“A tribute? Would that not require sacrifices?” Farra spoke, a hint of worry within her voice when she shuffled within her robes. “The moonlight lands partake in those sorts of acts do they not?”

Estelle giggled. “A tribute does not necessarily pertain to sacrifices dear Farra. It simply is an offering or act of respect It can take the form you describe, but I don't know for certain whether the lands to the northeast practice those rituals. Being a part of this faction, it's quite accommodating for us demons. It has rules we can adhere to without compromising our own beliefs which other gods might demand. We are often vilified without a second thought merely for our appearance being markedly different. Some even match us to be the monsters of their own spiritual beliefs and superstitions.”

“The day will come when we need to verify such information regarding the moonlight lands. I have heard many reports pertaining to our border relationship with those lands, but I would like to see what the land and its people are like with my own eyes. It is as Lord Erres has said though, its denizens may very well prove our enemies. Forgive me though, I have little understanding in the way of species holding disdain for one another. Lord Erres would not tolerate such an act in his court.”

“Of course dear Farra, it is quite easy to see so many would throw their support behind him.”

The moon sat high in the darkened sky, only gradually shrinking as its radiance spilling across the eastern plains illuminated the ground for the band of soldiers. Within the light provided, to the very far east one could discern the shape of serrated mountains rising at the side of the moon. However as one’s eyes drifted downward, the darkness enveloped anything else at a distance beyond one's surroundings. Farra continued to speak within place of the boots, greaves, and other manners of footwear trudging along the plains.

“I confess Estelle, that despite what caused this turn of events, I am relieved to have you standing with us.” Farra spoke with a murmur, one that would be indiscernible if not being attentive to the feirin's speaking.

“It warms this demon's heart to hear you say such a thing Farra. Traveling together like this makes all the recent happenings seem so very far away doesn't it?” Despite walking with the tap of her staff to the ground, Estelle carried a bounce in her step, often stepping to the side or in some motion other than rather than forward. “It is imperative in these lands to enjoy the moment wouldn't you say? It makes everything else a lot easier. I think many would fall to madness without enjoyment.”

“Enjoyment? I fear a carefree attitude might leave an opening in my guard.”

“Coming from the esteemed soldier who can see the future, you're always quite extreme Farra.”

“There are plenty of things to guard from beyond my sight. While my skills with a blade seem proficient, there is so very little I can do own my own. If I became a thrall to leisure, then I fear others may follow suit. And if I set a poor example, it may cause unnecessary troubles. I cannot be such a burden for Lord Erres, being held in high esteem comes with all the more responsibility does it not?”

“If you believe it it to be so, then I would say so.” Estelle chimed. “You have things you enjoy aside from your typical duties like anyone else, don't you Farra?”

Farra drooped her head down in thought, feeling the gazes of her soldiers and the additional demon soldiers that came to accompany them drift to her. She squinted, recounting her responsibilities in conjunction with leisure. A blush heated her face underneath the hood. Ordinarily she would feel a chill when traveling the lands, but not in a relaxed band of soldiers like this. It was as Estelle said, despite the turn of events at Mellor's border, staying together in such a group warded against darker thoughts. But the feirin knew it wasn't just that, it was the fact she wore her dearest Lords' designs along with one more detail. Yet, this heated embarrassment had become a recent trend since setting out with Naia. It was the first time it had this effect, but the thought crossed her mind that on the simple matters and feelings, pertaining to things like romance, optimism, or leisure. Farra interpreted the matters wrong time and time again to receive curious glances from Naia and the other soldiers. They were staring at her now, awaiting a response, possibly expecting another dull and straightforward answer. One exactly at the forefront of her mind.

“Bettering...myself with the blade to help Lord Erres cause, or furthering my studies under Lord Valen. It brings me joy.”

An immediate, loud sigh came from Naia. The newly recruited demon soldiers smirked at the feirin's devotion they had already become acquainted with beyond rumors through the conversations during the travel. Estelle herself let out another giggle, leaning in closer to Farra, speaking to amend her question.

“I think we all expected that. What about when you're not doing things for the Lords?”

“Reading runes.”

“And when you're not reading?”

“Practicing with my sword.”

“And when you're not practicing swordplay?”

“...”

Naia nudged Farra from her other side with a mutter. “Answer.”

“Idling about the temple grounds and enjoying the tranquil darkness I would say. A walk in the dark in a pleasant thing, when it doesn't feel like it wants to devour me that is. And eating as well, I think the rations are rather tasteful all things considered.” She nodded under her hood while everyone else offered varying expressions of doubt and concern.

“Wait, do you get to eat some kind of special food?” Naia pivoted her head, an inquisitive glare across her face.

“Special food? I eat rations like anyone else who needs to eat.”

The glare devolved into a look of exasperation. “You're happy to eat that stuff? I feel like I force it down just so I don't go hungry.”

Farra looked back to the mender in surprise, tilting to watch Naia's head drift toward the ground. She raised an arm, setting it on the top of Naia's head and pushing down a slight amount.

“When I was young I was hungry more often than not. I think because of that feeling of hunger I once had, I am joyous to simply eat something and not have starvation clouding my mind. At the same time, walking in the dark felt dangerous. It still does, but it’s because Belthemot's influence is so pronounced on the temple grounds I don't need to feel that same danger. They're both things that I might take for granted had I never felt being miserable before.”

Farra pulled her hand from Naia's hood before she began shrugging in protest, gazing up to the feirin from under her hood.

“Then, wouldn't things have been different if you were a slave?”

“I was one.” Farra paused, feeling her body stop for a brief moment. “But not for long. I probably would have died a slave. I was too weak to work, too useless to be of any worth. It was only because the War Faction is merciful that they believed there was a use for me, when I did not believe in having any use myself. When Lord Erres gave me the opportunity, despite the adversity I chose to do whatever I could. I hated that feeling of being weak and lacking in purpose. But, if I somehow did survive as a slave, I would at the very least still enjoy meals would I not?”

Naia's voice shied into a murmur as she kicked her foot over a patch of dead grass. “Yeah but you're missing the point. Things aren't so good for slaves.”

“Perhaps Naia, there are improvements to be made in some regards. But remember that we are enraptured in a battle for survival. Someone must mine the quarry, if it was not a slave then it would be a soldier.”

A silence settled over. The group stayed the path forward, a concern for having been too blunt toward Naia filling the feirin's mind. The moon waned, and with it came Estelle's suggestion to rest for the night, wary of an encounter with a roaming pack of hounds or other creatures when soldiers were tiring.

The plains were unremarkable. The occasional pack of creatures could be heard and even seen at times prowling or lounging in the distance. Small dips in the ground represented attempts by animals to scavenge food they perceived to be beneath the ground. Dead grass mostly ornamented the flat lands with an occasional small hill or rising cliff.

“It has been some moons now, I wonder how Lord Mellor fares.” Estelle drooped under her hood when a fellow demon soldier to her side gave her a slight elbow the side followed with a gallant smile.

“Worry not fair Estelle, Lord Mellor is resourceful if nothing else, and Farra herself reported the situation to the temple. We can be certain they will have organized some manner of aid by now.”

“Yes—why of course you're right. Forgive my lack of confidence, my sleep must have been less than adequate.” The two nodded to one another.

Farra turned to her side, observing the gloom across Naia's face. “Is something the matter?”

The girl snapped back into focus, but not losing the sullen expression.

“I was just thinking about those soldiers. They looked as if they were attacked by particularly violent creatures. Even after I mended their wounds, the lacerations on them were blackening in a way I have never seen.”

“Only time will tell what that means for the soldiers. They did their best to fend off the dark influences, managing to even bring back the dead. It aches me to not be able to stay and help in a battle so blatantly plaguing the southern territory, but I have my task. Thank you for coming with us yourself and bringing two more soldiers Estelle. It was not what I originally envisioned, but given the circumstances it was more than I hoped for.”

“Think nothing of it, you—“

Farra pressed a hand over the demon's mouth, stopping her movements. Without a word all the other soldiers followed suit, the steps of two hounds in the distance closing within the darkness. Farra narrowed her eyes, attempting to gaze through the black obfuscation, identifying two mounted individuals at they neared ever closer.

“Identify yourselves at once.” The demand came from a man with brutish qualities, wearing a padded armor that was undersized for his bulging body. The individual accompanying him was a beast of more slender qualities, furred ears, and a slender tail relaxing down the hound he rode.

Two soldiers was far less than threatening to the band of soldiers Farra accrued, however she herself felt her body tense under her regalia. Potential traitors she thought, but also their reporting back could sabotage Farra's success in determining the true nature of Raom's stronghold, something that should soon become visible on the horizon. To kill them now without fair reason would be inappropriate if nothing was uncovered to suggest treason. And even then, there is nothing to suggest these soldiers themselves were treasonous, to think so narrowly could jeopardize Lord Erres' cause if it proved untrue.

“We are a band of soldiers from Lord Erres and Lord Mellor's territories. I am Farra, and beside me is Estelle of Lord Mellor's court. Who am I speaking with?”

Both the mounted soldiers glanced to one another, closing the distance, but beginning to slowly circle around the group rather than draw anymore near.

“Scouts from Lord Raom's command is all. We'll not bother you with the formality of names any further. What's your business here? There's been no word of received of any sort of guests to our domain, much less Lord Erres' personal guard.” The bulky man halted on his mount, swerving back the other way and keeping focused on Farra.

“I did not think I possessed any sort of reputation. I'll correct you in saying I am no more than an officer, however I do come with an unusual task this time. It was not Lord Erres who sent me here, but the Warlords themselves. This is the guard that has come to my aid for the journey.”

“The Warlords? You jest.” His eyes sharpened, looking to the mounted beast patrolling behind the soldiers, waving him back closer. “Two Lords' closest officers traveling Lord Raom's territory without notice is cause for issue, regardless of the purpose.”

“Then allow me to attest.” Estelle stepped forward with a tap of her staff to the ground, pulling her hood back with a smile, a hand at her side tugging one of the straps around her body, making her bosom bounce under the constriction. “Farra came on some manner of business to our territory without warning as well, with no more than four soldiers in tow. Unfortunate events befell our borders, so I took it upon myself with these two soldiers to bolster her guard. It would seem the darkness has become very unsafe as of late, so would you not escort us back to Lord Raom's stronghold with you?”

“Hold up. We’re scouts, and as such it's our duty by Lord Raom himself to report back any happenings, your presence being one. You'll be fine with seven soldiers making it the rest of the way.”

Farra lowered her hood as well, bowing to the two mounted soldiers, gritting her teeth as she lowered her head completely before speaking.

“I would ask you escort us back, and with my words that would be command of the Warlords themselves. While they have sent me here, it is on behalf of representing Lord Erres. You see I have come in the way to bring tidings of peace, however should anything unfortunate befall us, let alone on the cusp of entering Lord Raom's domain, I fear it would put an end at any chance of mending the tensions between the Lords as it stands. This officer asks you so dutifully and under order of the Warlords, take us back with you.”

The man snickered in response, his thoughts already sorted.

“Then, one of us can head back to report to Lord Raom to prepare for your arrival, eight soldiers is more than sufficient, and you'll have a guide at that.”

“Did you not hear her?” Estelle's voice became sharp, demanding as she spoke in place of Farra. “Should anything befall this escort, particularly so close to the stronghold, then it will jeopardize any attempt not just at unity, but peace itself. Remain here with us the both of you, escort us back. Defying that order is betraying the Warlords.”

A pause came. Farra’s drifted up from her bow, awaiting the response of the man who stopped patrolling on his hound, looking from officer to officer with reluctance.

“Fine, we'll do it your way.”

Tension emptied from Farra's body at those words. Despite her hands not making the slightest movement toward her blade, she was readying to incur judgment should she fail to find anything amiss in Raom's domain. The likelihood she needed to kill either soldier despite them being mounted was inconsequential, with her enchantment she could subdue both of them, though each hound might have to be killed to prevent alarm. But for them to be compliant was the preferable outcome in every regard, for what she said upon accepting this duty she meant, that the possibility for any type of recovering bonds was important. If traitors proved to be in Lord Raom's stronghold, that did not make all of them traitors.

Farra's bubbling tension was missed by all the soldiers save for Estelle. It was in Naia's mind however that something relaxed her, the idea that this was a peaceful mission all along.

Each of Raom's soldiers kept to the group's flanks. No apparent adversity showed between the reptilian and demon soldiers who had to walk closest to the hounds, but even as they showed no nervousness, there was a hesitation on the part of the scouts to trek too close.

The final trek was largely quiet, Farra made no movements to suggest distrust or any intent to subdue the soldiers. The moon shined with brilliance over the moonlit lands. Farra smiled and gazed toward it. “Estelle, I do not think I am someone with a penchant for battle or war despite being trained for it. But, if we were to see those in the moonlight lands as enemies, I would hope they prove very honorable opponents in a land drowning in such light.”

“Honor.” Estelle pressed to Farra's side. “That's quite adorable of you to say. You know that in war honor is something that is seen as weakness.”

“Yes, but still. The moon is quite beautiful. I would hope her soldiers do her justice, even if an enemy.” Farra spoke louder, audible to Raom’s soldiers. “It's quite an envious placement for a stronghold, being under the moonlight so often.”

“It gets tiresome.” The man spoke with a harshness to his voice. “But it could probably be worse you're right. Still doesn't help with the damned random beasts always on our border.”

Farra's ears perked. “Could you elaborate on that? My understanding regarding it has always been limited.”

“Eh? There's not much to it. For some reason a lot of beasts tend to congregate between our lands and the moon's lands. Hell if I know why, but it feels like pest control when most the land is desolate elsewhere.”

“They don't cause trouble then?”

The beast on the other side of the group began speaking.

“The tribes toward the chasm become aggravated, but never enough to cause substantial trouble. We send outriders to beat them down time to time if it gets too quiet and they trespass onto Lord Raom's plains.”

“How I would like to see this for myself if the occasion allowed. Reports coming regarding our border with the moonlight lands have always been confusing, regardless of the party presenting it. To see it with my own two eyes, I feel it would bridge some misunderstandings.”

“It's likely due to misinterpretation by different scouts. I left my tribe that lived toward the cleft because I was one mouth too many to feed. Entering the War Faction's service was better for my tribe and I don't mind the work it entails either as a scout. If it helps your understanding, those tribes toward the chasm are not part of any sort of army from the moon's lands.”

“They are there because it's tucked between two divine being's lands.” Estelle spoke immediately. “It is the most plausible explanation as to why there. As to how they know, instinct would be an obvious enough reason.”

“Parasites then.” The burly man spoke.

“To call them parasites would venture a bit too far.” Farra gazed again toward the moon before looking to the beast-soldier. “If it is out of both territories then it is simply the between of our lands. They are in an exploitable position by all means though. What was your name?”

“Just call me Calin.”

Upon the spanning plains lie the outlines of several structures illuminated by the moon. From atop a small hill, Farra could discern the circular formation of the stronghold as a whole. As forsaken as the lands seemed, Raom's domain boasted its acquisition of resources for all to see. An imposing and dark wall encircled every structure, obscuring the view of shorter buildings. A central structure, rounded like a small coliseum sat in the center, oppressing every building by it. Numerous sentry towers rose from behind the wall. In front of the wall dark pits, of excavated of stone lie below with only a single gate within sight.

“I take it this is Lord Raom's stronghold?” Farra's eyes sharpened, the blood in her body beginning to heat at the very sight of the excessive display.

“Our greatest foothold in the eastern lands.” The man grunted in pride as they began to descend the hill.

Flames lit in the distance atop the watchtowers. Words were sparse as each soldier had their thoughts the closer they came to the gate, not the least of which was the feirin. She had already began scanning the surroundings for any signs of treachery, annoyed by the blatant excuses for the territory's lack of contributing resources upon seeing the excessive structures. Rumblings of shifting boots and movement could be heard from the other side of the wall as they approached a metal gate.

“Who's the company?” A voice came curt and raspy, a smaller soldier that shriveled in stature to barely rising above Naia's height screeched from the other side of the gate.

“Officers Farra and Estelle. Farra comes at request of the Warlords to seek peace on behalf of Lord Erres. Open the gate.” Calin answered.

The shriveling soldier letting out a cackle and muttering as he began to pull a chain lever bringing the mighty gate up. “Peace from them. It'll be a good laugh is what it will be.”

Farra disregarded the words, proceeding forth hooded and slowly walking forward with her proper stature. It only took steps inside for her blood to heat to a boil, not even requiring her sight for her ears to pick up moans in the distance. She looked to the side, spotting out an aged stone shed beside one of the watchtowers. But still it wasn't enough, distasteful as it certainly was to her, the individual inside was more than likely a slave.

“Now that were here, were gonna split off and report to Lord Raom, there's no monsters in here.” The man waved Calin with him and set forth on their hounds. Calin turned to wave goodbye, receiving a nod back from both the officers. “Another guard will likely come receive you soon.”

The soldiers bundled together, keeping with Farra, not certain of the business they had here. Without any thought to the matter Farra continued onward, looking from side to side, surveying every bit of her surroundings with her sight. Some buildings they passed outright suggested what was happening within them, whether it was the sounds of debauchery or comparatively innocuous screaming and arguing mixed with the clashing of metal. They drew into what felt like a makeshift plaza without any outstanding structures to ornament it. The road split four ways, one forward leading to the coliseum-like structure, while the other pathways branched around the stronghold. Barrels of pikes and other weaponry were stored up against various stone walls.

Farra stopped, one particular building two-stories high attracting her attention. At its entrance laid several armaments. “Remain here please.”

She ventured toward it, her sight telling her everything she needed to know, but she still wished to ascertain the truth with her own eyes. The pathway inside was dark and damp, filled with a stench that made the feirin almost prefer suffocating. She crept inside, disappearing in the darkness to the rest of her soldiers.

A dying light sat atop a table, where a beast was asleep in his trousers. Farra continued past him, a crude stone staircase led upstairs, but she turned across the room to the other side, where a pathway led down into a basement. She shifted her regalia, not wanting it to drag across the flooring for fear of filth tainting her Lords' blessing. With quiet and graceful steps down, she craned her head, waiting for something to come into view. The basement was filled with a gloom and gray atmosphere, filled with shame and meant for a facade of secrecy. She came upon numerous pieces of armor scattered by the end of the staircase, turning to see soldiers with their arms and legs shackled to the wall. They made no noise, the expressions across their face were blank and helpless, broken already. Three women, a male beast, and a young girl. One of the women bore the markings of a beast slave, but the other four bore all the qualities of soldiers whom others had decided to subject to their desires. A beast turned from the girl who let out the faintest noise with every motion, sobbing idly with a choked voice.

“’Ey, who's this girl?” Another of Raom's soldiers turned, his senses and judgment drowned in a stupor of pleasure.

“Who cares, look at that fine clothing, get her in here.”

Farra trembled. Her body shook as they approached, their brashness and disrespect for their fellow soldiers and more importantly, Lord Erres' officer heated the feirin’s blood to a boil.

“Do not touch me filth.”

She revealed her drawn blade, slicing the throat of one soldier. Another, awakening from his stupor, attempted to make a movement for a blade set to the side. As he turned the slightest amount from the feirin to the grab the sword, her blade came down on his neck in a swift stroke, decapitating him. The other three of Raom's soldiers turned from their indulgence, one beginning to beg for his life.

“Please, we’re just soldiers all having some fun.” He cowered and shook before her, beginning to fall to the ground on his knees. The man’s eyes kept steady on Farra, engulfed in fear as his form continued to shrivel before her in an attempt for forgiveness.

Farra turned her gaze to him, disgust across her face. Her teeth gritted and right arm twitched with a desire to slaughter the man. Her indigo eyes were bereft of any hint of mercy, instead looking at the pathetic figure groveling as she calculated the appropriate method of punishment. When the other two soldiers thought her distracted, one lunged at her, the other making a move toward a weapon. With a swiping movement, Farra cut through the body of one soldier and then dismembered the arm of the man trying to pick up a sword in the same slash. She then picked her blade up, bringing it down and cutting off his head.

“Please—please, let me live, I am a good soldier.” Whether it was his intent to attempt a distraction to begin with or not, Farra’s eyes only became less forgiving, her gaze conveying every bit of her intent to kill him. He dropped completely downward, begging with his face pressed against the ground.

“I see. I am having my fun too.” She pressed the black blade through the back of his head, pushing it through until it made a sharp crack to the ground.

Her eyes looked around to the bloody mess before examining her clothing, seeing whether blood had stained her regalia. She then ascended the stairs, looking toward the slumbering beast. She lifted her blade once more, bringing it down on his neck and beheading him, batting the head to the floor afterward. She flicked her blade, cleansing it of the majority of the blood before sheathing it.

Upon leaving the building she found Raom's soldiers already surrounding the contingent she had brought. While the outcome of these traitors was already determined, Farra needed time to fulfill her objective.

“May I ask what is the matter soldiers?” Farra called, speaking above the clamor.

“Farra, by what reason do you come here without warning? Proceed to Lord Raom's hold at once.” The soldier's eyes widened when seeing the feirin emerge from the building.

“I simply have a peace offering is all.” She spoke, walking toward the orc and reptile who accompanied her, requesting her bags. “It's a runic ritual, I have seen what you all enjoy. So please, let me help in that endeavor. If it is pleasure you want, then allow me to summon you concubines with my arcane knowledge.”

The soldiers turned to one another, hesitant but beginning to nod as words more appreciable to them began gracing Farra's lips. Naia reared her head in shock.

“Pleasure, we are slaves to it are we not? So as a sensible peace offering I will summon a concubine to help fulfill your wildest dreams. Male, female, old, young, human, demon, beast, all options are open to rune magic.” She turned toward the soldiers smiling, “I will have to ask you to keep your hands off myself, Estelle, or Naia, at least for a while longer. Peace offerings are peace offerings after all.”

Estelle grabbed Naia, pulling her tight to smother any chance of speaking aloud, lowering her hood and turning to the soldiers. “Tell me soldiers, have you ever been with a demon?”

Farra opened her bags as the soldiers began to mingle with Estelle at the center of distracting them. She scoured her bags with urgency, but taking care not to be so swift as to seem suspicious. After all, this was a peace offering. For these soldiers to be so easily distracted and convinced, they lacked discipline and a proper officer. On the stone ground Farra spilled dust in the form of a circle, working through different bloods, mixing them with various powders as she articulated the runes across the ground.

“Earth forms the frame of which we travel upon, water paves the land, and it is the sky through which we travel. But that isn't all.” Farra muttered to herself, the distraction continuing behind her just outside the center of the plaza.

An officer came up with additional soldiers behind him. He was shrouded in black cloth with two large dagger-like blades at his side. It was the same soldier that Farra had her trial against when younger.

“Estelle? Why are you here?” He looked past the gathering of soldiers, spotting and recognizing the hooded figure despite her regalia. “Wait what's Farra doing over there? Stop her at once.” The man ordered, Raom's troops still in disarray and finishing their idle conversations with a seductive Estelle who chose to ignore the officer.

“I said stop her you trash.” He screamed, shoving a soldier out of the way and making his own way toward Farra, drawing his blade only for the reptilian grab his wrist and disarm him.

“Kill them all you—“

His words ceased, turning to see a bright and overpowering, blinding light emerge from the circle Farra had etched. Rushing of steps began coming from every direction, halting upon seeing the radiant glow of white light.

“Summoning is quite more troublesome than teleportation.” Farra spoke aloud as the light diminished, a giant standing upon the runic circle.

“It is still intuitive my pupil, you need study when time allows it again. And as for all you, well I did not expect to be summoned here exactly.”

Raom's soldiers began to back away, making no effort to combat Farra's band, the reptilian shoving the officer he had disarmed away.

“They are traitors. Raom has allowed the raping of other soldiers within his domain. I wanted to be sure before calling you my Lord.”

“That makes everything quite simple. Allow me to clear the rabble before we continue. Greater Magic, Anomaly.” Valen's armor shined, his gauntlets glowing and beginning to crackle with energy. He lifted a boot pressing it back to the ground. From it the ground began to ice in every direction, avoiding Farra or any of the allied soldiers, chasing after Raom's fleeing and approaching soldiers. Following the path of ice the ground began to erupt in a series of violent stalagmites. Some soldiers dodged, others were impaled. Just as the stalagmites ended, they erupted from the inside, spewing forth violent fire. The flames charred the corpses of those already caught and burned those attempting to avoid it. For those who had escaped death until that point, as Valen held a hand upward a bolt of lavender lightning crackled into the air, splitting down on all the soldiers touched by his magic.

One man remained standing after magic concluded, he stood still, bodies strewn around him.

“Ah, I recognize you. You are the one who took pleasure in cornering a child are you not?” Another light of energy filled Valen's greaves, stone rising from behind the officer and traveling forward, bringing him to Valen.

“But you are of Bathalian's court are you not? Why are you here? Is she complicit in this show of treason?”

He swiped with a blade, Farra watching behind him, having already seen the outcome.

“I forgot who you were. It seems Lord Valen has not.”

Valen's gauntlet pressed against the blade, crushing it with a single movement forward, wrapping around the body of the man, clenching and squeezing him tight. The gauntlet glowed red, the man glowing red from the inside as the sound of flesh searing began to fill the air. His screams filled the air, writhing in the giant's grasp, and with a last squeeze, what remained of his bones crushed and fell limp beneath Valen and Farra.

“It is unwise to bask in vengeance long dear Farra.” A bellow of laughter came from Valen. “Stand back so that we may truly begin, do not fret you will receive your enchantment soon enough.”

Farra obliged, moving toward a frightened Naia, all the soldiers save for Estelle in awe at the sheer destruction Valen caused in a single spell. More footsteps began approaching, stopping as they neared the bodies of their comrades. Valen stood still, his body beginning to glow again, similar to when he was summoned. Farra turned to her soldiers.

“Allow me to apologize for keeping it hidden from you all. But I am here to destroy any of those who are traitors to the War Faction and see to Raom's demise. None of you are to come with us for this. However, there is an important mission you may all find suitable to your tastes in the meantime. Find soldiers who are loyal, soldiers who have been abused. We will not have the time to identify friend from foe or avoid the matter of collateral damages. So go and save the lives you can.” Estelle nodded, placing a hand over Naia's wrist to pull her along before Farra continued on. “Please keep Naia safe, she will likely have much work to do, but she is no warrior either. And do not underestimate your foes”

“Of course Farra.” The reptile nodded his head, the orc following his gestures.

As the orders concluded, a wave of wind flushed from Valen's body, spanning outward and causing all soldiers but Farra and Estelle to stumble. As the white light faded, a obscured red glow came in place of it, an armored man in black armor of a stature smaller than Valen stood in front of him. Immediately Farra bowed, only to be waved up by the man just as she dipped her head.

“My Lord.”