"What happened?", Cale's voice spoke up. William literally snatched the crystal out of Ben's hand and took it, while Philippa and Ben stopped behind him.

"Sorry for just using your Igrikum like that", he reluctantly spoke up.

"Forget that. Where are you guys and what's going on?", Cale's voice echoed across the landscape.

"We're in the Death Region, in the middle of a dense fog. We've been haunted by strange mana, which got High-Magician Thopas and he's not conscious now. I don't know, he's not moving anymore, but he's still breathing."

"Strange mana? Like wind? You didn't feel a body?", Cale inquired without inquiring further about Aaron's condition.

"Yeah, exactly. There's nothing here, but this weird mana completely surrounds your barrier. I guess it's toxic somehow", William explained matter-of-factly as his gaze drifted to Aaron. Cale himself was silent for a moment as he considered.

"Sounds like a group of Pachendran. They're creatures that carry some sort of powerful stun gas with their mana to trap their victims like spiders. Make sure the three of you get out of there fast."

The three were almost relieved after the explanation, now that they knew what they were up against. The only problem: where were they going? They still didn't know where they were or which direction the exit was in. Neither did they want to wander aimlessly through the countryside.

"Will", Philippa spoke up, and when their eyes met, she just pointed to the sky.

"Cale, I'll get back to you", the black-haired man quickly spoke up when he realized exactly what she meant.

"It's fine. Be careful, please", Cale announced anxiously before William let go of the chain and looked at Ben.

"Can you throw Philippa in the air?"

"In the air? I think so", the big man replied, giving the archer an all-consuming look. A moment later he set Aaron down on the ground, which William was now holding, and moved a little to the side. Philippa did the same, but had previously unloaded her bag. They both stood in the barrier of about four meters and smiled at each other before Philippa jumped several times on the same spot, took one deep breath and ran towards Ben. The latter had clasped his hands together, stretched them downward and in the next eye Philippa got her foot on his hands and with all her might was flung through them barrier into the sky.

Like a flash of lightning she disappeared through the mist and tense, William stared at the sky. It took a few seconds before she crashed back to the ground again. Ben catching her while trying not to topple to the side. Several times, Philippa took a deep breath and exhaled before she got a word in edgewise and pointed in a direction.

"That way, I was able to see the end of the fog", she declared confidently, thanking Ben and running toward her bag. Relief was evident on the men's faces. Ben again lifted Aaron into the air and followed Philippa, who gave them directions. The group ran relatively briskly in the same direction, but since William had to concentrate on the Igrikum at the same time, the two didn't want to overwhelm him.

"This is Cale's barrier, isn't it? How can you use that? Does it hold the mana back long enough?", Ben cautiously gave to word as he realized they were being followed by one of the mana sources.

"It's a bit of a longer story. I'm using it for the first time too, but it's Cale's mana that keeps the barrier up, not mine. So I guess for now it shouldn't be a problem. Otherwise, Cale would have said something anyway."

Understanding, Ben nodded before the group transitioned from fast walking to running. They ran mindlessly for a good 10 minutes straight until the mana slowly began to break away from them. A few minutes later, they finally reached the end of the fog and stared out over them great valleys of the plain. Only now did William dare to calm down, check the surroundings, and then lower the barrier.

"Let's find somewhere good to hide, I will have to report to Cale."

Without argument, the three formidable distanced themselves from the fog and after some time discovered a small cave. Carefully, Ben leaned the unconscious mage against the wall before stretching his back once and beginning to rummage through his bag. William, on the other hand, remained on the sidelines, sliding mana into the crystal as he steadied his gaze on Aaron.

"Oh by the Elder's beard, I was getting scared when the connection dissipated", Cale spoke up instantly, as if waiting for his feedback. William had to grin at the statement before exhaling in relief and turning around to face the back.

"I was scared too, believe me", William replied calmly and walked closer to his group. Ben spread some mats on the floor before carefully placing Aaron on them and starting to listen to his breathing. Philippa stood nervously behind Ben for a while, but when he said he sounded perfectly normal, she dropped to the floor in relief.

"Are you all okay?"

"Yes, we are all alive, only Aaron hasn't woken up yet."

"That may take a while. The anesthesia is pretty harsh, wait a few hours and he should wake up on his own. The Pachendrans will have focused on him because he has the most mana", Cale explained matter-of-factly. Ben and Philippa listened to the facts as well, while William took a seat on the floor next to them. "How big was the mist?"

The three adventurers exchanged questioning glances.

"Hard to say, we walked through it for several hours", William explained. His blue eyes met Ben's, making William realize he was still waiting for an answer. "Pretty big, then...but... Cale... your Igrikum. They have seen the Igrikum."

For a moment, everyone was silent until Cale's sigh could be heard. In the background, someone was calling his name, which made William suspect that he was not currently in his apartment.

"That's all right. Better this way than another. If you want, you can explain it to them, or I'll explain it to them later. It was only important to me that nothing happens to you", Cale clarified as his name came up for the second time. A woman's voice called out to him and asked what had happened. "I'm sorry, but I have to sign out. I was in the middle of a conversation with the other High-Magicians when this happened and literally stormed out."

"Okay", William replied calmly.

"I'll see you later, and please... please be careful! Use my mana as much as you think necessary, you hear me?"

"I will, thank you."

William lowered the crystal, detached the weapon from his waistband, and undid a few buttons on his thick jacket before stroking a hand through his hair. Philippa and Ben watched him tensely do the deed without saying anything.

"Sorry that I didn't say anything", he began carefully. "Cale passed his Igrikum to my left hand a few months ago, with which I am able to call barriers like Cale. I don't know exactly how it works, but Cale said we have a connection with each other and I can access his mana through it."

Puzzled, Ben and Philippa exchanged glances.

"What exactly is the Igrikum?", Philippa finally raised.

"Ah, right. I should probably explain that as well. Remember the battle in Altona? Most mages used one of the four elements to fight, but the High-Magicians didn't. High-Magician Vonstetten had used ice and High-Magician Ander used his blood, if you remember. Igrikum is like a special form of magic that only 3rd stage mages have. As I understand it, a mage gives up part of his humanity to connect with nature."

"They're no longer human?", Ben interjected questioningly.

"I also don't know how exactly this is meant. It was never explained to me in more detail"

"I think that's the origin of the Apostles", Philippa spoke up thoughtfully.

"Apostles?"

"Yes. That's how we call them, at least. A being that can use its own mana, as well as the mana of the gods. I just thought... I didn't know it really existed and were called High-Magician in your country."

"High-Magician is just a title", William explained. "The way you explain it, it would have to mean that any mage who has gone through the 3rd stage and received his Igrikum is an Apostle."

Puzzled, Philippa looked at the black-haired boy before her eyes moved to Aaron.

"What exactly are the apostles according to you, Phil?" spoke up Ben.

"In the Three Gods Faith, Apostles are the creatures that create harmony between the gods and humans. According to the stories, Apostles are halflings who have the honor of being reborn when the gods deem it necessary to keep peace."

Slowly, Philippa freed herself from her clothes and exposed her upper arm. A narrow tattoo of three fine symbols on her skin, which had been completely destroyed by her scars.

"Among my people, we are brought up with this belief that the Apostles are our saviors. I also heard that the Layons tribe also has contact with such an Apostle, but I never really believed it. That was one of the reasons why I left the faith. If you don't follow the rules, you get punished pretty severely for it", she clarified. Philippa seemed a little chagrined by the fact as she covered her arm again and returned their stares with a smile on her face. "Hard to imagine that Cale and High-Magician Thopas should be such Apostles."

"Is it the High-Magicians' job to stand up against the dragons?"

Ben's question caused William Moment to flinch. All at once, the night in the desert had a very different meaning.

Did Cale believe the story? Did the other High-Magicians know that they were supposed to keep the balance according to the Three Gods Faith? How much truth was actually behind the religion?

"I don't know. If you trust the whole thing, then probably... yes. Apostles will have been given the task by the gods to kill the Dragon Queen to ensure peace", Philippa replied skeptically. "Here in Winstest, the dragons and the Dragon Queen are considered as beings of higher power that wants to bring ruin to the world. A manifestation of evil, even if that wasn't always the case. Personally, I always found that a bit strange, because my whole life I have never heard that dragons really attacked people. Or do you know more about that?"

"Unfortunately, no", Ben replied. "But still, I wouldn't trust dragons, especially the Dragon Queen. I once heard from some mages in the Magistrat that the dragons ordered the attack on the city."

"And how would these mages know that?", Philippa threw back skeptically, causing Ben to fall instantly silent. "You see what I mean? It's the same problem as with the Three Gods Faith. People always claim that the dragons were the enemies of mankind, but when did they and actually attacked? Just like the gods. When have they ever done anything good for us humans?"

"You have to be careful with a statements like that", William interjected quietly. "Back in Sylve, you'd be attacked pretty hard if you try to the dragons' defense."

"Well, I hope you don't kill me for my own opinion", Philippa retorted, smiling, causing William to bristle in amusement as well.

"Just be careful who you listen to when you say something like that. Not that you'll get hurt", Willam merely replied, looking over at Aaron. He knew full well that Philippa had to be especially careful when she was in Cale's presence. After all, even William was aware of how much the High-Magician hated dragons. And in a way he understood Cale too, but equally Philippa's words had some truth. As a child, he had never understood why the dragons were blamed for all the evil in the world, until the day his father ordered him to kill the Dragon Queen.

A statement that occupied William to this day.