some mistake of teleporting, caused them to end at various strange places, finally they arrived at the right place, the dirty small port with rotten garbage scattered everywhere, dumped along with rusty irons.
" Finally!" Cleo sneered." Looked like your skill had degenerated. The great sorcerer now even couldn't use teleport."
"Shut up!!" Orphen hissed, looking around." I don't know the exact direction. That damn woman only said east, and east is very wide!!"
Cleo followed as Orphen ran at an old beggar sat near cramped boxes.
"Hey, old man, do you know a large warehouse at the center of this port?"
The old man nodded." Of course. Everybody here knows that place. It's where they performed restricted auction. Many illegal goods from other country that you can't see anywhere being sold there. They also sold people sometimes, usually to be common whores or slaves."
"Whatt??' Orphen eyes bulged." This is bad! Where's the way??"
The old beggar pointed, confused as the foreign young man dashed at the direction very fast, like being chased by ferocious monster. He sighed." Kids this day."
"Orphen!! That must be it!!" Cleo shouted, pointed at large warehouse in front of them. Many cars being parked around it, with people got in and out carrying various things. They hurried to the front door, but being stopped with the guard.
" The auction had ended, please leave now."
" E..ended?"
"Yes," The guard replied," All of the things had been sold."
" W-what??" Orphen yelled." Tell me! Do you sell people too?"
The guard frowned." People? You mean slaves? Yes, we did."
"Was there a boy amongst them? The one with blue eyes and short blonde hair."
" Hmm..that's very common, but wait! You mean that cute little boy? He's amazing! The bargain for him was very high."
" Where is he?" Orphen demanded, fisted his grip." Tell me! Where is he now??"
"I think the man that bought him already left, but if you fast maybe you could find him at parking lot behind the warehouse."
" Thanks," Orphen yelled, waved his hand as he stormed over. The parking lot wasn't big and his heart leapt as he saw the familiar figure not far away.
" Magic!!" He called, grinning widely as the boy turned his head and stared stunned at him.
" Oshou-sama!"
Note: That's it, nothing serious at this chapter. Real thing will be begin soon! Stay tune :D
Review pleaseee
