The crisp noise of human boots crushing dry leaves echoed incessantly in the woods as Charles led his group forward with the Dark Blade in hand. 0

The Dark Blade tore apart every vine and bush in their way while the crew looked around vigilantly. None spoke a word, afraid that any foreign noise would attract the killing harmony from earlier.0

Charles had told the mice to retreat. The mice were supposed to scout the road ahead of the group, but the mice were useless against an invisible, intangible enemy, so Charles had told them to retreat.0

Just then, Lily whispered into Charles' ear, "Shouldn't we apologize to those Ropelings later once we're done here? I mean, we attacked them first, so I think we should go over to them and make amends."0

"Don't think about useless things; concentrate!" Charles...0