Mega Dragon: Harbinger of Death

CHASING SHADOWS (2)

Ara and Zhiyi instinctively came between Aroha and Zenon. They didn’t know what to expect from them. It was all happening so quickly. Zhiyi held Aroha’s hand as naturally as she could but Aroha retracted her hand before Zhiyi could hold her tight. Ara on the other hand tried to act as naturally as possible. Zenon giggled as he watched them struggle. What were they so concerned about?

“I wanted to ask this before, how’s the case with the intruder going?” Aroha asked. It was a better attempt at creating a less tense atmosphere than the idle talk that Zhiyi tried.

“No useful information yet. The rest is in Jerome’s hands. We’ll just be on the lookout in case,” Ara replied.

Before Aroha could utter a word in response, a strong wind blew in her face and a scaringly familiar one as well. It was horridly similar to the aura that the strange creature in her dream – the same one that Ara stayed behind to face. It was similar, but not as intense. However, it should have been enough for the others to have been conscious of it. It was difficult to see who was emanating such an aura within the crowd. There was a large crowd of people on all sides, most ladies that were in awe of the princes, even though they see them all the time. Ara and Zenon were not fans of the royal palanquin. Even when there was an occasion, they would rather be seen on horses. This time was no different. They walked the girls to the Renoff Manor accompanied by some of the royal guards whose only true duty was the prevent people from coming into contact with the princes without their permission. There was no protection that any guard could truly offer them. But it only took a moment for Zhiyi to notice the worry on Aroha’s face.

“What’s wrong?” Zhiyi asked.

“There’s someone dangerous in that crowd,” Aroha cried.

Instantly, Ara and Zenon were on the alert. Their eyes scanned through the entire crowd in mere seconds. Aroha’s sentence was one thing, but if she was right, that would mean she was capable of sensing someone who could go under their noses. That normally shouldn’t be possible hence their worry. Well, mostly curiosity. Whoever it was, they could handle it in seconds. Their eye caught a glimpse of someone whom otherwise they would never have noticed – the man in the cloak! The same one who had no presence. The one who approached Kiro. And he was still wearing the same cloak. Before anyone else could react, Zenon was pointing his sword at the man’s neck while Ara stood behind him. No one saw them move!

“Take off that cloak slowly,” Zenon commanded. The man’s face was well hidden beneath the hood of his cloak even though the day was bright. Zenon could not make out any of his facial features but he seemed pretty aged. At this time, the guards realized what was happening and quickly dispelled the rest of the crowd. Aroha and Zhiyi watched from where they stood. They would only be getting in their way if they attempted to join them. Besides, it was not like they needed any help. One of them was more than enough and they were together.

But something felt off. She was staring at the man but she couldn’t sense his presence. Ara didn’t need to let out his aura. One; there were too many people around. Two; he was afraid of a repeat of the last time. They would apprehend him if they couldn’t get him to talk there. So far, however, the man was very uncooperative. He had made no attempt to lower his hood. Zenon’s sword pressed tighter against his neck but he didn’t budge.

“Who is that creepy man?” Zhiyi asked. She felt the same lack of presence that everyone perceived. It was the first time she had heard of someone like that much less an encounter. She understood why the princes reacted that way. Someone like that could infiltrate any part of the capital without ever getting detected. But it was Aroha that sensed him. She wondered if she could feel his presence? If those two could feel his presence as well.

“His presence has disappeared,” Aroha said, answering Zhiyi’s questions before she had the chance to ask them.

“But you sensed his presence before. How?” Zhiyi asked. She began to wonder if she was aware of what her sister was truly capable of. If she was aware of what she was capable of herself. More and more, Aroha was doing this that she could never have guessed she was capable of. And yet, she tagged her as a rival. Did she say that to make soothe her ego or did she really mean it?

“I don’t know. For a moment he felt like a creature that I saw in my dream. Now I can’t feel anything. And I doubt that they can either. That’s why they are wary of him.”

“I’ll say this one last time before I strike you down. Take off that hood,” Zenon reiterated.

“What terrifying beings you both are. How were you able to perceive my scent?” he asked.

“You made a mistake of crossing paths with us once. You won’t be able to hide from us ever again,” Ara lied. He didn’t want to drag Aroha into that mess. Besides, he had no obligation to answer.

“If that was the case, you would have noticed me all the other times. Why would you lie? Pride? Or are you protecting someone?” the man goaded as he stared in the direction of Aroha and Zhiyi.

With quick precise swings, Zenon slashed his cloak into many bits to reveal the man beneath them. But to everyone’s surprise, it revealed nothing. There was no one beneath the cloak!