Akari nodded nonchalantly and shared her story with the girl. Since they landed in Farinheld, the fox had noticed the faint scent of demon in bits and parts of the town. None of the trails led to anything. They were just in the surrounding spaces. But one day, she ventured to the outskirts of town and picked up paths of demon crossings. That’s when she came across some humans conversing suspiciously in the forest.

“Of course, I eavesdropped on them.” Akari waved a paw as she recalled the darkly clad men who were stupid enough to talk during the bright of day. “And found out that they were planning something. But they didn’t clarify what, annoyingly, and after that instance, I no longer came across any more of those likely H.T. goons.”

“However, I didn’t know that they had been poisoning our food. So I suppose I’m lucky that the specific catalyst doesn’t work on spirits, only humans. They couldn’t have expected we’d have any species other than humans on our side anyway, but it didn’t matter since I wasn’t of much help…” She flattened her ears slightly in shamed self-disappointment to which Essairyn then nudged them back up in a gesture that conveyed it was okay. The mission didn’t ask for the fox to lay so much of the burden on her small shoulders.

“On the night that they attacked, I smelt a horde of demons quickly approaching. And when I saw that Izlende couldn’t wake you up, I realized something was terribly wrong. So I decided to take advantage of the time before they arrived in order to get help. You know, wake up some useful people so that others would wake up too and maybe run away or something.”

“Err… right, I do remember Izra telling me that part…” Essairyn didn’t know how else to respond to that oddly casual, apathetic phrasing of finding help. The fox paid no mind to the girl’s funny expression and plowed forward with her tale.

“But wonderfully, you were all poisoned! And waking up the townspeople was just stupid—they were so confused when they saw me, dumb idiots…”

“Umm… Akari…haha…” Essairyn would been thoroughly entertained by the fox’s sarcastic retelling of the events if it had not been such a ghastly ordeal, but she supposed it was Akari’s way of lightening up the heaviness of the story. Surely, from the state that she was in when they found her, what happened was not pretty.

“So, of course, it was futile and the demons sniffed me out. Mind you, not the fake human-demons you all saw, it was the actual demons that they kept on leash.”

“On leash?” The girl couldn’t help exclaiming at the unexpected tidbit of information.

“Yes, like bloodhounds,” sneered Akari. “I don’t like demons either, but humans are as every bit cruel as demons or any of the species, even spirits.” The fox paused, ruminating upon that last phrase. Both parents and pups would bite at their own children and caretakers. Blood ties, race ties, none of that mattered when it came to power and the so-called order within species. The instinct to protect and put oneself first was engrained in anything living.

“Without those real demons, the fake demons would have never known my whereabouts. Tch, I guess I owe it to those human demons for needing to feed on the demon beasts’ energy; otherwise, they’d had sniffed me out quicker.”

“Is that really what they’re doing?” Essairyn’s voice rose excitedly in pitch. This was crucial intel that could allow them to piece together H.T.’s schemes after their own deliberations in the underground laboratory.

“Hm. Nasty things…” Akari shivered as she imagined how it must feel to be reduced to a energy store that got siphoned until dead and dry. “Well, I got into a pickle since they ganged up on me. Hmph! But I put up a good fight, you should’ve seen me!” The fox puffed out her chest. No demon would get the best of her without getting punched squarely back.

“Of course, outnumbered is outnumbered. I’m not stupid, just a little hotheaded at times, I admit. So I ran away and almost made it. But I got knocked out by some insanely large sphere of black magic. It was ten times my size! That guy is absolutely nuts! And very inefficient too. Just look at me! A smaller one would’ve done the trick.”

“But you would’ve gotten away.” The girl pointed out the enemy’s insight.

“Ah right, that’s true. Guess I should feel proud for not being underestimated…”

“Was that guy Kajarn, by the way?” The vague description of the sphere reminded Essairyn of Kajarn’s ashen black magic.

“Yes, it was. Like I told you way before, that guy creeps me out! Looking at me weirdly… that’s another reason why I didn’t join you guys on your patrols. He wanted to stalk me or something, I think. But he had to keep an eye on you all, so I was free to escape his observation. I also didn’t know that he was the innkeeper until the last night, though.” Akari cutely bobbed her head. It had turned out that her intuition about that guy from the very beginning was correct.

“I see…”

Honestly, Essairyn had felt a bit miffed that Akari didn’t join them and yet again wandered around on her own, especially when the others were busy on their individual rounds, and K was often not around. So upon hearing the full explanation, she felt a bit guilty for holding the notion that the fox should accompany her everywhere. She wasn’t sure if it was due to a lingering concern that the fox would betray her somehow, considering that this friendship started out as a mutual cooperation which could very well be only temporary. Or, if she had more than just gotten used to the sassy little furball’s presence.

Regardless of the reason, having the animal beside her was the singular constant source of comfort for Essairyn in this world. It might’ve been due to her resembling a dog, man’s best friend, or that combined with Akari’s ability to speak intelligently and feel humanely. Whatever it was, a small, worrisome knot formed in her heart that she might be getting a little too attached, too quickly. No one knew what laid ahead on this haphazard journey.

“Luckily, before that redhead fox-napped me after I almost got knocked out by his attack, some masked guy scooped me up. It looked like one of redhead’s goons, but why would he save me? And yet, he must’ve because after going unconscious, the next thing I knew, I was on the inn’s doorstep.”

“How strange…” Essairyn frowned as she counted all the mysteries and contradictions in H.T.’s behavior and beliefs. “How can they be kind yet so cruel?”

Akari was silent as she contemplated. Remembering her previous reincarnation, Akari’s paws curled as a dull ache twinged in the pit of her stomach. “Maybe…” The fox peered into Essairyn’s lavender orbs. “You need violence in order to get anything changed.”

The girl held the fox’s stoical gaze, wondering if there was greater meaning behind those words. For she knew that Akari’s infamous past was wrought with violence. Had H.T. opted to create change through violent means because peaceful ones didn’t work? It was a counterintuitive notion from the constant societal reminder to choose peace over violence, diplomacy over war. But if true harmony could not be sowed, and true justice was buried for the sake of superficial peace, then what else was there to turn to but violence? It was a long held debate when social justice and inequality was brought up in history.

Still…not in this way. I can understand H.T.’s desperation, but their methods lend no credibility even if they’re successful. They’ll be constantly undermined and questioned after everything settles down, whether they’ll continue being violent to impose future agendas, whether their creed will remain as benevolent as the current. Essairyn remained resolute to her beliefs despite the validity of Akari’s statement. But she felt oddly sympathetic to H.T.’s cause if this was indeed true. They’re becoming the villains in order to accomplish what heroes can’t…

Sighing profoundly, Essairyn finally replied, “You may be right, but I don’t believe anyone ought to suffer like this in order to achieve a lofty goal. The end does not justify the means. So much hatred will only persist in a vicious cycle…”

Akari looked down in retrospection. “…Perhaps, you are right as well. Hate never did me good. It only destroyed what I treasured the most…”

A sorrowful smile descended on Essairyn’s face. Stroking the fox sympathetically, she gingerly picked up Akari and exited the carriage toward the campfire where Leœss was currently boiling a pot of water while the others talked nearby. Curious about what he was going to cook, Essairyn gently placed Akari onto Darren’s arms before spying on Leœss.

“So you’re good at cooking too, like your sister, Amirael?”

“Who says I’m cooking? I thought you were!”

“Oh, right. Haha.” Essairyn tapped the side of head in remembrance. “I was going to say that you’re such a family man, knowing how to cook, definitely would make a good husband someday.”

Leœss almost choked on his spit. “Err-What? You’re so random. Did my sisters’ rub off on you with their marriage talk this afternoon? Please don’t listen to them.”

“Haha, I can be random at times. Though, I was simply recalling an earlier talk we had about cooking and marriage.” With a wink, she added playfully, “But, it’s true that a cooking man is just as attractive as a woman.”

“I guess so.” Leœss soundlessly chuckled as he stooped to check the fire under the pot.

Essairyn narrowed her lavender eyes which glinted mischievously. Leaning down, she whispered into his ears, “I heard some girl and her family wanted you two to marry in your village since a long time ago? Does Chaera know?”

“Ah, seriously! It was nothing, nothing at all! So don’t you ever say a word to her or Classerth, or anyone!” Leœss hissed back.

Spotting the rising, faint blush on his cheeks, Essairyn giggled softly with a sparkle in her eyes. “Ohh? How interesting…”

“Es-sair-yn!!” Leœss rose his voice in panic. Due to having three sisters, he thought he had unraveled some of what goes on in the female mind, but this girl was just too much sometimes. During the time that he observed her from afar in Byar’non Regional Academy, she would go from serious and quiet, to bubbly and playful in the next moment. He had secretly snickered a few times when her face fell to one of pouting disappointment at him evading her.

Even now, after getting to know her firsthand, he couldn’t quite pin her down. He still wondered what she truly thought about chasing after H.T. and helping people who were strangers not too long ago. Although she didn’t swear under the Oath, he regarded that willingness to help others as characteristic of a true Knight. So for that, he respected her.

“Sorry, sorry, I’ll stop.” She tittered boisterously with a hand over her mouth.

“Um, what’s happening?” Darren voiced in confusion as he stepped away from conversing with Izlende and Aispin.

“She’s teasing me!” Leœss exclaimed pitifully while pointing a wooden spoon at her.

“Just having some fun.” Essairyn shrugged with an innocent smile.

“Ah-hah.” Darren nodded slowly, totally not getting it as he petted Akari cradled in his arms.

“Anyway, time to use those lovely ingredients from Leœss’s sisters! Let’s stuff ourselves after everything today!” Motioning her hands, Essairyn withdrew vegetables from Amirael, packaged meat from the Farinheld townspeople, a wooden board, and her knife from D’yrwin out of her magic cache.

Seeing the black-haired girl getting ready to chop, Izlende broke her serious knights discussion with Aispin and offered to help prepare the meal. Aghast at the proposition, Aispin hurriedly stated his demurral, garnering a glare from the silver-haired girl.

“Ahem, while you can chop manually, let me show you a much quicker, advanced method, my dear Sairyn,” said Izlende dramatically to the displeasure of Aispin. Uttering a short spell with fluid movements, she lifted the vegetables and neatly diced and sliced with magic and then flung them straight into the pot.

“Um, actually, I was going to put in the meat first, then the vegetables later… That’s how we can make a yummy broth. And, I also like cutting them manually…”

“Oh, I––”

“And this is why you should leave the cooking to others.” Aispin patted Izlende’s shoulder before casually commenting, “You really like meat, huh, Sairyn.”

Puffing her cheeks, which were faintly red, Essairyn turned her head away. “Peh! S-so?”

“Why’re you being so awkward…” Akari exhaled breathily, jumping in on the playful mood.

“Huh! You’re awkward! No food for you!” Essairyn waved the meat enticingly from the fox.

“What?! NOooo~~ Someone stop her! She’ll hog all the meat! My paws! Argh, too short!” Akari cried dramatically in good humor while striving to reach the meat, inducing grins on everyone’s faces.

In the open lands with a crackling fire and bubbling pot of spiced meat and vegetables, the quintet and spirit fox felt the promise of good friends and a brighter tomorrow. The morning came quickly after a good night’s rest, and the company accompanied Essairyn to survey the demonic tainted ground right after breakfast.

“So, do you think purification is possible?” Aispin asked the raven-haired girl who stood with her head thoughtfully tilted against her knuckles.

Essairyn dropped her pensive gesture, crossing the previously propped up right forearm with her left. “Perhaps. I definitely can’t cleanse it thoroughly all at once, but if I lay a spell that works over time, it just might work.”

Aispin raised his eyebrows. Although he knew Essairyn was talented, she was still a newbie in magical incantations. She couldn’t possibly know how to cast complex spells that worked over a timespan. Those were some of the hardest spells to achieve successfully due to requiring a stable form of magic input after the caster had left the vicinity. Either that, or an enormous amount of energy before resupply.

From Aispin’s expression and silence, Essairyn perceived his underlying doubts. She didn’t blame him and felt grateful that he didn’t at least question her. Now, she just had to answer those doubts, and her own misgivings, with action.

Depending on her unorthodox ability to directly control mana through sheer force of will and imagination, she stepped forward confidently and extended her hands. Lavender light sparked from her fingertips as she drew wide circles while walking. She flung them like lassoed arcs into loose shapes, and the magic ropes gradually grew and stretched out over the entirety of the tainted area.

Like a spinstress, Essairyn spun the cords into a strange tapestry, seemingly dancing in a trance as she moved her body about. The peculiar yet graceful sight transfixed her curious onlookers who were confused by the unconventional spell-casting. Even if Essairyn was blessed with elemental rain magic, she was a human, not an elemental being who could wield true magic that didn’t need specific incantations to work.

Closing her eyes in deep concentration, Essairyn’s lips quivered with soft incantations. To those watching, she appeared to be reciting a spell. But it was simply reflexive muttering to herself while she voiced her train of thoughts and commands in the magic.

Previously, she had made a long-lasting spell on the fence at the Welforts’ farmhouse. So, she drew from this experience as a blueprint for the current spell. Since a whole area was being covered rather than a perimeter, instead of wasting time by walking across every section, Essairyn emitted her magic over the whole space from the center of the miasma. She also covered a short distance beyond the tainted area for the stratagem she had in mind.

Her arms, wrapped in luminescent strings, roved the air. Her fingers tugged and twisted on lavender threads that circulated her commands across the larger, interwoven cords. The formation hummed with energy as if coming alive with every additional instruction. Her onlookers felt as if she was a maestro of a silent orchestra standing in the open plain. Two rotating circles appeared out of the complex formation and configured the spell’s circumference. The rest of the shapes within the circle also began spinning and taking on clearer forms.

After a couple minutes, everyone saw the formation fully develop into an intricate, magic circle. Unknown words and symbols were threaded into the fabric of each magical line. And a transparent, lavender film enclosed every gap. Essairyn stared at the structure for a few seconds before feeling satisfied to continue to the next step.

“Activate.”

The enormous magic circle quaked and rose in the air. It speared ropes into the ground that hardened into fences when it halted at two stories high. Then both fence and magic circle faded into nothing. Her onlookers paused for a long moment, unsure whether the magical show was complete. But as soon as they noticed Essairyn’s wavering body, they rushed over in alarm.

“Sairyn! Are you okay?” Darren exclaimed in worry as his eyes inspected Essairyn’s slumped over figure.

The girl smiled weakly and pushed herself off of Aispin’s arm who had reached her first. “Haha, I’m fine. Just a little light-headed after that release of magic. Don’t worry! I’m feeling better already!”

Not convinced, Darren continued frowning. As he opened his mouth to protest, Akari beat him to it. “Let’s get you to the carriage. We have a long way to go, so you have plenty of time to rest.” She blinked with calm, hazel eyes while her tail flicked from side to side in Izlende’s arms.

Essairyn appreciated the fox’s no fuss approach. She knew Akari was concerned, but they had more important affairs at stake. A large consumption of magic would cause the user to be momentarily faint while their body adjusted to the shortfall. Since Essairyn could roughly gauge her level of regular m’u, she made sure not to tap into too much of her daily capacity that had only recently refilled after sleeping last night. They still had a whole day to go through, so it wasn’t safe to deplete all of her magic.

Back at the carriage, Akari nestled onto Essairyn’s lap while Leœss started the horses. As they proceeded on their journey, the group chatted pleasantly. At their inquiry, Essairyn explained how her spelled worked.

“I don’t know the basics of casting magic circles because we’re only taught the fundamental theory. Magic circles can only be constructed through incantations of ancient language. And since ancient language spells are advanced level magic, it’s not taught at the regional campuses.

“But since coming to this world, I figured out that my magic can sometimes turn into magic circles by default. I’m not really sure why this happens, but it only occurs through certain non-combative commands. As such, I’ve never used them directly in combat. For this spell, I just imagined a lattice of sorts across the field that would purify the area slowly each day while obtaining the power to do so from the atmosphere and untainted ground.”

At this simple conjuring, Aispin blurted in shock. “You tapped into the environment’s magic flow with your spell?!”

Based on long-standing knowledge and magical studies about Sol’h’meyr, every native knew that people could only tap into the world’s magic flow through natural osmosis of magic into their bodies. Higher compatibility meant a higher influx of magic into a body. This universal magic was then transformed into an individual’s personal power, marked by a signature hue of a single magic type affinity. The current system of ranks, classes, and tiers were developed to gauge this compatibility.

But, it was near impossible to forcibly tap into the world’s flow of magic and draw upon it. Otherwise, everyone would be vying for the boundless energy source and potentially destroy the world in the process. Anything which took magic by force was considered forbidden for the sake of power, balance, and viability.

Although surprised by Aispin’s unusual outburst, Essairyn calmly replied in the affirmative. What followed was a pregnant pause and stare off from not only Aispin, but Izlende, too. Essairyn fidgeted, feeling like she was suddenly put in the hot seat. Just as she opened her mouth to ask what was the matter, Aispin answered her unspoken question.

“Sorry. I was thinking about the demon-humans. If the way you tapped into an external power was how H.T. was accessing demonic power… Highly advanced, ancient spells can utilize’s the environment’s magic as an energy source. This is acceptable and not uncommonly done, especially in As’pyze. Neu’arth’s magic wall and societal structure is formed in a similar way based upon this process. But…” A shadow fell across his troubled mien. “It’s another thing to take that magic directly rather than insert a pipeline to support the continuation of an environmental spell.”

Intrigued and alarmed, Essairyn straightened her posture to listen to Aispin’s theory. But Akari jumped up on four paws and beat Aispin to the punch. “Maybe! Or they found some ancient spell that could extract and transmute the power into their own. But it looks like it’s restrained to a small range…” She recalled how the chained demons were dragged ruthlessly around by their human captors. The deranged yet pained expressions on their faces struck a violent chord with Akari. It chillingly reminded her of a vague memory that was all but forgotten silently in her heart.

“Yes, that’s probably the more likely theory considering Essairyn is a bit… of an unusual case,” said Izlende with a hard stare toward Essairyn who inwardly sweated. Exhaling lightly, the silver-girl crossed her long legs and leaned back in her seat. “And here I thought I was the strangest case of weird magic, but it turns out that Sairyn has me beat.” Grinning at the other girl’s mild discomfort, Izlende waved her hand in reassurance.

“Studies have been attempted on rain-blessed travelers, but because there are few and far in-between that are strong enough and also willing to be participate in lab experiments, little information is known about the extent of their abilities. They also seem to fluctuate between individuals with some capable of expressing true magic while others simply have the rain attribute but adhere to typical human capabilities.”

“I see…” Essairyn murmured as she mused upon Izlende’s clarification. Academy education was standardized, so these niche topics were not a part of the normal curriculum. And most magical researchers and enthusiasts focused on magic alternatives that the general populace of humans could potentially employ.

“You’re rather interested in rain magic, aren’t you?” Darren remarked.

Izlende laughed blithely. “Yes, I have a particular fascination in rain magic ever since my first student council trip to As’rien. Their capital city and palace are simply gorgeous, and the people are so kind to us humans. The first time I saw their magic, I thought it was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen, more than any other type of elemental magic.” She sighed contentedly at the memory.

“As’rien palace…” Essairyn fleetingly stared off in an awed daze, making Aispin chuckle at the micro-expression before she caught herself daydreaming.

“Mm! I recommend visiting there at least once.” Izlende bobbed her head once in emphasis. “I’m curious how the As’rienans will react. It’s not often that rain-blessed travelers are this magically capable.”

“Yes, some of the most famous mages were rain-blessed travelers,” Aispin added. “I’m surprised Lachlan didn’t tell you about this considering you met him in Reisparte so early on after arriving.”

“Huh… Maybe he didn’t want to overwhelm me with information? Although Darren and I sure pestered him enough while we were reading books in the school.” Essairyn giggled as she shared a knowing look with Darren.

“True, or he didn’t want to scare you about those that didn’t meet a happy ending.” Leœss piped up from the front seat with the horses.

“Why? What happened?” Essairyn’s eyes widened slightly.

Izlende shook her head. “It’s nothing to be worried about. Some of them were exploited by others or killed but–– Ah!” She gestured hurriedly at the other girl’s growing expression of shocked horror. “Laws these days are strict! People aren’t so barbaric like they were in the olden days!”

“That’s still concerning, though…” Darren mumbled while frowning, and Essairyn nodded furiously in agreement.

Aispin brushed the worried girl’s shoulder in comfort as he said, “It’s been a few centuries since the last gifted rain-blessed traveler, and civilization has rapidly advanced in that time. It’s truly nothing to be anxious over, but it was good that Lachlan warned you to be careful about showing your magic, especially if you believe you’re a knight-mage, which I do think you are, too.”

Seeing Essairyn’s relieved expression, Aispin smiled softly. But he had withheld a critical detail. Casting a glance in Izlende’s direction, the two Sol’h’meyr natives subtly agreed with one another to not reveal a certain hypothesis to the travelers. Every time a powerful rain-blessed traveler appeared, the world would quake in both dread and wonder. Severe conflict could ensue from the travelers stirring up trouble, or great gains could be made from them supporting human advancement.

Although Essairyn didn’t appear to be one that would cause problems for As’pyze, it was wise to keep an eye on her into the future. Lachlan ushering her to the Academy was one way in which the authorities could surveil her discreetly. While neither Aispin nor Izlende were given any direct orders to watch over Essairyn, they were both still personally intrigued and wished her a smooth life. But, her quiet life now could quickly spiral out of control if she became well-known. So, they hoped she could quickly develop her abilities and secure a footing in Sol’h’meyr before anyone with ulterior motives came knocking on her door.

Luckily, she wasn’t alone and had Darren who could pull her back from anything dangerous. Even if he wasn’t particularly successful in convincing her, simply being by her side would steady and excel them both in the short and long-run.

As their conversation shifted to lighter topics, evening soon approached, so they decided to detour toward a road leading to a minor village and rest there for the night rather than in the open fields. However, when the motley crew neared the village outskirts, the faint, foul stench of smoke and decay edged its way into their carriage. What greeted them was not a quaint little village, but a ramshackle, ghost town that seemed to have a deathly haze draped over it.

“What the hell happened here…” Darren whispered in choler and growing alarm.

“Hell.” Leœss responded in dry humor while driving the carriage slower.

Everyone inside exchanged glances. It looked liked today wasn’t going to be a peaceful day either. As they moved through the desolate dusty streets that reeked of rotten blood, a heightening sense of alarm rippled through them. The foreboding ballooned with the sound of skittering feet that didn’t seem to be touching the ground and whispering howls that creeped in the billowing dust.

Leœss cursed sharply as shivers prickled his skin. “Why do I get the feeling that we shouldn’t be here?” He edgily flicked his alert brown eyes about as shutters seemed to snap shut from the wind while their carriage moved.

“Because we probably shouldn’t be,” Darren dryly joked. “This is definitely not going to be where we’re sleeping tonight.”

“Uh, hell no.” Essairyn seconded his declaration without a thought otherwise.

Aispin narrowed his eyes at some broken shutters and and faintly swinging, ajar doors. “It doesn’t look like anything happened here recently. But then why is the stench of death so strong…?”

The black-haired boy’s observation only further unnerved the crew. Akari’s hackles rose with every creak and rise of the unsettling breeze. She couldn’t put her paw on it, but like the humans, she also felt disturbed by the strange atmosphere. Her nose picked up demonic scent every few steps, but they were faint and varied. Being unable to pinpoint what types of demons the scents came from concerned Akari to no end. Not knowing the enemy was a surefire way for disaster.

“Guys… I think we should turn back,” Akari slowly suggested with a nervous twitch of her ears. “Even though the demonic energy here is weak, I keep feeling like something’s watching us.” She shivered upon expressing her suspicion. “I feel queasy now, ugh.”

Seeing Akari slouch down from the window as if to balance her center of gravity, Essairyn immediately enfolded the fox into her arms again. Comforted, the fox buried her nose into the crook of the girl’s elbow. Perhaps it was the magical aura that emanated from Essairyn, but Akari’s body involuntarily relaxed. She surmised it was due to Essairyn’s magic being a natural counter for demons that it could induce this calming effect.

“Since Akari’s not feeling well and also feels apprehensive, with her sense for danger and demons, it’s best we head back like she said.”

“I can turn the horses back, but is it smart to be out in the open near a shady place like this? It’s getting dark, too…”

In agreement with both Essairyn and Leœss, the group cursorily discussed what to do. Everyone wanted to just move a safe distance away from the town, but shelter could provide necessary protection from potential foes. And as part of their Knights mission, they were obligated to investigate why this bleak village was uninhabited in case it was connected to H.T. and Farinheld’s catastrophe.

“Then that’s decided,” Izlende stated while turning to survey the town. “We find a large enough lodging to stay inside and monitor the situation in shifts. And hopefully, we don’t get another demon attack at night.”

“I’ll take the first shift,” offered Leœss, furrowing his brows. “I don’t think I can sleep right away like this anyway.”

Darren nodded and volunteered to be second followed by Aispin, Izlende, and then Essairyn. Akari still needed to rest more to fully recover. Afterwards, the group moved swiftly through the village, soon finding a large enough building to house them all. Izlende carefully opened the double doors and let her eyes adjust to the darkness inside. Seeing no one, she motioned for them to disembark the carriage and enter. As they all walked in, Izlende casted a blob of white light in her hand to brighten their way. Feeling that the large space was suitable, Aispin and Darren turned around to guide the horses inside.

“Why are you here?” A rough, gnarled voice suddenly resounded in the quiet, shaking their jumpy hearts. With startled eyes and hands on their weapons, they turned around and faced a hunched shadow limping towards them.

“You should’ve left and never looked back.” The ragged voice revealed itself in the dim. “Are you all blind, don’t you see what this place is like?” Now in the soft light of Izlende’s magic, everyone saw that it was just an old woman.

However, her appearance was threadbare, sooty, and oddly nourished. While her bones were knobby, they were relatively thick with health. This incoherent sight only caused more questions to arise. They had presumed that no food was available in this abandoned, wrecked village. But it turned about that it was neither deserted nor lacking in sustenance for the remaining villagers.

Essairyn stepped forward with a firm voice; even though, her body was subtly trembling. “Then are you blind, too? Why haven’t you left then?”

The old woman paused, staring at the young girl who glowed with vigor. After peering at her robust companions, the woman’s frenzied eyes bulged into saucers. “Don’t you think we would’ve left if we could?” Her words sent shivers down their spines, and their hairs stood on end.

“What do you mean? You…can’t leave?” Darren asked in a hushed, uneasy tone.

“Why would I still be here if I could?” The old woman retorted lifelessly. “Don’t you think we’ve tried?”

“We?” Aispin echoed, gripping his sword tighter. At his words, small shapes shifted on the peripheries of Izlende’s light.

“Grandma? What’s happening?” The little voices whispered, coming closer. “Have the heroes arrived? Are we saved by the knights?” Dirty, baby faces of children in tattered clothes revealed themselves and shyly gravitated toward the old woman.

The group inhaled sharply at the sight, no longer able to process the situation. Speechless, they watched as one of the bolder kids shuffled up to Darren and tugged on his pant leg.

“You’re a Knight right? You’ve come to save us, right? I knew Dad was right when he said that the Knights would come! You’re here, you’re here!” The boy’s pitch rose with feverishness at his supposed rescuers.

“No, that is—” Essairyn started, stepping forward before feeling something was off and then stopping.

Aispin strode forward and put a defensive arm in front of Essairyn. “Stand back.” He mouthed voicelessly to Essairyn with a side glance. He, too, felt like the situation was off. “Who are you people, and why is the town like this? What do you mean that you can’t leave?”

The old woman slowly shook her head regretfully. “No, no… You don’t understand. You must leave now! Not even the Knights can save us! Or you’ll be trapped here too!” She jerked forward with crazy eyes and flailing arms, and the group all flinched back unconsciously.

“Grandma! Grandma! Stop, you’re scaring them!” The children all grabbed onto the woman with desperate cries. “You’ll save us, right? You won’t leave us, right?” The little boy who grasped Darren looked up at him with watery eyes.

“I—” He began and then was cut off by the old woman breaking out in silent wails. She scrubbed her eyes before turning around and receding into the darkness of an adjacent room. Absolutely boggled, Darren looked back at his group who similarly shared his bafflement.

“Well, at least it looks like this place is a little safer to stay in?” Leœss offered from the carriage seat without any real belief in his optimism.

“We’ve got no other choice,” Akari croaked while stumbling out of the carriage. “This is your duty having taken a Knights mission after all. You can’t shy away from it even if you want to at this point now.”

Essairyn’s face wrinkled in displeasure. They had gotten caught up in something yet again. Inwardly cursing herself into confidence and positive vibes, she shook her head and stared resolutely at the children clustered in the doorway of the next room.

“We’ll protect you, don’t worry…” She softly reassured the children whose faces lit up at her words.

The little boy from earlier tumbled forward and peered up at Essairyn with bright, hopeful eyes. “That’s a promise, right? You promised!”

“Yes, yes…” Essairyn assured with empty conviction. Although the children seemed harmless, she couldn’t stop herself from feeling unnerved by them too, especially this little boy.

“Yay!” The boy cheered and wrapped his short arms around Essairyn’s leg. After a moment’s hesitation, she patted him lightly on the head. At the very least, he was definitely human since he didn’t clash with her magic aura. That was one small comfort.

Aispin tapped her shoulder. “While I feel this situation is suspicious, it’s our best option. Let’s try settling down for the night.” He peered at the others to confirm their agreement as Essairyn nodded slowly with a troubled expression, causing Aispin grip her shoulder gently in a firm, encouraging shake.

Left with no choice, the group set up camp inside the spacious building. A short while after they had finished, the grandma returned with a shallow basket of assorted food.

“Wait, don’t give them your food! Stop!” The children protested, obviously unwilling to share with their visitors and alleged heroes.

However, the group didn’t want the food anyway. They had experienced food poisoning once before, and they surely weren’t going to be caught unawares again. Rejecting the woman’s bizarre, late display of hospitality, they quietly dined in a tight circle around a magical fire made by Essairyn. The horses rested in the back of the room by the carriage.

Night descended swiftly, and the village sunk into a quieter hush. Not even the sound of scuffling dustballs could be heard. One by one the group members kept vigil. Soon, it came time for Essairyn’s shift. The tense night was almost over.

Click, clack, clip. The sound of a stick striking a wooden fence jerked Essairyn out of her sluggish thoughts. Instantly awake, she zoned in on the distant noise that lazily approached their building. When the sound halted in front of their boarded up windows, a chilling sensation trickled down her spine.

“Hm?” A deep, disdainful, and slightly grating tone reverberated through the wood cracks. A smile curved the hidden man’s face. “Who’s this? We have visitors?”