Suddenly, Sayhas heard something between a 12 year-old-boys scream and a banshee’s scream. “Dragon!”

Sayhas pried his eyes open. Black splotches covered his vision. Vaguely, he saw the silhouette of a large, winged lizard. He squinted. Kirin was staring at the lizards gaping maw. He didn’t try to swing his sword. Nor did he try to run away. He was petrified. The lizard closed its jaws.

Sayhas threw his scythe. His aim was true, but it wouldn't make it in time. He summoned a white scythe. Discord left his body and funnelled into the scythe. Instantly, lighting crackled at its blades. He slashed with his scythe, but Sayhas knew that the lightning bolts were falling far too slow to matter.

He watched in slow motion as its jaw closed onto Kirin, powerless to do anything.

A knife embedded itself into the lizard's eye. Mizu was there. She grabbed Kirin, putting his neck on her shoulder. Sparks sizzled from her other hand, scorching the lizard's underbelly. The lizard bit down. But snapped down onto nothing; Mizu was long gone.

Sayhas’ scythe hit it, bouncing off the lizard's armoured skin. It’s cruel eyes snapped onto him; hungry, savage. It reared back, green liquid gurgling in its mouth. But before it had a chance to fire, lightning crashed onto the basilisk. The basilisks armour melted instantly and it collapsed into a smokey pile of scorched flesh. As if that weren’t enough, Oldum bashed into its skull with a shield and an ethereal chain latched onto it, binding it to the ground. And for good measure, a spear impaled it.

They were all silent for a moment. Waiting for the very-dead hunk of meat to start moving. It never did.

Hysiedies stepped up to the basilisk. He threw a fireball at it. Right as the flames landed he thumped his staff against the floor; the earth rippled, tossing the carcass into the air. Innumerable icicles coagulated from the water vapour, ruthlessly tearing the lizard apart.

“It’s dead, priest,” Oldum stated.

“I know,” he replied dryly

“Aren’t you supposed to cherish exotic life?” Sayhas asked.

“Dragons deserve nothing.”

“Technically it's a wyvern,” Mizu called, still cradling Kirin.

“Doesn’t matter, they basically the same.”

“That's kind of rude,” Mizu accused.

Hysiedies didn’t respond.

“Mizu, it’s a basilisk,” Sayhas said, facing her

“No, it’s a wyvern, look at the wing pattern.”

“Look at the tail, barbed.”

“Neck frills.”

“Large claws.”

“Sayhas,” she said, face swimming with irritation, “listen. The frill pattern and scales are triangular. It's not fully armoured and it's skinny. Arrowhead wings too.”

“Wyverns are pack predators.”

“Which explains why this one was audacious enough to attack us. It was desperate. Lost. Look at my charm, it has a wyvern signature”

“It was about to spit venom at me. Wyverns don’t do that.”

Mizu rolled her eyes, “Sure it was.”

“Alright alright,” Clive called, clapping his hands together. “You can argue all you want tonight. But before that, let’s not overstay our welcome on this splinter.” He squinted at the setting sun, “It’s getting late.” Translucent, wispy chains streamed out of his hands, floating like ribbons in water. They reached deep into the forest, not touching anything. “Oldum… oh. Mizu take Dismas. Err, Sayhas, take Kirin. Hysiedies, stay vigilant.” Clive looked at Taed, “Take it easy, rest."

Taed lobbed his face in Clive's direction and nodded. He looked like a ghost. His eyes were pale and his muscles seemed to have receded into his bones. It was amazing that Taed was standing. Sayhas combed through Taeds body with his eyes. He furrowed his eyebrows, something seemed off.

“Hysiedies, look at Taed’s neck will you,” Sayhas said, walking towards Kirin’s body. He glanced back at Taed, hoping that he was just paranoid.

“Eyes up.” Oldum bumped his shoulder, “Poke me with a thorn, are you worried?” Oldum said, looking up at the sky, “Should I be worried about something?”

“Your face,” Sayhas threatened.”

Oldum chuckled, patting Sayhas’ back as he walked. “Don’t worry, Taed won’t be seeing the King any time soon.” With that, he went on his way.

Shaking his head Sayhas threw Kirin over his shoulder. He searched for Mizu.

“Hello,” Mizu said, sticking her face in front Sayhas. “Why the long face?”

Sayhas batted the air in front of her. They walked side by side on the thin path Clive was cutting with his chains.

“Wanna switch? Dismas is heavier.”

Mizu’s mouth twitched upward. There was a glimmer in her eyes. “Are you strong enough? I’m scared you’ll drop him.”

“Oh really?” Sayhas questioned.

“Yep.” She squeezed her biceps, “These are rock solid.” Mizu grabbed his arm and dug in with her long nails, “Squishy. Are your scythes secretly made of feathers? You should work out.”

Sayhas rolled his eyes.

Mizu cocked her head to the side and chewed her nails. She peered at Sayhas, a mischievous twinkle sparkled in her eyes. “Fine. I’ll give you a chance.”

“Hmm?”

“Catch!”

She threw Dismas into the air. Sayhas dove for him. Careful not to drop Kirin, he placed his forearm on Dismas’s back and supported his neck with his hand. He rested Dismas’ on his free shoulder.

“Why are you giving me that wide-eyed look?” Mizu asked. She kept control of her face for about two heartbeats before laughing, tears welling up.

Sayhas did his best to give her an unamused look. She wiped her eyes. “I wasn’t scared. I knew you’d catch him.” Her face, full of joy and bliss, suddenly hardened and she glared at Sayhas. “Don’t even think about giving me Kirin.”

Sayhas smiled, rolling his eyes, “Yes yes.”

He shifted the weight of the two limp bodies, trying to find a comfortable position. Mizu pointed forward.

“Look, it’s Oldum’s ash wolf. I swear he’s way too proud of it.”

“Aren’t you just jealous?” Sayhas goaded.

Mizu chewed her lips. “A little.”

“A lot,” Sayhas corrected.

“Err… yeah, I think he should share.”

“Probably wants us to move faster though,” Sayhas said, glancing at the wolf.

“Run?” Mizu suggested.

“Let’s.”

“Want me to carry one?”

“No, I got this.”

“If you say so,” Mizu shrugged, then broke off into a sprint. “Race you,” she called back, giggling profusely.

Sayhas chased after her, a slight grin on his face.