The two oncoming groups would be an obstacle to overcome soon anyway—that could wait until the next zone. He sent a spiritual tug to Sooty, informing the corvid to keep an eye out, the perfect way to scout the unknown variables.

Coming from the eastern direction, Garic's group settled upon the lake, a safe distance away from either Luke or Halen's and her three. Only one of their number suffered crystal corruption, the other tora, an orange-furred Monk, the black crystals scattered upon muscular forearms, less severe than either Ludris or Juliana's suffering. Leading the group, a black-furred tora with an eye patch and scars throughout his body stood guard, putting himself between Halen's group and his. A giant blue and black halberd strapped to Garic's back, and a faint red aura emanated from it. Luke sensed Garic's piercing bestial gaze meet his casual observation, every detail about the Reaver being cataloged and stored away for future use. The intense stare of a predator prepared to hunt prey. Created to enter a focused state.

A subconscious smile ripped across Luke's face. He returned the favor, unabashedly examining the tora and his allies. Little pretext was needed; they owned a key he needed, and he owned two they required. Sticking close to the stalwart tora, a handsome monic with platinum blond hair stood out, musical notes dancing around him, swirling from a wand in the shape of a violin bow. The hunter winked at Luke, summoning a transparent aura blocking Luke from listening to the conversation. Their last member, a monic woman with deep purple hair in grey-white roguish gear, walked away, heading in the direction of Vathen's party.

Humming noise heightened from the gigantic white tree, its influence caused the whirlpool to expand slowly, increasing the tug on the water in the lake. On the edge of his senses, Luke made out Halen whispering to her group, he scrambled the words though, closing his eyes. The Reaver sat down upon the mirror-like water, trying to free a patch.

He frowned, the water around him incredibly resistant to elemental ice. The Reaver managed to stake a small territory, but the unexpected challenge sparked an underlying excitement. The waterfall training in Musai's realm stopped providing difficulty, and therefore, a grinding stone to sharpen his ice upon long ago.

This crystal basked water provided a different angle to evolve in—overcome that which held superior resistance to frost and ice. Another gaze, this time from the western direction, crashed upon the Reaver's back. As a consequence, the fragile meditative state broke apart. Frustrated, Luke internally vented, I'm not an art piece, am I?

Struggling to return to the flow required to peer deeper into Elementalization, the Reaver blew iced air from his mouth. In a huff, he turned around, re-seating himself, this time oriented toward Halen's group. Water streaks tugged at his body, the whirlpool sucking away carelessly. Halen and Ludris guarded Juliana's sides, Kelly still hunched over the Guardian. White light basked upon them all, the crystal wood tree freely giving luminosity.

A netherly heat pricked at Luke's mists. Off to the lake's last unoccupied edge, purple flames licked a dark elf's skin—Vathen. He conversed with the monic Rogue from Garic's team, occasionally subtly pointing at Luke or Juliana. A transparent barrier covered a small radius around his team, where three other elves sat. The Reaver suppressed surprise when he scrutinized the three, two women and a man. Elemental fire surged around an elf woman in dark yellow and silver robes. Purple and black mana lines poked at the air, coming from another elf wearing flowing cloth. The last, a dark elf woman, employed bloody spells, stripping away any wounds or weariness from the previous two.

Blinking, Luke tried to pinpoint each class, confident of three of them, An Elementalist, Curse Weaver, and Bloodweaver. He focused on the purple soul-tinted flames sticking to Vathen, What is he, though?

The surprise stemmed from not their classes or the stuffed aura from all four. Instead, Vathen's party revealed zero crystal corruption, not a lick. In all fairness, the Reaver didn't pay attention to them closely when they entered, so if they came in with minor corruption, they could've cured themselves by now. Still, they were in their best condition, unlike the other two groups. Vathen confidently nodded to the monic rogue, whatever negotiation they entered, over. She returned to her group, and the dark elf began to eat rations with the other three. Luke's stomach rumbled, and he pulled out preserved jerky, wolfing it down. Sooty already gorged herself upon small fruits within the Shimmering Expanse.

Growing unease radiated from Halen and Ludris. They often kept their eyes on Vathen or Garic. Unsure as to why, Luke tried putting himself in their shoes for a second. A theoretical answer came quickly enough.

The other two teams don't know I have their key, and the writ they signed with me might make revealing that difficult. Now, since they have one member out for the count and another not at his best, the other two groups could pressure them for the key they think Halen has. Why don't they just leave now? The Reaver shrugged, Whatever, it's not my problem. They overstayed their welcome. Go before eye patch and purple flame over there get frisky.

A tense peace settled over the lake 'safe zone' for all of half a minute. The monic Rogue stealthed. When the Reaver strained his vision, he made out a camouflaged outline, adept enough to put the Crystal Stalkers to shame. Vathen's voice carried across the modest distance, "Halen, did you enjoy snatching away the available resources in the Expanse?" He inspected his silver hair, "It's common sense to leave a portion for second and third place. You'd think one lesson would be enough. How're the former teammates? Resting well in the memorial?"

Halen bit her lip, steadying her staff to the gemmed soil, and she said, "The first two have already arrived, Vathen. A small portion is up for the taking. I'd discuss between you and Garic on the split."

Glancing at Luke, Vathen smiled from ear to ear before steadily gazing at Halen, "How could I forget? The Defier delved here alone and made it in before my team, or Garic's, very commendable." He narrowed his eyes, "You being here doesn't make sense, Halen. Sacrificing your new Guardian for speed—foolish. As was sticking around."

Water waves encircled Halen's group, strengthened by the nearby lake waters. She stayed observant, deciding not to mince words against Vathen. A faint hatred surrounded her, unspoken history blistering. A swish of wind swayed the scant remaining plant life, the docile animals gone. Even Sooty's new bird friends zapped into the white central tree, making the corvid caw in confusion.

Garic spoke with a deep, raspy, yet primal voice, "Halen, a weak pack leader once more. Your runt is licking wounds in front of two beast kings. This expanse is a rest against the corruption, our nature as hunters bares its fangs here. Give up the eggs to the snake, reveal the crystal key."

Keeping her senses on Vathen's group, Halen spoke to Ludris and Kelly behind her, "Ludris, scroll. Kelly, barrier. I misjudged the timing. We need to go. Now."

"On it," a scroll fluttered out, about to rip apart and summon a return portal. A thin grey barrier with star swirls spread from Kelly, protecting a small territory in exchange for greater potency. A water layer reinforced the barrier. Four water whips thrashed around wildly.

The portal began to sputter into existence, but a dreadfully pitched screech came from the monic with music notes playing around him. His wand ripped the noise through soundwaves, cracking apart the portal. Molten flame surged from the elf in yellow and silver robes, steaming against the water layer on Kelly's barrier.

Luke tracked an oncoming action he heavily disproved of, eyes on the Rogue, who seemed convinced she hid from everyone. The ugly world of hunters revealed itself again. Wind wings strapped to Ludris' ankles, he readied his bow, wary. Black miasma summoned itself upon the barrier, eating away a section, revealing a hole in the defense. Sending Luke a silent apology first through bodily expression, Halen said, "The key is gone, Vathen. Cease this."

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Laughing, Vathen licked his lower lip, "I know." Purple nether flames blazed small wings on his back.

Halen's eyes bulged, "Then what is this? We have nothing you want!"

Black tail straightening, Garic brandished sharp fangs, slowly unveiling his halberd, "You shouldn't refuse the noble's offer, lower gallant." The monic Sonic Bard already continued to bombard the barrier with sound attacks while Garic's last visible member, the tora Monk, set his shoulders, getting into a stance.

Cosmic formations flanked Kelly, now standing over Juliana protectively. She ceased healing out of necessity, readying the abilities for Halen's and Ludris' needs. Sooty vanished into the shadow of a lower branch over Garic's side.

Vathen smiled knowingly at Halen, "You've always known what is wanted of you, Halen. Never should've come here. The Twin Titled's reach is omnipresent in Sylen."

The Reaver stood up slowly, annoyed internally.

Politics. Always Politics. A Tide is about to smash this city apart, and games are still played on the stage in front of me.

Thick ice smothered Luke's hands and most of his arms, creating sharp gantlets; the natural cold spread frost throughout Xera. He respected that Halen nor Ludris sought his help.

And frankly, he wouldn't have, they'd been enemies all but two hours ago, despite the recent smoothing between them. One hunter made a decision that crossed a specific line, resolving the Reaver to act.

A sharp glinting dagger ripped through the barrier gap, revealing the grey and black leathered monic. The weapon threatened to sink right into Juliana's exposed neck, the Guardian unable to open her eyes, yet all alone, incapable of defending herself. A cosmic swirl moved to try and bash aside the assault. It would be too late. Twin water whips struggled to make it in time, and Ludris dived toward Juliana fruitlessly.

Gloating, the would-be assassin said, "An easy request, I concocted a delightful poison for the occasion. Allow me to finish what the corruption began."

Arctic winds flowed behind the assassin.

Snow appeared within the barrier, tracing to an ice flow summoned through the gap connected to where a Reaver once stood. A crushing force gripped the dagger, the sizzling poison froze, creating purple and green-tinted ice mush. Tremendous strength summoned from the Reaver's muscles, he crushed the metal like rotten wood, the ice infecting the cracks, splitting apart the weapon.

The monic Rogue revealed a second dagger, trying to use a reverse grip to finish the job. Luke kicked the Rogue, her body forced back, sliding down the barrier, cracking it heavily.

"It doesn't sit right with me. Targeting those unable to die with their eyes open. Did I give permission?"

Garic growled, "This doesn't concern you, Ninth. Let us hunt one another in the crucible, from one predator to another."

"We can start now, become hunted, predator."

Vathen's purple flames cut across his weapons, twin glaves. Screeches came from their vibrations. He approached the conflict casually as the Elementalist behind him sent volley after volley of molten fire and lava bursts, equaling Halen's water. Two totems pulsed beside the Elementalist, strengthening the fire endlessly. A blood barrier prevented any of Halen's attacks from reaching the Elementalist, the dark elf Bloodweaver swirling a blood orb over her right palm.

With a slant to his eyebrows, Vathen began to command his team, "Teryndor, help Iralyn teach the Ice Defier a lesson in humility—don't kill him. I'd like to keep avenues open with Musai and Iona in the future."

Smashing his staff against the ground, Teryndor, a Curseweaver, began summoning.

Two black hands ripped out the gemstone grass, and the black liquid turned the sanctuary area into a swamp, starting to corrupt the pristine lake. Visible curses vaulted themselves at the barrier, Kelly's cosmic abilities trying to clash against them. Kelly's defenses held, judging by the struggle across her face, they wouldn't for long.

Sprinting in, Garic roared in excitement, "Come, Kalper, leave Tisandris to his little music notes."

The orange furred tora Monk dashed alongside Garic, green spiritual aura congealed around his fists. Fluttering streams of music attacked the barrier, breaking it into more areas. Luke's left ear drum bled, threatening his sense of balance, negated by his Bone Crowned Boots. Next, his vision blurred for a second.

But he'd long left the realm of needing eyes to see properly. Mists sifted around, leaking out from the barrier cracks created by the other two team's attacks.

"I'll start with a mercy you wouldn't give yourself."

Runes flared to life on Xera's weapon body. Next, the magic etchings ran up the Reaver's arms. His arctic winds clashed against the musical notes—metaphysical components shivering, slowing, and dying before they could reach their mark. The Rogue behind Luke vanished, reappearing to pounce on Juliana—poison dripping from her hands.

"You think I can't see you?" Frosted air rushed from Luke's eyes. An all-consuming frost came from his mouth, producing a 'shh.' sound. Shoving aside the airborne Ludris with one hand, Xera came down like an executioner's axe with the other.

"Die."

Sword flowing like a streaking meteor, the Reaver beheaded the monic Rogue—the pressurized blood from the exposed neck stump froze in mid-air. Two painful roars rang from Garic's side, even Vathen showed pause for a second. A harsh blizzard formed, expanding well past the cramp barrier the Reaver dominated. The friendly aqua whips and thinning water layer froze as a by-product. Ludris crashed into Kelly by pure chance, interrupting her spell casting. Black curses rained down on the barrier, or they tried to. Frozen water interacted against the projectile curses, canceling one another out.

Snatching the headless body up, Luke tossed it the oncoming molten fire, tanking the blast while turning the dead monic to cinders.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?" Garic snarled, "Zanary deserved to return to the hunter's fold."

Triple Step expanded Luke's calves, powering both legs in unison. Shattering the ice underneath him, Luke flashed forward, a blizzard following behind him. He bulldozed aside the Monk, Kalper, the tora caught by his Sonic Bard party member yards away.

"I hunted. Just a zone earlier than you wanted."

Meeting a furious halberd strike with Xera, sparks clashed as frost expanded out. Weak earth tried to encase the halberd, the Reaver froze it over, killing the attempt at using another element against him.

"You're stuck at control. You can't fight against command."

A ring of iced runes contained Garic, frost already creeping up the tora's fur. Roaring valiantly, his halberd enlarged as his muscles expanded.

"All air," Despite the apparent size difference, the Reaver forced back Garic when the two weapons met again. Luke whipped a leg out, connecting to Garic's right knee. A clear crack rang throughout the Shimmering Expanse, while Garic didn't utter a peep, the pain stalled his next move, exposing his chest entirely, halberd out to the right side, posture failing.

Consuming swirling frost and ice around Xera, Luke directed the blade down in an instant, carving Garic's chest, slicing from right shoulder to left hip, frost sealed the wound. Garic's right tricep grew to exaggerated proportions, and he cleaved his halberd at Luke.

Looking away, Luke raised his right hand from Xera's hilt. He clutched the blade head, the force cutting through protective ice reinforced skin and finally sinking into the Reaver's palm; a moderate cut appeared. Blood Haze ignited—Luke's thoughts cleared, and the gash on his skin, hissing with glacial steam, knitted itself shut. Ice froze over the entire halberd, and the Reaver fulminated it all.

The halberd, undergoing nonsensical force, yet master-forged, ripped away from Garic's grip, sinking into the nearby lake. Its master twirled back up through the air, spinning like a top. Blood splattered all over from the nearly ripped-in-half chest wound. Soothing music notes clung to the opening while a furious Monk punched at the Reaver. Luke turned his chest, avoiding it by a tenth of an inch.

Raging volcanic flames ripped into the mists behind Luke, heading for his position. Concentrating on the mist's feedback, he saw Vathen veering around Halen's group, slowed by Ludris's arrows. Kelly and Halen matched the Bloodweaver and Curseweaver elf pair temporarily. Mentally commanding an Essence Lance, it soared from behind Luke to meet the volcanic lava rain pressing down, turning it into cooled stone.

A horned dead spirit playing a flute appeared behind the Sonic Bard, and black tears streamed down the monic's eyes. White robes splattered by red moons covered the spirit, its spectral hands clutching the flute to play a netherworld tune.

[You have witnessed Halthina, Hell's Flute Master. Hell's soundwaves scramble your senses, paralyzing your body until cleared. Spectral Heart and Authoria's mark try to resist, only partially successful]

Frozen in place, Luke failed to swing Xera into Kalper's exposed side. The Monk performed a Rising Sun Kick, flowing green light twisting around his leg. It landed upon Luke's chest, blasting the Reaver back into the lake, creating an ice path to his landing point, keeping him from sinking in the waters. Ice cracked from the impact point, and internal force damage transferred to Luke's chest organs.

Wiping his mouth to smudge over the bloodstream trickling down, Luke said, "Sooty."

A crow summoned itself from Kalper's shadow. Sooty ripped out a Talon Strike, her lethal attack about to impale the Monk.

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