Stoat | Dusk

“Geez, this thing is creepy.” Sasaki remarked in slight disgust as the Party manifested their uncolored Beast. Mindlessly gazing at Sasaki as he walked around it.

“Its appearance will not affect its abilities.” Purnama mentioned. “If we’re efficient, it should have enough energy for the journey, before it disintegrates.” Purnama divulged.

“Then we’re really going to travel through the rest of the night, huh?” Sasaki asks, as the others secure their belongings on the Beast, as a pack animal for their travels. With Bulan tightly fixed on the back of the Beast.

“Yeah, we don’t know what He’s been up to, it could affect the rebellion.” Selene promptly explained. “And we can take turns sleeping on the Beast.” Selene mentioned.

The Party has been an excellent example of survival adeptness. The ability to adjust in any and every situation is a sign of intelligence as well; to even have a form of comfort within this world is also useful. Which are both most certainly is a great necessity for this world specifically.

In spite of the primitive goal for this needed adeptness, the Party proves admiration for their continued Study. Juxtaposed to the Human Beyonders, whose adeptness has been mixed at best. Sasaki has been quite the interesting study in the short time that he’s been in this world, his discernment has been useful for his own survival. His skepticism from the start with the boy and even the Party showed to benefit him. The theatrics alone merits study.

Then there is the boy. Who unfortunately is unconscious and bound, in a makeshift scoop stretcher, designed to be dragged on the ground by the Beast of Burden. After solidifying that the boy is likely withholding information about his origins, and true motives. The Party took it upon themselves to take the boy, more or less, as captive with the aims of some use for the Rebellion they want to join.

Sasaki's adeptness to this world primarily comes with a quick intelligible understanding of it. Able to grasp the idea that violence is a way of life, and a group is the best chance of survival. Nonetheless, Sasaki is still no better than the boy.

Almost glad that he has the Party to himself, as he shows no signs of repulsion at the Party’s malicious actions and methods. He may have also fallen for the Party’s inadvertent vixen nature: willfully ignoring the Party’s horrid behavior. Be that as it may, their behavior is for their own benefit.

“Do you really think he’ll have a use for the Rebellion?” Sasaki asked as they began their travels.

“Well…” Selene paused. “I’m, uh, not sure, but I’d rather have someone with experience with situations like this to make those decisions.” Selene explained.

“How…” Sasaki paused. “How did you know he was in a Sect?” Sasaki couldn’t help but ask, frightened for his life; he must have recognized that if he said the wrong thing during that interrogation, he’d be in the same position as the boy.

Selene sighed, somewhat. “Some Sects get really offended when they are compared to the Shokuin Sect.” Selene explained. “So, once he yelled that slur, I knew he had to be some part of something.” Selene disclosed.

“Why did he join it, you think?” Sasaki asked, curiously, with some pity.

“Don’t know, but some Sects have pretty crazy brainwashing tactics.” Seleen mentioned, as Sasaki flinched at the idea. Selene then stopped walking to look at Sasaki.

“Just know what your doing will be for a good cause.” Selene disclosed, as her voice echoed what sounded like guilt.

“Yeah, I’m familiar with this type of thing. My world has circumstances just like this one.” Sasaki reassured them, continuing forward.

⯂

The night felt uncomfortably appropriate for the Guild. The taunting moon was nothing more than a resplendent fragment of cold ashen silver. Stalking the helpless Guild as they trek through the shadowy forest, as the bitter air changes their breaths into a cold fog.

The Northern hemispheres tend to be lower in temperature, this was apparent the moment they set foot on the island that housed Eidsvik. Fortunately during their stay, they were not exposed to the elements very often and were able to prepare for this foreseeable cold.

As the night progressed, each of them took turns resting on the Beast with Bulan. Amazingly they have yet to encounter any monsters: the cold may play a part in that, as most organisms of any adaptation will frequently avoid colder climates. Monster or not, the organisms on this planet still act as predictable as ever, regardless of the cruelty they pose on nature.

After several hours, without any form of conversation with the Guild, dawn begins to spark its signature colors on the sky. Just as the shine lit the surroundings, the boy finally regained consciousness, squirming frantically in the stretcher, failing to break free from the bonds. Forcing exhausted air out of the cloth that covered his mouth, struggling with every attempt.

“Hey!” The boy eventually wriggled his mouth free. “I’m sorry!” The boy shouted with desperation. The Party has no interest in his wailing remorse.

“I didn’t know any better, I had no idea I was part of a Sect!” The boy cried.

“My guy, you're in a cult! Sect, whatever.” Sasaki remarked with condescension at the boy’s claim. “I saw the tattoo on your arm. They’ve told me what you guys do.” Sasaki added, gesturing to his arm, in reference to the boy’s tattoo.

“Well-well, they convinced me that what I was doing was the right thing!” The boy defended himself. “If I found out the location of other Sects, they’d reward me!” The boy pleaded, everyone simply ignored him. “I figured this Warlock guy was part of one!” The boy claimed, almost as if he was trying to convince himself.

“But, that all changed once I talked to Nasir! He told me that I-I should protect you! And that changed my mind!” The boy’s voice cracked. “Please! I’m sorry!” The boy begged for forgiveness.

“When I thought you were dead I didn’t know where else to turn-!” Failing to convince the Party, Selene became sick of his whining and quickly covered his mouth.

Another attempt for survival, blurting anything and everything with the hopes of escape. Regrettably for the boy, the Party has no time for mercy. Sasaki looked at the boy in either pity, or disgust, as he started to cry in anguish with his mouth tightly stuffed with cloth. The moment he averted his gaze, something quickly caught his eye.

“Hey! I see something moving over there.” Sasaki warned, pointed in the direction of the mysterious figure. “He probably made too much noise.” Sasaki added with a quiet scoff.

“Oh, don’t worry, that's just an Old World Monster.” Luna mentioned with a small smile. “It's called a Kitsune: they are pretty populated in this area, it will probably want to smell us, then it’ll walk away.” Luna disclosed.

Slowly approaching the Guild on four lengthy, thin limbs, nearly 3 meters each. Creeping toward the Guild the figure became more visible. Unveiling a stunning array of deep oranges in a thick yet tame coat of fur. Surprisingly similar to the Party’s Beast. Triangular face with large pointed ears and plump tail.

Except, nowhere near as vile as the Beast; much more naturalistic and graceful. Thus far these Old World Monsters seem to be more of the natural occurring organisms of this planet, then the current monsters eventually outlasted the Old World Monsters. Leaving these more than capable and massive creatures, clearing proficient with survival on this true monster infested planet.

“Okay, stop.” Selene declared as the Old World Monster approached.

The Guild promptly stopped. The Old World Monster, Kitsune, flared its nostrils, exhaling a dense fog. Absorbing the scent of each member and interestingly ignoring the Party’s Beast entirely.

After several moments of heavy breaths, the Old World Monster eventually walked away, appearing to be satisfied with the sensory information it gathered. Looking closely at the Normal Monster: it somehow was expressing a contemptuous face. Perhaps it evolved muscles to display emotions, or perhaps that’s just the way the face forms.

“Alright let’s get going, the bridge to Nordskaget isn’t much further.” Selene announced. “And will probably see more Kitsune too.” Selene mentioned.

Without a proper investigation, or interview with the boy, every word he mentioned could very well be undoubtedly true. If one thing is for sure, the use of Beyonders has a variety of possibilities. In all frankness, it doesn’t seem to be that far fetched that the boy was a type of spy; with the simple mission to locate one of the other Sects’ headquarters.

For that goal to be initially achieved in Afulu, unfortunately, that Sect is likely to be completely decimated by Hashi. As would be why he continued, at the same time, somewhat explains why he would run away at the farm in Eidsvik. He had discovered a Sect, and that was all. No one said if the headquarters had to be intact.

No matter the outcome: Beyonders will not have much of a contingency with the purpose of this Observational Study. As the main Study’s focus is on the expanse of this world, and the specimens in the Party are the most rewarding candidates for that reach.