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Velvet opened the door to the Tranquil Woods. The forest was in the same shape as the Morgana Woods, but not as severe. There were blocks of dried up farming lands along the road to the coast. The pair continued their path into the wilderness. However, Avernus was lost deep in his thoughts. The village elder's warning about the Empyreans and the shrine of tranquility, the earthpulse points, and the hidden temple, all led to the evidence of an old and ancient power that was buried somewhere in this land.

Velvet pointed to the cornfields, "Laphicet and I used to play in these fields all the time."

Avernus shook his head, "It’s a shame to see these fields in such a state. I guess the fate of the Tranquil Woods is not far from the Morgana Woods. We need to find a solution or else the whole world will end up like this."

Avernus paused for a moment. He remembered Arthur's knowledge and power to tether and converse with malakhim and decided to gather more information about him.

"Velvet, I have a question about Arthur. Is he… from around here?"

"Actually, no. Why do you ask?", wondered Velvet.

"Well, it’s pretty obvious… but what's his story? I'm sorry If I'm digging too much. I'm new to Midgand, so I don't know much about this continent."

"It's alright.", Velvet giggled, "It’s funny to see you so apologetic. Kind of not so… you."

"What are you saying? That I don’t mean what I say?"

"No! I mean that you resemble someone who’s… strong like Arthur. But when you apologize, it seems to be out of your character."

"Hah… I think I’ll take that as a compliment. So back to our original topic; Arthur."

"Oh, right. Well, seven years ago, my sister Celica found him outside the village in the Morgana Woods and offered him a place to stay in our village… Exactly like what happened with you…" Suddenly she paused. Her stare was locked onto the distance. She muttered something, " Just… like… you."

"Hmm? Sorry, I didn't catch that last part."

Velvet violently shook her head to clear her mind.

"No! It’s nothing!", Velvet took a deep breath and continued, "Celica took care of Arthur, and he decided to stay with us. Eventually, they fell in love, got married and wanted to have a child together. But… you know what happened after that…"

"He didn't want to leave? Didn't he want to go back to where he came from? He didn't have any family or friends to return to?"

Velvet's face scrunched in annoyance, "What?! No! Of course not! He couldn't leave us! We are his family!", Velvet said, annoyed.

Avernus waved his hands defensively, "Okay, don't get angry. I meant no disrespect, Velvet. I'm sorry,"

Velvet quickly smirked, "There’s that face again!"

Avernus frowned and huffed. He was being teased by Velvet, but Avernus would have his comeback.

After a few minutes, they moved further into the forest. Crossing a small wooden bridge that was over a stream, Velvet pointed out a clearing along the path.

"That area looks promising, Avernus."

"Well, let's find these poor Prickleboars.", Avernus said, probing the path as they walked down the small areas between the trees.

Velvet suddenly pointed out to a single fuzzy creature further away and shouted, "There! Prickleboar!" She then immediately charged the animal. "Stay here, Avernus. I’ll take care of this one!"

Avernus crossed his arms. "Alright."

Velvet attacked the creature with a flurry of blows and slashed away using her legs. While not super durable, her swarm of quick attacks overwhelmed the beast and stunned it, leaving it vulnerable to be knocked out by her Rising Moon kick. The creature backflipped and crashed in the dirt. In the meantime, another boar entered the fray, charging Avernus instead.

“This’ll be easy.” Avernus dodged the charge attack easily, sidestepping to the side. Avoiding its attack, Avernus punched the boar's side as it passed him, and hurled it to a nearby tree.

"Yeah! That's how I do it!", Velvet cheered, "Wow, that was… fast."

Avernus put the body of the unconscious boar onto his shoulder, smirking, "A punch? Nah. But yours was fancy."

Velvet gasped and blushed, "W-What is that supposed to mean?"

Avernus strengthened himself up. "I meant that was some elegant and effective use of your leg-fighting techniques, Velvet. Arthur taught you well."

Velvet cheeks flushed red. "I… thanks. That's what I do when I fight most of the time. Most of my leg techniques are self-taught. I somehow got used to doing it. I prefer martial arts, but I’m good with swords and blades too."

Avernus looked at Velvet's wrist, "What about your wrist blade? How do you apply that in combos?"

Velvet lifted her arm, "Oh, you noticed."

Avernus raised his right arm and showed his sheathed Dreamshadow. "You could say that I'm an expert in wrist-based weaponry."

"I don't usually use it. It’s a little too slow, but I prefer to implement my quicker techniques."

Avernus stepped closer, "Can I see it, Velvet?"

She nodded and tried to open the lace on her wrist blade.

"No, you don't need to." Avernus held her right hand and released the blade, then he touched the edges and mumbled something. All of a sudden, the blade flashed bright red, and for a second, it engulfed in a small flame. For a moment, Velvet tried to pull her arm back, but Avernus firmly gripped it. He looked at Velvet, smiled and said in a low soft voice, "Don't move.", and continued his indistinct speech. The blade then flashes green.

"All done."

"What did you do?", asked Velvet, surveying her weapon.

"I've placed an enchantment on your wrist blade. Now after killing any enemy, it will heal you. You can also inflict fire damage into their wounds. Although it is not something super destructive, since a master smith didn't forge this blade in a way that can be suitable for higher enchantments. But it’s better than nothing."

"Thank you, Avernus. I didn't expect anything like that."

Avernus picked up both prickleboars, "Don't mention it. Happy to help, Velvet."

Velvet was busy checking her newly powered up weapon, but suddenly remembered about Avernus' request to see the shrine.

"Oh, about the shrine; we can go this way while hunting for a few more prickleboars." She pointed out a tunnel ahead of them. Avernus nodded, and they headed towards the path to the Shrine of Tranquility.

After a few minutes of walking, Velvet closed her eyes and took a deep breath, "I can smell the sea."

Avernus shook his head, "I’ve been traveling on the sea for several months. My nose can no longer endure the smell of seawater."

Velvet flashed a glance at the dead prickleboars on his shoulders, "The cold weather's been terrible on everyone's crops, but at least the city will buy our prickleboar meat now."

"Yeah. With the current situation, your village needs to find new ways of providing food and economy. Having a long-term plan is crucial… How about raising animals? I saw a pen of rappigs in the middle of your village."

Velvet beamed, "That's right! Laphi and Arthur have been hoping the village could start raising them, but they can be so temperamental."

"I'm not an expert on these things, but couldn't you bred them with something other than their kind?"

Velvet put her left hand under her chin and said, "Yeah, I wonder if they could be bred with more docile pings… What would we call them, oinkleboars?"

Avernus and Velvet looked at each other for about a few seconds. Avernus's face wrinkled. She decided to come up with another name.

"Nah, doesn't sound appetizing. What about piggleboars?", Velvet paused for a moment, "Yeah! Piggleboar! That's a cute name!"

Avernus raised his eyebrows, "Come on! Piggleboar?! Do you intend to sell them to kids at the market?"

Velvet sighed, "Yeah, you're right. Maybe too cute, though. We wouldn't want to discourage people from eating them."

"Well, leave the naming for later, Velvet." But then Avernus turned slowly to her, wearing a charming smile. “You know Velvet, it is really fun being with you. It is more like…”

Velvet gasped as she looked up to see Avernus, silhouetted by the sunlight behind him. Her innocent mind added some flowery senses around his face. 

“... A date.”

Velvet’s heart pounded against her chest. “D-Date?!”

“Uhum.”

Avernus landed his comeback. Velvet was caught by surprise. Her mind scrambled. The feeling was so strange. It suddenly stretched throughout her whole body. It was overwhelming, like Velvet was in a dangerous fire, but safe at the same time. Her heart began to dance around her chest and revealed a hole, that Velvet was never aware was there, begging her to be filled. 

It was frightening how someone from being a complete stranger, to being completely infatuated by them as if they belonged there with them.

Avernus’ hair bellowing by the wind didn’t help. But Velvet fought against her new feelings and pushed them down. Suddenly, she saw a group of four more prickleboars.

Her rescue couldn’t come at a better time. Their mind immediately shifted away.

 Avernus noticed them as well, and before charging them, Velvet whipped her head at him, "Avernus, can I make a request?"

"What is it, Velvet?"

"Would you use your staff? I want to… see you use it.", Velvet innocently asked.

"Oh, sure! I thought using Dreamshadow would be overkill against them." He clenched his fist, and Dreamshadow ejected from his gauntlet; The body of the staff extended from the golden sigil on the top. And then, Avernus grabbed it in mid-air. The dragon sigil began to glow. Avernus saw Velvet still leering at it. He smiled and twirled the staff towards the first prickleboar. A ball of blue electrical light hit it, sending the animal flying across the path. He then fired another lighting ball at the second prickleboar. The creature whimpered in pain as it electrocuted and fell motionlessly on the ground.

Velvet charged the second group and began attacking both of them at the same time. Avernus turned to Velvet, "Watch out for your stamina, Velvet! You’ll lose more stamina if all you do is constantly hit them!"

"I know! But I need to take these prickleboars down! Searing Edge!" Velvet slashed her wrist blade at the boars. The strike burned them in the process and took them out in a few more swings.

Avernus looked at Velvet with approval, "Good job, Velvet."

She turned to glance at him. The adrenaline levels were running high in her veins.

"However, Velvet, you need to…" Before Avernus could finish his sentence, he suddenly saw the pillars of the shrine in the distance. Avernus immediately paced.

"This… is not a shrine.", Avernus started mumbling, but Velvet couldn't hear him. He hesitated to move. From his point of view, the area around him began to blur. The skies grew darker, the world went silent, time froze, and he began to hear whispers, " …Begone… "

"…"

"Begone… Trespasser… You don't belong here…"

There were more strange and unintelligible whispers. All he could comprehend was the hostile atmosphere of the shrine. Avernus began to rub his forehead.

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Velvet slid to his side, "This place isn't safe. That hole's gotten bigger. I've told them a thousand times they ought to build a fence, but they keep saying it's "forbidden land." Even Celica used to scare me with it. She was always “This is a gateway to the underworld.” Well, I'm too old to keep falling to that nonsense!"

She heard Avernus gasping, and as soon as she turned to look at him, he dropped to his knees.

Velvet scrambled to his side, "Hey, are you okay?! What's wrong?!" She noticed he was sweating hard. Avernus managed to open his eyes and glanced at her,

"I'm fine. I-It's nothing…"

Velvet swiftly took a handkerchief from her pocket and began to wipe the sweats off from his forehead.

"You'll get sick. Let's rest here for a bit. Maybe the weather is getting to you."

Avernus locked into her gaze. Velvet was concerned, but for whom? He was a total stranger. There was no reason for her to go this far for someone she barely knew.  Velvet noticed his stare and quickly found out that she might have taken things a bit too far. Her cheeks were flushed red. She couldn't help it but she pulled herself away.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I just wanted to make sure that you don't catch a cold or something. The sea breeze is merciless."

Avernus flashed a smile, "Thanks. You're so kind, Velvet."

She dropped her head to hide her flustered face from Avernus. 

He put down the prickleboars and sat near the edge of the cliff, trying to keep his thoughts together. Velvet saw his frown grow, his brow knotting. She tried to bring up a topic to distract him from the notion that his mind was going through.

"So! Those artes were awesome. Although I’ve seen exorcist artes before, yours were kind of different."

Avernus snickered, thinking about a life he had back in Hyland. Whispers made him realize something; wherever he goes, the past always follows. Escaping from it was never an option.

"Have you ever wondered; if you had a chance to relive your life, who would you want to be?", Avernus abruptly asked.

Velvet starred in the horizon, "Umm… I don't know. I'm happy now just being here with Laphi and Arthur. But I’d like to join the exorcists and fight daemons!"

Avernus shook his head, "Of course, my bad. You are still young."

Velvet was confused by his statement.

"I was about Laphicet’s age when I performed my first ritual. I didn't have a say in which path I could choose. They made that decision for me. I always wanted to go back and make things right. But it was a fool's notion…"

Avernus turned to Velvet and saw her puzzled face, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. Those are all in the past. My past."

Avernus rose on his feet and went to pick up the rest of the prickleboars.

"No, it's okay. I'd like to hear it!", Velvet slowly followed him.

"Maybe later. In the meantime, we should get back to the village before these prickleboars become carrion."

The duo continued their path back towards the village. Avernus was still preoccupied with his thought. Velvet, having seen his gloomy face, decided to come up with something to cheer him up, but before she could say anything, a passel of prickleboars ambushed them.

"Wait. The boars we hunted… are you their…" Velvet was unsure whether to attack them after they got enough meat for trading. Avernus put his hand on her shoulder and nodded.

"Velvet… get ready."

She returned his gesture with her smile, and maybe some more fighting will make Avernus happy again.

"Maxim three. “Never waver once your sword is drawn. Control your feeling to control the tide of battle!"

Velvet drew her blade and charged at the prickleboars. Avernus raised Dreamshadow and slammed it into the ground. A sequence of ground quakes occurred underneath the creatures and threw them up in the air. Velvet jumped and slashed all five prickleboars at the same time, killing them before their bodies could reach the ground.

"I did it!"

Suddenly, one of the downed prickleboars got back up, exuded a dark aura, and quickly attacked Velvet. All she could think of at that moment was to cover her face. Immediately, Avernus jumped and grabbed her, summoning a protection ward that led to the contaminated prickleboar smashing its head on the shield.

"Seres!", someone shouted before a fireball hit the prickleboar, killing it in a single blow.

"A malak arte?", Avernus wondered, scanning the area.

"Pride and anxiety. Pity for the enemy. The thrill of victory…" Avernus turned to the source. He saw Arthur and Seres approaching them.

"Your emotions run too hot. That will be your downfall, Velvet."

Avernus didn't realize that he was still shielding the girl. He was unintentionally hugging Velvet in a tight clinch. Her head was resting on his chest. To Velvet, it felt like a tight embrace. She experienced a series of different unwanted and first-time emotions. She could hear his heart beating against his taut chest and his cologne invaded her senses. Velvet felt a goosebump, and her body shook from embarrassment. Velvet slowly pushed away Avernus, and he gently released her.

Avernus turned to Arthur, "She did very well; controlling emotions need time and practice."

Seres also joined the conversation and said, "Having affection is also Velvet's great merits."

"Agreed. It's one of Velvet's virtues as well.", Arthur replied.

Avernus looked at Velvet and saw her peeping at the ground and was consumed by her thoughts. Seres and Arthur were still arguing about her.

"Scolding her was unnecessary. Avernus had that under control."

"Yes, I know. But even so, she's got to…" Arthur didn't finish his sentence and focused on an emblem hanging from the end of his sword’s hilt. Velvet snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Arthur as he moved closer to them.

"Arthur's fourth maxim. “Never let your guard down, even when victorious.”"

Velvet nodded, "Got it!"

"In any case, this should be enough to buy Laphicet's medicine. I'll drop the prickleboars off at the shop before I head out."

Avernus folded his arms and wore his serious face, "We need to talk, Arthur, about that prison you have in your backyard."

Arthur slowly turned his head towards him, meeting his stare.

"About the shrine, you mean?" Avernus nodded slowly, waiting for a response. With an apathetic smile, Arthur bowed his head slightly,

"I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow. For now, I need to go and meet someone."

Avernus loosened his tense posture, "I'll take care of the boars. you go ahead and meet your contact."

"You want to go where?", asked Velvet.

"The person I was supposed to meet is late. I don't think I'll be home tonight. I came out here to let you know. You two will have to pick up the medicine yourselves."

Velvet’s face ran with all manners of concerns, "Right…"

"One more thing. I saw a group of daemons near the village. If you're attacked by them, run away. Am I clear?"

"No way! I-I can handle a bunch of… "

Avernus cut Velvet short, whirling his head at her, "He’s right, Velvet. Fighting animals and humans is one thing. But fighting daemons is another. You need artes and magic to fight them. If you see any of them, just leave the fighting to me."

"This young man is right, Velvet. Only those with the talent for exorcism can challenge daemons. That's the cold logic of the world, and no emotions can change it.", Arthur said.

Velvet went silent again. After a few seconds, she asked, "Do you think… I could become an exorcist, Arthur?"

Arthur looked up at the sky, "Why is it you think that birds fly?"

Velvet followed his stare, and she saw a bird flying above, "Why? …Well, without flying, they couldn't find food…"

"It takes a particular innate talent to be an exorcist. Unfortunately, very few humans have it within themselves.", responded Arthur.

Velvet sensed that a part of her dreams went away. But nothing could take away her spirit. "…Alright."

"Tomorrow is Celica's memorial day. I'll be back as soon as I can."

Velvet smiled, "Hurry back. I'll make you a quiche just the way she taught me."

Avernus stared at Velvet. Even though Arthur was cold towards her, Velvet's mood was cheerful. Among pessimistic and selfish people he had to deal with, she had the most vigorous spirit. At that moment, he adored her.

" She's… just too damn precious ."

Avernus walked to her side. Velvet noticed him and turned, "You don’t need to worry about becoming an exorcist. This natural talent Arthur told you is nothing special. For the most part, it can divert you from your main path in life. It wouldn’t necessarily have changed you for the better.", advised Avernus.

"But I want to help. I want to be strong so that I…"

"You’re already strong. And you’re reliable, Velvet. The qualities you possess are far more superior to being able to see malakhim or cast some special artes.", Avernus smiled and continued, "I will teach you whatever I can. I promise."

After hearing him, a glimmer of hope entered her heart again, but after seeing the bodies of the dead prickleboars, the feeling went away instantly.

"I wonder if those prickleboars were brothers… Maybe I should have let them go." She looked at Avernus with uncertainty. He didn't say anything, but after a few moments of pausing, something flashed in her eyes, "But then how would I pay for Laphi's medicine? Hunting took care of that. And it means food for us as well. I had no other choice! It was a rational decision!"

Avernus nodded, "Emotions can be used as a weapon. But remember, the power of your weapon or any weapon comes from your heart when tempered by your mind. True strength lies in self-control and the discipline of the one who wields it."

"You're right… The fact that I'm still worried about it shows that my feelings are getting the better of me…", Velvet answered, shaking her head.

"Do not think of them as a living creature; think them as a target. Do not lose the sight of your goal, and you'll do better.", Avernus comforted her.

He walked towards the prickleboars, casting an ethereal rope to tie up the remaining animals.

"Avernus’ first maxim. "Expect the worst. Assume nothing. And always anticipate an attack.", he declared stridently.

Velvet started to feel close. A lot closer to the city boy. To her, she felt like they’ve known each other for a long time. A connection she couldn't describe.

After an hour of walking back to the village, both of them went towards the shop. Avernus called out to the shopkeeper and went beside the building to drop the prickleboars. Velvet saw her childhood friend Niko strolling through the village along with her two dogs.

"Niko! Here for groceries?"

The girl turned to Velvet, "Yep. And you must've been out hunting."

One of the dogs came to her side. She crouched and started to pet the mutt.

"Yeah. It was a good haul. We hunted a lot of prickleboars."

"We? Oh, right. You were out with your guest. What was his name again? Aha, Avernus! Such a strange name, though."

Velvet narrowed her eyes at her, "You sure are a lot more informed, Niko."

Niko giggled and stepped closer to Velvet, putting her arm around her shoulders, squeezing her. "You are so lucky, girl. I'm so jealous. I don't think I can find a man like him, even in Loegres, that would have half of his decency. Look, he’s as tall as Arthur, manly and handsome!"

Velvet cheeks started to heat up, her feelings sprouting again like flowers from cracks in the stone, "No, it's not what you think! He just helped me with the hunt!"

Niko leaned her head closer, "You don't need to hide it from me, Velvet! I'm your best friend!"

Velvet swallowed but stayed silent. She didn’t know what to say. Anything would be a betrayal of her emotions.

"What? Do you want to tell me that the rose he bought this morning was NOT for you?". Niko frowned.

"It was, but he also said that it was just to show his appreciation for what I had done for him during his stay here."

Niko rolled her eyes and shook her head, "Are you stupid, Velvet? Who buys a rose just to show “appreciation”?"

"I… I don't…", Velvet's voice started to shake. The idea was too much for her to handle.

Niko suddenly began to sniff, "What's that smell, Velvet?"

Niko moved closer and smelled Velvet's clothes, "Of course! It's a man's cologne! You two practically went together in the woods. So tell me the whole story! I want to hear every detail. Is he a good kisser?"

Velvet's long brows darted to the top, her cheeks blushing hard, "W-What are you saying?! We didn't do anything! He just… shielded me from an attack! That's why you can smell his cologne on me!"

Niko face-palmed, "Are you serious? Of course, you're so dense."

Velvet's voice stuttered, "Wh… What should I have done? It's inappropriate! He's a friend."

Niko elbowed her waist. “Don’t be stupid. He probably did it as an excuse to hold you. Don't you see the connection here? Don’t you remember how Arthur came to town? The same thing happened seven years ago. Now it’s happening again! For you this time. It’s fate, Velvet! Fate!"

Niko wasn't wrong. Velvet felt a goosebump; Celica met Arthur in the exact same way.

Velvet closed her eyes and shook her head, trying to ward off the untimely feelings that were sprouting. "No! I don't have time for romance!"

Niko began scratching her head, "Really? Don't you want a boyfriend, Velvet? Especially when there’s a good specimen right next to you?"

Velvet avoided Niko's stare, "He's much older than me! And besides, I can't think about having a boyfriend when Laphicet needs me."

Nilo rolled her eyes, "Hmph. You don't get it, Velvet… I’ll fix this for you."

Velvet glared at Niko with a pleading look, but she returned it with a smirk, "Look at you, Lady Breadwinner!" Niko turned her head towards Avernus and the shopkeeper.

Niko spoke louder so Avernus could hear her. "If I were a boy, I think I'd be in love with you, Velvet."

Avernus understood what was happening and gave Niko an ice-cold glare from afar.

"What the hell are you doing, Niko?! I'm a girl! I-I know how to handle this myself.", Velvet scolded, panicking shortly after.

"Oh, yeah? If you don't need my help, you oughta at least do something about your style, then. Masculine as always. You're a girl. You need to show that side more often.", said Niko.

She touched her tousled hair and said, "Ah, yeah… I kinda broke my comb."

"So get a new one."

"Sure, I'd like to, but…"

Niko pointed out to a hair comb that was displayed on the shop's shelves and called out to the shopkeeper, "Hey, Mister! How about a sale on combs for the pretty girl?"

The haggle between Avernus and the shopkeeper had already been over, prompting the owner to come to Niko, "Hmm? You two need something?"

"I'm fine, Niko. We're just here to pick up medicine for Laphicet.", said Velvet.

"Oh, Velvet. I already told your friend, but I'm afraid the medicine hasn't come in yet."

Avernus joined them and shook his head in disappointment.

"What? Why not? Is it because of the daemons?"

"Seems like the daemonblight taking a toll on the city. There's even a group of them lurking around here now." Shopkeeper claimed.

"When's it coming then?!"

"I can't say. And I don't know how much it will cost."

"Don't concern yourself with the money, Velvet. Whatever the price is, we’ll manage it.", Avernus reassured Velvet.

Niko also sighed and said, "Ugh, what is wrong with Midgand? Don't they have an army or something?"

"Those guys? The daemons already routed them a while back."

"…But we're safe here. After all, your brother-in-law's an exorcist.", said Niko in uncertainty.

"Never assume that you're safe here. This place’ll be vulnerable if a horde of daemons decides to attack it. A handful of villagers with pitchforks won't do any good against daemons."

After Avernus did a reality check on the situation, the shopkeeper continued, "Yeah… and Arthur can't even use his right hand anymore. The poor fellow couldn't even protect his wife and child."

Velvet started to clench her fist, Avernus noticed it.

"This matter is none of your business, shopkeeper. If you have nothing productive to add, then I suppose we will waste no more time with you.", Avernus' intimidating voice almost frightened the shopkeeper.

Velvet relaxes her fist after hearing him, "…Let us know when the medicine gets in."

"A-Ah… O-Of course. For now, here. On the house." Avernus received the apple-gen from the shopkeeper, and with Velvet, they both began to return to the house.

Niko suddenly ran towards them, "Velvet! You didn't forget, did you? You promised to teach me how to make your special quiche."

"You mean for that apprentice animal doctor you had your eye on? You were serious?"

"Beyond serious! Please, this is life or death for me.", pleaded Niko.

"But I thought your folks weren't keen on the two of you dating."

Niko raised her hand, "Who cares what people think? The important thing is my feeling!"

Avernus crossed his arms and smirked, "Hmm… Velvet, you are full of surprises. I'm also interested in this quiche of yours."

Niko winked back at Velvet, "So, what do you say?"

Velvet flushed red again, but she managed to smile for Niko, "I like the way you talk. If I were a boy, I think I'd be in love, Niko."

"Damn right!"

Velvet eyes widened as she remembered something.

"Oh, shoot! Laphi must be starving by now. We'd better hurry home! See you soon, Niko."

After their goodbye, the duo went back towards the house.

"Even I'm starving, Velvet. I can hear my stomach growling, begging for food."

Velvet giggled, "Don't you worry. We have lots of meat to spare. I'll make more just for you."

Avernus slightly bowed, "I'm humbled by your kindness, Madam Velvet."

A whisper suddenly pierced his mind.

"…Shephard…"

Avernus abruptly stopped, his humor was suddenly gone.

Velvet noticed the change in his face. "Are you okay?! What happened?", she asked worryingly.

Avernus closed his eyes and shook his head, "I'm fine. You go on in. I'll join you in a few minutes."

Velvet nodded unsurely and moved into the house. Avernus gazed up to the sky and smelled a foul stench in the air.

A yellow leaf landed in his hand and turned to dust.