You know, love is not as simple as you think. Love is not only about a feeling, but love also requires sacrifice, and that is in it...
Mardelia Zara Zeanne
***
"Who are they mother Bae?!" one of Mayeda's students asked with a face that was almost pale with fright.
Mayeda froze on the spot, her mouth slightly open. In all her life she never expected to be visited by the legendary in the Immortal world.
"Seven Horsemen."
The Mayeda pupil gasped in disbelief at what her teacher said.
The Alchemist Village turned pitch black. The atmosphere was so tense, the wind was blowing very cold. The presence of a mysterious group of people is the cause of the horror that ensues.
"Why have you appeared, O seven horsemen?" Mayeda's voice quivered.
The legends she had only heard of from fairy tales were now real in Mayeda's own eyes after she had lived for centuries.
One of the seven horsemen got down and approached Mayeda.
Their faces did not look an inch covered in black robes. Believe it or not, their auras are truly terrifying. The aura of immense power. Along with his walking steps, all the residents in the village lay sprawled out one by one. Mayeda was surprised to see that.
He stopped right in front of Mayeda,"Looks like the time of my life has run out." Mayeda said in her heart.
"Where's ours?"
His voice sounded terrible, hoarse, heavy and thunderous, the sky turned completely black.
"What do you mean?"
"Owner of immortal blood."
***
"What place is this?"
"Dark Angel. A place inhabited by knight spirits."
"Knight spirit?" Zara stopped in her tracks, looked around the forest which was a bit foggy and really quiet. Zara's hairs on the back of her neck, Zara is scared after really observing her surroundings. The sound of whispers, the wind blowing, also like someone's footsteps alternately sounded in his ears.
They are in a forest inhabited by the spirits of knights who died in battles thousands of years ago. This forest used to be a witness to the war. Knights who died on the battlefield, their spirits remained in this forest. The fairy tales say that they want to remember their wars fought without fear of death.
Dark Angels. The forest is rarely passed by other creatures, even the Rogues don't want to live in this forest. They're not evil spirits that would attack or kill someone, they wouldn't do that, It's just...
Crash...
One sword stabbed Jeffry's chest until it pierced the back and tore his back.
Zara just sat there, her eyes wide. He wanted to run and help Jeffry but his steps were stopped when two creatures that were only skulls floated up in front of Jeffry.
Crash
Crash
Two more swords pierced Jeffry's stomach.
Zara was already crying profusely. He wanted to run but his legs were really heavy. He looked at Jeffry's back which was covered in blood and the three swords that were perfectly stuck there.
"Jeffry...!!!"
Zara closed her eyes tightly shouting Jeffry's name over and over.
"Hey! Calm down! I'm here."
Zara felt someone tapping her cheek lightly.
"Jeffry!" he shouted happily.
"Are you okay? You're not hurt. The sword," Zara released her arms to look at Jeffry's back, which was stabbed in the sword a few seconds ago.
Zara still can't believe what she is seeing, all is fine. Jeffery wasn't hurt.
Jeffry gripped Zara's arm tightly and looked deep into Zara's eyes.
"These are all illusions. You are only affected by the illusions of the spirits here."
Zara blinks her eyes cutely. "It was very real Jeffry.."
"I know, you just have to focus. Don't think about what inhabits this place." Zara nodded in understanding. "It was so real." Zara muttered in her heart then stepped quickly to grab Jeffry's arm.
"Why?"
"Don't let me walk alone."
"Practice being brave Zara. I think you should know exactly where you are from now on."
Zara released her grip on Jeffry's arm. "Should I?" Jeffrey nodded in agreement.
"Okay..." said Zara wearily.
He took a deep breath and...
"Hey you spirits who inhabit this forest! Don't you dare disturb me. I'm not afraid of you. If you dare to disturb me, Jeffry will kill you a second time."
Jeffry smiled at Zara's words. Satisfied and a little annoyed at the same time.
"Right, I'll be fine. I have to be brave." After her short speech was over, Zara stepped on her feet steadily, without having to match Jeffry's steps, and without being held by Jeffry.
Jeffry smiled smugly seeing Zara who was now starting to be brave with situations like this. Jeffry's eyes looked stunned several times looking at Zara who was walking leisurely and smiling turned to look at her.
Time flies, Zara still seems to be enjoying every step of the way, several times she is seen brushing the hair that is exposed by the wind.
The deeper you enter the Dark Angel forest area, the thicker the fog is, the colder and darker the atmosphere. Zara's mentality gradually loosened and chose to walk parallel to Jeffry. The man with the cold expression remained silent as usual. "How can he feel normal in a place like this," Zara glanced at Jeffry briefly then shifted her gaze to each step he took.
"You're very beautiful..."
deg
Zara suddenly stops. "Jeffry!" call him slowly.
"You heard it?" Zara's expression turned tense.
"Listen to what?"
"You really didn't hear it?" Jeffery shrugged nonchalantly. "I told you not to fall for their illusions."
"This isn't Jeffery's illusion,"
"Miss, you are very beautiful." Before Zara could continue her sentence, the voice sounded again in her ears.
"Who?! Don't bother me!!!" Jeffry suddenly turned around when he heard Zara scream.
"What about you Zara?" Jeffry changed his expression to panic, when he turned around and saw Zara's pale face.
Zara turned pale as her eyes caught the black shadows running around her, and the sound of laughter which was quite loudly shrill disturbed her hearing.
"Get out or I'll take you to hell!!" Jeffery said with an angry expression. The creature in Dark Angel had dared to harass him, what a big mistake.
Zara turned her gaze to Jeffry who was already standing tall in front of her, a protector who was ready for any danger.
"No sir! I'm sorry.. don't take me to hell."
A black shadow appeared in the thick fog. Only a black shadow can be seen. The shadow drew closer to them. Zara moved quickly to hide behind Jeffry's back and peeked over the shoulder of the man who had no fear.
"Forgive me.."
"Aaakhhh!!" Zara screamed loudly seeing the creature now clearly visible in front of her.
Hearing Zara scream the creature also immediately ran and hid behind a tree.
"Relax Zara, she is just a child."
Zara couldn't stop thinking about the creatures she saw. In all the time he had watched horror films he had never seen anything so terrifying.
It was a small child, clothed in full armor and carrying a sling bag on his shoulder. It was just that the boy's entire face was covered in blood and his eyes were completely black. Don't forget the head that is nearly separated from the body, even the scariest movies Zara has ever seen are not that scary, and she sees it very clearly.
"He scares Jeffry," Zara didn't want to let go of Jeffry's arms. He hugged her tightly behind her and buried her face in Jeffry's back.
"Can you change your true form?" Jeffery shouted.
"Yes sir, can I show myself after that?" he asked in a childlike voice.
"Certain!"
"What are you saying Jeffry.. can we go now, don't serve the ghost!"
"Have I not scared you, miss?" the creature reappeared in front of them.
Zara tries to peek with misgivings.
"Sorry miss for scaring you." he said guiltily.
The creature transformed into its normal form, Zara was surprised to see the creature's form into a handsome boy wearing battle armor.
"Hi! I'm Cluen... can I play with you guys, I haven't played in a long time.."
"No," said Jeffry.
"Yes, of course!" replied Zara enthusiastically, stepping boldly towards the ghost of the little boy who turned out to be Cluen.
"I'm Zara. And her name is Jeffry. Aren't you a ghost, Cluen? Why didn't you do something bad to us?" asked Zara innocently.
Cluen smiled widely. "Hi Miss Zara. And Mr Jeffry." he greeted with a happy smile to make friends after being alone in the forest for thousands of years, this became a special happiness for Cluen.
"I'm not that kind of ghost miss, just pretend I'm a good-natured ghost,"
Zara laughs hearing that, she comes closer to Cluen and pinches his cheek exasperatedly, forgetting that face that was covered in blood.
Jeffry walked away leaving Zara with her new toy,
Zara looked away for a moment and looked at Jeffry's back which was already a few meters in front of him.
"Where are you going Miss Zara?"
"Ehmm... we're going somewhere. Do you want to come?"
"Can?" Zara nods happily. At least Cluen would be his consolation on the way. You know what Jeffry's character is like.
A while had passed, this forest was very wide and it took quite a long time to get through. Don't know if it's still day or night because Dark Angel is just darkness, silence, and fog.
"Hey Cluen. What happened to you to be in a place like this?"
"I died in this forest Miss Zara.."
"How is that possible? Were you killed? Or did you kill yourself?"
"Would a child as small as me commit suicide?" asked Cluen with a funny face.
"I don't think so. Then why are you in this place?"
"It's a very long story, Miss Zara. I don't think Miss Zara has had enough time to hear it." Zara shook her head. "I have a lot of time Cluen.."
"He, the guy I'm with is very cold. He doesn't like to talk. I'm getting bored, you know what I mean?" Zara whispered softly so Jeffry wouldn't hear it, but still it all sounded in Jeffry's ears.
Cluen chuckled. "I see what you mean Miss Zara.."
"Then tell Cluen quickly!" Zara asked impatiently to listen to the history of the death of the little ghost who walked beside her.
"I'll tell you briefly. My full name is Cluen George. I used to be a crown prince. Son of the king and queen of the land of Herius." Cluen paused his sentence.
"Then?!"
"At that time our kingdom was at war with another kingdom. At that time I was only 10 years old. The war took a really long time... 2 years passed and the war continued. Right at the age of 12 my father died. Yes. The king of the land of Herius died in battle. I, who was still a small child, only knew how to play, and had to engage in direct battle with my three older brothers. At that time I did look physically big. But my mentality was not yet formed. All I knew was a few martial arts moves, even though I'm far from proficient in swordplay.."
Zara stares in pity with a small child whose life story is truly heartbreaking.
"The sun has finally risen. The war trumpets were blown. It was then that I realized that I would not survive this. I at least succeeded in overthrowing the enemy, even if there were no more than a dozen. While I was busy serving the soldiers I felt my neck being slashed by a sharp sword. and at that moment all I could see was darkness,... Miss Zara must have known the end of my story."
"I'm trapped here. Along with the other fallen soldiers. Dark Angel, this forest is now called. It used to be a very beautiful forest. The trees were tall and lush, the color was fresh green, many animals lived here, but all that changed. This forest is probably too sad and can't stand all the suffering he went through. Watching thousands of souls die, blood, and tears. A black angel. It's as if this forest is an angel of death who took the lives of thousands of people during those times."
Zara listened to all of Cluen's words. "From now on you are not alone Cluen. I am with you..." Zara smiled slightly, lowering her head to look at Cluen.
"Thank you Miss Zara."
"Miss, would you like to play a guessing game?"
"That was so much fun! Come on!"
"Jeffry! You should come too!" Zara shouted as she trotted over to her. "No!"
"You're always annoying!"
"You must join this game sir! This will be very exciting .." Cluen offered enthusiastically.
"Can't you two shut up! I'm sick of hearing you two babble!"
Cluen looks gloomy at the rejection from Jeffry.
"We're playing alone, Cluen. I told you he doesn't like fun."
Zara pulled Cluen back, walking like the starting position earlier.
Not until the two of them played the game, the sound of galloping horses was heard very clearly now, breaking the silence of the Dark Angel forest, then the sound of horse neighing was heard.
The horse's neigh made the three of them turn their heads at the same time. Cluen suddenly disappeared. Jeffry has also transformed into his vampire form.
"We have to run!!" Jeffry grabbed Zara's arm suddenly and asked her to run as fast as possible.
"What happened to Jeffry?" asked Zara with a panicked look at seeing Jeffry who looked in a hurry.
"Run faster!"