Read before you proceed.

I have changed the first chapter (the original) into this updated version (for those who have read it). I've decided to do so because I found the original a bit too rushed. For those who have read the predecessor (Broken & Solitary), I would like to thank you for your support (although it only has very few reviews). I got too overboard with the tension and drama in the context but thanks to you guys, I got motivated to continue this story.

So I'll be sticking to this story as well since it was published last year without chapter additions. As a compensation, I'll be updating this story and keep it alive until it's finished (I can't really promise this but I'll try to catch up despite the delays).

In the same way, Serdin University (my other fanfic) will be delayed as well. So for SU readers, fans, supporters and followers, my apologies are delivered.

Disclaimer: AC02 does not own Grand Chase and the characters. She owns this plot only. This fanfic is published for fan purposes only. Any person who has intentions to copy this story and post it to forums, story-posting sites and the like, please ask for my permission before doing so. Grand Chase belongs to KoG.

Chapter 0: First Perpetrator

Have some business to take care of. Sorry I had to leave.

This was the last note left by the archer before she left… for good. She never bothered carrying her things along with her as she needed not to do so. She brought a raccoon and a sidtri along with her and her weapons. The real purpose for her escape is to go after the elf who decided to go on without her. She and the Chase knew that his intentions to go to the land of the gods will cost him his life.

The blonde-haired archer, with a phoenix and a raccoon with her, ran as fast as she could and leaped in great heights. She is given the blessing to jump high at ease thanks to the dual crossbows given to her by the elders.

Two weeks have emerged since the sudden leave of that druid. Surely, he's in the land of the gods by now… and there's no use for the guys to do some obstruction or thwarting.

She sighed.

She is towards the border of the Elven Forest when she was met by a large group of Elves. She froze on her tracks when one of them jerked at her.

"Miss Eryuell, you have returned!"

"H-Huh..?" she blinked twice. The Elves all turned towards her when their faces were replaced by shock and delight.

"Ahh, our great apprentice is here at last. We've been looking all over for you."

Lire froze. Those are the Elven Corps members – apparently, she is one of them. Seeing their faces made her skin slightly crawl after not seeing them (and meeting them) for a long time.

"Uh… why are you here?" she asked.

The leader of the Elven Corps replied "Master Ladmir sent us to find you."

Ladmir..? the archer thought as her heart skipped a beat. Her light green irises shrank to display her shocked façade.

"Where have you been, by the way?"

Lire lowered her head as she stated "…from the Grand Chase castle. I… I'm looking for someone…"

The leader sighed. "Master Ladmir keeps on bombarding rants at us – the same rants, actually. He has gone desperate ever since you've joined that elite group."

"I'm doing fine, okay..?" Lire mouthed out with traces of annoyance in her tone. The leader quickly understood just by hearing her tone and seeing her expression.

"Marina is your care-giver, right?" he asked as Lire replied with a wordless nod. "I've heard about that young druid."

The archer jerked as she eyed him directly. "Well? What about him? Tell me!"

"It's a dangerous decision he just made. We are in no position to intervene especially when it's an individual who is not affiliated to us."

"I will…" she said frankly as she walked past them. She didn't give them even a glimpse. The archer headed straight towards her haven whereas ignoring the maidens who turned their heads when she passed by. She entered inside her room and threw herself on her bed. Rocco and the sidtri scampered away upon her entry.

Not you again… she pondered deep into her thoughts. She looked towards a small portrait of her child image along with a male teenage Elf with her. You don't have to do this.

"Can I come in?"

She was snapped out of her thoughts when she heard a familiar voice. She rose and saw Marina peeking through the small gap between the door and the wall.

"Umm.. sure."

Marina eventually came in and approached her. "So you've returned."

Lire looked away. "I guess so…"

The maiden sat on her bed and wounded her fingers around her golden locks.

"I can tell just by looking."

"W-What do you mean?" Lire suddenly looked towards her.

"You came here for him, right?"

"N-No! I mean, yes – no!" the archer shook her head. "Why do you know? How?"

Marina rummaged under Lire's pillow and fumbled a folded note underneath. She handed it to the girl as Lire took it. She eyed her care-giver for a moment before putting her gaze on the note. Marina watched Lire read the note as her expression gradually changes.

It was then her face started to leak with tears. Her teeth are gritted as she crumpled the note and threw it into her trash bin. She suddenly grabbed her things and her weapons and left without haste. Marina just sat there and watched. She then stood up and went towards the trash bin where Lire had thrown the note. She picked it up and read the contents.

Lire ran away after her extremely short stay in her home. The context of the letter gave a drastic snap to her. Ignoring it, she went straight to the small creek nearby and found a tree full of apples. She stepped over a boulder and reached out to pick one. She sat on the ground and proceeded to eat the fruit.

Her snacking didn't last for a short while when a droplet tapped on her arm. Lire looked up towards the sky when she noticed it showing the stormy gray cottons. She quickly stood up and hurriedly looked for shelter. The rain poured as it quickly grew heavy.

She found shelter under a cave. She ignored her haven and the rest of the Elven Corps. She wanted to be alone. All she could do is to run and run even if it will take her forever. She got wet from the rain, causing her shivers as her warm-blooded skin competes with the cold touch of the rain and the wind. Knowing that she tends to get cold easily, she pulled out her scarf and wrapped it around her. Going back to the past events, she used to be pampered by a male Elf whom she used to be with. But then, knowing that he is away, Lire has to fend for herself. If only there'll be someone who'll be her companion just in case she gets in danger, someone will be there to help her and even solve her problems.

The rain couldn't seem to stop. She used the scarf as a head cover and continued her journey. As her feet hurriedly stepped onto the mud paddles, they got filthy but she didn't mind them. All she has to do is to run. She eventually tripped and lost her footing. Her stomach slammed against the mud. Lire looked behind her when she moved her foot. She pulled and pulled but something is keeping it from breaking free.

As she pulled, she suddenly let out a yelp.

It is pulling her back.

"Let… go!" she winced when she used her hands to strain herself to get up. The grip on her ankle was firm. When she was able to lift her upper limbs, she looked over her shoulder, and her eyes widened.

It was a hand.

A filthy and rotten hand. The hand possessed dead yellowish fingernails.

Lire gaped as another rotten hand sprouted out of the wet ground. The more she sees one, the more tension she becomes. She recklessly moved her leg to get the hand to let go. Thinking fast, she pulled out an arrow and turned to stab the hand. She hysterically did so when the rotten skin gave way. She made her escape and ran.

She then heard a series of diabolical laughter. Her pointed ears have high sensitivity, enabling her to hear it clearly.

"Oh no…"

The laughter is getting closer. Lire readied her bow and arrows as she jerked her head in different directions.

"A human being~" a dark voice was heard as Lire turned towards the direction where it came from. Her irises shrank when her eyes met the sight of the skull features, the skeletal fingers and the staff where they curled themselves around it.

"You…" she mumbled when the perpetrator decided to show itself.

"I thought this place is already crowded with dead humans. How come I still see one?" the Lich commented upon seeing Lire. Observing the bow and the arrow she's holding, he raised his staff.

"Arise, my children," he chanted. "The time has come. The shelter around you will be all yours. Devour every livestock you see."

Slowly, the undead arms were starting to ascend from the ground. Undead bodies started to sprout as Lire found herself completely outnumbered.

If she fires arrows at them one by one, it will be highly risky for her. She aimed for the sky and created a colossal rain out of arrows. The arrows rained as they stabbed the ground and some undead bodies. But still, they have failed to strike down the rest.

"Tch…" she grimaced as she made her only choice – to run away. It wasn't her intention to surrender. She has to escape before those undead organisms catch up with her. Fortunately, Lich didn't seem to mind her escape yet unfortunately, his minions are making their way to the havens.

"I'm sorry…" she whispered with regret and remorse as she ran away, leaving behind her beloved hometown about to meet the doom's grasp that will change their fate.

Shortly after, she eventually got tired from all that running and ends up in the middle of nowhere. She realized that she's still in Bermesiah. She fell on her knees and looked up the stormy sky.

"Gaia, hear my prayer. Watch over Ryan…"