my next life as a villainess, all routes lead to doom x fem!oc [Book 2]

The downfall

It was now evening, and the group has finished searching every town in the kingdom. They were currently in an alleyway of the last town they checked, which was Keith and Kiana's hometown. Everyone was exchanging words of how they couldn't find any clues, as usual, before Maria started shaking next to Kiana. "Maria? What's wrong?" Kiana asked, making everyone turn to Maria and Kiana's spot. "A d-dark magic user..-" "Where did you saw them Maria!?" Larna immediately looked around frantically, because of what Maria said. "On that alley.." Maria replied, before Larna started running there, followed by Kiana, only to stop midway. "Damn it..a dead end." Kiana sighed out, followed by a 'tch' from Larna. 

They were now in another lodging house, which was a bit for simpler than the other one. Kiana just came out from the shower and saw Catarina hugging Maria, before asking her if she had calmed down. "Are you alright now, Maria?" Kiana said while taking out a cardigan, since it was getting cold. "Yes, you don't need to worry about me Kiana." Maria replied cheerfully, before Larna bursted into the room with Geordo and Sora following behind. 

"I have something I must inform you all. I've received reports from Raphael from the Magic Ministry. Keith didn't ran away from home. On the day of his disappearance, Keith met his real mother and got taken away, before being handed over to someone else." Larna said, before everyone started questioning her, except Kiana. She heard Murmurs from everyone as she looked down to the ground, deep in thoughts, before hearing Larna again. "Keith Claes, was abducted." She said, making Kiana and a few others gasp. "The truth is, a few weeks ago, the Magic Ministry received information about the existence of a magic user, which is said to be the one that Keith encountered, along with Kiana." Larna said, making Kiana clench her fists when she remembered her recent vision.

"I have been investigating them, and I am certain that the two cases are linked. So I had Raphael investigate it, If we compare our findings with all of them...it is probably the culprit. But unfortunately, we weren't able to completely decipher who the culprit is." Larna sighed out after telling everyone the informations. "Uhm...so where is Keith?"  Catarina asked out after a few seconds. "Alexander pointed out to a mansion on the outskirt of the town. We'll immediately head there once dawn breaks. Everyone, please make sure you're ready for it." Larna said, ending the conversation. Geordo saw how tense Kiana was, so he placed his hands on her shoulder to comfort her, which Kiana returned by a small smile. 

It was now early morning, and all of them were hiding nearby the mention that Alexander [the teddy bear] pointed at, while inspecting it from afar. Kiana tried her best to stop herself from storming into the place and fighting whoever is on her way. Geordo knew it and he was anxious as well, since there was a chance of something bad happening to one or two of them. The others were discussing of their thoughts and the inofrmations. Larna soon told them that they should wait for backup from the Magic Ministry. Kiana and Catarina being impatient, they decided to go ahead instead. 

Geordo decided to follow them as well, not trusting both of them. Larna hesitantly agreed but recited her words into doing the mission with the current members. Sora was sent to find a place for them to sneak in. Kiana thanked Geordo for coming along with her and Catarina, which he replied with a pat on her head. "Of course I would follow you, I have to protect who I love after all." He said, making Kiana blush unconsciously. Sora soon came back and announced that they'll be entering from the rear entrance. 

"Please stay behind me and Lady Larna." Sora said before smiling at Kiana, who was behind him. Kiana returned an anxious smile, before looking down at her hands again. 'Will I be able to avenge my mother? Surely Cordellia is also in that mansion..what if I run into both her and that dark magic user..? Should I tell everyone the things I want to tell them incase I don't make it out? Just hang in there Keith..I'll make sure you get out of there!' Kiana thought to herself, before looking back up again, meeting eyes with Sora, before he smirked and placed his finger on his lips. A few second later, an explosion went off in the mansion's front yard which was surrounded by trees, making Kiana widen her eyes.