AC: Here's the beginning of the second Arc. The first chapter will be calm and most of the second one. Then...The rest of the Arc is an action pack.

Arc 2: The hunt

Chapter 1: Tobek Proposition

Ica was outside of the big house of Tobek. He came out by a window and he was sitting on the roof and looked at the sky. He is a being that didn't need to sleep compare to the creatures and humans. He looked at the sky silently for a while until he heard something.

"What are you doing here?" Asked the voice of Illumina.

He looked down and he saw her looking at the window. She saw him because his feet were balancing at the border of the roof.

"Just looking at the sky." Said Ica.

"Care for some company?" Asked Illumina.

"...Don't you need to rest?" Asked Ica.

"I think I've rested too much...I sleep since we came back and it wasn't night yet." Said Illumina.

Ica nodded and he gave his arm. She grabbed it and he pulled her on the roof and they sat next to each other's. They looked at the sky. She wind was cold like the desert during the night.

"I'm glad you all save me with everyone else." Said Illumina. "You didn't know me and yet...You choose to save me."

"...It's because it is my responsibility and that I care for you." Said Ica. "It was my fault your life was in danger...I might be careless and surely too weak."

"Do not worry about it. I'm fine and we will avoid temple not under the influence of the Cothica." Said Illumina.

"Alright. Do not forget that no one should see the necklace. Only you, me and Tigerslash know about it." Said Ica.

"Yeah..." Illumina started to shiver a little. The night was cold outside and she forgot about it.

"You should go inside." Said Ica.

"Not now...It's a nice night. The sky is so beautiful here. We can see all the stars...I never done it before. I never stay the night here." Said Illumina with a small smile.

"I do not understand how...Anyway..." Ica moved his hand and covered Illumina with his cape. "Hold on this...You will need it to keep you a little warm for now."

Illumina took it and putted it around her. Her cheeks turned red for a few seconds. She then moved closer to Ica and she leaned against the knight.

They said nothing. They just contemplate the sky full of stars.

Tigerslash was outside when he heard the sound of Illumina going outside and he saw them together. He wouldn't have mind too much, but he saw Illumina blushing and he glared at them with jealousy.

Looks like you have some competition in love.

Tigerslash moved his head around and he wondered who said that. It wasn't his mind. He then scratched his neck when it started to itch him. He didn't know what it was, but he decided to sleep.

*Morning*

Everyone was up and they all ate a breakfast together. Tigerslash was looking at Illumina and Ica. He was glad they weren't sitting next to each other's...It was Tobek who sat near Illumina and Ica was by his side. It made him wonder if he preferred a competitor in love next to her or a pervert. He wondered that because Tobek was looking at her breast a few times. Illumina looked at him and she noticed him. She took a fork. She looked at him and threw it into his hand.

"ARGH! AHH! THAT HURT!" Screamed Tobek with the fork in his hand.

"Stop staring there." Said Illumina. She took the fork and she used it to eat even with the blood of the mipedian on it. "Hum...It gives more taste."

Tobek looked at her and he didn't really get his lesson this time too. They continued eating until they were done.

"Alright...I think it is time for us to go." Said Ica looking at Tobek. "We are grateful for your help you provided, but we must make our leave."

The trio stood up to walk away. Tigerslash was glad to go away. He respected Tobek for rescuing Illumina from the danger of death, but he hated his pervert part and he knew that going away...He will leave her alone.

"Wait...Before you go...I had to ask you something." Said Tobek.

"What is it?" Asked Illumina.

"Ica...You explain to me a little what is currently going on. I want to make sure that Perim is really at stake now. I didn't see or feel anything right now that could show this except the curse that Illumina has. I thought a little about it and it was a very powerful curse...So powerful that it asked someone to sacrifice his life and soul to break it...I was lucky to resist death." Said Tobek. "I want to know...He is still out there...The one who curse her right?"

"Yes...No...He is not here yet...I'm here to find the Cothica and prevent him from coming here." Said Ica correcting Tobek.

"How long do we have before he comes to Perim?" Asked Tobek.

"I don't know...It depends on how much he'll have to help him. I hope I'll be ready before he came...If it's after...It's over for Perim." Said Ica.

"I see...I've thought about it yesterday and I've realise that he might try something like this again to any of you." Said Tobek. "Your journey is a very dangerous one and I thought that I could join you." Said Tobek as a suggestion. "I don't want you to come back to me with another curse once again. It might be useful that I'm here for you...What is best to protect Perim that the best mugician with a high knowledge about cursed and different way to counter it...I also train a lot with my ability to use healing technique and wind. If your enemy is searching for help...Then you should too."

Tigerslash looked at him surprised.

"I'm sure you have another motif that marked your hand!" Shouted Tigerslash.

"Her...Illumina is just a bonus." Said Tobek. "My tribe is in danger right now...This one is a silent danger over us that could strike down at any moment. I will not let my tribe...All tribe being destroyed by this being. Even if I was very depressed...I cannot just sit around and do nothing when I know only the three of you are doing something. I've been doing that for too many solans already."

He looked at them and his eyes showed that he will not back down on this.

The trio looked at him and they weren't that sure about accepting him.

Ica looked at him and he didn't want for him to come. The reason was that he might put him in danger by having him on his side...But it was already the case for Tigerslash and Illumina. On the plus side, he had powerful mugic and knowledge that could be useful...He might help him releasing all of his power faster.

Illumina wasn't against it. She might be an Overworlder fan, but she was also open with the other tribes. Her deck was composed with the five tribes after all. The only downside was his perversion he had against her...He is only looking at her with a lusty way and when he wanted to hit on her...He always asked. He wasn't the worse pervert...That was her only problem.

Tigerslash had another opinion. It is true that he will keep the group safe from danger coming from the curse, but his perversion targeting Illumina wasn't something he'll accept. Another thing is that he is not an Overworlder. He had problems with other tribes and he is distrustful, even if he had proven himself.

"Hum...Alright." Said Illumina.

Ica and Tigerslash looked at her taking the decision.

"What about you?" Asked Tobek to the others.

"Me...I don't really mind." Said Ica. "I'll be glad if you want to come with us...But you have to know this. It is going to be extremely dangerous...You might have to betray some member of your own tribe to protect Perim...Even the king...Finally...You might die eventually. I cannot say it will be a safe trip as you know. It will be a very harsh trip one day."

"Hey...Why did you give me this warning?" Asked Tigerslash. He knew why, but he didn't think he might turn his back on his own tribe.

"I thought you wanted to be with Illumina more than your tribe." Said Ica.

"That's the case...But...I didn't know it could have been the case." Said Tigerslash. "We are trying to save Perim...How can we be in the way of my own tribe?"

"Tenebrae is very dangerous. He could manipulate anyone if he tried. He is the opposite of Tobek when it comes to lying. He is an expert." Said Ica. Tobek shouted in protest, but Ica ignored him. "You cannot believe what he said...His lies are real because they could be so close to the true...Just so close that it will fell like it is the true."

"...So no one is safe from manipulation...But he could only talk in the temple right?" Asked Tigerslash.

"Exactly. There could be exceptions to be honest." Said Ica. "Do you think Tobek could come with us?"

"Hum...Well..." Tigerslash didn't say anything. "I'm not really...Alright with a pervert with us...But if it could keep us safe...I'll say...alright." He wanted to respect the decision of the majority. "I'll be watching him and make sure you will not try anything to Illumina." He said turning his attention to Tobek.

"Do not worry. I won't do anything to her without permission." Said Tobek. "I didn't when she was sick...So absolutely not when she is healthy...I didn't forget her kick." He putted hi hand on his chest. The mark was still on his scales.

"Then it's alright. Welcome aboard." Said Illumina with a smile.

"Thank you. I'll do more than my best." Said Tobek. "For the sake of Perim."

"Alright...What next?" Asked Tigerslash.

Ica putted his hand on his chin and he said nothing for a while.

At the entrance of Al Mipedim

A mipedian guard was guarding the south gate when he saw a creature walking at the direction of the gate. He looked at it and he knew it was a M'arrillian that was coming.

"Halt M'arrillian! Turn your back right now! We don't want your tentacle kind in here!" Shouted the guard pointing his spear at him.

The M'arrillian walked casually at the direction of the guard without any reaction.

"Sorry, but I don't turn my back even on a threat. I'm interesting in your local food." Said the M'arrillian with a smirk.

"I said: We don't want any of your kind here!" Shouted the guard.

A red line appeared on the chest of the M'arrillian. He looked at the source and he saw an elite mipedian sniper aiming at his heart.

"I came here with an authorisation." Said the M'arrillian. "I'm not a jackass...As human says. Do not worry about your mind. I can't control it."

He showed the pass and the mipedian looked at it surprised. He tested a few times and he knew it was a real one.

"Who could be crazy enough to give that to a M'arrillian...Especially a chieftain." Commented the mipedian. He raised his arms and the red point disappeared. "What is your business here?"

He walked away to give him the badge.

"I can tell you...It's an assassination business." Said the M'arrillian.

The guard looked at him with a death glare.

"My target is him." Said the M'arrillian showing the picture.

The guards looked at it. He didn't know what it was, except that he's a creature. He also didn't expect the M'arrillian to say that straightforward.

"Do not worry...It has nothing to do against your tribe. I'm not stupid to try and enrage you. It's also in the authorisation. I came here to kill someone who's threatening all of Perim." Said the M'arrillian.

The guard nodded at this. He saw it in the paper and he knew it wasn't a M'arrillian who prepared the authorisation.

"What is your name?" Asked the guard.

"Navare'par. I'm a mercenary." Said Navare'par with a small smirk.

"...Do not cause any problem here...We will not hesitate to kill you." Said the guard.

"I'm use to this sentence." Said Navare'par without emotion. It wasn't because he didn't care, it's because he didn't want to show it.

He took the badge and he entered into the town.

"Alright Ica...Time for me to get your head." Said Navare'par.

AC: Here's the end of the first chapter of the second Arc. The next one will be before the actions.

Next chapter: What next?