A Tale of the World **HIATUS**

Chapter 49: The Rumored Calling

Three months have passed since Gin was taken. And within those three months, reports of summoners gone missing have increased by ten times. Not only were summoners and celestial spirits being targeted, but magical creatures that lurked within the human world as well. Thus many magical creatures fled the human world, though just a handful continued to remain. More demons began to roam the earth, taking one city to the next, and the kingdoms have yet to fall. Due to the shift in climate, rain had ceased to fall within the rainy months causing droughts. It was tough considering the need to survive against the oncoming raids of demons, but they all held on. Often they got light showers, but it wasn't enough.

Nina remained at Damon's castle. And since things became worse, Damon's grandparents decided to postpone his marriage arrangements, which was a big relief to him, until later. Lillian had Nathan remain at her side; Damon agreed but also increased the protection for her. Nina could not remain still. For every reports of attack there was within the regions of Klein, Nina rushed to the scene in hopes to find Gin with R.R by her side. But the results were always the same, no fallen angels, no Gin. Just lowly demons. With the unexpected turn of events, Damon had to dispatch his elites and troops once again, monitoring the regions. Gai and Dylan were sent out to see if they could pick up any interesting information about the missing summoners, not only from Klein, but from other kingdoms and cities as well. Khan also accompanied Nina and R.R on their search, and they would always return to the castle at the end of the day.

Successfully returning from a demon raid, Nina unbuckled her card belt and threw it angrily onto the carpet and belly flopped onto her bed. Nina turned her head to face the balcony doors. The sun was already beginning to set. Holding her amulet in her right hand, she lifted up her left hand and looked at the promise ring on her finger. She felt the bed sink in beside her.

"You need to eat, Nina. If you want to find Gin at least have a decent meal," Khan urged as he placed the tray of food onto the desk next to her bed.

"I'm not hungry," she answered quietly.

Khan sighed and looked at the back of Nina's head. "We'll find him and bring him back."

Nina began to whimper softly. Khan gently placed his palm on her shoulder.

"They have someone who is capable of taking celestial spirits under their control, nonetheless erase their memory," Nina's voice shook. "And that's not all. We're up against creatures that have magical abilities that exceeds our own." Nina then slowly pushed herself into an upright position then turned and looked at Khan with watery eyes. "What if they've already erased Gin's memories. They said he had something they needed. What if they're already controlling him? Having him find all of the hidden celestial cards that are scattered throughout this entire world."

Khan hugged her tightly, "Don't think like that! Gin won't give in so easily. You of all people should know that! Don't doubt him."

Nina gripped onto Khan's shirt and nodded her head.

***

Luche walked into Blake's underground laboratory that was hidden within the blazing deserts. His first laboratory was on Mannix Coa, and his initial goal was to take over the celestial spirits for the human race, however, Luche discovered him a year after Ruen and Rolan escaped and offered him a better job, working for him. His new laboratory almost looked like a factory. It was filled with machinery that extracted black blood from demons, transferring them into 6 inch vials. Those vials are then assigned to summoners to have them be injected into their blood cells, fusing their human blood with demon blood, even if it was against their will. The blood was also given to those who were powerless when Luche answered their prayers. They now follow him as their god, the one who gave them salvation. Annette was also one of them.