The clash of mace against sword was the starting pistol for the demons to pour out from trees. What a few moments prior had been silence other than Floren's complaints, now was a cacophony of noise and shouts.

Like they were trained, the Hunters rushed forward to engage while the Inquisitors fell backwards. Sanya, even with Wane still wrapped in her arms, yanked the downed Floren out from beneath Kumo's feet.

Kumo stared past their crossed weapons at what she took to be the demon's leader with the VIII carved just below their large horn on the side of their forehead. The demon leader smiled before speaking. Her voice had a halting rhythm like a funeral dirge.

"And who is this new prey?"

Kumo's response was pulling another mace out from her [Expanded Pocket] and going all out. Her [Fighting Style] (Oppressive Downpour) was highly aggressive. It almost didn't even have a true style to it and was more a constant series of attacks that were inescapable.

If a monster tried to dodge out of the way, her Domain [Phantom Strikes] ensured that she was always in range and it worked the same here.

Kumo's first two strikes were blocked by the demon commander's sword and she took a step back to avoid the third, but a mace made of mist smashed into the top of her head.

Somehow, the demon commander turned with the attack killing some of the force of the blow. She followed through with the movement and rolled to the side before popping back to her feet. Blood still dribbled down her forehead and passed just by her mouth where she licked it slowly from the corner of her mouth.

She smiled. "I am Auraco, the eighth princess of the Demon Empire, and you shall be my quarry." She pulled a second blade from a sheath across her back. "Oh, how I've missed the hunt."

"You talk too much."

Kumo leapt forward bringing both maces down in an overhead arc. Auraco rolled to the side again, but as she popped back up, Kumo was already on her. Activating [Quick Steps], Kumo renewed her assault.

The sounds of battle echoed all around her and she wanted desperately to go help her clan, but this demon was taking her entire focus. Activating [Quick Steps], a barrage of strikes came down and Auraco managed to dodge or block three before Kumo managed to knock her sword out of the way to slam into Kumo's shoulder.

Again, the demon rolled with it and limited the damage. As she popped back up, her eyes started to glow red. Despite Kumo's Soul being weak, she was able to feel Aether being used by her opponent. That meant that it was a lot of Aether.

Whatever her eyes did, Kumo couldn't let her finish it. She shot forward again sending out another phantom mace, but Auraco easily side stepped it. Kumo's grip on her maces creaked as she swung with all her might. Blow after blow flew towards the demon commander, but not one of them hit.

Side step, duck, step back and block the mace of mist. All misses.

A single perfect thrust interrupted Kumo's flurry of attacks in an opening that she wasn't even aware that she'd had. As the short sword barreled towards her, she realized that neither of her current attacks were set to counter back and she was about to impaled.

Burning Aether as fast as she could, she shut off [Quick Steps] and activated [Iron Counter]. One of her maces spun around impossibly and the head landed perfectly in the way of her attack.

The demon's attack wouldn't be denied. The ball of Kumo's mace slammed into her chest and sent her flying across the ground. A root scraped across her back and the force of hitting the ground knocked the breath from her lungs.

It took several desperate inhales to get it back and she tried to scramble back to her feet, but this time, her paws shook as she faced the demon who's eyes were still glowing red. Auraco had only attacked her once and even through her Skill it had been devastating. Whatever Skill the demon commander used, it was better than Kumo's entire arsenal.

And that was only one Skill. What happened when she used more? The only other time she'd been so easily outclassed was against the Fighting Drakes and after that, Gi had died.

Kumo weapon's sagged as she nervously adjusted her grip. Auraco approached, slowly getting into range. "That look. That's what I live for! Those who think they are just so strong and can't conceive that they will be utterly broken... by me."

Kumo wanted to charge forward and scream. She wanted to go down swinging, but Auraco just seemed so close. Unconsciously, she took a step backward.

"And yet, the hunt must eventually come to a close. The quarry must be caught and the prey consumed. Hopefully, the satisfaction will help quench the somber nature of the end."

Kumo raised her maces in a cross pattern. She should fight. She knew she should fight, but her mind flicked through all of her Skills and tactics and every single one came up empty.

"RETREAT!" Sanya's yell came only a moment before she barreled between two trees and shoulder checked Auraco, sending her skidding across the ground, the red glow disappearing from her eyes.

Sanya's voice snapped Kumo out of her haze and she saw that all of her otters were racing towards the river with demons snapping at their heels. It was a full route.

For the first time, Kumo activated [Quick Steps] to run away.

All of them found themselves diving into the river and while the demons tried to follow, their attempts were nothing compared to the [Swim Speed] of an Otter.

As they got further and further away, relief started to flood into Kumo's chest, but that was soon replaced by guilt and doubt. Auraco had completely outclassed her. She couldn't even begin to fight her and her Otters had suffered for it.

When they finally pulled themselves out of the water, many of them collapsed onto land, taking in deep breaths. Kumo's Vitality was one of the strongest there so she didn't have the same response, but she trudged out of the water anyways and cast her eyes over the clan.

There were a lot missing.

If Samba was here, he could have protected them with his Domain. If the Priests and Templar were there, maybe none would have died at all. Tiria... might have chosen a better path to begin with.

How was she supposed to lead by herself? She was nothing.

"Thank Danna, we got away," Sanya said as she stepped up beside Kumo. She still had Wane wrapped in her arms and somehow miraculously Killer was there too though. The cat was soaked and ready to fight but alive.

Kumo took Wane from Sanya's grasp and let her collapse to the ground so she could rest. Kumo hugged Wane close to her.

She missed the others.

The group rested for several minutes, but the fear that the demons might still be tracking them got them all to their feet and moving further away from the river. The forest eventually thinned out as they started to move into a rockier region.

Sparse shrubs littered the ground, clinging to the sparse rock and the cold chill felt even sharper out of the trees. In the distance, the jagged plain eventually sloped up into a mountain that towered over them with snowy peaks.

The lonely, barren land around them wasn't completely empty though.

In the distance, they could see a small settlement nestled against the mountain. They'd avoided the first one they'd seen, but now? Kumo's paws hadn't stopped shaking since the encounter with Auraco. They needed somewhere to rest... and they needed to level.

A settlement of humans could provide both.

***

Poe landed directly on the small wall that surrounded the lakeside village. Two human soldiers flinched back at his arrival, but Poe just gave them his brightest smile.

Hello!

His greeting stopped both soldiers in their tracks. Maybe that was due to his voice spitting meaning into their minds that transcended language with [Expanded Telepathy]. Maybe it was just his friendly disposition.

My friends and I need a place to stay for awhile! Do you happen to have an inn or maybe a really nice old lady that's feeling a little lonely and would love the company of a few Rhinos?

The two soldiers just looked at each other and said something in their language. Reading their minds, Poe translated it roughly to, "Should we go get the Elder?"

That's probably a good idea! I'll stay here so I don't scare anyone. Rawwwr. So scary sometimes, I am!

Poe bobbed his head up and down with his best smile so they'd know he was friendly. They still looked bewildered and cautious, but Poe thought it was helping. After a few confused moments, one of them went to run and get whoever the Elder was and Poe waited patiently.

The remaining guard eyed him warily so Poe decided it was time to engage in universal small talk - his specialty.

So... do you like the Fattest Unicorn?

The soldier, who was male Poe thought, blinked. "What?"

Oh come on, you know! The Fattest Unicorn! It's the peak of the magical girl genre! It's got everything you could ever want. Friendship, unicorns, magical powers, more friendship. It's the best!

The soldier continued to stare at him.

Ohmygod, dohumansnothaveTheFattestUnicorn? That'ssosad.

Just then, the other soldier return with a woman. That made both of the soldiers men by comparison. Humans were just like goblins. So easy!

Hi! Are you the Elder?

The new woman wore britches and a loose white shirt that had spots of dirt all over it. She took off her straw hat and a few small grey strands fell down as she scratched her forehead with her wrist.

"That's what they call me."

Poe cleared his throat before going into his prepared speech.

My friends and I need a place to stay for awhile! Do you happen to have an inn or maybe a really nice old lady that's feeling a little lonely and would love the company of a few Rhinos? Ohmygod, are you lonely?! This could be perfect.

The elder scratched her head again. "I've never seen a telepathic monster before."

"What if it's trying to mind control us?" The soldier who'd left to get the elder said.

"I think it would be more charismatic," the one who'd stayed said. They had formed a connection surely and that's why he was defending him. Humans seemed a little rude though.

The Elder looked between her two soldiers and then back to Poe. "What do you want from us?"

But... but I just... Poe sighed. This was gonna take awhile.