Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 448: Senseless Riot

Chapter 448: Senseless Riot

It was an unexpected turn of events, one that happened too quickly to be regarded as normal.

Albus watched in absolute dread, as his fellow humans turned from rational creatures to bloodthirsty beasts as they struck each other down without the slightest hesitation.

A simple argument turned into a free-for-all as people attacked each other for the silliest reasons.

The snow-covered roads were stained with crimson blood as Albus watched people kill themselves in the most ingenious way possible.

Naturally, seeing such a thing, his first thought was to flee, but the chaos made sure that he could only hide in a spot, hopeful that soon things would calm down.

Unfortunately, those who should have helped to resolve the situation were an integral part of it as Royal Blues utilized their superior weapons to gun down civilians without regard.

Albus trembled in horror as humans displayed their basest desires without a single care in the world while hoping and praying to whatever entity was listening that none would look his way.

Alas, perhaps he should have considered a specific entity to pray to as soon enough, one of those bloodlusted humans, covered in the blood and entrails of those he had killed, happened upon his position.

"No, please, I didn’t do anything." Albus immediately pleaded as he tried to show that he was harmless.

The man spat coldly. "Oh, you did something alright."

"What did I do?"

"You think you are better than us just because you aren’t covered in blood yet, don’t you?"

Albus paused at the incredulous words spoken by the man.

How was he to respond to such a preposterous statement?

It made no damn sense!... Yet, the man seemed to believe that what he had said was reason enough to harm Albus.

"Please, I’ll give you money."

"No!" The man suddenly exclaimed. "Just die!"

What sort of madness was this!?

Albus didn’t even bother conversing with the crazed man as he turned and tried to flee.

Unfortunately for him, he had picked an alleyway with only one way in and out, leaving him with one option; getting past the crazy guy currently approaching him with a knife.

Perhaps in his younger years, Albus might have considered rushing forward but he was a bit too old now for such foolhardiness.

He had no intention of dying while Rose waited for him at home though so his big brain went to work.

He had utilized it in the past to solve mysteries that would have befuddled the common man, so what prevented him from resolving the predicament he’d found himself in?

As he rushed forward, intending to blindside his attacker, the other man did the same and collided with the professor, sending him crashing to the ground.

Alas, in this case, Albus’s big brain proved insufficient.

His life flashed before his eyes as the madman raised the knife he was carrying, intent on gutting him out only for a gunshot to resound, causing blood to splatter over Albus.

The crazed man fell on top of Albus with the latter doing his best to shove the corpse aside before sitting up to find that his savior was the same Royal Blue as before.

"You again."

"Glad to see you are alright." The young Royal Blue remarked as he rushed to help Albus to his feet.

"I need to go home," Albus remarked once he was standing again but the young Royal Blue shook his head.

"That’s impossible for now."

"Why?"

"This area has been cordoned off to avoid the riots from spreading."

Albus’s expression shifted as he grew worried. "So I have to stay here?"

"We have no choice."

"Damn it." Albus cursed before adding. "There has to be a reason for this."

Immediately, his thoughts drifted to the crimson Nighteye.

But then even if it were the distorted Nighteye causing humans to lose themselves and attack each other without hesitation, why were he and the young Royal Blue still in their right senses?

***

It took several seconds before Alex could finally pull himself out of the dread that gripped his heart.

To think that the deities in Eventide were so powerful.

"Feeling better?" Aiden inquired with Alex nodding.

"Yeah, just caught off guard by the fact that our lives are being watched by some higher being."

"Well, not always. You see, the large influx of information could cause mental degradation so unless you are of importance, I doubt the Goddess would pay any attention to you."

"So keep a low profile then."

"I doubt you can do that though. You have been way too noisy for a man meant to move in the darkness."

Alex furrowed his brows, the thought of arguing crossing his mind before ultimately giving it up.

In a sense, Aiden was right.

But it was no fault of his that his quest took him to places that required him to reveal himself.

It didn’t help that his Trials were the type to be held in the open.

Letting out a sigh, he gestured for the key. "Hand it over."

"Here." Aiden didn’t relent as he placed the key in Alex’s palm. "Keep it well. The Goddess will be looking for it."

"I’ll keep that in mind."

"Now then, I believe it is time we leave this place. There is much to do."

"Indeed, there is." Alex agreed as he struggled to his feet only for the sand-covered landscape to quickly dissipate, leaving behind the desolate land that was the Southern Ruins.

Before Alex or Aiden could speak, a thunderous roar erupted from above followed by the calling of the former’s name.

"Alex!"

Both Alex and Aiden looked up just in time to watch Ana swoop down before transforming into her human form.

She rushed to Alex’s side, her expression shifting remarkably as she saw the state he was in.

"You monster!" Ana erupted in fury as she glared at Aiden, her fear for him suppressed by her worry for Alex’s well-being.

Aiden met her gaze unflinchingly though he didn’t bother to utter a word.

"How could you do this to him?... He isn’t your enemy and he is only working for our sake!... So how could you hurt him like this!?"

As she spoke, she approached, her irises switching back and forth between human and draconic.

It would seem even under the effects of the Vow, she was determined to inflict harm on Aiden.

She got within arm’s length and was prepared to fight it out, regardless of the trepidation rippling through her insides.

However, Aiden moved first, reaching out to touch her temple with two fingers.

The next moment, she blacked out.