The Obai Settlement within the Great Pine Forest, located on the Southern Bend of the Southeastern Main Road

Officer Merrick, a guard of the Obai settlement, clad in his chain mail and teal hooded cloak, watched patiently in the gate tower as the dusk of night slowly consumed the light in the sky. Fabien, his watch partner, snored as he slept in the cot behind him until he could maintain the watch. There was a strike of a match, the kindling snaps of a wick giving life to the flame, followed by a faint glow filling the room atop the guard tower that looked over the southern entrance to the settlement. Merrick breathed into his hands, attempting to warm them. The cold of autumn had become more prevalent in recent weeks, and the needles of the Great Pine Forest slowly showing their fate to wither, a sign of the coming season.

Merrick inhaled deeply, savoring the crisp, cool air that carried the scent of pine and earth. The warm flow of fires in the night and the comforting weight of his sweet Healia in his arms filled his heart with a profound sense of contentment. Merrick took hold and held close a locket around his neck, inside a picture of his dear wife who had born an heir to his name a month back.

A breath of invigoration filled Merrick. He felt purpose. Clad in his steel armor and a halberd by his side, with his ethereal power at his will, Merrick felt invincible. He imagined that he alone stood at the forefront of his village's continued existence as its protector. Merrick, the guardsman of Obai, holding back a horde of corpses, allowing everyone to escape with a heroic last glance at his dear wife. He smiled at the thought but nearly gasped aloud when he caught sight of the silhouette of a cloaked figure approaching in the dim light of his lantern.

A shiver ran up Merrick's spine. He grabbed hold of his halberd and used the butt of the polearm to smack the cot behind him, waking Fabien, who jumped to his feet and grabbed a lantern. Merrick extended his halberd out the guard tower window, and in the blink of an eye, the polearm extended until inches away from the neck of the cloaked figure-

"Who goes there!" Merrick hollered.

"Whoa now!" the cloaked figure said in fright, shying away from the blade. "No need for violence!"

"Don't you move, state your business!" Fabien commanded with bravado. Fabien held his lantern out the window, illuminating the figure on the path below. The figure looked up at the two guards-

"Aisek, a scavenger, returning from Meold to the walls!"

"Aisek?" Fabien was puzzled.

"Aisek? Did you hear him right?" Merrick asked, looking to Fabien for confirmation.

Fabien shrugged and said quietly, "I think so. I heard'em say so, th'same as you."

Merrick rolled his eyes and called down to figure once more. "Oi, did you say your name was Aisek?"

"I did!" The cloaked figure responded.

Merrick smiled, "The same Voidlin' that went out that way about a month ago?"

Aizen reached up and removed his hood, and his eyes met the guard atop the tower, "The very same!"

Immediately, the halberd retracted back to its regular length. Aisen heard Merrick, the guard, descend the tower with haste and some shouting opposite the gate. There were sounds of latches and braces being removed before the gate creaked open, and Merrick approached Aisen with open arms as the gate opened,

"Aisek, you dog!" Merrick cheered with elation, "It's good to see you my friend, I was expecting you nearly a week ago." Aizen and Merrick clasped hands.

"I was... delayed. It's a long story, but I ran into some trouble," Aizen said. Merrick's eyes softened as he clapped a hand on Aizen's shoulder, happy to be reunited with his friend.

"A looter?" Merrick inquired.

Aizen's brow furrowed, a shadow of concern crossing his face, "Looters are becoming more and more common these days." he said, his eyes distant.

Merrick sighed, "Travelers come through every so often. We try to deter them, and usually, we are successful." He spoke with a look of concern, "But, it makes me wonder what is happening inside the walls."

Merrick shook his head in disbelief. He signaled to his partner, Fabien, to open the gate. Fabien nodded and hollered down to someone behind the gate. There was a rigid unbuckling sound, and the gate creaked as it opened. Merrick led Aizen down the main road of the Obai settlement as the gate closed quickly behind them.

Years ago, survivors from the walls established the Obai settlement deep within the Great Pine Forest on the Southeastern Main Road. Traveling from the walls, the eastern road turns in the forest and runs north to south before bending west towards the Southeastern Crossroads. This stretch of road in the forest is commonly called the "Two Bends," and the Obai settlement is located along the Southern Bend.

Obai is the main reason Aizen takes the southeastern main road as well. The northeastern main road to Kaysar was run amuck with brigands and no longer safe. Even the Clergy of Ferrisia advises those brave enough to venture into the plagued lands to avoid the northeastern main road past the legion checkpoint. Despite the warning about the safety of the northeastern main road, not many people travel on these roads anymore. While occasional caravans are headed out to make new settlements from the walls every so often, they have become increasingly rare. However, a few settlements have remained inhabited for the last decade and are still running strong, aside from Obai. There is one settlement down south in Multa and another up north outside the ruins of Kaysar.

Aizen smiled momentarily at the thought of Kaysar, from which he hailed. For a moment, he wondered if Lady Karina, the town oracle, was still alive and making her pies like she used to. Even all these years later, he could still taste the savory gravy of her chicken pot pies on the tip of his tongue. Aizen shook his head at the thought and admired the settlement around him.

Aizen walked along the familiar main road of Obai, marveling at the transformation. Where once there had been only a handful of makeshift shelters, now stood sturdy log homes and bustling farmland outside the surrounding wall. Even the Ferrisian Legion began patrolling the roads between Obai and the walls and delivering supplies to them, marking them as a checkpoint. However, even with the assistance, life is rough out in the plagued lands. The settlement must keep watch for the roaming hordes with thousands of corpses that meander about the land in search of a victim.

The settlement's buildings and the tall protective wall, hewn from the sturdy pine trees of the surrounding forest, stood as rustic sentinels. Cleared land had been transformed into cozy homes and neat rows of farmland, each plot a testament to the settlers's resilience. The windows were bright, and the sounds of voices could be heard inside. As they passed each building, Aizen caught glimpses of the inside of families and friends gathering for supper. Children cried and played, and adults laughed as they ate.

Aizen smiled, "It's good to see the settlement is getting along."

"You've no idea, Aisek. Since your last visit, we've taken on two other families. Luckily, they're farmers. Unfortunately, they were driven out from the walls." The duo approached an area where two houses were under construction.

"Where are they now?" Aizen asked, looking up and down the road.

"Well, the inn, of course!" Merrick laughed, "I forgot it was still under construction during your last visit." Aizen looked towards the settlement's north end to see the inn standing proudly with its three stories.

"Well done!" Aizen congratulated, "I hope it gets good use."

Merrick returned Aizen's compliment with a side glance and a look of sorrow. He then motioned for Aizen to follow him. Merrick led his guest to his home, where a faint light shone through the windows, and a gentle voice sang softly to a young babe cradled in her mother's arms. Merrick's home was a log home built from pine trees in the forest.

"Well, the truth is we're hoping to deter others from leaving," Merrick said, sitting on the edge of his porch. "Too often have we seen caravans from the walls pass through here, hoping for a fresh start. Too many times have they returned as corpses." Merrick clenched his hands together, straining them.

Merrick gazed at the inn, his eyes gleaming with hope. "Before, we could only offer our goodwill. But now, with the completion of the inn, we can provide shelter and community. We want them to stay, to grow our numbers and strengthen our home," he said, his voice brimming with determination. "I... We want to prove to everyone in the walls that despite the horror beyond the walls, humanity can thrive."

Aizen nodded in agreement, taking a seat next to Merrick. Merrick pulled a flask from within his coat, took a swig, and passed it to Aizen. He knew that caravans from the walls were attempting to establish new settlements in the plagued lands, but to his knowledge, he did not know how many of them had survived. Aizen took a swig from the flask-

"Ooh," Aizen lamented with bliss as the whiskey's sudden burn smoothened as it graced his tongue.

"Mmm..." Aizen relaxed his shoulders. Aizen swirled the whiskey in his mouth, savoring the smoky flavor with a cherry hint. He closed his eyes, a smile spreading across his face, 'Riasian Whiskey. Now, that's a rare treat,' he said, his voice filled with appreciation.

"Good, huh? Found it myself deep in the forest. There was an abandoned little village, a couple houses or so about an hour's walk northwest of here. Nothing much, really. I searched one of the houses and found a small crate full of the stuff in a cellar."

"Xander be damned, what a find!" Aizen soughed in delight as he passed the flask back to Merrick.

"I'll say! A whiskey so fine even Xander the Wanderer would be satisfied even in these dark times." Merrick chuckled. The two sat in silence, listening to noise in the night. The public house sported a quiet tune. Various insects chirped from within the forest, drowning the silence of the night with a harmonious buzz.

"Say...?" Aizen began, "How many of the caravans that have passed through have managed to settle and survive somewhere," Aizen asked.

Merrick frowned and shook his head. "I've been here for nearly seven years now. Obai was set up around a decade ago as a small group of survivors. When I got here, there were no other settlements to go to." Merrick shut his eyes and raised his head in thought, breathing in deeply-

"I do know there is a settlement up north near Kaysar. Haven't heard from them in a long time. There was another caravan was headed to Multa around this time last year. We haven't heard word of them either."

"I see. Hopefully, the meandering hordes of corpses haven't gotten them."

"Not sure about the hordes; many of them have been attracted to the expansion fronts down south and up north. The rapid expansion of the walls makes a lot of noise and attracts a lot of attention." Merrick took another swig of whiskey, puckered his eyes and lips, and shook his head, "Whoo! That's strong!"

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Aizen chuckled, taking the flask from Merrick.

"We've been lucky these last few years," Merrick continued. "The expansion effort has drawn most of the herds to the south. We haven't had any large herds pass by in a long time, and when a herd does come around, it is small enough to be taken care of by our guard force here."

Aizen raised the flask for a toast, "To Obai's continued good fortune!" Aizen announced with a smile, then took a swig.

"Hear! Hear!" Merrick said, snatching the flask and taking a swig. However, he was disappointed to see that the flask was running empty. "No worries about that; I got another bottle inside!" Merrick cheered, springing to his feet.

"Now, don't go draining your stock on my behalf!" Aizen exclaimed jovially.

"Nonsense! My wife's savior is in town! What is mine is yours tonight." Merrick responded with a broad smile and motioned for Aizen to follow him inside the home... but Merrick paused before opening the door. He stood rigid, motionless, his eyes locked forward as if thinking hard.

"Merrick...? Everything alright." Aizen posed with a hint of confusion. Merrick held out a finger. He seemed as if he was listening intently to something. Aizen looked around; he could only hear the people in their homes.

'Right!" Merrick said firmly. Aizen looked around again, but he did not see anyone near them. The street was relatively empty. Merrick turned from the door and rushed by Aizen.

"With me!" He said, running toward the north end of town. Aizen followed quickly, staying on Merrick's heels.

"Merrick, what is happening?" Aizen asked once more.

"A horde's coming from the north. Word is that they will be upon us shortly. We need to secure the north gate." Merrick said, his voice tense.

"But how do you know!" Aizen questioned.

"We have a telepath. When our oracle detects the corpses drawing near, the telepath and the oracle will work together to dispatch the guard." Merrick answered through gritted teeth.

The pair approached the north gate quickly. Merrick motioned for Aizen to assist by pulling a rope to swing the door closed. The gate's swing doors were then secured with several thick cross beams. The guard up on the lookout could be seen looking into the forest with an eyeglass. Merrick and Aizen watched the lookout with intent and were alarmed when the guard shuttered at the sight of the horde. She leaned over the railing and whispered down.

"They're coming! They will be upon us in minutes! The village must be silent!" She said quietly, then extinguished her torches.

"Understood, good work Leandra." Merrick whispered back with a nod, "Keep there and raise the alarm if they attempt to breach the gate." Guard Leandra nodded back and crouched down to hide her from view below.

Merrick shut his eyes and nodded repeatedly, then turned and walked down the laneway. In total silence, various guards went door-to-door, informing the settlers to quiet down and extinguish their lights and flames.

"Preparations are nearly complete, and in good time, too." Merrick said with pride.

"That telepathy must come in handy," Aizen admired. He thought of his adventures with his master and how that power could have helped them in various situations.

"It takes its toll. Those unacquainted with the power are overcome with dizziness and nausea for a time." Merrick chuckled softly. "Even I get overcome with the side effects of telepathy if I engage in it too long."

"I would love to try it, can Voidling's use it?" Aizen asked in a hushed tone. The wailing and stamping of the corpses beyond the gate drew nearer.

"Of course, as long as the telepath allows it," Merrick responded. The two approached Merrick's house once more. Aizen decided to take a seat on the doorstep as Merrick went in to check on the wife and baby.

Aizen breathed in the fresh air. The crisp pine air warmed his nostrils like a lingering spice, and the fragrance enveloped him like a perfume. Aizen much enjoyed the smell of the pine forest, but he smelled them coming. Their stench festering, growing more potent by the minute. Aizen could feel their feet stamping upon the ground as they inched closer, their wails sounding in the night, silencing the life of the forest.

The main road was dark and quiet. The happiness that Aizen had witnessed had completely deserted the place, reminding him of Meold's desolation. The horde resounded in groans and wails that shot a shiver down Aizen's spine. Their stamping feet rumbled as the horde approached the front gate, veering off and going around the settlement.

Merrick came out from his home and leaned against the doorframe, "Soon, they will have the entire settlement surrounded. They likely will last the night." Merrick spoke softly.

"I've always wondered how Obai survives wandering hordes," Aizen said loud enough for Merrick to hear.

"When the hordes come, we bunker down. Each house has a hidden cellar for families to hide in, just in case. This method is tried and true." Merrick said with pride.

"So, the horde just goes around the settlement?... They don't try and break down the gate?" Aizen asked quietly and with intrigue.

"As long as we don't give them a reason. We are safe as long as there is no sound and the lights are out." Merrick stretched, his bones pooping with relief. He yawned deeply before continuing, "We cannot fight the hordes in the thousands. Sometimes it takes days for them to pass by. Luckily, this horde is smaller and will likely only last the night."

"I see," Aizen responded.

Merrick nudged Aizen with his foot, and when Aizen turned to face Merrick, he leaned his head towards the door, signaling Aien to come inside. Aizen nodded. He stood up and crept through the doorway with Merrick, staying as quiet as possible. They entered the house's main room, which was dark, and the air seemed still. The house itself had two bedrooms and an open space with a kitchen, a dining table, a sitting area with a couple of chairs, a lounge, and a little place table atop a red rug. Merrick took a seat at the table and motioned Aizen to sit.

"I do have another question..." Aizen whispered, and Merrick nodded. How does the settlement handle an amalgam? Surely, they travel with the hordes as well."

"The amalgams are still a threat, but it is the same as the corpses, if they cannot hear or see any signs of life, then they will leave us alone for the most part." Merrick responded in a low whisper.

"Then I guess we wait." Aizen whispered, leaning back in his chair.

"The hordes have been growing larger recently," Merrick whispered with a look of concern. "When the hordes cross over the divide to the west, they always return larger in number. It makes me worry."

"I would not think upon it much. These are dark times and the goings of corpses are beyond our control." Aizen responded, hoping to ease his friend's mind, "Hopefully, one day, we can be free from the scourge, but for now we must be vigilant."

"I just wonder how long that will take. We lose countless lives from the expansion effort, and for what? More room for those spineless idiots in the walls?" Merrick scoffed, his voice slightly elevated. Aizen raised his hands, signaling that he needed to calm down. Merrick took a few deep breaths and continued, "I just wonder how much longer the world must suffer."

"It is too soon to say," Aizen assumed. The pair sat quietly, both thinking about their life circumstances. Aizen was familiar with traveling and had not given much thought to settling down. He felt as if there was still a job to be done.

"Take the spare room," Merrick said abruptly, getting up from the chair. "Healia is telling me that our child is becoming unruly. The room is yours for the night if you will have it."

"Thank you," Aizen said with a smile, "I appreciate it."

Those veiled skies haunted Aizen as he tossed and turned. Shivering in a fearful sweat, Aizen relived that moment from long ago.

The cliffside and the crashing waves. The gathering of old friends.

Muffled voices echoed in nothingness. The voices grew louder and louder.

'Flee Aizen! Flee!' Commanded a familiar voice.

The spilling of blood.

He could still hear the screams, remembering vividly... flashes of light.

His master having pushed him.

Saving him.

Falling.

Falling.

Falling.

Aizen awoke in terror. He reached for his blade, but it wasn't on his hip. He gasped for breath. He looked about frantically, remembering where he was. He began to calm down. He was covered in sweat, having dampened the sheets of the bed. A tear rolled down his face. He listened intently. He could not hear the stamping of the corpses. Aizen sighed in relief; the horde had passed them in the night.

The morning light beamed through the window. The morning was met with a cloudless sky. The sun peaked over the treetops, casting a fog beneath the canopy as the chill of the night gave way to the sun's warmth. Aizen lay in a bed with linens in the color lavender and rose from his slumber to the smell of bacon seeping through the door from the other room. Aizen steadied his breathing as he listened to the whistles of the birds in the forest.

Aizen stretched his arms and looked out the window, pushing the memory of his dream to the back of his mind. His immediate view was of the neighbor's home, but Aizen could see a small view of the main road and the voices of the community conversing outside. Aizen swung his legs over the edge of his bed and stood and groaned as he stretched his whole body. He was surprised to find a pair of clothes and a note ready for him at his bedside. Aizen opened the note and read a note left for him by Merrick:

Aizen-

You were still asleep when I woke up this morning, so I left these clothes out for you. Your clothes were tattered and beyond repair, so I took the liberty of throwing them out for you. Please accept these as a token of my gratitude.

-Merrick

After Aizen dressed himself in his new clothes, he proceeded into the main room, where he was greeted by the sizzling aroma of freshly cooked bacon. Laid out on the table was a feast. Merrick's wife, Healia, beamed at Aizen's entry.

"Aisek, you're finally awake." Healia squealed. She was a blonde-headed woman with blue eyes and gentle features adorned in a blue nightgown. Her face lit up with excitement at the sight of her savior.

"Yes, good morning to you, Healia. I see you are getting along well."

"Yes! And I would not be here at all if it weren't for you!" She exclaimed, tears welling in her eyes.

Aizen recoiled in surprise, worried that he might have said the wrong thing.

"No, please, it's just..." She quivered as she stood, shaking as a well of emotions erupted within her. She had not the words to explain how she felt, so she dropped the cooking utensil in her hands, careened across the room, and latched onto Aizen, giving him a warm, heartfelt hug. Aizen was taken back by surprise, looking to Merrick, who sat smiling in the lounge area with the swaddled child.

"Thank you for being there that day." She shuddered, tears swelling, "If it weren't for you, neither of us would still be here." She said, releasing Aizen. She walked over and retrieved the baby from her husband and returned to Aizen. She carefully raised the newborn to Aizen. Swaddled in delicate linens, a baby with hair threads twirled atop her head rested peacefully in her mother's arms without worry. Aizen's throat tightened, emotions welling up unexpectedly-

"She's beautiful," Aizen whispered, his voice catching as he gazed at the peacefully sleeping baby.

Healia smiled wide, blushing, "If it weren't for you that day..." her lips quivered.

"Aisek," Merrick said sternly. He approached Aizen and placed a firm hand on Aizen's shoulder. "You've come by this settlement many times over the years, and during those times, I was... my treatment of you was... I..." Merrick broke eye contact with Aizen. Merrick's eyes were filled with regret as he looked down, struggling to find the right words.

Aizen grinned and placed a firm hand on Merrick's shoulder, "My friend," Aizen said gently. Merrick's eyes met Aizen's, brimming with unspoken apologies and a desperate need for forgiveness, "I hold no offenses against you. We move forward now, together."

"Yes! But..." Merrick tried to speak, but he could not find the right words.

"What he means, Aizek," Healia interjected, "He means that he is sorry."

"It's quite alright," Aizen said, patting Merrick on the shoulder. Finding a fellow companion has to start somewhere." Aizen smiled. Merrick's eyes flushed with tears and a joyful smile. He took his child from his wife's arms as she returned to the kitchen, grabbing the utensil she had dropped on the ground and washing it.

"Come!" Merrick rejoiced, "Come, take a seat at the table. Breakfast will be on soon. Make yourself at home."

Aizen raised his hands in a gentle protest, "Please, you two have done enough for me already," he said softly, "I don't want to overstay my welcome. I really must be going." Aizen pleaded, but it was for naught.

"Nonsense!" Merrick insisted. "You will be fed and well-supplied for your return to the walls. It's another two and a half days' walk from here. No need to be coy!" Merrick said with a triumphant grin.

Aizen chuckled hesitantly, but before he could respond, there was a knock at the door. With his child, Merrick went and answered the door.

"Captain Philo!" Merrick shouted, his body going rigid.

"At ease, Officer Mason. There's no need for formalities, especially with this little one," said the Captian, cooing with young Aiza. Captain Philo, a tall, dark-skinned, black-haired, muscular man with a rigidly shaved beard and a black eye patch, radiated an aura of authority. His deep, husky voice matched his imposing presence, making it clear he was not someone to anger.

The Captain spoke with Merrick quietly, whispering, and the two looked back at Aizen. The Captain upheld a stern appearance despite cooing with the baby a moment before. They turned back to each other and whispered again, and the Captain began to nod and then locked his judging eye upon Aizen.

"Aisek, right?" asked the Captain. Aizen confirmed with a nod. The Captain continued, "You're to come with me right away. Our Oracle wishes to speak with you."

Aizen's heart skipped a beat. His mouth went dry, and he instinctively stepped back, eyes widening at the mention of an Oracle. He did not have a single aetherite gem on him. Captain Philo noticed Aizen's hesitancy and grinned smugly-

"I shall be outside once you are ready." The Captain exited the doorway and closed the door gently so as not to startle the baby.

Merrick looked back at Aizen with an expression of intrigue. "I understand the Oracle knowing you're here—" he smiled devilishly, inspecting Aizen more closely. "A Voidling summoned by an Oracle." Merrick said, squinting, "Well, that doesn't happen every day. I wonder what it is she wishes to speak to you about."

Aizen shrugged, "Not a clue. Allow me to grab my boots, and I'll be on my way." He returned to the spare room and shut the door slightly. Aizen crouched down, grabbed the sides of his head, and breathed heavily, panicking, but he calmed himself down. He dressed in his leather armor and adorned his dark green cloak, then headed back out to the main room, bid farewell to his hosts for a time, and headed out the door.