Grimm sat in the large bedroom in Irene’s home. He stared out the window to the village within the barrier. It was now nighttime and Ezra still hadn’t woken up from the battle. Grimm simply hoped that the boys and Katreena made it back to Cloudwick safely. He was also concerned for the woman who brought them into the village. Just as he started to think about her, she walked into the room, with a plate of tray of food, and a bottle of wine in the other.

“You think he’s going to want that?” Grimm asked the tall woman.

“The wine’s for me. The food will replenish his mana and strength.” Irene said, sitting down and starting to drink.

“So, how do you know Ezra?” The two adults asked each other at the same time. They stopped themselves from saying another word. Yet, knew exactly how to respond. “I fought him.”

The two laughed.

“Guys really something. Took on a third captain without hesitation.” Grimm praised.

“And the leader of a secret village of sorcerers. Where do you think that mindset comes from?” Irene asked.

“Same place mine came from.” Grimm said. “So you know a battle is coming.”

‘Of course. I expected as such.” The sorceress nonchalantly replied.

“You sound like you have a plan.”

‘Well. They have airships. So I placed a dome over 75% of the Freelands so they can’t get in.” Grimm eyes widen at her words. This woman had extraordinary power to cast such magic as this.

“How about their ground forces?” Grimm questioned.

“That’s the problem. They’ll come about eventually.” Irene answered.

“I can’t tell if Virion will slaughter everyone here or not. I haven’t seen him in nearly 20 years. He’s definitely changed.” Grimm sulked over.

“Which is why we’ll need to evacuate.” Irene responded. But I already know some aren’t going to agree with me.”

“Well. You’re the boss. Either they come with you to safety or die here.” Grimm said.

“That’s exactly what some of them will do.” Irene responded, then thought to herself. She placed the wine down and looked out the window onto the village. Everyone acts naturally. Unaware of the innumerable amount of men in armor ready to pillage through every inch of the land. “I fucking wish Nicholai was here.”

As Irene said those words she noticed something on the barrier to the village. Someone was trying to get in, a familiar presence. She hurried out with Grimm to the open break in the trees.

She opened the barrier, and the two saw Anabelle with a worn out Katreena on her back. Grimm gasped before running over.

‘Katreena! What happened?” The girl didn’t answer because she was completely unconscious.

“We were attacked when we got back to Cloudwick.” Anabelle said.

‘Wait, the boys…” Grimm questioned. Anabelle didn’t respond at first. Grimm knew exactly what I was going to say. “I need to get to Cloudwick. Who was it?”

“It was that large man with the orange hair me and Ezra met, and a woman who fought with her legs.” Anabelle quickly answered, feeling the wrath of Grimm.

“Sera and Nimul. I can take them.” Grimm said, preparing to leave.

“Where’s Nicholai?” A voice called. It was Ezra, he had gotten up from bed and made his way down to the commotion.

“Ezra!” Anabelle yelled in surprise as she trotted over to her companion. “We didn’t see him. However. Those two did mention someone who might be their leader. A Princess Teresa.”

Irene flinched at the name.

“Princess Teresa!” Everyone looked over to the large woman. Her eyes were clenched closed, everyone could see a fury growing in her. She turned to all of the villagers.

“LISTEN UP EVERYONE. PACK ALL OF YOUR VALUABLES. THERE IS A WAR GOING ON AND WE ARE CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE. AS YOUR LEADER IT”S MY JOB TO PROTECT YOU! SO RIGHT NOW I'M NOT TAKING SHIT FROM ANYONE! EITHER YOU COME WITH US OR DIE!” Irene loudly proclaimed. Some of the villagers were riled up by her statement.

“You can’t be serious woman. You expect us to make out children fight in a war?” A man yelled to her. Irene looked over to him.

“Seems you don’t have any brains. Guess I should expect that from someone who quit halfway through. And if you actually had any brains then you know i would never let a child fight against such opponents. The adults will fight. The children will be kept safe in Dustgarde. If you have a problem with that. You can leave right now.” Irene stated again. The villagers all turned back to their homes and began to gather their things. “Grimm, Ezra, come with me. Irene and the two went back to her house.

Inside they came Irene’s wine shelf. She quickly pushed it aside, revealing a large frame and stairs that went under the house. As they walked torches lit up, until they arrived at a pedestal. On it sat a single item. A book cover.

“The fact that both the Hulion and Serx Kingdoms are here proves that they are after Genesis. The previous leader trained me for this day.” Irene said grabbing the book cover and blowing on it, removing the dust.

“So what’s that for?” Ezra asked.

“It’s part of the Genesis tome.” Irene said.

“Tome? What’s a tome?” Ezra asked.

“A tome is a sort of spell book that is exclusive to a single person or in rare cases, people. They come in all shapes, forms, and powers. Not many people in the Freelands have one. Nicholai’s father gave him one before he left, and i got mine from my father. They each have spells, incantations, rituals, and other things that correspond with the user. But not everyone has a tome. I’m sure you have one Grimm.” Irene explained.

“Of course I do. But I have to ask. This cover is for the genesis tome?”

“It is. As you can see the pages are gone. That’s because their in Cloudwick. But, the princess will obviously be bringing knights to aid her.” Irene said as they began to leave the room.

‘Which means we’ll need a battle plan.” Grimm said.

“Think Granius can spare some fighters for the war?” Ezra asked.

“We’ll have to see.” Grimm answered. Ezra went back over to Anabelle to check on her. Grimm was given to potion by Irene to give to Katreena, and she recovered quickly. Yet still needed time to rest. Irene rounded up all of the villagers.

They all converged together at the village head. Ready to disembark. The trip was meant to be short. But they knew it would be the last stop before their battle would begin.