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Caroline runs a hand through her wet hair after hiding under a hastily spread tarp. She just finished caring for the horses that were set loose to graze by the road - the dense grasses from the surrounding fens, now encroaching on the elevated highway after the years of neglect.

Today the weather took a turn for the worse; just as they've left the forested area it suddenly grew cloudy, and the drizzle that soon caught them while on the road, didn't help the heavy mood weighting on them all.

Last day wasn't easy on anyone - they just can't get a break.

The caravan is taking a well deserved rest from the earlier rush, they wanted to leave the site of their earlier battle with the bandits as soon a possible. Everyone was afraid that it would attract the undead - the scare that the demon served them in the middle of the night only increased those fears, hence the haste. It felt as if a mythical monster suddenly appeared in the middle of the camp; that pressure it released made her break out in a cold sweat - they didn't appreciate the prank.

-Two nights in a row spent on fighting for your lives, that's hard even on the soldiers. The nightmares she thought were a thing of the past, something she got over with early during the war, seemed to plague everyone in the caravan and not many had a proper sleep—. She suspects the damned demon had something to do with it, bringing them those bad dreams.

It is a demon after all - feeding on their fear.

People still need to rest even if time is against them, especially after everything that happened. -Still, did it really have to start raining just as they've left the cover of the forest?

Speak of the devil...

"–So the undead were looking for something? What do you mean?" The creature is now bothering Greg with its many questions.

Thankfully the red menace left her alone after she exploded on it back then, when it woke them up. The dreadful sensation that had Caroline bolt out of her sleeping bag, and the latter jokes, pushed her over the edge - stupid thing to do, considering how powerful the demon is.

"That's only a rumor I've heard, but some say that the hordes seemed to be looking for something. And many survivors claim that they heard whispers demanding they 'hand over the ring' -or something." He explains with a shrug, not even looking back. Their scout is currently performing maintenance on his bow - changing the soaked string, while answering the questions just as was agreed in their deal with the hellish shapeshifter.

She also heard about that, in the early days after the rumors about the cursed started spreading. No one was paying them much attention back then—

Such a big mistake, so many lives could have been saved if the kingdom responded fast enough.

The demonic cat is blinking at the man while tilting its head, black tail nervously swiping the crate it claimed for itself; part of the goods that were retrieved from the bandit's hideout. -Greedy little thing, why does it even want those items?

She got a report from one the the men that went with them, about what the creature took for itself from the cave, and she couldn't figure out its motives. Shiny trinkets she understood, but—

"The dead talk?" The 'cat' seems to be curious about everything.

"Heh! More like groan really, if they are zombies." It's good he can still laugh after almost dying to a skeletal archer. "I don't know about the whispers - heck, I didn't know much about the undead before this whole thing started. Those rarely showed up in the past... maybe outside of some few ruins, and when a necromancer went on a rampage." He shrugs shaking his head.

"Ask C.C. she is the mage around here." And the bastard points at her, drawing the things attention. Crap, she should have found another shelter - but she wanted to check up on the man.

She hates to admit it, but that young bandit Reggie saved them a lot of trouble with his ability.

The innkeepers are pushing hard to spare him from hanging and Caroline is conflicted about the idea. In her book all bandits deserve a noose... But if his claims about having an access to a ship are true, depending on the situation at the town, they might have to take that offer.

How did someone with a talent for healing even end up joining the group of bandits anyway? Anywhere else, the youth would have had an easy life and no issue finding well paid offers to join either the city, a rich guild, or even an adventurer's party. The army was always on the lookout for such talent, but that—

"Caroline- Are you there?" She grimaces at the small feline suddenly sitting by her feet. Why does it have to be a cat? That—

She shakes her head getting rid of the thought. "I'm just tired, what do you want?"

"Are there really intelligent undead out there?" —How could it ask such a thing, isn't it usually the demons that answer mortals' questions about the mystical matters?

Sigh.

"I'm not a scholar nor a necromancer-" She will still answer if that's the payment for the being to keep them safe - if just from itself. "Still, tales of powerful Liches are fairly common. And I don't know if they are truly intelligent, but in ghost stories people often talk or communicate with them. After all those used to be people before being cursed to walk the world of the living - even the skeletons." With a shrug she watches the golden green eyes narrow in thought.

"Are they now—?" That question didn't seem directed at her anymore.

The rain is growing stronger, the drops hitting the waxed fabric over their heads muting the sounds coming from their camp. Maybe she can afford a short nap.

"Hey, how long do you think until we reach that port town? Can we-"

Ugh, or maybe not.

——

A ring? Sitting under a wagon I blink at this unexpected development—

The rain picked up and we likely won't be making much progress anytime soon - just my luck. Thankfully the road was built well and on an elevated terrain, or even a raised embankment where that wasn't available, so the ground is not getting flooded letting me find this relatively dry spot.

-After we disposed of the remaining skeletons back at the village, I was probing Jarred for information and he mentioned rumors about demons and undead, spreading among the adventurers. That was a good sign that the party might have survived - or at least some of them did...

Honestly, I've been pretty suspicious that our venture into the sealed dungeon and the current outbreak of walking dead might be related; the dates seemed like too much of a coincidence and apparently necromancy was never a big issue around here, at least until little over a month ago.

I've now also learned where the damned things came from - hell, I didn't even know back then that Circa returned to her home kingdom; she never mentioned it. Well, I would have likely gave a an earful about that. But this confirmed that our involvement might be the cause of the current problems spreading in Kora kingdom - are we partially responsible?

After hearing some offhand comments about undead searching for something I was slightly worried but—

Was there something else hidden in there in the ancient tomb, and it's not about the crown then?

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

-Doesn't make sense.

Everything started after that fucking cambion made our stupid paladin take the damned thing; it was likely keeping the ancient evil trapped under the mountain and 'Kammi' wanted to stir some trouble for the mortals - or at least that's my current theory. I even entertained the idea she took control of the creatures buried there; sending them after us -It's all her fault.

But was there some kind of a ring out there? I can't think of anything; the cavern with the temple was filled with too much magic and artifacts. Maybe that half-demon took something from one of the raising monsters... and they want it back? Whatever the case, I definitely wouldn't want the crown to fall into their bony hands.

-It must have been enshrined behind those powerful wards for a reason.

I take it out once again, trying to puzzle out what we are missing. A fancy silver crown - who was Solic? I have no idea, nor do I want trouble that could come from asking about that. The less people know about the artifact the better... Hmm, there is a lot of magic stuffed inside such a small object, but nothing too extraordinary.

Definitely not worth all the mayhem that's supposedly ravaging the area. I've kept it mostly just because the extremely dangerous cambion wanted it, and the ominous part about it being a seal - I guess a key doesn't need to be powerful by itself. But whatever it opens could be trouble.

A cry of a waterbird being murdered by a predator in the nearby reeds caught my attention. It's nothing serious, circle of life - still, a welcome distraction, something to let me stop mulling over the issue if just for a bit.

Glancing in that direction I can see big gray wings of some manner of heron, wildly beating the air as it tries to free itself from the maw of a huge salamander. Its futile attempts end when the attacker starts to roll like some wannabe alligator, breaking bones and drowning the bird in the mud.

The mortal realm is so full of life, yet it's far from being a safe place. With mana present in the environment, giant animal can be as deadly as some demons. We can feel many creatures that make the dense meadows and reeds their home; some are just big overgrown beasts, others small and hiding potent magic.

It makes me want to go out and hunt.

I need to add a heron to the list I have made for Jarred. Such a beautiful creature, even if not a practical form.

My thoughts soon return to our own problems though—

When checking last night - after our boss-lady was done whining at me and we found a quiet corner away from prying eyes, we still didn't meet the requirements for the crown after the last level-up. I don't know what getting access to the Shadow Realm entails, but it's not something we want out there with all the cambions and undead necromancers roaming around.

It will be safer in my pocket dimension until we figure it out.

After storing the ancient piece - done with useless worrying, we make our way from under the vehicle and towards the road where I can sense people started to gather.

Slight fog starts to rise from the warm ground of the marsh, as with the change of weather it got much colder - giving the beautiful scenery a haunted look. Everywhere you turn, fields of tall grass surround us now. There's an occasional round shrub or lone tree dotting the landscape of the wetlands, but we are out of the forested area.

Those water soaked fens are apparently dangerous and people were forbidden from leaving the road.

"-This could be a problem." One of the villagers digs a stick into the road. -Great, more trouble is what we need. What happened now?

They all wear waterproof coats, some kind of waxed fabric that keeps most of the water away. Locals were well prepared despite the haste.

"With the spirit protecting us we shouldn't need to worry about the local wildlife, and the muddied road won't be an issue." Angie is with them; she looks back fondly at the giant protector we've lend her together with the heart. As long as she can keep it supplied with mana, the spirit will be able to use this vessel we created with the Rod.

She has some basic knowledge of magic to do at least that - even if her reserves are barely enough for the thing not to crumble, there is still a lot left in the tank. Unless it's forced to fight the golem should last.

I gave the construct enough autonomy that the spirit can use it freely. The thing will hopefully be able to make the journey, even when we go back to hell after escorting them all to the port. Angie will be going with Jarred to the Empire - something they've arranged during this journey, and will bring the heart with her. Apparently the fool is returning home for a funeral - oh the irony, and his family is pretty rich. After his offer of employment the innkeeper pair and their workers didn't hesitate much.

That's not ideal for me, but it's fine. How they plan to transport the elemental across the sea is not my problem; as long as she fulfills our deal she is free to go with them, although I didn't expect she would be willing to leave the country.

Many others actually also wish they could sail away to safety after the horrors they've witnessed - but not all are able to afford the trip.

"Road is old and fell into disrepair, but the mud is only on the surface. It was well made - my pops worked on it, used to tell us stories, and back in the day before the coast highway was constructed it was the main route from heartland to the southern coast." An older man adds, and with a hoe reveals a solid rock hidden under the wet dirt. "The carts will be fine, even if the rain keeps going."

"So, do you believe we could move despite the weather?" Marcus crosses his arms while looking down the road back to where we came from. Few people nod at that - it seems despite the exhaustion they all want to reach our destination as fast as possible. "Alright, we will leave in an hour. We can't stay here for a whole day anyway, especially with the sun hidden behind heavy clouds."

-Just logistic talk. Not interesting.

Instead of helping them prepare, we should better find something to eat so Rose can consume some vitality for us - the clouds, fog, and dense vegetation should be enough to allow us to use the roots. All the stalking and prey-predator play happening around us, is making me want to join in and have some fun - I also prefer to be topped off on life force considering these people's shitty luck, and we didn't get much last night. The energy contained in the fire was very pure, but also hard to grasp and take in.

For whatever reason, it felt as if all the creatures of the swamp grew quiet the moment we slipped into the grass - must be my imagination, we have a proper control over our Presence now after all.

With my stealth skills activating our predatory smile grows larger as we make our way through the dense meadow. -Its good to feel alive.

...

Another heron disappeared from the marsh before the caravan moved out.

——

Much to Marcus' surprise, no undead horde emerged from the dense fog that covered the marsh, nor any beast jumped on the road to drag one of the horses away - well, that second part wasn't entirely true; it was yet another reminder as to why demons are feared across the land.

Seeing a giant lizard that tried to sneak up on them, torn to shreds by a small cat-like creature was equal parts bizarre and scary. Many faces paled when their curios, shapeshifting ally stopped playing with the poor monster; barbed tendrils growing from the demon tore the reptile's head off, before the corpse was overgrown by more pale ones and sucked dry of all blood. -*Sigh, Of course it was also vampiric, why wouldn't it.

The mummified corpse was left by side of the road, where it slid back into the stream it crawled from. The smug looking 'cat' then jumped back on gnomes contraption of a carriage like nothing ever happened. Marcus would have preferred it dealt with the thing without the bloody playing part, as the horses were terrified and almost ran off in panic.

Violent nature of the demon reminded them all that despite Red's mild demeanor they should not take it lightly.

Only Carol was brave or tired enough to argue with the hellion though - but thankfully she is now sleeping on one of the carriages, and even this scuffle didn't wake her up... He is not going to think to deeply about one of the gnomes reporting to him that the demon bought a sleeping potion from them — prank or not, she needed the rest and everything seems to be going suspiciously fine.

...Scolding the creature like it was her cat— Marcus can only shake his head, apparently Red can hold small grudges.

Good thing is, the rain let down back into a light drizzle. Everything is still wet and the air is cold, but at least he can see the horizon again — and what he sees fills him with optimism; they will soon reach the coast.

...

"I've newer seen this tract so deserted." The merchant's worried voice turns Marcus's attention away from watching the waves break on the shore. The fog that's been following them, growing through the day, now rolling over the stone road into the sandy beach. "Not even a single traveler-"

They are now at the junction between the two highways.

Their caravan of refugees finally reached the new route that was build along the coast to facilitate the increased traffic between Kora and the Empire after the Trade Wars. This wider thoroughfare is in a much better state than the old highway, and should allow them to pick up the pace— or at least it would if everyone wasn't already at their limit.

The slight hope of learning about the current situation from the people traveling south was dashed though - there is nobody here, and that made them all more worried.

"We are not far from Coral Harbor now, just few more hours and we will reach the town." The innkeeper Hart supplied, but it's clear the man is to tired to make that final stretch today.

"The folks won't make it, and it's already growin' dark." As one of the locals said, the heavy clouds from the west caused the nightfall to come sooner.

Unfortunately they might have to spend another night on the road, and considering their past record no one is thrilled about that.

"I don't like this mist." A worried woman is glancing back at the thickening white veil; it is starting to look like there is a sea on both sides of the tract now.

"...It just a mist, normal with such damned weather."

"The marsh is to quiet—"

Locals are having a hushed discussion, but Marcus can hear them and shares their concern.

-Where is that damned demon? "Brian, go and try to wake up C.C. Also bring that boy Reggie, he is supposedly good with spirits and— "

A loud *explosion! Startled them all. It came from the wet meadows to the right of the old highway - it sent water and mud high into air, disturbing the mists and revealing and shocking Image.

"Move everyone to the beach!" Marcus' grip on the borrowed spear tightens as he runs towards the last wagons, still left on the old road before the junction. "Get those carts on the coast tract and away from that thing!—"

—Of course we wouldn't get to rest in peace.

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