They were on their way towards Hernan's home to fetch some clothes and things he would need in his stay at the Yao's. As soon as they entered, Hernan immediately ran to his bedroom and grabbed a duffel bag. He packed his clothes and shoes then his money and important documents. Once he was done rechecking everything, he went over to Yao Han who was busy lounging on the stone chair.
"Your room is so small," Yao Han quipped as he watched over Yao Jiji curiously looking around.
"Well… this is all I could afford."
"You work?"
"I work at the magician's tower then at the resto. Anyway, we should hurry and go to Melody's place."
"Uhm… we don't need to," Melody quietly interjected as she raised her hand.
"... yes?"
"We don't need to. I have my card with me, so I can just buy clothes and shoes."
Yao Han and Hernan looked at each other before the former shrugged his shoulders. Hernan nodded then meekly said, "Yes, we don't have to. Let's go to the department store."
Melody smiled brightly then nodded fervently.
"Thank you!"
"There's nothing to thank for. It's your money after all."
When they left and bought clothes for Melody, there was a sudden commotion at the busy street. They properly changed their clothes, so it wasn't them. They became puzzled as they saw that someone was killed at one of the alleys. The light of the street just provided gore details against the murder. Melody trembled as she sweated profusely. It wasn't her first time dealing with organs coming out of the human's body, but she was still afraid. There just happened to be a murder where they were. Hernan steadied her trembling figure and led her out to Yao's residence.
As soon as they stepped inside, Melody collapsed on the floor and breathed out a deep sigh.
"Eh?"
"Hm? What's the matter, Jiji?" Hernan, who was settling down his bags on the floor, asked.
"The… the ceiwing is bweaking down!"
"What?!" He suddenly looked up and saw the pristine condition of the ceiling. "It's not breaking down though?"
"Nwo! Outshide!"
Immediately, Yao Han appeared in his winter suit and grabbed the bags of Melody and Hernan along with the ingredients they bought. However, he suddenly stopped when they arrived in front of the door. He could feel a lot of presence on the other side of the door.
"Jiji, we'll use the windows."
"Owkay!"
"Let's go."
"Wait---"
"There's no time to wait, mister Hernan! We have to get out of here fast! Jiji, I will jump down first to survey, okay?"
"Yes!"
"Jump?! This is the fourth floor!"
"We have no choice but to jump. I'll catch you both."
"Wait, what about Jiji?" Melody worriedly asked.
Yao Han smiled then waved his hand then jumped out of the window. He landed safely on the ground without a sound. Then, he spread his senses just to make sure they weren't surrounded. When he signaled that there wasn't anyone, Jiji immediately jumped down. Melody leaned on the frame as she watched Jiji land on her own two little feet. She heaved a sigh of relief, but was shaken when there was a loud insistent knocking on their door. She cowered then glanced down as her pupils trembled.
"Melody, you go first."
"Sir?! I… I can't! Please!"
"We have no time!"
"No, no!" She exclaimed as she backed off.
Hernan grabbed her shoulders.
"What are you so afraid of?!"
"I… I hate pain the most! What if I landed wrongly? What if I die?! I still don't want to die!"
"Pain, you say. You are a healer! You can just heal it with your mana!"
".... I can't heal myself."
"...."
Suddenly, there was a presence on the window and immediately grabbed Melody.
"Don't just talk here and move!" Yao Han grumbled then jumped down with Melody in his arms.
Hernan sighed then readied himself on the window to jump when the door suddenly broke down and his figure was sighted.
"Stop!"
"... you know," Hernan said as he glanced back at the people that were hesitant to approach him in case he really killed himself. "Screw this shit hole."
Then he let himself fall to the ground.
When the men, who intruded in the Yao's residence, immediately glanced down, they didn't find anyone. The alley was empty. Deserted.
"Notify them of the man named Hernan Rava and his entourage. Don't let them leave Tamel. Let's move!"
***
"Haaa… haa...."
"Hic. Hic."
Hernan heaved as he collapsed squarely on the dirty stone floor. There was a small cave in front of them as Yao Han informed that he didn't detect any lifeforms inside and there was even a path ahead. He didn't know where it would take them, but he decided that they would use this risky escape route rather than go through enemy territory.
"Melody," Hernan called as he pitied the woman as she hiccuped, her face pale.
"Hic. Ye-yes?"
"... nothing," he sighed then recovered his breath. He sounded disappointed, not to her, but more so on himself.
"Jiji will lead the way, I'll go in last," Yao Han announced.
Suddenly, there was a tremor and a few pebbles fell down near them. Melody trembled profusely, but she gathered up her remaining courage and inspected their bodies if they had any scratches. When she confirmed twice, Jiji immediately crouched then walked carefully inside the cave. They were afraid, terribly afraid in case the earth caved down and buried them alive. However, the Yao siblings steeled their resolve and began guarding the other two people with them.
"Big bwo? Fwashwight, pwease."
Yao Han retrieved a few rings to check on them and finally got the flashlight after a few attempts of looking through the rings.
"Mister Hernan, can you please hand the flashlight to Jiji?"
"Oh, oh. Yes, of course," Hernan stumbled, but he handed the small flashlight to Melody, then from Melody to Yao Jiji.
Yao Jiji fumbled on the small flashlight until she finally opened it and there was a fork in their path. Suddenly, a tremor was felt once more. It was worse than the first they experienced it. Their hearts beated violently against their chests. Hernan sat and rested his hands and knees from crawling too long in their journey. Thankfully, they were wearing pants. Meanwhile, Melody was crying as she forced herself to follow through Yao Jiji's footsteps. If a little girl could handle this much, she could too.
Yao Jiji suddenly went silent as she strained her ears to listen to the voices in the paths.
"This one!"
Then they trudged forward to the left.
This time, the tremor grew stronger as if the huge stone on the ceiling crashed down and enveloped the city in terror and panic. Of course, Yao Han already knew that as he could hear the screams of the people in the city behind them. He didn't care, since their mother, Yao Chen, already gave a thought transmission to their fellow villagers from Central Marsh to secretly evacuate in the demonic realm. She also explained a few things like how a persona so alike to Chang Xiuying was ruling the realm. Though, the villagers weren't able to respond since they didn't have that kind of skill. Maybe it was better to be a beast from Central Marsh at all, Yao Han boasted internally.
As they continued on the left path, another greater tremor was felt. However, this time, the cold was so evident that they shivered. Hernan bit his lower lip as he fought back the curiosity growing inside him.
"I thwink… we awe cwose."
"How close?" Yao Han asked.
"Abwout… fwom home two Uncewl Twela."
"Quite close. We'll proceed further."
"Bwut…"
"But?"
"Thewe monstews. Bwiiiiig wans. Jiji has no way two evwade."
Melody shivered in fright as soon as she heard the small child's words.
"I'm sowey… I wash fwocusing on theiw voishes. I twought they awe hyumans. I'm sowey…."
"Can… can we go back?!" Melody shrieked.
Yao Han sighed then announced, "The path back has been blocked with, probably, icy cold water. We are somewhat in a higher place, so we only have our way forward."
"How can you be so sure?"
"We siblings have our innate talents for these kinds of things, though not everyone has great abilities."