“May I have your attention!?”

The duke stood atop his steps, arms clasped behind him as he demanded attention. Natravi gazed with slight annoyance as she was made to stop her duties on the injured and stand alongside other mercenaries for a large middle-aged man. Perhaps all nobles enjoyed exercising their power over the plebeians…maybe not all but definitely most of those she’d met.

The duke had surrounded himself with his troupe of arms for hire. All of the important team captains had lined up behind the duke as he began his speech. Even Volvo was there, looking more like a dignified guard than the dog he was. Natravi stole a glance towards the rest of Volvo’s group and was pleasantly surprised to find they, like her, weren’t staring with much awe and respect as all the other people were.

“Survivors,” the duke began “I am here to tell you that our time is almost upon us. Many hours ago, this town was attacked; your home was invaded by the undead. They killed many of us, even damning some of us, to join them as mindless creatures of the night. The stronger amongst us survived, you, yes you survived because you are better than those that didn’t. If what I say is untrue then look around and think to yourself ‘why aren’t they here if they’re so much better than me?’ You all survived and came here to seek refuge with your duke, I am honored to be thought of as your savior during these times and I promise you…we will take back what is taken from us.”

The duke walked down the steps as he talked until he was in the middle of the courtyard where he came to a stop, making eye contacts to the persons present. While he addressed the remaining population he stroked his beard and made hand gestures when necessary signifying the importance of his words.

“But there is something I need you to know before we act. The enemy for this disaster isn’t the undead strolling in our streets.” A sudden commotion sprung out amongst the people as they began talking amongst themselves mulling over what the duke just said. Some had the respectable gall to call him a liar and thus the disbelief spread like fire in oil as more and more people joined in to voice their opinions. The guards tried to silence the uprising crowd but, surprisingly, he himself interfered.

“No, let them speak their mind,” Duke William’s interference caused some to stare with confusion at the noble’s unusual manner but most paid no mind. He observed the crowd, nodding his head in contemplation before raising his hands for silence. Suddenly the mercenary captains began shouting at their group members to shut up, all except Volvo who smiled as he stared at his group; the only mercenary group not shouting. Natravi slowly drifted towards them as silence descended.

“The undead are bodies without souls, only driven by their primal desire to consume. They are the bodies of our loved ones we buried, seeing them off to the next plane. These are the bodies that have been desecrated when a mage using the powers granted to him by god for evil decided to raise the undead army and unleash them upon their own land. Think! The dead wouldn’t want to destroy their own land, a land they worked so hard for during their life. It is that mage that has been controlling their bodies, attacking us and destroying our, their home. The mage is alive and I, like so many of you would want nothing more than for him to suffer all the 9 levels of hell. But I do not wish to be so selfish as to assume the great honor of killing that mage; I want to share that pleasure with all of you. However for that to happen I will need all able bodied man and woman to take up arms alongside me, your duke and fight for that pleasure. Are you not angry!? Not raged!? Do you not want revenge?”

The duke yelled the last part loudly, spreading his arms as if laying himself bare before the masses.

“I offer you not the prize but an opportunity; it is yours to take if you want. If you are angered by what the undead have done to you; then take up arms. If you are wallowing in the loss of a loved one; then take up arms. If you are strong and wish to prove yourself in battle; then take up arms. For tonight, we will take back our city and descend upon them with hellfire and fury of the angels, our sorrow and agony is unmatched by all except god. And he will bear witness, to what his subjects will accomplish in these trying times. We will stand united, we will move strong, we will deliver the justice upon our enemy and we will be victorious. Who’s with me?”

“WOOOH”

Just as she expected the crowd around her ate up his words and joined him in a chant, pumping their fists for motivation. The rest of the population may have agreed with them but at least Natravi wouldn’t fall for such pretty words and after what Luvrit said she knew she wasn’t alone with that thought.

“They’re crazy,” Luvrit mumbled to himself, unaware of Natravi’s presence. “He’s making them volunteer to fight their own dead till death. Does make one wonder who’s the real mind controller, eh Natravi?”

Shocked at having been found so quickly she stayed silent and nodded like she had done many times before.

“So what do you think we’ll be? Cannon fodder for the dead or the arrow for that necromancer?” Luvrit smiled ruefully.

“For your group’s sake, cannon fodder.”

“Funny, I thought the same for you.”

“I am much too strong to be lowly cannon fodder.”

“Hey, cannon fodder isn’t lowly. It’s the best place to distinguish yourself; you’ll be special amongst hundreds of regulars.” Peter quipped in.

“You mean you’ll be the only regular amongst hundreds of neophytes?” Natravi replied and Luvrit said at the same time. A smile slowly began to etch itself on her face before it disappeared.

‘Careful, you don't know him that well,’ Natravi thought. 'Uncle said it was alright to show them, but he's too trusting anyway. He trusted Catherine and now he never takes off that armor of his, it's all her fault. If not for Vlad she-'

“Neophytes,” Luvrit giggled, bringing her out of her thoughts. “I’ll remember that. Thanks.”

“It was only a word, not worth your thanks.” Natravi looked back at him and saw a glint in his eyes as his contagious smile spread wide…this was weird.

“No, I thanked for cheering me up. It’s a little worrying that we have that snake as a benefactor and I’m glad you think so too.”

“What gave me away,” She said with a deadpanned voice. “I’m the only one other than you not cheering for him…Are you worried that Volvo is being controlled.”

“Yeah,” Luvrit frowned as he saw the line of three strike mercenary captains disperse. Volvo was heading towards them, so giving a brief look to Peter they all moved towards Fliss’s position being how he was the closest to Volvo.

“You’re coming?” Luvrit asked looking at Natravi as she stayed still.

“…No, you all talk too much. Just tell me what you’ve decided upon when you’re done,” Natravi said. She pulled her hood back up and walked away, not giving Luvrit a chance to speak up. She walked away from the crowd towards the center where it somehow was relatively clear. Everyone was getting into groups as the third-strike mercenary captains instructed their members and other mercenary teams of lower standing.

Before, Natravi would’ve wanted to know what was being said amongst Volvo’s group since uncle had warned her to be wary of him, but after she partook in many discussions with them with and without their knowledge that she was listening, Natravi realized that she didn’t have to feel threatened by them. Though Volvo was a strong individual his real strength lay in his team, which by the sounds of things was an accumulation of his greatest efforts. However seeds of doubt and abandonment had already been sown within his team. They were good entertainment, but she knew that after this event the chances of meeting them again were slim so it would only harm her to get attached, yet another reason for why she wanted to stay away. That and Luvrit.

That smile of his made her uneasy. It stroked the same strings Vladimir's jokes had plucked. Although used, the effects were still very much the same. She wasn’t afraid of him, she was afraid what he will make her do if she continued to be in his company. ‘Better nib it in the bud before it grew into something dangerous.’ He wasn’t like most people, he was self-educated a rather admirable achievement considering his company. He was curious and though a fighter unlike Vladimir, he gave off the same calm, if not mysterious, persona as Vlad did. He was a growing danger she needed to be wary of.

'You're was bethroted for-

Suddenly her thoughts were broken as she noticed two figures approaching her from the corner of her eyes. Lifting her head she realized that the nobles apparently sought her company, much to her annoyance. Meeting the two halfway she bowed slightly.

“Much pleasure tis mine for you to seeketh mine company,” Natravi spoke in a slightly sarcastic tone. Duke William was clearly surprised but his daughter Lidia wasn’t, instead she beamed at her father.

‘Am I some prize steed to be showed off to her father? Just because I descended in social standing…hah, calm down Natravi, she doesn’t know much better. After all she’s still maturing.’

“See father, this is Natravi Sulieman Patrishni.” Lidia introduced her. “She is with Nat-Nature’s Call.”

“Delighted to meet your acquaintance,” Duke William frowned. “Is it the flow I sense within you? …Do tell what tier of magic you possess.”

“This humbled one possesses the flow of three circles, Duke Von Solus.” Natravi bowed slightly.

“Impressive indeed, please do elaborate; on how you can speak the noble tongue. Granted there are similarities it shares with the common-tongue but t’is no simple feat to mimic the language.” He raised his eyebrow slightly.

“Of course, as you have stated the likeness of the two languages I must confess t’is not my first tongue. I was born in a noble household but to a mother of a lower station than yourselves, similar to a housekeeper, thus I spent most of my early years in its embrace and eventually learnt the way of noble-tongue.”

“Quite the background you have, I would prefer we had a sitting together however I fear I am needed elsewhere,” The duke made to leave but Lidia suddenly elbowed him. She was all smiles by a closer observation to eyes made out a glare. “Oh, yes. It was capital to have spoken in familiar tongues and since you hold quite the remarkable position in the magic I extend to you the honor of keeping my daughter company while I’m gone.”

“Wait, I thought I was accompanying you father,” Lidia asked confusedly.

“Sweetheart you shall be accompanying your mother here in safety. Alongside such an accomplished mercenary I believe you will be well protected.” The duke raised an eyebrow at her.

“Of course my lord, the lady shall not come to harm in my presence.” She supplied.

“Good.” Duke William turned towards Lidia, “I will not risk your safety any further despite what your mother already chose. She has not been very thoughtful with her decisions as of late. Talking about conspiracies and such from Volvo, she should know better than that.”

“Mother chose for me to join you, I have proven myself against your guards but not against real enemies,” Lidia pleaded.

“Excuse me, duke” Natravi asked. “If the lady will not leaveth with thouself, I cannot keep mine promiseth to follow Volvo through the course of this crisis. I will have to refuse thine proposal."

“Miss Patrishni, do not mistake my humble attitude for an accepting one,” the duke said coldly. “I command Volvo and while you are on my land you will follow my commands to the utmost loyalty. You may have some skill in magic but we do not stand as equal, I am your better and you’re superior. Your strength is a luxury to me one which I can easily rid myself off whenever I feel the need and I am starting to feel that need now.”

“Father! She is my friend,” Lidia tried defending.

“Please, before tonight you have never met each other, she cannot be your friend.” The duke waved off-handedly.

“Then she is my guard as per your instructions,” Lidia’s complexion was slowly turning red as the commotion gained some unwanted attention of the commoners. “And as my guard I demand you show some restraint towards her, my guard.”

‘This is…unexpected’ Natravi thought as she looked at Lidia. ‘Perhaps I misjudged you…wait did she say ‘my guard’, *sigh* well not everyone’s perfect. Still nice to know she’s not spineless against her own dad.’

“…” Duke William’s left eye twitched as he glared at his daughter. The two seemed to enter a challenge of sorts before he suddenly left. “This is not up for discussion, as a father I will not put my daughter in battle knowing she could die. Now go inside, I have a city to save.”

He said with such volune that everyone present could hear his anger. As he left, Natravi and Lidia kept staring at his back with a mix of emotions, none of them positive.

“He can be so frustrating,” Lidia pouted. “Well Natravi, I do not of your plans but I am not going to be stopped from partaking in this battle. Do I have your discretion?”

“As I told your father,” Natravi remained expressionless. “I plan to protect you wherever you may go, if thine intentions lead to confronting those monsters…and your father then so be it.”

“Marvelous,” Lidia took Natravi’s arm in a lock. “Follow me; we shall need to formulate a plan.”

“…Yes,” it took all that Natravi had to prevent herself from pushing the lady, but her displeasure was clearly visible as she was dragged to the manor.

‘You may be a good person, but I still don’t like being touched. Aarrgh’

“Natravi?”

As they reached the steps someone called her out. Turning around they saw Volvo and Luvrit walking up towards them with brisk steps.

“My lady,” Volvo bowed slightly. “Apologies for halting you but I will need to borrow Natravi for the assault.”

“Ah, but mister Volvo father has already pledged her as my escort,” Lidia explained. “She will be accompanying me wherever I go. Unless you would have me come along on this expedition, I am afraid she will be unable to help you.”

“Very well, my lady” Volvo said as he walked away.

“Oh, also mister Volvo,” Lidia smiled. “Come back safely, it would be detrimental to lose our best enforcer.”

“…” Volvo was visibly shocked. After some time of controlling his emotions he spoke calmly; “With your blessings, my lady.”

With that he turned around to walk back to his group as the other two ladies walked within the manor. Inside Volvo’s mind was a storm of thoughts and emotions that made his ears ring from the overload of sorting through them.

“Something wrong Volvo?” Luvrit asked, surprised to see his leader so shaken.

“She knows, Luvrit” Volvo whispered, as he approached Fliss and Peter.

“She knows what?” Peter asked.

“…She knows what you’re planning on doing once this is over,” Luvrit smiled, crossing his arms. “She warned Volvo what might happen the next time you think of crossing the boundary.”

“Yeah-Yes!” Volvo smiled uneasily. “She said she’d be doing every woman a favor.”

“Urgh,” Peter shivered as he thought of what ‘favor’ meant. His hand unconsciously drifted towards his groins and despite the cold, sweat began forming on his forehead. “Hey, ow, what are you doing?”

“You pervert,” Fliss declared as he continued punching Peter in his own embarrassment.

“Hey, stop that, we’re going to battle soon. Let me heal.” Peter said as he swatted away Fliss’s punches with his good hand.

“I’m going to battle too, you idiot,” Fliss said through clenched teeth. Despite the anger in his voice Fliss eventually stopped and pouted in annoyance.

While his friend gasped for breath, Peter was finally able to notice that his two other team members were deeply engaged in a quite conversation.

“Hey, what’re you talking about?” Peter asked stepping closer.

“Uh, I think it’s better if you hear it from Volvo,” Luvrit said stepping away.

“Hmmm, the Duke has a plan to attack the origin of these monsters, the cemetery. The rest of these guys will provide as a distraction while a few of his handpicked warriors will take on that task.” A nod travelled through the group before he continued; “He told a few of us to gather out men and join him in the attack, so, we’ll be taking the fight directly to that bastard who started all of this.”

Volvo smiled as he looked at his group with pride and as that contagious smile spread through his group Fliss still bore a uneasy expressions.

“Why the glum face Fliss? You’re not getting cold feet are ya?” Volvo asked with concern.

“No, it’s not that-” Fliss said twisting his hands around the staff.

“C’me on Fliss, there ain’t nothing to be scared of.” Peter patted his back. “You’ve faced a lot worse than a fellow mana user, right?”

“It’s not that I’m scared,” Fliss looked up at them with a frown. “I just have an uneasy feeling about this. I mean, have you all noticed how the monsters haven’t attacked us despite so many of us being here? The magician didn’t do anything all this time…and what if he’s not there? Then we’ll be trapped.”

“Hmph, the Duke has already thought of all those things,” Volvo explained. “He’s a Tier 4 magician, he knew an incantation that allowed the area around the manor to become repulsive to the undead. Apparently he’d been expecting an attack of such sorts since the last time those Chimereans began using their fallen soldiers against us. Now the matter of the finding the magician…well, I don’t know the details myself but he said that he could sense where all the magic was coming from. Just put your trust in him, it hasn’t ever led me astray.”

“I-”

“Everyone!”

Suddenly a loud voice from the front of the manor caught their attention. On the steps stood the Duke, his expression grim he surveyed the large crowd amassed on his yard. He had changed clothes, replacing his public outfit with a more armored one.

He wore a thick dark tunic with curvaceous designs and the Von Solus symbol, a dot with multiple circles around it, woven into it. His trousers were of similar thickness but more plain with a lighter shade than his tunic, matching his thick shoes as they rode up to hide half his legs. Combined with his large stature the dark outfit in the fog served as a very daunting impression upon his subjects.

Behind the duke stood the same old man as they’d seen tailing lady Lidia, he held a long iron pole with intricate designs on the palms of his hands as if offering it to duke William. The duke turned around and grabbed the iron pole from his hands before slamming it into the ground, silencing whatever whispers still remained.

“We are the people of Yikensworth,” he began. “We hold the greatest defense for his majesty against the evils of the west and no matter what force, be it Chimerean, Alexandran, Beasts, Cloudwalkers, Hydrophants, or an undead army born from our own fallen. Today we will show that this statement holds true when we emerge victorious and alive. Prepare yourself Yikensons, most of you will not survive tonight but if you go down you’ll be taking them down with you and that will be your legacy and that will be your honor and that will be your story. Tonight we are warriors, equal in standing not man and woman, warriors. Thus warriors I ask; will you follow me through this?”

“For Service and Victory.”

Everyone held their fists and chanted in agreement.

“Everyone who does not bear any arms come forward.”

A large group of the citizens presented themselves; most of them were young women or men, while the rest of the elder or mothers with children stayed on the ground. The duke snapped his fingers and the doors behind him opened as his house staff came out with wide assortments of weapons, ranging from swords and spears to pitchforks and mallets, handing them out to the citizens. The whole event took a few minutes under the watchful eye of the well dressed old man. Peter himself received a new bow with iron arrows and two new sword to replace the one’s he’d lost, carrying Brair.

Once everyone was finally armed and ready the duke raised his hands, staff in hand.

“We will split into two groups; a smaller one with my handpicked warriors and a larger one consisting of you my subjects to whom I shall bestow the honor of revenge against the undead.” While the duke explained his plan Volvo smiled and looked at his group.

“Glad you ain’t them, huh,”

“Uh, yeah,” Peter frowned. “But what if it was us? It could’ve been us if you hadn’t smoothened things out with the duke after what he said to yo-‘Offf’”

Suddenly Peter was elbowed in the stomach by Fliss. He bent over in pain and failed to notice the tense atmosphere he had created. Fliss and Luvrit were staring at Volvo with full attention, trying to gauge his reaction.

“W-we should be listening to the duke if we want to know what to do, right?” Fliss said hurriedly. “I am a little confused.”

“I got yer answers right ‘ere,” Volvo said sharply, momentarily taken by anger. “But I think ya already ‘ave them don’t ya, seeing as how ya knew my situ’ation with the duke.”

“What are you talking about Volvo,” Fliss said backing away. “You’re scaring me.”

“Hmph,” Volvo grabbed Peter by the hair and lifted him up. “How did you know? And if you lie to me, know this; next time something happens I won’t protect you anymore.”

“Urgh,” Peter tried to squirm but Volvo held him in a vice grip. Neither wanted to make a scene in front of the duke for fear of gaining his wrath, and since Volvo wasn’t backing down Peter had to comply. “Okay, Okay. We heard you talking in the room.”

“You snuck into the-,”

“No, they didn’t,” Luvrit intervened. “Please let him go Volvo, I’ll tell you what happened.”

“Hmph,” Volvo forcefully shoved Peter before turning to Luvrit. “Speak.”

“Lady Lidia was struggling with providing sheets to every citizen so I told them to help out,” Luvrit looked at the two who were looking down in shame. “They overheard your discussions passing by and decided to look.”

“Even after I told you all to stay away when I’m having meetings with the duke,” Volvo was fuming but tried his best to keep his voice down. “Fortunately it was only this one, but you still defied my orders, my most important one at that. Where were you Luvrit when this happened? I told you to look after them.”

“I was keeping Natravi company,” Luvrit also assumed his friends position, his head bowed. “I was outside when this happened.”

“Alright, I’ll deal with that later.” Volvo turned his attention back to the two. “I gave you two an order and you betrayed my trust by disobeying it. What do you think the consequences would’ve been if I’d found out?”

“We, uh, didn’t think of that…sir,” Peter said sharing a look with Fliss.

“So you forgot? Well then I’ll have to make sure you don’t forget the next time you decide you want to listen in on me and him.” Volvo said angrily. “I expected this from Peter but from you Fliss? I’m disappointed.”

“I’m sorry,” Fliss said, fighting the urge to cry.

“You didn’t want to fight in the true battle; well guess what? Peter and Fliss, you two will be joining the rest of the cannon fodder to draw their attention. If you survive tonight then all will be forgiven, this’ll be your punishment and Luvrit…I’ll take care of your carelessness later.”

“…Yes Volvo,” Luvrit said, his head still bowed.

“Come!” the duke yelled.

While they had been talking the duke had finished his speech and was leading a group outside.

Peter quickly ran to Brair’s side, aware of the glare Volvo was sending his way. After exchanging a few words Peter said his good bye’s and joined his team in joining up with the duke’s group.

“Victory or Death,” He yelled as more and more people joined him in his march out the gates. Nature’s Call also joined in and soon the only few that were left in the courtyard were the weak, old and the royalty. Lidia looked at the backs of the marching soldiers with jealousy as Natravi stood beside her.

“Come,” Lidia said. “We have our own plan to fulfill.”

“Yes, my lady.” Natravi said, emotionlessly.

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

“Everything alright~?” a cheerful voice chimed in the dark and bleak cavern. A small woman in a dark worn out hood playfully walked towards a man hunched over a well. “It’s all going well outside~”

*Sigh* “you have an annoying ability to sound sarcastic every time you open that mouth.” The hunched man said. He too wore a cloak and held an orb in one hand and a steel halo in the other. He turned around to reveal a hideous corpse under the hood.

“Huh,” the woman turned her head in confusion. “Willy~ where are you?”

She called out to the open cavern as she walked around the area.

“I’m here,” the corpse looking man spoke, its voice raspy and hoarse. “The power of the Crown of Jamal allows me to control this body, while I handle things outside. How do you think I can maintain this shield of darkness over this entire city? Ignorant.”

“I don’t like this new body of yours, I should cut it” the woman grinned mischievously taking out a sword.

“Cleo! Stop! If you destroy this body I wouldn’t be able to tell you what to do?”

“You think you’re ordering me around?” she questioned in confusion, turning her head again. “Oh no, nononononooo~. I do what I please and now I think I’ve been…what’s the word? Over-courteous? Yeah, I’ve been over-courteous to you, so I’ll be going byeee~.”

“Wait, Stop! Listen! Argh, Would it please you to kill those people from last night,” the corpse said.

“Hmmm~” she took up a childish pose for thinking. “If that girl’s gonna be there, then yeah.”

“No, I have different plans for her.”

“Oh, then no thanks~. I’ll only fight them if I could take her on in the end.” Cleo made to leave.

“Wait,” yelled the corpse. “Are you certain you can defeat her?”

“Of course,” Cleo flicked her hand. “She got lucky last time.”

“Fine, I’ll arrange for your duel.” The corpse said sullenly. It pointed its decaying finger at her. “But in return you’ll have to take out all the people coming here before her-”

“Done,” Cleo said impatiently.

“AND…you’ll have to capture their leader.”

“Why~?” Cleo pouted like a child had been refused candy. “Killing is so much easier.”

“No, you murder loving skank. I need him alive!”

“Ugh, you and your plans. Fine, I’ll capture him but I want her here.” Cleo looked at the corpse childishly.

“Don’t worry, I’ll see to it that you get to play with your toy.”

“Thank you~” Cleo danced happily towards the corpse. “But Willy~ Where are the real crown and orb?”

“Huh?” The corpse snarled. It raised a hand over its face and imitated a sigh. “You’re good, like you noticed I won’t be bringing the real crown and orb to the center stage until you’ve caught their leader. Then perhaps you can see its true power.”

“Fine by me~” Cleo placed both her hands behind her neck in a carefree manner and walked deeper into the cavern, away from the corpse to set up for the incoming enemies.