Tales of the mystic love

#18 'The reason'

"What is your guess? Will the demon come? Is it really some demon or just another human? " Asked Lian.
"How will it be when we will get married for real! When that day will arrive? But what about my identity? "
"Xiao... Xiao.. What are you thinking? "
"Huh?... Nothing"
"Tell me do you have anyone who can be a suspect in your mind? " Asked Lian.
Xiaobo shakes his head with big doe eyes. Lian is used to seeing Xiao as a boy but seeing him as a girl is a little odd for her. So seeing him makes her giggle.
"What happened? Do I look funny? " Said Xiao while pouting trying to make Lian laugh more.
"No, it's just that you are a girl now and it feels weird. "
"Ohh. Well the effect will last only for 3 more hours. Before that it will be better if we catch the culprit" Said Xiaobo.
Their was strong wind blowing that cause the wooden windows to open up and cold breeze was entering in. Xiaobo goes to close the window when he saw a big silhouette of a person. Well to be exact not a person. Because the shadow had long nails and ears popped out from the head. It was the kidnapper. And it was demon. Xiaobo was about to warn Lian about this when red mist spread in the room and within seconds Xiao fainted. As Lian cradled Xiaobo's unconscious form, a shiver ran down her spine as the red mist engulfed the room, rendering them both unconscious within seconds. When Lian awoke, the mist had dissipated, leaving an eerie calm.If one did not pay attention to the mist, they would think they just dozed off for one minute. Panic set in as she realized Xiao had been kidnapped right before eyes
Outside, Ming and Ning were on guard, unaware of the unfolding tragedy. Lian rushed to them, her face etched with worry, and the trio quickly grasped the severity of the situation. Ming, with a sense of urgency, launched a rocket into the night sky .As Ming attempted to leave, Lian and Ning blocked his path, demanding answers.
"Tell us. First tell us why did you launch a rocket? And where are you headed to? Did you already had planned if Xiao was kidnapped? Or you knew he will be kidnapped? " Asked Lian with her breaking voice as she was on the verge of crying as she failed to protect him.
"The rocket was launched as a signal to Wei brother that something happened to Xiaobo. And we both decided to have a back up plan if something like this happened! It was all Xiaobo's plan. He said that if we are kidnapped we need to leave a trail behind so that the others can find us. We had this small cross-bow in our wrists. The arrows are small like needles and are very strong. He told that if we are conscious so while being kidnapped, throw the arrows on the trees to make the way. And if we are unconscious then if we don't shoot for 5 minutes then the arrows will automatically start falling. So either way the road to kidnapper's den will be made. So i was going to see where the needles are. " Said Ming in one breath as he does not want to delay even one minute.
"But where will you find the needles? There are many houses and trees are also not much in this village" Asked Ning.
"Obviously outside the city. Do you think a demon would live in a city along with all the girls that he kidnapped. He is for sure living outside the city so we need to hurry up. The horses are ready at the backside in the stable. Let's go" Yelled Ming while already running outside to go towards the stable.
The other two also followed him. They got on their horses and headed straight out of the city. After 15 minutes they reached in the woods. There they slowed down and started watching for the needles that might be either in tree or fallen on ground.Here Lian covertly used her powers to detect the hidden needles.  She was sending her energy to all the trees. As she sends energy she can detect any foreign substance present on the trees and small plants. She quickly scans the surrounding trees and finds the small thing in the West side . When she senses more in that area she finds a lead. Lian yells and tells the other two to follow her. Ming and Ning also sees the shiny small thing stuck at the trees. They sped up with Lian leading them.The discovery led them deeper into the dark forest, where growls warned them of impending danger. After reaching a distance, Ning tells the two to stop immediately. They notice a growling sound. The three got off their horses and went behind the bushes.
They see a black shadow taking Xiao on his shoulder and enters a big cave. Ming, Ning and Lian see each other with their original forms as the transformation ended. But due to darkness it is difficult to see each other. Hence the shadow or whatever demon he is, unable to tell whether Xiao is a girl or a boy.
The three on tiptoes entered the cave and the scenario made them stop their breaths. All the girls that were kidnapped where tied up and blood was dripping from their  arms and was getting collected in a bowl right under the arm. In the middle an ice coffin was placed. The cave was also much colder than the outside temperature. Lian saw Xiaobo lying behind the coffin. She quickly puts his head on her lap trying to wake him up. The black shadow or the kidnapper was no where to be seen.
"Is he okay? Any injury to him? " Asked Ming in a worried tone.
Lian shakes her head and was lightly tapping his cheeks to wake up him. After a few minutes, he woke up. But was still not aware of his surroundings.
"Lian? ..... Where are we? " Whisper asked Xiaobo while sitting up.
"The kidnapper's den. "
"Let's go from here now. " Said Ming.
"What about the other girls? " Inquired Lian and Xiaobo in unison.
"We know his place, we can come to find him again with more people. It's dangerous to stay here any longer. " Said Ming.
Ning also nods her head. Lian and Xiao look at each other and they also nod their head. Four of them were all ready to go outside when they saw the same black shadow at the entrance.
"Who are you? And what are you doing here in my den? " Roared the black shadow.
It was neither a human nor looking like a demon. Just a tall black shadow with back smoke emitting.
"Hey, black duck!! Are you shamed of yourself!! Why are you hiding your face? " Loudly asks Xiao while coming in front.
Lian and the others widen their eyes upon hearing this. He was provoking the  shadow, does he have a death wish?
"Pesky brat!! How dare you insult me? Are you done with your life? "
"My poor soul will soon die due to my illness. No need for a black duck to kill me. Just tell me what you are doing here or else... " Xiaobo was thinking how to threaten him.
"What!! Did cat got your tongue? Brat your are no match for me in terms of strength but you have a big mouth to speak"
Then only he saw that the blood that was dripping from the arms of girls was slowly flowing through a channel and was going inside the coffin.
"I.... I will destroy this coffin if you don't tell me what you are doing"
"Hearing this the shadow's back smoke increases and he was nearing them. He attacks them with a ball of black smoke and was to hit Xiao who was near coffin. Lian and Ming together and pulled him away.
The black shadow grew more furious, launching attacks with extraordinary speed. The four struggled to evade, but one aimed at Lian rebounded as if an invisible wall shielded her. The missed strike veered towards the ice coffin. Sensing the danger, the black shadow halted its assault and swiftly moved to shield the coffin. Seizing the opportunity, Ming and Ning prepared to counterattack, but Xiao intervened, restraining Ning, while Lian stepped in front of Ming to prevent his assault.
Why are you stopping us?" asked Ming and Ning in unison.