The walls of Grindo Town appear to have been hit by something, but what that was we couldn’t tell. Something had happened here for sure though. Whatever it was, resulted in an exodus of people. There was still smoke coming from one of the homes.

  I turned to my party members and said to them. “What do you think happened here? It's terrible.” Standing there looking at the damage.

  “Do you think it had anything to do with Davo? You know, the ones in the slaver robes.“ Said Lucy.

  “Could be, I don't really wanna find out, however.” Wardi replied to her.

  So many dead bodies as I looked around. And as I looked further, wandering off from the group. I said to them “Hey, there's Gobheads here too. And some people have never seen before. There was some odd clothing. It looked like sportswear from back in the old tower world their faces were covered.

  It was only because of Lucy we were able to figure out what they were.

  “Mandems?” a surprise for all of us to hear.

  “Such a shame that. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen them. There's quite a few of as well. She said, Her mood saddening

  Just what is going on? We have barely been awake two days. We woke up in a strange place. Looked after by a stranger, who left before we could even say thanks. A conflict has occurred. We've suddenly seen more mayhem and Mandems than ever before. This town is in Areya’s Territory. As crazy as she is, there's no way she would have done this with that craving for money and power. Besides she needs money to feed the troops and she's not going to get that without the efforts of this town… I thought. To myself.

  Wardi tried using his scanning ability from what I heard under his breath. But he let out a slight moan. “Something is interfering with my ability.” Rhua and Horace also tried to use their abilities, but they worked fine. And Lucy casted a small wind art in her hand. Arts were working as well.

  “Some sort of anti-sneak or anti tracking skill perhaps dude?“ I quickly responded to him, but he just shook his head.

  “Just what has exactly happened here? It was an innocent town. Sure, they may have been part of her territory, but they were not involved in fighting. They were forced into this slavery.” Lucy’s harrowing words trailed off.

  “We should get moving who or what did this, they could still be around. The western lands seem to be falling apart look, even the leaky tap has been destroyed only the foundations remained and that half-broken sign leaning against a partially standing wall. This is so wrong.” Itching to get moving Wardi’s words were quick as his movements.

  “I don’t think this was a normal event at all friends.” I couldn’t help looking back at the destruction after saying this and us walking away.

  Wandering away from the town and joining back onto a path leading southward. It seems the fighting did manage to make it out partially. Because there were signs of projectiles and elemental blasts in the ground. There didn't seem to be any victims along this way, however. Perhaps whatever happened occurred only within the town itself.

  There was really no sign of anything along the road. The only life was us and the greenery. Reds, greens and blues of the plant life around us. Despite the scenes we saw previously, they had a sort of calming effect on us.

  “The FLOWERS, Look Pretty.” Horace piped.

  It was nice of him to break the awkward silence as we walked along the roads.

  “Yeah, I'm glad nobody tries to destroy those things.” Ruth said admiring the aromas closing her eyes as she did so.

  “Why would anyone waste Energy try to harm plants and trees. There's just no point they’re too useful.” An annoyed tone carried her words.

  “Well, if anything like that scene back that way is anything to go by. Some people just don't give a damn.” Said Wardi holding his hands on his head.

  There was no time to think on that question, however. Because we knew exactly who just flew us at Mach speed RUN. Interrupting Wardi before he even got to see say his beloved line with a vicious sword swipe that carved the ground apart.

  “What the hell is Edgelord doing here? Oh, this is just what we need!” Said Rhua pressing against the demented swordsman.

  Famed for never saying a single word, not even when he’s hurt. Rank number 2 Edge Lord. “Well, we are just about FU~” I tried to say quickly dodging his second sword swipe.

  “Do you think it was him? He's not far from the town. What if he's involved in what happened?” Rhua shouted.

  Wardi having composed himself responded “No way. He might be insane, but there's no way it was him. Edgelord doesn't use arts; he only fights with abilities. If anything, he may have been the one to have stopped it. Wardi quickly disappeared into the shadows.

  Lucy panicking to get out of the way shouted to the group “That doesn't matter anyway. What we need to do is survive now. This guy is far more powerful than us combined.”

  Lucy drank a wisdom potion. And began channelling a powerful art. “Golpe de trueno!” She shouted after the symbols rose up round her. And fierce lightning struck at edge Lord. It caught him for a moment, but he was unfazed by the attack. And continued bombarding Rhua with mighty sword strikes that rang out across the area.

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  “Were a little stronger than the last time we met this one, maybe we have a shot.” I said drinking an agility potion. The rush kicked in and I darted in with the Squitos I pulled out from my side holder.

  Edge’s technique was flawless, No matter how we charged at him, he had a method for dealing with us. Striking from the shadows he would jump high; platforms would form in the air for him to bounce off at high speed back into the fray.

  Rhua tried to push into him, preventing his swords swings, he simply channelled the sword around himself before she even managed to touch him, grabbing hold of her shield and separating the two kicking her brutally into the trees. His eye were fully glazed over. The class drawback was fully in effect right now, and he will only get stronger as long he’s unconscious.

  Horace was notably silent, intentionally trying to stay out of range. He was desperately prepping something, anything that may give us an advantage in the fight. He merged several debuffing shells together prepping them on a timer. And joining us in the fight, marking his appearance firing bolts , only to be dodged by our foes unnatural reflexes.

  Together we stood, united. The adrenaline kicked in hard, it was as dangerous as Von Manor, even more so in some ways. His Kaha was skyrocketing in strength, glowing a disgusting red around him. We used everything we could, items, abilities, arts, even the addition of an off-tank courtesy of Rhua’s skill barely helped us land more than padded strikes against Edge.

  And his battle sense, so keen, separated the clone by diving in and knocking it up in the air carving it in two. The blade slammed into the ground and shockwaves sent us all flying even Rhua wasn’t unaffected, blown back a metre or so.

  Horace had detonated a shell without any of us noticing, he must have predicted at some point this would happen because the same thing happened last time we got into it with guy. The shell fired out various gases, liquids, traps and munition bits. Horace piped up “LETS HOPE at least one thing works from THAT!” Something did, Edge fell to his knees vomiting violently which turned into a guttural roar.

  “Did you put sanity reducing agents in that one?” I asked Horace who didn’t even need to respond because he was more scared than ever as Edge swung the blade without logic.

  “I think we may actually die this time.” I said to the group. Rhua took to the front of the group pushing us backwards.

  “We must try and make it to the next town, come on! Wardi says as we followed, constantly looking back as Edge still swings and grunts with the blade swings carving the trees apart and crushing the rocks and ground to pieces.

  A truly horrible feeling, becoming prey to a predator. We survived last time because tougher adventurers were nearby. That luxury was not around now, and my heart was practically exploding out of my chest from fear.

  The noise grew distant, we had managed to get some distance as we sprinted for dear life. Horace had thrown down speed canisters for us which helped a bunch. Everything turned to shit again however when a group of feral Entrams took a liking to us from within the forest ,and they woke up others along the route who tried to block us in.

  “What now!?” Rhua said readying her sword.

  “I’ll deal with this said Lucy” she channelled the fire art from the fight against the Slamchamp. Stronger than before now her stats have increased. The Entrams screeched as they were reduced to ash, many of the lucky ones simply received burns and singed leaves, they were terrified at the direct weakness attack, it was good thinking on Lucys part, and Rhua smashed through the burnt out remains of two Entrams Infront of us and we continued running. The roars of the real danger had grown close again however, he was catching up in no time at all.

  Give me a damn break I thought to myself.

  Jal’s Rapids was within our sights ahead, a deep fast flowing river that only idiots try to swim in during the annual Green-bison games. If we can get across Isaac’s Shanti is only five more minutes of running at this space.

  That was probably the thought of everybody mind until Edge appeared on the broken log acting as a bridge across. We stopped dead in our tracks unsure of what to do next.

  Up and along the river came odd sounds. Thud, thud CRUNCH CRASH.

  An abomination of creature came stampeding along the river. A giant vegetable / flower hybrid roared like a Deenosore from those big movies we won’t use for legal reasons, don’t sue us. HYAAAAAAAAAAR. It boomed around the place.

  “HVA I HELVETE! What is that is it a named creature!? Rhua shouted freaking out at the mad looking thing that seemed hungry for five tasty adventurers & Edge.

  “It’s a part leek…part daffodil!?” in an absolutely batshit way it reminded me of something, but I could not figure it out at all.

  It wrapped itself around a nearby tree swinging itself around over and over, so much so we could really feel the air begin to push us back, we stood behind Rhua who planted her shield unleashing her shielding abilities , as we clung onto her for dear life. The wind slammed against the barrier over and over and Lucy tried to reinforce it with her barrier arts.

  Edge lord took notice and turned to face it sword at the ready, but the log began to roll beneath him. His balance slightly off he began to roll with it try to stay onboard. Watching such a dangerous individual begin to look comical was a bit insane quite frankly.

  I don’t think any of us expected what happened next, it was far quicker than I could have reacted to it, but Wardi probably saw it better with his quicker reflexes. The thing launched itself at Edge who had no choice but to block the attack with his balance so poor, and it sounded like a bell had been rung right next to us

  BONG~

  Edge went for a free flying lesson straight into the ravine and down it quickly. The creature stood there shaking in a strange manner as if proud of its work it just did.

  “Was it dancing?” I said to the others now that the wind was gone

  “…Yeah, I think it is actually.” Said Wardi. The abomination began to stand up on two legs or roots I guess would be more plantically correct term, and then slowly shrank down to a more normal looking size.

  “Ah good sirs and madams, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you all! Especially kindest of sirs.”

  “IT CAN TALK!?” shouted Lucy speaking what we wanted to say but the rest of us were in too much shock to process.

  “Madam, please don’t speak so loudly; my tips are now ringing from you’re shouting. And you’re far too sweet for me to compare to those ever so annoying Gobheads.”

  Is this thing a little judgmental I thought to myself. Lucy just stood in embarrassment. How often does anyone get shut down by a sentient vegetabaflower.

  “Horace stepped back a little out of respect then spoke. “I’m Horace WHATS your name?” he piped at the vegetabaflower.

  “I appreciate your stepping back Horace. My apologies though as I must confess, I already know all your names. Your friend over there.” (He pointed at me) Gave me the most delectable cereal grain bar. A tavern or inn I forget which. Rhua gave you a rather good whack and you dropped the food on the floor. I wandered in uninvited and walked out with it.

  “I knew you looked familiar!” I said to it. It was a lot smaller the last time though thinking back.

  “Ah kindest sir, it warms my heart to hear you of all people to say that. I digress of course. Horace, Wardi and the fairest of maidens Lucy and Rhua. Thy name is Dillee. Once more I say to you; it’s a pleasure to meet you all.”