Zectas Volume IV: The Salubrious City of Centzo by John Nest, You The Reader Page B

Respectfully,

  Ultimo Maire
    The date on the parchment was from four days ago. After processing the information he read, a worried Smoke turned to Sierra. "They’re targeting three villages this time," he said and quickly shared the contents of the parchment with her.

"This was sent four days ago. We know that Horrabelle’s Therianthropes were still patrolling the area around Braucht Hilfe two days ago, because you encountered a group of them,” explained Smoke while holding his chin. “Since the werewolves that escaped must have notified her of their failure, it’s possible that she has reassembled her army since then and is on her way to the three villages as we speak."

He continued, “We need to hurry and stop her from capturing any more children. We might be able to get to the villages before she does.” Sierra nodded in agreement.

"Do we need to send for the others? Because we better call them now if we do," she asked.

"No, there’s no time. It would take too long for everyone to organise and travel to the villages.” Smoke paused, deep in thought. “Ledur and I are the fastest. The two of us will fly there and try to convince the village residents to evacuate. The rest of you return to Verbrannt with the children.”

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?” Sierra gave him a worried look, clearly not fond of his plan.

"It’s the best chance we have,” he replied, trying to sound as reassuring as possible. “Can you please tell Adder and Ledur about this? I still have one more thing to read."

"Sure," answered Sierra and went to them. Smoke then took out the parchment entitled “Horrabelle's Notice on the Red Scamp.”

In a matter of seconds, he acquired the information and a window popped up.
     
    + Horrabelle's Notice on the Red Scamp

  Subordinates,

  As you may know, a red Werebear, the last one my sisters and I created together, has gone rogue.
  Her body contains information that is vital to improving the effectiveness of my Werebear Transmutation.
  If you find her, bring her to me.
  In the event that you are unable to capture her alive, bring back a piece of her flesh.
  A small enough piece shouldn’t disappear with the rest of her body.

  Your Creator, Horrabelle
    A grim look appeared on Smoke’s face as his eyes dilated and his eyebrows met. He angrily crumpled up the parchment and stored it in his backpack window.

He stared at the cursed form of the red-haired girl he held dear. He feared for her safety.
     

Chapter Three:
To Heed a Warning
     
    A bright sunny morning greeted Sherry's neighbors, who were preparing to go to work or drop off their kids to school. It was time for them to start a new day.

However, in her house, it was time to get some sleep. It was night time in Zectas, at least for the next three hours in the real world. A red game pod opened and she grabbed tight onto the ergonomically-designed armrests. She stepped out with her eyebrows raised and lip curled.

"Argh! Why does he do always do this to me? One minute he’s all sweet and charming, the next he’s flying off somewhere," she said, voicing out her frustration.

She had just logged out of Zectas as her character was safely riding on Gandiva's war carriage. Flustered, she unfurled her ponytail and let loose her curly red hair. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes and tried to get a hold of her emotions.

Sherry knew that Nash's decision to immediately head to the three villages was the right one, but she was still upset about how little time they got to spend together.

'Is he doing this on purpose?' she thought to herself.

After another deep breath, she stopped trying to clear her mind and stormed out of her room. Her footsteps echoed loudly as she headed for the kitchen.

There, Sherry prepared the ingredients for her latest Zectas-inspired dish: her own version of the ancient bison stew. She stretched her hands out and cracked her knuckles.

She poured a cup of