Alex brought the elk around. It had been hours since he started leading the corrupted troops in circles. As time went on, Alex ordered his volunteers to break away and wait for him on the road to River Hallow.
Remaining were Alex and his new tag along. “What’s your name, son?” he asked the rider he had picked up earlier.
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“Samuel,” Tyler replied smoothly. He had considered killing Alex early on, but curiosity got the better of him. He wanted to see how things played out, confident he would come out on top regardless. “And you are?”
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Alex didn’t have time to wonder why someone who had traveled so far with the army didn’t know his name. A wrong turn had brought them to the edge of a cliff, and the ground was quickly running out. “Alexander Nightside,” he said, eyes scanning their surroundings.
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“I think we’re surrounded,” Tyler said, glancing around. The name Nightside sounded familiar, but he couldn’t quite place it.
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Alex smirked and brought the elk around to face the pursuing horde. Leaning forward, he whispered, “I hope you know what those antlers are for.” The elk snorted in response. “I’ll take that as a yes. Hold on, Samuel!”
They charged. The elk lowered its head and began swinging its massive antlers back and forth, scattering enemies like dry leaves. Alex drew his sword, cutting down anything that dared stay too close. Unseen behind him, Tyler casually waved his hand, and the corrupted mob parted before them, letting them through.
With their escape clear, Alex steered them back toward the road that led to River Hallow.
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In River Hallow, Jirjin rallied the remnants of his retired bandit crew to help fortify the town. Makeshift blockades were thrown up along the outer wall, designed to funnel any attackers into a tight bottleneck. On the other side of the wall, Rhaine stood with the remaining soldiers, waiting.
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“Hello,” said a soft voice behind her.
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Rhaine turned, startled. “You shouldn’t be out here, you could get hurt.” She frowned, confused by the girl’s presence.
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Elle giggled. “Silly! I’m a bear, like Barkscratch,” she said, raising her arms and mimicking a bear’s growl. “I can help defend too!”
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The sight of the child, so eager to fight, stirred something in Rhaine. It brought back memories—how, as a child in the Church orphanage in Trendell, she had scared the other kids. She’d been aggressive, always getting into fights with the older children, never backing down. Now she saw that same spark in this little girl—but instead of pride, Rhaine felt sorrow. This wasn’t the world a child should grow up in. No child should have to carry that fire so young. “I can see you’re brave,” Rhaine said gently, her voice softening. “But we’re going to fight so you don’t have to.” She knelt down. “What’s your name, little one?”
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Elle looked at Rhaine and paused. “You can’t stop people from fighting, Rhaine,” she said matter-of-factly. “It’s not your fault.” With that, she turned and began walking back toward Melissa.
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Rhaine followed her. “What do you mean by that?”
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When they reached Katherine’s home, Elle stopped. “You’ve been fighting people since you got here. Would you have said that if I were a grown-up?”
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Before Rhaine could respond, Melissa interjected, “You should leave the Commander alone, Elle.” Her tone was gentle, but concerned ,for both of them.
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Rhaine shifted her attention to Melissa. “Why did the wagon with the prisoners leave?”
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Melissa took a deep breath. “It was Orion. He convinced the driver to head for the capital before you returned.”
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“He was dying,” Elle added, answering the question Rhaine was about to ask.
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Melissa gave Rhaine a cautious, uncertain look, then glanced at Elle.
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Rhaine knelt in front of the girl. “Where are you from, Elle?”
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Elle smiled. “I came from Silver Falls. Eric and I traveled together, but he’s dead now.”
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Rhaine stepped back. The mention of Silver Falls, paired with Winterfawn’s warning, began to form a troubling picture in her mind.
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“Elle,” she said softly, “can you give Melissa and me a few moments alone?”
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Elle shrugged. “Okay,” she said, then skipped into the house, no doubt in search of Katherine and her delicious cookies.
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Once Elle was out of sight, Melissa quietly closed the door behind her. “I don’t know about that one,” she muttered. “She’s more than she seems.”
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Rhaine nodded. “I’m beginning to suspect that too. I know I have no right to ask you for a favor, but… can you keep an eye on her?”
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Melissa crossed her arms. “Kind of hard to watch a kid when I’m under house arrest.”
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“Consider that lifted,” Rhaine replied. “We were told the Harbinger was in Silver Falls. But when we got there, we walked right into a trap. It’s no coincidence that this little girl made it out alive and came here on her own. Do we even know if she killed this Eric she mentioned?”
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“The only thing she told me,” Melissa said, “was that Eric felt bad about his mother. He wanted to give her a gift but ended up hurting her.”
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Rhaine’s expression darkened. “For all we know, she could be working for the Harbinger… or even be the Harbinger.”
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She shook her head and sighed. “One problem at a time. Just… stay safe while watching her. We were rescued by a woman, her body made of leaves and moss. She said River Hallow was in danger.”
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Melissa thought for a moment. “That sounds like someone Elle called Winterfawn. I thought she was just making it up. She said the moss lady protected them from bad people and that she got a ride from a talking bear named Barkscratch.” Melissa hesitated, then added, “It feels like there’s a force drawing everything toward River Hallow, and I can’t shake the feeling…”
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Melissa trailed off. Rhaine gave a silent nod. “Keep her in your sights,” Rhaine said, extending a hand. “I need to head back and prepare for Alex and his visitors.”
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“We’ll talk more later,” Melissa replied, shaking her hand firmly.
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The first of Alex's volunteers made their way towards the town. "Alex said be ready!" he yelled.
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Marcus couldn’t control the hunger. A rider passed by, and Marcus leapt, his hands wrapping around the man’s neck. He slammed him to the ground as the darkness surged through his veins. The rider struggled, but Marcus easily overpowered him. With a guttural snarl, he pressed his thumbs into the man’s eyes. The man screamed as his eyeballs were crushed deep into his skull. With a violent tug, Marcus tore the man’s face apart. His skull split open, and Marcus collapsed off of him, panting. The rider’s deer shrieked in pain as the Crimson Mist tore into it, ripping its flesh slowly, savoring the kill. Marcus snarled and yanked the still-living creature from them, like a pack leader claiming his prize. He gripped the deer’s head and twisted—its neck snapped with a sickening crack that echoed through the clearing.
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“We wanted to kill it!” the children cried. This time, they weren’t quick enough to escape.
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“Who is your master?” Marcus growled, holding Lisa by the throat, his grip slowly tightening.
“
You… are… Father,” the voices whispered in unison.
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As the hunger receded, Marcus regained control. He released Lisa and let the Crimson Mist dissipate. Glancing back at the rider’s mangled corpse, he muttered, “Why was he riding a deer?”
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The Crimson Mist floated ahead of Marcus. "What was that?"
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Reggie tilted his head. "I think Master took control of Father. He sounded like Master."
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Paris nodded excitedly. "We must be getting close. It's so much fun seeing Father like this!"
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Tina remained silent. She didn’t like what they were doing to him, what they were turning Father into.
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“We are almost there.” The voice of Annihilation echoed through the air.
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The children looked around frantically. Marcus was still a ways off in the distance. “Yes, Master,” they whispered. “What should we do next?”
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“The Harbinger is in place. Guide the Usher further north,” Annihilation commanded. The Crimson Mist nodded. The voice fell silent once more, and together, they continued on.. leading Marcus toward River Hallow.
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