Chapter Four, Sina, Akain, and Isaac.

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Akain looked around, finding the soldier's sword. He crouched, picking it up and examining it.

"What we're going to do is... We're going to go to the outpost. Find the refuges, and stake it out there. This is Madgrave, they have one of the top swordsmen in all of Tangrid here, alongside a Priest, and the King's nephew. If I had to guess, the Wight is aiming for the King's nephew anyway." He spoke, making his way to the edge of the cart and jumping out onto the snowy ground.

Sina shook her head reluctantly, but followed.

Isaac trailed behind too, jumping down from the cart. He followed Akain and Sina who stalked the tree line, approaching Madgrave.

He had a thousand questions in his mind.

Who was Akain exactly? And what did he do to get here?

What did Sina do to be banished? She seemed relatively normal...

How did he get here? Why was he waking up every time he died?

What was a Wight, and why was Akain so obsessed?

There were many things he could not understand, but all he knew for sure was that he wanted to live through this night, and not have to die anymore.

The two leading him paused behind a tree, causing Isaac to peer past to see what they were looking at.

The gated entrance to Madgrave was lit aflame, a raging fire having consumed to the entrance entirely.

"There's a hole in the wall over there, that's where we will enter." Akain said, turning around.

Isaac couldn't help but notice the fact that there were countless dead ghouls and people outside of Madgrave, but there was still lots of commotion coming from the inside.

“But before we do that…” Akain, turned his head over shoulder.

”What are you?” He questioned, looking at Isaac.

That made him pause.

Both Sina and Akain were sending questioning looks at him, and he wasn’t quite sure what he was supposed to say.

”I’ll tell you what I am if you both explain to me who you are and why you’re here.” He rebutted.

”And trust in my abilities, I’ll know whether you are lying or not…” He was bluffing, but they didn’t know that.

All they knew was that he woke up and predicted an attack and the presence of a Wight.

They didn’t know how he did it, and they surely didn’t know what he was capable of.

”…I'm Akain, a once 4-star swordsmen that served in the military for fifty years. I was banished for treason, I may or may not have killed an entire platoon. Though that was not my fault." Akain smiled, beckoning for Sina to go.

The woman looked rather nervous, her hands shaking.

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"I'm-I'm Sina, just a normal woman. I was banished on accusation of being a witch." Hearing Sina, Akain's eyes widened noticeably.

"So you're a witch! Intriguing." He exclaimed.

"N-No, I am not a witch. It was just accusations." She cut in, hurriedly trying to inform Akain.

From her attitude, it seemed like she was a witch that was horrible at hiding her lie.

Though, Isaac wasn't sure if he could accept the implications. There were zombies running around, why would there not be witches too?

Was she a real witch? And if she was... did that mean he could learn magic and curses?

"I am... Isaac, a normal guy that happens to be able to see the future sometimes." He smiled nervously.

Sina and Akain paused, sending him interrogating, and somewhat nonbelieving glares.

"So what's going on in there right now?" Sina asked, pointing towards Madgrave.

"It doesn't work like that. I was only able to see so much, and we have gone past the moments I foresaw." He quickly explained.

It seemed Isaac was getting far better at making shit up.

Akain nodded hesitantly, turning back towards the burning village before them.

"Alright. Follow my lead witches." He smiled.

Akain crouch walked to the opening in the thick stone wall, Sina and Isaac following in tow.

They peaked through the hole, staring deep into the sight before them.

Standing in the courtyard at the entrance to Madgrave, were two entities. One middle aged man, a sword in his hand with wounds all over his body. He had one eye sealed shut with blood, and his long hair blew in the cold wind. He had no facial hair, and he was clean shaven. He was tall, like Akain, and not as muscular, but still intimidating to say the least.

Standing across from him was the Wight they had seen before. A skinny and lanky entity, with pale grey skin. It's hair was patchy, but long and white in the places it was present. It had two pale eyes, it's stomach being half missing as u could clearly see his ribcage. He looked like skin and bones.

Examining the area, they could see what looked like a tavern almost, with a castle tower attached to it. At the top their was many men and women, glancing over at the battle taking place beneath them.

Isaac could even see the people peaking through windows from their houses, and the tavern itself.

"Ahh, that's another 4-star swordsman. Mad Silas." Akain smiled deeply.

"Come on let's go. He will be able to handle it. And even if he doesn't, I’ll finish up where he leaves off." Akain stood up, walking into the compound.

Sina and Isaac followed, the latter attempting to walk by her side.

"Are you really a witch?" He whispered, Sina showing an uneasy expression.

"No! I'm not." She said, sweat dripping down her face.

"Look. Don't worry. I am too. But I can't do much! I was just wondering if you would be able to teach me anything." He lied once more.

He would do anything to ensure he could be prepared in case he died. If he could actually learn some sort of magic, maybe he would be set.

Sina's face twitched as the three of them came to hide behind a house, watching the two standing in the courtyard.

The Wight dashed forward, slashing at Silas. But, he also had inhuman speed.

With a jump to the side, Silas slashed, cutting the air, and missing the Wight.

"I-I can't teach you anything if you don't have it in you." She glanced at Isaac. "And from sight... it looks like you definitely don't have it in you." She said.

Isaac furrowed his brows, trying not to take any offense.

"Plus, wizards are far rarer than witches. A witch is one in one thousand, maybe even ten thousand. A wizard is one in one million. Women are spiritually inclined while men are physically, it's just the way of life." Sina explained, refocusing on the fight at hand.

Silas cleaved at the heel of the Wight, nicking it and sending it tumbling into a wall.

"What do I have to do to prove to you I am capable." Isaac pleaded.

Maybe it was a small part of him being greedy as well... Who would pass up on the idea of learning magic?

Sina peered over his shoulder at him, a face filled with reluctance staring back at him.

Her hand moved, finding its way to his chest.

"Those with spiritual talent have a phantom heartbeat. It's like an extra beat that is far quieter, but can only be felt by other spiritually inclined." She explained. "It's the spirit energy being cycled through your body and into your blood. That's also why some people harvest the blood of witches... because there are magical properties to it." Her eyes had closed, and her hand was firmly pushed into Isaac's chest.

Her face twitched, and Isaac could only sit there awkwardly.

Had he been caught in a lie? He had tried his best right? Maybe he just wouldn't be able to learn magic in this life, but surely he would be able to learn some sword moves right?

Sina shook, her hand moved back, and her eyes shot open.

Her hand trembled, and it was brought to her mouth.

She pointed at Isaac pure shock on her face.

"I heard it." She murmured.

"Y-You're a wizard Isaac!"

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