If there's one thing I'll miss when I get back to my own world, it is the ability to run long distances without tiring. There's a rather liberating feeling to it, to sprint across the green grassland by the strength of your own feet, to see the scenery zoon by the corners of my eyes with the only constants in my view being the sky and the pack of Dragonbroods speeding alongside me. I wonder if this is what cyclists feel. Maybe I should join a club or something when I get back. It could be fun as well as a great excuse for exercising. I haven't seen my own body in a while, but the last time I saw it, I am quite sure that I was getting a bit chubby. Just a bit.

As we cut across the grassland, trampling the plants beneath our feet and leaving behind numerous footsteps, another range of mountains rise from the horizon. Usually, we'd go around it, but this time, as we are short on time, it was decided that we would go right over it.

The Dragonbroods, having adapted to life in the mountains have developed unparalleled climbing capabilities. With their sharp claws, they can easily dig into earth and stone and with their powerful limbs and drag themselves up any inclines.

The problem here is that neither Asha nor I possess claws of any sort and therefore we had to be tied onto the back of our larger companions who will then carry us over the slopes. Naturally, I have no problem in accepting this aid. After all, humans have a heavy reliance on tools and in the absence of such things, we rely on one another. Asha, on the other hand, did not take kindly to the idea. According to Seif, this is apparently a complex of hers. Despite being one of the strongest amongst the Dragonbroods, there are certain things she just can't do as well as the rest. "A Dragonbrood that can't scale a mountain is no Dragonbrood at all," it was said once upon a time, and apparently there are still a number of Dragonbroods that still hold such a view. Being so different from the rest, to be one of them but never truly belonging, such is Asha's plight, one inherited by the Half Dragons. Still, it does not change the fact that she does not possess the ability to scale the mountains in a timely fashion, and whether she likes it or not, there are no other options but to accept the aid offered to her.

Fortunately, as we climb, we stumble upon a mountain path that leads to a small, remote village within the mountain. Here too, the buildings and houses are carved from the mountain itself. However, unlike the mountain at the northern edge, there is no one here, no one alive that is.

"The place must be abandoned when the [Corrupted] Mankind invaded."

"Nibal, should we make camp here?"

"No, I don't think so, Lord Oro."

Nibal tilts his head towards Asha, slowly following behind, her face pale and she is looking around with a fairly distressed expression.

"What's wrong with her? Is she tired? If so, then all the more reason to rest, right?"

"No, I am trying to say that Lady Asha wouldn't be comfortable to stop here. She is a Shaman you see, and so she can see things, things that the rest of us cannot."

"Things such as the spirit of the dead?"

"Yes."

"I see, I guess she wouldn't like it here then."

"Let us see if we can't make it to the other side by nightfall."

By the time the sun had set, we barely got across the mountain and we decided to set up camp near the foot. At this pace, we should be able to reach the Great River bordering the Land of the Dragonbroods and Land of the Beastkins. We're moving along rather quickly due to the fact that we traveling with a small band and that I have specifically picked out the warriors with the swiftest of feet.

"Try not to sleep too soundly. Otherwise, it'd be a pain to wake you up in the morning."

"There are more pleasant ways to wish someone else a goodnight you know."

"I am doing the opposite of that, you realize."

"Well, goodnight to you too."

"I said-"

"Yeah, yeah, I got it. My guts stink and you hate it. Goodnight."

"Oh, you little-!"

Irritated and grumbling away, Asha goes and rolls up in her fur bedding beside her campfire.

"I see your relationship has improved."

"Sarcasm is unbecoming of you, Seif."

"On the contrary, I find it to become me quite well, friend. That aside, I think it'd be more beneficial if you try to befriend Lady Asha. The girl is talented, but she is a slave to her moods. You can't draw out her full potential unless you two get along better."

"She's doing fine, I don't need her full potential. Besides, sometimes people just aren't compatible with one another. I may be a Champion, but I don't come with the power of being able to befriend everyone I meet nor am I the sort of person to want such a thing. So long as she does her job and I do mine, that's fine."

"I see, that's too bad. In terms of raw strength, you are no doubt her equal. I was hoping you could do something about her."

"Are you the one hoping for that or is it the Keeper's desire?"

"We both do. You may think otherwise as our culture place great emphasis on strength, but we value our brood, their protection is what our strength is for. Otherwise, we'd be naught but violent savages."

"Fine, but I am not going to be the one to help her. Making friends aren't my forte, I only get along with people I do, and I can't do anything for those that I don't."

"Very well, I hear you and respect your views. I shan't be bothering you with this again unless it becomes something serious."

"Yeah, glad to hear it. Goodnight."

"Rest well, friend."

***

The sky was grey and snow fell ceaselessly from above, covering the land in thick snow till all was blank and white. A warrior encased in a black armor made of dragon scales treaded through the ground covered in white and by his hand, he led a girl with spiraling horn across the barren field.

"We should reach the town soon. It won't be long till we get to sit by a warm fire and fill our bellies with warm food."

The warrior tried talking to the girl but she did not respond. Her eyes stared ambiguously to the distance as if in a constant state of dreaming. Even so, she was important. Without her, this world will surely die, torn apart by itself.

The two kept walking and walking, till they had finally arrived at the town the warrior had said was there, or at least, what's left of it. Contrasting the white snow were black skeletons of the houses and building, let behind after the town was burned to the ground.

"Impossible, did they reach this place already?"

It was a question to no one in particular. The warrior did not expect survivors and certainly not the girl to suddenly respond to him. That being said, his question was quickly answered regardless.

"They have not, the frontline is still far off. The 'Corruption' has gotten to them and they tore each other apart. It seems that it has gotten so bad that they can't even tell their own kin apart anymore."

The one who answered the warrior's question is a young man whose appearance was reminiscent of a certain someone, with golden locks and deep blue eyes, a hefty tome cradled in his hand. The warrior eyed him with animosity.

"Has it gotten so severe? Or maybe, you have done this."

"I have not, you'll have to take my word for it, or find a way to speak to the dead, whichever suits you."

"If you're not responsible, then why are you even here?"

"I was waiting."

"Waiting? For what?"

The young man pointed towards the warrior and to the girl behind him.

"For your arrival with 'that' in tow."

Hearing that, the warrior undid the leather straps affixing his greatsword onto his back with a single motion and brought it forward, its blade tilted against the young man.

"I've almost forgotten, she and you, the two of you have always-"

"Do you know why this world is the way it is?"

"What?"

"The 'Corruption', this ailment that drives people mad and turns them against one another, why does it exist?"

The warrior did not understand the point the young man is getting at. The answer to his question should be something they both knew. That one day the Keepers contracted something not of this world, that which they call the 'Corruption', an ailment that twists the minds and then the flesh of its victims. From the Keepers, the 'Corruptions' spread to the populace, filling their heads with paranoia and frightful delusions of those they do not consider kin. Should this be allowed to progress, their flesh would begin to twist, turning them into monstrous creatures without their notice, and in time, their paranoia would turn towards their kin, followed by those closest to them, and eventually, all of the world is an enemy.

"It is an ailment of an unknown source that-"

"Wrong! That is a lie!"

The young man refuted it all with a timing that must have been planned ahead of time.

"What?"

"Your so-called Grand Keeper has lied. The source is not unknown, no, she knew all along where it came from. Now, I know the truth, and so will you."

...

......

.........

***

"Did... Did he just drool on me!?"

"Lady Asha, please settle down."

"Unbelievable! That's it, someone switch with me!"

"But only you-"

"I don't care!"

As I regain my consciousness, the first thing that I become aware of is the ruckus of an ongoing argument. Even as I try to grasp onto the fading memories of a dream I've just had, all these noises of people arguing are chasing it further and further away.

When I finally open my eyes, the bright sunlight blinds me, and as I become more aware, I feel my body jerking up and down as if I am riding on something.

"Oh, I think he's awake."

"Finally! Hey, if you're already awake, hurry up and get off me! Here, I'll let you down."

"Wha-"

"I said get off!"

"Oh, sorry..."

It appears that on this morning, Asha was having trouble waking me up, saying something along the lines of having a hard time calling upon my soul. Maybe it was the case, since I feel that I was in a deeper dream that I have ever been before. There was something in that dream that I felt was extremely important, but I can only vaguely recall them. If only I stayed in it longer then maybe I can remember more. At any rate, as it was approaching noon and with Asha commenting about how it may take longer to wake me up, the warriors decided that they should keep moving and that Asha would carry me while continuing to conjure my soul back to this body. Of course, she was not pleased, she was very not pleased, but she also hated the cold, an odd thing for a Dragonbrood and even those amongst the Half-Dragon. In fact, due to her tendencies, there's a fireplace in about every single room of her house, and her house is massive indeed. As we were camped near the foot of the mountain range we've just crossed over the day prior, the climate wasn't exactly warm. The priestess was convinced by Seif mentioning that the sooner they got moving, the quicker they'll get away from the cold, and that it will get much warmer as they proceed southward. And so, reluctantly, the priestess allowed the still unconscious me to be placed on her back.

Yawning as I stretch out my body, I gradually become more awake. For just a brief moment, we took a break to allow me to go through a quick 'morning' routine. Knowing that I'll have to do some running soon after, I decided to warm my body up as the warriors prepare a light meal for me.

"It should much warmer once we reach the Great River."

"So I've heard."

As I do my stretches, I try to start a conversation with Asha, and though I mention to Seif that I won't be forcing myself to get along with her, since we're now in the same party, I can't exactly ignore her so I might as well make this brief partnership goes as smoothly as possible for the duration. And who knows, maybe, just maybe, I might find that we get along better than expected.

"Ugh, I can still smell it..."

She's probably talking about my drool. I wouldn't make too much a deal out of it, but the Dragonbroods have a strong sense of smell and I guess it's the same for Half-Dragons.

"Need a change of clothes?"

"I'd love to, but no one brought any for me."

"You didn't pack any yourself?"

"Why would I?"

"Ah, of course. Well, I've got some spare if you'd like so-"

"No thanks."

"Suit yourself."

"Suit myself?! You're the one who drooled on me!"

"I apologized didn't I?"

"If we're back in the mountains, I'd have you executed."

"Right, execute one of your two Champions, that'd go well for you."

"Hah! Don't get so self-important, we can always summon more."

Self-important? Who's getting self-important? And summon more!? Does she think nothing of dragging other people into their problem? Does she not care about how she and her people will essentially be making those that they've, bluntly put, kidnapped fight? All just to go home when they shouldn't even be taken from it in the first place?

My blood begins to boil. I've only tolerated this so far because I could see how desperate they were and that this was the only way I could find a way home. Even now, I am still suspicious when they said that the ritual was interrupted and unless they understand exactly how it happened down to the last detail, they can't send us back.

From the sheath hanging from my waist, I draw my newly forged shortsowrd, made from refining the scales from the Holy Serpent. With the blade drawn in a single flash, I point it towards the priestess, who had little time to react.

"What are you-!?"

She turns pale and begins tearing up as she realizes that the tip my blade had already arrived by her throat without her being able to do anything. I was far too fast for her, and most likely, for the first time in her life she, this sheltered young lady with strength beyond her peers, truly feels helpless. Hurriedly, she tries to back but due her panic, her clumsy attempt causes her to trip on herself and fall onto her hind.

"Just try and summon more. The moment you do that I'll cut each and every single one of you down, I'll wipe your entire race off this world."

"I... I-"

Perhaps my tone was too harsh, or my speed too frightening, but thanks to that, this once haughty young lady is now lost for words, terrified out of her mind as I press closer towards her. The other warriors are watching, of course, ever vigilantly, but they don't seem to plan on doing anything. It is only after a moment had passed does Seif begins to move, arriving just as Asha looks like she's about to break out in tears.

"Lord Oro, what are you doing!? Please put away your sword!"

He rushes up to hold me back all the while subtly nodding at me. Thinking that he has something in mind, I relent. I probably went too far anyways and now it's questionable if she'll continue to cooperate with me going forward. Damn, I think I just screwed myself over there.

I let out a sigh to release my anger and backs off, leaving the rest to Seif. I'm sure he'll do something to salvage the situation, and if he can't, I dare say none here can do much else.

"I know I said I wanted you to do something about her, but this is a little intense."

"I... I lost my temper. She said... things..."

"I understand. Go and cool off, I'll handle this matter."

Taking Seif's advice, I walk a distance away, till the ruckus is but a soft whisper in my ears. I scan my surroundings, making sure that nothing dangerous is in the vicinity and lay down on some grass.

"Good riddance."

If I didn't need her help, I would have sent her right back home. It's like I'm back at the office all over again. Well, at least I get to pull a sword on her without having the police getting involved. Thinking about it, I don't really care about going back. I wouldn't mind being stuck here if it weren't for the whole [Corruption] business.

"Ah crap, now my mood just got worst."

I can't think about that right now. I still have to fight, or it's straight to the grave for me, and everything will fall onto Corona. I'm not about to have her deal with this mess alone.

"Troubled, Champion?"

Out of nowhere a figure appears, casting a shade that blocks the sunlight from my sight. Though I can't quite see the face due to the shadows, I recognize the voice.

"Grand Keeper!? What are you doing here?"

I spring up from the ground to greet her.

"There has been a change of plans for you."

"For me? Why this all of a sudden? I thought I was supposed to be looking into a cure for my condition. Is this really a good time?"

"You'll have to tough it out I am afraid. This is important. I require a Keeper to be slain. Your mission now is to slay the [Corrupted] Keeper of the Beastkins, the [World Breaker Behemoth]."

***

End of Chapter 55