After Felkin fell unconscious, there was nothing to be seen above except a clear sky.

The ground was shaking throughout the incident, but they did not even notice until it was over.

Felkin’s sword which had fallen to the ground had coiled into itself again and Metas picked it up cautiously but with curiosity. He saw new markings emerge from the otherwise bare dull blade. There were dark red inscriptions that emerged not too different from the ones in the cave.

He thought about showing them to Yuria, but he put the sword in his cloak. Yuria was too busy checking and worrying about Felkin to notice.

Felkin woke up and put one hand on his face. He felt a bandage wrapped on his crimson eye. He recalled the experience earlier and began to feel tired again.

He realized and found himself on a bed with soft sheets and pillows. He looked around the room, spiderwebs in corners and worn, weathered wood with candles set atop the bedside table and a hanging lantern illuminating the room.

There was a window and it was shut tight, and snow from the outside was covering it.

As he looked around, he felt his other eye could still see but was only obscured by its covering. He sat up but realized his sword was missing. He checked his person, under the bed and beside the tables. He stood up and the wood floor creaked with each step.

The door opened and he turned around. Metas and Yuria entered the room carrying a tray with food and cups of water. “Hey.” Felkin said feebly.

Yuria briskly walked towards him and tried to check the bandaged eye. Metas set the tray on a table and went to Felkin also. “Close your eye.”

Felkin obliged with the bandage being temporarily removed and together they were touching and prodding around the area around the eye. Metas spoke, “See I told you, nothing changed and he’s still fine.” Yuria sighed in relief. “I never thought my healing had any side effects.” Metas and Yuria let go of his face and continued.

“Have you ever healed an eye before?” “No. Just a few cuts and bruises.” “Is it still there?” Metas asked. Felkin slowly opened his eye and closed it immediately.

A red glint of light flashed for a moment. Metas went on guard and Yuria stumbled backward. “Yep, still there.” After Metas’ response, Felkin picked up the bandage and wrapped it on his eye again and then sat on the bed.

“Where are we?” He asked. He rubbed his eyes and yawned. The stranger they met entered the room and answered, “We’re in town.” She still wore the winter parka she had before only with the hood down and her prosthetic arm was concealed in her coat.

She had dark skin and medium length black hair, with a single braid in the front of her face that tied a few strands of her hair together. She adorned a cautious scowl on her face. “In an inn, specifically."

Felkin rubbed his eyes and blinked repeatedly. When he stopped blinking, he noticed something curious with his vision.

He saw wisps of light with his right eye, though it was completely covered and otherwise only seeing darkness. He looked around slowly and closed his eyes. He saw that the wisps of light corresponded to the people in the room.

The light was brighter where Metas was, and Yuria and the stranger’s was fainter. He closed his right eye hard and the lights were no longer visible to him.

Felkin sat on the bed, Yuria on a chair in the room and Metas leaned on a wall, sharpening his spear. The stranger approached him and posed a question.

“Who are you?” She asked. “Felkin.” “What is your relationship with those two.” “Fellow travelers, friends... maybe?” “Where are you from?” “I don’t know.” Felkin paused.

“I remember being in the wetlands and meeting Metas, I’ve been with him ever since.” “Hmph.” The stranger backed off.

“I told you that was what he was going to say.” Said Metas eyes still fixed on the spear he sharpened. “Either he’s telling the truth or he’s extremely trained and prepared.” She leaned on the closed door of the room.

Felkin, with his mouth and throat dry reached for the cup of water and drank it. “I’m Ellyn.” A few strands of her hair drooped in front of her face and she blew it away. “If you’re going to stay in town, I’m going to be keeping my eye on you.” She had a look of contempt on her face and opened the door and exited the room.

There was silence for a while. “Are you sure you’re alright?” Yuria asked, worried. “I’m fine.” Felkin quietly answered. Yuria leaned back on the wooden chair. “So, where to next? Don’t you have something to go to? You wanted to go back to civilization, right?" She asked Metas.

Felkin reached for a piece of bread and began eating it. Metas stopped sharpening his spear and put it back in his cloak. “I’ll check around here for any nearby cities and for some information on what happened the days we were gone. And- “He thought about the other two and how he simply couldn’t let them go out into the world.

"Hmm. Where are you two heading?” Yuria answered first, “Well stick with you guys, I guess. Its not like I have anywhere else to go to.” Felkin finished up the piece of bread he was eating then answered.

“Same as usual. I guess I'll just follow you until I remember something or something comes up.” “Well, I’m – “Metas stopped talking and put his palm out to gesture for ‘wait’ and pointed towards the door. He walked slowly towards the door, bringing out his spear and handing Felkin his sword.

As they slowly and quietly inched towards the door Felkin noticed the symbols that had appeared on his sword, but quickly shifted his attention to the matter at hand. He went first and gently pushed the door open. The door hit Ellyn who was listening to the conversation on the other side of the door. Ellyn in reflex pointed her arm towards them and Felkin raised his sword in response.

Ellyn tensed up but calmed down and walked away in a huff. Yuria called out, “Wait!” but she was down the stairs and out the door in no time.

Yuria gave chase, and the other two shrugged and and followed, walking past a hallway of rooms and closing the door after them. When they walked down the stairs, everyone in the bar stared at them and they slowed their pace in response.

All were following them with their gaze as they slowly passed, save for the drunks lying face down unconscious on their tables. There were men and women, young and old, mostly with their faces covered and wearing heavy winter clothes like Ellyn.

Those who were playing cards stopped momentarily, and those who were drinking sipped alcohol from their cup, but with their eyes still fixed on the strangers. Felkin and Yuria stared back, but Metas paid no heed and kept walking.

They exited the door and the cold wind instantly hit them. Yuria tugged at the hide, and Felkin and Metas scanned the streets for Ellyn.

They walked down the snowy streets trying to see a trace of her. “I don’t think I can do anything to help you, I can’t even use magic now…” Yuria was wistful. “What happened to the bodies of the things we killed?” Asked Felkin. “She took them. As payment for directions to town.” Answered Metas.

They slowly walked, the streets were mostly obscured by mist and snow. “Why don’t you use the hide instead?” “I don’t want to waste it.” ‘I don’t want to lose the one thing keeping me warm.’ She thought in her mind. Felkin posed another solution, “Why don’t you pull small clumps of hair and use those instead?” "Hmm." Yuria was surprised and interested in the idea.

“Damn, I can’t see a thing.” Said Metas. He pulled his hood down to see better in the fog. “There!” Metas pointed at Ellyn near an alley. They ran quickly and as they approached Ellyn went into the alleyways and the backroads.

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“We’re losing her!” said Metas as they went into the alleyway and he put his hood back on. They looked left and right but couldn’t decipher which direction she went in. Felkin had an idea. He strained his eye and he saw the same wisp of light that he saw from Ellyn earlier.

“Here!” Felkin said as he went left in the alleyway and the other two followed. They ran, weaving through the back corridors and alleyways until Felkin noticed more lights, although they were extremely dim.

They turned the corner, and as they did, Ellyn bumped through a few people and continued running. The men were in some unscrupulous deal and as Ellyn walked into them, they pulled out their knives. One of the men said “Hey!” and they went towards Felkin and the others as they approached them.

Felkin raised his sword and Metas readied his spear. Before they could say another word, three tendrils of darkness struck them all on the back of their heads rendering them unconscious. The two looked at Yuria and saw a tuft of hair turn to dust in her hand. She smiled and they continued onward.

She said, “Really reminds you of the first time we met right?” Then Metas muttered under his breath, “There really is something like this wherever you go, huh?”

Felkin continued in silence pointing left and right as he followed Ellyn's movements. Finally, he noticed her stop. They went the corner and saw her attempting to climb a nearby wall. She dropped down and aimed her arm at them.

"Calm down, we’re not her to hurt anyone.” Metas raised his hands and pointed his spear upwards, Ellyn then lowered her arm. “Except... those guys we just took down.” Yuria remarked.

“Were you listening and heard something you didn't like?” asked Felkin. “Nothing, nothing at all.” Answered Ellyn. “Then why did you run?” Felkin asked. “Who won’t run when they’re being chased?” Ellyn remarked. “Fair point.” Said Metas. She then walked past them and out of the dead end.

“Where are you going?” “To the village old man, you can come along if you like.” She said her words bluntly and walked on.

Felkin closed his right eye hard, and thus he was unable to see the "lights" inside people once more. They followed her back to the main street and into a quaint little building with a low ceiling and filled to the brim with artifacts and oddities in jars.

The "old man" had messy hair and quaint glasses, he also had a white mustache and a short beard. He was toiling on some odd mechanism with a set of tools scattered on the table amongst other strange objects.

“I’m back, old man.” Ellyn said with an ill-fitting smile on her face. “Ooh Ellyn, good to see you’ve brought some friends over! I wondered why you never talked to anybody. Once this old man goes you’ve got no one to talk to anymore!” “Hmph. Stop it, old man.” She said with a grin on her face.

“So uh, what brings you here? Your arm’s been acting up again?” “No, actually... Its them.” Felkin, Metas and Yuria were standing near the door waiting in silence. The old man looked up at them. “Ah, so you were the ones she’s been talking about.” The old man scratched at his beard in thought.

“Oh, I’ve looked over the fur and bones you sent to me.” The old man went to a corner in the room and rummaged through a few containers until he picked up a few wolf bones and a large amount of beast hide. “I’ve made a few interesting discoveries. First, the bones came apart easily. No wonder you removed these from their bodies easily! Secondly, they have no smell. If I’m wrong and these old organs of mine stopped working properly I’d get, but they don’t taste like anything either!”

‘Taste like anything?’ Metas thought to himself. “Also, when I opened them up, there was no marrow inside. I don’t know how something like this can even be alive!” the old man stated in shock.

“So, is it just ‘old man’?” asked Metas. “Oh, yes. People can concern themselves with their own names but I think it’s a waste of time! You can waste yours if you like, but to you I’m just an old fool tinkering with trinkets.” The old man paused.

“Oh, if you want some of these back you can have them, they’re your kill after all. But do leave some with me! I’d like to research these a bit longer.” The old man began to hand them the bones. “Here, this and this too!” Yuria grabbed the wolf’s hide but was stopped by the old man.

“Ooh, I haven’t studied this yet so I’m afraid I’m going to have to hold onto it for a little longer.” “What if we did this?" Said Felkin as he grabbed the wolf’s hide and cut a large piece of it off to give to the old man.

“Aha! You’re a genius my friend. Now we can all continue with our lives happy.” Yuria took the wolf’s hide and tied it to one strap of the raggedy clothes she was wearing, and then she took the one she already had and did the same to the other, forming a cape of sorts around her.

She placed her arms inside and held onto them like one would do to a blanket. The old man took notice of Felkin’s bandaged eye and gestured towards it. “Is that an injury? Let me check it out! Maybe I have some medicine or something here could help.” Felkin gestured ‘stop’ with his palm.

“Are you sure? Okay then.” “Well...” Felkin began to talk. “I was wondering if you could take a look at this.” Felkin brought the sword and laid it on the table. He read the inscription on the hilt clearly now, it simply stated “Infinity”.

Ellyn went outside for a short while to take a break. She inhaled and exhaled and saw her the mist from her breath emerge. She recalled a time long ago, when she was young and recently just met the old man.

“Old man, old man!” a younger version of Ellyn was speaking excitedly, throwing her hands up in the air even if she only had one. “What is it dear child?” The old man had less wrinkles and had darker hair but otherwise looked the same, tinkering with some contraption as usual.

“I want a name!” Young Ellyn said excitedly. “Oh, what brought that on?” “The kids outside! They have names, I’m the only one who doesn’t have one.” She began to look sad now.

“Well didn’t I tell you that your parents didn’t give you any names, and its okay not to have one because I don’t have one too.” The old man remarked “But...” little Ellyn was beginning to tear up now. The old man saw this and sighed.

"All right, all right I’ll give you a name.” “Yay!” little Ellyn was happy again. “How about…” The old man held a picture frame of a pale young girl tenderly. “Ellyn. Your name is now Ellyn. Are you happy now?”

She was snapped out of her daydream by a man in cloak and armor. “Oh, it’s you, has the old man said anything – “Before she could finish her statement, the hooded figure said “Hmm?” The figure had the same get-up as Metas but was greeted by an unfamiliar face. The figure was stocky and tall, even taller than Metas. He had brown hair and a mustache, as well as a jovial expression in contrast to Metas’ gray hair, minimal stubble, and disgruntled disposition.

“Hmm, by your expression you have encountered somebody similar in appearance to me. If they wore a cloak and armor like me, they might even be a colleague of mine!” He then laughed heartily. Then his expression shifted to seriousness. “Have you seen a man with gray hair and wore clothes like mine? He wields a unique weapon, a spear on a chain.”

Ellyn knew instantly that it was Metas he was talking about. She thought quickly, her mind racing. If this were to be someone familiar to Metas, he would be glad to be in contact with him. But she sensed something and went with her gut to conceal them.

“No, I mistook you for a friend in a winter coat like mine. In this weather, winter clothing and your cloak looked very similar.” The man again quickly shifted to a joyful expression and laughed. “Well, if you see someone who looks like me, don’t hesitate to tell me. I’ve been going town to town and house to house trying to seek him.”

Then he knocked on the door to the old man’s abode. Ellyn was suddenly filled with dread. “Is anyone there?” the man asked. Before Ellyn could stop him, the old man said: “Come in! Come in. What do you need?”

He entered the door and Ellyn looked inside; the trio was nowhere to be seen. The hooded man then again began his questions and the old man listened intently.

“Oh, I’m afraid there’s no one that’s been through here with that description.” “Oh hoh, sorry to bother you then.” The large man said with a smile. As he began to leave, he sensed something and sniffed the air.

Ellyn jumped back outside of the line of view of the door. Although he muttered quietly, Ellyn could hear his voice. “Smells like beasts in here.” The man exited the building and Ellyn went back to her position on leaning against the outside wall.

The man walked down the street and hummed a jolly tune along the way. Ellyn checked if the man went far enough then entered and shut the door behind her.

Yuria, Felkin and Metas stood up from behind shelves and tables, successfully hidden from the man. “Who was that?” asked Ellyn. “Trouble.” Replied Metas. After a while the group was still in the old man’s abode.

Ellyn still checking out the window for his presence. “The person you saw was one from my order. We’d be fine if it was any other person but it had to be him.” Said Metas.

"What’s wrong?” Asked Yuria. “Some people from the order prefer to keep their hands dirty, I don’t so I mostly do investigative work. Those that do however, relish in vanquishing beasts and…” Metas paused momentarily. “Burning witches.”

A town far from where they were staying was alight with flames that glowed brightly in the night.

“Ahahaha!” the figure in gold armor and white cloak cackled into the night. The glint of her armor was visible as well as the blood stains on her tainted cloth.

"Magnificent! We have cast down more evildoers than we have ever before! The night glows splendidly with their burning flesh!” A member of the townsfolk came up to her, crying and begging with pleas.

“Please, this is enough, have you not cleansed us enough? Soon there will be no one left alive in this town!” She put her hand on his shoulder. “You know, I don’t even need the pyre. If I wished I could set you aflame this very second, right here.”

"Please no!” the man yelled, gripped in fear. She let go of him and began to speak: “I have considered your pleas and have now decided on the proper course of action.” She began to walk away.

“Thank you! Thank you so much!” the man was still on the floor, now praising her. She snapped her fingers and the man was instantly consumed in flame. He screamed in agony for several seconds before the flame charred him to his bones.

“I shall raze every city to the ground if it means expunging darkness from this earth forever.” She said quietly.

Another cloaked and armored figure approached her, only their face was obscured by a helmet. “We’re all done there, Your Highness.” The figure said.

"Good, I’m all done out here as well.” They walked through the streets along with other cloaked knights rejoining them. They left the town, leaving a trail of scorched remains behind them. “Now, let us proceed.” The figures amassed and walked on into the night.