Collin's Otherworld Adventure

We enter Grezia through the sky and land safely at a nearby house without getting detected by any of the city guards or any of the many patrolling Alliance magic knights, me and Rosie put away our wings so that we don't bring any attention to us yet, and then Leonard whispers to me.

"would it not have been better if we landed at the palace and greet King Dave?"

I shake my head.

"even though he's on our side when it comes to stopping Damien, we can't be sure if Damien is here somehow."

he then asks.

"how do you expect us to make it to the palace then?"

I sigh.

"don't worry, I've got that covered."

"what do you mean?"

I grab Rosie's hand and say to her.

"we'll reveal ourselves to the guards and bring their attentions to us."

she asks.

"why are you treating them like they are our enemies?"

I reply.

"Damien is capable of influencing and controlling people, so there is no way to know who is on our side."

she replies.

"okay then."

"are you crazy?"

I shake my head.

"not really, but you let us worry about that, while you focus on getting that weapon."

he sighs.

"alright?"

I look to Selshruuk and say.

"make sure he gets that weapon safely."

he nods.

"yeah, I got it."

"once me and Rosie get the attention of the guards, you two better get moving quick."

me and Rosie walk out from behind the house we were hiding at together and then she asks.

"so are we going to fight some guards?"

I shake my head.

"there is no need for that, just follow my lead."

we walk up to a patrolling guard and I ask her.

"hello can you help me?"

she responds.

"what do you need?"

"my name is Collin Belfaust, and I was wondering if I can get escorted to the palace to see King Dave."

the guard gasps and replies.

"oh Mr. Belfaust, King Dave has been looking for you ever since you left."

as she calls over some more patrolling guards and a couple of alliance soldiers, I think to myself.

"so far so good, but I need a way to find out if any of them are under the influence of Damien."

one of the patrolling guards comes close and asks the female guard I approached.

"you need something?"

she replies.

"can you inform His Majesty, that we have Mr. Belfaust here with us."

"right away ma'am."

she then turns to me and says.

"I'm sorry Mr. Belfaust but before we escort you to see His Majesty, we need to let him know ahead of time due to what's been going on since Mauri's return."

I reply.

"don't worry I completely understand."

Rosie whispers to me.

"what do you think? are they under Damien's influence?"

I whisper back.

"it's too early to tell, but I think we'll find out soon."

"so how have things changed since Mauri's return?"

she replies.

"some very controversial policies have been implemented."

Rosie jumps into the conversation and asks the guard.

"what kind of policies."

she replies with a somber tone in her voice.

"many of our promising citizens have been offered up to Mauri."

she pauses for a moment and then says.

"there is much discontent amongst the citizens but no one dares to step up against her."

I respond.

"well that is why I need to see King Dave."

she looks at me with shocked expression.

"are you really planning on fighting her?"

I reply.

"if I don't do it, who else will do it?"

she sighs.

"you are right, many of the top noble households have been very complicit in following Mauri's policies."

I think to myself.

"by the sounds of it, Damien may be using his influence to control the top people in the alliance kingdoms."

Rosie whispers to me.

"Damien may not be here, he could be traveling to the other kingdoms to keep them under his control."

I sigh.

"yeah you might be right about that."

I then think to myself.

"damn it, if that is the case, then he will eventually start spreading his influence in the elf continent."

before I could even realize it, we are surrounded by many Rozlania guards and Alliance magic knights, I look at some of them and I can feel Damien's mana all over them, I then ask the female guard.

"so are these our escorts?"

she looks around completely baffled by the sheer number of guards and magic knights and replies.

"some of them, but I don't understand why so many came here."

Rosie whispers to me.

"she may not be under Damien's influence, but I can already tell that some of them are under his influence and may be contacting him that we are here."

I reply.

"well that's fine, we came here to take on Damien anyways."

I then clear my throat and ask out loud.

"so what are we heading to the palace yet? or are we waiting on something?"

one of the Alliance magic knights replies.

"we are waiting for Ying Zhu's arrival, he said, he wanted to personally escort you to King Dave."

my suspicion level rises since the one who said it, was covered by Damien's mana, I whisper to Rosie.

"we should be careful, because Ying might be under Damien's influence."

she asks.

"you think so?"

I reply.

"yeah, he's an important person, so it makes sense for Damien to have him under his control."

she asks.

"are you saying, we might have to fight him?"

I answer.

"we'll see once he gets here."

I then ask Rosie.

"so do you think we can see Damien's mana, because of Lady Mengshee's training?"

she answers.

"possibly, she probably thought it wasn't important enough."

I reply.

"I see."

I then sigh.

"well if you notice anything out of the ordinary, let know, and I'll do the same."

after what seemed like a tense stand off, Ying's presence was known as all the magic knights and guards saluted him, he approaches us and to my disappointment Damien's mana was surrounding him, I then whisper.

"are you seeing this Rosie?"

she whispers.

"yeah, I'm ready whenever you are ready."

Ying Zhu looks at me and with a stiff smile says.

"it's good seeing you again, my friend."

I reply knowing full well that he is not the Ying Zhu that I know.

"me too, my friend."

he then shouts at all the Alliance magic knights and the guards.

"alright, leave them to me, I'll take him to King Dave myself."

after we are left alone with him, I confront him by asking.

"so how long are you planning on keeping that facade."

he grins.

"so you already know then?"

I nod.

"yeah."

he sighs.

"well then, I guess this confrontation was inevitable."

I agree.

"of course."

he then says.

"unfortunately I won't be the only one your facing."

I ask.

"let me guess, I'll be facing Damien as well?"

he replies.

"in due time."

he continues.

"I brought along someone who's been eager to fight you again."

he then shouts.

"come on out son."

Cecile who has been hiding and has avoided detection from us, he jumps down from a house roof and says.

"hello Mr. Belfaust, it looks like fate has decided for us to face each other once again and I have Lord Damien to thank for that."

Ying and Cecile stand side by side ready to fight, I then look to Rosie.

"I hope you are ready to fight."

she replies.

"of course, that is why I'm here."

I look at both at Ying and Cecile and then say to her.

"if you can, let's try to avoid killing them."

as she nods, I chant to myself.

"platinum eyes."

Me and Rosie then lock eyes with Ying and Cecile, who are ready to fight.