The World Serpent

Within the rainy forest, Two Figures walked along the muddy Stone Road. One of them kept looking around as the Destruction of the Elven Village plastered its image upon her eyes. It was an Elf who lost everything she considered Important. From a single attack by a Giant Bandit Army, It was enough to destroy everything. The Elf was either unfortunate or fortunate from surviving the attack. Though, it seemed to be affecting her mental health. She had a face of despair as it slowly disappeared when she continued to imprint the image of the Destruction. But before it happened, She felt a light smack behind her head.

Lifa turned her head and saw a White Silver Haired Girl looking at her with a Soothing gaze. "There is no need to continue looking at the Destruction, Lifa. You can close your eyes and continue walking if you want to." Persia said with a calm voice as Lifa clenched her fist and replied. "If I don't look at everything. It's simply me turning a blind eye on everything that happened." Her voice was breaking as Persia sighed and continued. "Your choice will depend on you. If you want to see it, you are free to do so."

Lifa nodded as the two of them kept walking within the muddy Stone Road. The rain kept echoing in the background. The two of them got soaked beyond relief. Persia didn't want to see Lifa's face slowly turning from despair into nothing as it was a sign of someone completely breaking. It seemed that Lifa lost everything, which meant she couldn't find any reason to continue moving. 'Maybe I can give her some goal.' Persia thought to herself as she continued walking with her pale white legs.

Lifa kept staring through the burnt-down houses on the muddy Stone Road. She could see some ashes and corpses. The blood was rare to see though it was clear that Elven Blood got imprinted all over the Destroyed Elven Village. She wanted to turn her gaze away from the horrifying sight, but Lifa couldn't dare turn a blind eye to her Elven People. She wanted to see them one last time, even if their bodies were beyond their former self.

While walking along the muddy Stone Road, Persia turned her head towards the Albion Soldiers. They were on horseback as they kept looking around the Destroyed Elven Village. "Now, Where do you come from, Albion Soldiers?" Persia asked with a calm voice as she looked at the Five Soldiers. They were weak. That was the single thought Persia had when she saw them. Though, she wouldn't want to cause trouble, especially with the current problem in front of them. One of the Soldiers looked at Persia and answered. "We are the Outpost Guards within the Southern Part of the Forest of Pax."

"I see... I thank you for saving her." Persia said with an emotionless tone. She was grateful that Lifa managed to exit the Destruction and lived through. Though, she knew that Lifa wouldn't say the same. The Soldier smiled after hearing a beautiful girl saying that to him as the assuming Leader smacked his head and replied. "No need to thank us. It is our jobs as the Outpost Guards to at least help those in need within the Area."

One of the Soldiers then asked with a calm voice. "Isn't this the Village of Ava, The Nearest Village of the Border between the Forest of Pax and the Albion Empire?" The Albion Leader was in silence as Persia stopped walking and answered. "That's correct. You must be wondering why bandits dared to attack an Elven Village near the Albion Empire. After all, why not attack the other Elven Villages that are covering this Village?"

Persia easily guessed the Albion Soldier's thoughts. What he thought was correct. There were no reasons for Bandits to enter deep within the Forest of Pax. It was not a good choice for Bandit groups as the Albion Empire could notice them. The Albion Soldier hearing Persia's answer, nodded as Persia already asked what he wanted to ask. The Albion Leader began thinking to himself and spoke.

"It seems that this isn't a normal Bandit Attack. Someone might have hired them." The Albion Leader gave a good guess. The was a high possibility though pinpointing who hired them would be hard. Asking the Bandit Leader might work, but that would imply that they would need to destroy the entire Bandit Group, which might cost an Army. That was the Albion Leader's thoughts though it was clear that Persia had different ideas than him.

"That's correct." Persia calmly replied as she continued walking along the muddy Stone Road. The Devastation got bloodier as they continued walking within the Elven Village. Some Soldiers were even gritting their teeth after seeing such a horrible scene. Children's scorched bodies while Bruise Women bodies, which signaled something horrific like a Mass ****. It wasn't something people would easily handle.

Persia, seeing them, sighed and spoke with an emotionless voice. She released the truth none of them were willing to accept. "You should be thankful that you were late. They brought a large number of Bandits that might need an Army to quell. If you had arrived during the attack, you would be simply one of the bodies you are looking at right now."

The Albion Soldiers felt a shiver after hearing what Persia said, though one of them denied and disagreed. "I don't care if they had an army. If it can save at least one of them, then I'll charge towards those bandits." An Albion Soldier shouted as Persia stopped walking and turned her head towards him. "And if you can't?" The Albion Soldier gritted his teeth and spoke. "I chose why I chose, and I stand by my choice. I will not regret any of it."

"Bravo, you're a brave human. Let's test this bravery of yours later." Persia smirked as she spoke with a calm voice. The Albion Solders had a bad feeling as they continued walking through the muddy Stone Road. It took a while, but the group finally arrived at the rendezvous point of Persia, Statera, and Ego. Lifa began looking around in curiosity. Persia continued walking as she saw Ego, Statera, and Nyx looking at something. Persia raised an eyebrow as she walked towards it.

Persia then found herself staring at a Little Girl. She then muttered to herself. "Lilith?" Stein's Daughter was alive and managed to survive the attack. Statera turned her gaze towards Persia and nodded. Statera then replied with a calm voice. "I found her hidden within a box deep within the ashes of the Stein's house."

"Hmm... I guess this is a piece of good news." Persia spoke with a calm voice as Statera nodded in agreement. It was a good thing that Lilith managed to survive through the whole ordeal. Lifa then saw Lilith and started running towards her. "Lilith!!!" She shouted as Statera lightly smacked her head and whispered. "Be quiet. She's sleeping. Give her some time." Lifa then realized what Statera was trying to do and nodded.

Statera then sighed as she turned her head towards Persia. "Did you find something?" Persia nodded while turning her gaze towards the Albion Solders. "Albion Soldiers?" Statera furrowed her eyebrows as Persia nodded and replied. "That's correct. Lifa brought them here." Seeing the Albion Solders, Statera already understood that it wasn't the Albion that attacked the Elven Village of Ava.

"Anyway, what are you going to do now, Albion Soldiers?" Persia was curious about the future actions of the Albion Soldiers. The Albion Soldier Leader looked at her and replied. "Investigating the area and finding Survivors while also creating a parameter around the Destroyed Village." Persia raised an eyebrow and spoke. "That wouldn't be possible with only five of you." The Albion Soldier Leader nodded and answered. "Reinforcements will come sooner or later."

Persia nodded in understanding as she looked at her group and spoke. "We'll leave. Be sure to take care of the Village." The Albion Soldiers found themselves in shock as they couldn't believe that the Survivors of the attack were planning to leave. "But you can't simply leave." Persia gazed at them with a cold expression and replied with a calm voice. "We'll leave if we want to."

"Are you going to avenge the Village?" The Brave Rookie Albion asked as Persia answered. "And?" The Rookie Albion stepped out of his horse and spoke towards Persia. "Let me come with you?" Persia raised an eyebrow after hearing the Rookie and smiled. "Are you sure about that?' The Rookie nodded as he was stern with his choice. Persia's smile got wider and continued. "We are planning to attack a Bandit Group within the North. We are planning to invade and kill everything within the Crime City of Bez Erk."

"Hmm... The Crime City of Bez Erk. It seems that the bastards came from that City." Statera spoke with her seductive voice, but it got colder and colder as she continued her words. The Albion Soldiers hearing the name, felt a chill within their spine. "Damn, Rookie. Are you going to kill yourself?!" The Albion Soldiers as messing with the City of Bez Erk wasn't a good idea.

"The City of Bez Erk, Where the Criminal Empires started their Alliance. It is full of crazy powerful people. Are you sure you are willing to go into such a place?" The Albion Leader asked with a calm voice as Persia answered. "What do you think?" The Albion Leader sighed after hearing the words of Persia. He then got out of the horse and spoke. "I'll come with you. The Rookie is under my responsibility, but I can't say the same for you."

"I do not need your protection." Persia turned her head towards Statera and spoke. "Prepare as blood will shed." Statera nodded as Persia then looked at Ego. "Ego, protect Narcy and Lilith, Also if you have time, Teach them to fight." Ego nodded in agreement as Persia shouted. "We'll leave now!!!" The group began preparing everything as the Albion Soldiers found themselves confused.

"I don't know what to do with you, Rookie." The Albion Leader sighed as he turned his gaze towards his group. "I want you to stay here until the Reinforcements come. Be sure to protect yourselves and investigate the Village carefully." The Albion Soldiers nodded though one of them got confused. "Are you sure about going with them, Leader?"

"I have my reasons for heading towards the City of Bez Erk. They are quite strong. So they might be a good company." The Albion Leader smirked as the Albion Soldiers shook his head and denied. "Don't you know that the Son of the World controlled the City?" The Albion Soldier whispered as he didn't want his captain to die. The Albion Leader chuckled and replied. "And?"

The Albion Soldier sighed as there were no words that could stop his Leader. He nodded towards him as he would do what he got told to do. The Albion Soldier looked at the Rookie and spoke with a calm voice. "Be sure to be careful, Rookie. Your attitude gives me a feeling that you would die early, but I admire your Courageous and Heroic Spirit."

The Rookie felt embarrassed as he started shaking his head. He then felt a Heavy Backpack strapped onto his back. The Rookie turned his head and saw the Leader looking at him. They turned their gaze upon the group of ladies as the Leader and Rookie realized that the group was planning something. It was probably about the Invasion against the City of Bez Erk.

Meanwhile, Ego, Nyx, and Statera looked at Persia with serious expressions. Persia then spoke with her soothing and calm voice. "It seemed that a small part of our abilities had returned. I want you to check what abilities you currently got for me to formulate a plan against the City, Understood?"

Statera and Ego nodded in understanding while Nyx turned her gaze towards her Pale Little Hand. Nyx wondered what her current abilities were as she was currently different from Persia. The Return of some of their Abilities was a piece of good news.. But it was a sign that something serious was about to happen.