The group continued outwards of the forest once the man became conscious again. Thanks to his efforts, the way to the road was clear. Some parts of the web managed to stay clear of the firestorm, but only in small chunks. Nothing blocked their way anymore.

However, the group remained silent. They still couldn't comprehend what they saw on their way out. Wolf was the first to talk.

'Okay, so I wasn't the only one to see that thing, right?'

On their way out, they saw a company of giant figures with around five or six members, clad in armor from head to toe. The leader of the group had a winged helmet and a cloak with different furs in it. No doubt kept as thropies. The leader was standing at least three meters tall, with his companions standing at at least two and a half meters as well. Their armor was dark green, like a healthy forest. On their shoulder pads, their insignia was a winged sword, and they carried weapons unheard of by any of them. The group quickly decided to keep their distance from them, as they didn't even seem to notice their presence. After a minute or so, they seemed to vanish from the forest without a trace. Whether it was another trick by the spell or something else entirely, the wanderer could not tell.

'No, I saw them too,' said Scythian. 'It was certainly... an unexpected encounter. But I think it was good that we stayed out of their way. There is no need for bloodshed.'

Wolf grinned a little. While the warmaster was certain that should there have been a confrontation, they would have lost, he still didn't like it when he avoided a fight.

'What, you are a pacifist now all of a sudden, you bone rack?'

Before the former squire could answer, the traveler drew out his sword.

'Speaking of unexpected encounters, look who is standing over there.'

At the edge of the road stood a robbed figure. Its cloak was instantly recognizable for them. Especially with the symbol on its back. It was the same cultist.

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The traveler started charging at it. He needed to reach it before he realized what was happening; otherwise, it might run away. The cultist spun around. Its face still changed with every second. It quickly threw a spell at the man. He could feel the pressure coming his way. But he was faster, changing his course just enough to avoid the attack. Not intending to give his foe another chance, he quickly jumped, and with a cry, he prepared to cut his enemy in half. But then the cultist cried out.

'I yield, I yield, have mercy!'

That stopped the man for a moment. He landed right before the spellcaster but he did not strike. Instead, Scythian was the one who (appearing out of nowhere) had his spears blunt end meet with the cultists head, knocking it to its back. It tried to get back up, only to meet the tip of the man's sword. Not long after, Wolf joined them. He was dirty. No doubt, the spell that the cultist manifested caught him. It cried again.

'Please don't kill me! Im sorry for what I have done. Please have mercy.'

Wolf turned to their pathetic prey.

'Oh, but of course! We will forget the torture you put us through now that you said your sorry and let you go. Better yet, you will come with us, and we will be the best of friends!'

The cultist stopped for a moment.

'R-really?'

'Of course. First bonding exercise: I WILL SMASH YOUR HEAD WITH MY MALLET!'

The berserker readied his weapon, but Scythian stopped him.

'Wait! There must be another way!'

'Oh, don't tell me that you are going soft on us now!' snarled the bloodthirsty warrior.

'I'm just saying that there is no need for this! Look in the distance! There is a bigger city. They must have a form of city guard. Let's bring it to them, and they will bring the cultist to justice.'

Wolf had a clear disgust in his face.

'And what is your guarantee that it will not manipulate the guard to slip away, just to do more harm in the city? Or what if it manages to get away from us? We don't really have the equipment to transfer it. Not even some cuffs for its hands. No. We have to end it right here and now.'

Scythian stood stern.

'If we knock it out, it will not have the chance to cause trouble. Besides, it was easy to defeat. It is clearly a weak, pathetic individual now that he cannot deceive us.'

'Hey! Im right here,' said the cultist.

'Silence!' said both of the warriors.

While they continued to argue, the man wandered in his mind. Mercy. And giving it to someone who hurt him before. He had an encounter like this before. One fateful encounter