Avilscure was advertised as a safe haven for refugees from neighboring planets, but the natives didn't quite get the memo. Anyone who didn't look like them or share their beliefs was persecuted, and often prevented from fully functioning in society.

On foot, Xania traveled through the forest alongside her two companions. One of the more friendly natives informed them of a true safe haven just beyond it. They were also kind enough to inform them that they likely would not need any weapons, as the forest was peaceful, but they carried them just in case.

Traveling in Avilscure presented many challenges. Crossing through moderately dense forests to reach civilization was not uncommon as the native governments prevented the expansion of any roads that assisted in connecting territories not run by them. They were also adamantly against foreign technology, making urbanization particularly difficult.

In Xania's case, her entire party carried "contraband" by merely wearing the clothes on their backs. Dunkar's entire suit was illegal, but without it he couldn't survive. His species couldn't handle warmth in the slightest. Any amount of exposure was beyond lethal.

Her second companion was an Estrel named Amber. Her skin was like smooth stone in both texture and color, completely unlike the rubbery pastel orange that the native Persters possessed.

Further complicating things, none of them had horns of any type. Horns were a clear sign to the Persters, indicating that a species was intelligent. The closest thing any of them had resembling horns was Xania's pointed ears, but she was much too small to be a Perster. Even with horns, it wouldn't do her much good. Her light blue skin was a sickly color to the natives.

"Did you hear that?" Dunkar whispered, perking up. His white, bulky suit mechanically whistled in the process.

"Hear what?" Xania panicked, surveying her surroundings vigilantly. Her hand caressed her hip, where she cleverly concealed her frost pistol.

"You're being paranoid, love," Amber sighed, glancing back at the two of them. "Come on, let's go," she commanded, motioning for them to follow.

Reluctantly, Dunkar obeyed with Xania soon doing the same. Worried sick, Xania made a point of maintaining her guard with every step they took. Every leaf that rustled began to seem like an attack. Her eyes frequently darted around Dunkar, who towered over even the natives, just to be sure.

With enough time, she eventually lowered her guard, although she never dropped it completely. Plus, her scanner showed that they were nearly there. The chances of an attack at this point were fairly slim.

Right when she was sure they were safe, a demonic shape leapt towards them, slicing Amber's skin with its blades and then pouncing on top of Dunkar.

Hands whipping toward her pistol, Xania blasted the Perster. She noticed his horns were unusually large, and each frost bullet seemed to only infuriate him further.

Amber joined in on the attack as soon as Dunkar kicked the assailant off him. She threw her knives in rapid succession, each of them zipping back to the nearest available clip on her belt after impact.

Enraged, the Perster snarled in response to the onslaught. The trio soon cornered him at the base of a tree, with him perched up on a branch baring his teeth.

When they were sure they had him, the Perster's mouth twisted into a malevolent grin, and his crazed eyes locked onto Xania.

Sucking in a breath, Xania quickly jumped out of the way as soon as he leapt toward her.

Once on the ground, the Perster instinctively grabbed hold of a tree, using it to circle around towards Xania's direction, continuing his pursuit.

Amber's knives barely missed as their attacker grew faster, nipping at Xania's heels.

"Xania, jump!" Dunkar suddenly screamed, charging toward the Pester at an alarming speed.