“We split the money equally. Sherlyn, is that good? You said the two of us going could be dangerous,” Ryke said.

  “It will do. Let’s start off,” Sherlyn replied, ripping the quest notice off the board.

  The guild was packed. It was a weekend—not that it made much difference from other days—but weekends always brought in more people.

  “Obsidian Harriers,” the guild lady began, looking at the three of them. “Are you sure? I mean…” Just as she started to continue, Ryke placed his adventurer’s card down; Sherlyn and the other woman, Vikki, did the same.

  “Can I just check your current stats? It’s part of our job,” the lady said.

  “Because we look young for the job?” Sherlyn asked, looking at the woman, who appeared to be in her twenties.

  “Forgive me,” the lady said, walking away into a back room.

  “Vikki, that’s my name,” the third woman said from behind them. “I noticed that I hadn’t said it yet.”

  “Just in case, I’m Ryke and this is Sherlyn,” Ryke replied.

  The guild lady returned carrying a ring and a bracelet, both set with a clear gem that looked almost like a diamond. “I think you know how this goes. Green for magic, and other colors for different abilities. Abilities are hidden due to this world's nature. The shinier your color gets, the stronger you are. If it’s dull... well, you won’t get the quest,” she explained, showing them the items.

  Vikki was first. She put the bracelet on her wrist and waited. After a minute or so, a green light appeared. It wasn't the shiniest, but just as it stopped, a dark purple hue followed.

  “She is set. What about you two?” the guild lady asked.

  Sherlyn placed the bracelet on next. Within a minute, several colors flashed rapidly, but they all disappeared, leaving the gem as clear as it started.

  I can’t interpret that, the lady thought, turning to look at Ryke as he put on the ring.

  First time wearing this, Ryke thought, watching the gem.

  A minute passed, but nothing happened. Then another minute went by, yet the stone remained as clear as daylight.

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  “I’m sorry, but the only one who can go on this quest is the woman. As for this lady,” she said, looking at Sherlyn, “give me time. I need to consult with the Guild Master or someone else.”

  Just as she turned to walk away, Ryke caught her hand.

  “Leave my hand!” the woman shouted, drawing the attention of everyone in the guild. “I’m sorry,” she added more quietly, “I’m not used to being touched by men, especially those I don’t know.”

  “Hey boy, what’s up with you touching Lyra?” a man said, standing behind Ryke. He was tall with an axe strapped to his back.

  “Please, I’m fine. He is new; he doesn’t know me,” Lyra said, trying to defend Ryke.

  Sherlyn moved away, heading toward the far end of the room.

  “See, I don’t have time for this. If you’re serious, we can meet another time—maybe bring your friends,” Ryke replied, not even looking at the man. “Lyra, right? I’m sorry, but I’m wasting time here. Give me the job. I’ll bring the evidence as required.”

  Ryke took the piece of paper. On the way out, he bumped into the man’s shoulder. Every eye in the building followed the three of them as they left the guild.

  ...........

  “Okay then. So, what you mean is that you are the first?” Rheis asked.

  “Yes, but not long after, more came. Each was different, but most consisted of magicians,” the lady replied, seated opposite her in a sterile white room.

  “Why magicians?”

  “Different in some ways—no, in most ways. Have you looked at a magician?”

  “No, not recently,” Rheis replied.

  “See, magicians are... let me do this. You watch this; I want you to deduce what you see,” the lady replied, gesturing for her to look into a white orb.

  “That’s magic,” Rheis began. “I’m sorry, but the memory of Nero looking at me... can you tell me anything?”

  “Huh, you are forcing me.”

  “I have to know something. Imagine if it were you.”

  “He was an exception. Not the first, but I think you saw it.”

  “You mean his... but I did see two men give him a hard time, especially the black one,” Rheis replied.

  “Okay then, here we go. I need your attention and thought. Let’s call it a side quest: what do you think about exceptions, like you?” The lady stared at Rheis, who was trying to think of an answer.

  “Like me? Lucky, I guess, according to what I see.”

  “What you see is mixed, like everything even before what you see. Power. You saw Nero, you saw the two men, you’ve seen a monster and seen another one react. Let’s go back to the beginning, but only if...”

  “Only if what?”

  “After this, you follow my lead. I tell you, you listen and question. In fact... maybe later. Let’s go then,” she said, walking into the light again.

  On the other side, they came across a monster in the woods and a boy crawling back, his sword just out of reach.

  “Just watch,” the lady said. Rheis finally got her first full-body look at her.

  “You are beautiful,” Rheis whispered into the woman’s ear.

  A slash tore through the air. A dark-skinned man appeared, smiling at the boy. “It’s dead now. You will go back to your normal form,” he said, staring at the heavy-breathing monster. “If it was weaker, I would have asked you to get its spirit, but it's too strong. What’s your name, and what are you doing here?” the man asked.

  “Jack,” the boy replied.

  “You need to understand, right?” the lady asked Rheis. “This is the best start. Then you will understand everything else.”

  ...........

  “So, what you mean is that you have magic and bits of assassin ability?” Rheis asked Vikki.

  “Yep. What about you two?” Vikki asked.

  “Well, I think it’s best if you see,” Ryke said, placing his hand in front of Sherlyn.

  “They are near,” Vikki said suddenly. “Take the ground; I’ll take the trees.” She leaped onto a branch immediately after.

  The forest wasn’t as big as Veilwood, but it had its own thick vegetation. Most trees were massive, their branches connecting to each other so tightly that, in some spots, the sun didn't even reach the ground.

  Just further ahead were the Obsidian Harriers. Some were on the ground, feasting on a deer-like creature that possessed much sharper horns. The picture hadn't been that far off, though they were actually quite smaller in reality. They were majestic-looking; their eyes were almost invisible, though the line of the socket was there, and they possessed strong, sharp beaks.

  “You know what to do if they have a good nose, right?” Ryke asked. Sherlyn nodded as she slipped away from him.

  That’s when it struck him. Usually, Sherlyn’s presence made her nearly impossible to track, but he could feel it now. Vikki, you’re going to die playing such games, he thought, sensing her presence hidden just behind one of the creatures.

  Five. That was the number of Obsidian Harriers on the ground. He didn't yet know how many were waiting in the trees.