BEYOND THE BLAZE Chapter 7: ’What was that’

After the explosion, the rain ca, followed by big lightning. But the citizens didn’t care about the rain; they were only disturbed by the explosion.

The city shook; a lot thought it was an earthquake, the surrounding trees fell, and many things were blown away.

’What was that?’ asked Haruto, but the walls didn’t reply to him. He stood up and found his way to his followers. He chanted the sa question, but no one had a clue. The whole city started to ask each other what happened, and many had their own ideas. So thought that the world was crumbling. So thought maybe the Empire attacked because they were all always in fear.

The almost flew Mika ca up with her own idea.

’Ohh damnit, I was late, wasn’t I? But what was the explosion all about, and that crazy air? Mhh, better go check, but this rain—agh, I’m dripping wet right now, and I’m near to the place where I was going, and I should hurry before the Residents Protection Unit (RPU) shows up to check this place out.

Little did she know, the citizens were shaking; even the unit didn’t want to step foot out side their gates.

During the sa night, the Underground group held a eting.

Haruto started the eting: ’Sorry for disturbing you, but I’m sure you were already disturbed, so I called you guys here to ask so questions regarding the earthquake or sothing else that happened. The whole city is on its feet; they don’t want to sleep. They want to know whether it’s safe to sleep or whether they will kick the bucket during their sleeping hours. So, anyone with an idea on what happened, sothing to tell the public? Because I’m sure by now the castle is crowded; there’s no space for air to go through.

Shinji replied with a disturbed voice, saying, ’Ahh, I, I can’t even think of anything right now, maybe those human monsters, I guess.’

’Yeah, maybe you’ve got a point! They said, those guys are powerful, so they can be the cause.’ Said another elder in the eting.

Haruto replied with his own point for the public: ’The public won’t grasp that, and we will end up creating chaos within the state, having so civil wars between us and our loved ones. I only have this point, which everyone is almost think of, but I’m not saying we should go with my point; we can still investigate the explosion, where it ca from, and why. So my public opinion is...

Mika reached the place and saw a clear place with no house or trees, but so fallen trees at the end of the clear place.

’What happened here?’ Mika asked herself a question that everyone can ask. She continued saying, ’I rember my map indicated a house space here. Was it wrong?

She continued walking around the place searching for answers.

’Wait, what’s this?’ She saw a piece of fresh cloth and a vegetable 🥒. Where is it coming from? This place is like a... wait a minute, it looks like there was a house here (she saw the fallen burnt bricks). Did the people who lived here move away? But what about the fresh vegetables? This is ridiculously bad. I wonder where to start the investigation. What can I touch? Only the fallen trees and fresh vegetables. These can’t be enough. I need so solid information, clear enough to submit as a cl... ’ She beca speechless after what she saw.

Haruto continued the eting. They ca up with ideas of things they will do and say to the public.

’We need to send our best n to the East; we can’t lose the information right under our nose.’ Haruto said.

’Our team from group C is or can be ready and head out in a blink of an eye.’ Said another elder in the eting.

’Team A is all good to go.’ Haruto added,

’Team B can be organized and can be ready to head out,’ Shinji suggested too.

Okay then, all decided. Hurry up and get your teams into the forest; we can’t lose anything, because that couldn’t be an earthquake. Haruto fired up the engines.

In the Elysian castle, the big crowd was more like protesting, searching for answers, with so thinking that they were not protected.

The big crowd made a lot of noise in front of the big gates of the castle. The whole castle wasn’t in peace; they couldn’t even get sleepy because it was like soone was knocking with stones at the gate. But thankfully to the guards, their physical peace was around.

Princess Fiana—new characters

Prince Kaid

King...

Princess Fiana blood with happiness when she saw Haruto.

’Haruto!’ Thank God you are here.’ The princess said happily.

’Haruto? How did he get in here?’

’Calm down, son, there is sothing called a back door, and this man got access to it,’ said the king. He continued, "Give so good news. What was that?"

’Ahh, we are still investigating the explosion, and we also ca up with an idea that can calm down the public.’ Said Haruto.

’That’s good to hear, so tell the idea before my ears block because of this noise.’ Replied the king.

’We thought of this one; the whole crowd outside can grasp this one easily, because I’m sure many of them are thinking the sa, but their mindsets won’t stay on one option, so we thought of this one to calm them down and to make their hearts at ease just by planting it into their mindsets.’

’Just say the idea, Haruto; we don’t have all the ti in the world. So of us are tired, and we need to crash peacefully.’

’Calm down, son. Let him speak; don’t interrupt him. He’s our only trusted agency man, so treat him with respect.’

’Yeah, yeah, yeah, trusted agency man. My foot, he will betray you one day, Da...!

’Kaid, be very cautious with your words towards Dad and Mr. Haruto,’ said the respectful and beautiful princess 👸.

’Speak, Mr. Haruto.’

’Okay, Princess.’ The whole room kept quiet as if there was no one in it ,in order to listen to the idea.

’We thought of saying it was an earthquake....’

’Stupid idea, is that all you’ve got?’ the angry prince intervened.

’I guess your idea is good for the public, Mr. Haruto.’

’Thank you, Princess.’

’What!? Do you think they are that dumb?’

’Shut up, Kaid, this is the best idea yet. We can’t co up with any other ideas now; as you heard him, they are conducting an investigation.’ said the honest princess.

’Okay then, I’m shutting them off now.’ Said the king.