Izick’s body rolled as he tumbled across the smoking ground and rubble. Blood streamed down his face as he looked up at the tall, burning building in front of him.

  Explosions rang from the building as people rushed out of the entrance and past the crouching Izick.

  Alister slowly walked out of the building with the Honor Rod in hand before the building exploded one more time and collapsed behind him.

  Pure wrath painted Alister’s face as his eyes locked onto Izick in front of him.

  Izick coughed from the clouds of dust coming from the collapsed building. As he rose to his feet, he stabilized his broken arm with his good hand.

  “Alister, if you had only waited a few more minutes–”

  Alister kicked Izick in the stomach, causing him to gag and hunch over in pain.

  “Those Royal Promissory Notes were burned up by the time I arrived. I told you to secure the money before anything else. You cost me nine thousand coins, NPC.”

  “B-but those people were going to die. I had to help them escape. There wasn’t enough time to save the Promissory Notes and the people. I couldn’t bring myself to abandon them over the money.”

  Alister swung the Honor Rod down into Izick’s face, knocking him to his side.

  “NPC, that was never your call to make.”

  Alister knelt beside Izick and dug the muzzle of the Honor Rod into Izick’s face.

  "I'm the last judgement call as long as I have the power, authority, and the Honor Rod in my hands. Don't you ever forget that."

  Izick startled awake with heavy breathing from the desk where he had been asleep. Orange, yellow, black, and green cubes lay scattered across the surface. He fell asleep at his desk while working on new trap cubes. Old memories were resurfacing in his dreams. He looked down to see the Honor Rod leaning against the corner of his desk.

  Rage from his memories filled Izick as he knocked the Honor Rod away from him. He instantly jumped out of his chair and scrambled towards the Honor Rod on the floor when he remembered his fight with Felssi that ended with the Malevolence activating.

  He gripped the Honor Rod in his hands like he was trying to break it. His hands shook with fury and anxiety as the weapon of his enemy and the key to his survival rested in his hands.

  ***

  Izick walked out of the inn to the outside dining area, where multiple stone tables were lined up. He spotted Mill sitting in a metal chair at one of these tables, etching markings into a crude wooden staff with a small knife.

  Izick placed the Honor Rod on the table along with a yellow Silencer cube underneath it before sitting down across from Mill.

  "You do know we're being watched, right? They might get suspicious about that staff you're making."

  "Yeah, I noticed. They're not being subtle about it either," Mill said, trying her best to ignore the mercenary who decided to sit close by to polish his sword.

  A worried expression crossed her face as she placed her staff and knife on the table. She stared at the heavy bags under Izick’s eyes.

  “But honestly, I'm more concerned about you. You're looking pretty rough right now. How did you sleep last night?”

  “I couldn't get to sleep, so I decided to work on some trap cubes. I eventually did fall asleep, but that turned into a nightmare."

  "About the Malevolence?"

  "No, about the one who caused the Malevolence."

  Mill grunted as she picked up her staff and knife.

  "Sorry about that. We're going to figure this all out someday soon."

  "I know, but we need to deal with our biggest problem right now. We're trapped in the Hossa Mercenary Band because of that man."

  More mercenaries began to sit down until every seat near Izick and Mill was taken.

  Izick placed a hand on the Honor Rod as he side-eyed a burly axeman drinking a cup of coffee while staring Izick down.

  "If only we could've escaped before entering the mines leading us off the Misty Alps or immediately after we exited."

  "I understand the frustration, but it's been nearly impossible to find gaps in their surveillance. Escaping the Alps on our own would've been fatal, so staying with Hossa was our only choice. Do you think Kaleen could have helped us escape in some way? She does owe you for buying her time."

  "I did float the idea, but she and the elves of Damaran are practically asylum seekers. They already gave all of their money to Hossa to escort them out, so there's no real reason for them to listen to Kaleen. She has no power over this caravan."

  "Then how do we get out of here?"

  "Walk away and hope no one stops us? Besides that, I can only think of violently forcing our way out," Izick said, staring at the Honor Rod on the table.

  Mill frowned while inspecting her now finished staff.

  "That would be the worst option. I don't like resorting to violence, but I absolutely hate the idea of fighting people we worked with."

  "What choice do we have? They know who I worked for previously, so now they're trying to corner us. Though I must admit, most of the mercenaries are physically stronger than we are, so we might get ourselves killed anyway. We have to be smart if we want to fight Hossa and survive."

  A gloved hand tapped the table. Izick and Mill both looked up to see a smiling Giselle, who took the seat between them.

  "Wow, I couldn't hear a word from either of you when I walked up. Was that a Silence Skill?"

  Izick swiped the Honor Rod and the Silencer cube off the table.

  Giselle paid Izick's actions no mind. She wiped the sweat from her brow and exhaled. She quickly waved her hands at the mercenaries around them, sending each one away with a grunt.

  "This is becoming a huge mess. Definitely the worst campaign I've ever been on during my time with Hossa, which hasn't been that long, actually."

  "Sure, but that's not what you're trying to say to us. How about you get to your point so we can have a proper conversation?" Mill said, carefully watching Giselle for any strange movements.

  Giselle noticed the absence of Mill's usual warmness so she dropped her smile along with her head.

  "Look, we saw and heard some things that I, and a few others in our band, have questions about. We usually don't care about these things, but we can't afford to turn a blind eye to our suspicions and what we know now, especially with what's going on in Arekia."

  "You don't have to turn a blind eye. We will be out of Hossa's hair soon enough," Mill said, rising to her feet, followed by Izick.

  "No objections there. We're almost at our destination anyway, but there are some things that we–no, I need to confirm."

  Giselle coughed and gave an awkward smile.

  "We don't mean you any harm or wish to hurt the two of you. Both of you did a lot for us during this campaign. We don't have any ill will. Scotts would like to meet with both of you later and ask a few questions when both of you are ready."

  Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

  "Scotts? You mean the head Mage? Why would he have questions for us?" Izick said, with growing suspicion.

  "A-Ah, well, he's a–"

  "Giselle, I can handle it here."

  Giselle grunted as she whipped her head around to find Barson and Scotts walking towards her.

  "I told both of you to stay out of my way. This isn't an interrogation."

  "I changed my mind. I don't trust you talking to suspects in your condition," Scotts said, balancing his mace-like staff on his right shoulder.

  Barson grumbled under his breath as he crossed his arms.

  "Wasn't my idea. Scotts pulled rank, which tied my hands. This is beyond my and Hossa's jurisdiction now."

  Giselle and Barson went into a back-and-forth, but Izick and Mill took subtle steps backwards to gain space from the three people in front of them.

  Scotts noticed their movement and slammed his staff into the ground.

  "Hold on. We can't have our guests leave before the main show. Shield Querry."

  Yellow streaks of Mana emitted from Scotts' staff before rapidly encircling Izick and Mill. A semi-transparent yellow shield began to enclose them. Izick readied the Honor Rod in his hands, but Mill whispered a few words and then slammed her wooden staff in response, sending a gale of wind that made Scotts' forcefield tremble before fading away.

  Scotts, Barson, and Giselle looked on in shock at Mill's casual dismissal of Scotts' Skill.

  Izick remembered that Foster Braun used a similar Skill on Mill back at the Druid training grounds. Scotts readied his staff for another one of Mill's Skills.

  "Oh…so you're also good at dispelling shields, not just creating them."

  "I'm decent, but I'm also getting better at moving shields too."

  Mill's staff began to glow green as a series of hexagon shields formed in front of her and Izick. The shields flew towards Scotts, Barson, and Giselle.

  Scotts raised a yellow shield of his own as a counter. The shields collided, stopping both in their tracks.

  Mill and Izick took off running in the opposite direction towards a nearby forest.

  Scotts' attention left his shield as he focused on two Mages escaping his grasp.

  "Scotts! There's another shield!" Giselle screamed out from behind Scotts.

  Scotts looked back at his shield too late as a new square red shield slammed into the two clashing shields, shattering them both and repulsing the three mercenaries away with the ensuing shock waves.

  They entered the forest through an unmarked path.

  Izick continued his run as he looked behind him. No sign of Barson, Scotts, or Giselle.

  "We might be in the clear for now, but we're heading back towards the Alps going this way."

  "That might be true, but let's worry about going in the right direction when we're away from Hossa. We'll be fine as long as we don't get too close to the Misty Alps."

  Mill looked down at the Honor Rod in Izick's hands.

  "Look, whatever you do here, don't use that thing again unless you feel mortal danger. I know Giselle saw you use it, but let's not showcase the boomstick to anyone else if you can help it. Killing a member of Hossa with that power will only make the optics worse for you. Especially if they're onto us."

  "I'll hold off if I can, but only if–"

  "Izick! Think about your sister Cylvia!"

  Those words stopped Izick in his tracks, surprising Mill, who wanted to keep running.

  Scotts rode in on a floating disc of flaming Mana beneath his feet. He killed his transportation Skill as he rested his staff on his right shoulder. Izick faced him with wild eyes, with the thoughts of escaping far from his mind.

  "How do you know that name? Have you done something to her?"

  "She's fine, probably. My team did nothing to her, but we do know she's in Alan. Besides, I know that name because we've been doing some digging about you, Mr. Izick Featherbelle."

  Scotts placed his left hand over his chest.

  "Now, back to this business. We've met before, but circumstances have forced me to reintroduce myself. My name is Inspector Scotts Tamberfall of Janson Yard. I help my older brother, Barson Tamberfall, with Mage duties from time to time, but I spend most of my days helping Janson Yard pluck out the least desirable from our country."

  Izick felt his stomach sink as his thoughts began to race. That last thing was another Inspector on his tail. The worst part of it all was that this one was with them the entire time.

  Scotts tapped his staff on his shoulder.

  "Let's see. Each Inspector in Janson Yard was given memos of suspected traitors to the crown. Your name wasn't on this list. But my hatred of the man named Alister Black has led me to take this case very seriously. I did a deep dive into his party construction and noticed that everyone was accounted for except for his Scouts."

  Scotts began to walk towards Izick, causing Mill to step in front of Izick.

  "I talked with as many former party members of Alister Black, and they all said the same crazy thing after I applied a bit of pressure."

  Scotts pointed a finger at Izick.

  "They said Alister Black only had one Scout at the time of his betrayal," Scotts said, pointing a finger at Izick.

  "And they all said it was you!"

  Izick gritted his teeth as Scotts began to encircle him and Mill.

  "I found their admission strange because you were not listed as a Scout but as an 'auxiliary' member who specialized in hauling luggage and general labor. That idiot Frinch wrote you off because of this, but I did some snooping and boy did I hit the motherload with you."

  Scotts reached into his inner coat pocket and pulled out a folded sheet of paper, which he unfolded.

  "You and your sister lived at an orphanage before the two of you ran away when you were only 7 years old. The two of you roamed the streets until you murdered a man in cold blood at 11 years old, and had to be bought out by none other than the former Staff Hero himself, Alister Black. He made sure that each felony was dropped in exchange for working for him. You owe that man, don't you?"

  "I owe him nothing!" Izick shouted as he pushed past Mill, who looked at him with shock.

  "Well, that's what I'm here to determine. Refusing to answer or lying to me will give me no choice but to consider you a traitor to the Kingdom of Arekia and an operative of Alister Black. Alright, first question: when was the last time you met Alister Black, and what were his last words to you?"

  NPC, you're fired.

  NPC, that was never your call to make.

  You deserve these shackles.

  Alister's words began to swirl around his head, filling Izick with rage. He stumbled around while keeping the Honor Rod tucked under his arm. His eyes locked onto Scotts as he let out a light, crazed chuckle.

  "You already made up your mind about me, haven't you? I'm a dirty traitor to this country, no matter what I say. It's never my choice, right?"

  Izick placed a finger near the Honor Rod's trigger as he readied the weapon in his hands.

  "Izick!" Mill said, grabbing his arm while trying to lower the Honor Rod.

  Scotts didn't even notice Izick's gesture with the Honor Rod since he was looking out to the horizon on his right.

  Around a dozen of Hossa's mercenaries walked towards them, but he only focused on Giselle, who was supported by Barson's heavy arm. She wheezed and began coughing up blood.

  Scotts rushed over to Giselle and grabbed her by the shoulders.

  "I thought I told you to stay behind?"

  Giselle took a deep breath, then punched Scotts in the forehead, sending him stumbling back. The mercenaries let out low whistles and began to murmur amongst themselves after seeing one of their leaders getting punched. Giselle wiped the blood from her chin.

  "I never agreed to stay behind, and I don't take orders from you! All you did was make this situation worse and fly off so you could ruin everything even further!"

  "Scotts, I have to agree with her here. You're getting too emotional about this. I know you and Alister have some history, but we're getting nowhere like this. As your brother and the leader of this band, I'm asking you to stand down from this investigation, so we can actually talk to this boy," Barson said, staring past Scotts to where Mill was talking to Izick, trying to calm him down.

  "This could be one of Alister's intricate schemes. The boy's appearance can't be a coincidence."

  Giselle moved from under Barson's arm and got into Scotts' face.

  "We don't have the right to act high and mighty now. Don't forget that we're also villains in Arekia's story. Playing hero in Janson Yard won't erase either of our sins."

  Scotts scrunched up his face as he shrugged off the damage from Giselle.

  "I see we have two different goals here, but I disrespected you here. The punch makes us even. I'm stepping back."

  Giselle took a look at the mercenaries around her.

  "Barson, please, let me talk this out alone. This was all handled so poorly."

  "I'll grant your wish. I only allowed this to go this far because Scotts threatened to bring Janson Yard into this. Alright, we're moving out. Nothing to see here," Barson said, walking away while motioning for the mercenaries to follow him. Giselle grabbed Scotts' shoulder before he could leave.

  "Wait, I might as well use you, since you're here now."

  They all grumbled in confusion from the strange events, but followed Barson since there was no explanation coming.

  "Mill, leave already. It's over. They only want me, so leave me while you can." Izick said while Mill struggled to hold his arm down.

  "Calm down! No one is leaving anybody!"

  Giselle walked up to Izick, then got on her knees to prostrate herself to him. Scotts looked disgusted as he tried to pull her up, but she remained locked in this posture.

  "Giselle, you don't have to go this far."

  "Shut up. This is the only way I can face my past."

  Izick began to calm down from Giselle's over-the-top gesture. He exhaled as he tapped Mill's arm, telling her that he was himself again.

  "What are you doing?"

  "I'm doing exactly what I should have done earlier. Apologizing for the evil I have brought into this world. I want to let you know that I don't care about your connection to Alister Black. I'm only concerned about the Malevolent Skill used against you during your encounter with Felssi. The Skill known as the Death Penalty."

  Death Penalty? How did she know about this Skill? He hasn't even had a full conversation with Mill about the Malevolence or even used that name yet.

  Her black hat slid off her lowered head, revealing her short blue hair. Tears fell from her eyes.

  "I am the original creator of that Skill. It was designed by me."

  After a difficult couple of months dealing with personal emergencies, I'm adjusting my release schedule to every Wednesday going forward. This will let me rebuild my buffer and maintain the quality you deserve. I'm going to do everything in my power to make this journey worth it for all of you. Thank you so much for your patience and understanding. - Ohm