The route that the two kidnappers took was a strange one. Obviously not wanting to be seen they made their path through dark allies and less traversed areas of the slums. But once they left the slums their path became more obscure.

They moved to the suburbs of the city and headed into the woods. First standing before the trees they seemed to have a ritualistic prayer before entering. Once inside the bush, they made many long routes, purposefully making strange movements like navigating around large trees for the sake of it or making dramatic steps over certain spots.

Initially Bryson thought that they might have been trying to shake off anyone who might be following them. But the longer, needless paths they took were not any harder to track; in fact it made finding them easier. They would take louder steps than necessary, crack rocks together and snap twigs.

No, it seemed like some strange ritual that they were performing as they traveled through the forest. Bryson looked to the others to see if they had any idea what the two kidnappers were doing.

“I don’t know. I didn’t learn religion.” Lottie said with a helpless shrug. Kristel simply lowered her head in embarrassment at being unable to answer as Bryson already knew that she would have no clue of the matter.

“It’s not an issue.” Bryson said feeling bad for her needless guilt. He then turned to Florence for some answer.

“I don’t know what religion this would be based on, but they seem to do some sort of return ceremony.”

“As in safe passage?”

“Something like that. They seem to be indicating their entry to the others of their religion, but the way they’re doing it is over the top.” Florence said studying their movements.

“Why would that be?”

“I don’t know. Maybe it’s how their cult functions?” Florence said.

The group continued to follow the two kidnappers for a while longer, eventually the two stopped their ritualistic actions and moved normally through the forest. Where they were going was eventually answered as they approached an old dilapidated-looking shed covered with moss.

They stopped in front of it, knocked on it and waited a moment before it seemed that someone answered the door. They were too far away for them to be able to hear anything from the conversation that started between them.

“Do you want me to sneak closer to hear?” Lottie asked.

“What no? You don’t have time before-” Bryson started as the door opened and the two were let in, “Before that.” He said.

“How do we sneak in?” Kristel asked.

“Hmm, how stealthily can you take someone out?” Bryson asked. Staring at the three cult members so far, he didn’t see much to impress him. They seemed to be as strong as regular people and held no magic equipment.

“It won’t be much of an issue.” Florence said as she stared at the door.

Bryson paused for a moment, he recognized that slight smouldering anger behind the scarlet eyes of Florence. Bryson knew that he needed to take prisoners for this. While neither of his parents cared much about what happened in the slums, garnering information on demons is always useful.

Besides, Bryson himself wanted to gather some information on the matter himself. He was sure that at least this increase in demonic activity had something to do with Afa’s stupid plan with him. He was worried that Florence might get a bit too passionate about matters and might not ease up on them.

“Frost.” Bryson said.

“Yes?”

“You’re with me. Non-lethal.”

“Got it.”

“Marsh, you and Kirstel stay and keep watch.”

“Understood.” Florence said almost looking upset.

Lottie and Bryson then snuck their way over to the shed. Bryson stared at the door and realized that it was not enchanted at all.

“Huh, I can just break this thing.” Bryson realized.

Stolen story; please report.

“Oooh. Then do we need him to open the door?”

“No. Though he will notice it when I try to open it on this side.”

“No need to worry, I have this.” Lottie said before turning to motion for Kristel and Florence to approach, “They can be here for this.”

“Okay… if you’re sure.” Bryson said getting a bit curious about what she was planning.

The moment the other two got there Lottie motioned to stay quiet before knocking on the door, her hand digging for something in her tattered jacket. A second later the keyhole opened up and a pair of eyes poked out. At that moment Lottie dug out a fistful of something and threw it through the keyhole.

A second later they heard the man on the other side slump onto the door and slide down. Light snoring could be heard on the other side.

“Go ahead!” Lottie said proudly.

“What was that?” Bryson said as he began to concentrate on the door. Focusing his magic, he felt for the other side of the door. He managed to discern out the protrusions on it, the handle and the lock.

“Sleep powder.” Lottie answered as Bryson managed to discern that the lock was a simple bolt lock that would be easy to manipulate.

“Sleep powder?” Bryson repeated as he flicked a finger and the bolt could be heard withdrawing from the door.

“Condensed melatonin correct?” Florence said before explaining it further to Kristel and Bryson, “It’s a powder form that causes instant drowsiness to those who inhale it that don’t have high mana concentrations in them.”

“Yep.” Lottie said as Bryson pushed the door open accidentally lightly smacking the now asleep god in the head.

“It also makes it hard for them to wake up.” Lottie added.

“How long will this last?” Bryson asked.

“An hour.”

“Then let’s hurry up.”

“Lord Bryson should I take the lead?” Kristel asked.

“By all means, everyone stay on alert.” Bryson ordered as they began to descend down the stairs of the shed.

The stairs, unlike the shed that hid them were in much better condition. Clearly people took the time and effort to keep the steps clean. As they moved the flight of stairs Bryson made sure to keep the noise cancellation spell up as they heard more commotion downstairs.

Poking her head out down the room Kristel motioned for them to pause and with her fingers indicated that there were four people inside. Bryson turned to Lottie and motioned her to sneak in.

Without another word she slipped into the room. No talking, the usually bubbly and noisy Lottie Frost slinked through the shadows like a cat. The four people inside the room weren’t expecting intruders and failed to notice her exploring the dimly lit room.

There were only two weak lightbulbs in the room and the four cult members were busy huddled under them playing cards, drinking, and laughing. Lottie noticed that one of the card players were the original kidnappers. The other one and the kids were nowhere to be seen.

Lottie then turned her attention to the two other doors, one was already slightly ajar and led to a bathroom. Still empty. Slinking over to the other door she saw this one was tightly closed. Gently feeling the handle told her that the door was locked.

Lottie quickly looked back at the group of the card players, they were all still busy. She pressed her ear to the door and heard it. Whimpering. Whimpering of children. Pausing for a second Lottie thought.

Could they be the kids that were just kidnapped? That was Lottie’s initial thought, but she thought that the drug used to put them to sleep should probably last longer. Lottie wondered for another moment before deciding that getting the others involved first was more important.

She motioned for Bryson and the others to take the others out. She saw Bryson whisper to Florence and Kristel and indicate which ones they should take out. Bryson then took another moment to hand-cast another spell and ordered them to execute.

The moment spell shot through, the room was momentarily brightened a bit with a purple hue. Those playing at the card table reacted almost immediately, crying out in surprise and getting up from their seats. Only no noise came from their mouths.

Subsequently, Florence, Lottie, and Kristel struck and three bodies clattered to the floor unconscious. The last one looked to his left and right realizing he was surrounded before Bryson flicked his finger and a half-empty bottle flew from the table and smacked the man across the temple sending him to the floor.

All the strikes and impacts, the bottles, cards, coins, toppled tables and bodies all made no sound. Even the sound of their own breathing wasn’t audible. Then a second passed and the world of noise returned to them all.

Suddenly the sounds of creaking floorboards and ruffling of clothes could be heard again. Lottie looked over to Bryson in surprise.

“That was cool. What was that spell?” She said excitedly, careful to keep her voice down as she was aware that they weren’t out of the danger yet.

“It’s called Silence. It does what it says on the tin.” Bryson grunted as he examined the four. They were again all normal people strength-wise with no magical items to note.

“Could you teach me?” Lottie asked, “I want to try!”

“Can you even learn spells?”

“I can use magic.”

“Lord Bryson. They all have matching tattoos.” Florence said pulling down their sleeves and revealing a tattoo on each of their arms.

“Hmm. I don’t recognize the mark.” Bryson said as he studied it. Aside from the basic demonic artwork there was a very unique number seven etched onto the middle of the design.

“Seven… seven… hmm.” Florence mumbled in thought, “There are a few demons that use the number seven but I don’t know which specific one it would represent.”

“Oh yeah, I heard the sound of crying in that room. It’s locked.” Lottie said pointing at the locked door.

“Crying? The kids?” Bryson asked.

“Found the key Lord Bryson.” Kristel said pulling out a set of keys from one of the fallen cultists.

“Good. Secure these four with the one up top. Marsh, help her. Frost stay next to me for this.” Bryson ordered.

As they four split off, Bryson stood before the door making sure to remain a number of steps away from it as he floated the key over to the lock and opened it. He indicated to Lottie to prepare herself and clenched his fist and the door opened.

What they found was not what they were expecting. Inside the room directly at the opposite end of the room was another locked door. But what caught their attention was the cages that were lined up across the walls. The cages all contained children, seven of them.