Greyashe chapter 271 is entitled 'Event horizon'.

Previous chapter 270: Collaboration.

Next chapter 272: Heresy.

Summaries page.

-Short summary-

Kani, Guy, Reid and Candle continue the original plan to contact Baker without Van. Upon finding a likely location for the sentient being they find themselves under attack?

-Long summary-

In the early morning, Kani stands alone watching the sunrise from under a straw hat. She recalls Van's departure only a day or two before and considers the implications. She hadn't imagined it, he had refused her hand and gone with Alekto. Many reasons come to mind, but she is fairly sure of a certain one. Despite all the power he's wielded over their journey, despite what he has seen, the boy's core conviction hasn't changed at all. He still wants to do everything himself, to save everyone. Kani was and is the staunch realist in the party, she knows full well how impossible Van's ambitions are but something about his zeal, his innocence....she can't seem to find the strength to stop him, even though she knows the path he's walking is due to crumble at any moment. She's been unable to sleep not knowing where Van is and if he's alive or dead, that and she is unbelievably angry with him. His lone wolf act had been played out the first time he had preformed it....how long will he keep doing this until he gets it? Until he's dead? or worse?

Candle calls out to the witch, and greets her. She's getting used to the whole 'sleeping' thing, as the sentinents normally don't need such things as rest. Since Butcher had 'accelerated' the growth of Baker and himself, her body had in turn started to adapt to more human-like functions. Despite that she's still much stronger than any magic user, and for the most part doesn't have to worry about being killed by agape. She asks Kani why she's awake so early, in which the young witch shrugs. Considering just how much talking to Baker means to them, no...the future; it would make sense that she is too nervous to sleep.

Candle agrees and glances over condescendingly at Reid and Guy who are sound asleep. She's honestly amazed that human men manage to live as long as they have. Here they are in a field out in the open and they sleep like newborn babies. If Baker or Butcher were to find them now, they'd die. No ifs ands or buts about it.  Kani can't help but smirk at her companion's comment, and then asks if she could wake them up for the debriefing.

In a few moments, Guy and Reid sleepily chew at their breakfast rations as Kani explains the mission. As had been stated before, they will find and appeal to Baker's neutral nature in hopes that he will decide defect from Butcher's vendetta. Even if he would not agree to help them, as long as he decides to rescind his hand from Butcher's efforts that would be good enough. Taking on one sentient being is much easier than taking on two after all.

Guy manages to ask between munching how they'd know where Baker is. Kani then gives the floor to Candle, who replies that she has been able to at least 'judge' where Baker would be using an energy signature. It's fading the more she remains outside of the 'loop', but at least before it is gone completely they should be able to track Baker down. He seems to have stopped in a nearby metropolis known as Rexcist, and stayed there for a few days, so with luck he wouldn't move until the gang could catch up with him. Reid then asks what will happen once this signature fades, not feigning his concern for Candle. She admits that she doesn't know since there isn't a precedent for her to go by. She says with a sad smile that she could just disappear completely, so Reid should save his sympathy for someone else who may need it. Reid looks hurt, but doesn't push the issue; instead deciding to inquire about Van's status. Shouldn't they try to find him as well?

Kani's eyes narrow, and the group can almost feel the venom in her voice as she replies that he can take care of himself. She doesn't intend on letting him get ahead of them, wherever he is....doing whatever he's doing. If he wants to take a short cut, let him. If they should meet him again before the final battle, she'll have a few choice words to share with him.

The group shies away from asking any more about Van, lest incurring her wrath any further, and prepare themselves to travel to the nearest city. Upon reaching Rexcist's city limits, Candle stops the human trio and gives them a warning. While before the 'agape recall', magic could only suggest and temp people, now it can openly control them due to Butcher awakening it's true strength. It goes without saying then that there would be people who would attack them on sight. As much as the thought of not hurting another human would ransack their consciousness, they would have to fight it back if the idea of being mercilessly slaughtered doesn't sound like a appropriate way to end. Kani replies with a curt nod, too quick for Reid and Guy. As much as neither man would like to confront the witch with this information, she's got a nasty temper especially when Van is involved. Candle doesn't notice, or doesn't' feel the need to point this out and nods in understanding. The three slowly make their way into Rexcist, tiptoeing around corners and fanning out in a formation that covers attacks from all sides.

Guy comments about how quiet the city is in the middle of the day. Rexcist is no Luxar in terms of busling city folk, but there should be at least a few people out and about. Kani shushes him; as long as there are no corpses lying about they should be overjoyed. Guy is about to argue with her until someone from behind calls to them which immediately causes the collective tension in the group to skyrocket. Reid turns with sword in hand to the newcomer and recoils in surprise.

A man of average height stands behind them. His viking helmet glistens in the sun over head and his shoulder length blond hair falls in place around his head. His eyes are warm and accompanying so much so that it's eerie. Reid immediately recognizes the man as Wulf grendel, a wizard known as the 'genius' of wind techs. Wulf laughs off this endorsement, claiming that he's only 'decent' at making some wind blow occasionally. He asks what the group is doing in Rexcist, and Reid shrugs this off claiming that they're only doing sight seeing. Reid reveals to his friends that Wulf is normally in the southern district of a country known as Hallah, so to see him so far away in Rexcist is strange to say the least.

Wulf admits he came because something called him, not just his 'name' but a primal desire speaking to him from the depths of his magic. Agape itself had called him to come here, and so he did. The group begins to shrink back from the magician, and as he speaks his eyes become more vacant. He goes on to state that now his magic has completely changed, becoming something tangible. He hadn't been able to do something like this before, so this must be a reward for his high agape. He spreads his hands and as he does, a white light dances in the air and finally takes form in front of him in the shape of a huge white wolf. His eyes now completely vacant, he asks if he can try his new magic on them...?

The wolf lunges snarling, but Reid and the others are already in mid run. Candle asks why they didn't just stay and fight since it would be the four of them versus one of him. Reid says that Wulf is nothing short of a magical miracle, a man which rumor had said was born of wind. To take him on in a fight outdoors is suicide, plain and simple. Candle glances back at him and still thinks she could take him on if necessary, but she doesn't get a chance to make good on her word as the wolf accelerates passing them in a gust of wind. The velocity of the wind chokes the group, causing them to slow down, which the wolf turns to take advantage of by lunging again at full speed. Reid slams his blade into the wolf's mouth, and is surprised to feel it's muzzle, smell it's putrid breath, ...he's amazed at how real it is. Wulf could have done something like this before the agape recall, but it would have still been wind. Was Butcher's doing really making him this much stronger?

With the wolf distracted, Kani leaps in and stabs it in the forehead with her staff. The beast roars angrily, and clamps down on Reid's arm. The swordsman yells out, and Kani applies more pressure. Guy charges in and forces the wolf's mouth open with inhuman strength allowing Reid to break free, and the group quickly retreats into a building. Inside, Guy asks Reid about his injuries, and he replies that other than some scratches he's fine. Candle then freezes in place and sweats profusely, which prompts the humans to ask what's wrong. She reveals that Baker has disappeared. He was literally in Rexcist one moment, and gone the next. Guy grits his teeth, muttering that now they're probably going to die, and the guy they're looking for isn't even here.  Suddenly the group looks at the doorway and notices another man standing there. He's tall and lanky like guy, and has what seems to be a rune tattooed on his face. It's Kani's turn this time to be surprised as she knows this man as Ra Sumner, a magician who mainly deals with----

Guy takes action and leaps at Ra, hitting him full force with a punch to the face. He says to the others that they don't have time to find out what it is Ra will do to them, so more running less cowering. In wordless agreement, the others follow Guy out, just to find the wolf again. Reid is agast, and realizes that it followed the scent of his blood. The group turns to flee when another a voice beckons to them from behind. They turn to see a woman pointing at her location from the side of a building, yelling that they'll be safe here. Reid seriously doubts this as now the wolf can see her too, but there isn't much of an alternative. The group follows her, and she surprises them by staying behind to face the wolf. Before the group can stop her, another voice from inside a building begs them to hide inside.  The first girl turns to the wolf, and with one wave of her hands causes the wolf's image to distort. The group watches for a moment and then heads into the building once the first girl runs to join them.

Once inside, the girl makes sure everyone is unhurt. Once she has done that she then ensures their safety as long as they stay with her. Candle asks who she is, but Kani beats her to the introduction as she recognizes the girl as Anu, the (former) goddess of autumn. The men are surprised, and Anu confirms this. She's lost her powers and has to rely on 'tools' like Kani, but she can still fight. The other voice; a woman congrats Anu on her proficiency, that a few days ago she could barely hold a tool properly. Anu blushes and Kani immediately recognizes the other voice. She smiles and asks how Anna Rose...no...mother is doing.

Anna Rose greets the group and with a warm smile says that she expected no less from her future daughter in law.