Norbert looked towards the village, lights slowly winking out across it as people went to sleep. he once more noted that there was no magic here, wondering what the difference was between the countries that stopped them. Shrugging his shoulders and dismissing the thought as unnecessary they all slowly crept through the night into the village.

Only three things they needed to do by Dousan's instructions. The first was to retrieve some food, the second was to get some coin that could be used, and the third was to get out as quietly as possible.

Norbert watched as Dousan and Rachel went to the town with Norbert. Azalea and Mackey are waiting on the other side of the village, ready to go and run when needed.

The three of them split up, watching as Dousan and Rachel started targeting streets along houses. Norbert swallowed, wondering if he could do this, and quietly crept to his row. Looking inside a window, Norbert confirmed that nobody was awake then.

Walking around the mud house, Norbert tried to find some easy pickings. Opening a wooden box up on the side, Norbert smiled, finding the food storage; around it was also a place for cooking.

Norbert quietly closed it, taking what he thought would be helpful before moving to the next house. Finding similar items outside, Norbert quickly swiped what he could, reaching the one afterwards.

Norbert found no box on the outside; looking inside, Norbert found everyone sleeping on a mat on the floor. Quietly creeping, Norbert searched the room, walking over to the inside pile. Feeling around, Norbert heard a tinkling of metal hitting each other. Stopping his hand, Norbert waited, confirming that he hadn't woken anybody up.

Reaching again, Norbert felt around, confirming the small pouch before taking it, quickly exiting with his prize. Opening it up under the moonlight, Norbert confirmed they were coins.

Pocketing them as well, Norbert hit the next place on and on he went, taking small amounts from each house. After hitting the eleven in the row and coming out the other side, Norbert looked around, gazing back to the stone building where he talked to the clerk.

Shaking his head, knowing trying to bust in there would be a big mistake and not worth the heat they would get. Doing what they were doing, people might still chase after them.

Waiting on the other side, Norbert spotted Rachel and Dousan already there. All three nodding, they continued out of the town. No soul inside was disturbed or learned about the burgling under their noses.

Meeting up with Azalea and Mackey at the designated location, the group set off into the night, wanting to create distance. Norbert is carrying Azalea as Mackey is passed between Dousan and Rachel.

As the sky began to lighten, Dousan commanded the group to stop. Tiredness was now starting to eat away at Norbert as he stumbled forward. The five sat in a tall patch of grass on the marsh, not knowing where the path was. Norbert just went to sleep, not caring about looking through their spoils, eyelids already closing as sleep overtook him.

***

Waking up, Norbert felt someone shake him. Opening his eyes and looking around, still half asleep and yawning. Norbert wondered what the reason to be woken up early was. Seeing red hair surround him, Norbert’s vision was filled with Azalea's face leaning over his.

Nodding and grumbling, he swatted her away, seeing the sun high in the sky. Thinking how long he would have slept, he tumbled over, getting on his hands and knees as he yawned once more before standing up and stretching.

Looking, Norbert saw everyone else already up, counting what they had received on the ground. Norbert taking his items out and adds them to the pile. He was looking between what they had enough food for five more days and about a hundred copper coins.

Norbert looked at them, seeing the faces were different; this one had a beast on one side and completely flat on the other. Norbert rubbed it with his fingers as he looked around, hoping it would be enough to make it to the next town over.

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Everyone packing up, Norbert took out the compass again, confirming the navigation that they were still going on the right track. As the group paired off again, trying to make as much speed as possible, Norbert asked Azalea, "How come there isn't any magic within the village?"

Azalea leaning forward so she wouldn't need to shout so much, replied, "What do you mean?"

"Like, there aren't any lights at night, and the soldiers when they attacked just had normal torches; no magic was being used throughout the fight", Norbert said, thinking back and confirming his thoughts, no trace of spell flashing across the sky had been seen.

"Ah, but there is always magic, just not used as externally as in Morenas." Azalea said before continuing, "Humanoids generally focus on keeping their magic internal, boosting themselves that way and having a minimal external impact. The only external thing done is getting more animalistic."

Norbert just scrunched his face "Animalistic how, and why do the humans here also do the same?" Norbert asked

"Growing claws, better eyesight and smell, gaining a closer appearance to whatever animal they are similar to. And it's what everyone does here. The status quo to develop yourself that way is what everyone does and, for most, the only path they can take, and when they know of others, it's too late," Azalea said, finishing off as she looked.

Norbert bit through what she said, not asking any more questions, remembering the beast people he had seen when he met the commander Sally. Norbert wondered if they did the same as people here or used external magic.

Norbert just shook his head and focused on what was ahead of him; at least that would mean they shouldn't be using all appliances with magic; better thinking before assuming anything. Norbert asked, "Does that mean they don't use magic circles to draw water?" Norbert asked, crossing his fingers in hope.

"I believe they do, don't see how they could function as even a kid can use them …" Azalea trailed off, knowing she hit a sore spot at her remark. Norbert just waved her off; not like anything would change from average.

They continued to run over the marshes until Dousan stopped running; Norbert also slowed down, noticing why they had stopped. In front of Norbert again was the lake, stretching far out on either side. Azalea hopped off his back, and Norbert felt an excellent bit on his left arm.

Looking down and seeing his ripped jacket and shirt, slightly bloody, Norbert changed the top and jacket over; wearing his Frontier jacket and top, Norbert watched the others as they headed to the left, not wanting to go across the train tracks and get spotted.

Azalea hopping on Norbert's back again, him still wearing the mask continued forward, catching up with the Dousan and Rachel as they made their way around the lake.

***

Stopping when the sun set, everyone tired from their journey and most unable to see in the dark to navigate the marshes and around the lake without falling and possibly breaking something, the group stopped at a high patch of ground, only slightly damp.

Everyone unpacking for the day, Dousan went up to Norbert, the others milling around, taking side looks at the two as they continued to unpack. "You doing ok?" Dousan asked Norbert.

"Yeah, a run like this is normal for me," Norbert replied, smiling at Dousan's remark.

"That isn't what I mean. Was that your first time?" Dousan continued

Norbert nodded in response, knowing what he was talking about. "Yeah, that was the first; it seems kind of pointless as everyone was captured anyway," Norbert replied, looking down at the ground.

"Do you know the number?" Dousan asked, wanting to get more information about the battle other than the quick rundown Norbert gave when he just woke up.

"At least ten, lost track, honestly though still many more left," Norbert replied, growing quieter and quieter.

Dousan's face had an expression of confusion plastered on it. "Then what stopped you?"

Norbert snorted. "A giant of a man called Arzlan and his two butchers cleavers." He finished, no sound coming out of anyone. "What?" Norbert asked as he looked around, everyone staring at him.

"Can't believe you survived?" Mackey said, shaking his head.

"What do you mean by that?" Norbert asked.

Dousan replied, wanting to get hold of the conversation again, "Arzlan was the winner for the last seventeen global tournaments. Anyone that faces him gets crushed instantly, only the runners up are able to hold off for only a short amount of time."

Norbert just nodded. "Can see what you mean, his strength; even going full tilt, I still couldn't keep up with him."

"How badly did you get hit?" Dousan asked.

Norbert just shrugged. "Just a slice on my arm and chest, worst when I ran away and tried to punch him in the face through his helmet, ended up completely breaking my hand" Mackey started to go closer Norbert waved him off with his right hand "All healed up now, but yeah, he's brutal."

"Well, we know the next thing we need to do," Dousan said.

Norbert just looked at him as everyone else began nodding as well. "And what might that be?"

"Train you up for the re-match, of course", Mackey said, laughing at Norbert.

As Dousan returned, retrieving his sword, Norbert swallowed, knowing it would be several long nights.