Empires: The Next Generation [DISCONTINUED]

Chapter 19

Autumns PoV

The group finally reached Crystal Cliffs, but was shocked to see that the empire was abandoned. the streets that usually guided the wizards through their kingdom had become empty and forgotten. Shops that sold their finest goods and were once filled with customers now appeared hollow and cold.

Now and then the creaking of a shop board that rustled in the wind could be heard if one listened closely.

"Maybe we came at the wrong time?" Jimmy asked awkwardly.

Joel shrugged. "Let's take a look in her wizard tower."

After a rather exhausting climb, they finally reached the top of the mountain where Gem's wizard tower was located.

Autumn noticed that even the dragon who used to guard the tower was nowhere to be seen, it gave her an uneasy feeling.

Joel pushed against the door, luckily it wasn't locked and it flew open.

"Gem? Gem are you there?" Both Joel and Jimmy started calling the wizard's name in hope of finding her, but with no success.

They entered the tower together, searching for any sign of this empire's ruler.

In the meantime, Autumn had descended back down the mountain and entered Crystal Cliffs Academy.

Walking up a few stairs and finding the dorm rooms, she took a sneak peek at the ones of her classmates. What she saw was strange, to say the least. Wardrobes were wide open, belongings were scattered around the room, and unfinished homework was still lying on the desks, it was like the students had left in a hurry with little to no time to pack their possessions.

"Do you think they fled?"

Ocean suddenly appeared around the corner, making Autumn jump up in surprise. "Geez, you scared me."

"Sorry." Ocean grinned playfully.

———

Jimmy's PoV

"Let's just go, there's nobody here." Jimmy suggested, sighing.

"No. There must be someone, there must be."

Seemingly out of nowhere, Xornoth appeared together with Joey. "Indeed there is." The demon laughed wickedly.

Joel was the first to react, he took out his sword, holding it in front of him. "I'm not scared of you."

Joey quickly copied his example, taking out a sword of his own.

Jimmy on the other hand, just stood there numb, unsure of what to do, he just blankly stared at Joey.

Joel noticed Joey's bloodred eyes and gulped, talking his way out of here was not an option.

Both of them stood there for a while, unresponsive.

Unsurprisingly, Joey was the first attack.

Impatient.

Joel jumped back, dodging Joey's sword. He took a deep breath.

Here we go.

———

I totally did not forget I was supposed to publish a chapter today.

...cough cough