Nest is outside the camp, with the Soul Falcon she recently bonded with. She watches as it gracefully darts around the trees by the base.
Nest: Something familiar about this energy feels familiar, like I felt it before
Nest thinks backs in her memories, looking for a feeling of connection and similarity. She eventually fishes around in her armor pockets to find something old
Nest: Ah, here it is
Nest pulls out the object of her recollection, a token with a bluebird on it
Nest: I remember, one of the members of the Century Corps had a falcon of his own…
Nest looks somberly onto the Falcon in front of her
Nest: I wonder if he’s ok…
Nest looks down at the ground and then at her token
Nest: I wonder if everyone who survived had a happy ending…well, everyone else
Nest places her token back into her armor pocket, back where it was
Nest: I’ve had that thing for so long now, I forgot I carry it with me. It’s supposed to be a symbol for luck, or happiness, but it’s just an omen of days gone by, back when I thought the world was small.
The falcon lands back on Nest’s shoulder, pecking at her helmet
Nest: Ok, ok, we’ll go back
As Nest walks to base, she fails to notice an ominous shadow underneath her, trailing her motions
Back at the base, Lilac is trying to conduct a new plan for everyone to follow.
Olivia: Lilac, is this the full strength of your group?
Lilac: No, we have several members located in other parts of the valley, and one member who is currently missing in action
Mygin: Jumay?
Lilac: Correct Mygin
Olivia: Who is Jumay?
Lilac: A member of this group who was skilled in light magics, but she has been gone for about two weeks.
Yoni: Have you tried looking for her?
Lilac: We have, but no search party could find her
Kmeiou: Me and some of the other scouts searched this valley top to bottom, she’s nowhere to be seen
Olivia: Unfortunate
Lilac: So do we have any leads on this shard?
Olivia: None unfortunately, we just know it’s here
Lilac: This valley is massive, looking for it could take forever
Olivia: I’m willing to take the time, this is a massively important mystery for us to solve
Acantha: Ah, taking your time, your scheming aura is familiar enough to hers
Olivia: Would you be quiet you old crone, I’m nothing like my scheming other
Lilac: Other?
Olivia: Light goddess, she’s dead now but just know she sucks
Hadane: I have a question
Lilac: What is it?
Hadane: So if Acantha is inside Lilac, then, how did Acantha show up to wish Iseri off to his final duel with death?
Acantha: What the hell are you talking about?
Lilac: Sounds like something you should look into
Hadane: Keeping that in mind
Acantha: Also Iseri is dead?
Larkin: Yeah, he was the previous grandmaster
Acantha: Uhm he quit the guild, no way he became grandmaster after I died?
Larkin: Well it was you, then Xen, then Iseri, and then Gladian who’s the current one?
Acantha: I’m sorry what? It sounds like you said Gladian is the grandmaster?
Larkin: Because he is? Is there something hard to grasp about that
Hadane: Oh yeah Iseri made Gladian the grandmaster before he went to go do his duel, I remember that
Iehn: I do really like Gladian and his judgment for the guild, he makes some good decisions, like making this guild an international endeavor
Acantha: That explains why you’re here
Lilac: OK, this is going nowhere!!
Nest walks back into the base, and sees the commotion going around Lilac, and decides to go and sit somewhere else, near someone who notices her disposition
Oseci: Feathered friend? You seem uneasy?
Nest: Hello Oseci, is there something you wish to discuss
Oseci: It seems like this creature called The Buzzard troubles you, and also your other comrade Boone
Nest: It’s a known fact Boone hates The Buzzard, it’s all they talk about, they don’t want to talk about anything else. They look downright miserable, just thinking of how they can get the revenge they seek.
Oseci: I understand their position, I also want vengeance on someone who killed my friends and ransacked our sacred place. I’ve thought about what I’ll do when I finally get the upper hand on them, getting the justice I desire.
Nest: I see, well I’m amazed you have the strength to recover from something like that, remaining yourself
Oseci: Nest, I am not who I used to be, an event like that changes someone into someone new. It’s a metamorphosis where you become someone new, the direction you go is up to you
Nest: I see
Oseci: Boone needs to decide the kind of person they want to be, that’s it.
Oseci leaves Nest alone with her thoughts as she toils with the token, she now fished out back out of her armor
Nest: I wonder who everyone else from that day became…
The Soul Falcon began pecking at the token, which Nest just as quickly put back in her armor.
Nest rose from her position to join the group, who had seemingly changed topics again
Oiyrr: So, basically, Kutok and I found an area that is home to a calm and reflective presence, but it is congested with hollows
Kutok: It’s useful to secure this area as we can secure our back flank and also we can take out some hollows in the process
Lilac: So what you’re saying is that we have a priority location not far from here filled with Hollows?
Kutok: It’s a short walk
Lilac: Alright, if we had any farther to go, we would have had to get Tranjoh to get the Ghost Wagon
Oiyrr: I had a question about the Ghost Wagon? How does it, well, exist? Wagons don’t have souls last I checked.
Tranjoh: The Ghost Wagon is possessed by the souls of those who died in the wagon, hence why it’s a ghastly Wagon
Oiyrr: Ok that clears things up
Yoni: Can’t believe there’s a Ghost Wagon
Tranjoh: You wouldn’t be the first to doubt the Ghost Wagon
Lilac: Ok, so are we ready to head out?
Mygin: I think we are ready?
Centus: I’ll rally the reserve
Lilac: Alright let’s prepare
Tranjoh: Ghost wagon time?
Lilac: Only if you wish to come with us
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Begin mission: Backyard Brawl
Select Party and Unit Reserve
Begin Path to Empty Grove
When you are 10% of the way to the Empty Grove
Boone: Remember, shoot every hollow you see dead, the more Hollows that hit the dirt, the closer we can be to a victory
Aiden: Gun friendo, mind laying up some of the shots so they can align with my reticles, you’ll be able to take full advantage of our synergy this way
Boone: I hear your request, and I oblige it
Boone and Aiden begin methodically taking out Hollows
Oseci: Aiden doesn’t realize that Boone won’t want to be their friend after all is said done
Nest: Strictly combat, strictly business
Resume Path to Empty Grove
When you are 20% of the way
Hoard: So how come we haven’t ever gone back here before?
Mygin: We haven’t needed too
Uruo: I’ve gone back there before, sometimes it’s good to have a place of respite
Hoard: Ah so it was very much optional
Uruo: Why are you so concerned about this?
Hoard: Large open space, I could play with dragon friends back there
Uruo: Really?
Hoard: You sound like someone who never played Dragon Tag before?
Uruo: I haven’t played any children’s games, it wasn’t part of my upbringing
Hoard: No games? Did you live in the no fun allowed zone or something?
Uruo: That’s closer to the truth than you’d think
Resume Path to Empty Grove
When you are 30% of the way
Ba-Bayost: These hollows are nothing to me, any powerful demons want to show themselves?
Mygin: Just because you fought some of hell’s most powerful demons on a collapsing bridge from a deadly cliff doesn’t mean you can expect demons to appear around every corner, you have to think realistically.
Ba-Bayost: Ok, and I want to fight some demons?
Mygin: Well that’s not gonna happen
Ba-Bayost: You know so much about my exploits yet you tell ME I can’t fight any demons?
Mygin: There are no demons around
Ba-Bayost: What a bunch of bullcrap
Resume Path to Empty Grove
When you are 40% of the way
Uruo: Centus?
Centus: Yes Uruo?
Uruo: What is it like to be immortal?
Centus: You mean what WAS it like?
Uruo: You are no longer immortal?
Centus: Correct
Mygin: You lost it?
Centus: I destroyed The Adamite Key, freeing myself from the burden of immortality
Uruo: Was living forever that much of burden
Centus: More than you can imagine
Uruo: Would you have wished you were never born at all?
Centus: Sometimes
Hadane: It’s not the most pleasant of experiences
Uruo: What do you mean by that? Aren’t you alive right now?
Hadane: I was born without a soul, which can be considered an equivalent
Resume Path to the Grove
When you are 50% of the way to the Grove
Oiyrr: So I had an inquiry I might want to share? From what we know about The Buzzard, he consumes crests and leaves what’s left behind, or he just straight up eats their soul? For people with crests they come along with their souls.
Boone: I’m familiar, so what?
Oiyrr: I wonder if there’s something else about this place that makes it desirable for him, like a buffet of soul energy around
Oseci: He could try breaching the Soul Tree’s hold that Rahihi has a hold on, but he would need a massive army
Oiyrr: Maybe that’s what all these Hollows would have been used for
Resume Path to the Grove
When you are 80% of the way to the Grove
Kutok: Why does it already feel like I know more about this valley then the guild that has been here for years and I’ve only been here for a few days?
Lilac: I have no idea?
Hoard: Well Aurora Lady-
Kutok: I have a name
Hoard: Doesn’t matter, anyway you mentioned that you’re something of a navigator and wayfinder, so maybe you just inherently know more about this place, also we don’t spend the time checking every nook and cranny
Acantha: But we really should
Lilac: Acantha, we don’t have the manpower to search this entire valley for every single possibility
Kutok: Even so, checking your backyard sounds like something you should do
Lilac: I will agree with you that was an oversight
Resume Path to the Grove
When you are 100% of the way there, a somewhat large group of Hollows has occupied the grove
Kutok: You want to put a no trespassing sign up when we’re done?
Lilac: Honestly, why not
Kutok: Alright, let’s clear out the area
Fight against the Hollows
When the Hollows are at 25% strength
Kutok: Ok, we’re nearly done here?
Lilac: Just about
Hoard: My friends are gonna love this?
Aiden: We’re right here?
Hoard: My other friends you silly billy, the ones I like more than you
Aiden: That’s hurtful
Hoard: Ok and?
Aiden: Uh, why?
Hoard: Dragon raises me to be who I am? What have you ever done for me?
Aiden: I saved your life that one time you were halfway down a bear’s throat
Hoard: Oh right that did happen…
Lilac: Can we focus please?
Larkin: This person doesn’t know how to have fun
Boone: Actually I would like to wrap this up in short order as well. I hate Hollows
Larkin: Fine, fine, we’ll get it done
Aiden: Yes sir firearm friend
Resume against The Hollows
When the Hollows have been defeated, the somewhat spacious area is now open
Kutok: So what now?
Lilac: I think some of you should stay behind and just keep an eye out on things for now. We’ll be back later with some things to wall off this area
Boone: I’ll do it
Nest: I will as well
Oseci: Me too
Aiden: Count me in as well
End mission: Backyard Brawl
As the rest of the guild left to go back to base, the group stayed for a few hours, with some stuff having been brought to them before some rudimentary blockage was installed. Of course, they decided to still keep watch just in case another breach happened. It was soon nightfall.
Nest was the only one actually still in the grove, Boone was off leaning against the tree, keeping one eye open for danger but not exactly being close enough to see anything. Oseci and Aiden were playing cards on the grassy floor between two trees, just right by the grove path.
Oseci: And, I win
Aiden: Oh come on, you’ve won the last sixteen rounds
Oseci: Not my fault you’re bad at this game
Aiden: Let’s go again
Oseci: Fine by me
Boone: How long will you be enjoying such trivialities
Oseci: You’re welcome to join us Boone, maybe then someone else will win
Aiden: HEY
Boone: No thanks, unless it’s about what I want most, I want nothing to do with it
As Boone continues sulking, Aiden and Oseci go another round
Nest is watching the Soul Falcon still, as it sleeps peacefully, she herself might have fallen into a sleeping lull, if it wasn’t for a slippering sensation she felt, like a shadow moving across the ground
Nest: What am I looking at?
The shadow grows larger in front of her, spooking the Soul Falcon
Nest: Don’t be scared boy, I’m sure it’s nothing
Voice In The Darkness: Nothing is apt, it’s something it should be
The voice in the darkness spooks but Nest clings onto it, also incredibly scared by the voice in the darkness
Nest: Uhm, that was probably just a whisper of the wind
Voice In The Darkness: You would hope I’m just a voice
Bright red eyes begin glowing from the woods, as stark black wings can be seen from the treeline
Nest: No…no no no no no no no
Voice In The Darkness: What’s the matter, Nest! Afraid of the dark!!
The reddish glow of the creature radiates as he lands in the grove, just on the fringes of her line of sight, with his whole toothy smile visible.
Voice In The Darkness: We’ve been looking forward to your return, and you have my favorite friend in tow as well
The Soul Falcon hides itself in Nest’s armor, to avoid the creature seeing it as it gets closer, as Nest just stands there paralyzed
Voice In The Darkness: You look like you remember all too well, as you should, you helped defeat me last time, Nest!!
Nest: Go away, please go away
Voice In The Darkness: I’m no nightmare, or a dream, I’m your darkest fears made manifest, your creeping desires, your darker sides, I feast on what’s left after everything has rotted
The creature is nearly directly in Nest’s line of sight as she can’t bring herself to move out of his path
Voice In The Darkness: SAY MY NAME NEST, SAY IT, ACKNOWLEDGE ME
Nest: …
Voice In The Darkness: Oh am I speaking to that poor helpless girl again…too bad…
As the creature gets closer to Nest it’s interrupted as a flurry of bullets penetrates its slimy coat of Darkness as Boone is now firing shot after shot into the creature. Oseci and Aiden are also now up and in combat position
Boone: DIE YOU DEMON, DIE, DIE, DIE, DIE
Boone keeps firing and firing as the cascade of bullets just gets embedded in The Creature’s slimy coat, as it creates a bright light. As soon as Boone has to reload their gun, the creature just shrugs off the bullets, as they all fall hapless on the ground.
Voice In The Darkness: Looks like someone here’s angry, mad I killed your family?
Boone: I’M GOING TO KILL YOU, YOU INSUFFERABLE MONSTER
Voice In The Darkness: You can’t kill me, as long as hate remains in your heart
Oseci: I assume that thing is The Buzzard then?
The Buzzard: Well done new guy, although I’m disappointed those broken toys didn’t have the strength to say my name themselves, they knew me after all
Boone: I DON’T CARE ABOUT WHAT YOU THINK
Boone tries firing more bullets at The Buzzard but he just stands there, absorbing the attacks
The Buzzard: BWAHAHAHAHA, ARE YOU READY FOR MY FAVORITE TRICK??
Nest: No, no everyone get down
Aiden: Wait, why do we need to get d-
The Buzzard redirects the impact of all the bullets fired at him and fires it right back into Boone, shattering some of their bones and sending them flying into the woods
Aiden: Holy shit
The Buzzard: Such a shame, I was hoping they would put up more of a fight then getting their back destroyed by a tree
The Buzzard cackles darkly as Nest rises to her feet and joins Aiden and Oseci in combat formation
The Buzzard: Aww, the scared little girl wants to hide beneath her big friends…oh ohhhhhhhh
Oseci: You still have to fight all three of us
Boone: All four of us…
Boone scampers back into the group, heavily injured with bloody wounds and fractured bones but still somehow walking
The Buzzard: The impact of my attack should have shattered your spine thus instantly killing you, glad to see someone’s impressive
Boone: Just shut up, shut the fuck up
Nest fishes her old token out of her pocket and shines it, briefly empowering her before putting it away
Nest: I’m not dying here, not today
The Buzzard: How cute, but no one is saving you today!!
Aiden, Oseci, Nest and Boone join your party, there is no one in Unit Reserve
Fight against The Buzzard
When he is at 80%
The Buzzard: Ah, not as easy as you remember, NEST
Aiden: I don’t think she’s answering your questions
The Buzzard: Haha, she thinks it, I’m familiar with that aura
Oseci: You truly have earned your vile reputation
The Buzzard: Thank you, I love killing but reputation means a lot
Resume against The Buzzard
When he is at 75%
Oseci: This is…not going according to plan
The Buzzard: I’ll notify your next of kin for you
Boone: I have no one…you bastard
The Buzzard: Oh right, I guess you should be happy to join them
Resume against The Buzzard
When you lose, the party falls to the ground defeated as The Buzzard begins to float high in the air, suddenly, The Soul Falcon flies out of Nest’s armor and shines a paralyzing light at The Buzzard, rendering him immobile
Nest: Ok quick let’s get out of here
The Buzzard: STUPID BIRD!!
The Party begins running as The Falcon flies back to Nest
Run away from The Buzzard
When The Party is 25% of the way back to the base
The Buzzard: Come on guys, I don’t bite!!
Aiden: We don’t want to test out your idea….
Boone: I’m going to kill you one day you monster
Oseci: Boone your legs are actively being ripped apart as you run
Boone: I don’t give a shit
Continue running from The Buzzard
When The Party is 50% of the way back to the base, a few guys from the base arrive on the scene to their shock and horror
Centus: Must be The Buzzard
Iehn: Jesus christ what the hell happened to Boone?
Centus: The Buzzard, I think
The Buzzard: If it isn’t Centus
Centus: Uhm, we haven’t met have we?
The Buzzard: No, but I have a respect for fellow mass murderers
Centus: I was immortal the kill count adds up over years
The Buzzard: I don’t care
Oseci: We can’t fight that monster now, he kicked our ass
Oiyrr: Oh while we’re here, have you seen a Dark Mirror shard Mr. Buzzard?
Iehn: Why do you keep asking our enemies that?
The Buzzard: I have it RIGHT HERE
The Buzzard pulls out the dark mirror shard from his slimy coat
The Buzzard: Do you guys need this??
Oiyrr: Yes
The Buzzard: HAHAHA, Good luck getting off of my person!!
The Buzzard then flies away before anyone can take a shot at the shard
Boone: That…monster..I…
Boone falls unconscious as all the lost blood and broken bones finally get to them
Iehn: Well guys I guess I’ll take care of this
Iehn carries Boone on her back to the base as everyone else begins to head back
Oiyrr: Well at least we know where the shard is…
The air of defeat hangs over their heads as Nest fidgets with her token, desperately trying not to cry
