Your eyes widen as dread sets in. The two of you got very lucky with the bird man, there was no way you could possibly survive against more of them. "We need to get somewhere safe..." You say hesitantly.

"We can stay here, I need to contact my, ow, comrades for support. We can only expect the Accursed to come back for us." L'Neeri groans as he sits against the wall holding his left side.

"We need to get you to an infirmary-"

"Sel'Ozsia is a Grabber, she can heal me when she gets here." He responds, cutting you off. "We just need to hope the rest of the Ben'Marmenent can save us..."

***

You still didn't quite understand what L'Neeri was talking about when four very strangely dressed people suddenly appeared in the square.

The square itself is one of many large pavilions made entirely out of a branch of the Titan Tree. It holds several establishments such as a dye shop, a restaurant, and a small church dedicated to L'Oos.

As you and L'Neeri limp into the square, the four newcomers approach the two of you. They move with an air of power around them, moving and shaping the crowd around them as they walk. The shortest of the four, a petite woman wearing bright vermillion robes, breaks off from the others and rushes to the two of you. She puts a hand on L'Neeri's head, causing him to suddenly sigh and relax before straightening.

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"Thank you Sel'Ozsia. The Accursed broke some of my ribs in our fight."

"Greetings, L'Neeri. It is so good to see you yet again." Rumbles the tallest of the bunch in a deep baritone. His massive dark-skinned hands are pressed together in front of him as if he is praying. A string of large emerald green beads is wrapped around his arms and hands. "And yet, I feel as though we are in serious danger."

"Of course, we are Dah'Grahs! L'Neeri's girlfriend here," You flush, "Just angered an Accursed!" The other man in the group responds in a slithery voice. His features are angular and sharp, and he looks like he has a joke to tell you.

The other woman, a tall, motherly lady with very long red hair, and a slender frame simply smiles warmly at the two of you.

"Nova, this is the rest of the Ben'Marmenent." He gestures at them, "This is Sel'Ozsia," The short woman waves.

"Dah'Grahs," He bows his head.

"Yyl," The slithery man grins at you, moving his hand through his black hair. L'Neeri pronounces his name like 'why-el", which you think is pretty cool.

"And Nii'Ma." she nods.

"It is wonderful to meet you, Nova!" Sel'Ozsia replies with enthusiasm. She reaches a hand out to touch your arm. You immediately feel the stinging pain of the scratches on your arms fades.

"It is an honor to meet the comrade of L'Neeri." Dah'Grahs rumbles, his hands still in praying formation.

"Pleased to meet you," You reply kindly, if awkwardly. "I guess..."

Yyl gives you a friendly wink as he approaches and offers his hand.

You take his hand slowly, and he shakes it, very fast. He appears to jitter slightly every few seconds. As he releases your hand, you notice his eyes flickering rapidly as well.

"Yyl is... Well, Yyl." L'Neeri interjects with a slight laugh. "Oh, and Nii'Ma can't talk."

Nii'Ma doesn't react and instead starts observing a small brown bird that lands nearby with excited fervor.

"The Accursed know where to find us. If we stay put we can maybe hold out against their attack."

"We need to begin preparing Immediately!" Sel'Ozsia pipes up.

Everyone nods. This will not be an easy fight.