''She is nice.'' Replied Grim, his face beaming with a smile. ''She gave me some chocolate and tea. It was really warm!''

''That makes me jealous now.'' Cartman smiled. ''Why are you jealous? You are an adult. You can always buy some.''

''That's not how life works Grim.''

‘’Why?’’

‘’Look,’’ He said and gazed at Grim’s eyes,’’There are some times that- that you just don’t have the chance to do some things.’’

‘’Even for a small chocolate?’’

‘’Well, maybe for a chocolate but not for other things.’’ Although his answer was serious, Cartman didn't hold high hopes for Grim to realize it. He was just a small child, even if stronger and smarter than his peers, his experiences could be counted with fingers. And his way of expressing himself was just miserable. It was not to say he, as a young man, had considerable encounters and obstacles in his life. Everyone had difficulties and problems, he understood that at a young age. He was no different. And it cost, sometimes, to know it late in life. It was a heavy price that he didn't wish for Grim to pay.

He was a bit obsessed with Grim when he was young, he could confess that. He also wished to have someone he could take care of. Not as a friend or a mate but someone whom, which he believed to, could be a soft point. It was risky, he supposed. In this region, especially for someone of his age and position, it wasn't likely to assume that having a precious person was safe. He wished for it, nevertheless. He wanted to taste that feeling of family.

''Cartman?'' Grim called him. He was holding Truman's gift with a tight grip to not drop it. Conall was there, nonetheless, to catch it back for him. He also seemed shaky from riding a horse. A destrier to be precise. It was a gift from a friend of his about a year ago. She boasted about how gorgeous it looked with its brown skin and mane. He also agreed. It's skin created a exotic sight on the grey earth of the Pale Coast.

''Yes Grim?'' He replied.''Does something matter?''

''No...I was just wondering. Why are we going from the forest? It would be faster to go from the road, wouldn't it?''

Well...what can I say? What excuse would be fine? He didn't know. Although he skipped most of the night-patrols to meet his friends-whom he had some special relationship that would possibly be seen as sinful by the populace, the lies were always told by another man, his captain himself. It was a tacit agreement to not expose each other and continue with their living. Alas, man still lowered his wager from fifteen silver to eight silver as a punishment. This was not an barrier to stop him, although.

Conclusion? He didn't know how to lie. But there was one thing he knew. Children didn't like to be belittled.

''Are you scared of forests?'' Inquired Cartaman.

''Why should I be?'' Grim responded with a natural face.

''Uh-'' He forgot about that. The child lived in a huge mansion on top of a hill, covered with a terrain full of lush trees and plants. ''Don't tell me-Hehehehe!'' Grim chuckled, looking around to find something. He stood silent for a minute as the horse continued to run at a steady pace. Its exhaling sounded through the desolate place. Cartman's breath felt heavy for a second.

It's...eerie.

''Umm...Cartman? Don't be afraid.'' Grim whispered when he saw Cartman's thoughtful face.''Children at the city don't know what they are talking. There is no monster here. See? Only spiders and bugs.'' He pointed towards a tree bark. A small, grey spider was moving around, weaving its web, to create a domain he guessed to be. Yet, the spider was far from it's goal. It was a long and arduous process for it. Maybe short for a human, an hour or two, but-for a creature of his property, it was pessimistically hard. Who knew how long it would live in this vicious world? A month? Maybe a year. Nothing more than that, lest it turned out to be a familiar of some sort. It was not always safe. Even under these lush green trees that reached the sizes of giants or on these grey lands of misfortune, coveted by hydras.

He was the same. That sense of security he felt, for a limited time till this point, ceased to be after that. World was a hungry, angry, ferocious, and greedy monster that swallowed all. And he was no exception. These forests won't cover for long...Truman said the same thing. But isn't it the best for Grim?

Cartman's silence must have disturbed the child as he didn't turn around again. His white skin paled with a red glow on his cheeks. Silence ensued for some time. Slowly Cartman fell into more complex thoughts. His mind was getting into a mess. For the sake of Lady- Get yourself together! He felt ashamed for no reason. He sighed and looked towards the sky. It was still the same, filled with clouds and birds, painted with the color of blood. Blood? Cartman shivered at the sight. His arms trembled while a body slumped in front of him. It fell down without his notice. He instantly covered Grim's eyes to hide this horrendous sight. A woman stood there as her body was spiked to the ground with huge stakes in a bloody mess. Her mouth was opened wide, unnaturally, the ends coming next to her bleeding ears. His heart was battered with huge waves of horror as he realized the absence of touch and struggle in his palms. He looked down.

Grim was gone. His destrier and Conall was gone. He was standing on a swamp of blood while Little marionettes clumped on his legs with a tight grip, screams were released out of their empty eye sockets. Then he saw a face above the bloody sky. It was one of its kind, a magnificent piece of art. Sculpted by the hands of gods, eyes seized from the stars, and a nose forged in the heaven. It was his lady, Celeste.

B-b-b-by the lady! This must be an mistake-She wasn't-!!!

''Take off the mask.'' He heard a sound. Then his mind started to get together. With a flurry of movements, he dashed outside the terrifying swamp and left the vicinity. The face in the sky followed after him as he stopped in front of the same woman, spiked into the ground. A swamp reappeared under his feet, arms and heads of marionettes rose again. His eyes turned cold as he stopped.

Cartman raised his hand and put on his chest. A muttering emerged from his mouth like the sacred chants of the Servants. Divine light of Celeste purified his heart and mind from the evil as he closed his eyes, leaving the rest to the Divine Call. In a moment, he started to feel the slight breeze scratching his face and mixing with his beard. Then the crying of a well-known person invaded his ear, as he opened his eyes.

''CARTMAN! CARTMAN PLEASE GHET UGP-'' Grim was screaming on top of his lungs as tears and snots fell down from his face, clutching to his gift with one hand and waving the other. He was held by a man with bulging physique. A group of men, eight people he counted, surrounded the frantic Grim and growling Conall with him. They were not in the forest anymore, they were in front of a small village. He saw the bodies of young and healthy men as well as sweet women lying on the ground with their elders, limbs and innards scattered around with a surprising systematic order. At the center stood another person, covered by the blood soaked cloak over her head. The small bulge on her chest gave away.

He also saw a piece of talisman on her hand but didn't have time to inspect it. Grim’s miserable cries and Conall’s constant urgings severed his last strings of patience already. It was hard to bear.

First comes Grim!

He took a step and unsheathed his blade, rushing towards the man at the center. At the same time, he felt another surge of cold wind. Sounds slowly turned ethereal and sky started to sink in the dark red blood again. Not now- He stopped and cast Divine Call, once more, an instant reflex he gained after training at the Hall Of Servants in the old capital. His senses were dulled, however, so he fell into the trap before.

Bloody swamp disappeared before emerging fully as he swung his sword towards his left with haste, blocking the incoming stab of the spear. Sparks flew into the air from the clash of steel and fresh blood splattered onto the ground. Without awaiting, Cartman pulled out his sword from the man’s shoulder and clasped his left hand towards the air.

A spear of light materialized above him with a splendid light. Creation magic complemented his Wild Light spells quite nicely. He swung the spear towards the man holding Grim and continued to counter the attacks of the other men. Swords and daggers missed his body by centimeters, sometimes millimeters, while he kept his eye on the woman inside the village. She was up to no good, he knew. Her clothing, a red patch of veil and heavy black cloak told her identity. Acolytes of Cannibal had some ruthless spells and curses. Even he didn't wish to clash with one of them. However, this was not time to think about it. Spear of light came in front of the man instantly, intending to stab through his chest.

However, to his expectations, the man tried to evade the spear by retreating.

‘’CONALL!’’ He shouted and destroyed his trace in the spear. It was essential to split a part of his psyche to control a part of his own, even if it was not permanent. Destroying his psyche trace only caused the amassed particles of mana to dematerialize. This meant it was no longer a matter and turned it into it's foremost form, Energy, which meant Light.

A blinding light of multiple color spread around and blinded the several people around. Conall dashed at the same time with the explosion, avoiding the halberd above her neck by a small distance, and clutched poor Grim from his clothes. He was barely holding his gift as he screamed and cried.

‘’GO!’’ Cartman lifted his sword and swung in a full circle, splitting the arm of the incoming man. But the opponent was a veteran. All of them were. He didn't watch dumbly as his arm fell off. Instead, he grasped the fallen dagger with his other hand and stabbed towards the cornered Cartman. Conall and Grim left towards the estate with full speed. Their imposing leader shouted towards four of his men to follow after the duo. Intense fight continued.

Cartman took two steps back with haste, escaping from the dagger’s reach, and cut upwards.The man, this time, was careful and retreated, leaving his dagger behind as he leaped towards the back. His comrades didn't give Cartman any time to breath, nonetheless. One sneaked up behind him, however it was questionable how much he could hide his presence, and pierced through his leather armor with the axe.

Custom made armor was strong enough to stop the ax before it destroyed his back. Yet his body wasn’t enough to bear the brunt of the rest. It slowed him down. Instead of stabbing backwards, Cartman rolled down to evade the heavy strike on his head. A kick found it's way and struck him on the chest, sending him backwards as a cloud of dust rose from the ground. No time to think! He rose while trying to protect his grip on the sword.

That axe-ugh! He figured out only now. Those damned weapons were enchanted! His back felt heavier than ever and the strength seemed to leave his body. A poison? It didn't have the feeling of painful or burning sensation of a vicious poison. No-drowsiness. They were trying to wear him down, and he knew that with each passing second, it would be more dangerous for him. He pierced one’s shoulder and cut the other’s arm. But nothing more. He still had to look out for the possible curse of that woman and their leader looked tougher than the others. They were formidable enemies, more so for his measly experience.

I need to gain time but how?

His eyes darted around, looking for a possible element to slow down the opponent and forge himself a path of rescue. Sadly, no such thing was available. It was an open road with a wide forest covering the sides. He didn't trust himself enough to face them in the forest. Considering how they put him under an illusion even without him sensing their presence.

Illusion...Who is the caster anyway?

None of the warriors seemed likely. One was trying to stop the bleeding of his hand frantically, even if he was calm enough to face an enemy like that, while the other three eyed him. Leader didn't have the aura of a caster. He had the image of a wild lion, like one of those noble men that detested the new era and missed the way of olds, Steel and sweat. So he instantly took him out of the list. His squad? Didn't seem likely. Their bodies were not one of a mage. They were rough, packed with muscles-slim or buffed it didn't matter- and covered in heavy armor. No caster was fool enough to slow himself/herself down. So there was only one person,

That woman huh...a bit too late, aren’t I?

It was a principle, but more than that a tactic to not turn your back towards the enemy. It was foolish and unforgivable, as you would be dead before realizing it. That is what he learned from Auber, and believed in, without any doubt, today. His opponents also stopped, a strange air of gloom enveloped everyone. They might have thought that the drowsiness was enough to take him down, and they would be right. But it had to go on for some more time to disable his mind.

‘’Let’s make a deal, shall we?’’ He said and straightened his back. For a moment, he felt all the weights on his shoulders disappear like a steam. It was refreshing, more so relaxing. Alas, a moment was a moment. The heavy consequences of his acts and responsibilities were not easily overthrown.

‘’Call your man back.’’

‘’Why?’’

‘’I…’’ Cartman stopped for a moment, then continued.’’I will give you the stone.’’

Their leader stopped, not confused but surprised. ‘’Show it to me,’’ He demanded, ‘’Then I will consider it.’’

Cartman’s face turned ugly at his bashing voice. He never liked these type of men. Nevertheless, he reached out into his armor and took out a box covered in a strange patterned cloth. He lifted the cloth and revealed the box for the man to see. Instantly, a freezing aura of death covered their beings. Yet, in that desolate and terrible cold sparked a chance of immortality, an opportunity to gain more power.

The man instantly reached out and slashed towards Cartman’s wrists with full force. His speed was the fastest Cartman have seen in his life, surpassing that of his teachers. A sharp sound, cause of the splitted air invaded his weak ears. But he smiled.

‘’Too greedy!’’ Cartman smashed the box as the aura of Soulstone disappeared like a puff of smoke. ‘’Wha-’’ Even before man could question, a small stone fell from the debris. It was glinting with a red glow. The shape of a face was reflected upon it. A horrified, pleading face of a man.

It was the face of a Firecracker.

Man’s face paled for a second. He kicked down the ground and jumped back with a great force, cracking the terrain. Rocks flew like a sharaphnel and grazed Cartman’s body. One of them pierced through his left leg and his body collapsed onto the ground with all energy depleted. He opened his eyes wide for one last time to watch the flames embrace the poor men. The pillar of fire was...exotic. It was a pity his consciousness didn't last to see it disappear from existence.