Zarts charged forward with determined chirps, yet the sea of vermin seemed almost endless. They jumped from vine to vine and tree to tree, converging towards the trio from all directions.

  “This must be every lixsis in the forest!” Enyah observed with narrowed eyes, shooting another one of the furred beasts with her pistol. One bang later and the body fell into the undergrowth, only to be trodden on by the swarm.

  “Tsk.” Enyah frowned. A wasted shot that didn't deter them in the slightest. Enyah holstered her pistol. Wasn't worth wasting the ammo.

  She glanced back at Rinne, who struggled to hold a brave face. Though Enyah could see its fragility, as if it might crack with the slightest push. “Right after our talk, this happens… it might be good.”

  Feeling her instinct, she slashed backwards, killing a lunging lixsis, yet more pings followed. They started lunging in droves, most missing Zarts, but a few caught hold, climbing around his scaled body and attempting to bite through.

  “Kid!” Enyah called out, unsure if he was listening. She couldn't check behind her, being too busy swiping away the creatures that neared her. “There's a holstered knife to your left. Use it.”

  “Wh–what?” She heard behind her, but she ignored it. It was up to him. With Zarts’ speed, they'd be hard pressed to kill the boy if he defended his hardest.

  Enyah killed another two creatures, their instinctual lunging easily countered by the swing of her blade. Sure, she could keep mowing down these creatures, but “would we be swarmed first? There must be a leader. No other reason they'd act like this.”

  That was a lie. A greater predator, like a mutated beast, could push them out of their territory, but “I hope it's not that… I only just left.”

  Whenever she had a brief pause in the attacks, she'd scour her surroundings for signs of a leader, yet every creature she saw looked the same. The same glare, the same body. She frowned. “Should I lure it out?”

  The moment she thought about letting the monsters scratch her a few times, a feral, distorted scream echoed in the jungle.

  The world seemed to pause. All of the creatures paused. The jungle seemed to still, even the wind itself ceased its movement at that very moment. Even Zarts, a lixsis deep in his mouth, suddenly looked up in surprise and slowed down instinctually.

  Looking over her shoulder, Enyah saw Rinne, who was holding a knife that was deep in one of the beasts. His face was in a grimace while his trembling hands that tightly gripped the knife refused to let go.

  The knife had not caused a quick death, piercing the chest yet not the heart. The creature hissed and screamed and swung aimlessly, writhing at the end of the knife.

  “What do I do?” Rinne saw her turn and panicked, wide eyed and waving the knife around. “I can't get it off!” He didn’t seem too adverse to stabbing, but rather the fact that it remained.

  “Stay still.” Enyah ordered, adjusting herself. With a quick swish, Enyah's cutlass swung at the neck, beheading the creature. It fell silent, the limp, headless body hung from the knife. “Now push it off.”

  “I-um… okay” Rinne tentatively reached an arm out, gently pushing the creature. It moved at the lightest touch, easily slipping off the knife. The body fell to the ground in silence. The eyes stared warily, yet didn’t move.

  Given the small moment to rest, Enyah patted him on the shoulder. She looked at him, feeling a little bit of pride rise up, and complemented “You did good, kid.”

  “Really?” Rinne’s eyes sparkled with joy, his excitement over the compliment overwhelming his previous fears.

  “Yeah. We’ve only got a couple hundred… maybe a thousand more to go.” Enyah considered, counting the eyes lazily. They could escape any time, Zarts is fast enough, yet…

  “A swarm like this would impact the port.” Enyah mused, already throwing out the option to run. “Let’s nip this bud before it blossoms.”

  “We’re going to fight all–” Rinne started, only to be interrupted by a deep, guttural roar that sounded from the treetops. Enyah darted her eyes towards the roar, searching carefully, yet saw nothing.

  She didn’t have time to keep checking, as the creatures began moving again, leaping by the dozens towards them. Thus beginning a battle of attrition.

  Her cutlass curved and swung all around her in a dance of steel, carving gashes of blood into all of the lixsises around her. Her Ability alerted her to any ambushes, keeping her relatively safe, while also attracting the most attention.

  Zarts helped Rinne, using his long, whiplike tail to swing at the incoming beasts from behind. The few that got through got a knife through the chest, Rinne slowly getting used to the fight. He had a few scratches along his arm, a bite gash on his leg, and tears stuck to his face, but his eyes shone with determination. A determination to improve.

  Enyah frowned, churning her mind for ideas while absentmindedly slicing bodies. The stalemate couldn't continue forever. Either they'd run out of lixsises, which seemed unlikely, or they'd get tired. Countless eyes still swarmed from all over, their bodies dimly illuminated by the fungi below.

  Yet they couldn't run either. What if they surged towards the checkpoints after they escaped? The only reason the trio fared so well was because they spent the fight in motion, only dealing with the few that managed to time their leaps correctly.

  “Tsk.” Enyah cursed. She didn't feel tired at all. Rather, her muscles rared to go, lighting a fire inside her. More slashing, more dead animals, yet it wouldn't last long.

  “How’re you doing?” Enyah called behind her, quickly gritting her teeth and roughly defending from a barrage from all around her.

  “I’m–” Rinne breathed out, before abruptly stopping, interrupted by the swish of a knife for a moment. “I’m managing.”

  His reply was less jubilant as before, exhaustion lining his voice. “We definitely can’t hold on for much longer.”

  She pondered solutions, thinking back to the deep roar from earlier. It seemed to have come from nothing, but she wasn't sure. Whatever it was, that tree was far behind them in the jungle. The leader must’ve moved since then. “I have to test it again, yet how…”

  A few slashes, more dead.

  Torture was instantly excluded. It was too inhumane, even for creatures such as these.

  A ping of ambush, turn and swipe. Dead. Yet the swarm had no end, replenishing the dead with ease.

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  “Think like an animal. Why would a lixsis roar?”

  She narrowed her eyes in thought. After a few moments, she came up with an idea.

  Between attacks, Enyah gently tapped the back of Zarts neck, on a delicate scale painted red. Understanding the instruction, he let out a shrill, echoing cry that bounced off the trees. For a moment, the situation continued, as if Zarts hadn't called out at all. Yet soon enough, a deep roar echoed in response from a tree nearby.

  “Got you.” Enyah mumbled, aiming and firing a shot from her pistol towards the sound. The shot sounded off, cutting flesh that couldn’t be seen, and lodging itself into the air. A scream of pain roared in response, as a black furred beasts suddenly became visible.

  It was the size of a human, yet held the features of a lixsis. The large ears, the teeth and the tail all remained, yet somehow it could go invisible too?

  In the end, it's still a beast. Zarts’ cry of challenge intruded on its territory. It's pride. It would almost certainly respond in kind. As a new, strong leader of the group of lixsis, cowering wouldn't make these furred rodents obey. Especially when they're aware not to traverse near the road.

  The mutated lixsis still lived, though. It held its injured stomach with purple, viscous blood pouring out. “I can't let it retreat.” Enyah narrowed her eyes. “A beast like that…could become the new stampede if it grew strong enough.”

  The lixsises hadn't even paused at the pain of their leader. Was it some form of confidence that the mutant wouldn't die from the bullet wound?

  “Either way, I’ve got a job to finish.” Enyah reloaded her pistol as fast as she could, blocking a lixsis with her arm. It’s sharp teeth cutting deep.

  With a grimace, she aimed towards the beast.

  Its gaze was locked onto her, without a hint of fear. It took its hand off its bleeding belly and gave a feral grin, showing its teeth. It seemed to say “Do your worst.” with more overconfidence than a drunken sailor.

  And Enyah wasn’t about to deny it. She fired, and her shot rang true. Plowing through the air, the ball hit straight into the chest of the beast. The mutant's grin fell, along with the rest of his body.

  The overconfidence of a brute who thought himself invincible. Enyah rolled her eyes, holstering her gun. The attacks stopped and the lixsises simply stopped moving. They looked around at each other as if unsure of what to do.

  Even the ones that were scratching at Zarts’ scales woke up and stepped back warily.

  Was it… controlling them?

  “Is that why the monsters always come in hordes?” Enyah mused, watching the lixsises wander aimlessly.

  She gave Zarts a push, signaling him to stop before they lost sight. Just as an insurance, she tapped Zarts neck again, and he gave another screech, aimed at the creatures behind them.

  The sound woke them up from their stupor, wide eyed and panicked. They flailed and ran, all of their feral, suicidal confidence gone. Enyah watched with narrowed eyes until they scurried off into the forest, the undergrowth hiding their retreat.

  With that, she sheathed her sword and stretched her muscles. Groaning, she let out a relaxed sigh, the tension of the fight disappearing.

  “That was nice.” Enyah reminisced about the fighting. The constant barrage, the sword against flesh, the hidden leader. She savored the feeling, anticipating the next fight even more. A glint in the corner of her eye disrupted her. “Zarts! Zarts, no!”

  The lizard was eating the corpses on the ground, stuffing them down his throat without even chewing at all. He turned back and gazed at her with a questioning look. It'd have looked cute if a dead lixsis wasn't hanging out of his mouth.

  “Dumb lizard. If you get stomach problems, that's on you.” Enyah grumbled, rubbing his smooth scales. She turned back towards Rinne, inspecting his body.

  The scratches and bite marks were easily fixed and the holes in the cloak. She'd find a tailor if they had the time. His hands were red and rough, unused to wielding the knife around. “He could practice more, if he'd like. I'll offer later.”

  She turned to his face, which was flushed with sweat. His emotions… he was deep in his thoughts, looking conflicted. His emotions were plain to see, showing his excitement and joy one moment before fear, sadness, and disgust the next.

  “How was the fight?” Enyah spoke gently, startling Rinne out of his mind.

  He looked at her, almost disoriented, for a moment, before collecting himself. He spoke, almost a whisper to her, “I'm fine… I just… I just don't like killing. I know it was necessary, but…”

  “You don't have to like it.” Enya said, ruffling his hair. “Most don't. They kill to protect, to eat, to live. You're no different, little warrior.”

  “Little warrior…” Rinne repeated, flushing with pride. “Yeah. I was brave, wasn't I?”

  “As long as you know your limits.” Enyah lectured, looking at his wounded limbs. She helped him bandage them, using a cloth prepared in the saddlebag to wrap his injuries. “There's a thin line between bravery and recklessness. Don't be proud of these injuries.”

  “Yes ma'am!” Rinne saluted, but she wasn't sure how much of her words he actually absorbed. He was still jumping for joy in his own, isolated world, ignorant to her words.

  “Well, it's alright.” Enyah mused, nodding at the boy’s jubilance. “Boy's learned enough today. We've got time.”

  Enyah paused, her thoughts swirling elsewhere. Is this what Drantei felt when raising her? When she had her own inferiority issues in the group, he gave her a lizard and set them loose.

  She sighed, her positive feelings sinking deep within her. “Drantei…”

  He must be fuming in his grave, watching her fool around instead of avenging them. She could feel his anger, ready to burst through the world.

  No, that wasn't him.

  Enyah shook her head… It was fake. She knew it. Yet thinking of him as a vengeful spirit made it easier on what she wanted. Revenge. He'd probably say something like “Live for yourself. Don't worry about us, dragon! Just think of it as a big, long nap.”

  “Tsk. Dumb, caring oaf.” Enyah grumbled to herself, feeling her desire to avenge him surge even stronger.

  She frowned, turning back around so Rinne couldn't see her face. “Are you ready to go?” She called behind her, trying her best to calm her emotions.

  “I'm ready!” Rinne cheered, ignorant of her emotional turmoil.

  “Good.” Enyah nodded, and with a soft tap against Zarts’ scales, the lizard was off, hurtling through the path once again.

  Silence once again blanketed the trio as they strode along the path, only interrupted by random, joyful chirps by the lizard companion, who simply enjoyed running.

  Enyah was deep in thought, undisturbed by the breeze pushing against her.

  The mutations, if that's what they are, appeared much earlier than she imagined. Could she really make it on time? Sure, there were changes in the previous months before the Modullah, but…

  What if?

  What if she didn't make it on time?

  “No.” Enyah placated herself, “Trust the port. It's people. They'll be fine. They lived before, they will now.”

  She no longer wavered, but felt a heavy guilt weighing her down.

  “Miss Enyah?” She heard Rinne’s youthful voice call to her over the wind. Grateful for the distraction, she turned back to see him.

  He didn't look to be in any serious danger, nor did there seem to be any problem. He simply stared curiously at her, waiting for her response.

  “Yeah, kid?” Enyah asked, tilting her head in confusion.

  “What do you like to do?” Rinne asked, an innocent smile shining on his face.

  “Huh?” Enyah frowned, thinking about any hidden meanings to his words. “Why're you asking that?”

  “I just… I mean I don't really know anything about you?” Rinne responded, almost unsure.

  “Do you need to know?” Enya retorted, her tone a bit harsher than she intended.

  “I don't need to know, but I'd like to!” he sang, ignoring her rough response.

  “Hmm.” Enyah considered, stroking her chin for a moment before giving a shrug. “Alright. I like to hunt.”

  Rinne blinked in confusion. “Is that it?”

  “What, you want more?” Enyah rolled her eyes, though her responses remained short, as though she never thought about it before. “Fine. I like to… work? And I like to clean Zarts.”

  “No hobbies or anything?” Rinne pressed further, much to Enyah's chagrin.

  “No.” Enyah groaned in frustration, turning away for a moment before turning back. “Then what about you? Show me how it's done.”

  “Okay!” Rinne lit up, as if waiting for the question. His eyes sparkled, ready to explain. “I like walking around the garden with my sister! I like trying new sweets! I like to watch the knights training and practicing music as well! Oh, and I also like attending the stage plays when they are in season too!”

  “...right.” Enyah responded after a moment, unprepared for the deluge of information that was spat upon her. “When I'm not working, I wouldn’t mind a bit of fishing. Is that what you wanted to hear?”

  “Yes!” Rinne nodded, his eyes curling in delight before lowering his head in thought, coming up with another question. “How about… favorite flower?

  “I have none.” Enyah responded bluntly. She hadn't thought about flowers since before she met Drantei. It brought bad memories.

  “Oh… well I like the jade lily.” Rinne continued, happily talking about himself. “It symbolizes happiness and luck.”

  Silently, Enyah turned back towards the path, hoping for some interruption. Sadly, the road was clear, with not a merchant nor traveller in sight.

  “So how about your favorite food? Everyone has one of those.” Rinne asked, Unperturbed by her turning around.

  “Fried Glernik egg.” Enyah responded automatically, before sighing and looking at him, a frown on her face. “Look, kid. This isn't working out.”

  “Sure It is! I know more about you than I did before!” Rinne chirped excitedly. “I'm learning all about my new friend! Now, now! Favorite music piece?”

  “I don't listen to music.” Enyah responded, but that was a lie. Every week in the Dancing Pearl, Pallor's Port's famed tavern, the few bands that lived there took turns singing the same songs over and over.

  One of them struck a chord, deep within her. The Fires in the Horizon. A song of love. A couple, engaged in a fierce, passionate relationship, were forced apart due to external circumstances. To make sure the other was alright, they would light ablaze some wood every night, signaling to the other that they were alive through the smoke.

  This occurred for years until one day, the smoke stops, and the husband rushes over, worried to death about his wife.

  She was sick. For a long time. Yet every night she would get up and light the fire, because she didn't want to worry him. However, she no longer had the strength left to leave the bed. They have a heartfelt, touching reunion. A single moment that spanned across all of time, carrying feelings that weighed more than the world.

  Before the story suddenly ended with the wife's death and the husband's eventual hanging due to trespassing, but most people ignore the ending, Enyah included. She's fine with a grim end to stories, but only the parts before death touched her heart.

  Why didn't she tell Rinne the song? He didn't need to know.

  Enyah's gaze suddenly caught movement ahead. She narrowed her eyes, trying to identify who, or what, was ahead of them.

  “Awww.” Rinne kept talking, unaware of the added company. “I can recommend some to you! I really–”

  Enyah interrupted him, clasping his mouth shut and shushing him. Rinne went wide eyed, but nodded in understanding.

  With a similar nod, Enyah let go, leaving their journey in silence. Soon enough, she could make out the figures. A horse-drawn carriage was moving along the path, ambling along at a slow pace. Controlling the horses was a tall man, who sat in the front with a slovenly posture, showing off his weariness. He wore a suit of average price. Not a noble, but a wealthy commoner. A merchant, visiting the port, Enyah assumed.

  The coachman took a quick glance at them, but soon turned his eyes away, as if uncaring.

  The two minded their own business, an indescribable standoff occurring as they got closer to each other. Behind her, Rinne hid himself under the cloak, staring warily at the incoming coach.

  Closer and closer.

  And then they passed.

  Without even a glance, they went their separate ways until…

  “Hey! You! Mercenary!” A voice called roughly from the interior of the coach. “Let me have words with you!”