Of Thousand Lives

Chapter 7: Ravenneer

After a while, nothing happened. Everything is normal to say the least, Raven is rarely seen as usual. No one or nothing bad has happened to me for the last few weeks ever since the kidnapping. It's weird. I still can't stop thinking about what Jun said to me then. His words make me think twice about Raven. Is he really a nice guy? So far, he has done many good things for me. I am grateful for that, but I never really got to know him that well. I doubt that there are many people who actually know who he really is. His arsenal of evasive magic is what makes it hard to catch him. Plus, I don't feel safe whenever he isn't around. Not like I need his protection, but like I'm constantly being watched and listened to. Every single movement of mine is being observed and I can feel it. I don't even know if my thoughts are safe from him.

Why is he so omnipresent, even when he is not here? His knowledge of this world is surreal. I doubt that the kid from the Valkyries can even be as smart as him. Is Raven showing his true colours..? Who is he, really? I would ask this question in front of him, but I'm afraid he might lie or beat around the bush and teleport away again. It's annoying.. Well, if I can't ask directly, I might as well ask some of his colleagues, or employers, I guess. The first people that seem reachable are the Valkyries themselves. Might ask them, if they even want to answer me, which I highly doubt.

At a local restaurant, Theobold is having his meal. This can be a good time to ask him things, since he's probably on break time. He's.. eating up his 4th dish. Does he really need all this food? I mean, the restaurant workers seem eager to keep on feeding him. He might be a regular here. "Theo. I want to ask you about Raven.", I initiate the conversation. His ears flutter as he finally notices me after I say so. "Oh, hi! Come sit and we can talk while we eat. I'll cover up the prices.", he waves at me then pats on the seat next to him as he makes room on the table for me. I nod in appreciation and sit down on the chair. "Who is Raven, really?", I tilt my head to the side slightly, taking a fresh and hot plate of a full meal as a little 'Thank you.' from me follows. Theobold stops downing the meal for a second, looking at me and blinking for a few times. "Well.. to me, he's a powerful and gentle senior. His presence is comforting in the midst of battles. Sometimes, he overextends, though. Super hard to take a hold of him.", he says, wiping his lips clean with a towelette. "Thank you.. You can eat this, if you still have room for more. I'm not really hungry.", I slide the plate to him and stand up. His tail stands up excitedly and he beams out a smile, "Really?? Thanks, friend!", he exclaims in joy. Then he eats up the plate. I leave the restaurant with a bit of my question answered. Still, I can't help but smile as I think about his expressions. Theo knows how to cheer up the mood, everytime.

Who is next..? I barely know anyone from the Valkyries anyways. Why did I think that this would be a good idea in the first place? I feel defeated in this quest to find the true identity of a man who is the closest thing to an information ghost. With a feeling of unfulfillment, I head back to the church..

Interesting. Vurul is leaning on the wall next to the front door of the church, seemingly waiting for someone. I'm pretty sure he's waiting for me. 'Cause, every time he shows up, something is about to happen. At least that's what I think. I take a deep breath, approaching him as his gaze now fixates on me. The same old, deep-sea-pressure inducing eyes. "Follow.", he mumbles, before gesturing to me to follow him. Vurul doesn't look as hostile towards me as before, his expressions seem more relaxed as if he's trusting me. The boy goes to a dark alleyway, not caring if I'm following him or not. He understands that it's my choice and.. I respect that. Out of curiosity, I follow him to the sketchy alley. On the wall of the alley is an iron door, with a sealed up see through hole. Vurul knocks on the door a few times, exactly 4 in a 2-2 rhythm and the cover of the hole slides open. It promptly closes right after and the locking mechanism of the door clicks open, allowing the heavy door to be opened. Vurul steps inside and I follow him. The inside of the place is a bar and there are people here. They all look at us two, then turn away quickly, probably because they know not to mess with my bodyguard.. Hehe.