The Elder of the Arakta Worms was one of the strongest creatures and the main threat in the entire region before the Frost Ridge.

It was a creature that rarely came to the surface. For that, there had to be a special reason, something that could change the power dynamic.

So, if Fran, Elvira, and Liliane were ready to fight a regular Arakta Worm that, for some reason, decided to attack them, they had no chance against Vaarh himself.

Whether it was the Dark Hand Prison, the Cinder Swamps, or the Boneveil Village, everyone saw Vaarh's appearance. It was simply impossible not to notice a monster of that size.

Then, the first rays of the sun were interrupted by a green laser that burst from Vaarh's throat with a piercing roar.

The great stone bridge covering the river and capable of withstanding dozens of tons was destroyed in a heartbeat.

The only one who managed to react to what was happening was Fran.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

Black electrical discharges ran through his body as the tattoo appeared on his shoulder.

Before Elvira and Liliane could realize it, Fran threw them over his shoulder and moved at the speed of the wind. Taking one last look at Vaarh, he sprinted in the opposite direction as fast as he could.

The green laser continued, piercing through the ground and tearing the guards and their horses to pieces. Chunks of flesh, splashes of blood, and screams of agony rose behind the fleeing Fran, who was now moving faster than any horse.

Elvira and Liliane's faces were frozen in horror, hoping only that they would survive this hell.

"Faster, faster, faster!" Fran screamed inwardly as he saw the top of the hill. "Just a little more!"

At the last moment, he managed to reach the line and jumped down. Pieces of earth from the explosion flew up, showering them with dust.

"Agh... Agh... Agh..."

They were breathing heavily, their hearts pounding with the force of a steel hammer as death flashed before their eyes.

"E-Elder Vaarh..." Liliane whispered, as if afraid to say his name too loudly.

Ignoring the pain in his legs, Fran crawled along the ground to peek over the top of the hill.

Vaarh was already gone, leaving behind a hollow the size of a building leading into the depths of the free caves.

"Shit, we have to tell Father about this." Fran bit his lip as he looked at the destroyed bridge and blown-up road. "The Arakta Worms, they're in cahoots with the prisoners. I don't know how, but it looks like Kreyn was able to make a deal with the Elder himself."

Elvira and Liliane exchanged glances. Now, if the Arakta Worms were against them, then the power balance had completely changed.

"But..." Liliane gulped. "Why did the Elder leave? Why didn't he continue attacking?"

"Because that wasn't their goal." Fran narrowed his eyes as he looked at the river and the dead guards. "Now, we'll have to gather people again and take a different route, through the northern trail. It will take us more than a day, no less."

BAM!

Elvira slammed her fist on the ground.

"Bastards! How long are they going to play this game? They're just stalling for time! Don't they understand that their death is inevitable?!"

"Tsk." Liliane clicked her tongue.

However, Fran had a different opinion.

"No, he's doing it on purpose. He's moving much faster than we are. In just two days, he's done more than we could have done in a month. I bet he knew we were coming, and he's not even in prison now."

Then, he shook his head and struggled to his shaky feet.

"Alright, we have to go back. Help me, I won't be able to walk properly for the next twelve hours." Fran frowned. "I'm lucky I didn't break my legs."

The sisters exchanged glances and nodded. They were still in shock, but today their older brother had saved their lives.

…

"Agh." Daren shook the ash off his cigarette. "Everything went as it should, right?"

"Of course!" Kreyn grinned. "What do you say, Groza? This show was worth a short stop, wasn't it?"

Groza's fingertips trembled. She still couldn't believe what she had seen and that such a monster was their ally.

"You... What did you promise this monster in exchange for his help?"

"Oh, that's not all. That was only the first part. As for our deal..." Kreyn's eyes deepened. "Let's just say that a lot of enemy blood will be spilled, a lot, but it's all for our victory."

Groza understood what that meant. She was softer than Kreyn, her heart wasn't as cold, but like any warrior, she was willing to do whatever it took to survive.

...

Step. Step. Step.

As soon as the villagers moved away from the rumbling ground, three figures appeared in the distance.

"Hey! We're here!" Kreyn waved as Malin noticed them.

"Damn! I'm glad you're all right. Did you see what happened at the eastern river? I've never seen such a big Arakta Worm!" He exclaimed, waving his arms dramatically.

"Hahaha!" Kreyn laughed. "Yeah, it was terrifying. Good thing we were far from the bridge. But, Malin, we came here on business."

In a heartbeat, Malin's expression changed as he pointed toward the square.

The residents were loading carts with boxes full of food, water, and clothing, as well as some especially valuable medicine.

"As agreed, in the next two hours, they will set off with Grender. Your people will have to meet him at the prison."

His eyes scanned their group. He knew Daren as they exchanged a nod, but Groza was unfamiliar to him.

Malin shuddered as he looked at the tall warrior with platinum hair and mesmerizing purple eyes.

'She looks like she's from another world!' Malin exclaimed inwardly.

Well, Malin wasn't wrong about that, but he would never know.

"Is there something on my face?" Groza asked, genuinely confused as to why Malin was staring at her.

"N-No! You're just beautiful!" Malin flinched, shyly scratching the back of his neck.

Kreyn turned around.

"Well, well, looks like someone has a fan? I didn't expect that from you."

"Shut up!" Groza clenched her fist. "Do you have to turn every situation into a farce?!"

Daren watched them from the sidelines. 'He's just teasing her, and she falls for the same trick every time. She'll probably never understand that.'

"So, Malin, what about the Crimson Crystal Cavern? It's part of our deal, remember?"

Malin coughed.

"Of course. I'll take you there."

He turned north, where in the distance, at the foot of the slope, there was a deep hollow. The red mist was coming out of the passage, attracting those who were not ready to risk their lives for valuable materials or even weapons.

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