Ilis sat across from her ragged looking party. They were dirty and had matching expressions of worry. Brand looked up from his mug, and attempted to give her a smile. “So, Ilis, I heard you basically single handedly defended Grenion! I guess you won’t need our team anymore.” He winced, at the end of his sentence, and hurried to add, “That’s a joke! Not that we’d mind! You know-”

“Yeah you’re right Brand, I did. It was fun for a bit, but quickly got fucking awful.” She interrupted his rambling, trying to ease the situation. “Anyway, it doesn’t matter. Wh-”

“Of course it matters!” Falisty snapped. “Where were you!? If you’d been there we could have fought them back! But no, instead you were who-”

A mug of mead in front of the woman's face, causing flecks of foam to land on her nose. “Anything else?” Juliet’s voice asked frostily. Ilis watched as Falisty’s fingers twitched towards her pocket.

A sigh came from her left. Falan sipped his ale. “Let’s not dwell on how things could have gone? Call that elf wisdom if you’d like.” Everyone in the party shot him a glare, even Brand.

“Don’t you dare go back to talking like you're older than us.” Falisty warned.

The man rolled his eyes. “Of course, but you don’t need age to see that what you were doing was unproductive. Why don’t we actually tell her what happened, and focus on what we can do about it?”

Ilis’ noticed the grain of the table twisting around Falisty. Brand nodded slowly, and looked at her. “I guess we should start at the beginning…The horde, it came for us too, but we dealt with it, no problem. It was the stuff afterwards…that was impossible.” He took a deep breath, and then suddenly asked, “You haven’t seen Jason around have you? He went out into the wilds for a job…”

Ilis blinked. “Shit! Jason, he’s not here? I…” totally forgot about him.

Brand slumped, and his face in his hands. “No, we haven’t seen him…the reason I’m asking is because the stuff that came afterwards? Barnacles, like the ones in the dungeon.”

She rubbed her eyes. “Damn, then you guys think it was those people we saw?”

Falisty snorted. “Of course it was. Who else?” She didn’t continue, just drank deeply from her cup.

Brand nodded. “The stuff crawled and settled over the ground. We tried everything we could, but it just kept coming, fire, ice, whatever. It wouldn’t stop and we didn’t have enough Mana. Then came the ones the parasites had claimed, and it just got worse.”

Ilis frowned, and leaned forward, giving Falisty a look. “And you thought I could have stopped this…why?”

The woman scowled, and mumbled something. “...your specialty…”

She suddenly felt a hot flare in her chest, and she slammed her fist on the table. “You always fucking do this, Falisty! You let yourself get angry at people for no fucking reason! You’ve been like that for as long as I can fucking remember!”

Silence followed her outburst, and her friends stared at her in shock. Slowly, the woman’s face flushed, and she rose silently from her seat, before walking through the entrance and slamming it closed behind her. Brand and Falan both gave her wary looks.

“What!?”

They glanced at each other, but she interrupted it with, “And you two don’t act like that was an overreaction. It was completely deserved.”

“Okay, Ilis. It’s just a little uncomfortable, that’s all.” Brand spoke softly, as if she was a spooked animal.

“Fine…so the barnacles have spread and taken over Danist. Anything we can do?”

Falan immediately shook his head. “Not really, they’ve had a chance to grow without any restraints. It would take something rather special to drive them back now.”

She rested her head on her hand. “Great, and I’m guessing it’s only a matter of time before they spread over here?”

They both nodded grimly.

“Fuuuuck.” She whispered.

—---

Jason wandered down the streets that were eerily familiar, except it was covered in what had quickly become his most hated thing in the world. Barnacles. He shivered as he watched them crawl in the process of claiming a building. He turned around to his companion. “Where are we?” He asked while eyeing the creeping parasites.

Silver just raised his eyebrow. “I’m sure you’d know the answer to that.”

He frowned and looked around again. So, I have been here before? But where? I can al- His gaze stopped when he saw a sign of a sword and shield in a golden circle, encrusted. “Danist?” He muttered, as his skin prickled. He whipped around to Silver again. “But I killed the one controlling the- the things. Why are they still growing?!”

The man cocked his head. “We are going to have to do a lot of work on you Mr Darting. If you are going to join our organisation, you need to stop viewing everything we do in such a negative light. Oh, and did you really think we’d just have one person controlling the swarm?”

His heart dropped with the words, but he didn’t let it show. “I already told you, I’m not joining.”

Silver sighed and rubbed his forehead. “Yes, yes and I know I said I would let you go. But that was before I found out the only way to get the Class was to have someone trained in a magic that is so rare, it’s practically unheard of.”

His mouth twisted. He had told Silver everything apart from the Minx, stating that it was some random master of Space magic that had saved him. Since then, Silver had decided that he was going to recruit him instead. It didn’t help that the man was a perfect counter to his abilities, and that he had to stick close. There would be no opportunities to escape any time soon.

“I can see you are being very stubborn Mr Darting. I had the impression that you had an inquisitive mind.” He spoke, like a disappointed parent.

He glared, but internally he had paused. You know, he’s right…but I won’t play his game. He swept his hand to everything. “Then tell me this, what’s the point of using these bloody…things?”

Silver raised an eyebrow, but didn’t ask about his refusal to say the name of the parasites. “The point? Well, it means that this land will be forever ours. No matter who or what invades, they would have to destroy it. That’s all I shall say on the matter though.”

“So you’re evicting people from their homes? Innocents? Not very convincing, Silver.”

He got the feeling that the man was trying hard to not roll his eyes. “The nature of our assault means that people had plenty of time to evacuate. While yes, it isn’t very fair, but it’s our best option.”

He went silent when he heard that. That’s still wrong though, I’m sure of it. I guess it all comes down to… “Why? Why are you doing this?”

Silver deeply inhaled. “You know, you’re quite lucky, Jason. Phantoms are not connected to Death magic by most people, only practitioners know, and those who can sense it. You’d have to be careful around a town that has experience with the Phantom’s Castle, however.”

“Well, I emerged a month away from Danist. That should be close enough, right?”

The man shook his head. “The Castle travels, Mr Darting. As you said, it has Space magic.”

Huh… So people just don’t know about Phantoms? “Aren’t Ghosts common outside of the Castle? I assumed they would be.”

“Spirits are, yes. Very often in places where there is a great deal of emotion. Be it peace, love, hatred or desire. Most people would connect your Class to them, not the Castle. And yes, some people do assume it’s Death magic, but natural ghosts are actually Mana impressions…a phenomenon which can only happen in places of high density of Mana and as I said, emotion. Again, that’s all I shall say about the matter, unless you wish to join us.”

He rolled his eyes. He was a little worried about that information, but he put it aside for now. “You didn’t answer the question.”

The man blinked. “Ah, my apologies. You are quite right. Why are we doing this? Because we need a home. We need a place that will keep us safe in this world, where there is so much against us. The Grasping Hand does have such places…but the organisation is not what you think. It is more of a way of bringing our people together, than something with a lofty goal, like the Adventurer’s Guild. Except, instead of being hired to make the towering Merchant Lords wealthier, we work to help each other.”

He blinked. Merchant Lords? I think I’ve heard of them…they run the Adventurer’s Guild? He shook his head. He was learning a lot from this simple talk, if any of it could be trusted. “Like the Guild? So what does that mean? This is…your project? No one ordered you to do this? You…what, hired people through the Grasping Hand?”

Silver smiled. “Exactly. I did not hire people though. I sent a call out, stating my goal. I hope this makes it clear to you that not everyone in the Grasping Hand sees eye to eye. Some people are just as you imagine, greedy and malicious.” He wrinkled his face. “They disgust me. They are…uncaring of our future, and only look at the present.”

“This…why are you telling me this? I could share this, and people would ruin you…”

Silver looked him in the eye, and spoke gently, “Because you are one of us, Jason. You will one day need the Grasping Hand as much as I do.”

—---

Ilis stared out across the plains. Her eyes moved from green soft grass, to brackish swamp, filled with barnacles and coral. “This quickly?” she muttered. She could not believe they had been driven back… Danist had Adventurers of all different Classes, and an incredibly powerful [Town Heart], and yet…It wasn’t enough? She shivered. It genuinely seemed like there was nothing they could do. Word had come down from the leaders that ruled the collection of settlements out here, The Council of the Freelands, they had offered employment for those who would stay and fight. Obviously her team had decided to remain, as did many adventurers. But news had travelled, revealing it wasn’t just here. Other settlements had been taken over, and the parasites were still advancing. She sighed, and turned to head back to Grenion. The money was always nice, but she had her own reason for fighting.

When she arrived, she had to squeeze through the throng of people. The town was far too small for everyone. It was both lucky and unfortunate that some people were leaving. She headed towards the Inn again, and stepped inside when she got there.

Falan was still looking through notes on the nature of their enemy. Brand was telling another tale. He would have been a fantastic Bard. Her mouth twitched. Brand the Bard, quite catchy. She moved over to the Elf, sitting down opposite him. He didn’t look up, and kept scanning the page he was reading. She waited for him, not in the mood to interrupt. Eventually, he ran his hands through his black hair, and said, “So, it’s worse?”

She nodded mutely. The man sighed. “As I expected. Ilis, I know you have attachments to here, but I think it will be a fruitless endeavour. The money is always good for ‘rainy days’ as you humans say, but when they tell us to retreat…”

“I know, Falan.”

He bobbed his head, and they fell back into silence. He eventually spoke again. “You know, Falisty has been even deeper in her research since…” He gestured with his hand. “...you. It was worrying before; now? I am beginning to become a little…distraught.” He shifted in his seat. “I am practically feeding her at this point. She does not leave her room anymore.”

Her eyes travelled behind him. “Has Brand spoken to her?”

He snorted. “Brand is good for keeping our spirits lifted. However, when it comes to more serious issues? The man is at a loss. I was hoping you could perhaps attempt to talk to her?”

Her mouth twisted. “I don’t know…what am I meant to say to her?”

He flapped his hand. “Oh come now. We both know you are the type of person who improvises, not plans. Just talk to her. She’ll be fine.”

Fuck you too. She exhaled. “Fine.” She stood up without anything else, and Falan gave her a nod, before returning to his work. She strolled to the stairs, opening the door before going up. Falisty’s room was at the very top of the building, so it took about a minute to get there. When she did, she knocked on the door.

“...now Falan!”

“It’s Ilis!”

No response, until the door suddenly wrenched open. The Wood Manipulator stood there, hair dishevelled and eyes shadowed from a lack of sleep. “What do you want?”

She raised an eyebrow. “Come on, Falisty. You know what I did was fair, and I’m here cause I’ve heard your being dumb again.”

The woman scowled and the wooden door moved on its own to slam, but she blocked it with her fist. “That’s not going to work. Can I come in?”

The other woman rolled her eyes, and marched back inside; she followed after her. “So, what’s so important that you hardly leave your room, or eat?”

The woman sat on her desk, and shoved something in her bag. “None of your business.”

“Okay…that’s fair. What isn’t though is Falan having to feed you.”

Her face became red, and she looked away. “...He doesn’t feed me…” she muttered.

“That’s how he described it.”

Her head jerked to her, and she hesitated. “He’s not…angry, is he?”

“No, just worried.”

The woman nodded, a bit more at ease now. She opened her mouth but they were interrupted by a flare of light flashing by the window. They both jumped, ready to fight, but it had already gone. They glanced at each other worriedly, and both ran down the stairs. The main room was empty, so they continued outside, and then to the streets. When they arrived, they saw people looking at the sky; their faces pale. She followed their gaze and a heavy weight settled on her heart.

Ten angels floated in the sky, and she felt her song murmur.

—---

Jason watched as Silver frowned at a flashing sapphire. He pressed it and listened closely to a faint voice, before his expression became panicked. “What? The Holy Will?! Here already?! But how? There haven’t been any signs of our…” His gaze travelled to him and the man’s eyes widened. “What have you done…” He whispered.

Streni. Jason shrugged. “I fought an Aspirant not long ago. I guess your plans are over then?”

The man shook his head. “You fool. This will now become a war. These lands can only be destroyed, and we are not strong enough to stop them, do you understand!? They will not stop!”

Silver was advancing on him, but was interrupted by the whine of his gem. He put it up to his ear. “What? Ten of them?! Wait, what level?” He listened and suddenly sagged with relief. “Not high-level then…there is still hope.”

The other man eyed him. “Everyone is on a time limit now, Mr Darting, thanks to you.”