"Tell me everything that happened in detail." Seated on a chair designed similar to a throne room was Re'Kya; her words suffused with authority resounded, "Why are you the only one that returned? What happened to the rest of the scouts?"

"Master told me to return first while he stayed behind with the rest to investigate," Prostrated on the floor was the disciple of the scout team's leader. His expression was mortifying.

Torn clothes, bloodied limbs, gashes all over his back, and a withered body that was on the verge of death. Still, he wasn't given any treatment upon sight by Re'Kya, asking to deliver the news first. Used to the treatment by now, the disciple acted as if it was the norm.

"We had zeroed in on Re'Kha in the Burkurel Ju Clan's western settlement. The house she was in was situated in the centre. It was the tallest building. All the houses there were filled to the brim with Kalhas, so we had to be extra cautious to finish the mission."

"Continue," Her cold voice resounded as Re'Kya stared at the scout.

"Yes," Upon confirmation, the disciple nodded, controlling his facial expression from morphing into one of sadness as he continued, "We first sensed her presence using our Nerou. Re'Kha was hiding within what was supposed to be the house's granary. The point of oddity here was the fact that the granary was many times bigger than what a house in the settlement could have."

"How big was it?"

"34 times, my lady," The disciple replied, continuing upon getting a nod of approval from Re'Kya, "We first destroyed the house's roof and caused the rain to leak through it, killing most of the Kalhas on the first floor. We then retreated and waited until the rain stopped. Most of the Kalhas had left the house in fear of the leaking roof."

He paused, glancing at Re'Kya to see she looked at him with no change in expression. His heart lurched as he spoke, "The entrance to the granary was in the kitchen, so we first destroyed the kitchen walls. We then used the rainwater to sprinkle all over in the house until we were assured there were no Kalhas hiding within."

"So, there weren't any casualties until this point?" Re'Kya questioned.

"Yes, my lady." The disciple nodded, "I then acted as a soldier from the Bura Fort who had come to rescue anyone trapped in the settlement. Re'Kha had bought my acting, thankfully. But when I talked with her, she…"

"Did she fool you?"

"No, my lady." The disciple shook his head, "When we sensed the granary using our Nerou, we discovered the presence of numerous tiny creatures within. We first thought it was the Kalhas, but when we attempted a conversation, Re'Kha was able to respond. And, it seemed like her mind had broken, for she was in a state of delirium. And, upon talking, she screamed to not plant something in her body."

After a sigh, the disciple spoke, "The granary was filled with the Rhipa. A lot of them had already hatched and were eating the food in the granary that had spilled out. Water covered most of the space within, over which a layer of food floated. They were on that."

"The Rhipa…" Re'Kya frowned, "If Re'Kha was planted with them, then her life is forfeit sooner or later."

"Based on the time we concluded from her trails, we judged the Rhipa eggs planted in her hadn't hatched yet. But, they were about to hatch soon enough. So, to prevent a complete annihilation in the chance we fought them, master sent me to relay the message first, since I lacked the experience to face against the Rhipa. He also sent two scouts to the Burkurel City and Burfuna City to relay the message to the officials through our secret route."

"They haven't," Re'Kya said, staring at the disciple as her gaze caused him to shiver. "Neither did those two relay a message to the two cities nor have they contacted me again. They died along the way."

"B-But, impossible." The disciple stammered, "They are stronger and more experienced than me. They wouldn't have died even in the beast wave."

"But they did," Re'Kya spoke, "And, that makes you the sole survivor. Now tell me, is your information reliable? You are the sole survivor. The fact that they haven't contacted me again makes it true."

"But master, he…" The disciple frowned as his eyebrows trembled. His voice choked as he controlled his emotions from erupting, controlling himself from making a scene before Re'Kya. He slammed his head on the floor, "My lady, please allow me to investigate the issue. I promise I would uncover the root of the cause."

"Forget it," Her words were like a boulder that had been dropped on his heart, causing his hopes to shatter, "If you say there was the Rhipa there, then I'll relay this information to the officials of the three cities. Let them think of a solution. Half of the scouts our Clan secretly nurtured have died in this mission. This is too much of a loss."

She then waved her hand, motioning for him to go away, "If you make a move now, your identities would leak to the other Clans. You know what would happen to your families in such a situation, right?"

"Yes, my lady. I'll await further commands." The disciple slammed his head on the floor.

Re'Kya then watched the disciple limp his way to the exit, frowning as she called out before he exited, "What were you called again?"

"Re'Dua, my lady." The disciple bowed as he replied. His face convulsed upon the pain, thanks to his injuries. Still, he gritted his teeth, keeping up with the respect he had to display. Otherwise, his family wouldn't live to see the next day.

"Right, Re'Dua," Re'Kya nodded, "Head to our Clan's doctor and get treated. Tell him I sent you."

"Thank you for your magnanimity, my lady." Re'Dua bowed and exited the room.

"Useless," Re'Kya sighed. "The Clan Elders wouldn't take this loss lying down. Argh, it would be annoying to deal with them. Those old fogeys."