Benedict and Shiyo ran hand-in-hand through the forest, Morighana’s power flowing through each step. All around them, the world stood still. It felt like hours had passed when they finally found Harald. He stood in the clearing where they first met him, alone and trembling. After Morighana’s power faded away, they approached him.

  “You can’t be here!” Shiyo shouted.

  “What are you doing here?” Harald asked.

  “We found your monster, and it’s not what you think,” Benedict said.

  “You did? Tell me you destroyed it!”

  “We can’t, because it’s not real.”

  “The adventurers you’ve paid hired a conjurer to scare people away, then did nothing while siphoning your finances away,” Shiyo said.

  “We heard it right from their filthy mouths,” Benedict said.

  Harald collapsed to the ground. His breaths turned ragged.

  “You knew?” Benedict asked.

  “Morgin mentioned the possibility,” Harald replied.

  Shiyo placed a hand on his shoulder. “Their conjurer is skilled. You wouldn’t have known if you saw the beast yourself.”

  “I cannot be party to this any longer.”

  The bandits wouldn’t like losing their money, Benedict suspected. “You may need to do this more delicately.”

  “Benedict, ready yourself,” Shiyo growled.

  “Oh, talking to strangers again, are we?” The bandit leader strode up to them, hands behind his back. “Have they been telling you lies?”

  Harald stood, legs shaking. “No lies, Kayen. They’ve just killed the monster. I’ll pay you what I owe you, but no more.”

  Kayen glared at Benedict. “Truly? Do tell me how you did this.”

  “Let’s just say my partner and I prefer to help people when they need,” Benedict said as he lowered his hand next to his coffer.

  Leaves and sticks cracked behind Benedict and Shiyo as three other bandits approached. One already had a bow in hand and arrow nocked. They were too far away for Benedict to hit them before the bowman could draw and loose, but he maintained his hand’s position all the same. They only needed to be a little closer.

  Kayen kept his focus on Harald. “Give us what you owe us, then, and we'll leave in peace.”

  “It'll come, I promise,” Harald said.

  “Give us our coin now, and we leave in peace.”

  “You know I can't!”

  The bandits behind crept closer, with the bowman keeping his distance. A few more steps, and they would be close enough. If Benedict could grab one, he would make for a good shield.

  A hissing roar froze his blood. A monster like a rat crossed with a direwolf appeared next to Kayen. It stood nearly to the bandit leader's shoulders, with an arched back and fangs that showed even when its mouth was closed.

  “They spoke true?” Harald gasped.

  “Here's the deal, “ Kayen said, “I won’t demand more money from this moment forward. When you pay me back, I’ll take this monster away. Isn’t that easy?”

  “That’s extortion!” Benedict growled.

  “Why are you doing this?” Harald asked.

  “We make our living by any means necessary,” Kayen replied.

  Kayen nodded toward his men. Benedict barely managed to get his sword out to parry the dagger coming for him. The bandit recovered and came at him again. Benedict twisted and flicked his glowing blade. It nicked the bandit's skin, but that would be enough. An arrow came for him. He ducked and swore the head caught some of his hair. Sword and dagger clashed once again, but this time Benedict’s stomach reeled as a foot slammed into it, and he toppled to the ground.

  The bandit fell upon him, both hand gripping his weapons hilt. Benedict caught the attack, then slammed his free hand into his opponent’s face. In the moment’s respite, Benedict struggled to his feet and aimed his blade at the bandit. Both the bandit's friends were down, with the bowman still sliding off Shiyo’s sword.

  “Yield!” Benedict ordered.

  With a shout, the bandit burst forward and struck. The small blade nicked Benedict's cheek before coming around again just as fast. Benedict dodged it and punched the bandit in the face before kicking him between the legs.

  Shiyo came in, her blade moving almost faster than the eye could track. The bandit fell over with a deep gash in his neck.

  “Don’t show these men mercy,” she hissed.

  “Where did Harald find you?” Kayen asked as he took a step backward

  “Fate,” Benedict replied.

  “Draw your weapon,” Shiyo growled.

  “Wait! There are others! They could be anywhere!” Harald shouted.

  Kayen backed into the forest. “Now you’re getting it.”

  Shiyo ran after him. The conjured beast charged her with a roar. Benedict rushed to Shiyo's side, preparing the viper curse again. The beast didn’t see him as he shoved the blade deep into its body.

  Such a creature should, logically, have been less solid than it was.. Benedict's blade refused to budge as he twisted it, like he’d forced it into a rock instead of a moving creature. A foot slammed into his chest and threw him back. His grip on the sword stayed true, and it popped out with him. A fine mist of light seeped from the wound for a few seconds before it sealed up.

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  “Please tell me there’s a way to kill this thing,” Benedict said.

  “The usual way is to kill the conjurer,” Shiyo said. “But you can break the bonds holding the beast together, too.”

  “How?”

  Shiyo answered by grabbing one of her pellets. The beast charged Benedict. He dove to the side, and it came so close he could feel the air displaced by its movement. It hit the ground and spun, and Shiyo's pellet slammed into its torso. A flash of intense light enveloped the beast. It disappeared completely.

  “I need to get some more potent powers,” Benedict said.

  Shiyo hissed unded her breath. “That trick shouldn’t have killed it so easily.”

  Benedict looked about and saw no Harald. He must have escaped during the fight. A chill ran through his spine. The bandits must have set a trap. He bolted back to the inn with Shiyo following. His lungs hurt with the exertion, and his muscles burned. A potion made it all go away.

  A roar sounded from the right. Benedict turned, and the beast was upon him. They both rolled down a small incline, splitting apart where they came to rest. Benedict rolled onto his feet and stared down the beast. Of course, it would never show true signs of injury, but the fact it was still so agile angered Benedict.

  “I’m coming!” Shiyo shouted. Before she could move, magic flashed around her.

  In the clearing, Garulf stood with a large rod in his hand. “No. You have business with me.”

  “Just keep that thing distracted until I can come get you,” Shiyo said, then rushed the conjurer.

  The beast charged again, front claws slashing. Benedict’s dodge wasn’t enough, as streaks of blood flew from his shoulder where the beast hit. Still, nothing too bad. It struck again, and he hopped back, just out of range. Then the beast pivoted on its front legs, bodying Benedict and throwing him off his feet.

  The Viper Curse glowed on his blade, and he launched himself at the beast. It jauntily hopped out of the way and took another swipe at him. He blocked it and let the momentum throw him to the side, then struck again. This time, his blade hit home and dug into the strange magical flesh.

  With a roar as if it felt real pain, the beast thrashed. Benedict ducked around the flailing limbs and claws, then sliced deep into its body. The strange magical mist poured from the various wounds, almost turning into a smokescreen. How useful Shiyo’s magical pellets would be at that exact moment! The tail came around. Benedict caught It on his blade and rolled away. His breather couldn’t last long. The beast’s wounds started to seal up as he watched.

  No one else was around them except the conjurer Shiyo was keeping busy. Maybe he could risk it this time. He channeled Morighana's power into his sword, just like before. It was easier the second time. The beast charged, and Benedict shoved his blade into its face. Power exploded through it, dissolving its form into nothing. Benedict stopped, downed a healing potion, and let the power subside before he climbed back to Shiyo.

  Chains held her suspended, arms and legs splayed out. Blood ran down her cheeks and arms, and her weapon lay on the ground. She focused an enraged glare at the conjurer.

  Garulf held two rods, one extended and glowing, while the other stayed already. “I haven't had a fight this enjoyable in years.”

  “You'll really enjoy what I have planned for you, then,” Shiyo said back.

  “Oh, what treasures one of your skill will have!”

  “You have skills. Why use them for petty thievery?”

  “Petty? This is all for my own benefit. Once Kayen pays me, I'll move on. Maybe my next benefactor will want me to kill Kayen and his company of fools. You can never convince me you'd do any differently. Accept your fate, as I would.”

  Garulf raised the other rod. Before it could fall, Benedict's sword dug into the arm holding it. Garulf screamed and backed away. The chains around Shiyo dissolved when Benedict sliced into the other hand.

  Benedict stared down the human-shaped monster as he continued his retreat. He was ready to torture Shiyo needlessly. What redemption could he find? Within three steps, Benedict came within range. The conjurer began drawing runes. He didn't finish the spell before Benedict shoved his blade through his heart.

  As Garulf thrashed on the blade, Benedict shoved him to the ground, withdrew his sword, and thrust it down. Garulf stopped moving a few moments later.

  “Good job,” Shiyo said, dusting herself off. “I admit, I didn't think you had it in you.”

  Benedict collapsed to a knee and vomited. Subsequent breaths prompted more until his stomach had emptied itself of all it's contents.

  Shiyo placed a hand on his shoulder. “Come. Harald and Morgin need us.”

  “I know,” Benedict said, rising.

  The closer they came to the inn, the stronger the acrid smell of smoke became. When it was at its strongest, a bright red glow joined it. Everything was aflame. Pieces of structure broke and collapsed as they ran, throwing embers and smoke into the sky.

  Morgin leaned against a tree nearby. Her skirt was ripped in half, some of her hair torn from her head, and every visible inch of skin showed bruises. She looked at Benedict and smiled. A trickle of blood ran down her chin.

  Benedict ran to her side and cradled her. “What happened?”

  “Harald came to save me.” Her voice was weak. “He said he would take care of everything.”

  Shiyo knelt beside her and took out a healing potion. “You need to drink this, fast.”

  “Is the monster finally gone?” Morgin asked.

  Benedict nodded. “It is. Now please drink the potion.”

  “Why? Do I need it?”

  Shiyo grabbed Morgin's chin, tilted it back, and let the potion flow into her mouth. The girl gulped it down while Benedict cradled her in his arms. Her skin grew colder. She breathed a satisfied sigh, leaned back, and didn’t breathe again.

  Benedict found no pulse. “Why?”

  “She was too far gone,” Shiyo whispered.

  “What did they want?” Benedict growled.

  With the sound of splintering wood, Kayen and another bandit rushed out of the fire. They coughed and spat as they stumbled into the road. Benedict reached for his sword.

  Shiyo held a hand in front of him. “No. Let me take care of them. Please.”

  “Gods willing, his treasurers are undamaged,” Kayen said.

  The bandits didn't notice Shiyo walk up to them. She lifted her blade high and bisected one of them. Kayen screamed and drew a short sword.

  “Tell me what you want!” he demanded.

  When Shiyo spoke, her voice took on a threatening, wicked tone like she was channeling a demon. “I order you to take your blade and slit your own throat with it!”

  Kayen stopped for a moment, then raised his weapon to his neck. As he had been ordered, he proceeded to drag it across his flesh. Shiyo turned around, eyes glowing bright blue, and motioned for Benedict to leave with her.

  “What was that?” he asked.

  “We should give Morgin a proper burial,” Shiyo said.

  Benedict didn’t ask again. He just followed Shiyo while ignoring the gurgling in the background.

  Later that night, Benedict and Shiyo leaned against a stone while a fire crackled in front of them, holding jars of an unidentifiable food. At the best of times, its taste was only passable. Now, with the recent carnage, Benedict couldn’t stomach it. Even Shiyo ate more slowly than usual.

  “Benedict, can I ask you a question?” Shiyo asked.

  “I don’t see why not,” Benedict replied.

  “Is tonight the first time you’ve ever killed someone? Not a monster, but a human?”

  Benedict stared into the flames, watching apparitions dance like ghosts. “It is. Are you going to tell me I’m too soft for this job or something?”

  “No. I just…” She sighed and looked at the sky. “When I was ten years old, samurai came to our village and wrecked everything. My father tried to protect us, and they cut him down. They did unspeakable things to my mother before they killed her. I only survived because she had the forethought to hide me in a place they wouldn’t look. After that, I was no more than a beggar, going from place to place, stealing rice in the hopes of getting a meal.

  “Then, years after my family was destroyed, I came across an inn. I went in to steal some food and maybe some valuables, you never know. A samurai had taken a room. He wasn’t much older than I, really. No way could he have been part of the group that killed my family. But that didn’t matter. I took his knife and slit his throat, then I ran away.

  “I killed more after that, if I found a samurai who was vulnerable.Then, one day, I walked by a samurai who stopped and offered me a bowl of rice. That was when I ran into the forest, ashamed of what I had done, probably to some of his friends. No one ever saw or suspected me. I just hated myself for it. Morighana told me that turning violence to good ends would redeem me.”

  “I’m sorry, Shiyo,” Benedict said.

  Shiyo grabbed her legs and rested her head on her knees. Her eyes looked teary. “The truth is that I wish I could have grown up without violence like you did.”

  Benedict watched Shiyo for a moment. “Would you mind telling me how old you were when you came here?”

  “I was sixteen.” She lay on her bed and wrapped up in a blanket. “Lorvath should be about a couple days' travel from here. Good night, Benedict.”

  Benedict stayed up for a while longer, staring into the fire. He would have to kill more people in the future. If they were of the same caliber as Garulf, he could do it.