Freeg watched and her face recoiled a little.

  “What was that Sonnia? What did you do? Marm screamed like that again earlier today a few times like she was hurt.”

  Sonnia lifted her staff and swung it in the air, clearing it of the ooze that lingered on it.

  “I told you so. Marm made all of this. The infected become alive and their heart is this black rock thing then CRUSH. They die. My friend told me the first person to be infected was a halfling tool. Sound familiar?”

  She continued staring at Freeg watching her start to shiver a little as she became more reserved and silent.

  “But..but Sonnia.”

  “Hm? What?”

  “Why haven't I gotten sick? If Marm is the cause I should've gotten sick before everyone else. It makes no sense.”

  Sonnia walked forward ready to grab Marm.

  “Who knows. But everything still leads back to you. So give me Marm. I have a lot of anger to dish out. I wanna tear its roots piece by piece.”

  Freeg took a step back. She coughed but refused to cover her mouth. Hands covering Garm trying to comfort the flower. Marm glowed purple and enveloped Freeg for a few moments. Starting to recover her health back she stared at Sonnia with fear in her eyes.

  “No. She healed me. Has been healing me. Day after day. But why me?”

  Freeg face dropped now she began gasp for air, her face went blank

  “If it’s true then…I…no. It can’t be. Marm. No no. I couldn’t have.”

  Sonnia was now standing in front of her. Still holding her hand out waiting but Freeg immediately turned her back. The pot holding Garm hit the ground. Sonnia heard the screams from Marm as bits of petals and flower stems hit the ground. She heard Freeg’s voice strain. She turned around to show Garm in pieces. It seemed her hands bled some from a stray thorn embedded in her hand. She opened her palm to show the black rock that flowed as tears went down Freeg’s face.

  “I'm not strong enough to break it…..Sonnia please.”

  Sonnia nodded and widely grinned as she took the rock. Feeling a sickly warmth in her hand, Sonnia squeezed hard. The rock turned into dust in her hands and suddenly a mini black portal opened which took Garm’s pieces away. Freeg watched confused.

  “What was that?”

  Sonnia walked next to Freeg and patted her back.

  “Marm was a planar beast. I remember this. When they die a portal takes them back. It’s so weird seeing it. Marm wasn’t a blessing, she was a monster killing everyone with tricks. You were her number one fool. Shame.”

  Freeg collapsed to the ground and she started crying silently in front of the man’s rotted body.

  “Sonnia…if Marm was the cause. Then I killed everyone….. Alton. The townspeople. I’ve heard of people killing each other over petals. Each person I have helped…is dying or is dead. I….I.”

  Freeg started hyperventilating heavily. She took heavy breaths in between each word.

  “I….I….. they are all dead.”

  Sonnia watched for a brief moment as she debated going to hold her but the thought quickly vanished. She saw the thorn that was embedded in Freeg’s hand. Slowly Sonnia put her hand on Freeg’s shoulder then slowly lifted up to her feet.

  “Yeah it’s not fun. Imagine how I felt Freeg. I probably killed more people in a single night than you did in a month. It’s not a good feeling but if we continue forward things can get better. We might still get a party after all this is done and I get paid by Chester.”

  Freeg tried keeping composure. She nodded and got up wiping away tears. Still shaken she stared at the ground and stared walking out of the alleyway

  “Chester has the dust. Sonnia, we need to go get it quickly. If we don't, gods only know how many more will die.”

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  Freeg quickly walked out of the alley while Sonnia followed with a smile. Reaching the top of the steps, Freeg was stopped by the captain. Wearing his formal uniform yet he looked unwell. Looking behind her he saw a weird old lady following. His eyes narrowed a little as he looked at the staff.

  “Freeg. You were let out of your cell a bit early. It’s dangerous for you to be out. Who is the old lady?”

  Freeg stayed silent and looked at the captain. Her eyes seemed empty. In a low voice she spoke.

  “It’s my grandma sir. She was taking me to visit Chester. It was important.”

  Sonnia butted in next, sticking her staff in the ground.

  “Hello it’s nice to meet you. You do a good job protecting this city.”

  The captain nodded and stepped out of the way letting them pass through. As Sonnia walked past he instantly put his hands on her shoulder. His hand glowed and he shot a will o wisp at Sonnia. She glowed momentarily as her old form withered away revealing the goofy blonde woman in a dirty suit.

  “A guard was assaulted and knocked out then made to look like he was napping. Then a weird old woman goes around saying she is family to a girl who is alone. Then your staff. Explain to me why I should not kill you right now. You’ve assaulted six guards now and came back from the quarantine zone.”

  Sonnia looked at him as her smile turned more evil. She raised her staff ready to summon Kaelith as the air between the two started to grow dense with hostility.

  “I’ve got done fighting some weird plant monster people. Stopped the cult. Then solved your plague all by myself. You think I’m scared of one sick man? Move. If I ask again, there will be a problem right now. I’m trying to do your job and save lives”

  The captain’s hand lowered to his whip now. While the other started glowing as mana formed. His eyes locked onto Sonnia and his knees bent a little ready to move. Sonnia on the other hand raised her staff higher and confidently smiled and made a kiss noise to him. Freeg immediately broke the tension by moving in between them. With her arms spread out wide she stared at the captain with a sad look in her eyes. This made him back down a little. He blushed a little looking at Freeg.

  “Please don’t. Paul, look at me please. I’m sorry. She isn’t lying. Marm was the plague holder. The dust isn’t a cure, it's a spreader. Please we need to get to Chester. He has it. It’ll be the death of anyone who takes it.”

  She put her hands on Paul’s cheeks and moved them down to his sides and leaned in to hug and cry loudly into his chest. Her words mixed with hysterical crying and coughing spouts.

  “I’ve killed everyone in Lowmere. Let me try to fix things please.”

  He was stunned for a moment and loved his arms around her. He patted her back and glared at Sonnia who lowered her staff and watched.

  “You are lucky she vouched for you. Now go to your employer and destroy it. Tell the guards at the gate I sent you then and give them this.”

  He reached in his pocket and gave Sonnia a emblem of a skull in it made of gold. She looked at it and moved it around watching the sunlight shine off of it. Paul then closed his eyes and whispered into Freeg’s ear.

  “It’s okay. It’s okay. You didn’t know, you are not a killer. Calm down Freeg. We can work through this. Tell me everything that happened.”

  Sonnia then walked off with a wide grin on her face thinking of them together.

  “I never knew Freeg had a secret lover. I’ll need to ask more about it when this is done hehe.”

  Sonnia then turned into a dash running down the street with her emblem in hand. She pushed a few people out of her way running to Chester’s estate. Looking for the familiar gated off community. The big house with the broken window made is unmistakable. She approached the guards at the gate. Both of them moved close together and crossed their swords together. Their chainmail armor shined brightly like they were freshly polished.

  “Chester didn’t want any visitors at the moment even if it’s you. Back away from the premises please.”

  Sonnia looked past them to the door then looked up at the gate. Then flashed the emblem at them and spoke out.

  “The uptight Captain Paul said I need to see Chester. He said this would suffice. Now unlock the gate please.”

  The two looked at each other unsure what to do. After thinking one moved to the side and unlocked the gate. The other guard then slowly slid to the side following the guards lead and they both pushed the gate open. Sonnia immediately ran past them. Ignoring the walk path and sprinting through the grass. She pushed the door open and looked around only lightly out of breath.

  “CHESTER WHERE ARE YOU! WE NEED TO TALK ASAP.”

  She looked around at the empty estate and frowned lightly. Walking deeper in she looked around then hearing footsteps. Her head looked up staring at the hallway up the stairs

  “Chester relax, it's me, Sonnia. I just need the dust back please.”

  Then after a door opened and closed. A body went from around the corner. Chester wore only a robe, smiled and waved. He had a musky odor around him as he awkwardly smiled while another lady followed closely behind.

  “Sonnia, yes I remember you. You gave me quite a scare. It’s not normal for people to barge in and yell. Forgive my attire. I was not expecting company. I was with my new companion.”

  Sonnia started walking towards him letting the emblem drop to the ground. She saw a woman covering herself peeking from top of the stairs.

  “You can have your paid sex later Chester. We need to talk. The dust where it is? I need to destroy it now. Then you can enjoy her.”

  Chester stammered and walked down stairs to meet her. He turned to the side trying to hide his shame while the woman only peeked from the sides.

  “Sonnia. Why are you looking for the dust to destroy it? It’s a miracle cure. I’ve already started feeling better myself. I feel good as new. Have you gone insane?”

  Sonnia stared and aimed her staff at Chester like she was about to face a feral predator as the woman sighed and moved away with the sound of a door following. Chester backed up a few steps while holding his hands in the air.

  “Who else did you give it to Chester? I need to know.”

  Chester took a few steps back with a fearful look.

  “I see. You are upset you didn’t get paid sooner. You are right it was rude of me. What did you want exactly? Name your price Sonnia. You did good work. If you want I can give you a third of the cut from profits of the cure. Once I start selling it.”

  Sonnia stared and then started smiling and sat on his couch.

  “Sit Chester, we have a few things to talk about. Please sit. Your whore can join us if it makes you more comfortable.”

  Chester slowly walked and nervously sat down. He shrunk into the cushions seemingly embarrassed.

  “No…I think us here is quite fine. Umm what did you wanna talk about Sonnia? I will say this is a little unprofessional of you. I did employ you. Yet you are looking at me like an enemy.”

  Sonnia nodded her head and looked at him.

  “First I want a lot of gold for all the stuff I went through these last two days. This whole town has been against me since the start. Your captain, the people, and that cursed quarantine zone. I’ve nearly died three times. Which is impressive given what I’ve been through. I want at least 80 gold, are we clear?”

  Chester nodded his head and took a nervous gulp.

  “Agreed. I’m assuming then there is more.”

  Sonnia snapped at him.

  “Bingo now moving on to the plague. I killed the source of the plague. It was Marm. Freeg’s flower. The petals of her to be particular. And the dust well. The dust seemed to be made from the petals.”

  Sonnia smiled as his face turned full of fear.

  “I think you know where I am going with this. So where is it?”