As he looked around be would be breathing a bit heavy. As it turned out Ghost has find himself in a new land if one could believe it or not. He and Rayne would find themselves in a land that was known as Pergrande and it was known for its ice cold lands as well. But one thing he did not expect was to be ambushed by the local bandits. This saw Ghost take quick action to take them down using his blinding speeds. But that's what he is not here for. Ghost had other plans but he just did not know what he was doing. Ghost would look on at the pile of unconscious bandits he laid out and well he would line them up. Only taking the food and water they had on them and with that he would be on his way. Rayne on the other hand would be flying behind him as usual.

Soon she would fly behind Ghost as he was walking away and drinking some of the water he took from them. This water was fresh as it was made from the ice of Pergrande Mountains. Soon a few hours would pass as the duo made thier way pass the Mountains. As it went from dark to light Rayne who was all drained out by now would then say to Ghost, "Joy-Boy Sama where in the world are we going." At first he remain quiet and then he saw a cave pathway. As he took his time to respond he would then say to her. "Ya know something little lady, life is like a box a chocolate you'll never know what your gonna get." Rayne not truly understanding what he meant would then say to him,"I'm guessing chocolate." Soon the icy winds would start to get stronger and stronger and entering the cave would be the best thing the two could do.

A hour later using the items taking from the bandits Ghost would have started a fire and its here that the duo would rest for the moment. As he was looking at the fire he would then say to Rayne." Hey did you know when I had my wings out earlier the one guy I was fighting and a few others all said the same thing. Your wings are not as big as the sky lizard wings, I wonder what did they mean by that?" As he said that he would take out the small thing of meat he had and start to roast it.

Wc428

The Stena mountains... quite far from where her order usually dwelled. She was no stranger to these lands, having traversed the mountains in recent times, but it was still unusual for her to be here, away from her domain in the mountains. However, Ryuko had a reason for coming to the Stena mountains. Reports had reached the order about bandits harassing merchant caravans passing through the mountains and she had gone to investigate. Of course she had yet to decide whether she was going to do something about them or not, but for now the dragon had been flying over the mountains when the harsher weather obscured her presence almost entirely. The snowstorm had kicked up, but through her unusual sight she could see the mana presence of what seemed to be a mortal and a Exceed. Although more interesting to her was the fact several corpses were scattered near them. The pair seemed too small in number to had been responsible for the attacks, and the lingering embers of essence in the corpses suggested they had died recently.

This gave Ryuko an idea, an opportunity if one was to describe it as such. Descending toward the canyon, the dragon landed amidst the snow, its large silhouette still obscured by the snowstorm raging outside the cave the duo was in.

She had just finished transforming into her humanoid form when she raised her weapon toward the cave and smiled. A crimson glow radiated from the staff as the lifeless corpses of the bandits hauled themselves upright, almost looking as if they had become the very brain-eating abominations that showed in horror movies. Yet instead of searching for brains the group surrounded Ghost!

Twelve of the bandits had circled around him, while four of the remaining attempted to catch Rayne. The bandits didn't make the typical noises the dead made, no mournful howls or groans of agony, rather they seemed more akin to puppets right now.

Meanwhile, outside the cave the dragon girl's lips curved into a grin. "So it works even on those who died recently... Good to know~" She whispered softly, pondering how Ghost would react to this sudden reunion with the bandits he had slain earlier! He'd better act quickly for one of them lunged right at him, arms flailing as he attempted to grab a hold of the man's throat!

Meanwhile Ryuko observed, wanting to see how Ghost would deal with this trial where his very survival was at stake.

---
Each raised bandit has 31 Strength, 31 Speed and 1 A-rank durability.

The fire was quite delightful as the snow outside the cave was frightful how Ghost hated the snow. Rayne on the other hand she simply loved it since she was hatched doing the winter time. The duo was enjoying what food they had left over and all was going well. That was until Rayne ear started to twitch. Soon as she turned around she could see the zombie like beings walking slowly towards them. "Jjjoyyy-boooyyyy samaaaaaaa..." Ghost was enjoying his much needed meal and as he looked around he would see what she saw. "What's with the loud noise little lady....Figures." As he looked on he would see more then ten of them rushing at him but by this time he had pulled out his sword. "Rayne this is the time you go play hide and seek will ya and I'll go find you the moment I'm done here ok."

If Ghost had a weakness it would be his bestest of friends which was Rayne. Soon as she started to fly away she would see that a few of the zombies was chasing after her. *Ghost was quick to let out a few slashes at the first zombie that came out him. Soon enough he would start to move at top speeds he clearly was faster then the undead. As he gave out six slashes to three more zombies. So in total he took down 4 of them so far.* He would notice that the zombies were beaten but he could not see how and why they came about. "Regular magic can't do this here clearly necromancy is at work." *Zooming pass zombie number five he would take his sword and aim for the neck slicing twice at it taking that one down as well. Just as the sixth one came at him Ghost would twist his sword and then rush him slashing at him twice to try and end him.* All and all he took down six of them in mere moments as his speed was his Forte. Ghost would look as there should be six of them left now.

Wc351

Spoiler:

Meanwhile amidst the snow storm Ryuko had been idly observing the engagement between Ghost and the zombies. It was curious how in such an enclosed space the man was able to slay the sheer number of zombies, but she decided to give the man credit where it was due, maybe the bodies of the recently slain bandits weren't as durable as these of her knights.

However, there was a particular something the dragon knight wanted to try out, and when she saw Rayne flying away being chased by some of the zombies it brought her an idea. A hand extended toward Rayne when without any warning a bolt of green light would be shot at her with the same precision as a marksman rifle, all as part of her earlier scheme.

Beckoning the controlled Rayne over to her side Ryuko closed her eyes for a moment and whispered the name of a particular being, an ancient knight. She could already envision him, his pure black armor, that dangerous glint of red that shone through the visor of his helmet and then that massive sword...

"You called Monarch?" Ryuko turned her attention toward the voice, watching as her shadow twisted and distorted into the familiar shape of the knight she had envisioned just now. The knight stood at ceremony, his sword sheathed on his back.

"I wish for you to test the mortal in that cave, take the Exceed with you, but make sure no harm befalls her."

The knight nodded his head firmly.

"And the mortal?" The inquiry made Ryuko smile briefly. "Make him realize the difference in strength, enough to make him despair, but don't break him. I have an use of him down the line." The knight nodded his head lightly and started to march toward the cave.

By the time Ghost had slain the remaining zombies a masculine voice called from the entrance of the cave. "One who tells his charge to flee and hide is a powerless knight. I fail to understand why the Monarch would see any potential in a failure of a knight."

The armor-clad Champion brandished his sword toward Ghost, all while Rayne remained seated beside him, her gaze quietly lingering ahead as Ryuko's mind control kept its effect. For now Rayne's soul was in her grasp, but if anything the little Exceed was more akin to a precious hostage rather than a disposable meat shield.

----

Ryuko has used Soul Turn on Rayne to take control of her.
Meanwhile Arawn has been summoned as Ryuko's champion:

Arawn's attributes:
Strength: 512
Constitution: 1001
Speed: 513

As he slashed down on the last zombie he would look around but he did not see Rayne anywhere. He would scan the cave around him but he still could not find her. This truly started to anger him. That's when he heard foot steps some one else was walking inside the cave. With him he would see Rayne but for some odd reason she was not freaking out. At first he was going to say something but then he saw her eyes and her eyes they same a bit as if she wasn't even there as if it was just her body. Holding onto his sword as he watched the armor person. He would then say to him,"Just what in the world have you done to her?" As he closed his eyes there was nothing this being could say to change how he was feeling at this very moment.

As he his body started to glow a strange white light he would open his eyes. Not looking like a regular set of eyes they was now as gold as gold itself. "Don't worry mate,I'll end ya soon enough it's the least I can do. After all you going around playing with the dead ain't cool ain't cool at all." Just as he said that Ghost would rush straight at the knight. He was ease to make sure to not get Rayne caught up in the cross fire. He could sense that this Knight was well above his league. But he needed to save his dearest friend and he would not stop until he did. Just then he would take his sword and switch from his left his to his right hand and try to land a powerful downward slash at the Knight. As he jumped 3 meters in the air to do it.

Wc313

Spoiler:

The knight seemed unflinching in response to Ghost's transformation. The grace that was being released from his being made the knight briefly pause. "It is unfortunately, I would leave an opponent of your level to the soldiers of the Shadow Army, but the Monarch's command was clear."

As Ghost came in with a powerful leap toward the knight the armored warrior dug his sword deeper into the ground and... stepped forward. A gauntleted hand raised itself high in the air as Ghost shifted the handling of his weapon and soon the knight launched a fist to collide onto the downwards swing. The blade seemingly clashed against the metal gauntlet, but the sheer strength of the collision would surely make the blade break during their clash, and with nary a moment of delay the knight slammed his left fist toward Ghost's stomach. A punch that carried an intense force behind it, likely enough to tear any remaining breath out of the samurai.

"Has thee not wondered why one as weak as thyself was still able to survive, despite being incapable of protecting thy charge?"

As the knight asked the question a softer voice resounded through the air. "Because I willed it."

The dragon girl emerged from amidst the snow, and with a light wave of her hand she beckoned Rayne over. The little Exceed hovered over to her side as Ryuko handed her something, a potion of some sort and then the Exceed started to fly over to Ghost as she allowed her control over the Exceed to disappear.

"You walk into unfamiliar territory and brashly act like a 'hero' cutting down a bunch of weak thugs. Did it feel good? Were you expecting a pat on the head for a job well done?"

A grin emerged on her lips as she lifted her gaze at Ghost. "I hope this lesson reminds you of your place in this realm Ghost. If you believe yourself to be strong, then you're a naive fool. If you desire strength, then come seek me out in the heart of the Dragon's order. But if you seek revenge? Then come and prepare to die."

She turned her back at the Nephilim at the same time Rayne snapped out of her soul turned state. The armored knight slowly took a step backwards, a hand reaching for his impaled sword and heaved it back over his shoulder. "We're done here, Arawn."

The knight nodded his head submissively in return. "Yes, your majesty."

And with these words the two prepared to leave the cave behind. If Rayne noticed the potion she was given, she would notice it was a healing potion to aid Ghost.