Rider, Zuri, and Sophie followed the wisben priest into the building, which turned out to be a beautiful home, rich with the scent of flowers. Beautiful, exotic plants adorned the corridors and rooms; the atmosphere brightened by little fairies that playfully zipped past the visitors.

Zuri's eyes widened with excited intrigue as she observed the fairies. She almost instinctively reached out, but Sophie's solemn mood caused her to rein in her excitement. Instead, she settled on peering past Rider's shoulder, brow's rising as they approached a curtain of vines protected by a group of strict looking guards.

The wisben priest nodded as she approached the guards. The guards, having confirmed her identity, opened the curtains, and allowed the group to enter.

Past the curtains, Rider and the children found themselves in a large hall adorned with chairs, tables, and decorations. Dozens of men and women were sprinkled around the room, either discussing matters or merely enjoying some time alone. However, regardless of each person's activity, they all regularly turned to look at a beautiful rose petal door, which was under heavy protection and scrutiny by heavily armed guards.

The guests noticed the priest leading Rider and the girls and instantly regarded the hybrid with both hostility and curiosity.

The guests' blatant rage caused the sensitive Zuri to tense up. Claws grew out of her nails as she slowly adopted a battle-ready stance. Luckily, sensing Zuri's state, Sophie grabbed the little girl's wrist and gently squeezed.

"Sorry they're acting this way," Sophie apologized with an embarrassed smile. "This is where we wait to see the Holy Mother. Some of these people have been here for days, weeks, and even months. Getting a meeting with the Holy Mother is that rare."

Zuri scratched her head in confusion. "Why?"

The wisben priest paused and then regarded Zuri with a benevolent smile. "The Holy Mother is physically weak and is thus asleep most of the time, sometimes for months on end. Thus, there is usually a clamor to book appointments for the brief moments she is awake." She revealed a bitter smile as she glanced at the frowning guests. "Unfortunately, awaiting the longest does not guarantee a meeting." She then looked at Rider, curiosity in her eyes as she said, "Some matters are adjudged to be of higher importance than others."

Rider returned her look with a thin smile. "Then, I suggest we practice haste, lest we miss this window."

"Of course, of course." The priest panicked under Rider's intense gaze and then hastily rose to her feet. Under the guest's angry gazes, she guided the trio to the petal door. The guards nodded and then pulled the door open to let them through. The priest then stopped and bowed to Rider. "This is as far as I can guide you. The Holy Mother awaits inside."

"Thank you," Rider said, and then walked through the doorway with the children. The door opened into a warm, cozy living room. Several beautiful chairs adorned the room, their numbers revealing this room was accustomed to hosting multitudes at once. Old, but simple paintings of forgotten times and places graced the walls, their solemnity inducing a sense of passing time in their admirers. Interestingly, there were no portraits of people, self or otherwise. It seemed whoever lived here was not too keen on keeping people on her walls.

The most eye-catching thing, however, was the wooden stairs that led to a door on a higher floor. Presumably, that should be the Holy Mother's living quarters. Rider did not bother searching for a way to alert the Holy Mother to their arrival. Instead, he took a seat near the fireplace and then allowed the girls to explore the room.

A sculpture of a magnificent tree sitting above a fireplace caught Zuri's eye. The curious girl walked over to the statue and, against her better judgment, picked it from the shelves. The little girl admired the tree, but her eyes widened when she realized it was wooden. Not only that, but even the leaves smelled real and fresh. But there was no pot for the tree to take root. How could it still be alive?

While Zuri was pondering, a cheerful, aged voice suddenly called, "Be careful with that, little one. It's older than you and I."

Zuri panicked and then quickly hid the tree behind her back as she turned around. Her eyes widened with shock at the greying, old wisben woman smiling down at her from the top of the stairs. The Holy Mother's kind, grey eyes regarded her visitors with pleased intrigue as she secured her braided hair with a red sash.

The Holy Mother's eyes sparkled with amusement as she looked at Zuri and then said, "There's no use hiding it behind your back. The branches are taller than you."

Zuri quickly bent her head backward and looked up. Sure enough, the branches were indeed towering over her. Embarrassed, she turned around and placed the tree back in its place. She then turned to the Holy Mother and apologized, "Sorry. Zuri won't do it again."

"Nonsense!" The Holy Mother waved away Zuri's apology with a bright smile as she descended the stairs. "It is a child's prerogative to be as naughty as possible. You should enjoy it while you still can."

"Hehehe..." Zuri scratched her chin, revealing an awkward laugh as she watched Sophie run up to the Holy Mother.

"Holy Mother!" Sophie squealed with delight as she excitedly hugged the wisben's waist. "It's been so long. I have so many things to tell you." With excitement in her eyes, she pointed at Zuri. "This is Zuri, a new friend I made. She's a daeben Holy Mother! A daeben! I'd never seen one myself until her. Also, you should see her consummate skill. She can actually turn into beasts!"

"Oh?" exclaimed Holy Mother as she regarded Zuri with intrigue. "A shapeshifter?"

Sophie shook her head, "Nothing so simple, Holy Mother. I don't know how to explain it, but it's awesome!"

Holy Mother chuckled as she looked at Zuri. "Well now, Sophie is quite stingy with her praise. If she likes you this much, it must mean there is more to you than meets the eyes."

"Of course there is," interrupted Rider, no longer able to bear being ignored. "I am training her, after all."

Holy Mother sneered as she glanced at the hybrid. "Well, Rider. I'm indeed glad to see the years have done nothing to wear away your pride."

Rider laughed as he stood up. "No more than any amount of time can erode your ageless beauty." He smiled as he took the Holy Mother's hand and gently kissed it. With a concerned smile, he said, "I see you have yet to rid yourself of the curse?"

Holy Mother let out a bitter laugh and then shrugged. "When Razznik has it out for you, what do you expect?" The wisben chuckled as she then said, "I should feel honored actually. For little old me, the great Razznik took out time to learn curses from Beginner to Grandmaster. A curse with that much determination isn't so simple to remove." However, she then said with a triumphant grin, "I am close to perfecting the cure, though. I just need one thing."

Rider's brow shot up, eyes wide with joy. "What's that? I can help you get it."

The Holy Mother's gaze turned hard as she replied, "Razznik's Head." Rider's eyes dropped, his mood flattening to despair, but then the old wisben coyly added with a smile, "Or hair, or blood. Any part of his body would do." An evil glint then flashed through her eyes as she added, "Perhaps his manho—"

"Anya!" Rider interrupted and then gestured at the girls. "There are children here."

The Holy Mother, whose name was revealed to be Anya, laughed as she waved him off, "Nonsense. They're old enough to know the truth of the world."

Zuri's eyes widened as she looked at Rider. "Gray ojii-san. What truth?"

"Nothing, Zuri," refuted the hybrid as he shot a frustrated look at Anya, who only shrugged in reply. Rider sighed and then shook his head. "Why don't you sit down, Anya. We have a lot to talk about."

"Look at that," Anya remarked as she walked over to a chair and gently sat down. "Coming into my home and treating me like the guest. A thousand years might have passed, but you haven't changed one bit." She paused and then scanned Rider one more time. "Well, apart from your looks. You look like you're trying to impress the young' uns." Anya clucked her tongue and then looked at the children. "Beware men like him, kids. These days, the old are trying their best to look young, while the young want to be old. It's all quite silly."

"Yes, yes," remarked Rider with a frustrated sigh. "A thousand years, and you still use the same jokes. And I'm the one who hasn't changed?"

Anya shrugged. "The jokes haven't changed because you don't."

Rider raised his hands in mock surrender. "Okay, you win. I can't beat that venom-spitter you call a mouth." He paused and then said with a bitter smile, "So, Razznik's flesh, is it? I wish I could help, but I honestly am not looking forward to seeing his face again."

"However, that is why you are here, isn't it," stated Anya with a cold smile. "Niye's prophecy."

Rider nodded. "Although I believe she goes by a different name now."

Anya, however, shook her head. "You all change names far too often. At my age, I cannot be bothered to keep up." She then changed the subject as she said, "So, the fact that you are at my door means you must have concocted some plan. What is it?"

Rider gaze narrowed as he stated, "There are two phases. The first is the hopeful scenario, while the second is for the worst-case scenario."

"The worst-case scenario being Razznik's return, I presume?"

"Exactly."

"Alright." Anya nodded as she gathered her thoughts. "What is the hopeful scenario?"

Rider hesitated, but then said, "We are not permitted to interfere with the affairs of the world unless Razznik is involved. He's taking advantage of this rule to have the daeben bring Razznik back, somehow. So, I suggest we do the same."

Anya's eyes widened. "You are finally coming around? You always hated the idea of relying on the common folk."

"That is because I do not trust humes," Rider replied with a dark gaze. "They are a selfish, unpredictable lot, who would sooner sell their allies for gold than stand fast in the face of danger."

"Interesting," Anya muttered as she glanced at Zuri. "However, you are training one now, so something must have changed." She looked at Rider, gaze suffused with curiosity as she asked, "What changed?"

Rider shook his head and then said, "I met someone who changed my view. If it's him, I believe I can put my trust in him till the end." The hybrid smiled as he opened his hands, revealing a beautiful tree branch. "He inherited Ferulic's legacy, but has not allowed power to get to his head." He closed his hand and then stated, "Fladnag and Zeing agree with me. Both have given their branches to the child."

Anya's eyes shot open, shock, and joy in her eyes as she happily exclaimed, "Really!? Then?"

"Yes," confirmed Rider. "Yggdrasil is most certainly within his soul."

"Ha! I knew it!" Anya declared with a triumphant grin. "Yggdrasil shall rise again!" With glowing eyes, she looked at Rider. "This champion, where is he now? I must test to see if he is truly worthy of hosting Yggdrasil."

Rider grimaced. This was what he feared the most. 99% of the time, Anya, the Holy Mother, was a sweet, kind old woman. However, whenever someone mentioned Yggdrassil, she turned into a possessive, slightly crazy person. "I am not privy to his whereabouts," replied Rider with a stiff smile, but more importantly, "About Razznik?"

Anya's eyes flashed with impatience as she demanded, "What about him?"

"I need you to use your authority to muster an army to combat the daeben," answered Rider. "Fladnag will take care of transporting them to the battlefield. Just this much should not count as interference."

Anya's gaze turned serious as she questioned, "Yggdrasil's host. Will he be there?"

With a bitter, resigned smile, Rider nodded. "Yes, he will."

"In that case, I will endeavor to get your army ready," she promised with a satisfied smile. "And then... What's the plan for the worst-case scenario?"

Rider's smile turned stiff as he said, "I need an Equalizer curse."

"Equalizer?" Anya's gaze turned cold. "You know how precious those are. I only have two left."

Rider revealed a weak smile. "It's the only way. Without it, Razznik will destroy us all should he return."

Anya's gaze flickered. "This curse. Who will cast it?"

"There is a sorceress amongst the ranks of Yggdrasil's host," Rider reported. "I can teach her how to use it by the appointed time."

Anya hesitated, but then reached into her blouse and withdrew an old scroll. "I am only giving you this because it's you. It takes centuries to make one of these. Do not waste it."

"Thank you," Rider said with an appreciative grin as he accepted the scroll. "Hopefully, we are not forced to use this."

"Hopefully," Anya stated with a bitter smile. "But I believe we both know the chances of a battle are quite high whenever Razznik is involved."

"Unfortunately so," Rider replied with a sad smile.

There was a short pause, and then Anya sighed. "Well, if that is all, I suppose it is time I bid you goodbye. Many seek my assistance and counsel in these trying times."

"Wait!" Zuri interjected with her right arm raised. "Zuri has a question!"

Anya warmly smiled at the little girl and then asked, "Speak, little one. What do you want to know?"

Zuri took a breath, somewhat taken aback by Anya's willingness to speak. But then she mustered up her courage and asked, "Everyone keeps talking about Razznik. Who was he exactly?"

"Well, now." Anya's face lit up with the joy of a story-telling grandmother. "I suppose this as good an opportunity as any to tell you the story of the Destroyer and the Cursed Seven."

Zuri cocked her head to the side; confusion etched onto her features. "Destroyer?"

"Razznik, silly," Sophie playfully reprimanded. "The Destroyer is Razznik."

"Oh," Zuri muttered. "Then who are the Cursed Seven?"

Anya smile turned stiff as she glanced at Rider. "The unlucky few with the highest karmic bonds with Razznik before he ascended. Yes. This is a tale of how each karmic bond was forged in blood and tears."

"Ooh!" Zuri and Sophie's eyes lit up with excitement. They crossed their legs, impatient eyes urging on the old woman.

Anya glanced at Rider. "I trust you'll help fill in the blanks where I forget?" She ignored the hybrid's non-committal grunt and then turned her attention back to the girls. "This story, like so many others, starts in a little out-of-the-way town, where a young man slaved away for an entire year to become the strongest human in all realms."

A/N: Up Next: A one-chapter breakdown of the history between Razznik and the Cursed Seven. It's been a long time coming, but answers are finally coming around. Let's hope this sheds more light on the kind of monster Razznik truly is...

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Adventurers: Hyproxy, Michael Barton, Matt Pieper, Mental_Napalm, Jamie Ibarra, Sven Buchheit, Oziel, Jakob Dillsworth

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