The mark was visible clearly on his arm, despite the grime and blood on it. A few moments passed in dreadful silence until Clara broke it. “Maybe I can heal it.” She placed her hands on the mark and closed her eyes. He felt warmth radiate from her hands. His skin tingled ever so slightly.

  Everyone’s gazes remained on the mark. Moments passed with nothing changing. Eventually, Sarah gently pulled Clara’s hands away. “But… why?” His sister looked at her hands in disappointment.

  “It’s not a wound.” Sarah said with a bitter smile as she helped Clara back on her feet. “We’ll find a way to get rid of it.” Her gaze turned to Charles. “Right?”

  He glanced at Alaric before nodding. “There must be a way, but…” he glanced at Ava and Clara. “You must be tired, go and rest. Sarah, you too. Arthur was waiting for you – he refused to sleep. So go on ahead.”

  A faint, tired smile flashed across the woman’s face. “Yeah… Thanks” She placed her hands on Ava and Clara’s shoulders and gently led them out of the room, letting the woven sheet fall back in place behind them.

  “I know what you’ll say – I shouldn’t have taken a risk like that.” Alaric breathed out. “I shouldn’t have gone to the castle-“

  “I think you did nothing wrong today.” Charles cut him off. “You found weapons, clothing,” he pointed at the fur lined cloak over Alaric’s shoulders. “And you saved Ava and Sarah from that witch.” He folded his arms and let out a sigh. “But you see – I don’t know what we’re supposed to do now.”

  A system window appeared in front of Charles.

  OBJECTIVE ACHIEVED– SECURE FOOD AND WATER

  OBJECTIVE ACHIEVED – SECURE TEMPORARY SHELTER

  OBJECTIVE – DEFEND THE HALLOWED GROUND

  The last line of text made his heart drop. He had completely forgotten about that.

  “We haven’t defended ourselves against anything yet.” Charles’ words only confirmed his fears. “I fear what’s to come – but I also think you may have discovered our opponent pre-emptively.” He shot a meaningful glance toward the Mark of Command.

  “The Witch.” Once again, as soon as he thought of her, he felt that pull. “She has magic.” They weren’t a match against her. They stood no chance – not with that charming spell of hers.

  “Yes, but Ava wounded her with arrows.” Charles’ forced smile only lasted a split second. “Do you mind coming with me?”

  The air was much colder than it was during the day. He hadn’t quite noticed it during their escape, but now that he walked outside at the border of the Hallowed Ground, he couldn’t help but shiver and wrap the cloak tighter around his shoulders. His feet hurt from being up all day, but he still went along with Charles. The serious tone in his voice, and the pleading look in his eyes made it impossible to say no.

  “Have you received a blessing from a god yet? Or a demon? I’m not talking about the healing the Goddess of Harvest offered – I’m talking about something like Clara has. Or Ava.”

  So that was how Clara had gotten her ability to heal. “No.” But when did she even get the chance to accept a blessing? He did remember her talking to herself while he was bleeding out, and pushing aside a system window…

  “Sorry, I know you’re tired but bear with me a little longer please.” Charles’ voice startled him.

  “I’m listening.”

  They stopped at the edge of the Hallowed Ground and looked out into the sea of tallgrass. Charles’ gaze lingered on the far out cliffs. He glanced south, towards the large structure now entirely covered in fog, then looked back at Alaric.

  “I’m no fighter. When the system first appeared, I was walking with Ava. She killed all of them – all four monsters. I tried, but…” he shook his head and lowered his gaze in shame. “You did the same for Clara. So I thought you’d been gifted powers. I hoped.” His voice faded. “I just got to work – got people to get to work. But when push comes to shove, I’m useless.”

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  “You’re not-“

  “Let me finish,” he said, raising his hand to stop Alaric. “The people are afraid. They needed someone to tell them what to do. And for just today, I was that person.” He clenched his fist. “We’re in a different world – I’m sure of it. A world full of mystical creatures, god and demons and magic… I think whoever leads these people needs to be blessed – gifted – by the gods.”

  “Why?” Alaric scowled. “Ava is no leader. Clara isn’t either – they’re children.”

  They’re not even eighteen years old yet!

  Charles looked away. “I know – that’s why I asked you. I hoped you’d have received a blessing too. I hoped any adult had, but no one I asked did.” He shook his head. “We’re in foreign lands, with no one else to rely on.”

  “We’re not in some different world. The witch confirmed as much – and I can say that for sure as well.” Alaric pointed towards the sea of grass. “Two people didn’t make it before the dome of fog appeared. They’re still out there.”

  Charles’ eyes widened for a split second. “Are you sure?”

  He nodded. “And the Witch claimed the Empyrean changed our world. We’re still on Earth – as difficult as it is to believe that.” The scenery had changed too much, and the mere existence of magic, gods and demons made it hard to accept.

  “I see. Still, that changes nothing – these people need a leader.”

  Alaric couldn’t quite help but roll his eyes. “They already have one – don’t underestimate what you’ve done today.”

  The other man scowled. “Our leader needs to be strong-“

  “Our leader needs to be smart and resourceful.” Alaric cut him off, without bothering to hide his annoyance. “He needs to be able to rally people behind him. Not run at the first enemy and get himself killed.” He shook his head, pointing at the far away cliffs. “If you’re right, and the Witch attacks us, we need to be ready. Ava or Clara can’t do any of what I just said.”

  “You would have been able to.”

  “Bloody hell, Charles!” He exclaimed. “Both you and I know I’m not cut out for that. I’m a carpenter for god’s sake! You’re in the bloody parish council of Bibury!” He pointed at the cliffs again, this time glaring at the other man. “You can’t be having doubts like these – not now!”

  Charles looked at him like he’d just slapped him. He blinked a few times, then smiled. “You’re right. This was… unbecoming of me-“

  The sound of large, flapping wings echoed in the dark. Alaric grabbed Charles’ shoulder and quickly pulled him to the base of the boulder. His gaze scoured the starry sky until he found a stretch of blackness.

  “There,” he whispered, pointing towards it.

  Holding their breaths, they watched the creature soar closer. It was approaching fast and slowly descending.

  “I can shoot it.” Robert’s whisper startled him. When had he climbed down from the boulder? And how had he moved so quietly?

  “Wait a bit.” Charles muttered, his gaze following the creature. “I’d rather it just pass us by.”

  Alaric gritted his teeth as it approached – he could see it under the starlight now. A horse-sized bat, with sharp talons and thick fur. It’s wings were gigantic, as they needed to be to carry its weight. Had one of these come when they first met the Witch… well, none of them would have made it back.

  The bat flew closer, it’s talons glinted with starlight. They held their breaths as its talons brushed over the boulder. The beat of wings echoed in the silent night.

  “Thank g-“ Robert was about to make a cross when something slammed against the rock’s top. The sound of chitin brushing against rocks pierced their ears. They looked up just in time to see a bat’s large face looking down at them.

  “Run!” Charles shouted, prompting them into action. Alaric drew his sword from its sheathe clumsily as he backed away from the boulder, while Robert jumped away and aimed at the creature that now reared its head.

  It let out a screech that echoed through the silent night before leaping into the air. A single beat of its large wings carried it forward, it’s clawed feet reaching towards Alaric. More wing beats echoed in the night, approaching fast from above.

  The deafening blast of a gunshot startled them all. The creature’s neck twisted sideways oddly, black blood spewed from the side of its neck. It fell down, writhing on the ground as it tried to get back up. “Cut it down kid!” Robert’s words snapped Alaric into action. He ran up to the flailing creature and pierced its neck with the sharp end of the blade.

  The dull blade took effort to slide through the creature’s thick fur. He felt something crush under his weight. A few moments later, the creature stopped flailing.

  “Bloody hell, that’s big.” Robert grunted as he loaded another bullet. “I can hear more of them.”

  Alaric scoured the sky, searching for the other creatures.

  “Brother!” Ava’s voice rang before any of them heard her leave the church. She paused as soon as she noticed the dead bat. Her eyes narrowed, her gaze landed on Alaric. “Where?” She hissed quietly as a sharp knife appeared in her hand.

  Before anyone could answer, a bat dove down from above. It’s sharp claws reached for him. It’s bloodshot eyes glowed, reminding him of the Witch’s eyes. These were surely creatures doing her bidding.

  Something glinted in the air, and as the creature reached the lowest point of its dive, a knife struck its forehead. The glow in its eyes vanished in an instant as black blood oozed out. It crashed against the ground, sliding on the short grass. Alaric threw himself to the side to avoid it crashing into him.

  “Fuck off!” Robert’s voice rang as Alaric was still getting up. The hunter aimed at something as he muttered another curse under his breath and pulled the trigger. A loud bam deafened him for a moment. Almost immediately, the sound of something large crashing into the ground followed. “Bloody-“

  A black shadow approached from behind the hunter silently. Two sharp claws gripped his shoulders as he was busy loading the next bullet. It beat its wings, knocking Ava and Charles down with the force of their winds, and flew off. Robert’s scream faded as the beast and its prey vanished into the dark sky.