After Mindhi's announcement, everyone scattered back to their houses.
Their thoughts were still occupied by the scene of the Chaos Beast slowly walking up to them, his eery green eyes looking down on them.
It was no longer lust that led their feet, instead, it was now fear that drove them, taking hold of their body and mind.
Oresus returned to his house with the girls. Their faces were grave, yet none seemed intent on talking. Castiane had it worst, as Chaos was directly opposite to the Nature energy filled with life. She seemed intent on stopping herself from shivering by biting her lips, yet, the image of the dark creature roaming around her would give her goosebumps every time.
'Knock, Knock, Knock'
The loud sound of someone knocking on the door made Castiane and Maia take a step back in surprise.
Kali went to open the door without a word, her face remained impassive.
Surprisingly, Leopold was the one who came to visit them. He was alone, he wore the same clothes as refugees, brown trousers and a fur jacket, furthermore he didn't have his weapon on him.
He gave a light greeting to everyone, his eyes remaining on Castiane's face for a second longer. After which, he quickly came to the point.
[The temple of Chaos isn't a place for men and women to live in. It's a demon's house. We are going to leave this place. Are you willing to join us?]
Kali slowly sat at the table, she took her time to arrange her hair and tie them back into a ponytail, as if readying for battle. Her former leader's words seemed to have resonated with Kali.
[I agree with him. If we stay here, we will all die. I would rather try finding a way out, I am not ready to die.]
Her eyes latched on Oresus's figure, waiting for his response.
Oresus didn't answer, his eyes alternated between the two mercenaries sitting at the table before they rose to stare at a wall, in the direction of the Sublimation Pagoda.
[And how would you achieve that, you realise that there are second stage Bloodrainist among the cultists right? As soon as you try to flee, they'll pick you up like chickens, and even if you manage to get out, how would you escape their pursuit.]
Castiane pale face looked at them as if they were dumb, about to commit suicide to achieve nothing.
[At least it's better than staying up here to wait for the Chaos Beast to suck our souls out of our bodies! If you're so smart, find a solution stupid Elf.]
[Let's wait for a few days, at least 2 days. There are still a few things I want to find out. Plus, it's not like you can leave just because you want to, there are preparations to be made.]
Oresus interrupted their discussion, a mysterious smile appeared on his face.
[Look, it'll become harder the longer we stay here. We need to leave tonight or tomorrow we may become that Beast's food. We don't have a choice, as for the plan, you can rely on me, we already...]
Oresus raised his hand to stop him.
[I won't leave tonight. Please go back. I won't change my mind.]
He appeared annoyed, he gave a glance at Kali, his eyes conveying a hidden meaning.
Only for her to shake her head.
[I trust him. If he says no, then I'll stay with him. Good luck to you and the others.]
Seeing no other way, Leopold soon left in disappointment.
Castiane seemed relieved by Oresus decision, which she quickly let everyone know.
[It's good that you know you can't trust them. Humans are only looking after themselves, you can't trust them. Especially those mercenaries, they would only have used us.]
Oresus silently looked at Kali. She had her head down, unresponsive to Castiane's provocation.
He came to sit by her side, placing one hand on her shoulder.
[I'm okay. I just need to rest.]
Saying so, she left for the bedroom, leaving everyone confused at her departure.
Following which Maia attended to the chores in the house, while Castiane went to care for the magical plant she had bought.
At lunch, Oresus told them about the counselling session in the Sublimation Pagoda. He seemed intent on going there, but not for the food.
Kali and Maia also insisted on coming. Only Castiane didn't seem in the mood to talk.
They chatted along the way, with few people around them in the street.
Maia wanted to go there for the food, as even if they wanted to escape from this place, food would still be needed.
[That's thoughtful of you. Thank you for the work you're doing.]
She seemed surprised by his praise. Her eyes wandered around, not knowing where to look. A faint blush climbed to her face.
[He's right, you're a good girl. We're lucky to have you.]
Coming from Kali, it had a different flavour, she managed to calm down enough to thank them, promising to work even harder in the future.
[What about you, you also wanted to tag along for the food?]
Oresus asked her. He was walking by her side but something seemed strange between them.
[Why, I can't? I don't really like spending time trapped in a building, I would rather go out and explore, talk to people and have a good time.]
She didn't answer his question but he didn't insist. Soon they reached the line outside the Sublimation Pagoda, a lot of people have already been attracted by the allure of free food.
Since Mindhi was alone, it would take a long time.
However, thankfully, their group didn't have to wait for long.
As soon as Antheia saw Oresus from the first floor of the Pagoda, she invited him inside.
She wore a tight short like Kali did when he first met her, only hers was blue coloured. A padded jacket with long sleeves covered her top, together with her long flowing black hair and amber eyes, she looked stunning.
[You truly gave me a surprise back there. I didn't know that apart from being handsome, you were also a powerful Magicalist.]
The way Antheia looked at her man made Kali uncomfortable, yet she didn't speak, choosing to stay behind him silently.
[Thank you. I came to see your sister, do you mind if we wait inside?]
There was no one else inside the pagoda apart from cultists guarding the door, people were asked to wait outside. Mindhi was probably in one of the halls on the ground floor as the door remained shut.
[Ehh, you came for my sister. I'm a bit jealous, what's better about her compared to me. She won't be able to warm your bed, and make you feel good.]
Her scorching eyes passed by his trousers, she licked her lips in a provocative way.
[Every time I think about you, I'm getting wet. How about me and you, we go upstairs and have a nice chat together.]
He looked back at her with a thin smile on his face.
Noticing his silence, her face became pitiful, her pink lips formed a pout as she spoke in a childish tone.
[You don't like me, or I'm not beautiful enough? At least give me a chance before making your mind. I'm not difficult, you can do anything you want to me, both hard and soft, I swallow it all. I'm just a lonely slut that wants to be fucked, is that wrong?]
Her eyes turned watery, her face looked as if she was about to cry.
Yet, Oresus didn't react, a calm smile was still etched on his face.
[You are pretty. There's no denying that. Sadly for you, I only came to talk. That's why I want to see your sister.]
[Talk? I can do that too. Rather, I can do it better than my sister. Come, let's go talk upstairs.]
She turned around, showing him her perky butt completely outlined by her short, took a few steps before pausing.
Her hands clenched into fists when she noticed he wasn't following her. She bit her lips strongly, those watery eyes were slowly filling up with her bitter emotions.
[You don't want me? I'm hosting a party this afternoon upstairs, if you change your mind, be sure to come.]
She left without turning her head. Although, this time, she didn't take her time on the stairs, her figure quickly disappeared upstairs.
[I've never seen such a sick bitch. Serve her right, all she does is clinging onto men all day and night.]
Kali spat those words with disgust etched on her face. Her hand gently took hold of Oresus's palm.
[She's not what's letting out to be.]
[She's a vile person. People should stay away from her unless they get affected by the countless illness hiding in her pussy.]
He gave her a strange look, their fingers still intertwined.
[Did you just say pussy?]
One of her eyebrows rose at the question.
[Yeah, why?]
[Just curious.]
He answered while shaking his head.
Maia had remained silent all the while. Her eyes only showed curiosity and betrayed no other emotion. Occasionally, she would stroke the bottle of pill in her clothes, as if reminding herself that it was there.
When the hall opened and a person left. Oresus removed his hand from Kali's grasp to walk inside. The door closed behind him, leaving the two girls to wait outside.