On their walk back towards the group, Maria held tightly on to her spear. It was still brimming with raw power in her grasp, as if welcoming her old self. Jacob stared at its shaft, envious of the time he got to use the weapon himself. With that thing in his hand, it felt like he could bring Zalo himself to his knees. A few monsters tried ambushing them, but Jacob was able to swiftly cut their head off with nothing but his arm before they could get close.
"So many small creatures around here. It's like they can smell you from a mile away and come in herds to get a chance to eat you."
Maria sighed.
"It's what comes with the mark, I guess. I wonder if we can find a way to rid ourselves of its influence with this Great Serpent."
"I've been wondering that myself. I want a rose mark just like everyone else! That would be much cooler than this stupid skull."
Maria chuckled.
"A rose mark is cooler than a skull?"
Jacob nodded his head.
