Once Talon and Shion stumbled past the battered gates of Selgrad, they dropped to their knees, consumed by violent fits of hacking coughs. Alza rushed to their sides and lent her strength to aid them. She extended her arms, struggling to lift them from the ground. Gradually, with Alza's help, the two managed to regain their footing, albeit with trembling legs and drenched foreheads.

"So, what's our plan now?" Shion asked, wiping away some spit that got on his face.

Talon pounded his chest a few times and coughed. "We should go to Waterway Monastery, the monks there or the Grandmaster can help us."

Alza raised an eyebrow at the suggestion. "Grandmaster?"

"He's the head of the monastery, usually a stoic man…though he doesn't seem like himself as of late." Talon explained.

"Does it maybe have something to do with the whole…situation in Selgrad?" Shion asked.

Talon nodded. "Undoubtedly, but if we can figure out what's going on with the Grandmaster, I'm sure he can be very helpful to our cause."

"Alright, let's head to the monastery." Alza said.

Waterway Monastery was only a few hours walk away from Selgrad. The place itself was a wondrous sight to behold. Its walls were constructed from polished marble. Each stone block had been meticulously carved and engraved with murals which depicted the histories of the monks who called the monastery their home.

Talon stepped in front of Alza and Shion, before shooting a glance back. "Here is the monastery, for now, I suggest you two keep quiet and follow me."

Soon, Alza's senses immediately picked up on an unsettling tingle at the back of her head as she followed Talon through the monastery. With every breath she took, she felt how the atmosphere was thick with a strange energy, as if the air itself pulsed with malice.

Monks in their traditional robes went about their daily rituals. But Alza noticed how their eyes flickered with a subtle, ominous glint. There was a lifelessness to how they conducted themselves, the monks seemed to move in an overly stiff manner, many even repeated the same tasks over and over again.

Advancing deeper into the monastery's heart, courtyards, adorned with flourishing gardens and ponds adorned with koi, welcomed them with a semblance of calm. Blossoms swayed in the gentle zephyrs, casting colorful reflections upon the serene waters. These fleeting moments of respite were brief respites in the midst of an otherwise unsettling ambiance.

Yet, even here, Alza remained on edge. A persistent sensation of being watched dogged her every step, as if a pair of unseen eyes observed her from the shadowy corners. She cast a wary glance over her shoulder, half-expecting to find something tailing her. But there was nothing that she could see.

She took a deep breath and tried to calm her nerves. But as she kept walking, she could no longer deny her sense. Alza could feel the pull of something esoteric, something ominous hanging in the air. There were no demons nearby, but it was obvious to her that there was certainly some kind of demonic influence.

"Hold on, Talon, I sense a disturbance here."

Talon tilted his head. "Disturbance?"

Alza looked around and kept her voice low. "I sense demons."

"Are you sure? That is a rather bold accusation." Talon said.

Shion nodded. "Alza here is especially attuned to demonic energy, she has never been wrong when it comes to detecting demons."

Alza nodded. "It’s slightly different this time around though, I don’t feel the same level of…demonic presence that I did while I was in Menon. It’s very subtle."

"And what does that mean exactly?" Talon asked.

"It means that it’s likely that someone or some people here are influenced by demonic magic, but there aren’t any demons directly here." Alza explained.

Talon sighed. "If that’s true…that would explain a lot."

"So, should we still come with you or?" Shion asked.

"I think both of you should still come with me, worst comes to worst, we leave." Talon replied. "Just follow my lead, there’s someone I think we should meet, and Alza?"

"Yes?"

"Please tell me if the person we’re going to meet is…influenced."

"Duly noted."

The trio then walked through the monastery. They passed multiple monks who did not pay much attention to them. Most of the monks were far too invested in their training. Some were learning how to mold water in their hands while others exchanged punches and kicks with one another.

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"You know, I’ve always wondered, do monks also use magic the same way mages do?" Shion asked.

"Sort of, though we rely more on feeling through the environment rather than tapping into an inner wellspring like many mages do. It's hard to explain just through words."

"Interesting, there were not too many monks in my time, so I never did learn how they used their abilities." Alza said.

Talon shot a glance towards Alza. "What do you mean, ‘your time’?"

Alza waved her hands frantically. "Never mind that, besides, is that where we’re supposed to go over there?"

In front of them was a set of large wooden doors. Serene water scenes were depicted and etched into the woodwork. Two stone statues flanked the entrance, as if eternally standing guard.

Talon stopped just in front of the doors. "Here it is, we’re going to meet the Grandmaster soon."

"Is there…anything we should know?" Shion asked.

"Just follow what I do, and don’t say anything unnecessary." Talon replied. He then placed his hands on the stone doors. "Also…Alza, do you sense anything amiss inside?"

Alza closed her eyes and concentrated fully. She used her consciousness to search past the wooden doors, seeking even the faintest glimmer of demonic influence. An initial sensation of isolation enveloped her as she saw nothing but an endless void in her mind. However, slowly, Alza saw strands of silk webbing plastered everywhere, their presence akin to an infestation that had taken root all over the monastery.

Alza reopened her eyes. "It’s likely everyone in the monastery has been compromised, even the Grandmaster."

"I feared as much." Talon muttered.

"Wait, but what about us? Are we also at risk?" Shion asked.

Alza shook her head. "We will be fine, for now, so long as we’re careful."

Talon sighed. "Still, if the Grandmaster is compromised, then there’s not much point in staying here, let’s just leave and- "

Suddenly, the doors to the Grandmaster’s chamber slid open with a loud rumble. Seated at the edge was the Grandmaster himself. Deep wrinkles covered his face, like lines etched on old rocks. His eyes glowed with a timeless wisdom, filled with a powerful essence. Despite his stature, the Grandmaster wore simple robes, tattered yet meticulously cared for. He was flanked by six other monks, each standing as still as statues, silently protecting their revered leader.

"Come here Talon, and bring your new guests as well." The Grandmaster instructed.

Talon dropped to a respectful bow. "Yes, Grandmaster."

Alza and Shion exchanged glances with one another for a moment. "Play along?" Alza whispered.

Shion nodded. "Play along."

Talon entered the chamber first, with Alza and Shion following behind.

Talon then knelt before the Grandmaster, with Alza and Shion following suit.

"Where have you been, Talon? I did not recall ever giving you permission to leave."

"I was headed towards Menon, Grandmaster."

"For what purpose did you abandon your training?"

"I left to seek an answer to the plague that befalls Selgrad, Grandmaster."

Suddenly, the air began to shift as an enormous pressure emanated from the Grandmaster. "You fool…what did I tell you about meddling in worldly affairs?"

"Grandmaster, I- "

"Silence! I’ve had enough of your impudence. You will be imprisoned, alongside your guests."

Shion looked up and shot a confused glance at the Grandmaster. "What did we even do?"

"You associated yourself with a fool, if you want to blame anyone for this, blame your luck for having met Talon in the first place." The Grandmaster said.

"And what if we refuse to go with this charade?" Alza asked.

"Then we’ll force you there, dead or alive." The Grandmaster said.

Alza exhaled a resigned breath. "Very well."

With a quick thrust, Alza pressed her hands against the floor. Instantaneously, colossal rocks erupted from the ground, hurtling towards the Grandmaster's guards. The stone missiles slammed against the guards, knocking them out all at once.

Talon turned to face Alza. "What are you doing?"

"I’m getting us out of here!" Alza yelled out. She conjured a large boulder which she hurled towards the Grandmaster. The old monk dodged the rock with ease, sidestepping it without much effort. This caused the boulder to slam against the wall and burst it wide open, creating a hole that led to the outside.

The Grandmaster dusted off some debris which clung to his robes. "Impressive work…for a mage."

"This is not good, we have to go." Talon said, grabbing both Alza’s and Shion’s hand. However, just as he was about to run away, the Grandmaster appeared in front of him and intercepted him.

"You’re not going anywhere, Talon." The Grandmaster then raised a finger to Talon’s forehead and pressed it against his temples. Causing him to be flung back across the room, dragging Alza and Shion along with him.

Alza was just starting to get up again, when the Grandmaster dashed forward at blistering speeds and grabbed her by the collar of her robe. "You and I are going to have our fight elsewhere." A vortex of water then emerged and swirled around the Grandmaster and Alza, transporting them to another place.

***

After being unceremoniously slammed to the ground by the Grandmaster, Alza groaned in pain as she struggled to regain her composure. Her body ached from the impact, and her vision briefly blurred. She staggered as she pushed herself up, using a nearby stone pillar for support.

Alza found herself within an ornate looking temple. The place was adorned with shimmering blue crystals, cascading waterfalls, and radiant pools. The temple's walls bore carvings that seemed to be in the likeness of a large dragon, its scales glistening with an ethereal glow.

The Grandmaster continued to approach Alza, a sinister smile curling on his lips. "It's a beautiful place, isn't it? A perfect resting place for someone such as yourself."

"Such confidence from a spider’s puppet." Alza spat.

"I am not a puppet, mage. And you’ll pay dearly for making such an accusation," the Grandmaster retorted with a steely glare. Immediately, he dashed towards Alza, his fists sifting through the air at rapid speed.

Rather than evading, Alza raised her right hand, forming an uppercut. A formidable, skeletal hand erupted from the earth, its enormous knuckles colliding forcefully with the Grandmaster, propelling him against the ceiling with a resounding impact.

"I should thank you, Grandmaster. Without witnesses, I am free to employ my full po-" Alza's words trailed into a gasp as her eyes widened. The Grandmaster's body, which was pinned to the ceiling, abruptly disintegrated into water, his form melting away. Alza cursed under her breath; she frantically eyed the area for any signs of the Grandmaster.

But before she could react, a searing pain erupted in her stomach. Alza was sent hurtling through the air, until she slammed against the cavern walls as the Grandmaster drove his fist into her stomach.