“Fucking hell. How many more of these fuckers are there?” Issac yelled out as he slashed yet another [Evil Myconid]. The black ooze splattered about, leaving marks on everything; The floor, walls, clothing, and everything else in between had spots of fizzling smoke. Luckily, his blade remained untainted as its curade construction protected it.

“Don’t think the quantity really matters. They're all quite bad at combat with their lack of reasoning.” Royse responded as she stood back, protected by Garnot’s enormous form.

“Says the one who just stands there, letting me have all the fun.” Issac snorted with annoyance.

“I’m here to save your ass if things go to shit, so quit complaining and get on with it.”

“It’s always me.” Issac shrugged and took another step forward.

The slashing and stabbing of Myconids continued at a relentless pace outside The Withering Spoon. By the time the last one fell, a sea of corpses lay on the road. A sight to see, but the cleaning was going to be a pain, and luckily, that wasn’t their problem.

Wiping the formed sweat along his brow, Issac looked back to Royse. “All done, considering the state of everything. We should head straight to the lord.”

Garnot and Royse approached Issac. “Yes, I would agree. This place has gone to a hell in a basket real quick. Don’t think we need any investigation. This shit would only happen with the Lord’s involvement.”

She took another look around the mangled purple roots of flesh, poking it with what was one of the inn’s chair’s legs. “Man, this really isn’t our normal style, but they infect these things from the inside out, some sorta purple poison, but we gotta hurry. Let’s try to not make too many stops from here on out. The civilians, at least the ones who are still alive, have gotten far enough away, so they’ll be fine.”

“Does his threat level change with the amount of Evil Myconids in his control?” Garnot spoke up.

“Not necessarily. We hardly have any information as it is, so it could be someone or something else aiding in this… event.” She thought for a moment before continuing. “We will stick together from now on, so a 3 on 1 should be possible. And since we're all together, escaping without a fatal incident should be within our means, even if he’s way out of our league.”

Garnot nodded back. “Let’s find ourselves a lord.”

“Oh, come on. Let me take a break. I already used up most of my mana, and I’m tired. Give me a minute to calm down and shove something down my throat.” Issac complained to deft ears as Garnot took off towards the city’s center.

The other two follow closely behind, albeit a bit more subtly than the hulking figure ahead. They approached the lord's mansion, and hopefully, where the lord himself was. Just as they arrived at the estate’s gate, a figure launched off the rooftop terrace, heading directly away from their position.

Royse’s eyes locked on immediately as she used her ability [Sight Sense]. The mana from her core drained quickly, losing 10 percent of capacity as the brightness dimmed. Only a fraction of the mana poured into her eyes, unbeknownst to her.

Her eyes focused on the flying form before she yelled out. “Our target is heading to the east part of the city! Stick close. Garnot, start now! We engage immediately when we catch up! He shouldn't go too far!”

In response, Garnot activated [Defending Rush], pulling mana from its plane of existence and into his body. Issac and Royse lined up behind him.

Garnot’s next steps cracked the stone underneath his feet as it launched him towards the fleeting figure that jumped from the Lord’s rooftop terrace. The wind rushed past, but the hulking figure paved a path through the resistance as the others followed, but the extra speed was for naught as the figure continued to get further away despite their increased pace.

Seeing the gap widening to their target, Royse used another ability, [Push] in panic at the sight. A rush of air followed the other group members, increasing their pace to just below that of the departing figure running along the rooftops.

The building whisked past, but the figure kept on increasing the distance. “THIS ISN’T GOING TO BE ENOUGH!” Issac yelled over the noise of the wind.

“HE WOULDN'T RUN TOO FAR, SO IT’S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME.” Royse yelled back.

“JUST HOPE IT’LL BE ENOUGH.” A failure would devastate, and a success would be monumental. Confirming a suspicion by one of the Barren Moon’s vice leaders and successfully eliminating that threat would be bountiful on almost every front.

It would bring them one step closer to completing their organization mission, although that mission in itself was never ending. Their foundation would grow a step further and they would continue dominance.

Gerycott was known as a good place to stay and the safest of border cities, but in hindsight, everything seemed perfect. Too perfect. Enough that others wouldn’t check the obvious signs of something bubbling from underneath.

Royse didn’t know how far this scheme ran, but if they succeeded, then all would be revealed. The knowledge would continue Barren Moon’s goal of letting nothing be forgotten. Enable them to take the next step and push past the lacking knowledge of humankind, no longer being trapped in their small kingdoms. They could push beyond and understand the unknown.

The thoughts whirled in Royse’s mind. As a member since birth, it was her everything. And not just her, but everyone shared the same goal. It was a simple one, although difficult in execution, but it held their organization together. No politics to play, no one to please or schemes to enact, just a goal held together by simple words. Simple words from the founder that have taken them so far.

The figure had already passed the eastern wall, and the group was far behind. It took a few minutes, but when they got near the wall, a queasiness formed within Royse.

Her senses… her mana sense flaring, making her want to puke. It was the same feeling from last night, but only more so as she shivered from the inside out.

“SOM…. SOMETHINGS WRONG. THE MANA IS MESSING WITH MY SENSES, IT’S GETTING WORSE AS WE APPROACH THE WALL.” Her form was shaking and the unease in her voice.

Issac looked over to see the shaking continuing down to Royse’s hands. She trips slightly, but keeps it together. Ah, shit. This is going to be worse than the invisible Crawlers.

He pushed off, still following Garnot’s lead as they headed over the wall in one fell swoop.

When they slammed into the ground on the other side, a pained cry sounded out.

“AAAAaaHHhHhggghHh.” The yell of a man echoed through the forest ahead of them. Not hesitating, they continued and broke through a section of trees, and a startling sight awaited them.

“Dammit.” Issac said underneath his breath.

“This should be good enough.” I let the bag fall off my arm, sending slight pain through my shoulder as it plopped to the ground and against the twisting root tree. I rolled my shoulder a few times. “Ya, that might take a few days.” Using my other arm, I took out another piece of jerky.

I still saw the wall from here, but with the hill I’m on, I should be able to avoid anything going on and still be able to monitor the situation, just in case the invasion further deteriorates. The tree I found has an enormous growth out of the main trunk, so I would be safe from any roaming monsters once I climbed up. It would be uncomfortable, but I wasn’t taking any more risks.

It’s been such a rush over the past few hours, but I’m finally out. Who knew visiting a city would almost get me killed a few times over. “And I’m definitely not doing that again.”

Before going up to get some shuteye, I looked back at the town. A few burning buildings gave a glow in the dark night and guards stood on the wall. Anything more was all but a blur, but at least Greycott’s still standing.

“Yark.” I brought my hands up and ruffled my hair. “Yark. Forgot to check up on Sly.” It was on my mind, but running for my life put it past my thoughts. “Ahhhhhh. Sorry, but I’m not going back. I’ll check on you next time... Hope you made it out, Sly.” I slumped against the rooted tree. “Next time, buddy, next time.”

I took a moment. Enjoying the silence and the bland tasting jerky. The rough texture wasn’t the most appetizing, but it was better than the rations Hollow prepared. A welcome change. I got back up and put one hand on the tree’s exterior, preparing to climb up, but out of the corner of my eye I saw a black figure moving.

I turned and saw the figure jumping over the wall, heading directly towards me. A pit in my stomach immediately dropped as my eyes widened. A trail of distorted mana followed the figure, getting ever closer by the second. I directly felt it brushing up against my core, even at this distance.

His speed was like lightning, far faster than anything I could manage. I tried to get around the tree’s trunk, hoping that he didn’t notice me, but I stumbled with stiff limbs and fell to the ground. With my eyes shaking, I scrambled around, pushing off the dirt to throw myself behind the tree.

I pressed my back up against the twisted bark and held my breath, believing it wouldn’t come true. Seconds passed, and so did the encroaching turbulent mana, trying to weasel its way into my core yet again. The color drained from my face and I froze against the tree.

A few more seconds and the claustrophobic feeling surrounded me, blocking off any chance to run or attempt anything different. An inevitable doom weighed upon me, and if I did nothing, it would be the end.

I shouldn’t have survived having zero mana when I cleaned my tangled core the first time, and I doubted I’d survive again. Being stuck inside the forest, at the whims of the surroundings as I laid on the ground for days, trying to recover once again, would also be my end as the monsters eat me alive or pumble me to death.

A serene feeling washed over me, and I had to do something. If I couldn’t stop the ‘turbulent mana man’ from coming, preservation was the only option, so I activated [Mana Gathering].

In an act of trepidation, wishing that it would just disappear, I placed the gathering spot as far away as possible, pulling the turbulent mana away from me, away from my core.

The constriction within my chest lifted ever so slightly, pushing off my inevitable end for at least a few more seconds. Yes, yes, get the yark away from my core!

I’ve lost track of everything else as the turbulent mana storm blocked off everything but. I felt on edge, with any misstep meaning the end, consumed to the unknown, to be eaten from the inside out. Before long, the inevitability creeps back up as the turbulent wind gets stronger, counteracting the meager capabilities of [Mana Gathering].

With my only card played, I sat and felt the discomfort take over, hopeless to do anything as the figure undoubtedly approached. I don’t want this to be the end, but there is nothing else I could do. I barely got started, had so much potential, and it’s all going to disappear with my terrible luck.

The mana turned into a suffocating mess, cutting off the thoughts of regret as I put everything I had into the ability. Nothing but the [Mana Gathering] at this moment, trying to improve my dimming chances of survival against the corrupted mana.

My hands shook uncontrollably as I heard dirt being compressed beneath a pair of footsteps. My heart fell into an abyss, as I can no longer hold my breath. A solution, anything, Ayla! But it all flowed through as I struggled to hold any complete thoughts.

“Now what are you doing, little one?” The question flowed through the tree and right to me. Similar words…

Every constrained breath I took, the mana took an inch, getting ever closer to my core’s inevitable end. Let alone being able to talk, I couldn’t even breathe properly, as everything I knew was ending. If he took one more step, I would be done, for good and forever.

If I wanted to leave this world for good, this was not the way. After a long life would be great, but at least not being torture would be great too. Each second felt like an eternity, hopeless about doing anything but to accept my fate, a single tear forming.

Silence spread into the air as we both remained still, letting the tension build within my heart. Please tell me you're talking to someone else. Please tell me you're talking to someone else. PLEASE TELL ME YOU'RE NOT TALKING TO ME!

“I would’ve thought you were the one, but I guess you’re not. At least not with that kind of character. Hmmmm. Wait, something’s off... are.. are you the one?” He talked to himself with a questioning tone, but I couldn't care less. Just go away, JUST YARKING GO AWAY.

I curled up into myself, trying to appear smaller, wishing I’d just disappear. It probably looked pathetic, but I’ve little choice as I waited for my end.

“Are you going to at least face me instead of hiding behind the tree? I’ve some questions.” He voices out.

Yark. Yark. Yark. Yark. Yark. I repeated the word in my mind as I struggled to just give in. All he would need to do was walk a couple steps closer. If I can stop that, then I might live just a few more minutes.

With him being unaware of my struggle, I pushed myself against the tree and used the last of my focus to drag myself up hand by hand. I felt the blood drain further from my face, adding to the insurmountable unease, but I continued to push at the slimmer of hope still left. Hanging onto the tree, I moved around, keeping as much distance as possible to the figure, facing him.

An elegant man in the same white and black suit I saw a few days prior, the worse case scenario. Upon seeing my face, his eyes squinted as he tilted his head.

“What are you? No way you're human… Oh, I know, one of those humanoid monsters, aren't you? It’s been a while since I’ve seen some in my homeland.” The wrong conclusion, but it only terrifies me more. If he has at least a lick of sympathy for humans, I might’ve had a chance, but not when he thinks I’m some sort of monster.

The mana tightened in my chest, making me unable to speak. Just basking in the unwanted suffering.

“What, not talking because I hit the mark?” A smile formed on his face, creepy to my very soul. He slowly lifted his foot and reached out, taking a step. My eyes opened and I panic, inching backwards with a shuffle.

“Oh, come on. I just want to talk.” His teeth, showing through his parsed lips, offering nothing but fear. My end. My end is here. What can I do? WHAT CAN I DO?! JUST DIE HERE! UNABLE TO EVEN TALK OR DEFEND MYSELF!

His approach set something off, and I acted without hesitation. [Mana Bolt] activated, forming right behind his head.

The mana drew from my core, but with the turbulent and corrupted mana surrounding us, something else happened. It pulled into the familiar grape sized ball, but the turbulent mana clashed with the formation of the mana ball, making it into something else entirely as it grew to that of a fist.

The corrupted mana particles twisted together with the ones I supplied from my core, corrupting the ball into not the ball of individual particles, but the oh so familiar ball of yarn, twisted into strings.

I hesitated at the formation, but I launched it regardless. I would not get a second chance, especially if I gave him any reaction time. It felt unnatural as I moved it, but I didn’t stop as the ability took over control. Desperate, I gave it everything, giving a purpose it didn’t need. The same one when I learned it, a bird flying as the wind parted to quicken its pace.

The man took another step by the time it launched, still smiling all the same, but it rapidly changed as his eyes widened. He continued looking at me, but his concentration was elsewhere as the turbulent mana moved in an orderly fashion, completely against its chaotic nature. I sensed something from within him as he used an ability, drawing corrupted mana from within him.

The mana drew outwards, combining with the surrounding mana as it gathered between him and the now flying [Mana Bolt], forming a wall of mana transitioning between the mana plane and into the physical world.

It formed just in time as the ball impacted the mana wall… and… and it continued through like it wasn’t even there, just like the wind blowing through a group of falling leaves.

The [Mana Bolt] even grew in size as it came out the other-side of the wall, sucking up the corrupted mana that was once in the wall.

His mouth and eyes opened further, the confidence from before now completely gone. He didn't even turn around to block my attack, but his look of regret said it all. His response was desperate as he swung his arm to intercept the dangerous projectile. His whole body in tune, no longer looking at me.

I watched with peeled eyes as the next few moments would decide my life and everything it had, surprised at the unexpected change as well. A spark of hope formed as the bolt impacted his swinging arm.

The bolt digs into his forearm as the blood sprays out.

“Adhachhhhgg.” A grunt left his mouth as the pain showed, but unfortunately, the bolt stopped there. Without waiting, he jumps backwards to get further away from me. When he landed, his eyes pierce through me, threatening to kill. “No…” I whispered. Unsuccessful. I’d manage to get him to walk away, but in the worst way possible.

Before my eventful demise, a noise sounded out to my left as both of us looked over with a jut.

The Barren Moon’s group saw a strange sight ahead of them. On one side was the lord, already injured as blood dripped down from a limp arm. Accompanied by a death stare towards the other side of their view, the [Villager] girl leaning against a tree, using it for support. She didn’t look hurt, but her pale face told a different story.

Royse adorned an astonished look. What! What is going on here? Why is she here? The mana isn’t freaking out like it was a second ago. Did she attack the lord? Royse looked at the continuous blood dripping down the lord's arm and then back at the [Villager]. There’s no way, right?

She shook her head before her thoughts wander too far. It doesn’t matter, take care of the lord first.

“Garnot.” Royse said, and he instantly moved to engage, drawing his claymore and the cloth covering it flew off as he activated his main ability [Fortitude]. The lord didn’t waste any time and drew his jagged sword, a sither, with his only working arm to match. Garnot moved to the side and got into a defensive position, encroaching on the lord's space with one step ahead of the other.

The lord's eyes darted across the three newcomers, taking care to view the pendants on their apparel. He remained still and composed, with the thoughts flowing through his mind. Garnot continued to get closer as the lord took another look at Ayla. Wasn't expecting this to be easy, but things may get more complicated. If I can get the monster in human form, then it may speed things up with a new host, but it may not be worth the risk at this rate.

Closing off his thoughts, he faced the approaching figure again. Arming his weapon to engage, his leg slammed into the ground, pushing off and shooting towards Garnot, already swinging his sword.

In reaction, Garnot uses [indominidble], making his skin turn a dull grey and his muscles bulged. He placed his claymore to match the incoming blade.

The swords struk and the air shifted violently in response, but Garnot remained steadfast. The ringing of the metals contacting one another was already distraction enough before another strike happened, this time from Issac.

Taking the opening, he’d managed to get behind the lord, so he swung right for the lord's open back, but right before it landed, the chaotic mana moved to block the strike in the same wall-like formation. The same ability that failed to stop Ayla’s [Mana bolt], but this time, Issac’s blade stopped dead in its tracks. Issac immediately pulled back, taking his distance once again while yelling out to his comrades. “MANA WALL, Royse!”

Hearing the call, she knew it was time, time to clean up the shit when things took a turn for the worse. She pulled from her mana core and activated [Consumption]. A white flame spread from her hands and towards the lord, consuming all in its path. The bright flames lit up the surrounding forest, even burning the dirt beneath the flame.

The lord pulled away and the chaotic mana from within him shot out once again, mimicking the white flame as it formed a darker, bubbling cloud. They clashed, shooting outwards, lighting and consuming the nearby greenery.

With the first volley leaving no injuries on the lord, Issac and Royse group up and prepare another attack, while Garnot remains near the lord. Not having a chance earlier with the sudden attack.

The lord's eyes once again focused on the pins hanging from Royse and her companions. His gaze lingered on her for a few seconds longer as his brows furrowed with anger, but he regained his composure and adjusted his stance, back to that of his gentlemanly form.

“This is quite unexpected, Barren Moons.” He turned to Royse. “And if that isn’t Royse of Vale.” He smiled. “Blessed to have your company, but may I inquire why?” His posture was perfect, but his damaged arm ruined the otherwise perfect visage.

Royse took a step forward. “Yes, it is nice to meet you, Elano, Lord of Greycott. May I ask what you're doing here when your city is being destroyed?”

The lord took a thoughtful second to respond, looking at Ayla. “I am taking care of the one who caused the destruction in my city.” He ended with a smile plastered across his face.

Both Royse and the lord looked directly at Ayla, still cowering back and using the tree to cover half of her form. Although the lord was the prime candidate from Royse’s perspective, they weren't working on much, so anything could be possible, and it wouldn’t be the first time something ridiculous happened.

There’s no way it can be her, right? She seemed frightened by the mere presence of the lord. Would she have the gaul to invade a town and kill the innocent? Her face is pale, and she injured the lord somehow, so why is it looking like she’s about to collapse as we speak. With her scrutinizing gaze, a flash of something on the Villager’s hand showed itself, a black ring, one of two intersecting moons.

One white and the other black.

Royse’s face paled, with every doubt in her mind disappearing to the one who actually caused tonight’s events. Her eyes narrowed with an intense focus.

The decision already made.