*notes:

I am just informing you ahead of time that while I write I might change how I write.

For instance I might change how I do PoV's and narration etc... untill I settle into something I like.

Italics for thoughts.

Colors good? Let me know if you don't like it

Also this chapter is shorter than I'd like to do but it's either this or nothing till prob around Monday so... Let me know if you guys would rather wait for a longer chapter or take em as I write em. Since this one is short, you can count on at least one more chapter coming soon possibly two.

| Ema's PoV |

All I can do is run. Running is all I'm good for; so what if I have talent in magic I'm just a coward! I can't believe I left them there how could I leave them to die. I should've fought with all I had to save them, but why can I only muster the courage after the fact.

After Ema left the cave she went towards the river to find shade and wallow in her misery. She looked in the direction of the cave and could only grimace at the thought of what was left behind.

Even though Ema only knew Rob for a few months and Mack only a little longer than that, it doesn't take long to grow attached to people you traveled, worked, and lived together with.

She was disgusted with herself at how easily she just left them behind. Silently she vowed to herself that she would never run away again.

If I go along the ravine to the north I should be able to get to the city within a week. There shouldn't be any dangerous beasts inside but there wasn't supposed to be any in this area to begin with and look where that got us.

Why did I make Mack carry my supplies. All I have is whatever is in my lightweight pack, some snacks, map, water bag... Maybe I deserve this. Why can't there be a food conjuring magic?

While being a rookie Ema was a top notch sage in the making. She was naturally gifted in all elements, the only thing she lacked was the drive to study them. Magic was very complex in the beginning with various mental arrays that need constructing.

You could make physical arrays with circuits in any form such as staffs, clothes, jewelry, as long as the array could fit on it. However, they were very costly.

Why does it have to be so hot. I wish I never left the city with its air conditioning arrays.I wish Mack and Rob were with me. Mack with his goofy jokes and permanent bed head and Rob who wasn't very social, but serious and always there when you needed him. We... we weren't ready to go outside.

Ema stops walking for a brief moment and looks back.

That Merus is going to die by my hands one day.

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

| Entity PoV |

These creatures are fascinating. They constantly fight and kill each-other but yet a strange balance is forming. If I pull in some more plants and animals from outside I wonder how interesting this environment can become.

I wonder if I can acquire some of those unique lifeforms I saw over by the river. They were headed in my direction but sadly two of them died so easily, and the last one ran away. They seemed to operate in a pack kind of like the hounds, but they appeared to communicate with each other differently.

Dying so easily to a measly arachnid, though, I wonder if they would even survive if I pulled them in? The one that ran away could control mana more than any animal I've seen. I hope I'll see more of them again.

| City Guard's PoV |

Goddamn why do I get stuck with sentry duty. If boredom could kill, I'd be dead ten times over.

"Show me your paperwork and assignment please." -Guard

A scruffy man with black hooded cloak hands him the paperwork

"Really... your paperwork says your group is F ranked but your assignment is E ranked, you know the rules you need to have accurate papers before you leave the city. Rules are rules, either head back and get an updated rank or don't go at all." -Guard

"Sir, I can assure you we've become E ranked already we just didn't get our papers updated yet, However, as this assignment is time sensitive we couldn't wait the extra couple days to get new ones..." -Robed Mage

Tch.. Rookies think they can just do whatever they want.

"Sorry, if I break the rules for you then I'll have to do it for everyone; then what are the point of rules?" -Guard

The scruffy man smiles and shakes the guards hand.

"Oh... I mistook your E rank for an F my mistake. I guess age is getting to me to miss something like that." -Guard

"No problem sir, anyone can make a mistake every now and then" -Robed Mage

Brats... At least the pay is good, else I probably would rather die than stand here all day. Huh... what's a person doing way out there by themselves? No way it could be one of those insanely strong vagabonds would it? Nono, they look like they're dying, swaying back and forth looking like they could collapse any moment.

"Hey, brats! You see that person over there? Go help them back to the city before they collapse." -Guard

"Why should we!" -Youth in the "E" ranked group

Little bastard...

"Want me to arrest you for attempting to bribe officials?" -Guard

Damn geezer - Youth

"I wonder if they're ok, they might need medical attention we should hurry." -Youth