It had taken Baal another eight large batches of meat before everyone was finally satisfied and unable to eat any more. After the fifth batch, he decided to preserve his rationed spices and changed to using a blood and ground jawbone sauce to eliminate the meat's gaminess.

  Once everyone had finished eating, he used some spare salt and a low heat to cook the meat into dried, preserved strips, enough for two meals' worth for everyone.

  After this, he began cleaning up and moving the collected fat and oil into a freshly made rock container which he stored in his bag.

  The rest of the team was organising a sleep rotation.

  “Kai, you should go first. You’re not going to be able to recharge your aether down here, and I want to spend some more time experimenting with the remaining scales before sleeping.”

  Myst was trying to convince her leader to give her more time with the new materials as she felt she was on the cusp of a breakthrough.

  “She’s right, Kai.” Vaal agreed. “You’ve been using your abilities a lot more than we have. You need the rest - even if it is just for a few hours to relax your mind.”

  Kai considered their point. While his wetshroom’s hydrokinesis was greatly strengthened due to Taoshroom, using it still required his focus, and he hadn’t stopped since their arrival down here until their meal.

  “Hmmm.. Alright. But I’ll only take a short nap. Wake me in a bit, and we’ll swap then.”

  He made the older twin promise him before finding somewhere close enough to the pit that he was within sight, yet far enough not to be disturbed and layed down. Unsurprisingly, after nearly eighteen hours of being awake and in a combat-ready state, he fell asleep as soon as he closed his eyes.

  “You’re actually gonna wake him up?” Myst asked, raising her eyebrow at the tall man.

  “Eternals, no.” He smiled back. “I’d rather have our strongest force well rested and at his peak condition than a sleep-deprived commander.”

  Myst continued to look at him as the sound of electricity sparking in the air briefly sounded between them.

  “... Second strongest.” He corrected, his smile seemingly now more forced.

  Myst replied by lowering her eyebrow and turning back to the metal scales she had scattered about on the floor. Vaal shook his head before turning to Song and Beri by their side.

  “Can you two lap the area for a while? My brother and I will come replace you after.”

  “Sure.”

  “No problem.”

  The two replied together before turning and walking off into the mist, disappearing from view shortly after.

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  Harold had already moved close to their leader and was preparing to lay down on one of the large beast's bones, which he had wrapped in his coat as a headrest. Lily had simply laid back where she sat after eating and was currently loudly snoring with a satisfied expression.

  With everyone else doing something, Vaal decided to go help his little brother clean up.

  “Need a hand?” He asked.

  His brother’s glance passed as easily as it had arrived.

  “No thanks, Vee. I’m nearly done. You’ve already hardened everything I’ve made; just focus on recovering your energy. I’ll fetch you once I’m done to do laps.”

  Though adept at keeping his fatigue hidden from others due to his time in the Kindom militia, he was unable to escape his brother's observant eyes.

  Not wanting to argue, he nodded in agreement and sat down to briefly meditate.

  Not noticing the passage of time, he opened his eyes to the feel of his brother's palm on his right shoulder before following the latter to swap with their scouts.

  “Anything?” Baal asked.

  “No, but I’ve got an off feeling,” Song replied, his eyes trying to assess the thick mist around them.

  He was unsure what had caused it, but he felt a gaze on him after leaving the pit area around the same time the mist started to move in small spinning patterns. The strange part was the lack of wind.

  “I think we’ve been spotted,” he warned. The brother’s hands were instantly positioned next to their spells.

  “Any orders, Sir?” Vaal asked, the two brothers now addressing their master with straightened backs, their eyes swiftly surveying their surroundings for any signs of movement or tracks.

  “Not yet…”

  The three of them were quiet for a moment before Baal spoke.

  “Where’s Beri?”

  The other two’s eyes widened.

  Before they could speak, they heard it.

  “Aaaahhhhh”

  Their youngest had screamed.

  “AMBUSH!” Song screamed, his ability enhancing his voice to cover their whole camp and beyond to awaken some and alert the others.

  The brothers sprinted in the direction of the scream as Song followed behind.

  “GGERAHHHHHG!” The sound of a large beast in pain screeched from in front. Its loud, pained scream was stopping and starting. Over and over.

  They subtly changed direction and soon found the source.

  The young girl was desperately pressing her hands against the head of a large beast as it lorded over her. Her eyes had rolled to the back of her head until only a milky white sheen could be seen.

  “She’s visioned it. KILL IT!” Song ordered as the pair rushed ahead, ramming into the beast to move it away from their downed and trapped member.

  As soon as she had lost contact, Beri’s eyes returned to normal, and her arms and head collapsed to the floor amidst heavy breaths. Baal only had time to lift the ground to catch her before Song appeared between the brothers.

  With his heartbeat echoing loudly, he drove his fist into the underside of the creature’s head, causing it to launch up and away from the trio.

  Without giving it time to wake up, he stepped forward, shifted his weight to his front, and slammed his palm into the beast's chest, producing a thunderous sound and blowing the beast back, hidden from view in the mist.

  “Let’s go.” Vaal cried once he had secured the unconscious girl in his arms.

  “Go! I’ll watch the rear.”

  The twins didn’t waste time and sprinted back to camp before Song had finished speaking.

  Facing the mist, the grinning pugilist struck his large fists together, producing an echoing roar before starting to play the drums on his hips.

  Dun da-da-Dun, da-da-Dun, da-da-Dun, da-da-Dun, da-da-Dun, da-da-Dun, da-da-Dun, da-da-Dun, da-da-Dun, da-da-Dun, da-da-Dun, da-da-Dun, da-da-Dun, da-da-Dun, da-da-Dun.

  His battle song had begun.