"Was he able to escape?" Akana asked the ghost.
"I think so. Dont worry about him his instinct for years is to escape danger. Three of them followed Niccolo and there's only two here that's left. So we outnumber them atleast."
"Dont let him touch you akana. Theres a reason why theyre the one that was left behind to capture us." Kai warned.
"I guess it helps that they dont want us dead. But i rather die than be captured by these assholes." Akana declared.
"Be careful what you wish for lovely vessel."
"Oh shut up we're not close. Its your highness for you."
Akana took out her gun and with no hesitation shoot at Nagid. Who just easily evaded the bullets. She also shoot the guy he called doyle. Who also dodged the bullets fairly easily.
"What the hell? Why are they all fast?"
"The council trained all of them. In our world that speed is normal." Kai informed her.
"Damn it, they are coming for us." She started shooting again.
"Kai whats your plan?"
"I'm not a fighter. And I also can't create an escape door if we keep moving backward like this."
"I got an idea. Let me borrow your power princess hope this works." the ghost touched Akana. Then she starts creating a barrier to protect the three of them. "This isnt as strong as what I used when I'm inside your body but this will do. You can still shoot at them."
"I'm running out of bullets." Still Akana continued shooting. "They keep evading the bullets and not trying to face it head on. That means bullets can hurt them, we just need to slow them down," she assumed.
"The barrier is now activated, stay within the circle, " the ghost commanded.
"But we're trapped," Akana protested.
"No were protected they wont be able to get near us."
As she said it, Nagid and Doyle simultaneously attacked them but both were pushed back by the barrier. And as they did that Akana shoot at them again. Nagid was able to dodge but Doyle was hit on the shoulder.
" Damn it. Are you okay Doyle?" Nagid asked.
"I'm fine. I can handle this. The bullet just grazed my shoulder."
"Be careful next time. Velvet, contact Casmir to tell him to get here fast."
"You won't be able to capture us," Akana confidently said.
"Well not yet but soon we will. like what I did to your father. He sacrificed himself just to make sure you're safe."
"What did you do to my father?"
"Hey don't step out of the barrier. He's trying to provoke you," the ghost warned.
"If something happens to my father I will hunt you down then feed you to the dogs," Akana Threatened.
"Your father offered me riches in exchange for my loyalty. I declined but seeing you now I may say yes if its you he would offer. Too bad I have to sell you to the highest bidder."
"You're an asshole."
He just smiled like what she said was a compliment.
"Casmir, destroy the barrier," he commanded the guy that suddenly appeared from nowhere.
He looks like a bodybuilder. He followed Nagid's command right away and started punching the barrier.
"Once that barrier is destroyed we will capture all of you," Nagid confidently said.
Akana tried to shoot Casmir but he didn't even flinch. He's not only strong he's also quite invincible. A few more punches and the barrier will totally be destroyed before Kai can create a door.
"Doyle, stick with the plan. I'll find and kill Niccolo myself." As he said that he disappeared into thin air.
=============
"This cave is bigger than I thought," the angel commented as he surveyed the whole place. There are bats inside but they dont seem bothered by their presence.
"We have to be careful this cave is enchanted," the devil warned.
"So you felt it too. This cave stripped us of our power. I even lost my wings. This Miftah guy is very dangerous."
They continue to walk until they reach what looks like the end. but as they got closer they saw two tunnels. Interesting coincidence.
"They stripped us of our power and now they want to separate us."
"I'll choose the left. You go to the right," the devil decided.
"How about we go left first?"
"No, its better to separate its much faster."
"What if there's an enemy inside that tunnel? You don't have your power."
"Come on, I used to be a human. You think I have become a devil for being weak. You're the one I'm worried about. You are never without any power."
"I can manage. Okay let's enter those tunnels find the key and get out of this loop." The angel declared.
"Exactly what I'm thinking" as they enter their designated passage.
===============
So far so good. They haven't detected my presence yet. I'm already at the plaza and since there are a lot of people it became easier for me to hide. But I still don't feel safe. I keep looking at the direction of Akana and the rest.
There are two opposing energy that's clashing. And the other one is slowly losing. And I know its our group.
I need to stay hidden but I also need to find a way to rescue Akana and Kai. And right now I'm clueless of what to do. I may need to be the predator instead of the prey. But I will need to show myself to do that. I'm just going to throw caution to the wind. Please god of luck be on my side.
The closest to me is the woman Nagid called Velvet. She doesn't seem physically strong based on her aura. But she's obviously powerful. I need to get near her. I walk towards her trying not to make even the slightest sound.
She doesn't seem to notice me. I only have one chance. I sneak behind her then make a sound by stepping on the dead leaves. That got her attention. She turned around and that's when I punched her, hitting her in the chin. She wasn't able to dodge my attack so she was totally knocked out. That's when I carried her then tied her up to a tree. I also covered her eyes with a handkerchief. She's still asleep. I hope I didn't cause long term damage to her brain or something.
Now I need to find the second guy. I went back to the plaza and carefully reveal my aura to lure him out. And as i expected he came immediately. I hid my aura again. As i was about to approach him Nagid suddenly appear at the center of the stage getting everyones attention. He took the microphone to the host to the surprise of everyone.
"Niccolo i know youre out there hiding cowardly among the crowd. My patience is running out. If you dont show yourself i will ask Casmir to break every bone on the vessels and key holders body. Your choice. It may not kill them but i promise you it will hurt."
I clenched my fist. I dont want to get caught. but that guy ain't bluffing. After what he did to his own supposed allies I know he's capable of anything. So i let go of the feather i'm holding and exposed myself to them.
"There you are." He dropped the mic and in the blink of an eye he's already infront of me. I wasnt able to react as he punches my face. I tried to hit back but hes too fast. His movement aren't normal i cant seem to follow him with my bare eyes. My face is probably swollen by all the punches im receiving.
I was about to receive another punch from him when someone hugged him from behind.
What the hell. He was able to easily to throw him off but two others follow. The townspeople are trying to stop him from attacking me. They are blocking his way.
"Samael help me out here." Nagid called one of his comrades.
"Nagid i can't, my poison doesn't work on this people. I think they are immune."
"Damnit." he cursed.
All of the towns people are attacking them now. This is my chance if i attack now i may have an opportunity to win. But as i was about to kick him someone pull me out of the crowd.
"Lets retreat for now. Follow me." He said.
It was the guy who gave me the map to the key. Hes now agile and his limp is now gone. Hes moving so fast that i can barely keep up.
"Hurry up we need to get a head start."
"I cant leave my friends behind."
"We will save them later."
"What if they leave the loop?"
"They wont their mission is to kill you."
"Wait, who are you?" i asked while following him.
"I'm Joseph, Miftah's friend. Been waiting for you here for years. Welcome back Niccolo."