We can rest for a bit here.

Avoiding all these demons is starting to become a chore.

Are you feeling better?

Yes, thank you.

The magic in this land moves strangely.

Wait. Where is Faelan again?

Over here! I found a better spot!

A better--huh. Well, I guess it is somewhat better.

Told you. An Isengrim always knows their way!

And where are you going?

Foraging! You can follow if you can, dead one!

I'll keep an eye on her. You should rest here.

Hey, Faelan.

Hmph. Nothing good to eat here. Just moss and twigs.

Here. I found this ration in my pack, should still be good.

Hmm. Little chewy.

Yeah, it is.

Fire wood girl, do you miss your pack?

My pack? Oh, my friends? Not...really.

Huh? Why?

I miss my packmates. Big Faofao, and little Caicai, and Lyly. They always get in trouble without me!

Faofao is this big, and so furry! He likes to splash water everywhere!

That sounds fun.

Why don't you miss them?

I...It's complicated.

What's that?

Oh, alright. I used to be a witch hunter in the Inquisition. A pretty good one too.

Everyone was either proud of me, or scared of me. It was...fun, in its own way. Certainly wasn't boring.

Then I met a man, and...it didn't seem important any more.

Must be a powerful mate then. The Forest Mother didn't want me finding mine so soon. Said it wasn't my time yet.

I can see that. You're still too young!

And yes, he was, I suppose. It was glorious...

What did he look like?

I...I...I don't...

Why? What's...dizzy...

Fire wood girl!

Welcome back to the land of the living, Adriesta. It's a good thing that Faelan was with you.

Indeed. A fortuitous coincidence.

Are you okay, fire wood girl?

Yeah, just... Ow, my head...

Faelan just told us about what happened.

With your permission, I shall gaze into your soul and see where the problem lies.

I... Okay? I guess.

Mmmmm. Hm.

Ow. Agh... A little gentleness please?

My apologies. I see the problem. Someone has sealed away your memories.

What?!

Sealed, and rather neatly. If she tried to remember them, she would be gently dissuaded at first.

Then painfully forced away if she remained insistent on recalling those days.

Let me see, Ilm.

Very well, provided you pay my price: an honest answer, when I ask for it.

Done.

Can't you just show the dead woman?

No service in this universe is free. Especially not mine.

Never mind, pup. I can pay. I...

Gods above. I know this type of work.

Y-You do?

I don't understand. What interest would Maestron have in you?

Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

Isn't that a Raug overlord?

The youngest, and some would say, the cruelest.

Adriesta, what have you done?

I-I...don't...

Remember.

I'm better, Gabriela.

And just in time, it seems. Look, down there.

Eugh. It's stinky.

It seems to be where our path lies. The weave of fate certainly points towards that building.

That's the size of an entire city!

And there are swarms of demons down there!

By that shining tower, at those gates...There's just too many of them!

How are we going to get inside?

Hm. I will see what I can do.

Whoa! Strange water disappeared!

Don't lie to me. You look pale.

Talk about you being a judge of character!

Gabriela, you said that I shouldn't mention...

Yes. Don't speak of it to anyone. Please.

Okay. I won't. I promise.

So. What brings you to this island, White Wolf Faelan?

I don't have to talk to dead things!

Please, Faelan. It's not like we have anything else to do.

O-Okay... Okay!

I'm on a holy quest for the Isengrim, to find who inflicted the curse on our divine Forest Mother and rip their throats out!

That's...Wow.

Were you forced, child?

No! I volunteered! To die for the divine Forest Mother brings honor to me and my pack!

I see.

Gabriela? Are you...

Yes. I just need some time alone. Tell Ilm I needed a little privacy when he gets back.

Of course.

Hey. There you are.

Mm.

Ilm says that he's divined the name of the city and can bring us past the guards at the gate. We'll need to stay low, though.

I see.

I saw your eyes when Faelan...

She's in over her head.

So you said.

She shouldn't have to die for her goddess! She's far too young!

She deserves to live a long, full life!

It's her choice, Gabriela!

Is it?

When a parent tells a child to die for its cause, does that make it right?

These Isengrim are...

Don't!

Don't say it. Have the decency to respect her decision, whatever you think of her.

When you're ready, we'll be waiting for you at the camp.

Ah. There you are.

Ilm. Adriesta said you found a way in?

Indeed. The city's name is Gunegarth--an old name stolen by its present occupiers.

I can bring us past the gate, but no further. The wards in the city will raise an alarm if I press further.

And...the, uh, price?

Paid for already.

With...what, if I may ask?

My imminent death. I have seen it a little more clearly now.

Ah. Okay? I mean, okay. I guess.

Well, if that's settled... Wait, where's Faelan?

She said she would scout the way, so I sent her ahead.

You what?!

Hold on. There may be some vertigo.

Ugh. Never agai--

Faelan!

Faelan! Get down! Fly, my blades!

What were you thinking?!

I'm not over my head!

I'm not!

I...I know child.

I'm just...really scared. And I miss my packmates. And...I'm all...

I know. Shhhh. We're here.

We're your pack now, okay?

As approximate as that may be.

Shhh. It's going to be alright. No one is going to go away. Okay?

Y-You still stink, dead woman.

No perfume can fix that, I fear.

Come, little cub. We have a score to settle.

I never understood that saying.

Okay. Let's go!

Shhh! We're trying to avoid being noticed, remember?

Closer. Come closer.