I began walking backwards, just in case I'd crossed the line. But the grin stayed on my face. "Bwhahahaha!" Of course, it was all just an act.
Everything went according to plan. Xiao got infuriated by it. Anyone could feel the air bristling with killing intent around Xiao. Xiao spoke in a sharp tone, "You are going to regret it!"
I didn't bother looking back and walked my way to Kane with a smile of an accomplishment. Maarij and Aariz took their stances to attack whenever Xiao showed any sign of attacking. I turned to Xiao who was glaring at us. He was clearly annoyed. I could tell.
Everything had gone exactly as planned. Now it's Kane's move.
"Oh, well, looks like our friend here has a short temper." Aariz said, appearing behind Xiao in a blur-like motion as if reality had just skipped a frame, holding a blackish crimson sword with golden hues in his hand. Anyone could tell that it was very dangerous just by the design and appearance of the sword.
He was planning to end it in a single strike by beheading him. However, before the sword should strike Xiao's neck, Xiao dashed towards us with a thunderous speed, only to be faced by Maarij, holding the sword of similar design and appearance as Aariz's sword.
Xiao was barely able to dodge Maarij's strike. Xiao barely got past Maarij and before I knew it, Xiao was standing just a few feet away from us. Maarij and Aariz dashed towards us to protect us from Xiao.
I reacted instantly and darted to my right side to dodge Xiao. It was just an reflexive move. I swiftly looked at Kane, thinking he had done the same, but—
"Brother!"
Kane wasn't able to dodge Xiao. Xiao was holding Kane from his neck, floating in the sky. I got up on my feet and shouted at him, "Hey, bony bastard! Let go off my brother!"
What do I do?! He got brother. He can snap brother's neck in an instant! Hurry! Think of something, Aires!
I was scared. I was scared that I would lose my brother that day. I didn't want him to die. He was all I had—my only family member. He had taken care of me the most until now.
Kane was always the one protecting in any or every way he could. He bore the weight of everything so I didn't have to. He always made hard calls for me. I couldn't just let him die. He's my beloved brother!
I have to save him! But should I do?! I began thinking of possible outcomes and possibilities. However, none of them looked good to me. What was happening? Was I panicking? I don't know. But at that moment, I was scared to death.
"Stop right there, or I will snap his throat," Xiao commanded Aariz and Maarij who were rushing towards Xiao to save Kane. They both stopped on their track, and didn't move a bit, worrying that he would do exactly as he claimed.
I hurriedly looked at Xiao, then Aariz and Maarij. I was panicking, and I knew it. If I lost control now, things would spiral faster. Upon realizing that, I took in a deep breath, and clenched my fists. I glared at Xiao, in a calm and calculated tone I spoke, "Let him go, bony bastard."
I remembered Xiao's reaction when Sam offered him a deal. He swiftly accepted it. It meant one thing: He couldn't kill us, unless he wanted to piss off his master.
Knowing that, I felt relieved. Now that I knew he couldn't kill us, I could try to make things work out in the way I wanted. "You can't kill us, can you? Your master wouldn't be too happy about that."
Xiao flinched slightly. But that was enough for me to know that I had hit bullseye. The only thing I'd to do now was to get Kane back, safely.
I had just opened my mouth to speak, but Xiao cut me off and said, "I believe that you want him back in one piece, don't you?"
"What are you trying to do?" Aariz's tone and expression both were serious. He was glaring at Xiao with eyes that only said, "If you scratch him a bit, you're gonna be sorry for that."
The look he had in his eyes was not the same as he had until now. Why was it? Was it because he was mad that Xiao was using Kane to protect himself? Or was there something deeper that I didn't know?
Xiao sighed and said, "Good grief. I am not gonna harm him." He then continued with a tone which showed his hostility towards us. "If you want him," Xiao sneered, "then come and take him before midnight."
Just as he had completed his words, a portal behind him opened and he threw Kane in that. "You bastard!" Maarij cursed him aloud.
Xiao didn't care about it a bit, and turned to the portal, walking slowly through it, he spoke, "Come at [Floor: Disaster]." He then disappeared through it and the portal closed.
My heart was beating fast. Perhaps, it was because that I was now scared to death that something might happen to Kane.
What if something happens to brother—No! Think positive, Aries. Do what you can, for now.
I turned to Maarij and Aariz to ask what should we do now as I literally had no clue on what should we do or where should we go or how should we save Kane.
Before I could speak, Maarij spoke, "Let's go, Leo. It's time to teach that bony bastard a lesson."
I knew I was nowhere like them when it came to power, but I wanted to save Kane. I didn't want to be a burden and drag them down.
"I don't have—" I hadn't completed my words, but Aariz cut me off and said, "Maarij, go and start the jeep. I will come there with him after teaching him the important stuff."
Maarij nodded, and without saying any words he ran downstairs. I looked at Aariz, wondering what and how he was going to teach me. However, if something was certain at that moment, that would probably be that I wasn't going to miss any detail on whatever Aariz was about to teach me.
"Well, now." Aariz put his right hand on the back of his head and scratched it slowly, saying, "It's time for you to learn some important stuffs."
The look in eyes was full of seriousness. He looked determined. Until now, I'd taken him for an idiot. However, at this moment, he looked the most serious person in the world.
---
"Ouch. That bony bastard could've at least pretended to be gentle?" I muttered while brushing the dirt off my clothes. "Not like I am his aunt's son or something... but still."
Looking around I thought, This place is really dark and gloomy. I won't be surprised if there would be dangerous monsters lurking nearby just like those Fantasy Worlds.
This place wasn't pitch black, but faint, flickering light made it hard for me to see much of anything.
I rechecked myself to see if there's some dirt or something like that left on my clothes. Luckily, it was all clean.
Well, now. What should I do? This wasn't in my plan. I looked around once again to be sure if there were some monsters or whatsoever nearby. Furthermore, I'd to look for an exist or stairs or anything I could find that would let me out of this haunted-looking place.
Besides, Xiao isn't here. I've something to do with him. That's why I wanted Aries to taunt him into doing something reckless so I could put on a tracker on him. But guess, things doesn't go as you plan every time.
I was just thinking that while scanning my surroundings with my eyes, Xiao appeared behind me and said, "We finally are alone now."
I turned to Xiao and saw him holding a scythe like a grim reaper in his left hand as he stood motionless. I found him hilarious, so I asked with a mocking smug, "What are you supposed to be now? A grim reaper?"
Well, what do I do now? I don't want to fight him and use my energy. I just want to sleep.
Xiao sighed. "It seems like you don't understand the gravity of situation you are in. What an arrogant attitude." Pointing the blade of his scythe, he said, "Since I am going to take care of you, so I believe I have all rights to discipline you."
No, no, no. "Arrogant"? Seriously? Try working for 4 days without much rest and then let's talk about attitude. Man, I am dead tired here. I am just in power saving mode. Gimme a break.
I didn't move or flinched a bit. To be honest, I looked more calm, composed, and calculated for someone who was caught up in a mess like this. I mean, what can you from a man who hadn't slept a wink for days and worked without taking much breaks?
Besides, I have had expected it all—right from the beginning. So, I'm not surprised or shocked.
Although I didn't have any plan or whatsoever at that moment, I still had this smart brain with me. So, as long as I use it correctly as always, I would manage it somehow.
I sighed. For now, I should focus on what I have to do. Walking a few steps closer to Xiao, I raised my right hand upward, making a gun-like gesture with my index and middle finger, aiming at Xiao. "Oh?"
A small, spiralling ball of black flame sparked to life at my fingertips. It was deadly even in its smallest form.
The flame was small, no longer than a marble, but lethal enough to turned anyone it touched to ashes. It was the weakest in my arsenal, and yet it was still a nightmare for many.
I stopped on my track. An evil smile crept over my face. It wasn't a malicious smile or anything, rather it was a smile of happiness, a feeling of accomplishing something ahead of time.
What I was going to do to Xiao now was what I wanted to do later in future. Thanks to him, I could execute my plan early. I had to thank him, so I decided to be gentle with him and end it instantly.
"Let's see how you plan to 'discipline' me... General Xiao of the Undead Ghost army."