Everything has been engulfed by silence moments after what it seemed to be an earth-shattering calamity. The cold breeze then started to blow in gently from the crevices of the enormous ruble. Gazes were sent but nothing can be seen but countless rocks, dirt, outside light and a domed glass safely positioned as an impenetrable cover to keep anything inside away from certain danger. As soon as it's realized, it suddenly shattered.
"Crap!" Reaper exclaimed then ran out to safety.
Reaper may have been injured after everything that's happened but he's miles away from kicking the bucket. He immediately searched for Glass and the others but they already left at this point. He thought that he couldn't get the chance to properly thank Glass for saving him. Suddenly, he noticed that there are footsteps approaching so he decided to run back to the forest to hide. Basing on the number of footsteps heard, there are a number of them. If the situation allows, he'll go back to their hut with haste.
"What happened here?" Sir Chuma asked as they arrived at the scene.
"It appears that the cave collapsed, sir." One of the golden warriors responded.
"Sir, must we sweep the area? This isn't seemed to be caused naturally." One other golden warrior suggested.
"Great thought but we can't risk it at this time. We can examine the place as soon as the sun emerged. The dark can easily become our enemy." Sir Chuma replied.
Sir Chuma assigned to golden warrior to stay and guard the place until he instruct the rest of them to investigate what happened. Reaper heard all of this from a distance so he had to take this opportunity to flee. His path was rendered to be too difficult due to the darkness and the terrain itself. Eventually, he found himself strolling near the river and he noticed something just up ahead. It appeared to be a silhouette of a woman.
"Who goes there?" Reaper asked.
The woman looked at him but her face isn't fathomable due to the darkness. She suddenly charges towards him and eventually vanishing from sight then Reaper instantly lost his consciousness once again. He tried to learn who this woman was but he couldn't confirm as he wasn't able to see her face but he felt familiar warmth from her. The uncertainty of this situation just keeps on flooding his thoughts. He's not comfortable not knowing anything that's happening around him. All he can confirm is that for some reason, he felt safe in her arms so he couldn't help himself but to drop his guard and finally relax a bit.
"You're finally awake, Sleeping Beauty." A familiar female voice commented.
Reaper slowly opened his eyes to be greeted by the bright morning light. He scanned the area and it appeared that he spent his slumber in an isolated yet peaceful patch of land deep in the forest. He tried to move around but his injuries somehow restricted him so he only able to sit back up. Then, he felt an odd yet familiar presence approaching nearby. He immediately put his guard up and prepared for combat.
"Nice reaction but you won't deal much damage considering your current condition." The woman said. "Long time no see, Reaper."
"Zythandra?" Reaper reacted. He may be confused but he's relieved seeing a familiar face. "Is that really you?" He asked.
"Who else could I be?" Zythandra replied.
Reaper smiled back at her but it all changed as soon as he noticed that Zythandra seemed to acquire some serious injuries herself. Aside from the slits and bruises all over her face and body, he also noticed that casted right arm indicating it's broken. Although reluctant, Reaper couldn't help himself but to ask what happened to her. It's the first time he saw her got injured like this. A person with her caliber takes a lot of effort to inflict those kinds of damage to her.
"I'll cut to the chase. React only after I finish speaking." Zythandra said with a serious tone. "Am I understood?"
"Yes. I understand." Reaper replied.
Few days ago when they boat got shipwrecked on this island, Zythandra happened to get washed up to a different shore somewhere in the island. She immediately found refuge at the cave near the Whispering Meadow then eventually about the presence of the village. However, before she can investigate is she stumbled upon familiar faces but they were not who she was hoping for. They were not Reaper and the others who are on the boat with her.
"I stumbled upon the Banshee Sisters and Twice." Zythandra confirmed.
"Twice is here as well?" Reaper exclaimed excitedly and Zythandra nodded but in almost in an opposite sentiment as his. "Where is he? We were just able to cross paths with the sisters."
"You mean you've been with Glass, Surge and Beast this whole time?"
"Yes. I was able to reunite with them almost as soon as I came to in this island."
"That's good. It saves me time in locating them but we have a huge problem."
"What is it? Tell me."
"The Banshee Sisters and Twice aren't the ones we've been with before. If it comes to the worst, they may now be working under the Coven's wings just like Feral."
"There's no way! You're just messing with me."
"Aren't these wounds evidence enough?"
"What do you mean?"
Zythandra confirmed that the Banshee Sisters and Twice ambushed her in the least expected time. They put up an act that they were happy seeing her after that tragic event back in the Emerald City so Zythandra can lower her guard even just a little and when they saw the opportunity, they attacked her. She may be able to defend herself against three Anomalies, but she didn't escape their clutches unscathed. They were able to cause deep slits, painful bruises and break an arm and some of her ribs.
"Their improvement in terms of combat and the use of their Anomaly are praiseworthy but those weren't enough to kill me." Zythandra pointed out proudly.
"I wonder what happened to Glass and the others."
"What are you saying?"
"We apprehended the sisters in that same cave I believe and they did put up quite a fight but we were able to outnumber and outsmart them. I believe Glass, Surge and Beast is with the sisters by now."
"Then why are you here and what's with all those wounds?"
"It was a long story. To make it short though, I tried to sacrifice myself to save the others which hopefully worked."
"Tell me every detail of what happened back there. I want to confirm something."
As instructed, Reaper did share what transpired back at the cave. He even told her their plan in breaking into the Golden Shrine prior to that. He confirmed that they fought the sisters even though at first they aren't certain who they're up against. Then, the place cave in which put their lives in even more danger. He sacrificed himself by pushing Glass and Surge out of the way then it seemed that he was buried alive not long after but he was saved by Glass' Anomaly be putting up a glass dome to cover him from the deadly rubble.
"You said that you nullified everyone's Anomaly moments before you were buried alive, right?" Zythandra asked.
"That's what happened. If my memory serves me right which I believe it is." Reaper responded slightly questioning what actually happened but he's confident of his story.
"Think about it. If you were able to nullify their Anomaly including Glass, how was he able to save you from certain death?"
"His Anomaly must've came back much quicker than normal so he was able to save me in a nick of time."
"But he's not around when you came to, was he?"
"What are you trying to imply?"
"Did you notice any improvements or perhaps changes with your Anomaly?"
"Aside from the increased duration of my nullification, I noticed nothing else."
"Then it appears you're not as familiar with you Anomaly as you think you are."
Zythandra finally told him his terrifying yet astounding feat resulting for them to part ways with the Professor and others at the seas and eventually having them shipwrecked in this very island. Although visibly dazed, Reaper seemed to be able to control marine animals at first but eventually losing control over them making them wreak havoc. She confirmed that it was only her, Calcipher and the Professor who so this immense power at the time the others isn't aware of it yet.
"There's no way I could've done that." Reaper strongly disagreed. "That's not how my Anomaly works. Everyone knows that I can only nullify other Anomalies."
"That may be the case at first but as it improves, it can do so much more. It can do something more powerful." Zythandra pointed out.
"This may still be a theory but how else can you explain your near death experiences?"
"What near death experiences?"
"You're smarter than this, Reaper. Try to think for a moment."
Zythandra shifted their attention way back to their special training months before when Reaper and the others were about to be trapped and eventually be buried alive inside that cave. It came to her knowledge that Glass was already lost consciousness when glass stairs were summoned making them able to survive. Then just a few days ago when they were about to be swallowed by the seas, he was able to control whales that carried them to safety but went berserk for some reason. Finally, he was able to save himself from certain death from being crushed by the rubbles from the cave by creating dome-like glass before impact.
"At first, I do have my doubts but it does make sense if you think about it further." Zythandra commented.
"No, it doesn't. Those saves from way back when and from that cave incident were done by Glass obviously. I may don't know how but it's evident that it was him."
"Based on what exactly?"
"Those are based on the Anomalies that were utilized of course."
"Then, how can you explain what happened at the seas?"
"I guess those may just be some natural occurring behavior by those marine animals. All I can say is that I wasn't able to use anyone else' Anomaly. If my memory serves me right that is."
"Let's agree to disagree for now."
"Wait. If what you said about the Banshee Sisters is true and the fact that Twice is in cahoots with them and the Coven, Glass and the others are in trouble."
"I follow your sentiments so we have to save them as soon as possible."
"In our conditions, we won't last long enough to even get back to the village."
"The way I see it, I was able to patch us up nicely. Also, I know you'll come up with something. After all, coming up with plans is what you're great at. Am I wrong?"
"I hope I have the same trust with my judgement as you all are."
"You've been with us for so long and all your decisions specially the strategically thought out ones were impeccable. Have more pride in yourself, Reaper!"
"If that's how you put it, I'm in. Let's go."
Even though they do still feel occasional stings from their wounds, the need of saving their comrades must come first. They've decided to go back to the hut they were living in thinking Glass and the others are there along with the Banshee Sisters. As soon as they stepped foot in the village, they noticed something truly odd. No forms life is seen throughout the village. The two of them freely roamed around the place but even golden warriors who should be doing their patrols are nowhere to be found.
"What happened to this place?" Zythandra asked. "I may not have been in the village before but I know this place isn't this lifeless."
"I don't know either. Let's hurry back to the hut. Glass and the others might know something about this charade." Reaper responded.
They eventually got back to their hut but it's as lifeless as the village. Glass, Surge, Beast and even the twins were nowhere to be found. The only thing that welcomed them on their return was the wreckage of once was their home. It was obvious that a huge fight took place in the hut and they were too late to offer back up to their comrades. Broken things and splashes of blood covered almost the entire hut. This may have something to do with what they've witnessed, or lack thereof, from the rest of village.
"I wonder what happened here. If those three were eliminated, I'll end them myself. Do you sense any presence in the area?"
"I don't sense any Anomalies nearby. Everything is so quiet. Where could they have gone to?"
"Hush. We're being watched." Zythandra whispered. "Can you fight?" She asked knowing full well that they're both not completely healed from their injuries.
"What? Right now?" Reaper reacted.
"Yes, now! We don't have time for your indecisiveness and just be prepared to fight."
"Of course. Yes. I'll see what I can do."
"Good. Brace yourself. They're coming."
After that deafening silence, a large number of golden warriors charged in almost all at once. Although taken by surprise, Reaper and Zythandra didn't have time to think and just held their ground to fend for themselves. It was obvious that the golden are there to apprehend them for some reason. However, becoming outnumbered was their greatest problem and it inevitably became the reason of their defeat.
Prior to this troublesome encounter back when Glass and the others decided to leave Reaper trapped underneath the rubble, they went back to the hut together with the Banshee Sisters. They were able to evade the prying eyes of the approaching group of golden warriors which was headed to where they just came from. Due to the hostility the twins shown towards them, Glass has decided to cage them in using his Anomaly until they confirmed that it's safe for them to let loose.
"What are we going to do, Glass?" Surge asked. "Did we really let Reaper meet his end back there?"
"To be honest, I don't know what tell you guys about that. I just want to believe that he didn't perish and he's somehow alive." Glass responded.
"He is alive. I know it." Beast firmly commented. "Reaper won't die that easily."
"Right. It may seem that he's soft around the edges but he sure is tough. He'll turn up eventually." Surge replied.
"So, what are we going to do with the twins?" Beast asked.
"What do you mean? Of course, we will take them with us." Glass responded.
"I'm so glad we've found them. My desire to find the others strengthens even more." Surge proudly said.
"We can't be too careless. There's still a chance that they're already corrupted by that Coven group." Beast pointed out. "If that's the case, I will end them myself."
"That's too harsh but I guess it couldn't be helped if that is really the case. At this point, we must expect the unexpected." Glass agreed.
"Don't worry, guys. I feel that it's my fault that they end up here and like this because I left them alone during that storm back in the Emerald City. I swear that I'll keep an eye on them." Surge said.
"You're surprisingly dependable, man." Beast teased.
"And what is that supposed to mean?" Surge responded obviously irritated.
"Your quarreling knows no bounds, does it? Enough of that, guys." Glass scolded.
Glass and the others finally decided to take their slumber hours before the sun rises for another day. Although still caged, they made sure that the twins are comfortable. They may have not realized what's in store for them yet but they do hope for the best. After all, the encounter with Feral didn't go well so they wanted crossing paths with the twins have different and better result altogether but they know to not completely put their guards down.
"Good morning, sleeping beauties!" Glass greeted. "Au has brought us food again."
"Really? That's very thoughtful of her." Surge happily commented.
"Where is she? Is she joining us?" Beast asked.
"Unfortunately, she won't. She said she'll help some villagers with their crops." Glass responded.
"Who goes there?" Mara and Clara asked from the cage they're held. Both of them seemed to be still dazed from what happened the night before.
"Hey, you've come to! How are you two feeling?" Surge excitedly approached them. "Glass, can you undo this cage of yours now?"
"Surge is that you?" Mara asked.
"Surge?" Clara added. The two suddenly broke down in tears.
"Hey, hey. Settle down. You're safe now." Surge responded.
"What's all this racket?" Beast walked in. "They're awake. How are they, Surge?" Beast asked implying if they're corrupted or not.
"Is that you Beast?" Mara asked.
"Beast's here too?" Clara added.
"Don't forget about me!" Glass also waltzes in surprising the twins and making them bawl even more. "Let me help you with that cage. But, I want to make sure you're both clean first. Surge, how are they?"
"What do you mean? Of course, they're clean. Can't you see they remember us?" Surge responded.
Glass eventually undid his cage to free the twins. The Banshee Sisters confirmed that they do remember them and they even recalled what happened back when they were apprehended by a member of the Coven at the Emerald City until how they found themselves living silently in the covers of the Golden Village. They also confirmed that Twice is with them all this time but he was captured by the golden warriors and is currently being held in the Golden Shrine.
"That captured cryptid they're referring to was Twice after all?" Beast asked.
"Reaper's judgement appears to be on the spot once again." Glass commented.
"So, the cryptids all these people are afraid were you guys?" Surge asked.
"It appears so." Mara and Clara responded.
The twins admitted that their fates weren't as fruitful as theirs. They shared that as soon as they shipwrecked to the island together with Twice, they were immediately got branded as cryptids. Twice was witnessed by some villagers using his Anomaly to forage some food in the forest. As he began to be hunted down, the twins were forced to utilize their Anomalies to defend themselves. Ultimately, they've decided to live in the darkness of the tunnel.
Ever since then, they were called Mnong'ono and Wahusikawa. They confessed that it's true they were the ones who were causing the disappearances of some crops on in the village's fields to support themselves but they're adamant that they were not the ones who caused the deaths and disappearances of those golden warriors and villages who attempted to capture them. They all blame it the challenging terrain with its steep cliffs, peculiar rock formations and violent oceans surrounding the island.
"I'm glad you survived after all those hardships." Glass commented.
"It seems that we will do Reaper's plan after all." Beast said.
"What plan?" Surge asked.
"Yeah, what plan?" Mara and Clara added.
"Don't tell me you already forgot it already? It may have been a theory before but we believed that Twice was captured and is currently being held somewhere in that Golden Shrine." Glass pointed out.
"Oh, right. It's become clearer now that the twins confirmed some information." Surge agreed.
"What about Reaper? We must come and rescue him first." Beast commented.
"Reaper's here? What happened to him?" Mara asked.
"He's with you? Where is he?" Clara added.
Glass took the burden of reliving the tragic tale of what happened to Reaper and shared to the twins. He told them how hostile they were back in that cave they could've overpowered the four of them if they were a little too careless and underestimated them at some point. The terror of causing someone to perish seemed to have devoured the twins so their spirits immediately dropped so they went silent and in the verge of crying as they feel the guilt of what happened to Reaper.
"We understand that aiding Twice is a priority but we must save Reaper first. Don't you agree?" Glass asked.
"Count me in on that!" Surge exclaimed.
"I guess saving him is the more pressing matter so we'll head back to the ruins of the cave first then we'll go straight to the Golden Shrine." Beast commented.
"We want to help!" Mara confidently said.
"Yes. We want to." Clara added.
"Well, we need all the help we needed anyways." Glass contemplated.
"They're strong, Glass. We know that already. We should let them assist us." Surge commented.
"I agree. If we're about to apprehend an entire village and its people, we need all the help we need." Beast said.
"Fine. But if you feel like you're in an imminent danger, ran away immediately. Understood? We'll handle the rest." Glass commanded.
"Understood." Mara and Clara responded.
They enjoyed the breakfast Au brought them first before leaving to save Reaper and eventually heading to the Golden Shrine for Twice. During their feast, the guys couldn't help themselves but to ask more details as to what happened back at the Emerald City. The twins confirmed that they were attacked by one of the key members of the Coven which was the one who causes pain onto others using dolls a.k.a. Jinx. But luckily for them, they were able to escape and eventually finding themselves trapped in this island.
"I'm sorry. I was the one who were tasked to lead that team of ours but I left you behind." Surge apologizes.
"Beast and I share your sentiments, Surge. Don't be too hard on yourself. The two of us left our own units back then as well so our group's demise also sits on our shoulders." Glass commented and Beast nodded in agreement.
"It isn't your fault, Surge. We understand." Mara replied.
"Yes, we understand. You did what you had to do." Clara added.
They continued with their meal in silence as they also contemplated with the hardships they all endured up until this point. But then, the atmosphere started to become suffocating and sinister by the second. The guys immediately raised their guards to prepare of what's to come but they couldn't pinpoint what's causing this menacing aura. To not cause any unnecessary panic, they continued to eat their meals.
"Actually, we don't." Mara said out of nowhere. "Clara, are you ready?" She asked while wearing a menacing grin.
"I am, Mara. Let's do it!" Clara responded with an equal grin on her face.
"What are you two talking about?" Glass asked.
"You will submit to the Coven!" Mara and Clara exclaimed quickly transitioning to their lethal screams.
Glass was able to cover themselves by creating a barrier just before they got hit by the twins' attack. They couldn't believe that they fell for their act. It was evident that the twins are corrupted by the Coven at some point. To effectively defend themselves, they had to fight without any hesitations. The three of them understood that for them to survive, they have to subdue the twins even if it means to injure them greatly.
"What really happened to you two?" Surge exclaimed.
"That's none of your business anymore, is it?" Mara responded.
"You're all going to become one of us!" Clara howled.
"Stop this! We don't want to hurt you." Glass said.
"We do!" Mara and Clara shrieked.
"They're not the Banshee Sisters we know anymore! Don't hold back or this will be the end for us." Beast commented.
"Right!" Surge and Glass replied proudly.
Glass' and the others proceeded to exchange blows with the Banshee Sisters. As they anticipated, the twins are holding their own against the three of them in both melee combat and Anomaly usage. All the furniture and the hut itself is hastily being wrecked by their full on brawl. Everyone in both parties sustained countless wounds making them splatter blood all over the place with every move they make. But eventually, Glass and the others finally overpowered and made the twins admit their defeat. Then, a group of golden warrior crashed in the hut to check the ruckus.
"Help! These people want to kill us." Mara cried.
"Please, help! We can't take this anymore." Clara added and they both bawled their lungs out.
"Sir, look at this place." One golden warrior said.
"This place is wrecked. What happened here?" The leader of their unit asked. The village onlookers started to surround the area.
"Those are the people who got shipwrecked in the island not too long ago, aren't they?" A villager said.
"Look at what happened to those girls. How could they?" Another villager said.
"Au was supposed to look out for them right? Where is she?" An old villager said.
"Wait! This isn't what it looks like." Glass defended.
"We've been setup. Let us explain!" Surge exclaimed.
"This is bad." Beast muttered to himself.
"Capture them!" The leader of the golden warrior unit commanded.
The guys were shot with what seemed to be tranquilizers making them drop like flies. The golden warriors were instructed to have them detained at the Golden Shrine. Then, the Elder arrived at the incident all of a sudden. The twins then stopped crying and sat properly as they greeted the Elder along with everyone else in the area. As soon as Glass and the others are taken away, the Elder stayed to make an announcement.
"We've been deceived. The cryptids have gone deeper into our midst than we thought." The Elder started to announce. "The guests we welcomed deeply are actually the enemies of our people. That's right! They are cryptids."
The Elder proceeded with his speech against the Glass, Beast and Surge as he builds the idea that they are one of those they're afraid of. He went on and confirmed that the cryptids pose as a normal human being like the first cryptid the caught. A law a was then announced on the spot to have all villagers to stay indoors while he and the rest of the golden warriors thoroughly investigate the situation.
"We can never be too lenient at a time like this. We've already apprehended multiple cryptids in just a few days and one is still at large." The Elder said pertaining to Reaper. "I know this can be frustrating but I do thank you all for your understanding."
The word of the Elder spread like wildfire throughout the entire village. In just a few moments, no villagers stepped outside and just isolated themselves in their homes. While on the other hand, a great number of golden warriors were to search and capture Reaper and the rest of them should stay in their barracks for further instructions. The Banshee Sisters were also taken in by the Elder himself as he went back to the Golden Shrine.