Well, No questions were asked. I don't know if I am glad or disappointed. I guess it a good thing you guys are understanding the story then.
Going to the story then.
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"The village called Irced' which solely depends on hunters was attacked by a string demon a few months back. We don't know what happened, but the village was taken over by that demon, and the Irced village people are asking for help from wizards."
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Nandini woke up and it is still too dark. She dreamt of Elexar words as she woke up and she somehow doesn't get a good feeling about it.
The sun has yet to raise. She saw that Manik was sleeping deeply beside her. She slowly pecked his forehead and suddenly she heard a rustling sound.
She flinched as she turned towards it. She saw all sides but she saw nothing.
Nandini: must be an animal right? ... she mumbled.
She tried to lie down again because it was too early but the rustling sound of the bushes is heard again.
She woke up quickly and walked to the side where the sound is being heard.
She quickly pushed the bushes away and found none.
Nandini: What was that?... she mumbled.
She turned back but suddenly someone closed her mouth and pulled her back.
"mmmm..."
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Manik woke up with the sunlight falling on his face.
He woke and stretched his arms.
Manik: hmm... Good morning. He said and turned to his side and not found Nandini there.
Manik: Nandini?... He searched all sides.
He stood up and walked all sides yelling her name meanwhile all the others woke up.
Lucy: What happened?
Ice dragon: Why are you yelling so early in the morning?
Ajeel: Did something happen?
Elexar: Is Nandini missing?
Everyone looked at Elexar.
Manik: How do you know that? ...
Manik asked walking towards Elexar. His eyes have a death aura and he is super pissed. His eyes scared Lily so she flinched and moved toward Ajeel.
Elexar: I am sorry, I lied.
Manik: LIED?
Manik's face looks so scary.
Elexar: This forest. I wanted to deliberately come here.
Lucy: Why?
Elexar: This is a forest full of man-eaters.
Lucy: Ma--man eaters??? And you bought us here?
Elexar: I was searching for an ancient book called Zuni even before I came across your group. Meeting Lara's daughter was a coincidence but my plan to come here didn't change. I knew that they will kidnap someone and I thought they will take someone vulnerable. But I didn't expect that to be Nandini.
Manik: How do you plan to bring her back?... He asked angrily.
Elexar: I can trace her scent of hers by any of her things that have her smell.
Manik: And I am telling you If even a strand of her hair is lost I will skin you alive and throw you to them and watch while they eat every inch of your body. And I am not joking at all.
Elexar: Yes.
Elexar is stronger than Manik and everyone knew that but Elexar couldn't do anything in this situation because it was his fault.
Manik gave Elexar one of Nandini's cloth and Elexar closed his eyes holding the cloth in his hand.
Elexar: She is still alive. She is tied up. She is a few meters to the north from here.
Manik ran quickly before he let Elexar finish his sentence.
Lucy and Ajeel ran behind him. Elexar followed quickly turning into his black form.
Manik: I dropped my guard down Dammit!
Manik is afraid to lose people close to him. he always has regrets about Ajeel. He promised himself that he would never let anyone hurt something or some people that belongs to him. Ever but he couldn't protect her and that is killing him inside right now. He is very angry and in a state to kill someone.
His mother's last moments and Ajeel's face when he was about to die of choking at childhood stuck in his brain that he is too afraid and his thoughts are running wild right now. Making many assumptions that she might be hurt somewhere and they might be torturing her.
Just as he reached some part of the forest some kind of foul smell covered it. The stench of blood. The stench of a human body after death for a few hours. It is bad. Lucy covered her nose hardly controlling herself not to puke.
As they stepped forward they saw an arm lying on the ground.
Lucy puked and Ajeel rubbed her back. Manik got cold sweat. He is imagining Nandini in that place.
manik started running again. He reached a place where there are many huts. The holmes of people. They painted them red.
There are pots of water boiling in middle. There are no people around but he saw Nandini tied up at the edge unconscious.
Manik: Nandini! He yelled and all the people came out of their huts.
They are Naked and wore black paint all over their body.
"$$$$$$"
"$#$#$#$"
"**$%#"
Everyone is yelling and screaming that Manik nor any other is understanding them.
Elexar meanwhile reached the place.
Elexar: $$$$$$$$!
(Let her go!)
"$$$$$"
(The sun god gave us a treat today)
Elexar: $$$$$$
(You are gonna regret it if you don't let her go)
"$$$$$$$"
(How dare you threaten us. You are merely our food)
Elexar: Manik, I will distract them so first take Nandini elsewhere.
Elexar eyes are searching for that book power. He is searching all sides.
"$$$$$$$"
(He came for something...We should kill them all!")
A guy yelled.
Elexar: Oh shit....Lucy, you save Nandini. Manik, they are about to attack.
Lucy nodded her head but Manik was in a confusion. He can't just leave Nandini alone right now and fight peacefully.
Ajeel: Ice dragon, Me and Elexar and Lucy are fine to defend ourselves here so Manik, go take care of her"
Manik nodded and tuned around.
Manik: Thanks, man!... He ran towards her.
He burned everyone that came in his way alive and finally reached her.
He picked her up in his arms and ran a little far from there.
He used his water power to splash water on her face. She woke up with a flinch.
Nandini: Wha--what?
She looked at all sides in confusion.
Manik hugged her hard. He clenched her shoulders.