Editing Chapter 10.48 VS

{{Infobox episode
|title=Chapter 10.48 VS
|published=November 02, 2025
|wordcount= 45,847
|link=[https://wanderinginn.com/2025/11/02/10-48-vs/ Chapter 10.48 VS]
|previousChapter=[[Chapter 10.47 S (Pt. 2)]]
|nextChapter=[[Interlude – Barelle the Bard]]}}
'''Chapter 10.48 VS''' is the 107th chapter of [[Volume 10]], the '''V''' stands for [[Vofea]], and the '''S''' stands for [[Seraphel du Marquin]].

== tl;dr ==

*

== Synopsis ==
Being chased by the [[Iron Vanguard]], the group of [[Terandria|Terandrian]] that became marooned on the coast of [[Baleros]] venture further into the strange tunnels they found losing count of mostly everything. [[Bizine]] and the Iron Vanguard legions—after following the trail left behind—begin to take measures to encircle any opening from the [[Mindscape Ruins]], she calls the [[Seer of Steel]] to report the situation to him. They speak on the dangers of being in [[Jungle Tails]] territory and how uncertain Bizine is in facing an opponent as strong as [[Rabbiteater|Ser Solstice]], they end the call with the Steel Commander looking at what the documents they have say on the [[Death Zones|Death Zone]]. As the days progress, more and more incidents occur with her losing units here and there until it out right becomes an open conflict with Jungle Tails, after nineteen days the Iron Vanguard depart  Baleros leaving only two vessels out at sea to monitor the area. While Bizine failed to engage the [[Calanfer|Calanferians]] in battle everything she did went according to protocol, on the twentieth day she and other officers begin to feel the effects coming from the Mindscape Ruins.

[[Gilthisa]] and everyone else who entered the tunnels begin to lose themselves into a maelstrom of emotions until they coalesce into hive minds of 5 strong emotions with those that best embodies them leading the pack; one of anger, guilt, sorrow, will and glory. {{Color|#8be5e5;|The Weeping Princess}}, {{Color|#d08ee7;|The Guilty Man}}, {{Color|#c1765c;|The Angry Woman}} and {{Color|#87f121;|The Lonely Warrior}} face off against The Shambling Thing killing the unknown beast being offered its flesh for sustenance. They then fight against The Ravening Beast who injures {{Color|#8be5e5;|The Weeping Princess}} making her call out to {{Color|#b7b7b7;|The Grim Knight}} who joins the fight, A Mysterious Watcher joins the fight and destroys the [[Crelers|Creler]] eggs lining the walls, they gain a Bottle of Water for their efforts in making the creler flee. The five hiveminds leaders converse with The Mysterious Watcher but nothing much can be done for now; after eating some meat the party continues on their journey deeper into the tunnels.

They encounter the previous creler with a second smaller swarm with it, as the fight ensues [[Seraphel du Marquin|Seraphel]] is able to gain a sense of herself seeing what is actually happening as the combatants freeze in place waiting for their turn. Seraphel witnesses the different groups engulfed by their singular emotion as the crelers charge at [[Menrise]], Seraphel stops the creler from biting at her friend's arm stomping the monster to death. After the crelers retreat again, Seraphel find another person awake from the madness in Vofea who goes around mending to the injured, the [[Satyr]] leads the Princess to where the frozen crelers are to destroy as many as they can before another battle arises. Menrise and her group suddenly throw out [Light Arrows] causing many who didn't have [[Mana]] pools to collapse making Seraphel run to get some mana potions to aid them, the crelers are soon killed leaving the Princess to speak with Vofea on what's been happening and how she was able to break free, with Seraphel free from the emotion hivemind {{Color|#8be5e5;|The Weeping Princess}} has chosen Gilthisa as its new leader.

As they travel through the vein-like structure of the passageways and rooms, Seraphel asks Vofea how she was able to not succumb to it with the Satyr telling her that it's a trick of perspective that she's used to doing the from her time home in another realm. Moving on from that point they discuss how they can help break the others free not finding much there, Seraphel lets herself focus on her feelings of guilty to get a better understand why [[Cortese Withred|Cortese]] is the leader of that bunch seeing that he feels guilty for almost joining [[Iradoren]] in killing Rabbiteater. Seraphel then learns that Vofea has been do things with no [[Class|classes]] to her and that no one has slept ever since entering the tunnels, Vofea brings up the meeting with the Mysterious Watcher explaining that they were a group of sixteen [[Lizardfolk]] who was also running away from Jungle Tails. The origins of where they are at and the Bottle of Water that they gained is discussed, Seraphel comes to find out that as they marched restlessly through the tunnels that everyone else has relieved themselves of their bowels as well.

The party stops for a break to rest their bodies with Seraphel and Vofea grabbing everything they can from everyone's [[Bags of Holding]], the group moves one to face a few encounters with one being against [[Wailer Frogs]] which are summarily [Silence]'d and eaten with the two free sharing stories for a time. Moving onwards they face more groups of enemies slowly whittling away at the few resources that they have, as they were fighting against giant salamanders a swarm of crelers appears forcing the two to shift their focus to the bigger threat. But as they were able to make the creler swarm retreat again Seraphel chased after them too deeply distancing herself from the group, her mind began to rip making her run to the closest group—to that of the company of creler swarm.

Seraphel awaits her death as the creler swarm feel an unwelcomed presence that is trying to subsume their will, a swarm becomes tainted by the new influence causing the rest of the crelers to terminate them immediately. Seraphel shies away from the carnage but is caught by the minds of four Adult Crelers in the primary nest, she is protected by her [[aura]] and circlet as they try to telepathically break her and failing in that they call for a purge of the contaminated minds. Seraphel moves about in the primary nest to find a way out but then finds a fifth Adult Creler in gestation to become an Elder Creler, after the Adult Crelers killed the contaminated, they begin to vomit out baby crelers to recover their ranks. Feeling the instinct the world has against crelers and vice versa, Seraphel attacks the gestating Elder Creler discovering that it is siphoning magic from objects around it, figuring out that some of the artifacts could still be used Seraphel was grabbing what she could until the Elder Creler awakens. The Princess is able to run away from the creler nest with the Elder Creler calling forth for the slaughtering of the three groups of intruders.

[[Ksmvr]] drifts between lucidity and the state of being in a wrong [[Unitasis Network]] with everyone else in the group, he speaks with Vofea believing that they are in a space made of [[Seamwalkers]] before the [[Selphids]] had their levels before falling back into {{Color|#b7b7b7;|The Grim Knight}}. Vofea then observes the hiveminds investigate the ground seeing that that they've gone the wrong way making their way back to the fork in the caves, the Satyr can sense that there are another group in the tunnels as well.

Seraphel collapses after an ancient force within the Maze tries to consume her soul but is held back by [[Grand Design of Isthekenous|Grand Design]] who brings her the gifts for her deeds, waking up she finds herself still alive seeing that it was the Bottle of Water that kept her safe. The water coagulated into some sort of gel that's retaining the emotions of the crelers' malice within it which acts like a shield in the maze, as she wanders throughout the maze, she begins to try out the adventuring gear she picked up but stops once a cursed ring nearly burned her finger off. Using one of the artifacts she obtained Seraphel traverses through the branching paths of the tunnels until she notices that there is a group coming her way, hiding away she can see the group being made up of [[Lizardfolk]].

The Jungle Tails unit catches the trail of someone using a magical artifact with [[Hexore]] sending his [Scouts] to check out the other tunnels, Seraphel then reveals herself to them playing the part of an uppity noble who has finally found rescue. They learn of the creler nest nearby and the greater threat it contains as they make their way back to the closest exit, [[Aiche]]—a Lizardfolk [Huntress]—sticks close to the Princess as she knows that she's just playing the fool as the group meets with a Gorgon who has taken control of the native Lizardfolk tribe that resides within the maze. Nearby one of the exits that leads into the Jungle Tails camp, the group hides from a creler swarm that is scanning close to them, in an attempt to find a way to be free from her captors Seraphel once again joins minds with the Creler horde making them run towards the exit even if they know it's a trap. While in the chaos, Seraphel steals a horse and uses her curse powers to impede anyone from stopping her as she rides away.

Vofea sees a yellow bird fly over her thinking that its Jungles Tails who have found them but comes to see that it's Seraphel instead, they speak on what the Princess experienced with the both of them gaining the inner strength to protect what remains of the group. As Seraphel returns back into {{Color|#8be5e5;|The Weeping Princess}} for a time, Ksmvr finds himself able to freely act again taking measure of the situation and after taking care of four of the eight heads of the [[Hydras|Hydra]] falls back into the hivemind, [[Revi Cotton|Revi]] is then freed to summon her several phantasms taking care of the many encounters they face, others are freed on rotation as they make their way out of the maze.

In the Kingdom of [[Kaaz]], court is adjourned in the Chambers of Deliberation to discuss what happened out at sea during [[The Night of Bloodtear]] and if the actions of Cortese were treacherous or not. Hundredlady [[Iirn]] and her side against [Lady] [[Siveris Withred|Siveris]] of House Withred debate the topic sparking a number of duels as news of what's happening is leaked out to the greater public, seeing that the lord in question hasn't responded back to their calls his Majesty [[Fireth Laegister|Fireth]] orders the activation of the spell so that the man can defend himself. After a bit of waiting Lord Cortese and a hundred other voices speak his truth making many of the nobility cower back in reflex, Cortese reveals to them that the request from the [Prince of Men] was relayed to him by his Majesty, before anything else can happen [Crown Prince] [[Retner]] lays claim of the responsibility for the ordered transaction. They end the spell with Hundredlady Iirn withdrawing her complaint as Retner waits for the challenges to come his way.

Having finally reached the exit, the hiveminds begin to dissolve back into their individual selves, Rabbiteater—the last of them to come out—is hit with the realization of what's been happening almost breaking in spirit as Seraphel and Vofea share their remorse in their inability to save more. [[Thilowen]] secures the area as many begin to take a count of who survived and died during their trip in the Death Zone and discuss their next actions. Dragonfire General [[Rithix]] organizes his troops after facing against the four adult crelers ordering them to march towards the exit the Calanferians will be coming out, he's having a bad feeling about the upcoming confrontation thinking on how much levels they would've gain after living through the Mindscape Ruins and then orders their champion [[Illex Twiceborn|Illex]] to head to the site on the double.

Rabbiteater walks out of the tunnel exit with the waiting Jungle Tails forces beginning to bombard the singular Knight but fail in taking him out as he removes their [Mages] in turn, the rest of the Terandrians charge out of the tunnel joining in on the fight. Rithix receives news of what's happening wondering where Twiceborn is, he then learns from a transmission that him and his unit were ambushed along the way. Ksmvr and Vofea under the invisibility clock observe a Lizardperson fate had deemed important, Ksmvr ten jumps out striking Illex deep in the chest, the [[Antinium]] [Skirmisher] runs away after taunting the six-armed Rhilis into a fury taking the threat out of the board. Rithix feel the tides changing in the Calaferians' favor as his Medusae Units falter to the curse of the Mindscape Maze, he sends out Commander [[Axtrizak]] to kill the Knight but sees that there is no sense in engaging any further and calls for a retreat.

The Calanferians group around the Lizardfolks who've surrendered discussing what they should do next, Seraphel finds Gilthisa in the group of survivors hugging her as they share in their traumatic memories. They begin to strip the dead out of anything useful as they plan to march out soon to get away from the Dragonfire General's regrouping with the Princess pointing out Aiche as someone who can be their guide out of the jungle.

Within the Fervored Strateveins, {{Color|#a64d79;|The Unfinished Nightmare}} is approached by {{Color|#93c47d;|The Chieftain of Despair}} with the two engaging in combat, then [[Kanadith]] appears making the developing Elder Creler flee in fear.

In the [[Land of the Dead]], [[Markus]] finds himself before the Spring's Warden [[Pertheine]] and begins to speak his heart out to her that even if that's as far as he could go that he'll follow his friend Rabbiteater's journey until they meet again. Many events transpired as the Calanferians were stuck down below in the Mindscape Ruins such as the [[Twin Moons|moon]] cracking and the advent and departure of a [[Goblin Kings|Goblin King]] with many [[Goblins]] hearing the echoes of [[The Goblin King|his]] promise of blood, none of that mattered to Rabbiteater as he weeps for his friend.

== Characters ==
( * = First Appearance)
*[[Aiche]]*
*[[Aielef du Marquin]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Altestiel]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Altivem]]* ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Aria Fellstrider]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Axtrizak]]* {{Color|grey|''(Deceased)''}}
*[[Badarrow]]
*[[Beacle]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Belavierr Donamia]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Bizine]]*
*[[Brinth]]*
*[[Cara O'Sullivan]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Champers]]*
*[[Clatterface]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Collins]]*
*[[Colthei Lacment]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Cortese Withred]]
*[[Cule]]*
*[[Dakelos]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Ennerev]]
*[[Erin Solstice]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Etheric]]* ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Fireth Laegister]]*
*[[Foliana]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Gilthisa]]*
*[[Gorethem]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Grand Design of Isthekenous]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Greydath]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Gwelin Fellstrider]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Halrac Everam]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Hexore]]*
*[[Iirn]]*
*[[Illex Twiceborn]]*
*[[Iradoren]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Jorchi]]* ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Kaelis]]* ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Kanadith]]
*[[Kilne]]*
*[[Kinth]]*
*[[Klbkch]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Ksmvr]]
*[[Ledr]]* ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Makren]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Mariel]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Markus]] {{Color|grey|''(Deceased)''}}
*[[Marquin]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Menrise]]
*[[Neranthei]]
*[[Nerne]]* ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Niers Astoragon]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Nvize]]*
*[[Oberon]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Pertheine]]
*[[Piortesenzth]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Rabbiteater]]
*[[Rema]]* ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Retner]]*
*[[Revi Cotton]]
*[[Richimere]]*
*[[Rithix]]*
*[[Rivel val Lischelle-Drakle]]
*[[Ryoka Griffin]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Seer of Steel]] ''(Per Speaking Stone)''
*[[Senson]]* ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Seraphel du Marquin]]
*[[Shaestrel]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Shardele du Marquin]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Silvenia Ettertree]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Siveris Withred]]*
*[[Sleeping Demigod]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Stan]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Swam]]* ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Thilowen]]
*[[Thornidre]]* ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Titania]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Treflax]]* ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Tulm the Mithril]] ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Ullana]]*
*[[Veine Ecleith]]
*[[Vofea]]
*[[Worrel]]*
*[[Xevccha]] ''(Flashback)''
*[[Yerew]]* ''(Mentioned)''
*[[Yvlon Byres]] ''(Mentioned)''
*? - [Herald] of Kaaz
*? - [Hero of Titan's Challenge]* ''(Mentioned)''
*? - Bizine's [Scout Leader]
*? - Bizine's [Strategist]
*? - Jungle Tails [Archer Captain]
*? - Jungle Tails [Battlemage]
*? - Jungle Tails [Soldier]*
*? - Jungle Tails Naga*
*? - Kaazian [Lady]
*? - Kaazian [Lord]
*? - Lamia [Magus]*
*? - The Mysterious Watcher
*? - White-Haired Knight
*? - Wyrmgraced ''(Mentioned)''

== Groups/Organizations ==
* [[Iron Vanguard]]
** Bizine's Legion
*** Mitrix Company
*** Obric Company
*** Colnec Company
** Foundment Legion
** Callidec Legion
** Thirs Legion
* [[Order of Seasons]]
** Spring Knights
* [[Thronebearers of Calanfer]]
* [[Jungle Tails]]
** Medusae Unit
* [[Maelstrom’s Howling]] ''(Mentioned)''
* The Eternal Nobility ''(Mentioned)''
* [[Earthers]] ''(Mentioned)''
* [[The Minds]] ''(Mentioned)''
* [[Hundred Families of Terandria|Hundred Heroes]] ''(Mentioned)''
* [[Forgotten Wing Company]] ''(Mentioned)''
* Mind-Lizardfolk Tribe
* [[Thousand Lances]]
* [[Bloodtear Pirates]] ''(Mentioned)''
* [[Order of Haegris]] ''(Mentioned)''
* House Withred
* [[Dawn Concordat]] ''(Mentioned)''

== Locations ==
* [[Baleros]]
** [[Mindscape Ruins]]
*** Creler Nest
*[[Terandria]]
**[[Kaaz]]
***Chambers of Deliberation
*[[Kasignel]]

== Creatures ==
*[[Crelers]] - The Ravening Beast
*Bugbears
*Stelbores
*Elephant-Legged Walkers
*[[Wailer Frogs]]
*? - Hammering Brutes
*Giant Salamanders
*[[Hydras]] - The Many-Headed Serpant
*? - The Laughing Leperous Carnivore
*Weevil
*Undead Zombie
*? - The Wretched Flies

== Items ==
*Bottle of Water
*Boat Piece
*Seraphel's Circlet
*Ring of Quickstride
*Magical Bird Cage
*Cursed Ring
*Invisibility Cloak

==Statistics==
===Statistics Revealed===
==== [[Githisa]] ====
* '''Class/Levels:'''
** [Diligent Peasant] Lv. 21

==== [[Kilne]] ====
* '''Class/Levels:'''
** [Carpenter] Lv. 32

==== [[Cortese Withred]] ====
* '''Skills:'''
** [Furious Assault]
** [Expeditious Retreat]
** [Hold the Line]
** [Take Cover]
** [Formation: Cat’s Grace]
** [Savage Offensive]

==== [[Thilowen]] ====
* '''Skills:'''
** [Challenge of Honor]

==== [[Menrise]] ====
* '''Spells:'''
** [Fireball]
** [Lightning Bolt]
** [Cleanse]

==== [[Seraphel du Marquin]] ====
* '''Skills:'''
** [Dizzying Rebuke]
** [False Smile]
** [A Free Compliment]
* '''Spells:'''
** [Detect Magic]

==== [[Aiche]] ====
* '''Class/Levels:'''
** [Huntress] Lv. 34
* '''Skills:'''
** [Tricksome Knot]
** [Quick Concealment]

==== [[Hexore]] ====
* '''Skills:'''
** [Desperate Rush]

==== [[Rithix]] ====
* '''Skills:'''
** [Strategic Appraisal]
** [I Have A Bad Feeling]
** [Quick March]
** [Countercharge]
** [Perfect Dispel]
** [Unleash Your Potential]
** [Cut the Tail, Save the Body]
** [Harassing Fire]

==== [[Axtrizak]] ====
* '''Skills:'''
** [Fireball Volley]
** [Get Into Position]

==== [[Rabbiteater]] ====
* '''Skills:'''
** [Brother, Hit That Target]

===Statistics Obtained===
==== [[Seraphel du Marquin]] ====
* '''Class:'''
** '''Conditions Met:''' [Deathtouch Princess] → [Cursed Princess] → [Curse Bearer Princess]
** [Curse Bearer Princess] Lv. 35 (+8)
* '''Skills:'''
** '''Skill Change:''' [Dizzying Rebuke] → [Hexer's Rebuke]
** [Resistance: Curses]
** {{Color|red|[Inflict Curse: Self]}}
** [Transfer Afflictions (Self)]
** [Share Curse (Mass)]
** [Quick Bandage]
** [Eviscerate the Unguarded]
** [Compelling Presence]
** [No Curse Lasts Forever]
* '''Curses:'''
** [The Synectic Haze]
** [Helpful Servant's Smile]
** [Stinging Warts]
*'''{{Color|#ff9900|Titles:}}'''
**{{Color|#ff9900|[Escaped the Fervored Strataveins]}}
***{{Color|#ff9900|'''Title Skill:''' [Unit: Marionette's Action]}}
**{{Color|#ff9900|[Creler Mocker]}}
***{{Color|#ff9900|'''Title Reward:''' [Clean Crelerchitin Dagger]}}

==== [[Ksmvr]] ====
* '''Class/Levels:'''
** [Brave Skirmisher] Lv. 39 (+3)
* Skills:
** [Masterful Ambush]
** [Adventurer's Field Alchemy]
*** [Recipe: Yuck Bomb]
*** [Recipe: Poison Blood Oil]
*** [Recipe: Close to Acid Jar]
** [Advanced Crafting]

==== [[Vofea]] ====
* '''Class/Levels:'''
** {{Color|#99cc00;|[Doomed Fae Gamer]}} Lv. 16 (+16)
* '''Skills:'''
** [Favorite Weapon]
*** [Item – Lord Cortese’s Dueling Sword (Bleed, Strength, Keen)] → [Item – The Sword of Not-Racism (Heavy Impact, Force, Greater Bane: None)]
** [Fast Travel (Camp)]
** [Explorer's Map]
** [Power Attack]
** [Mighty Defend]
** [Mana Pool (Pure)]
** [Basic Spellcasting]
** [Deathwish: To Death, Then]
** [Always Find a Rock (Sling)]
** [Ignore Authority]
** [Satyr Kick]
** [Resistance: Intoxication]
* '''Spells:'''
** '''Unknown Tier:'''
*** [Fire Arrow]
*** [Air Shield]
*** [Grease Puddle]
*** [Summon Mosquito]
* '''{{Color|#ff9900|Titles:}}'''
** {{Color|#ff9900|[Escaped the Fervored Strataveins]}}
*** {{Color|#ff9900|'''Title Skill:''' [Team Attack]}}

== Trivia ==
* There were a number of colored texts used to signify different emotions and beings;
** {{Color|#c1765c;|Anger}} in {{Color|#c1765c;|The Angry Woman}} as #c1765c;
** {{Color|#d08ee7;|Guilt}} in {{Color|#d08ee7;|The Guilty Man}} as #d08ee7;
** {{Color|#8be5e5;|Sorrow/Sadness}} in {{Color|#8be5e5;|The Weeping Princess}} as #8be5e5;
** {{Color|#45818e;|Despair}} as #45818e;
** {{Color|#d4b678;|Hope}} as #d4b678;
** {{Color|#b7b7b7;|Will}} in {{Color|#b7b7b7;|The Grim Knight}} as #b7b7b7;
** {{Color|#87f121;|Glory}} in {{Color|#87f121;|The Lonely Warrior}} as #87f121;
** {{Color|#980000;|Malevolence}} in {{Color|#980000;|Swarm (^}} as #980000;
** {{Color|#4c1130;|The Awakened}} as #4c1130;
** {{Color|#a64d79;|The Heartbroken Awakened}}, {{Color|#a64d79;|The Unfinished Nightmare}} as #a64d79;
** {{Color|#f6b26b;|Righteous Fury}} as #f6b26b;
** {{Color|#38761d;|The Eyes of Stone}} as #38761d;
** {{Color|#93c47d;|The Chieftain of Despair}} as #93c47d;
** {{Color|#ffc100;|Kanadith the Herald, Goblin Lord of Baleros, the Uniter of the Sunken Tribes, Crelerbane, Nagabane, Armorbane, Centaurbane, Mindbane, Toller of the Bells of Ruination, Slaughterer of Your Elders, the Ancient Goblin}} as #ffc100;
*This Chapter contains combat that follows a turn-based system.

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[[Category:Volume 10]]
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[[Category:Chapters with Colored Text]]