The battle was concluded and all the cities of Los Angeles were safe once again thanks to the valiant military forces, the resilient Crusaders, and the three heroes of the day – David, San Pedro, and Fiona.
The rampage in the cities ceased to an abrupt halt as all the summoned creatures unwillingly retired back to their respective hellish domains.
Having failed yet again in his sinister attempt to kill David and ruin the cities, Modred chose to flee away with his forces. He chanted an abyssal word and faded away alongside his surviving minions in a cloud of darkness.
David and Fiona, upon sighting the fleeing sorcerer and his minions, both made attempts to chase after them. However, the both of them were stopped by San Pedro who assured them that it wasn't necessary.
SAN PEDRO: "Ignore the Chaos Force for the time being. Let them wallow in their taste of defeat," he said.
As the crowd basked in the afterglow of victory, Gary, Jeffrey the former bully, and the other rescued hostages stepped forward to express their gratitude. Jeffrey, once the thorn in Gary and David’s side, now offered his hand, a rare show of respect.
His eyes reflected a reluctant admiration for the courage that had pulled him from the jaws of danger. Yet, when he turned his attention toward Fiona, his usual swagger returned. With a smirk, he attempted to flirt, but Fiona barely spared him a glance, her indifference as cold as steel. Without a word, she turned away, leaving him standing in silence.
As for Gary, he hugged his best friend, David, tightly, guilt in his eyes as he began to apologize for nearly dragging him down. But David shook his head, smiling.
DAVID: "You’ve got nothing to be sorry for," he said, his voice steady with reassurance.
Not long after, Fiona approached with San Pedro, Dexter, the Crusaders, and a few of the military troops. As the group gathered, Fiona’s gaze briefly flickered to Gary’s back, a fleeting expression of quiet admiration crossing her face before she quickly masked it. She pulled the Map of Mysteries from her back pocket and handed it over to David, her composure as steady as ever.
FIONA: "Here! You can have this," she said to him.
DAVID: "[Stares surprisingly at Fiona.] You would entrust this to me despite losing it previously to Modred?"
FIONA: "You had no choice at the time. I would not have done otherwise if I were in your shoes. Moreover, I would not deprive you of your reason to seek retribution against those responsible for your family's tragedy. The mysterious gateways you seek is no longer veiled, not anymore."
DAVID: "You understand the map?"
FIONA: "Do you forget that it's a relic owned by the TRIBE? Understanding how it works shouldn't be a problem for me. Now, go south ways and trust in the Map of Mysteries guidance. Only then shall you find the path you seek!"
DAVID: "I see, thank you, Fiona. I believe we'll meet again someday. However, when do you plan on returning to your tribe, the Land of Flames?"
FIONA: "Dude, I am a soldier. I've still got duty calls, and will only return home whenever I deem it necessary,"
DAVID: "Hmm. What about you, uncle? We still got a lot of catching up to do." David abruptly casted a sidelong glance at San Pedro's direction.
SAN PEDRO: "Of course, nephew. But time frowns upon us at this very moment. The Order of Light needs its Crusaders and so does the whole of Los Angeles. We would one day, make out time to catch up on the lost moments." San Pedro replied with a warm smile as he patted David's shoulder.
JEFFREY: "Enough with the chatty, and réunion. What do you really intend to do going forward, dude?" Jeffrey abruptly questioned David's real motive.
Gathering his thoughts for a fleeting moment, David extended his right hand, activating his brawler flame. His eyes fixated on the flickering inferno that danced in his palm, its yellow hue casting a faint glow.
He studied it for a moment, lost in thought, before snuffing it out with a decisive clench of his fist. Without a word, he turned his back on Jeffrey, his gaze hardened with resolve, the fire that had just vanished now burning with purpose in his eyes.
DAVID: "First, I will find the mysterious gateway, and then, I shall eventually put an end to everything! My true journey for retribution begins henceforth."
Having given his stern response to Jeffrey, David turned and walked away, his steps steady. The others watched quietly as his figure grew smaller, the distance between them stretching with each passing second. Slowly, he faded from sight, leaving nothing but the lingering sense of his quiet resolve hanging in the air.
******
~The mysterious gateway~
Following Fiona's instructions, David diligently followed the Map of Mysteries' guidance until he finally arrived at a gateway that led to the home of the TRIBE duelers. As soon as he touched the gateway, he was overwhelmed with a profound knowledge of the TRIBE'S legacy. The intensity of the enigmatic encounter left him awestruck, and he couldn't help but wonder about the unknown path that lay before him.
David removed his hand away from the gateway and stared at it one last time. And with a heavy sigh, he descended wholly into the gateway this time, anticipating whatever fate and mystery awaited him on the other side.
******
***
Hold on! Sequel's Spoiler is ahead...
YOU ARE READING
TRIBE Chronicles: The Complete Saga
Fantasy***(3rd Major Edition.) - New chapters will be published at least, twice every month going forward.*** > Traumatized by the events of a tragic past, a young teenager, David Blaze, must find traces of his family murderers. Modred, a powerful sorcerer...
