"How long have they been going at it?" Victoria asked, and Gloria turned to a small clock on the wall near the staircase.

"Two hours at this point," she answered, as a joyous yell followed her words. Jyuzou turned his annoyed head, before continuing to read his book while Victoria giggled, with a cup of Glaska near her lips.

Morio and, surprisingly, Bancho, found themselves upstairs, drawing up something on a large sheet of paper.

"So, right after Wendigo, you have this long stretch of the forested road that leads to something coined by the Morians there as Lapida," he explained.

"Lapida, as in?!" Morio excitedly jumped.

"Just a misspelling of the words rapids, as referring to its rivers. Sometimes though, you could hear stories of a dark deformity named by one of the kids, flying through its forests."

Morio stared, in curiosity.

"It resembled this massive, size of two Morians, owl, that sent out loud noises to unaware passersby when threatened. Such, in turn, created big, icy winds, since most reported that a chunk of its body was frozen."

"That's so cool!"

"In hindsight." Bancho giggled. "The Morians there use the Lapida grasses to grow certain seeds or plants in the warmer seasons. The icy wind, in turn, sometimes tends to blow the stuff hidden inside away, or completely freezes the outer shell, turning it into a snowy cocoon. The owl kind of became an inseparable and insufferable part of Lapida, in all honesty."

"Well, I'd go in and get rid of the thing!"

"Sure you would," Bancho added. "There is a way to kill the owl, though, but I think the Morians there are either too afraid or they don't know much."

Morio turned, with a big beam.

"All dark deformities have a weak spot after all." he inched closer, raising a curious finger. "The jest is, search for a dark red, pulsating spot somewhere in its body. The owl has one on its back."

***

A drop of sweat rolled down Morio's face, as he stared blankly at the hand reaching forward. He could almost feel its dead touch, shivering away with time.

It couldn't have been the owl Bancho talked off. It felt strangely humanoid, yet distant from a human. One could wonder, what was something like that out for?

Blood? Lives? Possesions?

Maybe it was Gloria's necklace, or the sword Morio put his hand on, ready to strike? But if it was nothing but a demon, how one was to kill it?

Morians weren't exactly known to be a brutal race, yet, they had rather violent tendencies. Much like Paladians, they often found joy in hunting animals and then reaping the freshly harvested meat near a warm fire. Some of them would eat it raw, and others would wait for it to change into a warm brown colour. There were a few Morians that simply hunted for the thrill of it, turning such simple skill acquisition or hands-on experience.

From a young age, Morio went out to see such with the other Morians, either doing the deed himself or watching in patience and excitement as the others threw their weapons. On the other hand, Jyuzou refused to participate in events like these, he rarely ever ate meat.

Knowing such, Jyuzou clenched his fists, counting on Morio's initiative. If things were to get ugly, he'd be wreckless enough to jump into the flames to try and extinguish them. However, Morio didn't budge. One hand rested on the sword while the other held the bark as tightly as Jyuzou gripped the book he still held.

Atomu glanced at the two, anxious. With all the solutions he had in his head, not one did seem reasonable in this scenario. Chyuuichi seemed strangely fearful as well, sneaking glimpses at the Morians and then back to the Paladian. Atomu ground his teeth, as with every second it advanced forth, its stark figure came into view. Both Mirillian and Paladian were shocked.

It wasn't a demon, nor a centura or a goblin. It was something else entirely, a thing that couldn't be named or described without things making sense. He moved back, startled.

What once were nothing but long, sharp, tentacle-like arms, changed into bony hands, with the seven climbing around the tree and into its leaves, looking down at the terrified Jyuzou, and the last one reached right towards Morio. It was covered with a cloak, but it wasn't silky or made of any known material. Its inside, despite being practically engulfed in darkness from the setting sun, was full of flesh, pulsating, with blood flowing in between its massive, skin-like veins.

...and the shadow that covered its face, seemed to be sewn into its eyes, mouth or nose. No matter how hard Atomu squinted his eyes, despite his fearful curiosity, the only thing he could make out was an even thicker murk, smoky and moving. It seemed as if it started looking at him, noticing, watching, observing.

Morio started sliding around on the snow, weeping quietly. Jyuzou covered his eyes, and Chyuuichi tried to stand up, but couldn't.

It seemed as if, at that time, only a miracle could save them.

...and within the realm of countless possibilities, hopes, fear and staring into the face of the unknown, such was exactly what happened.

Suddenly, a heavy wind picked up from the front, carrying a massive gust of snow. When it reached their bodies, they felt something intensely cold, sinking and freezing. In every other scenario, such would be dreaded, and for a while, the Paladian and Mirillian looked at each other as if it were their last moments. Atomu shook his head, Chyuuichi mournfully closed his eyes but the two Morians stared, with the white-haired quickly stepping out to the side.

"M-Mor-" Atomu reached his hand out, right after an ear-piercing scream echoed through the rivers.

Morio stared for a while longer, catching a longer breath, seeing as the shadow advanced upwards and into the depths of the night. He wiped frosts off his face before turning to the others.

"The damn owl," Jyuzou muttered.

"It saved us!" Morio yelled, with a small, seemingly unsure smile.

Atomu managed to stand up, shivering, turning towards the others. Morio gulped, as he moved a bit around the snow, slowed down.

"What the hell was that?!" Chyuuichi suddenly yelled out, completely unbothered by the cold, unlike the Paladian.

"Jyuzou?" Atomu strutted forward.

"I'll find t-the answer." Jyuzou moved his frosted finger around the book's pages.

"There's no time for that!" Morio raised his voice.

"Mhm!" Chyuuichi added. "You see pesky creatures all around Errarion! They're not deterred by some winds, I tell ya! Just like me, aha!" he pointed to himself.

"Y-You brought this upon us!" Jyuzou pointed at the Mirillian.

"That?" Chyuuichi pointed. "It seemed to be more interested in your Morian friend over here."

Atomu turned, and Morio gulped, before shaking his head.

"It couldn't have just given up. It wants something, whatever it is," he replied. "Jyuzou, you'd know best that this isn't the time to look through those books. If it comes back, we'll have to find a new place to hide."

"Where, Morio?" Jyuzou asked as the Morian stepped forward, treading above the small river. "The owl's wind came from there and that's just asking for more damage!"

"I don't think an owl seems as deadly!" Chyuuichi added.

"Morio?" Atomu asked, turning to the Morian, who squeezed something under his vest, trembling. The Paladian raised an eyebrow and Morio then looked back at the others.

"Whatever it is, we can't fight-"

Out of the blue, the creature's scream sounded again, much louder this time.

Atomu shouted fearfully, grabbing Jyuzou by his shoulder, while Chyuuichi followed right after.

"GO! RUN!" Morio yelled out, brows furrowing, as the shadow grew over the hill.

***

As the moon rose from the crowns of the trees and above the colourful and starry sky, Atomu peeked his head out from behind the bushes, trying to make out any shape in the near distance.

The four stood in a small copse, surrounded by plenty of bushes. In the hottest of the Gorro nights, many Morians would sleep above the passing river and on the few, longer, deciduous branches.

"It's not here," Atomu muttered, moving back.

The Morians looked at him, visibly uneasy.

"Morio, where's the next safest spot?" Jyuzou asked.

"The lake," Morio answered, blinking.

"What? The lake? Are we going for a swim?!" Jyuzou asked, pissed off.

"No, idiot! It's frozen tonight! We can walk and find a hut nearby! Mr Bancho said that lots of Morians live by the edges. We'll be safe there." Morio nodded.

"Are you sure they'd let us in for the night?" Atomu asked, putting his shaky hands together. "It's getting damn cold here already."

"Exactly!" Morio added. "No other option available."

Atomu sighed, shaking his head. "I don't know. Whatever that thing was..." he closed his eyes. "I don't think it'll stop at a lake."

"It's not a demon, that's for sure," Jyuzou added.

"Y-Yeah. It didn't have horns." Morio nodded.

"Demons can conceal horns as well. R-Remember what Bruno told us?" Atomu ground his teeth.

"I'm pretty sure, though," Morio said. "Last time we encountered a demon I had this massive headache."

Atomu gulped, looking to the side for a moment.

"If it isn't a demon then you're just confirming Mr Atomu's words." Jyuzou continued.

"If it got scared by something as little as a wave of cold air then it can't be that strong!" Morio added, with some vigour.

"It didn't get scared," Chyuuichi added, shaking his head.

Atomu looked out from behind the bushes again, breathing out and then sighing. "There are no more spots like this in the forest. If we decide to follow the river upstream, we're in the open." he shook his head.

Chyuuichi peeked his head out as well. "We can make a run for it!" he yelled.

"Quiet!" Atomu shushed him.

"Eh, why?" Chyuuichi asked, not moderating his tone in any way. "Whatever that was, it had no business with me! White-haired Morian! It's ya that he's interested in!"

Morio's eyebrows shook.

"Yer name?" Chyuuichi stepped closer.

"Hey, hey!" Jyuzou stepped in the front. "We're not leaving anyone behind!"

"Wouldn't that be easier? Not my fault brat's cursed or something!"

Jyuzou punched him in the shoulder and Morio stepped back, gulping.

"We could've avoided this in the first place if it wasn't for you, Chyuuichi," Atomu uttered. "Why shouldn't you be the one we leave behind?"

"See, that doesn't make s- No wait." Chyuuichi put a hand on his chin. "Okay, then. We're getting out of this together, Morian!" he bumped Morio's shoulder.

"Morio." Jyuzou fixed his glasses.

"That's what I said! Now we can be a great team!"

"WE'RE NOT A TEAM!" Jyuzou continued. "Treat this seriously!"

"Jyuzou," Morio added, after swallowing a gasp and clenching his necklace a bit tighter than before. "You're also causing more chaos."

"I'm for once standing in your defence and this is how you treat me." Jyuzou scoffed and Morio rolled his eyes, before turning to Chyuuichi.

"Hi, Morin! I'm Chyuuichi!" Chyuuchi immediately grabbed his hand, shaking it like crazy.

Atomu kept signalling him to keep quiet.

"Listen, Chyuuichi." Morio moved closer, looking him in the eyes, stepping up so he could reach him. "If you endanger us again, then you're out of the team," he said, in complete seriousness.

"Morio?!" Jyuzou crossed his hands. "We're not a team!"

"Oh. Oh no. Oh no no no no!" Chyuuichi put his hands on his head, terrified. "Not the team! NOT THE TEAM!"

"SHUT UP!" Atomu kicked Chyuuichi's leg and he fell head-first into the snow. He bit his lip in stress and kept spying around, hoping to catch nothing.

Morio grinned, before putting both hands on the Mirillian's shoulder, without necessarily having to jump up because he stood on a hill. "...and what did you mean it was after me?"

"Well. Seemed like it!" Chyuuichi commented. "I mean, of course. Now that we're a team I'd say it was targeting our whole, big, mutual heart!"

"Be serious for a second here!" Morio continued.

"I am serious, Morin!" Chyuuichi nodded. "Like! It latched onto yer tree like it wanted to snatch ya away!"

"Whatever it is after, be it, one of us, we need to watch each other's backs." Atomu added, turning to the Mirillian with a sigh. "As a team," he muttered, unwillingly.

"MHM!" Chyuuichi pointed.

"We'll figure the reason out later." Atomu continued.

Morio stepped back, before smirking. "Told you it'd work."

"You didn't say anything." Jyuzou looked down.

"I thought my glances were enough!" Morio continued.

"Huh?" Chyuuichi stood up. "Told him what?"

"That you won't be part of the team!" Morio pointed.

"AHHH!" Chyuuichi yelled.