“They looked really mad” Scarlett whispered as they hurried out of earshot.

Seattle used to be a tourist hotspot before the event. Shade remembered visiting this city on his travels around the Unknown Region. He didn’t stay long and he always wanted to visit the famous landmark towering over the area, but the lines were too long for even him to wait and be patient. Seeing it now after all these years brought a tiny sense of nostalgia, wishing he had more time to spend in this world before it ended. Now it was dark and grey and decrepit, the once nois

Kaleb kept his eye on the sorcerer as they journeyed onward through the wasteland.

“What do you mean you’ve made a deal? ”

Shade fought the nausea rising in his throat as he was dragged kicking and flailing through the air, the grey landscape spinning around him as he wrestled with the powerful arms wrapped around him cloaked in shadows. He couldn’t see who had scooped him up from the clearing, interrupting his argument with Emma, but he didn’t need to be a genius to know he’d just been kidnapped by a Death-Hunter.

Smoke from the ruins of Needle Point continued to funnel up like a plume behind them as they made their way through the trees. The brittle leaves crumbled each time one of them brushed against one, the petrified bark ghostly white, the lifeless dirt crunching under their feet. Valerius examined the terrain while his advisor studied it in fascination. “I’ve never seen a landscape so devoid of essence” he remarked in wonder.

“Ow! You stepped on my foot!” a female voice yelped in the darkness, followed by the sound of shuffling and cursing.

“Come on, follow me!”

Clark had suffered his fair share of concussions over his career, but he’ll never get used to the pounding in his skull or the ringing in his ears after an explosion. Nor will he ever grow accustomed to the pain that follows it.

Hanks knew something was wrong because it wasn’t just Shade he heard crying out in pain. Out in the streets he heard dozens of voices shouting and screaming. He peeked out of the side street they were hunkered in a spied several Death-Hunters falling to their knees or stumbling off rooftops. Soldiers were keeping their distance, but they had stopped firing to watch them writhe in agony. “This can’t be good” he whispered, turning back to the young man on his hands and knees.

Kennedy might’ve been taken by surprise, but he was quick to turn the tables as the stranger spun around and jabbed at him with a knife. He twisted his body, hissing as the blade sliced through the air inches from his face, cutting the strap of his weapon. He let it go, the rifle falling to the ground freeing up his hands to grapple with the cloaked figure. They struggled for the knife, but Kennedy successfully disarmed him and threw him over his hip to the ground.

Dozens of eyes watched the mortal settlement cautiously, analysing the bustling activity within. Surrounded by a harsh wasteland, each tree scorched to its roots to negate any possible cover, its iron walls lined with guard towers and weapons, this town was a fortified enclosure. But even as the figures hovered around the outskirts of the manmade clearing, they knew it wouldn’t could for anything. It was going to be simple to slip inside and find what they sought.

The hushed whispers could be heard from across the room as the Elder entered the council chamber. He came looking for one and found half a dozen gathered in front of his seat arguing amongst each other. He crossed the large circular room purposely, approaching the gathering catching the attention of the man he came to speak to. “Mr Ferndale. I have news of your son” he announced.

Their prison was dark and cold and beyond filthy. Exactly what Kaleb expected from the likes of mortals. But the barbarism on display was something he wasn’t prepared for. He had been told stories of savages murdering without remorse. Until today he had been fortunate not to have to witness it. Not he was tied up in a disgusting pit with a dead body inches away from him, its blood creeping towards his shoes as he shuffled away. He was panting frantically as he watched the two

They reached the barracks without being stopped, which Henry took as a miracle. He and Luke kept their heads on a swivel, their hands on their holsters, their eyes glued to every solider they crossed paths with. They all fought to stay conspicuous so not to arouse suspicion to anything amiss. The increased activity made everyone uneasy however. Fortunately Hanks and Gavin were waiting for them to usher them into the sleeping quarters. “We’ve made a start but I’m sure there ar

The crew of Scavenger team X were scattered, but they all witnessed the shift in patrols. Word reached their ears that prisoners had been escorted inside Needle Point. Details were sparse but Henry suggested they take the opportunity to make a discreet exit. “We should wait until Clark has a chance to speak to the General” Luke said, helping Scarlett apply the bandage to her hand after the nurse treated her burns. She had stopped crying and the pain had lessoned now. He expec

Things got very scary very quickly for the mages as they were surrounded. Emma’s heart was pounding as she was torn away from her dad and her friends. Before she could blink she felt her arms pulled behind her back and something was thrown over her head. Her vison went pitch black and she heard dozens of voices all around her, including Hanson ordering them not to resist and her dad warning them not to hurt her. Kaleb was nearby, shouting and yelling at the mortals, asking th

The expedition made good progress across the wasteland, travelling many miles over the next few hours. They only had a couple of mounts, five wingless horses and a boar to pull the cart of supplies. The High-King rose his stallion with his daughter nestled behind him, holding his waist watching the landscape as it rolled by. Captain Brunhilde and General Hanson each rode a horse either side, their heads on a swivel as well as the horizon. Two of the Royal Guard rode behind th