THE STORY OF

THE PHANTOM THIEF

A feel-good land for all types of beings, City covering one third of the place and a big waterfall dividing the city and the great dark forest. Waterfall has no starting point, and nobody know what the origin behind this waterfall and there is a vast forest after the waterfall where people fear to go, not just because it is very dark and poisonous but also because people in the city believe that there are secret group of dark magicians or sorcerers living there. When it comes to the city, it is always crowded and very advanced in techno…...

        Stop it, Jack! Even I was born and brought up in this place so no need of stupid explanations and theories of yours. Says Ruther. He continues to tell Jack that ‘Remember I am your Kung Fu teacher and born way before you, so stop wasting your time and remember this is not a fictional place and this is our world ok. Now come behind me, it’s your first day in the class let’s begin’.

Is it painful to learn? Because I already have a lot of things that hurt me always so…. Says Jack.

You have chosen it, now it’s my responsibility to teach you son even if it painful I will teach you, says Ruther.

Jack starts to think that this was a very abandoned school of Kung Fu class, so he joined with an intention that he would learn basic skills but after seeing his master he thinks this was bad decision to make. But he smiles and wears his Kung Fu costume and starts practicing.

Ruther shows Jack on how to do horse stance and maintain balance in that position.

Training goes on for 2 hours and it was almost 7 in the evening and Ruther tells Jack to come back to the class tomorrow and Jack by nodding his head goes out of the class. He sees an old man standing outside his class, he quickly goes near him and points a finger towards him and asks that ‘why are you always on my behind, this is day 6 and do you think I didn’t notice you following me all these days, who are you? If I see you next time following me I will complaint to the protectors. Old man without saying anything goes away with a very sad look on his face. Jack picks up his small one seated electric bike and move straight towards his house. As soon as Jack reaches his room in his house, he picks up a cup of rice and curry, pours hot water in the cup of rice and starts to eat after 2-3 minutes.

Jack starts to mumble ‘If I go from here, it should be easy to enter and I can easily go out from here too but is this worth stealing, should I waste my time and effort on this small piece of stone that is kept in Memorial Museum, may be if that has no value then again if that has no value then why would they keep that in museum, hmmm I will look at this later let me focus on my rice now’. Jack then again continues to eat. A large map like thing is pasted on his wall with all threads connected to some pictures and some notes too written on the wall. There is cape lying in the bed and costumes too. On the other side there are some books about various machines and about topics like phycology and in the corner, there are few banking slips and records, Jack set them in in an order and takes his handbag and puts them in the bag. Jack again starts to mumble that ‘For now I must focus on small things and not that stone in museum and I am very tiered to do this today’.  Next day early in the morning around at 5.30 Jack wakes up and takes a bath and starts preparing omelet. After eating his omelet and drinking milk he again sits in front of his table and start staring the wall. Around at 7 he leaves his house and starts his bike and moves towards his work place. He opens the gate and removes the lock and move inside. He then signs in the register of Dumpling Saving Bank under employee section. Jack continuously mumbling about something and moves towards his cabin and cleans his desk and put some food for the fish and sits in his chair. 

Ah! I should check this place tonight, I think this is easy and there are no much protectors here to stop me too. But this time I will directly sell that painting to Mr. Richard by doing this I will get lot of money too and I can work on agreement basis too, Says Jack.

Around 9 in the morning Jack starts his office work. It was just another usual day in the office.

Jack was that kind of a person who never talked to anyone, not even to his colleagues, very lonely, intelligent and was always alone. At 4 he leaves his cabin and comes out of the bank. Usually, Jack leaves the bank at 5 but today he left the bank early as now Jack is more interested in knowing about that precious stone in the museum. He quickly reaches his house and sits in front of his desk. Takes one book about history and starts to point at something. After searching for almost 2-3 hours, he finally sees that same stone in the book. ‘The Immortal stone’ it was called as the immortal stone in the book. It was written that immortal stone is very bright in color and these stones cannot be cut into pieces. These stones are very rare and there are only few remaining in the world. Some historians believe that through some dark magicians used these stones to bring back the soul of humans. Jack smiles and laughs continuously just by thinking that what if he gets that stone, he can sell that for lots of money. Jack checks the time it was around 9 in the night and he picks a bowl of cup rice and puts hot water in it. ‘Ah its time I should quickly finish eating and I have to get that painting’ mumbles Jack.

Jack picks up his cape, costume and his mask. He then clicks on one of the books in the shelf and as soon as he clicks on that book the whole shelf opens up and there is a vast room with very dim lights and with all the modern equipment, 6 superbikes, 4 cars, half a dozen of computers and laptops and a lot of technical things which has a capability of easily hacking into any systems. There is a lot of papers lying all around the rooms and also many envelopes. Facelifts, masks which looks like face of other people and all the body parts, dresses and all the other materials which can help anyone to disguise for a century.  Jack removes his cape and dress and then puts on a mask of an old man and dresses like him. Mask of an old man perfectly fitting on to the face of Jack, he also wears an old dress and carries a bag full of junk so that he can perfectly disguise as an old man who collects junk. Jack then starts looking at a letter which he had written in the morning when he reached bank between 7-9. He then goes near Club House and gives a letter to the gatekeeper there and tell him that he got this letter from a young man down the road. Old man gives that letter to gatekeeper and then goes away without responding to the call of gatekeeper. 

Gatekeeper on the other side goes and gives that letter to the supervisor of the Club House and then supervisor starts to read the letter. He first sees the name of The Phantom Thief in the letter and quickly rushes and clicks on the alarm of the club house which has a direct link to the protectors of the place. He then starts to read the letter ‘today is the day that I finally come to your chamber and not just as a visitor but as a phantom to you and to whomever this chamber belongs. One of the paintings that have been displayed there, I will be taking that and this letter acts as a warning to that’. After ten to fifteen minutes, the protectors reach the Club House and ask supervisor about the letter. Supervisor with a fear in his voice and sweating heavily tells that ‘It is him again, the phantom thief’. Protectors quickly arrange their force and the head ask with supervisor that ‘It has been long time since he returned right, what did he write, what is that he going to steal this time ask head. Supervisor responds that ‘One of the paintings, what to do now? Head tells that do not worry, tell me which is the most valuable paintings we will give maximum security to that and I will have a look at that painting once. As soon as both supervisor and head of the protectors reach the area where there had a most valuable painting, head of the protectors quickly chokes the supervisor and knocks him down and makes him unconscious. He then quickly removes the painting and takes out a gun which is a rope shooter and shoots that on the top of the roof. He then ties a man to the rope and brings him down the roof and places him near the supervisor. Head then comes back and goes near all other protectors and tells them ‘All must stand in front of the gate, we have a tip that this time he is going to come through the sewer, so mates keep a close check near the corners and gate’. Head, then runs inside and climbs the rope and goes to the roof. He then shoots the rope to the compound of godown, from there he climbs the compound and quickly runs towards the house. As soon as he reaches his house, he removes his face mask. He then lays down in his bed, after few seconds he then wakes up and looks at the painting and mumbles that ‘finally I have you now, wait… now should I sell this to Richard directly? I will call him.

    On the other side the head of the protectors wakes up in the chamber, he sees that he is surrounded by all other protectors and the officials of the chamber.

What happened Head, can you please tell us what happened? Asks one protector. Everyone continuously questioning and seemed very eager to know what happened to him.

Head, then starts to tell everyone that he just remembers that he fell in the toilet. He continues to tell that he remembers that great speech he gave about the protectors just before they left the office. And after that speech when he went to toilet, there he sees a man who is same as his height and looks exactly like him. For once there was a nothing but confusion but then suddenly that man hits him with a stick on his head and because of that he was unconscious and then when he wakes up, he was in the Memorial Chamber. What did he take? Asks Head.

Ah! the most valuable painting in the room is stolen and we do not know where he is now.

What was this supervisor doing then? Asks Head.

He too was unconscious and was fallen down, just now he woke up and even he said that you both were talking near that painting and suddenly you choke him and he doesn’t know anything after that, says one protector.

Don’t look at me when he tells ‘You’ of course he meant by that Phantom Thief. Says Head angrily.

Now what to do chief, we have no leads, no clues and not even a face so that we can make a sketch of that? Asks protector with the Head.

We are being fooled every time, this is eighth time that he fooled us. We took all measures and never let any outsider to enter the office because of this thief but this time he wears my face mask and fools us again. You, enquire with all the people who were outside the office that whom did they see at that time and I don’t know how you will do it, make your team, and take charge now. Says Head.

‘Yes, head ahh I will pick four from each sector and can I have all control over the force at least for few of them?’ Asks Rockford.

Yes, protector you may have full control on two of the groups in the office, says Head.

On the other hand, Jack is trying to make a call to the Richard. After many tries Richard finally picks the call and Jack starts to tell him that: -

 ‘I have the painting, I am selling that to you directly this time, so I tell the time and place to collect it. Price will be as discussed eighty thousand nimor’.

‘What happened to Cheese, he was the one who always discussed these things right? Where is he now?’ asks Richard.

I do not know anything about Cheese, so tell me if you agree to this deal, Says Jack.

Ok deal is great I accept it, says Richard and cuts the call.

Jack starts laughing and start to tell to himself that finally I made a deal with Richard. Now I can make a deal by myself. First, I have to burn this dress and mask, it’s of the Head and I should not leave any clues.

Around two hours back, as soon as Jack gives the letter to the guard, he goes to the nearby protector’s office where he knew that the head of protectors was giving speech. He had already taken pass to the ceremony so as soon as when he sees the Head going to the washroom. He then enters the washroom and change his costume and wears exact dress as what protector’s head is wearing. He then hits the Head with rod and knocks him out. Then he puts the unconscious body of the Head and lock him from inside. He then reaches back of the museum where he was seen by one of the protector. Protector asks him that what he was doing here and when did he come out of the building. The Head responds him by saying that he just wanted to check all roots that are connected to the museum, so he came out so inspect. By saying this Head says that keep a good look here gentleman, he may come anytime. Protector nods his head and both go on to do thing. Once Jack disguised as Head knocks out the supervisor, he then quickly moves outside the chamber and tell other protectors to move near sewage. When everyone moves near sewage, he then climbs out of the building and goes to that hall where he had locked the Head. He brings him near the museum by his bike. He had already set up a hook so that he can easily uplift Head to the roof. Once Head was uplifted till roof, he then pulls down the body down near supervisor. Jack then escapes through same roof. And after few minutes one protector sees The Head lying on the floor and wakes him up.

Next day morning Jack wakes up at 5 and starts to do his daily routines. He goes to bank where he put food for the fish and sits in his chair. After three hours he listens to his colleagues and customers speaking about the phantom thief and the stolen painting form the chamber. One of the customers asks Jack about his opinion on phantom thief. Jack smiles at them and tell that ‘He should be punished for life for what he is doing to this peaceful city or if anyone catches him, we can send him to that dark forest Hehe’.

Rockford is giving a speech about the protectors in the ground park of the city. He tells that ‘We are protectors, we are in this city since it has been created, our main duty is to protect people as our name says it, and all these years we have been doing this but there is one bad animal in this city which no one could control he is phantom thief, ahh but this time we have full concern toward him and he is noted as the dangerous man in this city so if anyone sitting here has any doubt on any individual within this limit they can directly contact me my number is #4556-99876 you can call to this number anytime, is this clear’ citizens?

Sir. Sir I don’t think all this was required, there are only 4 people sitting in this in this park and 2 out of them are sleeping sir. Says one of the protectors with Rickford.

I know protector, I know… anyway did you note my number humble man, asks Rickford.

Ahh ye...yes…yes si...sir tells one homeless sick man. He then slowly moves forward and once he exits the park; he removes his mask and puts that on his bag. It was Jack. He then goes in his motorbike and slightly smiling while looking at the number he saves that number in his computer and in a device which helps one to make call and shows random location of them in the city or forest.

Ah! my costume, even though its just simple suit and formal pant, I have made this super useful to me. Let me wash it today, Says Jack.

 As soon as Jack checks pockets of his coat he finds a chit inside his pocket, in which there was only 3 words with smiley face in it. It was written as ‘I know you’. Jack quickly starts running towards other room where there was all set up regarding the CCTV of the house. He was shocked and he couldn’t move himself from the screen because when he saw the CCTV footage, there was no one entering the house from all the sides of the house. He also checks the rooftop but there was no one entering from there too. Jack was excited and little scared too because he left his coat within the house but now there is chit in that and he did not find anyone coming in or going out of the house. Jack suddenly thinks of that old man that whether he has done this but then he again thinks that, ‘that man cannot even walk properly how can do something like this, he doesn’t even know my house so not him definitely, but then who, no one talks to me much, no one is my friend and no person ever visited my home till now, who is that then’. He then goes to his underground room where he tries to get a fingerprint if there is any but he couldn’t find any prints. He then suddenly flips the paper there he sees a symbol of a star within a circle and which had three eyes and a fire within it. He then comes to know that this is not done by one person, it is done by a group. Now Jack starts to think about all the groups that exists in the city and he finds several groups and most of them were small not so powerful ones. As Jack knew that someone has come in but he cannot see that person in CCTV footage so he comes to know that, that person is either a magician or some kind of person with abilities. Jack knew that no one can delete the CCTV footage of his house as no one know where is CCTV fixed and how it worked too. He then finds 2-3 groups in the city who are full of magicians and also who are trained athletes who do small thefts in the city. But then he goes to sleep, thinking that he will go and talk to these groups, but there was a sense of fear within him as soon as he saw that symbol behind the paper.

On the other hand, Rockford calls all the small groups in the city and investigates each of them. There were around 8-9 groups that came to the office out of that only 3 were dangerous and all other groups were not involved in any crimes so Rockford send them back. He then calls one group members and asks questions with them. That group members were not cooperative with Rockford because of this he notes that group. And he asks questions with other two groups and send them back but tells his protectors to keep a close eye on those two groups and for that one group he appoints one team, to have a close look on the members of that group.  Rockford then sits in his car and go to his house. As soon as he reaches his house, a book suddenly hits his face. It was his wife who threw that book on Rockford’s face.

Hey, I am sorry Agatha. I know I promised you that I will take you to dinner. You know this idiot phantom thief has given me this stupid load of work; I shouldn’t leave this work behind.

You always say this right and you think I will forgive you every time, listen this time I am not going to leave you. I will take my revenge ok, Mr. Protector.

‘Sorry. I am sorry’, says Rockford. He then takes that book and was about to keep that on table but he sees a line in that book in which it was written as ‘We all have been thinking in the wrong way, what if it was not done by an insider but done by someone who is outsider. We always think in the one direction and we think that what we don’t know is not existed in this world’. Somehow this strikes Rockford. He asks his wife what is this book that you threw at me, never saw this before. His wife angrily responds that it is new book that today she purchased and it’s about things that are beyond human life and control. Rockford tells his wife that he will borrow this book for a while for his investigation purpose.

Next day, Rockford along with that book goes to the house of the writer of that book. After a formal greeting and a cup of tea, Rockford asks the writer about the book, that what does he think about those lines that he read yesterday. Writer tells him that he had written this book from the reference of ancient book that he read from the library. He says that he believes in that rumor that there are certain sorcerers and man eaters and dark magicians living in that dark forest. Writer even gives the name of that book that he read from library and says Rockford to check that book.

On the other hand, Jack starts his day as always but today he takes a leave from his work so that he can work on that chit mainly. After eating his food, he then makes a plan to meet those three groups. He disguises himself as a book writer who is writing a book on the specialized group in the city. He meets all the group leaders and its members but he couldn’t find anything related to the chit. Jack was very disappointed and was bit scared now because at first, he thought that this was done by these groups and he can handle this, but now when he comes to know that no one from these groups has ability to come inside the house and not getting noticed in CCTV footage. By knowing this Jack plans to remain underground and not do any kind of activities for at least two weeks. In these two weeks Jack plans on how to steal valuable things from other places.

After two weeks…

In these two weeks Jack remained inside his house and he had also sent a leave letter to his bank saying that he will be taking leave for 2 weeks because of his health concerns. All day Jack used to see the videos and photos of various museums and famous shops from where he can take the valuable things easily. Jack, in this two week plans to steal from three places one is from the jewelry shop in the city, other one from clock tower museum and the last thing is precious stone from memorial museum.

Rockford, after talking with the author goes to the library where he asks for the book that author told him about. ‘Things beyond our lives’ this was the title of that book. Rockford borrows that book and when he goes home, he starts to read it. After completely reading the book, he comes to know that there is a very dark and big history of man eaters and sorcerers living in the forest. After reading the book, Rockford comes to know about the sorcerers and how they used to rule their world before some protectors killed them and forced them to go to the forest. Rockford was eager to know about the person who wrote that book and her opinion on that book. Rockford goes to the author to ask about the female author who wrote ‘Things beyond our lives’. There author tells him that, Mrs Sheela Ruther is no more. She was killed in the process of writing this book. She went to that forest to find if there is any proof about the sorcerers but she never returned. This book was found on the shore of the river. Rockford quickly asks author that Mrs. Ruther, is she the wife of Ruther who teaches kung fu in the city.

Author says yes, she is. But never ask about Sheela with Ruther, he is already very sad in his life and told me many times that he do not want to talk about Sheela. Please do not go to him asking about his wife that’s my request to you.

While he was going back to his house, he sees a man who was surrounded by a group of people who were threatening him. Rockford stops his car and goes near that group he then warns that group members and asks that man what he was doing with that group and tells him that he has never seen him in this city. That man was Jack, he tells Rockford that he is writing a book about these groups in the city so he wanted to know about them. Rockford then tells Jack that he should not mess with these groups and go back to his house. Jack then goes to his house, as he comes to know that it was not from any of these groups, he thinks this is big issue so he remains in his house for two weeks.  

After two weeks finally one day Jack comes out of his room. As usual he gets ready to go to his work. Jack had no tensions in his mind now, but he had lot of confusions, doubts. But he wouldn’t show any of those to anyone. Once he gets back from his work, he works on his plan that he prepared two weeks before. He first plans to steal from jewelry shop. This time he had no agreement or contract from anyone not even from Richard. But still Jack calls Richard and tells him that he is going to loot the jewelry shop and also tells him that he can make a deal if he wants anything from that loot. Jack then suddenly stops talking and cuts the call, he closes his eyes and thinks for a while and mumbles that, ‘I never doubted this guy. Richard, he knows that I am a thief what if he has put that chit in my coat when I met him? Even though I know him but still he thinks that I killed Cheese. He may be trying to threaten me, I will ask him today.’ Jack then again calls Richard and continues to talk about the deal. Jack tells him that he would sell everything at fifty percent price and in return he needs a favor from him. Richard agrees with Jack. Around at 7 in the evening Jack starts to write a letter. ‘I am coming to steal to you shop tonight around 10 or 11 maybe. I don’t know what I am going to take, I may take everything or any one thing which is most valuable. You know me, if you think this is fake or I am playing game with you, please do ignore this message. From Phantom Thief.’

Around at 8 a jewelry shop that is situated in the center of the city gets a letter from their letter box. It was same letter that was written by Jack. Owner of the shop gets worried he quickly calls to the protector’s office and within 15 minutes protectors along with Rockford arrive at the shop. Owner explains the situation to the protectors and cries and tells with Rockford that ‘why phantom thief is planning to steal his shop; this is not a big shop, and he has never cheated anyone this shop that he built is from honesty and hard work.

Rockford replies that ‘thieves do not have any principles nor mercy they are just like killers who is interested in disturbing the peace’ he then continues to tell that ‘We are here now; our men has surrounded your shop and one thing tell all your employees to go out from the shop lets see whose mask he will wear this time.’

                       Why did I even start stealing things, why did I become The Phantom Thief of the town? Jack questions himself. Ahhhh anyway it’s not the time, Rockford and all his troop are already in front of the jewelry shop, that Rockford guy will not leave my back for any time soon. This time I cannot fool through masks I think finally I have to use weapons and I should be responsible while using it, not like last time when I used that against Cheese.  Thanks to that Kungfu teacher who taught me some moves. The three places that I have decided to steal has a reason, they all are connected to the immortal stone by some way or the other.

            Jack starts his motor bike and quickly move towards the shop. He parks a few miles beside the shop. His whole body was covered with his costume which was not the same. This time he wore a dress which was just one piece, and that dress was covering full of his body, he also had a sword in his hand. He also wore a mask which was fully black in color. Jack stood on the top of the building which was just three buildings was from jewelry shop. Using his binoculars, he spots the officers and decides to enter. As already he had sword, he decides to steal by using a spray which instantly makes people go blank as soon as when it sprayed towards anyone. Now he thinks how to do it.

          Jack plans to enter exactly at that point from where he can see all protectors and from where all protectors can see him. He then jumps on the exact point where he decided to. All protectors see phantom thief holding a sword in his hand. All protectors come near phantom thief to catch him; they warn him to drop the sword. Jack pours the spray over his sword and plans that he will not hurt anyone, but he plans that he will make small cut to officers and through that he will transfer the spray.  

       When Jack did not listen to the officers all officers except Rockford and one other charged forward with guns towards Jack. Seeing this Jack quickly runs towards officers, and he jumps over their shield and flips and stands behind them and give them a quiet smile. From behind one officers shoots Jack, but they will come to know that phantom thief is wearing a bullet proof jacket. They even try to shoot on his leg but not over his chest because they wanted to catch him alive, but when they shoot on his leg there, they realize that he has even covered his leg with bullet proof material.

            Rockford and other officer try to hold Jack from behind but then Jack punches Rockford and turns and slightly make a cut on the palm of the other protector who was with Rockford. All this happens within a few seconds of time. Then suddenly he bends and sees that Rockford and all other officers running towards him. He bends his knees and as soon all come towards him, he takes his sword and turns, and he makes sure that he has made a small cut on the legs of all officers. And he successfully does it. Within few seconds of time all officers along with Rockford were down and unconscious, on the other hand Jack enters the shop there he sees that there are no jewelries inside the shop. Jack becomes furious and he starts thinking where jewelries were kept, then suddenly some kind of explosive explodes near Jack. This was all planned by Rockford. He even knew that Phantom thief would do anything, so he planted a bomb inside the shop, and he kept all jewelry in the protector’s office.

After 5 minutes Jack wakes up and sighs, as he was safe, even though there were some damages to his knees and hands but as building was still and was not affected because of bomb there were no major damages to him. Just at that moment Jack realizes that there are some more protectors coming towards the shop, he then slowly tries to run but could not do it. He then quickly wears a protector’s uniform; he always had a bag on his back which helped him.

Rockford planned everything with a pitch perfect decision but even he did not think that phantom thief would fight against them with katana, as Jack never used weapon whenever he decided to steal anything. This makes Rockford to hate phantom thief as he not only stole but also started to hurt the people. After 15-20 minutes Rockford wakes up and he sees that he and all other protectors were in a big room, Rockford asks one officer that what happened to him and what did phantom thief do. Other officer replies that they were injected with some unknown portion of an unknown liquid, but he says that doctors told him that these kinds of liquids are not available in the whole city, and they do not know how it works. Head of the protectors ask Rockford that how is he now, Rockford angrily replies him that ‘I am not well, clearly not well after seeing that scumbag hitting us with his sword and making fool of us.’

I know Rockford, we all thought he is just a thief, but that guy turned to be a dangerous criminal once again. He was the one who killed that missing officer says Head of the protectors.

Do you still think that we need to save that idiot and not do anything to him if we catch him next time, I think the same chief I think we need to get him off. Says Rockford.

As I have made you head of your troop and as you have already told me what you will be doing so, I think that we need to get that bastard either alive or dead.

On the other hand, Jack disguises himself ad on of the protectors, but this time all the protectors were aware that he may not have escaped so Rockford had already appointed another person from another troop to check the Ids of all protectors. As soon as they were about to leave after checking for around thirty minutes, the appointed person comes to check the Id but before that he sees that there is an officer who has become dirty and there are some bruises on his hands and on face, he tells him to stop and tries to take him to Rockford, but Jack picks up the pocketknife and stabs officer. Officer dies on the spot. When Jack was about to run, he was surrounded by all other protectors and this time he did not even had knife with him. Jack was now caught.  Everyone comes to know that who is phantom thief. Rockford comes running towards the spot and sees the officer who is dead and out of anger he directly rushes toward Jack and points a gun on his face. Head then stops Rockford from doing anything and tells him that not to do anything stupid. Rockford slaps Jack and by holding his collar he drags him towards him and decides that he will be taking Jack not through vehicle, but he wanted to show the face of the criminal to the whole city. Throughout the area where Rockford and his mates announced in mike that they have finally caught the scumbag. When they were going near the Jack’s house phantom thief tries to tell Rockford that he lives there but Rockford slaps Jack again and moves further.

On the other hand, Jack stands still inside his house as see Rockford holding the guy who looks like him and announcing that they have caught the phantom thief. Jack had never left his house, when he was about to, he hears the loud announcing from the street.

Jack was thinking about something related to the stone all the time and just when he was about to, he was shocked to hear the announcement. He locks his house and was tensed that who could do this. After some minutes he even will come to know that the guy was arrested showing himself as Jack and phantom thief and attacked on protectors and killed one of them. All that is running in Jack’s mind is who is that who could try to be a phantom thief and why did they do that now and not before, are they related to that group who left a letter in his house. Then he quickly turns on the TV channel to see the news where he notices the scar on the face of the person who was arrested by Rockford. He quickly realizes that it was Cheese. Now he thinks that but he himself killed Cheese but how is he even alive.

     On the other hand, Rockford gets the news that phantom thief has sent his letter to the Memorial Museum saying that he will take the immortal stone. He was shocked to see this; he goes near Cheese whom he believes that he is the real phantom thief and asks him about the letter. Cheese smiles when he sees that letter and tells him that ‘I am right in front of you.’ Rockford grabs his hair and asks him that if he was here the who sent this letter to that museum. Cheese replies that ‘He do not know who is sent that letter, I am not lying this time, I really do not know.’

Do you have any partner? Asks Rockford.

No, I said I do not know anything, and I do not have any partner. Replies Cheese.

Fifteen minutes before,

As soon as Jack comes to know that it is cheese, he first decides to go to Richard and ask about Cheese but then he comes to know that even Richard was not aware of Cheese, But he decides to steal the in the second place on his list that was clock tower Museum. He decides to do this because he thinks that Rockford has his attention on Cheese which will give him time to do his work. He writes a letter to the museum even knowing that this will make Rockford to think on the other side but still he writes and send that letter to the museum.

Rockford calls all his officers to gather in near the museum and tell them not to hesitate to shoot if they require. All officers gather near museum, they wait there for an hour, but phantom thief does not show himself on that museum.

Almost eight hours ago,

Jack when was about to write a letter to the Memorial Museum thinks that he will fool protectors not at time of stealing but before that, as Jack already knew that whenever protectors get any case or when they get information on one event, they will not accept the other report or other calls without finishing the first. This helps Jack to steal the magical stick from Clock Tower Museum. After sending the letter to Memorial Museum he waits for ten minutes and then sends another letter to the Clock Tower Museum that he will stealing one thing from their museum. He then wears his costume and takes his bike and moves toward the museum.

The owner of the museum when his call was not received by the protector’s office, he then calls on the number that is given by the Rockford. On the other side of the call, it was Jack. As he already had the number of Rockford, Jack after receiving the phone number of Rockford, he makes sure that he has a device from which he can easily divert the call and make it appear to the caller that they are talking to Rockford. He even has a voice modulator device. All these devices were provided by Richard to Jack.

                  This time he disguised himself as Rockford and went to that museum. He even had his ID. As soon as he enters, he tells manager that all other officers were sent to Memorial Museum has phantom thief has sent one letter there too, and he himself came here to see that whether everything is proper. Rockford tells manager to lock his museum and send every visitor out of the museum and even staffs. Rockford tells that only him, manager, and the guard should be inside. After few minutes Rockford starts to attack the guards with his pistol. It was not bullet that hit guards, Jack had planned to inject the liquid that leads to lose consciousness in the jewelry shop case but when he could not do that, he does same thing here. After he knocks out everyone he moves toward the Magical stick, when he was about to take and leave, then one guard shouts that ‘its phantom thief he has taken something from the museum’ when he was about to stand, Jack punches him on the face and knocks him out again. Then Jack removes his mask and costume and then leaves the museum from behind, he then takes his bike which he had already parked few minutes before.

Now Rockford tells the manager to visit the office and explain everything that happened. At same time he starts to question Cheese that ‘Do you have any partner? If you are lying to me or if you do not speak anything I will make sure that you will be the first person to be hanged in this city.’

Even when Cheese knew the house of Jack, he still will not reveal the house this is because Richard tells Cheese that he should not speak anything about Jack until their mission comes to an end.

 After having his food, Cheese when he was about to sleep starts to think about what happened to him after Jack killed him. He recalls that Richard was standing on his side when he woke up and how Richard told him to become phantom thief and to get caught in the hands of protectors. Richard also trains him for two to three months continuously on how to use sword and how to act like Jack just to get caught in the hands of officers. He thinks that what if officers kill him and what if Richard will not keep up to his promise. Out of fear and to complete his mission, he decides to tell the house of phantom thief that is Jack to Rockford.

         On the other side Jack knew that Cheese knows where his house was. So, he plans to change his house instead of shifting to the new house he will hide in his basement which no one even Cheese not aware of. Except some dress and some useful things, he kept all other items untouched so that officers will not come to conclusion that he ran away.

          Rockford after finishing interrogation with Cheese, goes to another room to talk with manager of the museum. He starts to yell at manger and on the other side manger too starts to shout toward Rockford that ‘why would you give your personal number to thieves in the city.’ After hearing this Rockford tells manager to wait for a minute and he goes to the cabin of his subordinate. Where he asks him that what number did, he publishes on the pamphlet which was circulated by protectors as awareness. His subordinate tells him that along with office number he has also posted his personal number as he thought that this would help everyone to contact him with ease. Rockford out of anger bangs the table and yell at his officer that what an idiot he was. Then Rockford again comes back to the cabin where manager was sitting, Rockford grabs a chair and sits in front of manager, Rockford with deep voice says ‘I am sorry man, it was all my fault, I did not keep a proper check on my staffs. I sincerely apologize for my mistake sir.’

Next day morning,

Rockford comes to the office and straight away goes to the cell where Cheese was kept. He then sits in front of Cheese and tell him that ‘you either tell me who is that guy who stole from the museum or else I will make sure that you will hang to death for killing an officer.’ But now Cheese has a doubt that what if Richard will not come for his help and what if he betrays him and most importantly why did he tell to not to disclose anything about Jack. Cheese feels what if officers kill him for not saying the truth, what if they hang him. Out of this fear Cheese plans to tell everything to Rockford. When Rockford threatens him, Cheese tells him about the Jack’s address. For now, he thinks that he will not mention Richard’s name. As soon as Rockford receives Jack’s address, he with his force starts to move toward the address. On the way there were two officers who starts to mumble that ‘you know this Rockford, our troop leader he fears his wife’ tells one.

Another officer reply that ‘yes I have heard that, he is a fool Hehe, being a protector, he fears his wife.’

As soon as they were about to continue their conversation, wives of both officers enter the office and start to yell at them as they forgot to bring their lunch. Both officers try to calm their wives and they were scared to talk to their wives as they were in bad mood. After this incident Rockford moves toward those officers and tell them that you should not be arguing with your wife, you should look at my family, me and my wife we are such a good pair, and we never fight. He then recalls how he and his wife argued badly on where to eat dinner. On the other side both officers tell Rockford that ‘yes sir.’ Rockford replies ‘ha ha ok now let us go and catch that bastard.’ Rockford with weird look on his face leaves the office. As soon as Rockford and his troop reach Jack’s house, one officer announce through mike ‘if there is anyone inside the house, we are warning out that please come out. Do not try to be smart, we are warning you again.’ Even after waiting for five to ten minutes when no one come out of the house they decide to enter the house. Two officers try to break the door, but they see that door was not locked at all. Rockford enters the house and checks all room. After checking for minutes, they could not find Jack. Rockford appoints two officers to guard the house. And protectors seal the house. In the house Rockford comes to know that Jack was working in the bank. By knowing that Rockford decides to go to the bank.

   Jack on the other side was hiding behind in his basement. He decides that he will remain kin basement until he finishes his mission. But then even Jack realises that he has left all his things in house which help Rockford to know that he works in the nearby bank. Jack suddenly rushes toward bank, through basement there was a tunnel through which he could easily move out of the house. He picks his bike and rush toward bank. There he meets the manger and tells him that there is threat to his life from the goons and they coming to this bank to collect my information. By hearing this manger responds that what they have to do with you. Jack replies that he does not know who they are, but they want his money. Manager replies that we should call the protectors and talk about this. But Jack tells him that you van do that later but now urgently you need to give all my documents, please sir. As Jack was a good worker, manager agree to give his documents but still he has a doubt about Jack. After few minutes Rockford arrive at the bank as soon as he enters the bank he rushes toward the manger’s cabin. He asks manager to give all information about the Jack.

Manager mumbles that ‘I told him not to take away the files, I told him that protectors will help him, but that fellow did not listen to me.’

Rockford asks manger that ‘he took all the documents? What did he tell and why did you give those him?’

Manager explains everything that happened to Rockford, Rockford gets angry and in anger he tells the manager that Jack was lying to them, he is not the guy who is in danger, but he is the phantom thief.

When manager hears this, he was completely shocked and sits in his chair and drink some water. Rockford tells the manager to tell everything about Jack and tells him to come to his office and tells him that if Jack comes next time, they must inform the office directly.

On the other side Jack plans to steal the jewel shop. He knew that now all protectors are fully alert, and they have full security near the shop. Now Jack starts to plan on how to steal the jewels from the shop. Jack plans that he will enter the shop in the night just when shopkeeper decides to close the shop. He plans that he will enter the shop through its roof. First before executing the plan, he plans to go near the shop and to check where all protectors have their positions. He sees that there are four officers with guns on the rooftop and four guards in front of the shop. There are two vehicles with armours. But Jack could not see how many protectors were there inside the shop. Around at nine in the night he plans to enter the shop. He takes his bike from the basement and starts to move toward the shop.

  On the other side Rockford with the head and chiefs of other troops was sitting in the bar. All except Rockford order a wine. But Rockford asks waiter that what drink do they offer. And after hearing the menu he orders a carrot juice. Everyone sees Rockford with a weird smile on their face and starts their conversation. Head asks with all troop chief that how is their investigation going on. All troop chief reply that they are on the track, but Rockford sighs and starts the conversation. He tells that ‘We have cheese in our custody and today suddenly, he takes the name of Jack who is just a bank employee and tell us that he is the phantom thief. When we asked him that then why did he wore phantom thief’s shirt and attacked on the officers he told us that he wanted that gold and he wanted to put the blame on phantom thief. Head interrupts Rockford and ask him ‘that but do you remember that news where everyone spoke about how Cheese went missing and some even told us that he was dead. Did you enquire about this’ asks Head. When Rockford was about to speak waiter arrives with the order and serves the drink to everyone. Everyone cheers with their drink and when Rockford cheers with his juice, everyone stares towards him with a weird smile. But then again Rockford sighs and starts to talk he says that he heard two officers talking about how Cheese was killed by someone and when Cheese removes his mask and tell them that he was not the phantom thief, but he was Cheese, and they were shocked to see that. Head tells Rockford that he should enquire more about Cheese and to talk to Richard about the same. After few minutes Rockford notices a letter on the table, till then he taught that was a napkin, but when he sees the clip on the corner, he opens the letter. That letter was from Jack. He was the waiter who served them. Everyone asks Rockford that what letter is that, but Rockford continue to read the letter. After reading the letter he goes out of the bar and starts to call to the officers in the jewellery shop. But no one on the other side picks the call, Rockford explains the situation to other.

On the other side Jack after serving the drink had left the letter on the table. Jack knew that Rockford and others would meet at the bar as he can trace all phone calls of Rockford.

Rockford and other officers still not had circulated or announced any information about Jack to the city.  This made Jack to do his work with an ease. Jack enters the bar from behind and he calls one of the waiters out and knocks him out and makes sure that he is unconscious. Jack has seen this waiter in one of the brutal gangs that he visited days back. He knew that this guy is careless about his job. So, he takes advantage of this guy. After serving the drink Jack silently leave the place and starts his bike and move toward the shop. There he parks his bike far away from the shop. He notices the barrier in the middle of the road, and he also see the protectors checking every individual who cross the barrier. So, Jack decides to enter the area not through road but through the fence of the nearby buildings. He carefully moves through the fences. By doing this he finally reaches the building which is beside the jewellery shop. He reaches the top of that building and, on the rooftop, he could see the protectors with guns standing on the roof of the shop. He decides to knock the protectors on the rooftop, then he plans that he will enter the shop through roof and knock the guards who are inside and then he will exit through the main door. He decides to jump on the rooftop, there all the protectors were sitting and having their food. Jack picks four ninja blades from his pocket and throw them on the protectors. Blades hits their hand, and it makes force them to drop their food. And when they were about to pick their guns, Jack starts to punch them and shows his kung fu moves. He starts to hit every guard at the same time and by this Jack himself was shocked that he learnt kung fu just days back and he attended only one class but still he knows so much of moves. But still, he continues to fight the guards and after minutes of fighting he somehow manages to knock them. When he was about to jump inside, one guard who was still awake takes the gun which was lying near him and shoots Jack. Bullet hits the stomach. Jack was wearing a vest but still bullet hits his stomach and remain inside. Jack turns and throws another blade on the head of the officer which knocks him out. Jack was in severe pain but still he continues his plan. He enters the shop and there he picks up his nunchaku and starts to hit every guard. Within seconds all the guards were on the ground. Jack could not walk out of pain. But still, he manages to threaten the owner and takes the keys. There he takes the crown and the gold coating of a certain stick and when he was about to move from top, protectors enter the shop and starts to shoot Jack. Several bullets hit Jack on his leg. When he was about to fall from the stairs, suddenly someone threw smoke bombs and around eight to nine members start to attack the protectors. They had guns and swords, but they attacked the protectors with sword and did not use the guns. They made sure that all the officers were dead, and they finish this within seconds of time. By hearing the gun sound, protectors who were near barricade also arrive toward the shop, these eight to nine members also attack the protectors but do not kill them, they take Jack with them. They drop Jack in the middle of the road far away from the city. The place where they dropped Jack was in front of the old man’s house, who was following him few days back.

Few days back...

A feel-good land for all types of beings, City covering one third of the place and a big waterfall dividing the city and the great dark forest. Waterfall has no starting point, and nobody know what the origin behind this waterfall and there is a vast forest after the waterfall where people fear to go, not just because it is very dark and poisonous but also because people in the city believe that there are secret group of dark magicians or sorcerers living there. When it comes to the city, it is always crowded and very advanced in technology. Even though I feel that I am not from this world, and I feel that there is another world of which this city and people in this world are unaware of.

‘When I heard you speaking about another world, the doubt that I had within me was confirmed. It can be your imagination or your feelings, but what you have imagined or felt is real’ says the old man.

Jack suddenly wakes up when he hears what old man said. He was shocked as Jack never said these lines, but when he was about to say these exact lines, he was interrupted by the Kungfu teacher. When he did not tell these lines, then how come old man knew that he was willing to tell this. This scares Jack and he tries to run out of the house. But old man stops him and tell him to sit on the bed and to listen carefully what he says. But Jack rush towards the door and just when he tries to open it, suddenly Jack sees he is surrounded by fog. The door, the house all was gone, it was just fogging all around. Out of nowhere Jack sees the old man. Old man quickly moves toward Jack and tells him to sit on the chair. But Jack was confused as there was no chair at all. Old man then pushes Jack and just when Jack thinks that he will fall on the floor, he was on the fluffy chair. Now Jack was confused and knew that the old man is a sorcerer. He asks old man that what was his name and what he wants from him. Old man replies that his name is Blake Colton. He replies that ‘I am your dad’s younger brother.’

What? But how? Why now? Where were you all these years and where are my parents? What happened to them? And why did you say that what I feel is real and how do you know it?

Hold on my boy, I know you have a lot of questions, I will answer everything, here take this drink and hear carefully.

Jack out of nowhere asks Blake that was it him who kept the chit on this coat few days ago?

Blake was confused and says what chit, it was not me.

Jack asks that who are those men who brought me to you and fought for me? Are you a gang leader or you have a group of sorcerers? But sorcerers are not allowed in the city right, I have heard that they live in forest?

Listen kid, I will answer all of your questions, but you need to hear me out, I am going to tell you everything about you and this place.

Blake starts from the beginning he begins by saying that around fifty years ago, me, your father, mother was living in the planet named Earth. Your father was an astronomer and your mother was a famous magician and an actress of that time. I was an assistant officer for my brother.

Do you know kid what is your father’s name? They called him John Stephen Dee and your mother was Greta. They both met in an inaugural programme for some movie about a space mission and there began a beautiful love story. They both were in a relationship and after eight years they got married.

In these eight years period your father mainly worked on a plan where he was given task to find an alternative planet to live in. Your father was not only an astronomer but also a magician and he learnt all his magic skills from your mother. They both performed magic shows throughout the world for several years. But one day John finally found a planet which was exactly like earth. They named that planet as Kepler.

Kid today we are in Kepler. Its only me and you, who came from earth. Now you know why you were so quick and why that bullet did not hurt you much. The gravity in this planet is less compared to earth.

What happened to my father and mother and why won’t I remember anything about them? Asks Jack.

Blake continues to say, one day your mother was admitted into hospital and from they both come to know that they are going to be parents. It was you; your mother was so happy and she took good care of you and herself. She used to read so much of books about magic and various other stuffs when you were in her womb. Your father was working in the office but still he was always thinking about you. And if you are curious where is my wife and child, I am still single. I chose not to marry for a reason. After few months you were born. The Jack. The phantom thief’s son.

What? Asks Jack.

Yes, your father was the actual phantom thief. He was a phantom thief back in earth. He was working in a space company in the morning and in the night he used to steal some selected ancient things. He was the original phantom thief. After your birth, your father was more into magics and stuff and also developed an interest for sorcery.

How come I know then? I am the one who prepared the phantom thief costume for him. And I am the only one whom he told what was his mission.

What? Where are my parents then? What was his mission? Asks Jack.

I killed your father. Says Blake.

There was utter silence in the room. Jack gets up and holds Blake’s collar and punches him on the face and when he was about to hit another punch, Blake holds his fist and slightly pushes him because of this Jack feels he is falling into an endless pit which is getting darker and darker. Blake then snaps his finger and they are back again in the room.

Blake comes closer to Jack and tells him on his face that ‘listen kid, if you try to abuse me once again, I will make sure, I will chop your fingers.’

Listen to me carefully once your father started to develop an interest into sorcery, he was completely different man. He was not going home nor talking to us. He used to spend time with his idiot friends who just motivated him for all the wrong things.

After few years, when you turned eighteen, you started to act like your father, you were the phantom thief now. I myself stitched a dress for you. This is only one thing which you remember in this world. I don’t know how, but you won’t even remember your father, mother or me or yourself but you know that you are a phantom thief. I think, that is the thing which you loved the most. Your kung fu skills, you learnt those on the earth, and that is why even when you attended only few classes here with Richard, you were able to perform pro skills yesterday. All of your belongings that you have was given by me. And whenever I followed, I just wanted to tell you but I didn’t know how to tell. I am sorry for that.

Let me start from the beginning again, once your father was into sorcery he left, your mother, you and me. His main motive was to be alive forever. He wanted to go to Kepler and capture it and wanted to become the supreme king of the planet. Why he wanted to become the supreme king, never told me the actual reason.

When you turned twenty, you and your mother were living with me in my house. It was almost two to three years since your father didn’t come home. You were working with me in the space station as my assistant and yes there was no sign of your father there too.

After two years, people there decided that are they will send bunch of people to Kepler and that team was led by me. We were twenty people in total including your mother and you. But when we were about to leave your father with his men attacked us. He killed all of the staffs with his sorcery. He was mastered in sorcery. Now he could even steal souls. He turned himself into complete wizard. When we saw him after so many years, we were in an emotional state rather being surprised. He came near, he then started to talk to your mother, that’s when he told you and your mother what he actually wanted. He revealed why he wanted to rule the other world. He told us that he was amused about sorcery and wanted to become like the great Leopard. Leopard was the great magician who later became the king of the world. He followed Leopard, he wanted to become next Leopard and wanted to set an example to the world that sorcerers are the new rulers of the world.

I still can’t believe how an educated guy like him still thought about sorcery and ruling the world. I believe that it was all from that book which is about sorcery. I forgot the name, that had a red bind and it was very thick. He always used to carry a photo, that photo was in that book. It was a family photo of him, you and your mother. Sadly, I don’t have a photo of myself.

When he came into the spaceship he dressed like Leopard, fully covered with black and red dress and hands full of rings and bracelets with stones. Black coloured lipstick and a big earing. As far as I remember he had his face covered with tattoos of some writings. And the scary thing about him is that he could produce a poison all by himself within few seconds and if he if spit that on other, their body would get burnt and rotten within few seconds. After few minutes of him speaking about his motive, your mother interrupted him and told him to shut his mouth. She was angry, she turned her back and wanted to leave as soon as she can. You on the other side started to argue with your father about him not being responsible enough. You guys had an argument for a minute and what was I doing, I was starting the engine and was waiting your father to go down. I called the security force to stop him and once they stop him, we were about to leave. I did not want to talk to your father, he betrayed me saying that he was just a phantom thief.

Do you want to know, what your father did as phantom thief?

Yes, says Jack.

He used to steal all the ancient things which was related to his sorcery. Once he showed everything that he stole, he kept those in a big room. He had almost stolen around fifty to sixty things. Didn’t even see those types of things before. He used to steal in the morning, early in the morning, just before they used to open the shop, your father would steal what he wanted to. Only me, your mother and now you know that your father was the actual phantom thief. They had announced around hundred-thousand-dollar bucks for your father, that is around five hundred nimor here. He stopped being thief after three years. And that is when you tuned eighteen and started your turn. Yes, I was not a good uncle, I am sorry for that.

Ok let me continue, when you both were arguing, that argument turned into fight. Your father had his men. They started to attack you with their powers. But you tricked them all and you smashed all of them, you knocked them out. I really want to explain the whole fight scene but we don’t have much time. Let me continue again, when you knocked them all there were only four people remaining in the area it was you, your father and his assistants. Me and your mother were already on the spaceship. That is when your father started to attack you with seriousness. His assistants almost killed you but your father stopped them from doing that. Your mother was very brave, she actually stepped out of the spaceship and decided to fightback. She knew magic and do you know the secret your mother knew sorcery, but she was against using that so she never tried. But when she saw you getting beaten brutally, she creates this ball of fire in her palm and then she does this pushing thing and that fireball moves like bullet and strikes Stephen. The force of this ball was so hard that, your father fell down immediately. She then lifts your father by holding his neck and it was not that she was physically holding his neck she was standing far from him. Just when he was about to die out of pressure, an assistant from back hits your mom with a rod. But your mother hits him back and now she knew that the wound was very deep. She leaves that assistant there and she picks you up and bring you to the spaceship. Your father wanted her soul. Yes, he wanted her soul in fact he wanted both of your souls. Your mother knew this and she just sacrificed her soul and merged her soul with your soul. When she was in this process, your father tries to stop here and that is when I shot your father. I shot him on his hand, aimed it for head but I was not an expert in shooting. But when I was about to start the spaceship. He was there again, your father with one of his assistants, which makes me think that other one gave his soul to protect your father. Your father straight away attacked me with his stick. He wanted to throw me out of the spaceship, but he was not in proper condition to perform his tricks. I was lying on the floor, I couldn’t see what’s happening, but when I saw him, he was trying to do something with you. That made me furious, I picked a metal rod and slowly moved towards his assistant and hit him on his head. Then threw that rod on your father’s leg. He fell on the floor. Later I hit him with that rod and threw both your father and that assistant out of the ship. Then we started our journey, you were very badly wounded and I had to make sure that I saved you. That was a promise I made. As I was the lead of this mission, I had built a small spaceship within this spaceship without authorization. That spaceship was way faster that the big one. I had to use that so that we would reach early. But when I was about to switch to the smaller spaceship I made a mistake, I lost control of the big one and because of that people back on earth thought that this mission was a failure. They never tried again, in fact they never had much time to try again.

Do you know why, people back there was searching for another planet? It was finally that period when sun would finally consume earth. Life in earth was getting harder, oceans started to evaporate at high rate and heat waves were extremely high, if people stayed in earth for more than one year they would die because of heat and other natural calamities. So, people wanted to move out, they wanted a planet to live which is similar to earth.

What happened to the people back on earth? Asks Jack.

What happened, they died, all of them. Earth is now just like another inhabitable planet. No sea, no greenery, no water, no life…...boom everything gone.

So, I was living between aliens all these years here?

Idiot do they look like an alien to you? No, they are human beings just like us. And the bad thing is this world is known for sorcery. That is the main reason why your father wanted to come here. Once we landed here, thanks to me I had built this capsule which would help us to adopt to the environment of Kepler with ease and it was easier for us because language they speak here is as same as how we speak on earth.

We landed on the forest. When I woke up, I saw you were sitting under a tree. I tried to talk to you but you were acting very weird. When I called you by your name, you didn’t even turn. But when you saw me, you directly hit me on my face, hit me with nearby stem and ran away. After few hours, I saw you again, then I came to know that you forgot everything. The good thing was even I knew sorcery but I couldn’t bring back your memories but I made sure that you were unconscious because of that. You were pain in ass so I had to do that. Then I exchanged some of the currency and brought me and you a house. I always tried to talk to you but you just did not remember anything. I also had a box full of your stuffs, wonder from where you got your mask? It was your father’s mask. That job offer from bank that you got, I spoke to those bank people to offer a job. Forget about formalities in this world, they don’t have any. I am still shocked that these even after being so advanced in tech, they are ignorant. They don’t even have a proper system of judiciary and forget about the government. All these people have is protector who acts as a kind off police but has a major authority in the whole city. After you got settled in this city, even I started doing a job. I was an accountant under protector’s office for one year then I stopped working. Now I live with my pension. I always used to follow you so that at least you will remember me once.  After two years finally I got a chance to tell you everything, now I feel relieved. When I saw in that kung fu school I came to know that you still remember about being phantom thief. Since then, I started to keep an eye on you. I got to know that you are looking for the immortal stone. That very thing feared me because now you know the reason, so I wanted to talk to you and ask about your life and especially you going behind the stone. Now start your story kid.

Ahh I just wanted to sell that stone and when I heard about that stone, I got to know about this other jewellery and that stick which is related about stone. I just knew that these related to forest people and sorcerers. I wanted to make money by selling this to Richard. Says Jack.

Who Richard? That mafia? Asks Blake.

Yes. Whatever I stole till date I sold everything to him and he gives me money from which I buy my stuffs like guns and blades blah blah.

Listen kid, I can’t stop you from whatever you are doing but I can tell that, it’s not good so listen to yourself. And one more thing this place is known for sorcery so be aware of those things which is connected to them. You need to stay here for couple of days.

Hehe when I remember my time with your father, I remember one thing which is funny, he used to eat pasta with red wine and ketchup. Ahh those were good old days. Its ok let’s talk about this some other day, go take some rest now. And don’t worry about the bullet, I have taken that out.  

Few hours before,

Rockford arrives near the jewellery shop; he was bit late as always. All of his other mates were drunk and were in the bar. As soon as he sees the wounded protectors around the shop, he was on his knees. He sees bunch of protectors wounded and lying near barricade. He quickly calls his officer to the spot and also calls other troop heads for the support. When he enters the jewellery shop, he was shivering and his eyes were full of tears.

Rockford says that ‘this is all my mistake and not for the first time, I…I am simply ignorant’

Rockford sits in front of one dead protector and promises that he will make sure that phantom thief will die from his hand.

Now Rockford seemed serious, he just wanted to take revenge not only for killing those protectors but it was matter of his personal capacity. People in the city started to doubt protector’s ability to stop crime. When it comes to Rockford, since the beginning no one in the office or in the city took him seriously on the phantom thief case.

When head arrive at the spot, the first thing that Rockford ask with the chief is that can he get the permission to search even the forest area and all the house in the city.

Chief straight away decline saying that we just cannot go into everyone’s house and search, that will create chaos in the whole city. Forget about going to forest area, one who went there never came back and I can’t take blame if something happens to you or your time. Everyone here have a family, before you say anything foolish like going to forest, think about them once.

Rockford was angry, very angry. Even then he remained calm and said ‘And then you say people are not believing in us, they don’t have faith with us anymore. Its we who need to create hope.’

Listen man, I am not saying that we will let that bastard go, we will catch him but risking your own life for catching a thief is not logical at all. Says Chief.

Chief continues to say that its over for today, go, go to your home, take rest, from tomorrow we make sure that within few hours that bastard will be in the custody.

Sleep, sir but I am the lead for this batch and I can’t leave them, I need to talk to their families. Says Rockford.

Your wife is waiting in your house, she called you eight times and then she called me, she is sick, she needs to prepare food but she is not able to so she wanted to tell you this, you don’t even know, do you? Asks Chief.

Rockford quickly checks his phone and he see that there were right missed calls and around twenty messages from Agatha. He quickly ask permission from his chief to go to his house and when chief grants permission he picks his car and moves toward the house.

When he reaches the house, he sees that the door was open and there was a small paper on the floor.

Rockford picks the paper and he see that the there was something written on the paper. He starts to read what was there on the paper. ‘Take care of your wife, Rockford. Forget about me, you will not catch me until I finish my mission. This is insulting to you right. Ok I have kept some necessary medicines for your wife because I feel that, you are not giving enough attention to her because of me. Sorry for the trouble. From phantom thief.’

Rockford was furious, he was so angry that he shot two bullets on the floor. By hearing the bullet sound, Agatha comes out and when she see Rockford, she just tell him that dinner is already cooked, you can eat that do whatever you want.

Rockford says ‘Oh thank you dear, what did you prepare I am feeling very hungry.’ After saying this he moves towards kitchen. But on the way he realises that he made a mistake.

He says ‘sorry, sorry my dear…. I was kidding. I am really sorry Agatha. Ahh I…I should have responded you but because of this stupid bastard I am completely lost and just don’t know what to do. I know this is an excuse but I am not in a position to justify myself, all I can say is that I am sorry and this won’t be repeating again that’s a promise from a gentleman.’ He then asks ‘what did you prepare for dinner honey?’

Shut up idiot, you never understand me, I am not well since yesterday and I am just drinking soup here, do you seriously think I have prepared dinner? Says Agatha.

‘Ahh I am sorry, I understand you. Ok to set the mood we will go to dinner and please don’t be angry and say that you are not coming, I know you are hungry so let us go.’ After saying this Rockford puts his hand on to the Agatha’s shoulders. 

Agatha tries to remove the hand but Rockford says please no, let me repay my debt.

While moving towards Rockford’s car

Rockford continues to say ‘Ok what do you want my dear Agatha? Pizza, pasta, or traditional food?

‘Idiot, I am sick how can I have pizza or pasta. We will see there what to eat’ says Agatha.

Car moves towards the hotel.

Present day morning,

Rockford wakes up from the bed. He checks Agatha and she had fever. He didn’t go to wake her up so he left a message saying that he has to leave to the office and he had prepared some food and to take medicine after having food.

He picks his car key and starts his car and moves toward the office. As soon as Rockford enters the office, there he sees Blake sitting on the table. Blake greets Rockford, he directly asks about his pension. Rockford replies that sorry sir we are kept busy by that thief and I will make sure that you will get your pension by tomorrow. He further tells Blake to forward his address so that they can post the pension amount. Blake writes the address on one paper and gives that to Rockford. Rockford after collecting the address goes to his cabin. He calls the protector who was on the jewellery spot. Rockford asks about the current condition on the scene. He gets the reply that six protectors are confirmed as dead and eight more are in serious condition. He stole one crown, a cover to the ancient stick and the gem holder which is connected to the stick. Nothing else is reported as stolen. Even the owner is slightly injured but nothing serious. Ok protector, keep me posted says Rockford and cuts the call. Rockford then goes to the cell where Cheese was held. He offers him sone food and water and then slowly tells him that ‘if you tell me what happened in your past life and how you are dragged into this mess, I will release you from the cell, but you need to tell me about Jack.’ Cheese was surprised and speechless after hearing what Rockford said. However, he was thinking that Richard may betray him, so Cheese decides that he will tell everything to Rockford. But he then puts a demand saying that he should be released after he completes his story. Rockford replies saying that he already said that. Rockford says that tell me from the beginning, like from the beginning.

Cheese starts to tell his story.

I was born in this city, now I don’t have any house or anyone as my family. My house was around that corner of the city. My mother, me and my wife, we three were a small family. I had only one friend in this whole city that was Jack. He was my bestie, we met in a restaurant and from there it all started. He was so close to me that he told me that he is the phantom thief. We both were working for Richard.

Ahh, what you guys were working for that mafia? Asks Rockford.

Yes sir, we used to work for him. I do not know about Jack, but I still work for him. This was all his plan; I mean Richard’s plan. He trained me to become phantom thief, he wanted me to kill one of the protector and he himself wanted to me get caught. Richard was the one who told me not to disclose the address of Jack, but out of fear I had to tell you.

What fear? When you say you work for him, you do not trust him do you? Asks Rockford.

Yes, nowadays I do not trust anyone, especially Richard. In the first place he told me not to disclose Jack’s address which obviously means that he needs something from him. Let me continue, when me and Jack were friends, he once told me that he is the phantom thief. By that time I knew Richard and I was working as a guy who used to transport the good to the agents. Jack used to steal things and used to keep these in his house, I still do not know what was his motive behind stealing, I think he himself do not know it. According to me he finds joy in stealing. When I first entered his house, I saw this painting which costed around fifty thousand nimor. I asked him what are you going to do of these items that you stole. He just said he will sell these in black market. I suggested him that I know a guy who pays more than black market. Then I took him to the Richard. That was the mistake that I made. Jack started to sell all of his items to Richard for double prices. We made a lot of money from this. He brought the weapons and various other stuff related to his stealing. I brought a house, brought a car, got married Hehe. Everything was fine until when Richard first came to Protectors office. When he came out he was a different man like only to both of us. He started becoming closer to Jack and I was slowly going out of this field as now I was a family man. But around one year ago, Richard comes to my house and directly says that I need to act as phantom thief. He just said he wanted me to act as phantom thief for a while and steal some things which he never specified. I was short of money so I thought I will do it, I thought that Richard wanted Jack to rest for a while, so he is telling me to become phantom thief. And even Jack was saying he wanted some rest and wanted to go for a vacation near waterfalls. So, Richard first told me to steal an ancient book from library. I made a mistake, if you remember around eight months before, one of the protector went missing, his name was Mark. Ahh I accidently killed him, when I took the book and was about to go out, then Mark he saw me going out, he directly started shooting, I had to stop him so I threw a knife pointing towards his hand but Mark turned and that knife directly hit his neck. He was spot dead. Then I, myself took the body and dumped that on that river. Even Richard knows about this. But when Jack comes to know about the news that phantom thief has stolen an ancient book and he is considered as prime suspect in missing case of a protector, he directly came to me to tell the news. I was surprised and shocked and I explained him the whole event. After hearing the whole scene, he was furious. He was so angry that he started a fight. We both started fighting, he never said his point of view that why he was so angry, but I assumed that Richard did not take Jack’s permission or opinion before making me as a phantom thief. I had no choice other than defending myself but Jack, he said something, ‘like I am not my father who killed people for his benefit’. I was confused because I never saw his parents. He was so furious after saying that, that he literally threw a ninja blade to my chest. That one ninja blade almost killed me. When I opened my eyes which was just four weeks back, Richard was there. He told me that Jack had almost killed me but he also killed my wife and mother. But it was later that I came to know that my wife and my mother were killed by a gas blast. But now Richard tells me this plan to get caught, I really do not know why Richard want to portray that phantom thief is in the jail. But when I was in a jail, one person comes with a chit and there was written that do not disclose Jack’s address. There is something going on between Jack and Richard, something very serious.

Man, you guys are running cartel here. I have so many questions to ask to so many people. You are a criminal so let me see how I will manage my promise. But why did you tell all these, and can I believe you? Asks Rockford.

Sir, I have already told you that I do not believe even single person in this city anymore. I just want to go out of the jail and just want to leave this city and go somewhere far and pass my life. I told everything that I know, now its up to you whether to believe it or not. Says Cheese.

Ok, even I do not have any other option other than believing you. As I said if you tell everything I will release you, I am going to release you but you should see that, you will not be seen by any higher officer or the head. Do not talk about what happened between us and just go far away from this city ok. Says Rockford.

As said by Rockford, Cheese packs his bag and takes all of his belongings and slowly moves out of the jail from back door. Rockford had already informed his subordinates that he will be releasing Cheese upon which he faced many objections saying that how can he release a criminal, Rockford replies to them by saying that he has a plan. Everything went as per the plan. As soon Cheese got out of the jail he started moving towards the desert area.

On the other side Richard gets a call and the person on the other side says Richard that ‘Our world has changed’ I do not know how but little sooner this time. Cheese has been released from the jail and he is moving out of the city. If he out that means he may go to any extent to kill you if he comes to know what you have done. Arrange something, by saying this, that person cuts the call. Richard was angry on Cheese as he already told him not to disclose Jack’s address or identity but Cheese did so, by doing this he had ruined all the plans. Richard tells his guys to move near desert area and all the nearby area to get hold of Cheese.

 Cheese rented a bike and was nearing desert road he was wearing a mask and a cowboy hat so that people could find difficult to recognize him. He had already purchased two pocket pistols, he had a knife hidden under his shirt and one blade under his tongue. It was as if he knew what was coming. Cheese knew that Richard was planning something big for his benefit so even when Cheese knew that Richard was the one who killed his mother and wife by leaking gas, he controlled himself, he wanted to ruin the plan.

Back when, Cheese was injured,

As soon as Cheese woke up, Richard was in front of him and told him that he saved his life. He also told him that Jack was the one who killed his wife and mother. Richard wanted Cheese to kill Jack. As he did not get any reason for that he made his people to kill the family of Cheese and put blame on Jack. But Cheese was told by someone that gas leak was accidental. He never had grudge on Jack, he always felt that Richard was playing game and what he himself did to Jack was very damaging to his reputation. But once when Cheese was training in Richard’s house, he accidently opens Richard’s room there he comes to know that Richard was the one who killed his family as Richard was speaking about this with someone on the phone. Since then, Cheese wanted to destroy Richard.

   As soon as he passed the dessert barricade, he was stopped by three cars. It was Richard’s people. One guy got up from the car and straight away walked towards Cheese and told him to come with them and Richard is expecting him.

On the other side Rockford was following Cheese.

Around an hour before,

Sir, I have already told you that I do not believe even single person in this city anymore. I just want to go out of the jail and just want to leave this city and go somewhere far and pass my life. I told everything that I know, now it is up to you whether to believe it or not. Sir I have plan, you need to listen to me carefully, they are going to kill me. They had already warned me that if I go against the plan, they will kill me and that is what they are going to do now, you just follow me because they will be taking me to Richard’s house. There you may get what you are searching for. Please do not say no or explain me your duties of protecting people, I am not a good guy and I do not have any purpose to live anymore so instead of saving one useless person like me, you can actually save the people of this city because these guys are planning something very dangerous.

Rockford was speechless, he did not know how to respond. He just wanted to get to the root of the cause, and he was ready to do it by any means. He just smiled at Cheese and offered him a drink.

What do you need, some mozzarella? Hehe kidding, I have some wine in the office, you need some? Asks Rockford.

Ahh yes, it would be pleasure to have a glass of wine with you. Says Cheese.

Rockford brings a glass of wine and a glass of orange juice.

Is that orange juice? I mean my last cheers with ‘the Rockford’ will be with orange juice now. Asks Cheese.

Both Rockford and cheese gives a weird stare and an awkward smile. After that they both drink their drink and proceed with plan.

Rockford tells with his mates that he is going to release Cheese and he has some plan. He also tells them not to tell this to anyone else. He then follows Cheese. He sees him buying guns and blades. After an hour Cheese reach near desert road and Rockford was right behind the barricade. He was alone on his car. For once he thought that he will go with Cheese and fight those goons but as Cheese said Rockford wanted to find the root of the cause. He knew that no one in this city knew where Richard’s house was. Rockford took this chance and he had already prepared a warrant to search Richard’s house. Rockford was seeing what was going on with Cheese.

It was a deserted road, only three vehicles on the whole lane. One person got up from the car and moved towards Cheese and told him to come with him.

Cheese adjusted his cowboy hat and asks him that what does Richard want. Goon tells him just to come with him and ask whatever he want to ask with Richard. Cheese gets up from the bike and starts to move with the goon. When they were walking towards car, Cheese throws his sunglass towards goon and as soon as goon turns toward Cheese stabs him with his knife. He stabbed that goon on his neck, boom spot dead.

Ho sorry, did that hurt too hard, you dead man! Mockingly says Cheese towards that dead goon.

The goon on that car says to his mates that ‘bring him alive, sir has something to say to that idiot before he kills him so keep in mind, he should be alive’.

Cheese was standing at far exactly opposite to the car. He sees twenty goons coming towards him. He checks his revolver sees there are twelve bullets. Takes a deep breath and starts shooting towards goons. Seven goons were dead on the spot. Cheese checks the bullets, it was all empty. He then takes his knife, in fact he had two pocketknives.

       He was sweating heavily, he clears his sweat with his fingers. He was surrounded by remaining goons. Cheese only thinks that if he had katana, he would have finished everyone. He had a knife on his both hands. Once he sees all around. Then he throws one of the knife into the air and as soon as he catches it he throws that towards one of the goon. That knife directly hits into the eyes of the goon. All other goons start attacking. Cheese now has only one knife, he fights with knife on his one hand and starts punching with other. He was using one technique, first he used to strike goon with knife and then punch on their face. The fight was going on for few minutes. When Cheese got hold of the neck of one goon, he chokes him to death. Just when he was about to turn, he got stabbed on his leg by one goon. Other shoots him on his hand and legs so that Cheese would not fight back. Around ten goons start to hit Cheese, while he was lying on the floor. Cheese was hurt but still he was not crying or yelling, he was calm. He turned back and made sure that there is Rockford’s car. When he sees Rockford’s car standing on the side of the barricade, he then acts like he is unconscious, all the goon take him to the car and they start the car and start moving towards Richard’s house.

While all these fights were happening, Rockford was thinking whether he should fight for Cheese or just stay here. Was he doing the right thing by staying inside. Even though Cheese was a murderer, but being protector of the city, was he responsible enough. But he then thinks that Richard is the greater piece of shit that Cheese. He thinks that this is final and only one chance to enter the Richard’s house, if not this time then never. When car starts moving, even Rockford starts his car and follows them from a distance. After forty-five minutes of journey, they finally reach Richard’s house.

         Goon’s easily enter the gate and goes inside with car, but Rockford was sure that there will be chaos as soon as he reach near the gate. But he then thinks that he is the protector of the city and now even a troop leader. So, with confidence by reloading his gun starts the car and stops near the gate. He sees that Richard’s house had more gunman. Even the Head of the protectors did not have so much of protection.

Rockford shows his ID to the guard near the gate and tells him to open the gate. But the guard refuses to open until Richard tells him to do so. But Rockford shows his gun and tells him that ‘I have a gun in my hand, and I won’t even care to shoot you and dump you, so before you say no think twice.’

On the other side even guard threatens Rockford that even he has gun and a stronger one so all the guards here will shoot him and dump him in this house and no one we will come to know about that. There was a silence for a few seconds, Rockford then directly shoots the guard on his hand and breaks the gate and move inside. Other guards who were inside starts shooting Rockford’s car but it was bullet proof. So, Rockford moves with the air and directly stops in front of the entrance to the house. All the guards surround Rockford’s car. Just when guards were about to shoot Rockford, Rockford opens the door with force and starts shooting. Rockford hurts two to three guards. By that time Richard arrives and tells everyone to stop creating chaos. That is when Richard was first seen by an outsider. Till here only five to six people other than his guards and goons have seen him. When Rockford sees Richard for the first time, he had a mixed feeling. He was tired because of the fight because of which he was angry and at the same time he was curious and anxious about him. Rockford straight away points gun towards. He then sees Cheese on the floor. He was beaten to hell, Rockford tells Richard that he needs to speak with Cheese.

Woah….woah, you released him just because you knew that I would catch him and bring to my house right? Asks Richard.

It was not me, he was the one who gave the plan. Says Rockford. He further says that he needs to talk to Cheese.

Richard tells his other guards to go to their positions. He always had one guard with him who carried a machine gun. Both Richard and Rockford go near Cheese. Then Rockford sits on the floor and picks up Cheese and make him to sit leaning the wall. Even Richard sits on the floor in front of Cheese.

Richard asks Cheese that why did he betray him. He further says that he helped him so much, saved his life and promised to give a lot of other stuffs if he did his one job but he did not do that single job.

Rockford interrupts and says that ‘I was the one who wanted to talk.’ He asks Cheese that whether he was sure on what he was going to do?’

Both Cheese and Rockford had a plan of kidnapping Rockford by keeping him at a gunpoint.

Cheese replies ‘yes he is sure and he is going to do that now’.

By saying this Cheese pulls out the blade from the mouth and brings the blade near Richard’s neck. But just by then Richard bends his neck to punch Cheese, because of this Cheese miss his target and the nearby guard starts to shoot Cheese and he shoots him till all the organs come out of the body. Once firing stops, there was silence for few seconds in the hall. Rockford was sweating like he was in some burning bowl of oil. Richard starts to vomit after seeing the dead body. Even the guard who shot was sweating and looked anxious. Rockford stands and go near the door and takes a bottle of water from car and starts to drink. After finishing the whole bottle, he falls on the stairs, still not believing what he saw from his eyes. The blood was flowing till the stairs. When blood flows near Rockford’s finger and when he feels it, he suddenly gets up and sits in his car. He rubbed his hand with a kerchief. There was no sign of regrets in the eyes of Richard and the guard who killed. But now Rockford has witnessed that Richard has committed a crime.

     Now Richard was getting worried as Rockford as witnessed him being involved in a criminal activity. And on the other side Rockford had already got a warrant. After few minutes Rockford gets out of the car and instead of arresting Richard, he shows the warrant and tells him that he has to search the whole house. When Richard and his guard tried to stop him, Rockford takes his gun out and tells them ‘I am not Cheese, before you press the trigger, I will press here and the aim will be the head. So be careful, I do not show mercy.’

    If Richard wanted, he could have easily shot Rockford but he chose not to do so. Instead, he lets Rockford to search the house as he was sure that there, Rockford would not find single evidence in his house relating to the crime that he is involved in. Rockford searched the whole house but he could not collect anything that would help him in this case. But just when he was about to go out of Richard’s personal office, he sees a keychain which had a sun and an eagle. As soon as Rockford sees this, he stands there like a stone. That keychain was only given to the Head of the protector. Only the troop leaders knew this thing. And each Head transfers this keychain to their successor. And Brandon Benjamin, the current Head had left this keychain in Richard’s house. Rockford carefully sees the keychain again and this time he is sure that it was of the head of the protectors. Now everything was connecting for Rockford. Why no complaints were filed, why no protectors dare to speak about Richard, why he used to always outsmart protectors. Then Richard’s cell phone starts to ring and Richard quickly cuts the call. Rockford then asks for Richard’s phone.

Richard asks why.  Then Rockford brings his hand near Richard to take the phone forcefully, then the nearby guard tries to stop Rockford by pushing his hand. As soon as guard tries to stop Rockford, Rockford takes out the gun from guard’s pocket and shoots on the face of the guard. Blood splashes on the face of both Richard and Rockford. Rockford says ‘I have told you, I do not show mercy, now give your phone. You know that I won’t kill you and you also know that I can’t harm you here.’

        On the other side Richard was stunned by what he had witnessed. His eyes were wide open and he stood still like he was held at point blank. After few seconds, he suddenly sighs and takes a deep breath and takes his phone to Rockford.

     Richard did not show any anger from outside but from within he was burning like hell. He wanted to kill Rockford in very bad way. But he was resisting himself. Killing a protector is a severe crime and only punishment for this is getting shot on the head. Rockford checks Richard’s phone and there he finds the contact named BB. And when he checks the history on that contact, it shows that contacted five hours ago. Five hours ago, he released Cheese. This was enough for Rockford  to make sure that Brandon was somehow connected to Richard. By then he gets a call from the head. Head tells him to immediately come to his house.

         Rockford stares at Richard and tells him ‘do not think that Bandon will save you, as soon as he is aged, he will be gone. There will be new Head and wish that it’s not me because I am nor Brandon.’

Richard laughs, says that ‘fool, you are not Brandon you are a fool, why do you think I didn’t kill you, look around these guard will kill you so bad that people wouldn’t even try to identify whose body. Please leave the house you have already created a lot of mess here’.

For once Rockford thought that he will shoot Richard but then now he know even Brandon is connected to this, he want to know the root and what these people are planning. He then throws the gun on the floor and leaves the house. Just he was about to enter the car he turns back and sees the dead body of Cheese, with a sad look on his face he says sorry and then enters the car and starts to drive.

       As soon he reaches Brandon’s house, he sees Brandon standing outside the house and waiting for him. Rockford had many questions in his mind and now his perception on Brandon has completely changed for him now Brandon is a guy who is guilty until proven innocent.

      Rockford comes out of the car, Brandon greets Rockford but Rockford just nods his head in response. Brandon holds Rockford’s hand and takes him inside the house.

‘Do you know why, I called you here. Where were you all this time, you were not in the office nor in the house. I got to know that you released Cheese, that is the reason I called you.’ Says Brandon.

‘You really do not know, where was I? do not act man, I believed in you, we all believed in you but you are working for Richard.’ Says Rockford.

What? Working for Richard? Why would I work for him and what did I do? I am not well toady so I was just lying in this bed the whole day. Says Brandon.

Ahh shut up man, I saw the key that is given only to the Head’s of the protector. What was that doing in his house. And he has a contact saves as BB. Doesn’t that mean its Brandon Benjamin? Asks Rockford.

Brandon then takes out the key from his pocket. It was the same key that Rockford has seen in Richard’s house. He then says that he was sick all day and did not leave his house. And when it comes to Richard, he is the riches guy in the whole town and he has everyone’s number including yours. Now does that make you a guilty party just because he has your number. And the thing about the key, it was always with me, I really do not know what you saw there.

Now Rockford doubts himself that whether he actually saw the same keychain, but he was sure that it was the same keychain. He then thinks that how did that key come here.

First Rockford thinks that someone related to Richard may have given this to Brandon, but it was impossible to give that key before Rockford reach there because he came as fast as he can in his car. Forget about using his helicopter as when there was shooting in front of Richard’s house, that had damaged the wings of helicopter.

Rockford was confused and asks for a glass of water. After drinking water, he utters to speak even one word when he was about to ask why there were no complaints filed on Richard he was interrupted by Brandon.

‘Enough Rockford, first of all you are doubting your own colleague and the biggest is you released a potential criminal who killed a lot of protectors, you know the punishment given for people who kill protectors right. Still, you released him without asking even single person. You have gone against our rule which means…’ he takes a deep breath and continues ‘you are fired.’

Rockford knew this was coming so without arguing much he gives his batch and gun to Brandon and leaves the house.

          On the other side Jack wakes up and starts to think ‘I am just a thief who steals and earns money, it’s not that I am stealing all these because I need to, I just like stealing, even when its bad, I do it. It gives me happiness, that’s why I do it I believe. But if I see the last few things that I have stolen those are connected to sorcery, am I becoming like my father. If I hold those items with me, what if I become like my father. I don’t know what am I thinking but selling those items to Richard, will of course make me rich.’

Jack decides to leave Blake’s house and go to his own house and sell those items to Richard.

Just when he was about to go out of the door, Blake enters the house and sees that Jack is getting ready to go out.

‘You can’t leave now, they are searching and did you hear they fired Rockford as he released a prisoner and now the Head himself is in charge of your case. Listen kid, I can just tell you what to do and what not, its totally on you which one to choose, but choose wisely, I am not forcing you.’ Says Blake.

‘Thank you, uncle, I thought I had no one in this city but I know a guy with whom I can hangout now. I mean you just told me who I am so I will be always grateful for that. But I love stealing, yes this sounds idiotic but that is the only thing that I love. Do not worry I won’t get caught, I have been doing this for many years as you know. I have this one stone to steal and if I do that, I am done for probably few years, so I need to do it.’ Says Jack.

Jack then leaves the house and picks his bike and moves near the tunnel to enter his house. as soon as he enters the basement of his house, he sighs and goes to his washroom and takes a hot bath. After taking a shower he eats a bowl of rice and an omelette. It was not the same feeling of eating omelette and rice that he had before few months back. After finishing his food, he believes that he need to get back on stealing things. But before stealing the immortal stone, he wanted to steal something else just as a practice as he knew that stealing immortal stone is the most difficult thing that he could face, so he wanted to something before that. The thing is what to steal now, he decides to steal the guns from protectors’ office. This was a foolish thing, but one of the toughest things that one can steal.

So, Jack decides he will be stealing guns and other weapons from protectors’ office. Jack never used the weapons like guns. He always used to fight hand to hand or with his ninja blades, but still, he decides that he will steal all types of guns. He wants to do this just to give a message to protector that he is still alive and he is not finished with his things.

         Jack decides that he will plan about this tomorrow and for now he will just clean his basement. While cleaning his basement he finds the chit in which ‘I know you’ was written. Now Jack was confused about that chit, now he knows that only Blake knows him in the whole city, at first, he doubts him but then he recalls that, there was no trace of anyone even in the CCTV. Then he doubts Cheese, he thinks that Cheese perfectly disguised him as phantom thief which means that he may have done it and he is the only person who knew Jack is phantom thief. But then again, Jack doesn’t care much about that chit as there was no other letter from that person.

      Next day morning at nine, he starts to write a letter.

‘I am Phantom Thief, I am stealing the weapons from your office. I may come within two to three hours, I am not going to show mercy this time, catch me if you can. From, Phantom Thief.’

After writing the letter he dresses himself as a guy who sells tea. He even wears the same face mask as the guy who serves tea daily. The tea shop was nearby the protector’s office. He picks his bike and directly stops near the tea shop. Of course, he moves out from the tunnel.  As soon as he reach near the tea shop and once he get up from his bike, for once he starts to think that, he is coming on a sports bike and serving a cup of tea to protector, he scratches his by thinking this, but he had no other easy option. The guy in the store opens his store at nine-thirty in the morning, Jack arrives there by nine-fifteen. He just had fifteen minutes. He quickly goes to nearby washroom and changes himself as the guy in the store. If he wanted, he could have mixed some particles in the tea and could have served those to protector. He already had powder which causes sleep. But he chose not to do that because he wanted to show them that he can steal even when everyone has their attention on him. And that would make his work harder, which he wanted always.

          He then prepares tea and goes inside the office to serve the tea. At first, he goes near Rockford’s cabin but there he could not see Rockford. So, he asks the nearby protector that where is sir Rockford. That protector laughingly responds that ‘sir Rockford, he is no more a protector, he was fired.’ But why sir? Asks Jack. ‘Ahh, he released Cheese, and now we do not know where is he so. And this will be published in today’s newspaper, so you can read there.’ Says the protector.

‘Ho okok.’ By saying this Jack serves tea, and within three minutes he serves tea to every officer in that office.

He had only five minutes left with him. When he was about to leave, he drops purposely keeps his tea tray near the table and then quickly leaves the office. He then goes near the stall and shuts the tall and without even changing his dress he sits in his bike and moves towards his house. as soon he turns his bike and moves further, he sees the actual owner of the tea stall approaching towards his stall.

After few minutes, one protector sees the letter on the tray and after reading that, he rushes toward Brandon’s chamber. When Brandon reads the letter, he was shocked and immediately calls all the protectors in the city to rush towards the office. As soon as all protector arrive at the office, he tells them about the letter and tells them to be alert and ready with their weapon. He continues Jack should be caught alive. he continues to say that, that bastard, is a pain in our ass, but still, we should not kill him, only he is the one knows about the stolen things so we need those things. Until we get those things, we are not killing him. But id does not mean that we treat him like a flower, hurt him, make him feel what we suffered. Let’s catch that bastard.

  10.00am in the morning, still one and half hour left for Jack to enter the office.

       Jack starts to wear his costume. He wears his mask too. Takes his ninja blade, and also picks his katana. Jack decides to move out of the front door. Even he knew that it was bad idea to go out from front door as there were protectors guarding the gate. But Jack still decides that he will be going from the front gate. He brings his bike to his room from the basement, after starting the bike, he starts to honk. By hearing the horn sound, guards start running towards the door. As soon as they reach near the door, Jack comes out in his bike through the main door by hitting into it. Two guards quickly move aside and as soon as they see Jack moving out of his house, they start to shot him, but he was so quick that, he easily dodged those bullets. Those two guards quickly call the protector’s office.

‘Jack was inside the house, he came out in his bike and I think he is going to come to the office to steal the weapons.’ One protector in the office gets this instruction on his tablet. As soon as he gets this instruction, he calls Brandon and asks what is the next step. Brandon gives an alert to all the protector that all the roads connecting Jack’s house to protector’s office should be blocked. He also tells his mates to quickly start following Jack.

There were only two ways by which Jack could reach Protectors office and Brandon decides to put barricade in those two ways.

There was heavy traffic in the city, but Jack was moving in his bike like there was an empty road. Jack knowingly takes the long route to the office. Even Jack knew that he was burdening himself. After few seconds of riding, he was being followed by protectors. There were two large trucks and around ten to fifteen cars following Jack, and those cars and trucks were approaching closer to Jack.

 10.45 in the morning, still one hour and fifteen left for Jack to enter the office.

        On the other side Rockford gets a call from a staff of Memorial Museum. The person on the call says that they have got a letter from Phantom Thief saying that he will steal the immortal stone. As soon as Rockford gets this call, he calls one of the protectors, who was his colleague and tells him that he got a call from the staff of memorial museum and tells what that staff told him on the phone. Protector responds by saying that, Jack has sent a letter to the office saying that he will steal the weapons and all the protectors are assigned here in the office and some of them went behind him and he also tells Rockford to not to believe to any statement given by random person, he says that that could be done by Jack to mislead us, by saying this he cuts the call.

      Rockford was confused, the first thought that came to his mind is how can there be two phantom thief. He knew that it was Cheese this time. On the other side, he was confused whether to believe the staff or the protector. After visiting Richard’s house and seeing Brandon’s key and number, he always had a doubt on Brandon and whole group of protectors. His wife was still sick, in fact she was very sick since the day before, so Rockford was always near his wife and he even took her to all the doctors and hospitals but no one could tell what exactly Agatha is suffering from. But Rockford had no choice this time, he had to see what was happening exactly so he decides to go to memorial museum. He picks up his hat and wears sunglasses and also wears a big coat and a face cover. He completely disguises himself and leaves to the museum. As soon he reaches the museum, he meets the staff and staff tells him that they tried contacting protectors office but they said they are behind Jack, but here we got a letter from phantom thief, isn’t Jack the phantom thief. If we have got a letter from phantom thief and even they got a letter from thief does that mean there are two phantom thief in the city. Rockford asks the letter that they received and when he checked the letter, he notices that the handwriting was exactly same as it was before. Rockford says the manager to close the museum and call all the securities to take position. But manager says that there is only guard in the whole museum rest all was called by protector to help them.

What? Are they the private guards? Asks Rockford.

No, no this museum have only one private guard, rest were from the side of protectors. Says the manager.

Ok, send everyone out and close and lock the door and you, go near the main door and take the position. Says Rockford to both manager and guard.

Luckily museum had only one entrance. This helped Rockford to keep his all eye on the entrance. After waiting for around ten minutes, Rockford was about to go out of the CCTV room to have a talk with the guard but he sees something weird in the CCTV. There was a man holding a poster in his hand pointing directly towards the CCTV.

 ‘You cannot catch me; I am already here.’ Rockford reads these lines from the poster. He quickly moves outside the museum and goes to that exact position where he saw the man holding poster but he sees no one. After returning inside the museum, he sees that, there is neither guard or the manger in the museum and when he checks the CCTV room, there was no one there too.  

11.30 in the morning, thirty minutes left for Jack to enter the museum.

Protectors has sealed down whole city and all roads connecting to the city. Jack was in up-hill highway road. Jack has been riding for forty-five minutes now. There are twenty cars and five large trucks trying to catch him and an empty road in front of him. Suddenly Jack starts to reduce his speed, and three cars come close to his bike. As soon as they were about to shoot him on his leg, Jack drifts his bike and stops as there a deep turn in front of him. But the three cars that were behind him, crashes to the barricade and falls down the road. He turns his bike and starts coming towards the rest of the cars and trucks. He throws his ninja blade on to the tires of truck and car. Because of the blades, there was only one truck left and twelve cars. As blades busted the tires and because of this the protectors in those trucks and cars started running towards Jack’s bike. Jack accelerates his bike and moves fast, he moves like a rocket. He could have moved with same speed and could have reached office long before but he chose to take each one of them so as soon as he reaches little far from the truck and stops his bike. He waits for the truck to come and as soon as he sees a truck coming, he throws one ninja blade on to the glass and that causes a small crack on the glass. Now Jack starts to continuously throw around seven to eight blades and this destroys whole glass. Once the glass was destroyed, he throws a smoke bomb inside the vehicle. While all this was happening, there were few protector’s cars that came really close to Jack and was about to surround him from all sides. But Jack then throws a smoke bomb near himself. He then wears a goggle which helps him to see through smoke. Then he again starts his bike and moves near office. There were ten cars left now and a half-destroyed truck. Now Jack was way ahead of other cars and now he can see the office right in front of him. He could also see protectors standing in front of the office, roughly he estimates that, there may be around forty to fifty protectors.

          On the other side, Rockford goes all around the museum. He hears a weird ticking sound from the basement. There he sees an open locker and a guy standing facing other side. It was Phantom thief himself. He also had an earphone and a portable radio on his back pocket. Rockford picks a metal stick from nearby and shouts that ‘Hey stop whatever you are doing, I am Rockford. If you stay calm and don’t do anything stupid, I won’t hurt you.’

If you stay calm and do not do anything stupid, I will spare you says Phantom thief.

By hearing this Rockford gets furious and starts running towards phantom thief and at that time phantom thief turn towards and by looking at the face mask, Rockford stops where he was. Actually, out of fear and confusion, Rockford falls on the floor. By that time two men come from each side shooting at phantom thief. No bullets were causing harm to him. But when two men came near phantom thief, he without touching the guards, lifts them up and starts to twist their neck. He twists their neck until their neck is fully twisted backwards. While all this is happening, Rockford was a mute spectator. After killing both the men, Phantom thief clicks on Bloody Mary song from his playlist. He slowly starts moving near Rockford.

 Previous night,

After cleaning his basement, Jack calls Richard. On the call he asks Richard that could Richard provide him many guys. At first Richard was confused on what Jack was asking but he tells Jack that he will come him in a few minutes. After few minutes Richard calls Jack and says that he will arrange the guys and asks that how many guys did Jack need. Jack responds that he wanted around fifty to sixty men with the phantom thief coat and the mask. Richard agrees on what Jack asks with him.

Next day morning, before writing letter,

Jack brings a truck and the guys sent by Richards, he tells to be ready with costume and the mask.

Present day,

Jack was in bike, way ahead of other cars and a truck. If he would have gone straight, protectors’ office was in front of him. But he takes a turn and goes near his house. He enters through basement and the truck was already ready with the guys sent by Richard. Jack enters the truck and, truck starts moving towards the office, the Protectors office. Truck stops in front of the office. Brandon Benjamin was standing with other officers. Shockingly no officer had a gun including Benjamin. Three officers with shield starts moving towards the truck. Suddenly sixty guys with same coat and pant with a mask, jumps out of the truck. Every officer was confused. One officer, holds one guy with his collar and removes the mask and finds out that there was a black and white paint on their face. Every guy who got out of the truck starts running inside the office, one among them was Jack.

There were forty officers in total covering the office, the half od the officer force was only in front of the office, no one knew that where did the other officers go. Jack, along with few other guys enters the armoury of the office. All the once who were wearing mask were hitting the officers and moving forward. Few other men were keeping an eye on Brandon.

     As soon as Jack and other guys enter the armoury, there everyone takes one gun and move out of the office. out of sixty guys, twenty guys were fighting with officers and rest were in the armoury. As soon as other forty come out of the armoury, they point their gun towards the officers. Then Jack comes out of the group and removes his mask. He then goes in front of Brandon and says ‘Catch me if you can’.

In the museum,

Phantom thief approach near Rockford and lifts him up and says that ‘I am taking the stone, catch me if you can’.

Rockford by seeing the facemask knew that it was not phantom thief. Because the face mask that the guy was wearing is of the Darklord. A historical character in the history of Kepler. Considered as demon who came out of fire. And mentioned as the dangerous person in the book named ‘Who is Leopard?’. Rockford could not utter even single word from his mouth and he just saw phantom thief moving away from him and go out of the museum. It was like he was controlled by some other human being. As soon as phantom thief goes out of the museum, Rockford comes into his senses and quickly calls the protectors office.

           But no one on the other side was picking the call because all communication towards office were destroyed by Jack and his troop.

On the other side,

 Jack and his gang move out of the office and starts moving their van towards Richard’s house. All the officers including Brandon were just speechless. They just didn’t know what hit them and once again they were tricked by the Phantom thief. They didn’t even try to follow the van as Brandon told others not to. Brandon insisted the remaining officers to take the officers who were hurt to take them to the clinic.

Jack and rest move towards Richard’s house. they break the gate with the truck. Jack and rest start shooting towards Richard’s guards. Most of them were taken down through snipers which had a suppresser. Out of sixty, twenty stayed outside the house and rest entered the house with Jack and with mask on.

           They directly kill all the guards and move directly towards Richard’s room. They see Richard sleeping on his bed. Jack goes near the bed, sits beside Richard.

As soon as Richard wakes up, Jack points his gun on to the Richard’s face and asks ‘why did you kill Cheese’?

Previous night,

After explaining to the men, Jack tells them to sleep in the basement itself but before going to sleep they had a few chit-chats. There one of the member talks about how Cheese was killed brutally in Richard’s house. Jack after hearing this ask to explain what happened. When Jack comes to know what happened to Cheese, he doesn’t react much but goes inside the house and takes a bath. The shower was so loud that it covered the sobbing sounds of Jack.

After coming out of the shower, he calls all the men and tells that ‘Guys, I am ready to offer you one deal. I am ready to pay you one amount which you guys will never earn if you are under Richard, and I mean to each one. But you need to just one thing for me. We need to raid Richard’s house.’

By hearing this one of the guy try to call Richard’s bodyguard, but Jack stops him and tells that if you don’t want the offer you can reject but do not tell him and further says that it was a request. Upon asking the reason for the raid, Jack replies that he was betrayed. But after seeing the cash that Jack offered everyone accepted the offer.

It was all according to the plans. After taking the guns them entering the house and then to teach a lesson to Richard.

Present day,

  Richard was completely shocked and confused. He was just seeing all of his men standing against him with the guns. He asks Jack that what is he doing. Jack once again asks that why did Richard kill Cheese. Richard asks that who told him. Jack without thinking twice hits on to the Richard’s forehead with back of the gun. That makes Richard unconscious and then Jack tells all other guys to go on the truck and to destroy it. Along with Richard, Jack goes to his house with Richard’s car. He made sure that Richard was unconscious and then entered through the basement.

    Once Richard’s wakes up, Jack beats hell out of him and keeps him in his basement with a motive to know why did he actually do what he did.

           Rockford, on the other side goes to the protector’s office where he sees the mess that has been created by Jack. He calls Brandon and explains what he saw in the museum. Brandon was already tensed because of the things that happened in the morning and he did not give much attention to what Rockford said. Brandon just told Rockford to file a complaint and to give description.

      Rockford was also fully tensed on what he saw so he says that he will come tomorrow to give the description. Even his wife not in good condition. As soon as he reaches home, he sees his wife, Agatha lying on the bed. She was very sick. By seeing her, Rockford takes her to the hospital. There even doctors were confused because even they did noy knew that what was happening with Agatha. They conduct many tests and keep her under observation for one whole night. In the morning one of the doctors come near Rockford and say that, they really do not know how to treat her because they do not know what has happened to her. Agatha was badly sick. Rockford takes her back to their house and prepares some food and serves Agatha. While taking her back to their room, Rockford sees a weird symbol which had a star within a circle and three eyes and a fire as a whole. He was confused and feared. There were so many things going on Rockford’s head. He was completely confused and stressed. He didn’t know what was happening and what to prioritize. Once Agatha goes into sleep, Rockford sits in the nearby sofa and takes an anxiety pill.  This is not the first time he was taking anxiety pill. Since last five years he is taking the pill. but since last three to four months, the same has increased.

   Rockford takes that same book which Agatha was reading weeks ago named ‘Things beyond our life’. He starts to read the book and after turning few pages, he sees a same symbol which was there on the Agatha’s back. He was sleepy but as soon as he sees the symbol, he brings the book near to his face and takes a deep breath. Now he has at least one element which is connecting to Agatha’s sickness. He sees the time, it was very late in the night. So, he decides to go to the author’s place the next day.

Next day, early in the morning,

   Jack on the other side goes to Blake’s house. There he tells him everything what he did to the office and protectors. And also tell him that he has captured Richard because he killed Cheese, the only friend that he had in this city. Jack then explains everything what happened between him and Cheese and what he did to Cheese. He further says that ‘I made a mistake without knowing anything, I attacked Cheese and thought killed him. But that guy was trying to save me all the time. But I felt like I was not under my control when I hit Cheese.’ Blake on the other side was just listening everything. He then asks Jack that does he need any food. When Jack replies affirmatively, Blake brings pasta. While eating the food, Blake says that ‘listen kid, what you did to those protectors was not right. Thank God no one was killed but many, many were hurt badly. Do you even know why you want to steal. You wanted to steal immortal stone, you should have just taken that instead of creating mess.’

When Jack was about to reply, Blake turns on the Television and there both Jack and Blake see in the news that Phantom Thief has stolen the immortal stone. Both Jack and Blake were shocked to see. Jack didn’t know what to say, he was just seeing the news without blinking eyes. There they see Brandon Benjamin giving report to the news channels saying that ‘All the protectors were in the main office and there we get information that Jack is going to steal immortal stone so once we detect where he was, we start to chase him. By injuring our protector, he somehow reaches the museum. Rest of the protector were in the office because we knew that he is going to come back in either of two ways. Instead of catching him there we placed a barricade near office and were waiting. But because of gas leak there was damage to the office and the protectors too. Because of this unexpected event, Jack has gone missing again. We as a protector and I Brandon Benjamin the head of the protectors declare that we put a bounty on Jack. Anyone who catches him and bring him to the office, we will be offered with highest reward that is we offer eight hundred thousand nimor. And finally, I want tell we as protectors will be always there to protect the city. And we are sure that we will get this phantom thief and punish him for the things that he has done.’

              Both Jack and Blake were speechless. Bake starts to doubt Jack that whether he was lying. Jack on the other side says that what Brandon is saying is just not true. he further says that Brandon is lying to the public being protector.

                ‘See kid, protectors act as a saviour of our city, you have destroyed their office and caused lot of damage of course The Head of the protectors would not let those things to be spread with such ease, that would create a havoc in the minds of people. I really do not know why you did that but what Brandon did there was just nothing less than damage control. If you ask me, I would tell you that you should just go to your house now and stay there for few days. Do not do anything stupid. If you need any supplies, I could do some help ok.’ Says Blake Colton.

     Jack somehow manages to reach his house and he was not tensed about food as he had stock with him.

 After few weeks,

Time was around nine in the night. Once again protectors lost interest in searching Jack. There was still search operation going on but it was as if no one was bothered. Jack was in front of Richard in his basement. Richard’s face was fully turned into red and was covered with blood. Even after being beaten badly, Richard was not telling why he did what he did. Richard was so confident that, he thought someone will come to save him from Jack. Jack was eating a tasty dish in front of Richard and he gave Richard just curd rice. Even when Richard was confident but when he saw Jack eating a tasty food in front of him, saliva starts to drop from his mouth and with a very weird smile he asks Jack to serve same food.  

          Jack just ignores what Richard said and just when he was about to go to his room, the current goes off. Usually in the basement current will be back by few seconds but this time it still did not come back even after minutes. By seeing this Jack starts to doubt. Suddenly one bike comes from the basement. Within few seconds that bike was inside the basement. It was fully dark and Jack could not see who has entered the basement. At first, he thought that may be the guys with whom he worked before but suddenly out of nowhere a knife was thrown which cuts and leaves a scar on Jack’s face just below the eyes. The knife was so fast and upon that there was no light too. Jack wipes out the blood and takes out a matchbox from his pocket and burns a matchstick. When he brings the matchstick right in front of the eye he hears a voice which said ‘I could have killed you but you are alive for a reason and actually there are two reasons.’ Jack was hurt by the knife that was thrown, he takes the cold water which was nearby and pours that on his face. Jack then lights another matchstick and this time he sees a guy with a mask standing right in front of him. He was wearing a mask, a demon’s mask. Because of darkness, Jack was not able to see correctly. But that masked man raise is hand and pushes his palm towards the vehicles which Jack had in his basement. When he performs this act all the lights of the vehicle automatically turn on. Then the masked man looks towards Richard. It was still shady but everything was slightly visible. Richard tries to focus and when he sees the mask, Richard gives a shocking expression and says ‘Darklord, you finally came to save me.’  Jack was totally confused, just when he was about to ask Richard who was that, Darklord out of nowhere pulls Jack’s leg and throws him to towards the wall. Jack falls on the floor and starts to cough. He then stands up and takes the nearby katana and ninja blades and starts to move forward. Jack just wanted to see who was behind the mask. He quickly sprints towards Darklord and throws few ninja blades on him. Darklord was untying the Richard and could not see the blades coming towards him. But still, he dodges those ninja blades. He then turns and starts to smile, but Jack was not behind. Then he again turns front, Jack was not in front too. Suddenly Jack jumps from the top. He had a knuckle on his fist and he starts to attack Darklord with the same. He hits a few punches and that causes a few scars on Darklord’s right hand. Darklord at first takes few punches but after few seconds he starts to laugh and strikes back. Darklord starts to show off his skills now. He holds Jack’s neck and lifts him while he himself was still on the floor. He holds Jack in the mid air and starts to hit him on his stomach with his knees. Darklord throws Jack and then jumps on him and start to him. Jack on the other side lifts his leg and locks Darklord’s neck. Jack then brings Darklord’s face near his face and tried to remove the mask but then Richard hits Jack on his head with the gun. Darklord then takes Richard along with him on his bike and both move out of the basement.

       After few minutes Jack wakes up and sees that the lights were back. He without wasting anytime goes to Blake’s house as he thought that if one knows the way to his basement, there may be others too. He without informing to Blake, enters his house. There he sees a pasta on diner and sees Blake reading a book in the kitchen. Jack enters the kitchen and puts his hand on to the Blake’s shoulder. Blake out of fear drops the book on to the sink. Blake then turns and see Jack. He sees that Jack was badly hurt so he tells him to sit on the dining table and says he will serve some food. There he sees the pasta kept on the table and he notices that pasta was mixed with red wine. For once he just stares towards Blake and thinks what he said few weeks ago about Jack’s father having pasta with red wine and ketchup.

             Blake while removing the book, he folds the sleeves so that they won’t become wet. There Jack notices the scar on his right hand. By seeing this Jack was confused and at same time he felt that he saw this coming. But he did not know how to react. He controlled his emotions and sat on the chair. Blake quickly notices that he had kept his food on the table, so he quickly comes and takes the food. He also offers the food to Jack, but Jack says that he was not hungry. Blake then says Jack to sleep in his house for tonight, he also arranges the bed for Jack. While he was arranging the bed, Jack goes near the kitchen and see the book which Blake was holding in his hand. He sees that the whole book was written with some wordings and weird diagrams and the middle pages were empty. In those empty middle pages, ‘Leopard’s writing’ was written in bold letters in the middle of the page. As soon as Jack notices this he closes the book and takes a glass of water and drinks it at a one shot. He knew that there was something wrong is happening and he fears that Blake Colton is Darklord but the thing which he feared the most is what is Darklord himself is Stephen Dee, which means Blake Colton himself is Stephen Dee. By then Blake sees Jack looking at that book and drinking water. Blake asks Jack that is he interested in that book. Jack did not know how to respond, he says that he was just looking through the book. Jack wanted to ask about everything but at the same time he was feared.

          ‘Jack, I know that you know something about me now. So, before you ask for clarification or want to say anything, I myself will make you clear. I am Stephen Dee. I am Darklord himself. This face is of your uncle Blake Colton. The soul is mine, hahaha. Yes, the story that I narrated to you is just a story, nothing is true expect mine, yours, your mother’s and you uncle’s name.’ says Stephen Dee.

        Before Jack could say or do anything, Stephen hits Jack with the stick that Jack stole from the Clock Tower Museum. As soon as Jack was hit with the stick, he falls on to the floor and as he was injured from the beginning, after getting a hit from the stick he goes to unconscious stage. 

 Before two weeks,

     Rockford wakes up early in the morning and calls the author to discuss about the symbol. Around at seven in the morning Rockford goes to author’s house. There author offers tea and both start to talk about the matter. Rockford explains what is happening with his wife and how he saw a symbol on her back which exactly similar to the one which was there in the book.

Author asks in which of his book, he saw the symbol which was there on his wife’s back. Rockford says it was from the book named ‘Who Is Leopard’. Author who was not that serious about this, suddenly he becomes serious and goes to his writing room and search for the same book. Once he gets the book, he shows the symbol and asks Rockford that whether he saw the same symbol.  When Rockford says he saw the same symbol, author lose his control and falls on the nearby couch. His reaction was so shocking that, Rockford starts to shiver out of fear that there is something dangerous.

Author asks ‘when did you see the symbol?’

Rockford replies ‘I saw that yesterday, but when we went to doctors, there doctors could not see anything or there was nothing on her back, it was just in the night. And she is sick from almost a month.’

‘Do you know what symbol is that? According to my book or my opinion that symbol is the symbol that Darklord has chosen his target.’ Says author.

‘What target? And do you seriously believe there is Darklord? I just thought that these characters are just fictional who appear in your stories.’ Says Rockford.

‘Even I thought the same, that means what Sheela wrote and gave to me is true and not fictional. That is the reason she went to forest side. I must find the original copy what she gave me, you wait here.’ Says author.

But Rockford now wanted to know what happened Sheela and how was she before and after writing the book. So, he holds the hand of the author and makes him to sit in his car and both go to Ruther’s house. 

On the way Rockford explain what he wanted from Ruther to the author. As soon as both Rockford and author reach the kung fu class which is run by Ruther, they see Ruther standing outside the class as if he was waiting for them.

‘Hello Ruther, I am Rockford. I am sorry for interrupting your schedule, but I have very important matters to discuss. Can you give us some of your time?’ asks Rockford.

‘I knew you guys were coming here. You, and you (pointing towards author) and Agatha, all of you are chosen by the greatness and it is my responsibility to deliver you guys to the greatness. And you guys have made my work easier.’ Says, Ruther.

As soon Ruther says this, five masked guys from back start to hit Rockford and the author. Ruther along with five guys make both Rockford and author unconscious.

Present day,

It has been two weeks since Richard, Rockford, his wife and the author went missing. Brandon on the other side was blaming himself for everything. He decides that he will go into the forest to search them. When protectors traced Rockford and the author, they were last found on near Ruther’s house. However, everyone in the city knew that Sheela was the only one who entered forest. So, Brandon comes with conclusion that all of these may be connected to the forest. But Brandon decides that he will go to forest all alone as he did not want to put anyone’s life into risk. He also says that if is not returned by one or two months, then do not come to find him and declare him as dead.

Brandon was a widower, he had no one for him. So, he thinks that this is best time to show that how much he cares towards his city. In the evening, Brandon decides he will leave the city. Infront of all protectors and some people from the city, Brandon leaves towards forest.

After walking for an hour, while Brandon was moving in the forest, suddenly a masked man hits Brandon with an arrow which had some liquid on its point and that made Brandon unconscious.  

On the other side, Rockford and the author were locked in a dark room. It was two weeks since they were inside that room and from the day, they were in the room they hear a screaming sound from the other side pf the wall. It was Jack on the other side. But both Jack and Rockford never exchanged a word and both did not know that they were locked in the room which is just separated by a wall. A very good meal was being served to all three of them even when they were kept as prisoners. All the guards were taking good care of them and they were cautious that nothing would hurt and see that all three of them wouldn’t do anything stupid and hurt themselves. All facilities like beds, books to read, a Wi-Fi box, television, cloths, bath tub, fridge every other luxury that one rich enjoy was there in the room excepts a phone. Both Rockford and the author were shocked and confused to see this. How can all these things be there in the middle of the forest. Who created this, what are these guys doing here and why did Ruther did what he did. All these questions were running on their mind.

       Even Agatha was there on the left side of Rockford’s room. But she was unwell and there was a caretaker too.

But Rockford did not know that she was there on the room which is to his left.

On the other side Brandon was still unconscious and was being taken car. He was being taken to the city of sorcerers, which is in the middle of the forest.

The city of shadows, the name of the city was the city of shadows. There was no city name for the that city. the whole city was built by Leopard’ father, so that he can expand his territory in the Kepler. Now the leader or the Darklord of the city is Stephen Dee. It took around ten to fifteen minutes to reach the entrance of the city from the place where arrow was hit to Brandon.

  There was a large gateway tower made of stone and which had the name of the city written in it. The whole tower was covered with creepers which had black and golden flower in it. As soon as car enter inside the tower, there starts the buildings and houses. All the buildings were painted black and there no other colours other than black, grey and bule in the whole city. Car was moving slowly as the road was filled with small stones and rough surface. The whole city was empty, there were no one outside on the road or anywhere in the city. after few minutes when car moves little forward, there was a huge castle which had two big towers and in that two big towers there was a huge fire torch which could be seen from the entrance of the city. there were two smaller towers which had a flag. This flag had the same symbol of a star within a circle and three eyes and a fire. And there was one small tower right in the middle of four towers and which was also situated little front compared to other towers and that tower was just open from the top. All other towers had a sharp triangular shaped roof on the top but the smaller tower was just big open floor on the top.

 As car gets closer to the castle, it starts to move faster and once in front of the castle. Car door opens and Ruther gets down from the driver’s seat. He picks up Brandon and goes inside the castle. After walking for around ten to fifteen minutes, he finally reaches the room where Stephen Dee regularly sits. There was a throne which was made out of bones and which had a sharp long bones designed on its back. And there was a table in the front which is again made od bone and crystals. On the table there was just one book, the same book which Stephen dee had from the beginning.

    After few seconds, a slow footstep starts to hear. A tick sound from a stick every time along with the foot step. A fire ball start to appear which is a round flaming ball. And there comes the Stephen Dee. He had worn a black suit and a formal black pant. Had weird band which was made of some crystals on his right hand. His footsteps were way slower compared to normal human beings. He comes and sits in his throne. Chants a line in one weird language and as soon he finishes chanting the line, Brandon opens up his eyes and as soon Brandon opens his eyes, Stephen, Brandon and Ruther starts to smile and then laugh loudly. It was as if they have achieved what they wanted to.

       Stephen Dee then goes and hugs Brandon and says ‘Marcus, thank you. I knew that you would do your job, but you have excelled in it. the way you acted as Brandon after shifting your souls into his is juts beautiful. I am proud that you are my assistant.’

Marcus just smiles and bends his head with respect.

At the diner, Marcus asks Stephen that what is he going to do with Rockford, Lex, Agatha.

‘Rockford’s soul is a rare soul that one can have. He was born on the same day when Leopard was born which means he was born on the day where star that connects the crystals appears in the sky. Agatha is just another victim, I am getting older and I need soul. And when it comes to Lex, I am not killing him. I will make use of him and through him world comes to know about The Leopard.’ Says, Stephen dee.

After having the dinner, Stephen says Marcus to bring Jack. Marcus goes into the room where Jack was kept. There when Jack sees Marcus, he was just confused and he stands still after seeing the protector’s head in Darklord’s city. Jack says that ‘When you said, what you said after that attack on the office, I came to know that you are coward, but I didn’t know that you are my father’s bitch.’

‘Listen kid, I did what your father said. I am not any protector’s Head, I mean the body is of that guy but the soul is mine. And your father has told me to bring you near him. so, without irritating me you need to come.’ Says Marcus.

Even Jack knew that he can’t do anything to stop these guys so without any hesitation he goes with Marcus. On the way he to Stephen’s room he sees no human body but only a red eye and red nails. Those red eyes and red nails could be only seen in the dark. He gets scared but takes a deep breath and moves with Marcus. After walking for a few minutes, they finally reach Stephen’s room. There they hear the piano playing and also see the marbles moving but see no one. Suddenly piano sound stops to hear. Marcus tells Jack to stay in the room and goes out. Jack now starts to hear a creepy voice singing the Bloody Mary song. Out of nowhere Jack suddenly remembers that this was his favourite song back on Earth. Now there was utter silence in the room. A fire ball starts to appear from the backside and Jack turns and sees there is no one except the fireball. Jack then hears someone singing from the roof. When he lifts his neck there, he sees a glowing red eyes. It was Stephen Dee. He suddenly falls on Jack and Jack falls on the floor and now Stephen dee was sitting on Jack’s stomach.

‘Did I scare you? I like to scare people and you are my son, so I need to do that little more’ says Stephen laughingly.

‘What do you need from me? Asks Jack.

‘I do not want to waste your and my time. I want your soul. But before taking your soul there is rule which was given by Leopard himself. From whom we take soul, it should be either they know about me and I should know about them. But in this case, you know about me and I know about you, but you yourself don’t know anything about you. They would call me coward. And it is shameful for me too, to take your soul, if you yourself don’t know anything about your past. So, you are here so that I can tell you the truth about yourself.’ Says Stephen dee and gets up from Jack’s stomach.

Stephen starts from the beginning

‘We are from Earth. I was not from the greatest of the family which means we were a middle-class family. I was superbly interested in astronomy and space related things. But a guy who is very weak in studies. But somehow, I manage myself to become a space scientist. As soon as I got my job, I was a completely different man. I became more serious towards my job and that itself made me one of the best scientists back then.  Then I met your mother. We were classmates and she became actress. Greta, was the leading heroine at that time. But there were these cute moments whenever we both met. As soon we met when we were in the peak of our job careers, we got married. Your mother she was bit weird, always used to select those movie scripts which had magic related things in it. But it is after two years of marriage, I come to know that she knew magic too. Not the magic, magic. Magic in the sense to perform sorcery. She taught me how to perform it. I was hesitant at first but later I came to know that I was interested in it too. Sorcery is an art and both me and you mother loves performing it. after two years of marriage, you were born. For both of us, you were lucky. Greta used to read this book which had full of weird paintings and writings and the middle pages are empty. I really do not know how did she get that book but whoever got the book is considered as the chosen one by Leopard. Some even say that Leopard himself chooses the Darklords. So, Greta got this book, just two days after your birth, she found that on our basement. But to become Darklord, one has to prove their capability to Leopard.

‘Who the hell is Leopard man? This is rubbish.’ Says Jack.

‘If you interrupt me once again, I will make sure that I will kill you and do not forget that I will go to any extent to fulfil my wish. If you utter one more word about Leopard, you see the Darklord and not your father, shut up and listen to me.’ Says Stephen dee.

He continues to narrate his story,

‘Me and your mother, both started our journey to become the Darklord. Your mother was way better than me when it came to sorcery. But I was greedier as I said I could go to any extent to get what I wanted. Even though your mother was giving her time to sorcery, she never left you alone. Always took good care of you. When you turned eighteen, she did a mistake of her life. She made you phantom thief. haa, by the way I was the first phantom thief. I started to steal because I wanted that book which your mother had. So, I started stealing all those things which would help me to become a good sorcerer like your mother. I don’t think we have time to tell how and what and all I stole as a phantom thief. but if I get time surely that is the first thing that I will tell you. Your mother never wanted you to be a sorcerer or magician. Instead, she made a thief. this was the time when me and your mother stopped talking. She made you phantom thief because you could steal the things that I stole from other places. She was greedy too. Do you know a secret? You know sorcery. I taught you that. So, one night I see you in my house, yes, I moved to somewhere else. And your mother was living with my brother, I think they got married too. He was also an astronaut. I had left my job too. So, one night I see you in the basement stealing something. I hold you by your neck, had almost killed you but instead I beat the hell out of you. There you tell me to spare your life.  You are a fool, how and why would I kill you. But I make use of you. I start to control your soul. What I wanted to steal, I make you steal those things and I should tell you were an expert in stealing. Yes, we both were not good parents for you. Gradually, I became more powerful, started to tattoo all over my body, these tattoos are not just tattoos they serve purpose. After two years you mother finally comes to know that I have been controlling your soul, imagine I tricked your mother for two years that itself proved that I was better and was the chosen one. But when she came to know that I have taught you sorcery, she became furious and thought of leaving everything and just living with you for your safety. She planned to quit sorcery and magic and wanted go somewhere far. It was that time where sun was getting really closer to earth and sun would consume earth and destroy it. So, as I said before my brother was living with my wife. He was working on the mission to send the capsule which contains humans from earth and sending them to Kepler. Your mother, you and my brother plan to leave the earth with the testing capsule. When they were about to leave, I come to know about that and I badly wanted to go to Kepler too. Not because earth is getting consumed by sun, because Kepler is the only place where Leopard will be able to get the powers of immortal stone. But when your mother sees me in the space centre, she starts to attack me. I was with my four assistants. One of them was killed by your mother and that’s when you too start to fight with me. after few minutes of fight even I get hurt. I consume one of assistant’s soul and fight back again. That is when your mother performs her trick and weakens my powers and I was almost killed too. But that is when I consume my brother’s soul and shift my soul into his body. I not only wanted you to be with me for my use but I also wanted your mother’s soul. That is when she transfers her soul into your body. while transferring her soul, on the other side she had almost killed Marcus and she was about to drain all of my energy. That is when Marcus throws her out of the spaceship. I never know what happened to her. Some say that except me, you and Marcus everyone back on earth just died. As we were on the testing spaceship that was meant to go to Kepler and comeback to earth. But as we never returned, people back on earth never tried to come to the Kepler. But there were two spaceships ready to launch. I don’t know what happened to another one. Maybe your mother has gone in that, Hehe kidding. She is dead. When your mother shifted her soul into yours, now I wanted you for two reasons. One to get till immortal stone and another your mother’s soul.

     Haa, let me begin Kepler story. After reaching the Kepler, we landed in this forest. You were unconscious all the way and that was the right time for me to manipulate your soul. But you had your mother’s soul within you so that made you little powerful. But I managed to control your soul and I made you steal the jewellery, the stick and the immortal stone. I stuffed that thought into you. I managed to get a job as an accountant and when I met Brandon Benjamin, I killed him, it was not me alone. Me along with Marcus and Richard, we all managed to kill him and then we shifted Marcus’s soul. Richard helped me a lot, not for free. I have to make him immortal it seems, on that condition he is helping us. I was the one to apply on your behalf to that bank. I was the one who kept that chit on your Blazer. If you think correctly, you never knew the reason why you were stealing, did you? It was always me who put that idea on to your head to steal only these things. Ruther his soul is also under control of Leopard. He was a the only one in the Kepler who was under control of Leopard. So, one day he comes to my house and says that I am the next Darklord. As soon as I become Darklord, it doesn’t mean that I got my powers back. But I got some things from which I could see whatever I wanted. There I see you thinking about that you belong to some other place, you saying that you are not like me and few more instances. That is when I decide, I have to hurry so I make up your mind to steal the office but you executed in such a way that you like doing it. You are a good phantom thief. I want my powers back, I could get those only with immortal stone because that is the only thing from which I could take the soul that is inside.’ 

‘Tadaa, end of the story and this time this is real one. Your father is a greedy fellow. He has so much of greed that he wants to become the next Leopard. Usually, Darklord’s son become the next Leopard. But this time I am going to become the next Leopard.’ Says Stephen dee.

 After hearing what he heard, Jack was taken back to his room by Marcus. Once entering into his room, Jack hears someone calling him over the other side of the wall.

‘Hey man, can you hear me, I am Rockford and I don’t know who you are but I heard you screaming and someone entering the room and asking you to come. What did they do to you and who are you?’ ask Rockford from the other side.

When Jack comes to know that it was Rockford on the other room, he was confused and asks ‘what are you doing here man?’.

‘I was brought by that kung fu master Ruther. Don’t know why I am here. Now tell me who are you and what are you doing here’. Asks Rockford.

‘I am Jack. Your Phantom Thief. I really do not know why he brought you here but the person who brought you is my father or he was told to do that by my father. The Darklord, that’s what he calls himself but his name is Stephen Dee.’ Says Jack.

There was a pause for a moment and then Rockford looks toward Lex and on the other side Lex starts to chant a prayer as soon as he hears about Darklord.

‘What? If you have time explain me everything because nothing is making sense here.’ Says Rockford.

Jack shares everything that Rockford needed to know. After hearing, Rockford goes near the fridge and drinks a whole bottle of water in one sip.

After few hours at late night,

Marcus goes to the room where Rockford and Lex were sleeping. He wakes them up and tell them to follow him. then he goes to Jack’s room and wakes him up. All three men starts to follow Marcus. After few minutes of walk they all reach a hall which is filled with candles and holy writings. There is small well and rooftop is fully filled with bats. Whole room is in red colour and at the end there are four to five stairs and on the top, there is a table, immortal stone and in the background, there are small, huge pictures and posters of leopard.

  On the table they see Agatha. As soon Rockford notices his wife on the table, he tries to run towards the table but was stopped by Marcus. Stephen Dee then comes near Rockford and says ‘You have a beautiful wife who has a beautiful soul, I love her soul so on that day I sent those medicines to take her soul. Do not worry after few days I am going to take your soul too.’ He then turns towards Lex and smiles and says ‘I need to you to write everything what you see here. I don’t take you write it in good way or the evil way but you need to write everything that you see. Start from now.’ Then Marcus gives the book and pen to Lex.

Stephen Dee then goes near Agatha and while moving towards her, he lights up flame on his fist. On the other side Rockford was being held by the shadow soldiers. Stephen then covers Agatha with the flame that he created on his fist.

    Jack was seeing this without saying anything. Suddenly Agatha starts to float above the table. Stephen Dee then holds immortal stone in his hand and closes his eyes and starts to chant something. By then Richard with Ruther comes to the hall. Now Jack, Rockford knew that why Richard was doing what he was doing. They come to know that it was Stephen dee all along who worked from behind by keep Richard as his cover.

After few minutes, Stephen dee stops chanting and says ‘When you said that you are not like me, in that fight with Cheese and when I came to know this that is when I thought it’s time for call-back. At first, I wanted your soul and nothing else but then I thought instead taking your soul I will make use of it and then take it. that is when I set up Cheese and I manipulated your mind every time to steal and to help me indirectly. One thing that has gone out of my control is Rockford releasing Cheese and you coming to know about everything. That is when I make you steal the weapons from office and I steal the immortal stone. All that Richard wants is just the part of the soul which would make him live forever.’  Stephen Dee then looks towards Richard and smiles and then gives a death stare. Then on one hand he is performing his ritual on Agatha and other hand he points towards Richard and starts to choke him and from the place where he is standing, he makes Richard to float in the air while chocking his neck. He then says ‘You are a fool. I am killing my own son to achieve what I want to achieve, do you really think I will share that success with you.’

   By then Jack takes the pocket knife from Marcus and puts that on Marcus’s neck. Stephen Dee could not stop Jack because he had to finish his process of transferring soul. Marcus was spot dead. By seeing their leader getting killed within fraction of seconds all shadow soldiers get furious and develop a claw on their hand. They had more powers in that hall. Within few seconds the whole hall was filled with shadow soldiers. That is when Jack creates a fire ball on his fist.

   Everyone in the room was shocked to see this. But Stephen Dee still has closed his eyes and continuing his work. All the shadow soldiers who were holding Rockford’s hand, lets him free and move towards Jack to attack him. Rockford for once stops thinking about everything and with his eyes wide open looks at Jack. On the other hand, Jack creates a fire ball on his fist. As he keeps staring towards the fire ball, the fire ball keeps getting bigger and bigger. But after certain point of time, he could not control the fire ball in his fist and releases that on the shadow soldiers who were running towards him. As soon as he releases the fire ball into the air, he points his fingers towards the ball and turns his hand, when he does this, the fire ball starts to grow even bigger and now the ball is as big as a big solid rock. As soon as it falls upon the soldiers, the lava splashes everywhere. One such splash falls upon Stephen Dee. Know Stephen Dee knew that he had to stop what he was doing and deal with Jack.

‘I knew, I knew this was coming my son. You never forgot your sorcery, did you? This is why I like you and at the same time this is why I want to kill you’ says Stephen Dee.

Stephen Dee then releases Richard from another hand and now wanted to get rid of Jack. He wanted to make Jack unconscious. He points his fist towards Jack and starts to lift him in the air by chocking his neck. Just when Jack was about to get unconscious, Richard stabs Jack from the back.

As soon as Stephen Dee releases Richard, he thinks that by helping Stephen Dee by killing Jack, he will be able to earn confidence of Stephen Dee and even Stephen Dee will fulfil his promise. Richard stabs Jack on his back. He had picked up a nearby candle stand and stabbed the same into Jack. Within few minutes Jack was dead on the spot.

‘Hey man, I did it. I killed your only enemy. I knew that this bastard was a snake. He always hid something from me and now I had a chance to repay to that. I helped you man but you don’t need to thank me but don’t forget your promise man and this time I helped you so you need to repay me my debt’. Says Richard.

After few minutes,

Jack sighs and is breathing heavily. He finds himself in Blake Colton’s house. He was badly hurt. The time has gone back to that point where Jack was dropped by shadow soldiers in front of Blake Colton’s house.

Around five minutes before in the castle,

‘No! ahh nooo, not again this time this f*****, I have to repeat the whole f****** process again. I am tired of this and you are asking to repay my debt to you? You bastard I will repay now wait’. Says Stephen Dee.

By saying this, Stephen Dee points his fingers towards a sharp metal rod and lifts it in the ait and points his fingers towards Richard. Within few seconds that rod straight away enters Richard’s mouth and kills him instantly. While all this was happening, Rockford was a mute spectator. As soon as he sees his wife was lying on the table and Stephen Dee was not nearby, he quickly runs near her and tries to wake her up. But she was already dead. By seeing this, Rockford gets furious and by kissing on his wife’s forehead, he picks up small dagger which was on the table and stabs Stephen Dee on his neck. But that dagger did not even effect Stephen Dee.

  Stephen Dee turns his neck fully back without turning his body and when he sees that Rockford was the one, he puts his hand on Rockford’s face and pulls out the entire skin and the flesh from his face. There was only skull left.

‘This is the exact point where I am stuck since three-time loop. really do not know how to save Jack and why to save him when I am killing him. Maybe it should be only me who is going to kill him. I really do not know what is the process, Leopard. Help me Leopard, before entering next time loop please guide me’. Says Stephen Dee.

Within few seconds there was a bright while light in front of his eyes and that white light covers entire area and when Stephen Dee open his eyes he sees Jack lying in the couch and Jack still did not knew that Stephen Dee was Blake Colton.

    Everything what happened was happening for the third time. Everyone in planet Kepler was in time loop. Everything and everyone went back in time to that point where Jack meets Blake Colton and where Blake Colton tells Jack about his past. Everything starts to repeat again. Blake explaining Jack about his past, Rockford releasing Cheese, Jack stealing and keeping Richard in his basement, everything is repeating by itself. But this time Jack had a doubt in his mind that there was something wrong. Even in last time loop, Jack knew that something was wring but never gave much focus on that. But this time he was sure that there was a problem and he thinks that he was in a time loop. So, to confirm his doubt, Jack plan to do something. He covers one of the rooms in his house with magnets. All magnetic things were in that room and whole room was filled with magnets and then Jack keeps three clocks in that room. And again, the whole thing repeats. Blake showing up in the basement and taking Richard out and Jack coming to know Blake himself is Stephen Dee. Rockford and Lex being kidnapped by Ruther. All the minor detail repeats itself. And everything again comes to that point where Jack has now created a fire ball on his fist. But this time he knew that if he creates a fire ball beyond his power that may explode on his hand. But Jack wanted to confirm that whether he was in a time loop if he survives again and wakes up in Stephen Dee’s house that confirms that when he dies, the whole time repeats again. But Jack wanted to make sure that Stephen Dee doesn’t come to know that Jack is aware of the time loop that they are stuck in. Jack creates a huge fire ball on his fist and it expands it till it explodes in his hand and which eventually kills Jack on the spot again.

        After few seconds Jack opens his eyes and he was lying on Blake Colton’s house again. This confirms Jack that he was in a time loop but to make sure, he again repeats everything as how it was before. Everything repeats again but this time Jack knew that he was in a time loop. Along with Jack even Lex knew that he was in a time loop and he was not only a author but also a guy who have studied everything about time. In the second time loop itself he knew that he was in a time loop but he did not tell anyone because he wanted to write a story about the incident and make that story popular. Yes this was a foolish decision by him to not to tell to anyone but at the same time he thought who would believe him if he speaks about sorcerers and Leopard, Darklord and them controlling whole time in Kepler. Because he himself wrote a book about sorcerers and mentioned that all those were a fiction.  But both Jack and Lex continue act they do not know anything about the time loop and once again we are in that situation where Stephen Dee has Rockford’s wife on the table and Richard enters the hall.

  But in this time loop before Jack starts to create a fireball on his fist, he was stopped by a shout which was from Stephen Dee.

‘Stop acting my son, I know that you know about the time loop but I really do not know why you did not take any effort change it or do anything. This is all because of Leopard, I think finally he came to know that I want myself to become the next Leopard. That bastard is jealous that I am going to be the greatest Leopard, if I become one. So he is stopping me every single time when he thinks that I was one step closer in becoming Leopard’.

    ‘Lex, I know that even you know about the time loop thing. And I also know that you kept quiet because you wanted to publish this right. Ah publish it but write the truth and this is the truth. Listen, your assistance Sheela Ruther, she knew everything about us. In fact, she came to know about us. She was so into her work that she actually came to forest and to this castle, she was a brave woman and I knowingly let her write about everything and once she finished writing, I just took her soul because I was hungry and yes because of that. Ruther has been another assistance in Kepler. So, there was no objection now to consume her soul. Once she finished writing the book and after consuming her soul, I took the book and I was the one to keep that book in front of your house. It was me who wrote ‘this is fictional’ in that book. I wanted people to know about us but at same time not believe about it. But this time I won’t let Richard free and, I won’t let Jack to kill Marcus and I won’t let myself to kill Jack.’ says Stephen Dee.

    As soon as Stephen Dee finish saying what he wanted to tell, he stops the ritual and starts to choke Richard by pointing out his fingers at him. By then Jack throws a nearby Jar of candle towards Stephen Dee. But Marcus throws a ninja blade and shifts the direction of the candle jar.

      Stephen Dee tells Marcus to hit Jack but at the same time tells him not to kill Jack. by hearing this Jack tries to create a fire ball on his fist.

‘Hahahaha! You cannot create any fire ball this time my son, all the shadow soldiers are using their shadowy powers to control the external power in this castle. Only Darklord’s and his soldier’s powers will work in this castle now. I knew this trick to perform but was a fool who thought would go easy on you but not this time you bastard.’ Says Stephen Dee.

By then Marcus had hit Rockford and by punching in his face continuously he had made Rockford unconscious. Now Marcus turns towards Jack and runs fast at him. Jack had no weapon in his hand, he had to fight bare fist. When he sees Marcus running at him, he quickly tries to grab a weapon but couldn’t find anything nearby. Just then Lex who was writing down everything had a pen in his hand. He quickly throws that pen towards Jack and Jack catches it just when Marcus is about to punch him.

  Jack jumps and catches the pen and now he was behind Marcus. Marcus turns and removes his dagger from his pocket and holds it in his hand. Both were facing each other and one had a pen in his hand another one had a dagger. Both runs towards each other, when Jack comes closer to Marcus he bents his knee and tries to poke than pen on to Marcus’s neck, but Marcus does a flip and from his toes he hits on Jack’s hand. This cause pen to fall from Jack’s hand, but it was right in front of his hand and he picks it up again.

While all this fight were happening shadow soldiers were using their powers so that Jack won’t be able to use his powers. And Stephen Dee starts to perform ritual by keeping Rockford and Agatha’s body in front. On one side Jack and Marcus were standing in front of each other, both with motive of defeating the other and on the other side we have Stephen Dee trying to consume Rockford’s and Agatha’s soul.

        Marcus was Stephen Dee’s assistant but the body he was in was of the Head of the Protectors. He was a old man so whatever Marcus did, he did out of his will power and he had very little strength in the body. But he was flexible enough to control the body that he was in. Jack knew this and instead of playing the mind game of who will hit first, he chose to fight with his power. Jack throws the pen towards Marcus and as soon as Marcus tries to dodge the pen, Jack runs towards him and punch Marcus on his chin. It was an uppercut. A perfectly timed uppercut. That one strike causes Marcus to fall on the floor. Jack then sits on the top of Marcus and starts hitting him on his face, he hits him until his nose was broken out. Jack shouting and grunting loudly while hitting on Marcus’s face. It seemed like Jack took all of his frustration and anger on Marcus.

     All the shadow soldiers could not do anything as they were trying to stop Jack using his powers and they were following the order of their master Darklord.

     His face was covered in blood and Jack’s hand too. Jack then picks up the dagger from Marcus’s pocket and stabs that on his neck. Marcus was dead again for the fifth time. After killing Marcus, Jack sees that, Stephen Dee was trying to consume the soul, he tries to run towards his father to save Rockford and his wife. But after seeing their master being killed by Jack, all the shadow soldiers stop their process and everyone gathers in the hall again.

   If Stephen Dee consumes those souls, then he will easily double the powers as Rockford’s soul was the special one. He was born on the special day in Kepler. The sorcerers including Leopard worships that day as the sacred day. Rockford was born on that day where moon and sun in the sky perfectly situate in that point where it looks like one full circle and half is of moon and another half is of sun. This day is called as the sacred day for all the sorcerers and on the other side for people in Kepler it is considered as the day of new year. All the sorcerers in the world believe that the people who had their birth on that day, have the special star in their soul. And according to them one who have this soul have the powers to control the starts.

       Stephen Dee now was in the urge to consume the soul and he almost finished one fourth of the process of transferring the soul. Rockford and Agatha both of their legs start to rotten as Stephen Dee is sucking their soul.

    On the other side Jack was now able to use the powers and he in front of him there were around hundreds of shadow soldiers. All had claws on their hand and their eyes were glowing dark red in colour. Jack knew that this will be tough for him to fight these shadow soldiers but he had no other option left.

     He knew that he can create a fire ball on his fist and he knew how to create it so that makes it easier for Jack to quickly prepare the fire ball on his fist. He prepares the fire ball and as soon as soldiers starts surrounding him, he throws the fire ball to his front. Just like before while moving in the air, he makes the fire ball grow and now the ball was so big that it can easily crush ten-twenty people. As soon as fire ball falls on the top of the shadow soldiers, the lava splash everywhere. One such splash falls on Stephen Dee. Stephen Dee opens his eye, still continuing the process of consuming the soul and when he sees Jack has created a fire ball and is trying to attack through it, he starts to laugh.

    The fire ball did not cause any harm to any shadow soldiers. know Jack comes to know that the shadow soldiers are not real at all. They are the visions that Stephen Dee creates and use his powers in their form. Stephen Dee was manipulating all of them to make them feel real about the shadow soldiers. When Jack realises this, he comes to know that this not the easy battle and still he could see all the shadow soldiers and the soldiers were actually hurting Jack with their clow, but it is that he was not able to cause any harm to them.

      Jack then looks at Stephen Dee and notices that he was looking at a mirror while performing the ritual. He then thinks that this mirror may have some connection with either ritual or with the soldiers. Then he quickly remembers that whenever he saw the shadow soldiers that was when he was near the mirrors. So, Jack quickly prepares the fire ball on his fist and when he was about to throw the same to that mirror, he was attacked by a shadow soldier. The fire ball what Jack prepared gets destroyed. That shadow soldier hit Jack on his back with the claw. Now all shadow soldiers have surrounded Jack and Jack is in the middle of the circle.

                    On the other hand, Stephen Dee have consumed fifty percent of Rockford and Agatha’s soul. Half of their body have rotten and if Stephen Dee reaches their part of the chest to consume the soul, then it would be easy for him to do the next process. But reaching from Wiest to chest takes longer time.

                On the other side Lex again started to write everything what he is seeing. No shadow soldier is interrupting him.

             All shadow soldiers start to attack Jack, they attack him all at once and finally they capture Jack. There were hundreds of shadow soldiers and even tho they were not real but they were hurting Jack and Jack has not enough power to defeat shadow soldiers who are in that large number. All those shadow soldiers bring Jack near Stephen Dee and they tie him to the nearby table. They lie him down and make sure that his fists are tied so that he won’t be able to crate any mess again.

                 Stephen Dee snaps his finger and all the shadow soldiers are gone. As he said before he created those soldiers through his powers and now, he thinks that their use is over so consumed all those powers back again. Stephen Dee smiles towards Jack and then he points at those tables where Jack, Rockford and Agatha were kept and brings that table to his personal room.

                Stephen Dee pushes the big table that was there in his room and under the table there was a door and when Stephen Dee opens the door there were stairs which was leading to an old temple underground.

      As soon as Stephen Dee reach down the stairs along with Jack, Rockford and Agatha, Jack for the first time has seen something like this. His expression said those. The whole temple was made out of one stone and it was covered with herbs and creepers. And there were only fire torchlights which were very dim. As soon as Stephen Dee moves little front, we see a huge statue made out of stone, that stone was of Leopard. Jack did not know that whose stone it was but when Rockford yelled at that stone by taking Leopard’s name, he assumes that it may be of the Leopard. Stephen dee starts to hit the statue with hammer by yelling at the statue.

‘Enough, I have had enough of you, Leopard. You are younger than me but still you assume me to work under you. I am going to become the next leopard by killing my son and consuming his soul, did you hear that you bastard.’ Says Stephen Dee by looking at the statue.

                      By then Jack suddenly starts to feel that he has become stronger now. As soon as he entered the temple, he felt a power within him. But Jack thinks that this may be because of Stephen Dree and did not go to react anything. Suddenly then Stephen Dee comes near Jack and covers him with the souls of many people and these souls were roaming in the temple. After covering with soul, Stephen Dee places the immortal stone on the chest of Jack.

          After placing the stone, Stephen Dee starts to chant a very weird prayer and along with it he starts to dance too. It was a very weird dance and the prayer. When Jack saw, Stephen Dee dancing he gets scared and takes a deep breath. The dance and the song were so scary to Jack that, he starts to shiver and sweat.

                While Stephen Dee was dancing and singing loudly, Jack tries to untie the knot and he without any struggle cuts the rope.

        While all this was happening, Richard was quietly standing behind a rock and was noticing everything carefully. In this timeline he knew that Stephen dee is not going to keep his promise so he wanted to take revenge. As soon as Jack killed Marcus, Stephen Dee stops chocking Richard and he does not even care about him or about his promise towards Richard.

            Jack still lying on the table waiting for the right time to attack. As soon as he sees Stephen Dee with closed eyes and on his knees praying something by looking at Leopard’s statue, he picks up the immortal stone and keeps it aside and jumps of the table and hits Stephen Dee on the back of his head. By then even Richard runs near Stephen Dee and picks up the near by rock and starts hitting. When Richard was busy hitting Stephen Dee, Stephen Dee did not even move an inch and was still praying with his eyes closed.

                      On the other side, Jack with the help of immortal stone revives Rockford and Agatha.  Even Jack did not know how to revive people by using immortal stone. But as soon as he held the immortal stone and brought that near Rockford and Agatha, their rotten body started to revive again and after few seconds they opened their eyes and started to talk too. They both sit on the table and they hug each other. By then Jack say that they need to go out of this temple as their soul is still weak and Stephen Dee still can have control over their soul. Jack shows them the way out and also opens the door and on the other side of the door, he sees Lex trying to open the door. Lex requests Jack to allow him to come to the temple and but when Jack says no, Lex somehow enters the door when Rockford and Agatha were coming out.

     Now there were only four people in the room. Jack, Lex, Ruther and Stephen Dee.

       Stephen Dee opens his eye and starts to smile, by bending his neck he starts to look towards Richard and Richard was still hitting Stephen Dee with rock. But Stephen Dee without reacting anything, goes holds Richard by his hand and pulls the both hand and he pulls it in such a way that both the hand came out of Richard’s body and it was now in Stephen Dee’s hand. Stephen Dee then tries to consume Richard’s soul by then Jack starts to attack Stephen Dee.

           Jack knew that he has gained his power in this temple but did not knew how but without having much concern towards that, he creates a fire ball on his both hands and throws that towards Stephen Dee. Stephen dee till then was thinking that he could easily kill Jack but when he was struck by those fire balls, his entire body moves back and for the first time he feels that he was being hit by something. By then Stephen Dee notices that Rockford and Agatha are not here and he shouts saying that where did they go. Jack gives a response saying that he opened the door and made them go out of this temple. By hearing this Stephen De was is utter shock. Because till date no one could move that door even a inch. But Jack without applying any force opened that door with an ease.

            This makes Stephen Dee to think that, this is all may be because of the temple and the power residing in the temple. Richard on the other side was just lying down and crying in pain. Lex was on the corner of the temple and writing down everything.

          By then Jack again throws the fire ball at Stephen Dee but this time he dodges it. Jack had immortal stone with him. but he did not know how to use so he puts that on his pocket and creates a sword which of lightning. Stephen Dee smiles and runs at Jack to hit him. while running towards him, he tries to summon shadow soldiers again but this time he could not create them out of his power. He gets tensed and out of tension he could not create anything powerful and on the other hand Jack hits Stephen Dee with the sword.  

                The power of that strike was very impactful. Stephen Dee with just one hit falls on the floor and starts to bleed. But when jack goes near Stephen Dee to kill him all for once, Stephen Dee again grabs Jack’s legs and puts him down. When Jack falls on the floor, the immortal stone falls on the floor and immediately Stephen Dee tries to recover and stands and picks up the stone.

       ‘I knew in all these timelines it was not me who killed you with this immortal stone, so we were stuck in time loop but now I will end this timeline by killing you my son and you must be proud that you are contributing to you father’s success.’ Says Stephen Dee

       Stephen Dee then with use of immortal stone, creates a shield that covers Jack and that shield also slowly drains Jack’s soul. Then by holding immortal stone in his hand, he wears the knight suit and also inserts the immortal stone into the magic stick, that Jack stole from the museum.

         As soon as Stephen Dee enters the immortal stone onto the stick, the whole stick turns into a golden sword which had both lightning and fire in it. It was believed by Stephen Dee that, this weapon is of Leopard.

         Lex was watching this silently and writing everything on his book. But when he sees that Jack’s life was in struggle, he tries to help him.

     Half of Jack’s soul was being consumed by the shield and Stephen Dee had the same shield covering him and the soul that is being consumed from Jack is directly entering Stephen Dee’s body. And this because of the crown and knight suit that he wore.

         Just when the soul shifting process reached Jack’s heart, Lex throws his pen and the book on to the shield. This breaks the process and the entire soul that had been shifted was reverted. Jack was alive again and this time he wanted to make full use of the power that he got in that temple. So tries to defeat the immortal stone by creating the most powerful weapon on his fist.

    He tries to remember what his father taught him back on earth. He creates the most powerful weapon which was a sword and an axe named the little master.

       When Stephen dee sees that Jack had created the little master on his fist, he was shocked and Stephen dee on the other side had the golden sword in his hand. They both start to fight again, both strike their weapon and both hurt each other through their weapon. Jack was little tired as he had just got soul back but because of the power in the temple, he could tackle Stephen Dee.

          After a few minutes of fight, Jack finally inserts the little master on to Stephen Dee’s stomach. He falls on the floor on his knees. Jack and Lex come together and just when they were about to go out of the temple, jack notices that Stephen Dee is still alive.

   Stephen dee was badly hurt but still he was alive. with a low voice he starts to speak and says that ‘you idiot, I am ashamed to say that you are my son, you cannot kill me unless you kill yourself. Until there is single source of my soul in this world, I will be alive. are you ready to kill yourself, bastard.’

       By hearing this Jack was sure that what he had to do. He tells Lex to go out of the temple and closes the door. Jack picks up the immortal stone he inserts the same immortal stone on to his stomach. Stephen Dee was speechless when he saw Jack trying to kill himself. Within few seconds Jack was dead. Stephen Dee too starts to fade away but he believes that there may be another time loop and everything will repeat again. But nothing repeated this time. It was an end for both Jack and the Darklord.

      Within few seconds after Darklords death, the whole temple, the castle and the whole city that was built in the forest slowly starts to fall down. Lex did not forget to keep his book with him and long with lex, Rockford and Agatha too leave the castle and the city.

After two days,

 ‘I will leave honey, make sure that you are safe and Hehe we will go out in the night and have some night dinner’ says Rockford with Agatha and leaves for his office.

       He enters the office and goes into the cabin of the protector’s head. He was the new head now.

     On the other side Lex finished preparing his final draft about the things that he saw and wrote from the castle. He decides to name the book ‘The story of the Phantom Thief’ and this time he writes that it is the story based on real life and real incidents.

‘We have got ridden of phantom thief and now this city is safe. From now on no one is permitted to cross the river or even to cross the barricade in the forest area. This is not for those rumours what we hear about sorcerers but to protect and preserve our animal and our rich natural resources.’ Says Rockford while giving an interview to the press.

‘Sir, can you explain what actually happened in the forest and you returned from forest after a week and even your wife was with you?’ asks a reporter

‘He was hiding in the forest and he had abducted my wife, so I need had to go and when it comes to Brandon, he was killed by him. Lex was also abducted by him, sad that we never came to know the reason. But now everything is over and everyone in this city can live peacefully.’ Says Rockford.

After press meet,

‘Why did you lie?’ asks Lex with Rockford.

‘I had to, I am the new Head now and if I had spoke anything about that sorcery and that stuff out there, people would be scared. So, I need to.’ Says Rockford.

‘He saved our lives and we left his body there under that mess I think we have a responsibility to at least to build a grave for him. I still do not know that whether he sacrificed his life for us? Or for himself? Or to kill his father? Or……’ says Lex.

He was interrupted by Rockford and he says that ‘You are right we need to build a grave for that soul who protected our soul.’

 Same night they both go to the forest and after finding Jack’s body under some rock, covered with blood, they bring the body out of the castle and dig a pit in front of the castle and burry Jack’s body there. 

‘Darklord’s son becomes the next Leopard, he was the next king of the world but as I said we will never know why he sacrificed his life.’ Says Lex in front of Jack’s grave.

After few days again both Rockford and Lex go to the forest to build the grave and carve the stone to write Jack’s name in it. but this time they both were being followed by one of Rockford’s assistant officers. And when they reach the grave and starts to build the gravestone for Jack, the assistant questions both about why they are caring so much for Jack. and tell them to dig the pit and show who is really inside. At first Rockford denies to do so, but when assistant says that he will be saying about this to the people in the city, Rockford was forced to open the grave.

      But when Rockford opens the grave, both Lex and Rockford were shocked to see that there was no Jack’s body in the grave.

There wads utter silence and confusion in the minds of all three in that situation.

Lex says that ‘I told you before, we never know why he sacrificed his life whether for himself? For us? Or for his dad? Or to become the next Leopard. Remember Darklord saying, every Darklord’s son becomes the next Leopard. We never know what happened to Jack we never know whether he is the next Leopard.

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