05: COMPREHENSION IV

Another migraine seized him as he concluded his descent and got closer to the entrance, and he stumbled to the ground, landing on scorching Ashes. As he strained to climb back up, the scorching heat burned the hair on his hands. Even though no one will be on-site, The Screams will be heard loud and clear. The burning of wooden building poles to red hot coal indicated that the fire had been raging for some time. Unafraid of the blazing flames, Nelanian stumbled across the settlement. As he traveled through the Narrow Road heading to the old man's house, the rooftops collapsed behind him.

As he approached the house, his rough top was soaked in sweat, and he walked barefoot over the scorching Ashes.

His vision was hampered by the dense smoke, and he couldn't see what he was treading on. All he could hear were intermittent screams, his heart pumping loudly, and the crackling noises created by burning houses.

"He yelled, “Old man!” in the hopes of getting a response. There was no response. His eyes were turned by the smoke, and he began to cry uncontrollably. He stumbled off the road after another migraine attack. His torso collided with a hot piece of coal, causing the skin of his back to burn away. When he spotted the potato plantation on the side of the hill next to the house, he realized he was getting closer to the old man's house. It compelled him to rise to his feet.

Nelanian willed himself back onto the road with his one decent arm and undiluted drive. He forced himself forward, one step at a time, till he reached the home. His lungs were full of smoke, and tears blurred his eyes, yet his body refused to stop moving. Surprisingly, only the granaries in the immediate vicinity of the home were on fire. The home itself was still standing, and it drew the attention of the Nelanian. It was unquestionably incorrect.

He crept closer to the entrance, using the thick smoke to disguise himself. He cleared in and spotted many persons standing inside the house as he proceeded past a window. That was strange. Just three individuals were living in the residence if his memory serves him correctly. the elderly gentleman, his wife, and their grandson So, what did all of these people inside do? Nelanian They decided not to go inside the house first since they were not in danger because it was not engulfed in flames like the others. He chose to study the crowd that had gathered inside, listening in on their conversations.

In the middle of the room stood a man who was taller than the others. He exuded an authoritative demeanor, and his posture was one of self-imposed authority. To get a better look, Nelanian squinted his eyes. The residents of the house, kneeling in front of the towering man, were seen. The elderly gentleman was in the middle, with his wife to his right and his grandchild on his left. Nelanian was leaning heavily against the glass wall, fearful of smashing it down.

"So this is where you've been hiding for the past few months. It took me a bit to track you down, but I did. Even after all these years, I never expected you to still be alive. The man exclaimed, "Zegrath Reid!" Nelanian began to suspect that the man had a predetermined objective, one that had brought him to that Village. He was not from the hamlet, and while only living there for a short time, he was aware that it was a small community, and that he had never seen the tall man since his arrival. Furthermore, knowing the elderly guy's identity, he was certain that the tall man was linked to the old man's prior life.

"Just keep my family out of it, and we can talk about it elsewhere, not here,” the Old Man said, his voice as serene as ever.

"No, I'm not going to offer them that kind of pleasure. I want them to know who the person they've been living with for the past few years is. They must be aware of what you did,” says the tall man. Nelanian was about to intercede when another man emerged from the elderly man's bedroom, carrying a tiny chest. He handed it to the tall man and opened it for him. There were curled-up papers with wax seals on the edges within. They were promptly identified by Nelanian.

"I knew it, therefore you've got an apprentice,” the tall man remarked, pulling a handful of the scrolling papers out of his pocket.

"Madeline Myers, Louis Stevenson, Mr. Starkridge... So these are the victims he's killed so far?” the tall man wondered as he leafed through the papers.

"Can you tell me what he's talking about?” The Old Man's wife, visibly perplexed, inquired. The towering man's gaze was drawn to her.

"Let me ask you a question, woman. Has there ever been a young man or lady that would come to your house and meet up with your husband in the last several months or maybe years?” He inquired. The eyes of the Old Man's wife widened in recognition. She instantly figured out who the tall man was referring to.

Little Sam, crouching in the far corner of the room, asked, "Nelly?"

"What exactly did you say, young lad? “What was his name, exactly?” The tall man inquired as he approached Sam. The old guy struggled to get to his feet, but the other henchmen who accompanied the big man shoved him back down.

"You do not include him in this because he has nothing to do with it?” The Old Man said this, his eyes nearly pouring tears.

"Pay attention, young lad. I swear I won't hurt you if you tell me all I want to know,” the tall man added.

He inquired, "Where is Nelly you talk of?" Some people seem to be looking for his grandfather's approval.

"He is a close friend of mine. He lives in the hills and only comes down to teach me swordsmanship,” Sam explained.

"You say you're going up the hills?” "said the tall man." He indicated one of his henchmen as he turned to face them.

"Take a couple of guys up to the top of the hill to see whether anyone lives there. Bring anyone alive to me if you find anyone,” he replied.

He stood up and brushed the dirt off his slacks. "Well, it appears that you haven't been of much assistance to me, old man. “On the other hand, your grandson, he might be a valuable asset,” he remarked, staring at the old man.

"The young child will accompany us,” he said to one of the henchmen, who raced to the corridor and grabbed him.

"As they walked out of the chamber, the tall guy remarked, "Finish the cleanup lads, I don't want anything in this Village to live." Two henchmen following behind, pouring fuel on the floor; another had a lighter in his hand, which he dropped to the ground as soon as the tall man walked outside the home, igniting the fuel.

Nelanian stumbled out of the way of the intruders, avoiding being noticed. He dove behind one of the Burning granaries into a thicket of grass. After hearing the ruckus coming from the direction of the burning granaries, a couple of the henchmen were suspicious, but the tall unknown man was concentrated on the hill ahead. There was no time to go off course. They had to track down whoever it was they had been briefed about. As the home burned down, Sam was still on one of the henchman's backs, crying his heart out.

Nelanian sprang out of the shrubs and ran towards the flaming house, knowing he was safe. He clawed his way into the house, his hands burning as he pushed the door open. As he walked inside, the thick smoke engulfed him and rendered him speechless. He could hear the old guy wheezing from inside the room, but he couldn't see anything because of the dense smoke. He repeatedly yelled out his name, but the old guy was unable to respond.

The grass ceiling was held in place by a pole. It slammed into the ground, almost hitting Nelanian's head, but missing him by a hair. I felt a warm sensation at the tips of Nelanian's fingers as he extended his hand. It wasn't as hot as the smoldering coals beside him, but it felt familiar. He crept closer and closer till he realized who he was touching. It was the Old Man's wife, who lay lifeless on the ground. Two more violent curves were produced by the old guy, allowing Nelanian to finally pinpoint him.

“ We have to assist you and your wife, old man. He said, "I have to get you out of here." He drew nearer to the elderly gentleman. The old man snatched his wrist and yanked him down to the ground.

"There is no hope for us, kid. Even if we make it out alive, there is no way out for us. “Protect yourself,”

“I can't leave you out here to die alone; I have to help you,” says the narrator.

“We are both elderly, and there is no way we can assist you.”

“But, old man, I'm your Apprentice, and he's meant to teach me everything you know. Who will assist me if you die now?”

The elderly man coughed again, his voice weakening by the minute.

“ I already told you, kid. I told you everything I know; all you have to do now is restore your memory, and my work is done. So go ahead, wait until the 7th, when the death list will summon you, and ask him to restore your memory; my work will be finished by then,” the old man added. His grasp on Nelanian's hand weakened, and his hand slipped from the wrist. Internally, Nelanian struggled with his choices. When he peered down, he noticed the Old Man's eyes were shutting. I tried to take a breath, but all he got was choking smoke, which he coughed out right away. As he reached for the Old Man's arm, he swore beneath his breath. A pole came flying down from the ceiling and landed on the elderly man's back before he could even grab it. As scorching splinters flew into the air, Nelanian stepped away. He realized at that time that there was no way to help him; he had to save himself.

He dashed to the door, leaping over blazing wood and grass in the process. Exhausted and sweating, he's finally reached out. He could see the tall man mounting the slope from distance. The screams that had rocked the village before I arrived had now died away. He was unable to remain in that location any longer. As a result, he began his escape with no bags, shoes, or anything else. There was only him and his life to flee with.