Howdy everybody. Sorry this chapter too a long time to get out. It was a tough one to write for sure. Just a friendly reminder Italics are thoughts. People do a lot of thinking this chapter. More can be found at yougots.wordpress.com

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"Wedge Formation!" The shout echoed down the line. The Ogrite soldiers slammed their spears into their shields. They moved into formation and marched forward to the rhythmic beat.

Violam felt like they marched forward for hours but it could just be the anticipation of battle. He and Sonashi squeezed into the formation between a few of the soldiers. The towering walls of flesh made it impossible to see anything around them. Violam could see Sonashi's lips move but had no idea what she was saying. The chaotic booming of the march eclipsed all else.

All At once it felt like time sped up. A sickening crunch of flesh and bone meeting metal erupted from the front of the formation. All the land dragons roared simultaneously. They were met with an inorganic roar that could only be described as the sound of a squealing train coming to an emergency stop. The rhythmic beat of spear on shield stopped. A cacophony of soldiers and insects in their deathly throes drowned out all other sound. Violam could vaguely see the outer layer of wedge thrusting their spears out.

"Spikes!" A commander yelled from the front of the wedge.

The soldiers stopped marching, knelt down and lifted their shields above their heads. Sonashi and Violam were covered by the surrounding Ogrites. Violam trembled as something heavy pounded against their make shift roof. He could not tell if he trembled in fear or in anticipation. Most likely it was the latter the bloodrage had already seeped into his veins. He felt like his blood was boiling, like he was breathing fire and flame.

BOOM

BOOM

BOOM

A fleshy yellow spike crashed through a gap between shields. It stabbed into the shoulder of the Ogrite to the left of Violam. The spike was connected to a black cord. The soldier started to panic he dropped his shield and reached out to stab the cord. The cord pulsed pushing something into the soldier. Before the spear could reach the cord the stopped moving. A green ooze streamed out of the soldier's mouth, eyes and nose. All that touched the green liquid melted away. The black cord pulsed again but this time it drew the melted insides of the soldier up and back to its main body. The soldier’s body became thinner and thinner until only the skin was left. The spike yanked out from the empty husk and reeled back to the main body.

Violam hastily grabbed the dropped shield and covered the new formed gap in the formation. He dug his feet into the ground and braced the shield against the continued spike onslaught. Sonashi took the spear from the ground. She watched Violam’s shield with intent for any signs that it might falter but his incredible strength withstood the falling spikes.

“Withdraw Shields! March!” Another order came down the line.

The formation lowered their shields and uniformly marched forward. The crunch of flesh and metal began once again. He was not sure how long he had been marching but the heat and tiredness began to press in on him. At this moment Violam noticed something peculiar. The soldiers were switching positions. Violam and Sonashi were slowly being pushed to the edge of the Wedge formation. As he got closer to the edge he could see the battlefield. Insects. Ten of thousands of insects. Some were humanoid walking on two legs while a majority skittered across landscape on four legs. Their wedge formation carved through unorganized insects.

Violam was pushed forward to the edge of the formation. Armed with only a shield he bashed the bugs that were in his range. They were all low level but numerous. The four legged bugs themselves were close to the size of a bear but still smashed by Violam’s shield none the less. Any opponent that escaped Violam was ruthlessly stabbed by Sonashi’s spear. The formation continued to march forward.

“Rhino Bug to the west! Shield Wall!”

Violam kicked a humanoid insect blowing it backwards and he pushed his shield forward locking into the shield wall. Violam saw the Rhino bug. It was several times larger than the land dragon that had peeled off from the front of the wedge to confront it.

[Toxic Horned Dynastinae - Level 56]

The beetle unleashed its metallic roar as it charged the land dragon. The two locked into combat but the land dragon was outmatched. The beetle soon wedged its horn beneath its enemy and threw the dragon. Violam grabbed Sonashi and dropped to the ground. The land dragon flew a few feet over their heads crashing into the Ogrite formation. The beetle fired two green orbs that hit the belly of the tossed dragon, it died and melted in seconds. Violam stood and pulled up Sonashi. He tossed his shield to the ground. The green acid had splashed onto his shield quickly eating through it. Many of the soldiers around him had also been doused by the green liquid. They screamed as they melted into the ground. The formation is broken, He thought.

He grabbed Sonashi’s arm. “Let’s go!”

“But the beetle!”

“The commanders will handle it. We need to get out of here!” The other commanders had already pulled their dragons from the top of the formation to chase the beetle. The Farg had moved deeply into the battlefield. Insects surrounded them on all sides. Now that the Farg formation had been broken they pressed in even more. He turned one last time to see Commander Gutgash's dragon opened its mouth to launch its attack. The light in front of the beast's mouth bent and warped until a transparent orb could be seen. It fired and the sonic attack screamed across the battlefield bombarding the beetle. The beetle’s exoskeleton collapsed upon itself and was blasted into the air. It tumbled to a stop a good distance from where it had been just moments ago. The beetle may now be now dead the damage is done. The insects swarmed into the middle of the formation. The battle broke down and turned into chaos.

Violam grabbed a spear from the ground. It felt like it had been forever since he trained with Captain Trevino but he fell into his stance like he had been born to wield the spear. His movements swift and precise. He stepped through the insects, every stab a vital point, every slice a lost limb and every bash a crushed body. Violam did not bother to control his bloodrage. His kills made him stronger, faster and more ruthless. His veins burned. This is what he needed, he was not made to fight in a formation. He just needed to be pointed in a direction and everyone else just needed to get out of his way. He didn’t know how many he killed before his spear shattered but he had leveled up. The loss of his spear did not stop Violam his hands and feet were just as deadly. Pain glanced past the periphery of Violam’s consciousness but the bloodrage allowed him to ignore it. Violam’s strength was now far beyond the strength that anyone else possessed in the battlefield.

Sonashi no longer followed Violam instead she stood back and watched him devastate the insect army. She feared that she would get caught up in his attacks. The bloodrage had taken him and he may not be able to distinguish friend or foe. There was no one in Farg Legion who could dive as deep into the bloodrage as Violam was right now. Most who gave into the bloodrage completely died way before this point. The energy gained was just too chaotic too destructive it would destroy its host. Blood red veins cracked and webbed through Violam's burning red skin. The veins had spread from chest and now had almost covered his body completely.

Another large beetle charged at Violam its metallic roar drew his attention. He didn't bother to dodge or use any fancy technique instead he used his extreme might. Inches before the beetle could crush the boy. Violam's fist lashed out breaking through its exoskeleton and plunging into the bug’s tiny brain. The bug died instantly but its momentum carried it forward. Violam jumped on to the head as to not be crushed. Violam's arm had snapped and was left mangled as he leaped away to his next target.

Violam ran through the battlefield until a thorny vine erupted from the ground wrapping his leg stopping him. As he struggled it wove its way up his body. The thorns bit into his flesh and gripped his body in place. Violam roared in anger until he was out of breath. He felt something mentally kick his mind and his mind stirred from its sleep. Whatever it was stymied the flow of the bloodrage from that burning mass in his mind. He vision became focused. The red veins that were etched across his body began to recede towards the center of Violam’s chest.

[Bloodrage Disabled]

What? Where?

Violam calm down! You are killing us you mindless idiot! You went too far into the bloodrage. Hurry wake up! We need to get out of this plant before the Mage kills us.

Violam felt the vines wrap around his torso. An insect strode forward laughing at his panicked prey. It was wearing a gray robe this was the first time he had seen an insect in clothes. The insect stopped walking and shouted at him in a language he did not understand.

“XXXXXXXXXXXXXX”

Violam did not respond he just watched the bug.

“XXXXXXXXX!!!”

The insect mage raised his hand and chanted.

“XXXXXXXXXXXXXX”

Violam could see the insect’s mana gather in its hand. Before the insect could finish its incantation a purple light shot past Violam’s head. It was completely silent it did not even make a sound when it touched the insect's head. It just simply passed through. The purple light flew a few more feet after exiting the insect before fading out of existence. Violam’s eyes went wide in shock. There was no visible damage to the insect, it sank to its knees and fell to the side.

“Are you ok?” A feminine voice pulled Violam away from the scene. He saw Sonashi standing next to him her purple eyes glowed bright and fierce.

“T-that was you?”

She nodded as she pried the vines from Violam.

“You saved me. Thank you.”

The vines themselves started to deteriorate and crumble away as the time limit of the spell had expired. Violam’s shift had been ripped completely off. His body was ravaged with cuts and scrapes his arm still laid limply at his side. Sonashi held Violam up before he fell. The sounds of the battle were dying away. Now instead of clashing metal was just moans of agony.

“Help me over to the bug mage.” The two of them stumbled over to the dead bug. Violam pulled the robe from the bug and put it on.

“No. They will take it from you when we get back.”

“That is fine better than running around a battlefield naked.” Violam felt a weight in the pocket of the robe. He pulled a bag from the pocket.

“A storage bag!” He connected with the bag and the contents entered his mind.

Major Health Potion *2

Strength Potion *1

Major Mana Potion *1

He summoned a Health potion to his hand. “Sona, here drink this. It will make you feel better”

She took the potion from his hand. “What is this? Where did you get it?”

“It’s a health potion I pulled it from the bag.” Violam summoned another and quickly drank his down. He winced in pain as the bones in his arm aligned and the potion mended his body. It was a strong potion and nearly filled his Health Bar full. Violam clenched his newly reformed hand shut. “It’s going to be stiff for a while.” He mused to himself.

Sonashi watched Violam shockingly heal. She immediately drank down the potion. Her face twisted the potion tasted awful. Her wounds healed over and skin knit back together where she once had cuts. Violam could see her Health Bar returning to full.

Violam surveyed the battlefield much of the insect army had been wiped out. The Farg army was organizing their prisoners and killing any of the significantly wounded regardless of what side they fought on.

“Sona let’s try to find more bug Mages. They may also have bags on them.” Violam spoke to Sonashi stirring her from her thoughts. She had been mesmerized by her healed wounds.

“Yea let’s do that. Do all of these drinks work this well?” She walked next to Violam as they search the bodies for mages.

“Well there are different degrees of potions but yea they are pretty nice to have. I think that is another mage over there.” They both ran over to the body and snatched another bag. Violam moved its contents to the bag he was carrying but still shoved the empty bag into his pocket. He and Sonashi scoured the battlefield looking for more bags. They found at least two dozen Mages all of which had their own storage bags. In total he had 22 Health Potions, 32 Mana Potions, 11 Strength Potions, 9 Agility Potions and 5 Intellect Potions.

Violam tested a Mana potion on himself but it did not return his Magic to him. He surmised it would take an Intellect Potion to give him the use of his Magic but those potions were too few and too valuable for a test. He decided if he came to the battlefield again searching for storage bags would be his first priority. He split all the potions up into five bags. He planned on only keeping one on himself. The rest he would hide throughout camp in case of emergencies.

“Sona should we make a run for it?”

Sonashi looked at Violam confused. “Run for it?”

“You know escape.”

She frowned at the boy. “You have spent the last few day executing deserters. What makes you think you have more of a chance to escape than they did? And besides who knows if a Neuromancer is around.” She ushered Violam to the line of Ogrite soldiers that were streaming from the battlefield.

Violam stared at her incredulously. “Why wouldn’t I know if they are around? I can get past them I am pretty strong you know.”

“Because you just wouldn’t that is their magic they mess with your brain. They can stop you from even perceiving them. Hell one could be standing in front of you and you wouldn’t even notice. How many times do I have to tell you just forget about it? Things will be better when we are no longer recruits.” She shook her head and kept walking. “Violam I am sorry but this is it for us there is no escaping it.

An odd silence settled over the two as they made their way through the Farg army into the buffer zone. Violam silently thought to himself he could not give up he still has friends depending on him to get back. For the first time since he arrived he wondered how everyone was doing in Flower Hill Village. He had no doubts that Edgar was still sending his scouting attacks. How he sent those attacks Violam still did not know.

Violam steeled his resolve. He was not going to sit around afraid of the boogey man. It was time he did something about this mess he was in. He summoned the Intellect potion from his bag and quickly drank it down. If someone saw him drink it so be it, there was no way they could know what he was planning on doing. He felt his mana pool swell. It was so pure his body felt alive once again. A clock appeared in the upper right of his vision. He had thirty minutes to get it done.

Violam casually touched carts and supply carriages as he passed them. If one looked closely they would see a faint quick blossom of color as Violam touched them but upon removal of his hand there was nothing.

“What is that goofy grin? You look creepy.” Violam turned to look at Sonashi. Her hands were on her hips and her eyebrow was quirked up.

“N-nothing” Violam attempted to put on his best innocent look.

“You’re weird you know that?”

“Aww but that is why you like me. So do you think we should go back to Supply Carriage 42?”

“No the day has already ended. Let’s just go get some food and head back to our carriage. You need to get rid of that robe before the training.”

“Sona you naughty girl. You just can’t wait to get me into bed.” He teased. The intellect potion had cleared his head. He felt that this was the closest he had been to being himself since he got here.

Sonashi rolled her eyes a hint of blush shown on her cheeks. “Shut up. Let’s go eat.”

They made their way to the mess tent. Sonashi continued to frown as Violam made an effort to touch almost everything they passed. “Seriously what are you doing?”

Violam stopped humming to himself. “Oh just some fireworks you will see.”

He and Sonashi grabbed their bowl of gruel. As they were leaving Violam spotted a half used bag of grain. That reminds me. I promised to bring Freddy some food. Violam quickly touched the bag of grain and summoned it into his storage bag. Sonashi gawked at him but then followed Violam out of the tent and back to their carriage.

Violam stashed one of his storage bags under the wheel well before following Sonashi inside. He had placed a few storage bags in areas he goes to often such as the mess tent and a couple supply carts. He changed out of his Insect robe and changed into a clean shift. He placed the robe in the last storage bag he had left and hid the bag under the straw in his cage.

Their door slammed open. "What did you do with him?" The dwarf Tharden screamed as he entered the carriage.

Violam answered in confusion. "What? Who?"

"Doltharm! What did you do to Doltharm?" The dwarf grabbed Violam's throat. "Don't lie to me!"

Violam's bloodrage activated and once again began to boil the blood in his veins. He gripped the dwarfs forearm the bone cracked under the Violam's strength. He pulled the Dwarf hand away from his throat. "That's right that did happen today." Violam looked down on the fat dwarf who was cowering in pain. "I tortured him then killed him and fed his body to a monster."

Tharden paled upon hearing Violam's response but he was in too much pain to fight back. His forearm was crushed and his hand was turning blue from lack of blood. "Now get out of here before I do that same thing to you." Violam released the dwarfs arm. The dwarf held his mangled arm and scurried out of the carriage.

It was difficult to cut off the flow of rage from that burning mass but he slowed the current of rage till it eventually stopped flowing and deactivated the Bloodrage. Leaving the [Bloodrage] activated all the time was not a smart thing to do. Now he just needed learn how to control his anger so it would not automatically turn on. Becoming a mindless killing machine was decidedly a bad thing.

“You know they are going to make you eat the worm again, right?”

Violam sighed and looked over to Sonashi then immediately spun around. After the fat dwarf left she had begun to clean herself. It was difficult but he made an effort to look the other way whenever she bathed. They were stuck in this cage together so he liked to give her some semblance of privacy. “Yeah I know. I had wanted to lay low so I could they wouldn’t notice.”

Sonashi snorted and looked up to see his back. For some reason seeing his back made her smile. “Oh and you were doing such a good job at that until now too. You know handling over a hundred executions, killing your supply master then a couple thousand insects is likely to get noticed.”

“Well when you put it that way.” He barked a laugh. “You were right though keeping the bloodrage on was not a good idea.”

“You just now noticed? I am not sure if I told you this before but you are dumb.” She said with a hint of mischief in her voice.

“Anyway. Sona what the hell was that earlier?”

“What was what?” She stopped wiping her shoulder with a towel.

“That purple light thing that you shot? By the way thanks again for that you saved my life.”

“Oh that.” She said quietly and continued drying herself. “Well I did tell you that I have magic. I just try not to use it. If they find out I used it they will make me swallow that bug or poison me. They only do that to recruits who are still a threat. We are only supposed to use magic on their command.”

“You’re secret is safe with me. You are going to have to tell me how it works sometime though.”

“I am not sure because I was born with it. It was one of the magics of my tribe we just instinctively know how it works. The magic is called Soul Sever. It is considered the most powerful magic of my tribe which is why they made me a Priestess. I can lower its intensity to incapacitate or like today completely cut their soul from their body. It may be powerful but it doesn’t work on the Soulless and those with a high soul defense.”

“Have you met many soulless people” Violam said with a frown.

“People? No but it seems like most of the monsters here are soulless. I have met people like you with soul defense.”

“I don’t have soul defense.” Violam checked his status.

“How else can you explain that you can dive that deep into the bloodrage and be in it for so long?” Sonashi pulled her cleaned shift over her head and adjusted it until it fit right.

“I don’t know. I did not know that was special.” Violam thought about it for a bit. It did not show up as a resistance on his status and the only soul skill he had was [Soul Vision]. He had no clue on how to use it but it must be connected somehow.

“Vee are you not going to bathe? You stink and you changed into a clean shift. Did you already forget you were in a battle today?”

“Did you just give me a nickname?”

“So what? I am just trying it out and you call me Sona.” She looked away.

“Aren’t you cute? Yeah I will wash up.” He stood and went to the bucket of water. She had left about half of it for him to use. He grabbed the washcloth and held it out. “Wanna wash me back for me?”

“Shut up.” Even though Sonashi said that she still took the towel. “Wipe that dumb look off your face and turn around.”

Violam was slightly shocked he had only intended to give her a hard time but he spun around and removed his shift anyway. Sonashi wiped the dirt and dried blood from his back. She could see all the scars from his training she shuttered a bit at the sight. The Overseer knew he healed quickly so he got the worst of it. The Overseer would cut into him for hours at a time, at first the scars wouldn’t stay it would heal up to perfection but they sliced him again and again hundreds maybe even thousands of times. Eventually those slices added up and the scar stayed.

She ran her free hand over the scars on his back. There are dozens of them. She traced her finger along one of the more pronounced scars. How much longer will this go on? Until they are satisfied? Can he last that long, she wondered.

“Uhh everything okay back there?” Violam suddenly asked.

“Hip!” Sonashi was jolted out of her reverie. “Yes all done.”

Violam turned around to face her. “Wanna do the front too?”

“Idiot.” Sonashi threw the towel in Violam’s face and stepped into her cage. He continued to clean up as if nothing happened.

He went back into his cage and started to talk with Sonashi again. He was happy she was finally came out of her shell. He found out that while she says she is from a tribe, her tribe had a population of over a hundred million. They were called the Talaree. The priestess were revered but also feared as they were the only magic users in their society. So naturally they were kept isolated in their temples and only brought out for ceremonies and executions.

When the Farg attacked their technology and magic was too advanced they were nearly destroyed. At first she had been blamed the attacks her soul magic was considered an omen. In their history a great catastrophe always coincided with the birth of a Soul Sever Priestess. The church preached that her existence was an insult to the One True God so their civilization must be punished. The church wanted to sacrifice her to appease the True God but the Farg stopped them. She isn’t sure how many of her kind were left after the Farg attack and she wouldn’t be surprised if she was the last of her kind. At the time there were a few dozen priestesses and they all fought to the death. The only priestesses who survived the attack was her and the little girl that later died.

Night had fallen over the camp a warm glow of yellow light from their lantern covered the interior of the carriage. “Hey Sona can you try something out for me?” Violam dug around in the straw until he found the storage bag.

“Sure…” Her response was cut short as the door swung open. Violam quickly let go of the bag.

“Interrupting anything?” The gray man stepped into the room.

“No sir.” Violam answered.

The gray man waved his hand. “Call me Edgar. Call me Edgar. No need to be so formal with me.”

“Yes E-Edgar.”

“There we go! So I hear you guys have had a busy day.” Edgar moved to sit on the stool.

Had that been there this entire time or did he bring it in, Violam thought.

“I cannot have you guys running off to the battlefield whenever you feel like. So from now on after your morning executions you will report to Captain Umaiko. She is quite popular you know and she requested you personally. You lucky dog her Father has been trying to find her a mate for a while now but she had refused them all.” Edgar reached out to mess up Violam’s head. Violam shrank away but the gray man still got him.

“Well you should not go to the battlefield in a dress anymore. Unless you're into that sort of thing?” He eyed the boy waiting for a response.

“No.”

“Okay then. Well I will take you to the mobile forge to get you some guys some armor and your insignias. And soon we will find you two some accommodations better suited for soldiers.”

“Wait!” Tharden the fat dwarf stepped into the carriage. His arm was wrapped and in a sling. “You can’t! They killed Dolth…” A bone crushing slap sent the dwarf out of the room.

A red aura blasted out around the gray man as he shouted. “Don’t you dare tell me what I can and cannot do! Now go inform the metalsmith to light the forge!” The dwarf ran not waiting for him to complete his sentence.

The red aura receded back into Edgar’s body. “Now shall we go?”

Sonashi and Violam followed Edgar out into the night towards the metalworkers. They were easy to find at night as the mobile forger was lit and it was a massive carriage almost as large as carriage 42. From a distance it could have been mistaken for a large bonfire. It was late and a great many of the soldiers were already sacked out in their tents but some were still eating whatever strange brew they made in their pots. Violam was glad it was night and too dark to see what they were eating even with his enhanced night vision.

Violam saw Tharden excitedly waiting next to two chairs. His jaw was hanging loose and slightly skewed to the left. “Have a seat I will have your equipment brought out.” Edgar announced.

Gooram the Neuromancer appeared followed several of the gray furry creatures. They each carried different sets of armor and placed them on the table next to the chairs. Sonashi and Violam cautiously set down on the chairs provided. An immense pressure slammed into their minds disabling their movements. Violam silently cursed that Gooram bastard. It was him who placed the mental restraint on the two. His felt different from Edgar’s not that it was weaker. It was just cruder there was no finesse as it just slammed down on them.

Edgar raised his hands up in an appeasing motion. “Calm down. Calm down. This is just until we get your restraints in place. It for your own good. You should be happy you are finally getting your Insignias! You two will be one of us now!” He nodded at the dwarf.

Tharden scurried over his broken jaw just added to his malicious grin. He first ripped the shift of Sonashi off first and strapped her head, legs and arms to the chair. Before he moved on to Violam he licked his broken lips as his gently ran his hand across her chest. She still flinched even though she was restrained.

“I’ll kill you dwarf!” The rage burned through Violam as he fought off the mental pressure. The dwarf retreated back before Violam’s fist could catch him.

“Tsk. Tsk. Violam we are going to have to work on your anger issues.” Edgar moved forward pushing Violam back into his seat. At his touch the bloodrage receded and deactivated. The dwarf ran over and quickly strapped him in. After he was firmly strapped down Gooram released the pressure. Sonashi violently exhaled and tried to catch her breath. The Neuromancer then pulled an iron rod from the forge. The end of it burned so bright red it hurt Violam’s eyes to look at it.

Edgar put a leather strap in Violam’s mouth. Edgar had a large smile on his face when he spoke. “After this is done you will be one of the Farg Legion. Try not to scream with joy. ” He gleefully grabbed the iron rod and raised the heated end up in front of Violam. It was too bright to see its shape.

Edgar pushed the brand into Violam’s chest his flesh sizzled and burned as smoke rose into the air. Violam’s eyes went wide with pain, tears formed and streamed down his face. He wanted to scream he wanted to squirm away but the leather straps did their job he was held tight.

Edgar leaned in to look at Violam’s red and wet eyes. “Shush. Shush. Shush. You are going to be one of us now. Be happy this is a joyous event.” He pulled the iron rod away and handed it to the Neuromancer. Violam’s body went loose as he tried to recover. Edgar stayed watching Violam after a few minutes his flesh began to mend and heal over. His skin lacked any mark or burn.

Edgar sighed. “Violam you are simply incredible. Looks like we have a long night ahead of us.” Edgar stuck his hand out expectantly. Gooram retrieved the iron rod from the forge and once again placed it in Edgar’s hand.

“Simply amazing.” Edgar mumbled as he pushed the brand into the boy’s chest where his heart should be.

After several attempts to brand the boy, Violam finally passed out from pain. He woke up several times disoriented as the hot iron burnt into his flesh. His confusion grew stronger as the night proceeded. A few times he woke up to the smell of cooked flesh thinking his mother was making breakfast. They had also branded Sonashi but she only needed it done the one time. By the time the sun rose from the East a faint pentagon had shown on Violam’s chest. At each corner there was a three sided diamond it almost looked like a star. This was the Farg Legionnaire's insignia.

“Looks like he may need another night of branding. Gooram you will handle that tonight. You two can go I will have the furry beast deliver the armor to your cart.” Edgar undid their leather straps. He looked up to the sky and frowned. “Take the day off. Report to Captain Umaiko tomorrow after executions.”

Edgar took five steps away before he stopped and turned around. “That’s right I almost forgot. Gooram hold his mouth open.” The gray man reached into his pocket and pulled out a tin case. He strode up to the unconscious Violam and he took the bug from the tin case. He dropped it in Violam’s mouth then held it shut. Violam’s eyes shot opened wide he struggled a moment before fainting again from exhaustion.

“Sonashi you too. Open up.” After she swallowed the Moocher Sonashi dragged Violam back to their shared home.

After a day of rest the two sat in their cages. It was morning just before the dawn. They had returned just before midnight as Violam’s branding did not take nearly as long the second night. creatures delivered some clothes as well as the plain brown leather armor that Edgar promised. Sonashi’s wore the newly delivered pants and her chest was wrapped in bandages. Violam was fully clothed he had healed and did not need the bandages.

“Why do you talk to yourself like that?” Sonashi spoke to the almost silent carriage.

Don’t tell Sona about us. Otis whispered into Violam’s mind.

What do you know? It’s not like you ever help me anyway.

“Oh I am just trying to protect myself.” Violam spoke aloud.

“Well stop. It’s creepy to hear mumbling to yourself in the corner.”

Violam, don’t listen to her.

Why should I even listen to you? What have you ever done for me?

I am trying to protect our mind it just takes time. If you leave your barrier down I can help.

Otis, don’t make me laugh. I cannot even use my own name and now you want to take over my mind.

Violam that is not it. Something is corrupting you!

Violam stood up and looked at the woman. “Sona, should we get going to the Execution Grounds?” Violam licked his lips in excitement.

Violam do not go there. It only gets worse when you do.

“Yes, it is time that we leave. Though I think this should be our last day. I heard that the front lines have reached the river and we are going to be building the bridge to cross. Well I am sure Captain Umaiko will have more details.”

Otis, have been spying on me? I don’t have a choice and besides they are all bad people. They deserve to die. They are useless deserters.

Spying? Have you forgotten that we are the same person? Violam, what have they done? Can you even tell me that? They are just trying to leave here just like us.

Whatever you do not know what you are talking about. Edgar personally oversees the trial so only the guilty are sent to execution.

You are calling him Edgar now? He is the Gray Man, Violam. Don’t forget that he is charge of an army whose only purpose is massacre. What happens when he reaches Flower Hill Village? Is he going to just skip it? No, he is going to kill every last one of them.

Otis, you just don’t understand. I am done talking. The barrier slammed into place between his minds. Violam rubbed the gray scar on the center of his chest.

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