Third Person's POV.
It's 9 and a half in the evening when both Allyson and Rachel reached their destination. They were tasked to investigate anomalies in the North-East side of the forest.
Rachel stopped and let her junior got off her back. First thing she noticed around was the large pine trees on the area. Bushes and other small vegetation tend to grow where the light could reach. She looks up, saw the light of the moon amongst the leaves.
" Aight, time to do our job. ". Rachel then proceed to wander the area.
" It's a bit dark here, do we need light? ".
Allyson asked following her. Rachel looks to the left and slowly reaches her hand towards one of the pine tree bark.
" You definitely have to use this. ". She gives an object to Allyson. She gazed at it before it glows on her hand.
Was this one of the gadgets Dixinians' use? - she thought to herself.
Rachel points the stone at the right as it began emitting blue particles that resembles fireflies.
" Use it frequent however. Remember that light shows our location here. ". She gave her an advice before kneeling down and listened to the ground.
Allyson roams as she touches a pine tree.
" Oh. It's just as the case had stated. ". She traces her fingers at the bark that was seemingly slashed by claws.
" This is different than other animal marks. ".
" A beastman must've caused this ". She gave her opinion. Allyson moves back and had this curious face on her.
" Is it a phantom? " She asked. The lady wondered as well, she was not sure if the perpetrator of this claw marks we're affiliated with the Phantoms.
" I don't think so... ". She replied while observing the said mark.
Allyson notices again her tail swaying back and fort. She moves closer to it and trying to think if she would touch it or not.
After that she began to enter her own world of curiosity, wondering if it's real or not?
It looks like one of those cosplayers use , Is it soft? - she thought to herself. She immediately snapped back when Rachel laughed.
" Charles would probably be bored there if the marks appear on this area. ". She exclaimed before Allyson stood up.
" Speaking of Charles. I wonder if he's okay there all alone investigating a forest this big. ". Allyson spoke. Rachel comes by and pats her shoulder telling her Charles would be okay.
" Oh yeah. How did you two met? ". Allyson asks her again.
" Hmm...".
She tries to recall her first meeting with him. " It was when I crossed the border between the two neighboring lands, Ragis & Magis. ".
Allyson was surprised. She then asks why she crossed the border. Rachel explains that Beastmen like her wasn't supposed to enter the Land of Magic, Rekoda Magis without permit.
She was escorted by the Dixinians that time and was told to stay for a while before they run investigations around her.
" Strict. ". Allyson comments. Rachel sat on a nearby rock and continued her past as she explains that there was happening amongst the tribes on Rekoda Ragis.
" Something happened? ". Allyson wondered.
" Yes. There were several Phantomhives that ambushed the tribes. One of them was my tribe, the were-folk. They slaughter and pillage clans that time. ".
" Some we're abducted by them. It was a harsh winter as well. Both supplies and food was at scarce, the remaining tribespeople was forced to migrate into other places. ".
" But Rekoda Ragis is far too prideful.... Territories that won't let anyone enter nor anyone make it out alive. Our final escort was to illegally migrate into other worlds. Some head towards the Overworld and some — like me seek refuge towards Rekoda Magis. ".
After she stops explaining, the concern and guilt dives into Allyson's face. She looks at Rachel and apologized.
She knew that this was an uncomfortable past for Rachel's well-being. Instead of being sad, her senior just smiled and places her hand on her head.
" Don't be ... It was a long time ago. My tribe has been rebuilding in the span of 7 years. ". She found Allyson was still concerned. Rachel remembered something.
" You remind me of my little brother.... Timid and apologetic. ". Her hopeful smile rose once again.
Rachel stood up and claps her hands. " I forgot to answer your question, haha. I seemed to be carried away again. ". She exclaims.
Allyson looked at her, a faint admiration from her eyes grew.
" I met Charles the day after I was stopped by Dixinians. He was a trainee that time. He wasn't wearing that black hat, oh- I forgot that he had a company back then. ".
" It was Silivia, our third member. She was the one who introduced me joining the corps.". She added.
She looks up and saw the clouds covering the light. Her tail lowers down.
" Say Allyson... ". She begins to ask something.
" Are you determined to find the person responsible on your Aunt's death? What would you do if you find that person? ".
Allyson was caught of guard by that question. It took seconds for her to explain. Would she say yes? Would she say I don't know yet? That question was on her mind till the day she decides to enter the Dixinian Corps.
* Rachel sighs.
" As expected. You need time to set your decision. ". She whispered to herself. She averted her attention towards her palm. Her hand covered by fur, the claws glistened front the faint light of the moon.
" It's okay if you can't answer that. I'm sure you'll find it soon. ". Rachel added.
As Allyson was about to say her insights, something caught Rachel's attention. She scanned afar. Her eyes golden eyes glistened before she took a whiff from the air.
" What is it? ". Allyson asked.
" Something is moving approximately 550 meters away from us... I have to check- ". She stopped to look at Allyson. Rachel was concern if it was okay to leave a trainee alone in the area. But before she could say anything, she saw how determined Allyson's eyes are.
" I'm fine. I can take care of myself if it's dangerous. ". Allyson smiled
" Well then, if you excuse me. ". Rachel ran towards the direction to further investigate the surrounding.
...
There was a resounding silence after she left. Allyson sighs as she returns to think about the conversation earlier.
" Wonder what will happen if that fateful day comes... ".
* Rustles.
She immediately noticed something at the distance. It was a different direction this time. She saw lights coming from the right side...
Police? - She thought to herself and quickly closes her palm along with the glowing rock. She hid at the back of one of the pine trees and waited for the police to pass by.
* Footsteps.
They weren't far from her either. Allyson grabs a small bottle something from her pockets and began spraying on herself. She knew that the policemen are on search for the missing people, of course they'll bring dogs to sniff them out.
" Quiet as a mouse. ". She spoke to herself before shifting into a large bush just behind the rock.
Minutes passes before the light coming from the men's flashlight disperses, she would have to move and continue her task. She stopped.
" Wait. ". She was staring at one of the pine trees.
It was a person standing on top of one of the branches. Just 4 trees away from Allyson. She decides to stay hidden to observe this person. Judging from the posture and clothing, it's a man. - she thought to herself.
The man stood and scanned the whole area as if searching for something. He was wearing a cloak along with a scarf.
" Oh crap... I forgot. ". Allyson carefully opens her phone and texted Charles about her findings. She figured that Rachel might be gone for a while to investigate that deeper part of the forest.
That's when Allyson began to realize the man was already on the ground.
" What the- ". She knows that man is about to reach her. Without a second thought, Allyson's right eye glowed as she touched her hand firmly. She mumbles...
" Previous. ".
**************************
On the other viewpoint... Rachel met something weird.
It has been only 6 minutes after she left Allyson for a moment and now she is standing next to a wild animal.
" A wolf? ". She asked herself. The animal growled and bares it's teeth at the woman. Rachel nonchalantly stood in front of it.
" I thought wild animals here are decreasing? ". She asks herself. The animal was still growling. Rachel smiles and continues to move towards it.
Her eyes glowed as she tries to calm the aggressive mammal.
" I pose no threat. ". She mumbles and eventually able to get closer with the wolf. The wolf calmed down in the end.
" Poor thing. Must've been alone and away from the pack. ". Rachel muttered. She gently touched it's fur and began petting it like a normal house dog.
" Not so aggressive after all. ". Rachel chuckled. The wolf just licked her hand and wagged it's tail.
" Hold on. ". She sensed something is weird. She looked at the wolf again. It's grey fur shines faintly from the moonlight. " This scent... ".
" I know this scent. ".
.
.
.
[ South-West side of the Forest ]
" 10:04. No activity has occurred. ". Charles spoke as he was busy setting up traps around the area. By raising one of his fingertips, strings wraps in each trees in the area.
It's like he's orchestrating the area by sending strings to increase the range of detection. The puppet he was controlling earlier sat next to his shoulder
He looks at the left side and saw flashlights. He clicked his tongue and lowers two of his fingers along with the loosening of strings connected to it.
He waits for the light to fade into far before sending another string at the area.
" These people sure take their time finding clues at the middle of the night. ". He commented and stared at night sky. Thinking what would've happen if they waited for Silivia back at Headquarters.
Charles noticed that something is glowing behind him. He quickly positioned itself to apprehend anyone that will appear.
" Who might be this? ". He asks himself.
Allyson appears. She looked around before she accidentally stumbled upon a root.
" Ow ... It's still hard to deal with this. ". She complains. Charles on the other hand was confused of what the heck is happening.
" Did you just- ". He wanted to asked but Allyson blurted out when she discovered strings wrapped around her leg. Charles raises his left hand as the strings slowly loosened it's grip.
" So, you can teleport? ". The man asked her. Allyson regained her composure and explained.
" Yeah... But not exactly teleport... ".
" I hurried to return here as I was spotted by a man there! ". She pointed at the direction she was from. Charles then asked where's Rachel, only for Allyson to accidentally blurt out that she left her a bit after she chase something moving. As expected, Charles had this grumpy look on his face.
" That idiot~ ". He muttered to himself.
" Now where's the guy? ". Charles asked Allyson but she had no idea where would that person is heading to.
" Damn, it was nervous to see him running towards me. ". Allyson exclaim. Charles walked passed her and make his way towards the direction.
" Wait. Are you gonna confront him? ". Allyson asked.
Charles stopped.
" There's no need to chase that guy. ". He spoke. Allyson looked at front and saw a shadow from afar. That's the same guy - she thought to herself. A dark cloak accompanied with a striking red scarf.
The man looked at them and waited for a while before reverting it's attention away.
" Oh, no you don't! ".
Charles raises his finger and pulls the strings resulting it's leg wrapped by it.
" Sorry bud. This place is already covered with my strings. I can easily catch anyone who set foot in it. ". He said before the man looked at him in the eye.
" Now. Would you tell us who that heck are you? ".