Once I left the creatures' inn I spotted Nate leaning on the wall of the building in deep thought. His face was filled with worry and anger. As I approached Nate mumbled “Corrupted wizards... Will you be all right?”

I nodded saying “Yeah just clear the area behind. When we get to the main area, I will try to take on Carleon and those two can deal with the wizards.”

Nate grunted, “Let's hope they aren’t that powerful then.” I sighed looking towards the forest where I assumed the castle would be.

The whole day Nate looked on edge, I knew exactly why but I couldn’t even cheer him up. Nothing I would have said would make him feel any better. We encountered corrupted wizards once and it was quite a dangerous situation for me, almost a fatal situation, and knowing my brother I knew he worried it could happen again, but this time he couldn’t even go with me and with his obsession over protecting me - his little brother - it probably didn’t make it any easier on him.

After getting ready the two of us left to go to the bridge where I told the creatures to come. The sun was already setting colouring the sky in the shades of red, blood red. We could have easily gone much earlier but that was a potential threat to our plan. It was better to sneak at night especially since corrupted never worked during the day anyway. Their magic was fueled by darkness and misery. They needed to make people suffer and that could only happen at night time. Normal wizards gained their magic from emotions. Depending on how each dealt with them meant how strong they will be.

As we arrived at the meeting point we didn’t have to wait, thankfully, since the two annoying creatures were already there. It seemed as though my threat came in useful. Nate walked past them without a word. Treating them like air, while I glanced at them both and followed behind my brother. They didn’t move at first but then I could hear their footsteps behind us, keeping their distance. At least they did not try to get in the way. Although I expected them to be a bit braver and at least say something to us, especially Ava, but as always women were a disappointment.

Once we were far enough in the forest, Nate whistled. The two creatures just looked at him Leah in wonder and Ava with judgment.

Nate then turned to them asking “Do you have mounts?”

Ava nodded and called for them. It did not take long for the two beasts to appear. One of them was a white tiger with some scars on it's back and muzzle. It did not bother to look around as it approached Leah straight away. She patted its head to which the animal purred. The other one was a creature which looked like a panther. It was black and smaller than the tiger. It watched the brothers with a curious gaze looking weary. It sat next to the tiger and waited with caution.

Leah said, “This is Murasa," she pointed at the tiger then her hand moved to the panther as she finished, "and Al-shai.”

Nate and I nodded watching the two mounts. They looked agile. So we should be stealthy enough, as long as Trutan wouldn't make too much ruckus, which was a gamble. Then from behind the bushed Lashaka jumped out. She - as always - growled seeing new humans. Her pose was in attack. Both creatures flinched at the aggressive growl. Lashaka seeing their reaction calmed down but didn't lose her guard. Then from behind her Trutan strolled in casually. He looked bored and sleepy. Nate not bothering to introduce the mounts went straight to Trutan and started to mount him. Lashaka followed him but kept her eyes on the creatures. Meanwhile, I turned to the two explaining what to do. I hated doing it but it would look better if I was the one explaining plans considering Nate will ‘not be there’.

Soon when Nate was done I said “We will be off then. Shouldn’t take too long.”

My brother nodded taking a deep breath “Sure, watch out for yourself.”

I nodded back at him and mounted my bear. The two helpers that I had also climbed on their mounts and Leah’s tiger walked towards the front to lead.

Then Ava’s mount came up to Nate as if to sniff him. He was a curious beast for sure.

Ava grimaced “Al-shai leave him.”

Nate being used to scary-looking beasts patted the panther which looked quite content while Ava said with a small shock “He doesn’t like others normally.”

Nate shrugged “Beasts should stay together.”

Hearing it I smiled to myself while Lashaka just growled quietly on the side. The four of us were beasts after all.

Ava eyed Nate for a split second but then huffed and lead her mount away following the tiger. I watched as the two started to talk and looked over at Nate nodding at him not to worry. Then said, “Let's go.” Kicking Trutan into a run, and so the three of us started to speed in the direction of the castle.

The journey wasn’t long but it was already dark by the time we arrived. It could have been because of the coming night or just the atmosphere around the castle. Which was eerie enough to give me chills.

Once we got closer in between the thick bushes I dismounted and observed the area. We were hidden well enough for me not to worry about being spotted. I grumbled as I tried to peek in between the leaves while Leah asked innocently “Are you scared?” She was probably scared herself so she most likely looked for support. Which I was not going to give her.

“As if…” I murmured under my breath. Even if the two were, I was not afraid. I couldn’t be anymore. I was lacking such a feeling, after the dreadful situations, I lived through I could not experience ‘fear’ ever again.

When I finally managed to get a clear view of the front of the castle the first thing I noticed was the sheer number of undead and vampires scattered around the area. I started to count how many of them I could see to check if I should get some before Nate arrives but after I got to 40 I stopped. There was too many, but they were so jam-packed it was impossible to kill only a few without being spotted. So I decided to leave Nate to it.

Then I looked over at the mansion itself. The building was surrounded by huge walls from behind and the sides, impenetrable unless we had a flying mount, which was not the case. However, at the front of it, the mansion seemed more inviting. There were small patches of grass and the stairs to the huge doors of the mansion, that zone was fenced with high metal bars, but it was nothing compared to the thick walls. In front of that fence was yet another surrounded area with patches of grass and trees. This front garden was enclosed with a low stone wall. Most of the monsters were in that area just walking back and forth. I tried to observe the patterns of the monsters but there wasn’t one. They walked randomly. Which immediately gave away the fact that those vampires were brainless. So Carleon must have been the weaker rogue vampire. Which would explain why he needed to ask for help from corrupted to turn his daughter.

I sighed and looked up at the black mansion which was covered in purple fog, the moonlight also seemed darker than normal in those parts, but that could have been a perfect cover for us. Especially for Nate who was sure to be nearby by now. I could almost feel his presence behind.

I sighed quietly moving away slightly and finally noticing that the two creatures did not join me in the lookout. They probably did not need to consider they should know the layout already, but it was considerate of them to let me check it out. They also didn’t tell me what to do. They just accepted me as their lead in this hunt and said absolutely nothing. Which was surprisingly, maybe they weren’t that brainless as I expected them to be. However, they were still rookies which means I was going to ignore them, I did not need the attachments. Rookies die in missions like these and I did not care about that. I was not their guardian or parent. However, the fact they were relying on me did give me a sense of dread. Someone trusted me once, and it didn’t end well. So wanting or not I would probably still look out for them without conscious input.

Getting annoyed I sighed and focused on the two main reasons for being there, one of which was to kill the corrupted which were - as usual - most likely up to no good. Besides, I did have a beef with them after the last time I met them and they kicked my arse. Second, my favourite reason was: money. I couldn't go back to my home just like that, Nate and I had to buy our freedom there. This was a driving force for me to keep going. I hoped to Gods that I will convince Nate to go and see our mother. This was all I wanted; to see her, say goodbye.

Then my thoughts cut short as Leah whispered: “She is in there, and so is the count.” She pointed at the second floor of the castle. "The ceremony would surely take place in the main hall." She added.

I nodded merely noticing that she said something and I scanned the outside for any potential entrance which would be subtle. After a moment I noticed a small opening so without a word I sneaked around the trees and bushes in that direction. Both creatures, even when they weren't looking at the castle with me, seemed to trust me enough to get them through the place. That was probably why not saying anything they just followed me.

However, a problem arose quicker than expected. None of us was a master of stealth. So when I accidentally kicked a rock which rolled towards one of the monsters all three of us froze on the spot. However, before the undead and brainless vampires could notice us a sound from the other end of the castle took their attention. An angry growl. I thanked my brother and Lashaka in my head and we went towards the doors without any more problems, thankfully.

Once there Leah and I killed both guards on each side of the doors as quietly as possible and slowly crept inside the castle.

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