Chapter 23 - The Return

[Three months later]
Following the terrorist attack and Tiberius' kidnapping along with the children, the king issued an order to bolster security throughout the city, not just in the castle. There were hardly any guards around back then, but now you could see someone with an armed weapon strolling around and observing the area.

The citizens, who were already frightened following the events, were uneasy about this; the king had not intended for the number of guards to appear so frightening and concerning. Over the course of three months, the number of guards gradually dropped once more, limiting their patrol to areas where there may be a high risk of attack.

This abrupt militarization also had an impact on shops. Businesses near the city center were experiencing low sales because people would rather buy goods from nearby locations.

Naturally, though, after three months, things returned to normal. People could move around the city safely, and shops could once again welcome customers. After that horrible attack, the city was recovering once more. However, there was one issue.

The city was now concerned about Tiberius' disappearance. Recently, people here began to accept him as if he were one of them and grow accustomed to him. You could occasionally hear people praising him for being a fun and compassionate person. Some would even write to the castle to inquire as to why they aren't making an effort to resque with the children. King, of course, had turned down all of these letters and didn't want to get involved with the notorious group. He thought the country would suffer more as a result. Therefore, he announced in the newspaper that he would not try to attack the terrorist organization directly. He would, however, do his best to get him back without a fight if it were possible. Indeed, nobody was pleased by this news. Because they were aware that this could only mean that Tiberius and the children would never again be in the city.

However, no matter what happens, forgetting is something is one of the things that connects dahas and humans. Dahas has therefore started to forget the ones that were abducted, just like any other human would. Indeed, some people do not, such as the children's parents and those who spoke with Tiberius on a daily basis. Shoan, the elderly man Tiberius met, was one of them.

Shoan and Tiberius would spend time a few times a week after work and talk about the world itself. Tiberius would learn more about the people and the world, and in exchange, he would tell his memories from Earth. Losing his conversation friend, Shaon was annoyed a lot. He would always check news and later sit at the bench where they would have long conversations.

…

“Morning, sir. You are a bit late today, huh?” Josh welcomed the old man into his shop.

He responded, "I had to take some medication and wait a little while because my knee was hurting."

“Being old is not so good, I guess.” He handed the new newspaper to him.

Old man Shoan murmured something under his lips, but it was inaudible; he probably was cursing at the shopkeeper a little. To see if there was any news about Tiberius, he picked up the newspaper and looked at the headlines.

“There is nothing new on the front page. The same as it was yesterday.” Josh informed.

“No news on Tiberius again,” Shoan said, turning the page. “Any news from the dungeon?”

“Well, I didn’t read it all, but there is no information on who had escaped.”

“What a horrible era we are living in. This terrorist group, then kidnappings. And now, dungeon breaks. Who would even risk attacking Virelia's main prison? For what purpose?”

“That is something no one knows. And also, the attack seems unsuccessful. No inmate had broken free. Few guards are hurt, and there is only minor damage.

He handed the money to Josh and remarked, "I guess there's nothing worth standing here for,"

“Not a lot. But feel free to join us for tea.

“Sure, I got nothing else to do.” After saying that, Shoan turned to face the door and asked, "What's all this noise about? Is it time for another festival?

“I don’t think so. It is not even a holiday.”

So why is everyone outside yelling and talking so loudly? Do they not have manners?” Shoan said as he made his way to the exit door.

The fountain was surrounded by a sizable crowd that was chatting loudly and joyously. They had all concentrated on something in the middle.

Shoan exited the shop and walked toward the crowd, where he noticed a tall man standing in the center of the crowd, looking around.

“Tiberius?” Shoan walked toward the crowd and called. He could see the man's face more clearly the closer he got. Sure enough, he was Tiberius.

…

"Thank you for your concern, everyone, but could you please give us some space? We need to rest," Tiberius said, attempting to move away from the crowd. People appeared to be more understanding than they had been the last time, and they gradually began to make room for him. Then he left the crowd while holding the hand of someone whose face was bandaged except for their eyes.

"Tiberius, Is that you, boy? Once more, Shoan called him.

Tiberius came up to him and shook his hand, saying, "Yes, it is me, sir."

“But how did you—”

“It is a long story. Let's take a seat somewhere to relax first.” Tiberius interrupted him.

“Sure, let’s go to Josh’s shop. Is that your friend?” Shoan asked, focusing on the person and his bandages.

“Yes,” Tiberius replied with no additional explanations.

They walked to the shop, slowly. Because it appeared that Tiberius was limping a little.

After they entered the shop, Josh welcomed them. He offered them tea, which Tiberius refused.

“If you need anything, just ask.” Josh offered.

“No really, we are fine. We will just buy new bandages and some medicine for my friend and myself.”

“Of course. Tell me how much you need and I will sen—”

“Thank you, but we can do it ourselves. No need to disturb anyone.”

Nodding, Josh brought tea despite Tiberius's refusal. "Now, tell us how they let you go and what happened," he said.

“They actually didn’t,” he said. For a while, they treated me well and even helped me forget that they were terrorists. Then their leader, Rael, approached me with a proposal. I declined it, stating that I couldn't follow him.

“What did he offer?” Shoan asked.

“He said he could send me back using dark magic. But it would require sacrifice.”

“Dark magic? So that is why he is so powerful,” Josh said. “He relies on dark magic.”

“Seems like it,” Tiberius agreed, “and after I refused, he put me in a cell with this man next to me and said he will release me only if I agree.”

“So, you agreed…” Shoan sighed.

“No, I didn’t. They held us in there for a whole month, before Aaron,” he said, pointing at his friend. “Came up with an escape route. But it didn't work, and we got apprehended. They beat me up really hard and even broke my arm." He showed his bandaged right arm and face scars and bruises, "and one even got mad at Aaron and burned his face. "That's why I wrapped his face."

“Monsters,” Sharon exclaimed. “How could they do this to a daha!” he said, “and also human,” he added.

“I don’t know. They didn’t seem forgiving. And when they saw we were not going to agree with them, they dropped us in Tanshy and left us there alone to our death—”

“In Tanshy? But that is the same as killing someone!” Josh interrupted.

“Yes, but luck was on our side. We came across an angel, who helped us all the way to the border. And thanks to villagers on the border, we got some treatment.”

“This is horrible. How could they…” Shaon could not find words to describe his frustration and anger.

“It is okay. That is in the past. We are here, alive. And it is the only thing that matters.”

“True. We were praying for you every day and are glad they were answered!” Josh agreed with him.

Tiberius sipped a bit from the tea and stood up. “Thank you for the tea, but it is better if we go now. I have to send a letter to the king.”

“Do not worry. Go home and rest. We will inform the king on the topic.” Josh offered.

“No. I better do it myself. I will ask him to help my friend. I believe he has good doctors who could heal his burns. And also…” He paused for a moment. "While I was in the cell, I overheard some of their conversations, including their next attack plans. I believe it is best if I do it myself."

Josh understood the importance of the topic and did not say another word and just nodded.

“Sir,” Tiberius turned to Shaon, “I hope no one has moved into my apartment yet,” he said.

“You think I would let them?” He answered proudly. “We even got it cleaned a week ago.”

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“I didn’t, but kids did. They said they believe you will come back, so they made sure you come to a clean house.”

“Thank you all, really. I did not expect to make such great friends in here,” he said with a smile, which no one answered, but gave a smile.

“Here,” Josh handed him a bag full of fruits, canned food, and water bottles. “For today, this should be enough. And don’t worry about the money; it is on me.”

Tiberius did not even argue; he just took them and nodded.

After saying goodbye to them, Tiberius left the shop and, with Aaron, walked to the post office. There, he received the same response and was invited to tea, but he declined, stating that he would return to his apartment.

He wrote a letter to the king, mentioning that he has some important information about the infamous group. As he handed the letter to the man, he reached into his pocket to show the medallion, allowing the letter to arrive more quickly. However, he had lost it and tried to explain himself.

“Don’t even worry about that. The letter will arrive in a few hours,” he said with a smile.

“Thank you,” Tiberius replied, and left the post office.

Later he headed to a nearby pharmacy and bought some medicine. He refused their help and mentioned that he will do anything necessary. Even his friend, who seemed to not be able to talk, refused by shaking their head.

After he had everything he needed, he went straight to his apartment. It took less than an hour for them to arrive and enter the building. Tiberius didn't have the keys anymore. With hope, he turned the handle and the door opened without any key.

He grew suspicious a bit, so he entered the apartment himself. However, after seeing a text on the kitchen counter and the key, he calmed down and called Aaron. It was just a text from his neighbors saying that they left the keys here without locking the door. And they kept his belongings safe, so he could retrieve them whenever he wanted.

“It’s safe here,” said Tiberius to Aaron. "You can take off the bandages."

Hearing this, the man removed the bandages from his mouth and nose and sat down on the couch.

Tiberius went into the kitchen, where he placed the bags, grabbed some fruit and water, and threw them at Aaron.

Aaron caught them and took a bite of the fruit.

Tiberius sat next to him and crossed his legs. "Get a good night's sleep. Tomorrow's going to be a rough day."

"What if the plan doesn't work?" he asked, still chewing.

“Then we both are dead.” Tiberius said, letting out a sigh.