Grey: The New Exorcist by Nick Venom (read this if TXT) 📖

The group took a month to cross through Division 4 and 5 before arriving at the border of Division 7. They ventured to the border between Division 4 and 7---a weird divide between the peaks of mountains of Division 4 and Division 7’s dark wood forests. The border was a wall---twenty feet in height---comprised of coal-colored bricks. Standing in front of the border were two Division 7ers, dressed in trench coats. The guards noticed the group nearing them and took a step forward. “What ya’ want?” One of the guards---wearing a mask to hide his face---shouted. 

“You can’t enter!” Shouted the other guard.

“Leave or die!” The first guard declared. The group stood---thirty feet from the border---and allowed Aleshia to step forward. She raised a golden coin, with a dragon embedded in it, and flashed it at the guards. The guards noticed the emblem and nodded, stepping to the side. “You may enter.” Aleshia nodded before turning around. She waved to the others to follow her. They passed by the guards with ease while Aleshia lingered behind. She went up to the guard and whispered in his ear. The guard nodded, whispering something back. She then passed him and joined the others---not noticing Marshall’s stare. 

The group was ushered to the capital of Division 7---Mirstone--- which consumed two weeks. With a month and a half-consumed, Grey’s condition worsened. A Divisioner 7er was assigned to them. He was responsible for their arrival at Mirstone. Understandably, the simple Divisoner 7er had no knowledge of healing practices that could heal Grey.

The group landed in Mirstone and were thrown towards the only skyscraper of the large black brick city. The skyscraper held fifteen floors and was decorated with red and blue balloons. The decorations contrasted with the dark and emotionless feelings that the city gave off. Trent and the other Spirit Slayers shivered upon entering. Marshall and Tori never felt the chills that the others felt, instead, directing suspicious stares at Aleshia and other Division 7ers. Aleshia noticed these stares---brushing them off--continuing to walk towards the skyscraper. 

The Division 7er that was assigned to them, named Dexter, stopped in front of the skyscraper. “You are entering the Keep. Inside are the elders, you are not allowed to talk without being asked a question.” The group nodded, following Dexter inside the Keep and meeting the elders. The five elders were dressed in black cloaks, hiding their faces with a trapezoid-shaped face mask. 

“Who are you?” The First Elder asked.

Aleshia stepped forward. “My name is Red Alpha.”

“Red Alpha?” Third Elder asked. “Why are you here?”

Aleshia turned around and pointed at Grey, his body laid on a stretcher. His body was demonizing ---soon reaching its limits and accepting its fate. “His mind is plagued by a spirit. He will become a demon soon if he can’t be cured.”

“Why must we help? It isn’t our fault that this fate has fallen upon him.” A Third Elder asked.

“He was a rookie! He didn’t realize what was happening at the time!” Trent blurted out. Dexter, Aleshia, and the elders shifted their focus on Trent. 

“Send him out!” The First Elder shouted. A dragonkin soldier that stood by the entrance of the Keep---dressed in the same black cloak---nodded and went to approach Trent. Trent backed away from the dragonkin soldier and turned towards the elders. 

“I’ll do anything! Save him!” He begged them. Dante stepped between Trent and the dragonkin, preventing his arrest

“Stand down,” Aleshia ordered Dante.

“I could say the same to you,” Dante muttered. He looked up and directed his stare at the elders. “All we want is to save our friend. I heard that you can help us with that.”

The Fifth Elder---who laid back on a recliner chair---stood up and pointed a finger at Grey. “What do we get if we save him? A thank you? A couple of Aztecian coins?” 

Dante shook his head. “For one, we won’t spread the news about spies being detached from Division 7. If the High Council were to hear about this, it would tarnish your reputation even further. Oh, that and we’ll throw in a Spirit Crystal for good luck.”

“Gutsy I see,” remarked the Fourth Elder. “He doesn’t seem to back down or cower in fear. I like this kid.”

“Liking this kid or not; I do not condone helping out that sick boy!” The Third Elder spat out.

“Spirit Crystals are rare, but not important for us. You truly want our help?” The Second Elder asked. The three Spirit Slayers nodded. “I see… then if you want to establish a fair trade, you’ll be sent to the Death Forest and responsible for slaying the Demon Warriors hiding in that forest.”

“No!” The First Elder shouted. “We must stick to our principles. We don’t give anything to outsiders!”

“Why not? I agree with Second Elder!” The Fourth Elder declared.

“I’m in agreeance,” The Fifth Elder said.

“I despise these street rats. I agree with First Elder, not Fourth Elder.” The Third Elder declared.

“3 versus 2. You humans will go to the Death Forest and complete your mission. However, Red Alpha and the sick boy will remain here. The Seven Warrior next to you will be tasked with ensuring your side of the deal is completed.” The fourth elder ordered, pointing at the dragonkin next to them.

“It’s an honor to meet you all. My name is Cian. I am one of the Seven Warriors.” He then walked up to Trent and whispered in his ear; “I could’ve killed you without hesitation. One second is all I need.” Cian walked out of the Keep moments later, leaving the Spirit Slayers behind. Trent thanked Dante for his help before ordering the rest to group up with Cian. Layla and the priests nodded, following Trent’s order. Unfortunately, Marshall and Tori’s opinion had changed. Instead of being a brave leader, they saw him as a sad and pathetic man. Moreover, they decided to leave the group after discovering the elder’s secret, even if Grey wasn’t cured and transformed into a demon. They only cared about the benefits.

TBC…

Publication Date: 08-16-2019

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