Mark drifted through a sea of thoughts, none of them his own, yet they flowed past as if they belonged to him. It was like watching hundreds of TV channels at once. Strangely, it wasn't overwhelming; instead, it was soothing. He could feel hundreds of lives unfolding—people going about their daily routines—and with just a thought, he could connect to any of them.

If he wished, Mark could stay linked to everyone, yet the connection required no effort on his part. It seemed to sustain itself, leaving him free to live his own life.

As for his emotions, they were not gone, he could still feel them. But his approach to them felt different. He had a more external view of them and this made it easier to process everything.

It was only now that Mark was on the inside that he could see the allure of remaining in a collective.

Sam currently sat with her back pressed against his. The contact grounding Mark in the real world.

"You know, It kinda feels like a mini vacation," Sam voice bounced through the connection.

A lopsided grin appeared on his face.

"I don't think we'll be getting a holiday any time soon. But you're right. We should rest up while we can. The bigger question is whether we go straight home or try and tackle this den of Corrupted humans."

Mark could feel Sam's amusement at his thoughts. Here they were, experiencing something people could only describe as impossible or a horror movie and he was already preparing for the next step.

"None of that talk right now. Just be here with me."

Mark snorted letting his head fall back onto her shoulder. Mark's mind started to move to Jonathan and his wounds but Sam mentally tapped her foot at him. Eventually, Mark allowed himself to relax and unwind.

The real world moved around them at a decelerated pace. It was almost like they were moving faster, but Mark knew that was not likely. It probably had something to do with the way they were perceiving time at the moment.

Their thoughts were currently under a similar effect to [ Limit release(Mental)] but far more potent than anything Mark had experienced. Less than a few minutes had probably passed since they had met with Chloe's memory.

Mark had his eyes closed but he couldn't help himself.

"What did she mean when she told you to push yourself? What magic was she talking about."

Sam's sigh was audible in the mental and physical world.

"I've told you about the other two magic's that I have the most compatibility with, right? In this case, I believe she was referring to Temporal magic. I've been trying to build up data sets with the other magic's so that when I eventually get there, I will have a better chance, but in all likelihood she's right."

Sam furrowed her brow.

"I'm learning more about my limits and how it affects my magic's but at this rate, it could take me years to figure it out safely. And honestly, I don't think we have the time."

Now it was Mark's turn to frown.

"Don't go doing dangerous things just because she told you to."

Sam's body shook with laughter.

"...You're one to talk. You do dangerous things without so much as a warning. At least I have an oracle on my side."

Mark shot Sam a dirty look but she ignored him.

"Look all I'm saying is to be careful, we don't know whose side shes on. If something happened to you, Jonathan would kill me."

Sam's amusement bled through their connection.

"You know he could never do that... but my point still stands. Honestly, I think Chloe might be right. As for whether she's on our side, her actions show she believes she is—and I think so too."

Mark felt his anger raise its hackles but he was able to observe it from afar and then look back to Sam.

"I still don't like it" he finished –ignoring the comment about Chloe– which only served to make Sam roll her eyes.

"Both you and Jon take incredible risks on the daily, hell, look what you both did in this dungeon. You've become so good a dealing with corruption and Jon was willing to let himself be attacked. It might be time for me to push myself out of my comfort zone."

Mark glanced over at Jonathan's unconscious form being carried by Wesley.

"Fine. But then make me the same promise I made you. Make sure Jonathan myself and are there when you decide to do this."

"Both of you?"

"Yes, that's if you think you can get it past him."

Sam snorted.

"Fair enough"

Their connection went silent for a while as both of them reveled in the bliss the collective brought, but eventually, they decided they needed to go.

Once they had, Aiyana seemed to arrive from nowhere.

"I'm sad to see you both go. I won't lie, I was hoping you would be willing to stay here with us. But I held out little hope. The only other person who has rejected the peace I bring was Chloe, so I had a hunch."

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Mark shrugged his shoulders

"We have far too much to do to stay here."

Aiyana nodded.

"I agree with that, but know you are always welcome back. Well, everyone, say farewell."

Mark and Sam were overwhelmed by a torrent of thoughts and well-wishes for their safety. It was as if a thousand fireworks ignited at once, each person leaving a vivid impression on their minds.

Then, like a receding tide, the Mana drew back, carrying away the kaleidoscope of sensations that had enveloped them. The space they had been part of was sealed off, and Mark couldn't deny the sense of loss that followed.

It felt like suddenly losing a vital sense—like sight or smell disappearing in an instant.

Neither Mark nor Sam moved, but it was as though they had been unceremoniously cast out to the other side, missing a piece of themselves.

Their awareness shrank to just the room they were in, which had not changed since this all began. Looking around Mark saw Wesley and Jason just standing there. They both wore wary expressions, but when they saw Mark and Sam snap out of it relief flooded their features.

"Oh thank god. We have the equipment, let's get out of here." Jason said with a thumb over his shoulder.

Mark shook his head.

"Just hang on. we have information that may be time-sensitive. We need to take a vote on what we are doing."

"You have got to be kidding me" Jason growled.

Mark shook his head and explained what they learned about the Corrupted humans gathering.

"Then we should return quickly and inform everyone," Jason said.

"Just hang on," Sam retorted. "If we go back and give this information to them that might alert our enemies that we're coming. And we've all seen just got good they are at setting traps."

Jason shook his head.

"You can't expect us to take a whole settlement of those things on our own. We should gather our strongest fighters and mount a proper attack."

Mark squinted at the man.

"You and I both know the city has far too many things going on within its walls right now to commit to an external attack."

"So you want to charge in with the people we have here? Jonathan is not even awake." Jason ground out.

Wesley nibbled his bottom lip.

"I have to admit. I like the idea of attacking them when they least expect it, but were not in the best of condition either."

Mark shrugged.

"So we take a day or so to rest and gather our strength, then head out from there."

Jason's face was grim but he remained calmer than Mark expected.

"Let me get this straight, you want to rest another day and then travel who knows how many more, to top it off we don't know what we will find when we get there. I'm sorry but that is too much."

Mark pressed his lips together.

"Jason, I understand your desire to get back and if you want, I will get you home today but it's time to make one of those decisions we talked about. I know it's sooner than expected but sometimes things happen and there's no chain of command to rely on. Right now, we could use your strength as much as the city."

Jason didn't answer right away and that gave Sam a moment to speak.

"There's another way you can look at this. Your faction is already wondering where you are. If you return now, you can explain yourself. But if you come with us, you can prove that there was a reason to be gone for so long."

Jason's eyes narrowed but a thoughtful look entered his eyes, he still looked uncertain but he didn't argue any further. Wesley also seemed to become quiet. This journey was taking far longer than any of them had ever expected.

Of course, they all wanted to go home but as far as Mark was concerned their mission was not over.

It was interesting to him that even after all Chloe had done to them he still trusted her magic enough to know that they needed to do this.

No one said anything but there was a quiet agreement as they looked at one another.

"Fine, have it your way. But I'll only do this if we first case the place and then come up with a plan. If it looks like we are outmatched, we retreat "

Neither Mark nor Sam had a problem with this so it just came down to how much energy they could gather.

Aiyana interjected at this point.

"If you need them, we have places for you to sleep and build up your strength."

Sam nodded to Aiyana and spoke.

"Thank you, we'd appreciate that."

Aiyana nodded, and the Aiyana that had brought them in here in the first place ushered them out.

Their little team was taken to a nearby house. It looked to be a small shared house. With several rooms connected to a central lounge and kitchen.

"Stay here for as long as you need."

Sam thanked Aiyana and the woman left.

The moment she had Jason shivered.

"Damn, this place gives me bad vibes, the sooner we are out of here the better."

Sam frowned and Mark found himself also glaring at Jason who seemed completely oblivious.

In the beginning, he thought the same thing, but now that he had been on the other end, he knew that an entire world existed for them that they couldn't see.

"Hey, don't say that, they could be listening," Sam said.

"Yeah well, that doesn't change that this town feels straight out of a horror movie."

Wesley shook himself.

"That's the first thing you've said that I agree with. Whatever happens, I probably won't be sleeping much while here."

Sam still looked annoyed but Mark grabbed her hand and shook his head.

After that, Mark got to work gathering Prana. He found a spot on a ratty couch and expanded a construct into the living room. Connecting with the three Aura users and feeding them a steady flow of energy.

Mark focused on Jonathan and it wasn't long before his eyelids started to twitch. When he opened them Mark was leaning over him with Sam directly over his shoulder.

He blinked sheepishly and grimaced.

"No need to give me those looks, I remember everything."

Sam pushed Mark out of the way.

"So you know what an asshole you were being?"

Jonathan got up and rubbed his neck.

"Yes sorry for that, but you got a few good hits in as well, so let's call it even."

Sam made a noise somewhere in between a growl and a sharp intake of breath.

"Nice try, but if I had to suffer through your worrying, then you better not complain about the same treatment. What happened back there?"

Jonathan frowned and he looked down.

"I'm not sure, but it's still there, just below the surface."

Sam shot Mark and wide-eyed look which he pursed his lips at.

He'd felt something was different about Jonathan since they had gotten back but he needed time to take a proper look. On the outside, it did not seem to be affecting him but that could change in a heartbeat.

"Look, I'll explain it to you as soon as I understand. But I just woke up so I'm still trying to piece it together."

"Did you get a skill?" Emily asked.

Jonathan's eyes widened as though it had only just occurred to him to check. He made some motions and stared off into the distance, but then shook his head.

"Nothing from the system, but..."

Jonathan stared at his arm, his expression one of deep concentration. At first, nothing happened. Then, as if forcing their way from beneath his skin, plates of familiar chitin began to emerge, pushing outward in a slow, deliberate motion.

Jonathan let out a deep rumbling sound from his chest and the plates then receded.

"It's still there," he whispered.

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