Ebonheim's high council convened in the Great Hall, with Roderick presiding over the meeting. He stood before the rest of the council, recounting the details of their encounter with Ardeunius and the Order's request for assistance.

"I've spoken with Lorne and the rest of the Silverguard company," Roderick began. "They've agreed to help escort the Order to Old Drakon Castle. Their compensation will more than cover the cost of our services." He paused briefly. "However, there is the matter of this demonic threat..."

The other members of the council exchanged glances.

Bjorn and Thorsten looked especially grim. "Demons..." Bjorn muttered, clenching his fists. "That's a problem."

"It is..." Roderick agreed. "But we can't ignore it either. If demons establish a foothold here or anywhere else nearby...it could spell disaster for our town."

Thorsten stood up and slammed his fist against the table. "Then we must act quickly and decisively! We must march upon these fiends and exterminate them before they become a bigger problem!"

"Hold on..." Bjorn interjected, raising his hand. "You're getting ahead of yourself here." He turned towards Roderick. "We still don't know enough about this situation yet. For starters...why haven't the demons attacked anyone yet? Why haven't they left Old Drakon Castle? They must have a reason for staying there..."

"I'm afraid I can't answer that," Roderick replied. "However...it does seem strange. Perhaps something is preventing them from leaving? Or maybe they're waiting for reinforcements?" He shook his head. "Either way...it seems clear that something odd is going on here."

"I doubt the Order knows how those demons came to be there either," Orin commented, speaking up for the first time since the meeting started. The Ethervein Enclave guild master looked thoughtful, tapping his fingers against the table. "Which means they could be heading into a trap. To march out without sufficient information is reckless and foolish."

"That's true..." Evelyne agreed with a slight nod. "Or maybe this whole thing is just a coincidence. Perhaps the demons found a way to enter this realm and chose that location as their hiding place?" She glanced at Roderick. "Has Ardeunius discussed any other concerns he may have?"

"Not really," Roderick answered, frowning slightly. "Although I suppose he wouldn't reveal everything about his plans...especially if he wants to keep the Order's advantage. But he did mention he expects the numbers to be manageable." He paused for a moment before adding: "Whatever the case may be...it doesn't change the fact that we need to deal with these demons sooner rather than later. If they become too strong or numerous...we won't stand a chance against them."

Engin frowned deeply. "So we're back where we started—without any solid answers." He looked around the table at the others. "When will we expect Ardeunius and his men to arrive?"

"They should have departed from Kernenberge by now, so I'd expect them in about five days' time," Roderick replied. "If everything goes smoothly along the way, that is."

"Then we still have time to prepare ourselves," Engin remarked with a sigh. "There's little point in debating any further right now...until we know more about this situation." He stood up and pushed his chair aside. "I propose we adjourn for now and reconvene once they've arrived—"

"No one shall give direct aid or assistance to the Order of the Burning Shield regarding the eradication of the demons," Ebonheim declared, her voice echoing through the Great Hall.

She had been silent since hearing the news from Roderick, listening intently to the discussion and deliberations among the council. But now she spoke out, cutting through the chatter and silence. The tone in her voice sounded uncharacteristically firm. Her decree caught everyone by surprise—even Engin looked stunned.

Everyone turned towards her in surprise—even Engin looked stunned.

"You're denying them help?" Engin asked incredulously. "Why?"

Ebonheim rested her chin upon her hand as she gazed thoughtfully at the ceiling above.

There were a plethora of reasons that weighed heavily upon her mind—both logical and emotional—for why she didn't want her people to be directly involved in this matter. Most prominent among them being her need to protect her people.

This was a problem outside of their domain—it had nothing to do with them or the town itself. And even though the demons were nearby...there didn't seem to be any immediate threat to the town.

Let this Order of the Burning Shield deal with it themselves. There was no point in involving themselves unnecessarily. She refused to risk the lives of her people for a battle that wasn't theirs to begin with.

"This is not our fight," she replied. "I do not want us to get involved."

"I agree with you," Bjorn said slowly, frowning. "However...we cannot ignore this problem either. The demons will pose a threat to us later on if left unchecked. And I don't want to risk letting them spread to other places in the vale."

"Neither do I..." Ebonheim admitted reluctantly. "But I don't want anyone volunteering to join the Order's crusade either. This isn't something we need to get involved in. The Silverguards can escort them to the location, since they've agreed to help, but our involvement should end there."

Bjorn opened his mouth as if to argue but then closed it without saying anything further. He glanced at Thorsten who shook his head.

Engin approached her and knelt down beside her chair. "Ebonheim...what's the matter? This isn't like you. Not too long ago, you were the one asking us for permission to help Calyxia in her war against the Kungwans. What's so different now?"

Ebonheim flinched slightly at his words.

The memories of how Calyxia had asked for her aid against the Kungwans had never left her. But the situation had been different back then. Calyxia had asked only Ebonheim herself to lend her support—not the entire town. It was her own initiative. She had chosen to fight alongside the Calyxia. That wasn't the case this time.

This time, it was her people that wanted to get involved.

The Silverguard company had already volunteered to help. They were simply fulfilling their contractual obligations as mercenaries. It couldn't be helped, but at least they wouldn't take part directly in any battle. She'd have to instruct Lorne to ensure his soldiers remained out of harm's way until the Order finished their extermination.

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But she didn't want any more people to get involved than necessary. If these demons were anything like the Kungwans who threatened Calyxia's home before...then this battle would be a difficult one. And she didn't want her people risking their lives over something that wasn't theirs to deal with.

Besides, it wasn't that long ago when the town had been raided. She still had many other matters to attend to. The last thing she needed was another potential disaster looming over her head.

"The difference is that I was the one who chose to go to Calyxia's aid—not anyone else," Ebonheim answered firmly. "I'm not refuting the fact that this issue will eventually affect us as well—but we don't have enough information right now to formulate an appropriate response. For now, let's observe and wait. And let's keep our distance from this matter. It's better if we stay out of the way until we know more."

Bjorn's eyes narrowed slightly at her answer. He didn't seem convinced.

"Are you certain this is the best course of action?" Bjorn pressed. "We don't know what could happen next...or when. The Order may fail in their efforts. And if that happens...we'll have to deal with the aftermath ourselves. Are you prepared to face that risk?"

Ebonheim met his gaze evenly. "Yes. If it comes down to it, I'll deal with the demons myself. There's no need for anyone else to put themselves in danger. I don't want another occurance of what happened last time."

Bjorn held her gaze for a long moment before finally sighing heavily. He turned towards Engin and shrugged. "It seems there's nothing more we can do. Ebonheim has spoken. She's decided."

"Even so..." Engin began, "it'd be better if we all stood together in this matter. It's not like us to stand aside and do nothing."

Ebonheim glanced at Engin. "I'm not saying we should sit idly by. I still intend to help the Order by providing supplies and information. I want to support them indirectly. However...I do not wish for anyone else to take direct action on their behalf. That's all I ask."

Engin stared back at her wordlessly. After a moment he nodded. "Very well..." He stood up slowly and took his seat again. "If that's how you feel...then we'll respect your decision." He looked around the table at the others. "Everyone got that? Don't volunteer yourselves to go along with the Order on this quest—no matter how tempting it may sound. We're staying out of this one."

Orin glanced at Evelyne, who shook her head slightly. They both remained silent.

Bjorn, Thorsten, and Engin each nodded in agreement. No one else spoke up to object either. The room fell quiet once more.

Roderick sighed and rubbed his forehead tiredly. "So we've settled that...then there's nothing more to discuss here. I propose we adjourn this meeting until the Order arrives." He looked over at Ebonheim. "I assume that's alright with you?"

"Yes," Ebonheim answered. "We'll reconvene once they arrive."

"Alright...we'll reconvene when the Order arrives," Roderick declared. "Does anyone have anything else they wish to discuss?" When no one answered, he clapped his hands together loudly. "Then we're done for today! Meeting adjourned!"

With that, the council began filing out of the room.

After a while, only Ebonheim and Kelzryn remained behind. The dragon had been standing beside her all along, watching everything unfold.

He waited patiently until everyone else had left before approaching her. He stopped beside her chair and knelt down. "Are you sure about this? Going against your own nature is unwise."

"I'm certain," Ebonheim replied without hesitation. "The safety of my people comes first—before anything else."

Kelzryn tilted his head slightly, gazing at her with piercing eyes. "You're willing to risk offending your own followers? That's not like you..."

"No...but sometimes we have to do things we don't like." She sighed deeply and leaned back in her chair. "I have a really bad feeling about this whole thing. Something tells me that we shouldn't get involved directly. Not this time. It just doesn't feel right."

"Are you worried about what happened before?" Kelzryn asked gently. "With the Kungwans?"

Ebonheim stiffened. "I saw how many Seraphidae died fighting against them." She stared at her hands in her lap, clenching them into fists. "And even though we won in the end...I don't want to experience something like that ever again. If it means keeping my people safe...then I'll do whatever it takes."

Kelzryn stood up and placed his hand on her shoulder. "If that's what you believe is best...then so be it." He gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze. "But remember this—you're not alone anymore. If things get too difficult for you to handle by yourself...then let me know. I'll do whatever I can to help."

Ebonheim looked up at him and smiled weakly. "If I told you to deal with those demons for me...would you do it?"

"Of course," Kelzryn answered without hesitation. "All you need to do is ask." He held out his hand toward her. "So what do you say? Should I take care of this problem for you?"

Ebonheim shook her head. "No...it's alright. This isn't something you should handle either. I'll handle this myself if necessary." She placed her hand in his and squeezed it gently. "Thank you though...for offering to help."

Kelzryn nodded solemnly. "I understand." He withdrew his hand and turned away from her. "I'm going to leave for a bit...I want to investigate the situation myself. I'll return shortly."

"Alright," Ebonheim replied softly. "Be careful..."

"Always," Kelzryn answered, flashing her a quick smile before disappearing into the shadows.

Ebonheim sat alone in the room, lost in thought.

Demons...

Her knowledge about them was limited at best. She didn't know what to expect from them—or how dangerous they'd be. During Roderick's report, she had tried asking the Akashic System for information regarding them...but there wasn't much to go on.

[Demons - A fiendish race of otherworldly beings. Their motives are generally malicious and cruel. Most have dark and eldritch origins. They possess vast supernatural powers and abilities. The stronger ones can influence the world around them with their presence alone.]

That was all the System provided. But there wasn't enough detail or explanation to go on either. She had no idea what these beings were capable of. Nor did she know how dangerous they'd prove to be. All she could do was wait until Ardeunius arrived...and hope that the Order would be enough to deal with them.

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Kelzryn floated high above the ruins of Old Drakon Castle which stood atop a cliff overlooking the vale. He had visited this place once before—when the humans first tried to establish a settlement here centuries ago. It had been abandoned ever since, becoming nothing more than a collection of crumbling buildings, high walls, and cracked stones.

The land surrounding the castle was barren and lifeless. Nothing grew anywhere near it. Not even weeds dared approach the place. A heavy pall hung over the area, stifling the air itself. The sun shone weakly through the thick layer of clouds covering the sky. Everything appeared bleak and desolate.

"Hmmm..." Kelzryn frowned deeply as he gazed upon the ruins below. There was an unnatural aura emanating from the castle—a miasma that seeped into everything around it.

He'd sensed their presence instantly when he arrived here earlier—Asuras.

Over a hundred of them occupied the castle grounds—mostly lower-ranked ones—but there were several stronger ones mixed in as well. Others roamed the surrounding lands aimlessly, prowling through the shadows cast by the setting sun. A few even flew overhead on leathery wings. None seemed to take notice of him as he watched from above. Their attention seemed focused solely on their own activities.

However, their mere presence alone was enough to poison the very ground they walked upon.

Kelzryn couldn't deny the fact that Ebonheim had been right in her decision to stay out of this situation. If her followers participated directly in this battle, they would suffer horribly for it. Even if the Order succeeded in defeating the demons, there would still be severe casualties among the human soldiers. That was inevitable given the strength of the demons below.

But at the same time...it bothered him immensely to leave such foul creatures nearby. He had no intention of going against her wishes, however. Not when she'd already made up her mind.

"How troubling..."