"Faster, we're almost there!" Perytos helped Callum up. He looked around franticly, searching for other people. There was no one there, everyone either stayed at home or went to the demonstration. The streets were eerily empty.

  "Why are we running?" Gasping for air, Callum asked.

  "I swear I heard that guy in my head, he knows about Mercel!" Perytos once more hurried everyone. The idea of someone appearing in his mind was especially terrifying; it was his most personal and secure place. He didn’t know if it was breached, he would still be the same person.

  They beelined straight for their room, hoping the wizard would get bored. They entered a dark, narrow alley, knowing it was the quickest way to the place that held their inn. If they just managed to hide for long enough, they should be safe...

  Perytos' oath was working overtime, helping him take longer steps and helping with exhaustion.

  Your skill(Oath resonance has reached level 16-17

  "It's blocked, how the fuck is it blocked!" Callum wheezed in between breaths.

  Reality itself seemed to have twisted; it shouldn't have happened, but the solid wall stared right at their faces; where there should have been a path, there was a solid earth wall. Perytos shuddered. It's happening again, I won't let them take him.

  His inner voice was as durable as a metal beam despite his fear. His oath was pumping incredible strength into his muscles due to his determination; he would rather die than allow someone to take someone he cared for.

  He turned around, donning his dagger, ready to fight till the last breath. Shame I left the trident. Even if it’s broken, I could have used it as a mace.

  His thoughts spiraled, but this time they were upheld by his will; further augmented by his mind stat.

  Callum along with Mercel finally realized they wouldn't be getting out as easily; the Primal human kicked the wall in frustration. He seemingly did something because his skin took on a pale tone; his Authority bolstered courage into Perytos’ very bones; the might of something ancient stirred in Callum’s veins. Meanwhile, Mercel turned ephemeral; the collar that hid him gave up, depleted of energy. His usual silver mane shone through, showcasing the moonlight mana he was channeling.

  "There is no need for all of that really, I just want to talk." Words echoed from nowhere and everywhere at once. Perytos other guided stat picked up slack as he felt very much threatened; it covered his soul from attention, not that it would do something here, but at least it was something.

  Clack Clack Clack

  Footsteps quietly echoed on the stone pavement, spelling doom for the three brave children. The high arcanist appeared in their vision, unarmed. "Don't come closer, leave us alone!" Perytos growled, mad with fear and rage.

  "Unfortunately, I can't do that. The price for doing so would be too high." Not feeling any bit in danger, Soren kept walking in their direction. He pushed up right against Perytos’ outstretched dagger. He just smiled and finally stopped walking.

  "You're a brave one, aren't you?" His voice saddened for a moment. "I suspect you have seen some terrible things to have made you like this." He shook his head. "No matter."

  Their adversary raised his hands slowly, bringing them to his face; to the scars that riddled his whole face. "You see those? This is what I must suffer every time I fail." He paused. Perytos tensed, his muscles coiling like a serpent waiting to strike. Callum looked ready to sacrifice himself to allow the Lykani to escape.

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  "Every time I see someone with immense potential, someone that stands out in my eyes, and I don't take them under my wing- Well, you can probably expect what happens then. Truely oaths are a curse and a blessing."

  He put his hands down, looking expectantly at the boys. "You know now I mean no harm; I just had to talk with you. I can sense you all hold immense potential; I would like to help realize it." He smiled warmly, suddenly seeming less like an adversary from Tartarus and more like an old family friend.

  Realizing something, he added. "Do you even have someone watching over you? Surely, you're not left alone to wander the streets?"

  When no one said anything, he tutted. "This can't be. I know you don't trust me; it just speaks of your intelligence. For now, I am offering you a place for you to live, along with food. Trust will come later."

  They all relaxed somewhat, but still with weapons at the ready. Just because someone seemed kind and helpful didn't mean anything.

  Perytos remembered a wise saying: trust but verify. Slowly, he said. "Okay... Even if we believe you, what exactly do you want to do with us?"

  Soren, the High Arcanist, smiled with amusement. "To train you of course. To teach you magic." Holding out an empty hand, a key appeared along with a tag; it appeared from nowhere in the Human’s palm. He dropped the key into Perytos hand- Before the boy could catch it, the mage was gone in a puff of air. He turned to his battle-ready companions- A terrified, yet still standing Mercel and Callum panting from exhaustion and stress.

  “It seems we need to talk.”

  Perytos tossed the key in his hand, catching it in his hand before it fell to the ground. They had the chance to settle down after the stressful encounter and consider their options.

  "What do we do?" Callum asked, sitting cross-legged across from him.

  Perytos caught the key and spoke. "I think it's about time we address the elephant in the room. What are our goals? Because as of now we are stumbling around in the dark while tiptoeing around what the other wants.”

  Callum sighed. "So, it has come to this, fine." He thought for a moment, debating what to say and what to keep hidden, at least for now. "Okay... So you know about the Primal Humans?" Getting a nod he continued. "Soo, it turns out I am a son of one of the Elders; they are kind of like the king and nobles in the Empire."

  The revelation hit Perytos like a sledgehammer. He'd expected the other boy to be from the tribes, but to think he was traveling with someone akin to royalty! He had about a thousand questions piling in, but Callum raised his hand; asking him to wait until he finished.

  "I probably shouldn't say this, but our civilization is dependent on a single skill. It's the totem skill, and as far as I know, no other race has something like that. It allows us to connect to the Cycle- nature as you know it, giving us the animalistic forms we are known for. The thing is, the Elders aren't random, atop every normal animal there are the rulers."

  Nodding at Mercel he continued. "One of them is the Lykani, they are somewhat of the spirit guardians for our tribes. I am skipping over a lot, but the most important thing is: Elders are rare and powerful."

  Callum hesitated, considering whether to tell his companion a truth he still had trouble accepting. "As you can probably expect, when I became an Elder of the undead, the tribes were conflicted. A foul creature like the walking plague, connected to one of the most important of our people?"

  He gave a sad smile. "They banished me, until I established my own followers. Only after I gather at least fifty can I return. But no one would follow a delirious child like me, so before I even try to get followers I have to get stronger."

  Having explained his situation, Perytos understood his friends conundrum a lot more. He was supposed to get following without any help from his own people. They even went as far as to kick him out, A child! Perytos hands clenched before he could help it, doing an act like that was just cruel. It may have been necessary, but still cruel.

  As it was his turn, he began weaving his sad tale. Talking about how he was left alone, forced to survive in the Tremor Woods. Meanwhile, Mercel put his head on his lap, whining quietly. When he got to the part about what his goals were now, he clapped his hands.

  "Enough of the sappiness. What's done is done, I can't turn back time. For my goals right now? Keep Mercel safe and get stronger to have the power to protect whoever I want. As for Mercel, he's with me as far as I am aware. He stuck to me like a tick." With an offended huff of confirmation from Mercel, they had to decide whether to accept Soren's invitation.

  He locked eyes with Callum, studying the other youth. "It looks like we'll have to accept. It is the fastest way to power, while being somewhat legitimate. I don't think Soren would have let us leave if he intended to harm us. "

  The elder of the undead nodded. On this, they agreed.

  The key landed in Perytos’ palm once more.