He knew this was already the n, but he felt anxious already as that doubt swirled in his stomach, but there was no time for that anymore.


    All he could do was his best as he stayed hidden within the grass while the Verma moved on ahead into the Outrider vige, still within the element of stealth.


    Bruman stayed beside him, staying wary.


    “Is something bothering you?” Bruman asked.


    “–” He nced back.


    Bruman chuckled, “Sorry, I can kinda smell doubt like that. Just part of being Verma.”


    He turned back around, “Well…I was just thinking…the Outriders, they’ve got women and children, too, right?”


    “I see–that’s what’s bothering you,” Bruman said.


    “Yeah,” he nodded.


    While he still had some restraint about battling to the death with others, if it were ruthless savages like the Outriders, he could manage. But the thought of hunting women and children didn’t sit right with him.


    Bruman pped him on the shoulder, “Don’t worry, then. The Outriders don’t have women or children around.”


    “Huh?”


    “The Outriders’ seed only creates males…which means they reproduce by raiding and using the women from other viges,” Bruman exined as his expression dimmed, “…Get it? They cull any weak boys, too. Everybody in that vige is a cold-hearted killer.”


    “I see,” he nodded, “Thanks.”


    He stopped moving once he reached the treeline before arge clearing, which was inhabited by the Outrider vige–built of huts of animal skin and dingy logs, though filled with at least a hundred warriors._.


    “…Alright,” he breathed out, readying himself.


    “You’ve got this,” Bruman assured him.


    “Yeah.”


    He raised his staff, ncing to the side to see the eleven Verma staying hidden within the trees around the vige, knowing they were waiting for him to initiate the battle with a spell.


    The assault relied on his magic, specifically–stone magic.


    Focus, he told himself.


    There were a couple dozen Outrider warriors roaming around the vige outside of the huts, either eating, drinking, or messing around.


    What caught his eye was the person being hoisted up by a pair of Outriders–it was Vandread, though his body was devastated and in the process of slowly healing.


    Vandread…! He thought.


    “Emilio, what’s the hold up…?” Bruman asked.


    “Sorry, I’m getting it ready…!” He replied in a whisper.


    I have to y my part as well. Those nice people…! I don’t want them to be hurt! He thought.


    As he held his staff up, sweat left his pores as he focused his intentions on the entrances of each hutt and also on the perimeter of the vige.


    “In all of this world, it is your flesh that makes it whole. Our roads, homes, andnd are all your body. Reshape it and mold it into new forms: Stone Vige!”


    All at once, many massive walls of rock rose from the ground, specifically rising in front of the hutt entrances to block them off, as well as forming walls around the vige to keep any Outriders from escaping.


    This sudden shift caused many roars to sound out, and the Outrider warriors to yell out in surprise, spouting out words that seemed to signal them to fight.


    “Mug!” One roared.


    “Gama!” Another yelled.


    The savage, bear demi-humans looked around perplexed, looking for the enemy that had spurred such a sudden change. From within the hutts, the roars of Outriders could be heard as well as the stone walls were hit repeatedly.


    “Go–!” Alekkai roared out.


    It began.


    From the trees, the Verma warriors descended into thepromised enemy territory, immediately taking out a few of the Outriders who were ill-prepared for the nighttime raid.


    The champion of the Verma moved swifter than any other; he moved with palpable emotion in his steps as he carved his de through the Outriders.


    Even from there, tucked away in the foliage, he could feel the intensity of Alekkai’s warcries and that shining look in the man’s eyes; the rage of a brother and of a father.


    “Raagh!”


    Inbat, Alekkai was an entirely different being. Through his short, but meaningful time with the red-haired warrior, he’d recognized him as a kind, weing person, but when he witnessed the man fight, he could see the beaste out.


    The Champion of the Verma wielded a shortsword, using a smaller weapon that wouldn’t inhibit his speed as he nimbly dodged around the attacks from the roaring Outriders, countering swiftly.


    While the panic of the Outriders surely provided a benefit to the Verma, there was no doubt that Alekkai simply outssed the warriors he faced against. Their clubs and des never met his skin as he ducked and weaved through their attacks, slicing them up while rushing into the next battle without a moment to waste.


    Woah…He thought.


    Bruman smiled, staying beside him as they watched, “There’s nothing to worry about, see? With Alekkai with us, nothing can beat us!”


    “…Yeah. They’re all strong,” he nodded in agreement.


    It wasn’t just Alekkai; the other Verma were doing well–Y was fighting an Outrider that towered twice her height, yet she was holding that fearsome, battle-loving smile the entire time.


    “C’mon! Is that all ya got?!” Y taunted.


    Using just her fists, the warrior woman struck the massive Outrider before jumping up and using her legs to lock her opponent’s head before mming him into the ground.


    “Well, we can join in now,” Bruman stood up with a smile, “though you can stay here if you want. I think Alekkai would prefer that.”


    He didn’t answer for a moment as he wasn’t exactly roaring at the idea of facing off against the massive demi-humans, but he stood up as well.


    “I’ll fight,” he said, “I saw mypanion earlier–I’ll free him.”


    “I’ll help you, then!” Bruman smiled, holding his spear up.


    He was taken aback by the kindness from the spiky-haired youth, but epted with a nod, “Thanks!”


    Amidst the chaos of the Outrider vige, the two ran in; the huts were still blocked off, but some Outriders had ripped through their walls entirely. Still, the Verma had already seized the advantage within the nned chaos.


    There were many Outrider warriors already felled, with Alekkai not taking a moment to catch his breath before fighting the next.


    Still–it wasn’t all perfect.


    “Argh!”


    “Mag!”


    As the two were running down the middle of the vige, aiming for the center stronghold where he’d seen Vandread be carried off to, the screams met his and Bruman’s ears.


    It was one of the Verma; a young man with a bald head–he’d shed with an Outrider and had his sword knocked from his hands.


    “Teero!” Bruman yelled out.


    Though it was toote; the armored Outrider swept his massive de through the Verma warrior, cleaving him in half with one swing.


    “No–!” Bruman screamed.


    The Outrider’s attention was turned to the two youths who stood there in shock. It wielded a swordrger than both of their bodies, now slick with blood as it breathed out, stomping towards them.


    Bruman waspletely still, gripped by shock and grief as his spear trembled in his grip.


    As the Outrider raised his weapon, swinging it down towards Bruman–FWOOSH.


    A burst of wind knocked the Outrider back, causing the man-eating warrior to stumble back as his attack was intercepted.


    “…Emilio?!” Bruman looked to the side.


    “Get it together!”


    For some reason, the young Verma warrior was caught off-guard by the pinpoint usage of magic, but the Outrider warrior came rushing in quickly once again.


    “Oh crap!” Bruman let out.


    On the other hand, the young mage was focused; he kept his staff clutched in his hand, conjuring another spell to counter the massive demi-human. With the Outrider being so close, he opted not to attack as not to risk the attack failing to put down his opponent, instead choosing to stop the beast man’s assault altogether.


    Sprouting from the dirt floor, vines reached out, binding the ankles and wrists of the bear demi-human, ovepping multiple times for a strengthened hold.


    What kind of strength is this? I can feel it tearing at the vines already–they’re infused with magic! He thought.


    “Do it!” He yelled out.


    Bruman gulped, nodding as he rushed forward with his spear held in front of him. The young warrior had a surprising amount of speed packed into his legs as he burst forward, mming the spear head straight into the gut of the Outrider.


    “…Phew…” Bruman quietly exhaled.


    The young Verma still held onto the spear fervently; holding it so tightly that splinters surely formed on his calloused hands.


    “Get back!” He yelled out.


    Bruman looked up in surprise, “…Huh?”


    The spear to the abdomen didn’t seem to sway the fiery rage within the Outrider, who ripped the vine bindings off of his limbs before looking down at the young warrior.


    “…Ah…” Bruman froze.


    Dammit! He thought.


    Though there was little time to aid hispanion before the Outridershed out, swinging his massive de across the wind. From that distance and at that speed, the goliath sword would surely sweep through the flesh of the young Verma.


    “–!”


    It was ast minute save, but a sudden gust of wind managed to push Bruman aside harshly, saving him from the harrowing sword swing.