Vashni and Sargeant. Ajax stood before the entrance of a cave. Accompanied by ten other mercenaries, Sargeant Ajax ordered two to remain outside for lookout. Vashni, Sargeant Ajax and eight others continued inside.

Sargeant Ajax grabbed a ward, but Vashni stopped him. “We don’t need that one right now. It may attract them!” Vashni said, cautioned him about using the ward.

“How are we supposed to protect ourselves?” Sargeant Ajax frowned.

“We don’t… we are just to lure them out from hiding.” Vashni's voice was calm, yet his eyes were sharp.

Sargeant Ajax returned the ward candle to his pouch and followed Vashni inside. Vashni grabbed a flare stick and lighted it. “This is a better alternative.”

Vashni and Sargeant Ajax continued deeper inside the cave. Inside was strangely cold. The temperature dropped as they continued inside. Sargeant Ajax stopped upon seeing two separate paths before them.

“I guess this is where we separate ways.” Sargeant Ajax said as he thought of taking the path on the left.

“No, it’s not a good idea to separate.” Vashni replied.

“What do you suggest?” Sargeant Ajax asked him.

“Give me time, as I observe the surroundings.” Vashni replied, observing his surroundings.

Sargeant Ajax patiently waited for Vashni and ignited another flare stick as the first one was about to be used up. As he tried to question Vashni about the progress of his observation. Vashni commented and said.

“This is not good!”

“What do you mean?” Sargeant Ajax replied.

“Prepare yourself. Something is coming!” Vashni said.

Everyone in the squad prepared their weapons. Looking at both entrances, the squad was under a tense pressure. Anything could come out and they had to fight the creature if it goes out.

Footsteps became audible as they waited. Coming from the entrance, Vashni and the others couldn’t pinpoint from where it was coming. The echo inside the cave made it difficult for even Vashni himself to observe.

Sargeant Ajax was the first to find a shadow upon emerging from the distance. Recognizing it to be human, he ordered everyone to lay down their weapons.

“Halt, men! It’s just a woman.” Sargeant Ajax said and approached the wounded woman who was fleeing for her life.

“What happened?” Sargeant Ajax asked her.

“My husband and I ventured deep into the cave. Everything was fine until we saw those vile creatures. He did not make it, but I…” the woman cried on her knees in exhaustion.

“It’s alright… we’ll find your husband,” Sargeant Ajax said and stood up.

He looked at one mercenary, who replied, “Sir!”

“Take this woman to safety. We will rescue her husband.” Sargeant Ajax ordered.

“What for?” Vashni disagreed.

“We just can’t leave a civilian alone to die here!” Sargeant Ajax said.

“She said her husband did not make it. You’ll only risk the lives of our men if you do this rescue mission!” Vashni objected.

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“You may have the ability. However, I am the commanding officer of this squad. I know the risks, but a civilian needed our help. If you don’t want risking your life, then you can remain here!” Sargeant Ajax said to him.

Vashni could not object. If he were to leave them, they might be in danger. He complied and stopped complaining and said, “Lead the way, Sarge!”

“Very well!” Sargeant Ajax said.

They reduced the team from eight men to six men. Sargeant Ajax told the two others to escort the wounded woman outside. Vashni continued his observation in his surroundings.

As they proceeded further, Vashni suddenly stopped and said. “The veil is thin around here!”

Sargeant Ajax and the others stopped hearing what Vashni had said.

“What do you mean?” Sargeant Ajax asked.

“There’s an anomaly within these caves. If we continue further, it would pose a danger to us. I suggest we retreat and report this matter to Captain Ellaine,” Vashni recommended.

Sargeant Ajax shook his head and replied, “No!”

Vashni found Sargeant Ajax’s decision to be reckless and became frustrated with him, “Are you that vainglorious to risk our lives here?”

Sargeant Ajax replied to him and said, “No, but we are not leaving until we find answers and rescue the husband of that woman earlier.”

“Have it your way, Sarge!” Vashni replied.

As the Vashni, Sargeant Ajax and other six mercenaries continued. They heard a faint sound of a man grunting in pain. The cave was getting narrower.

“Annie… someone… help her!” Vashni and the others saw a man and rock that broke his leg.

Vashni rushed to the man and assessed his situation. Aside from his broken leg, he looked fine. He tried to administer first aid with his pure water ability, alleviated the pain the man felt.

“Thank you, kind sir!” The man showed appreciation to Vashni and continued, “My wife, Annie... she’s currently possessed!”

Sargeant Ajax and Vashni looked at each other. Vashni asked what the man was talking about and said, “What do you mean possessed?”

“She’s not acting by herself. It started when we entered this path.” The man said.

“It must be because of the veil in these parts.” Vashni thought and looked at Sargeant Ajax. “We need to return to…” Before he could finish talking. Everyone felt the tremor from outside of the cave.

“What was that?” Vashni asked in surprise.

"I don’t know, but we need to get back!” Sargeant Ajax said.

With the assistance of Vashni and others, they set the man free from the rock that crushed his right leg.

“This may be painful, but bear with it!” Vashni said and used his ability to administer advanced first aid. “This will help stop the bleeding!”

After giving the man a first aid, Vashni asked him. “What’s your name?”

“It’s Erick, Erick Townes.” Erick replied.

“Good, Erick... we saw your wife, Annie, on our way here.” Vashni said and signalled two other mercenaries to help with Erick. “We will help your wife when we see her. You don’t have to worry!”

Vashni and the others went back to where they came earlier. Sargeant Ajax was in the lead while Vashni was behind.

Meanwhile, at the entrance of the cave. The two mercenaries who were standing saw a woman heading towards them.

“She must be a survivor!” One of them rushed.

The woman, in tattered clothes and with blood on skirt, continued to walk towards the approaching mercenary.

Unbeknownst to the mercenary who approached her. She was possessed. As the mercenary tried to assist her, a malicious smile etched on her face and she began strangling the mercenary with unbelievable strength.

The incident shocked the other mercenary, causing him to freeze.

“You are all worthless!” The possessed woman spoke with a distorted voice, threw away the mercenary she strangled and shifted on the other one.

“You’re next!” The woman said and the screams of both men echoed in the area.

Meanwhile, as Vashni and Sargeant Ajax arrived at the mouth of the cave. They saw the two of their fellow mercenaries lifeless on the ground. Their mangled bodies surprised them.

“I don’t know if we can still save her.” Vashni said pessimistically.

“What are you talking about? Aren’t you an exorcist?” Sargeant Ajax asked.

“Yes, I am. However, it is the job of the Pyro exorcists to do such a thing. We water exorcists are merely on the support role!” Vashni replied.

“What do you suggest?” Sargeant Ajax asked.

“We need to return to Captain Ellaine first, and report the situation to her. After that we will plan on how to defeat the possessed. That’s the only way we survive this!” Vashni recommended.

It was nearly dark when Vashni and Sargeant Ajax returned. Captain Ellaine looked impatient with the two and asked them where were the others. Sargeant Ajax interrupted Vashni as he tried to explain.

“Captain, I apologize for my lapses. It costed the lives of the four of our men.” Sargeant Ajax said and continued, “We have found no horde of undead in the area. However, we found a possessed on the loose. She was the wife of this man we rescued.”

In reply, the Captain sighed and stated, “Although unacceptable, we cannot avoid casualties. We will collect those who fell in this mission after we solved this incident.”

“Permission to speak, if I may, Captain!” Vashni said.

“You may!” Captain Ellaine replied.

“We need to contain the possessed, and I will need your help!” Vashni said and continued, “This will be risky, but I swear it would be an effective measure!”

“I am all ears, Vashni!” Captain Ellaine said.