Ali and Kai had been walking for roughly six minutes, each step getting more difficult after the tiresome adventure the two just had.
Emelia's corpse was light but, under the current circumstances, she weighed as much as a rock.
"Can't we just dump the body here? It's not as if Alice would know," Kai suggested.
"Idiot! We can't do that," Ali yelled. "Have some sympathy."
"Geez, calm down, it was just a suggestion," he responded. "Well can you at least carry her for a little while?"
With an exasperated sigh, Ali took the fresh corpse from Kai. The two trudged on and it wasn't long before Kai spoke once more.
"Hey, Ali, one more thing," he said.
"What?" The irritated brawler snapped.
"Goodnight," he responded.
Before Ali could open her mouth to ask what Kai was on about, he had already hit the young warrior in her temple with the butt of his axe. She collapsed onto the forest floor, falling atop Emelia's corpse.
With that, Kai was off, running in the direction he had last seen Daniel, August and Alice.
Daniel had managed to catch up to August and the two were making haste. They could clearly tell Alice wanted no followers. She had used her explosive daggers to fell trees, creating a troublesome time for anyone who attempted to tail her.
"Stop," said August. "It's honestly pointless to try and catch her now."
"Should we go back?" Daniel asked.
"Not to the village. I'm sure Konnor and the rest of the Groundsmen are holding the fort."
"So then let's go back to the Hound's body. We'll wait there," Daniel decided.
Konnor had a good nose and could track scents fairly well. He could smell where his friends are, whether they were near of far. This time, he was on the trail of any scent he recognised. The first scent he happened to smell was Ali. He got to her as soon as possible and was shocked to find her lying unconscious alongside Emelia.
"Ali! Ali, wake up," Konnor said as he shook her back into consciousness.
Ali's eyes flickered open. She placed her hand over her eyes immediately, shielding them against the light of the full moon.
"Which of those damned Nobles killed her?" Konnor asked, having put two and two together.
"I'll explain that later but right now you need to catch Kai," she said, fury being the only thing she felt at that moment. "He knocked me out... A cheap shot, obviously, since we all know he would never beat me in a fair fight."
"You don't need to justify, just get back to the village," Konnor said. "Mikey and Tyron will be waiting with an explanation."
Before Ali could find out what the explanation was for, Konnor had already disappeared into the depths of the forest.
Daniel and August had made it back to the kill site, both of them now sitting on tree stumps, recovering their wasted energy. They were tired and wanted to rest but knew they couldn't. They had to wait for Alice and couldn't fall asleep just yet. Especially with all the Nobles in the area.
Suddenly, Kai emerged from the trees. August and Daniel were surprised to see him.
"We thought you were heading back with Ali," said Daniel.
"Had some business to take care of... and now that you two are here, you can help me," Kai said.
"What do you need?" Asked August.
"Your blood!" Kai screamed.
With that, he ran into battle. He swung his axe sidewards, aiming for Daniel's torso. The young shadowkiller managed to roll out of the way at the last second.
"What are you doing?" Daniel demanded.
"Doing what my fellow Nobles sent me to do!" He screamed in return.
"But you've lived in the village for years! There's no way you're a noble," August reasoned, slashing at Kai.
Kai raised his axe to block the attack. "They sent me as an infiltrator when I was only little, you fools! I've been betraying you two even before you were born, just like the others."
Daniel then rolled towards Kai, digging his blade into Kai's thigh. Kai lurched in pain, but held a firm defense against August. He then kicked Daniel knocking him over. August became distracted by his friend taking a solid blow to the face. Kai then took the opportunity to swing the flat side of his axe into August's face. He fell unconscious, landing face first in the dirt. Kai dropped his axe by his side. He then removed the blade from his thigh and dug it into August's back. He pulled the blade out and raised it for a second time, preparing for another plunge. Before Kai's hand could move though, there was a Claymore blade protruding from his stomach. He dropped the blade as the Claymore was pulled from his gut. Behind him stood Konnor, the swordsman's eyes filled with rage. He dropped the Claymore to the floor and immediately after, decked Kai in the face with a solid fist. He then picked up his Claymore and placed it in it's sheath.
"Get out of here," Konnor murmured as he flung August's motionless body over his shoulder. He then did the same for the disorientated Daniel.
"Next time I see you, you're gonna regret this," Kai said as a malicious smile spread across his face. The cut in his stomach slowly began to heal, shocking Konnor. "I'm not quite human anymore, you piece of common trash."
Kai picked up his battle axe and stormed off into the woods, Konnor still standing there in disbelief. Kai was no human... well, not anymore... now, he was a monster.
