Two heaping baskets of vegetables and fruits that smelled like sweet dirt and refreshing sky was stuffed vigorously into Essairyn's hands by Leœss's sister, Amirael. She and the youngest sister of five years, Kylaine wouldn't take no for an answer because they pushed the gifts onto their flustered visitor without even a question or warning. And right after, they shooed Essairyn and Leœss along with the rest of the group out of the house while saying their goodbyes and good luck for the journey ahead.

"Ah...I swear they're usually not like this," Leœss jokingly laughed while scratching his head.

"Haha, it's okay," assured Essairyn. "They were just being nice and didn't want to delay us after fixing the farm and eating a late lunch. Besides, they were absolutely darling, and this kicking out gave me a good laugh." Thinking back to the boisterous lunch and adorable antics of little Kylaine while they mended the farmhouse prompted a cheerful curve of her lips. As an only child, she wondered if that was how it felt to have siblings.

"By the way, I already said this to her, but your sister really makes the best food! That's why I didn't expect her to give me anything else after leaving me with the leftovers of that delicious lasagna-like dish."

"Oh you mean the Friettielli? Yup, that's sis Ami's speciality. All the neighbors request it during the cook-off potluck." Leœss puffed up in pride whenever speaking of his family. He truly loved and took care of his siblings. He critically regarded his devotion as one of obligation as the new head of the house after their parents perished, but anyone with eyes could see that it was genuine from his heart rather than societal pressure or expectation. It made Darren think back to his own family and two younger siblings. The remembrance triggered searing pangs of conflicted emotions and longing across his chest.

"I won't be able to cook nearly as well as her, but I'll try to do justice with these amazing ingredients." Essairyn gave a thumbs up and accompanying wink. The magic cache was no refrigerator, but it could preserve food better than if it was left outside. Unfortunately, it had no abilities to stop spoiling as she had hoped based on the fantasy stories and games she knew. While this world was magical, it was still paradoxically logical.

"It's all good." Leœss waved his hand with a chuckle.

"Yeah, I'm curious to what you'll be able to cook," Aispin softly added with a subtle, teasing air.

"Hey now! I'm not that bad. Modesty, okay? I can't be sillily over confident when I know my own skills." She stuck out her tongue and gave a little huff with her hands on her hips. The charmingly endearing sight lightly stirred something in Aispin's heart.

"Haha! I'm sure you're better than my older sister. I still don't know how she was able to get married with her cooking abilities. Just kidding. I love her. She's really awesome; I wish we had time to visit her in the next village over. But it's in the opposite direction from where we're headed sadly."

"Maybe next time when we head back, you can introduce us. From the way Ami and little Kyla idolizes her, I can imagine what she'll be like." The two younger sisters had spoken so highly of the eldest like she was some goddess. Such wholesome adoration warmed Essairyn's downtrodden spirit.

"You said that she was childhood friends with Knights Commander Chaera Ch'tahur, right?" Darren interjected.

Leœss nodded ebulliently and then struck a sheepish expression and posture. "Yes, that's how I got to know Chaera, heheh..."

Darren smirked and jabbed roguishly, "Weren't you like, seven when you met her though?"

"Yes, and she's still the most beautiful fourteen-year old and now twenty-seven year old that I've ever seen!" Leœss put on an adamant, defensive face as if arguing with someone about the hottest celebrity crush.

Darren sarcastically face-palmed before smiling and bursting into laughter with Leœss. Essairyn let out a suppressed giggle and just shook her head while grinning. Happy, quiet little moments like these and with Leœss's siblings back at their farm made her momentarily forget about the terror of the early morning and impending catastrophe of Hyd' Tyml. If only such moments could last forever.

"That's pretty amazing though that you knew Chaera before she became so famous," remarked Essairyn. "But you never got to see her again after that time in your childhood?"

Leœss sighed regrettably. "Unfortunately no. She moved away pretty soon to become a Knight.... Ugh!" He suddenly gripped his fist in an aggrieved manner. "Such a ladylike tomboy, there's just no one out there that compares to such perf—"

"Okay, come back to Earth, Leo." Darren bonked the other boy's head with the back of his hand.

"Excuse me, but I've never lived on Earth." Leœss shot right back at Darren with a smug smile.

"Hah, the saying just slipped out."

"And just you watch, when I move up the ranks, I'll definitely confess to her one day. Although we were young, having that history and connection with my sister has to account for something, right?"

"Of course," cheered Essairyn. "I'm sure once we complete this mission and uncover Hyd' Tyml's schemes, we'll be able to meet her in person just like with Classerth!"

"Ugh, don't mention that name. I nearly gagged at the sight of him earlier." Leœss held his stomach for added effect.

"Come on, he's a pretty cool guy!" Essairyn laughed and punched Leo's arm.

"Yeah, and he's my biggest rival!" Protested Leœss while clutching his heart as if hurt by Essairyn's abrupt betrayal.

"Pft. Such a drama king." The girl giggled at the stark contrast to her first impression of Leœss back when they first trained with each other. Him being a star-crossed romantic certainly was the least of her expectations. But it softened his rough aura, almost making him adorable now to Essairyn. Then again, she had a habit of finding a lot of things cute.

"It doesn't even look like he's interested in Chaera seeing how he was all over Izra. Then again... based on what I've heard about Chaera, I feel like the two are pretty similar, hm..."

Leœss tilted his head and pondered the comparison. "Now that you mention it...I don't know Izlende Ryrarin very well, but they are alike in some ways."

In this lighthearted, open manner, the quartet bunch plus one sleeping, swaddled fox amicably trailed H.T. on a carriage drawn by six horses. The specialized, high-trained horses knew how to follow the road without instruction. The Knights had generously provided the conveyance when Classerth arrived in order for them to catch up to H.T. as soon as possible. That's why Leœss's siblings, despite being friendly and hospitable, felt guilty for dragging the group into mending the property. Luckily, the farm was on the way, and they didn't stay longer. If time allowed, Essairyn would have loved to stay and chat especially with the nineteen-year old Amirael. Also, Leœss's baby brother was just too precious. It broke her heart knowing that the little boy would never get to know his parents. But with such a devoted older brother and loving family, he could be considered blessed.

After an hour of riding, the horses suddenly neighed skittishly and halted their running. Alarmed, everyone tore open the curtains and looked out. Nothing was on their sides, but they quickly spotted ominous smog surrounding blurred figures in the near distance ahead.

"What.. is that?" Essairyn breathed quietly out, confounded by the swirling mass that seemed to pulse with dismal energy. Akari might have known, but the fox gravely needed her rest. So Essairyn wasn't about to wake her up to ask.

Instead, severe lines etched Aispin's face at the sight of the horde of strange creatures encased in demonic energy. His voice was low and strained as he answered, "Possession. No, not quite... Those animals are...being eaten by the demonic energy!" He leapt out of the carriage and unsheathed his sword, calling to the others to follow.

Although they didn't know what to make of the situation or what Aispin specifically meant, they trusted him. Upon nearing the scattered animals in a stupor, Aispin's sword ignited with a burst of dark silver magic in a cone. The struck animals were harshly singed, but the demonic clouds around them dispersed. Aispin sharply observed the animals in the clear air and widened his eyes in horror. He could now see their crazed eyes, a reflection of their deteriorating mental state.

"It's no good. They're lost now. We can only kill them to stop the spread of the demonic energy." He gritted his teeth and charged toward to swing his blade in sweeping strokes. The wind generated by each blade fanned out in a thin arc of magic and severed all creatures in its path.

"Essairyn! Do you think you can do something about this smoke? Our swords alone will not be able to eliminate the demonic energy in the air."

She pursed her lips, racking her brain to think of a solution. The smog seemed to suck the very life out of the congregated animals. From farm animals to wild ones and even what seemed like demon or spirit animals, they were all being consumed inside and out. The smog covered several square acres, so Essairyn needed to cast a wide range spell or quickly take out sections in increments.

So far, their group had been cautiously avoiding the smog by tackling the animals on the peripheries. But this method wouldn't allow them to reach the bulk of them in the center. Even Essairyn didn't want to test whether the smog affected her much less a magically inept person who didn't have the added protection of an accompanying magic aura. Knowing not to get ahead of herself based on the hazardous situation, she didn't try to experiment or show off by whisking it all away.

Thus, with calculated aim and spread, she engulfed a portion of the dark mass in a flurry of lavender particles that exploded in miniature bursts. Despite endeavoring to cover every inch of the air, Essairyn detected demonic residue lingering in the surroundings from being exposed for so long.

Just what caused this in the middle of nowhere?! And why are these animals targeted? It can't be, is H.T. connected to those strange demon disturbances from before? So first it was animals and now it's also being experimented upon?! Essairyn's mind was in a fit of frenzy. All the puzzle pieces were slowly connecting together, starting to make sense and yet still so vague. Only now, she could only focus on the situation at hand.

After consecutive section wipes, Essairyn started perspiring lightly. As she had guessed, the demonic smog was simply too dense and expansive. It was almost as if something was released into this area to cause such a concentration. At that thought, Essairyn's mind clicked. This unusual circumstance should have been the most obvious clue, and yet they had all overlooked it due to their alarm. Something or someone had released not only all of this demonic smog, but all the infected animals too. And it had been spreading for a few hours now.

Quickly, Essairyn scanned the area, squinting as she tried to discern the innermost depths. Just as she thought perhaps she was being paranoid, Essairyn zoned in on an odd rectangular outline lying flat on the ground near the center. That's... She looked around and connected gazes with Aispin who had just turned from looking at the same spot. He had noticed it too. Together, they both rushed towards it as Essairyn cleaved a narrow passage in front of them. A few meters away, the true nature of the geometric shape revealed itself.

...An underground entrance—!