First Planned battle with Manifestations of Malice

They weren’t exactly early, but they had made it a few minutes before the planned starting time. The teams were now slowly moving inside the magical circle that Robbie was drawing above them. Londra’s team was to the north, while Anna’s would start at the southern part of the camp. Rus’s team was to the west, while his team would be starting on the eastern side. This camp consisted of three platoons having twelve females and two hundred fifteen males. From the sky he could see the variety of tents. He counted forty-five normal sized tents, eight large tents, and the biggest one in the center. Nothing had changed from their multiple investigations, which was good… he hoped.

Robbie could see everyone was nervous but so was he. They had planned for this… His body was right before the sun so nobody should notice him, plus the M-Ms should be asleep. Once the four teams were in place, he began the barrier spell making sure it went four feet into the ground. His large, pure white, feathered wings glowing a variety of colors but the spell’s power and beauty was washed out by the sun. The line that had been drawn was now visible, as was the dome around the camp that all were contained in. He gently flapped waiting for the four Impenetrable Skin spells to finalize so he could verify that they all overlapped and no spot within the camp was unprotected. “Londra, Anna, Zerina, and Belle the spells are solid, overlapping perfectly. We are starting with frequency thirteen to do the wide purification. I will wait up here.” Robbie watched as the camp was filled with white light. “I do believe that took out around fifty. Belle, I will be down to join you as soon as I drop the music ball. Anything else?” Robbie projected to everyone.

“Remember that the screams interfere with our link so if you need one of us you must mentally yell and amplify it with magic,” Londra projected to everyone. “If you run into the females leave them for us. My team will take the northern part of the camp, while Anna’s does the southern part. Also, we are not killing them but opening them to release the trapped spirits. They are nothing but horrible containers with trapped souls. Keep your fear as controlled as possible. Even with these reinforced necklaces there will be a flash, especially from the larger M-Ms.”

Robbie waited, but he could tell everyone was ready to go. He dropped the magical ball and instantly the camp was filled with music. The ball was hopefully indestructible and would pump out music for thirty minutes or eight songs worth. The music was supplied by Sara and Jasur the two that lead their morning dance workouts. Thus, the mix was from her past on Earth and his past on Ceana. It was to distract the M-Ms while giving them something to listen to besides screaming and grotesque words. They hoped it helped to keep their mood up.

Eastern side: Robbie, Belle, Fenten, Sasha, Alexander, Beta

He landed with his team, stretching his large, white, feathered wings twice before letting them rest creating a perfect upside-down u shape that reached almost two feet above his head and stopped just above his ankles. A moment later they were gone, and he readjusted the off-white band around his chest. Fenten was still small, sitting on Sasha’s shoulder while she had human legs at the moment. The advantages of Demon Spider Silk and Three Horn leather shoes was that when anyone changed forms they were magically absorbed by the body. Thus, when they changed back, they were already dressed without needing to dress every time. She gave him a smile as if knowing what he was thinking about.

Beta was standing next to Alexander in his larger form, looking like a grey panther with glowing blue eyes, wearing a large off-white collar. “At least you can hear the music everywhere. Ready?” Robbie asked rubbing Beta’s large head.

“Yea, the music is a great addition,” Alex nodded, his steel grey eyes focused. His muscular body ready to fight as he held his large sword. “Take down the tent and we are ready.”

“What he said,” Belle sighed, squeezing the handle of her lance with a long blade. Fenten decided to pull his wings in and stand ready in his human form. They moved to the first tent. Robbie used Purification Flame to destroy the tent quickly. There were six males inside, all different colors, slowly waking.

Belle and Sasha moved, taking off the head of the two farthest away while Fenten followed. The third head was removed as Robbie started the intense version of Purification Flame to free the souls. Beta had a sword he was controlling with magic to protect Robbie. He also removed a head while moving closer to Robbie. “It is different… being able to see the spirits that I am freeing. I got this,” Beta stated, finding his resolve since the last of the six were headless. All three of them were watching Robbie as he motioned to the tent on the left.

He didn’t get to take the tent down because three, black M-Ms around five feet tall came running at them. Belle stood before him while Fenten and Sasha protected his sides, leaving Beta and Alex to cover the back. These were not sleepy, and the music did help drown out the horrible things they were yelling but the nightmare flashes came after the third scream. Luckily that is all they seen, flashes of memories. Robbie watched the battling… these three M-Ms were quite skilled with their swords. Alex joined the fight with Fenten since Beta was watching the rear. Robbie was amazed that it was keeping up with them both. Then again, the two fighting the ladies never backed down as they continued to say nasty things. It was Beta that finally got a clear shot, removing the head of the one battling both Alex and Fenten. Robbie acted quickly as did Fenten, who removed the head of the one Belle was fighting while Sasha finally got her opening.

“I deserve lots of love,” Beta stated, his long grey tail circling while his blue eyes began to search. “This is not fun, but I want to help. I see the souls too; we must save them!”

“I have a feeling it will be nonstop now. I am keeping my legs unless I need to do evasive maneuvering. The blood and gore is just sliding off my body… it is gross but I am glad,” Sasha sighed, closing her evergreen eyes for a moment. The brown-green blood slowly siding off from her long, braided hair down her buttercream back to the ground. She felt it the whole way but yet there was no burning or itching. “We still taking the tent down?”

“Everything needs to be purified,” Alex stated, with a nod. His cognac, square face showing just how serious this battle was to him. “Sorry, I don’t have a lot of magic and that M-M just showed me I am out of shape, but I will not hold you back.”

“I am taking down the tent to the left and right,” Robbie decided, a bit amazed that he had only heard two distinct songs. Where they moving that fast? Power flowed around him causing his short, auburn hair to swish around his serious, oval, buttercream face while his green eyes continued to look everywhere.

“That isn’t too much?” Belle wondered, staying before him. She turning briefly to survey him then was focused forward again. Her toned, Elven body was ready but her sharp, oval, light beige face showed she was still nervous. Her long, Elven ears that were far from her head were ridged, listening to everything while her deep blue eyes watched. With a shoulder shrug her long, platinum braid left her shoulder as more gore dropped to the ground to be purified by the Impenetrable Skin spell that covered them and the ground.

“I will not be hasty,” Robbie stated, “I know this is a marathon for me, but it is one I can do.”

“We will help when you need a break,” Fenten stated, reaching with an almost steady, caramel hand to stroke the large version of Beta. He was determined to show them that he was a fighter. His short, indigo hair was already messed up enough they could see his pointed ears while his accented, oval face and light blue eyes showed his focus. “I might go small then large for the next one, but I did need help. Thanks Alex… and Beta.”

“We might not have to move much,” Sasha mumbled. Her long, buttercream face tightened enough the underlying scales could be seen. “There are eight heading our way. We protect Robbie while he saves the souls.”

“Correction,” Beta grumbled, “There were eight in the two tents, so we have sixteen coming our way. At least the music has a nice beat.” There was a variety of color now, and some decided to use magic. It was Belle’s job to intercept magic. Her deep blue eyes moved around but her head didn’t, a moment later she was twirling to cancel twenty-six spells that were headed towards them while Alex moved closer, so Fenten moved back to help Beta.

It was interesting how he could use air magic around them without layering, while they would need to layer their spells so the M-Ms wouldn’t eat the magic. He shrunk to his Fairy size then returned to human behind two, removing their heads while weakly smiling at the spirits being freed by Robbie’s Purification Flames. Beta used his magic sword to take off another two, giving Robbie more to do. Sasha was taking on three but had changed to one of the lances with long blades. Robbie was amazed at how effortlessly she made it look. Alex took down two more, letting the brown-green blood slide off his body while the slit on his left arm pushed the poison out before healing. Yes, the spells helped tremendously. It taken two songs, but they had defeated the sixteen and the other nine that had been drawn to the battle. Robbie was trying to control his breathing while looking around. “We stay for the moment, catch our breath then move forward.”

“Yep,” Fenten added breathlessly. “Marathon designed to look like a sprint.”

“You all did well,” Beta purred. He shook the blood and gore off like a dog but would tell no one. He had a few slashes that were healing. “By the way, I am not feeling any lingering effects from all the blood and screaming. Do they have to scream so much?”

“I agree with that and are so happy to hear you are staying with us,” Sasha smiled, while trying to find air. “Had to switch twice… love the Demon Spider Silk.”

“Agreed,” Fenten smiled, starting to breath normally. “We won’t get far. From what I can sense, once we make it to the next set of tents we will be surrounded again.”

“The training made it easier, but they are just so disgusting. Their words, bodies, eyes… it is hard, but I keep reminding myself they are just containers to open,” Belle admitted, using her hands to help move the blood off from her body faster. Amazed that it didn’t go under the special clothing or in the boots. She looked over to see it sliding off from Alex’s right prosthetic arm too. It even sealed the nick in it. Yes, an amazing spell.

“Good, keep it up,” Alex encouraged as Robbie motioned that they were moving forward. “We have the perfect set up. Don’t be discouraged when we are surrounded. We just work together while protecting Robbie. Beta, you are doing great!”

“I am,” Beta responded with a purr. “I expect to be coddled and I want chicken.”

“Yea, we can do that,” Robbie smiled.

South: Anna, Trenton, Julius, Fern, Theda

Anna took a few deep breaths, moving her head to the music letting her deep, red braid slide across her nearly naked back. With focused, deep green eyes and her most serious, light tan, heart-shaped face she looked at her team. “Trenton, take us to our first female. Remember, we only are after the females. If we run across another team, we don’t help until the southern part of this camp is free of female M-Ms. Ready?”

Fern let out a shaky breath, pulling in her vivid pink, butterfly wings letting her long violet braid sway. “I have better control of magic as a Fairy, but I decided only to use my wings when I go small. I will not let you down.”

“I don’t know how you could. Let’s just go,” Julius said, rubbing his sister’s back. His square, light tan face was full of emotions but his green eyes were steadfast.

Trenton closed his deep green, Demon eyes planning a route while his long, golden pecan colored face twisted from what he saw. “I have the route,” he said softly with his deep voice. He reached out to pet Theda, who looked more ready than the rest of them. His large form reminded them of a fluffy, yellow lion with his hazel.

Anna nodded and they were before a tent. She took it down quickly. Theda stayed beside her letting the enchanted blade he was controlling enter with the others. With Trenton’s size he was able to take out the two sleeping males beside the sleeping female with one motion while Julius went for the female. Her dark, yellow eyes opened just before he removed her head. Fern’s job was to find and destroy the eggs. Purifying Flames were dancing all around making it easy to find the eggs that were strangely in a basket, which she found because of the horrible odor. She emptied them out, smashing all twenty so Anna could purify them. The team grouped back together after they were all ash.

“Now, Trenton,” Theda stated. “If not, we will be surrounded and won’t be able to teleport.”

Trenton nodded, taking them to the next tent. It went exactly like the first but with five males in the tent with the female. He took them to the third. This group was awake, but it still wasn’t much of a battle. He was surprised that the third song was half way through. They were making good time, but he was sure the fourth would be another story…

Anna didn’t need to take down a tent because the fourth female was outside yelling at four males of various colors while forcing them to eat the eggs in a very violent matter. They could hear the music in the background, but the lyrics were lost by what their eyes were witnessing. It was Theda that brought them back. His magically controlled weapon removed the head of the female while his long, fluffy, yellow tail wacked Anna. “Sorry,” Anna mumbled purifying the female while Trenton teleported to get the rest of the eggs while the four M-Ms radiated power. He handed the basket to Fern who immediately destroyed the ten leftover eggs, purifying them since Anna’s focus was the female that needed a higher level of Purification Flame.

“Okay,” Theda grumbled. “I wasn’t ready, but neither were any of you. Now, since Anna is preoccupied, I suggest we attack the four monstrosities before us. They are all six feet tall now, with more muscle than possible, so many wrinkly layers of evil,… and veins sticking out… with souls screaming for help. We have red, black, blue, and violet…”

Theda’s upset voice seemed to snap everyone awake. “I will take the violet,” Fern whispered, before switching to her smaller form, a pink blur heading towards the violet M-M.

Julius slapped his own face before charging towards the red one. “That is one way to do it,” Trenton sighed. “I will take the blue, hopefully we get them down quickly.”

“I am staying here,” Theda decided. “I will use my fancy, transparent walls to protect us.”

“Thanks,” Anna mumbled breathlessly. “Lots of evil in her… I see more and the screams seem to give longer flashes. I got this, especially with you to protect me.”

They watched Fern shrink and grow more than a dozen times while trying to stay away from the dripping claws of the violet one. It was constantly screaming, causing her to lose flight for a moment. The red one used ice, strangely enough. Julius was able to dodge most of the spells, the ones that got close seemed to slide off. He knew that was his sister’s doing. Maybe a new spell she quickly created. Even with that he just couldn’t get close enough. He looked over to see that Trenton hadn’t made any headway either and the black one was now pounding on Theda’s transparent walls. It even tried to jump but was met with the same barrier. The blue one could use shadows, which should have been a breeze for Trenton, but the magic assault was constant. Then just when there was an opening the M-M charged for his legs causing him to go on the defensive. Anna was watching, trying her best to stay calm so when the heads rolled, she could purify them quickly but having one beating and screaming at you was completely unnerving. She tried to listen to the music but… her hand began to stroke Theda, giving him some more mana since she had so much. It was hard to think.

“Move closer,” Julius yelled. “If we can’t take out ours…”

“Oh, great idea,” Fern replied, flying towards the one occupied with Trenton knowing that Julius was now going against two. She had to make this count… she waited then grew and slashed before returning to her Fairy size. Anna was quick to capitalize on it. Trenton was able to take out the red one since it was distracted. Julius was still battling the violet one with little headway but now one of them could help his sister. Fern returned to finish the battle she started. She could feel the power that Anna was using on the Purification Flame spell, but she just needed a moment. Landing on Julius’ shoulder as he headed towards the black one that was now battling Trenton. No, it was more like trying to slice Trenton’s legs off. Thankfully, the pole his lance was reinforced. Julius seized the moment, removing the last head.

“As soon as Anna is done, we must move to the fifth,” Trenton said breathlessly. “She is attempting to make more females.”

“Then we go now,” Anna decided breathlessly. “They are all ash; I can breathe latter. I don’t want to take on more than six! Move in together.”

Trenton moved them into a horrible scene. This female had hunted down four, six feet tall, M-Ms and sliced them open. You could hear their screaming as the four hatchlings began to eat their insides. Yet they didn't move...

“Yuk,” Fern mumbled, leaning against Julius’ neck.

“They are all in a line,” Trenton noticed. “Theda get the main female. I am slicing the heads off the males. Julius and Fern, you need to take off the heads of the hatchlings so Anna can purify everything together.”

“Yes,” Anna whispered, closing her deep green eyes briefly. “I strengthened your blades.”

Theda moved closer to Anna so she could lean against his large form while his blade connected with the main female. Trenton disappeared only to reappear behind the line of males. Pushing his emotions away and thinking only of the souls trapped inside the husk, he systematically went down the line removing heads. Fern used magic to move herself and Julius closer. They both were in between the eating hatchlings and before they could notice, they sliced before moving back. A massive rainbow flame erupted while Anna silently shed tears. The spell was strong yet beautiful. They all seen the souls leaving, turning white, before fading away. Some even had enough energy to thank them before disappearing.

“We need to do that again,” Trenton mumbled. “We might even have timed it right…”

“They are ash, go,” Anna whispered, refusing to let her knees buckle or her mood diminish.

Trenton nodded. They were now before a similar scene but there were six males being chewed on while the main female danced around them, as if protecting the hatchlings.

“Nope,” Theda grumbled. “So done,” with that the female’s head was rolling on the ground. Trenton teleported to once again remove the male’s heads while Julius and Fern went to work on the hatchlings. These two battles may have been as quick as the first, but the mental toll was immense. As the flames danced and the souls waved the group leaned against each other.

“I know we are supposed to join the others but…” Anna started. “We earned a little eye break before we go back into the…”

“Yep,” Fern agreed. “So glad for this spell. The yuck just rolls off and the slices heal. Even my wings… so glad. I know we practiced but…” She fluttered her pink wings before bringing them back in again. They wouldn’t recede into her body if there was any gore on them. Another great thing about the spell.

“Yea, we hear ya,” Julius mumbled, leaning forward to shake some of the blood out of his short, red hair while Trenton used a bit of magic to help move blood off from his large body. “Oh, the music stopped…”

Fern nodded, “here I will start it again. I don’t think it was quiet for long…”

“No, it wasn’t. Well,” Theda began. “I knew this was going to be difficult, but I am glad to help. Look at how many poor souls we have set free. Now if we just stay here, basking in our glory, the males will come to us,” he said in his monotone way which had everyone smiling.

West: Rus, Calla, Peter, Zerina, Helianthus, Alpha

The music could be heard clearly causing the team in the west to sigh. Peter was the first to speak, his long ears listening to the music and the reactions around them. “Are you sure Calla? I know that your magic is vast but that is a lot of purifying. I could share,” he said looked at her with compassion in his dark pink eyes and ivory, diamond face.

Calla tried not to laugh because of all the males, his outfit looked the most unique because of how kind he was. That strap across his toned chest just looked so out of place. Her light violet eyes and light green, diamond face tried to put him at ease while she slightly wiggled her palm size, triangle shaped ears. “I have this, okay?”

“Can we start now?” Rus grumbled, pointing to a tent violently. “The first tent is right there.” Everyone turned to look at him. There was something in his long, brown face and oval, dark silver eyes that didn’t look quite right. He nodded his bald head, pointing to the tent again before rubbing his right shoulder.

“Watch it,” Zerina mumbled, her deep blue eyes outlined with white, red, and silver narrowed on him. Her long, cinnamon colored face showed a bit of annoyance. “His eyes aren’t right…”

“I do not know what is going on here but we must focus,” Helen stated simply. Her sharp oval, light beige face and green eyes showed no emotion but her left ear moved slightly.

“I am staying back with Calla,” Alpha stated, gently pushing Calla forward with his large, panther size, black and white body. “I look beautiful this size,” he added.

With a deep breath Calla purified the tent before them to reveal six male M-Ms. It was Rus and Helen that sprang into action since they were all just waking. Peter and Zerina were only a moment behind with Alpha’s magic controlled sword followed. Helen took out two with little effort, a slight smile on her face. Rus grumbled, moving out of the way so Calla could purify the bodies. “You are here for support not to take them all,” Rus pointed out.

“Leave it,” Zerina sighed. “When Calla is ready, we move forward.” She moved closer to Helen to whisper, “Thanks Helen, I hope he will even out. Something is bothering him.”

Helen nodded whispering back, “that could get us all injured or killed.” Zerina nodded.

Peter moved closer to Rus, whispering, “get it together or leave. I won’t have your negativity putting us all in danger. We went over this, clear mind or leave.” Rus nodded as his hands fisted and released three times before he rubbed his right shoulder again.

“Okay, here we go,” Calla said, looking around with her light violet eyes trying to figure out what was going on. Rus was acting strange but then again, he had been acting that way for the last few days. Like a spoiled child… funny to think about since he was so muscular and tall. She pushed away the frown that had formed on her diamond, light green face. “They seem to still be asleep, even with the music. I am going to take down both of these tents.”

“Zerina and I will take the right,” Rus decided, his long, brown face wearing a defiant look while his oval, dark silver eyes focused on Helen. “Alpha stay back and protect Calla just in case one wakes up faster. Peter and Helen take the left.”

Calla nodded, finishing the purification spell to reveal there were six in the tent to the right and four in the tent to the left. She took a moment to stroke Alpha to help center her. She could see the souls begging for release and wondered if it was the spell doing it or if they didn’t see it before because of the overwhelming fear. “I don’t mind doing nothing,” Alpha stated. “But it won’t be for long. They are starting to wake up. I believe they smell females, at least that is what I hear. It is detestable. I will protect you, thus the souls will be saved.”

Calla nodded, beginning the Purification Flames spells on both sides. Proud of herself, she nodded to the others. Rus nodded back with a slight smile making her feel better.

“Calla,” Peter started, his long rabbit ears moving around as if listening to the whole camp causing his short, white hair to rumple in places. There was brown-green blood sliding down his toned body, quite visible against his ivory skin. His dark pink eyes and diamond face showed such compassion with determination. “I believe the three before us are still waking, we should start there then get into formation. What say you all?”

“You surprised me,” Rus stated his voice gravely. He flexed his muscular body to help the blood flow off faster. He looked at the slight cut now pushing green poison out beginning to heal. One had been more awake that he looked. “Can you take them all down, Calla?”

“Yes,” she responded, the flames eating up the tents quickly. Alpha tensed up his body so the others didn’t notice that she was leaning against him, but that burst had done something to her. Their were tears in her light violet eyes.

“Three, six, and five,” Alpha stated, his sword flying forward. “So, six and five,” he stated after taking out the three before them. Calla did her best not to smile while the other four jumped into action. She stroked his head as her legs held her once again.

After the M-Ms turned to ash the team formed ranks around Calla. “Now they come to us,” Rus stated. He was about to joke about something, but fire balls and ice spears were heading towards them. Zerina held out a hand and the fire balls absorbed into it while the ice spears turned to water, falling to the ground with a twitch of Peter’s ears. “Bring on the magic…” he mumbled moving out a bit to connect with a M-M head. Instantly it was engulfed in Purification Flames with the other two that had been defeated. He looked over to see that Zerina and Helen would be more than able to keep up with him. Yes, he would battle the way they trained, be the warrior he was, and the teammate they needed, and then…

North: Londra, Alden, Zeke, Mara, Delta

“The one before us,” Londra wondered, smoothing down the short skirt nervously with a shaky light beige hand. Her spine was stiff for several reasons while her hazel eyes searched. Zeke came up behind her, swinging her braided, sable brown hair. She let out a loud sigh. Then she felt Delta rub against her, almost knocking her over. Her hand went from her skirt to his large, back head.

“Yep, feel that way too,” Mara said softly, bringing her large, black wings inside because it would be easier to move and she didn’t plan on flying. She left out her thin violet-navy horns to help with magic control. Her oval, ivory face with undertones of violet showed that she was just as nervous. “I have the route planned. We only have six and I would like to keep it that way. The music just started…”

“Taking down the tent be ready,” Londra mumbled, hearing the weapons being drawn from vaults. She purified the tent quickly to reveal three males and one female… all blissfully naked after creating some of those eggs… why did they carry them around in baskets?

“Yea, that it a sight,” Zeke grumbled, gripping the pole axe tight enough his green knuckles lightened and his white, pointed fingernails poked his own palm. He moved quickly with Alden and Mara. He went after the one that was the farthest away, while Alden decided for the two males in the center knowing that Mara was after the female. Delta didn’t move but crushed all the eggs with his magic, his golden eyes glowing. Londra was able to purify them all before the end of the first song.

“Next,” Alden projected. The blood slowly dripping off from his toned, beige body while his long, Elven ears listened for anything that might be approaching. His blue-green marbled eyes watched as Zeke joined the group so Mara could move them to the next female.

The move was seamless as was the disappearance of the tent. This one had four males with the female, and the team approached it the same way. Since the music hadn’t woken them, the purification was quick. For the third they were just starting to wake and put up a fight, but not a grand one. The six males and female with the eggs were purified by the end of the third song.

“Mara, there is no tent,” Zeke started only to notice a female dancing around, slowly eating the eggs in her basket while growing each time. He closed his golden eyes for a second then shook his head, causing his long, mahogany braid to swing before lunging towards her. She was quick but he was able to cut off her arm, causing her to drop the basket. This was the first time he witnessed the hatchings. Six of the fifteen eggs had little, wrinkled, creatures that appeared to be all mouth. Alden moved him away since the female was using a land spear spell. Londra quickly dispelled it while Delta crushed the eggs. Now the female screeched, causing them all to have a flash of horror, but not enough to distract them completely. Londra began to purify the eggs while Mara pulled out her wings just long enough to soar above the female M-M and take off her head.

“That was disturbing,” Alden commented, tossing his brown braid, that was dripping brown-green blood behind him. “I can see why attacking while they are asleep is far better. It feels like cheating, but it isn’t like they deserve to be treated fairly.”

“They attack while the innocent are sleeping,” Mara commented softly, stretching her black wings quickly a few times to shake off the gore before pulling them back in. It amazed her that they were cleaned that easily. With a nod, she took them to the fifth female. This one was surrounded by six feet tall males, all black in color. She wasn’t trying to kill them but holding two eggs while chanting. The eggs were growing in her hands. “Not good,” Mara mumbled.

“Mara, focus on the female,” Londra instructed. “Delta the eggs. Guys, I am giving you buffs but not protections. Their screams shouldn't interfere with them. After the female and eggs have been taken care of, we will help.”

“Yea, wish I could say we will be done but three against one… not good odds when they look like… that,” Zeke mumbled before running towards the ones on the left.

Mara disappeared, using her shadow magic. Delta was able to crush the smaller eggs but needed to use his enchanted sword to destroy the two in her hands. All kinds of magic spells were directed at them by the female; the males had yet to use magic. Londra was able to keep the Purification Flames going while Delta helped her dispel or disrupt the magic coming at them. Before she started chanting again Mara was slicing off her head. Purification Flame surrounded her body while two of the males tried to pull her out, yet they had no luck because the flame was strong and pure.

“I can see the souls,” Delta whispered, his golden eyes closing for a moment before reopening with focus. His large black body ready. “I don’t like this, but we do need to do this. Watch how good I have become with this sword.” After that the two males that were trying to reach the fading female lost their heads to his sword. They were now in the flames as Londra took a moment to pet Delta’s head. Mara was able to help distract the others and soon all the black M-Ms were turning to ash.

“Just one more… but we must hurry,” Mara said frantically. “She is trying to turn five of the taller males into females.” Wiping blood from their faces, noticing their wounds were healed. They quickly moved closer so she could take them to their last female.

This wasn’t something that any could be prepared to see. A female was dancing around the five male M-Ms that were still alive yet being ate by the hatchings. They were fighting to try and rid themselves of the parasites instead of letting them feast. Their words were along the line of “I don’t want to be a stupid female.” With other things they all filtered out.

One of the hatchlings in the blue male’s body crawled out, using its claws to climb up to the head taking a large bit out of the neck. “Yuck,” Zeke mumbled, glad he had a strong stomach, yet he needed to close his golden eyes for a moment.

“Move!” Londra yelled with little shoves. “We have this… that is just a distraction. We need to free the trapped souls. Mara, first the female. Delta, she has more eggs. Guys, you need to cut off the head of the male and the head of the hatchling withing seconds.”

“Why doesn’t that sound easy,” Alden mumbled, surveying to see his best starting point. Pushing himself and Zeke forward. He headed for the blue one, which was easy but very disturbing. Since the hatchling was almost through the neck… slice, slice. He moved to the next one while Londra was burning the blue one with the eggs while Mara was finishing the female. He noticed Zeke had taken down the red one quickly as well. Now he was standing before a green one with a grey hatchling and they were both trying to kill him. What a lovely vision for his eyes. No wonder Londra had told them how hard their battle would be compared to the ones taking on just the males.

Londra hated watching this horror, but she needed to be ready for the exact second a head came off. Alden was taking on a green one, Zeke was locked in battle with a red one, Mara was trying to maneuver around a violet one, while Delta’s sword flew around a yellow one. She had no real idea how long the battle lasted other than she remembered hearing two distinct songs before she was purifying them all.

Zeke took a deep breath, moving with Mara and Alden towards Londra who was watching the last of them turn to ash while the souls floated into the sky before disappearing. “You were right, that was intense. We are good, right Mara. Only males that eat and kill each other left? No more… large headed, wrinkly… creatures?”

“No, and I do believe we finished about the same time Anna did,” Mara responded while using her hands to wipe some brown-green blood off from her bare legs, amazed her that it slid so effortlessly and never went into the short shoes. She then checked her violet-blue horns. “Yea, it isn’t fun to search for them either… so much… ick.”

“How did you get injured?” Alden wondered, noticing a healing slice on Londra’s arm. He didn’t think that any magic or weapons made it to her. His Elven ears showing his emotions while his long, accented, beige face was neutral.

“A stray dagger came flying and I was too focus to notice it,” Londra answered, glancing at the poison being pushed out and the wound healing itself. “Delta was busy. I wonder if Alex and Helen would hate helping us next time. Then again, this is a lot.”

“Is somebody near us?” Zeke wondered, wiping some stray brown-green blood from behind his palm sized, pointed Goblin ear. “It gets everywhere but slowly makes it way to the ground and purifies the ick such an interesting spell.”

“Agreed,” Delta purred. “Alpha’s team,” he reported. “After a few battles Rus evened out and now they are fighting excellently, according to him.”

“I am glad,” Londra mumbled leaning against Mara for a moment. “Just need a moment… I am going to take down the five tents before us. I do believe they are empty but be ready.”

“Show off,” Alden commented only to her. She gave him a smile, tilting her head just enough, her braid moved. He nodded moving with the others before her while Delta moved behind. The five tents began to melt away, ashes in the wind but Alden noticed Londra’s breathing changed for a moment. He turned around, his marbled blue-green eyes searching her for clues. She just motioned for him to turn around.

Nothing was in the tents, but the burst of purification brought fifteen M-Ms from all directions. They repositioned themselves so Londra was protected. The M-Ms were all six feet tall and a variety of colors, who all started with screams followed by magic spells. Londra deflected or dispelled the spells while Delta tried to use his gravity to pause the group. It worked on all but the three black ones. Without a word the group split up. Zeke began removing the heads of the ones caught in Delta’s magic, while Mara and Alden kept the black ones away. Londra was purifying the twelve while Delta stood guard, resting against her legs. Zeke finished just in time to stop the one that had escaped. He noticed that Mara and Alden were keeping up with the attacks but couldn’t get a clear shot in. After a few hits he knew why. They had skills of seasoned warriors, and he swore that a few of the spirits inside felt that way… as if they were enjoying the battle while hoping for purification. He gave a little shiver going back to the attack, defend, attack, defend battle.

The twelve were now dust and the spirits were purified. Londra pulled her spear out, not for protection but to lean on. Standing still was exhausting. She watched Delta’s sword floating above the battle, his long, black tail twitching as his golden eyes were focused on the battle. He found the opening, with a hint from Londra, taking the three out with a happy meow that sounded more like a light roar because of his size. Londra quickly purified them.

“Okay, so black means we have a battle,” Zeke mumbled, leaning against his pole axe breathing hard. “The other colors never mean anything, but size does.”

“Get ready,” Londra whispered. “Another group is being drawn to Zeke’s dancing muscles.”

“Sure, it isn’t you and Mara. You are both lovely females,” Alden projected.

“I don’t know how to respond to that,” Mara sighed wiping the blood from her face, “thanks?”

“Well… okay… anyways I am only sensing around twenty that aren’t engaged in battle, and they are coming our way,” Londra said trying not to blush.

“I heard, twenty and we are done,” Zeke said with vigor. “Oh, must be somebody is close to the center, the music only paused for a moment during that battle.”

“That is hard to believe,” Delta sighed. “It feels like it has been hours.”

“We had the sleeping females done in around fifteen minutes…” Mara commented.

“Same formation,” Alden started as a group of land spikes flew towards them. With a sigh he dispelled them, the dirt returning to the ground. Zeke moved before Londra, Mara took the left side, Alden took the right, while Delta stood behind her with his tail gently sliding across her back.

“They are all tall,” Delta noticed, “and ugly, wrinkly, smelly, and full of poor souls to free.” With that he roared lightly while his sword, hiding above them all slicing off three heads before it returned to him. Londra shook her head starting to purify the three.

“Damn, he is such a showoff,” Zeke said with a bit of humor. “Come on, pretty boy, we can’t be outdone by a cat.”

“Look who found their confidence,” Alden responded lightly. “It does help when you don’t have to watch them eat each other. Oh, here comes a flying one to rain blood down on us.”

“I got the head,” Mara sighed, jumping up to finish off the flying blood shower. “Yuk,” she mumbled landing next to Londra while the body and head of the M-M was burning in rainbow flames. She shook a little, watching the blood slide off, while wiping her face just before another attacked. These were just big, strong, and loud… saying the most horrible things. She used shadows to move around taking off heads while the guys went straight on with no fear of magic ever hitting them. Delta added a few more and soon the twenty were gone and a crowd of souls faded away.

With a deep breath, Londra began to take down the rest of the tents while the others waited around her just in case. Soon she could see the other groups moving towards the center. Now all that was left to do was shower, purify the land and air, then take down the barrier.

Done?

“We made it!” Anna yelled hugging Londra then Mara. “Forty eight minutes, in case you are wondering after the music started. The big ones at the end were a breeze!”

Robbie frowned, watching Beta walk by him, “I don’t think any of it was a breeze.”

“It was, because I was there,” Alpha stated, his black tail circling. “Wash me.”

“I don’t see anything,” Zerina commented, while moving towards the rest of the females. “But I will be glad too,” she added, rubbing her hands over Alpha’s large, black back.

“Yes, bath time,” Theda said with a little bit of excitement moving towards the ladies.

“Males over there,” Beta started pointing with his grey tail, “us with the ladies over here.”

“I must say,” Helen started joining the group. “The extra you added to the Impenetrable Skin made the healing faster with the blurring of the M-Ms to see the souls you were fighting to save. They were still unnerving, but it helped.”

“I would think watching anything eat another would be unnerving,” Fern mumbled creating the gentle, warm shower that they would use to wash their hair and bodies with. The ladies undid their hair then stepped under the magical shower. There were sighs as the warm water slowly passed over their bodies. They used their hands to search for any blood or gore in their hair, but Zerina was the only one with blood in her hair. The tight braids had helped the blood flow away. There was a bit of laughter as they washed the four large cats just before Belle’s spell to pull the blood away. After they rechecked each other, Zerina dried them all off, laughing at how the cats fluffed up. They returned to the center where the music was still playing to see very serious looking males.

“Rus,” Zerina growled softly, closing her deep blue, outlined eyes for a moment.

“It was a nice shower, right?” Rus started, his long, brown face and oval, dark silver eyes glowing as if he dared someone to stop him from talking. His stance was rigid and deviant. “How about another one? I mean we did this one in under an hour. How do we improve without practice? This one was just a bit east of Manor Town and I have been watching another a bit farther east. Just before heading into Lord Greco’s Manor Town. It is closest to the town of…Tambour, a strange name but that was what the map that Master Oscar gave us said. It isn’t far too teleport; I have done it multiple times...”

“You slippery little lizard,” Zerina grumbled, moving towards him only to be stopped by Londra’s arm. “That is why you turned, to check on our levels!” Her long, cinnamon face darkening with anger while she looked around so quickly her turquois hair swirled around her slightly pointed ears. “What the hell is your problem lately!”

“Yes, nobody is below eighty percent, which is amazing, go us,” he said crassly while rubbing his right shoulder. “The only ones with low body levels are the four that did the purification, which I don’t understand since they didn’t move too much. Yet, it is still not a bad number. They have around seventy-five percent of their magic energy available.”

Now Londra grabbed Mara with a sigh. The undertones of violet in her oval ivory face darkening while her unique Demon navy-blue eyes showed her annoyance. “Just stop. This is what you wanted? This is why you have been acting like a child for the last three days? Why not just ask us to do two camps? We could have been checking on them both yesterday and planning…”

“No, you would have slowed down to plan… taking more days to watch,” Rus answered gruffly. “No, we have to go now! The camp has to be taken down! We need to go there!”

“I had an idea this might happen,” Helen started, her green eyes looking around at the group. She had thought they might have a desire to take another but not being forced. Her long left Elven ear moved as her thoughts were displayed on her short, oval light beige face. Alex understood and sighed but motioned for her to continue. “I brought some mental potion just in case. It will help to dull what we have witness while giving a bit of endurance back. It is an aid, and this new camp should be our last for the day.”

“He started while we showered,” Julius sighed, rubbing his light tan, hand through his short, red hair. “Saying that we were weak for wanting to go back because we did such a good job. Classic Rus, annoy to get your way. I do agree with Londra, he acts like a child.”

“How will we take down a nest if we only do one at a time,” Rus hissed. “Besides how long are we going to wait in between. We are the only ones taking them down and there are…”

“Enough,” Londra said with more force than any expected. Her voice seemed to echo around the empty area, with only the slight hum of power from the spells still going. “It is simple, all agree or we don’t go. I assume you have a teleportation spot for us to use, and this camp is asleep right now?” He nodded with a sneer. “Fine, the conditions… first you need to switch out with Zeke. Helen, you don’t think that will be a problem?”

“No. Both Goblins are so close to evolving to enhanced, perhaps their scent is different. They didn’t seem to target Calla,” Helen responded. “I am ready either way.”

“No,” Zeke started, his muscular, green body showing his annoyance. His golden eyes were glowing while his long face was full of worry. “I will not leave you with him when he is acting like a prick! I understand you want him to see why we have to take things slowly but…”

“I am stronger than I look,” Alden projected to everyone. “I will not let anything happen to my human, you have my word,” he said just to Zeke.

Zeke growled in frustration. “Fine!” he yelled, combing his large hands through his long, dark mahogany hair beginning to braid it horribly.

“Thanks, truly,” Londra said smiling at Zeke taking his large, green hands out of his hair and holding them for a moment. “Second, Robbie does the barrier then all capable of adding to the purification in the beginning do so. We will be doing frequency seventeen. Third, Icarus tells us what crawled up his ass when we are done.”

There was silence for a while as everyone thought and stared at Rus who was smiling. “I agree,” Alpha started surprising everyone, his black tail swirling around Zerina. “We are the backbone of your easy battles. Without us… well let us not go there. The souls need to be freed. I know we can’t overdo but we have the team to pull off two if not three. But I too agree with Londra, it would have been better to all survey the camps instead of just a lizard man. Perhaps it is the Drake in my blood but the need to free the souls is grand.”

Beta yawned, stretching his gray body before laying on the ground. “It was horrible, but I too agree. Let’s do one more but if it is harder, it is Rus’ fault for not surveying it completely.”

“I agree with that,” Zerina grumbled, rubbing Alpha’s large head. “I don’t want to agree but I do… we can do it but it just… I hate it when he is this way!”

“What do you know, Icarus,” Robbie sighed. He really didn’t want to do another one but…

“It is a camp with four platoons,” Rus started, puffing out his brown chest. “But, they are small. Just fourteen females and two hundred and eighty males.”

“We need to rebraid our hair,” Zeke mumbled, knowing his was way too sloppy. “I hate that he is right and wrong.”

“And annoying,” Anna added. “He will drive us nuts if we say no… but if we have to fight harder, we can blame him… I guess I am up for it.”

“I believe the purifiers should switch out,” Julius added, glancing from his sister to Londra. His square, light tan face showed he was conflicted. “Every other, there are two in each team. I assume we are doing the same formation.”

“Yes, but when the females are taken care of the four teams should become two depending on who is closest,” Londra decided. She looked around to see everyone agreed, but most didn’t like the way Rus had acted. It was easy to see as everyone glared at him with irritated faces. “Everyone drink the potion and after the hair is tightly braided again we will take down this barrier and purify before heading out to our next Camp.”