In a split second, they had gone from the third floor to the outside. During that moment, only one thought echoed in the back of their heads.

How did he do it?

The city was in ruins. The buildings destroyed, the air damp and polluted from all the smoke. The clouds above their as dark as anyone could imagine. It was nothing like what it was in the past.

Especially the stench generated by all the corpses lying around the roads. With flies swarming the area, it was enough to make both Aurora and Violet almost puke.

The horned princess on the other hand didn't seem too bothered by it, neither did Gray. The zombies which roamed around were the only thing which caught their attention.

They roamed around with their heads hung with no real objective in mind. The fact that anyone could turn into a mindless being such as that from a bite would be enough to freak anyone out. Fortunately, their weren't any hordes around them, only a few moving.

Most of them had probably fallen into the labyrinth's hole so the numbers were quite thinned down. They wouldn't be a problem to deal with and none of them seemed to be mutated.

After glancing up, Violet noticed a few birds mutated zombies flying around in the sky. Although they wouldn't pose much of a threat, it would be good to keep an eye on them.

Still, she couldn't get her mind around what had just happened. As she glanced at Gray she couldn't help but notice the change in both his presence and aura.

'Come to think of it, I've never asked him about his ability, have I-'

Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted however, by someone who broke the silence-

"Are you crazy? Why would you use that again when it almost killed you last time?" The princess asked, staring at him with narrowed eyes.

"I'm fine." Said Gray as blood could be seen flowing out of the corner of his lips.

He proceeded to fall to his knees before placing his hand over his chest, even after evolving his insides and organs felt as if they would burst.

[Possessor: Gray Caliber

Race: Chronos

State: Evolving

Level: 5

XP Required to level up: 10/1000

HP: 21/30

Strength: 38 [+ 10 Evolution]

Agility: 39 [+ 10 Evolution]

Stamina: 35 [+ 10 Evolution]

Sense: 27 [+ 10 Evolution]

Points available to distribute: 2]

With a slight giggle, he pulled out a closed flask from his pocket before gesturing at them to wait,

[Item: Medium Health Potion]

[Purchased through the shop.]

[Would you like to consume?]

"What's this?" The man asked as he glanced at a head which was placed on the floor ahead of him.

Ahead of him stood a shadow manifested into the shape of a humanoid being. He was on his knees with his head bowed and ahead of the shadow was a pair of red horns stuck out from the head; a familiar face could be seen on it.

"Isn't that Baron Hart's son? What happened?" He asked.

"Your majesty, you are correct. He was slain by a hyuman."

"Did I not order the nobles to sit tight?"

"Yes sir... But you see, the nobles are growing impatient... It's been long since we've arrived but we've yet to conquer any Labyrinths. The hyumans also seem to be getting stronger, they've formed squads which have successfully managed to take out many of our middle to upper ranks." He muttered.

Nobility, a social class ranked immediately below royalty. By birth, regardless of their skills their horns are ranked red, all of them.

But it's justified, unlike commoners or regular horned ones, the nobility's potential far exceeds their abilities, hence why they are given the superior red rank.

They are leagues above orange rank which is the 2nd highest ranking available.. The horned ones were a race superior to humans hence why he didn't think they would be needed.

But to think that they would dare to slay one of his nobles. Even if it was the son of a baron, the lowest nobility rank.

The man was so infuriated that veins began bulging out of his arms and hands.

"Have you informed his father, yet?" He asked.

"Not yet..."

"What's the situation with the other continents and kingdoms?"

"The other kingdoms have already managed to conquer at least one labyrinth in their respective continents... They're falling ahead. I predict it won't be long until they try taking over ours... We have no time to spare..."

*WHAM!*

The man slammed his arm into the hand rest of the throne which he sat on, breaking it into pieces as he did so.

"Very well... Everyone, tell the nobles to prepare themselves... We will soon commence..." He spoke clearly before standing up.

"H-His majesty... There's one more thing... The same man who slayed the baron's son requested an audience with you..."

"!?"

Violet, Gray, Aurora, the princess and Ria could be seen ahead of the mansion gates on the outskirt of the city. They had managed to run throughout the city, all the way there whilst avoiding any zombies or horned ones.

Fortunately, Gray didn't use that strange ability which would bring him to deaths doors again, the strange fluid which he ingested seemed to have healed him but there was no telling how much was left.

Aurora and Violet felt distant and quiet during the journey.

They were suspicious of the princess. They simply couldn't trust her with knowing the location of their base, not to mention how she wouldn't let anyone else carry Gray's sister but her. Gray also didn't oppose it.

Why he was being so trusting towards her, they didn't know. They simply remained quiet, and chose to believe in Gray.

After they made it inside, they were instantly greeted by Lara and the kids, they were litteraly crying tears of Joy upon seeing them. Lita hugged Gray and Aurora so tightly that he felt as if his organs would spill out again.

Kylo was also in a good mood after seeing that they were back. He seemed excited to show Gray a new trick that he had learnt with his magic.

After seeing the horned one however, they were all instantly suspicious and put on alert.

"Gray... Who is she?" Lara asked.

Kylo raised his arms and stretched them out towards her. "She's one of them...! Why'd you bring her here?"

"That's what I've been wondering too..." Violet asked as they all suddenly turned to the two.

The air and mood in the room had become cold. Just as Gray was about to explain himself, he was interrupted by a voice which called out to him. They all were.

"Brother...?"

--------------------- December Goals

250 - Powerstones - 14 Ch / Week

Golden Tickets:

Every 10 Golden Tickets - 1 Extra Chapter release, end of month.