The night sky had settled into a deep, velvety black, with only a scattering of stars twinkling above as The Radiant Vanguard rode toward Cremoor. The rhythmic pounding of their horses' hooves on the dirt road was the only sound cutting through the stillness. Lauren was positioned in the group's center, her gentle mare keeping pace with the others while the warhorses—powerful and steady—carried the rest of the Vanguard at a gallop. The group wasn't rushing, but their pace was purposeful, and they were determined to distance themselves from the strange events in Vistow.

The sudden whinny of Quin’s horse, Albert, shattered the quiet. Without warning, the warhorse swerved violently on the road, causing Quin to jerk in his saddle, nearly losing control. "Whoa!" he cried, gripping the reins tightly as Albert swerved again, narrowly avoiding a flurry of arrows that came whistling out of the darkness. The deadly projectiles sailed harmlessly past him, embedding themselves in the dirt road where he had just been riding.

"Ambush!" Quin shouted, his voice carrying over the pounding hooves as he quickly righted himself. His heart hammered in his chest, but he kept his grip firm, his hand reaching for his sword. "We’re under attack!"

Instantly, the group snapped into action. Cal’s voice rang out clearly. "Defensive formation! Surround Lauren!" he ordered, his tone sharp and commanding. The Radiant Vanguard moved in unison, their months of training kicking in as they tightened their positions around Lauren, their weapons drawn.

Cal’s eyes narrowed as he activated his Strategic Grid ability. A faint green chessboard briefly shimmered beneath their feet, spreading outward from Cal in all directions before fading into nothingness. But the information it provided was clear in Cal’s mind. "There are twenty of them," he reported grimly, his tone growing more serious. "All Acolytes—varying levels of strength. We’re surrounded."

Another volley of arrows arced from the darkness, their lethal tips gleaming faintly in the moonlight. Cal reacted instantly, casting Preemptive Barrier, a green shield of spirit energy snapping into place just in time. The arrows slammed into the barrier with a heavy thud, some splintering against the magical protection. But the barrier shimmered ominously, cracks spreading across its surface from the impact.

Never far behind, Westin added his magical protection, casting Kaleidoscope Shields around the group. The shields, a multi-colored barrier of shifting light layered over Cal’s barriers, were absent, creating a shimmering, almost mesmerizing wall of defense. "This won’t hold forever!" Westin shouted as he followed up with Whimsical Wildfire, a sudden burst of flames that ignited in a ring around the group, casting flickering shadows over the road and creating a barrier of fire that slowed any enemies from approaching too quickly.

Zach positioned himself near Lauren; his shield raised, eyes scanning the darkness as the arrows continued to fall. "We’re outnumbered!" he called out, the strain evident in his voice. "We need to retreat. There's too many of them!"

"No!" Cal snapped back; his voice was decisive. "We can’t break the encirclement. The second we try to run, they’ll collapse on us from all sides, and our shields won’t hold against that kind of onslaught."

As if to emphasize his point, another volley of arrows came raining down from the darkness. They struck hard against Cal and Westin’s shields, the impact rattling through the group. Cracks spread across the magical barriers, and arrows punched through, narrowly missing their targets.

Zach cursed under his breath as he raised his shield, covering Lauren as best he could. "We’re sitting ducks like this!" he shouted. His eyes flicked to the surrounding darkness, trying to catch a glimpse of their attackers. "We need a plan, fast!"

Quin gritted his teeth, eyes scanning the surrounding trees and shadows for movement. The flames from Westin’s Whimsical Wildfire cast an eerie light over the road, making it hard to see where the next attack would come from. His mind raced. Twenty Acolytes—experienced, well-organized. Whoever had sent them had known precisely how to pin them down.

Another arrow whizzed past his head, embedding itself in a tree behind him. Quin felt the urgency of the situation pressed down on him like a weight. He had to do something—anything—to turn the tide.

Quin’s eyes darted to Lauren, whose usually calm face was now tight with fear. He gave her a reassuring nod. "Stay close to us," he whispered, his voice steady despite the chaos around them. "We’ll get through this. Just focus on staying safe. We need to whittle down their numbers without overcommitting. We don’t know what these Acolytes are capable of yet, but they wouldn't be amateurs if they planned an ambush like this."

Lauren nodded, though the tension in her posture didn’t ease.

Sam chimed in, his voice low but firm. "Quin’s right. Cal, focus on keeping the barriers up for ranged attacks. Zach and I will handle the defense when they approach us on foot. Quin and Westin, you two should try to pick them off from a distance. Cal can call out their locations for you."

Zach grunted in agreement, already positioning his shield to protect Lauren. "We need to be smart about this. No reckless moves."

"Agreed," Cal said, his mind racing as he visualized the battlefield. His Strategic Grid ability gave him a clear picture of the enemy’s positions, and he could sense their movements like pieces on a chessboard. "I’ll call out their locations like a clock. Quin, Westin, you hit them from a distance."

The others nodded, their resolve hardening as they quickly formed a plan. "Let’s do this," Quin said, gripping his broadsword with one hand, ready to unleash his magic with the other.

The air was thick with tension as they sprang into action. Cal’s Preemptive Barrier shimmered and reformed just as another volley of arrows rained. They slammed into the magical shields with heavy thuds, some cracking through as Cal struggled to recast it under pressure. Zach stepped forward, deflecting the few arrows that pierced through with his shield, his eyes never leaving the direction of the attack.

"Eleven o’clock, in the trees!" Cal shouted, his voice clear and sharp.

Quin gathered the light around him, his spirit flaring as he unleashed a concentrated Solar Flare. The beam of pure light sliced through the darkness, burning through the cover of trees and striking one of the Acolytes directly. The enemy screamed as the light burned through him, and he collapsed to the ground.

"Three o’clock by the rocks!" Cal called again.

Westin’s hand shot forward, his wand crackling with energy. A Prismatic Burst flew from his wand, swirling with color before it settled into a brilliant bolt of blue. It struck another Acolyte in the chest, the frost magic slowing the enemy’s movements as they stumbled and fell to the ground, helpless.

The two continued their assault, alternating their attacks as Cal called out more locations. Quin’s Solar Flare blazed through the night, each beam precise and deadly, while Westin’s Prismatic Bursts rained chaos on the enemy. Sometimes, it was a paralyzing bolt of lightning; other times, a burst of flame that sent enemies scattering. Whenever Westin cast his spell, the color was different, unpredictable, and devastating. Earth petrified enemies, locking them in place, while Air threw them backward into the trees. Fire burned through armor, and Acid ate through anything it touched.

As their attacks cut through the enemy lines, they quickly took down five Acolytes before the rest realized they were being targeted from afar. Pain and confusion echoed in the night as the enemy scattered, seeking cover from the deadly onslaught.

But the assault didn’t stop there.

More arrows flew at them from the darkness, slamming into Cal’s Preemptive Barriers with renewed fury. The shields held, but cracks began to spread as the constant barrage of attacks forced Cal to recast them continuously. The glow of his magic flickered, his energy being taxed with each recast. "I can’t hold this forever!" Cal grunted, sweat beading on his forehead.

Zach stepped forward once again, his shield raised high. A few arrows broke through, but he intercepted them with expert precision, deflecting them before they could hit anyone. The clang of arrows against his shield echoed in the air, his stance unwavering.

"They’re regrouping," Cal called out, strained but focused. "They’re amassing for a full charge on foot. We don’t have much time. They have horses."

The group pulled in tighter, forming a defensive ring around Lauren. Everyone’s weapons were drawn, ready for the inevitable clash. Cal held his shortsword firmly, his eyes scanning the shadows. Quin gripped his broadsword, feeling the weight of the coming battle settle in his bones. Zach positioned himself near Lauren, his sword and shield at the ready. Westin stood slightly behind, his wand crackling with residual energy from the spells he’d unleashed. Sam’s mace gleamed in the flickering light of the Whimsical Wildfire, his stance solid and unwavering.

Lauren stood in the center, unarmed, her eyes wide but determined. She wasn’t a fighter, but her presence reminded them why they needed to hold the line. Quin would never let any harm befall her, and he knew his friends would do the same.

The night seemed to grow darker, the distant shuffle horses and their approaching Acolytes the only sound cutting through the crackling fire and the tension in the air. The enemy was close now, their silhouettes moving through the shadows, weapons drawn and ready to attack.

Quin’s heart pounded in his chest. "Here they come," he muttered, his grip tightening on his broadsword as the first shadowed figure emerged from the treeline.

The battle was about to begin.

Cal’s orders cut through the tension like a blade. "I’ll handle defense with Westin. He’ll provide covering fire, and Lauren can patch us up afterward. Zach, draw their attention from the front. Quin, Sam—flank them from the sides and struck them."

"Got it!" came the simultaneous response from the group.

They quickly adjusted their positions, eyes scanning the shadows ahead as they waited for the enemy to emerge. Quin’s heart hammered in his chest, and he could feel the energy in the air as the anticipation built. The faint sound of hooves grew louder, the dull thrum of horses moving toward them. Cal, ever focused, whispered, "They’re regrouped... and coming in fast."

The crackling light of Westin’s Whimsical Wildfire cast eerie shadows across the battlefield, and through the orange glow of the flames, they saw the enemy approach. Dark shapes on horseback emerged from the tree line, their figures barely illuminated by the fire’s light. They were dressed in all black, from head to toe, their faces covered by masks that left only their eyes visible—cold, calculating eyes that gleamed with deadly intent. Each rider was equipped with swords and bows, moving as one, a well-coordinated force intent on overwhelming the Radiant Vanguard.

Suddenly, two horses shouted high-pitched screams as Westin’s Whimsical Wildfire took effect as they charged through it. One of the horses collapsed mid-gallop, its legs crumpling beneath it as the flames licked at its body. The rider atop it had no time to react—he was thrown to the ground, landing with a sickening crunch, his neck twisted at an unnatural angle. He didn’t move again.

The second horse fared little better, but its rider leaped from the saddle just before it hit the ground. He hit the dirt and rolled to his feet, his sword already drawn as he prepared to engage. But before he could take a step, Westin acted quickly, casting a Prismatic Burst. A flash of green light shot from his wand, striking the man directly in the face. His scream was cut short as the acid spell ate through his mask, leaving him motionless on the ground.

The remaining enemy riders charged forward, undeterred by their fallen comrades. Their swords gleamed in the flickering firelight, and their horses barreled toward the Vanguard at full speed.

Zach, always the first into the fray, rode forth with his sword and shield raised high. He activated Shield of the Virtuous, a powerful spell that enhanced his defense, causing his shield to glow faintly with protective energy. At the same time, his Guardian’s Resolve ability bolstered his tunic and leather armor, making them more damage-resistant. Arrows and projectiles fired in his direction were pulled toward him, redirected by the spirit coursing through him. Zach was a living fortress, prepared to take the brunt of the enemy’s charge head-on.

Quin and Sam followed Cal’s orders without hesitation. Quin flanked to the left, his horse galloping alongside the treeline as he prepared to intercept the enemy from the side. He activated Radiant Shield, a golden barrier of light that surrounded him, providing an extra layer of protection. At the same time, he summoned Luminary Empowerment, the familiar warmth of Solarius’s power filling him, strengthening his body and sharpening his reflexes.

On the opposite side, Sam rode to the right, his eyes narrowed in concentration as he flanked the enemy. His mace was gripped tightly in one hand, and his spirit flared with readiness for the coming fight.

Sam locked eyes on one of them as the riders neared Zach, activating Justicar’s Gaze. The mental attack hit the rider with full force, flooding the man’s mind with confusion and disorientation. His hands slackened on the reins, and his horse bucked wildly as he lost control. The rider was thrown from the saddle, landing hard on the ground, only to be trampled moments later by the charging horses behind him.

"Keep pushing!" Zach yelled as he deflected the next incoming volley of arrows with his shield, absorbing the impact effortlessly. "Stay in formation!"

Quin gritted his teeth as he rode in closer from the left, the golden light of his Radiant Shield shining brightly as the enemy drew nearer. He could feel the power surging through his veins, the strength of Solarius fueling him for what was to come. He locked eyes with one of the approaching riders, and with a swift motion, he raised his broadsword high, ready to strike.

Sam, mirroring Quin’s movement from the opposite side, prepared his attack. His mace glowed with the light of Justicar as he rode into position, his eyes fixed on the enemy’s exposed flank.

The battle had begun in earnest, and The Radiant Vanguard was ready to strike.

The moment the two groups clashed, the air erupted into chaos. The sound of swords meeting steel, horses snorting in fury, and the grunts of battle filled the night. Quin, Sam, and Zach charged into the fray, their weapons gleaming in the flickering light of Westin’s Whimsical Wildfire. The enemy riders, black-clad and masked, met them head-on, their swords drawn and ready to strike.

Quin’s broadsword connected first, a powerful swing that cleaved through the sword of the nearest attacker. The man barely had time to react before the force of Quin’s blade sent him flying from his saddle, his body crumpling to the ground in a heap. Another rider lunged at Quin from his right, swords clashing in a deadly dance. Quin could feel the strength of Solarius flowing through him, his movements precise and powerful as he deflected blow after blow.

On the other side, Sam swung his glowing mace with brutal efficiency. One enemy rider tried to parry the strike, but Sam’s Judgment Strike was too strong. The mace crushed through the man’s guard, sending him reeling from his horse, his body limp and lifeless. Sam’s horse charged forward and swung again, slamming his mace into the side of another rider’s helmet with a sickening crunch.

Zach, meanwhile, was in the thick of the battle, his shield raised high as arrows and swords came at him from all directions. He parried an incoming strike from one rider, twisting his body and countering with a powerful thrust of his sword. The blade pierced through the enemy’s chest, sending him tumbling from his horse. Another rider came at Zach from the side, slashing at his leg. The blow landed, slicing through his leather armor and leaving a deep gash, but Zach gritted his teeth and fought through the pain. With a roar, he activated Guardian’s Resolve and Valor’s Smite, swinging his sword with deadly precision. His blade cut through the rider’s throat, sending blood spraying into the air as the man fell dead to the ground.

Zach, Sam, and Quin pressed on despite the injuries, their attacks were relentless. Quin turned just in time to block a heavy downward strike from another rider. The force of the blow sent a jolt through his arm, but his Radiant Shield held strong. With a swift counter, Quin drove his broadsword into the attacker’s side, cutting through armor and sending him falling from his horse. The rider’s body hit the ground with a dull thud, lifeless.

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Westin, watching from the back, took careful aim with his wand. Another rider was about to strike Zach from behind when Westin fired a Prismatic Burst. This time, a bolt of lightning shot from his wand, striking the rider in the back and sending him convulsing before collapsing off his horse. Another enemy tried to make a move on Sam, but Westin's next Prismatic Burst sent a blast of fire directly into the man’s chest, engulfing him in flames. The rider screamed before falling into the dirt, his body charred.

Cal, who had been carefully observing the battle, activated Strategic Strike in the chaos. His eyes narrowed, focusing on the rider trying to flank Quin. A dark green needle of spirit energy formed near Quin’s assailant, glowing faintly before it shot forward with pinpoint accuracy. The needle pierced the rider’s armor, striking the man at his weakest point—just below his shoulder blade. The rider gasped in shock, his body seizing up before he fell from his horse, dead before he hit the ground.

The battle raged for what felt like an eternity, but it was only minutes. Of the twelve attackers, most now lay dead, their bodies littering the battlefield. Only five remained.

Two attackers, their horses slain during the battle, stood their ground with weapons drawn. Their comrades, still on horseback, had begun to turn, spurring their mounts in an attempt to flee. Clearly, they had underestimated The Radiant Vanguard’s strength and wanted no part of a prolonged battle.

The two remaining foot soldiers, however, made no move to run. They brandished their weapons, ready to make their final stand. They positioned themselves between The Radiant Vanguard and the fleeing horsemen, intent on buying time for their comrades to escape.

B bleeding but still standing strong, Zach narrowed his eyes at the two remaining fighters. Without hesitation, he leaped from his horse; his shield raised as he charged toward them on foot.

The first attacker came at him with a wild swing of his sword, but Zach sidestepped it, slamming his shield into the man’s chest with brutal force. The attacker staggered backward, off-balance, and Zach followed up with a mighty slash of his sword, cutting deep into the man’s side. The attacker gasped in pain but managed to recover, swinging his sword again in a desperate attempt to defend himself. Zach ducked under the swing and drove his sword into the man’s ribs. The attacker crumpled to the ground, his body limp.

The second attacker lunged at Zach from the side, aiming for his exposed flank. Zach twisted at last, raising his shield just in time to block the strike. The force of the blow sent a jolt through his arm, but Zach didn’t falter. He slammed his shield into the man’s face, stunning him, before bringing his sword down in a vicious arc—the blade connected with the man’s neck, severing his head cleanly from his body.

Zach stood over the two fallen attackers, breathing heavily, his injuries catching up with him. Blood dripped from the cut on his leg, and his muscles screamed in protest, but the immediate threat had been neutralized.

The three remaining enemies had fled, disappearing into the darkness on horseback. The battlefield was littered with the bodies of their fallen comrades.

Zach, wiping the blood from his sword, turned to Quin and Sam. "Pursue them! We will catch up," he shouted, his voice grim but resolute.

Quin and Sam didn't hesitate at the words as they saw the three remaining enemies fleeing into the night. Their horses thundered down the road in pursuit, the sounds of hooves echoing through the quiet darkness. Quin urged Albert faster, his eyes locked on the enemy ahead, determination burning within him. Sam rode beside him, his mace held tight, ready to strike at a moment’s notice.

Quin gathered his energy, the familiar warmth of Solarius filling his chest as he raised his hand. With a quick motion, he unleashed a powerful Solar Flare. A beam of concentrated light shot forth, bright and searing as it cut through the night air. It struck the rearmost rider in the back, the force of the blast sending him tumbling from his horse. The man hit the ground with a sickening crunch. The body lay still, lifeless, as the riderless horse veered off into the trees, screaming in terror and attempting to escape its attackers.

Now close enough to engage the remaining two, Sam urged his mount forward. His eyes were focused on the rider directly ahead. With a swift motion, Sam swung his glowing mace toward the enemy, aiming for the rider’s side. But the rider, quicker than expected, raised his sword and parried the strike with a metallic clang.

The two engaged in an intense horseback battle, their weapons clashing as they sped down the road. Sparks flew as steel met steel, the force of their blows sending tremors through the air. Sam’s mace swung with devastating power, each strike aimed to knock the rider from his saddle, but the enemy parried with precision, blocking and countering as they rode side by side. It was a deadly dance, their horses galloping at full speed while their riders fought for dominance.

Meanwhile, Quin was gaining on the last rider, his eyes fixed on the target ahead. The enemy must have sensed Quin’s approach because suddenly, the man turned his horse sharply, wheeling around to face Quin head-on. Quin barely had time to react as the rider charged toward him, sword raised, ready to strike.

Quin met the challenge without hesitation. He leaned into Albert’s momentum, swinging his broadsword with full force as the two horses barreled toward each other. Their weapons clashed in an explosion of sparks, but Quin’s superior strength sent the enemy reeling. The man’s sword deflected Quin’s blow, but the force behind it knocked him clean off his horse. The rider hit the ground hard, groaning in pain as he struggled to rise.

Quin leaped from Albert’s back without missing a beat, his broadsword gleaming as he landed beside the fallen enemy. The man barely had time to get to his knees before Quin was upon him. With one swift, decisive strike, Quin drove his broadsword into the man’s chest, ending his life with brutal efficiency.

Breathing heavily, Quin stood over the body momentarily, catching his breath as the adrenaline surged. He glanced at Sam, who was still engaged in his fierce duel with the remaining rider. But Sam had gained the upper hand—his enemy’s defenses were weakening. With a mighty swing, Sam’s mace connected with the side of the rider’s head, the force of the blow sending the man toppling from his horse. He hit the ground, unmoving.

Sam rode in a wide circle, slowing his horse before dismounting and finishing the man off with a final, crushing blow to the skull.

The sound of approaching hooves reached them before they saw the others. Zach, Cal, Westin, and Lauren appeared on horseback, galloping up the road to join them. As they slowed to a stop, Cal took in the scene—the dead bodies, the overturned horses, and the two exhausted warriors.

Cal groaned, a hand running through his hair as he looked between Quin and Sam. "You two didn’t think to take one alive for questioning, did you?"

Quin and Sam exchanged a sheepish look, realizing the oversight too late. Sam scratched the back of his neck, wincing slightly from a bruise that had formed during the fight. "Uh... yeah. Didn’t think of that," Sam admitted.

Quin gave a half-hearted shrug. "We were... kind of in the moment."

Cal sighed deeply, shaking his head in exasperation. "Well, there goes any chance of figuring out who sent them, then." His tone was only half-serious, but there was a clear undertone of frustration. "Next time, let’s keep at least one of them breathing, alright?"

Lauren, her eyes already scanning for injuries, dismounted quickly and rushed to Quin and Sam’s side. She had already healed Zach’s wound from the earlier clash, but now her attention was on the two who had just fought a vicious battle.

"Are either of you hurt?" she asked, concern evident as she knelt beside Sam. Without waiting for an answer, she began inspecting the bruises and cuts Sam had sustained. Her hands glowed softly with healing energy, and within moments, Sam’s wounds began to close, the pain fading as Lauren’s magic worked its way through his injuries.

"Nothing too bad," Quin said with a tired smile, though his body ached from the battle. His gaze shifted to Lauren, grateful for her presence. "Just a few scratches."

Lauren nodded but didn’t waste time. "You two were lucky," she muttered, focused on healing Sam’s deeper wounds. "It could’ve gone a lot worse."

As Lauren continued her healing, the group took a moment to catch their breath. The battle was over, but the questions it raised loomed large in their minds.

As Lauren continued healing Sam’s wounds, her brow furrowed in deep concern. "Who were these people?" she asked, her voice quiet but tense. The question hung over all of them, unspoken until now.

Ever quick with a joke, Westin leaned on his horse with a smirk. "Isn’t it obvious? They were local merchants trying to spread their word about their wears."

Sam rolled his eyes and stated. “Probably from Vistow.”

Zach shook his head, though his expression suggested he didn’t entirely disagree. "It might not be that simple, but yeah, it’s looking that way." He dismounted and began rummaging through the bodies of the fallen assassins. His hands moved with purpose as he searched for anything that might give them a clue about who their attackers were.

Cal, standing nearby, crossed his arms and raised a thoughtful point. "What I find strange," he began, "is that out of a group of twenty, not a single one exhibited any powers. They only used weapons—arrows and swords. No magic, no spirit techniques. That’s not normal for a group of Acolytes. It’s probably the only reason none of us ended up dead or more seriously injured."

The others nodded in agreement, the oddity of the situation settling into their thoughts.

Quin, now fully recovered thanks to Lauren’s earlier attention, frowned as he recalled the fight. Cal was right. The enemy had fought with skill and precision, but there had been no sign of any powers, no flashes of spirit energy beyond their own. It was strange—unnatural, even.

Zach gave a low grunt. "I think I may have found the reason for that." He opened the dead assassin’s tunic, revealing a tattoo on the man’s chest. A small dove, simple in design, was inked over his heart.

Quin narrowed his eyes at the symbol. "What is that?"

Sam, who had seen the tattoo, sighed heavily. "It’s the symbol of Serenity."

"Serenity?" Quin echoed, confused.

"Yeah," Sam continued. "A lot of her followers get this tattoo. It marks them as devotees to the Goddess of Tranquility and Inner Peace."

Cal stepped forward, looking closely at the tattoo before glancing around at the others. "If they’re followers of Serenity, that explains why none of them used any powers. They didn’t have any. Serenity doesn’t give her followers powers to be used for violence—especially not in combat."

Westin, never one to let the tension linger for long, let out a low chuckle. "Well, that didn’t stop them from trying to kill us with swords and arrows, did it?"

Lauren ignored Westin’s jest, her face more troubled than ever as she finished healing Sam’s deeper wounds. "It doesn’t make any sense," she said, shaking her head. "Serenity’s doctrine is all about peace, tranquility, non-violence. Her followers aren’t supposed to commit acts of violence, let alone murder. Why would they do this?"

The group fell silent for a moment, each grappling with the weight of Lauren's words. It was an unsettling realization. Followers of Serenity were known for their strict adherence to their peaceful principles. For a group of them to carry out an assassination attempt went against everything Serenity stood for.

Thinking through the implications, Quin raised a point that had been gnawing at him since they’d seen the tattoo. "Maybe... maybe they’ve abandoned Serenity’s teachings," he said quietly. "They could be breaking the doctrine, rejecting what Serenity teaches in favor of something else."

Sam’s face darkened at the thought, his hand tightening around the hilt of his mace. "Those who break the ideals of their God or Goddess," he said coldly, "deserve death. They’ve already cast away their divine protection."

The air around them grew heavier as the gravity of Sam’s words settled in. The idea that these assassins were once followers of Serenity, people who had forsaken their Goddess for reasons unknown, left an uncomfortable weight hanging over the group.

Lauren, clearly disturbed, stood up and wiped the dirt from her hands, glancing at the tattoo once more before speaking. "Even if they’ve abandoned Serenity, something must have driven them to it. They didn’t seem like they were acting on their own."

Quin nodded slowly, still staring at the dead bodies. "Vistow," he muttered. "This has to be connected to Vistow somehow. Eloria, the village leader, has something to do with this. I don’t know why or how, but these people were sent to silence us."

Zach stood, still holding the tunic, and looked at Quin. "Then we need answers," he said. "And we won’t get them here."

Cal sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he looked around at the fallen attackers. "We’ll head back to Cremoor. Lief Stoneheart needs to hear about this. We’ve got too many unanswered questions, and it’s clear this goes deeper than just some random ambush."

The group nodded in agreement. There were too many pieces to the puzzle, and they had only scratched the surface.

"We need to get out of here before anyone else shows up," Zach added, glancing down the road where they had come from. "We’re too exposed out here."

Quin was about to make a comment about how they should meditate to consolidate their gains in spirit after a fight, but swallowed it down as he came to the realization that had been escaping him the moment of combat. He had just killed multiple people, not beasts. Such a thing was a horrendous act, even if it was down out of self defense. He had done it so casually as if it was something that he had done everyday. He expected to kill one day, but never so soon and never so casually. It made him feel filthy and unworthy of being a follower of Solarius to commit such an act of violence against another person so casually.

At such thoughts, Quin turned to survey his brothers and found them all looking at the bodies as he was. He realized that they were having the same thought process as him and he did not feel so alone anymore. They had done what was necessary. All Quin could do was pray to Solarius for forgiveness and answers to the turmoil in his heart.

Everyone turned to look at each other and in that moment they made an unspoken agreement. Even if these people had abandoned their way of life and their Goddess, they could not take the spirit from their bodies. It would be better that the spirit dissipated into the world. It would be wrong to take the spirit of those who had some point in their lives dedicated themselves to the Light Pantheon, even if they abandoned it.

"Whatever convinced followers of Serenity to attempt murder isn’t something small. That’s no easy thing to pull off," Cal said with a heavy heart, eyes scanning the road ahead.

Zach looked at him, brow furrowed. "So what do we do then?"

Quin, deep in thought, spoke up, his tone more serious than usual. "If these assassins were sent from Vistow, and the village finds out about their deaths, they’ll bury all the evidence and perhaps worse." He paused, his grip tightening on the reins as Albert trotted along. "And I’m worried about the children. From my vision, the mayor didn’t look at those kids like they were people. She saw them as objects. No one like that would gather so many children without a horrible intention. I... I fear for their safety."

The others looked at Quin, their expressions grim. His words weighed heavily on them, especially with the memory of the eerily quiet village still fresh in their minds. Sam spoke next.

"Then there’s only one option," Sam said, his voice unmistakable. "We have to go back. We need to find out what’s going on."

One by one, the others voiced their agreement. They couldn’t longer ignore the situation—there was too much at stake and too many unanswered questions. But Lauren, who had been silent until then, shook her head, her face lined with worry.

"Wait," she said, her voice rising slightly. "If they sent twenty Acolytes as an assassination force, imagine how much firepower they might have back at the village. We don’t know the full extent of what’s going on. Think about Elisa—she was involved deeply with the village and a Disciple. We don’t stand a chance against a Disciple Ranked combatant. If we go back without a plan, we’re walking into a death trap."

Her words hit hard, taking the wind out of the boys’ sails. The gravity of what they were facing began to sink in, and there was only silence for a moment.

But Quin, after a moment of hesitation, squared his shoulders and spoke with quiet resolve. "I have to go, Lauren. I can’t let them cover up whatever is happening there. The way the mayor looked at those children... it’s too suspicious. And if we don’t do something, it may be too late." He glanced around at his friends. "We can’t let this go."

Sam nodded, his jaw set. "Quin’s right. We can’t just walk away from this. We’ve come too far to turn back now."

One by one, Zach, Cal, and Westin also voiced their agreement. They were all united in their decision, even though the odds were clearly against them. Lauren looked between them, her face filled with frustration and concern.

"You’re all insane," she muttered, shaking her head. "This is suicide. We have no idea what’s waiting for us back there."

"We know," Quin said softly. "But we’re going anyway."

Lauren opened her mouth to protest again, but it was clear that the boys had decided. She sighed deeply, clearly torn between her desire to protect them and knowing they were too stubborn to listen.

Cal, sensing Lauren’s hesitation, turned to her with a suggestion. "Look, Lauren, you’re right. We might not be able to handle what’s waiting for us in Vistow. But you can ride ahead to Cremoor and get help from Lief Stoneheart. He can come after us. We’ll sneak into the village andy to uncover some evidence whwaitingwait for him. And if something sinister really is happening, we’ll have Lief’s firepower to help us deal with it."

Lauren hesitated, her gaze flicking between the group and the road ahead. "And what if something happens to you before I get back with Lief?" she asked, her voice soft but edged with fear.

Cal smiled slightly, trying to ease her worries. "We’ll be careful. We’ll sneak in and wait for you to bring help. We’re not going to do anything reckless."

Lauren let out another long sigh, clearly unconvinced but knowing she couldn’t talk them out of it. "Alright," she finally said, her shoulders sagging. "I’ll go get Lief. But you all better stay safe until I get back. If any of you die before I return, I’ll never forgive you."

Quin smiled at her, his eyes softening. "We’ll be careful, Lauren. I promise."

With the plan decided, they all mounted their horses once again. Lauren gave each of them one last worried glance before urging her horse forward, riding off toward Cremoor quickly. The boys watched her go, the weight of the coming task settling in as the night grew darker around them.

As the sound of Lauren’s horse faded into the distance, Quin turned to his friends. "Alright, let’s head back to Vistow," he said quietly. "Whatever’s happening there, we need to find out before it’s too late."

The group shared a determined nod, their resolve unshaken despite the danger ahead. Together, they turned their horses and began their journey back to the village, their hearts set on uncovering the truth.