Chapter 4

Rey Reed Smith galloped on the horse that was given to him by Gaius, racing across the desert land and heading toward the tavern that was located on the outskirts of the town. By the time he crossed the Isengard border and arrived at Ai, the first sun was shining brightly.

Rey reduced the speed of his horse, throttling gently into the town. After another hour of riding, he jumped off his horse, held his reins, and tried looking for a clue.

Gaius had told him that the bandits who kidnapped Garry came in this direction. He told him that they were wearing armor and bearing the flag of the Ai men. Rey didn’t waste any time. He chased after them immediately.

Luckily, he was able to catch up with one of them on his way here. The man he caught was dying. He was suffering from a fever, forcing his men to leave him behind. They probably thought he wouldn’t make it. He will only slow their journey down.

Rey was lucky to meet the man some minutes before he breathed his last breath. He was the one who pointed Rey in this direction. Since then, Rey had increased his speed, riding very hard like there was no tomorrow for him.

Rey looked at the Ai town, and he needed no one to tell him that he was lost. The bandit he met on the way didn’t get the chance to give him all the information he needed before he died. He only told Rey that the rest of his people would be staying at one of the biggest inns in this town before they continued their journey.

Rey begins his journey by searching through any Inn his mind tells him to check. As he kept doing this, he couldn’t help but think of the dream he had last night. He couldn’t wrap his head around it. He feels restless and lost. He was still finding it difficult to believe that he was possessed and that someone had been watching him ever since he began his quest for revenge. Not just anyone, but an ancient god.

Everything looked normal to him except that he had lost his memory. Rey was trying to dismiss the dream. He wants it to look normal. He wanted to erase it from his thoughts, but he couldn’t. No matter how hard he tried to shake it away, he knew it was true. From the deepest part of his heart, he knew it was reality. He was indeed possessed by someone stronger than the universe.

He could remember his fight with the man in his dream. The man was fast, skillful, and invisible. He easily countered every attack Rey presented. Not only was he able to predict Rey’s next move, but he also had the power to slow time for his gain. He was indeed a god. Though, he cheated by using extraordinary powers.

Rey could remember the man telling him that he was his ancestor. Rey could remember the words of the man who says Rey is from his lineage. If that man was right, it means Rey comes from the generation of the gods. Nevertheless, it doesn’t make sense to him. It only confused him more.

Different thoughts started racing in his mind. Different possibilities, suggestions, and questions kept his mind occupied. If he was from the lineage of the gods, that also means his father is an ancient being. If yes, then how is it possible for his father to die?

His father! The words repeated themselves in Rey’s head, followed by a memory that flashed in his head. He saw someone that resembled him running in the woods, being chased by people with red eyes. The memory disappeared fast and was replaced by a man who sentenced the being that resembled him to death. Rey didn’t need anyone to tell him that the being that was killed was his father.

And that sparked another question in his mind. Who was the man who killed his father? Why was his father killed? He could also remember the first memory he saw when he woke up on the beach, the memory of him being killed by a female. Surprisingly, Rey marked the female and male beings’ eyes and swore to slaughter them. Though he doesn’t have a plan yet, he will find them and take them down.

Rey suddenly stopped as another thought struck his mind. He remembered the dream he had. The dream of himself riding on a boat, the island, the castle, and his father sitting on top of the castle with light shooting out of his hand. It could only mean one thing: his father’s spirit was also trapped here, just like his own. Perhaps it’s one of the reasons he was sent here by Lord Rey.

“Yes, it’s.” Rey heard a voice in his head, replying to his questions.

As the voice said those words in his head, Rey remembered another word Lord Rey said in his dream: “I had access to your power and memory. Nevertheless, I’m taking full control, and I’ll only let out some of your memories when necessary.”

That made Rey conclude that the man who possessed him intentionally played those memories in his head, so he could make him know the reason he was sent here. It also means the being is the one who spoke in his head now.

Rey took a deep breath and said, “Lord Rey, is that you?” He asked. “Can you speak to me through your mind?”

“The inn you’re going to is located some blocks away,” Lord Rey answered instead, ignoring his question. “Continue on this straight path, and then flock right twice after thirty feet. Take another thirty feet of walking, and you will see a huge gate with the banner of the Ai men. After that flock left, took thirty paces and then left again. You will see the inn twenty feet away.”

Rey complained in his head, “That’s too much.” He shakes his head in frustration, “How did you expect me to remember such directions? Can’t you lead the way?”

“Good luck, young warlock. I need to rest now.” Lord Rey replied, and Rey could feel his presence departing.

“Lord Rey!” Rey screamed in his head. However, his voice was met with silence. Knowing full well that the man won’t reply again, Rey continues his journey, hoping and praying in his head that he shouldn’t get lost.

Rey Reed Smith kept galloping through the streets of the Ai people; his head was repeating the direction of Lord Rey in his head, and he was hoping that he wouldn’t get lost. He was trying his best not to forget the direction that was given to him by the grumpy Lord by repeating it frequently.

Yes! Rey Reed Smith called him grumpy because of his character. The lord was borrowing his body, and he was still controlling him. If he had any other choice, Rey wouldn’t hesitate to shut Lord Rey out of his mind and regain his memory.

Could he do that? Rey doubts he will do such a thing. Even if he was given a chance or a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get rid of the Lord and regain his memory, Rey knew deep down in his mind that he still wouldn’t do it. He will lose a lot of things if he gets rid of the man.

Rey will not get rid of the man because he still has a lot of work to do in this realm. There were many things that he knew he wouldn’t achieve alone, even if he were given full access to his memory.

Some of those things are to lift the curse of Xavier Knoll, find his father, and find the portal that will take him back to his realm. And to do that, he needs guidelines from someone who’s as old as the realm itself. Rey suspected that the only being who held the answer to his question was none other than Lord Rey.

Rey took that turn, which he suspected would lead him to the inn, and he prayed with all his heart that he hadn’t missed the way. He hoped in his heart that he should be on the right track. He was tired of walking aimlessly since daybreak. He was eager to find and rescue Garry. Not only that, he still has many things to do.

Rey wants to talk to Lord Rey once again. He wants to ask him many questions concerning his father, the way back to his realm, how to lift the curse on Xavier Knoll before Garry and Gaius become full victims, and how to defeat Sebastian once and for all.

As Rey took the last turn, he raised his gaze and felt his heart swell with pride at the sight in front of him. He had done it. He had found the inn. It was located in a desolate place and built with planks in a two-story building.

Rey kicked his horse, increasing its speed, and he galloped towards the inn. Rey was tired from the hard ride, exhausted, and thirsty. Nevertheless, he didn’t stop to take a rest. He could think of nothing else but saving Garry and getting back to Isengard.

He pulled up before the inn, jumped off his horse, and hurried through the thick wood door of the inn. He opened it hastily and walked in, expecting to see the bandits that kidnapped Garry feasting and making merry. Of course, that’s what every bandit does whenever they succeed on a mission. They come to the inn or tavern, drink, mate, and get high on d***s.

But Rey was baffled to see that the place was almost empty. He pushed a few people out of his way and raced upstairs, checking room after room, hoping to find the bandits in one. Yet, everywhere is void of them. He needed no one to tell him that he was late.

But he didn’t stop on the way? Rey asked himself. He had been riding hard and had never stopped for a minute’s break. How could they possibly leave so soon?

Angrily, Rey dashed back downstairs, where he was welcomed by the bartender. He was surly, standing behind the bar, and there were ten large, different types of wine bottles in front of him.

Rey looked everywhere, but he found no sign of the bandits. Suddenly, everything became quiet, and the room grew tense as people focused their gaze on Rey. Nevertheless, he did not understand what was happening.

The bartender moved away from the bar and came towards Rey. “Looks like you lost something, Mr.”

Rey gave him a death glare for some seconds before he finally said, “Some group of bandits is here a while ago. They took captives, and there was a young boy with them.” He paused and stared deeply into the man’s face. “Tell me, where did they go? Which route did they go?”

The bartender frowned for a while before bursting into laughter. He nodded to an attendant, who ran to the exit door and locked it. The Innkeeper waltzes around Rey with a swagger and a crooked smile on his face, prompting Rey to dislike him immediately. He needs no one to tell him that this man will fight him.

“I’m not going to ask you again,” Rey growled, trying hard to control his temper. “The bandits and the captives, where did they go?”

The innkeeper smiled once again and said, “You want directions, right? Take my men out, and I shall tell you what you want.” With that, he turned around and whistled.