A few hours after the incident during that fateful night, the three of them headed out towards Xyrete, a small kingdom near Asthralle. They managed to sneak along the roads of Asthralle when the village slept peacefully, letting them slip away easily. Atheis and Levi knew that they would never be welcomed in Cadens’ village and Cadens didn’t want to be separated from them anymore.

The three individuals found a perfect place to stay in Xyrete; a small inn whose owner was very kind to them. Upon seeing their conditions, the owner of the said inn allowed them to stay in one of the rooms even without financial payments.

That night, Cadens and Atheis decided to sleep on the floor knowing that Levi needed to stay on the bed more than they did. Despite all the physical pains and injuries,  it was ironic for the young boy to feel a greater kind of joy.  It may not be a typical family but still, he had two people whom he truly cared about and they, in return, treats him preciously too. It was a start of a new life for him and for the two Princes; A new and happy life which sprung from tragic incidents.

Caden’s life, which seemed to have stopped 4 years ago, was beginning to become bright again. Levi, who turned away and rejected his whole being, was still living with a constant painful reminder of his sins yet he managed to live accordingly with his brother and the young boy. Atheis, who also rejected the Endrallian Culture and followed his brother down to the path of good, swore to protect the two people who mattered to him most. Cadens did not know what will happen to Asthralle and The Two Princes did not know nor care about what will become of Endralle now that their other brother, Darcel, was on the throne. The three individuals; Cadens Orithiah, Atheis Sonniellon and Levi Sonniellon, were bound together by unfortunate events yet it was through those events that they managed to spring up again, disregarding the ghost of their past.

END

Cadens was about to speak up after letting some moments of silence pass by when Levi gasped all of a sudden, as if he remembered something. Quickly, Cadens turned his attention to him.

“Cadens?” he asked with a puzzled look.

“Hm?”

“You were the one who broke my curse, right?”

“I guess, if you call it that way…”

“H-how did you know about it? How did you know the truth about me?”

Silence. Everything seemed to be in a blur in Cadens’ mind now.

“Ah!” The young boy said after remembering the events. “The caretaker told me all about it, about the Tale of Endralle; the name humans gave to the Demon Kingdom. He told me that I would know what to do when the time comes.”

Levi was confused. How can a simple ‘human’ know all about the truth?

But then all of a sudden, Cadens blurted out “Oh wait! I remember who he is! If I’m not mistaken, his name is A—”

In a swift instant, the person of the subject came out of nowhere, with his cloak still wrapped around him. He seemed to be catching his breath. “Quickly.” he began. “We have to… get out of here… Run! The villagers… are coming. They know the creature’s… around here somewhere and… they’re going to kill him.” the caretaker warned even though he was shortly running out of air.

The three of them ran towards the peak of the mountain where there was a rumored haunted hut along the way. It seemed to be the safest place now, since all of them were in no condition to run and move any further. Levi was still weak. Cadens, who was badly injured, rode on the back of the caretaker who was still dead tired.

It was already deep in the night and with the fog and the dark skies, visibility along the forest was dark. From time to time, Levi would fall yet he still managed to stand up.

Finally being able to reach the hut, they hurriedly went inside. It was dusty all around yet right now, it didn’t matter. All that mattered was that they were all safe. At least for now.

Atheis gently guided Cadens down as he sat and rested his back on the wall. Levi was doing the same. Atheis remained standing on the look-out while he calmed himself down.

“What happened to you?” Cadens asked Atheis.

“I went to the village but the villagers unfortunately saw me. Since I was covered everywhere, they thought I waas somehow linked to what was happening so they chased me all around. I tried to get them lost for a while that’s why I ended up running in random patterns until I finally found you guys.” The caretaker replied. Without another word, he turned his attention to Levi. “It’s nice to finally have you back…” He said as his voice cracked. If the hut was only well lit, the tears than ran down from his eyes could clearly be seen.

“You… You know me? Are you the caretaker who told Cadens all about the truth?” Levi asked in confusion.

“Y-yes, t-that was me.” It was clear in the caretaker’s voice that he was crying. “it’s so nice to finally see you again, Leviathan.”

It stroke Levi like a sudden lightning. This time, it wasn’t about the name. He knew the voice. He knew the way he called him. He knew him.

Levi struggled to stand up. He slowly walked towards the caretaker in total shock. Cadens didn’t know what was happening yet he knew it wasn’t right for him to interrupt this moment. When Levi was near enough, he told the caretaker, “Please stretch out your hand.” The caretaker did so. Cadens was surprised. It was the first time he actually saw more of the caretaker than the half of his face that was showing. What was more shocking was the way Levi looked at the caretaker’s hand, which was pale and surrounded with patterns.

Suddenly, Levi threw his arms around the caretaker and wrapped him in a warm embrace. “Atheis! It’s you! I can’t believe it’s you!” Levi cried out as his tears started to fall.

Atheis returned the embrace while Levi’s actions made the hood of his cloak drop. His face was full of bruises yet nonetheless, Cadens saw that he looked a lot like Levi. “I thought I’ll never see you again, older brother.” Atheis said as he struggled to maintain a firm tone.

Cadens smiled to himself as he watched the touching reunion of the two brothers. This was the only time that Cadens realized the name that the caretaker gave, awhile ago. ‘Atheis Sonniellon’. Indeed, they had the same surnames.

Levi, Atheis and Cadens sat on the floor of the hut while the mood was slowly lightening. Cadens found it heartwarming to see Atheis and Levi catching up on each other’s lives after 5 years of no communication. This was truly a moment to remember.

Yet that moment was rudely interrupted when sudden loud knocks came banging on the door. The villagers were there. Atheis stood up in an instant as he signaled Levi and Cadens to move towards the back of the hut. Finally being able to rest even for just a bit, Atheis had the energy to fight back once again. Especially now that he knew he had two precious people to protect.

Time passed by. The villagers knew that there were people inside the hut and they warned them that they would break the door down if they don’t surrender. When that happens, Atheis was sure of what to do.

But something unexpected happened. Just when Atheis was ready to head out, Cadens stood up and told him, “Go as far as possible. Be sure that the both of you won’t be seen. Let me take care of this.” Atheis wasn’t fully convinced but he knows that Cadens knew what he was doing. He did what he was told to do.

The young boy slowly walked towards the door and headed out. The villagers started to murmur as they saw Cadens’ state. He was bruised up all over and he had a very hard time in walking. His clothes were all bloody too.

“Cadens dear boy!” one of the elders shouted. “did the creature do this to you?? it is in that cabin, isn’t it?? move away, boy! We’ll kill the creature who brought down misfortunes upon us!”

The young boy was furious. He didn’t want Levi to suffer any further. His blank gaze was focused on the ground and without thinking, he said, “There’s no need to worry anymore. Asthralle will be in peace. I, Cadens Orithiah, have already killed the monsterous being. It’s gone now and it will never come back. So please… just go away.”

The villagers were easily fooled. They knew that Cadens was the very first victim of all of this that’s why they didn’t even think about doubting him.

They all applauded for Cadens and asked him to come back with them in the village so that they could honor him properly. Cadens refused.

“Leave me alone… I’ve got nothing to do with you anymore…” he emotionlessly replied as he headed back to the hut. Once inside, he shut the door intentionally loud, leaving the villagers dumbfounded. Thinking that the young boy just needed time and would soon come back, they went away.

Cadens fell down on his knees. He was shivering. It was the first time he ever talked back towards the elders of the village and he was confused if whether or not his decision was right.

“Cadens, are you okay?” Atheis asked as he walked towards him with Levi walking behind.

The young boy nodded even with his hands covering his face. With the way his shoulders moved, it was evident that he was crying.

Atheis stood beside him while Levi bent down in front of Cadens and comfortingly stroked his back. “shh… calm down, Cadens. We’re gonna be fine.”

“He’s right, dear boy. We will be here for you. We will look out for you no matter what. Sure, we’re useless right now but once we recovered, nothing and no one can ever harm you.” Atheis continued.

Cadens moved his hands away and looked at Levi and Atheis who smiled down on him. “Won’t you leave? Don’t you need to go back to your own kingdom?”

The two so-called Endrallians exchanged looks but after a while, Levi smiled once again and assured Cadens “We’re going to die first before we can ever step foot in that place.”

“Yes.” Atheis began. “It’s a place we don’t call home anymore. Our home’s with you, Cadens. We’ll stick together as a family or as people who look out for one another” he told him with a smile.

Cadens cried all the more, but this time it was tears of joy. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Atheis and Levi weren’t going to go anywhere and what’s best was that they would all be together.

Cadens watched unhelpfully as the creature groaned and groaned. Moments later, the groan started to become a different sound until it was just a pure scream coming from a human being. The green skin and unfathomable patterns started to disappear. Its long claws were now shortening until the only ones that were left are regular hands. The crimson gaze were now turning into a much gentler tone and fangs that used to extend outside the monster’s mouth were now shrinking. The creature transformed and the transformed until what was left was a familiar face that Cadens knew by heart.

It was painful. An agonizing pain traveled all throughout my body. I didn’t know what was happening to me. Heck, I couldn’t even remember anything. Was this another punishment given by my father? Given by Darcel?

Soon, it was all over. Levi laid down on the ground as he clutched his chest, apparently finding it a bit difficult to breathe. At the very least, it was all over.

Cadens slowly approached his friend. He prayed and hoped that he was still the Levi he knew and grew accustomed to.

“L-Levi? Are… are you alright?” Cadens asked even though he was still afraid.

Someone spoke. My mind is telling me that I knew that voice; that I knew that person yet it’s all a blur. I looked around and saw this young fair-skinned boy. He was familiar. I knew him. But how come nothing registers in my mind? I turned around.

“C-can you understand me?” Levi asked, apparently clueless.

Cadens was shocked. Did Levi not remember anything at all? Did he not remember Asthralle, the inn owner, the creature and him? “Yes, Levi… I understand you” he replied, calmer this time.

“Excuse me, but… who’s Levi?”

The young boy’s world came crashing down. Indeed, Levi did not remember anything anymore. “Oh… r-right. I… I’m sorry… I forgot. You’re… Leviathan Sonniellon”

My name, the name I hated hearing the most, was blurted out by someone I’ve completely forgotten. That’s when everything came crashing down on me, all memories that were hidden, all memories that I had as this young boy’s friend who goes by the name, Levi.

I remembered my father forcing an elixir down my throat. Then, it was a total blank. No, wait. I remember now! I was barely conscious when I heard my father talking to Darcel. He told him that the elixir he made me drink was the one that would wake up the demon within me. Darcel tried to protest. He knew that this was the most forbidden punishment one could ever bring upon our kind but my father thought it was only appropriate for me. Although there was something else. My father specified that the curse of the elixir can only be broken once a human being utters my forsaken name right in front of me, in any form that I may be. He thought it was impossible.

Then, All I can remember is waking up in carriage that was driven by Atheis. He led me out of the kingdom and left me there somewhere in the forest, under the strict order of my father. That was when I completely lost myself. I turned into something lower than the lowest, most filthy creatures of the kingdom. I remembered doing unforgiveable things, actions that hurt other people. Actions that caused… the greatest sadness of my only friend. Now I remember who the young boy is. The only one who treated me in kind way: Cadens Orithiah. He was the one, the only one who broke the curse. But how?

Cadens looked at Levi whose gaze seemed to be very distant. He tried to fight back the tears while trying to accept the fact that Levi couldn’t remember anything anymore. Or so it seemed.

“L-Leviathan… I’m…” Cadens uttered although a bit unaware of what he was saying.

“Don’t call me that!” Leviathan blurted out unexpectedly. He felt guilty though, after seeing the way Cadens reacted. How can he lose his emotions right in front of the only one who accepted him despite the fact that he was the one who killed the young boy’s parents and almost leading the young boy to his very own death? “I’m sorry… Cadens.”

Cadens was shocked. The tears started flowing from his eyes now that Levi still knew who he was. “Leviathan you…”

“Please Cadens. Don’t call me that…”

The young boy approached and sat down beside Leviathan as the so-called Endrallian tried to catch his breath.

“But why?” Cadens asked. “Isn’t that your real name?”

“Y-Yes it is but… it’s… it’s a name I have forsaken… a long time ago.”

Cadens nodded in agreement knowing that it seemed like Leviathan, in this case Levi, did not want to go into further details. Smiling to himself, the young boy said “It’s good to have you back… Levi.”

Levi was shocked. How can Cadens still accept who he is after knowing the truth? After knowing that he was the creature, the monster which killed his family mercilessly and almost leading him to the same fate? He looked at the young boy who wore that heart-warming smile despite his appearance. Levi couldn’t help but feel blameworthy. Cadens was wounded everywhere, some wounds even bled. Yet amidst all that, he can still manage to smile.

“Cadens…” Levi said as he tried to speak. “Do you… not hate… me?”

The young boy’s smile faded. He looked at Levi with quite a puzzling look and replied, “How can I hate you, Levi? You’re… the only family I’ve got now.”

The so-called Endrallian smiled. Cadens’ words gave him hope and a purpose to continue living despite everything that had happened. But at the same time, the young boy’s words made Levi’s heart sank knowing that it was practically him who led the young boy to where he is now.

Finally taking matters on his own hands, Cadens made his way along the forest and down the mountains. He wasn’t really sure of what to do just yet but he trusted Atheis. He trusted the fact that he would know what to do when the time comes.

The forest was dark yet Cadens still ran along, not exactly sure of where to go now. He wanted to go back to the village but due to the very dim surroundings, it was hard to know which way to go.

He ran as fast as possible. He wanted this to end, to end now. It was all that occupied his mind. In fact, there was nothing else he thought of. “This has got to end. This has to stop. Let me be the last victim. Let Levi and the inn owner be the last case.” he thought as he ran unknowingly.

Soon, without warning, something caused Cadens to trip. He fell badly on the ground and rolled for awhile due to his fast running just moments ago. As soon as he gained balance, he looked around to see what caused him to fall. It didn’t seem to be a root of a tree. It didn’t seem to be a rock. Moments later, Cadens heard a voice.

“C-Cadens… Cadens… Orithiah… is… is that you?” he heard someone ask.

Cadens looked down. He saw Levi lying down on the ground, already worn off. “Levi!! Levi you’re alive!!” He knelt down and gently placed Levi’s head on his lap. “We’re gonna be fine, Levi. We’re gonna be fine… We’re gonna be fine…” he said as he nervously looked around to see if the creature was somewhere near.

“Cadens…” Levi whispered. “My friend… l-listen to me… listen… carefully… to what I have… to say”

It was evident in Levi’s voice that he was starting to give up. He was badly bruised and his body was dying. Cadens feared that this might be his last words. “I’ll listen, Levi…” Cadens replied as he held back his tears.

“Dear boy you… stay away from—” Levi wasn’t able to finish his sentence. Unexpectedly, Levi pushed Cadens as far away from him as possible.

“Levi!!” Cadens cried out. He was afraid that no one would respond.

Although what happened was the complete reciprocal. Someone, no… something indeed responded but it was a kind of response Cadens never wanted to hear. It was the indescribable sound, the wretched grunt of the killing creature.

Cadens froze on the spot. He knew it already took Levi and now it was near; too near him.

He stood up shakily as he tried to regain posture. The young boy still heard twigs crunching even if he was just standing still. He was indeed not alone. Cadens walked around and tried to feel the creature’s presence. He was certain that it was near. The grasses were still sounding off around and he was sure that he could hear silent grunts. Fear was starting to take over him. He was just a child, for pity’s sake in fact now, he just wanted to run away and ask for help. But he knew it was only him. He was the only one who can put a stop to this.

Cadens continued walking around even though he didn’t know the exact whereabouts of the creature. But that didn’t last for long.

The creature was green-skinned. It had razor sharp claws and a crimson hued piercing gaze. It was almost in the form of a human yet it clearly wasn’t one. Now, it jumped out of nowhere and pinned the young boy down.

Cadens struggled to break free. He can distinctly feel and smell the creature’s foul smelling breath upon his face. The young boy tried to scream yet no sound escaped from him. He was terrified; so terrified that he couldn’t even move a muscle. He couldn’t even think clearly anymore.

The creature groaned. It looked at Cadens in the eyes and if gazes could only kill, the young boy would be long dead by now. Cadens couldn’t look at the fearsome face of the monster. All he knew that there was no escape now as he saw the creature lifting up his claw-like hands, as if ready to strike. Cadens knew it was his end.

What came next was something the young boy did not expect. The creature ran his fingers down Cadens’ face as it looked at him intently. Cadens was flinching inside and the finger trails of the creature was now starting to bleed due to its long and razor sharp long nails. Moments later, the young boy felt something dripping on his face. He looked at the creature for once and what he saw struck him. Tears were slowly pouring down the creature’s eyes.

“E-Es-Escape…w-while… you… can…” The creature murmured with a kind of voice that’s half human and half something else. Clearly it was having a difficulty.

Cadens wasn’t able to move a single muscle. He was still staring intently at the creature as it begged him to leave.

“D-d-dear boy… y-you… s-stay away… from… f-from me”

That’s when it struck Cadens like a sudden lightning. Everything that had happened dawned on him and came crashing down his mind. The first time he heard the weird noise, Levi seemed unbothered and the next morning, he seemed to be sitting around in the living room, very clueless. The second and most devastating time he heard it, Levi’s room was scratched and torn and just a while ago when the creature was on the loose, Cadens found Levi lying down all worn out on the ground. Now, it all made sense.

“L-Levi?” Cadens whispered, still terrified.

“C-Cadens… p-p-please… Run… run away… NOW.” The creature begged.

The young boy couldn’t believe this. Levi, his only friend, was the same creature that killed his parents, the inn owner and the patrollers. But still, it didn’t change anything. He lifted his hand and placed it on the creature’s cold green face as his tears started to gather up on his eyes. “Levi… Get a hold of yourself…”

“This… had b-been… going on for a while… and…” the creature said but suddenly trailed off. It grunted and groaned. It was most definitely in pain. “Cadens… p-please… go NOW.” it begged once again as the tears flowed from his eyes. “C-Cadens… I… I don’t want… to hurt you.” and with that, the creature lost itself. With one flick of his claw, Caden’s face was badly slashed.

The young boy pushed the creature away with full determination and ran away. His face was bloody. He was confused. He felt miserable yet all he can do is to run away with the creature still tailing him. Unfortunately, it was too fast for his small, fragile and exhausted body to surpass. It caught him and once again, Cadens was pinned down on the ground.

The creature swung his claw which scratched Cadens’ shoulders badly. The young boy cried out loud. “LEVI!! STOP!!”

It managed to hold up its next movement. Soon, Cadens felt tears dropping on him once more. “C-aaaa-d-d-eens…” the creature said, inhumanly this time. “rrrruuuu—nnnn. I… ddd—oooonn’t wa-waantt to h-h-huuurt y-y-yoooou a-annym-moooore.”

Indeed, Levi was struggling. Cadens held the claw that was now trying to cut him further. “You… you won’t hurt me, Levi.”

One swing. The creature’s claw was now pierced on Cadens’ shoulder. The young boy cried once again. “You wouldn’t hurt me, Levi!!”

The creature pulled back its claw. It was now ready to make its final move. If Cadens is unable to avoid this one, it would surely be his end.

It groaned a groan so loud it echoed all throughout the forest. They were a bit far from Asthralle but after that loud roar, the bell suddenly rang. It even reached the sleeping village. The creature was now ready to make its move. He lifted his claw-like hand way up high and aimed it at the young boy. “No, Levi… you won’t… no… this can’t be… Levi… you’re my friend… you wouldn’t hurt me… you…” Cadens whispered. Now, the claw was nearing him and he was nearing his end.

“You wouldn’t hurt me because you’re Leviathan Sonniellon! The only demon who desired for good!” Cadens blurted out as he madly cried.

The hour of the night was unknown. The whole inn and the whole village were already quiet but Cadens was still wide awake as thoughts invaded his innocent mind. He wanted to know more of the tale. He wanted to know what killed the Asthralle patrollers. Again, he wanted to know things that were hidden from him.

Giving up on so much thinking, the boy started to doze off when all of a sudden, he heard another indescribable loud noise, the same noise that echoed all throughout the inn some nights ago. This time, the sound lasted longer. Something was moving around. Cadens felt the presence and for once, the sound was deciphered. It was a sound of grunting, roaring and a sound that only an unidentified creature could make.

The young boy remained inside the room. He was scared. Something was lurking outside in the halls and possibly around the inn yet Cadens did not know what it was. He heard rackets. He heard glasses breaking. He heard heavy footsteps. This led Cadens to one conclusion. The creature was there.

Moments passed by. Everything seemed to have settled down now. Cadens was shaken in fear yet he was determined to find out what happened. He approached the door and gave the knob a twist as the door opened. Everything outside was dark yet something smelled so foul. Cadens went across the hall hoping that the light wasn’t knocked out. Fortunately, it was spared. Giving the switch a little flick, the light opened to reveal the chaos that the darkness hid. Cadens’ heart sank.

Everything was a mess. Vases which used to be on top of tables were now in pieces scattered on the floor. The walls were badly scratched; scratched with bloody claw marks. Picture frames were smashed. Tables were broken down to bits. Nothing was right.

The young boy tried to block the images from his mind as he made his way towards Levi’s room. He promised to himself never to make the same mistake he made before although it was too late. The room was cluttered and destroyed and Levi was gone. The whole world seemed to crash down on Cadens. “Levi was… taken.” he thought.

Shrugging the mental images away, Cadens made his way down to the inn owner’s room yet he encountered something far worse before he could even reach it.

The Inn’s ground floor was mad. Everything was broken. Everything was out of place.

Claw marks were clearly visible on the walls. The floor had blood trails which went in different directions. Cadens shivered inside, fearing for the worst.

He approached the inn owner’s room. From the way the door looked, Cadens knew. The door was madly scratched with blood marks all over it. He wasn’t that stupid not to figure it out. Cadens opened the door and entered.. As he suspected, the inn owner was gone. His bed sheets were badly torn and his whole room smelled like blood. It suffocated Cadens.

This whole scenery made him numb. He didn’t know what to do. Levi and the inn owner are gone and most probably dead. It was in the middle of the night. Surely, he can’t approach the mayor at this time. Yet there was still one place where he can go and hopefully, one person he can still ask for help.

Even though Cadens knew that the creature was around there somewhere, he still made his way towards the forest amidst the growing darkness. He was crying. He was scared. He didn’t know what to do. He didn’t know where to go anymore. He ran towards the white cross. He ran unknowingly. Mental images of Levi and the inn owner started to invade his mind as tears uncontrollably fell from his eyes.

The caretaker saw Cadens running. He knew that something very bad happened. Taking matters upon his own hands, he ran towards Cadens who came crashing down on him. The caretaker gently but firmly caught him with his arms.

“They’re dead… they’re gone… it’s out there… it killed him like my parents… I… no… there’s… I’m…” Cadens started saying words without full consciousness as he cried.

“Shh…” the caretaker said as he patted the young boy at the back.

“Mr. Caretaker, Don’t you see?? they’re gone!! The people I care about!! Dead!!” Cadens shouted.

“I understand you, Cadens…”

“How could you? YOU who hid your whole being?? YOU who never told me your name?? YOU who –“

“Could probably the only one who can stop this whole problem…” The caretaker interrupted.

Cadens stopped his accusations. “W-what do you mean?” He asked.

“I haven’t been honest with you, Cadens. There is a part of the Tale of Endralle which I did not tell you.”

“What does that have to do with anything right now??”

The Caretaker wasn’t paying attention. He seemed to be deep in thought.

“The name of the one who went astray was Leviathan Sonniellon.” The Caretaker began. “He wanted to be good. He did not want to be a demon anymore. He despised the culture. He despised everything his kingdom was.”

“Mr. Caretaker… this really has nothing to do with anything…”

“Leviathan was punished for wanting such a so-called taboo. He was cursed. He was cursed in a very bad way. He turned into something he never wanted to become. His whole being was taken away from him. But there is one way… one way to reverse the curse.”

Cadens’ attention was captured this time. “What’s the only way?”

“The only way to reverse it is if a human being utters his name in front of him. This part of the Tale of Endralle was never passed down to people. It was forbidden so that it would make Leviathan’s curse somehow permanent.”

Cadens was confused. If it was forbidden, how come this caretaker knew about it? Completely taken by pure curiosity and desperation for answers, he asked. “Mr. Caretaker, how come you know all of this?”

The caretaker ignored Cadens’ question. “Go, Cadens. Go now. It is best if the creature is stopped as soon as possible. Only you can stop it.”

“But Mr. Caretaker I—“

“You would know what to do, Cadens. Trust me.”

“How can I trust you? You never even told me who you are…”

“In due time, dear young Orithiah. Now go!”

“Mr. Caretaker… let me at least know your name.”

“My name is Atheis. Atheis Sonniellon.” he told the boy before running away.

Cadens woke up in a jolt as he heard the bell of Asthralle ringing with all its might accompanied by murmurs coming form the outside. He took a peek outside the window and saw that everyone was in a panic state. Something was going on.

He rushed down to see what it was. The Inn owner and Levi were already waiting by the door, apparently curious with what was happening.

“Cadens, you’re just in time.” The inn owner said. “We have to go to the town square now. Seems like something bad happened last night while we were asleep.”

The young boy was speechless. All he could do was follow the inn owner.

The three of them hurriedly walked to the town square along with the other Asthralle villagers. The inn owner moved faster than the other two as Cadens kept his pace along with Levi who seemed to be weaker again this morning.

“You should’ve stayed at the inn.” Cadens said, concerned.

“No… I… I want to know… what’s happening around here too.” Levi replied, catching his breath.

Soon, they reached the town square. Everyone was gathered around while the elders of the village positioned themselves somewhere near the bell tower along the area where the podium for speakers was located.

The mayor stood on the podium and with all his might, he called out to settle the people down. With that done, he went directly to the point with why he gathered everyone so early in the morning.

“Good Morning, Asthralle.” He greeted although it was obvious that it wasn’t a good morning. “After years and decades of having peace reign in this town, Asthralle’s walls finally broke down.” At this point, everyone started to whisper to themselves. “Last night, a family was massacred. No one knows what happened to them. The Night Patrollers of Asthralle were doing their rounds when they came across this house. Suspicious sounds were coming from inside and the patrollers reported seeing a weird creature who seemed vicious. Unfortunately, the patrollers were too late. The creature escaped and… only a bloody trail was left behind.”

Everyone started panicking. Cadens heart sank. It was all happening again.

“My Dear People of Asthralle…” The mayor began after pausing for a while. “The curse of the Endrallians is now on us. Starting tonight, everyone must be alert. Everyone must be aware of what is happening. There is a creature, no… a monster lurking around and Asthralle shall not rest until it is caught.”

Cadens could not take any of it anymore. He ran away from the crowd and mentally blocked his mind from hearing the words of the mayor. He knew something was wrong. He knew that something was out there but as of now, he didn’t care anymore. He knew the only place where he can find solitude and that was the forest, on the spot of the white cross.

He sat down beside the cross and buried his face on his hands. He was confused. He was scared. He wanted to know so many things. He felt so many emotions right now that it caused tears to uncontrollably fall from his eyes.

The caretaker watched the little boy from afar. He pitied him. He wanted to help him. He knew there was something he can do. No, there was something only he can do.

He approached Cadens and sat down beside him. The young boy tried to wipe his tears away and pretended to look alright as he looked at the caretaker.

“Do you know about the murder last night?” Cadens asked.

The caretaker nodded.

“So it is true…” Cadens said before completely trailing off. Silence passed by while neither of the two decided to speak. Moments later, Cadens remembered something that the mayor mentioned.

“Mr. Caretaker…” He began.

The Caretaker looked at him even with almost half of his face still hidden from view.

“The Mayor of Asthralle mentioned something about Endrallians and their curse. Do you know about that?” Cadens asked curiously. He remembered how scared the people looked and how worried the inn owner seemed when this certain curse was mentioned.

“Yes. I do know about that.” was the only reply of the caretaker.

“Can you tell me about it?”

Silence. The caretaker was unsure to whether to tell the kid or not but taking into consideration all circumstances, the kid had the right to know.

“It is a tale most humans especially elders dreaded. It’s about these three demon brothers who lived in a despicable kingdom that the humans called Endralle. It was rumored that one of them went against their culture and this caused their king, the father to be greatly upset. This anger that their father felt is what was said to be the Endrallian’s curse.” The caretaker trailed off before continuing “I think that is all I remember about that tale.”

“O-oh. It seems scary…”

“It depends on how you see it.”

“Well anyway, thank you for your time once again, Mr. Caretaker.”

“My pleasure to help you, young Orithiah.” With that, the caretaker left.

Finally being unable to bear all these emotions on his own, Cadens decided to talk to someone. Anyone would do. He rushed to the inn owner’s room to see if he was free. The inn owner wasn’t exactly a good choice but he would be fine for now.

The ground floor of the inn was dark. The inn owner must have been asleep now. Cadens totally forgot that it was late. All his emotions took the best of him. He gave up. The young boy was about to head back in his own room when he heard someone speak.

“Cadens, is that you?”

Cadens turned. “You. You’re still here?”

“Yes…” the stranger replied.

It was a relief. Finally, Cadens found someone worthy to talk to. He didn’t know this person for a long time but he figured that at least he could let his emotions out somehow.

As if reading Cadens’ expression amidst the darkness, the stranger asked “Are you okay?”

The young boy slowly approached and sat down on the couch across him. “H-honestly, I’m not.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“I… just remembered something I don’t want to remember anymore…”

“Oh…”

Cadens was glad that it was dark. Darkness was the only thing that hid the tears that were starting to well up in his eyes.

Silence.

“You see,” Cadens began. “My parents died when I was 10. I have no older brothers or sisters. I have no relatives here in Asthralle nor Weslcolfe that’s why I am here. My parents left me under the care of the inn owner before they died.”

Cadens’ acquaintance was starting to feel uneasy for some reasons he did not know what. Putting that feeling aside, he replied a simple “Ohh…”

“Everyday, I hike up the mountain. I hike up that same route where they were killed. You know what’s odd? The local officials never found the body of my parents. They only found their things; greatly torn and bloody.”

“Why haven’t they found the bodies yet?”

“That’s… what I don’t know. But you see, I met this person in the forest. He was the one who kept my parents’ grave clean since then and…” Cadens trailed off.

“A-and?”

“Well… earlier today he told me he knew how exactly how my parents died.”

“Oh that’s good! So now you know?”

“No. He… he didn’t tell me. He told me that… there is always a time for everything.”

Silence again.

“Maybe it’s best if we just believe him, Cadens.”

Cadens sighed. Their conversation wasn’t going anywhere. “Yes, I guess you’re right.”

“But Cadens…” he began as Cadens wiped away his tears that already started flowing from his eyes.

“I know I may not know a lot about you but remember that you can talk to me anytime. It’s the very least I can do to repay you.”

Cadens smiled even though his acquaintance couldn’t see. It had been a while since he felt like smiling sincerely. “Thank you so much”

“G-good morning.” Cadens greeted with a slightly surprised tone.

“Oh hi, Cadens. Good Morning” He greeted back, still with that same weak voice.

“What are you doing here so early in the morning?”

“Umm I don’t know, I just wanted to get out of the room I guess”

The answer did not fully convince Cadens but it worked for now. “I’m going to take a hike in the mountains. Do you want to come along?”

“Oh umm… n-no thank you.”

“Alright, then.” With that final word, Cadens headed out.

. . .

The forest was peaceful again today. The cross once again stood proud and clean. Cadens sat beside it as he looked around and adored nature. He thought that the forest was absolutely stunning. It was no wonder why people wanted to go here often. Then, Cadens remembered the travelers who met the same fate as his parents here in the same old seemingly peaceful forest. He closed his eyes and folded his hands, offering a short prayer for them. Cadens was just about to close his prayer when he suddenly felt someone’s presence behind him. Quickly turning around, he saw the caretaker.

“G-good Morning, Mr. Caretaker” Cadens greeted hesitantly.

The caretaker gave a small bow.

“What brings you here today? As you see, my parents’ cross is clean and–”

“Do you know?” The caretaker interrupted.

Cadens’ eyes widened. “k-know what?”

“The incident last night. Another group of people died the same way your parents did.”

The young boy was shocked; shocked at both the news and the fact that the caretaker knew how his parents died.

“I… no… w-what do you mean?”

“A group of Asthrallian patrollers were killed last night in that same way.”

“What do you mean in the same way?”

“In the same way as your parents…”

“You mean, you know how my parents died?”

“Yes. Yes I do”

“How?? Who killed them??” Cadens was now on his feet. He was practically shouting, desperate to know the answers.

“There is always a time for everything, dear child.” That was the only answer the caretaker gave before walking away.

Cadens did not bother to go after him. He believed in the caretaker. In due time, Cadens knew he would know the truth.

After the incident of his parents, Cadens found it hard to make friends. He found it hard to talk to anyone let alone relate to anyone. Now, he was starting to break away from that but here he was, unable to lend out a helping hand to his new-found acquaintance.

It was the middle of the night and all of Asthralle was quiet. The stranger’s cough finally settled after drinking some water and Cadens was now back in his room, fast asleep. It seemed like a carefree night.

Soon, all silence of the night was broken. A loud and indescribable noise came echoing all over the inn and possibly all around Asthralle. Cadens woke up in a jolt. Out of panic, he instantly ran to the inn owner’s room downstairs but Cadens met him half way along.

“What was that?” The inn owner asked.

“I was about to ask the same question.” Cadens answered admittedly.

Silence passed. Neither one was speaking as they thought of what could’ve caused such a loud racket. But then, after a while, the inn owner remembered something. “Cadens, how’s our visitor?”

Cadens gasped. He panicked so much that the thought of checking up on the sick stranger escaped him. He wasn’t able to answer the owner’s question but instead, he quickly made his way to the visitor’s room.

He stood in front of the door as he knocked. There was no answer. He knocked again. Same silence. Cadens pressed his ear onto the door and listened. No suspicious sound was heard. Assuming that the person was unbothered and asleep, Cadens headed back to his own room and forget what just happened.

The sun was just setting down and Cadens was already up in his room. He quietly sat down on his bed as he looked outside the window, his gaze fixed on the mountains. He remembered that there was someone there, someone besides him, that cares at least for his parents’ grave. Cadens thought about the caretaker; who might he be? where might he live? The young boy was pretty sure he didn’t seem to be someone from the village. If not from the village, then who was the caretaker?

His train of thought was interrupted all of a sudden when he heard something drop from their visitor’s room. Cadens stood up quickly to check what was happening. He went out of the room and headed to Levi’s room which was just across the hall.

“Umm, are you alright in there?” Cadens said as he knocked.

There was no answer.

He was about to reach out for the doorknob and head inside when he saw the doorknob twist. Moments later, Levi opened the door.

“I’m sorry for causing a commotion” he said weakly. “I tried to stand up but I lost my balance”

“Why were you trying to stand up? Is there something you need?” Cadens asked.

“I was about to get a glass of water downstairs and, well, I didn’t want to cause any more disturbances to you and the inn owner”

Cadens shook his head. “Hey, you need rest. Lots of it” he replied. “Wait here, I’ll get water for you.” He walked away, leaving Levi speechless.

It didn’t take long for Cadens to come back up with a glass of water. The visitor’s room was slightly opened and Cadens took the initiative to just enter and hand him the glass. Levi was sitting down on his bed, his head bent down, when Cadens entered. The young boy tapped him on the shoulder to tell him that the glass of water was already there.

“Thank you” the stranger thanked him.

“You’re welcome. Just call for me when you need anything, okay?”

He nodded as he drank. Cadens was about to leave the room when he suddenly heard him coughing badly.

“Oi! Are you okay?” Cadens asked as he went nearer. The stranger raised up his hand to signal that he was fine.

When everything was stable, the young boy sat down on the floor as he rested his back on the wall on the opposite side to where the older of the two was.

“Umm…  I’m just curious. What happened to you?”

He looked at Cadens with a sorrowful expression and replied, “I don’t know”

“Well, what about your relatives? Maybe we can find a way to contact them”

“I… I don’t know”

Cadens was confused. It really did seem like he didn’t know.

“Oh, okay then. Do you remember which part of Wescolfe you came from?”

“No, I… I don’t remember. I don’t remember anything.”

Cadens was worried. What could’ve happened to this person? He wanted to know. He wanted to help. The stranger was injured when he came here. He was weak. He was practically dying. Yet how come he didn’t know anything?

The young boy tried to ask one last question. “Well… how did you get here?”

The pale stranger’s gaze wasn’t fixed on Cadens anymore. He looked directly down the floor, his mind traveling somewhere else.

“I don’t know who but… someone brought me here. I just woke up near the foot of the mountain and… well… I was in a bad state. It was a good thing Asthralle wasn’t far.”

The young boy froze. A random thought suddenly came to mind, making him shiver inside. Could he be attacked by the same thing that attacked his parents and the travelers? That, Cadens did not know.