LOST WARRIORS (ONGOING)

Sibestia Forest

"I know this place. I grew up here. It's Sibestia Forest. I am getting that smell again. That old familiar smell." Massimo took a deep breath.

"But those drum beats? Are they familiar too? I am afraid they must be tribals. As I know, they don't like unwanted entries. We may be in danger now." Mike seemed nervous.

"No, I know them. Don't be afraid. They also know me as well. But wait, let me enter first." Massimo assured them and got prepared to enter the forest.

The more Massimo entered the forest, the more he felt like he was going back to his childhood gradually. His walking speed was also increasing simultaneously. He was so excited to meet his childhood friends, relatives after so many years. But his excitement faded very quickly as soon as he fully entered the core region.

He saw many unknown faces whom they didn't know. He hadn't even seen them before. He quickly began to look for familiar faces in the crowd. And finally, he found some. But their tribal guards had already noticed him.

They came to him and asked in their native language,"Hey boy! Why have you entered without permission? Don't you know about our rules."

Massimo knew their language. So he answered in their language,"In the past, I used to live here with my relatives. I have come here to meet them."

The guards looked at each other. They partially trusted him as he knew their native language. But that was not a big deal. Anyone could learn that. They seemed not to believe in Massimo's words. They were about to say something, but Massimo shouted,"Hey Sioux, look here!"

Hearing this, the guards turned backwards. A boy named Sioux heard someone was calling him by his name and by finding its source he was surprised. He hadn't expected Massimo here. For some time, he stood still. Maybe recalling his past life experiences with Massimo. He used to be his closest friend that he had ever had. His eyes seemed watery. He quickly ran towards Massimo to hug him.

But in the meantime, the guards were surprised too. They hadn't expected that someone at this age would call their Lord by his name.

"Long time no see! Where have you gone all this time? So Folks, let me introduce my old friend to you. Most of you know him. But a few don't. He is my oldest, closest friend. Everyone, welcome him." Sioux introduced Massimo to his folks.

All the people present there bowed their heads towards Massimo. He felt surprised and abashed at the same time. People much older than him were also bowing their heads. He didn't like it. He asked everyone to stand up.

He asked Sioux,"You are their Lord now. Does it mean..."

"Yes, you are right. My father passed away three months ago. Since then, I am the new Lord." Sioux gasped. Then added,"Oh wait, you have come after so many years that I am so overwhelmed that I haven't told you to come to my house. My mistake-" Sioux seemed ashamed.

Understanding his condition, Massimo said,"Don't be busy. I didn't come here to sit. War has started. You know, right?"

"Ofcourse, but it's none of our business. We shouldn't get involved in the kingdom's conflicts." Sioux replied.

"But our kingdom is involved and the King of Barren is relying upon my intels. Basically, I am doing the job of an intellectual right now. My frie-" Massimo got interrupted.

"Wait- You said Barren?! Aren't you from Tursia? You moved to the Tursia village. You are supporting Barren? Something seems not connected to me." Sioux asked.

"So you are expecting me to support Tursia? They are the only reason I have no parents. I am going to kill that King with my own hands. But doing this, I need your help. Barren soldiers are engaged in war right now. The Barren King won't let me engage in personal revenge in this situation. So, he won't provide me with any soldiers. That's why-" Massimo stopped.

"Sorry for your parents. And I will surely help you I promise. But have you got any plans? Entering the palace without any plans is next to impossible. And in this moment of war, extra securities will be there. So, we won't get any chance against them. And you know, their spies could be everywhere." Sioux said, lowering his voice.

"I will tell you everything. But my friends are waiting outside the forest. I have to go and get them." Massimo said.

"But why did you leave them waiting in the first place?" Sioux asked.

"They were so afraid that they were saying you guys don't like unwanted entries. So, I told them to wait there till I manage here." Massimo smiled.

"Oh! For this reason? Hahahaha!!! They weren't wrong afterall. I don't like this kind of surprises, anyways. Go and bring them." Sioux laughed.

Massimo went outside the forest and he was totally unprepared for what he saw. His friends are completely surrounded by Tursian soldiers, not letting a single gap to run away from them. Seeing Massimo, one of them, may be the lead one, asked with a criticism mixed in his voice,"So you are Massimo the great? You are not less popular than the King, you know." Everyone from the soldiers laughed at the statement. He continued, "So many of us have been sent by the King to catch this one child. It is a very shameful act for us. Tie him up."

"No need to tie me. I am going with you at my own will. I expected you to come, of course not at this moment. But it makes no difference for me." Massimo said with a calm voice, then added,"But first, free my friends and let them go." The last words sounded strong.

"We don't need them. We need only you." The former replied.

Everything Adam and the others had been up to was unexpected. It took time for them to handle it. Everything happened in a blink of an eye. Adam asked,"If you all think that you will take him that easily and we will stand and just watch, then you are going through a big mistake."

Massimo replied before the soldiers could. "No, don't. I need you guys to be alive and intact. It's no use to fight with them. I know they won't do any harm to me."

"But Massimo-" Adam got confused but Massimo shared eye-gestures with him which were telling them to go inside the forest to Sioux's village as it was a safe refuge for them and assured he will be safe and return soon.

Massimo's sharp edge of intellect and foresight were recognized earlier by Adam. He had trust in Massimo more than in himself. So he obeyed without questioning. Lucifer, Emma and Mike thought staying quiet was best in that situation.

They took Massimo with them and left. Adam and his friends entered the forest. Seeing them, Sioux seemed so glad. He came to welcome them.

They realized that it might be one of Massimo's friends.

Sioux asked,"Where is Massimo? Is he preparing for another surprise?"

Mike asked,"Are you Massimo's friend? You are the Lord of this forest, right?"

"You got both of them correct. Haven't Massimo introduced me to you? He always forgot. My poor friend-" Sioux replied.

Adam told everything to Sioux. And the more he heard, the more angry he was becoming. After listening, he bursted with anger.

"It was moments ago he came and they took him with them. And being the Lord of this forest, I failed to save him. They took him from my area. Damn you Henry!!!" Saying this, he continued to walk absent-mindedly.

They all sat in despair for a while. It was absolute silence. Nothing, even birds were silent that time. Adam broke the silence.

"Sioux, you have men with you. We have to support Massimo with backups. Give every person a flare and you, I and Mike will go with them to Tursia Palace. Massimo has assured us but if he dies, I won't be able to forgive myself my entire life. My one closest friend had already died due to my carelessness. I can't allow more. Please order your men."

"Sure." Sioux ordered his men to obey.

Tursia Palace

The soldiers entered the palace adjacent area. The lead one looked upwards at the balcony where King Henry the VII was waiting. Looking at him, he said,"Your grace, I have brought him with me. Order me to leave." All of the soldiers bowed their heads down.

"Alright, one of you, bring himself here. Rest of you leave." King Henry seemed very much satisfied.

Massimo looked at King Henry with a hidden anger in his face. He didn't express it though.

One soldier left him on the balcony and went down. King Henry, looking at Massimo, said,"I should have welcomed you, shouldn't I?"

Massimo didn't reply. They entered the King's own room.

"You must be wondering why I called you here?" King Henry smiled.

Massimo still didn't reply. But that did not change the King. He asked,"You must be wondering too why haven't I killed you yet?"

Massimo stared at the King. Until then, he hadn't uttered a single word. But he couldn't hold back anymore.

"Your father ruined it all." Massimo said in a very low voice.

"What are you saying? I can't hear." King put his hand on his ear, trying to hear.

"Your father was the reason why I lost my parents. He died. But I won't let any of his descendants live. No matter what.... I will finish them one by one...." Massimo gritted his teeth.

"Look around yourself. Where do you think you are now? Nobody is here to save you. It's my territory. You damn traitor. You are the same as your father. You-"

Massimo didn't let the King finish the sentence.

"It's over now. I have been waiting all these years to kill you with my hands. You know all this day every moment felt like an eta. And this is the day. History will not be repeated... Finally I will avenge my parents' death."

Saying this, he took the flare from the wall of the room.

Seeing this, the King's face went dry. He didn't expect he would do something like that. The King started stammering.

"Hey b-boy! Put it down. We both will die this way. The whole palace will be burnt. Don't be mad."

"Hahaha! What will happen even if I die? Nobody cares. I have nothing to lose. But you...you have everything: your name, your family, your respect, your wealth, your kingdom, everything...Your father took everything away from me after I was born. I don't even remember my parents' faces. Today, I will take everything from you. And now you will also suffer the same fate as mine. It was destined from the day I was born."

Saying this, Massimo threw the flare to the large curtain covering the grand window of the room.