Well first off I'd need to say that I edited my previous chapter so it's kind of extended and you might like to re read it. Long story short, excuse the pun, this chapter was turning out quite long nearing 5k words and I remembered my last chapter was a little short so I transferred a portion of it. Then I continued and got nearly 5k words anyway -_-. Anyways, yay I'm always happy to get more favs. I'm glad you enjoy it but I don't think it really gets good until this chapter. I really enjoyed writing it and I hope you enjoy reading it too. Sorry if it's a bit too long though.

"Hey, has anyone noticed that the disciples quite chasing us for real?" Jimmy queried, looking back now that they have slowed down.

"I guess that means they took the handbook to investigate," Rina said proudly. "I always knew one of those would come in handy."

"So how long would you say it will stall them for?" Prisha asked curiously as Rina took out another copy of the handbook from her bag.

"I'll let you decide," Rina handed the handbook over to Prisha before they continued hiking.

"I see, rather than setting out random letters to make it look like a code, there is actually a legitimate message encrypted of the introduction of the Occult Society handbook up to the point where it says you have been punked," Prisha thoughtfully analyzed the contents of the handbook. "Clever."

"It might actually stall them for at least an hour won't you say?" Rina smiled proudly before the group came across a cave up ahead along a valley wall.

"Thank goodness a cave!" Jimmy cheered before he realized the others aren't in the same mood. "We will need a place to rest up and heal Ian right?"

"Yeah he looks in really bad shape. It would take all night to fix him up even with the first aid kit," Corey commented then looked up at the sky. "We will need some light to treat him carefully but the sun will be setting in about an hour. If we start a campfire though, it will be easier for the enemy to find us."

"Unless we light a fire in the cave right?" Jimmy suggested. "Then it won't be so explicit."

"Actually Jimmy, the cave is featured on the map of the outskirts of Deciel," Rina explained. "With the disciples having built the church in this forest, I'd say they must be quite familiar with it. The cave will definitely be a hotspot for them to search for us. The fact that it's the only cave in the map doesn't help."

"By the way, what else would you say those chalk eaters would be up to now?" Corey questioned. "Other than investigating the handbook I mean."

"They will treat Darren and have someone stationed at the Deciel entrance," Prisha answered.

"You... sound so sure," Jimmy turned to him. "What if they try not to be so predictable?"

"No matter how predictable the move is, how much it would draw them back or the size of their brain, they must move away from check," Prisha answered. "It doesn't take all of us to take care of Ian and Jimmy and Disciples of Aevincere can't take the risk of even one member of our team to return to Deciel and report to our clients."

"Now let's get back to us," Rina said while getting out her phone to check the tracer. Darren seems to be traveling through the hiking path from the church to where the camp's bus is. Prisha seems to be unsurprisingly right once again. "Where will we camp?"

Prisha's thoughts raced for a plan regarding the previous discussion on the situation at hand. After some inspiration he finally said, "I have an idea!"

VWVVW

"Come on Darry!" Mera pulled the now recovered Darren down the hiking path. He blushed a little, it's true the High Disciples were a strong side that was beneficial to join but being with a cute girl like her was definitely a bonus. She was the one who persuaded him to join after all.

"Uhh... sorry for screwing up back there," Darren said.

"Oh don't worry," Mera smiled as they reached Dominic's bus and got on board. "I easily beat up that sword idiot, which slowed the rats down in the forest. We'll get back at them."

"So Mera, I found that you have torched the Tree of Youth downstairs," Dominic said while he started the bus. He also brought a spear for the fight later on.

"Yes... or our current one at least," Mera replied then remembered. "Oh that's right! Poor Kaggy was still down there wasn't he?"

"Correct and for your information I can only heal the living," Dominic is not amused.

"Right... poor Kaggy..." Mera smiled nervously. "So how's decoding the book going?"

"It was a false clue they left behind to stall us," Dominic answered. "But that isn't the main attraction at this stage."

"You know what I'm more interested in? It has been running through my head for a while but-" Dominic turned his head around menacingly. "Why do you think those occult brats let Darren live?"

"Uhh... what do you mean?" Darren stuttered for a moment.

"You heard me!" Dominic's voice boomed. "They all witnessed my power and know I should be able to heal you. You were also near dead in front of them. They only need to increase your blood loss for your cause of death. I'd say it's more likely they counted on you living for a reason."

"You mean like a bug or a tracking device?" Mera questioned.

"No way, I took a bath to wash away the blood and it would have short out any stuck on me," Darren shrugged.

"And I got him a new change of clothes, I even checked the other change and can't find any on them," Mera contributed before it seems Dominic had stopped the car.

"Darren, can you come out here for a moment?" Dominic opened the door of the bus and walked outside, also grabbing his spear. Darren froze in his seat for a moment, but Mera managed to pull him out.

During the confrontation, Dominic pulled Darren's wrist to himself analyzing the watch, "This watch... it's the same one you had before right?"

He then pulled the watch out and smashed it on the ground. Seeing the tracking device installed within, he said, "What do you know?"

"Please forgive me sir! I'll be more careful," Darren kneeled before Dominic.

"Darren... you had always been the most naive of us haven't you?" Dominic looked down on him. "You should know not to take our job lightly."

"But if you continue to be so foolish," Dominic raised his spear above Darren's neck. "We would have been better off leaving you to bleed to death!"

Dominic plunged the spear down through Darren's throat while Mera froze from the horrible event taking place. Dominic soon pulled the spear out for Darren to fall to the ground in unspeakable agony before the now wished for death. He had chosen his side based on how strong they are and this is his consequence.

Dominic then turned back to the bus and walked past Mera to tell her coldly, "So now you know the price of failing me?"

Mera was still frozen from the shock and it took a while for her to barely manage the word, "... yes..."

"Bring him in the bus with a bag," Dominic commanded, getting back to the driver seat. "We will decide what to do with the body once we get to Deciel."

VWVVW

"Awww, dang it," Rina frowned at her phone. They finally settled down for a while with Ian laying down next to a tree.. "The tracer quit working. I guess that means they figured it out."

"Corey, can I miraculously count on you to get some fire wood?" Prisha asked, handing over a really large plastic bag. "Enough to fill this up."

"Rodney!" Corey grabbed the bag and ran off. He decided to gather some where he can keep an eye on the cave in case the disciples decide to check already.

"I think he meant Roger," Rina commented on the last thing Corey said. She then turned to speak to Prisha, who seems to have gotten out a map of the forest outskirts of Deciel, a pencil and a notepad to draw something. "But that's beside the point. You really think it's a good idea to start a campfire where the trees are no where near tall enough to hide it?"

"No!" Prisha stopped drawing for a second to direct the pencil at Rina. "That is why we will be commencing many campfires."

"Nice, like decoys," Jimmy joined the discussion as Rina started to treat Ian with Jimmy assisting. "Excuse me for asking though, but are you sure those Aevincere guys will be hunting us down? What if they decide toplay completely defensive and station themselves all at the Deciel entrance?"

"It's a shame we don't have that high disciple on our team," Prisha answered while he drew the map of where he calculated would be the best places to set the campfires. "Ian will actually take time to recover and the disciples only need to finish him off and permanently reduce our power by a quarter. The passage of time would serve us best."

"Speaking of which, how's he doing?" Jimmy asked Rina.

"He'll survive as long as we do our job," She answered. "But he won't be awake until tomorrow."

"Back!" Everyone heard Corey's voice from the woods and saw he filled the large plastic bag and also carried until smaller plastic bag with already burnt fire wood.

"Umm Corey?" Rina asked. She and the others wondered what he could be doing with the smaller bags. "Don't tell me you think the already burnt fire wood could become chocolate so the disciples will be too busy eating to look for us."

"Really? They can?" Corey asked enthusiastically with everyone falling over again. "Actually I was thinking, we were going to make decoy campfires right? With this many firewood."

"Umm yeah, we discussed that," Rina answered.

"Well, we would need to start the campfires one by one right?" Corey explained. "But the enemy could tell how long ago each ones have been running by the decrease in the burn rate and the amount of fire wood."

"And make an inference on the order each campfire started and where we were probably at," Prisha figured it out and was actually quite impressed. Over the past few missions, these two seem to be improving at strategies rather quickly. He wouldn't actually tell them that though but he will need to work harder to make sure they can't catch up. "If the camp fires we commence later already has some burnt fire wood, it would begin to seem like it had already been burning for some time and the enemy won't know which was started first."

"We can even instead make a fake pattern to fool them if you like," Corey suggested further.

"That would be nice if we had more time but the sun is already starting to set," Prisha packed away the map and pencil, he already decided where to set the campfires. "We need to get started right away."

"Actually that was my plan," Corey smiled then turned to Rina. "But the chocolate idea seems so much cooler!"

"It was a joke you clever idiot!" Rina yelled at him.

VWVVW

Dominic stood on top of a building where he could see the Deciel forest and look down closely with his monocular while the sun began to set.

"It's fortunate we got rid of that fool and the tracker before we arrived at this place," He told Mera who has been behind him, still frightened by his presence. But then it only taught her that Dominic won't tolerate anything but an immaculate success. They may have lost Darren but Mera is now motivated more than ever to not fail just as Dominic intended. "Most of the Deciel forest is surrounded by steep hills. From this building we should be able to see all the paths they could take into the city."

"I'll be able to see in advance where I can stop them," Dominic then turned back to look at his remaining colleague. "But we wish to finish them before that don't we my dear Mera?"

Dominic then remembered he noticed something strange in the forest as it was getting dark. He turned again to see the unusual burning lights in the distance with rising smoke. They were campfires, nine of them.

"So... what do you think they're planning?" Dominic smirked menacingly. "Those campfires are decoys or traps?"

"Sir... they can also make you think they are traps and avoid them completely," Mera finally found the courage to speak. "After all, they will be needing some light to thoroughly treat Ian."

"They would have light if they stay in the cave," Dominic replied. "The campfire might also be a way for them to steer our attention from the cave in the Deciel forest."

"We wasted enough time! Use your own judgment to hunt them!" Dominic commanded coldly. "Just remember how tolerant I am for failure."

Mera agreed and entered the forest trying to be as quick and stealthy as a ninja. The cave will be the safest bet to start searching. So she went there and looked around first. Next she decided will be the campfires. She can already see one from the cave. As long as she's really careful she'll be okay at least. Not only is this a forest where she'll have the field advantage but they had to use fire, her own element. She even recovered quite a bit of energy since the previous fight.

Once she reached it and found no one there, she looked around the bushes for traps. It was clear and from that campfire, she saw another one available to investigate across the woods and done so as cautiously as she did with the last one and just like the last, there was another campfire layed out for her. She started to get suspicious after another round but the following campfire provided two others in view so she can relax a little more. Little did she know, Team Freakshow was already watching her going off.

"Brilliant... by residing in the woods here, we may not be using a campfire but we're using light from all three of the surrounding campfires," Rina said quietly as she continued to treat Ian's injuries. "Not only that, but from this area we can see Mera a whole lot better than she can see us and will be notified if she does something suspicious."

"But how did you know she will move around us?" Jimmy asked.

"I inferred that the cave will be her starting point," Prisha took the usual arms folded stance he takes when explaining something. "From there I pre-established a path for her by leaving campfires that are easy to travel between. The later ones were more difficult. I couldn't leave a clear path but it should generally lead to the same exit."

"After leaving the cave, those foolish disciples will decide whether or not the campfires are a trap, if they do, they will avoid them like the plague," Prisha continued his exposition. "And if they decide to investigate the campfires I had already established a path for them. The proximity they will check around the campfire for traps are a fixed variable. I only need the light of the flames to extend further than that. In any case, the areas in proximity of the campfires, but not on the pre-established line will be the most overlooked."

"Man..." Jimmy thinks his brain just cracked. "I will get used to this won't I?"

"Well Ian is preventing it by being unconscious," Corey suggested.

"It's true, I don't think I would have understood half of this a year ago," Rina smiled. "Being with Prisha had taught me lots among lots."

"Umm... sorry for changing the subject but you did agree a couple of days ago to let me in on your discoveries in the church right?" Corey asked Prisha and Rina.

VWVVW

Mera had returned to the roof of the building where Dominic resides saying, "Sir, those rats aren't in the cave or the campfire I checked all nine of them. It wasn't likely they would stay in the dark tonight with their allies condition but it is possible right?"

"Yes, but you have no more need to search tonight and rest up," Dominic said. "In a time of vigilance such as this, each side will always need someone to take shifts at night. With three capable members of their force remaining, I suspect they will only need a total of six hours while we need eight."

"If we begin resting earlier though, you can continue your search at dawn when it should be easier to see where they are camping."

VWVVW

Corey had finished interestingly listened to the story and asked, "So why do you think the other disciples are so obedient at attacking the other religious groups without question?"

"Yes its' been running through my head for a while," Rina answered thoughtfully. "The teachings we heard during the second morning didn't sound so convincing."

"They don't have to be," Prisha spoke up. "Just remember what Kageta said."

"The whole rubbish that we are all bad inside?" Jimmy defied. "That's not true! Many people really do care for one another without being delusional."

"I would never have made it past the age of nine with your naivety," Prisha spoke with as much bitterness as he did on the subject earlier in the day. "Do you know what is it that brings out a person's true character?"

"Fear! And understanding of what you have to lose," Prisha turned to the others grimly. "I also recall Kageta saying the fact that this religion works so well is testament to how selfish everyone truly is deep down."

"Prisha..." Rina looked at him. Even now she would still like to have something to say to ease him. There is one thing she can honestly say. "Well for one thing, you're not like that."

"Those fools were already convinced that the High Disciples otained their powers from God from the display," Prisha ignored her to turn back and contemplate on the puzzle piece in his hand. His uncle Belenus had taught him the same thing long ago and it was formerly one of the few things he learned from him that Prisha refused to believe. "They must only learn the price of disobedience and Kageta's words were true in that they betrayed their own moral beliefs."

"It may not even be fear of death, but loss of reputation and other forms of pain," Prisha said. It wasn't until the people of Zalel were convinced he was cursed when he finally understood. "But there is no such thing as a truly selfless act."

"...," Rina contemplated at him for a moment before smiling broadly and lending out a hand. "Want a bet?"

Prisha looked at her for a moment before turning away saying, "Don't be absurd, we should hurry up and decide on how each of us are going to take shifts or rest up for the night."

VWVVW

It was decided for Rina to take the first shift. She also did all she can to help Ian. Now they only have to wait for him to wake up later in the day. She also looked over at the currently sleeping Prisha and it was surprising. He always acted so cold, calculating and even ruthless. But you can see none of that now in his gentle, obliviously innocent, curled up form.

Well, the experience was cut short. Rina found it was almost two hours and she needed to wake Prisha up and have her own rest and done so. As Prisha sat there he was reminded of how difficult it was to sleep before Rina began her shift. He still disliked being reminded of his past no matter how important he knew it was.

His father's betrayal wasn't really as damaging, he was too busy working for the government to care about his own son, but Prisha thought his mother was the only person who sided with him. It was when she handed him over to the Zalel troops that changed everything he knew and turn all the joy he's known into pain. For a long time he wondered how a mother could betray their own son like that.

It's simple, even what they call maternal love is limited. He remembered Belenus teaching him the delusion of love and kindness. He was convinced on that outlook but in recent times, things have been strange. Namely Corey saved him, a complete stranger and criminal when he would have got so much more money and credit handing his over to the Zalel troops.

There was also the fact that he decided to join up with and help the Occult Society for some reason and the others, except maybe Ian are okay with it and trust him. He even foolishly risked his life many times for them, such as before when he stayed back to slow Mera down with the ice wall. Why? Is he still as delusional as those fools he looked down upon?

After a while he realized it's almost time to wake Corey for him to be the last to take the shift, which might not be such a great idea as when Corey woke them later, they found themselves tangled in some trees. One of his many pranks.

VWVVW

After taking some time to get themselves down, they were surprised Ian could sleep through all that. The sun is currently rising and they decided to pack their belongings and were about to discuss strategy in their return before they heard some sound in the woods.

"Jimmy, stay here and give us a shout if something happens," Rina told him as she, Prisha and Corey headed off to investigate. Within the forest in the distance they caught a glimpse of Mera who went back to searching for the intruders.

"From her travel pattern she should encounter our camp eventually without an additional stimulus," Prisha analyzed quietly.

"Stimulus as in a surprise attack?" Rina asked.

"No we had to be in a forest and we can't risk her hearing us and calling Dominic," Corey discussed.

"One of us needs to confront her," Prisha said and volunteered. "At least then I can gather her attention and the rest of you can stay behind some bushes and you can ambush her if need be."

"However, unless I give the signal, do nothing," Prisha finished.

"I won't blame you for doing so. She may be a girl but no one who defeated Ian is to be taken lightly," Rina warned him. "Don't forget about being far older than she looks and definitely more experienced. Please be careful."

"Kick her ass Prish," Corey smiled, encouraging Prisha in this fight.

VVVVVVV

Mera made her way through the forest and started to wonder if it was worth it hunting them down anymore. It may be better for her to be stationed at the Deciel entrance with Dominic. No! He won't tolerate that, she will have to search every inch of the forest here and now to take those rats by surprise. Soon, she was glad to see Prisha on his own up ahead, now face to face with her.

"Ooh ice boy," Mera smiled mockingly. "I heard you and your friends work for something called The Occult Society."

"Funny story, but does it go anywhere?" Prisha replied in monotone.

"There are many rumors of your organization. I also heard your group even made some treaties with societies of normal human such as the Lorieth region," Mera went on. "Say, have you ever been a victim of their ignorant judgment? Maybe it would be better for you to join us."

"And just how many brain cells must I lose before I accept that offer?" Prisha glared at her.

"My dear Prishy, to those ignorant normals, we psychics are either demon or a deceitful angel," Mera warned him. "They will back stab you eventually, unless you back stab them first."

"And you just automatically assume that I fight for those fools?" Prisha replied. "If you have a problem with the organization's choices, you can take it up with the authority."

"Flame blast!" Mera abruptly started the fight by throwing fire balls and Prisha needed to move quickly to dodge them. But it wasn't long before he realized another effect the attack is having on the forest as the woods blazed in the battlefield. "Hahahaha! It's a shame an ice user such as yourself must fight a flame user like me in a forest of all places! Anywhere else you might have stood a chance, but here the environment will continue to burn giving my power the advantage and yours? Not so much."

As much as Prisha hated to admit it, Mera is right. Fighting cautiously won't be as efficient in this case. Mera soon fired a much more powerful blast and Prisha decided to do his best to defend by creating his Frozen Shield. It took a while, but the flames finally melt through the shield directly at its target.

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!" Prisha cried out at the top of his voice before falling to the floor. It felt as if every inch of his body was being torn off by the blaze. Unseen in the bushes, Rina created her bow and arrow and was about to aim it before she was stopped.

"He hasn't given the signal," Corey whispered to remind her.

"Perhaps you're not fighting for those humans but for your friends in the Occult Society," Mera smiled, watching as Prisha struggled to get up. He only made it to his knees for now. He was in no condition to sit let alone stand and fight. "And you're sure they're trustworthy?"

"Cut the crap will you?" Prisha glared at her again. "Don't think I forgot what you said a day ago."

"Anyone who acquired such powers without being blessed by Aevincere were given demonic powers," Prisha decided to enlighten her. "You knew there are other psychics around and you thought nothing of them when you said that!"

"We get enough crap from people without you facilitating the prejudice!" Prisha's eyes were filled with such loathe. If looks could kill, Mera would have already been done for. "Rina... Corey... and Ian? Whether they will betray me is yet to be seen."

"But you!" Prisha's glare pierced into Mera's soul. "You have already back stabbed our entire kind!"

Mera refused to listen. She just shot another ball of fire before Prisha dodged it by jumping back into the woods away from Mera's view. She just laughed, "Oh Prishums, back to your usual cautious strategy? I will find you and the longer you hide the more intense the forest will burn to fuel my power."

Prisha's thoughts raced. He can't risk Mera melting herself out if he plan to freeze her. There was only one other trick he can think of even if it was no guaranteed success, he can't postpone the fight any longer. The heat from the burning woods is enough to bear. One more of Mera's Flame Blast and he's finished.

"Hmmm, I just thought of something," Mera said, looking around. "The reason you were so direct with your confrontation before is to steer my attention from your friends hiding somewhere here right? So now it won't matter if you hide I'll just go and hunt them out."

"Frozen Shield!" Prisha's voice sounded behind Mera and she turned to see him through his trusty wall of ice.

"Showing yourself at the mention of your friends? How noble," Mera sneered charging her hand with flaming PSI once again for the finishing blow. "Too bad no one will remember your sacrifice once I'm done with them."

"Flame Blast!" Mera threw forward one last incandescent attack to instantly melt through the shield and seemingly swallow Prisha. That worked much better than Mera had thought. Maybe he was running low on energy on top of the disadvantage in the flames or Mera was just really good at the technique that time.

"Wow, there's nothing left of him," Mera watched as the smoke cleared to reveal that there were no recognizable remains of Prisha seen. She smiled, "I'm sorry Prishy I guess I overdid it... and he used to be so cute."

"PRISHA!" Rina cried out no longer caring what the plan was anymore.