Qing's eyes darted between Morgana and Jenny, taking in their haggard appearance. Their clothes were torn and stained, faces streaked with ash and what looked suspiciously like dried blood.

"You look like shit," Qing said, his attempt at humour falling flat.

Morgana's lip curled. "You're one to talk. What happened to you out there?"

Jenny stepped forward, her shoulders drooping. "We've been fighting off demons non-stop. It was touch and go for a while, but we found a way."

"Then, a day ago, everything changed," Morgana added. "The demons just... retreated. It was like someone cut their strings."

Qing nodded. "That might be my doing. I found a demon hatchery and shut it down. Seems it was draining energy from us to create more of those bastards."

He went on to recount his journey, telling them about Raphael the angel and his trek across the Howling Expanse. As he spoke, Qing carefully edited his tale, omitting the most disturbing details of what he'd experienced in that frozen wasteland.

Some things are better left unsaid.

He suppressed a shudder. The visions he'd endured, the countless versions of himself trapped in ice, the nightmarish creatures that had pursued him – those were burdens he'd carry alone. He made a silent vow never to share those particular horrors with anyone.

"What about the others?" Qing asked instead, eager to change the subject. "Where's Cedric? Rowan?"

Jenny opened her mouth to respond, but Morgana cut her off with a sharp gesture.

"Cedric..." Morgana hesitated, her eyes flicking across the plain. "You should see for yourself."

* * *

Qing's eyes widened as they approached a towering wall, its surface eerily similar to the one he'd scaled to reach the Howling Expanse. A flicker of movement on his minimap caught his attention, and looking closer, he spotted a narrow opening.

As they neared, two familiar figures emerged from the shadows. Knut and Ruqiya stepped forward, their faces lighting up.

"Qing!" Knut exclaimed, pulling him into a bear hug, slapping his back. "Thank the gods you're alive."

Ruqiya nodded. "I'd nearly started looking for another future son-in-law when that oppressive pressure lifted."

Qing chuckled weakly, but noticed they both looked better than when he'd last seen them, less haggard and drained. He offered a tired smile. "I managed to shut down a demon hatchery. Should've stopped the energy drain on all of us."

At least for now.

As the words left his mouth, Qing felt a twinge of unease. The memory of the Alchemancer loomed in his mind, but he hesitated to share the full extent of that encounter. Exhaustion weighed heavily on him, and he dreaded the thought of reliving those moments or facing potential judgment from his companions.

Knut seemed to sense Qing's fatigue. "We'll keep watch here," he said. "You head on in."

Ruqiya nodded in agreement. "We'll make sure you're not followed."

As they proceeded into the hidden area, Morgana couldn't resist a jab. "As if he's going to watch anything but her tits, am I right?"

Jenny merely grunted in response.

Qing ignored it, staring at how the walls stretched impossibly high on either side, creating a narrow passage that seemed to defy the laws of physics.

"How did you find this place?" he asked, marvelling at the hidden location.

Morgana shifted uncomfortably. "Cedric led us. I'll… let Ghida tell you the details."

Qing's eyes widened as the narrow passage opened into a vast bowl-shaped area nestled within the mountain. His tactical mind immediately assessed the location's strategic value. The natural walls provided excellent cover, except from aerial attacks, while the single entrance point made it easily defensible.

But what truly stunned him was the sight at the centre of the camp: a shimmering portal, its azure surface rippling like disturbed water. People moved back and forth between Hell and what he assumed was Elrydisan, carrying supplies.

The camp itself bustled with activity. Qing counted roughly fifty people, most of whom he didn't recognise. Tents dotted the area, and supplies were neatly stacked along the mountain wall. The setup formed a natural fortress with only one entrance. Humanity had gained a foothold in hell.

Among the unfamiliar faces, two stood out. Ghida stood near a group of people, deep in conversation, while Cedric sat near the portal, cross-legged in the middle of a complex diagram carved into the ground, his eyes closed in concentration. Magic radiated from the wizard.

Morgana leaned in, her voice low. "Cedric's been maintaining the portal and concealing our presence. It's... taking its toll on him."

Qing frowned. Even from here he could tell Cedric looked older than last he had seen him, his hair longer, and streaked with silver. Before he could respond, a cry rang out.

"Qing!"

Ghida had spotted him. She rushed forward, her face alight with joy. He stepped forward to meet her, and closed his eyes as she threw her arms around him. A surge of emotion threaten to overwhelm him as he smelled her hair, and felt her body against his. The horrors of the Howling Expanse flashed through his mind, and for a moment he doubted whether this was real, but he pushed it aside, losing himself in Ghida's embrace.

Their lips met in a passionate kiss, conveying all the fear, longing, and relief of their separation. For a moment, the weight of Qing's quest faded away, leaving only the two of them.

"I missed you," Ghida said, running a hand down the side of his face.

"Likewise."

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"How was it?"

Qing looked away, lips pressed together.

"Never mind," Ghida said. "Forget I asked. All that matter is that you are back. We have plenty of time to talk later. You… look like you need a break." She gently took his hand and lead him towards a large tent near the centre of the camp. As they walked, Morgana and Jenny bid their farewells, heading back out to resume their scouting duties.

Inside the tent, Qing's eyes widened at the sight of a sturdy wooden table laden with food and drink. His stomach growled, reminding him how long it had been since he'd eaten.

"Sit, eat," Ghida urged, pushing him gently into a chair. "You look like you haven't had a proper meal in days."

Qing nodded gratefully, alternating bites into a loaf of bread and a slice of salted ham. Between mouthfuls, he asked, "How did you find this place?"

Ghida came and sat in his lap, her eyes never leaving his face. "Cedric. He... he contacted the previous Kine Ashguard. Don't ask me how. I… Maybe he can tell you. But they led us here and showed us how to open the portal."

Qing paused mid-bite, his brow furrowing. "Previous?"

"I know," Ghida said. "We were all surprised when he started talking to the dead. Qing... you've been gone for a week."

The bread turned to ash in Qing's mouth. He swallowed hard, setting down the loaf. "A week? But that's... I couldn't have been..."

Ghida reached across the table, squeezing his hand. "I'm just glad you are back."

The Howling Expanse. Maybe time moves differently? Or was it the crawl through the tunnel? The hatchery? Or…

Qing slumped in his chair, exhaustion washing over him. "I..." He chuckled. "I feel like I've watched all the Star Wars movies, back to back, three times." He ran a hand across his face.

Ghida chuckled. "No idea what that means, nor what we expected, but Hell is… It's not just a realm of chaos and destruction. It's... it's more like a corrupt kingdom. One that needs to be understood and navigated carefully."

Qing looked up, meeting her gaze. "What do you mean?"

"Think about it," Ghida said. "The demons, the hierarchy, even the landscape itself - it all follows an unfamiliar logic. We can't just charge in swinging our swords. We need to learn its rules, its weaknesses."

"You are right. I…

…nearly let a demon lord loose on the universe.

"I don't recognise most of the people in the camp. Who are they?"

Ghida's eyes lit up with pride. "We're gathering quite the force. There are soldiers from Zylphadia, of course, but also contingents from Thulenore and Kaeloria. King Oscar and Queen Ildri sent their best when they heard of our mission."

Qing nodded, glad to hear the negotiations on the ship had turned out well. "And what of Rowan and Aria?"

"They're on the other side of the portal," Ghida said, running a hand through his hair. "Aria's coordinating with the Shadowgrove militia, while Rowan's working with the Zylphadian army to prepare more troops and supplies."

Qing's brow furrowed as he remembered something. "What about Captain Thundershield? Is he still..."

Ghida's expression turned serious. "He's been freed, but Morgana won't let him leave Hell to return to Earth. She's... adamant about that. But he's not idle – he's been training the sailors we brought with us. They're shaping up to be quite the fighting force."

Qing couldn't help but smile, looking up at the gorgeous princess. "You've done an incredible job organising all of this. I... I'm in awe of your leadership, Ghida."

A faint blush coloured Ghida's cheeks. "Thank you, Qing. But it's been a team effort. Everyone's been working tirelessly to make this happen."

"That might be, but-"

An angry shout from outside had Ghida jumping to her feet and marching from the tent.

Qing followed, ham and bread in hand, emerging into the never-changing light to see two men in ornate uniforms facing off, their faces contorted with anger. One bore the insignia of Thulenore, the other of Zylphadia. Around them, soldiers from both kingdoms watched warily, hands hovering near their weapons.

"Your men are compromising our entire operation!" the Thulenorean officer shouted, his voice thick with frustration. "They refuse to follow the patrol schedules we agreed upon!"

The Zylphadian officer bristled. "Because your schedules are suicide! You'd have us marching straight at the barrier with no reconnaissance!"

"We don't have time for your overcautious approach," the Thulenorean snapped back. "Every moment we delay is a moment the enemy grows stronger! Who knows when they will return, and how strong they will be!"

"And every man we lose to your reckless tactics is one less defender," the Zylphadian said. "Or do Zylphadian lives matter so little to you?"

The argument escalated, with both men hurling increasingly bitter accusations about battle plans, chain of command, and the competence of each other's troops. Soldiers gathered closer, forming two distinct groups.

Qing sighed, exhaustion turning to irritation. Fools, both of them. With a thought, the glaive was in his hand. Maybe it would be better if he simply ended their argument for them.

We don't have time for this nonsense. Every second wasted is a second closer to the Devil's freedom.

But before he could act, Ghida's voice cut through. "Enough! Both of you, stand down now!"

Both officers turned, startled by her commanding tone.

Ghida continued. "We stand in the very depths of Hell, surrounded by forces that would see us dead, and yet you bicker as if this is a camel raid between neighbouring clans?"

She addressed the Thulenorean first. "Captain, we cannot afford to throw lives away recklessly." Then, turning to the Zylphadian, she added, "But neither can we afford to waste time."

"From this moment, we will form a joint operations council. Each kingdom will have equal representation, and all major decisions on tactics and resource allocation will be made collectively, with myself or Qing as the final decision maker. Furthermore, we will integrate our forces, mixing Thulenorean, Zylphadian, and Kaelorian soldiers in each patrol unit." She looked over to meet the gaze of a third captain watching from the sideline. "This will ensure equal risk and strategic insight."

The officers hesitated, so Ghida pressed on. "Gentlemen, division is a luxury we cannot afford in Hell. Every moment we spend fighting amongst ourselves is a victory for our true enemies. United, we stand a chance. Divided, we are already defeated. Besides, if I know the man behind me half as well as I think I do, he is half of mind to cut you down and replace you with someone with the right priorities."

The officers glanced at Qing, and he stared them down. They turned to Ghida, anger giving way to respect.

The Thulenorean spoke first, his voice gruff but no longer hostile. "Your princess speaks wisdom. We cannot afford to be divided in this infernal realm."

The Zylphadian nodded. "Agreed. This is not the desert."

As the two men shook hands, the tension dissipated, and the soldiers dispersed.

Ghida turned back to him and Qing unequipped his weapon, managing a tired smile. "Impressive," he said. "You've really come into your own as a leader."

Ghida's eyes betrayed her own weariness. "Someone has to keep order. Come on, let's get you some rest. We have a long fight ahead of us."

Qing checked his quest log as she led him back inside.

Quest: [The Hunted Becomes the Hunter

The Devil’s generals have become aware of your presence in Hell. Magdalus the Redeemed leads the first wave of demonic forces to eliminate you. You are not ready to fight.

-Objective: Avoid or defeat Magdalus the Redeemed’s army

-Optional Objective: Gather intelligence on Magdalus and her forces

-Optional Objective: Defeat Magdalus the Redeemed in personal combat

Time until arrival: 10 hours

-Reward: Stormcaller’s Regalia

-Optional reward: The Astral Sage’s Attire

-Optional reward: The Phantom Arrow’s Battleset

Qing blinked his in disbelief. Despite his week-long absence, the timer had only moved twenty hours.

He considered asking Ghida more details of what had happened, but the tiredness hit him like a demon truck-kun, and he swayed on his feet.

Maybe the quest only updates when I'm present? Either way, we're running out of time, but ten hours?

For a moment, Qing considered rallying the troops, scouting the area, preparing a defence. But he'd seen the camp. Not much he could do in his current state.

A few hours of sleep will do me more good than frantic preparations. Besides, I'm barely standing as it is.

He kissed Ghida on the cheek, somehow answered her questions, though he couldn't for the life of him remember what she'd asked, and collapsed down on a simple cot that looked more inviting even than his bed back home.

As his head hit the pillow, exhaustion overwhelmed him. The horrors of the Howling Expanse, the battle in the hatchery, and the long journey there and back again all caught up with him at once. Qing's eyes closed, and he instantly fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

Until someone slapped him in the face.