The remainder of the journey back was uneventful, and the group reached Lysara shortly after nightfall. The town was just as they'd left it, save for the crowd of anxious citizens awaiting news of the expedition. Nervous families rushed forward seeking loved ones who'd gone missing, and the sight of several joyous reunions brought a smile to Jade's face.
Her satisfaction was tempered by the grieving of families who received more somber news. This including the mother and sister of Tieran, the only member of the expedition to fall in battle. Tiahla, the partner he had fought alongside, wept with them, apologizing repeatedly for her failure to safeguard her companion. Tears flowed freely down their faces as Jade excused herself from the throng, uncomfortable with intruding on private moments of intimate joy and grief.
She found Fenrin at the edge of the town square watching the reunions from a remove and joined him.
"You helped a lot of people today." he said softly, not taking his eyes off the crowd.
"But not everyone."
"Maybe not. But it's important to remember our triumphs as well as our failures."
Jade thought about that. Triumphs and failures. Her life had no shortage of either but, if she were being honest, she spent much more time dwelling on regrets. As if to punctuate the thought, a twinge of phantom pain passed through her ankle. It brought to mind a different failure, one that she had brought upon herself.
"I know." she said quietly. "But I find that easier said than done."
"If it helps, I couldn't have done what you did today. Do you always run into danger like that?"
"Only when I have to."
"It was brave." Fenrin said. Jade was struck by the sincerity in his voice. She was starting to get used to suspicious looks, or at least a wary hesitance, from people who knew her race. Especially when she was in her demon form, as she was now. But nothing in Fenrin's tone or expression even hinted at judgement. Only Luis had accepted her so readily. It was a welcome realization.
"Thanks." She didn't know what else to say and was too tired to be eloquent.
"What're your plans now?"
"We still need to decide." Jade said with a shrug. She leaned back against a tree, relieved to finally have a moment to rest. "I've been told there's someone I should meet in Estelhelm, so that's on the list. We've also been talking about returning home once the gateways are open in a few weeks, at least for a few days. With our wayfarer marks we can't stay long, but no one knows what happened to us."
And we don't know what's happening on Earth…
For the sake of sanity Jade and her companions had refrained from speculating much on the fate of Earth, or from talking about their families. There simply wasn't anything they could do about the situation that they weren't already. Once the gateways opened and they could return, however, that would change. If nothing else, learning the truth would prevent her from endlessly worrying over the fate of her family and friends. Hopefully, her return would allay their fears as well. As much as the discovery that she'd turned into an erotic demon could, at any rate.
Probably best to ease into that part…
Realizing that she'd trailed off, Jade finished answering.
"With any luck, our leaders will be coordinating the effort to resolve the Labyrinth incursion, or whatever it's going to be called." She continued. "Either way, after all of that we'll probably want to get to the third floor and start looking for those cores."
"That's well thought out." Fenrin nodded.
"It's the best we can do for now." Jade shrugged. "But before we leave, I'd like to train. Siora tells me that I could learn a lot from Master Rhysten, and I'm coming to realize that I need all the instruction I can get."
"Smart. There's more to fighting monsters than slinging around spells and talents. The Labyrinth's classes are a good head start, but that's all it is."
The nighttime darkness was too deep for Jade to see clearly, at least in her demon form, but there was enough ambient light from the scattered homes in the trees above for her to make out Fenrin's body language. The young man looked hesitant about something. She could taste it too, his anxiety.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
"What is it?" She asked.
"I was going to ask later, but I suppose now works too. Would it be alright if I joined your group? There weren't any wayfarers in Rimestead when I began my trial. Part of the reason I travelled to Lysara was to search for teammates. I think we worked well together today."
Jade had already been considering asking him to join them. She wasn't sure if Siora or Aylin would want to remain in their party, and having a trustworthy companion from this world was invaluable. That wasn't even considering his obvious combat training and experience.
"I'll check with Naomi and Luis, but I think we'd be happy to have you."
Mirella chirped insistently from her perch on Fenrin's shoulder.
"Yes, I'm sure they mean you too." Fenrin said, giving her a consoling pat on the head.
"Of course." Jade said with a smile. It quickly turned into a yawn, which then spread to Fenrin. Judging from the dispersing crowd of the expedition, the day's adventures were catching up to more than just them.
"Time to rest." Fenrin said, stepping away. "I'm planning on helping with the cleanup over the next few days. If you need anything, I'll be around."
Jade nodded. "We'll see you soon."
He raised a hand in farewell, and then left for the upper levels of the village. Mirella's head drooped against his, the familiar quickly succumbing to sleep. Knowing that she'd soon follow suit Jade sought out Naomi and Luis, returning to their guest quarters together. A short distance away, the crowd of townsfolk was still breaking up, returning to their homes now that the crisis had resolved. More than a few murmured words of thanks as they passed, although Jade also caught a few suspicious glances thrown her way. Too tired to care, she didn't bother shifting out of her demon form as they navigated the hanging walkways suspended between the trees that made up the village.
"This place is safe because of us." Luis said, taking in the nighttime view of the treetop village.
"It feels good." Naomi said quietly. She hadn't said much since the battle. Jade didn't know exactly what had happened in that pit, but she did recall that Naomi and one of the cultists had entered it, and only the idol had left. She considered asking how she was doing but decided to wait for a better time. It was late, and they needed rest.
"Let's do the same for our home, next." She said, instead. The others nodded their agreement.
They reached their guest house to find that Gwyn, the housekeeper, had drawn them each a warm bath. The elven woman bid them goodnight, leaving them to their rest. Washing away the sweat, blood, and dirt left Jade feeling like a brand new person, albeit no less weary. She resolved to discuss Fenrin's request with her friends in the morning and, without another thought, passed out on the bed.
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The next day was something of a novelty for them. For the first time since arriving in the Labyrinth Jade and her companions were in something that resembled normal civilization on a normal day. People went about their days working, shopping, and generally resuming mundane life. Other than most of the people being graceful elves blessed with supernatural beauty, and that the village was itself suspended amongst the forest boughs as if in a child's fairy tale, it was quite a familiar sight. The experience gave Jade a new perspective on the Labyrinth and presented her with a side of it that didn't include bloodshed and frantic battle.
She, Luis, and Naomi spent the first part of the day relaxing and recovering from their recent trials. Her two companions each had new class features to choose from, and Jade had an upgrade point waiting to be assigned, but they decided to hold off for the moment in favor of enjoying some well-earned time away from the life of a wayfarer.
"So?" Jade asked, sipping a fruity drink that Luis had just handed her. He had taken an early trip to the nearby market, returning with all manner of culinary supplies, fresh food, and cooking implements. "What're you two planning on doing today?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Naomi asked, gesturing at her dirt-stained armor. "Shopping! Jade, they have clothes here. Clothes that haven't been worn five times each or been shredded by monsters!"
All three of them had been reduced to wearing their armor when out and about, just to cover the poor state of their other garments. It wasn't a great look.
"That's not a bad idea. I'll join you."
"Aren't we going to stop by Earth as soon as the gates open?" Luis asked. "We can just stock up there."
Naomi gave him a flat look.
"Luis, you do remember that's still weeks away, right?"
He set down the bundle of newly acquired supplies and began rummaging through his pack.
"Ehh, I think I can make it."
"This is the third day in a row that you've worn that shirt." Jade pointed out.
"Yup!" Luis nodded. "And if I do the same with everything else, then I'll have enough to get me through."
The two women exchanged suffering looks.
"Men…" Naomi muttered.
"Yeah, no." Jade said, getting up. She gave Naomi a nod, and each of them took hold of one of Luis's arms.
"You're coming with us."
If we're going clothes shopping. Jade thought as she and Naomi hauled a protesting Luis outside. Maybe I can finally find some enchanted armor that works with my newest racial ability.
She mentally pulled it up again, skimming through the details.
* Succubus Racial Ability: Seducer's Mantle
* Fortify your body with a magical array that protects you from harm and enhances your presence. Gain passive damage reduction and a bonus to charisma. The strength of these bonuses are proportional to your amount of exposed skin, ranging from very low to high. This ability's effectiveness is reduced while not in your demon form. This is an enhancement effect.
Jade wasn't at all looking forward to running around the battlefield half-naked but, if it helped keep her alive, it would be worth it.
Probably.