King

CHAPTER XXVI

I started to feel dizzy when one of them was able to hit my head with its hand. I was trying my best to fight but they seem to keep on getting stronger. I covered myself with a barrier just so I could breathe. I think I was already running out of blood and mana.

“s**t,” I whispered when my vision was starting to become blurry.

“A barrier won’t keep us away,” One of them said and broke my barrier.

I quickly stood up and avoided an attack but just as I backed away one of them was able to scratch me with their claw.

“Are you giving up?” They asked mockingly when they were able to wound me.

I wanted to heal wounds but if I did that then I won’t have enough mana to protect myself.

“You should learn how to answer!” One of them screamed and pulled my hair.

I winced at the pain but I created a sword and slashed its hand away. “Don’t pull my hair you f*****g b***h,” I said and stabbed the other.

I was randomly swinging my sword everywhere hoping to hit them at least. Even if it wasn’t a critical one what matters is the fact that I was able to wound them.

“Oh, she’s fighting back,” One of them teased and punched me but just as she did I was able to stab her heart.

I let my sword burst and hit all of its heart. It fell on the ground. The others laughed and mocked the dead demon.

“What a weakling,” They mocked while looking at it.

“Though, it seems that you’re becoming stronger,” One of them said and slashed me.

I was too late in deflecting the attack so I was slashed on the face. I glared at him and formed a sword. I could feel body giving up but I wasn’t ready to give in.

“It seems that you’ll give in with one strike,” Another said but I held up my sword and said, “One strike won’t take me down,”

“Such a cocky child,” It said and prepared to attack me but as it did a strong light blinded us all.

“What the f**k is this?” They screamed before they were all pushed back.

“I’m glad to see that you’re alive,” I heard someone whisper and pull me into a hug.

I felt tears in eyes when I felt his touch. I wasn’t alone in this one.

“How did you get here?” I asked while looking up at him.

“I asked your cousin to bring me here. But worry about that later. Let’s finish this first,” He said and smiled at me.

“Why are you here?” The demons asked in anger and annoyance.

That’s when I remembered, “This is all an illusion,” I whispered.

I can’t believe I was able to be swept by jealousy.

“You’ll vanish once all I feel is positive emotions,” I said and walked towards them.

I held out my hand and touched one of them. “No! You stupid b***h!” It yelled before it vanished.

I looked at the others and I saw the fear in their eyes. “You’re next,” I said and charged towards them.

I used all of my remaining strength and charged towards them with my sword.

“You should’ve have come here, you progenitor,” I heard one of them yell.

I turned around and saw that it was charging towards Zynrick. I was about to use my last mana to teleport towards him but I was surprised when Zyn used his power to create a sword out of the dark energy that surrounded us.

He formed a dark sword by concentrating all of the dark energy in that surrounded us.

“You shouldn’t have challenged her,” He said and slashed all of the demon’s heart in a second.

I looked at him with a proud smile on my face.

I was walking towards him when our surroundings started to turn white and vanish.

“Isabel,” I heard Josefina yell and she wrap her arms around me. “I’m glad you were able to get out of there,” She said and looked at me with tears in her eyes.

“Why are you crying? I’m fine,” I said and wiped her tears but when I saw the way my hands trembled as I wipe her tears I realized that the wounds I got from that illusion was projected in my physical body.

“Everyone’s happy that you made it out alive,” Danilo said and walked towards me.

That’s when I heard the people’s cheers. “Isabel! Ellesmiere! Isabel!” They cheered which made me smile.

“Now that we’ve proven that this person is indeed the daughter of Maria, the duel between us will now proceed,” The queen announced making me look at her.

If the duel proceeds now then I can’t stand up to her. I want to reject the duel but that isn’t how things go.

“She’s injured Felicia, can’t you see that?” Josefina asked in anger.

This is the first time I’ve seen her mad.

“It doesn’t matter if she is injured or not, it is announced that she will have a duel with me after she over comes the challenge of the Phantom Castle.” Felicia said while looking down at me.

“If that’s the case, let me heal her,” Josefina said and the queen nodded, “Very well, the duel will start tonight at exactly six in the evening,” She said.

“We are thankful for the consideration, your highness,” Danilo said and bowed.

As we went back to the castle, my eyes scanned the place for Zynrick but he isn’t around. I was trying to look for Al as well but there were no signs of them.

I wanted to ask them but there were servants scattered all over the castle.

“Sit down,” Josefina said once we were able to enter our room.

“Are we alone?” I asked Danilo who just closed the door.

“Yes, Isabel,” He answered and sat in front of me.

Josefina was kneeling in front of me as she heals all of my wounds.

“Is there a chance that you let someone enter the Phantom Castle?” I asked.

Josefina froze when she heard my question. “Why do you ask?” She asked back and resumed healing me.

“I’m not sure but I feel like someone entered to help me,” I answered.

I was looking straight at Josefina because I knew that this woman can’t lie.

“I did let someone enter,” She admitted without looking at me. “I hope you aren’t mad,”

“Why would I be? You saved me,” I said while looking at her.

“But my Phantom Castle is the reason why you’re currently in this state. I didn’t save you, that man did,” She said.

I held her hand and made her look at me, “It was something you needed to do. Besides, your powers could’ve been beaten if only my mind wasn’t weak,” I said but she took her hand away and shook her head.

“I know that you just want me to feel better but knowing that the castle was under my control and you came out like this makes me feel bad,” She admitted and balled her hands into fists. “This was the only time we’ve met after a thousand years and yet I put you in danger,”

“It wasn’t your fault Josefina. If you tampered with the Phantom Castle then the queen would’ve noticed and killed us both. If that happened then Isabel would’ve been stuck in your illusion and died as well,” Danilo said and walked up to us.

“I wouldn’t want to see the two of you die,” He said and hugged us.

I found comfort in their hug.

“Thank you,” I said when we were finally done hugging each other.

“What for?” Josefina asked as she heals me.

“For being alive,” I answered and looked at the both of them.

Josefina giggled and Danilo chuckled before jokingly punching my leg. “We’re thankful that you are alive as well,” He said.

“By the way, where are they?” I asked while looking around the place.

“Who?” Josefina asked.

“Zynrick and Al,” I answered a hint of recognition crossed over her face.

“They’re in the crowd. Don’t worry,” She answered.

Since she answered confidently then I guess I don’t have anything to worry about.

“How were you able to meet them?” I asked because as far as I know they didn’t know each other.

“During the second day of your challenge, Danilo searched for a way to help you.” She said and looked at me with a sad expression.

“You were starting to receive bruises and we didn’t know what to do. I wanted to stop the illusion but Danilo reminded me that you can do it. However, I could still see the worry in his face.” She said.

“He told me that I should be strong and just lessen the demonic powers for as long as I can. But on the third day, which was today, your wounds started to become worse.” She added.

“I wasn’t able to find anyone who could help us during the second day. That’s why were only able to send Zynrick on the third day.” Danilo added.

“So, how did you find him?” I asked and Danilo smiled at me.

“I wasn’t the one who found them, they found me. I was searching for an illusionist in the crowd when someone suddenly grabbed me. Of course, I didn’t fight because that would start a commotion,” He started telling me as I listened carefully.

“I asked who they were they introduced themselves to me. I recalled the names told us so I asked them how they were associated with you. I thought that if their answers were similar to the story you told me then I would believe them.”

“After they answered me I realized that they were indeed your comrades. I asked them to come with me to the caste. I briefed them with what was happening and when the boy named Zynrick said that he wanted to enter the Phantom castle. He had an argument with Al and when they came to an agreement I sent doves to Josefina and asked the boys to stay in front of the crowd so we could see them. I then told Josefina what happened and told her that Zynrick wanted to enter the Phantom castle.” Danilo said and looked at Josefina as if he was asking her to continue the story.

“Of course, it wasn’t easy for Zynrick to find you because he had to go through the same challenges you had to go through. I was actually worried that he wouldn’t be able to reach you in time. But that boy was determined. He was able to find you within a few hours of being in my castle.” Josefina added.

“How did you know that he was able to find me?” I asked and Josefina smiled.

“I can see what’s happening inside the Phantom Castle. Even if I create a lot, I could still see each and every single thing that’s happening in every castle.” She answered which made me heat up.

“That means you saw what made me lose my mind?” I asked in embarrassment and she nodded. “Oh my gosh,” I whispered and Josefina laughed.

“What is happening?”Danilo asked when he couldn’t keep up with what was happening.

“It seems that our little Isabel has developed feelings for someone,” Josefina said which made my eyes went wide.

“What the hell are you talking about?” I asked because I don’t think that I am developing feelings for anyone.

“You got jealous that’s why you lost control of your emotions,” She explained which made me furrow my eyebrows.

Was I jealous that Zynrick married Erin in the illusion?

I was about to say something when he felt a strong aura in the air. “Who is this man?” Danilo asked while glaring at me.

Oh no.

“Danilo, don’t be like that. Isabel is already over a thousand years old. She should be free to fall in love with someone,” Josefina said but we were surprised when Danilo’s glare intensified.

I could feel chills run through my whole body when I saw him like that.

“That was a joke,” Josefina said and grabbed my arm.

“Oh no, that was not a joke, Josefina,” He said and sat in front of us with his arms crossed.

“Now, I need answers,” He said and looked straight into my eyes.

Josefina, this is your fault.

“Who is the guy?” He asked while glaring at me and I gulped.

Should I just tell him?