The heavily bearded man fully emerged onto our side of reality and examined the scene. Before they could reach for the hammer belted to their waist, they froze as Grimm spoke.

“Join the others. Await my orders.”

The man marched into the crowd of Grimms as Astra and an unknown parted to allow him entry.

His words weren’t directed at us but Alice stiffened and a pressure brushed my shoulders before I shrugged it off. I reached over and tapped her side, jarring her out of the effect Grim’s words had.

Next came a woman, older, far older than any other Grimm. She sported gray streaked hair cut short and shaved on the sides. Her eyes were hard and a scar split her cheek.

But her regeneration should have fixed that…

Unlike the man, she didn’t freeze and instead stared directly at Grim.

“Why the show? What’s gotten under your skin this time?” she asked bluntly.

He smirked. “You’ll see. It’s been awhile, Elizabeth. How goes the hunt? Still chasing after that witch?”

“I don’t have time for your games, Prime. Is it time for the Harvest?”

“It is. Sorry to pull you away, but your prey can wait another day. If you don’t mind, get in line. You’re in the way,” Grim said, growling at the end.

She froze, for a second before she contained a snarl and moved to the side. She skipped Alice and examined me. Her eyes shifted into swirling purple orbs before she looked away and pulled up her hood.

I didn’t have time to question her reaction as the portal spat out another person. The next five who exited onto our side froze at Grim’s commands and joined the others.

Only the sixth person was like the woman. He was tall, and sported fiery-hair with a braided beard. He looked young, even with the facial hair giving him a savage look as pieces of sharp bone decorated the braids.

He reminds me of Maro.

Unlike Elizabeth, he got to one knee and lowered his head.

“Prime. You have summoned. Is it time for the Blood Harvest?”

“It is, Krulg. How long has it been since you’ve stopped at the Warren?”

“Four decades on the morrow. The Labyrinthia is too deep.”

He doesn’t even look forty. Damn.

“You’ll find him yet. For now get in line. Once everyone is here, we’ll begin the next step.”

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Krulg didn’t salute but it was like watching a soldier greet their commander. He joined Elizabeth and promptly ignored her in favor of watching the portal.

More spilled out, all unnamed, and ignored by Grim. He spoke once each time, to command them in line before visually dismissing them from his sight.

“There’s a lot more than Astra thought,” Alice whispered.

“Recognize any of them?” I whispered back.

She shook her head and motioned to the portal.

This time, it wasn’t a human limb that stepped out but instead a thick furry arm attached to sharp claws. Their fur was chestnut and they towered over even Krulg and Maro.

A deep rumbling snarl echoed and crimson eyes locked onto Grim.

“You’ve interrupted my hunt, Prime. I had them imp cornered. Why?” the werewolf growled.

Steam erupted from their mouth and flames sprouted from their claws. But in the face of the threat, Grim cocked his head.

“Do we need another demonstration as to who is the Prime and who is the pup, Ripper?”

Ripper roared but as he did, their bones snapped and the fur receded. As Ripper’s clothe’s reappeared, he spat a wad of phlegm and raked his fingers through a scratchy beard.

By far the Grimm looked the oldest out of everyone present. Silver hair, and surprisingly dull red eyes. His beard was untamed as was his hair. It was pinned with sharp silver clips that exposed pointed ears. They were far sharper than any human ears, and nearly twice as big. But his face past the mountain of hair looked human–albeit wrinkled and deep set.

Grim opened his mouth to speak but Ripper pushed past him and stopped in front of Elizabeth.

“You’re still alive.”

Elizabeth grunted. “And you shouldn’t be.”

“I won’t die till I wring that ra-”

“And just as obsessed. Get in line before the Prime does something we’ll regret. We can speak later.”

Ripper crossed his arms but joined the two.

“We’re just waiting on the final pair,” Grim said as he turned around. “Will be any moment now, then we can get to your trial.”

As minutes went by, the smile slowly dropped from Grim’s face. His eyes burned bright and the flames inside licked at the rings of gold, as if ready to burst from its containment.

Eventually another clothed limb stepped through, another woman. She looked young, younger than the three who stood to the side, with her hair hidden inside her hood. Unlike the rest, she had no visible weapon, and wore clothes rather than armor.

And in her hands was a person-shaped bundle of black roots.

That’s…

“Where is Julius? Why are you alone, Quinn?”

Quinn stopped and presented the bundle. There was a black crystal near the center, and she pried it free. The roots unwound and revealed a pale man with black veins running throughout his exposed skin. Rested on his chest was an iron sword and a folded red cloak.

“I return to the pack with one of their own. His body has been preserved as is right and his weapons and cloak are with him. My apologies Prime, the hunt has claimed its toll,” Quinn spoke.

Her words were heavy, and eloquent, as if the speech was well rehearsed.

Grim extended his hand and Quinn handed over the crystal. He stared for some time until a strong gust blew through the square. As a pulse of energy stirred another gust, the hole in reality slowly squeezed shut. The runes along the pillar dimmed but the roots remained.

He crouched, and placed his hand over the man’s eyes. He leaned in and whispered something into his ear but the wind blocked out the sound. Still, Quinn seemed to have heard what he said and nodded as she stepped away and took up position beside Krulg.

There was a tinkling of glass as I turned and watched Grim sprinkle the broken crystal over Juluis’ body. Without an incantation black roots sprung from the earth and engulfed his corpse, carrying him away as they receded into the ground.

The smile Grim carried looked false, and his eyes were dim oven’s compared to before.

He clapped once, and another archway formed. One that rivaled the tree in height. The rainbow motes of light burst apart and flattened into a portal revealing a forest filled with black trees and a grey sky.

This time his words were a steel-filled command that crushed my thoughts beneath its sound.

“Get in.”