Freeing the unworthy.

He slowly knelt beside the well and reached down, still unable to grab the chain. He let out a guttural sigh and dug his claws into the stone. He crushed and tore off the entire half meter high stone from behind her back and laid down on his stomach.

"It's gonna be alright, I'm taking you with me. I'll show you wide grasslands and deep green forests..," Anna whispered to her. A sudden loud snap pierced the air, catching the priestess off guard. In a display of immense strength, he effortlessly crumpled the chain in his fingers, freeing her from the shackles that bound her leg.

She swung herself to the edge and took his jagged mouth in her hands to hold him tightly. It was probably super uncomfortable for him because he just pulled away with a quiet growl and stood up.

"Are you done here? Pack your stuff, I'll take you back to your camp, so you can go search for your lover," he growled and strode back into the water.

*Go after him. He seems to be in much distress. I'll follow you in a short while.* she heard in her head. Anna wrapped up her map, took out cloak and leather boots from her inventory and placed them on the floor.

"I don't have anything else right now, but I promise I can give you decent clothes to wear soon enough. I have some spare back in the camp," She smiled at the priestess and ran after him. He was already waist deep in water.

"Get on my back," He said, dropping to all four so she was able to reach him.

"You helped me without even asking for anything," Anna told him as he sped out of the place and looked back at the priestess, concerned that she wouldn't be able to keep up with the pace he set.

But she followed them with a steady step across the rippled surface, keeping her eyes securely on them both.

Of course, she can walk on water, what was she thinking?

"I helped you because I like looking at you. You made me feel calm. I don't need anything else from you," He said and continued: "I'm Vudgrag. I'll wait for your visits from time to time. I can take you under the water to harvest those plants again, or you can just rest beside me like you did the day before. My mind has never felt that peaceful," He said, paradoxically, at the very moment when he was swimming through places that still smelled of blood and where parts of human bodies were floating.

"I'd also like to go with you to help you find that mate of yours, but I'm really slow and clumsy on the land. And I'm so heavy it hurts my joints, being in the water is my only relief. So promise me you will be safe," He said in a gruff voice.

"Thank you for being honest. I'll try to stay out of trouble. And I'll surely visit you again, you are a great companion," She promised him as he slowed down and let her slide off his back into the shallow water.

He gave a short nod and disappeared under the surface without another word. Only the trail of swirling water showed how he had dodged the priestess and swam deeper into the wetlands.

Anna waited for her, and then they set off together towards the willow tree by the shore.

*It feels sooo good.* she purred as the rays of the midday sun hit her back.

"I'm glad you are happy," she smiled "Would it be alright if we stay here until the evening? That way, we can start searching for him when it's dark. Are you okay with that?" she inquired.

*I'm forever grateful to you, for what you did for me. I'll protect you on your journey, I can be very useful, you don't need to worry about anything. I'll look after you, so you can be at ease while you are out of this body.* it echoed in her head again. But it was no longer the desperate cry, she was much more relaxed.

They stepped ashore and she excitedly walked through the soft grass, touching everything she could reach. Anna handed her a shirt with the skirt so she could dress up a little more.

"Would you join the alliance I created? It will be easier for both of us," She asked her and sent out an alliance invitation.

[Tameka the undead priestess accepted your invitation]

Tameka the undead priestess ~ Ally ~ 100% HP

"Would you mind waiting here for me? I want to see him alone, before we finish the spell -" Anna started to walk towards the direction of his final battle, but quickly stopped as she remembered that they decapitated him.

She knew she wouldn't be able to withstand the sight that awaited her.

But – it was him. The only man with whom she felt safe and happy. Feeling certain that she will regret it if she decides not to seize the opportunity to see him today, she quickened her pace.

She walked around the first poodle of blood and a pile of equipment. The body was already gone, the person probably respawned as soon as the death penalty allowed him.