"Has anyone got any ideas on where they might've headed?" Zach asked.
"They've gotta be in a group." Callum replied "They can't all just disappear at the same time by coincidence."
"I mean yeah, but that doesn't give us much of an idea where they went."
The ones that had been left behind had gathered in their confusion. Zach, Callum, Alexandra, Sean, Natasha, Ed and Josh were sitting around a table, trying to work out what to do next.
"I talked to Riko before he left." Alexandra spoke "He was blaming himself for Anthony's death, but he didn't give me any idea what he was gonna do. What about the rest of you?"
"We saw Joseph." Callum said "He was saying some ominous shit, but he didn't actually say what he was gonna do, so still nothing."
"Same with Natalie." Natasha added.
"Matt, as well."
"...Did they all enter some agreement to be as vague as possible or something?" Callum asked.
"It's possible." Sean replied.
Josh thought about the situation for a second.
"Nothing good's gonna come out of a bunch of aura users gathering for one objective. We need to go stop them as soon as we can."
"I agree." Zach replied "But we still need some kinda lead first."
They talked for a while longer, before heading outside.
Nargy showed up.
"...Ya still want to go after him, don't ya?" Zach asked.
Nargy meowed in response.
"If ya know where they're goin, then lead the way."
The group left behind took to the road.
The warriors trekked ahead of them.
Both headed west.
About a week passed.
The warriors gathered more allies as they travelled.
As Joseph marched, the world told him what to do.
"You are the one who has to lead these warriors to victory. You've already seen a manifestation that will be vital for that."
"Which one?"
"Allen Gilmore's leadership. The ones who hear him have no obligation to follow, but should they do so, they're rewarded with a strength allowing them to rise above normal human limits. Something like eating monster flesh to replicate the virus would be impossible for humans normally, it was only through his orders that they were able to do so. And so, it is only through your orders that this will succeed."
"Got it."
Some more walking. Finally, they arrived.
The ruined kingdom of Schrade lay before the group. The place where it all began.
They entered, looking around the ruins for a while.
Eventually, Joseph felt something in the distance. He couldn't see anything, but he knew it was there.
They were approaching, planning to stop him.
At the same time, the other group spotted the castle.
"This is it, without a doubt." Zach said.
"What gives you that idea?" Sean asked.
"Just feels like it. They're all waiting there."
"There is no more fitting place for a final showdown than these beautiful ruins." Ed added.
"Uh, yeah, sure. That too."
Nargy stared towards the castle, seemingly looking at nothing in particular.
Zach sighed.
"This looks like it's the end. So, I'm gonna make one last check. Is everyone ready for whatever's gonna happen?"
"It's a bit late for this now." Callum replied "We've already been following them for a week."
"I know that, but I've gotta check anyways. I can't guarantee we'll be safe."
"Ya should already know that I'm in."
"Same here." Josh added "We've gotta stop them, no matter what."
"Yeah. That." Sean replied.
"I'm going too." Natasha said "I can't avoid it."
Alexandra hesitated slightly before she spoke.
"No problem. I can do this."
That left just Ed.
"Ahahahahaha. Hahahah. Haha… one above demons and gods cares not for their own life! Let's go."
As they drew closer, Joseph gathered the warriors.
"Right now, there are people on their way to oppose our quest. We cannot let them have what they want. There's about an hour until they arrive. This will be our first test. Defend this castle from them. That is your first task."
The warriors made their way for the walls, eager to fight. At this point, they'd take whatever they could get, as long as it fulfilled their desire to fight.
The replacement advanced with intent in his eyes.
The solitary existence went to do as he was ordered.
The controller eagerly made his way forwards.
The ghost hesitantly did as she was told.
The caged soul went showing some concern.
The leader sat there and waited.
As the humans and monsters advanced, trying to reclaim their friends. As the warriors advanced, trying to change the world. A common thought was shared.
"I'm gonna overturn this tragedy!"
TO BE CONTINUED