Nine helped Jack on his feet whilst the others packed up preparing for departure.
The assassins whisked out to survey the mountain in search of Tristan.
"Milady we're ready to leave." Twelve said in the usual tone.
They descended the foot of the mountain in mid-morning. The path was more slippery since the thunderstorm lasted, causing them to slow down at a certain point.
"Ah!Trees ahead. We've stepped into the forest."Nine exclaimed joyously.
" Be on your guard. We haven't returned to the hunting grounds. This is a disputed area. Don't underestimate the enemy."Sloane replied sharply silencing this chatterbox for once.
The only time when he remains quiet is when luring the enemy into his traps.
The forest floor had become a great challenge for them to pass. It seemed that the forest slow started to suck them into the ground.
The sky nonetheless showed signs of another merciless thunderstorm.
"Yuck! It's disgusting." Nine started with his complaints.
—"It is. Dead bodies of animals are leaving an unbearable foul smell."Jack raised his foot noticing that he had accidentally crushed the body of a dead bird. He pitied it for having a cruel death.
—"This area...is group four's territory."She was relieved to some extent. They almost crossed half the forest.
"Let's rest here until the others catch up with us." She saw the boy carefully sitting on the log half-covered with dirty rainwater.
Then turned around once again observing the area. Her eyes fell upon the ground.
She bent a little for a closer look at the ground.
She frowned as she saw a footprint that was on the muddy ground.
"This area is off-limits during the ceremony. Could there be a patrol team from headquarters? No! no! no! They are not permitted until it is over. The black-cloaked men from the main quarters should have finished their job by now." She vigorously shook her head.
"Milady?-" Nine approached her. Before he could end his question, the rustling of the leaves grew significantly louder as someone or something grew closer.
Sloane was about to slash the overgrown bush but found none other than Tristan holding his axes.
"You scared us." Nine blamed him lowering his bow that was prepared to shoot the arrow.
"My apologies for making you wait." Tristan scratched his head smiling awkwardly.
"Then let's go before the sunsets."
Before she left with them, Sloane noticed the same footprint where they met Tristan.
It was already afternoon. They reached the heart of the woodland.
The assassin stood beside Sloane."Milady. This place is strange."
"You think so too?" Sloane's eyes met his dark grey lifeless eyes. But he wasn't looking at her. He focused on the path ahead of him.
"Now that I see. Where is your partner?"She randomly looked around?
" I don't know milady. I hope he just returns safely to us."
Sloane nodded as she observed each of their moves.
Jack and the siblings were in their merry talks. While Tristan swept his dark brown neck-length hair at one side.
Their eye made contact but instantly looked away leaving her puzzled by this act.
"What's going on?" Jack stood up frantically holding his sword.
"Milady there are many surrounding us."
"How many?"
"More than twenty." The siblings replied feeling the ground which was quite hard to detect since it had turned into a swamp.
"We're surrounded!"
"Take as many as you can in your direction," she called out to them.
"Tristan let's go," Twelve said patting him on his shoulder.
He stood silently in the same place, not moving forward.
"Tristan. What's wrong why are you zoned out? We need to finish them."
At that, he responded with an evil grin.
"Why should I do that when they are here under my orders?" His deep brown eyes met hers.
She was left in shock. While pulling out her dagger she charged at him with fury. But was useless in close combat. She met with a massive blow of his axe causing her to land on the mud out cold.
Again his axe struck down on her unconscious body that gradually turned cold.
"Twelve!"Nine managed to block his blow and was able to land another blow on his face and hand at the same time.
He quickly retracted where those anonymous men stood.
" Twelve! My sister! Wake up. Your big brother is here. See? Please open your eyes." His voice trembled as he caressed her pale cheeks. Taking her in his arms he didn't care about what came next.
"Cover the siblings." Sloane ran in their direction. Jack and the assassin followed her.
"You bastard! You are a traitor?" Jack called out disgusted by his evil look.
"What else does it look like to you?" he smiled cruelly.
" I hope you face the saintess's wrath for their sake."
All of them began to laugh at the cursing boy.
"Kids should know their place when speaking. And I hated it when that child lady of yours ordered us around as if she was the boss."
Jack started trembling with rage.
"You son of a-!"
"Calm down Jack. He's provoking us." Sloane said as her aura darkened.
"State your purpose traitor."
"I want light of the saintess."