“Lily, where is Roman?” Sim asked.

“He went to help Caleb!” Lily announced.

“I just came back from there,” He replied modestly.

In the distance, they both could hear screaming and shouting coming from the same place. Lily smiled as she pointed toward the source of the noise. A crowd of what looked like beggars smothering two people in white cloaks were being surrounded by what looked like cultists wielding daggers

“Those are the Cultists….” Sim murmured.

“Sim!” Della shouted.

“Looks like your girlfriend,” Lily laughed.

“Fuck! It’s that stupid kid again!” Gravel shouted.

Sim and Lily stood just watching wanting to laugh as the fight continued. They couldn't believe what they were seeing as they struggled to believe the scene playing out in front of them. This couldn't be real...no...it wasn't possible. None of this was possible.

“Admit this is your fault and I will help you,” Sim smirked.

“I am not admit-ting NOTHIN!” Gravel howled.

“SIM!” Della yelled.

The two of them had a hard time pushing the hoard off of him as they kept yelling at each other over the noise. Then it became clear what was going on: they were fighting, and not for their own good.

“I am going…” Sim stated.

“Brother?!” Lily shouted.

Slowly he took one step backwards away from the group and into the crowd, until they stopped trying to get him. With the way they were looking at him like he was some sort of monster.

“FINE! We couldn’t control a blood mage who is having a conflict with his magic!” Gravel announced.

“Fuck! I knew it was you guys!” He growled.

“Where is he now? Is that why all these people are acting strange?” Lily asked.

“Help us first please!” Della begged.

“Unify release!” Lily chanted.

All of the people swarming them fall to the ground in unconsciousness as the four of them made it through the crowd of bodies. Gravel and Della let out huge sighs of relief while Sim and Lily looked around, perplexed at the events unfolding before them.

“You guys are welcome,” He finally said.

“I thought we were friends!” Della spouted angrily.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“Are we?” Sim asked.

A deep lost look in his eyes caused Della to pause and think about what Sim was thinking. After they thought long and hard, they decided to accept the olive branch offered to them.

“I see...I am only level 15 now and my starting abilities are all clerical, hence I couldn't fight,” Della explained.

“What is your excuse?” Sim questioned.

“I ran out of mana, idiot!” Gravel barked.

The streets were lined with blood on both sides of the road as far as they could see along the way. The stench filled the air and made them gag.

“If the guy hurts himself or worse then it’s on your heads!” Sim shouted.

He started to jog while following the trails of blood along the street.

“Why aren’t we running after him?” Della asked.

“I can sense him…so it doesn’t really matter,” Lily yawned.

“So, you are a spirit user then?” She thought.

“Level 9 with big brother, but you are gonna flex or something aren’t you?” Lily smiled.

Sim was glad he wore tennis shoes as he was scared whose crimson glory lined the streets below him. As he got closer to the scene, he began hearing sounds of chanting echoing through the buildings that stood between him and the fight. At that moment the chanting stopped and silence descended over the city.

“What is going on out here?!” Sim demanded. No answer.

“Hello?!” No answer.

“Hey you!” No answer.

He figured it could have easily been one of the hooded members he scared away as he continued walking toward the source of the noises. It could even still be one of them, maybe even the very one attacking the poor defenseless children. Finally, at the edge of the scene he saw two figures standing there. They were covered head to toe in black cloaks

with long raven hair falling down their backs.

They quickly jump out of the way like unseen ninja and make it to a corner, behind an old broken fountain. Sim followed them into the shadows to find out why they jumped out of sight like that.

“Is it just me or does everyone here seem so afraid and nervous?” Sim muttered aloud.

Taking another step he realized there was an inch of pooled blood underneath the two figures. As the light faded from the day the blood seemed to glow. They didn't move. Slowly, Sim crept nearer until he was able to see their faces. Their faces were twisted up into ugly frowns and their expressions seemed to convey anger.

“Well this seems familiar somehow...why the hell are you just standing around?!”He shouted.

A man was hunched over as blood spiraled around his body . His skin looked pale, almost translucent. He also seemed to be missing some important organs like his eyes, heart, lungs, liver and intestines. As his head turned toward him, his entire being emitted a red aura like that of a fire elemental. His eyes narrowed and a cold smile spread across his face. He seemed to stare right through him.

“Hey, let’s go home,” Sim suggested.

Guards didn’t allow Sim to pass to see the man who was suffering as he noticed the runes carved into his flesh. He was no stranger to them though he never saw anything like these before. Each of the markings were glowing brighter with each passing moment. As the seconds ticked by he found his curiosity getting the better of him.

The man’s hand shot out at Sim pulling him into the blood cackling insanely at him. Sim yelped

as pain exploded throughout his entire body. He fell to the floor gasping for breath as the guards laughed. The man’s hand gripped his throat tightly while his foot kicked him in the ribs and stomach repeatedly.

Sim tried to pull away from the man’s grip as his face contorted and purple bruises appeared under his fingers. Blood spurted from his nose as he desperately gasped for air. Suddenly, the man threw Sim to the ground staring at him with his piercing eyes.

“Welcome to my world Sim! Don’t you like it?!” He snickered.

He watched the blood drip off his fingers in shock as he pulled out a dagger with a silver blade. It shone brightly in the sunlight as he pointed it straight at Sim's eye. Sim's vision began to blur as he reached for nothing. His hands were shaking badly.

“Are you the one who made this world?” He asked.

“I would never show you my true face, but anyways I wanted to greet you as now you are on your turf, but I am making the rules!” The Man shrieked, sounding mad.

He lunged forward and slashed at Sim's chest. Sim cried out as he was unable to move fast enough. Suddenly he felt himself lifted up. He opened his eyes just in time to see his attacker disappear into a cloud of blood mist that slowly dissipated around him.

“You interrupted my training to greet me this way?” He responded angrily.

“Brother! Are you here?” Lily cried out.

Della was standing behind Lily as she huffed and puffed while holding her stomach. Both Lily and Della had cuts and scratches everywhere. Her clothes were torn, revealing various cuts and wounds, but mostly she seemed okay and simply exhausted.

“How did you find me?” Sim asked.

“I am a spirit user, idiot!” Lily barked.

“Right…I guess I am officially part of this world and I barely recall any of it,” He noted.

“Allow me to guide you back to your guild!” Della offered.

He could feel the heart in his chest beating as he gawked down to notice all the blood he was covered in, but he couldn't help but smile. Despite the circumstances, he was happy he was given the chance to prove himself just needed to remember what he wrote down.

“Fine, but none of your weird healing powers,” Sim sighed.

“Bro, did something happen?” Lily questioned.

“Nothing happened and nothing matters…let’s beat this book and get out,” He explained.

“What happened to finding the mage?” Lily asked.

“He died, now let’s go home,” Sim stated.