Emery kept a quick pace, stomping through the forest ferns. Still groggy from sleep, I lagged behind. Yesterday felt like a blur. I didn't sleep well, tossing and turning all night. A morning of rushing around, packing up, and getting some food in me. I barely saw Luca before I left, a sadness in his eyes I couldn't quite shake. I wasn’t going to dwell on it. I was already gone.

Still though something kept nagging me, a little nudge to go back. The feeling I had made the wrong decision. It was just nerves, I was fine. This was where I was supposed to be. I was sure of that deep down.

So I kept stomping after Emery, not giving up. She was a lot faster than me, probably on account that I never traveled far on foot. I was realizing how much of a disadvantage that was.

"Could we slow down a bit?" I complained, the distance between us beginning to widen. "We have a long way to go." She bit, not looking back. We hadn't been on the road that long and my feet were already killing me.

"You know I could just get us to South Gate." I offered. She shook her head, finally pausing to wait for me.

"That would be stupid. What if we encounter trouble and we need to use your gift? You are still very weak that could put your health in serious risk." She scolded me. "I was just a suggestion." I grumbled, biting back further arguments. I was too used to relying on my gifting.

I almost tripped over a tree root. The trees were all twisted up in this part of the forest. Bending and curving around each other and the trail. If it wasn't daylight it would be much creepier.

"I don't walk this much normally." I muttered. I felt a bit like a squirrel, ducking around them, following Emery's scattered pace. She was quick and flighty, hard to follow. I sucked up the aching feeling in my legs and did my best to keep up.

"So what exactly is the plan when we reach South Gate?" I pondered, the cool breeze carrying an earthy smell.

Emery turned her head back in a shrug,"There is no plan. I don't do plans. We do what the moment requires." She called back at me. I frowned, pushing a leafy branch aside.

"Why do we need to get to South Gate so urgently then?" I asked. Emery stepped up on a large root, looking back.

"We don't, but It's the closest town. It's not good to hang around aimlessly deep in the woods" She explained, using her staff to whack through the brush. I reluctantly followed, in the wake of the destruction she etched. I still had to fight through it a bit, the branches scraping at me.

"Do you even know where you're going?" I mumbled at her haphazard off-trail venture.

"Of course." She spat back, "You should have more confidence in me Phyn." She stated. I shook my head, frustrated.

A slight moan stole my attention. Emery's head flicked around, she took a combative stance, motioning to me to get closer. I ran towards her, standing opposite to her back, facing the forest. Emery's expression was stern. I didn't know what was coming. I bit my lip, scanning the forest for movement. Emery shifted, ever so slightly, "What on earth?" She whispered, almost silently. I stiffened my posture, bracing myself for whatever else was in this forest.

A crashing noise emerged from the bushes, from behind me. I turned, seeing a red bearded man flop to the ground in front of us. The Carnivore King looked up at us, groping at the dirt he clutched at the amulet Luca threw around his neck. "Help...me...please" He hissed, a desperate pain in his eyes. I stared at Emery wide-eyed, I didn't know what to do. She blocked me with her staff. Studying the strange man. Kneeling down to him, her face softened.

"You poor thing." She cooed, "This thing here is causing you no small amount of agony." Emery held the stone of Wren's amulet in her hand. Ari The Carnivore King whimpered, a shell of the booming wild man he was earlier.

"You can't take it off yourself can you?" She asked, a real look of compassion slipping on her face. I blinked in shock. He shook his head, his clear blue eyes pleading.

"Let's make a deal shall we Ari? You're capable of that aren't you?" Her voice, like someone talking to a kid. He nodded, almost desperately.

"Good. You seem like a big strong man, how about you see me and friend here safely to South Gate and I'll take that thing off your neck." She said letting the stone drop from her grasp. He blinked up at her dazed. You could see the wheels in his head turning.

"Yes...yes sure. Ari will help you if you help him. Mighty woman can be my friend." He gave a smile through his pained delirium.

I furrowed my brow, what did Emery think she was doing? Ari was in no position to hurt us right now and she was putting that in jeopardy. The man from the monastery wasn't someone I wanted to face again. At least now I knew that amulet really did work.

"Sounds good Ari. Now we're friends and friends protect each other." Her tone, wildly different from what I’d seen of her.

Emery lifted off the leather loop holding the amulet off of Ari's neck carefully. He breathed with relief as soon as it left his neck. Emery stood and handed it to me, "I believe this is yours." She remarked, turning away from the mess of a man at our feet.

"I'll give you a minute to gather your strength and then we're heading out." She commanded Ari. Starting forward with a slow walk. I quickly joined her not wanting to be caught with him once he regained his strength. This seemed like a disaster waiting to happen.

"Trust me Phyn." She responded to my thoughts, "He will come in handy. We are not without enemies." She muttered, chilling my bones.

"What does that mean?" I asked, making my voice low. Emery stopped, placing her hand on my shoulder, "The enemies are mine but they won't always be. You, Phyn will be a powerful force in this world. They underestimate you now but they won't forever." I froze at her words, her cool grey eyes unaffected by my shock.

"How do you know so much about what I will be?" I asked, demanding an answer. "The Dreamer told you about the prophecies, yes? The place where I grew up, Stellar, held many of them. I've studied them, been immersed in them my whole life. Learned some of the secrets behind them." She explained, looking past me.

"Ari let's go." She called over my shoulder, meeting my eyes again she smirked, "I grew up wanting to be you." She chuckled, starting back her pace. Leaving me in my surprise. She wanted to be me? I started after her, glancing at the stumbling beast of a man behind us.

"I can feel my STRENGTH RETURNING. " He laughed, finding his feet. "ARI KING OF THE CARNIVORES IS FREE FROM HIS CHAINS." He yelled behind me, that booming voice from before. I scrunched up my shoulders as he ran past me. "Watch it" I muttered. The lion man turned back, he stumbled nervously.

"IT'S YOU." Ari echoed. I froze glaring at him. He growled, fear in his eyes, scampering back.

Emery turned around quickly. "Ari, Phyn is my friend, her protection is part of the deal." She scolded, strutting back, He turned his head to her eyes wide, then back to me.

"SCARY WARRIOR GIRL IS YOUR FRIEND?" He asked Emery. She nodded, "Phyn won't hurt you." She assured him.

He nervously approached me, looking sheepish, "WILL YOU AGREE TO A TRUSE?" Ari asked, holding out his big bear-like hand. I frowned, cautiously taking it. "Yes, I think I do." I concluded, giving his hand a solid shake. What on earth was I doing?

He gave me a huge grin, "I WILL HONOR OUR TRUSE SCARY WARRIOR GIRL." He boomed. Emery remained emotionless at our exchange, "Good, let's keep going." She stated, turning back to the path. Ari ran after her. How did he have so much energy?

"Phyn keep up." Emery called back. I walked after them, cursing her under my breath. I was gonna hurt tomorrow. "I'm going as fast as I can." I complained. Emery was too busy ordering Ari around to listen to my complaints.

Ari was quite a puzzle. What was the source of his unnatural strength? Was the monk right about him being possessed? It was a chilling possibility, I sincerely hoped not. I could barely trust Emery, I didn't need to worry about evil spirits. I pulled out the amulet, odd that it had a delayed effect. Maybe it was weaker than the average magical amulet. I really didn't know anything about those sorts of things. I was always drowning in unknowns.

I wonder if Wren knew more about it than he let on. It seemed so long ago. So much had shifted, I could barely keep up. I hoped he found his way out. I wished I could have saved him.

I tightened my fists, I needed to stop carrying all this guilt. Whether I deserved it or not, it wasn't helping anyone. The guilt didn't make me any better, nor did it fix my mistakes. I had to keep moving forward. That was the best thing I could do.

Emery still charged on with no sign of slowing down. I had to admire her stubbornness, she didn't give up. Dragging both me and the disheveled carnivore king. We went quite far in silence. Ari jumped around, expanding his energy without running off. I still dragged my feet behind, my strength waning.

Emery finally stopped and I internally rejoiced. I needed a break badly. She stood very still, motioning for me to stop.

"Em-" she shushed me before I could speak. I stopped, listening, anticipating what was going on. Raising one finger, she left her arm stiff, "Don't move." She whispered.

A high pitched whistle ringing out. Fear taking hold of my heart. What was that?

"It's too late he's sensed us." Emery hissed, she grabbed my arm and started running, dragging me along. "Who's sensed us?" I asked frantically. "Monty, the witch's pet." She replied, running relentlessly. "The what?" I yelled after her. A crashing sound resounded behind us, loud enough to be the sound of whole trees breaking.

"I don't have time to explain." She growled. My heart rate sent my legs into action. The sound of whatever Monty was tearing up the forest as it stalked after us.

"Where's Ari?" I scanned the forest around us. "He can take care of himself, keep moving." Emery stated, giving my arm another yank.

I looked back seeing a large black furry thing dart in and out of view, tearing the brush effortlessly as he moved. He was, at my best guess, twice the size of a bear. I locked my eyes back forward. I was not going to be paralyzed in fear. Emery slowed, switching directions, she moved with precision.

"He's playing with us. We can't out run him" She bit, looking around processing. "Should we climb?" I asked, pointing to the large tree beside us. She laughed, "He'll take down the tree." She concluded, a frantic look in her eye.

"What do you suggest then." I felt my panic rising.

"We just need to make it wary of following us." Emery remarked, pulling something from her bag.

"I can get us out of here." I made her look at me. "We're not that desperate yet," Emery huffed, letting go of my arm.

Really cause we're going to end up monster food in a second." I spat. Emery stopped, shaking her head. "No Phyn."

Poking her head around the bush, she shrugged, "Distract him." She said with a shove, tossing me into the clearing.

I fell on my hands and knees with a yelp. The dried pine needles poking at my fingers. Looking up my whole body froze. Before me stood a terrible beast. Dark brown scruffy fur covered a wolf-like creature. Easily twice the size of a bear it walked on strange talon like paws. Teeth as big as my head he growled beneath two bright golden eyes. Scales darted in between his fur like armour, covering where his major organs would be. This beast wouldn't be easy to kill. I stared at it in horror, his eyes fixed on me.

He gave a whistle-like whimper, licking his lips. Staring into the eyes of death. The beast circled me, swishing around his tail. His sickening grin seemed to mock me. I scampered to my feet, the beast slowing. I had to get out of here.

A string of drool from his mouth, he walked right up to me. Showing me his teeth he studied me. I stood paralyzed, shaking. Biting my lip, I prepared to make an instant getaway. I closed my eyes, as I did, I heard a loud whistle. I looked around the beast to see Ari, two fingers in his mouth.

"GREAT BEAST STOP I COMMAND THEE!" Ari's booming voice called, the beast flicking his head in his direction. He didn't know what he was doing. I could escape, he'd be eaten alive. The beast switched targets, it leapt from me towards him, in a single bound. Ari stood unafraid,

"I MONSTER, AM ARI KING OF THE CARNIVORES, YOU MUST BOW BEFORE ME." He yelled at the creature. The beast dropped his snarl, sniffing at his red hair.

Ari laughed brightly, "CREATURE YOU ARE SUBDUED!" He cheered. I stared in confusion. What in the world?

Emery shot through the clearing leaving a trail of grey powder. I furrowed my brow confused. She gave me a wink before striking a match. Fire powder. I stepped back, sprinting.

"Ari get back!" Emery yelled before she dropped the lit match. She ran back towards me, the line erupting in flames. I bit back my surprise, Emery smirking proudly. I looked back at Ari watching him deck the monster in the nose before he ran back into the woods. The beast, taken off guard by the flames he seemed to have escaped.

"What did I say about trusting me?" Emery laughed, bounding past me. I turned, bursting into a run. "Never do that to me again." I roared.

Crashing through the bushes we bounded as fast as our feet could take us. I refused to look back, letting the terror take me forward. Emery seemed to be loving this. It made me all the more angry. She couldn't just throw me in front of a monster like that without warning. She was insane.

Ari raced by, a crazy look in his eyes. I was glad he was safe. He was bizarre but he didn’t seem evil.

"We're not going to make it to South Gate safely today." Emery admitted, "Not with Monty stalking us. I know a place close to here. We can spend the night there and we'll be safe." She explained between breaths.

I nodded happily to maybe have a break sooner than later. We kept running through the forest, trying to get as much space between us and the monster as possible. Emery eventually slowed, taking a deep breath.

"We're far enough away now, I don't think he's following us." Emery concluded. I took a breath, I wish I had run more before today.

"What was that thing?" I asked again, expecting a real answer this time. "Monty has hybrid lifeblood. He's a mixing pot of different animal traits and a terrifying one at that. The crown jewel of biological blood magic, a perfect specimen really. The witch who made him is of exceptional skill." Emery returned, catching her breath.

"You know her, don't you?" I raised my eyebrows. Emery nodded, "Yes, but she's not interested in us thankfully. We merely wandered too close into her territory." Emery's eyes narrowed. There was something there that she wasn't telling me about her but I wasn't in the mood to push it. As long as we were safe now, that's all that mattered.

"So she's not one of the enemies you spoke of earlier." I stated, pushing a tree branch out of my face. "No but we'll probably bump into one of those at South Gate or close to it." She concluded. Emery seemed to attract trouble just as well as I did. "I figured after our little scare with Monty we should rest up before we face any more threats." Emery said, kicking aside a rock. I snorted at her description of it being a 'little scare'.

"Then before we head out It'll give me a chance to give you your first lesson." She added, looking back at me. I nodded, looking forward to it. The sooner I figured it out the sooner I could be helpful.

Ari jumped around swatting at bugs and climbing up low branches. He had too much energy, it kinda made me jealous. Every step felt heavier.

"Do you know what's wrong with Ari? The monk earlier said that he might be possessed." I asked in a low tone. I didn't want to start something with the Carnivore king.

Emery shook her head, "He's not possessed. Ari is a tortured soul. A victim of the war. A little closer related to Monty than you or me. Someone has messed with his lifeblood, filled his head with the carnivore king crap. The amulet he had originally probably served as a means to control him. Someone turned Ari into a weapon and for that he deserves our pity." Emery's tone grew cold, her eyes wavering.

Emery’s expression went cold,"The powerful never seem to care about the lives they steal along the way."

I stared at Ari regretfully. It was awful, to be experimented on like that. "They can really do that? Give someone unnatural strength by messing with their blood?" I asked with a curious fear.

"That and much more. That wizard that chases you, his blood is the same, although that was his of his own volition." Emery remarked. I held back my shiver. I didn't want to think about Merle.

We turned a bend hitting a more rocky trained forest, we began to climb up over rocks as we went further in.

"Almost there." Emery called, using her staff to push herself up. "Good." I huffed, my legs ready to give way. The air carried a chill, wiping against my back. I would've been cold if it weren't for all the running.

We followed what seemed like a makeshift trail, upwards to what must be a little mountain. Coming around the bend an entrance to a cave came into view. The entrance framed against a cloudy sky. "This is it." Emery muttered, dragging her limbs towards it. Paused, looking back. I watched Ari leap over a rock, running almost on all fours. I rolled my eyes at him. He certainly reminded me of a lion.

I entered the cave, right after Emery, taking shelter from the wind. As soon as I got inside I tossed my pack off, and slumped down, sitting on the cave floor. My legs screamed relief. Emery laughed at me, her voice echoing against the cave walls. She put her own pack down. Ari came running in. "WHY ARE WE STOPPING?" He shouted, the cave echo made his voice unbearably loud. "Lower your voice Ari." Emery scolded.

"I APOLOGIZE FOR THE LOUDNESS OF MY VOICE." Ari boomed, in a voice just as loud as before. Emery frowned pointing outside the cave, "We won't make it to South Gate tonight. Go get some firewood Ari." She shooed him out of the cave. Ari looked back at her with confused eyes, running out.

"It's going to be a long night." She sighed, shaking her head. "With his booming voice, yes." I agreed, leaning my head back in exhaustion.

I looked up at the cave walls noticing patterns of discoloration, marks where I could imagine things used to be hung up on the walls. Straight lines, man-made patterns, there was a section that almost looked like writing. I got up, trying out my aching limbs again, stumbling over towards it.

I scratched my head wishing I was better with reading. The first words looked like 'the great' followed by a word I didn't know. I squinted, sounding it out.

"I can read it for you if you'd like. I did write it after all." Emery walked over to the wall. I stared at her, a softer expression than normal. She stood hands on hips facing the writing, clearing her throat:

A great defiance

A reborn alliance

Our destruction we happily meet

The blood of four

Will end the war

Our nature we won't defeat

The Wanderer's arise

The black bird's demise

The last remedy of our grief

Time will be broken

The shadows awoken

Solace lost in make belief

The plan enacted

The legend redacted

The truth behind the lie

The skies will darken

As if to harken

The day the mortals die.

Emery almost sang the words, her voice melodious with the echo of the cave. I felt a shiver in my bones. "Think of it as a synthesis of existing prophecies. I compiled it during my study of the catacombs." Emery remarked swaying back from the cave wall.

"What exactly are the catacombs?"

"One of the most important dreamers, Otto of Idyllic, was imprisoned in them during a political struggle. He filled the walls with prophetic cravings. After his death they made it a bit of a shrine. It's quite an interesting place." Emery returned, setting up her stuff. I stayed at the wall.

"Stuff about me?" I eyed her cautiously.

"Stuff about everything. Your only one piece Phyn. Don't put too much pressure on yourself." She mused, sitting back down. I looked back up at the poem. Some of the lines made sense with what I knew and some were just straight up terrifying. The day the mortals die, I hoped that wasn't literal. There was a lot I didn't understand.

"I don't know what it all means either." She muttered, not looking up from her unpacking. I sighed stepping back, finding a spot to sit again.

"How long has it been since you've been here?" I said blinking away the exhaustion. Emery paused, "Your questions never stop do they?" She huffed, finishing up, she rested her head back against the wall. I frowned, shutting my eyes. So much for the promise of answering all my questions.

"Sorry, I'm tired." Emery added with a dull voice.

"It's fine." I muttered, still annoyed by her abrasiveness.

Ari ran back in throwing a large armful of sticks to the ground. "I HAVE FOUND THE GREATEST FIREWOOD THIS FOREST HAS TO OFFER." He announced, making Emery cover her ears. "What did I say about your volume?" She stated with exasperation.

Ari's proud grin dropped, "SORRY I will quiet down." His voice faded into a forced whisper.

"It's ok Ari Emery's just grumpy come sit by me." I offered patting the rock beside me. He looked up surprised, studying me. He reluctantly sat next to me looking uncomfortably nervous. "Thank you Scary Warrior Girl." He said with a grateful nod.

"We redheads have to stick together." I chuckled looking over at Emery who shook her head. "I'm going to build a fire." Emery concluded, gathering the sticks and heading for the cave entrance.

I looked over at Ari who sat staring at me with the biggest nervous grin. "So what does being a Carnivore King entail?" I asked him. Ari blinked at me confused. "It means I'm the KING OF THE CARNIVORES." He answered confused.

"Ya sure but what does that even mean? Do all predators obey you or do you have a responsibility to them?" I returned, raising my eyebrows.

Ari furrowed his brow, "I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION."

I shook my head at his loudness, "Never mind, forget it." I gave up, closing my eyes.

The words on the wall still haunted me. This coming catastrophe seemed to be part of an even bigger picture. Everything reached deeper in confusion. No matter how I sliced it I was still in the middle of it. It didn't seem escapable. I sighed, standing up, "Come on Ari let's give Emery a hand." I said exiting the cave. The big red headed man reached outside before I could. Probably finding new ways to drive Emery insane.