"Oi, how's it been, Eron? I hope you didn't forget about me. That wouldn't be very nice. . .do you remember our little deal, Eron. I hope you haven't forgotten what I wanted, what with all my nasty blood in you. It's less than healthy. . .Eron? Eron?"

The darkness swirled, and I was lifted to the surface of consciousness suddenly.

"Eron? Are you awake?" I squinted in the darkness. Just barely I could make out the slender silhouette of someone standing over me, their hand on my shoulder. "You sleep very heavily. Come on, we don't want to waste any time."

"What? Ruineth? What's going on?" I muttered groggily, rubbing my eyes and yawning.

"Where setting out. If you're worried about breakfast, I'll make some for you along the way."

I peered out the carved out window behind her and sighed. "Man, it's like, I dunno, three o'clock in the morning." I was confident in my biological clock. It felt like I was asleep for a while and the birds weren't chirping like they did back home when it was almost time to get up for school.

"The sun will rise soon. This is the best time to set out as we'll have the largest window of time to avoid the Orcneas patrolling the Deadwood. And if we set off now we'll make the most of it. Come."

She grabbed both my hands and literally pulled me to my feet. I had to catch my balance and as my eyes adjusted in the darkness slightly, I noticed that she was already packed. She slung an old ruck sack over her shoulder and shook me a few times to wake me up. Without waiting for me to follow, she darted onto the balcony and readied a vine to carry herself down the tree. Obviously she was adamant about going on this adventure into the night with or without me.

Trudging through the thick brambles a little ways behind her, I could still hear the sounds of the elves partying. Most likely getting drunk and wiping out like last time. I'd totally forgot about the celebration and found it kind of weird that Ruineth would want to leave before it was over.

"Hey, I'm kind of over the whole waking up early thing, but I've been meaning to ask, don't you want to join in the celebration?"

"It's fine. If we're successful in defeating the scourge, there'll be many more to come."

"But I mean, this is in your  honor. You should go enjoy it while you can."

"Eron," she said softly, stopping in her tracks, "I don't care about fame or honor. For so long, all I've wanted was to keep the ones I love safe. Before you came, I couldn't do anything. It ate away at me that my people were going out there and dying, and I was in here. Doing absolutely nothing to prevent their slaughter." She turned to me now. In the low twilight of the moon, her cheeks glistened. "But ever since your arrival, I was given hope. I was given a chance. A chance to protect what I hold dear, to avenge those who've lives have been lost. After that, I don't know, but right now--right here-- this is the chance I've prayed for my whole life." I stared dumfounded. So this was the true Ruineth. Ever since meeting her, she'd been hard to read, and I couldn't quite understand how she works, but now I understand her. Her speech moved me and now I truly understand who this girl is.

She's like me in a way. We both want to protect the things we care about. I'd risk my life before I sacrificed Mikoto, and Ruineth would give up everything and risk her life for her people. I had a newfound respect for her. From then on if she needed my help with anything, I wouldn't hesitate to accept. Even against an army of pissed off elves or a horde of Redcaps. I'd go in like a warrior. Okay, maybe that's a stretch, but I'd definitely have her back until she succeeded in her quest. It may not be my war, but was sure as hell going to help anyway I could.

"Well," I said, I "what're we waiting for?" We grinned and continued deeper into the jungle.

----------

After a few minutes of straight travel; crashing through bushes and trying to keep up with Ruineth's cat-like speed, we arrived at our destination; the Southern Wall. Just like last time, it still stood untouched high above the tree tops and underneath the wall were two figures facing our directions. I couldn't tell who they were at first, but when we came to a halt and they stepped forward, their identities were revealed.

"Ruineth!" The smaller elf ran forward and hugged her.

"It's been some time, Meryl. It's good to see you."

While those two were catching up, Orndir approached me and smiled."Hey, Eron. It's good to see Ruineth recruited you in this too. We need all the help we can get."

I laughed. "Yeah, I volunteered. Didn't think we'd have to get up so early, though."

Orndir and Meryl stood side by side against the wall. I hadn't seen the latter since being discharged from the infirmary some days ago. Now that I looked at him, I didn't feel so small anymore. He didn't look any older than ten and barely reached my chin in height. Was he coming too? It seemed sort of dangerous for a kid to be going out into the shit, but then again, he was a woodland elf and probably much better at defending himself than me.

Meryl turned to me and ran over. "Eron! It's been a long time! How's it been? I heard you were in the war games! What was it like? Was it scary? Exciting?! I heard Ruineth beat the elder--" Meryl shot rapid fire question out before I could even begin to answer them. But at that time I was more focused on the figure jogging towards us from the direction I had come from. I was kind of creeped out at first, but then I realized we were missing our fifth and most important person. As Tariya came into view, Ruineth's mood seemed to shift visibly. She crossed her arms and eyed the girl up and down. The atmosphere felt awkward for everyone, including Tariya, stared nervously before dipping her head in a quick bow.

"You're late." Ruineth said distastefully. They locked eyes for a few moments, Tariya obviously annoyed but deciding not to reply. I could feel the tension between the two in the air. Afraid they were going to pull out their swords and start fighting right here, I stepped in and drew their attention away from each other by conversing with Tariya. Ruineth huffed and left momentarily to gather some more supplies she had tucked away behind a tree.

"Hey, what's up?"

She looked left and right, then to me. "What's up? What's up is the absurdity of being out here at such dim hours of morning."

"That's what I'm saying!" I exclaimed. She rubbed at her eyes and yawned.

"I don't think Ruineth Orrenbelle takes a liking to me. Actually, I'm positive she doesn't, and with good reason."

"Hey, give it some time and she'll be cool with you. I forgave you, didn't I?"

"That was different. . .we slept together."

What she said caught me by surprise and I had a sudden coughing fit. Awkwardly, I dismissed myself from the conversation and quickly slipped away. By this time Ruineth had gathered what she needed; her hidden cache of weapons. Like the weapons Ruineth had tested Orndir and I with before the War Game, they were rolled up in a leather material. But unlike those practice swords and clubs, what was unveiled was a whole new caliber of weaponry.

"No way. . .that's sick!" We all huddle over a pile of glinting, silver blades. They looked like fangs of ice in the darkness and I could feel their sharpness just by looking at them.

Meryl grinned widely. "Are we going to be hunting Orcneas?"

"No," Ruineth said, "but you never know what we might run into. Careful preparation could potentially save our lives. Everyone take one."

We all picked up a weapon. Tariya grabbed both the daggers that were there, so I had to settle with a long blade. It was heavy and didn't feel right in my hands but it'd have to do. Again, Ruineth eyed Tariya dangerously as if she thought she'd try to stab her to death with the two daggers she picked up, but thankfully, Tariya ignored her and tucked the daggers into the straps around her waist.

"What're these made of?"

"Silver alloy; the bane of the Orcneas. If the substance so much as touches them, they'll spontaneously combust."

"Cool. . ." Meryl admired, swinging around a short sword recklessly.

Orndir swallowed hard. "We're not going to actually need to use these, right?"

"As long as we're out in the Deadwood, expect to encounter one of those beasts."

"Yeah, Orndir. You scared of the powrie?" Meryl taunted.

"Shut your trap. You'll drop your weapon and run with your tail between your legs if you actually saw one like I did."

"Ruineth and Eron aren't scared, and they fought the powrie. I think you're just craven."

Orndir retaliated with something witty and they both went back and forth until Ruineth silenced them both without having to even raise her voice. Although she was smaller than Orndir, she was almost like a big sister to them both.

"Everyone take an iron weapon as well. Earth Iron will bind them so they can't Shadow Slip." She brought out a second roll of weapons, this time a variety of Iron-based weaponry. I got stuck with heavy sword again, but didn't bother complaining about it. When everyone had chosen their weapons, Ruineth lead us along the edge of the wall. Not much longer we arrived at an oblong passageway sealed off by a gigantic boulder. Vines snaked along the giant stone and the wooden wall around it, indicating that it's probably been there for a while.

"This is the part where I ask the spirit of nature to push the boulder aside for us. Everyone keep silent for a moment."

"I'm sorry, what? Nature spirit? With all due respect, but it wouldn't be smart at all to provoke a dryad--" Ruineth hummed, her eyes closed tightly and her hands clasped. Her humming grew louder and louder as the seconds went by. Then things took an unsettling turn. The humming I thought was coming from Ruineth seemed to now be coming from the ground itself. It seemed to be vibrating like how a throat would be.

"What the hell is this?!" I cried, slightly panicking. Tariya grabbed my arm and pulled me in close so that I didn't fall over. The vibrating and humming went on and grew stronger until it literally felt like a low-class earthquake. Orndir and Meryl held on for dear life against a tree until finally the earthquake ceased and all that could be heard was the sound of crickets and buzzing of moths and nocturnal animals. Ruineth opened her eyes again and took a deep breath. I

"It's done. The path's open now, we can proceed."

Still holding onto me, Tariya glared angrily at Ruineth. "That was reckless. Dryad's are a fickle bunch, and contacting one is incredibly dangerous. It could've easily turned on us and killed us all."

"I had it under control, Tariya. Don't concern yourself with it." They both stared hard at each other and the earlier tension resumed. This time it was Ruineth who ended the altercation, gesturing for us to follow her into the darkness. Orndir and Meryl took wide eyed looks at us before following behind her.

"Are you alright, Eron."

"Oh, erm, yeah. . .yeah! I'm fine, thanks." I felt kind of weird and tingly while in such close proximity to her, but it wasn't unpleasant. It was sort of similar to the way I felt around Mikoto. I hoped upon hope we'd somehow find her. Tariya let go of my arm and nodded.

"Alright, then let's go on." As we stepped over the threshold and into the unknown, everything around me changed, and I don't mean physically. As soon as I stepped through that gateway, I could sense the danger all around me, aware of my presence and getting closer and closer. The air grew significantly colder as the voices of the celebrating elves went totally silent. It's as if we were stepping into a portal to another world. I could no longer see Tariya in front of me, enveloped in absolute darkness. It's was only forward from here now. Looking back, the boulder that had magically disappeared a second ago was now back in place. Banishing us from the safe haven that was Orrenbelle Village. We were in the shit now.

The terrain sloped and I nearly lost my footing, tripping forward and bumping into a body arms reach from me. "Tariya, is that you?" I asked nervously, not being able to see anything in front or to my sides.

"Yes." She said in a hushed tone, "And I'd keep my voice down if I were you. Who knows what could be lurking somewhere to our sides trying to locate us."

Her comment creeped me out more than anything, but it did it's job well. I was afraid to even  breath, afraid to even utter a sound. But it was already way too late. As we continued on, I could swear I felt a warm draft hitting the back of my neck. My nerves went on survival mode and I whipped around violently with my arms out, but of course, nothing. But I could swear there was something behind me, following us deeper into the abyssal darkness. Breathing down my neck every time I faced forward.

"Yo, Tariya, I think something's behind us--" As I turned my head back around to face forward, I simultaneously reached out forward to touch the person in front of me.

When my hand grasped only thin air, the seed of panic was planted in my stomach. 

A disturbing realization hit me when Tariya didn't answer me. I stopped moving for a second and listened. All that I could here was my own breathing. Reaching out with my hand only to grasp thin air sent a spear of panic through my chest like a stake. The thought of getting lost out here in the darkness was truly terrifying. I frantically tried to think of the point where we got separated, but as far as I know I was moving at the same pace the entire time. I wanted to call out, to lead them back to me, to indicate that I'd be left behind. But. . .there was the fear that if I did call out. . . the thing behind me would immediately attack. But that wasn't all. Somewhere far off to my right, something heavy was moving very fast. It sounded akin to a four-legged animal, but I wasn't totally sure, nor did I wait to find out. I held my breath and broke away from the straight line I'd been moving in, running along the side of the slope. I was moving at full pelt now, pumping my legs along the inclined terrain, not caring if I tripped and crashed into trees. My mind only gave out one command to my body.

Escape.

Each stride I took distances me farther and farther from the group, but I couldn't care less.  At some point, I lost my footing and tumbled like a log down the slope, my face slamming into the damp grass. Try as I might, I couldn't halt my momentum, and kept tumbling for a long while until something collided with my ribs hard enough to knock all the oxygen out of me. I was blinded by the pain and cried out, not caring if anyone heard me. Broken and lost in the darkness, I felt like when I stepped through that passageway, I was stepping into some sort of purgatory. I picked myself up, spitting swears. I took a breath and my side lit up with white hot fire. Something was definitely broken, but I had to keep moving.

I was now totally lost, barreling through the darkness, constantly tripping over roots and objects protruding from the ground, the padding of a heavy animal somewhere behind me. By now my eyes had adjusted to the darkness and I was able to make out the long, spindly trees as I ran past them.

Then something dark and fast burst from the cover of the trees and I only have moments to register what the hell it was. It ran across my path and stopped somewhere in front of me. I immediately halted and back peddled, but something was different. As I listened closely, the sound of the heavy animal's approach had ceased. Something was definitely off--more than it was before--and I knew this dark humanoid figure before me had something to do with it. I stared and squinted hard, trying to make out any facial features in the gloom, but it proved pointless.

The figure approached, taking one nimble step at a time. With every inch closer they got, the intense  feeling of dread I felt increased. But as I set my gaze on their sanguine form, my legs were glued to the spot. They moved closer and now I could make out the strands of alabaster hair. With each step, the horrifying recognition paralyzed me. The sheer impossibility that I would encounter this person once again shaking me to the very core of my being. I wanted to cry, to shout out. But all I could do was watch as this person stopped within arms reach of me, so close that I could smell the blood on their breath. So close that I could make out her  pale face. Her corners of her mouth turned up in a alluring, bloodthirsty smile.

"Oi, Eron. How's it been?" I was a statue, my mouth agape, not sure if who I was seeing was really in front of me or just an apparition.

It was Xias Redblaed.

"I wee bit o' thanks would be nice. I did just save skin." I was so shocked, so confused that I couldn't form coherent words. Why was she  here? Xias cocked her head in perplexity. "You look like you've seen a ghost lad. Or worse. . .a vampire!" She bursted into laughter, obviously gaining amusement from my shock. I gathered my thoughts and took a deep breath.

"X-Xias?"

"Aye, in the flesh." She brushed her hair from her face and sank back into the darkness, almost as if she became one with it. I would've thought she disappeared if not for two glowing red eyes staring at me. "You look like you've seen better days, lad. Or perhaps not."

"What are you doing here?" I stammered, ignoring her statement.

"Well, for one, saving your sorry hide, and I still didn't receive a thank you." Her tone was serious and edged with annoyance. I immediately thanked her for whatever she did just to appease her. "Now that's more like it!"

"Xias, um, so what's the other reason you came here?"

"Other reason?"

"Yeah. You know, other than to save me?"

She clicked her tongue and giggled. "Ah, no reason. Just felt the need to check up on you, make sure you settling in okay, seeing how this little war is going." At the mention of the war, I gasped. "I see. You're pretty involved in this whole arc, ain't you?" The feeling of dread started growing, crushing my heart and dragging it down to my boots.

"Did. . .did you have something to do with it?" I muttered slowly, almost to afraid to want to answer. But surprisingly, it wasn't what I expected.

"Quick to point the finger, aren't ye lad? No, I've nothing to do with these people's affairs." I gave a shaky sigh of relief, happy to know the leader of the vampires wasn't behind the attacks on the village. "But," she added. Had I gotten my hopes up too soon? "I do know a little bit about what's going on."

"You do?"

"Aye. Assuming them walls were crafted to defend against those grubs out here, they'd need something damn strong to get through em'. Those walls ain't a joke neither. Took me some effort to get over them, that's for sure." She'd been in the village? I swallowed down my utter discomfort and proceeded to ask her more.

"So, do you have any clue what could've broken them like that?"

"Oh, do I. And I'd love to tell you all about it. . .but. . .I also need your help too." No. No, no, no. Not again. This is what the dread I felt was ultimately leading up to. This was the same exact scenario that went down back at the Eastern Spire. I learnt my lesson the first time, and all it got me was an illness that was slowly getting worse. Making another deal with her would be suicide. But. . .without thinking. Without even really realizing what I was doing, I acted on impulse.

"What. . .do you need my help with?" Without having to even see her face, I could tell she had a sinister grin sketched on it. Why did I say that? I guess. . .I guess it took me this long to finally realize that I had no real choice in the matter. I guess my subconscious came to a conclusion and acted on my best interest. The ultimate reason why accepting would possibly save my life.

If I declined, she'd most likely kill me on the spot.

"It's nothing major, and no blood binding necessary. This is simply a promise. From one friend, to another."

"What is it?"

She emerged from the darkness and stood so close that our noses nearly touched. Her eyes like twin oceans of blood, peering into my very soul. "Eron, promise me, that when I come to you for a favor, whenever that may be, you'll accept without question. And in return, I promise it won't be anything involving murder or betrayal and on top of that I'll be your eyes and ears. Just do me a wee favor when the time comes. So, do you promise?"

I hesitated for as long as humanly possible, her offer like a long drop that every time I peer over the edge, about to jump, I turn back and try to talk myself out of it. But I had already concluded that saying no would be the last mistake I make.

"I promise." I whispered half-heartedly. There was that wicked smile that chilled me to the bone. I  just wanted to end this encounter and curl up in a ball.

"Good! Friends should do friend's favors from time to time, and return favors as well. But that aside, you wanted to know what those ugly buggers have tucked away?"

"Yeah, tell me." She smiled and nodded. When she finally told me what the Orcneas secret weapon was, I was confused at first, not fully understanding what she meant, but then slowly, ever so slowly, the reality set in, and once again, things that occurred in the past seemed to simultaneously click into place. But I was left numb, horrified even.

"Surprised? Well, it makes some sense, doesn't it? I'll leave you to sort it out, although I'd love to stick around and mingle, I can't be out once the cursed sentinel makes it's way over the sky. I'm pure done in anyways. And don't forget the promise you made me. You should never  break a promise." With that, Xias patted me on the shoulder and disappeared into the shadows, but before she had totally vanished, I forced myself to ask her one last thing.

"Hey, what was chasing me, anyway?"

"You're better of not knowing." She said simply, before departing. I was left in the same darkness I'd been in before, but it wasn't long before the first light of morning peeked over the trees, and my world was illuminated. I could now make out the forest in it's entirety. It was mostly made up of tall, thin trees that twisted and contorted near the tops, creating a sort of woody canopy. As I continued on, totally lost, I began realizing why it was called "Deadwoods. Most of the trees scattered and clumped together were almost, if not totally, without foliage. It was like looking at a gloomy husk of what once was a beautiful forest, turned to a grey, necropolis.

After about an hour of wandering aimlessly, I cursed myself for not asking Xias if she had seen the group I was with. But I was so blind-sided by what she had to say that I had been lost in thought. I had to tell Ruineth. I wasn't sure how she'd react, and it sort of scared me too, but she had a right to know the truth. At that moment, the ever so faint, almost impossible to hear sound of voices rang out in the brisk air. My hopes soared and I called back out to the voices. In return, I got another  and not much sooner, I could make out four distinct figures in the distance, racing towards me furiously.

Tariya was the first one to tackle me to the ground, crying incoherently about how they all thought I'd died. It felt amazing to be back with my friends, and I'm sure they were relieved to see me relatively unscathed.

"Eron! God's above, I thought you'd been devoured by Vruent! If only the girl here had kept better attention on you!"

Tariya, scrunched up her face and hugged me close to her chest. "Vruent also muddled my perception! I'd thought Eron was behind me the entire time!"

Ruineth pried me away from her and scowled. To tell you the truth, I didn't mind being virtually "fought over", but I had a ton of questions and a lot of answers; and one was a doozy.

"How in the name of Ar'myna did you survive Vruent?" Meryl and Orndir asked in tandem.

"Okay, okay. Pause for a second. Who the hell is  Vruent?" Everyone swallowed hard and  seemed to have a similar look of distress.

"Born of blood and darkness, Vruent is a terrible thing with no body, but instead exist only in the mind. It is synonymous with nightmare, transmitting unholy terror unto mortal minds, and feeding on their souls. I had thought that we'd all be resolved enough to resist it's illusions, but we foolishly underestimated it's capabilities."

"You foolishly underestimated it's capabilities. You're the escort, little girl. It was your job to prepare for such threats." Tariya jabbed.  Ruineth's face rippled with annoyance, but before she could retort, Tariya turned her attention to me. "Are you hurt at all?"

"Uh, yeah. I think I broke a rib or something." I said.

"Come, let me see it." I reluctantly allowed her to examine were I'd been injured. She kneeled down and instructed me to raise my arms and as I did, she raised my tunic up, but paused halfway up by chest.

"What's wrong?"

She I couldn't see what she was looking at as my shirt was blocking the view of my chest, but her expression displayed that of a sort of shock. She shook her head and waved the question away. "I'm going to press on your ribs now. If you feel any sort of pain, tell me immediately." She proceeded to run her hands gingerly around the bruised area. The immediate touch made me shutter, but not in discomfort. Her hands were cold, but smooth and gentle. The exact opposite of what I'd thought an assassin would be like. When she reached the epicenter, I jolted back reflexively.

"Be still. I'll go softer, just tell me where it hurts the most." I nodded, biting my lip. I was ashamed that I was acting like such a baby, and when she ran her fingers over the sour spot again, I nearly cried out.

"Right there! Right freakin' there!" She nodded and felt around the area, instructing me to take deep breaths. It hurt as much as it did before, but I swallowed the pain down and kept my cool. When it was all done she stood up and I pulled my shirt back down.

"It's not broken. Nothing more than a minor contusion at most. Give it some time and you'll be fine."

"Dang, thanks. Are you like a doctor back at your village or something?"

She shook her head. "No, but testing for fractured bones is a survival basic when on a hunt. Master Ceodwig taught me everything I know."

"Good, then let's get you back to her as soon as bloody possible." Ruineth provoked, having kept silent for the whole time until now.

"Wait." I said, "There's some things I need to talk about. We should all sit down for this one." Everyone looked at me with concern, but sat down where they were. I had the floor. "Okay. . ." I took a deep breath, winced, then exhaled.

"What's wrong, Eron?"

I looked down at my boots, then at the four watching me. "You might freak out, but please, just listen to what I have to say." They all nodded and watched attentively. "Okay. So, while I was out there, I met this. . .girl. We had a little conversation, and I don't know, somewhere along the way, she brought up the Orcneas." At that word, Ruineth leaned forward as if she'd miss an important detail. I continued, "She said that she knew the walls were built to defend against them, and that they'd have to have some kind of secret we don't know about. Well, she says she knows what they have, and how they were getting in. And now, I think I know too."

Ruineth's look completely matched mine when Xias had told me what they Orcneas had. The same goes for all four of the elves.

"Eron. . .what do they have." She said shakily.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. I was afraid of the reaction Ruineth might have at what I was about to tell her. Would she somehow find a way to hate me for it? No, it didn't matter. This was her war, and she had to know. I looked them all in the eyes, completely focused on what was about to leave my mouth. And the very moment it did, complete and utter shock rippled through the group.

"The Orcneas. . .are using. . .humans."