The cold sun shines through a small window, glaring over Korlin's open eyes.

The boy's honey irises stare at the ceiling. Prominent dark circles protrude around his eyelids.

The night felt so long. All he could do was listen to the breathing of Sirius and Pholy.

The boy draws a heavy breath and rubs his hand over his forehead.

His head hurts.

Korlin slides off his bed and gets changed before anyone wakes up. After bundling up, he slides open the door to the suffocating shed.

"Good morning..."

Sirius says, not yet having moved.

Without responding, Korlin steps outside and closes the door behind him.

The boy makes his way to the back of the house. He finds his way to where he left the wooden sword.

It's still there.

Korlin grabs the sword's grip. He raises the blade and swings downward.

He does it again.

And again.

Again.

Again.

...

⧗⧖⧗⧖⧗

"We will have two teams depart."

The king makes the declaration in front of a number of guards and Sirius' group. The king spared no time gathering everyone early in the morning. The only notable person absent is Korlin.

The boy Sirius spoke with yesterday stands in a corner, watching him.

"One team will go and scout for the hoarbanes' den. The other team will consist of the ember and test the effectiveness of her flames. If her fire proves effective, we may be able to free ourselves from this prison."

"Yes sir!"

A multitude of guards and warriors say in synch. They all garner unwavering respect for the man.

"This mission is strictly for information. Do not make any unnecessary actions and retreat if things get too dangerous. If the hoarbanes' den is located, retreat immediately to ensure the outpost gathers the intel."

"Yes sir!"

"Good, now get ready for departure. We leave at blooming time."

Everyone gathers at the outpost's main gate.

The warriors and guards are a mix of worry and determination.

And then there is Kynn.

"Finally! I get to go back out there!"

A real sword is held at his hip. Fingerless gloves clench his energized fist.

"Why am I even here?" Sirius asks.

"Hm? You're coming, that's why."

Sirius stiffens and turns to the enthusiastic boy.

"Pardon?"

"As of now, you're an honorary warrior. Seeing as you tied me in a duel, you exceed the capabilities to go there."

"That was just luck. Really, I'm not suited for fighting those things."

"Neither are we."

"...Maybe, but I don't have experience like you guys."

"Ah, loosen up. You're cooler than you realize! Look," Kynn places his hand on Sirius' shoulder. "You'll be fine. If anything goes wrong, I'll be there to assist you. Trust me, alright?"

"...Alright..."

"That's the spirit!" Kynn shuffles around in his pocket and pulls out a dagger. "Here, have this just in case things go south."

Sirius accepts the small blade and examines it. A black leather grip, a curved guard, and sheening gray metal sharpened to a perfect point. There is a tiny engraving on the side written in Lunalir's language.

Release

Kynn looks over to Pholy. "You ready, ember?"

"Mhm."

"You're awfully cold for an ember, you know that?"

"Mhm."

"...Okay then! What about you?" Kynn directs his question to Aureole. "You tagging along?"

"Oh, the king told me not to... I wouldn't be much use anyway."

"Gotcha. Can't have future royalty be killed, yeah?"

Aureole's air turns sour.

"Hey Kynn!" A fellow warrior calls out. "You have a minute?"

"Coming!"

Kynn scurries off and joins his comrades. They discuss their armor and possible improvements. They decide on extra plating in exchange for limited movement.

The snowsquallers don't use typical metal armor. Their defense is solely hefty cloths used to deflect fire and blades. It's durable, but against the hoarbane's claws and fangs is fragile. So, by adding metal under their cloths and against their skin, they hope for improved defense and possible poison prevention.

Meanwhile, Pholy looks around.

"Where's Korlin?"

"Oh, I don't know..."

"Hm."

Kynn adds the metal underneath his garbs and scampers back over the Pholy and Sirius. Holding extra plating, he offers it to the two.

"Here you are, just place this under your clothes around your arms."

"Thank you," Sirius accepts. Sirius attaches the cylindrical piece to his forearms and clinks them together.

"These are too big," Pholy sighs. "Do you have any smaller ones?"

"Uhh... no."

"..."

"Do they fit higher up? Maybe on your biceps?"

Pholy shifts them up and they stick in place.

"Oh, that works, I guess... It's a little uncomfortable though..."

"You'll get used to it." Kynn looks up to the sky and notices the sun directly above their heads. "Come on, let's get in our groups."

Kynn motions them to follow as he regroups with his allies. Pholy sighs and begins to follow, she's not fully awake quite yet.

"Good luck both of you," Aureole says, holding her heart. "Please be safe."

"Aure...!" Pholy stumbles over to Aureole and hugs her. "You're so cute..."

"Pholy... now's not the time..."

"Thank you," Sirius says. A layered sense of dread cloaks his words. He waves her goodbye and heads off toward Kynn.

"Take care..." Aureole watches as Sirius gets further away. "Um... Pholy?"

"Yes?"

"Eh... never mind."

Aureole pats Pholy's head, embracing her friend's hug.

Eventually, Pholy lets go and joins the group. Aureole stands by to send them off.

"Alright," Kynn scans the group. "Is this everyone?"

Apart from himself, Sirius, and Pholy, three other squallers make up the group. They all look ragged but ready for vengeance.

"I believe so," a member says. "Let's hope this goes well... We're counting on you, ember."

Pholy nods. While reluctant at first, she has accepted her role and importance in this scheme.

"Good," Kynn nods. His tone is much more serious and organized than before. "Then let's set off."

Kynn waves to a guard by the gate. The guard nods and runs over to a chain near the wall. The guard pulls it down and the gate shifts in place. Multiple other guards gather around to pull chains, lowering the gate.

"Here we go..."

As they begin to step out into the frost, a tired voice rings out to stop them.

"Wait!"

It's Korlin.

The boy rushes over to the group, his breath is heavy.

"Wait. Do you mind if I join you guys?"

"Korlin?" Pholy seems surprised.

"Ah, you," Kynn smiles. "You wish to partake, huh?"

"Yes, please."

"Hm, what do you guys think?" Kynn asks the group.

"I don't see why not."

"The more hands the better, yeah?"

"As long as he doesn't get himself killed."

Everyone seems to agree to let him join.

"Sirius? Your thoughts?"

"Oh," Sirius looks at Korlin. His eyes beg Sirius to say "yes". "Mm, I'm sure he'll be helpful."

"Ember?"

"Uh..." Pholy looks at Korlin, who gives her the same look he did to Sirius. "I guess..."

Korlin gives a thankful smile.

"Alright then!" Kynn declares. "You're in! Here, you'll want these." Kynn throws Korlin a pair of arm protection. He gives him a small dagger similar to Sirius as well.

"Thank you! You won't regret it!"

Korlin quickly places the armor around his forearms and runs up beside Sirius.

"Let's go."

Kynn motions for everyone to follow him.

As they step out from the gated outpost, Aureole waves, wishing them luck.

Pholy walks hesitantly, but not fearfully. The responsibility and pressure begin to weigh on her.

Sirius wonders if it's really best for him to go. He doesn't want to be a hindrance.

Korlin's eyes burn with a furious determination.

"Where are we headed exactly?"

"Northwest," a group member responds. "We ran into a small pack up there once. It should be enough to test out the ember's abilities. If her powers don't work out, the small amount of them should allow us to escape."

"Ah..."

The low-hanging clouds block the view of the horizon. Snow layers, covering up footprints left behind.

"Kynn," another member says.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"What's up?"

"I don't mean any offense, but is it really alright for us to be teaming up with an ember?"

Pholy isn't fazed by the comment.

"...We'll see how things play out."

"Why wouldn't it be alright?" Korlin blurts. The question irritates him.

"Well... embers and squallers don't really have the best relationship." The member is trying not to anger the boy further. Or upset Pholy. "Besides, we don't know her true intentions."

"Pholy isn't like other embers!" Korlin's brow is furrowed.

"Korlin," Pholy looks at him wide-eyed. She gestures for him to stop and whispers: "Shut up."

Completely ignoring her, Korlin turns back to the member.

"Pholy would never do anything to harm you guys! She doesn't have any ulterior motives!"

Pholy jumps in and folds her hands over Korlin's mouth.

"Shut up!"

Steam is pluming out of her ears.

"I get it, I get," the member feels bad now. "I'm just trying to be cautious."

Sirius remains quiet. He's never seen Korlin like this before.

"If you're cautious about anyone it should be me. I'm a Witch Spawn!"

"A... Witch Spawn? What's that??"

"Wha- huh?" Korlin's anger sizzles out and morphs into bewilderment. "You don't know what a Witch Spawn is?! A human?!"

"I can't say that I do...? Kynn, what's this guy's problem?"

Kynn sighs but keeps his charismatic expression.

"A lot of us here at the outpost aren't all that educated on matters outside Alsi. As Witch Spawn don't typically visit, a lot of us have never heard of them."

"Huh..." Korlin is still in disbelief.

"...So, what is a Witch Spawn?"

"Don't worry about it," Kynn shuts down the conversation. "Just keep your eyes out for hoarbanes."

"Whatever you say..."

Kynn is much younger than any of the other warriors and guards. While he is an established fighter, his attitude and age dampen the respect he gets from his peers.

The boy doesn't really seem to mind.

The other adult members make fun of the guy who asked what Witch Spawn are. They continue to banter as they trudge through the snow.

"Do you have to say such embarrassing things?" Pholy's steam is still flowing out.

"I'm just saying the truth," Korlin responds.

"You barely know anything about me."

"I know some things."

"Like what? Give me an example."

"Hm... you're short."

Pholy's face contorts and her nose wrinkles. Her hands ignite in pink flames.

"You're dead."

"I'm sorry!" Korlin laughs, scrambling away. Pholy chases Korlin around in circles. "Sirius! Help me!" Korlin giggles and hides behind his companion.

"Don't use me as a shield," Sirius tries to move away but Korlin stays glued to his back.

"Sirius," Pholy's voice is terrifying. "Step aside. Let me kill him." Her fushia eyes burn into his brain.

"I'm trying!"

Korlin keeps laughing and enjoying himself. Sirius makes for a great human shield.

Amidst the looming threat of death, the three play a game of tag.

"You guys are cute," Kynn comments. "But would you mind keeping it down? We need to keep our ears open for any sign of the hoarbanes."

Pholy groans.

"Sorry," her flames sputter and die out. Her hungry eyes remain fixated on Korlin.

Korlin gives her a cheesy grin.

Her eye twitches.

When they all settle down, Sirius and Korlin walk side by side.

"Are you going to be alright?" Sirius asks.

"Huh? Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, the hoarbanes look like dogs, don't they? You don't like dogs, right?"

"Aw, you remember that about me? You're so sweet!"

"..."

Korlin chuckles and rubs his tired eyelids.

"I'll be fine. I'm not a scared little boy."

"I know... I was just wondering."

Suddenly, Kynn stops and holds his hand back.

"Stop."

...

The cold wind howls and blows their hair. Everyone stands as still as statues.

Kynn turns his head from side to side.

"What is it?" one of the members whispers.

"There's three. Straight in front of us."

The member swallows a lump in his throat. It suddenly feels a lot hotter.

Sirius squints his eyes to try and see. He doesn't find any hoarbanes, he doesn't even hear their growls.

"What do we do?" Sirius asks. A noticeable lack of fear weighs on his shoulders.

"Stay calm. Pholy, step up front, will you?"

The girl carefully creeps up toward Kynn. She makes sure her footsteps are light.

Kynn points ahead into the hazy distance. "They're evenly spaced. If you launch a big enough blast toward them, you can hit all three at once."

"Got it," Pholy raises her palm and ignites it. "Tell me when."

Kynn holds out his hand and squints at the invisible beasts. With his superior snow vision, he can track their movements easily. Just for a moment, all three hoarbanes squish slightly together.

"Now."

Flames swirl and cumulate into a large mass of blazing beauty. Spreading her fingertips, the sphere of pink heat explodes from her hand and spirals into the snow.

Without seeing a thing, a wolf's cry comes from within the fog.

"You got one! The other two are coming from the sides!"

One from the left and another from the right emerges and lunges toward the group. Their red bulbouses begin to glow.

One of the ice-coated monsters jumps right at Korlin. The boy quickly pulls out his dagger.

Before Korlin can try to defend himself, Kynn leaps in and slams the side of his sword into the creature. The hoarbane flails through the air and tumbles into a mound of snow. The beast swiftly recovers and plows toward them again.

"Pholy!" Kynn shouts.

The girl rushes over and sweeps her arms across the air. Fire sprays and lights the hoarbane in a pink blaze. The creature writhes and thrashes its body in pain.

"Nice! Their armor is melting!"

"Over here!"

The other members are busy fending off the other hoarbane. Kynn quickly rushes over to assist them.

Kynn's footwork is perfect and calculated. Every movement he makes has a purpose. He twists his body to build up momentum and uses all of it to attack.

The hoarbane leaps toward one of the members. Before it can reach the man, Kynn propels the hilt of his sword into the beast's belly. The hoarbane is swatted away but quickly recovers and changes its target.

Pholy.

She's out of breath. Using multiple sets of large fire magic must tire her out.

The creature runs low to the ground. With its mouth open, it goes for her legs.

Pholy simultaneously screams and sets her leg on fire.

She swings her flaming foot into the hoarbane's unwavering jaw. Its face is driven into the snow and it topples into a limp position.

Kynn sprints to the fallen beast and collapses his foot onto it. The hoarbane's limbs flail about, threatening to scratch their poison on Kynn's leg.

"Burn it!"

Pholy, completely drained, sends another flaming sphere Kynn's way. As it approaches, Kynn leaps out of aim and the ball collides with the hoarbane's body.

The ice on its body is melting. All of the hoarbanes are sprawled out on the snow.

With all three wolves out of commission, Pholy collapses to her knees.

Her head drops and she consumes heavy breaths.

Kynn and the other members let out sighs of relief. Sirius and Korlin stand aside. They didn't do anything.

"Good work, Pholy. It seems your flames did the trick."

"...Don't mention it."

"Haha! Now we just need to go tell the king! We can finally get our lives back!"

Kynn is overjoyed. He joins the other members to go and inspect the hoarbane's body. It is still twitching and groaning.

"I didn't do anything..." Korlin mumbles.

"I know," Sirius agrees. "We were pretty useless..."

Korlin's brows furrow.

"Um," one of the members is concerned. "Kynn, these things aren't dying."

The ice surrounding the hoarbane's skin has melted, but its brown flesh remains unharmed. The red bulbous on its head continues to pulsate.

"Here," Kynn walks over and pulls out his sword. He lifts the blade above the hoarbane. Just as he is about to drive the tip into its flesh, the beast smacks the sword out of Kynn's hand. "What-?!"

The hoarbane springs up and growls intensely. The other hoarbane Pholy melted stands back up as well.

A devious smile forms on Korlin's face. He's happy?

"Cover me!" Kynn shouts, gunning for his sword.

The naked hoarbane throws its body at the vulnerable Kynn. Another member of the group steps in to try and deflect it.

But it doesn't work.

The hoarbane swipes at the member and its claws dig into their flesh.

They're poisoned.

"Shit!"

The pain makes the member collapse. Fear freezes the other two.

Kynn brushes off the sacrifice and resumes heading for his sword. Out of nowhere the other hoarbane swoops in and snatches the sword from the snow.

"Bastard..."

With a blade in its mouth, the hoarbane stares down a defenseless Kynn. The other hoarbane turns its attention to Pholy, who is still collapsed on the ground.

"Sirius! Don't let Pholy get hit!" Kynn shouts.

Sirius, who has been frozen the entire time, snaps out of his daze and looks over at Pholy. The hoarbane is approaching too fast.

-I can't make it in time...

The hoarbane opens its jaw and lunges at the helpless girl.

"I got this!"

At the last second, Korlin steps in and slams his body into the beast.

The boy tackles the wolf and pins it to the ground. His hands hold down the hoarbane's claws and his knees the beast's legs. The monster continuously tries to bite the boy's head.

Sirius remains still. Unsure of what to do.

"Shit!" Kynn cries out.

The hoarbane with his sword attacks. The monster is incredibly intelligent. The beast swings the sword much like a person would.

Kynn tries to dodge but the sword cuts the boy's ankle. He staggers to the ground and the hoarbane takes full advantage. The beast jumps onto Kynn and relentlessly presses down, trying to cut him with the sword.

...

Kynn is pinned down.

The claws of the monsters dig into the boy's wrist, easily tearing through metal plating.

The other members of the group are frozen out of fear. One of them is poisoned.

Korlin is struggling to keep one of the hoarbanes down.

Pholy can't move.

...

-What do I do?

Sirius looks around, unsure of how or who to assist.

"Help Korlin!" Kynn screams.

"No, I got this! Help Kynn!" Kolin rebuttals.

-What do I do...?

Out of all the decisions he's made in his life, none have ever been so dire.

In his indecisiveness, Sirius' heartbeat grows rapid. His breaths fasten and his muscles tense.

-Who do I help? Can I even help?

Sirius struggles to have any rational thought. Nothing could have prepared him for this moment.

-What do I-

From within the shrouded horizon, the sound of a dog growling comes from within.

Another red glow emerges from the fog.

-That's right... there were three.

Before Sirius can utter another breath, the third hoarbane starts sprinting toward him.

Everything seems to move in slow motion.

The snow. His thoughts. His movements. The world around him.

Everything turns so slowly.

In his panic, Sirius pulls out the dagger Kynn gave him earlier.

As the melted hoarbane throws itself at the boy, Sirius attempts to dodge. But it is swiftly met with failure.

The wolf's body collides with his and the two tackle each other. Sirius finds himself in a similar situation to Kynn. Sirius holds the beast's wrists to prevent it from swiping, but the head repeatedly attempts to gnaw.

Saliva sprays onto Sirius' face, the beast's breath is hot and disgusting.

The adrenaline allows Sirius to hold it back, but once it runs out, he'll be dead.

-What do I do... What do I do?!

Sirius looks around for anything or anyone to help. But no one and nothing can.

-Kynn, I thought you said I could trust you?!

The dagger still hardly in his grasp catches his attention. If he lets go and uses the dagger to attack the hoarbane, there is no guarantee it'll work. There isn't even a guarantee he can act that fast. As soon as he lets go the hoarbane could use its claw to poison him.

Seeing as there are no other options...

-Fuck it!

As fast as he can, Sirius releases the hoarbane's wrist and swiftly thrusts the blade into the creature's neck.

tink

The blade doesn't even puncture the skin.

It's too hard.

Harder than even the ice beforehand.

Sirius can't help but laugh.

The beast strikes down its claw, but Sirius manages to put his wrist in between. The sleeve of his jacket is shredded by the attack. With the beast overpowering the boy, Sirius desperately shifts his legs to get them underneath it.

He bends his knees and places his feet upward onto the hoarbane's belly. Mustering all of his strength, he launches the hoarbane off his body. But not very far.

Sirius scrambles to his feet and runs toward the toppled beast. Once it swiftly recovers, Sirius drives his heel into bulbous on the creature's head. The bulbous pops and spews blood over Sirius' shoe.

The hoarbane wails and whips around its head in agony.

Exhausted, Sirius walks backward and collapses on the ground next to Pholy.

His ears ring and his lungs shrivel and expand forcefully.

While Sirius loses his composure, a frozen member regains theirs.

The member snaps out of his fear and hesitantly rushes to assist Kynn.

The member launches their sword at the beast's bulbous. The red blob explodes and the hoarbane drops the sword onto Kynn's chin.

Instantly, Kynn grabs the blade and throws the hoarbane off his body.

"Thanks!" Kynn tries to strike the thrown hoarbane's skin. But it has no effect. "What..." After a brief shock, Kynn roars out his demand: "Their skin is too thick! We need to retreat! Now!"

The other member snaps out of their daze and goes to assist the one who had been struck with poison. Korlin continues to struggle with his hoarbane.

Kynn sprints to assist Korlin.

"Korlin! Let go!"

"No! I got this!"

"You can't kill it! We need to run!"

Still pinning down the wolf, Korlin's anger rises. But fortunately, he succumbs.

Korlin drives his foot into the hoarbane's throat and jumps off of it. The hoarbane tries to recover but Kynn stabs the bulbous, causing it to shrivel in pain.

With all three hoarbanes screeching and crippled, it's time to leave.

"Go! Back to the outpost!"

Korlin scoffs but does as he is told.

Sirius helps Pholy stand and they follow behind Kynn who is leading the pack.

Two of the members help the poisoned one run.

Korlin trails in the back.

In his frustration, Korlin looks back at the flailing hoarbanes.

One of them is standing back up. The one Sirius' foot had smashed, gets back onto its feet.

The hoarbane turns its head to the fleeting group.

In a grotesque and disturbing manner, the destroyed red bulbous on its head expands and regrows.

The beast growls and barks. It sends a jolt of fear down Korlin's spine.

The hoarbane begins its pursuit.

"One of them is chasing us!"

"Shit..." Kynn mutters.

The exhausted party is nowhere near as fast as the beast. The hoarbane rapidly closes the distance, gunning right for Korlin.

"I'll smash its eye!" Korlin declares.

"What?! Are you insane?!" the member who previously fought with Korlin shouts.

"Don't worry! I can do this!"

Korlin stops running away and turns to face the approaching hoarbane.

"Idiot!" Kynn screams.

"What are you doing?!" Pholy cries.

In a desperate attempt to prove himself, Korlin lunges at the vicious beast. But unfortunately for him...

The monster's rage is greater than the boy's desire.

With its jaw extended, the hoarbane's teeth threaten to clasp on the boy's skull.

Korlin's heart stops.

The boy cowers in fear. He ducks his head and raises his forearms.

The beast's head collides with the metal plating on his arms. The metal shreds and falls apart, but it stalls the beast's speed just enough so no limbs break. The head continues flying at Korlin. As Korlin has ducked, the beast's mouth misses, but its chin rams straight into Korlin's right eye.

The squishy organ is smashed and bruised. Korlin is blasted backward into the snow. Blood spews from the closed eyelid.

"AAAAAAHHH!" Korlin cries in agony.

The hoarbane skids across the frosted ground and tries to attack Korlin while he's down and injured.

"What is wrong with you?!" The member who angered Korlin earlier runs over and puts himself between the boy and the predator.

The member swipes his sword at the leaping hoarbane. The tip of the blade slashes the pulsing bulbous and blinds the hoarbane.

Still airborne, the hoarbane flails its arms around...

And cuts the skin of the member.

The hoarbane collapses and rolls in the red-stained snow. It's out of commission.

The member, aching in pain, runs up to Korlin and grabs his arm.

"Get up you idiot!" The man throws a half-blinded Korlin to his feet and begins sprinting with the boy in tow.

They sprint off toward the outpost.

No one says a word. Their heavy breaths make up all of the sound.

They're all exhausted. They pray no hoarbanes show their ugly heads.

Their mission was a failure.

While Pholy's flames worked initially, the hoarbane's skin makes that fact obsolete.

Eventually, the outpost's flag fades in from beyond the haze.

"Open the gate!" Kynn calls out desperately. "Open it!"

As they close the gap, the gate descends.

The open gateway gives everyone a glimmer of hope. A boost of adrenaline gives them the speed to quickly enter the outpost.

As their sprinting legs cross over, half of them fall onto the floor. The guards swiftly close the gate.

After briefly catching his breath, Kynn goes to thank them and relay what happened.

Korlin, his knees in the cold snow, frustratingly catches his breath.

The group member who got poisoned thanks to Korlin, stomps toward the boy. The man grabs Korlin's collar and lifts him by the shirt.

"What the fuck is wrong with you?!"

The man slams his fist into Korlin's nose.

"What were you thinking running toward one of them like that?! Do you have a death wish?!" He dives his knuckles into the boy's face again. "Are you a child?! This isn't some fairytale! That was no time to be a hero!"

Korlin is furious.

"I didn't ask for your help!"

A number of snowsquallers are watching.

"Well, you sure needed it! And look what happened! I got fucking cut by one of those things! It's your fault! You realize that right?!"

Korlin shoves the guy off of him, his nose dripping blood.

"I don't need this! Get the hell away from me!"

Korlin gets to his feet and starts storming off.

"Korlin!" Pholy calls out. "Get back here!"

"Get back here and take responsibility!"

Korlin doesn't look back. He leaves a trail of blood along his path.

The member scoffs and kicks the ground.

"That bastard... I'm going to the medical hut. Come on," he grabs the other poisoned warrior, and they head off.

Sirius and Pholy make eye contact.

"What is he thinking...?"

"I don't know..."

Sirius watches as Korlin disappears into the distance.

"Pholy! Sirius!" Aureole comes running over. "Are you two alright?!"

"I'm alright," Pholy responds. Aureole crouches then and hugs the small girl. Aureole turns her head to Sirius.

"I'm fine..."

Aureole sighs in relief.

"Thank goodness you two are alright."

Kynn steps next to the three.

"Sorry to interrupt your reunion," Kynn meekly smiles. "But we should really go report to the king." Kynn extends his hand out to Sirius.

Sirius hesitates to grab it. But he reluctantly does so.

"Mm."

"First, go get yourself cleaned up. Your legs are a bloody mess, and you have monster drool in your hair."

"You're right..."

Kynn unties his ponytail and shakes his white mane. He nods to the guards and motions for Sirus and Pholy to come along.

"Let's go."

Sirius struggles to stand but weakly follows behind Kynn. Pholy and Aureole chat about what happened behind them.

Sirius walks in silence. His trust and sense of competence are in shambles.

"..."

"Are you doing alright?"

"Mm, I'm fine."

"Hm..." Kynn looks back to find Pholy. "Thank you, Pholy. You really saved us back there!"

"Oh... I don't know about that. I was sort of useless at the end there."

"Don't worry about that, you did your job perfectly."

"...Thanks. I guess..."

Aureole hugs Pholy for warmth and to assure her.

"Hey," Sirius starts. "Do you think we can beat those things? Your sword couldn't even scrape them."

Kynn sighs, and his charismatic smile fades.

"...I hope so. But I'd be lying if I said things didn't look hopeless..."