Corrupters, corrupting, corrupted...

- Pietra.

- Yes, Kai?

- You know, when I let that portal suck me inside, I expected that I would be learning magic with a beautiful witch or something at this point. Perhaps becoming a noble knight of some kingdom, cheered and loved by a gentle and innocent princess.

- Is that so?

- Instead, in about an hour, I was stabbed, beaten, and arrested. Without any particular reason, in fact.

- That does seem to be the case.

- I was promised powers and blessings, but all I got until now is a huge anxiety bonus. Probably proficiency in sorrow, too.

- Weren't you already max-leveled up in those stats?

The entire gang is locked up in jail after being captured by the peasants of a humble village near the forest. A solitary torch next to a wooden door provides the only source of light and warmth, while a small barred window lets in some additional dim light from outside. In one corner of the cell, a pile of spoiled hay serves as a makeshift bed.

- I regret my decision! I want to go home! - he screams, exaggeratedly.

- Look on the bright side. At least we have a new friend!

Nicholas is doing stretches. The little girl from earlier, who is also imprisoned with them, imitates him.

- Why are you being so friendly with her?

- It’s not Asai’s fault that we are in this situation. She was used as bait.

- But if they were using her to lure these "corrupted" guys, doesn’t that make her evil?

The trio looks at the young figure in unison.

- Asai! - she cutely speaks, offering another small black fruit she just took out of her pouch.

- I disagree.

- You are letting her manipulate you!

- She was probably mistaken for someone else. Just like us. Don’t you remember the villagers saying something about getting a huge reward from the royal knights while they were beating us?

- No. I was being beaten.

- What even is she anyway? - Pietra asks curiously.

- Can’t you see the pointy ears? She’s an elf.

- Isn’t that a bit racist?

Kai sighs deeply.

- Whatever. It’s not like this dumb girl can understand us anyway.

- Don’t say that! You are going to hurt her feelings.

He looks at Asai. She is smiling at him.

- See? I think she doesn’t speak our language.

- Sea?

- What?

- Fish!

- A grilled fish would be nice, but I-

She reaches for her pouch, takes a dead trout, and slaps Kai in the face with it.

- You little brat!

He tries to catch her, but Pietra holds him. Nicholas turns to Asai.

- Can you tell us a bit more about you?

- Hmm?

She tilts her head, staring at him.

- Do you have a family?

- Guava!

- I see. That’s good to hear. How did you get caught in that trap we found you in?

- Straberys!

- How terrible. What about your home? Is it far? Do you know how to go back?

- Hmm… Asai?

- That’s unfortunate. You can stay with us if you want, okay?

She wiggles her arms, dancing again. Nicholas smiles and dances with her.

- Do you understand her, or are you just messing around, Nicholas? - Pietra asks, suspicious.

- Not even a single word.

- What a waste of time…

Kai lays down, tired and defeated.

- I’m done. Call me when that red-haired dandy general arrives to kill us.

- I was wondering why does everyone think we are “corrupted”? What does that even mean? - Pietra says thoughtfully.

- I remember one of the folks that brought us here saying that we were “corrupters”, actually.

- Not only corrupted, but corrupters? That would explain why they all seem so wary of us. The peasants threw us here as quickly as possible without even taking our belongings.

- Are they like demons, maybe? - Nicholas questions.

Pietra let out a sigh.

- Giovanni would love that kind of plot.

- What do you think, Kai?

Kai gazes intently at a corner of the jail, deep in thought, although there's nothing there.

- Kai?

He jolted, startled.

- Oh, sorry. I… Uh… Dozed off.

- Are you okay, buddy?

- Yeah… I was just kind of lost in thought, but I’m fine. I mean it.

He rushes to change the subject, not before looking one last time at that same corner.

- What are we talking about?

- Corruption.

- We said variations of that word so many times today I feel like it is losing its meaning.

Kai reflects a bit.

- I don’t know. We have other priorities at the moment. Get out of here, get clean clothes, find somewhere safe, understand our damn powers…

Nicholas nods.

- Good point. I tried bending these bars a few minutes ago, but it didn’t work. I’m pretty sure at this point that whatever I can do, it’s not related to strength.

Pietra looks at the strings linking her friends.

- I still need to figure out what I can do with this. Oh, now some new ones are tying us with Asai. They are light green, though.

- Tada!

Asai proclaims, striking a pose. While everyone was discussing, she made a small purple toy, similar to a squeeze ball, but with a cute face on it. She gently sticks the toy on the cell’s wall.

- What is she up to now?

- Bubble!

The toy expands into a dark, sinister orb that engulfs everything in its path. Just looking at it feels like staring into the emptiness of the void, where only nothingness exists. The most frightening aspect is that it makes no sound, quietly devouring everything its mass consumes in a chilling silence.

After a few seconds, the orb dissipates, leaving nothing where it was.

- She might be trouble after all… - Pietra states.

- And we are somehow connected to her now. - Kai says, depressed.

Nicholas walks to Asai and pats her head, praising her.

- Good job! You saved us!

Without wasting any more time, they leave the jail.

It’s nighttime, but there is a lot of activity around the village due to their presence. They manage to sneak past the buildings and safely flee the area. Covered by the darkness, they decided to follow a road, hoping it would lead them somewhere with at least a bit less confrontation.

Suddenly, a fancy black carriage slowly comes down the road, pulled by an ever darker horse. If not for the purple flame flickering on a brazier hanging near the coachman, it would be pretty much invisible on this night. Its wheels and velvet curtains were also purple, making a good contrast with all that black. The coachman notices the tired group walking and stops.

The man is even more extravagant than his carriage. He is tall and thin, around his fifties, wearing a broken monocle. His clothes are a purple vest combined with a long, tattered black coat, fingerless gloves, and black pants. At last, an old black hat hides his short, brown, and grey hair.

- What do we have here? Tired travelers soaked in blood and tears? - his deep voice reeks of mischief.

- We don’t want any trouble - Nicholas promptly affirms, standing in front of the others.

- So do I, dear traveler. I am nothing but a merchant, and you seem to need my services.

- We also don’t have any money.

- Worry not, for the Fagusio Family is always kind to new customers!

He walks down his carriage and opens its door to them.

- Come in. I can explain more on the way if you wish.

- Where will you take us?

- A location of your choice, free of charge. Only this once, of course.

- You guys are not seriously considering going with this weirdo, right? - Pietra asks.

- Do we have a choice? Look at our situation - Kai points out.

The three friends look at each other. It’s the brutal truth that despite the odd man in front of them being highly suspicious, he also can be their only chance of survival right now.

- Okay, we are going with you.

- Excellent! My name is Anlero Fagusio. It will be my pleasure and honor to show you the hospitality of our family! So, where may I take you?

- Well, we don’t know much of the region…

- Ah, that is fine! I know the perfect place for newcomers like you! It’s less than a day from here!

- Did he say newcomers? - Pietra whispers.

- Great. Let’s add getting kidnapped and losing a kidney to today’s bingo, then - Kai mocks under his breath.

- Asai!

- Yeah, yeah… We didn't forget you or anything.