The latest two members of the Redwings had settled in nicely with everyone. Roy, for one was a nice addition to the ever-growing magic team. If anything, he was surprised to see Lenny there, who was another former tower master from Roland academy.

Now that he was on good terms with them, they had even offered to talk to the academy and explain the whole situation. There was a chance Roy could even get his old job back. However, Roy refused, the role never really suited him, anyway. He was never there for the students, but just so he could have a place where he could further his own powers.

The Redwings seemed like it would be a good place for that as well, not that Roy was doing anything beneficial. They quickly realized that he was quite the lazy type. He would lie down and sleep in most of the time, and would only do things when asked. Some were wondering how he even got his strong powers in the first place.

Since it took hard work and dedication for one to grow their magical abilities. Still, one person could always get him to snap into action, and that was Bliss. She had no time for his nonsense, and when he learned that she was really the Divine being, he chuckled. That day was burned in his mind after that.

There were many things she did as proof that scarred him for life.

As for Roki, he was also relaxing. They offered him the role of a teacher in the city, but he said he didn't want to step on anyone's toes. That they already had the best teachers, they needed here. With Harry and Kyle teaching the sash knights. Even Dan and the others showed great skill.

What he would do though, was from time to time spar with the other Redwing main members hoping to improve their skill. Harry, Kyle, Dan, Badger, Sloth, even Slyvia and Martha. The old master knights would have a go from time to time, such as Sir K and Wilfred.

It might have been because they were closer in age, but Wilfred and Sir K got on best with them.

During the time of their return, the Alure kingdom also announced that it would no longer be treating the Redwings as an outsider. They didn't disclose the closeness of their relationship. Only that they wouldn't do as the empire asked and would open up trade with them once again.

The other kingdoms, including the Redwings, were watching closely at the empire's reaction, but there seemed to be nothing. There were no messages, no news, it was as if they didn't care and had ignored it completely.

According to Roki, this was very odd. The Alexander he knew would never have let this just go by, especially after the all kingdom tournament. As soon as one didn't follow their commands, soon more would follow.

He couldn't help but think that something serious had to be going on in the empire that they were unaware of. With no information coming out, they could only speculate.

So much time had passed, so much had happened and now there was only one week left until the fated year, the agreed time with Gary, yet there was still no sign of Ray having come back and the system was still down between the Redwing members.

Because of what was happening, Bliss decided to do something she didn't like doing at all. She was going to attempt to look into the current future once more. Before, their chances of winning relied on Ray, Van the prince, and herself. They had obtained some allies that she hadn't seen in the vision.

Meaning somewhere along the way things changed, but the biggest change of all was, Ray wasn't here. Preparations in her research room had been made, and a magic circle had been drawn on the floor, instead of activating it away, or using a crystal. She herself had chosen to step into it.

Once sat down, the circle was activated. The energy began to channel through her. Her eyes started to fill with a blue glow. Images started to flash through her head; of the grand city no longer being there, completely destroyed, and Gary smiling. While Van had been captured and handed over to the other side.

The vision had ended, and so had the spell. She huffed and puffed at the site, and felt a little sick. Sometimes experiencing the future was more real than she would have liked.

"The future, it became worse,

" Bliss said.

As soon as Bliss had informed Sylvia of what she had seen, a meeting was to be called, and the council room was filled in once again with the Master knights, Lenny, Bliss and the council members.

Sylvia had just finished explaining to them all what had been seen.

"The Divine being's future, is only one path of the future correct?

" Humfree said, stroking his beard. Leader of the white sash knights, the healing division at Avrion. One of the only old council members from the past.

"Doesn't that mean there is a chance it will not happen?'

"Oh, please!

" Lenny interrupted.

"You do remember that Bliss here is the actual Divine being. If you had gone to that crystal before and she had told you this with her visions, you would have all been quaking in your boots begging for something to be done. Nothing has changed apart from your almighty god taking the form of a human instead of a crystal. No offence.

" Lenny said, looking at Bliss. The two of them were quite close now and on friendly terms since working with each other.

"Did the impact of Ray not being with us really change the vision that much?

" Jack asked. He had been busy training the werewolves that had decided to come with them. They were now settled into the Redwing kingdom.

There were a few incidents here and there, but Jack made a simple rule that they all had to follow. They were not to turn ever while in the city. If they went out on hunts, in war and such, it was understandable, but if they ever broke this rule, and turned in the city, there would be a harsh punishment.

Of course, there were always some, and Jack had to make an example in front of him. Punishing him in front of everyone. Jack had overwhelmed him with his own power, while still in his human form, while the wolf was in his werewolf form.

Which settled their worries even more. A lot of people knew what Jack was, but it still suited the image in their head, that a human could deal with these half beasts like creatures.

"It would appear so,

" Wilfred added.

"At the end of the day, he was the prophecized child that was said to stop this war along with Van. If there is one piece, what are we meant to do here?

"

"We can't just give up!

" Sylvia said, slamming her fist on the table.

The others turned to look at her, concerned. Sylvia seemed to be getting angrier or more short-tempered as the days grew closer. The problem was they weren't sure why. Was it because Ray hadn't returned? Was it the Shadow inside her body, or was she just nervous about such an event?

"I have a suggestion,

" Von said, who was Ray's martial arts teacher and also a former Council member. He acted as Slyvia's aide, giving her advice from time to time, and when she was away, he took over her position of head of the council.

"Many of you may not like it, but I will speak so anyway. The vision being shown will come true if we decided to carry on doing what we are doing now. I truly believe that. To change the current future, then we need to do something unpredicted.

"

"I have been thinking this whole time, why has the Shadow agreed to wait a full year. The Shadow has never been known to keep true to its word. Yet it has done so this time. Not once in the entire year had the Shadow directly stepped foot outside of the shadow content to attack us.

"

"There have been incidents here and there, but none directly leading to a grand battle. Even now, they have kept their word perfectly. Not even attacking a day earlier. If you get my point, I believe the Shadow themselves are waiting for something. Even now, there still not ready, and they won't be until next week.

"

"Before we had to worry about the empire stabbing us in the back. But now that the Alure kingdom has allied with us, they would have to get through them before even touching us. And based on what Roki said, it seems they might have troubles of their own to deal with.

"

"My suggestion is, along with the prince, we take the attack to them. We attack early, and we leave tomorrow for war!

"

*****

For MDS updates and artwork you can follow on instagram and Facebook:jksmanga

If you would like to support the idea of a manga being created you can on P.A.T.R.E.O.N: jksmanga