-Miranda P.O.V.-

After an awkward silence, which lasted for at least 5 minutes until someone decided to clear their throat.

I quickly turned my head in the direction of the sound. And glanced at an alternate Avery.

"We must continue on the path if we wish to not get caught by the Hunters." he blurted, glancing behind his shoulder.

"Hunters?" I inquired, looking back at Alyssa.

She sighed, "The Hunters is a band of mercenaries that want nothing more than money and jobs. They've been after us since the Catacombs."

Mark shivered. He shook his head afterwards, "Never remind me of that again."

I stared at him. "What happened at the Catacombs."

"What happened at the Catacombs, STAYS in the Catacombs." Alyssa replied.

"Okay?" I stared at her. She crossed her arms over her chest, and only then I realized the blood-soaked bandages wrapped around her arm. The bandage was soaked through, blood dripping through the bandages. Mud was all over the bandage as well. Other then that, her bandage was in shreds.

"Are you sure you're okay?" I asked her, motioning towards her arm.

"Oh that?" she stated, "That is just a scratch from the Catacombs."

I stared at her, eyes filled with concern. She gave me a weak smile back.

She turned away, walking towards others whom of which I have never seen.

Keeping my eye on Alyssa, I said to Mark "What exactly happened in the Catacombs? I meed to know."

He sighed. "Remember how we said that we're being followed? And mentioned as to what happened about 8-9 years ago? Well, whoever they are, they sent a horde of Wrathsovensby and ghouls to attack us. Alyssa was separated from us. But she came back with the bandaged arm."

"So absolutely NOBODY knows whether or not she is poisoned?"  I inquired of him.

"Sadly Miranda, no, nobody knows if she has been or not, though we keep an eye out for her." he replied.

I just continue to observe Alyssa as she disappeared into nothing... She just fell into the ground. 

My instincts took over. I dashed where she once stood, yelling her name.

"It's alright Miranda, that's her weapon's element. She can disappear into the shadows whenever she feels like it."  a new voice sounded behind me.

I twisted around to catch my sight onto a peculiar man. He stood up tall, his black hair spiked all over, he wore a colorful striped shirt that stopped at the chest. Below it, was all black with white where the center was. His arms were covered with black fur that went past his hands, which were on his waist, to a point. He also had a short, black tail and wore some type of pants.

"Uhh," I managed, "Who, or actually, WHAT are you?" I asked of the figure.

"Nice to meet you once again, or so to speak." the man held out his hand, "The names Martin, Alyssa's younger brother, and I'm a Kropsond, or commonly known as a penguin spirit."

I shook his hand. "Thanks." I stated.

"Anyways, we need to keep moving, it's nearly dawn." Martin told Mark.

"Okay," he managed. He turned to the rest, "Okay everyone, let's head tow-"

He was interrupted by Alyssa appearing. Everyone stared at her.

"Well, stop staring at me... Continue." Alyssa stated with an eye squinted shut.

Something was not right with her.

Mark smiled. "Anywho, we need to head towards Bergentruckung. We need to storm the ene-"

He was once again interrupted as Alyssa collapsed.

And all I can do was dash and catch her before her head hit the cold, hard, soaked ground.