Alisha’s PoV

The sounds of monster roars rang clearly throughout the night sky as we ran as quickly as we could. Alice had returned to hanging off my back as we kept the four adventurers in the middle. Xeno led the party, while I brought up the rear, with Summer and Xia to either side. This canyon was beyond dangerous, the bear I had killed earlier had been level 60, and if it wasn’t for the fact I had been furious and received an increase to strength from the gauntlets, it would’ve taken longer to kill it.

The monsters in here were not to be underestimated. They didn’t back off, they showed no fear as they tried to kill us. Summer turns to me and throws me three pouches. Without saying anything, I caught them, piercing two of them with a finger and threw them into the distance to either side of me while spreading the powder from the other. We had done this several times already and it was quite effective in leading monsters away from us as we ran.

Soon, we arrived at a large cave, a spot we had set up while making our way through this canyon as a place to rest. Summer quickly set up two magic tools at the entrance while handing me two more pouches. I spread them both quickly, scent removers and monster repellent. The magic tools buzzed to life as a barrier formed at the mouth of the cave.

This wasn’t guaranteed to keep us safe, but it mitigated a lot of the danger. Summer and I quickly moved to another location, a second entrance to the cave on the opposite end and repeated our actions. This is the reason we set up here, as the worst case scenario would be having a pathway blocked by monsters, forcing us to never be able to move. The second entrance meant we had another path to retreat down, ensuring a level of safety.

As we finished, my mind finally turned to the sight I had seen moments before we arrived to save the group. Balling my hands into fists, Summer looked at me.

“Be quick about it, Xeno is only holding back because that girl is your friend.”

We had all seen it, very clearly as well. The Silver Grade that led the party had struck Olivia, leaving her behind for the bear as a distraction. In fact, my first thought was to crush his head, but I had to save Olivia. Taking off my gauntlets, I handed them to Summer as we walked back to the main room, as my glare landed on the Silver Grade, who was speaking to Xeno.

“I’m very grateful you saved me! I will ensure I repay you for this once I become a Gold Grade and become famous. I knew the Guild wouldn’t abandon a potential like me, sending five Gold Grades to rescue me shows how much importance they have for me.”

“It just goes to show how amazing you are, Frank!” One of the boys that we rescued kissed Frank’s arse and the other two followed quickly. I wanted to kill them all, but I knew they had not done any wrong, only ever sucking up to this Frank.

“I’m surprised their noses aren’t brown.” Not sure what Summer meant, I started releasing my monster form. I didn’t understand what these fools were thinking either, Xeno’s expression was sheer anger as he stared down Frank.

As I approached them, my hands became claws as Frank and his posse turned towards me, at first looking happy before looking scared. Before they could utter another word, I grabbed Frank’s neck and ripped out his throat, then tore through his head with my other claw. He dropped, dead before his corpse even hit the ground.

A silence rang out before the three screamed in fear. “WHY DID YOU KILL HIM?!” One of the fools apparently had more guts than the other two as my eyes stared daggers at them. They shrunk as I released my monster form, and I continued to stare at them before kicking the body towards their feet.

“Clean this filth off.” Leaving them with those words, I turn and walk towards Olivia.

“We’ll tell the Guild! You killed an important member!” The three, likely knowing I wasn’t going to kill them, started yelling at me.

With a grunt that shut the three up, Xeno spoke with an anger in his voice. “Just because you lost the shadow to stay under you kicked up a fuss. Trash.”

“Just because Frank had more potential than you all! I bet you saw him as a threat!” The girl screeched out and a silence followed her before Summer started laughing.

“That fool? The one who led you all to this place that even Platinum and Ruby Grades avoid, has more potential? The one who punched a weak and frail girl to save his own arse has more potential than us? How delusional are you all?” Summer sounded angry, a tone I had never thought she was capable of as I turned and looked at her. She too was glaring at the three Bronze Grades.

“All four of you, well three now, look well fed and rested. Must’ve had it easy starving a young girl.” Xeno walked away from the group as they looked angry.

“She slowed us down! We should’ve le-”

“You finish that sentence and you’ll die.” Summer spoke while sticking her thumb at me. “The one you’re talking about is her best friend. You know what will happen, right?”

The three paled as their gaze turned towards me. I stood there, wordlessly staring at them before turning away and walking towards Olivia, Xia and Alice once again. Behind me, I heard the other three whispering. I couldn’t care what they said, the only reason they lived was because they held some value in the form of coins.

Kneeling on the ground before Xia, I looked at Olivia who was sleeping on Xia’s lap. Alice was looking over Xia’s shoulder with worry as she met my eyes.

“Vi Vi ok?”

Ruffling Alice’s hair slightly, I looked down at Olivia with worry. I could see her bones through her skin, bags under her eyes while her hair was a mess. She looked weak, I could tell she had barely eaten anything, her figure reminded me all too much of the malnourished children in Crater.

“We leave in half a day. Eat and rest, the journey back to Vale will take a month and we still have to scale the canyon to get back up.”

“W-we don’t have any food left.” Turning my head, I saw the three looking at Summer, speaking a bit timidly. “We only went out today because we r-ran out yesterday.”

Summer glares at them, then turns and looks at Olivia before looking at me. I shrug as Summer turns to the three again, pointing at the body of Frank. “Perfectly good food right there.”

The three turned angry as the girl stomped her foot down. “You don’t plan to feed us?! So what if we didn’t feed some weakling who held us back!”

Summer shakes her head as she puts away the dagger she had been playing with. “Should’ve thought of that earlier. Best hope you can hunt some monsters once we leave.” Summer turns from the three before moving towards me.

Summer sits down beside me and looks over Olivia. “She’s not in a good state. It might take a bit longer, she’s too weak for us to move quickly, we’ll have to rest for those idiots too.” Olivia’s face twists into one of fear as Summer and I watch. “Seems she’s having nightmares, poor girl.”

She pulls out a small harp. I had learnt from our talks along the way here that Summer had a subclass like I did called Musician. She could play music for either entertainment or to soothe people. She sighs as she puts her hands to the harp. “I can only help this much.” As she plays it, a soothing tune plays throughout the cave, it even helped soothe my anger, helping me calm down.

I watch as Olivia’s expression turns from fear to calm before a small smile appears on it. “I’ve led her into a nicer dream. Hopefully it’ll last, she needs rest as it is.” After playing for about ten minutes, Summer put her harp away as she spoke. Thanking her, I moved to sit beside Xia. Xia had fed Olivia a sleeping pill earlier, which I was grateful for. And like that, with Alice sitting on my lap, we waited for half a day to pass while watching over Olivia.

***

Stepping out of the canyon, I sighed out of relief while looking back down at the canyon. I was glad we were out, that place was dangerous. The monsters by far were stronger than any I’ve met, even that bear I had fought hadn’t actually died, even though I caved its head in, I never received any experience and after checking with Xeno he hadn’t either.

Stolen story; please report.

Looking at Olivia who was being carefully carried by Xia, I felt sadness sink into my stomach at the sight of her. The once proud, slightly arrogant, smart and beautiful elf now looked weak and sick like a child and this sight of my friend being like this caused my heart to tighten.

Summer came over to us and looked at Olivia as well. Pursing her lips, she shook her head. “Still not awake? Her condition has barely improved, we’re going to need to take our time getting back to Vale, thankfully it will add only about a week.”

I felt worried in addition to angry about this entire situation, and the Trio of Idiots, as we had labelled them, still felt the need to complain. I could hear their complaints about Summer’s words just now.

“Tsk, still slowing us down.”

A glare from anyone but Alice would shut them up very quickly. They had become more fearless as they realised we wouldn’t kill them. I had wanted to, the only one I cared about was Olivia, but Summer had told me that it would be best if they were left alive. We had killed the one who turned on his fellow adventurer so the Guild wouldn’t care, in fact they reward punishing people like that.

If we killed these three now, the Guild would likely overlook it, but it would likely affect our treatment in the future. I just had to hold back the anger I felt, and I wasn’t the only one. Xia, Xeno and Summer were all equally as angered as I was and I could at some points see Summer and Xeno have a hand on their weapons.

After another half a day of walking, we had to stop to rest. The Trio of Idiots were exhausted and considering they had not eaten for the last two days they were starting to feel the effects of starvation. They didn’t eat Frank, merely abandoned his body in the cave. We had retrieved his necklace and plate before leaving which is all we cared for.

After setting up tents that Xeno and Summer had bought, we left the Trio of Idiots to their own tent, the only thing we provided, as we shared one. Xeno took first watch as Summer, Xia and I checked on Olivia’s condition. After a few hours of rest, Olivia finally started to stir awake and her eyes opened. Feeling relief building in me, I noticed Olivia seemed to be very strange, and I found the reason why quickly.

Her normally bright, green eyes were dull, vacant. She had sat up, but she wasn’t responding to any of us, causing me to feel scared and worried. I tried to call out to her softly but she didn’t respond.

“I’ve seen this too many times.” Speaking with a sigh, Summer put a hand on my shoulder. “It’ll be okay, Olivia has lost her spirit, her will, but she’ll recover.”

My heart drops at her comment as I cup my hands on Olivia’s face and look her in the eyes. “Olivia, it’s me, Alisha. You’re okay now, everything will be fine.”

For a moment, I saw something stir in her eyes before it faded. Feeling like my heart was being torn apart, my bottom lip trembled as tears started falling. It pained me so much to see her like this.

“It’ll be okay, she has a spark in her eyes when you speak to her. From here on, you carry her and just talk to her, it’ll help her a lot. Tell her stories. Most likely she’s lost her spirit because of that moron and the Trio of Idiots.” Nodding, I wiped the tears away and with Xia’s help, we took care of Olivia. When asked if she was hungry, she would nod but when handed food she wouldn’t respond.

The ration cubes would only fill her up, it wouldn’t do much but slowly release nutrients, but she needed a full, healthy meal constantly, which we couldn’t provide until Vale.

Soon, we started making our way through the snow once again, over the next three weeks Olivia slightly improved. I could see some life in her eyes, even though it wasn’t much, and she had started being able to walk by herself.

The other three proved themselves worthy of their new found name. The Trio of Idiots continued to loudly complain that Olivia was slowing them down, speaking in what they thought were whispers while making plans on an elaborate tale to tell the Guild that we had murdered Frank because we were jealous of his potential and kept throwing Olivia death stares. Xeno and Xia both stood near the group as we continued to slowly make our way to Vale, our trip having gained another three weeks.

***

About two days out from the little hut that had the teleport back to the Guild, we slowly made our way through the snow. Olivia clung to my arm and walked alongside us. She had yet to speak and her eyes were still dull, but they had some life to them. She started being able to eat for herself and drink water, though we still needed to encourage her to do so.

Suddenly, we stopped as I frowned. “The problems keep coming, don’t they? How many?” Hearing Summer speak, Xeno answered her.

“Nearly forty.” I could feel about the same amount. We had somehow become surrounded by people, and I could feel a slight shock as dozens of System messages came up.

A lower level has checked your Status.

Beneath us, a huge surge of light pulsed out as silver chains shot out, wrapping around everyone, including the Trio of Idiots and Olivia, binding us tightly. They bound me too, but the magic radiating from them didn’t affect me at all. As I started wondering what these chains were meant to do, I saw everyone around me become weaker, struggling against the chains as they fell to the ground.

It affected everyone, and I quickly followed along, acting like it was affecting me as well as I pretended to do my best to look around. The chains didn’t affect me…because it was Lunar magic. Nearly forty people popped out from the ground, and looking at them I found an anger building within me. There were Silver Grade adventurers surrounding us, and mixed with them were those in the dressings of the Church of the Moon Goddess.

“Kill all of them but the silver haired monster! She is to be sacrificed in the name of the Moon Goddess!”

‘Painfully’ turning my head towards the voice, I saw one who had the level of 49, and by his robes he was a Bishop. I felt something snap in my mind. The worries I had for Olivia, the anger I had towards the Trio of Idiots and now the fury I felt at the fools who had ambushed us. Glancing at Olivia, her face was twisted in pain, the same went for Alice who had been standing next to her.

I felt a feeling I hadn’t felt in a long time stir within me, along with a new power that called out to me, telling me to accept it. I grabbed hold of it, ready to use it as the ambushers slowly encircled us, making sure none of us could move.

I grabbed a chain with my hand and I felt Lunar magic pulsing from it. I knew if I sent a pulse of Celestial Eclipse Magic through this chain, I could destroy whatever spell the circle was performing. As the ambushers got closer, they drew their weapons, some were laughing and most were sending me hateful glares. Soon, they were within ten metres of the group when I released a strong pulse of mana through the chain.

I heard a yelp, followed by the sound of a pop as the chains wrapped around everyone shattered. Standing, those that surrounded us went from laughter to silence, and before they could do anything I grinned as my bloodthirst rose within me. I wanted to slaughter all of them. Grabbing that power within me, I released it as an aura erupts from me as my monster form released.

“Domain. Fury of Celestia’s Chosen.”

A thick power spread, and unlike my normal Domain, this one didn’t change our surroundings, instead the moon above us changed from its usual silver white to a bright, furious red as I stood up, grinning ear to ear. Those around us fell to their knees, weakened by me seeing them as enemies.

I moved, ignoring the cries of these morons that had attempted to ambush us as I ripped them apart. Adventurer or worshipper, it didn’t matter who, I ripped them apart as I sank deeper into my monster form, laughing loudly as I did. Ripping heads off, tearing them in half, stomping them to death. I felt amazing as I vented the last two months of stress, anger and worry on these fools. I couldn’t hear any of their voices, but I knew they were begging for their lives, and I didn’t care.

Grabbing the head of one of the last fools, I pop his head with a squeeze as I turn to the last one, the Bishop. Walking slowly towards the trembling, foolish old man, he kept muttering the same sentence.

“It can’t be, s-she is a Blessed!” “T-the Archbishop lied!” Still with the grin on my face, I laughed as I picked him up by his neck as he started pleading for his life. Tearing his head off, I laughed and laughed. The fury within me hadn’t settled, a thick aura surrounded me as I looked towards Vale. I wanted to kill the Archbishop, I’ve had enough of these idiots. I want her dead, now. Just as I take a step towards the city, Xia appears in front of me.

“Madam, can you hear me?”

Staring at Xia, I wanted to tear her apart for standing in front of me, getting in my way at this time agitated me. Before I could move towards her, she smiled slightly.

“I’ll join you and slaughter the Church once we return. For now, please focus on Olivia, she needs you.” Xia stood there, still blocking my way as her words resounded through my head. Deep within I knew she was right. With a tsk, I released my domain and monster form as my bloodlust faded. Staring deeply at Xia, I gave her a slight nod as I turned towards the group.

What had once been a white landscape of snow was now covered in bodies, blood and organs. My face, arms and legs were covered in blood, clothing as usual clean and the Trio of Idiots looked terrified out of their minds. Not giving them a second glance, I looked at Summer who came up to me with a smile.

“Don’t worry, I recorded all of that with a Memory Stone. I have to say though, your monster form is quite something.” Giving me a wink and a pat on the shoulder, she turned as Xeno approached me.

“When we get back, let's make an official party. Don’t worry, if the Guild is upset about this, we’ll back you up.” Xeno gives me a nod before joining Summer.

I walked over to Olivia, who hadn’t really changed her expression at all, but I could see something in her eyes…for some reason I saw amusement before it disappeared. I didn’t confuse that with fear, did I?

“Mummy ok?” Alice jumps into my hands and I ruffle her hair.

“Of course, it was just some weaklings dear. Wanna come with mummy to kill more of these fools?”

“Alice yes!” Chuckling from her excitement, I look at our surroundings once again without a care. Summer, Xia and Xeno were collecting identity chains and plates from all of the corpses while I walked towards the source of the yelp and pop. The remains of someone were there, their upper body had exploded, obviously due to my magic overloading them. Picking up their identity, I moved back towards the group as I glared towards the city.

I didn’t care if the Guild tried to stop me, the moment we returned the Church will turn into a bloodbath, and none of them will survive.