The Astral Dogma

`The aftermath of the battle was painted in the wreckage of the destroyed building, its walls crumbling under the weight of the conflict that had just raged through. Dust hung in the air, caught in the rays of the setting sun, giving the scene an eerie glow.

Belial's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts as he stood amidst the debris. "The three of us couldn't even make a decent dent on her," he mused to himself, frustration evident in his tone. His gaze drifted to the horizon, his contemplation interrupted by the timely arrival of Cassidy. He swooped in just in the nick of time to aid them against Sigma, preventing a dire situation from getting worse. "If he came any later, I..." Belial's thoughts trailed off, his unspoken fears echoing in the backdrop of his mind.

{talent acquired-}

Before the oracle could fully appear belial swiped his hand causing it to disappear.

A heavy sigh escaped him as his attention shifted to his wrist. With a swift tug, he pulled back his sleeve, revealing the shattered remains of a once-prized possession - a bracelet that had seen better days. His fingers traced the fractured pieces, a tangible representation of the havoc the battle had wrought, not just on the surroundings, but on his emotions as well.

Cassidy's voice rang out, breaking through his reverie. "Hey, rookie, you gonna mope around here all day or are you gonna join us?" His words were lighthearted, a teasing edge to his tone. He strode over to where the rest of the group had congregated, his gaze momentarily lingering on Belial before he continued her path.

Belial's intense gaze followed Cassidy's every move as he navigated his way over to the rest of their guild mates. A subtle curl formed at the corner of his mouth, hinting at an almost reluctant smile that tugged at his lips. His eyes held a blend of amusement and mild curiosity as he observed Cassidy's overt flirtatious attempts towards Xin, who responded with a mixture of awkward agreement and subtle disagreement. It was evident that Xin didn't reciprocate the same sentiments, making the situation an intricate dance of emotions.

As the group descended to the lower floor, the atmosphere shifted slightly, taking on a more serious tone. Xin's voice pierced through the air, cutting through the tension like a soothing melody. "Jia!"

With a mere heartbeat's pause, a figure materialized from the shadows, swiftly springing towards Xin. The figure, Jia, threw himself into Xin's embrace, a tight hug that conveyed both relief and a hint of trepidation. As quickly as the hug commenced, Jia drew back, his gaze catching the scrutiny of the assembled onlookers.

Jia's voice trembled with a mix of apology and vulnerability, "I'm sorry I couldn't help you guys..."

Xin's reply came, steady and reassuring, his arms encircling Jia in a gesture of comfort, "It's fine... really. You made the right decision."

"But you know I can't leave this place," Jia's voice held a mix of resignation and longing, his fingers absently touching his neck where a mark once resided. However, his touch met only bare skin, a sudden realization striking him like lightning.

"The mark. It's gone!" Xin's exclamation cut through the air, his tone a mix of disbelief and astonishment. The realization dawned upon them all, a shared moment of profound revelation.

Jia's eyes glistened with unshed tears as the weight of the truth settled over her like a comforting shroud. A mixture of emotions swelled within her, a poignant blend of liberation and an overwhelming sense of newfound freedom.

A tentative warmth settled between the and then, as if to dispel the lingering tension, Cassidy's voice chimed in. "Alright... and that should be done!"

Cassidy's movement caught the collective attention, the final act of placing a meticulously drawn red circle brimming with intricate ancient symbols upon the ground. A shared realization rippled through the group, their gazes flickering between the symbol and one another. Belial's voice, hushed with a hint of intrigue, floated like a whisper on the wind, "That must be a transportation circle..."

"When I get back to the guild first thing I have to do is to leave I can't have anyone raise any suspicions"

Belial thought to himself 

 The group of hunters took a collective breath, their resolve palpable as they stepped into the heart of the crimson circle. In an instant, a surge of energy radiated from the ground, a vibrant red glow enveloping them. The intensity of the light grew exponentially, blinding in its brilliance, until suddenly, as if snuffed out, they vanished into thin air.

(Soft scene break)

Leah's anxious pacing painted a vivid picture of her internal turmoil. Her fingers gnawed at her nails, her brows knit in worry. The reception area seemed to contain an echo of her unease, the air thick with a sense of apprehension. It was Natalie who noticed Leah's distress, her perceptive gaze picking up on the restless agitation that had taken hold.

A change came over Natalie as she approached her guildmate. The edges of her typically curt demeanor softened, her voice a gentle inquiry, "Hey, Leah... what's wrong?"

Leah's reply was tinged with a mix of tension and a hint of vulnerability. "I'm fine, Nat. I'm just overreacting. Some kids went on a reckless mission, and I sent Cassidy with them..." She trailed off, a weighty pause laden with concern. "Hopefully they're okay."

Natalie's eyes held a depth of understanding. She had witnessed the bond between Leah and Cassidy, a connection that had weathered countless trials. She knew how deeply Leah cared for her younger comrades, her sense of responsibility woven into every fiber of her being. It was this devotion that had propelled Natalie to become the guild's most skilled healer, earning the respect and admiration of all who knew her.

A reassuring smile curved on Natalie's lips as she replied, her voice carrying a sense of conviction, "If Cassidy is with them, they'll be fine."

A hushed murmur of voices filled the guild's reception area, an undercurrent of tension lingering like a finely woven thread. Amidst the palpable anticipation, Leah's perceptive gaze caught a flicker of red in the corner of her eye. Her head snapped to the side, her heart pounding as she beheld the sudden appearance of figures within the crimson glow.

A sharp intake of breath caught in Belial's throat as a stinging pain jolted through his side. His fingers instinctively pressed against the source of discomfort, only to find his hands stained with dark, inky blood. A quick glance downward confirmed his fears, but he took a measure of solace in the fact that his attire's ebony hue concealed the telltale evidence of his injury.

Unbeknownst to Belial, Pacey's keen senses had picked up an unusual scent, a hint of iron and copper that was unmistakably the tang of blood. His eyes narrowed in suspicion as he turned, his gaze locking onto Belial. The moment held an eerie stillness, a charged silence between two individuals with hidden agendas. For a brief second, their eyes met, a silent exchange of challenge and wariness that sent ripples of tension through the room. Belial's slow, deliberate motion of concealing his bloodied hand behind his back only intensified the palpable atmosphere, the unspoken standoff escalating.

The charged standoff between Belial and Pacey was abruptly shattered as arms enfolded the trio of hunters. The unexpected embrace caught them by surprise, enveloping them in a moment of warmth and solace. Leah's voice quivered with a mix of relief and emotion, her words a heartfelt exclamation that cut through the remaining traces of tension. "You guys! Thank goodness you're okay."

Tears glistened in Leah's eyes, evidence of the tumultuous emotions that had gripped her in the wake of their return. A sense of unity and shared experience transcended the unspoken words, a bond that had been tested and proven resilient in the face of adversity. And yet, Cassidy's playful voice introduced a lighter note into the scene. "Did you really have no hope in me?"

Leah's attention shifted, her eyes instinctively moving to Belial's face. Like a maternal figure, she examined him with a mixture of concern and determination, assessing the damage that might have been wrought. But Belial's response was swift and dismissive, his words carrying an air of self-assuredness. "I'm fine, I'm fine. You can go work on the others."

Leah's grip lingered for a moment longer before she reluctantly released him, her resolve still etched in her features. Her tone took on a note of strength, a stern declaration that held a hint of vulnerability beneath its surface. "I was worried, you know! You just charged into danger without knowing who your enemy is! That's just reckless!"

Belial's words held a touch of remorse as he responded to Leah's concerns, his voice carrying a mix of vulnerability and understanding. "I know, I'm sorry... I just got too emotional with everything that had just happened."

…

As Leah's embrace enveloped the group, Xin's gaze darted, catching a fleeting glimpse of Jia's retreating figure. An unspoken understanding passed between them, and with a determined resolve, Xin followed her until they stood together at the guild's entrance.

The world beyond the town's borders stretched out before them, a canvas of untamed beauty that beckoned with promises of exploration and discovery. Jia's voice carried a sense of wonder as she remarked, "So this is the world outside the town... we've always wanted to see."

Xin's response held a mix of contemplation and regret, his words a confession weighed down by the past. "It's beautiful, isn't it... I'm sorry I couldn't save you too when I had escaped."

Jia's gaze met his, an unspoken

understanding passing between them. Her voice held a sense of acceptance, infused with the wisdom of hindsight. "At first, I was upset that you left us, but I soon knew that you couldn't, even if you tried."

Their eyes turned upward, the vast expanse of the night sky stretching out above them, a tapestry of stars that seemed to mirror the journey they had undertaken. In the silence that followed, Xin's voice carried a question that held the promise of new beginnings. "So, do you have an idea of what you want to do now?"

Jia's response came after a thoughtful pause, her words carrying a sense of purpose and determination. "I was planning on setting up a shop to help fix mechanical items."

"That sounds good... maybe I could help you set it up too. That way we can make up the time we lost together."

In those words lay a shared commitment, a determination to not only rebuild what was lost but to forge something new and enduring.

…

As Belial continued to gently deflect Leah's concerns, a presence materialized behind him, interrupting the conversation. A woman in a sleek suit appeared, her demeanor formal and businesslike. Her voice held a measured tone as she addressed Belial, "Mr. Belial, the president wants to talk to you."

Pacey's suspicions deepened at the unusual circumstances. "This is the second time the president called him up. That's the most he's ever called anyone," he mused, the seeds of doubt taking root in his mind.

Belial's relief was palpable as he excused himself, his words tinged with apology as he departed from the scene. He navigated the corridors with a sense of anticipation, guided by a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.

Approaching his office, a familiar aura beckoned, and Belial opened the door to find Cole standing by the window. The weight of Cole's aura had lessened since their last encounter, but it still carried a certain heaviness that hung in the air. As Belial settled into a seat across from Cole, his thoughts churned with uncertainty. "Why would the president of the guild want from me?" he pondered. The unusual encounter with the ogre and now the involvement of an organization left him guessing at the intentions behind this summons. Perhaps it was an explanation or an apology that Cole sought, a recognition of Belial's recklessness in pursuing a mission beyond his league.

"Sit," Cole's voice sliced through the air, its cold and commanding tone leaving no room for argument.

Belial obeyed without hesitation, sinking into the chair as the anticipation grew thicker.

The room seemed to constrict around them, a palpable tension hanging like a curtain. Belial opened his mouth to offer his own explanation, but before he could utter a word, Cole's voice broke through the silence, dropping like a heavy stone.

 "You... you're a demon aren't you.."

Belial's shock was immediate and visible..his eyes widening with a mixture of fear, and disbelief. The realization sent a jolt of terror through him, his body instinctively shifting into a defensive stance. The atmosphere shifted abruptly, taking on an edge of suspense and intrigue that gripped them both in its thrall.