The flight back to the small town was subdued. Jonathan was still unconscious, and the rest of the group wasn't in the mood for conversation. The only silver lining was that they had managed to escape the quarry with only minimal resistance.

The message they received after the final Wight's death had been a nice bonus:

Congratulations! You have cleared Dungeon #1029. The dungeon's tier will now be lowered to the minimum. Continue clearing this dungeon to maintain its deactivated state. Rewards: 1x Silver-Rank Chest [Mana] Roll: Yes/No

When they took off, Mark had to carry Jonathan, but his remaining energy wasn't enough to fly the entire group.

Below them, the Corrupted landscape passed in a blur of greys and browns, punctuated by the occasional twisted silhouette of wildlife.

Mark was feeding a steady stream of Prana to the group's three Aura users, but the battle had left them with significant injuries. Restoring their physical health would take time, and he could only guess at the extent of any mental damage they might have suffered.

When the familiar feel of Mana came into range, Mark noted how it seemed to size them up before relaxing and allowing them to pass. Shortly after that, the wall of stacked cars came into sight.

They were not attempting to hide so when Aiyana arrived to greet them she spotted them as they lowered their altitude to land.

She still had her bow slung over her shoulders but there was a considerably happier look on her face.

"Hello everyone, good job."

Sam raised a brow at the woman as she touched down on the wall.

Seeming to expect the question, the woman nodded.

"We felt the Corrupted creatures in their death throws. Come with me we have gathered your equipment."

Jason hummed as he glanced around the town.

"So we took care of the Dungeon for you but given enough time it will become a problem again. What do you plan then?" he said

Aiyana smiled at Jason as she led them down the stairs.

"While we can't move from our current location we can send our consciousness there to prevent any more Corruption from gathering. Without ambient Corruption, It would leave the dungeon inert."

Mark's brow knitted together.

"You can do that? How?" he asked.

"And why didn't you do that instead of sending us." Jason frowned.

"Well, we couldn't as the presence there pushed us back, but now that you have cleared it away we will be able to. As for how you'll find out soon."

Sam joined the conversation at this point.

"Yes, how exactly are we going to do this? Don't forget, you also promised us some answers."

Aiyana didn't answer at first as she led them past all the different houses.

"We will hand over the information, but whether you choose to take it is another story."

They all glanced at one another in confusion and Mark could feel himself becoming agitated.

"What does that mean?" Sam said.

At this point, they arrived at the police station, but instead of going in through the main entrance like last time, they went around back.

Mark stepped through the back door, and into a small room with equipment stacked high to the ceiling.

Several people were in here busy moving boxes around, and that same Cherokee woman was sitting in a folding chair. When they got close, she opened her eyes and smiled at them.

"In here is all the equipment you need. Feel free to store it at your leisure. Finally, I'll need you to lower your barrier."

Mark froze as everyone else frowned.

He'd kept the shield up around them out of habit but now her request made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.

"Why exactly would we do that? Sam asked"

Aiyana shook her head.

"You just asked for the information. This is the only way we will be able to give you what you seek. Chloe left a memory here for you, so if you want to see it you will have to lower your protective measures."

Mark stared at everyone else and pursed his lips.

"So just so we're clear, you want us to merge with you?" Sam said, a cold light appearing in her eyes.

Aiyana brushed her long hair over her shoulder and nodded.

"That is correct."

Mark didn't try to help the scowl that appeared on his face, and the annoying part was that he couldn't find a reason to say no. He needed to know what had been going through Chloe's mind, and if this entity had an answer, he would not be missing the opportunity. The others were not so keen. Jason and Wesley immediately pulled out while Sam looked thoughtful.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

"Mark, I think I already know what you're going to choose but to confirm, you're doing this, right?"

His look told her everything she needed to know.

"Right well, I'm coming with you."

Mark knew she wouldn't change her mind once it was made up so he didn't bother. Plus Sam wanted answers too.

Jonathan was out for the count and Mark didn't have the Prana to wake him so instead he created a lesser construct. Pouring his remaining strength into it. It would be able to keep Aiyana out for a short time should this be a trap.

Jason did not look happy about this and went to get the equipment in the meantime. Wesley followed after him to make sure he didn't take it all for himself.

"Are you both ready?" Aiyana asked

When they nodded, Mark created a link with Sam and lowered the construct surrounding them. He took hold of Sam's hand and for the first time since they had found this town, their minds were completely unprotected against the tide of Mana swirling around.

It sounded like hundreds of whispers pouring in from all directions, as though the two of them were submerged in a mass of passing thoughts. Numerous ideas flashed by, followed closely by images and sounds.

Mark pursed his lips as his uncertainty rippled out like a wave causing a couple of thoughts to turn towards him with interest.

Mark glanced at Sam's concentration and then Aiyana's.

"You both have much on your shoulders," Aiyana said calmly. "For just a moment let us all bear it with you."

As she said this a connection extended out to them and Mark felt a bridge being built in his mind.

He had stopped himself from reflexively breaking it, as did Sam, but when it settled down they froze.

The whispers from before had become screams echoing throughout the web of mental energy.

Mark drifted through a sea of memories, with their own tied emotions. The feeling of belonging and wonder assailed him making it hard to concentrate on what they had originaly come here for.

Sam squeezed Mark's hand to bring him back to the present.

Focusing on Aiyana turned out to be a bad idea because she glowed like a beacon in the mental web. A repository of memories and wisdom gathered near her, but there was something more. Mark could see buried deep inside her were the foulest and most traumatizing memories. Those of the fall, or vicious attacks by the Corrupted. She was containing all the pain and suffering like some human dam. The memories were securely fastened into the core of the Cherokee woman.

Even now she was trying to draw off Mark's pain, but he held onto it with a vice grip.

Mark expected her to try and pry it from him but she didn't, instead, she 'spoke'.

'Come with me' Aiyana called.

Their bodies never moved but Mark and Sam suddenly traveled through the mental world at a speed they could not understand. They arrived inside a memory the woman had stored away.

"This is what you look for," she said, her voice and form melting away to reveal a scene before them.

The edges of the room were bare and a single fluorescent bulb shone down from above. Chloe sat on a chair staring straight at them as though she were expecting their arrival.

"Mark, Samantha. It's good to see you. Where's Jonathan?"

Neither Mark nor Sam responded at first but Sam finally found the words.

"You're taking?"

Chloe nodded.

"This is a memory impression. Kinda like a recording of my thoughts, so there's some leeway to what I can answer, I-"

Mark wasn't able to hold back any longer as a dark expression came over his face.

"Why…Why did you do it."

Chloe turned to look at Mark with an agonized expression.

"I had to…Mark, something is coming and I need you to get ready… It's no consolation, but I am so sorry. I couldn't see another way. I feel horrible for what I had to do to you both."

Mark clenched his jaw until he thought it might snap the bone there.

"So you saw it, and still chose to take those steps?" Mark whispered his anger seeping out as waves of red into the mental expanse.

Chloe pursed her trembling lips and nodded.

Mark's nostrils flared and his breathing became erratic, only Sam's gentle hold on his hand stopped him from reacting.

Sam continued where Mark left off

"Chloe, why couldn't you have warned us? And what's this threat that's coming? "

Chloe looked at Sam with a drooping smile.

"Samantha, you of all people should know I can only change the future so much before it shifts too much from my predictions. As for the threat, that will only become apparent when you manage to gain access to the spire."

Mark's face twitched at the mention of the spires. It meant that Chloe had an idea of their existence for a while.

"Look, if things continue on this course you guys will be fine but there is something you can do to make your lives easier."

Mark wanted so badly to turn away from this woman but he couldn't bring himself to do so.

"If you are looking for an edge over the Corrupted humans yet then you will want to go to this location and scour it of all the Corruption. They are hiding out there and will eventually become a thorn in your side."

It was an invasive sensation to suddenly know the location she was talking about, but as Mark thought about it an image appeared in his mind.

"Where are you now" Mark asked.

Chloe grimaced at him.

"Well, for one I'm just a memory, so she could be anywhere. But even if I weren't, my answer would be the same. If I were to tell you where I am, you'd ignore things to hunt me down. Right now you have way too many people to deal with, forget about me for now."

Mark's rage had reached a boiling point and he couldn't hold it back anymore as it threatened to consume the entire memory, but Chloe just kept talking as the world crumpled around them.

"Samantha, I'm sorry it's come to this and you are free to do whatever you deem fit but there is one final thing I must ask of you."

Sam took a step in Chloe's direction a stern face making her usual smile.

"What?"

"Your magic is incredible, but if you want to survive this you need to take a step out into the unknown. Safe and secure work for normal people, but not for you guys. There's is a magic you must master. If you can't, your chances to protect what you care for drop to zero point two-six percent. You know the one I'm talking about, one you have never even dared to touch."

The light above them was flickering as the memory collapsed around them.

"I'm sorry for everything and I miss you guys."

Chloe's form vanished as the room did. For a moment the world swirled like mist but then the voices returned and Aiyana was back.

She gazed at the unstable emotions coming off Mark and shook her head.

"You have both been through a lot, and we're grateful for your assistance, so let me help you bleed off some of those toxic thoughts."

As she said this Mark could feel his anger waning of its own accord.

Mark shook his head, snarling at Aiyana. He didn't want to let go of his anger—it was the only thing keeping Daphne alive in his mind. The thought of losing that, too, made his chest tighten painfully.

Sam squeezed his hand. "Mark, you're not forgetting her. Just… letting the pain hurt less."

He glanced at her, the rage flickering for a moment. Her calm expression, steady and unwavering, chipped at his resolve. Slowly, Aiyana's presence began to feel less intrusive, more like a balm than a threat.

The fire in his chest dimmed, leaving an aching hollowness in its place. For the first time in what felt like months, he could breathe. Not fully, not yet, but enough.

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