Chapter 178: The Ruined Land

The two walked across the plains with as much swiftness and careful movement as a rabbit, constantly trying to avoid being sighted by any of the citizens scouting out for their own strengths, using the distance to hide themselves, before inevitably reaching the kingdom once more. Arriving within said kingdom, they couldn't help but try to ignore the bloodshed across the area. The lives that were lost were innumerable, their blood splattered and dried among the buildings, painting such childish drawings in a grim color. The bodies scattering around give it a further macabre feel, and the lack of awareness by the living citizens, as if they've experienced such monstrosities and pay no mind to it, adds further in the fact they're no longer human. The two hid themselves around such buildings to try and pay attention to their conversation, letting them hear their thoughts. Every time they did, it is always the same set of words: "Our King is the Greatest of all." Manipura would feel somewhat sorrowful in seeing such cataclysm and brushed off as nothing more than a minor hinderance. His calm face started to fade more and more into sadness, wondering what happened.

Fiona, meanwhile, would feel concern, confusion even. She would try to take upon the mantle and lead the two around further to find the person and leave, yet the more she roamed in this kingdom, the more it felt so different than her previous time here. She could see off the corner of her eyes the violent nature of the citizens, inevitably always ending in a murder, with people cheering for the victor while they kick the corpse as an act of defiance or smug-like pride. The smell of such corpses didn't even affect them, breathing in what they think is their oxygen. They weren't human anymore, yet they aren't monsters. They feel more like animals, rather than people. After some time, reaching across a few alleyways, they would see some guards doing a mandatory watch around the area. Most of the sides were blocked off, and even if they weren't, they would've been exposed and caught by any random citizen. They recognized what needed to be done, yet, they don't seem to hold any regret or fear in their actions. Fiona was quick in drawing her bow and, despite hesitating, still fired her arrows to take them out. Manipura would place a hand on her shoulder, silently stating the same thing.

Despite them being human, it is merely in appearance only.

"It hurts, doesn't it?" Fiona would ask. Manipura would nod as an answer, yet Fiona would ask another. "What part makes it hurt the most?"

Manipura remained silent, though as he walked to try and find the person in specific, he would answer. "I believe....it's the part that they were normal. I still remember fondly the roads and sidewalks where I can greet them. Where I can have small talk. It's that part that hurts the most, for me. I miss that..." Despite it being a short sentence, the meaning is all the same. After some time, the two would be able to see a building, a Tavern specifically. Manipura would peek through the windows to try and find if the person was inside. To their surprise, it was built like a fortress from within: Blocks upon blocks of bricks to serve as walls, barricading the doors in the process, while most, if not all the windows were boarded up, even the window he was looking through. Weapons of varying sizes were mounted on the wall, most likely to be used as self defense should someone break in. All sorts of meals were prepared and stored in a different spot, though because of the boards, they can't find out more information.

Someone is definitely inside.

The Pastor gave a knock on the door, signaling their arrival in a peaceful motion. No sound came back. He'd then knock again. No sound again. Curious, Fiona would try to find another method of entering, with her using the arrows as a makeshift lockpick, breaking one of them and slimming the width to make it easier to get inside, using the sharp tip to slip and twist the lock around in order to properly breach. When she opened the door and stepped inside, however, she would be met with a wave of metal being chucked at her direction, causing her to quickly jump down and use the walls as cover, shielding herself.

KRASH!!

A Mess of debris breaking through some walls would alert both the Pastor and any civilians nearby, forcing Manipura to hurry up with his investigation, rushing through the entrance and hiding within the building, using his magic to strike at the projectiles and break them in one punch, his aura quickly shifting to the soft, light blue as a result. More projectiles would be rained down, and more the Pastor parted them, all while hearing a loud noise from the other side. "DON'T COME ANY CLOSEH'!! I'S GOT SOME FIGHT LEFT IN ME, I AIN' LETTIN' NO DEMONIZIN', SACRIFICIAL, SON'S A-" The voice rang, before it was quickly cut as Manipura rushed forward with such speed, no reaction was able to be given. The man was old, bitter even. His skin rotting itself with many curls and bags, his flesh flaking off like he was a head of lice. He'd try to reach to the ground to cast his magic, yet Manipura was quick in grabbing his arm, preventing him from casting it. Fiona would watch from the background, keeping a close eye on the civilians coming. "I thought I told you's tha-" The old man stated once more, desperately trying to take a stand, yet the Pastor merely gave a simple question.

"Do you recall an elder woman visiting you?" His voice was clear and focused, like crystal. The Old man would stop his words and gave a meager nod, before Manipura continued further. "Good. She wants you to come by. There's also some children you'd need to watch over. I don't think I need to tell you who such children are.."

".....They alive out 'ere? After all that....??"

"Better, actually. They're training. So, Come with me, I'll make sure you're prepared just as much."