Sera's heart thudded. She stepped away from Aeryth, "Oh, we are oh so royally fucked," she whispered as her eyes stared out the window.

She didn't feel anything. She was inadequate at perceiving things, a mage of great destruction, suitable in large-scale hunts and battles.

In the range of twenty meters, she felt no fluctuation of mana. Her limit.

"Sera?" Aeryth asked, confused.

Sera's heart dropped as Aeryth's voice echoed in her ears. Her eyes involuntarily flicked at the lance. Her heart raced again. An urge, a whispered from the deepest and greediest part of her, to take the lance for herself pulsed in her veins. It was too precious to be in the hands of someone so weak. Not that the weakling girl could resist her in any manner.

Sera bit her tongue. The taste of blood grounded her back to reality. "Shit..."

She still didn't feel any presence around them. "We are alone..."

"Will you tell me something?" Aeryth asked.

Sera gulped. "You can feel it, right?"

"If it's a reference to the urge to hold this weapon close to my chest, then I do," Aeryth's hands clenched on the staff, "It's urging me to stab you as your back is facing me." Aeryth chuckled.

How can you control the urge without mana to guard your mind? Sera didn't dare to ask that question. Aeryth was surrounded by enigmas. Sera still had no clue about her past.

"So, this is a mythical class weapon..." Sera watched Aeryth visibly recoil at the revelation. "A slumbering mythical weapon, when awakens, calls for everyone around it. It desires to be claimed by the strongest it can find. And it will do so until someone tames it, or it becomes dormant again."

"Can you tame it?" Aeryth asked.

Sera shook her head. A part of her was glad that Aeryth trusted her so much, despite the whispers of the weapon in her ears. "I will lose myself. It's beyond what someone of my strength can dare to possess."

Aeryth nodded. Her hand clenched even harder. "If it will call everyone..."

"Yeah, soon, the entire city will be clawing and hunting us down for this treasure," Sera replied. There was still time. The weapon had drowsed for far too long, and it still had not roused to its full. "But we have five minutes, I think, before it will completely awaken."

Aeryth choked out a laugh, "Hah! It couldn't have been that easy." She laughed even harder. Wallowing in despair. "This is the final part of this trail. Am I competent enough to possess the treasure?"

Sera didn't have words to assure her. What could she even say? She knew how self-destructively Aeryth wanted the money. Finally, the treasure was in her hand, and yet, it was a death sentence. Nothing more.

Aeryth stopped laughing, "Sorry. It's just hilarious how everything has to be so..."

"Aeryth. Get a hold of yourself, even if you don't realize it, that thing is taking hold of you," Sera observed her. "We don't have time to stand around and despair."

"What the hell are we supposed do to? The city guards will not protect us, will they?"

Sera looked dead serious at Aeryth, "First thing they will do is hunt us down like rabid dogs. The laws are there to protect civilians from civilians. Add noble greed to the equation; the law ceases to exist."

"I don't know what should I do," Aeryth's face grew red in anger. "What can I even do?"

Sara took a deep breath. "Nothing. You've already done enough. We are in the fighting department, let me think now," Sera grinned. "And stop looking so down."

Aeryth didn't respond.

"Aeryth!" Sera hissed.

Aeryth shook her head. "Sorry."

"Take a deep breath. Hold it in your chest. We are going to the church."

"What?"

Sera gestured her to follow. "Follow me." Aeryth followed her a moment later. They stepped into the stairs as Sera began. "The church is the only safe haven in the fourth district for us now."

"Even if they are good guys, we will only bring the trouble," Aeryth whispered in urgency.

"The church is not part of Lesterforge neither is it some weak charity. I don't know how you're unaware," Sera chalked up to Aeryth being from some remote village perhaps, "But, the church is a superpower that no noble of this city will mess with. As long as we are on church grounds and have not sinned punishable by law, they will keep us safe."

Aeryth nodded. "I didn't know about that..."

"Yeah, it's fine. We just need to get there fast."

"It is pointless still. If we travel the city with this in my hand, anyone can easily find out it was me. Burying myself in the church for rest of my life is a laughable solution." Aeryth said, sighing.

"That's not something you need to worry about," Sera grinned.

"Are you implying I hand this guillotine over to you?" Aeryth tone rose dramatically, as she came to a halt.

"No," Sera scratched her head. She held out her hand, channeling mana into an invisible rune in her thumbnail. A blank mask manifest on it. "Here, this is the realm traveler's mask. So long as you wear it, no one will know who it was."

Aeryth hesitated. "What about you?"

"I am Lady Sia's close confidant of sort? I don't have an official standing... but I am well-known, so I get a lot of shit all the time. So if someone sees me with a weapon like this," Sera grinned ear to ear, "I'll only get more weight on me. A plus."

Aeryth nodded. She took the mask and put it on her face. It didn't require a string to be attached. Magical mask. Since it belonged to Sera, she could see her face all the same like it didn't exist. Sera couldn't tell why this feature existed, probably to identify if someone stole the mask. That or for the realm traveling commission to see everyone's face as they owned all the masks.

They reached the door. "We will never make it to the church in time."

"About that... I got horses outside," Sera puffed her chest. "My foresight and all. So, we will make it."

Aeryth stared at her. The lightless eyes questioned the validity of Sera's words. "How did you predict it?"

"A diviner said I should take two horses with me." Sera backed out. Suspicion will only make things worse.

"Oh..." Aeryth stopped. "How could they know...?"

"They don't. They see vague images and work accordingly. They live to make sure those vague foresight come true. They're less like a true seer and more like a puppeteer pulling strings. Even so, the horse is something that will help us, so I brought them with me. Don't worry, whatever vision they might've, I'll burn through all of them." The last of those words were for herself more than Aeryth. She hated the fact that a diviner had helped her.

Aeryth nodded. "Now is not the time to worry about it."

Sera had come prepared for a fight, expecting a demon in this library. Instead, it's the treasure itself, calling upon the people's greed—far worse than demons.

Don't worry, Sera. Aeryth is more than capable. We can reach the church without a scratch before the city even comes to its senses.

"Can you ride the horse?" Sera asked.

Aeryth nodded.

They crossed the road, looking around. No one seemed to be awake at this hour. Slightly morning, the sun at the precipice of the horizon.

The horses were tied to the street lamp. Sera had borrowed the fastest she could find. Of course, Sera had not stolen them or anything.

"People around here are weak. Until it reaches the inn section of the city or realm traveling commission, we should be relatively safe. A few drifting people at best. By the time it starts to attract them, we'll be in the safety of the church. There's nothing to worry about. I'll drop you there and contact Lady Sia."

"Sera," Aeryth looked at her, "Are you nervous?"

"No!" Sera squawked. She hurried to the horse, untied them from the lampost, and jumped over it in a swift motion.

She watched Aeryth walk over to the other horse. Aeryths stopped. She hesitantly took another step forward.

"Aeryth. Quick. We don't have much time."

Aeryth took a deep breath. "Yeah. Sorry, I..." She shook her head. Let out the air in her lungs and approached the horse. Her fist whitening from the pressure.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Sera watched her intently. "You're afraid."

"Not of the horse..." Aeryth replied. She climbed up the horse like she had done it hundreds of times before. "But, I am afraid."

"Don't worry. We've come this far, we will cross this too," Sera smiled.

"I am not worried if I will succeed... But the price that Ella will demand for that success," Sera didn't understand the meaning behind Aeryth's words. "Sera, if you feel your life is in jeopardy, please run away. I would rather give this up than have you die."

Sera was at a loss for words.

[Path Quest Befriend Aeryth Complete.]

[Rune of Immolation can be forged.]

Sera didn't feel glad seeing it, She was happy that Aeryth had accepted her friendship, even if Sera knew Aeryth would not admit it, but Aeryth's words, along with acceptance of their friendship, painted a heartbreaking and cruel picture of her past. One that Sera didn't want to imagine. Don't think. Focus on the path ahead.

"Let's dash."

Did we spend the five minutes already?

"You'll be fine," Aeryth whispered to the horse. She kicked the horse's side. It trotted forward.

Sera also followed behind her. The horses slowly took up the speed, breaking into a sprint.

The chime of the horse's hoof rang. For a small moment, Sera felt as if the world had come to a half. Her heart grew heavier. Her hand tightened on the reins. It's awake!

At the same time, Hundreds of vile gazes peered at them. Sera's skin crawled like spiders walking on them.

Aeryth looked her away and focused back on the road, picking up the pace.

The air grew hotter around them. A warning for someone foolish enough to try their luck.

The dogs were first to run away. Animals had different instincts than humans. In this case, at least.

Aeryth slowed down as a few people crawled up to the road. "We take left?" She asked.

Sera shook her head. She conjured a fireball. "Nah, I'll burn them."

The thugs scrambled, screaming at the top of their lungs, face burnt.

"Was that necessary?" Aeryth asked.

"We don't want a mob forming on us—it's inevitable—but we need to do this if we are to survive."

Aeryth nodded. Her jaw clenched.

They picked up the pace. Sera burned a few more. A mob formed behind them. Sera swept her eyes around. They were close to Regisrath's home ground.

"Aeryth, take the left."

They trotted into the alley in silence.

Sera let out a breath, as felt no presence around here.

"Are you worried about something?"

"Me? Nah... Of course, not. I am relieved that we didn't cross them. From the next lane, the church should be straight ahead. A smooth sail from here," Sera said. She noted another man carrying a massive hammer at the exit. "And they." Sera pointed at him, "Are welcome to get burned."

She shot a fireball without pause.

The hammer clashed with the flames and stomped it into the ground. It died. Sera raised her brow. "Okay, he might be a little troublesome."

Especially because she couldn't put her feet on the ground, and second because they couldn't stop to deal with him. They needed to keep moving. Once they stop, they'll be swarmed. Sera felt the numerous people on the other street already gathering.

"Fine," A rune formed on the back of her hand. She spread two fingers and used her other hand to touch the rune.

It let out a wisp of flames. Sera pulled back her hand along her arm. It extended, forming into an arrow in a bow, except it was made of flame. She let go. It whipped past Aeryth and slammed into the man's chest. He flung back and dragged across the floor. He grunted. Flames vanished before they could burn him.

I am still weak. I should've burned him.

Sera whipped off the sweat from her forehead.

"It's frustrating. I cannot help you in any way. This feeling of being a burden, again. I have no power still and need to be saved. After all this time, nothing has changed. I never want to be in this situation." Aeryth muttered.

Sera could see the change in her demeanor already. Something must've happened in the past to make Aeryth so apprehensive to help.

"Aeryth. There's nothing for you to do in this situation, no matter how frustrating it feels." Sera replied as they exited the alley. "You're smart, but you are like the dumbest person I've met. Of course, when you're weak. Everyone is weak at some point. That's how humans are. You cannot do what I can do. It's not unfair. I am older than you, so, of course, I'll do better. So, sit back and let me protect you. You'll get your time to shine one day and that, no one can take away from you. No one."

Aeryth nodded.

Sera smiled. She might've succeeded in getting through Aeryth's thick skull.

Then, her smile vanished.

Cold dread settled into the pit of her stomach. Sera pulled the reins of her horse. It came to a halt.

Aeryth looked at her.

"Don't stop. I'll be by your side in a blink. Keep going." Sera shouted back. Her eyes were on the second-floor terrace. Gingy stood there, observing them languidly.

"Sera, please run away if you're in danger!" Aeryth shouted as she dashed further away.

"Not gonna mother that weakling?" Gingy asked.

Sera sighed. How's he here? Those diviner bastards!

I can hold him off for a while.

"I don't need to," Sera replied. "Not every day, I get to kick a sore red ass of whipmaster," Sera grinned. Flames pulsed in her veins.

Gingy's eyes narrowed. "I'll make a grave of knives just for you," He jumped off.

Sera followed suit, patting the horse. It backs away.

Gingy flung a dagger at it. The rune of Ward manifested on her left eye. It guarded the horse.

Sera shot a fireball at him. "Must you hurt an innocent little animal, bastard?"

"Innocent?" Gingy scoffed. "That bastard is your escape route. It's only reasonable that I kill it first. Smart planning, you know, something you severally lack."

"I will give you half a minute of grace, scram, Gingy. For the benevolence of olden times. I don't have time to hold back today. You'll die. In agony." Her presence changed. Small sparks of flame popped around.

[Rune of Flames triggered.

Constitution +20%

Fire element potency + 10%]

Sera ignored it. She knew what her powers did. This worthless thing had no real use.

"Neither will I. I will get that lance. The treasure that will finally grant my master the status he unquestionably deserves."

Sera choked out a laugh. "You mean between rotten assholes of Goblin. I can get him there without any treasure. Hahaha."

Gingy's face turned red.

"Bitch!" He lunged at her. A short sword arrowed at her face. The glinting tip of the blade reflected in her eyes. Sera moved at the last moment, drawing her sword from the waist with an upward slash.

Gingy's heels dug into the ground, he halted, blade whipped past his face. He grabbed her hand like a bolt of lightning. Grinned.

Sera tried to pull back. She was a mage, and even among them, she specialized against slow-moving giant targets. This was way beyond her specialization.

He punched her in the guts. But met the solid ward woven out of mana. Sera punched, conjuring a flame barrier in front of her fist. Her vision darkened from the strain. Eye runes or spell circles were the most taxing and inefficient to use for a novice mage. They required far more precision than other method of casting. Her temple throbbed.

Gingy moved away by the breadth of a hair, still the long strands in front of his face singed from the heat emanating from the barrier.

Sera used this chance to step away from the close range. "Tract!"

The ground took a shade of red like there were veins of lava flowing beneath. It grew hotter.

"Shit!" Gingy jumped onto the terrace.

Sera giggled. "Afraid?" She quirked a brow.

Mana soaked into the ground through her feet. Beneath the ground, a massive circle was forming. Woven by hundreds of small runes.

It was her preferred method of casting a spell, as her opponents failed to see the progress.

"Bitch!"

"Cursing after failing to dispatch a mage in close combat, that's so like you, Gingy," Sera smirked.

"You cannot waste your time, now. Can you?" Gingy's eyes twinkled. "You're in a rush, not me. I know for a fact that girl will not make it alone. There's no way Hearth has another magical prodigy after all."

He was right. If Gingy was here, then she couldn't chalk it out that a few more were here as well. But.

"I will take my time and make sure I've dealt with you thoroughly," Sera replied. Haste was the biggest enemy in a time rush.

Close your mind of outside worries. In a battle, you must always, always, keep your eyes on the enemy you face. Your undivided attention must be to kill them. Everything, worry, anger, needs must cease to exist so long as the battle lasts. Everything.

"You're only digging a grave deeper than the Gorge if you wait up there, Gingy. I am a mage, you know. The worst thing you can do is permit me time to cast a spell," Sera said, flinging a few fireballs at him. After last night's effort, fireballs had become an afterthought to her mana pool and mental strain.

Gingy guarded with a ward of his own. "You say that as you invite me to fight. Even if you pretend, you're in a hurry."

Sera raised her left hand, dividing her middle finger and index finger. The rune on the back of her palm lit up. She pulled back. The flame arrow manifested. "What if I am in a hurry?"

The arrow hissed through the air. The ward melted without resistance. Gingy's smile vanished as he scrambled to the side. The arrow melted through the building. Sera hoped no one was caught in it. She was too focused on Gingy to cancel the spell. It cost mana and focus.

The spell tore through the ceiling and burst into fireworks in the sky.

Sera pulled another arrow. Gingy pushed against the fences and ricocheted at her. His speed multiplied.

Sera moved away just in the nick of time.

As Gingy's feet touched the ground. A chain shot out from it and grabbed him in his place.

"You're pretty stupid, you know." Sera intoned. She had little less than half of her mana. And it was draining still. Drain, this fast, made her lose all emotions—a side effect.

The arrow in her hand vanished. She stood, watching him as he stabbed the chain with his dagger and short sword.

"What the fuck!" He screamed, rattling the metal chains. "How the fuck did you even make this!"

He pulled out a meter length of chain and dragged his feet towards her.

So, that's the limit of it. Sera calculated in her mind. She had come up with a new spell to deal with close combat opponents. It was taxing, and she had not seen the full extent of it.

The chains vanished. Sera shot another fireball.

Gingy dodge. He skidded to the side, and again, a chain shot out from the ground and contained him.

Sera felt another thump in her heart. She looked toward Aeryth. The call was becoming stronger. Her eyes narrowed. There was a crossbow arrow in Aeryth's shoulder. She bit her tongue.

Focus!

She looked back at Gingy. He had again pulled out the chains, ruining the street. Lava seeped from the crack. Smoke rose as the holding glue between the cobblestones melted. It smelled like rubber.

Sera took a few steps backward, standing at the edge of her tract. "Run away, Gingy. I will kill you if I must."

He just growled. Flung his dagger at her. It was faster than most arrows she had seen. Sera was incapable of dodging something this fast.

The rune burned in her eyes. Tears trickled down her cheek, evaporating into steam.

Three different shells of circular ward manifest right before the dagger. All spun in different directions. The dagger was covered in a green aura and broke through the first like a rock crashing into a mirror, and then the second, and lost its momentum. The third slapped it away.

It fell to the ground. The aura fizzled.

Sera realized a moment too late. She stepped back, at the very precipice of her tract and created a ward. An ear-piercing explosion shattered the barrier.

But she managed to stay in. Her shoe dug into the now soft ground.

"Stupid Bitch!" Gingy was upon her. Sera ducked from the sword. He kicked. She guarded with her arm. Pain jolted up into the base of her mind upon impact.

She was forced back. Gingy took a step forward. Mana gathered into his palm as it crashed into her guts like a hundred thousand hair-thin needles stabbing her.

She spat blood.

"Stupid," Gingy grinned, "You're the only mage in this world who would give up her spell-casting ability for a stupid chain. What were you even thinking? Ah, right, thinking ain't your strong suit." He glowered at his victory. He took a few steps in Aeryth's direction. "Now, the lance is ours."

"I'm still alive, you know!' A pillar of flame shot beneath Gingy. He jumped back, still caught by the flame.

The spell circle beneath the ground was complete. The chain was a distraction, and a small price to consume time for the real spell. A true manifestation of destruction.

"What the fuck!"

"Fuck, Indeed," All the flames gathered into a small ball in her hand, which shone like the morning sun.

"Run," Sera whispered.

Gingy's eyes widened in horror, face turned pale as he turned. And scrambled on the ground. "Wait! That girl will die!" He screamed. A pillar of flame shot toward him. He ran.

The pillar shot forward, toward Aeryth. Sera saw nothing as the flames engulfed the entire lane, colliding with the barrier around the church grounds. When it died, nothing was left on the street. Just smoldering and melting buildings.

Sera sighed. "I hope they managed to escape..." She tried to push herself up. Only a quarter of her stamina remained.

"Stay in your place," A crossbow arrow landed in front of her. Sera whipped her head around but couldn't see anyone. "I don't want to kill you, but if you move, I will not hesitate."

"Who the fuck are you?" Sera hissed, pushing herself to her feet. An arrow dug into her shoulder.

"People call me Advisor."