"Yes, I accept the tasks and show my worth." Leo stated.
After a great discussion with Adi, with many yes and no's, they came to a conclusion that it was better to accept tasks and try to achieve the weapon instead of showing backs and running away like cowards.
"As accepted from you." King murmured and asked loudly, "So ready for your first task today?" Leo nodded without taking much time.
"Fredrick will escort you to your task location and explain the further details." The king informed them.
A man in his late 30s came forward. He bowed to the king. And gestured to Leo and Adi to follow him.
Fredrick was one of the loyal ministers whom the king trusted blindly. He was an unmarried man and had devoted his w
"Ahem ahem" Fredrick cleared his throat.Silence surrounded the great hall. Everyone present there looked at him. Day of the second task had arrived. They were curious to know about the second task and how the couple would perform.Leo and Adi stood in front of the king waiting to know about their task. Fredrick began the announcement."Second task is all set to be performed. Are you two ready for the same?" He looked at the couple.Couple glanced at each other and turned back to Fredrick giving a nod in agreement to him."Second task will be held in Dawville."As soon as these words were announced by Fredrick, the hall gasped with astonishment. Looking at the shocked faces in front of him, Fredrick glanced at the king. He lowered his head and closed his eyes, remembering the conversation he had with the king last night."Greetings, his Majesty. I was called by you." Fredrick bowed to the king."How is the sec
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."