Hey folks, Penguin SSJGOD here.

I'm still alive and kicking, don't worry. To be honest, I'm still amazed that I'm updating this story, but here I am I guess. I have nothing more to add, so enjoy the chapter.

It has been several hours since Ashimar and Flare ventured into the Ancient Grove's lush vegetation. The unsettling silence of the grove was broken only by the rustling of leaves and the occasional distant growl of unseen creatures. As they trudged through the ancient forest, the air thick with humidity and the earthy scent of damp foliage, Flare couldn't help but wrinkle her nose in distaste. While she didn't exactly mind a bit of dirt considering her visits to the dungeons of the royal palace, this was beyond her expectations.

'Ugh, how could I not notice this before… does this disgusting thief even care about basic hygiene?' Flare thought with outrage.

After a few minutes of walking in silence, she finally broke it with an irritated remark.

"Must you stink up the whole forest with your foul odour? Do you even bathe?" Flare asked, wrinkling her nose in disdain. "I swear, the creatures of this grove must be fleeing in terror from your scent, it's revolting."

Ashimar's head never turned to face her, a clear signal that he was ignoring her. Instead, he continued scanning the surroundings with a focused gaze, his eyes sharp and alert for any potential threats. His silence only seemed to fuel Flare's irritation.

"Are you even listening to me?" Flare snapped impatiently.

"Ugh… will you zip it?" Ashimar's jaws clenched out of irritation. "And you're one to talk. You don't exactly smell like roses yourself."

"Hmph! I am a princess, and I maintain my hygiene under any circumstances, thank you very much." Flare almost shouted in indignation.

"Yeah, right." Ashimar retorted with abrasive sarcasm. "That's why you look and smell like you rolled around in a dung heap."

Flare clenched her fists as her anger bubbling to the surface. "You insufferable, low-life scoundrel! I should…" She fumed in anger.

"You should what? Use your magic to burn me alive? Go ahead, princess. See how far that gets you out here." He dared, narrowing his gaze down at her.

"You… you…" Flare was about to retort, but lacked the courage to carry on.

Flare's mouth snapped shut, her fingers tightening around her staff. The reality of their situation crashed over her again, and she knew he was right. The fact that her magic was somewhat dormant undoubtedly put her at a great disadvantage. With a huff, she turned away from him, resuming their march in tense silence.

Hours passed in uneasy silence, the only sound their footsteps crunching on the leaf-strewn path. Despite their bickering, both knew they had to rely on each other to survive this treacherous place. She still suffered from a strange lack of magic, and her confrontation with the Death Hound from last night had left her physically and mentally drained.

'How had I, a powerful sorceress, been reduced to this state?' Flare wondered. The question gnawed at her, eroding her confidence. Suddenly, Ashimar halted, holding up a hand to signal Flare to stop.

Flare noticed his halt and stopped walking as well. "What is it now?" She hissed her question.

Flare's cheeks flushed with indignation, but before she could retort, she caught a whiff of herself. The grime and sweat from their ordeal had indeed taken a toll on her usually pristine appearance. She huffed in reluctant agreement, but her pride wouldn't let her admit it aloud.

After a few moments of tense silence, Flare's thoughts drifted back to the previous day. She remembered the astonishing moment when Ashimar had countered her Level 5 spell, a feat she thought impossible without magic. She couldn't sense any magical aura from him, and that unsettled her more than she cared to admit.

"How did you do it?" She demanded, her tone less combative and more genuinely curious. "You were able to counter my spell. It wasn't magic. What was it?"

Ashimar's eyes flicked towards her briefly, his expression unreadable. "Qi." He said simply in a flat and unyielding tone.

"Qi?" Flare echoed her confusion, rolling the unfamiliar word around in her mind. "What is that?"

Ashimar abruptly came to a stop, causing Flare to nearly collide with him. "Why did you?"

"Quiet." He hissed, raising his hand to signal silence. His eyes scanned the surroundings with a wary intensity.

Flare bit back her irritation, her eyes following his gaze. The dense foliage around them seemed to hold its breath, as if sensing the tension between the two. She could feel her pulse quicken, the adrenaline from their earlier encounters with the grove's beasts still fresh in her veins.

Ashimar's eyes narrowed as he focused on something in the shadows ahead. Flare strained to see what had caught his attention but saw nothing but twisted roots and dark shadows.

Ashimar didn't respond immediately. Instead, he crouched down, examining the ground. "Tracks. These seem to belong to humans."

Flare's eyes widened in surprise. "Humans? Here? I thought it was uninhabited except for a few monstrosities."

"That's what makes it strange." Ashimar replied, furrowing his brows in thought. "It's unusual to find human tracks in a place like this."

Flare's curiosity got the better of her. "So, what do you think it means?"

Ashimar shook his head. "I'm not sure, but something doesn't feel right." He sniffed the air, his eyes narrowing as he tried to discern any hidden threats. "Wait… there's something in the air." He sniffed. 'Dammit. Who in their right mind would willingly enter these woods? Desperate ones, surely. Thieves looking for a hidden stash, poachers after demi-humans, or outcasts with nowhere else to go.'

Flare looked at him, a mix of irritation and concern on her face. "What?"

Ashimar stood up. "Smoke. There's a campfire nearby." He said in alert.

"A campfire?" Flare asked. "Could it be someone sent by father?"

Ashimar considered his own position. Though he was a thief, he had always avoided the darker paths of human trafficking or poaching. "Unlikely. More like bandits or smugglers. Maybe even human traffickers." he speculated. "People who operate far from the kingdom's reach."

Flare's eyes narrowed as she processed his words. "You think they could be dangerous?"

"Most likely." Ashimar said, his voice cautious. "But we can't afford to take chances. Let's approach carefully and see what we're dealing with."

They moved quietly through the foliage, the oppressive darkness of the Ancient Grove making every step feel fraught with danger. As they neared the source of the smoke, they spotted a faint glow through the trees. Ashimar held up a hand, signalling Flare to stay back. He crept forward with silent, deliberate movements.

Peering through the underbrush, he saw a small campfire surrounded by three figures. They were dressed in ragged clothing, their faces gaunt and wary. Ashimar studied them closely. These men didn't appear well-equipped for survival in such a hostile environment, and their presence here suggested desperation or darker intentions.

Ashimar shifted nearer to the campfire as he got a better look at the bandits, he noticed five of them. Two stood on guard near the fire, the others were sprawled out on the ground, half-asleep, their weapons lying carelessly beside them. Their appearance was even scruffier than his own, with dirt and grime covering their ragged clothes. The leader was distinguishable by his eyepatch, he had a patch over his right eye, and his left ear was half-eaten. His tongue, unusually long, hung out of his mouth as he snored loudly.

Ashimar's eyes sharpened as he surveyed the scene further. Tied to the trees nearby were a few horses, their saddles and bridles worn from hard use. Hitched to the horses were carts, each with a small cage. One cage appeared to be empty but in the other, Ashimar spotted a faint movement, someone was inside. Near the cages, he saw two figures bound to a tree. As he focused, he recognized them as demi-humans, their distinctive features clear even in the low light.

'Well shit.' With a silent curse, Ashimar realized the bandits were holding them as hostages. He knew demi-humans were often targets for slavers and traffickers, and it wasn't uncommon for them to end up in situations like this. It stirred a reluctant sense of pity in him, even though he generally avoided getting involved in such matters.

Satisfied with his reconnaissance, Ashimar carefully made his way back to where Flare was waiting.

She looked up at him. "Well?" she whispered impatiently.

Ashimar crouched down beside her. "There are five of them, all rough-looking bandits. The leader's a real piece of work; eye patch, mangled ear, and a tongue like a snake's. They've got horses and carts, and they're holding at least one person in a cage. Plus, they've got two demi-humans tied to a tree as hostages." He said keeping his voice low.

Flare's eyes narrowed, her lips curling in a disdainful way. "Demi-humans? Here?" Even in the face of danger, her prejudice against them was clear.

Ashimar noted her reaction but didn't comment directly. He was aware of her disdain for demi-humans, a sentiment common among the nobility of the Jioral Kingdom. To him it was simply dumb hatred but he chose to ignore it. Instead, he focused on the practicalities. "Yeah. And they look like they could use some rescuing." He said, testing her response. "I say we take out the bandits, grab what we can from their camp, and maybe even free the prisoners. We could use the supplies, and their horses would make it easier to get out of this forest."

Flare's expression shifted to one of surprise and then scepticism. "You want to help demi-humans? Why should we risk our lives for them?"

"Does it matter? They're not a threat to us. We use the chaos to our advantage, take what we need, and leave them behind if you like." Ashimar shrugged nonchalantly. "We need the supplies and freeing them could create enough chaos for us to get away clean. Besides…" he trailed off after a sigh. "Even scum like me knows it's wrong to leave people tied up and helpless in a place like this. What do you think, princess? Or are you too high and mighty to dirty your hands?"

Flare bristled at his challenge, her pride warring with her ingrained prejudice. Deep down, she knew they couldn't afford to ignore the potential benefits of taking action. They needed those supplies, and the sooner they were out of the Ancient Grove, the better. Yet, the thought of aiding demi-humans grated against her long-held beliefs.

She took a deep breath, forcing herself to focus on their immediate survival rather than her personal biases. "Grr. Fine." she said finally. "What do you propose we do, rogue?"

Jioral Kingdom

Keyaru walked through the ornate gates, scanning the buzzing crowd. Courtiers and soldiers whispered amongst themselves, their faces marked with concern and their voices tinged with unease at Flare's unexplained disappearance.

As he made his way, Keyaru listened to scraps of their conversations, speculations about the kidnapper, but no one had any solid answer. Amidst the sea of uncertainty, Keyaru's gaze finally settled on a familiar figure, standing alone near the marble steps leading up to the palace, a little away from the crowd. Kreha Clyret, known to many as the Blade Goddess, stood tall despite her evident injury. Her silver hair shimmered in the sunlight, her figure transpired elegance, and her striking blue eyes held a mix of sorrow and confusion. Her right arm was missing, the sleeve of her elegant attire pinned up. Even in her compromised state, she exuded an air of dignity and strength.

Masking the seething anger he felt inside for the heroes he was now forced to work with Keyaru approached the silver-haired beauty with a practiced calm. As he drew closer, Kreha turned her head, recognizing him instantly.

"You must be Keyaru." she greeted, her voice firm but tinged with fatigue. "The Healing Hero, correct?"

"Lady Kreha." Keyaru replied, sounding empathetic. "Are you alright? I heard about your… situation."

Kreha gave a small, weary smile. "I am managing, but my thoughts are with Princess Flare. It's not like her to disappear without a trace. I fear something terrible has happened to her."

Keyaru nodded, maintaining his composed facade. "I understand your concern. Her disappearance has left everyone on edge. But rest assured, Bullet, Blade and I have agreed to search for her. We'll bring her back."

A flicker of hope crossed Kreha's face, but it was quickly shadowed by doubt. "Hm. That is reassuring to hear, though I'm afraid I cannot join you. In my current state I am no use in a fight." She glanced down at the empty sleeve where her arm once was, a shadow of sadness passing over her features.

Keyaru stepped closer. "You're wrong, Lady Kreha. You have always been a symbol of strength and honour. The kingdom needs you now more than ever."

Kreha shook her head, voicing her frustration. "How can I help? As I am now, I can barely wield a sword, let alone fight."

Keyaru shook his head and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You underestimate the power of healing." he said with a convincing smile. "With my abilities, I can restore your arm. You could be at full strength again, ready to fight and protect those you care about."

Kreha's eyes widened in surprise. "You can do that?" She asked in a mixture of disbelief and hope flickering in their depths.

He nodded, a confident smile playing on his lips. "Of course I can. All I ask in return is your help. Join me in the search for Flare. We need someone with your skills and your integrity."

For a moment Kreha hesitated, her eyes searching his for any hint of deceit. Finding none, she slowly nodded. "If you can truly restore my arm, I will do everything in my power to aid you in finding the Princess."

"Then let's not waste any more time." Keyaru said. He gently guided Kreha to a nearby bench where she sat down.

Keyaru knelt before her, his hands glowing with a soft, teal light. He took a deep breath, focusing his energy and placed his hands where Kreha's arm had been severed. The light intensified, enveloping the space in a warm, healing glow.

Kreha winced as the magic began its work, feeling a strange sensation as the muscles, bones, and tissues of her arm started to reform. The process was slow and painstaking, but Keyaru's concentration never wavered. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he poured his energy into the task.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, the light began to fade. Being prepared for this and ignoring the darkest memories of Kreha's past, Keyaru, visibly exhausted looked up at Kreha who was staring in awe at her newly restored arm. She flexed her fingers, marvelling at the sensation of movement and the return of her full strength.

"How does it feel?" Keyaru asked tiredly, but satisfied.

Kreha looked at him, her eyes shining with gratitude and a renewed sense of purpose. "It's… incredible. I never thought I would have my arm back. Thank you, Keyaru. I will keep my promise. I will help you find Princess Flare."

"Excellent." Keyaru nodded with gratitude. 'This went smoother than I expected. And now…' He glanced down at his clenched fist. 'I have Kreha's exceptional swordsmanship… perfect.' He thought, secretly smirking.

Ancient Grove

After a few moments of silent observation, Ashimar began to outline his plan. "Alright. Here's how we'll do it." he whispered. "There are five bandits in total. The leader and two others are basically asleep. The two on guard are our immediate concern. We need to take them out quietly first."

Flare, unable to hold back her impatience, interrupted, "Why can't I just use my magic to incinerate them and be done with it? It would be far more efficient."

Ashimar rolled his eyes, his irritation palpable. "And risk setting the entire forest ablaze again? Don't you remember how close you came to turning this place into a bonfire last time? I had to step in to stop you."

Flare's eyes flashed with indignation. "You still haven't explained how you managed to disrupt my magic." She retorted, her voice tinged with both curiosity and irritation.

Ashimar sighed, clearly tired of this recurring question. "I told you, it's called Qi. A form of energy manipulation, more or less."

"Qi? And how exactly that sort of thing is able to counter a Level 5 Spell?" Flare demanded, again not familiar with the term. "You expect me to believe such nonsense?"

Ashimar cut her off with a dismissive wave. "Believe what you want, princess. Right now, we need to focus." He turned back towards the camp, continuing with his plan. "You're going to be the bait. Play the part of a lost damsel in distress. Draw their attention away from their watch point."

Flare's face twisted in an expression of outrage. "Y-you expect me to play the role of some helpless maiden? Absolutely not! I refuse to degrade myself in such a manner, especially for those filthy bandits."

Ashimar gave her a sideways glance, his tone dry and unyielding. "You're good at tricking people, right? This shouldn't be much different. Besides, we don't have time for your pride."

"You… tsk." Flare's jaw tightened but she said nothing, knowing he had a point.

Satisfied that she wasn't going to argue further, Ashimar continued. "While you have their attention, I'll sneak around and take out the two guards with my daggers. Once they're down, I'll move on to the others and finish them off before they can react."

Flare's expression turned to one of disgust as Ashimar explained the final part of the plan. "And what am I supposed to do while you play your little game of shadows?"

"You'll free the demi-humans." Ashimar said simply.

Flare grimaced, the distaste evident on her face. "So not only are you proposing that I only function as a decoy, but also to sully my hands freeing those creatures?"

Ashimar's eyes narrowed slightly, but he kept his tone neutral. "Unless you've got a better idea, that's how it's going to go. Plus, they might help us if things go south."

Flare's lips pressed into a thin line, but she nodded reluctantly. "Very well. But don't think for a moment that I'm doing this out of any sense of charity."

"Wouldn't dream of it." Ashimar replied with a shrug. "Just remember, keep them distracted long enough for me to get in position. Then you can do your part."

Flare took a deep breath. She had always been the one in control, the one with the power. Playing the damsel was a bitter pill to swallow, but she knew she had no choice. They needed the supplies and their horses.

Moments later, Ashimar crouched low behind a thick bush, giving Flare a final nod. She took a deep breath and stepped out from their hiding spot, transforming her usual haughty demeanour into one of desperate vulnerability. Her face softened into an expression of fear and confusion, her eyes wide and pleading. Using every ounce of her charms and striking appearance, she moved towards the bandit camp.

"Help! Please, I'm lost and need assistance!" Flare called out, her voice trembling with just the right mix of desperation and allure.

The bandits who had been lazily keeping watch, snapped to attention at the sight of her. Their suspicion was momentarily overridden by the appearance of the seemingly helpless woman and their eyes widened at her undeniable pink-haired beauty with slightly torn royal garments. One of the guards, a burly man with a scar across his cheek, exchanged a smirk with his companion, a wiry fellow with a crooked grin. They shared a brief knowing look before approaching Flare, their eyes roving over her with a mixture of curiosity and lechery.

"Well, well…" The burly guard leered, stopping a few feet from her. "What's a pretty thing like you doing out here in the middle of nowhere?"

The wiry guard added. "You must be lost, sweetheart. How about you come a bit closer so we can... help you?"

Flare maintained her facade as she took a hesitant step forward. "Please I don't know where I am. I got separated from my companions and... I'm so scared." she said forcing a tremble into her tone.

The bandits took the bait, lowering their guard as they moved closer, clearly more interested in their new 'guest' than maintaining their watch. They closed in on her, hovering near their weapons but their eyes fixated on Flare. Meanwhile Ashimar positioned himself silently, steadying and focusing his gaze on the ongoing situation. He pulled out one of his smaller throwing knives he used as 'spare'. With practiced precision, he aimed for the heads of the two guards.

Flare continued her act, drawing the bandits' attention completely. "I... I just need help to find my way back." she pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper now.

The guards were almost within arm's reach, their faces slackening into leers. "Oh, we'll help you alright." the burly guard said, reaching out as if to touch her.

But before he could make contact, Ashimar's arm moved in swiftly as the first knife flew through the air with deadly accuracy, embedding itself into the wiry guard's temple. He collapsed instantly, a gurgle escaping his lips as he hit the ground. The burly guard barely had time to register the attack before the rogue's second knife found its mark, striking him squarely in the forehead. He staggered, before crumpling to the ground beside the other bandit.

Before approaching the tied-up demi-humans, Flare turned to Ashimar with a reluctant wince, as her gaze flickered between Ashimar and the captives. She knew what she had to do, but the sight of the demi-humans filled her with a mixture of disgust and unease.

Ashimar rolled his eyes and muttered. "Hurry. We don't have all day."

Flare shot him a glare, but she ultimately moved towards the tied-up demi-humans. As she got closer, she noticed their distinctive features: a subspecies known as ice-wolves. They were short demi-human girls with blue-ish hair, their human-like bodies adorned with fur, wolf-like paws for feet, and forearms covered in the same fur. Each had a pair of lupine ears with grey ends and a large tail, marking them unmistakably as members of the same species that had been hunted down by her kingdom. She noticed that the ice-wolves were fitted with crude iron collars, likely the reason they couldn't use their ice powers to escape. The collars had small runes etched into them, pulsing faintly with a dark light, magical restraints that suppressed their abilities.

Flare winced at the sight, feeling a wave of revulsion as she approached them. They were the very creatures her kingdom had deemed unworthy of existence and she had been brought up to view them only with contempt. However, as she approached, she could not help but notice the fear in their eyes.

When the princess moved to untie them, the ice wolves stepped back slightly, their eyes widening in recognition and fear. One of the girls' tails twitched nervously as the older one finally spoke, with a shaking voice. "You... you're the princess of the Jioral Kingdom..."

Flare felt a pang of discomfort, but ultimately reached for the taller demi-human girl. "Ugh, stay still… creature." Flare commanded in a detached tone.

As she moved to the second ice-wolf, the girl's soft whimper broke the silence. "Why… are you helping us?" She asked quietly.

Flare's gaze hardened, masking her uncertainty. "Don't mistake this for mercy." She retorted

The ice-wolves exchanged nervous glances but remained silent, their eyes watching her warily. Just as she was about to remove the last of their bonds, Flare suddenly felt a strong arm wrap around her from behind, a cold blade pressed against her neck.

"What…?" Flare gasped, her eyes wide with shock and confusion.

Another man who must have been feigning sleep, gripping Flare tightly, a knife held threateningly to her throat. The demi-humans recoiled in shock and fear at the sudden turn of events. Close combat was not her forte, and with her magic suppressed, she was at a severe disadvantage. She contemplated using a spell, but the knife's cold edge at her throat made even the slightest movement risky.

'Shit.' Ashimar's teeth clenched in annoyance as he momentarily paused his doings.

"Not so fast, princess." The bandit grinned maliciously and shouted to his comrades. "Intruders! We've got intruders!"

The bandit leader, roused by the commotion, barked orders to the remaining bandits. "Get the demi-humans! I'll handle this one."

The remaining two bandits, still groggy but alert, scrambled to their feet at their leader's command. The leader, a burly man with a patch over his right eye, half-eaten ear, and an unnaturally long tongue hanging from his mouth, pushed himself up and faced Ashimar.

At this point, Ashimar's gaze shifted from Flare to the leader and then to the other two bandits advancing on the ice-wolves. He knew he had two choices: he could cut his losses and make an easy escape, leaving Flare and the demi-humans behind, or he could take a risk and try to help them. The idea of abandoning them was tempting, they had no personal value to him, especially Flare, with her arrogant attitude and status. But something in him resisted the urge to run.

'Tsk. Dammit. Seems like I really have no choice here.'

Sighing at himself and at his decision to help someone like Flare, Ashimar launched himself into action. He gave a swift headbutt from behind to the bandit leader, the force sent him staggering back momentarily disoriented, giving Ashimar the opening he needed.

Pulling out his last two spare mini-daggers, Ashimar aimed carefully. He threw one over the shoulder of the bandit holding Flare, enhancing his hurl with Qi flowing through, as the blade embedded itself in the man's shoulder. The bandit cried out in pain, his grip loosening just enough for Flare to pull away. The second dagger flew straight at one of the bandits near the demi-humans, striking him in the chest. He collapsed instantly dropping the chains he was holding. The remaining bandit, startled by the sudden assault, hesitated just long enough for Ashimar to close the distance.

But before Ashimar could fully secure the situation, the bandit leader recovered, his face now contorted with rage. "Bastard, you'll pay for that!" he bellowed, swinging his sword at Ashimar's back.

Ashimar spun around, narrowly dodging the blade. The leader's attacks were powerful but lacked precision, allowing Ashimar to anticipate his moves. He parried and dodged with a series of quick, agile steps, his experience and training evident in every movement.

As they fought, Flare stumbled back, clutching her neck where the knife had pressed against her skin. She watched as Ashimar engaged the bandit leader, their clash brutal and swift. She could feel her magic stirring within her, still weak but growing stronger with each passing moment.

Ashimar ducked under a wild swing from the leader and delivered a sharp kick to his midsection, sending him reeling backward. "What? That all you got?" Ashimar taunted cooly.

The leader growled in frustration. "If I get my hands on you, I'll make sure I break every bone in your body, asshole." He hissed and charged again, but Ashimar sidestepped and struck with a series of precise blows, each one aimed to incapacitate rather than kill. The leader's movements became sluggish, his strength waning under Ashimar's relentless assault. This time, Ashimar met the attack head-on, deflecting a series of wild strikes with effortless precision. He dodged a clumsy overhead swing and, with a swift pivot, planted his knee into the leader's gut. The leader gasped, doubling over in pain.

Meanwhile, the bandit who had been holding Flare stumbled, clutching his injured shoulder. Flare saw her chance and grabbed her staff from the ground. She swung her staff using her large tip to hit the bandit in the face to make him back away from her and the demi-humans.

"You've got a lot of nerve, bitch." The bandit growled in pain. "I should cut you right now."

Flare stood, the sharp edge of the bandit's knife momentarily away from her neck, as he struggled with the wound in his shoulder from Ashimar's knife. His desperate grip loosened and Flare took the opportunity to try summoning her magic once again. Much to her shock, the spell actually worked, although not yet at her full strength, Flare was convinced she was able to use her magic again.

As she began to cast her spell, the second bandit standing threw a blast of wind magic at her behind her. The gust was weak in comparison to her capabilities. Flare smirked slightly. 'If this is all these bandits can muster, then they pose no genuine threat.' She pondered thinking to herself. She gathered her strength, preparing to unleash a average-sized torrent of flames in retaliation.

Across the clearing, Ashimar had just dispatched the bandit leader, leaving him sprawled unconscious on the ground. He swiftly moved towards the tethered horses, his keen eyes spotting the cage containing the last captured demi-human. He grabbed the reins of one horse and started to lead it away, but his senses pricked as he noticed the unmistakable scent of sulphur wafting through the air.

Ashimar's gaze snapped to the bandit struggling against Flare's spell. His eyes widened in alarm as he saw the volatile sulphur pouches hanging from the bandit's belt. That colour and that odour, there was no mistaking it. He knew he had only a split second to act.

"Flare, you fucking idiot! Get away from him!" He shouted. "He's carrying arcane sulphur!"

But his warning came too late. Flare already released her fire spell. The magical flames shot forward, engulfing the escaping bandit, igniting the magical sulphur with a violent explosion. A burst of fire erupted, expanding rapidly and consuming everything in its path. Ashimar cursed under his breath, quickly mounting the horse and pulling it away from the blazing inferno. He urged the horse to gallop away from the explosion's reach, glancing back over his shoulder at the rapidly spreading flames.

The Ancient Grove's clearing had turned into a blazing inferno, the fire greedily devouring the trees and shrubs. Ashimar gritted his teeth as he watched the flames growing higher and more ferocious. The cage on the cart rattled as the demi-human inside was ultimately safe. The roguish man glanced down at what he had managed to snatch from the bandits, including the cart and then rested his eyes back in the blaze.

A few moments later, back in the heart of the now burning camp, Flare coughed violently as the thick smoke filled her lungs and stung her eyes. She stumbled backward, trying to get away from the flames she had inadvertently set loose. With a quick look in the surroundings, she realised that no one was around, the last bandits standing, including their leader were nowhere to be seen, except for the three corpses lying around.

Flare shook her head. 'The thief was right…' She thought bitterly, perking downwards. 'He told me not to use magic in this place. He warned me it wouldn't be a good idea…' But her pride and frustration had clouded her judgment and now she was facing the dire consequences of her rash actions.

Her eyes fell on the unmoving demi-humans. The two young ice-wolves she had just untied. They lay on the ground, weak and unconscious. Flare took a hesitant step towards them. They were clearly sisters; their resemblance was unmistakable. The older one, despite the danger, was trying to protect the younger one with her body.

'Disgusting creatures...' She thought reflexively, but the thought was quickly followed by a pang of something she hadn't felt in a long time; empathy. As she looked at the elder ice-wolf's desperate attempt to protect her sister, memories of her own sibling, Norn, flashed through her mind.

'Could I have been as protective if Norn were in danger?' She wondered, her gaze softening as it lingered on the helpless ice-wolves. The answer came as a reluctant yes, despite their differences. Flare hesitated before recalling his temporary companion's words. 'Even scum like me knows it's wrong to leave people tied up and helpless in a place like this.'

But there was no time to dwell on these thoughts, the flames were getting closer and the intense heat was making it hard to think clearly. Summoning what little strength she had left Flare extended her hand towards the bound demi-humans. With a grunt of effort, she reached down and grabbed the elder sister first as she hauled the ice-wolf up and over her shoulder.

'What am I even doing?' Flare thought in mid-disbelief, not believing she was doing what she was doing.

Ignoring the stinging pain in her limbs and the choking smoke, she turned to the younger sister as she lifted the smaller ice-wolf into her arms. Luckily she was light enough for her to sustain her.

"Hold on... I'll get you out of here..."

Yes, my friends. I'm actually trying to implement something known as character development. And yes, the 'arcane sulphur' was something I came up with last minute. Surprised? Probably not. Because let's face it, canon Flare was insanely over the top, and her character was as nonsensically evil as... pretty much the rest of the cast. But not here, here characters will have depth, or so. I'll give it a shot here.

And yes, I know this is way too soon for Flare to have a 'change of heart', and I will try to give her time to 'improve' as a person. But then again, this is still Redo of Healer, so...

So, yeah, this is all. Hope you liked this one. Take care you guys. See ya.