They Called Me FIVE

LANCE

"Wha - what?!" I scrambled from my seat. Too surprise I topple down the ground.

"You heard me. Kill him. Don't let anyone know."

"Bu - but "

"Oh please, it's not that difficult. You only need to graze him with your blessing. And he dies. End of story."

I started to panic. With my elbow, I stand up and slid the paper back to her.

"Ple - please I can't do that. I couldn't possibly murder -"

She let out an irritated sigh. "Please stop acting like a pure innocent boy. Did you forget what you did in the Chicago roof? Haven't you been wondering what happened to the humans that disappeared out there?"

My first thought: I can't kill any humans. No. Those cornfields is enough. It took days before I could forgive myself for that. And if it's humans... I don't think I can get over that guilt.

My second thought: Chicago roof. That's when I let out that huge shadow waves that rendered me powerless. It was also that time Pente visited me. From all the things that's happening rapidly... It didn't register fully in my head when Magnus said all the residents there disappeared.

The deity of time look at me with mock pity.

"Pente is actually a softie huh. Looks like he's trying to protect his apprentice's precious feelings. But I'm not. I'm different. I prefer honesty. So I'm gonna be straightforward. The people in that city has fallen in the hands of Faeries. They all became their mana replenish slaves. But when you unleash that death wave of yours, you freed them. And yet, what little amount that remains in their souls has been used to summon that demon here."

My stomach twisted in an ugly knot. A foul taste fill my mouth.

"What did you just say?"

"Yes, Five. All that's happening around you is deeply connected. Nothing is coincidence. What happened in your uncontrolled unleash almost killed your precious friend. This Twylyth?"

She patted the glasses frozen lady's rock shoulder.

"She's been in to you since you were born. She sent that humanoid to kill your Mom. She's been giving orders to your Dad. At first, he wasn't aware of her presence. She keeps whispering into his ears. Making him crazy. Forcing him to think about some stupid aliens were after you. She's the reason behind your Dad's bizarre actions. When the Mark came, she revealed herself to him. All that artificial affection he had for you evaporates." She pause. A smile playing on her lips, watching at my horrified reaction.

"She ordered your Dad to bring you to Chicago. Have another Gifted People traitor to assist him in fooling you."

"Lista..." I piece together. My eyes linger at Magnus's stupefied form.

"Yes, the Ranker's mightiest father. He was destroyed by love and betrayal. The same with Efta." She slip.

I blink. "Efta? Why Efta?" She shake her head. "Let's not talk about that. It's got nothing to do with you."

"This Twylyth also sent the Temptress to play with your feelings. For every pretty girl, there's always a guy behind drooling for her ass."

"What?! He - heyy, don't change the subject. What do you mean Efta is -"

"Tut.tut.tut. Let me finish." She flip her finger again and my mouth harden. My face muscles can't open it anymore. Even my tongue can't move.

"Magnus was also led by Alpha Beast to come to you too. Ordered by the Twylyth." She sense my expression hardens at the mention of Alpha Beast. She sigh.

"You can't blame him. Beasts, by thousand years old creed, are meant to work with the Faeries. That's what Gifted People forsake, after lusting the land of riches which rightfully belongs to the Faeries."

"Is that what spike the war three thousand years ago?" She shake her head. "No. That only started the feud. The war is cause by something else. Anyway, the past and present are two different things. It's useless to dwell on it."

I process the information she's given me. I think back on the Dark Elf that became Magnus's spar with.

"So the man you want me to kill...is not actually human but the Dark Elf we met?"

She stared at me, surprised.

"Wow. You're actually smarter than I thought. I'm guessing you won't actually get it if I don't drop obvious hints." She leans back on her chair and play with her empty teacup.

"Sorry. But you could have just told me who he really is you know. You could have save yourself the trouble of explaining things to me."

She rolled her eyes. "Duh, where's the fun in that? If I lay it all bare, would you be motivated enough to do it? No right? You'd be suspicious. Seeing your past performance, I don't recommend you confirming this information with your own eyes. I'm sure you have learn by your past experience that it's not a good idea. You'll only fall into their trap."

I hung my head low. She's right. I didn't believe in Magnus for the first time. Look what it got me.

"A question."

"Mm?"

"Why me?"

"Huh?"

"In terms of combat and fighting experience, Magnus and Seven are exceptional. They're on whole different level than me. In assasinating thia Dark Elf... Won't it be more effective if you ask them?"

She laugh at me. "You unbelievably have such low esteem. It wasn't about the skills or experience. It's the blessing that matters. You have Death. Every Faeries in the magical realm wants to get their hands on you. That makes you both a reliability and a weapon."

"But why? Are they trying to bring someone from the dead?"

She pause. I waited for her to answer. Her hesitation is evidence. The answer to my question is yes. And there's a bigger reason why she can't tell me.

This could be a wild guess but I think it has something to do with the feud between the Faeries and the Gifted People.. Probably it's also connected to Efta.