While the rest of the party moved on ahead at an urgent pace, Ansel Narth peered back over his shoulder. The hot orange sun, sitting high in the sky, beamed down on them - slowly evaporating all the dew from the rain. It wasn't raining anymore, but there wasn't a moment for celebration. Time was of the essence. The horn that alerted them to the presence of the Crimson Guards had sounded off two hours earlier. They moved through the dense mushroom forest at a brisk pace but the men were starting to tire. He looked westward toward New Dawn. How much farther? He still hadn't seen any guards emerge from the giant mushrooms behind them but he knew it was only a matter of time. No horns had gone off since the first one, but that only made him more restless and wary.

"Why do you think the Crimson Guards alerted us they were nearby?" asked Reed. Ansel noticed Reed was trying to be more kind lately but he didn't know why. The gap-toothed man had been cold to him since meeting him. What had changed? Ansel found him annoying for many different reasons. Mostly because he made obvious observations and acted like he was a genius for noticing.

Before he could answer, Zeer interjected. Ansel hadn't noticed him walk up. The man was light on his feet.

"They want us to run - to tire ourselves out. They know we're exhausted, and they hope to make us panic. As long as we move quickly and follow the Aslians' lead, I think we'll be okay." He could tell Zeer was worried regardless of his reassurances. He watched the man checking behind them just as frequently as himself. Not that he blamed him.

"How far are we from New Dawn?" asked Ansel, looking behind them again. He adjusted his Shroomveil for the hundredth time.

"Feldund says we're still about a league away," Zeer explained. "Just keep close and move quickly, we need to get to New Dawn for supplies before we can move on. Feldund doesn't seem worried they're going to catch us but I don't exactly share his positive attitude. Just keep up." Zeer strode toward the front of the party. The pink mist swirled around him as he walked away.

"I want to be one of the men to go into New Dawn," Reed said, pulling the packhorse he was leading along. "What I would give to get some real food and clothes." He stared off for a moment in a daydream. "It sucks you can't go in Ansel. You kind of stand out with those Foundling tattoos and that white hair." He smiled smugly as if he had said something smart.

Ansel moved aside a purple cane-shaped plant to clear his path. "It's fine. I'd rather stay out of anywhere that they'll recognize me. I'm going to head up to the front and talk with Zeer, make sure to call out if you see anyone in the forest behind us. We can't be caught by surprise."

After the man nodded in understanding, Ansel moved toward the front of the party. Over the past couple of days, he observed the pink fog wasn't always the same consistency. Sometimes it would grow thick enough so that you couldn't see half a span in front of you, while other times it was barely there. Today was one of the days when it was in the middle. Hopefully, that helps us. We won't be able to see the Crimson Guards until they're close but they won't be able to see us clearly either. By the Divines, I hope we can do this. He focused on his breathing instead of worrying. Kazmere used to tell him worrying did nothing. All you can do is focus on the present and make the best of it.

As he walked up through the men from Building 49, they all looked at him with a mixture of expressions. Some nodded at him in respect, while others narrowed their eyes before looking away - ignoring him. After months of being treated this way, he was numb to those looks now. It did make him miss the respect he used to get as a Foundling though.

He approached the front of the party. The pink mist allowed him to see far enough to watch the Aslians on their white elk. The two drow and the sylvirian, their mysterious saviors. He still didn't have a read on them and what their intentions were, but he was thankful for their kindness so far. They had supplied the men with broth and rough bedding to sleep on. It was more than anyone had given him in months. I should give them a chance. They've been kinder to me than most humans lately.

Zeer walked along the right side of Feldund's white elk. The humanoid tree looked grand atop their mount. Even though Feldund didn't show any signs of age as humans did, they still gave off a wise old-timer aura. Ansel was starting to enjoy Feldund's presence a lot.

"Where are the rest of you going to stay while we enter New Dawn?" Zeer asked. His long black ponytail with the silver streak bounced around while he waded through the thick undergrowth.

Feldund's ever-moving vines spread out to make their mouth. "New Dawn sits atop a small hill in the center of a grassy flatland. Those of us who don't go in will wait along the rim of the mushroom forest to use the pink fog to keep us hidden. We don't have any of your human currency to give you to get things. Do what you can to get food and enough cloaks for each of you, then return to us quickly."

"How do you expect me to get those things without marks?" Zeer asked.

Keill pulled out a tied-up cloth. He unwrapped it and inside, was an emerald. He tossed it to Zeer, who caught it. "Will that work?"

Zeer nodded. He studied the emerald with his eyebrows raised.

Ansel's eyes grew wide. "How did you get that?"

"There's plenty of them in the old mines surrounding Sylvirian Cun Moor."

I need to find those mines when we get wherever that is.

Keill looked at Ansel. "Make sure to stick close to us when they leave."

"I will, don't worry," Ansel said.

Aella smiled down at Ansel from atop her white elk. "It won't take long, don't worry. We'll be great company."

"I'm happy to join you guys. I'd rather not risk my neck more than necessary anyway," Ansel said, feeling glad he didn't have to go. The last thing he wanted to do was be found by Celibrik or Prince Dayne. He'd rather take his chances out in the mushroom forest than inside a town full of humans waiting to recognize his tattoos. "How close are we?"

"We are almost there, don't worry," Feldund said. The vine being spoke in their familiar rhythmic cadence, and amusement coated their raspy wooden voice. Feldund mumbled something under their breath. Ansel heard the words "impatient humans."

Ansel saw what the sylvirian meant right away. The sun peeked through the thick white stalks ahead of them. The pink fog dissipated with each passing step, allowing them to see into the distance for the first time in a while. Grassy flatland lay before them as far as he could see and just about a league away, lay New Dawn. Just as Feldund had said, the bustling town was built atop a small grassy hill. It was at least three times the size of the prison camp they had escaped from. He could see smoke rising from the many chimneys within the town. A thick stone wall surrounded the city, blocking it off so there were only two main entry and exit points. Rule one, mark all exit points in your mind, rang off in the back of his head.

Ansel turned to Zeer. "Zeer, I have a bad feeling about this. Are you sure you want to risk getting captured again? What if someone recognizes you?"

"The Crimson Guards aren't far behind us, I don't have much of a choice. We need supplies to make it wherever they're taking us. I didn't come this far to give up now." His voice was as solid as steel and cold focus seemed to radiate from the man. Ansel couldn't help but trust that he would be fine. He nodded his head in agreement.

"Hurry back Zeer, this whole plan rests on you. We came mostly to rescue you for your knowledge. If you die, I cannot promise that the rest of the Aslians will help the humans left with us," Feldund explained. A cold shiver went down Ansel's spine. He peered at the other men from Building 49 and saw they came to the same realization. Without Zeer, this rescue was a dud.

"I will be back," Zeer said firmly, looking into each member of Building 49's eyes one by one. "Everyone that's coming, follow me." He turned and strode toward New Dawn with four members from Building 49 following behind him. One of them was Reed. They took off their Shroomveils as they exited the pink mist.

"He's an interesting human," Aella said thoughtfully.

Keill studied Ansel and the rest of the men. "Indeed. We should go find a place to rest while we wait."

"Iellia cun vooon," Aella replied in her musical voice. The beautiful foreign language flowed from her lips.

The Aslians, riding atop their white elk, headed to a nice spot to sit and wait underneath a cap of a growing green and purple spotted mushroom. Ansel followed them into where the pink mist was thick. The heat of the day hit a peak and he wiped the sweat from his forehead. The shade from the overhanging mushroom was much appreciated.

Ansel stared off in the direction the Crimson Guards would come from. "How have they not caught up to us yet?"

Feldund dismounted the white elk and sat on the ground, crisscrossing their wooden legs. "We had quite the headstart on them, and the fog makes it hard to see. Navigating the mushroom forest can be difficult for humans, especially humans new to Asli."

That makes sense.

Ansel sat to Feldund's right, positioned so he could see the way they'd come. He wanted to be the first to see the Crimson Guards if they did happen to appear. Aella and Keill hopped off their white elks, sat next to each other, and conversed in low tones, quiet enough that Ansel couldn't make out a word. The other three members of Building 49 sat off by themselves with the horses, two of them talking and one laid down to nap. Not a bad idea, he thought as he watched the man. If only he could sleep. He was too restless to attempt that.

Feldund closed their 'eyes' and hummed. The sylvirian didn't seem like they wanted to be bothered so Ansel left them alone. He looked at the two drow conversing. Maybe it's time to try and be friendly to them. I won't find sleep and there's time to kill. Some answers to my questions would be nice.

He sat there and pondered which question to ask first. Deciding on one, he leaned forward. "How come you both came to rescue us? You don't seem like you have a lot of love for humans so why risk yourselves?"

The two drow stopped their conversation. Keill chuckled to himself. Aella replied with a smile, "I always find human's forwardness to be strange but refreshing. We were made to come by the Conclave of Equilium. They want Keill to prove he's ready to fulfill his destiny and for me to prove I can protect him."

Keill sat beside her, studying him.

Ansel scoffed. "Destiny? You believe in that over here?"

Keill locked eyes with him. A chill ran down his spine. "We do."

Ansel matched his gaze.

Aella cleared her throat to break the tension. "You see Ansel, I am Keill's Avuun. I'm sworn to guard him wherever he goes. Keill is the Kiluun - the chosen one by our people to stop the Impact."

As soon as the word "Impact" was said, Feldund stopped humming.

"What's the Impact?" asked Ansel, confused.

Aella and Keill both raised their eyebrows.

"What?" Ansel demanded.

"How do humans not know of the Impact?" Keill asked.

"I have no idea what you two are talking about," Ansel replied. His irritation grew.

"Stop pestering the human and tell him," Feldund said, their eyes still closed.

"I got this Keill," said Aella. She turned her head toward Ansel and her whole demeanor changed into a serious one, her face and voice became grave. "The Impact is what formed this world as we know it a thousand years ago. Long ago, all of the different land masses of Cascadia were joined as one. All of the species alive had found peace and harmony with one another, something that has never been achieved again. The records that have survived the first Impact say that a giant boulder, which filled the entire sky, came to wipe out everything that existed. Civilizations, creatures, and Cascadia itself - turned to dust in mere moments. This is what would have happened if the last Kiluun, wielding the Sword From Above, hadn't shattered the boulder, saving us all. The last Kiluun was Phera. She was Keill's grandmother. Even with what she achieved, the broken pieces from the boulder crashed into different parts of the world, causing undocumented amounts of destruction. Some Elders at the Halls of Ivy say that is why the world is split into four different continents now."

Ansel's hair stood on end hearing her words. A cold chill ran the length of his spine. My dream from the beach. It can't be. He tried to concentrate on controlling his facial expressions. It was just a dream. What they were saying couldn't be real... How would there be no history of this happening back in Reven? Soft hums became voices, and he realized they were speaking to him.

Keill narrowed his eyes. "What is the matter?"

I can't tell them about my dream, not yet. Not until I know where they're taking us and what for. But what does the dream mean?

"I was just wondering how it was possible there was no history of this back in Reven?" said Ansel. He needed time to think about what it all meant.

"Humans we tell never seem to believe it's true. I wouldn't be surprised if you think we are making this all up. Doesn't matter anyway. When the Impact comes, you humans will be destroyed like all the rest of us if we don't stop it from happening," said Keill.

'Humans we tell.' Are there more humans where they're from?

"But if this Impact is real, why would it be kept from us? I've never heard anyone speak of it. Why does no one in Reven know about this?"

Keill's face contorted with anger. His voice rose with each word. "Does it matter? The fact is, the Impact is real. Meanwhile, you humans are attacking us, taking our land, and killing us, even as we try and save the world for everyone!"

Aella extended her arm to grip Keill's shoulder. "You must keep your voice low." She looked to Ansel. "While I share his anger toward the humans, I don't think he's right to blame you. All of you were prisoners, not people trying to conquer us." She looked back at Keill and raised an eyebrow. "Right Keill?"

Keill grunted in agreement but was visibly frustrated. I can't really blame him. He's chosen by his people to stop this 'Impact' and at the same time, has to worry about humans destroying his home. Ansel felt respect and sympathy for Keill at that moment.

"So you were chosen to stop this 'Impact'?" he asked Keill.

The drow looked at Ansel. "Yes, I was chosen at birth. I have been raised since my earliest memories to find the Sword From Above and stop the Impact from wiping out everything."

"That seems like a heavy burden," Ansel said.

"Heavier than you could–"

"Crimson Guards!" One of the men from Building 49 yelled urgently over to them.

Ansel jumped to his feet and scanned the perimeter. Eight Crimson Guards ran toward them on horses masked with Shroomveils, their longswords drawn. One of the guards went to blow into a horn but Aella pulled a short dagger from inside her boot, and threw it with pinpoint accuracy into the guard's right eye, killing him.

Feldund stood up and grabbed a boulder that should have taken multiple men to lift. "We must finish them before more come." Feldund drew their arm back and threw the boulder with a grunt. It smashed into one of the Crimson Guard's horses, sending him flying off while he screamed.

"I don't have a weapon!" Ansel shouted at Feldund. One of the Crimson Guards nearest to them cleaved through one of the men from Building 49. His eyes searched around frantically for a weapon but nothing was nearby.

Aella pulled out two short swords with black blades and charged at two Crimson Guards on horseback. She dodged one swing, then slashed the guard from the horse while dodging another stab. She moved with a fluid grace that Ansel couldn't help but watch, mesmerized.

"Wake up Foundling, we have to finish this quickly," said Keill. He unsheathed a long black blade that was attached to his white elk.

Ansel looked left and saw two guards go to slash Feldund. Feldund raised a wooden arm and blocked the swords with ease. Then with a grunt, the sylvirian threw their arm out in an arc movement - throwing the guards onto their backs.

"Ahh!" a panicked yell came from his right. He turned and saw three guards attack Keill head-on. One of the guards swung at Keill from atop his horse. Keill slashed toward the guard, slicing through his armor with ease. The guard fell off the back of the horse with a grunt. The other guard, who was dismounted, noticed Keill's attention was drawn and slashed the back of his right leg. Keill let out a loud yell of pain and swung backward with incredible speed, cutting the other guard's head clean off. He limped on his hurt leg. The last guard was closing in now from atop his horse. He was in trouble and Ansel knew he had to help.

He clenched his jaw. I won't watch anyone else die by a Crimson Guard's hand.

Ansel, with adrenaline coursing through his veins, ran as fast as he could toward Keill. He dove into him right as the guard sliced at where Keill was standing moments before. They dodged the slash from the guard by a hair's length. Ansel thanked the Divines for his luck. He looked down at Keill's injured leg and realized he was hurt badly. The slash ran horizontally along his Achilles tendon.

"What are you doing human?" asked Keill, gritting his teeth. His face was more white than blue from the pain.

"I'm going to help you. Lend me see your sword," Ansel replied. He extended his hand for the black blade.

Keill gave it up with a grunt. There was a look of confusion and appreciation in his eyes. Ansel looked up. The guard was closing in. Ansel steadied himself. Right as the horse rode by, he swung with all his might at the horse's front legs. Keill's blade was sharper than any blade from Reven; it slashed through meat and bone like it was nothing. The horse collapsed to the ground. The guard went flying.

Ansel walked up to the guard to check if he was still alive. He lay on the ground - half-crushed beneath his dying horse. The man's glassy eyes looked up at nothing while he lay there. The only remorse he felt was for the horse. He turned and headed back toward Keill.

Aella ran up - her black clothing covered in blood. "Don't worry, it's not my own." Her jaw dropped and her eyes widened when she saw the damage done to Keill.

"What happened? Are you okay? I should have never left you." She ripped off some of her sleeves to help bandage his leg wound.

Feldund walked up and asked in their slow rhythmic cadence, "What has happened?"

"I'm fine," Keill said, face still whiter than usual. "Ansel helped me after I caught a blow to my leg from one of the humans." He looked at Ansel as if seeing him for the first time. "I didn't expect you to risk your neck for me but you did."

Ansel smiled at him. "I think that's the first time you've called me by my name."

"I think your human friends were killed in the attack," said Aella as she started to bandage Keill's leg.

Ansel peered down at the ground and clenched his fists. "I wish I had been able to help them."

Feldund rested their wooden hand on Ansel's shoulder. "There was nothing you could do for them."

Before he could reply, a loud shrieking sound from one of the horns erupted in the direction of New Dawn.

"Help me up," said Keill, raising his arms for help.

Feldund walked over, picked up Keill with no effort, and carried him in their wooden arms. They all moved over to the edge of the mushroom forest, peering out toward New Dawn.

Ansel's breath caught in his throat at the sight in front of them. A legion of Crimson Guards walked along the main path to New Dawn. Only half a league from where they lay on the forest's edge, he could see the person he least wanted to see in the world. Prince Dayne - riding in his customary crimson armor with gold trim - on a black warhorse at the front of the marching troops. To his side on a smaller gray warhorse, was Celibrik. Behind him were fifteen slaves from the prison camp, pulling a large metal cage behind them. Ansel gulped. Is that cage supposed to be for me?

"Zeer is still in there," he whispered to the Aslians. "We have to warn them Prince Dayne has arrived."

"I don't see how we do that with just the four of us, Ansel," Aella said with a look of pity in her eyes.

His resolve hardened. "I have to try, he would try and save me. I'm going to sneak in there and get them out." He made sure his voice left no room for argument.

"You're just going to get yourself killed human. We can't let you go," Feldund said. Feldund must be thinking of a plan too. They came all this way for Zeer.

"If I don't get at least Zeer out of there, then you have no way to guarantee our safety once we arrive wherever we're going. I know it and so do you," Ansel replied. He was fighting back panic at the thought of going into that town but he had to save Zeer. He couldn't leave him to Prince Dayne.

Silence met his statement. They all knew it to be the truth.

"At least go at night Ansel," Keill said. "Going now would be certain death. Take my black cloak and blade from my elk Ameria. You'll need the cloak to hide those markings."

He smiled at his new friend. "Thank you Keill."

"I still don't think this is a good idea," Feldund said.

"We have no other choice. The Foundlings used to have me steal things all the time. I'm an expert at getting in and out unseen," Ansel said with a smile more confident than he felt.

The Syliviran said nothing but they still looked unsure and worried.

"I'll find Zeer and any other men and get them out, I promise."

That seemed to satisfy the Aslians as much as possible. Ansel knew that he would never feel good about this plan himself either but what choice did he have? Without Zeer, everything would be for nothing.

With haste in his step, Ansel walked over and donned the black cloak Keill had told him to grab. He grabbed the black longsword he had gotten from Keill to fight off the guard earlier and equipped the sheath. He would need a weapon to pull off this plan.

The Crimson Guards that attacked earlier had killed three of the four horses they had left, which left Ansel with just one horse to get five men out of New Dawn. As each moment passed, he realized how crazy of a plan this was. How was he ever going to get Zeer and the rest of the men out of there?

He sat down next to the Aslians and watched the sun slowly lower behind the horizon, giving the land to the night. Once darkness covered the landscape, he stood up and looked toward New Dawn. Lights bobbed around the lively town in the distance. The town would be alive all night because of their new visitors. A cold wind drifted past his cheek. He looked back at the Aslians. "Wish me luck."

"Hurry back, Foundling," said Aella.

Ansel nodded and returned the smile. He walked over to the last remaining horse, threw his leg over the saddle, and pulled himself up. He looked forward, going over the plan he had made in his mind. I have to save my friend. Everything depends on me getting him back.

He rode into the night toward New Dawn, and a familiar saying echoed from the back of his mind.

Rule two. If no escape is available, fight until your last breath.