Chapter 19- Monster Road

On a dirt paved path that cut through the woods was a small caravan of five wooden wagons. Thirty bulky men and women on horseback surrounded the caravan in a defensive manner.

In the foremost wagon sat seven people. Four were heavily armed guards that surrounded a young boy around the age of 15-16. He wore a bright solid blue robe that matched well with his deep blue eyes and short brown hair. He had an air of confidence about him and gently fanned himself with a foldable fan situated in his right hand. His eyes sometimes glanced at the two others in the same wagon, or to be more precise a young girl around his age.

She wore an emerald green dress that one can easily see was just recently tailored to fit her. However that fact didn't take away from the girl's features. Although she wasn't an outstanding beauty, she was a short, amber haired girl with bright hazel eyes, and rosy red lips. She had a certain charm about her that just ignited the desire to protect her. If it wasn't for the sharp looking saber hanging on her hip one would think she was a defenseless angel.

Next to her sat a child who appeared to be around the age of 12 or 13. He wore a white robe with red trimmings and a dark red sash. Frankly the the young noble despised this child. He would always say rude things to the girl and at times she looked like she was about to cry.

These two were naturally Eliana and Roen. The had joined this caravan a few days back hoping to save time. Roen had complained that walking was the only way to go, but after Eliana persuaded him he finally resigned to the decision. The two had already noticed the young noble's glares filled with lust and malice, and if Eliana didn't again persuade Roen he would've caused a bloodbath.

"Still aren't you growing a little too fast I don't think human children grow as fast as you do."

"Haven't we been over this before? As long as my soul repairs itself I can restore my body, or at least make myself older. I can't stand being looked down on."

"Don't you think it's better to slow it down in front of others, so that you're not treated like a monster?"

"I am a monster. It would be weird if they didn't treat me as such."

Roen and Eliana had grown from complete strangers to a seemingly normal couple. Minus the fact that they were not a couple and just master and servant. However Roen no longer coldly addressed Eliana like before, and Eliana took this as a sign that he was warming up to her. She already knew he wasn't human and needed the souls of the living to survive. She would try to make conversations with him daily, and soon learned of his deeds. At first she was shocked at how someone would intentionally create mass slaughter, but the more she knew the faster that astonishment faded away.

One of the knights standing guard of the young noble stared to walk towards Roen and Eliana after the young noble whispered somethings into his ear.

Eliana subconsciously reached for her saber on her waist. Although she couldn't be considered anywhere close to proficient, she could at least put up a fight, and it's not like Roen would step up to save her again. He said to her that she must fight her own battles to become strong because he can't always stay by her side. Knowing this Eliana was determined to be recognized by Roen, so right now she was not afraid of the approaching knight.

"My master sends a request for your ladyship to join him for dinner."

"Tell him I must politely decline."

"My master urges you to reconsider."

"Tell him that if he wants a partner so badly that there are some fine horses outside to consider."

"You dare!"

Eliana's insult shocked the knight and he pulled out his sword in anger. Eliana unsheathed her saber in response.

"You wrench hold your toungue! Or I will cut you dow...."

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GRRaaaAARrRrrrgGGgg

A horrifying yelling stopped the man mid sentence as the wagon came to an abrupt stop. The knight's face suddenly paled and he turned to the young noble, and after receiving a nod, left the wagon followed by the other three knights. Roen's eyes were already wide open and he looked at nervous Eliana.

"I presume we have hit a bump in the road."

Saying so Roen calmly got to his feet and exited the wagon with Eliana close behind. The young noble was left alone in the wagon staring dumbfounded by the two that just exited.

Coming outside Roen and Eliana slowly took in the monstrosity before them. Standing on four legs was an abnormally large lizard. On it's for feet it already reached a height of 5 feet, and from it's massive head to it's thick tail the monster was around 20 feet long. It was covered in black and red scales that served as a kind of plate armor. It's claws were akin to sharp blades that gouged out the ground with every step.

GGGggaaAARRrRrrgGgg!!

An even fiercer yell invaded the surrounding warrior's eardrums. They had been opting to surround the monster with the speed of their horses however it's yell made the horses begin to try to run away in fear. Quickly dismounting, the seasoned warriors slowly decreased the diameter of their encirclement. Two of the bigger warriors on opposite sides shot from the encirclement at a speed that surpassed the horses. They were obviously using aura.

They quickly reached the sides of the giant lizard and before it could counter their charge they gave two quick slashes into it's flesh. The swords experienced some resistance upon contact, and the two warriors retreated back into the encirclement. The monster's angered shouts shook the ground and it started to slam it's tail at the warriors surrounding it. The trees that the weaker warriors were hiding behind proved to be useless as the lizard's tail easily snapped some of the thickest of the trees. Except for the two warriors, their formation quickly fell apart.

"Those worms seem to be having trouble."

"Help them then!"

"I have no obligation to."

"Then give me the ability to help. I know you can."

"You cannot save them all. Some are already dying and others have injuries that'll put them out of commission for life."

"Then let me be selfish."

The determination in Eliana's eyes intrigued Roen, so he gave her a simple power boost.

"You have 2 minutes. Anymore and the spell will lose effect. I will not use anymore souls for your foolishness."

"Thank you."

Eliana was already sprinting off at five times her original speed when she thanked Roen. She hurriedly ran to the aid of the closest warrior, and prioritized dragging the injured and dead away from the battle raging between the two aura users and giant lizard. The whole process was completed in one minute.

She then charged at the giant lizard with her unsheathed saber clasped tightly into her left hand. The two warriors quickly adapted to her interference and switched their defensive stance into a more aggressive one. However their assault was coming to a close as Eliana knew she had no time left to continue. She retreated back while telling them her circumstances as quickly as possible.

After she joined they easily overwhelmed the lizard, and they dealt enough damage so her leaving was only a minor setback. They killed the beast by the afternoon after a piling deep cuts all over it's body and letting it bleed to death. The two aura users were given a heroes welcome after they returned exhausted.

"For your assistance in saving our brothers, little lady you have our deepest thanks." The larger of the two men walked over to Eliana as she was resting from Roen's spell. He had a large scar on his exposed chest and wore bearskin pants that wrapped tightly to his legs. He was currently bleeding from many places and had his right arm in a sling.

"Although I have no idea how you got that strength, it should probably come with a price. Here take this it helps soothe pain." The large man handed Eliana a jar of medicinal paste and left to go dress his wounds.

"Did you accomplish your goals." Roen questioned Eliana who was currently rubbing the paste on her arms and legs.

"Some people still died..."

"Considering the fact that many more would as well, you did good."

"I need to be stronger though. So strong that I don't have to lose anyone else."

"You will fail." Roen's comment immediately killed the conversation and Eliana started brooding over his words with an unsatisfied expression. When they got back to their wagon, the young noble started to profusely apologize to Eliana as he believed she was aura user. The two spent the rest of their day in silence till night fell.

"Tell me why there are so many marked souls on this path."

"Marked souls? Do you mean that monster was marked by this egg that you spoke of earlier."

"I have no shred of doubt that the monsters we have been seeing have been marked by an egg. I don't believe that there would be so many marked souls in a certain area."

"Well this road has been named the Monster Road ever since 500 years ago."

"This is rather an unsettling piece of information." Roen's expression turned grim and he began to brood over what Eliana had just told him. Seeing him become like so Eliana stopped and slowly slipped off into sleep.

The next morning Roen awoke to find that Eliana had disappeared! He quickly scanned the wagon and left with haste. When the bright morning light greeted his eyes he found her training with the the warriors she saved the other day. He sighed at his anxiousness. Then gazing at the forrest around him he seemed to be lost in thought.

'Please let me be wrong.' Roen's thoughts held a trace of fear.