The sky darkened. Miguel shot through the town, jumping from roof to roof. Simultaneously, he used his abilities to monitor the surroundings as well, always avoiding the places with large amounts of life force.
Miguel wasn't alone, with him, Jacob was present. The ghost being flickered wherever Miguel moved. Under Miguel's arm, Lydia was being carried, she was deeply embarrassed. Her being carried like this was not at all romantic, she was treated like luggage.
Just like the elf priestess who was covered by a cloak, Miguel wore one as well from the 'Ring of the Dead'. It helped in making him blend into the night.
Soon Miguel and company came to a deserted boarder wall. Launching himself up, Miguel flew over the wall. Once he landed, he ran off into the forest. It was merely a short distance, thus reaching there was effortless. Miguel stopped once he made it to the Crypt forest.
"We should be fine for now, that doesn't mean its safe," said Miguel, placing Lydia on the ground feet first.
"Are we heading to the Marshlands now?" Lydia asked.
"No."
Miguel determined the position he was in then turned to face a direction away from the town. He seemed to be contemplating something and said, "It should be this way."
Stepping towards the direction his home village is in, Miguel and Lydia moved through the forest. They could've went around and avoided the forest altogether but that would mean they'll be out in the open. Anyone that's aware of Miguel's identity will alert others then it will become too much of a headache to deal with.
Going through the Crypt forest was relatively safer. No one would decide to take a stroll within the woods while it was dark out. Who knows what demonic beasts are looking for prey here?
Now that Lydia and Miguel walked briskly between trees, meeting with adventurers or mercenaries is unlikely. If an ambush from a demonic beast was staged then Miguel would've long since noticed it, he even would've taken counter measures to kill and acquire its body.
"Hey kid!" Jacob abruptly called out, startling both the Chosen Champion and the swamp chief's daughter. "I've finished my props, call 'em out. Call 'em out!"
Ghost lich Jacob who was tagging along with Miguel while he was escaping Kryonite previously, disappeared for a little bit. Suddenly he appeared again out of nowhere, demanding to call who out? The purple apparition didn't make himself clear.
"What are you talking about?" Miguel asked Jacob warily.
"The undead, call all of them out."
"Oh, them."
Miguel activated the 'Ring of the Dead' causing a violet light to flash in the dark woods. Selecting all the corpses he had gathered, Miguel drew them out simultaneously by swinging his hand out.
"Kuahakakaka!"
Jacob laughed out loud, seeing the dead bodies appearing around Miguel and then seeing them starting to move. The transparent being couldn't help but feel joy.
About thirty bodies started moving, each taking a path different from the others. In the next moment a type of formation had been formed. A double circle came to being, the outer circle had a larger number of zombies while the inner had a smaller count. In the inner circle, at least four undead were considered mages.
"I still got it," said Jacob enthusiastically, "What do you think?"
Miguel looked at the zombies around him. Just as they, Miguel and the others, walked. The undead also moved along, each one appeared to be in sync. Like robots programmed to do a specific task, in this case, the undead created a defensive parameter.
Miguel smirked, "This isn't bad."
Lydia on the other hand had unknowingly wrapped her arm around Miguel's. She didn't like the sight of dead bodies, especially the ones that started moving again. Still, she was glad that they were allies. As long as she avoided looking at them, she wouldn't have to be too afraid.
Almost an hour and a half passed. In that time, Miguel asked Jacob about his upgrade in strength. But the ghost laughed it off.
Eventually Jacob did reveal the answer as to how he was able to pull off what he did in front of the adventurers guild. It was actually quite simple.
The truth was that Miguel was the cause of the phantom's success. It was Miguel who weakened the life force of every one. Whether it was directly or indirectly, Miguel was the root.
Since these guys had been weakened, manipulating them cost little effort on the part of the transparent lich.
"Good team, right? We should do this again."
"I don't have an interest in going around and killing people. I'd only kill if there is a need for it," replied Miguel nonchalantly. However, since when did his emotions become non existent in the midst of battle?
'It's truly strange,' thought Miguel.
Soon the trio came to an intended area by Miguel's lead. The forest opened up into a wide space, they exited the Crypt forest.
The place lead to grassy banks and a fast flowing river could be heard in the distance. The darkness of night consumed everything but the environment remained visible due to the light of the moon.
Miguel stopped after going down the bank, leaving the forest behind him. His idea of going through the woods went without a hitch and now he was a step closer to reaching the place he grew up in.
Jacob who gave of an eerie feeling said, "You're going to do some miner business. I won't be joining you. Me and the party will be exploring the woods some more."
"Sure," said Miguel, "I'll see you soon."
Jacob afterwards returned to the Crypt forest, accompanied by his undead subordinates.
Miguel had no idea what a lich had in mind. He only knew that ghost wanted to build his zombie army.
"Lets go," he pointed out to Lydia who still held onto his arm.
"Mm," she nodded.
Miguel raised a hand pointed to the river's location, "We'll have to cross the river, then we'll soon reach the village. The only problem is that we can't go there just yet. It would be awkward to disturb those who are sleeping."
It was a late night
The two moved on, making their way down the bank. After a few minutes, they arrived at the river. It was in no way calm. It wouldn't be easy crossing had they been ordinary people.
Miguel freed himself from Lydia, he astonished her by wrapping an arm around her waist.
"Ah!"
He lifted her and proceeded to move his free hand under her thighs. The chief's daughter turned red by the Miguel's actions, she tucked her expression in her carrier's chest.
Miguel, using his superior strength, leaped over the river. Without a hitch, he planted his feet on the other side, carrying the elf with him.
Miguel let her down, allowing Lydia pace around with her own free will.
"It won't take long to reach the village, until daybreak, let's camp here for the time being."
Lydia nodded, "Mm."