Chapter 72 Captive?

"So you defeated the monster but you were attacked while returning to the carriages. They were trying to take Leo but couldn't, so they grabbed John instead, and now we are in the carriage and on our way to meet with Lieutenant Anders again. Is that everything?" Cain summarized the events that Clay had just explained to him.

"Yeah, that's everything." Clay replied with a defeated expression and a tired tone of voice.

Cain had a solemn look on his face. "I'm sorry guys... If I hadn't tried to fight the monster alone then I would have been able to help you fight those masked people. They probably wouldn't have been able to grab John... " Cain was clearly feeling guilty and his expression showed it.

"Cain." Leo said, grabbing his attention. "You understand that attacking the monster alone was wrong, right?" Leo asked and Cain nodded in reply.

"Then all you have to do is learn from that mistake and make sure you don't repeat it. If you hadn't rushed the monster then maybe John wouldn't have been taken, or maybe they would have grabbed Clay instead. There's no way of knowing what could of happened, so you shouldn't be too hard on yourself."

Cain allowed Leo's words to sink in. He understood what Leo was saying and it did make him feel better. A part of him was still blaming himself for what happened to John, but in that moment, he made a vow to himself.

'I'm going to get you back, John. Then I can apologize in person for my stupidity.' Cain promised with conviction in his mind.

***

John awoke in an unfamiliar place. He was lying in a decent quality bed and there was food prepared on a table nearby.

'Where am I?' He asked himself as he climbed out the bed. 'The last thing I remember was being dragged away from the group. Was I taken by those people in masks?' John became frightened and confused at the thought of this.

As he got out the bed he noticed that he wasn't chained up, and other than his wounds from the battle earlier, he had no injuries. In fact, he was already decently healed.

The food on the table was mostly fruits and bread. The type of food that doesn't go bad if left out for a few hours. The room also surprised John, he had expected to wake up in a dungeon of some kind but instead he was in a typical bedroom.

John could hear footsteps echo from outside the door and he quickly backed away from it as far as he could until his back pressed against the wall.

There was a rustling of keys and then a click. The door swung open and 2 figures could be seen standing at the door.

Two men in the same cloaks as the masked were standing at the door. One wore a mask and remained outside, while the other walked into the room and closed the door.

This man was 1.8 meters tall and had shoulder length black hair that was slightly shorter than Leo's. His face seemed a bit pale and his eyes were a strange shade of purplish red.

"W-Who are you people. Why a-am I here." John asked with a shaky voice.

With a soothing but strong voice the man replied. "You have nothing to fear from us. We mean you no harm. We took you from the fight to protect you."

John calmed down slightly but was still wary of the man. "What would I need protection from? I was with my friends and you're the ones who attacked us."

"Yes we attacked your group, but only so that we could capture the one you know as Leofalor. We meant you and your friends no harm. You were the ones who chose to deny our request and forced us to use violence." The man said.

"Of course we denied it! Why would we give our friend to you just because you said we should?!" John asked, his tone becoming hostile.

"The one you are referring to as your friend, Leofalor. He is going to bring destruction to our world if we do not bring him over to our side. A war is coming, and without us, Leofalor will be the catalyst that destroys the world. " The man said with a serious and solemn tone. His face showed that he was certain of his words.

"You expect me to believe that? How could you know the future?" John asked. His voice showed how absurd he believed all of this was.

"We have been visited by the great ones! They are God's among men and have shown us the truth. They have foretold that if Leofalor is not stopped, then he will destroy us all!" The man became angry and was gritting his teeth while speaking.

"I... I can't just accept what you're saying..." John was at a loss for words. He didn't want to believe that Leo could be responsible for something like this happening some day, but the man on front of him was so sure of what he was saying that it was hard not to believe him.

"Allow me to show you. I will take you to our temple and there you can speak with the great ones. They will show you the truth and if you join us, they will give you enough power to help save the world." The man stood up and opened the door.

'Why would Leo do something like that. He's done nothing but try to help people... He's a good person... A strong person...' John was feeling very conflicted about what he should do.

The man stood on the other side of the door and gestured towards the hallway "Your name was John, right? Allow me to show you the truth, John." The man said with a serene smile like this was a pleasant day for him.

John hesitated. 'If what he's saying is true. Then everyone is in danger... I can't believe Leo would do those things... But maybe he gets forced into it, or his mind is corrupted by something... I... The power... Yes... If I can get more power... Then I can stop it from happening.' These thoughts raced through John's mind.

Eventually, John took a step forwards. Then another. Exiting the room and following the pale man.

'I promise that I will protect you, my friends. I will gain enough power to save us all. I don't know if it's true, but if it is then I will do everything I can to stop Leo from destroying the world. If I can't stop him before he turns against us...then I'll have to end him myself!' John's mind was solidified and he had decided that this would be his life's mission. His only concern was whether or not these people were telling the truth.