Third Person's POV.
The forest is rather quiet.
A boy managed to sneaked up into the trails by himself. Raising his flashlight, he continues his direction. Breath panting and eyes blinking - he's determined to find his missing dad.
....
Meanwhile, back at Allyson~
She spotted movements from the leaves. They are here. Some are hiding and some are observing them from afar. These people dressed in purple cloak, shady masks with lines forming a symbol resembling an eye.
" Phantoms.... " Allyson whispered.
Phantoms then moves. With some circling them around and some hiding between the shadows of the trees.
" Guess there's no time for drama. " Kleid proceeds to engage a fight with the Phantoms. Allyson hears him and was offended.
" Excuse me?? " She clearly didn't like what she heard.
A phantom sneaks up behind her and immediately grabbed her shoulder. Kleid noticed this but was surprised when Allyson touched the man's hand - He instantly vanished.
" A peculiar? " A Phantom spoke.
" Was that some kind of teleportation? " Another Phantom asked himself.
" Alright, enough talking. " Kleid and Chills sprinted at them. He and his wolf began attacking Phantoms one by one. Chills bit their legs, wounding enough to trip them. Phantoms immediately averted their attention to Kleid and the wolf.
She counts them and confirmed there are more than 10.
" we're outnumbered. " - Allyson thought to herself.
Kleid didn't mind the number of enemies. He swiftly attacked one to another. He make use of the trees like an obstacle course. He reaches their limbs and dislocates a one or two. He also used his claws and gave the other men a slash at their chest.
Allyson on the other hand used this opportunity to hide behind a trunk as they were focusing on Kleid. She grimaces when she sees these poor fellas succumbing to pain of being attacked by a werewolf.
These Phantoms were persistent like Kleid was.They stood up again and again till they are either unconscious or broken.
" What the heck is wrong with this guy? " A Phantom asked.
" He's no ordinary Beastman. " Another replied.
" Let's see about this. ". Another spoke behind them. His ring flickered. He began chanting. Palms closed and a stream of faint light appears. Fortunately, Allyson notices this.
" Watch out! "
She warns him. Kleid looked behind and saw a large fire being casted from his palms.
" Feirs Bohs "
The Phantom chanted and threw the fleeting fireballs at Kleid.
Allyson quickly rushed at Kleid's direction.
" A wizard? " Kleid spoke. He was so focused at the flying fireball that he didn't noticed Allyson wrapping her arms at his shoulder. He was surprised.
" Previous "
They instantly vanished and appeared meters away from the fire magic. A tree were incinerated in an instant on their behalf.
" Ah... finally. " Allyson sighed. Kleid looks at her.
" Why did you do that? " Kleid asked her. " I can easily avoid that kind of attack " He added.
Allyson grimaces again. " Stop complaining! I just saved your life! " She replied.
On the other side. The Phantoms couldn't believe with their eyes. The others stopped attacking and change their focus at Allyson.
" That kind of ability..... It's not Teleportation isn't it? ". The Phantom from before spoke.
The glow from his ring circulates the finger, shining once again.
" We were instructed to find a certain peculiar having a strange ability... it's you isn't it? ".
* ring shines...
" What if it's not a different person? " Allyson replied.
" Doesn't matter. " The Phantom signaled the remaining Phantoms. They instantly circled the two around like forest shadows. A light shone from their mirages.
" You'll burn anyway... ".
" Don't tell me they are doing that again. " Allyson realizes the same fire attack is multiplied by them.
All of them chanted the same magic.
" Feirs Bohs. ".
Kleid was about to leap but Allyson grabbed him again.
" Not again.... " Kleid complained but they instantly vanished before the flames reached the ground.
" They vanished? " A Phantom spoke. They were searching for where they could have gone to.
This time they appeared at the top of the pine tree. Kleid grabs one of the branch. This spot - He thought to himself.
" Umm... " He hears Allyson grumbling at his shoulder.
" Please catch me. "
Huh? Kleid exclaimed. He carried Allyson in his arms.
" Are you for real? Lazy at this time? " Kleid asked.
" It's not like I want to okay!? It's just... "
" The more I use... The more my body numbs. " She explains. Kleid has this weirded look on his face.
" What a troublesome ability you have. " He replied and carried Allyson on his back.
" Ugh. Thanks. " Allyson spoke, she held on his back with the remaining strength she had.
" Hold on.. is it kinda hot here? " Allyson looked bellow. She saw how the same magic light from before are now pointing towards at them. With some Phantoms making their way up at the top.
" Oh that's why.... "
Kleid's eyes widens. His right arm turns gigantic - Immediately grabbing a pine tree starting from the trip and chuck it straight towards the incoming flames.
The temporary collision created a way to spread the flames from a top. The burning parts of the trees fell into the ground as the Phantoms reach the top, they couldn't spot them.
A trail of minty light from below shone bright. Allyson had used her abilities once again.
" I don't think I can do one more... " She explains to Kleid.
" It's okay. " Kleid replies.
" I'll take my sweet time. "
*******************************
[ Meanwhile at Rachel & Charles' Spot ]
" Allyson sure is a reckless brat. "
Charles spoke as he took his time to head straight at the direction Allyson had run off too. Along with him is his partner, Rachel - Who is currently quiet.
Charles looks at her.
" Allyson might be trying to catch up to Kleid. "
Rachel wasn't responding. Instead, she followed along with Charles. He sighed and looked straight at the dark path.
* footsteps...
" Hmm... " Charles seemed to notice someone was following them. He gave a light pat at Rachel's back. Of course, the latter responded.
" Charles... I know what are you gonna say. Stop it. "
" Oh really? " Charles raises his right arm. Strings slowly forms at the tip.
" What would you react if I say we've got ourselves a company? "
Rachel looked at front and saw five Phantoms following them.
" Phantoms? " Rachel wonders.
A Phantom rushes at them only to be attacked by Rachel. She evades the blade from his hand and gave a blow to his chest. The Phantom grunted before collapsing onto the ground.
" I'm in no mood for this. " Rachel exclaims.
A clap took both of their attention. Far at the distance, a shadow of another Phantom appeared. Applauses Rachel by the effortless fight.
" What a strong Dixinian you are. "
This person wore a different design of cloak. Presenting herself in front of them with a wicked smile.
" Oh, an over-confident Phantom is showing her identity? Surprising. " Charles gave a sarcastic remark.
" Oh Please. Call me Hailey. Hailey of the Phantomhive. "
The two listened to her conversation. Charles secretly used his puppet stitched behind his back to move and reach the phone in his pocket.
" So Hailey. What brings you here to Mt. Mitchell? " Charles asks.
The Phantom looked at each other.
" I'm afraid it's confidential. " She politely refuse answering the question — pouting in a mocking manner.
Rachel scoffs. " Well, it's confirmed they mean business. "
" So, who's face will be on the ground next? " Rachel asked again.
" No one. And you should pay attention as well. " Hailey replies. Her eyes pointed down at the Phantom lying next to Rachel.
* glows...
" Dammit. " Charles quickly lifts themselves away from the body as it suddenly explode on contact. They witnessed how it's body separate into several pieces.
" Good instinct. " Hailey remarks as she approach them, stepping the flesh along.
" Didn't know that Phantoms have suicidal bombers with them? " Rachel comments. The strings lifts them up at the tree.
" Hey Charles, put me down. " Rachel orders him.
" Not yet. I'm guessing this young woman is their troop leader. Possibly an amateur as well. " Charles spoke his observations. Rachel looks down. The woman was looking at them with a smile.
" That's reassuring then. "
Charles quickly releases his strings as they landed on the ground. All their attention went at the back, there was a huge collision of flames and explosion.
" Was that- We better hurry, Charles! " Rachel exclaims.
" Get them. "
Hailey orders her troop as they clashed against the Dixinians. Rachel quickly avoid any incoming attacks. One down with her kick. Another down by being strangled around with strings. Hailey's smile began to turn into dismay - her eyes glows in madness.
" Weaklings." Hailey whispers.
" I told you to cast your magic all the way here! " She shout at the remaining phantoms. One quickly apologizes followed by them raising their staffs into the air.
" Be careful, Charles... This is a big one. " Rachel warns her partner. She took something out and tosses into the air. Phantoms are still chanting, with a spark emitting at the tip of their wooden staffs - a powerful light emerges.
" Neo Feirs "
The object Rachel had tossed enlarges, it's metal encasing opens up and swallowed the powerful blast the enemies had charged up.
" This can't be. "
A Phantom is in shock. Charles, staring at far to their expressions. His hand clutch as the strings reaches their feet.
" What's wrong? Didn't expect we had an artifact? " He asked.
" That's three. Well? Are you going to attack or not? " Rachel asked Hailey.
She was the only one standing. It's clear that these amateurs were no match against them. Gritting her teeth she scowled at them.
" I clearly underestimate you two. "
She took her mask as her body began to mutate. Bulging flesh behind the fabric of her dress continued to tear apart.
The two Dixinians watched her sweet time. Hailey has gone rouge. Desperate to win this fight after the humiliation, her hand clashed onto their position.
" Guess it's time to take this serious. " Rachel spoke — excitement behind her eyes.
******************************
( The Aftermath of Allyson and Kleid's Fight. )
Huff... Huff...
The smoke coming from the burning wood dissipates as Kleid's footsteps synchronized along with the breath of a Phantom he had just defeated.
" That was a long fight. " Allyson finally sat on the ground, regaining her strength from the battle they had just won.
With few bruises and cuts in her arm and a little burn on her dress - Allyson was exhausted.
" My stamina can't take this anymore! " She complained. Meanwhile, Kleid is busy tying a rope around the enemies.
" I don't think that rope is enough to restrain them. " Allyson comments.
" A rope is enough. Spellcasters can't perform a spell without the help of a gem. I thought you were a new recruit? You should've atleast pay attention during their seminars. " Kleid replies, this made Allyson raise a brow on him.
" Well, I'm sorry I'm still not accustomed to the things I just learned for a week. Besides, you look rather knowledgeable being a non-Dixinian? " Allyson replies. Kleid didn't mind her rant as he got priorities to do.
He grabs the rope and asks a Phantom. " Let's go with the business then. "
" Tell me who do you work for? "
The man didn't answer.
" Okay. Do you atleast know where is Leo? "
He asked once again. This time. The Phantom answered.
" Alright. I'll answer your questions. It make no sense anyway for us to be here. "
" We Phantoms are assigned under the control of a woman named Hailey. We were tasked to do find a certain Peculiar and something here. "
Allyson stood. She mustered her strength to be able to walk again as she heard what the Phantoms are up to.
" I don't think that's all. " She spoke. The Phantoms turn their head towards at Allyson.
" Our mission is already done. "
By this statement, one by one the Phantoms exploded in contact - sending all their remains everywhere. Allyson steps back as she is splashed a bit by their blood while Kleid shielded himself with his cloak.
" Ugh. I think I'mma throw up. " Allyson saw the remains and could bear to watch any longer, she quickly ran behind a tree.
" Alas, they didn't answer my questions. " Kleid cleans himself. The wolf shakes off the dangling viscera away.
" They blew up. I don't think I can recover from that scene. " Allyson grimaces.
" Ugh... This is too extreme. " She complained.
Kleid on the other hand, sighed from her reactions - this made Allyson annoyed.
" So what are we gonna do?. " She averted her gaze at the left to avoid looking at the macabre. Her eyes spotted something glowing at the far.
" What's that? "
She walked towards the source of the light. Kleid and Chills noticed it too and began to get close to it. As they reached the light - a memory flashed in Kleid's eyes. He recognizes this.
" Is this a magic circle? " Allyson asked. They are now standing in front of a glowing circle of strange emblem and runes.
" It's a Spatial Ritual Circle. " Kleid spoke.
Allyson looks at it. It has runes written around. She had never seen once in the library back at HQ.
" A Spatial Ritual Circle? The name sound dangerous. " She spoke.
" It is too dangerous... " Kleid replies. Allyson looks at him and asks why. Kleid stopped for a sec before answering, as if he was hindering to speak about it.
" How can you say? "
" It's the same ritual circle that destroyed my village. " Kleid replied — behind his eyes were nothing but bad memories.