Evening arrived and they still haven't found any sign of an invader in the palace. They were now on the 6th floor of the palace.
"This is not happening." Leo said in a low voice.
Adi looked at him questioningly.
"This is not going to work. We need a plan to find that invader." He said loudly.
"What are we going to do?" She asked.
"Umm, sir?" Alfred called Leo, interrupting him.
Leo looked at him, waiting for him to continue.
"Sir, I will be leaving now. I was asked to accompany you till evening. And I already stayed here long enough." He informed them.
"Are you scared of the ghost, Alfred?" Leo asked, scrunching his brows.
"Oh no, sir. It is just my past working hour. I need to go home as well. And about the ghost, I am sure there isn't anything like that exists." He appraised his opinion on ghosts.
"Is there something important about the palace we need to know? About any hidden door or something else?" Leo
"Hello! Myself Mick and not Mr Bones." The creature introduced himself, tying the white sheet around his waist, covering his lower body.He now looked like any other human with two ears, two eyes, two hands etc. Only he was extremely skinny. His face was gaunt and grey due to starving for days. His bones were visible clearly implying he was weak.Adi quickly took a metal flower vase in self defense and stood in an attacking posture. He was weak but that doesn't mean he wasn't dangerous. Mick looked at her and chuckled."I am not going to harm anyone here Miss." He said coolly."You are the invader." Leo smiled triumphantly, looking at him."No! I am not an invader." Mick frowned."Why are you here? Keeper of the palace?" Leo gave a sarcastic comment."HOW DARE YOU CALL ME A KEEPER? I AM A FREEMAN AND NOT ANYONE'S SERVANT!" Mick yelled, raging."So Mr Freeman, what were you doing here?"
Morning arrived with the sound of a carriage approaching the palace. Leo looked outside the window and saw two soldiers getting off the carriage. He wondered where Alfred was. He turned and looked at the yawning face of Mick.“Get back to your cat form, Mr Bones.” He said sternly as he knew he wouldn't listen to him.“But why? Anyways I will be revealing myself in front of the King.” Mick frowned.“Because you won’t be able to leave the palace unless the King gives permission. And we need you to prove that our task was completed.” Leo replied. Mick still looked confused.“Alfred explained the things. No one can exit without the King's permission. Palace is enchanted.” Adi explained.
"How far do we need to go?" Adi asked, looking at the huge trees around them."Until we come across something or someone." Leo replied as he continued to walk deeper into the forest."Are we going in the right direction?" She asked again. She never left Leo's side ever since they entered the forest.Fredrick had provided them with sufficient weapons for safety measures. The weapons were effective against the witches. They didn't know how many witches they would encounter in the deep, dark forest. They didn't know if they would return alive from the forest, as the rumors say the forest is home to hundreds of witches.Nevertheless, they had to agree for their last task. Or else they would have to lose the weapon. Adi was tensed hearing about the witches.
"Ugh! this place is making me feel nauseous." Adi commented, looking at the strange items scattered on the floor.Items contained nails, hairs, blood jars and other stuff which were so distorted it made one difficult to recognize them. As soon as they entered the hut, a strong rusting smell welcomed them. Hut had two rooms separated by a criss-crossed bamboo partition."I wonder what kind of rituals they practice." Leo said looking at the things, feeling uneasiness."This foul odor is making me uncomfortable. Where is it coming from?" She asked, scrunching her nose, displeased by the strong smell.Leo shrugged looking around and moved towards the other room exploring it."Now we know the source of foul smell
Adi stared at him with her wide, lifeless eyes. She was shocked as she hadn't expected Leo to shoot her, so did the witch. She looked at Leo horror struck."H-how did you know?" The witch asked, stammering.Adi's body hit the ground and began to melt. Soon the green liquid covered the ground. Leo smirked at the witch."I knew it wasn't Adi after she hugged me. My Adi won't smile after killing someone. Moreover she knows how important the task is for us. She won't argue with me. I didn't know the location therefore I used this shapeshifter." Leo answered."You knew from the beginning about this filthy creature." The witch hissed. Leo smirked at her again."Now, tell me where my Adi is." Leo demanded. Pointing
'Why is the Master so anxious about the thing in the trunk? I wonder what was there that even a mere human dared to enter the forest. Nevertheless, I have to find that man before the Master decides to kill us.' A witcher thought as he flew in the forest, looking for Leo. He wasn't bothered about neither the man nor the stolen thing. Fear made him search for Leo."There he is." The witcher said, looking at a man, carrying a woman on his shoulders."Okay Finn, time for some action." He said to himself and swept towards Leo.He was near Leo, when he heard a sound of two witches approaching the man. He stopped in his tracks and looked at the three people mocking each other."You are here, human. You have caused enough chaos." A witcher hissed."Our master is angry with you. Surrender the thing you stole and we will spare you and your mate." A witch jeered at Leo."Perhaps I feel, Master, is angry with your retardedness."
"HOW DARE YOU COME IN FRONT OF ME WITHOUT IT?" Chantal yelled at the two witches in front of her, making them shudder at her squeaky voice."S-sorry Master. W-we didn't know the guards were standing at the edge of the forest." One of the witches said, gulping."You came with the bad news." Chantal whispered. "NOW DIE!" She yelled, moving her hands in the air.Both the witches looked at her horror struck. Chantal set fire on them. Forest echoed with the agonizing cry of the both witches. They stood petrified screaming in pain, helpless.Chantal cursed under her breath, "You will be hunted human. You don't know whom you have a grudge against." She hissed and left the place, flying on her broomstick.*****Leo opened his eyes and found himself on bed, sleeping."ADI!" He screamed and sat straight."I am here Leo," Adi replied calmly, moving her hand above his head. Leo quickly pulled her into his arms and felt re
Footsteps making a squeaky sound resonated in the dark passage. The smell of rusting iron bars mixed with blood flared Leo's nose. He looked into the empty cells. They were extremely dirty and had no ventilation either, making one feel nauseous.He frowned at the thought that the King had captivated Mick in these cells for a small crime he committed. He wasn't worried about Mick but it didn't feel right that he was suffering like this."Is Mick in one of these cells?" He snapped back from his thoughts hearing Adi's voice."No my Lady. These are punishing cells. The people who commit the brutal crimes are tortured here. Mr Mick is in the holding cell which is down another floor," The servant replied politely as he continued walking.Adi sighed in relief as she heard those words. She looked at Leo's face who too was now relaxed compared to a few moments ago."He is fine Leo,'' Adi whispered. It didn't feel right speaking