Gideon was breathing heavily, cuffed as the chains were wrapped in cloth and around his arms. Exhausted from the training session.

Elric whistled by the rock wearing loose clothes and his swords. Having come back last night from his Hunt with mangled armor to repair and empty Health Potions.

“Your time is getting better,” Elric commented as he jumped down.

Gideon was hunched over, trying to catch his breath - a little queasy from an upset stomach while sweating profusely. “This sucks…”

“I heard you’ve taken a job cutting some grass?” Gideon nodded, “I’ve also heard from Minerva you’ve brought some bugs while you were cutting?”

Gideon threw up his shaky arms in an extravagant defense, “What am I supposed to do? Everything else was just serfdom or helping at the dock, and I wouldn’t be carrying anything with it…”

Elric sighed, “Well at least you're okay. But be careful, know when you need to run.”

Waving off, “Don’t worry I was only attacked twice so far, and —”

Elric interpreted with a hesitant look, “No, I meant Minerva.”

Confused, “Huh? What—”

“Okay, we are doing something different.”

Gideon tried to ask what was that about, but not a word came as they proceeded with the rest of the morning routine. Gideon was battered by the end, washing up, eating, and drinking the Tonic. By the time they finished everything, Elric had called for Gideon to come with him for the day.

They appeared in the Guild Hall, Elric went down to one of the many halls - around the entire inner building until they arrived at the open backyard. The large plot was partially filled with many contraptions of dummies, weights, and obstacle courses to one side - the other an open plot, while on the far end are many pits for combatants to spar. All kinds of people were practicing, and from the sight Gideon could see a rare handful of Mages - their Incantations backfiring, causing them to slump to the ground.

Against the building, there were a few benches, as they promptly sat and looked around the yard more clearly.

Elric motioned to the mass of people for Gideon to pick out, “How many Cultivators do you see?”

Gideon peered around, but he couldn’t tell, “I don’t know…”

“Two, there are only two here,” Elric replied, as they looked at the sea of near over a hundred people.

“What? Are we the only two?” Gideon said to his amusement, prompting a soft smack to the back of his head.

“I am one, and the other,” Elric pointed to a dwarf holding a large hammer greater than his size. “Out of hundreds, if not thousands of people - only a few would choose En, and only a handful would see it to the end.”

Gideon frowned, “You don’t need to tell me how hard it is. I get it, it’s hard.”

“It never hurts to practice motivation, you will run into a wall sooner than you think. When you do think of this moment, and the many who have given up when you wanted to - and if you see yourself in them then you will never finish.”

They didn’t say anything, in the minutes of frustrated groans and failed attempts added fuel to his resolve more than he thought.

Though he knew Elric enough to not let this end here, “Is there anything else we need to do?”

Elric smirked as he left Gideon for the open side of the building - heavily guarded and with a long waiting line. He returned with a slew of weapons wrapped in cloth as he placed them down in front - A rapier and a poignard-dagger; four barley bladed edges that came to a sharp point like a needle, a spear, and a longsword.

“These are what I can think of for yourself.”

Gideon looked to the spread, and then to the yard - as many more types of weapons were there. “Only theses? I mean what about a hammer, bow, or maces?”

He had only named a few to state his curiosity - Elric was also executing it. “Do you remember the rhythm of En?”

“Was it Flum?”

Elric nodded, “It is difficult to explain, and there is much conflicting information about this property but one of its clear, it is the nature of your flow.” Unsheathing his sword, a thick blue coat twirled around the blade. “En can extend and become one with any object, though Aether would look much the same. It wouldn’t be once something gets takes a clean blow.”

A wave on En pulsed the blade’s edge to life, into a smooth beat.

Elric continued, “Yours- I can only think would be much more difficult to understand, so any weapon with too many curves or points wouldn’t work too well.”

“...so the other weapons would be too difficult to use with my En?”

Elric agreed, “Yeah so it would be better to —”

“I’ll be daft if it isn’t another fool to be around.” A loud bellowed voice came from behind as they turned to see that dwarf that Elric pointed out before.

Inwardly sighing he put on a smirk, “I guess I've been caught.” He extended his hand, “Elric.”

The dwarf greeted in turn, “Rowic - Son of Jilqor.”

A pleasant conversation began between the two as it left Gideon time to think of his own choice - a dagger that he got used to, and the temptation of either of the swords. Whichever way he would look seemed to be the prime choice of many within the yard.

“So, the kid wants to be a Cultivator?” Rowic gained from Elric as he looked at the weapons sprawled on the floor. “Limited group, focused on piercing… is his Flum low?”

Gideon showed a bewildered expression that nearly told the dwarf all he needed. Elric reprimanded him, as the dwarf just laughed at the interaction.

“Couldn’t have fooled me with anything like this. I’ve had many weapons and talked to many more, runs in the lineage. Been a long time since any of my home were anything but Cultivators, so what are you working with?”

Elric was surprised, but he didn’t say anything, as he left Gideon to reveal his own.

In a soft whisper, so only the three could hear, Gideon spoke, “2…”

Rowic blinked a few times as he showed a face that he thought he had misheard, “2? Damn… that's… complicated.”

Rowic looked around at the weapons, “Well your teacher did good with most of what you got.” Though he took the rapier and normal daggers out, “A rapier is a flexible weapon, used by many Air Weavers for its finesse. The daggers… Well, a flat blade wouldn’t do - a pair of those poignards might be good enough secondary weapons.”

Rowic returned the dagger as he turned to Elric, “Ah, I’m treading on your pay.”

Elric, “Oh no, please continue.”

Gideon, “So I am left with the spear or sword, for my main weapon?”

Rowic, “Much of what is left, yes, there would be few fit as a main weapon.”

“Why?”

“Both would work well but you would probably find an easier time fulfilling the potential of the spear.” Rowic picked up the spear and En flowed through a deep grey - as Elric’s had a pulse, Rowic’s had a cascading flow but a firm hold. “I’m sure you know your En would be difficult and with the sword more so than the spear - as I’ve experienced cutting is leagues more complicated than piercing.”

He gestured his hand along the shaft, “Though the sword on its own would be easier to handle and common enough to learn styles from anywhere, it would fall short with your En. The spear, less, but it would do you well for your future with a pair of those daggers.”

Gideon became curious, “But how can you be so sure of what would come easier for me? I mean I can see everyone here use Aether but only you two with En.”

Rowic settled the spear and En as Elric explained, “Learning En is a much more personal journey than anything with Aether, but they still have some guidelines. And only so many paths which we could go down with our own En properties.”

“Then- ” Gideon shook his head, “What should I do?.”

Rowic endeared his insights, “Best bet is one my father said to me, ‘Temper your properties and you’ll forge your potential.’” Talking with Elric a bit more, he would leave with his heavy hammer to continue practicing.

Gideon looked at Rowic leaving - asking Elric, “What do you think?”

Elric, “I believe we both learned today. The daggers and rapier are not very known to me in practice, I only vaguely remember their strengths.”

Off in the distance Rowic focused and gained control over the momentum of his swings as he swiftly changed direction without losing a bit of speed.

“...Do you think you could beat him?” Gideon asked as he was enamored by Rowic’s control.

Elric chuckled a bit, “No.”

“No? But… why?” Gideon looked towards Elric who was analyzing Rowic.

“You should start using your head more to fit the pieces, but I am out of shape in my energies. Only now can I see, feel, do more- I can run away without issue but combat- no, it's too early for me.”

“Is the road really that far?” Gideon asked with an antsy heart.

Elric looked to Gideon, “Maybe. But I don’t care, I am not him nor is he me, I’ll continue with this chance I’ve been given.” A soft-pure smile showed on his face, and Gideon felt his resolve.

Gideon fell into deep thought as many actions crossed his mind, confronting all the choices he would have and the things he saw in a fight.

Elric sat down next to him as his last advice, “Choose what you want to push forward with because either way learning the basics of a weapon is a great deal of work. One that will only be harder if you don’t have confidence in your own choices.”

The moment was long, as the echo of his voice, he chose his main weapon - the spear.

Gideon looked down at his belt, “What about the dagger I have now?”

“Nothing is absolute, and no sense to throw it away. Keep it as a spare to hold when you get a pair of those poignard-daggers.” Elric gathered all the weapons, including the spear to return.

They left the yard and made their way to a set of descending steps - coming to a large underground structure, the main library. Rows of bookshelves lined the room, occasionally separated by gaps where there were tables and chairs to read.

Elric brought him to the row for spears, just barely full as he showed him how the rest of the rows followed.

“Though there are a few books on En it will hurt you more than help. You will need to learn the basics of the spear through these books, and then those daggers.” Elric just remembered, “Oh- and you're not allowed to take the books or copy the contents out of the library.”

Gideon wondered, “Then how am I supposed to learn it? If I don’t have them to practice with.”

Elric smirked, “Practice using your head a bit more.”

For the next hour of help, Gideon found some basic spear styles that focus on piercing. After stopping by the Guild blacksmith requesting a pair of poignard-daggers, some sheaths, measuring out a spear, and back strap.

Leaving by midday to continue more intense exercises, for Gideon wished he could beat Elric every time he was near collapse.

***

The sun was setting as they traveled to the Ninth Quarter; housing the largest population of commoners, soldiers, as well as serving storage and dockyard.

Elric had but his covered sword slung on his back - having Gideon carry his main as they went.

“Where are we going?” Gideon asked, looking at the flocks of people that went to their homes.

The streets were nearing bare as people parted their way while taking glances at them and their weapons.

“If I told you, it would ruin the surprise.” Elric kept his composure, and not another word was spoken until the orange of the sky faded into darkness.

The streets were empty as they went, and the path twisted and wound - until it opened to a pair of red lamps. The light separated the cramped alley to a broad space, further down extravagant buildings came alive in soft light. The sounds of music overlapped the chatter as Gideon saw many Adventures, Commoners, and a few Guards disappearing into the buildings.

Though Gideon had a hard time the further they went as a faint tinkling-awful smell entered his nose - failing to hold in a few sneezes.

“What’s wrong, did you catch a cold?” Elric asked.

Gideon pinched his nose to block a sneeze, “The smell- it’s making my nose itchy..”

Elric laughed, gathering a few gazes. “You’re quite unlucky some would say then, but for that, I think it will be invaluable to you.”

“And what is that?”

“A charming incense they burn here, it’s to help the mood of the place.”

“It’s not charming to me.”

“No, no it's not, but what can you do, and get used to when you come here.”

Gideon started to look around trying to make sense of his surroundings, “So where are we anyway?”

“We are in the Red Light District; a place of nightlife entertainment and pleasures that convince people to splurge on with the extra coin they have,” Elric brought him closer to a whisper. “Though most Adventurers and Guards just spend it on the Brothels…”

What followed was Gideon’s brain freezing - trying to process the information, as Elric questioned whether he had the talk yet. Prompting Gideon to jab a fist into Elric’s stomach - failing as he caught it, but a quiet yell as Gideon knew enough to put the new pieces together.

Elric was hunched over laughing, as Gideon waited patiently, “I am not going into one of those places.”

He had to take a moment to compose himself, “We aren’t going there - they are further away and off the main path anyway.”

Huffing, “I’m sure you know all about that.”

“Hey,” sarcastically pointed. “I have never and will never purposely come here other than for a job.”

“Sure… because how else do you know this place.” Gideon rolled his eyes.

He sighed, “They really everywhere Gideon, but my main interaction I had was many years ago when a serial killer had been prowling their customers. I found them just at the start of the night and got a full blast of the powder they use to burn. It nearly took me out right there, luckily I still had something in my sleeves.”

Intrigued, and excited by the story, “Then what happened?”

“Quick to change your attitude when there’s a story? Well too bad, you don’t get any more of it.”

Gideon slumped as he followed slightly behind, as they approached a heavily guarded building. The guards’ entire figure was covered in woven red cloth and metal as a veil over their eyes. Nervous, he held the sword tight when Elric approached the main door and handed the paper to the main guard to let him pass.

Gideon waited cautiously as he kept looking around, but when only a few minutes had passed Elric came out of the door.

Another piece of paper was tucked as Elric said to Gideon, “Ready?”

“I don’t even know what for,” showing a helpless expression.

Elric went his way, “I got an Assignment for you, it will be more by proxy.”

“Proxy?” Gideon tried looking over Elric’s shoulder to read the paper, only to have his face pushed away.

“It means that you're going to help me with this one while I accepted the main Assignment.”

“Why? And can I even do it?”

Elric shook his head, “I didn’t get anything that you wouldn’t have a decent chance of finishing, as for the other… earn a Pearl then.”

They made their way down to a secluded street, where the scents were far and the music died - arriving at an up-kept house. Surrounded by a fence with a small patch of grass and a spread of aesthetic plants made the plot felt like the most serene place within the city.

Elric reached and jumped over the hurdle - motioning to Gideon, “Let's go.”

Sliding the sword through the space and onto the ground, Gideon pulled himself over but tumbled down on his butt.

Elric shook his head, “That was terrible.”

Scowling, Gideon didn’t say another word as he rubbed his tailbone and picked back up the sword.

They made it to the door, Elric placed his finger upon the lock and extended his En into the shape of the required key. Slowly opening the door to a wide living space filled with different paintings and furnishings, being by a stairwell which they ascended.

On the top floor, there were many doors, but Elric followed a clear path, but Gideon only became more confused as to why they were there.

Elric opened the door to a large bedroom - a lavish king-size bed and furnishings all around the room. A large human man abruptly got up to the sound of his creaking door - his adrenaline instantly made him rise as he picked up an amulet on his nightstand. A large blue gem was in the center, surrounded by precious metal and a heavy amount of runes.

Elric broke cover, the man willed the Mystical Item - the gem, and the runes lit a blue light.

Firing a shot of heavy point of water toward the intruder, the man yelled as he nearly flew out of bed. “Guards! GUARDS!”

Dodging, Elric rushed the man as another two Water balls fired. There was nowhere to go Elric gritted his teeth and raised his En, slamming a reinforced punch and kick, causing him to stumble for a moment as he shattered the attack. He didn’t give the man another chance, evaluating his speed, Elric shifted his weight - avoiding the spell, and knocked the amulet from the man’s palm in a clean strike.

The man stumbled back near the window, holding his wrist in notable pain.

Elric relaxed, sensing nothing else, “You can come in now.”

Gideon hesitantly came into view, the man looked at the two strange men in rage.

“Who are you to come into my home?! The guards will have this place surrounded in the blink of an eye if you don’t leave!” The man raised his voice as loud as he could, eyeing what he could do in his vulnerable moments.

Elric backed away to the other nightstand by the bed, hidden within - a long thin knife. “Quite the dangerous man, but you couldn’t do much with this unless someone was sleeping by you.”

The large man tensed as Elric played with the dagger, hearing no sound of metal or guards barging into the room.

As Elric sat down at the bedside he took out a slip of paper to read, “Corel Olin we, the Jorl Palace, thank you for your devotion and for your crimes we will grant you a simple death.”

Corel forgot the pain, as he paled, “No… No, that- it cannot be! I have done nothing, sir, you have to believe me!”

Elric hummed, “Sir? Well, you're not going to get out of this one from me, but if you take on that kid over there you could be able to escape.”

Cole looked to the kid that shifted his eyes back and forth between them, “You’re no better than those hounds below.”

Elric shrugged, “Do what I ask and you can get what you want.” Throwing the dagger by Corel's feet.

Corel unwedged the blade, staring at the intruder. If I can just handle the kid and I can get to the passage.

Gideon didn’t know what to make of anything, before he knew Corel charged him with the dagger in hand. Caught off guard he threw the sheath, just blocking the first strike - Corel tried to shift around to the door, but a ball of En slammed it shut.

Corel backed away as he turned to the man, “Nice try, but no one is getting out.”

With no other plans, Corel felt the rush through his mind and screamed as he attacked Gideon again before he could get another word. There delayed reaction, as Gideon fumbled to watch the dagger - against the fast wild desperation of the Corel. Cuts rose and bled on Gideon’s arms from crude attempts at blocking until Corel led a faint to his shoulder as Gideon had unknowingly backed into the door. Corel didn’t miss the chance, arching down and piercing his thigh to the bone - Gideon barely kept a scream as he lost balance, bringing down the sword for his first attack.

Corel removed the blade in time, holding the dagger with both hands he swatted the sword away while nearly sending Gideon to the ground. But the loss of balance left another opening, Corel thrust the dagger at his head.

Time slowed to but a fraction of a second as Gideon stared at the near-invisible edge of the blade. A surge of adrenaline sparked as the pain and distress disappeared, his muscles willed themselves to raise the sword at greater speed.

But… it was too late, the point was just centimeters away before he thought… End-

A blurry motion to the side of his sight, swatted Corel in the head - making him tumble across the floor. Gideon’s reality sped up again, taking short-quick breaths he slid down the door until he sat down.

Elric stood above Gideon as their eyes met, “You have died once this day.”

Gideon’s face changed from pale to red, filled with such rage that nothing came out for a few seconds. “SCREW YOU!!!”

Elric didn’t bother but kneeled to see eye-to-eye, “Do you think this is easy? Do you think that you could just prance about, just training and following some books?” Elric’s expression went serious, “Do you think as you make your way through this world that there won’t be people that would try to kill you?”

“We came here for him, not the other way around!” Gideon protested.

“And did he know? Did he know there was a Private Bounty on his head? That his guards were relieved of their duties just before we came? That all the wards have been dispelled - what do you think would happen to you?”

“I wouldn’t do anything that could have someone after me like that!”

“Really? What about Vicrot? What about Cecilia?” Gideon threw a punch but Elric swatted it away and smacked him in the face. “For any reason, for the stupidest reasons, and pray to any god willing to listen if they are given a good enough reason.”

Subtle tears ran down Gideon's face in anger as he cradled his wounds.

Elric went on, “Do you know what I’ve seen? From a public death on a whim that no one cared or those that deserved their rewards, treasures, elixirs… slaughtered - framed, everything taken from them.” He took out a Low-Grade Health Potion, pouring it on his wound while giving him to drink the rest. “This is part of the world we live in, and a part we must deal with.”

Gideon slowly took the potion to drink, still huffing and frustrated for all that had happened.

“I don’t care if you hate me for the things that I’ve done, but you're my apprentice and I will not have you die a naive man.” Elric rose, and motioned for Gideon to come to where Corel lay unconscious - Gideon lumped with the sword in his hand. “Finish the job.”

Gideon pleaded with his eyes to no avail, “What did he do for this?”

Not another word was said, they waited for a while until Gideon raised a shaky sword. An almost frightened look in his eyes as the blade split Corel’s head - the edge stuck within the skull. Gideon let go and dropped to his knees in a silent sob, nearly throwing up at his distress.

Elric pulled out the blade with no remorse, whipping the blood and returning it to the sheath. Gideon was out of mind, rejecting what he had done and for the time being a recluse of accepting anything.

A gentle hand was placed on his shoulder - slowly bringing him back from a seemingly distant voice. “Corel worked as a foreman, supporting the staff at a smaller brothel.” Gideon raised his red eyes and perked his ears, “But if one were to see all of the business - most wouldn’t be sensual entertainers. He, on the other hand - gave in to requests of personal deals, pocketed the coin, and blackmailed the common staff into terrible experiences…”

Elric had tuned to place both hands placed on Gideon’s shoulders, making sure he would listen. “If there is one thing that the brothels believe in more than anything else is that, ‘No one shall force a hand on another’s sacred pleasures.’ And if one does, you better hope to hide in the muck and preach abstinence for eternity.”

“He- He… did all- those things…?”

“And more, he had a few of the common staff be killed under a false word.”

“Then… why did we have to do it, why couldn’t they stop him before us?”

Sighing, “To enforce death over the Temples, Nobles, and the Guild would be to challenge their reign. The Red Light District might be a great force but would fall short if these three would come together in opposition.”

“But… they could do it, they could do what all those scavengers do or hire someone else. Who would know?” Gideon’s eyes were conflicted, with disgust and anger.

Elric shook his head as he showed dismay, “They won’t say it but they would do as you said, but this time the man gave deals to Nobility and wealthy Merchants - they couldn’t move, so they had to request the Guild and a trustworthy operative had to take the Assignment.”

“Will- will we be the target of them then…?” Gideon asked with a quivering voice.

He helped raise Gideon off the ground, as they went with a subtle smile on his face. “A thing about people like this - there is no justification, they can only maintain secrecy for their deeds. So when a wealthy young Merchant found out about their partner’s recent plight, oh how quickly did the word spread and knives revealed.”

They left taking nothing as outlined for the request, part of such commission involved the character of the individual, no gold nor items would be gained. While the only meaning would be a record of good faith to the Guild and the Red Light District.

They went about their way to return to the building they stopped before and proceed to the Guild to give the report. Along the way, Gideon learned what would come of the people involved with the man - nothing.

The Nobles and Merchants were far too out of reach for their crimes - leaving even the known ones with but a smudge on their existence. There was nothing to be done, only move on from the little good they and focus on the training and the Fall Commencement.

***

A three-party group was moving through the forest, following an Assignment requested by the Venture Division Head; Aria, of the Guild. Gonter; a Hobgoblin, clad in heavy armor - armed with a shield and mace, Eztra; a half-orc, in medium armor - with a bow and daggers, and Rowic, in heavy armor with his large hammer.

“You find anything?” Eztra spoke as she kept her bow knocked.

Rowic grunted feeling the ground and trying to perceive the haze of Life Force all around. “This is not what I do, I need a minute.”

A pulse of En washed over them all, Gonter shouldered most of the camping gear, while he stood with his mace high - a small gem on the shaft shone like a torch in the dark.

Rowic found the twisted trail of En, as they moved forward in a tight formation.

They were across the river, after their trail of clues had run cold the past few days the party decided to take up on a request for a Hunt. Though by Rowic’s luck he sensed a vile energy when they came, faint traces of what Ixir Aria had allowed him to sense.

Now deep into the woodland, with only the light of Gonter’s Lumen Stone to shine, they cautiously made their way.

Their prowling continued for a few hours as they made their way to a small open field. Gonter silenced the light as he looked at the few large shards of moss-covered rock.

Under the night sky, two large figures were sleeping by a large rock - their beige-colored skin was rough. Their entire body is loaded with covered fat and muscle, noting their pronounced ears and nose. Tossing and turning, their snoring abrupt showing their jagged teeth when open.

“Ogres…” Gonter exclaimed in a whisper, as Eztra covered his mouth from anything more.

The pseudo-giants didn’t wake as the party slowly retreated into the dark, keeping an eye on their sleeping three.

“What are Ogres doing here, they shouldn’t have come this far into the Wilken Woodland?” Eztra whispered.

Rowic and Gonter didn’t say anything - they didn’t know, as Orges liked to live in forests or woodlands by a mountain. Very few times they would wander together, but the main concern was their wares and weapons. Smaller and weaker, but smarter than a Troll - the Ogres would fashion their clothing and equipment from their slain foes. The two had a lot of stitched cloth, even one put together small metal shields to their clothes for armor. Their weapons, a club spiked with shattered sword pieces, and the other with a very large hammer.

“They have killed a lot,” Gonter kept quiet as he looked to Rowic, “What should we do?”

“We either retreat or try slaying them here. The source leads to them.” Rowic held his hammer tight.

Ogres had a decent challenge rating by themselves, but in a group, it could be a danger to their party. Gonter a Weaver at High-Iron, Eztra is also a Weaver and Fair-Iron, while Rowic was at Fair-Iron Rank.

The party said nothing as they readied themselves and their weapons. Gonter and Eztra focused their Aether, Rowic his En as they crept as close as they could in the cover. Another minute in preparation, for anything they could sense - nothing.

Gonter and Rowic immediately dashed out from the cover, Eztra only focused her aim and Aether.

The two Ogres felt the disturbance, darting awake, confused, before haphazardly picking up their weapons in distress and a roar.

An arrow flew through the air piercing the neck of the armored one, it was stunned as it struggled to breathe. Gonter raised his mace covered in Earth and struck the other in the knee to send it kneeling. Rowic followed with his hammer with En, body sprung with much of his strength and speed, slamming it in the head as it convulsed on the ground.

The other Ogre hand pulled out the arrow, swinging its club at Gonter. Quickly he responded with Earth to his shield as he braced for the block, the force pushed him back a few paces as his hand was shaking from the impact. Another arrow came but it embedded itself in the armor, Rowic followed an attack to its gut - the Ogre blocked with a grunt as another arrow shot to dink off.

Gonter sprung back from behind the creature as he slammed it forward to disrupt its balance. Neither Rowic nor Eztra gave it time to recover as they focused their power for a final strike. Eztra shot her arrow, piercing deep into its face while Rowic sent a shockwave through its body sending the Orge falling on its back.

Two Ogres were dead, and the party was out of breath, Gonter, and Eztra especially as they strained much of their power within the short few minutes. Rowic sensed the vile energy all over the creatures, while they wanted nothing more than to return to the city quickly they dismembered the Orges. Taking what parts were affected with the vile energy, as well parts to confirm their kills.

***

Nearly two hours after the party had left, the bodies still lay with a heavy scent of blood. The smell traveled further than the vile energy, a kill left unattended would only be gone in a blink in the woodland. Many creatures approached the clearing but their instincts felt more unease as they approached the clearing.

Spurring them to leave and find another prey - the clearing was silent, not a breath in the surrounding trees. A stone slowly rose from the ground, floating in the air as a horrifying chant sounded with an old-rotting pale hand breaking sight of the hole. The bodies rose, dragged as their blood dripped to the grass before descending the hole. The chant slowly died and clearing returned as if nothing was there at all.