Mutagen

A grim-sounding voice echoed inside the dimly lit main hall of the fortress.

The voice came from the seat that appeared to be a sinister-looking throne. Nevertheless, there was no one sitting on it. Instead, there was a towering blue flame floating over the throne. Despite just being an odd colored fire, however, it gave the strange feeling of being alive.

And in fact, it was.

In front of the throne, Aurex and Mellice were prostrating. Considering the mental and physical injuries they had, just this posture could already be counted as a painful punishment.

To the side, Eina was present as she showed the flames what happened using her crystal ball.

And to the question of that blue-colored flame, both Aurex and Mellice could not utter a single word.

"You\'re team, composed of three groups, should be at the outpost, preparing to investigate the unusual activities in Reading City. Yet, your group took our fastest Thuderbird and went on your way... It would have been fine if you two managed to bring back anything valuable. Yet, not only your group returned without achieving anything, but you two lost most of your members. Even the Thunderbird is heavily injured. Do you two think that an injury of the Thunderbird is easy to heal?"

The voice coming from the flame was seething in anger. The manner it spoke seemed to have valued the Thunderbird more than the dead members of the organization.

After hearing no reply, the blue flame flickered.

"Have your injuries treated and wait for your punishment. In the meantime, Agatha and Ortox will take up your positions. Leave."

With difficulty, Aurex and Mellice dragged their bodies out of the main hall.

"Eina," The blue flames called out to the young witch. "What is your opinion about this?"

Unexpectedly, the unknown being that both Aurex and Mellice were afraid of was asking the young girl for her opinion.

Eina stared at the flames floating above the throne. Unexpectedly, there was not a shred of fear on her expression.

Outside, Eina was known as a quiet girl that would not even respond to questions or talk about her self. She did not seem timid, but just had this kind of personality.

However, as she faced the flames, there seemed to be a slight expression of superiority from her gestures.

"You want my opinion?"

Unexpectedly, Eina answered. If others were present in this room, they would have been shocked.

"You are correct." The blue flame replied. "I have some thoughts on this matter, but I want to confirm your opinion."

"Then, let the matter go and concentrate on more pressing matters," Eina replied as her crystal ball showed a blurry scene in Reading City. "We don\'t need to pick fights with other powerful beings. Securing our territory comes first. Especially right now that a group of unique people appeared within our boundaries and is building some sort of base or outpost."

"Remember that we need to secure our territory before the second wave struck," Eina added.

"If that is your decision, then I will follow." The blue flame replied. "Though its a pity that we cant use our fastest Thunderbird for several decades because of its injuries."

"It can\'t be helped." Eina agreed. "Elemental Beings like Thunderbirds and Phoenixes have a unique body composition. Potions and Healing Magic will not work on them."

"Well then..." The Blue Flame seemed to have decided. "We will prioritize the group in Reading City."

"Oh, by the way." Eina suddenly spoke. "Don\'t unnecessarily provoke that group. Ascertain their purpose first."

"Hmm? Why is that?"

At that question, Eina two scenes in her crystal ball in succession.

The first scene was from Aurex and Mellice\'s memories when one of their Wendigos was defeated by a beautiful girl with a sniper rifle. Specifically, then she kicked the Wendigo\'s nape with both her legs exuding a red glow.

The next scene was another woman. She seemed to be proficient with close-quarters-combat. In the crystal ball, the woman could be seen punching through the armor of a heavily armored infected with her arms exuding the same kind of red glow.

"You get what I mean?" Eina pointed at the red glow. "The people in Reading City and the ones Aurex and Mellice encountered might be related. Don\'t cause unnecessary trouble. We need to stock up on manpower."

"I see... I\'ll make it sure to tell Agatha and Otrox."

"Good."

With that word, Eina sat down on her crystal ball and floated out of the main hall.

As the blue flame was left alone, it sighed.

"I really can\'t understand why our Queen is disguising as an apathetic girl in this fortress for outer members."

***

Day 129 - 8:41 PM - The Pagoda, Berks County, Pennsylvania, United States of America

A Japanese styled landmark at the peak of Mt. Penn. At the initial phase of the outbreak, many survivors from Reading City fled to this place to seek safety.

With the Reading Regional Airport just at the northwest outskirts of the city, several infected filled airplanes crashed in this place. This caused sudden chaos forcing a quick action for the survivors. Thus, many people climbed this mountain and stayed in the pagoda.

The pagoda was not a secure place at all. However, being at the mountain peak, having very few access to climb the location, the infected would not easily reach it.

And that was also the last place that most of them had been to. It became like that as the next phase of the outbreak started. That was when more and more animals evolved and attacked humans for food.

Since it was a mountain, covered with forests, even if there was less predatory animals present, there were a lot of insects, together with the animals that fled from the city like the survivors.

For several months, the sole inhabitants of this place were giant insects and evolved animals.

That was until a few days ago.

"It\'s already the fifth day, right? When will Big Bro and Sis return? The girls miss their parents already."

Jaeya complained as she viewed the nighttime scenery from the highest floor of the pagoda. She was carrying Theodore, who seemed to be enjoying the dark environment with his adoptive mother.

"Master and Miss probably found things or people to bring back. Especially Master. He seems to have an obsession with collecting different things, even people to some degree."

Odelina said as she tidied up the place as they had just finished eating dinner. It was already late, but they had a lot to do.

"That might really be the case. Big Bro and Sis will really slow down since they won\'t be able to fly here directly if they had people in tow. They might even be bringing an infected with them."

What Jaeya said made Odelina let out a bitter smile. Since it was Mark, bring another infected back was really possible.

Right at this moment, the people waiting for Mark and Mei\'s return occupied this pagoda. It was the place where they decided to meet up after Mark fought with the puppet of The Great One.

At first, they only intended to wait here, visiting the place at fixed intervals. On the second day, however, they noticed some activities from the infected in the city. They started to climb up the mountain after being attracted to the energy fluctuations emitted from the portals that Spera opened.

Thus, instead of doing that, they decided to turn the place into an outpost instead. It was all while they wait for Mark and Mei.

And with the people from the base and the [Blood Children], it was achieved in no time. Just with the fact that Huey and the others did this for the third time, their work in this pagoda went smoother. Building the main base and the dwellings inside the [Night Everred Spirit Tree] was more than enough building practice for everyone.

Furthermore, since the Tikabalangs and the Dryad already accepted Mark as their Master wholeheartedly, even without Mark\'s orders, they helped secure the place.

Around the pagoda was not only living vines but also an illusion that kept not only the infected but also other intruders at bay.

The unfortunate thing, however, their activities attracted attention.

A group of survivors arrived after they established the outpost. Apparently, these survivors had been living in a condominium building just below the mountain. Since the pagoda was at the peak that could be seen easily, it was no surprise that these survivors noticed the transformation of the pagoda.

Among the group of twenty survivors, ten of them were Mutators. Such force could not be neglected easily, and thus, Odelina allowed them in.

Of course, with restrictions. These survivors were only allowed at the lowest level of the pagoda.

When Mark and Mei returned, that was when the fates of these survivors would be judged.

The appearance of these survivors was still acceptable. However, the appearance of enemies irked everyone.

Robed people that tried to trespass stealthily. It was the very same method and the same result after they were captured.

Sending Shadow People to spy on their activities, there was no doubt that it was the Auraboros. It was not surprising considering that there was a branch of this organization in Pennsylvania.

Still, Spera said that they came too fast. It was as if they were not afraid of the rules to stay hidden anymore.

And now, the thing they worry the most was the blatant activity of Auraboros, at the foot of Mt. Penn.

Why would everyone not notice when the enemies came with flashy Thunderbirds as mounts? Furthermore, they used the very same condominium building that the survivors that arrived lived before.

From that condominium, the pagoda could be clearly seen. It was the same for people in the pagoda.

It had been two days since it started. Furthermore, several skirmishes already happened. The encounters were not threatening. It was more like the members of Auraboros testing Odelina and the others. Knowing that they were being tested, Odelina told everyone to not show all their cards just in case.

FLAP! FLAP!

Loud flapping sounds echoed as a large shadow approached the pagoda. It was one of the reasons the other party was hesitant to attack this place. It was Chaflar.

Several hours ago, a strange fluctuation of energy was felt by almost everyone.

When they saw a Thunderbird with several people on it fly away in a hurry, Spera, together with Karlene, Karla, and Halley, tried to follow while riding on Chaflar.

"How is it?"

Odelina asked as Spera went down from Chaflar\'s back.

Spera could only shake her head.

"That Thunderbird is too fast. We\'re not able to catch up."

"The bastards flew up the clouds. That is why we lost them quickly."

Halley grumbled.

"We really need people with high sensitivity towards different kinds of magical energy." Karlene stepped in with a suggestion.

Everyone could only nod at this. Although everyone felt that fluctuation, no one here was able to pinpoint the exact direction. In fact, Mark was the only one with the capability of detecting energies over a long distance in their camp.

Although there were also others like the Dryad, the scope was small.

Thus, rather than flying without a concrete goal, Spera\'s group decided to return.

"But what took you all so long?"

Odelina could not help but ask.

"There," Alana spoke, pointing at Chaflar\'s back. "We stopped by a mall to get supplies and some clothes for the guys below."

Of course, Alana was talking about no other than the survivors they let in.

Odelina\'s eyebrows could not help but twitch as she saw the boxes that Chaflar was carrying.

"That was not just some." Odelina rubbed her temples. "You all probably brought more than half of the stock of a clothing store with you. Just whose idea is this?"

And as a response to that question, the group of girls, including Karla, pointed to Karlene.