Disperse

Erik and Mia struggled to maintain their footing as the crowd around them grew more frenzied. The mob seemed endless. More and more people emerged from the alleyways and streets and their move becoming increasingly erratic and violent. The two of them fought back as best they could but they were holding back their strength, because if they are using their true strength, they will inflict severe harm on the civilians. However, the people attacking them showed no such restraint.

Erik swung his sword with its scabbard again, knocking back a woman whose eyes were wild with fury. But even as she fell another person rushed him from the side, catching him off-guard. He grunted in pain as their fists connected with his face. He regained his balance quickly then swinging his sheathed sword again.

"These bastards just keep coming!" Erik cursed under his breath, dodging a kick aimed at his legs.

Mia don't looke any better either. She parried a blow with her stick but the impact sent a jolt up her arms. Another man charged at her and she sidestepped then delivering a swift strike to his back that sent him sprawling into the snow. Her heart pounded as she glanced around. The mob was swelling and their attacks growing more vicious by the second.

"We can't keep this up!" Mia shouted. A woman managed to scratch her hand that wasn't covered by armor and Mia winced, feeling the sting of the wound.

"You're right. They're going to tear us apart at this rate," Erik growled, blocking another attack. His face and hand was already covered in scratches and bruises. Fortunately they were wearing Asgard armor that covered most of their body.

The feral crowd wasn't holding back, and no matter how careful Erik and Mia were, they couldn't avoid getting hurt.

Mia cursed again as she narrowly avoided another blow.

"Why isn't the System giving us any answers?! It's supposed to help us in situations like this, isn't it?!" Mia shouted in frustration.

Erik parried another strike, sending a man sprawling into the snow.

"I don't know!" Erik shouted back, his voice edged with frustration as well. "Maybe something's jamming the signal, or... some shit! I don't fucking know!"

He swung again, gritting his teeth as another figure lunged at him. Blood trickled from a cut above his eyebrow, blurring his vision momentarily.

Mia slammed her stick into another attacker's shoulder, sending them crashing to the ground. "We need to figure this out, Erik! We can't keep going like this!"

Erik knocked back two more attackers in rapid succession. "I know, damn it! But we're out of options right now!"

The mob was growing, their attacks becoming more feral. There was no end in sight. Every time Erik or Mia knocked one person down two more seemed to take their place, their glowing eyes filled with a mad hunger. Their movements were chaotic and that's why ther are dangerous.

"Shit!" Erik cursed, pain surging through his leg as someone managed to land a solid kick. He stumbled, but quickly regained his balance, swinging his sword with a grunt. "We're going to be overwhelmed if this keeps up!"

---

From the top of a building circling the center, Valeria watched with cold and calculating eyes as Erik and Mia fought below. They were struggling trying to fend off the mob without inflicting lethal harm on the corrupted humans. Despite their situation she couldn't help but respect their restraint and determination.

But now was not the time for admiration.

Behind her, five women stood in a tight circle. Each cloaked in black, their heads bowed as they chanted in unison. A dark green glow surrounded their bodies. The faint hum of their voices vibrating in the air.

These women were part of the ritual that Valeria had commanded to cast the enchantment that severed Erik and Mia's connection to Asgard. As long as they continued the two warriors wouldn't be able to reach out for guidance or aid. They were isolated now.

Valeria glanced back at the chanting group briefly. The spell was holding strong.

Suddenly, a presence appeared beside her breaking her focus. Valeria flinched, her eyes a widening a little bit in surprise. She hadn't sensed him coming. A rare slip, and it made her uneasy.

It was Ragi. His dark figure stood just inches from her and watched the scene below.

"What are you going to do with them?" Ragi asked casually. He gestured toward Erik and Mia, who were still fighting, struggling against the growing mob. "Let me just—"

"No!" Valeria cut him off sharply. "I'll meet them myself."

Ragi frowned, but he said nothing. Valeria extended her dark wings. Then launched herself into the air, gliding gracefully down toward the streets below.

Ragi watched her go in silence, his eyes following her as she descended toward Erik and Mia.

---

Erik knocking another maddened citizen to the ground. But more of the mob surged forward. Mia was beside him and she was showing signs of exhaustion.

"We can't keep this up! We have to move. We can't stay here any longer," Erik said.

"Go where? We can't see anything in this maze!" Mia replied. The cramped streets and houses made it impossible to find any clear path.

Erik gritted his teeth, scanning the narrow alleys that boxed them in. "It doesn't matter. We'll pick a direction and go. The important thing is we get out of their encirclement."

Mia hesitated for a split second, her eyes searching his face before she nodded. "Alright, then. Since we don't have a choice."

Just as they prepared to make a run for it the mob suddenly stopped. The wild-eyed citizens froze in place as if some invisible force held them back. Erik and Mia exchanged confused glances. Then, the mob began to disperse and retreated into the shadows of the narrow streets.

Erik's pulse quickened and he spun around searching for the cause. That's when he saw her.

Valeria descended gracefully from above, her wings cutting through the cold. In her hand, she held a glowing black orb that pulsed with its own energy. She landed lightly before them and looking Erik and Mia with a cold, knowing gaze.

"You!" Erik said, his body tensing.

Valeria's lips curled into a faint smile.

"We meet again, young warriors," she said with a calm voice.

---