"Whats going on? Why did the townspeople disappear? They were here just minutes ago." This place sure is creepy. As in horror movie creepy.
"I think this loop is resetting. Its going back to the first day Miftah arrived here." the devil explained.
"So you mean today is his last day in this loop. He left immediately after he give Niccolo to his adoptive parents. He sure is in a hurry." the ghost said as she glides aimlessly. Obviously bored to death.
"He doesnt have a reason to stay long. He just made sure Niccolo was safe. By the way Does Miftah have other abilities?" The devil asked Kai.
"If he did he never told me about it."
As the time of the day changed rapidly the townspeople starts reappearing. They all seem unaware of whats really going on. So this loop will exists forever by resetting over and over.
"Cant we just ransact this place to find the key? Afterall people here arent exactly real. And this place will reset anyways." Akana asked. Always ready for action. She's probably itching to use some of the weapons she brought. I saw the royal guard handing her a couple of grenades earlier.
"We shouldnt do that because They could turn against us." Kai warned us
"Why would they?"
"They will protect their territory if there's clear and present danger. This world is real for them. As long as they dont see us as threats they will cooperate. I'm sure Miftah left some clue here somewhere.
"What if he doesnt want us to find the key?"
"He wouldnt left to my care the key he use to escape the council if he doesnt want to be found."
"Well we need to start looking right away. I think everyone in town is back."
Akana approached one of the vegetable seller.
"Sir whats the date today?"
"Its july 30."
"He only stayed here for two days. I wonder where he would go here?"
"He's carrying a baby. He cant stay just anywhere."
"Lets look for him again. And I hope this time you'll inform us right away if you see something important." The devil looks warningly at Akana.
"Well you can come with us if you want."
"No we need to spread out. This town is too big. We need to find him before this loop reset again."
"So where should we go? I asked Akana.
" Somewhere they arent going. How about that forest looking place? Its calling to me."
"Okay miftah might have want to spend time alone." Again i chose to come with her. I'm still not too comfortable with the others. I still feels goosebumps around them.
"I wonder why this place of all places?" She asked as we walk leisurely to the forest. Yup we're taking our time. And I'm not complaining.
"The whole town was actually very laid back. Maybe thats why Miftah chose this place. The thing is my parents never mentioned sto. Tomas to me not even once."
"Maybe they dont want you to know you're adopted."
"Well its the only logical reason or Miftah instructed them to leave this place."
As we continue to walk I notice a group of guys talking. There's five of them and they seem to be waiting for someone to arrive. They didnt seem to notice us or maybe theyre just not interested.
After a few seconds I saw another man walking alone. He's carrying some dry logs. He probably got those from the forest. I notice that hes slightly limping as he walks.
I greeted him as he walked pass by me. He did acknowledge my presence but he seems to be taken aback when he saw the group of men walking towards him.
"Hey hows our crooked leg guy over here? I admire this guy a lot you know. He has a disability and almost penniless but he has the gut to court my sister." the other guy was obviously mocking him while his comrades laugh with him. The disabled guy just continue walking ignoring their insults.
But as i thought the group was obviously looking for trouble. They remind me of Razor and his lost boys. They stopped the man on his tracks and they surrounded him like vultures.

I decided that i should help him but before i can do anything Akana stops me.
"Remember Kai told us not to get into trouble with the townspeople."
"I'm just going to put some sense into them. I can't just watch him get beaten by those thugs."
She think for a second then said "Okay fine do what you want."
"You're not going to stop me?"
"No I also want to kick their collective asses anyway."
"Why do you always choose violence?"
"You know me. Hurry up before they beat him senseless."
I really dont know how to stop them so i just shouted. "Hey, Stop bullying him."
They stopped what they are doing. Good that I got their attention.
"What if we dont stop? What will you do?" The leader asked mockingly.
"Then we will kick your ass." Akana threatened. They all just laughed.
"Remember the rule? No violence." I whispered to her. "Let me do this my way." I non threateningly walks towards them
"No we will not kick your ass. We dont want trouble. What we will do is we will call help. I saw a bunch of barangay tanod at the plaza. And if they found out your making trouble he're. You'll be apprehended."
They all laughed again like some bunch of villains in some 80's local movie. "I'm the barangay captain's son. Those guards answer to me." their leader cockily answered.
"Told you violence is the answer." Akana said.
"I dont know any martial arts and I've never fought anyone before." I told her.
"Leave it to me then." She stepped forward. "Lets do this fair and square you can attack me one by one."
"We dont attack women. You're the one asking for it Mr. Nosy and yet you want your woman to fight for you? What a coward."
"Hey Im not his woman."
"Well they are right i shouldnt be letting you fight."
"But I want to fight. Whatever just attack us or we will be the one to come after you. And you wouldnt want that." She told the thugs.
"Teach them a lesson." their leader ordered his comrades.
The three of them come after me while the smallest went for Akana.
"I dont want yo hurt you." He warned her. She rolled her eyes.
"Stop talking and lets just fight." She was obviously itching to kick some ass.
The guy advance towards her. She lowered her stance and when the guy tried to grab her she easily steer clear of him then pull him and latch on to him and in just a blink of an eye lifted him and threw him over.
Ouch I felt sorry for him. He could have a broken hip. But it will be fixed on the next reset anyway.
"Better stay down if you dont want to hurt more." She adviced him. Who is next? She asked. She could probably take all of them by herself. She's a trained fighter after all
The three other guy were a bit surprised at what Akana did so they become a bit hesitant.
"There's three of you. Just beat him up already." The leader goaded them.
The three thugs witlessly followed their leader and attacked me. The first guy tried to punch me but i just easily dodged his fist. The other two tried to grab me but i just flail my arms and both of them flew away.
Their leader upon seeing what i can do tried to run away. What a coward to leave his friends behind. So I went after him and to my surprise it only took me seconds to do it.
Now their pretentious leader looks like a mouse caught in a trap.