Progress had been steady for the two of them since leaving the meeting hall. At the distance they were at now they could barely make out the edifice of the meeting hall through the other buildings. Gwin had been able to live through his dream of parkouring across rooftops more than what was fun as well.
'Halfway there..'
It hadn't been all sunshine and rainbows though. They had to pass through the territories of several tribes of nightmare creatures. Most were made up of fallen rank creatures while a few were awakened. It was safe to say they hadn't gone hungry for a long time. Gwin and Lena were currently perched atop one of the many tall spires in the city scouting their next move. He motioned to Lena tensely.
{Shouldn't we see people by now?}
"I'd imagine so."
'Well we haven't yet! Huh? What is that noise?'
Gwin summoned an extra set of ears to help out and focused on the strange rhythmic sound. It sounded…almost like a heartbeat? It was like a rhythmic thump that resounded over the city.
{What is that noise?} He asked, hoping Lena might know more.
"Drums."
She replied curtly. Gwin looked for the source of the sound yet couldn't see it through the buildings.
{Is someone playing drums on the street?! Are they stupid?}
He signed flabbergasted.
"Stupid or capable, one of the two."
'I guess but really? Are they trying to get killed? Wait, how do we even know it is a human and not a nightmare creature who likes the drums?!'
"We should check it out. Having more members would make getting to the castle much easier especially if they know a path back."
'I hate that she is making sense…'
With that they swooped down from their perch and began soaring over the buildings looking for the source of the audacious drums. The sound slowly grew closer and closer and the rhythm became faster and fiercer as they did. They stopped a few houses away and approached cautiously. Finally they found the source of the sound of the drums! However it wasn't alone… it was accompanied with the shrieks and roars of nearly a dozen abominations.
'They really are trying to get killed! Leave me out of this!'
However a small part of him didn't want to leave, it wanted to fight. As they looked over the edge of the building, what he saw shocked him. There was good news and…also good news? The first thing was that there was in fact another survivor here! The other news was that he was completely alone and surrounded by the corpses of several already slain nightmare creatures. From here Gwin could see his onyx skin and the white splint mail he wore. His hair was styled into short locks and in his hands was a large spiked maul that dripped with fetid blood. Gwin also saw something else even stranger. There on the ground behind him was a spectral dejembe drum that echoed a fierce rhythm despite not being struck.
As they watched several nightmare creatures closed in on him to tear him to shreds. He stood to help however Lena stopped him.
"Where are you going?" She asked sternly.
{To go help.} he signed back.
"Wait a moment longer. I want to see what happens."
{What if he dies?}
"Then we will help."
"…"
'She just wants me to watch him die?! Is she crazy!? That's another human down there, we need to stick together!'
{Screw that.}
He signed angrily as he took a running jump forward and leaped from the top of the building. Elena did not react to stop him to his relief. As he fell through the air he scanned the battle below.
'What the hell?'
He slowed his fall with [Dark Wing] and looked at the scene in front of him in shock. All of the nightmare creatures were dead already. They had been crushed and bludgeoned enough for some to be unrecognizable puddles of bloody chunks. He had slain the entirety of them in the short time it took Gwin to jump let alone make it down. Lena then followed him down and approached the young man with even steps. He noticed them coming and tensed. He scanned them with his intense topaz eyes before opening his mouth.
"Who are you?"
He called out cautiously with his deep and reverberating voice. Gwin had decided to let Lena do all the speaking since she was the only one who could even speak. He wasn't sure how many people could actually even read sign language here.
"I am Elena of Clan song and this is my comrade."
'Is she not going to introduce me?'
He eyed them suspiciously before asking.
"Are you one of the handmaidens? I don't recognize you."
Lena remained cool at his question.
"Handmaidens? I'm afraid I don't understand. You see our winter solstice was a little less than two months ago and you are the first person we have met."
He visibly seemed to relax and now eyed them with something else…pity? Remorse? It seemed like he was sad for them.
"I see…so you are new arrivals. Follow me, we need to get out of the street."
With that he motioned for them to follow as he ducked into one of the buildings. Gwin followed him cautiously as he led them down a winding path made through the rubble. They stopped several buildings down inside one of their upper floors in what appeared to be a makeshift camp. Their guide sat down across from them and summoned a fire starting memory. He lit a fire and pulled out an ancient pot where he then began making something.
"I guess I should fill you in then. Oh and I'm Umo by the way."