“Do you actually think this shit is going to work?” Twonger asked as they waited in the deep woods behind the house for any sign they needed to join a fight. Cal still wasn’t happy about not being part of the talks inside, but he did understand Harold’s reasoning. This was a loop that needed to run to completion unless there was a critical reason to stop it. They needed to get as many of the newcomers into the loops as possible and prepare for what would happen in the next one. He doubted the Agency would stop, so that meant whatever move they would attempt in the next loop had to be planned and prepared for.


    “I think something will happen from it. I doubt it will get anyone back. I’m not sure if it’s a trap or not, though,” Cal answered. He almost hoped for an attempted trap just to further prove how far out of their league the Agency had become. Several vehicles pulled into the driveway, and agents started helping get people out of them. These were people and animals Cal recognized. Had the peace talks worked that well?


    “Wait, is that just everyone?” Twonger asked.


    “Something is wrong,” Gretel said, immediately answering Twonger’s question.


    “What do you mean?” Cal asked.


    “They smell off. Bug has almost certainly realized it,” Alfred agreed.


    “Okay that we are going to need to get closer and see what’s going on,” Cal said, starting to inch his way closer to the house, trying to keep their presence hidden. Moments later, all the agents from the house climbed back into the cars and drove away, leaving Cal even more nervous about the ease of the return.


    “We’re too late,” Gretel yelled as the house exploded in a fireball and quickly engulfed the area in front of them, but just as suddenly as the all combusted, it seemed to retract into itself, holding the blaze just outside the house and sparing the surrounding woods. The power radiating from the house was so strong Cal could feel it pressing against his own core, trying to dampen the mana within.


    “What the hell is going on?” Cal yelled out, not remotely understanding what could hold the fire at bay like this.


    “It’s Bug. She’s using everything she has to hold this back. She needs our help!” Gretel yelled, charging toward the flames with Alfred beside her.


    “Someone please explain what she’s doing!” Cal yelled as he ran to catch up to the dogs, suddenly very afraid he had seen something like this before. The idea of Bug sacrificing herself forever sent a deep fear into his bones. He wasn’t sure he could continue this fight without her, and if the Agency killed her, he would find a way to kill every single one of them.This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    “She’s attempting to consume the fireball and using every scrap of her own magic to hold the people within it alive. I don’t know how long she can do this alone. We have to find a way to get to her,” Alfred yelled. A galloping sound behind them caught all of their attention as Captain Lightspeed appeared with a small rider.


    “Matt, right? Why are you out here?” Cal called to the kid riding on the horse.


    “Starry said Bug was in trouble and needed us,” Matt answered meekly.


    “How did Starry know that?” Cal asked, realizing the how didn’t matter. That could be discussed later. Time was of the essence. “Sorry, don’t answer that, Starry. What can you do?”


    “I need to get inside the blaze. That way, I can help Bug heal all the people before she runs out of her mana. Her source feels weirdly different and slippery to me, but I’m still sure it won’t be good if she runs out,” Starry answered.


    “I sent them. I realized there was an odd connection between them when whatever happened there started,” Fulginanis said in Cal’s head.


    “Okay, dogs, can we can all of us inside?” Cal asked loudly. He would discuss what was going on with Fulginanis later. Right now, they had people to save.


    “Yes, everyone, stay behind me, Lightspeed, stay out here. Matt, stay next to Alfred,” Gretel ordered as a bubble appeared around them all, instantly cooling some of the raging fire they could feel even at their distance.


    The group pushed forward into the inferno. Now, past the outskirts, they could see small, little flame-like creatures moving about in it. Three would spring into life, only for two to be surrounded by a wall of mana and crushed back out of existence.


    “I’m going to break off and take out as many of the little guys as possible. I think my shield can handle this unless you need for further inside,” Twonger said.


    “No, that’s a good idea. It should help take the burden off Bug. Kill as many as you can. I don’t understand what they are or how the Agency had them, but I think they are the cause of this,” Gretel said, her face full of determination. As they continued slowly into the garage, Cal was shocked to find the house still holding together somehow and more of the strange fire bugs everywhere, trying to spread themselves and failing. Had these been inside the hostages somehow? Is that why the dogs had smelled them as wrong? He didn’t know, but his anger was rising quickly.


    Gretel’s bubble reached the door and cooled it enough for them to move further into the house. This time, immediately, they were greeted by a much bigger version of the bugs they had seen, and it had apparently been waiting for them. It immediately leaped onto the bubble, forcing its way inside as liquid fire dripped from its exposed fangs.


    Matt screamed in fear of the monster. Alfred and Gretel barely moved out of its way, preventing their fur from catching on fire. Cal though, he had needed something to fight. The problem was they were in a contained space, and he was afraid of using any of his lightning. It was time for some void attacks.