Chapter 12:

Within the Arms of a Demon

“Everyone’s accounted for,” Said Gawan, trying to keep a modicum of authority in his voice even as his eyes were barely capable of keeping themselves open and free of tears.

The man standing before him and Melissa, the loner living in the cottage at the edge of the village looked about ready to drop to his knees.

“I saw ‘im! Marvin and the plague child! I should’ve helped him, I should’ve!”

Melissa shook her head and placed her hand on his shoulder.

“Nonsense. It was our job to handle her. You did well to hide, Centrum.”

The two left the man to his devices and returned to the rest of the village. It was already afternoon, and neither of them had gotten any sleep since the happenings of the previous night.

In a situation where Novarac’s hounds would usually be running all around helping and comforting people, not a single one of them was to be found. Novarac had only shown up to deliver Marvin’s body and then disappeared.

“If he just helped us from the beginning, none of this would have happened!” Argued Gawan furiously.

“Be strong. Remember, we aren’t the ones most hurt.”

“We should see to her when she wakes up,” Gawan said, wiping away a row of tears.

---

Alaya sat on her knees, staring down at the scarlet-tipped arrows pilled up before her. Her entire body was shaking after the ordeal, but it was almost done now. Grabbing the last one stuck in her back, she pulled and pulled, but her hands were too numb. Just as she let go, she felt a foreign hand grasp the arrow.

“Ha….” Alaya’s breathing was just barely audible over the current of the river flowing to her left.

Mustering her courage, Alaya gave a short nod.

“Argh!”

A burst of pain shot through her like a crimson lightning bolt, and then it was done. Alaya heard the arrow fall behind her just as soon as it was out.

The figure behind her pressed a piece of cloth against the bleeding wound while washing it with water from the river.

“You hear it, right? They’re crying all over the village. Their child died.” Alaya’s expression was twisted by rage and grief.

The figure froze for a moment.

“It was his-”

“His will, I know! He wanted to die cause he was too far gone! Which hasn’t happened for eleven years but goes off the night I meet him! I really am the plague child everyone accuses me of.” Alaya’s shoulders visibly dropped and her eyes fell half-closed.

“...”

Alaya glanced back, catching sight of a black cloak at the edge of her sight.

The figure pressed the cloth against her back to make sure it stays on her wound.

“I’m Marvin’s murderer, not you,” Aidan’s voice was heavy, ridden by guilt.

It’s too late to play human, Aidan. Step away from their world before you kill more of them, or you die next.

Valerian’s voice had rung in Aidan’s head all night long, chastising him for getting involved with Alaya.

Alaya’s eyes were transfixed on his figure in the corner of her eyes. Hearing his grief, her own feelings subsided.

“...What about Nova? How do we avoid her going through the same thing?” Alaya changed the topic, not wanting to hurt Aidan any further.

Alaya’s question dispelled Valerian’s voice, giving Aidan momentary peace.

“...When I met Nova, she was already veering dangerously close to the edge. You’re the only reason she hasn’t given in, to begin with.”

Alaya’s eyes lit up.

That’s what that purple-haired woman said too.

“Are we doing the right thing?,” Spoke Alaya. “So far, us challengin’ the demons just seems to make things worse.”

Aidan clenched his fist. He had not bothered to spare any thoughts to others initially - his goal and focus had always been fixed on the demons. Traveling with Alaya, however, he came to care, if only for the effect their suffering would have on her.

“During all my journeys with my father, we never came across anything like this. We’ve never seen demons rest in the same spot for so long, and in such close proximity to each other. It’s a unique situation, but what I can assure is that demons have only ever brought misery and death to humans.”

Alaya’s eyes lost their aggression and her shoulders visibly relaxed.

“Unique, huh? ...Ya know, last night, while you went after Martin, Nova’s mom came to me.”

“What?!”

“I had no idea, but Nova was turning into a demon too in my arms. That person, she came and stopped it. Did something to me too. I felt better after.”

Aidan stepped in front of Alaya before dropping to her level and grabbing her by the shoulders. Though his grip was tight, he made sure to avoid any of the arrow wounds.

“Are you alright?! Why didn’t you tell me?”

Alaya closed her eyes and looked away from Aidan, her body curling up instinctively. Aidan saw this and quickly pulled back his hands before taking a few steps away from her.

Alaya slowly opened her eyes.

“I dunno. When I thought ya died, something happened to me. I ended up almost killing Marin….” Alaya’s eyes dropped to the ground. “Maybe I was turning too.”

Aidan breathed heavily. He couldn’t believe it. The outburst that got him taken prisoner by Marvin nearly resulted in Alaya and Nova losing their humanity.

“Rana, she can manipulate the corruption to some level. I think that’s what she did for you and Nova.” Aidan explained, omitting the truth about Rana’s identity. “Please, take some time to rest for now! I’ll keep an eye out for the demon. I think I know where his resting ground is, and it's not within the village. As long as he doesn’t reach it, he won’t be able to escape us.”

Alaya closed her eyes and nodded. Her face was sweating from overexertion, the events of the previous night still weighing heavily on her.

Aidan hesitantly left Alaya alone to go and gather food for her from the forest.

With Aidan gone again, Alaya dragged herself to the river. Gazing at her reflection, her thoughts flew back to the time she spent with Nova and Marvin as a child. She could recall every individual day clearly. Each day she could give the name of the game they played or invented during it.

She couldn’t say the same for the months and years that she experienced after that fateful night. Alone for so long, all the days blended together. Every altercation, attack, every dagger that tore its way across her flesh, every stone that struck her body, they all felt like they occurred at the exact same point in time.

During that time she had not grown to learn a single new name. All were faceless shadows to her.

It was as if the past eleven years had been frozen in time. A freeze that had only been broken the day she learned a new name.

Aidan.

Shivering from a sudden onset of cold, Alaya clutched her sides.

“I don’t want to be alone again….”

Alaya’s tears fell into the river. Her throat parched, Alaya lowered her head instinctively to drink from it.

What are you doing?! Have you forgotten your father’s lesson?

Alaya clutched her head as her mother’s rules played themselves in her mind.

Only reach for something if you are ready to never hold it again. Only gaze at something if you are ready to never see it again.

Alaya looked at the river. The occasional fish came swimming close to her, drawn close by her reflection.

Right…I’ll kill them if I touch it.

It didn’t take long for Aidan to return with food. Aidan sat down to her side so as to not bother her - taking his cloak off and laying it on the floor to place the gathered fruit on.

“It probably needs cleansing, but I think I gathered enough.”

Alaya looked at the fruit nervously. Her hands shook in her lap, and she didn’t dare grab them.

“Don’t worry, I’ll do it.”

Aidan grabbed a bunch of blackberries in his hands and then brought them close to his mouth. He sang to them barely above a whisper, far too faint for Alaya to hear. Once he was done, the corruption had flowed out of them fully, leaving them completely clean.

Aidan reached out his berry-filled palms to Alaya. The tall girl leaned in, tilting her head as she curiously ran her eyes over the fruit.

“How’d you do that? I’ve never managed to clean them, they’re way too small so they’re bad all the way through.”

“My father taught me. There was no land corrupted enough to stop him. He could have cleansed entire cities if it wouldn’t have drawn the attention of inquisitors.” Aidan realized just a second too late that he said more than he intended to.

Alaya raised an eyebrow.

“Inquisitors? ...Think I’ve heard that name somewhere before. Sounds tough.”

Aidan could barely hide his surprise.

How does she know about them?

“Hehe, yeah, uh. How about it, wanna eat now?”

Alaya furrowed her brow at the nervousness in Aidan’s voice. She reflexively pulled away from him again. Much to Aidan’s dismay, she returned to staring at him with mistrust.

Aidan grabbed one of the berries and ate it.

“See? It’s safe.”

“...That’s not the issue. I don’t want to eat from you.”

Aidan glanced around awkwardly.

“Is there…something wrong with me?”

“No, you doofus. I can’t accept food from anyone. It’s forbidden to me.”

Aidan raised an eyebrow.

“By whom?”

Alaya grit her teeth.

“My mother, Alyssia.” The words left her mouth like they were forced out with a scalpel.

That name sounds familiar.

“Well, uh, that doesn’t sound like a reasonable rule. The fruit’s the same, regardless of who plucked it.”

Alaya sighed.

“It’s not that easy. I, I don’t want it happening again.”

Aidan couldn’t help but lean in closer.

“What are you talking about?”

“Nothing! Leave me be!” Alaya roared at him.

Aidan stared at her silently. He slowly put the berries down before grabbing the rest and cleansing it as well. He left them all down on his cloak and walked away.

“Where are ya going?” Asked Alaya.

“I’m going for a walk.”

Alaya shook her head in confusion.

He’s insane if he thinks I’m touching this.

Time passed, minutes turned into an hour, and Alaya found her eyes glued to the fruit. Little by little her resistance was chipped away. First, her hands shook as she tried to stay still. Then she inched her body ever closer to the fruit. She grabbed a single berry and brought it to her mouth. Closing her eyes out of fear, she stuffed it into her scarf and let it roll down to her lips.

*Crunch*

It’s so good….He won’t notice I ate if it's just one right?

Alaya glanced down at the remaining fruit.

Or two.

---

“Hey Alaya, how is-”

Aidan came back to find his cloak cleaned of food. Alaya sat with her back turned to him like a child that was trying to avoid a scolding.

Aidan smiled relieved. Feeling his legs stiff and exhausted, Aidan chose to lay down by Alaya’s side, though keeping half a person's distance between each other for her comfort.

Aidan placed his hand on his leg. It was soft to the touch, and squeezing it he could feel the bone give way to his fingers with little resistance. A quick check on them while away from Alaya revealed that the spread had almost reached his knee.

Even with Vaska’s power, I pushed them too much. Am i going to live long enough to see all of this through?

Alaya stared at Aidan from the corner of her eyes. She felt her skewered leg complain from just watching Aidan touch his. Aidan had spent the better part of the night cleaning and bandaging up the gaping hole in her foot. Alaya had bled five people’s worth of blood, which did not even touch upon the amount of punishment she withstood on that very same leg.

And yet, all she got from Aidan were vehement warnings, forcing her to agree to remain seated and let the wound heal. Marvin’s transformation weighed heavily on her mind, and Aidan not saying a word to her about her own irregularities only served to unnerve her even more.

“Hey…since you were there for two days ‘n all, what did you manage to learn?” She said trying to put her thoughts to rest for at least a moment.

Aidan shared what he learned about Novarac, Marvin, the magic, and the events of the past. That, of course, included Novarac’s identity as both the demon who robbed Nova of her family and the mage who robbed Alaya of her memories.

Still, none of that got a reaction out of her as much as the mentions of Nova did. Alaya laughed heartily when she heard of how Nova nearly crushed Aidan and Marvin with a boulder. Her eyes beamed with pride upon hearing of how Nova was keeping the village alive by cleansing the food, and smiled wide as Aidan described how Nova helped him with his attempted escape.

Every last moment Aidan spent with her was relayed back to Alaya.

“She didn’t blame you for what happened. You were always her most precious friend, and she made sure that everyone else knew that too. Even though nobody ever believed her.”

Alaya fought to keep her composure, but she couldn’t stop the tears from flowing down her face. Aidan smiled and gently placed his hand on her shoulder.

“It’s fine. You’ve kept it in for long enough. You can let it all out now.”

Alaya tried to keep her feelings at bay still, but it was too much. She grabbed Aidan’s hand and placed her head upon it as she let loose all her tears into it.

Aidan feared bothering her, but seeing her in this state he couldn’t help it. He grabbed her and pulled her into a hug, allowing the larger girl to lean on him and cry into his chest. Alaya fought to silence her voice just like last time, but this time it was too much for her to control.

“It’s going to be fine, Alaya. Just a little more and you’ll both be free.”

Alaya grabbed Aidan’s shirt and pulled on it so hard she tore the holes in it even larger. Alaya’s right hand shook and lost her grip on Aidan several times as the old wound acted up and sent incorrect signals to her fingers.

Aidan felt immense disgust at himself for daring to pity Marvin.

Aidan thought back to his very first meeting with Valerian. The demon hunter had to rip the crying child away from the corpses of his parents. Aidan wept for days on end until Valerian finally pulled him aside and asked him.

Do you want to tell me about your parents?

“Do you want to tell me about her?” Aidan asked.

The question reached her despite her mental state. After a short while, Alaya nodded.

She pulled her head out of Aidan’s chest and then immediately turned herself away from him so that he couldn’t see her face.

“I met her when I was a kid. She, she was the only one who didn’t…”

Alaya’s grip on Aidan tightened. It felt like her mood was about to swing back down.

“...My dad died when I was really small. Everyone thinks I did it…maybe I did,” Alaya said the last part in such a quiet whisper that Aidan failed to hear it.

Alaya clutched Aidan so tight it hurt.

“I don’t remember what day it was. I was crawling under the scorching sun after getting beaten for trying to steal some food. Was sure that my time had finally come. But then I felt a shadow cover my head from the heat.”

“Is that when you met her?”

“Yeah. Novie was even more of a brat than me. She saw her father beat me, so she snuck out and brought her lunch to me. I ate it but...I spat it back in her face and ran away.”

Alaya’s breathing calmed down. Aidan even caught a glimpse of a smile beneath her scarf.

“She didn’t care. She kept bringing me food every time she saw me. I couldn’t do anything against that kind of thick-skulled stubbornness.”

Alaya glared at Aidan as she said that last sentence. Aidan couldn’t help but crack a slight smile. It almost vindicated his rebelling against his father’s rules and choosing to help her despite her protests.

“Mom’s forbidden me from befriending others but…I’ve always been bad at following rules. It was just some silly games at first, but then she started bringing me books. Not that I could read, but then she just forced down and taught me how.”

Aidan swallowed nervously, embarrassed that a child knew that much better an art that was completely foreign to him.

“Eventually, her brother started joinin’ too. I think Novie planned to get everyone there used to me so that they’d accept me again. What a crazy kid.”

Aidan’s hands trembled with rage - his breathing became violent. He knew exactly where Alaya’s tale led next.

“I won’t let your life be denied from you any longer!” Aidan’s voice was filled with anger.

Alaya blinked at him with surprise.

“Why does it bother ya so much?”

Aidan was almost offended by her question.

“Who wouldn’t be?”

Alaya’s head dropped. Aidan was right, but she felt like there had to be some reason that compelled her to ask him.

Aidan shook his head and spoke confidently to her.

“I promise you, before the week is done, the demon will be gone, and everyone will recognize the crimes they have committed against you!”

Alaya didn’t even flinch at his words. Confused by her lack of reaction, Aidan leaned down so her eyes were forced to meet his.

“Right? We’ll do it together!”

Alaya blinked absent-mindedly before turning away from him.

“I think,” She spoke slowly. “I need to sleep.”

Aidan tried to offer help, but the girl didn’t even consider it, crawling her way to a tree in the distance to rest against.

Aidan closed his eyes, aggravated. Her constant rejection of his person began to weigh on him. As much as he tried to fight it, after losing Valerian Aidan felt no small desire for companionship.

Just one friend to keep him company before he expired.

No! What reason do I have to feel frustrated? Just because she’s different from them doesn’t mean I’ll fit in with her any better than I do with everyone else.

Vaska’s words echoed in his mind.

You lust after the plague child’s tail for comfort.

Aidan sighed and let his back kiss the cloak beneath.

I hope I get to die a good person’s death.

---

Despite the harrowing incident, the next three days in Kulum were spent in relative peace and quiet. There had been no sighting of Alaya or Aidan, and even Novarac rarely showed his face in the village, appearing sickly and weak whenever someone did glimpse him.

The villagers used these days to mourn their loss. They turned the childhood home of the two magic siblings into a memorial for Marvin. His paintings adorned it all over, along with all of the flowers the sickly earth could afford them.

Ever since the passing of their parents, the former leaders of Kulum, that house had remained abandoned but still well maintained in their memory. Then, as now, the people of the village came here to pray over the deceased.

Though youngsters then, now Melissa and Gawan got to relive that experience. But this time, it was their friend they lost. Having already wept all their tears for Marvin, the two instead got to watch with horror as a new generation of children was exposed to the same kind of loss as them.

“How much longer will we keep Marvin’s body here?” Asked Gawan.

“Until Nova awakens. She must get her chance to grieve too,” Answered Melissa.

Just as she spoke, Nova finally surfaced at the top of a hill not too far in the distance.

Nova’s hair was unkempt and chaotic, a sign that she had only recently escaped the grasp of her nightmare.

The freshly awakened Nova stared at Marvin’s lifeless body which stood on top of a table, barely hidden underneath an old piece of cloth. Nova didn’t even do as much as frown. Her eye remained completely dry, and before long she turned around and left.

“We have to go after her!” Melissa said concerned.

---

Their search for Nova brought them to the village center. The sound of doors rattling half-open in the wind was the only thing to animate the abandoned district.

Melissa and Gawan peeked around every corner and building until they found her sitting at her usual spot, working on cleansing vegetables out of leftover bags. Nova’s movements were stiff and unfocused, a routine engraved into her brain that she needed no thought to execute. Her eye was staring off at nothing in particular.

Despite never having made mistakes for many years, Nova failed to cleanse the produce - causing the corruption to spread and encompass the entire vegetable, making it inedible. Every time she just tossed it aside without a second thought before grabbing a new one.

The two tip-toed towards her, afraid of startling her.

“Nova?”

Nova didn’t move at first, almost as if she hoped her silence would convince them to leave her be.

“Yes? Do you require something of me?”

Nova’s overly formal way of speaking came off different than normal. Usually, she spoke so with joy at having learned so much from Rana - now her tone was forced, clearly used to hide something.

“We thought you might need company,” Said Gawan.

“If I require such a thing, I will make sure to request it,” Nova answered dismissively.

“You shouldn’t be forcing yourself to cleanse food. You need rest,” Said Melissa.

“It’s tradition that the family of the deceased treat everyone to a meal before the burial,” Nova stated in a matter-of-fact way.

“That’s ridiculous, nobody expects that of you. You should be with your brother.”

Nova placed the tomato she was holding down on the table with just enough restraint to not squash it.

“I think enough people are grieving him as is. If my absence pains him so much, feel free to mourn him twice as hard to make up for it.”

Melissa slammed her hand on the table, knocking the tomato off. She glared at Nova, who returned a cold, indifferent gaze.

“We’ve tolerated you mouthing off before, but this is going too far! Marvin is dead! Your brother is gone, and you still treat him like dirt?!”

Nova leaned in close to Melissa. She whispered to the older girl in a low, threatening voice.

“If things went different that night and it was Alaya who perished instead of Marvin, you would all be celebrating her death while leaving me alone to cry over her corpse. So spare me your drivel, and get out of my sight.”

Melissa didn’t flinch. Her fists were clenched, her eyes glaring down into Nova’s.

Just as Gawan readied himself to jump between the two of them Melissa relaxed her fingers. She reached behind her and pulled out a small wrapped-up painting along with a letter.

“Marvin tasked me to give this to you if…anything ever happened to him. It loathes me to give it to you, but it’s what he wished.”

Nova didn’t reach for the painting. She waited for Melissa to get the message and leave her alone, but the fighter did not budge from the spot.

“Fine,” Nova grabbed the painting, defeated.

Nova stared at the items she was given. A brief moment of consideration was all she needed to know that she didn’t care for their contents.

As the two left, Nova stared upon the pile of composting refuse she had created. She had the process memorized to perfection, and still, she had produced thirty consecutive failures with no desire to do so.

A statistical impossibility. Just like I thought, seeing Alie again was too much. I can’t remain here any longer.

Nova took a deep breath and wobbly got up from her seat.

---

The still wrapped-up painting and letter were levitating by Nova’s side as she walked through Kulum.

People she came across looked upon her differently. They all took notice of her lack of reaction to her brother’s death, and none knew what to make of it. Even the children who made her a flower crown didn’t dare approach her when they saw her stalwart expression.

Nova paid them no mind. Her thoughts were of only one person.

The destroyed walls must be crawling with people. The opposite side should be the least guarded.

Nova marched with such confidence that nobody dared question her goal or destination. This served her well until she was just about halfway to the palisade. Just as she passed by a couple of houses that had been skewered by Marvin, a large armed squad showed up marching through the street.

“Follow us! Novarac has an important announcement!” They shouted as they passed by villagers.

Nova ducked behind some buildings as the squad passed by.

Novarac is calling everyone? That’s perfect, there will be so many fewer people to get in the way of my escape!

“Novarac is going to unveil his plan for dealing with the plague child!” They shouted further.

“...”

Nova was still. She glanced in the direction of the walls for a few seconds before closing her eye on her escape path.

…Her safety is more important.

---

Nova discreetly followed the men to Novarac’s house. The crowd expanded before its entrance like a massive carpet.

Nova watched the gathering from a safe distance as guards brought the last villagers. All of Novarac’s one hundred fifty-seven dogs were present, guarding their owner's home.

Wait a minute, Snowball is missing. And All’s Well, Templar, Yaswoof….

Upon a careful recounting, Nova realized that fifteen dogs were absent, all a part of the forest watch.

Nova watched as Melissa and Gawan stepped out from the crowd. To her surprise, both glared upon Novarac’s abode with nothing but contempt in their eyes.

“Come out, Novarac! Everyone’s here!”

Responding to the call, the door to Novarac’s house finally moved. As it creaked open, cold air escaped into the atmosphere, forcing everyone to huddle together.

Only Melissa and Gawan stood their ground as their mayor stepped before them.

“The plague child has attacked our village. Our arrogance has summoned her wrath-”

“We’re not here for a lecture!” Gawan interrupted.

Though Novarac’s expression remained unchanged, the dogs noticeably turned their heads to face the large man.

“I ask that you speak clearly, son of Barlum.”

“Where were you when we were risking our lives fighting the plague child?” Melissa quickly responded.

The dogs collectively stepped forward, growling at them for their words.

A single soundless clap from their master was all it took for them to fall back into line.

“I was keeping my eyes on the plague child to make sure that she would not harm any bystanders during your fight.”

“Why did you not just help us to begin with? If you and Marvin fought together, he wouldn’t have….” Melissa couldn’t finish her sentence.

Novarac saw all of the villagers stare up at him with doubt and anger slowly building in their eyes. A vein popped on his right hand as he tugged on the collar of his shirt.

“Now is when you finally choose to stop and listen to me? Very poor timing on your part, children.”

“Don’t you dare patronize us! Marvin is dead!” Yelled Gawan.

“Yes, yes he is. He fought the plague child with all of his strength, destroying half the village before dying, unable to stop her.”

“If you had-”

“Fought the plague child with him, the battle would have destroyed the entire village, killing every single person living within,” Novarac spoke over Melissa.

Novarac stepped within breathing distance of the two, his face staring past them into the distance. Melissa and Gawan felt like it was not the old man speaking to them, but an amorphous mass that surrounded them on all sides.

“It is your arrogance that brought the plague child upon us, to begin with!” Novarac yelled with a powerful, yet controlled voice.

Before Melissa could reply, Novarac addressed the entirety of the gathering.

“Any one of you could have spoken out, and stopped Marvin from pursuing his foolish desire for revenge! Nobody heeded my warnings, and now you are left to clean up the blood of the most promising man in this village.”

Novarac raised his hand in the air. At that same moment, all the debris left over from the night of the attack floated high into the sky for everyone to see.

“All of our hard work to make ourselves more difficult targets than the other villagers, our air of unapproachability, all came undone in a single night! Behold what you’ve unleashed upon yourselves!”

Novarac waved his arms with very delicate moves. The shattered earth, logs, and stone came together to form the shapes of the people of Kulum. They ran through the sky after an individual with a cloak, mandolin, and sword made out of dust and dirt.

Everyone watched the theatrical display as Novarac formed a pillar for the earth villagers to pin the outsider to. Just as they brought him to it, the pillar cracked open as two sets of arms ripped it in two. The earth villagers tried to run, only for the monster to catch up with them and smash them to pieces.

And that was not the end of the play.

Novarac threw his arm downward, his created abomination dropping in front of the gathered crowd with enough force to crater the earth.

Melissa and Gawan readied their weapons as the beast rose to its feet, casting a stygian shadow upon the hundreds of gathered people. Its massive tail slammed into the ground and cut swaths across it with its jagged end. The sun stood perched in between its two long, upward-pointing horns like a mere ornament. Pebbles and dust fell from the monster’s four clawed hands.

“Now, children of Kulum! Rise, and slay the beast! Show your courage and will!”

Not a single fighter dared move an inch.

“Slay it!” Novarac roared.

Through the eyes of his dogs, Novarac feasted on the terrified expressions of all his citizens. They were finally under his control again.

Too little, too late.

Novarac placed his hands on the shoulders of the fighters, each one dropping to their knees before him.

“Don’t fear. There is still hope. You only need follow my rule.”

Novarac unveiled his plan before his captive audience. The bulk of his dogs would lead the citizens to an ancient cave system left behind in the Carparam mountains where they would stay for as long as needed.

The abandoned village would then serve as the battlefield between Novarac and the plague child, with the remaining dogs present to grant him sight and allow the use of his magic and the fighters to provide whatever support was necessary.

Nobody liked this plan. They all glanced to their homes, knowing full well that none of it would be left behind if this came to pass.

Seeing their defeated expressions, Novarac smiled. He could tell full well that they knew they had no choice.

*Crash!*

A sudden explosion drew everyone’s attention away. They turned around to see the conjured monster’s head be smashed to pieces by another boulder, after which its torso was pierced by an intense jet of flames.

As the golem broke apart and scattered into the wind, a singular striking figure stepped out through the mass of dust left behind.

Through all of his dog’s eyes, Novarac got to see over a hundred different pictures of a one-eyed girl confidently staring straight at him.

“Now, this is a surprise, my student. I did not think you’d want to participate in this gathering.”

Nova cocked her head as she glanced at the dissolving golem.

That wasn’t Alaya.

“Yes. She killed my brother. I will do whatever it takes to avenge him,” Nova said with fresh anger surging through her heart.

“I am sure Marvin is glad to hear you say that,” Novarac said with an almost unnerving smile.

Everyone erupted into cheers at hearing Nova finally coming to her senses - rushing to Nova’s side to praise her and thank her.

Melissa and Gawan, meanwhile, didn’t share in their enthusiasm. They alone stared upon Nova from a distance, mistrustful of her sudden change.

A feeling of doom loomed above their heads.