"It's hard to explain, honestly. It's a long story."
One of the men who rescued us replied to Kane's question with a calm and polite tone.
He was probably trying show us that they weren't hostile, but rather friendly.
Perhaps he wanted to convey through his demeanor that they were here to help, not to deceive us.
"Then keep it short and detailed." Kane's expression was calm, but his voice was sharp and calculated.
I could tell he was being cautious of them, as if trying to get something out of them that I couldn't grasp.
So I decided not to interfere as I could ruin his plan. Furthermore, I had no idea what was going on, or what the situation was. What I knew was just that something that happens in novels, movies, and comics had just happened to us.
It was better for us to gather information first than to act when we didn't know anything.
Plus, Kane agreed to them within seconds without thinking, so I was worried that he trusted them just because they saved us.
Don't misunderstand me here, it's just that Kane's always been too trusting, and I'd seen him get hurt because of that.
Relief washed over me when I saw Kane being cautious. Maybe he wouldn't get hurt this time. As his brother, I hoped for that to be the case.
I was glad that he didn't choose to trust these men who we didn't know in the first place, rather had them earn his trust by their actions. Naturally, if they've had his trust, they would have mine too.
But it didn't mean that I would blindly follow them, I'd keep an eye on what they say or do, unless I was certain of their loyalty.
"It's like this: You two are the descendants of an angel and a devil. To be precise, you two are their kids. You both have mix blood and have powers from both sides, thanks to them. However, you are not awaken in your true form yet, which means that when you do, you'll be hella strong. Probably like a God, or more powerful than that since you two are very special as you two were born from a phenomenon which is very rare. You getting it?"
"So, we're a rare breed. If carefully nurtured, we can be the one who eradicate evil from this world. But if it's the opposite..." Kane trailed off.
The other men snapped his finger, and said, "Exactly! That's why those lots want to get their hands on you before you become too strong."
I was listening to their conversations carefully to not miss a single or an important detail throughout their conversation.
I was looking up for a chance to speak in, if I found them suspicious or anything. But they were all saying the opposite of what I was thinking which made me think what if they were just as good as they were showing themselves?
"Having said that, none of them are good, at least not anymore, correct?"
"Yup, you are correct. That's why we saved you guys."
It was as I thought. That angel and devil were planning to do something to us.
I, somehow, had a feeling that it all looked very familiar to me. It wasn't like I had been in the same or similar situation before, but something that was in my memory which I was having a hard time to recall.
My mind began to race with so many questions once again. In the midst of that, I found something.
We were saved by these two. Why would they save us if they didn't want something from us as well? And how come they have such power that could prevent an angel and a devil to not break a barrier despite being a human like us? I thought to myself while looking at them.
Kane cut through the train of my thoughts. "So then? You guys didn't save us just for telling that, did you?"
"Ah, don't worry. It's nothing that much. We just want your support, and in return we'll help nurture your abilities and powers to their full potential," said one of them with a smile as he spread his arms wide as if to say, "And of course, we don't plan to do anything bad. You can see us yourself. Feel free to do so."
I could see that this guy was telling truth as I'd a knack for seeing through people who were lying. But still, what if they were told such a thing without being told the whole thing?
What if they were just pawns for whoever who sent them to save us? It gave rise to many questions.
Furthermore, we were completely new to this world, and we didn't even know what these powers and abilities were. Plus we didn't know who's our ally or enemy. So it was better to be on guard.
"Trust us, we'll definitely help you out and protect you," said the other man, cheerfully.
"How can we trust you when we don't even know your name?" I asked.
"Oh, right. Sorry, I forgot. I am Maarij Ashford Ghost. And he is Aariz Bloodworth Lucifero," said Maarij with a smile.
"And both are 24 years old. I am 5'10 feet (177.80cm) and he's 6'1 feet (185.42cm). And—" Aariz was spouting stuff which I hadn't even asked, so I cut him off.
I shot him a look saying, "I never asked that."
Aariz then pouted like a sulking child. His nature was contrasting with the weight of situation we were in.
Why are you pouting now? I asked him my mind.
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Aariz's upbeat was unwavering. Perhaps we couldn't take this guy serious.
Aariz had black hair which were silky with silver shades, his eyes were same. As for Maarij, he had brown hair which were wavy with golden brown shades, same with eyes as well. Both of them had white complexion.
Now that we knew the names of these two guys, we could focus on gathering the information about this world and power related stuff. I was going to ask them that now, but before I could, Kane spoke up.
"I would like know to know more about this world. While we are at it, I also want to hear about this power related stuff. If I am correct, judging from that screen-like thing, this world works on System-like thing, correct?"
"As expected of you, you already have figure it out. Yes, you're correct on that. And sure, why not? I was going to tell you that even if you hadn't asked that."
"And when were you?"
"When we had hopped onto the jeep. It's hot here, don't you think? Let's change places, alright?"
Maarij and Aariz were clearly doing their best to get on our good side, but their efforts felt a bit too eager.
I believe they both knew that it wasn't going to be easy, yet they were doing the best they could do for it.
Probably they were good people. But I couldn't let my guard down just because I saw them trying their best to gain our trust. They could be faking it for all we knew.
I was now waiting for Kane's decision since I had planned to follow him to anywhere he will go, even if it was hell... Well, I would have stopped him if he were to do something like that.
Kane sighed and said, "Fine. Let's get going."
"Great! I know of a 'cooler' place nearby. We can get ourselves some cool stuff such as ice creams or drinks, or anything of sort like that. Plus we can also get something to eat as well and get supplies for our journey back to Aestraevia which is going to take a month or more, and we'll have to pass through many other Kingdoms as well."
Aariz's cheerfulness really was something else. He really was trying to cheer us up, because he might have had thought that we were being down on spirits after what happened.
This was nothing, but just a misunderstanding that both Aariz and Maarij had assumed to be the case. In reality, we were just exhausted and wanted to sleep for hours.
"Well, then let's go!" Maarij entered the jeep and started it while saying that with all of the cheerful spirits he had.
Aariz and Maarij were already in the jeep, and were waiting for us to get in as well.
I sighed and asked, "Shall we, brother?"
"Yeah."
Kane really was tired. I mean how could he not? He had put the most efforts in completing the tasks than anyone in the company. So it was natural that he would be tired like that. He was barely managing to stay awake.
Maarij was the one driving the jeep. As we drove down the mountain road, Maarij explained the world's structure, and some stuff related to that.
He told us that this world was completely different from the one we were living is, as in that it was just a realm-like world with 4 Kingdoms which had species which exist in Fantasy novels or comics or movies.
All Kingdoms were in very friendly relationship with each other, and they all could visit and live in other Kingdoms as long as they were peaceful.
Furthermore, he told us that this world didn't have a specific name like Earth as it was just a single world made solely for the creatures living in this world to live on. So the inhabitants simply called it "Hollow".
The names of Kingdoms were as follows: Sylvoria, where elves lived. Ithylia, where sea creatures lived. Zephyra, where beast creatures lived. Lastly, Astraeva, where all kind of species live and that also was where we were going.
Also Astraeva had absolute authority over other Kingdoms. Aariz told us that despite being species of different kind, they all look similar to humans. Kane nodded to their story.
"I get it. But that's not all, yeah? There must be some Dark Kingdoms as well, am I wrong?"
What Kane just said made my brain run again. Of course, in such a world like this, there would be a Kingdom who'll act as villain. So there's no way such a Kingdom would not be here as well.
Maarij hesitated before explaining. "Ah, there are two Kingdoms like that: Nythoria and Vyranth. These two Kingdoms are made by the creatures of species, including humans as well, which went 'corrupt'. However, they are nowhere to be found now, so they are considered as a myth. That's why I didn't bother telling you about it."
If what Maarij said was true then there indeed was no need to tell that all. But, still, I better keep my guard up. Who knows what might happen? I said to myself upon hearing those words.
There was still so much for us to know. But I hoped that we would get to know all before it was too late.
After a couple of few minutes, we arrived at that place which Aariz had mentioned. It indeed was cool, because it was at sea side, and somehow, it was way cooler than it was supposed to be.
That's the Fantasy World for you, I guess.
I could see the vast blue ocean under the blue sky with white clouds while we drove downwards to the place where we could park. It was such a pleasing sight to see.
The parking area was open, as in no roof to cover it or whatsoever. I could feel the fresh cool air which made me feel better.
I glanced at Kane who was looking at sky for a moment and then glanced at the ocean.
I am glad he feels better now, I thought. A smile reflexively came on my face.
But then it hit me: I am forgetting something which is much more important than the rest. But what is it?
"Kane, Leo, let's go now," said Aariz with a smile.
Wait...! How do these guys know our names? Who told them? We never introduced ourselves, I thought to myself.
I mean, there must be someone who told them our names before they told them to save us, correct?
And what Maarij said, they wanted our help and in return they would help us, clearly tells that there was someone pulling the strings.
I need to get more information on that, I thought to myself with determination to know what I wanted.