The three summons immediately dashed through the swamp toward where the assassin had crashed.

The ground was torn apart and the trees were broken with mud displaced across the ground.

They arrived at the position of the toppled tree but there was no body.

Only a trail of blood across the ground that lead deeper into the forest could be spotted.

"...She escaped."

Meanwhile, the glowing bindings dissolved, melting into particles of light that scattered into the damp swamp air before vanishing completely.

West rolled his shoulders the moment he was free, testing the feeling.

"...Annoying ability."

He stepped forward without wasting time.

By the time he reached the spot where the blood trail had ended, his summons were already there.

Gor’thala stood still with her blade lowered.

"...Master... I failed."

She lowered her head slightly. "It is my fault she escaped. Punish me."

Before West could respond, Seraphyra let out a soft chuckle while swaying her tail lazily behind her. "Kinky."

Gor’thala only kept her head lowered while Seraphyra grinned wider. "I didn’t know you were into that sort of thing, Gor’thala."

Aurethia, as usual, said nothing.

Her glowing saber remained in hand as her gaze scanned the swamp ahead, searching for even the faintest sign of movement.

West stepped up beside them, sweeping his gaze over the broken terrain, crushed foliage and the faint blood traces that had led them here.

"...No one is getting punished," he stated with a firm tone while Gor’thala lifted her head slightly.

"But—"

"I said no," West tone left no room for argument. "Fan out."

His eyes sharpened. "She couldn’t have gotten far."

Gor’thala moved first, vanishing into the trees to the left while Seraphyra slithered in the opposite direction with her tail flicking as she disappeared into the undergrowth.

Aurethia didn’t waste a second either, dashing straight ahead with the quickest pace.

West remained where he was for a moment before moving as well.

Minutes passed as they scanned the terrain but the forest remained eerily quiet with only the sounds of insects and the occasional ripple of stagnant water.

"...She’s gone," West finally turned back after nearly fifteen minutes of searching.

One by one, his summons returned to the original spot.

Gor’thala landed lightly, Seraphyra emerged from behind a cluster of trees while Aurethia stepped out of the shadows.

All three shook their heads, returning with the same results.

West exhaled slowly. "...Oh well."

His gaze drifted toward the direction where the blood trail had vanished.

"I’m sure this won’t be the last time we see her."

"We’ll just have to be more careful next time."

With that, he turned around. "Let’s go."

...

The car sat exactly where they had left it.

Debra and Dr. Amos were still near it, both looking visibly tensed and crouched due to the earlier battle.

The moment West stepped into view, Debra rushed forward slightly.

"West!"

Her eyes scanned him quickly. "Are you okay? You’re not hurt, are you?"

The concern in her voice was genuine but West didn’t look impressed.

"My wellbeing is none of your concern."

The words were more chilling than ice causing Debra to freeze in place.

The faint hope in her expression dimmed slightly but she nodded.

"...Alright."

West reached the car. "We’re leaving."

Without delaying for another second, yhey all got in.

Dr. Amos hesitated slightly before taking the driver’s seat, glancing briefly at the back where Gor’thala, Seraphyra, and Aurethia stood behind the car.

"...Uh..."

He cleared his throat awkwardly. "What about... them?"

West leaned back into his seat. "Don’t worry about it."

A moment later, the three summons vanished as if they had never been there.

Dr. Amos blinked. "...Right."

He started the engine and they left.

As they drove, the forest faded behind them.

The swamp gave way to rough terrain, then to proper roads, then finally to the distant glow of civilization.

Neither Debra nor Amos spoke much and West didn’t either.

His gaze remained fixed outside the window as his thoughts ran quietly beneath the surface.

—

Nearly an hour later, they arrived at the airport.

Tickets had already been arranged before they left the shack and fake passports. They both had scarfs covering their faces slightly... all that remained was to wait.

They took their seats in the waiting area, blending into the crowd of travelers moving through the terminal.

For a while, everything was calm until a sultry voice echoed in West’s mind.

"...Master."

Seraphyra’s head peeked out from the edge of his summoner space with a slightly pouty expression.

"I’m hungry."

West stared at her for a moment before sighing. "...Of course you are."

He stood up and walked toward one of the nearby snack shops, grabbing a few items without much thought.

When he returned, he subtly transferred them into his summoner space.

A moment later, Seraphyra’s eyes lit up.

"Oh—this is good."

Gor’thala took one silently while Aurethia examined hers before eating with quiet curiosity.

"...Human food in a bag is always delicious," she murmured.

West shook his head slightly. "...You three..."

—

Another hour passed before boarding time arrived.

They moved with every one else headed for Misty High, filed in and took their seats.

The plane taxied before finally lifting off into the sky after all the necessary proceedings.

In the sky, the buzz of the engines filled the cabin as the city below shrank into distant lights.

Inside West’s summoner space:

"Master!" Seraphyra pointed excitedly. "What sort of bird is this?"

West rubbed his forehead.

"...It’s not a bird."

"Then why does it fly?"

"...Because humans built it to."

Gor’thala tilted her head slightly.

"...So it is a construct designed for aerial traversal."

"Yes."

Aurethia nodded slowly.

"...Efficient."

Seraphyra leaned closer to the edge of the space.

"...Can it breathe fire?"

"No."

"...Disappointing."

West let out a sigh.

"...I regret answering that."

The conversation continued turning strange but carrying a lot of amusement.

Debra and Amos watched from their seats, occasionally exchanging glances.

If they didn’t know better, they would have thought he was talking to himself.