Quas Blood

The Grimknights finally reached the secluded bandit fort at the foot of Mt. Ghea. The towering wooden walls of the encampment loomed over them, with guards stationed at every vantage point. The gates were manned by heavily armored sentries, some of whom were grotesquely muscular, their sheer size making it clear they were no ordinary bandits.

As the Grimknights stepped into the fort, the air thickened with hostility. The eyes of dozens, perhaps hundreds, of bandits were glued to them, filled with resentment and barely restrained violence.

Yet, despite the tension, the town within the walls was unexpectedly thriving. Small stores lined the streets, people bustled about, bartering goods, and children played cautiously at the edges of the marketplace. Henry narrowed his eyes. "A bandit fort… with a functioning economy? This doesn't add up."

Cricket, the bard, grinned. "You might be wondering how a bandit fort resembles a proper town. Well, it's because this was once a real town—Gessa Town."

Espada turned to him. "You seem well-informed, bard."

Cricket chuckled, his tone growing wistful. "Of course. This was my hometown."

Before anyone could probe further, the messenger from earlier barked, "Follow me to the top of that hill." He pointed to a grand wooden mansion perched atop a slope, its position giving a clear strategic advantage.

As they walked through the streets, the townsfolk subtly avoided them, stepping aside without meeting their eyes. The eerie, unspoken fear was evident—these people weren't merely avoiding strangers; they were terrified of something much greater.

Upon reaching the mansion, they saw a gathering of over two hundred bandits standing guard. A rough-looking bandit stepped forward, blocking the entrance. "Wait here."

The Grimknights exchanged glances before engaging in hushed conversation.

"This place gives me the creeps," Kaiser muttered, while patting Nyx in the head.

Henry exhaled. "Stay sharp. If this Stallion is as dangerous as rumors claim, we should expect the worst."

Mariposa's gaze darted between the bandits and the streets below. "Did you see how the civilians reacted to us? This isn't just a bandit hideout; they've made the town part of their stronghold."

Elric, who had remained silent, finally spoke. "That means they don't just steal; they rule."

Before anyone could respond, the atmosphere suddenly became suffocatingly heavy. A menacing aura spread through the area like a wildfire, pressing against them with an oppressive force. Some of the lower-ranking bandits visibly shivered before scurrying away, unable to bear the pressure.

Henry's eyes widened. "King's Presence again… and it's stronger. Only a few possess this level of Hand of God power."

A masked man emerged from the mansion, his stride slow, deliberate, and brimming with arrogance. He radiated authority, a cruel smirk evident despite the mask covering the lower half of his face. The Grimknights knew without a doubt: this was the Stallion.

"My time is too precious to waste searching for insignificant specks of dust like you," Stallion drawled, his voice rich with condescension.

Espada's fingers twitched toward her scimitar, but before she could reach it, a sudden surge of the same terrifying aura nearly brought her to her knees. It was like malevolent evil eyes directly looking at her eyes-to-eyes. A violent shudder overtook her body as though invisible chains had locked her in place.

Stallion's smirk widened. "The moment you unsheathe that blade, you'll lose your hands."

Mariposa quickly steadied Espada with a firm hand on her shoulder. The bandits around them chuckled darkly, relishing their leader's display of dominance.

Stallion continued. "I invited you here to put an end to this foolishness quickly. I offer you a challenge—fight my best warriors. If you win, we will stop raiding the farmers and travelers. If… you can win."

Henry turned to his companions. "Can we do this?"

Bjorn stepped forward, his silent nod carrying the weight of his conviction. Henry smirked and faced Stallion. "Make sure your best fighters truly are your best. We have five warriors more than capable—"

Mariposa interrupted, her voice firm. "Six. We are six, excluding the bard."

Stallion sneered. "I know. That useless bard doesn't count."

Kaiser's grip on his shadow blade tightened. "Take back what you just said!"

Stallion chuckled. "Make me, boy."

Before Kaiser could lunge, Henry placed a restraining hand on his shoulder. "Save it for the battle."

Kaiser took a deep breath and nodded, his face still twisted with anger.

The messenger from before then proclaimed, "The battle will commence in three days. Prepare yourselves."

With the audience over, the Grimknights descended the hill back to the town. They entered a dimly lit tavern, only to be met with cold, hostile stares from the patrons. Elric approached the bartender. "Do you have any rooms for the night?"

The bartender sneered. "Even if we did, you aren't welcome here."

Before tensions could rise, Cricket stepped in. "I know a place you can stay."

Henry sighed. "Fine. But let's have some ale first."

They found a table in the corner, and as they drank, they conversed in hushed tones.

"That Stallion is dangerous," Henry muttered. "His aura alone paralyzed Espada."

Espada scowled. "I let my guard down. That won't happen again."

Elric chuckled. "You always say that."

Kaiser, still brooding, stabbed at his meal with his knife. "I'll make him eat his words."

The group finished their drinks before following Cricket through the town's darkened streets. The night air was thick with tension, the oppressive atmosphere lingering even outside the mansion's reach.

Elric, now slightly drunk, stumbled beside Espada. "You should be careful. I can't protect you all the time."

Espada raised an eyebrow. "I don't need your protection. If anything, I might be the one protecting you, old man."

Elric frowned. "I'm not old! We're the same age! We might even be perfect for each other!"

Without missing a beat, Espada swiftly kicked Elric in the groin, making him double over in pain. She smirked secretly before walking ahead. Bjorn sighed and effortlessly hoisted Elric onto his shoulder, carrying him like a sack of grain.

They finally reached an old house on the outskirts of town. Cricket gestured toward it. "Here. It's not much, but it'll give you shelter."

Henry looked around and nodded. "It'll do."

As the group settled inside, Mariposa sat near the window, deep in thought. "Do you think what the bard said about ancient power… has anything to do with Quas blood?"

Henry exhaled. "There's nothing else it could be.". With curiosity Henry asks Mariposa, and why did you even include yourself as a warrior? do you even have experience in battle?, " Don't underestimate the daughter of Roland Vask.

Then silence falls in the old house. The battle ahead would test them like never before, and in just three days, they would face their first true horseman—The Famine.