As they approached the forest, the stench of burnt corpse and burnt wood hit their noses.

For some reason, there was also a reek of smoked meat. George pinched the bridge of his nose to reduce how much got in his nose, but he dropped his hand instantly.

"Steak?"

"Don’t think so lightly." Killian reprimanded him, even if that thought had crossed his mind. How possible could it be that his kidnapped sister had a grill stand in the middle of the forest?

"It wouldn’t be such a bad idea. She creates the fire and the forest supplies the meat. Herbs make good spices."

Killian subtly rolled his eyes at the joke. They reached a fork on the road and looked ahead. The large burning tree still stood ahead, and it seemed either of the roads would lead them to it.

"We separate."

"There’s no use. She can only be at the end." Killian still looked at the tree’s top, silently hoping that he would be pleased with what he’d find under it.

"Still, I have to give accurate reports so I must see everything." George insisted, taking out his tablet from his inventory. "Or are you scared you have no mana left to defend yourself."

Killian huffed but said nothing else. He took out his dagger from his inventory, and moved to the right fork.

’He must see everything yet he didn’t check that temple? He could simply admit that he sensed a strong opponent there and chickened out.’

The right path had fewer obstacles along the way, and very rarely did a bird flutter overhead. Which meant everything here was either dead or scared. He switched the dagger to his right hand.

Scream!

"Quara!" He dashed over, processing the sound he heard as he ran. It didn’t sound like his older sister and the way the temperature rose in those seconds said a lot.

He jumped down the cliffs without calculating. He never expected the path to lead to a dead end, or that the large burning tree-top he had been seeing was humongous.

The top of the tree stayed visible from the cliff while the roots remained on the ground twenty feet down, every part engulfed in flames. Killian slipped into the shadow caused by his descent.

He emerged at the foot of another tree. His eyes swept the surroundings, looking for any burnt corpse or sign of scorching. George descended the cliff behind him.

As he had guessed the paths led to the same place.

"Was that her?"

"No. An orc." Killian answered.

He had fought a good number to know what their screams sounded like, especially when being consumed by fire. "They must’ve attacked her for their practice."

His mind went to the ones he met earlier.

"Practice," George hummed, standing beside him. "What is that?"

"If you have gone into that temple, you could’ve gotten a better idea." Killian walked ahead, following a trail of footsteps he noticed.

The footsteps had the print of a branded boot, the ones Quara wore. Beside the footsteps was a trail, as if a weapon had been dragged on the ground with her.

"She’s with Onyx." Killian smiled.

That weapon was only the first and last of its kind, capable of using its wielder’s mana and could make actions of its own. "It makes sense how she escaped."

He started a pace, running ahead with his eyes tracking the prints under him. Vibrations coursed through the earth below his feet.

From the corner of his eyes, he saw George planting his hand to the ground. He nodded at Killian. "She’s up ahead but isn’t alone."

Just before Killian could respond, George exploded off the ground dashing past Killian with ease. Killian slowed down, and snapped his head to the spot George had moved from.

A deep crater had formed. He blinked twice, then turned forward only to realize George was no longer in his line of sight.

"You could’ve taken me with you!" He yelled, while running to catch up. ’Tsk. Show-off!’

But with no one around, Killian locked eyes with the cast shadow of a tree a distance away and slipped under the shadow of a boulder.

His breathing came out stiffly when he re-merged. He kept his hands on his knees to support himself.

"My mana is low." He bit his lower lips. "Still, that George can’t just catch up to her before me."

After a deep breath, he forced his steps again. Quara was safe, and George was closer. He was no longer alone in this so he could take things slowly.

SHING!

BOOM!

Killian flinched as a figure crashed into the tree that he had just used with Shadow Path. He had only taken three steps before the wall to his right was cut open, and something was thrown out.

The orc that had been thrown groaned, and lifted itself off the ground with terrifying struggle. It was as if he kept on, his bones might give way.

"What is..."

The words stuck in Killian’s throat when the sword, Onyx, floated out of the split wall. The orc roared as fire formed on his palm and he shot it ahead.

The sword pointed its tip towards the orc, and shot through, piercing the fireball and digging into the orc’s chest.

The moment the orc held the hilt, fire flared from the golden sword burning the orc to a crispy green.

"Dang," Killian smirked. "Onyx is good at fighting independently."

The sword pulled out from through the crispy corpse, and angled straight. Killian walked towards the split wall where he hoped to see his sister.

"Whoa...." The sword’s blade missed him.

Killian jumped back, his eyes narrowing in confusion. Then he saw the second fire emblem on the sword lit up like a charged battery.

The weapon had locked in on its next target, and upgraded its movement and firepower to match. It sped to Killian.

His tendrils grabbed the sword’s hilt, flinging it backwards. But the moment Onyx caught its momentum, it came back again.

Killian hissed.

"Stupid sword. You are only tracking heat signatures, aren’t you?"