The two young men and horse stood completely still. Nicholai was nearly terrified at the hulking woman, or girl in this case. She may have been as tall as his headmaster, but she was way younger. Perhaps his age. Ezra was ready for a fight. Not shying away from the challenge at all. Anabelle glared into the girl, sensing a large amount of anger, and a small amount of fear.

The girl saw the unconscious body of the necromancer. This lessened her rage.

“Who are you?” She spoke, her voice not as deep or low as Nicholai expected.

“How about you tell us what you were doing in the cave.” Ezra said bluntly. Nicholai quickly turned to him, wanting him to reconsider his words in the presence of such a person.

“I asked first.”

“Well I’m not the one who almost dragged someone into a collapsing cave.” Ezra responded to the girl, growing his own rage.

“Wait.” Nicholai interfered. Hoping to prevent a fight between the 3 of them. He slowly turned to the tall nature haired girl. Her gazed burning a hole in his head. “Look, we came here to get this guy.” Nicholai pointed to the bottom end of his staff at Zarcah.

“And how do I know you aren’t with those bandits that attacked me?” She asked. Making the three before confused.

“Bandits? We aren’t bandits. We’re travelers.” Nicholai confirmed.

“If you were attacked by bandits how did you end up in that cave?” Ezra asked. Making the girl grow angrier. “You’d think someone of your size wouldn’t be defeated so easily.” He said as he put both of his hands behind his head.

“You idiot. Stop saying mean things. Look I’m sorry about my idiot here. We’re just curious.” Nicholai continued his attempts to calm the girl down. “I saw what was going on in that cave. Had we not come. I believe you would have joined the others.” The girl’s clenched fist began to unravel. She let out a small yet audible sigh through her nose. Afterwards the she-giant leapt off the top of the cavern and down to their level of standing. Yet they still managed to see just how she dwarfed them in comparison. Upon gathering closer to the young mage, she let out a small blush, and looked away to keep him from noticing.

“Why don’t you come back to town with us?” Nicholai asked her. As she looked away. “We’re about to go turn this guy in.” Nicholai looked down towards where Zarcah’s body was, and it was gone. He had fled during their conversation.

“WHAT THE HELL WHERE DID HE GO?” Ezra yelled in horror. The girl before them slightly sniffed the air. She turned her head and saw the necromancers trail. He headed out of the black woods. She left the other three behind and started to follow the scent. Her footsteps stomped through the grass. The rage of her captor getting away causing her to make every step roar. “Follow her.”

The three others continued with the girl. They came out to the field through the blackwoods, and saw Zarcah next to the beast Ezra had slain. He was chanting quietly. Both of his hands out, as his magic bagan to work.

“He’s trying to bring it back.” Ezra yelled. He readied his blade and dashed towards the small man. Yet he wasn’t fast enough. As he got close enough, the beast grabbed him with it’s large hands. It stood up, it’s head hanging back and the other arm lifeless. It’s giant skull moved into a natural position, and Ezra could see it’s eyes now glowed red, under Zarcah’s spell.

“KILL THEM ALL!” the short necromancer commanded. The beast crushed its hand. Making Ezra scream in pain. Then charged itself up and electrified the young swordsman. Ezra tried lifting his blade with the one arm no in the beast grasp. Yet it too became grabbed by the monster's free hand. He held Ezra up by both of his arms. Making him drop the word. It opened its large mouth. Ezra gazed at the misshapen yet sharp teeth and blackened inside of the beast. It started to go for a bite to his side. However Ezra was saved. The girl lunged her whole body at the monster. Making it drop Ezra and fall back itself. She was far from done. The beast recomposed itself by standing straight up, now facing it’s new opponent. The girl put one leg behind her and quickly performed a backflip kick. It’s strength knocked the beast high into the air, higher than even the trees next to them. The nature hair beauty then leaped up towards her, her body flipping as she ascended. The beast witnessed her verticality. Then received a heavy kick back to the face, that quickly launched it back to the ground near the black bark of the forest. The girl landed and slowly walked towards the beast as it lifted itself from the crater the impact caused. Zarcah gritted his teeth. The newest puppet falling prey to a single girl. “Go for that sorcerer!” He commanded. The beast started to run. The girl simply let it pass and continued on.

Nicholai took a fighting stance, ready to cast a quick spell to prevent the beast from attacking. Yet it never made it to close. One of the blackwood trees was lodged into its torso. From behind. Nicholai peered over to see the girl had ripped a tree straight from the ground and tossed it into the monster.She then proceeded to return to Nicholai.

“That’s my thanks for saving me.” She said. However her face did not convey any enjoyment of the actions.She then raised her leg and kicked the beast head off with a great amount of force. The head flew off and hit Zarcah. Once again incapacitating him.

“Umm….you’re welcome.” Nicholai said completely dumbfounded. “Well. I guess we completed our mission. Again. So why don’t we head back to town? You want to come with?”

“Sure. Why not?” She answered. Ezra had managed to pick himself up.

“Did that seriously just happen?” He asked as dumbfounded as Nicholai.

“I guess it did. Seems this one’s strength truly does match her size.” Anabelle said in regards. The girl heard her words, and quickly looked over in anger.

“What was that horse? Don’t think I won't eat you.”

“There won't be any eating of Anabelle here. Let’s get back to town and have a real meal. I’m sure Dustgarde will give us one on the house for capturing their most wanted.” Nicholai said. They all started to move back to the village. Yet Nicholai’s bag began to glow. He pulled a large book out of it. The word ‘Lyre grazed at ot’s top. He turned back to the dead beast. He knew what he could do now.

The four all headed back to the village with their spoils. Granius was standing near the gate talking with who Ezra presumed was his other wife Aden.

“Sorry. Promise I won’t do it again.” She said hugging his large body.

“I’m sorry too you sexy ass witch, come here.” Granius started grabbing her all over. Making the witch laugh with glee.

“Hey old man.” Ezra caught Granius’ attention. He then tossed Zarcah onto the ground, who was tied up completely. “Looking for this short stack?”

Granius gasped incredibly deeply at the sight of the necromancer. Zarach looked up to the armoured man.

“Ah. Granius. How’s the wives?” He spoke aloud . Granius quickly grabbed the closest weapon and tossed it near Zarcah’s head. He missed intentionally. Only landing it close enough to his ear. Zarach was unfazed. “Well. it’s good to see you too.”

Granius marched up to him, and placed his boot on Zarcah’s small head.

“I should kill you right here, right now. Crushing your head would give me more pleasure than both of my girls at the same time. Yet. I’m sure everyone would be delighted to see this.” Granius grabbed him and lifted him into the air. The surrounding villagers now started staring at his actions. “Hope everyone’s listening. Tonight we hold the execution of Zarcah!”

Those understanding of his actions cheered.

“Good job bringing him in younging…..wait. Who’s the girl?” Granius asked.

“One of his soon to be victims. Said she was attacked by two bandits. Only to come within his grasp.” Ezra responded.

“Bandits. There are no bandits here.” Granius said aloud. “Wait, could it be Grimm’s…” He then whispered to himself. Yet put it aside. He faced the girl, who he saw stood nearly as tall if not taller than him. “Allow me to apologize. This monster is my responsibility. He can’t hurt you anymore.”

“Thanks. These two really did most of the work. By the way, is there anywhere I can get some food here?” She asked dismissing the surrounding situation.

“Of course. You four can eat whatever you want here now. Tell them it’s on me. I’m gonna toss this guy in a cell.”

“What if he tries to use his magic?” Nicholai asked curiously. He noticed Zarcah able to cast his magic with the use of a staff like him.

“He won’t be able to. See these.” Aden pointed at Zarcah’s gloves. “He made gloves with the crystals used to cast magic sewn in. Take them away and he’s powerless.” She removed the gloves and then burned them to ash. Nicholai mentally hit himself for not noticing them before. Granius and Aden walked off with the small necromancer. And the four left to the closest tavern to get some food.

Ezra let the barkeep know of their deed and they managed to get as much food as they liked. Nicholai was eating a bowl of fruit and vegetables. While Ezra and their new friend both chowed on large portions of meat. They continued to feast until the sun went down.

“So. You plan on telling us your name now?” Nicholai asked through his fork entering his mouth.

“It’s Katreena.” She revealed to them.

“Good. Now how about telling us how the hell you got captured.” Ezra asked next.

“They caught me by surprise.” Katreena said. Making Ezra unsure.

“Were you going somewhere?” The mage questioned.

“I was headed to Cloudwick. It’s a village past the mountain.” She responded.

“You mean Mount Culion. I heard no one has been able to climb it.” Ezra said in disbelief.

“That’s sort of true. However there is said to be a cave at it’s base that will allow for some passage. That’s my ticket in. What about you three?”

“Well. Nicholai’s looking for his pops. We don’t have any leads but i’m sure we’ll get some eventually. We just need to head to Port Foyun.” Ezra replied. Sitting back in his chair after finishing his food.

“Port Foyun. That’s to the North of the Freelands. Good luck getting there.” Katreena said as she put her large head down on the table.

“What do you mean by that?” Both Ezra and Nicholai asked simultaneously.

“Word is there’s some black knight going around. He’s said to be incredibly dangerous. He was seen killing both men and monsters pretty easily. However the men he has been slaying were knights from the Hulion and Serx Empires.”

Ezra’s head jolted back into position. “Wait. The Empires sent knights here?”

“That’s right. That’s what I need to inform the mayor of Cloudwick about.” Katreena returned, Nicholai sat completely absent from the conversation. Before he could get his question out, the door to the tavern busted open.

“Guys, it’s time for Zarcah’s execution!” The man shouted through the bar. All of the adults gathered from their seats. Some telling their children to remain inside while they enjoyed the action.

“Should we go?” Ezra asked.

“Well. I will.” Katreena said standing and following the others out. Ezra turned to Nicholai.

“Nah. I think I’ll just be here.” Ezra listened to his friend's words, and decided to remain with him inside. The young mage sighed as he finished his food.

“Something wrong?” Ezra asked his seemingly distraught friend.

“Don’t know. I just feel a bit conflicted. I get he was some sort of murderer but wouldn’t imprisonment be better. Does this really warrant an execution?” Ezra sighed. He understood Nicholai’s words. The boy had been in a world without such actions for so long. It was only natural he could feel this way.

“Look. People like him are popping up every single day. Don’t expect him to be the first person like this you meet on your journey. Sit back and do this. Your pops probably met tons of people like this. And what do you think he did when he came faced with them? Execution is a bit crazy. Yet these people have more reason than us to give this guy punishment.” Ezra consoled his ally. The two then sat in complete silence. Nicholai processes the info through his brain.

“Alright. I get it. You do have a point.” He gave a soft smile to Ezra. Yet the joy was interrupted. Outside a massive explosion went off. People started screaming in terror. The two young men rushed outside. Their weapons in hand ready for combat. Fires were blazing around the town. They began searching for Granius and Zarcah. Twisting their heads in every direction for the two. Until Ezra looked upwards and saw a breathtaking sight.

A dragon. It’s massive wings flapping in the night sky. Ezra heard every single shutter as they moved. The beast scales were dark blue, and it’s underbelly was white. The most strange was the man standing above it. He held a book in one of his hands, while the other was holding a weapon. It was a scythe. Ezra gasped and stepped back in terror. Anabelle felt his fear. It was stronger than all of his other emotions.

“Get down here and fight me you coward.” A man yelled to the dragon rider. It was Granius. He prepared his axe for combat, and had Zarcah in one of his arms. “You want this bastard. Come get him!”

The rider stepped down from his dragon and into the village. Ranius took his one handed stance. The rider dashed quickly. He had already passed Granius. The impact shattered his golden armor. Also making him drop the necromancer. The rider started to move towards him. Yet Ezra moved and stood before the small man. The rider looked up to Ezra. His eyes were completely white, and his hair was long spiky and dark as the night. Not to mention he too was as tall as Granius. He wore dark blue pants, and a large coat with a white wool outline, it was black in its entirety with green rhombus patterned about it.

“You should be dead.” The rider said to Ezra. Making the young man question the words immediately.

“What?” The rider dashed towards Ezra. He quickly blocked it with his sword. Yet Zarcah was grabbed during the attack by the rider.

“Oh, thanks for coming to save me. Hurry up and let’s get out of here. Harrison better have a good reason for sending you here.” Zarcah said as the rider held him up to his face.

“It was to save you Zarcah.” The rider spoke back. He jumped up and ot of the village, back onto his dragon. “Destroy this village, and that dracion.” The dragon prepared a giant fire blast. Everyone in the village was fearing for their lives now. The dragon breath came. However. Aden rushed to protect the village with a magic barrier she quickly casted. Nullifying the beast attack. Candice and the other witches of the village started to blast projectiles at the dragon. Attempting to bring it down. They had hoped the villaging entire forces could defeat on single man

Ezra was enraged by the riders' words. He jumped as well, getting the same verticality as him, and purposely missed the dragon only to go for it’s master. Yet the beast started to fly off, higher than Ezra could leap. He attempted to grab it’s foot, yet failed. The swordsman fell back down to the village. Causing a crater to form. The rider had flew away, taking Zarcah with him. The villagers all felt relief and sorrow. From one single attacker, the villages chief, and it’s newest hero had fallen. Their great achievement was undone, and all that remained was the ringing of that phrase in Ezra’s head.

“You should be dead.”