The War Of Hearts
Chap 8 - First Mission.

“What is expected?” I was impatient because Fred hung up his words.

“Ethan is expected to be missing. The trail is not sniffed or maybe accidentally removed by the kidnapper,” Fred explained, I was stunned for a moment.

Fred extended his hand to me. “Don't think much, now you come with me first. Let this matter be negotiated with your other friends later.”

I nodded in agreement. “Good.”

When I had received his hand, my body was pulled by Fred so that our bodies were clinging to each other. I was a little surprised when Fred's arm came down to hold my hip.

“Sorry, but only in this way can we teleport,” explains Fred hurriedly, perhaps fearing I misunderstood.

“Laladuna!” The words that I don't know what it means Fred said, in the next second our bodies were like being pulled up in the clouds, my eyes were glaring with surprise.

Similar to winking, such a short time can make us move places. Suddenly I was in an old house filled with antiques.

“Janeee!” I was quite surprised when I heard the call with a very loud voice, managed to make my heart beat in a jolt.

“Jane, finally you came too.” From his voice this must be Lyman.

I turned back, looking at my two friends who had been waiting for me since. Magani immediately ran towards me, scattering with her tight embrace.

“I think I won't see you again,” Magani said as she continued to rub her face at me, she was so spoiled.

I chuckle. Flicked Magani's forehead at a glance then pushed her body away. “Come, don't overdo it.”

Lyman came to me, he came closer. I was quite amazed by the clothes she was wearing, plus Lyman's increasingly attractive appearance with round glasses perched on her nose.

“You fit that outfit, Jane.” Lyman praised me first, his black soot watching me as he stretched out a smile.

I smiled knot. “You also fit that outfit. Similar to the male characters in a magic-themed fantasy film that is a favorite of many people.”

We were all wearing dangling black robes, completely similar to the clothes of the magic academy disciples. If only we could control magic. But it feels impossible, we didn't come here for that.

“What about me? Isn't this outfit suitable for me too?” Magani swirled around, making the black robe that blended with the dark green color expand beautifully. While the shirt and shorts are uniform with Lyman, the only difference is the robe model and the color combination.

Simply put, I was black and maroon red, while Magani was black and army green, then Lyman was black and dark brown. Somehow our uniforms are not in the same level of color and model.

“Why doesn't anyone praise me?” Magani sulked, feeling neglected because none of us responded. Lyman and I giggled at her expression.

Fred walked up to us, making our laughter wither away instantly. Fred looked at our faces one by one, watching them with a serious look. I suddenly felt a tension in this atmosphere.

“I didn't bring you here to discuss unimportant matters. Your friend Ethan has disappeared. You guys don't want to look for him? It could be a hint from the ruler of the universe for you as newcomers to complete the mission,” Fred said.

Lyman nodded. “True, we have to find Ethan's whereabouts. Because without Ethan we can't get the fairy powder we wanted from the beginning.”

I was just about to open my mouth to make a sound, but...

“I think you guys have been fooled.” A familiar voice in the ear suddenly entered the chatter.

Raising his head while lowering his hood, Melvin's face was the one I had expected. As usual, his presence was never immediately realized, making it always look mysterious.

Unlike us, the clothes Melvin wore were all black, the robe was wider and longer dangling to the calf. Also he does not wear a shirt with shorts like Lyman and Magani who display as students. The clothes and pants attached to his body are like a charismatic witch.

“My advice, forget about Ethan. There is no fairy powder in this world. It's all a lie. What he said was unbelievable. After being thrown into this world, your goal cannot be separated to restore what is lost from this world.”

“What does that mean? Precisely what seems to be lying with empty jokes is you,” sergeant Magani does not accept.

I folded my hands in front of my chest and let out a sigh of annoyance, again fed up with Melvin's attitude that always led others to hate Ethan. “Your support is incomprehensible. What we're gonna do let it be our business. Thank you for helping us get here. And what you said earlier, just do it yourself.”

Lyman slipped between my body and Magani, her hands clutching our shoulders. “That's right, Melvin. Let us do what we want to do. Ethan is already part of our friendship, and we should have helped him.”

Magani sneered with her julid gaze, “And also do not need to be pretentious. We've seen for ourselves the fairy powder you call non-existent. Ethan knows more about it.”

Fred who had previously stayed away from us suddenly came in a hurry to join us back. In his hand was a stone from a pendant attached to his neck. Fred stood in the middle and showed us the thing.

“See! I received a signal, is this Ethan you mean?” fred asked while showing a pendant stone that looked like a hologram, where the pendant displayed a recording of the incident somewhere.

We all saw Ethan sitting lethargic with a rope that bound his body so he could not move. His head lowered, it seemed like Ethan was rendered unconscious.

“Came to the castle behind the cave of immortality before the seventh full moon occurred. If you are late, then your friend is no longer alive,” he said with a threat that is not kidding, and after saying that the stone pendant owned by Fred no longer displays anything.

“Do you know where the cave of immortality is, Fred?” I said directly asking.

Fred nodded. “Away. There's no way you can get there. Because after coming out of this forest, you will be faced with a forest of death that is difficult for you to pass through. Many obstacles and attacks from various directions so that you may first fall before arriving at the castle of the famous witch, Mrs. Triona.”

Melvin immediately replied, “I told you, don't you guys come there. After all, who is Mrs. The triona? She's not a witch, she's it—”

“We don't need your comment, Melvin,” refute Lyman fast. “We will still come there any way.”

“You sure, Man?” Magani asked to make sure.

“Why? You scared? No need to come if you are afraid, and forget about the fairy powder that can cure your sister,” Lyman replied firmly, saying, it seemed that he was so excited no matter that what he was about to face was not an easy matter.

“A-what?! Of course I'll come. What about you, Jane?” Magani.

Despite not knowing how dangerous the obstacles we will face, and how impossible the success we can achieve, I still choose to believe. That while with the two of them, things that could not happen even once could definitely happen.

Staring at the two of them in turn, then I replied, “I will also come with you. There's no way I'm staying here alone, is there?”

“Then let's get ready, today we go there too. Fred, can you give us a map as a road guide?” Lyman looked at Fred who was confused because we who remained strong wanted to leave even though we knew the risk was high.

“Wait first. If you leave without any preparation, it's the same as if you're leaving just to deposit your life for free. So, let's come along for a second. There's something I want to give you guys,” take Fred, his body has turned and walked first to guide us.

***