Chapter 20: Emberheim

After a good meal, the gang were all ready to set out as soon as Arna had also finished chatting with Charl. April couldn't stop thinking and getting Charl out of her head, Leo knew it was bothering her and considering her intuition and predictions were always correct, he believed her and also kept a close eye on Charl. Though considering Jogo hardly reacted to him, April started to think she was wrong as Jogo was far better at sensing someone's presence if they were bad or not, so she sorta just let it be.

They all stood at the outskirts of Leeri and all almost waved their goodbye's to Charl who waved them off. "Where to now, and who is it we're looking for?" Donnie questioned as practically everyone had their gazes on Arna, she only glanced around surprisingly not liking all the eyes on her, Leo smirked at this slightly, glad he wasn't the only one.

Arna sighed lightly, "We're checking out a town called Emberheim, it's where I last heard he was. He as in The Elder, no one knows his real name, even me, but he knows alot about this dimension and new arrivals usually. Emberheim is only a few hours away and I heard rumors that there was a planned attack on it, though no one believes them since there hasn't been one at all for years."

Arna pulled out her map to double check and make sure they would be heading in the right direction as she had already begun walking as she explained about this elder and town he was possibly at. Raph and Casey were arguing in the back as they followed, and like always, Leo kept up and stayed behind Arna despite his broken bones, April was honestly somewhat jealous at how well he could hide and endure such pain, she glanced behind her quickly to notice Jogo was with Mikey as they also followed, playing.

After a few hours of walking, nothing has changed aside from the fact Arna almost got lost. Arna stopped and started turning the map around to try and read name directions, Mikey wasn't expecting it and tripped, grasping onto April's poncho and also bringing her down with him, she didn't realize she also frighteningly grabbed onto Leo's cape and had him join the collapse.

Donnie was entirely silent the whole trip, hardly noticeable, just like Jogo. 'Mikey tripped over a damn pebble…' Donnie thought to himself unamusingly as he walked past the cluster to help Arna. "Are you… two trying to break more of my ribs!?" Leo growled angrily as he lifted himself slightly and grasping his side, April only somewhat lightly smacked Mikey on top of his head with her fist, "Mikey…" April growled angrily. "Sorry…." Mikey sobbed innocently.

Donnie pushed the map down and away from Arna's view as he pointed in a general direction, "That it?" Arna glanced up at where he was pointing and noticed some buildings in the distance that she was too distracted to notice herself sooner, she gave Donnie a grateful smile and nodded, "Yep, that's it. Emberheim."

Raph and Casey were still arguing and pinching each other's cheeks out as they continued to walk, they didn't realize or notice the small incident that happen and they both tripped over Mikey who was still lumbering on the ground after Leo and April had already gotten up and out of the way.

"Mikey!" Raph shouted angrily and thrashed at him as both him and Casey resulted in pinching his cheeks out, Mikey sobbed innocently and cried out, "Ahhhh! Im sorrrrryyy! Ahhh!"

April only sighed unamusingly slightly as she stared back where they all came from beforehand, Leo lowered his head slightly to see where she was looking as he noticed her distracted and lost in thought again, "Still feel that presence?" he questioned her confusingly. April only continued to stare and look around in the general direction, "Yeaah… but I just can't make it out of who or where it is… It could just be my head playing with me.."

Leo glanced up seriously and also glanced around a bit, she wasn't alone with the strange presence following all of them, though he also couldn't get certain facts off his mind with this presence. "Whoever or whatever it is, we should keep our guard up. They're most likely spying on us and observing us, I doubt they want to fight or they would've already." Leo stated as he placed a hand on April's shoulder to reassure her before walking off and following Arna.

April took one last glance behind, 'Be careful what you say and do. Be vigilant.' April knew what Leo was getting at, giving this person the disadvantages and wrong ideas about them, but the only time she didn't feel this presence was when they got separated and stuck down in the tunnel system. Then again, the tunnel system was a tight place, nowhere to hide or run.

Everyone instantly stopped whatever they were doing as they all had returned to venturing towards Emberheim, it was a decently large town but the worried and frightened look on all their faces made them think otherwise. Emberheim was up in flames, and screams could be heard, it was under attack and being raided by a large unknown cult. They all rushed over to the town to get a better view of the incident that was occurring, "Seems it's been happening for only a few minutes, it just somewhat started." Arna pointed out as they all looked up at all the burning buildings.

"I thought you said this place was never under attack even with unsure rumors happening and going around." April questioned as she worriedly looked at Arna. Arna hesitated slightly, "False rumors can still turn out true eventually." "What do we do then? We don't know anything about this attack or this town…?" Donnie remarked worriedly as he glanced at both Leo and Arna. Leo also glanced at Arna, "Is there anything you can tell us about whoever is attacking them, and does this place have a safe place for when attacks happen such as this?" Leo questioned her seriously.

Arna glanced around to try and see for any attackers where they stood, and surprisingly enough one of the attackers attempted to ambush them only to get pounded into the ground by Casey and Raph who started to tease the enemy, Arna immediately recognized them now. "They're known as the Blanders, they're a massive cult that does raids on towns by using powerful men and magic, weapons, you name it. They even have dangerous tamed creatures they use as well in order to set places on fire easily and destroy large gates and more. Emberheim itself though, the only safe I can think of is the church, it was the last place people gathered for safety and defense in an attack several several years ago, but that could've changed by now." Arna was unsure herself in regards to the safe haven of this town when dangerous incidents such as this happens.

"Where's April?" Donnie questioned as he glanced around worriedly, Donnie growled at Mikey who was crouched on the ground picking and playing with a strange bug, Mikey instantly glanced up and stopped, giving him an innocent smile. "Dunno.." Mikey remarked frighteningly.

Leo glanced around himself and already figured out which way she went, she had ran her way into the town already, most likely worried about innocent lives being at risk and wanted to help immediately. Leo gave a small whistle at Raph and Casey and provided them with hand signs that Raph only understood, "Come on idiot! Time to pound some more dudes!" Raph growled happily as he grabbed Casey's arm and ran off into a separate part of town to help innocents.

"Don't you dare!" Donnie cried as Leo gave him a serious look, "Arna you're with me, we're going after April." Leo stated as he still gave Donnie a serious look, "Donnie, you and Mikey are going on the opposite side of town to help." "Whyyy do I gotta have Mikey… he's just going to pull pranks…" Donnie sobbed as he grabbed Mikey's arm and dragged him along anyway.

"You never cease to amaze me, Leonardo." Arna remarked as she crossed her arms with a slight amazed look on her face, Leo only glanced at her confusingly and raised an eye, "What? My charm isn't enough?" Leo mocked. "What charm?" Arna smirked lightly, Leo only rolled his eyes slightly giving a small laugh as he turned around and started to walk, heading into town and giving her a wave to follow along.

April instantly began to look and glance around, she witnessed multiple innocents get slaughtered or taken away very quickly. She was capable of defending herself a bit, but she knew defending another would be impossible with how unskilled she was, she still needed way more training and practice.

She wasn't going to idly sit by and just let this disaster happen when she knew she could at least grab and help some innocents out of the town at the very least. April glanced around and noticed a very large bulky man approaching a young little girl who was just sitting and crying for her mother and father, he was smirking as he stumbled his large footsteps towards her.

April was too far away to make it but she tried anyway as she began to run towards the little girl, but she instantly came to a stop when someone else took sudden action that she recognized immediately. "Leo!" April shouted happily as he had rushed over, leaping in and quickly grabbed the girl out of the range of the large man.

The Blander man instantly turned angrily and faced Leo who was giving him a serious glare, Leo was down on one knee and the little girl clung to him drastically with how frightened she was. April jumped frighteningly from a sudden touch on her shoulder and turned, noticing who it was, "Arna.." April said happily, "You shouldn't run off like that, you had us worried." Arna stated, tilting her head slightly. "Sorry… my body just kinda moved on its own." April remarked as she sobbed slightly, feeling like the guilty one, though she didn't blame them.

The Blander man yelled and roared loudly but also was very pissed, though he was a distance away from Leo and would take a good run to get to him, April and them didn't know why he resulted in letting out a war cry.

April noticed something off too, the Blander man began to charge at Leo as he frantically most likely wanted to kill the little girl and now him for saving her to begin with. Leo was struggling to stand as he wobbled a bit and supported himself with a hand on the ground, April knew his broken bones must've been excruciatingly painful right now from the running and leaping.

April didn't want to see him get hurt again, she hated to see him suffering in such pain, and she was tired of seeing all these innocents being killed and taken, out of fun for these Blanders. Her liking for this dimension was beginning to fade as she realized this place was a major kill or be killed, hunt or be hunted, Though it was any different from earth itself.

April's body moved on its own again, but this time it was her arms and hands, Arna was busy looking at Leo's direction and the Blander. A large boulder behind them lifted off the ground that was part of a fallen tower that the Blander destroyed awhile ago before they arrived. Arna immediately ducked frighteningly from a strong wind pressure and a sudden large boulder flying past over their heads and towards Leo and the enemy.

Leo felt and heard the little girl frantically trying to get his attention as she seemed extremely frightened and worried about something far more than the Blander in front of them, Leo peered over his shoulder painfully as he already managed to stand up quickly and was about to dodge the incoming man, he saw the incoming boulder as it was flying towards them, fast, Leo reacted immediately and ducked as him and the little girl both were astonished and frightened as it came out of nowhere.

The Blander man had no time to react himself as he didn't notice the incoming boulder until Leo had ducked himself, the boulder had hit the man instantly and was crushed into a nearby building. April glanced down at her hands confusingly and unsure, did she do that or was her head just playing with her again, but clearly it wasn't as she glanced up and noticed both Arna and Leo looking at her with very confused and shocked expressions.

April immediately put her hands behind her back frighteningly as they both also had somewhat stern looks on their faces, "Sorry…?" April sobbed lightly with uneasiness.

Leo had a small limp as he walked over to join them, "Since when could you do telekinesis?" Leo questioned her as he put the little girl down who still clung to him persistently. "I didn't know I could..?" April stated unsurengly, "It's possible you just developed it, even if your from another world you can still develop magical powers, and telekinesis is one of them, but I've never seen one that powerful with what you just did for just finding out about it… it's possible it's been with you along too." Arna stated as she was unsure herself.

"I want my mommy!" The little girl cried out as she clung to Leo's leg frighteningly, "Well, we'll discuss it after this situation." Leo remarked as he picked up the little girl, "We gotta find her parents and everyone else in this town. Where's that church?" Leo questioned as him and April looked at Arna.

Arna peered around, it was sorta hard to navigate with how many buildings were being burned down and how many were already destroyed and crumbled to the ground, but she managed. Every church had a pointing peak with a bell at the top, and it was spot on as she noticed it not too far off and pointed towards it.

"Dudes, the Blan Blans are leaving!" A voice shouted out at them from a rooftop, it was Mikey as they glanced up. "Blan Blans?" Arna questioned with a small chuckle, "Nickname for the Blanders most likely." April stated unamusingly, Mikey went back to help Donnie as they were nearby.

"Guess that's good news for us, they're leaving because they accomplished their raid?" April questioned, "Not sure actually, it's possible we made them leave even though we hardly did anything, but we also arrived somewhat late too, so they must've got what they came for." Arna shrugged lightly.

Arna glanced around sadly as Leo and April had already begun walking towards the church but came to a halt as they noticed Arna not following, "You ok?" April questioned her sadly, knowing something was off. "Emberheim used to be so peaceful and active, it had very loving people and now this…" Arna stated sadly as this is where she first arrived a few years back, the people here treated her with kindness at the time and by the looks of it, it still was a peaceful town until this incident.

The little girl in Leo's arms had calmed down but was still crying a bit, April glanced at her and then back at Arna and walked up to her, placing a hand on her shoulder to reassure her. "Sometimes when bad happens, there's usually always a positive peak to it in the end, just gotta have faith." April remarked with a smile on her face as Arna turned to look at her.

Leo also had a small smile from what April stated as she wasn't entirely wrong, Arna gave April a gentle smile as she was grateful for her kind words and they both caught up towards Leo who waited for them.

After a bit of a walk, they reached the church, it was heavily guarded by warriors that protected the doors and entrances with large spears and magic guns. The warriors immediately pointed their guns at them, Leo had already put the girl down as she still continued to cling to his leg as they stood in front of the church, Leo was instantly defensive and protective over them as the warriors raised and pointed.

"State your business! Are you Blanders!?" One of the warriors shouted angrily, though he was also defensive and protective over his people that were held and kept protected inside the church. Arna was about to speak up but the little girl immediately stopped crying as she recognized one of the warriors and rushed towards them crying out, "Stteevveeyy!" she cried as she wobbled towards him, Steve immediately lowered his weapon as he also recognized the girl.

"Sarene!?" Steve cried out confusingly and rushed to her, the other warriors lowered their weapons slowly as well realizing these people saved the little girl and were bringing her here to the church. "Thank you, we took action because we didn't recognize any of you, but clearly you helped." Steve remarked as he stood up after hugging Sarene.

"We would offer you all a place to stay and eat, but under these circumstances, it's unlikely." Steve added sadly. "That's alright, we aren't here to stay, we're looking for the elder." Arna stated, Steve gave her a confused expression, "Elder?"

"The one knowing all, last I heard, he was here?" Arna added unsurengly. Steve now realized which elder she was referring to, "Ahh yes, he was here awhile back but he left about a month ago. I heard rumors he hangs out at Strangler's Hill, but I'm not entirely sure, I'm sorry but that's all I know."

"At least it's a lead." Leo remarked, Sarene was clinging to Steve happily but also still frightened, but she suddenly let go and ran back towards Leo and jumping up at him for a hug. Leo glanced down at her confusingly but crouched down to her level and she hugged him, April gave a small happy expression.

"Thank you mister bluey!" Sarene said with a small smile before running back towards Steve and also jumping up at him to be lifted. "Mister Bluey?" April remarked with a small giggle as she tried to hold it back, "Don't let it get to your head." Leo growled unamusingly, "And I thought Mikey was bad at nicknames." Arna added.

Steve had lifted up Sarene into his arms with a smile, "I've never seen her do that, again, thank you." All three reassured him with a smile, Mikey and Donnie had jumped down to join them and it spooked practically all of them except Leo who hardly reacted at all, "Dude! That was intense!" Mikey said as he slightly danced around, "Did you two help people?" Leo questioned seriously as he glanced at them, "Sure did." Donnie stated, pointing in a general direction.

They all glanced over at where he was pointing and a few dozen people came walking around the corner and towards the church where Casey and Raph were taking the lead and giving a wave. Leo gave a small smile and directed his attention back at Steve, "Well, we did what we could but we should head out."

Raph and Casey had walked up to join the group, Jogo had also appeared out of nowhere and leaped up onto Leo's shoulder with a small meow. "If any of you ever happen to come by here again in the future, do not hesitate to ask if you need anything, we will remember you all for your assistance, that's how this town is." Steve remarked gratefully.

They all waved Steve and them off just as they did in return, so did Sarene with a small smile on her face. "So, do you know where Strangler's Hill is?" April questioned Arna, Arna pulled out her map and wiggled it in the air with a smile on her face, "Sure do, but it's a two days trip from here." Arna knew where Strangler's Hill was by heart, she didn't need the map but she also knew the place was considered dangerous and wasn't going to say anything about it just yet until they arrived there, she knew they didn't care how dangerous it was and still would pursue towards their objective no matter what for the sake of their friend primarily.

Arna stopped as they exited the town and took one last look at the place, she was going to miss this town, this was the place she first met her good friend with all the good old memories and she hopes to return and actually stay here for awhile someday, but she had to say goodbye to, Emberheim for now.