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Under the stars and tall trees, a young man sat on the grass. His face focused as he chiselled wood over by the bonfire. A blow on wood shavings revealed a doll. The young man smiled with contentment and showed it to his neighbour.

“How is it?”

“It looks beautiful, she will love it.” a young woman said as she took the doll. She moved her red hair over her long ears. “I’ll give it to her.” She stood up with the doll, her spiky hair bouncing with a long warrior braid.

“I’ll go with.” The young man struggled to get up, exhausted from a hard day's work. The tall, lithe woman helped up the man with ease. She giggled as he rubbed the grass and dirt from his black cassock. They walk around the bonfire as others eat and chat about the day.

“Still insistent on wearing those outsider clothes?”

“I wouldn't feel right without them. Plus, the ladies love a man in uniform.”

The tall woman rolled her eyes. A small fuzzy creature landed his six feet on the woman’s shoulder. Its translucent wings buzzed.

“Pip, there you are. We are on our way to see our favourite girl.”

Pip buzzed in excitement. Two began walking.

A rumble through the ground scared the wildlife around. Pip buzzed in fear. Hundreds of long ears look around for danger.

The woman ran for a spear resting on a tree. Figures cloaked in shadow burst through bushes, their screams vibrating the air. Men, women and children ran away from the light of the fire to the dark forest. The lithe woman stayed.

“Run away!” said the long-eared woman as he assumed her stance.

“Not today. I’ll make a stand.” Amber's energy flowed from his fingers. He spread his arms out and a shield of holy power.

“Asa, please…!” Her eyes were pleading with tears.

“We fight together or not at all. Gwen, you know can't run as fast you lot.” Asa smirked as he covered the area with rays of holiness. Creatures shied away from the harsh light.

“Elephon!” the priest shouted.

A red-haired long-ear carried Gwen off the ground on the back of a drake. She struggled in his grasp, shouting for Asa.

Hands out. Asa turned around to Gwen. A kind smile. Then, a blast of light.

Brother?

A Copy.

“Interested now?”

Drac stared at Issac, waiting for more information.

“His name is Asa. Looks just like you. Dark skin, full lips and optimistic eyes. He mentioned how he would return home to his brothers. And I happen to find one. This must be a plan of the most high to set things straight.”

Drac sat on a bench on the balcony; the revelation was too much.

“He was sent with a party of warriors to see whether the Great Tree could be healed.”

“Heal? Is it dying?”

“Possibly. We are unsure but the tree’s powers have been lessening, causing more fledgling demons to enter our realm.”

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Like the Controller.

“We sent many veteran priests, all lost. No word from the long-eared tribes.”

“So the refugees…”

“They're from the many towns ravaged by monsters and the disease they wrought.”

“Why send Asa? What could he do?”

“As I said he is one of a kind. A reckless, foolhardy kid. Volunteered to go himself. Said it was his “last mission”.

Yep. He’s you, alright.

“And he was good. One of the best graduates from the academy. He had to be since I have practically been raised since a young teen.” Issac bowed his head. “I didn't want him to go. But my duties… I am too busy to stop or go help him.”

Raised? Ask about his handler.

“My brother, did he arrive at the church with a caretaker?”

“Well, yes he did. Pen was his name. Dutiful man. Passed away several years ago, unfortunately. Since then, Asa has been under my tutelage.”

Drac slouched on his knees. A priest. How many different lives did his copies lead? His heart pumped in excitement.

We are not ready.

Taken aback by Drac’s statement, He went into his mind. Drac mind wore his old Plyton attire. He searched and found Hood in the Darkness. His library had grown. Hood sat on a large leather chair.

“What do mean?

“As I said, we are not ready to venture into the forest of the great tree. It isn't a place where I can use my tricks. Many Warriors and beasts exceed us in strength and aura tenfold. It is not the same as a small city like Fourshire, it is a place of legends and even the strong succumb to it.”

“Then what are you supposed to do? Let a copy die?”

“No, we get stronger.”

Drac walked to sit next to Hood.

“Speak of your plan.”

Hood sighed. “The original plan was to go directly to the capital and meet the others. This Asa situation changes things.”

“Oh, so you want to meet the copies on the way.”

“Mm. There is one we need to meet. He is probably the strongest of us all. Fortunately, where he is currently located is a boat ride away.”

“So, the great tree?” said Drac giddy

“Yes, yes fine. We will save the idiot priest.”

Drac jumped out of his seat in happiness.

Drac is awakened in the real world.

“Boy… are you ok?”

“Sorry, just thinking hard.”

“Well Drac, have you thought about the favour? Will you accept my request and bring back my dumb student?”

Drac smiled at the old priest. “I will need a boat.”

Drac is back at the Watch hideout or the new headquarters. He walked up to Bob sitting by a bed, tending to patients with his large armour.

“Bob, seen marina anywhere? I would like to talk to both of you about our journey.”

Bob looked down to the floor.

“She has been in her room ever since… the army arrived.”

This concerned Drac. “I will see how to see how she is,” said Drac as he rustled in his jacket. A package is handed to Bob. His big hands fiddle with the box.

“Sweets. And more will come,” said Drac.

While staring at the package, Bob’s stone face cracked to reveal a smile. “Now I know why she likes you so much.” Then Bob patted Drac heavily on the shoulder. Drac winched in pain. “Now go. Console her.”

After walking the flights of stairs where he murdered Bones, he finally reached her room. A knock three times on the door and a nervous voice came from the room.

“Who is it?”

“Just me.”

The door opened a bit. A green eye spied through the crack. The door finally opened wide and the man in black was pulled through it.

“Are they still around? The imperial army.”

“They were never here.”

Marina sighed. She relaxed on a wooden chair.

“Not a fan?”

“No… and not of those guns too. They are weapons of evil that must be destroyed. Never to be used again.” Marina's beautiful face turned terrifying.

Drac cringed inside.

Hood laughed

“Sorry, Drac. I didn't mean to be moody. Did you come for something?"

“Ah, I came to bring you and Bob in for a discussion. It's about our journey.”

Marina perked up “Oh, what changed? Going directly to the Capital?"

“The opposite. We might have to make a big detour for The Great Tree.”

A wide smile grew on her once morose face.

“See you on the rooftop later in an hour.”

Drac left Marina’s room. He checked the holster on the back of his belt.

Are you going to throw it away?

A weapon is a weapon. All kill the same.