"Iya!" The fact that Priestess yelped, was so sudden and so subdued that only Monk was able to react.

"Nadia-kun, what happened!?" He worriedly asked.

"N-no. I'm okay! Just keep running, Mitch-san!" But, Priestess merely waved it off with a forced a smile.

"U-uo. Of course." Although he was still concerned, Monk just let it go, and faced forwards.

If he had, known what happened, maybe things would've gone differently.

But he didn't. And, neither did Priestess.

That they were the ones in the back of the formation also meant that nobody else knew what was happening.

Lodged into Nadia's lower back was a glowing arrow. The light of the arrow was slowly fading away and her wound was slowly healing. The arrow was actually enchanted with Healing Magic.

It was designed to be lodged and kept inside the body.

This ultimately made the wound fester and rot, weakening the prey. Normally, this technique would be used in conjuction with a poisoned arrowhead and was made for sudbuing large prey with high regenerative abilities, like Ogres and Basilisks.

Frankly speaking, this was overkill and just plain torture for Priestess, who normally had a hard time, even carrying more than five kilograms with both hands.

But, as if that wasn't the goal - the arrowhead was also slathered with Morphine - making the wound and the foreign matter in her body, barely noticeable.

Which is why, she wasn't sweating rivers and crying in pain at the moment.

But, of course, there was no point, if that was all the arrow was meant to do.

You could almost hear the snickering of the person behind the use of this tactic.

Despite that, they escaped the crater and continued towards the city.

Several more minutes pass and they finally reached the vicinity of the twenty-five-meter high walls and extravagant - though completely destroyed - northern entrance gates.

It was through the bloodied and grimy, Eastern gate that they got the first 'living' glimpses of the city in around two weeks.

It was in ruins. Even from several hundred meters away, the desolation, malice and despair emitted by the city, was unlike anything that the Heroes had ever encountered in their lifetime.

It sent shivers to their very souls.

"Get ready!" Hero yelled as they entered the gates - stepping on all kinds of stomach-churning matter as they went.

"Umu!" Almost immediately after hearing him, Sword Saint slowed down slightly, untangled Summoner and passed her towards Monk. Before, running back to the front.

With nary a grunt or tilt in his gait, Monk put his left arm around Summoner's waist and carried her - much like you would a log.

He didn't do this, because he spited the Loli. But rather, it was because, this was the best position; with his back being occupied by Priestess. Also, this way, he would also be able to swing his heavy Mace for added protection.

The once, well-maintained, grey cement road - on which they tread - was now the color of rusty iron. Dried blood, appendages and innards littered the whole area, along with several abandoned vehicles and all manner of makeshift weaponry.

"They're here!" Hero yelled again. As he did, several figures appeared from the rooftops on either side of the large road and jumped down.

One was a blue-skinned creature, around the same height as an adult human. An evolved Goblin - a Noble, so to speak. It's face was warped in a disgusting smile, showing it's bloody, yellow teeth. It's body - muscular and built for combat was wrapped in thick, but manouverable leather equipment. While in it's hands, held by long arms that reached it's heels, was an aesthetic replica of the Spirit Spear, Chastiefol.

The second, was a three-meter tall, buff Brown-Bear Theriantrophe. Wrapped in layers of SWAT kevlar and munitions bandoliers, it brandished a gatling gun with glazed eyes. A huge chunk of it's right shoulder and bicep were bitten off but that didn't seem to hinder him one bit.

The last two figures, were one's that Heroes already knew quite well, they were 'Strongman' and 'Flashy Slash'.

'Is it just my imagination, or do they actually seem much cleaner, now?' Monk, who scanned them lightly and started taking a detour around them, thought. 'No! I'm certain. They ARE cleaner! Their wounds have disappeared and bodies now seem have a much healthier glow! What does this mean!?' He asked himself. But, he didn't know the answer, so what good would thinking any deeper, do?

"They seem to be going all out." Sword Saint muttered, before clicking her tongue audibly. She then turned towards the Hero and asked; "... want me to stay with you?"

"No. Stick to the plan." But Hero only shot her down, coldly and with a serious look.

Sword Saint seemed like she wanted to say something in response, because she opened her mouth - but words didn't come out.

Noticing how unbecoming that was for her; she gulped down some of her saliva, nodded once and branched off from the Hero, saying; "...Got it."

"Don't die." Was her last words before she joined Monk and circled around the four 'strong' one's.

Hero followed them with his gaze for a second, before returning his glare towards the 'four'.

He then recalled the conversation he had with the Pope when he was acknowledged as a Hero and started on his journey, so many years ago.

"A great disaster will befall us all in ten years. It will be one, that has never been seen before. One, where your power will be needed the most." Is what he said. No, the aged man begged. 'He was the only one who could save the world', is what his pleading seemed to imply.

It's been four years now. Which means, there're only six left, before the 'prophecized disaster' befalls the world.

"Sorry, old coot. But that prophecy means jack, if we die here." His words reached no one, but it was enough as a confirmation of his resolve. "No more holding back."

'Look for another Hero to save the world.' His heart told no one in particular and his legs ran faster.

But, it wasn't as if the 'four', were just staring dumbly as the Hero ran towards them.

The Brown-Bear Theriantrophe's Gatling gun was already turning bright red from use. Hundreds of 50. caliber bullets tore through the air, like supersonic rain as they exited the twelve-barrelled 'Black Steel' monstrosity.

An ordinary civilian would be no more than meat strips at the face of this onslaught. Even if, the full-metal jacket rounds - completely lacking any sign of mana infusion - had no chance of piercing Mithril Armor, it could at least dent it. It will be a light dent - almost indiscernable to the naked eye. But all the Theriantrophe had to do, was pile on the damage. Soon, the dents wound become so deep, that Hero's body would slowly get crushed, like a soda can.

"Graahahahaarrraagh..." 'It' even seemed to laugh while connecting another ammo belt to the quickly depleting one.

But, it was not meant to be so easy, not for the 'dead ones'.

Heroes were called 'Heroes' because they had the power to back it up.

And now, now that the Hero - The leader of the [Heroes of Pandora], Alex V. Sanders - has removed his self-imposed limiter...

There was nothing and no one that could stop him, not even the Sword Maiden.

The Holy Sword, Gram Arreya - replica though it may be - exuded power that was no different from the original, when in the hands of Alex.

"[Grand Holy Smite]!" With a sideways swing of the pure white sword - Alex shot a thick wave of White Magic. It was many times denser and faster than the one Sword Maiden used against Rino and Heleina, earlier in the day.

It didn't disrupt the wind and it had no sound. But, it's brightness and heat was something that normal people would never be able to handle. Their throats would dry out, before their eyes melt.

That death-bringing light, was what threatened to destroy the 'four' completely. It was obviously something, that not even 'Strongman' could endure.

But, they didn't need to.

Utilizing his speed, Flashy Slash jumped up to the sky. While, Strongman and Goblin Noble followed suit. Brown-Bear Theriantrophe, on the other hand, who was weightened down by its equipment, went prone - hugging the earth with it's entire body.

As the 'wave' passed overhead, his gatling gun was cut in half with the edges reduced to molten metal.

It had lost it's main weapon. But it was not defeated. It pulled out a shotgun so fast, that it was like a quickdraw and began emptying all the shells.

*bang* *bang* *bang* *bang* *bang* *bang* *bang*

"Graharghargharghark-!!"

*shaku*

The smirk on the Theriantrophe's large face remained the same, even when it was burned to a crisp by the longsword stabbed into it.

"Ha! Ha!" Alex made a sarcastic laugh as he pulled the Holy Sword Replica out. Landing several meters away and surrounding him in a triangle formation; Strongman, Flashy Slash and Noble Goblin, readied their weapons.

"Tch. Doing such pointless things..." Clicking his tongue; Hero, with his eyes, literally glowing in a dangerous light - glared at the Dual-sword Wielder. "[Godspeed]." With a single word, Hero disappeared.

Then he reappeared right behind Flashy Slash.

"Payback time!" He yelled, sword held high and ready to tear his enemy in half.

But - "Arhk!" Instead, it was him, who was hit. Strongman had swung his halberd, pushing Alex back, several feet and gouging the earth as he did. That he wasn't thrown far away like the Sword Saint before, didn't shock anyone in the least.

Then, before he knew it, Flashy Slash and Goblin Noble was on either side of him, ready to stab him to death.

"Not happening!"

Before Goblin Noble could even register what had happened, half of it's head was already dancing through the sky, together with several chunks of Flashy Slash's left sword.

"So, you managed to dodge that..." Alex muttered quietly with his head down. A tinge of admiration hidden in his tone.

"Hoooh... so you can use the same swordsmanship as her? Admirable, for one of your age." Strongman's voice came from under the dragon-shaped helmet.

Hearing that voice, Alex's face was painted with shock. "You... can talk...?"

"What the hell kind of question is that!?" Before Strongman could answer, Flashy Slash had interjected with an irritated voice. "Of course we can talk, dipshit! Our lips don't seem to be sewn shut, does it!?" His speech was very unecoming of his attire, but it also didn't appear to be that unseemly. Such was the mystery of handsome men.

But, such thing was not among what Alex concerned himself with. Rather than get angry or become hateful - he was overcome by hope. With much anticipation in his voice, he asked them; "T-then... are you..."

"Let me stop you there!" But his hope was shattered into a million pieces, by Flashy Slash's next words. "We really are dead, alright!? Same with that senpai of yours, the Sword Maiden." He said, shrugging his shoulders with a grunt.

"..." Seeing that Alex was unable to say anything, Strongman proceeded to elaborate on Flashy Slash's word.

"All of us, in the upper echelons, have regained the entirety of our motor, mental and emotional abilities. Hence, why we can act so 'life'-like. Of course, this includes the Lord - the progenitor, as well."

"Yeah. Though, honestly speaking, the two of us only managed to regain those things, a couple minutes ago. Still, you'd be surprised, how quickly this 'race' evolves according to the situation. What took natural selection many millenia, it was able to do; in a few days. There're also a lot of side-perks. For one, we're semi-immortal and untiring by default. All we have to do, is eat something and then there would be this power, that'd enter us - making us evolve by leaps and bounds." While making exaggerrated movements like a stage actor, Flashy Slash endorsed his renewed existence. "Oh, how great it is, to be me! And, how lucky, it is for all of you, that you'll soon be able to join us!"

"..." Strongman remained silent and motionless, but his aura felt like he agreed with Flashy Slash's statement. It was a subtlety that didn't go unnoticed by Alex - whose face got darker the more he heard. His grip on the Holy Sword got tighter. It was so tight, that his hands bled. Similarly, blood was rising to his head. Hot, steaming blood brought by absolute anger and defiance.

"[Godspeed]!" Through overlapping the new spell, with the already existing one, his speed should reach more than twice the normal.

And, that it did. With the Hero having such transcendental agility and movements, the two - Strongman and Flashy Slash, could do nothing but take a one-sided beating.

"The Flashy Slash and Strongman I knew, would never accept being a footsoldier! Much less, becoming a lackey!"

"Well, you were - WRONG!"

.

.

.

Having left the Hero behind; Sword Saint and Monk, who carried Nadia and Summoner - were now more vigilant than ever.

They scanned every corner and alleyway they passed by. This included all the roofs and building interiors. They knew that the chance of a horde showing up out of nowhere was a very probable thing - at least this way, they wouldn't be too shocked should such an event occur.

But, most of the time, they kept their eyes on the sky.

Their most pressing concern were the Valkyries. Thanks to their pegasi, they would have a perfect bird's eye view of the battleground. Not only that, but they also held the home field advantage.

"This is a dead end, too! Shit!" Sword Saint cussed the moment she saw the deliberately collapsed buildings, piled debris and stacked up, rotting corpses that were blocking the road.

The obstacles were just high enough, for the pair to be one or two feet short of clearing. It was almost as if, the person who planned it, knew exactly about this weakness.

"This is the fifth one, already! Damn it!" While, they could try to scale the wall, they weren't too keen on entertaining the thought - given the existence of Valkyrie of the Bow and Valkyrie of the Wand.

Even if it would just take them a couple of seconds, it was more than ample time for the Marksman and Mage, who were probably somewhere close, to cripple them.

But, even more than all those, it was because of their current mental state that they 'willingly' continued through the 'laid out path'.

It was because they were scared. Scared, frightened and worried. Hence, they made a detour, once again.

With a grunt, Sword Saint jumped through a clothing shop's glass wall - glass shards spread everywhere. She then resumed her run and quickly made her way to the back exit. But not before kicking down a couple mannequins and a 'shopkeeper' as she went.

Monk, merely followed her silently into the store, and they disappeared, switching from alleyway to alleyway.

But, as the pair was keeping a keen eye on their surroundings. "...haa...haa...haaarg..." Priestess was having a hard time, just breathing.

She was heating up, her face was red and her breath was ragged. Also, her joints were so stiff and numbed, that she couldn't feel them anymore.

The arrow was now buried into her because the wound healed with the foreign matter still inside. The morphine was also beginning to wear off because it was deliberately diluted so, she was now feeling the sting, as well.

But despite that - despite how she should be howling, crying in pain - she was instead, feeling very sleepy.

This made her even more frightened, but she felt too lethargic to even express that kind of emotion.

Because of these, Monk's wide, warn and sweaty back, stared feeling very comfortable.

'No! I can't! If I! No! Everything is getting darker! Please! Stop! Stop! Don't consume me-!!' Whatever it was that she hallucinated, only she knew.

Then, like a hand pulling her out of the mire, Monk's voice came. "There's a clearing, up ahead!" He yelled as he brandished his mace. Monk also pulled out several fossils from the pocket of his coat.

Maybe they were already at the Temple's training grounds; is what Monk thought.

This may have been his first time in the Frontier City, but he was at least capable of judging their direction like a compass, even when inside this urban maze.

All they had to do now, was run through the clearing, and they would reach the Sword Temple. There, with the intricateness of the building itself, they could hole themselves in while waiting for Hero to catch up.

But, Sword Saint thought otherwise. "Wait! There shouldn't be a clearing there!" She screamed, while skidding to a stop. But...

"Too bad! You ran right into our trap!

It was at that moment, the Priestess had finally let go.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

It's almost sunset, now.

And this child is still sound asleep.

Many times, the thought of 'maybe, she'll never wake up', passed through my 'mind'. But, I knew better than to entertain such thoughts.

I've only known her for two days, but I know that this child is strong.

Fallen Dragon Ridge - even with a Spirit for a guardian, will always be a very dangerous, unforgiving environment.

That she could still smile so innocently and be so optimistic despite 'living' in such a place is a miracle. And, it is also a testament to the strength of her will.

But, even if she won't develop a trauma from this - this is still the worst possible, first day 'out of the house'.

It had only been a couple hours, after leaving the mountain, and she was already attacked by a Sword Maiden. A dead, brutally mutilated one at that.

It was something that children should never see.

Which is why, I just hope, she doesn't give up on venturing into the outside world, and become a hikkikomori because of this. That is the worst possible route that this child could set herself on. Even becoming one of those sickening Heroes would be better than becoming one of those 'burdens to society'.

Not that I'll ever, let her take either path.

Still, how much worse could this day get!?

I'm starting to fear the time, when this journey comes to an end. What would this child tell that Spirit?

'I was almost killed on the first day!' She'll probably say it, with a smile on her face too!

If the Spirit heard that, she'd probably also be smiling - after having snapped me in half, that is!

Haaaaaaah... all this... all this, because of my inability to move by myself. If I just had a body, I could protect and care for this child, just like a real 'onee-chan'.

But I can't. Because, until the end, I'm just a sword. The best I can do, without a wielder is emit a murderous aura. Just that.

Haaaaaaaah... I'm a terrible onee-chan...

"So, this is where you were."

Huh!?

Who's there!?

"Hey, Heleina. I missed you." The voice of a young man entered my 'ears', as the speaker emerged from within the trees.

He was still far away, but I could see him, just fine.

It was him!

Charles!

I 'yelled'. He's here! The man who left me high and dry, is here! He's back!

Come over here! I want to slap that smug... face... of... ... yours... hic...

"Come on. Don't be like that..." The man, covered in layers of dry, caked blood - with a gaping hole in his abdomen was saying something. But, I didn't care.

You left me.

"Yes. I did."

I called for you, you know? Every night, I hoped that it was you, behind the bush in the distance and not just a snake.

It was so cold, being alone.

You know, how much I hate being alone!

You promised!

You promised to never make me feel alone!

"I know."

Don't you dare come closer!

Go away!

I hate you!

"You're still as fickle as ever, aren't you?"

Don't you dare talk to me, like that!

You - you -!!

"...hnng...?" The child tumbled uncomfortably. It seems that she can still 'hear' my 'words, despite being asleep.

It's okay, child. This man will be leaving soon.

"Oh? Is she?... can I take a closer look?"

No! Stay away from her!

Please! No!

I'm begging you, Charles! Please! Not as you are, now!

Don't touch her! Don't lay a finger on her! She's still just a child!

"Hm? And, since when did you start caring about the age of a victim?"

I'M BEGGING YOU!

"Haha... You seem to care for her quite a bit. I wonder why? Even though, you should have cared only about me?" I was pleading - and yet, he was smiling. He smiled at me, like I was - we were just toys... Since, when - when did you become this kind of monster!? "I knew breaking you would be fun, one day. Alright, I'll break that girl first. I'll ravish her, right in front of you and you will only be able to watch."

"I wonder what kind of scream you'll make. Will it be like Ariane's when I fed on her sisters as she was held down? Or would it be like that mother's, when I gobbled her newborn whole? Really, I wonder which?"

WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS! WHO TURNED YOU INTO A MONSTER!? WHO!?

"If you want to blame someone, blame my sister for killing me. Blame the Adventurers for failing to kill me. Blame the Sword Maiden for offering herself to me. Blame me, because, I've already given up, trying to find the answer to that question. And, blame yourself, because you gave up trying to dominate my soul." With every word, he stepped closer.

Now, he wasn't even a meter away from us.

I'm begging you... please... don't...

"How about no?"

Your funeral.

[NOW CHILD!]

"Haaaaah!"

["GRAND ERUPTION!"]