Hunter of the Evernight
Chapter 454: It spoke of a promise

Chapter 454: It spoke of a promise

"To think that this was once a thriving city," Emily muttered in a frightened tone as she stared at the scenery ahead which was the epitome of ruin.

Arthur walked to stand beside her, placing a palm on her shoulder to help her cope. "This is the consequences of war, my dear, it is something you’d have to get used to if you wish to remain with me."

Emily gulped nervously though she managed to keep a brave front. "I understand."

Nodding in satisfaction, Arthur beckoned. "Come with me."

Nodding, Emily followed as Arthur stepped in before her, his tall and muscular figure shielding her from the eerie crimson of the Nighteye.

Pursing her lips, she let her eyes wander, taking in the destruction wrought by the war the Night Kindred brought to the Empire’s doorstep.

She also noticed extensive burn marks at certain places accompanied by what looked like ash.

Emily had a good feeling it may have been Arthur’s doing though she didn’t bother to ask.

Instead, she shifted her attention to the survivors from Livermore who were currently searching through the rubble, seeking out supplies that may have survived.

Looking at the rubble about her, Emily wondered if it would be possible to find anything reasonable but she held out hope, after all, it would be terribly inconvenient if they couldn’t find anything.

"Ah!" A woman’s cries echoed from the distance.

Arthur, ever the active fellow, immediately turned in the direction of the scream and sprinted off, taking strides that left Emily wondering if he was really an old man.

It was rather intriguing seeing him perform stunts that would be difficult for even able-bodied men to accomplish.

As she thought to follow after him, she heard a crash causing her to turn.

She saw two men fighting over what looked like... a box of cookies.

"I saw it first."

"Get your hands off me!"

The men argued as they fought, shoving and hitting each other as they strived to gain ownership of the box of cookies.

Emily glanced in the direction Arthur had run in, her expression marred with worry.

Realizing that he wouldn’t be coming to help out, she turned back to the scuffle just in time to watch as a few gathered to separate the duo.

"That’s enough, you two!" A middle-aged lady remarked angrily as she whacked them both on the head with a stick. "You should be ashamed, this is no time to fight over food. Do you think Mr. Sanders would be happy seeing this?"

Emily managed a wry smile.

She’d considered herself ready to handle the big world but at the first sign of trouble, the first thing she did was to look for Arthur.

It was somewhat embarrassing.

She facepalmed while promising herself to deal with the next issue that might pop up.

About to get a move on, a sudden scream broke her train of thought.

She whirled back just in time to find that the middle-aged woman had been stabbed by one of the fighters.

Emily put a hand over her mouth instinctively as she watched the woman tumble down the piled-up rubble before slamming onto the cobblestone road.

Her crimson blood dyed the snow-covered streets a deep red.

Time slowed in that instant for Emily as she trembled in place.

The next second, Chaos broke out.

***

Albus watched as Enforcers dragged the rioters into waiting carriages before sending them on their way to prison, having finally put an end to the gruesome riot.

Most of those arrested looked shaken, even terrified while covered in the blood of those they’d killed in a frenzy.

It almost seemed like they were shocked by what they’d done, a stark contrast to the murder maniacs they’d been minutes ago.

To think that the riot would need the help of the D.O.D. to be resolved was quite telling.

His eyes wandered, watching as the Enforcers burnt the bodies of those who were unfortunately killed in the chaos.

The faces of the bloody corpses were twisted in agony and an unwillingness to die, to think that not too long ago they were alive and well.

As the flames went up, the heat providing a bit of solace to the biting cold of winter, the cop that had saved Albus’s life twice walked up to him.

"They were dissatisfied." He intoned calmly, his expression also marred in discomfort.

Albus glanced at him. "What do you mean?"

"The man that started the fight, was the son of a leader in the slums. He’d been advocating for better treatment for the poor but naturally, nothing happened. I just don’t understand it, the nobles sit in their castle, hoarding food while the poor are forced to queue up under this freezing cold only to head home with scraps. This was bound to happen eventually."

"The riots or the killings?"

"... The killings were exaggerated but the discontent was very much warranted."

"You speak like you feel the same."

The man went silent for a moment before ultimately replying. "Maybe I do, but I guess since my family is well-fed and safe, I try not to let it bother me too much. Does that make me sound selfish?"

"No, it makes you sound human." Albus calmly remarked.

The cop managed a wry smile. "Thank you."

"You saved my life twice, I should thank you."

"Merely doing my job."

"What’s the name, lad?"

"Harry."

"That’s a good name," Albus noted. "You may call me Albus."

"Alright, Mr. Albus if it’s not much trouble, it would be best if you come with me to the station."

Albus raised a brow. "Why?"

"They’d need a recount of what happened and since we were witnesses, we’d need to give statements."

"Hmm, is it necessary?" Albus inquired.

Harry nodded. "Unfortunately. I promise I’ll try to hasten the process but..."

"Hah, it’s fine, boy, I doubt your words would be able to make a difference. No offense."

Harry smiled. "None taken."

"Fine then, come along, let’s get going, hopefully, the old lady doesn’t get too upset at my lateness."

"I’ll be more than happy to escort you home to verify your story." Harry joked, earning a chuckle from Albus.

"That would be quite helpful."

Together, they approached two Enforcers waiting to accompany them to the station.

***

Ulysses trembled as he awoke, his eyes a deep red color as he scanned his surroundings, finding himself back in the rocky cavern and away from the land of horror.

Grabbing the side of his head, he whimpered as tears slid down his cheeks, his body trembling as he recalled everything that happened.

His father was dead and it was all because he had been the one in charge.

If only he had done a better job, if only he had noticed the anomalies on time... they would still be alive.

"Ahhh!!!" He screamed as he gripped his head with both hands while rolling on the ground.

Whatever those colorful flames were, it had left a mark on him, one that left him at the edge of madness.

Suddenly, he sat up and without hesitation, slammed his head into the ground, again and again, until his skull cracked and blood spilled relentlessly, staining the rocky terrain with a deep red.

He wished to die, he wished to end it all to join those that he had failed.

"Father..." He muttered as his eyes turned cloudy.

"Aunt Agnes, Uncle Leonard, Uncle Andrew, Aunt Amara..." He called each one out as he prepared to end it all.

Finally, he recalled Uncle Timon though he didn’t dare say his name.

He hoped that with this he would be able to find them in the Afterlife when he crossed over.

And so, he raised his head in a bid to strike down one last time only for him to hear a voice in his head.

It was indistinct and seemed to have no sense of rhythm like most human languages did.

It spoke of a promise, a promise to bring back all he had lost, to make it like they never left.

He wondered how and it said it was because it was the origin of life.

Common sense dictated that he reject the offer, that he tell the entity to get behind him but he did no such thing.

In his despair, he wondered why he should give up an opportunity to save those he lost.

Recalling the image of his father smiling, supporting him while flanked by his uncles and aunts who also looked proud of him, he accepted the offer with open arms even as bloody tears trailed down his cheeks.

Even if it meant sacrificing himself for them, it would all be worth it in the end, right?

A moment later, the pact was made.