The Return (IV)

"Yea. Thanks." Zero started slowly. He pushed the unwanted thoughts aside, straightened up to his normal self, and gave her a reassuring dragon smile that told her it wasn't a bad vision.

Agnis let out a sigh of relief that Zero was okay. The people watching were also relieved that they didn't have to go through a second fight with another creature and had all seen Zero's power. He wasn't a simple pushover, especially with his dark fire that could burn and devour their flesh.

"It wasn't too bad." Zero tried to blow it off as if nothing was wrong. "Just saw Belial and Behemoth talking and heard the Demon Prince's voice. Other than that, nothing too serious."

"Really? That's it?" Agnis wasn't completely trusting that Zero was okay, she had seen his expression change a couple of times when he went feral as well as the worry that crossed his face.

"Yea." Zero reassured her again. "There's nothing much to it."

Agnis searched Zero's face, making sure that he was really alright. Of course, she knew he wasn't, but she didn't push it further. "Okay. If you say so."

Zero nodded, thanking her for not asking any more than necessary.

"By the way, Zero, what will we do with the crystallized heart?" Agnis pointed at the heart behind her.

Zero looked over her shoulder, frowning at the heart. He preferred to avoid walking up towards it and touching it again. The thought of possibly seeing the same vision was something that he didn't want to go through with anytime soon. When he was thinking about what to do with the crystallized heart, it started to shimmer and glow black.

"What in the world?!" Jorge, who was the nearest one to it, shouted out in surprise as he stumbled backward. He was just about to touch the crystal when it completely changed, startling him.

Everyone looked towards him, wondering what he had done.

"I didn't do it!" Jorge yelled, putting up his hands, showing that he wasn't the one that set it off.

The crystal heart started to shimmer and morph, eventually becoming a baseball size crystal as it dropped. Then, something flew out of the air, swooping down as it picked up the heart and disappeared. Not many could catch what came down from the sky, but Zero saw. A black raven swooped low like a hawk, taking the stone with it as it disappeared into the atmosphere.

"What just happened? "Agnis glanced up towards Zero, hoping he had some answer.

"I don't know," Zero replied, amazed at the scene. Now, there was a large cavity inside the Behemoth's body as it started to smoke and decay.

People stepped back in alarm at the sudden change. The Behemoth's body started to turn black as a foul smell of rotting meat wafted through the air, hitting them full-on in the face and stumbling back in a gag. The Behemoth's meat didn't take long, and even the bones crumbled into black dust, leaving nothing behind. Even the ground was stained black, leaving nothing but the shadow of the once-great being that they had fought.

Zero wondered if the skin, bones, and meat he collected had disappeared, but they were fine inside his inventory.

"Let's move out!" General Liam called out to everyone. People slugged their tired bodies. Everyone knew that resting near the volcanic area was a bad idea and that pushing into the forest was safer.

Zero, too moved forward, realizing that his muscles were now screaming at him to rest, but he didn't. He didn't want to be left behind. Valiant, who looked even more eerily dark, was being dragged by Sekka, who was snapping at his legs to hurry up and move. Only a few talked throughout the walk, but when they came to the edge of the volcanic land, they set up camp and rested for a couple of days before continuing their journey.

Days quickly turned into weeks as the remaining army and players trudged along the same route back toward the city. They have met many skirmishes, but the fight was better than the first time they went through the forest. Zero still had power over the area where he controlled, making their way much faster.

Right now, there were about 600 elven troops and 251 players that were able to survive the enemy attack. There were still some losses, but it was better. When they finally arrived back at the castle wall, the moment the door opened, cheers erupted across the whole city. People were lined up on both sides, throwing confetti, rice, hats, and even for some reason, shoes. They were all excited at the thought of seeing the Holy Cloak that the remaining army had brought. Elven soldiers stationed in the city quickly congregated around General Liam to protect him.

Even the Drezo Regalia, Leprechauns, and the Rabbits, that usually don't often come to the city floor came over to watch the whole event.

The surviving players and people started to straighten up, filled with energy at the explosive welcome. They wouldn't often get welcomed in such a way that was much more enthusiastic than the last one when they survived the Land Shark attacks.

"You know, I'm kind of liking this." Jorge started with glee. Zero was enjoying the attention as they marched through the crowded streets. Agnis was on Zero's back, waving towards everyone in excitement, while Zeraph stood there with his arm crossed in front of him.

Sekka and Valiant were having a posing contest to see who would have the most squeals as they walked by. Every time they smiled or did a pose, people would go wild, though at times Valiant would scare people more than get cheers.

"Are you two idiots!" Reed hissed, smacking Valiant in the head. "What are you doing, scaring people?!"

"Ouch, Reed. Damn it, woman, your slap hurts ten times more than getting hit by the Behemoth." Valiant whined.

"Oh really?" Reed gave him a doubtful expression; she raised her hand and smacked him more.

"Woman! If you don't stop that, I'll-!"

"Or what?" Reed replied with a stern voice as she placed her hand on her hips, telling him that if he said one more word, there were serious consequences.

"Uh...hehe." Valiant looked away, pretending nothing had happened.

"Burn!" Sekka chided, laughing at the two.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that." But Reed replied, "Leaf will put you in place if you don't behave."

"No, he wouldn't." Sekka faked gasping. "I have been behaving very well. Right, Leaf?"

"Not really." Leaf bluntly spoke. He was waving towards the crowd slowly with a gentle smile.

"These past weeks, you've had nothing but a headache."

"What?! I was not!" Sekka stated as if she was really offended.

"Not when you and Valiant have been stirring up monster nests every few miles. We would've made it back faster if it wasn't for you guys. Don't think I didn't notice. I was watching you."

Valiant and Sekka sheepishly lowered their heads, realizing they were caught red-handed. Sekka coughed; he turned towards the crowd and returned to showing off her dazzling smile that would make anybody gasp or go into a kneeling position in prayer.

On the other hand, Valiant would grumble a few words as he kicked a couple of rocks in front of him when he accidentally kicked one too hard and smashed it into the vegetable cart, causing it to break. People screamed as they scattered away like roaches, as Valiant stared for a moment with open jaws before quickly turning away as if nothing had happened.

"See." Leaf shook his head, sighing at his behavior.

Zero couldn't help but chuckle at his friends; what Leaf had said was right. If the naughty duo didn't stir up the hornet's nest full of monsters, they would've traveled through faster. However, he didn't complain because it incentivized him to continue hunting and leveling up. Getting experience points was getting a lot harder and harder. He was also constantly hungry, which allowed him to fill his stomach as they pushed through the dense forest.

Right now, his wings weren't two stubbles anymore. They were about a good size of Agnis' whole arm. If he flapped them hard enough, he could start up a small flurry of wind that would throw Agnis off. Sometimes he would do this purposely because she kept bothering his wings; other times, it was an accident. Either way, he was proud that they weren't small anymore. At this rate, possibly in a month or two, he felt it would be fully grown.