Karastak's eyes snapped open as the hay cart he and the children rested within struck a rock, jostling him from his rest. Soft growls were muffled from his left, and he reach a hand down to stroke the facial fur of Lupa, who murmured softly in her sleep as she cuddled up closer to his side. Whereas the cat-eared girl, Puella, mewed softly, hugging his hand as she continued to sleep.

He smiled down upon their sleeping forms, his free hand lifted to tap the air before himself. Of which called forth his Status Menu, and he sat there in contemplation. For it had been several days since the children were integrated into his System, and even then, the Wolfgirl did not trust him completely despite knowing he did not wish for her they same as her captors did.

Regardless, she screamed when her body was revealed to have grown fur, and demanded she be returned to normal. However, such a thing was not possible, as her Race had already been chosen. She then slumped to the ground, defeated, as Puella rushed over and hugged her dear friend. “It's okay,” the younger of the two exclaimed, “You're still my bestest friend, after all!”

The exclamation calmed her somewhat, and it was then that Lupa noted her armaments, especially the small rapier and buckler strapped to her left hip and right arm. As well as the leather armour which hugged her form so much that it appeared as though it were a second skin which only allowed her clawed hands, head, feet, and tail to be exposed. He could see the girl was upset, but did not wish to pry. Either way, he had them gather up their things and began the long journey ahead to defeat the world's Demon Lord.

Or, rather, that was what was needed for him to return to his world of Terra, at least. Though, if another way was located, he would more than likely head down that road. For some odd reason, the death of another Demon Lord did not sit well on his tongue.

In any case, the first day of their journey they met little by way of danger. The only portent came from Puella when she tried to chase a squirrel before casting her own version of centred upon the creature. Little did she know the spell renders those within a radius of three metres stunned whilst the target themselves are fine. This turned into a lesson for the child, as she topple over for half a minute, allowing the rodent enough time to flee.

Upon the second day, the children complained, loudly, that their feet hurt. To which he responded with an offer to carry them, but only the dark haired cat-girl leapt at the offer. She scampered up his side and perched upon both his shoulders as her fingers tickled Little Mother. Of whom squeaked with happiness at the attention, and even nibbled on the digits in response, but without breaking the skin.

As for Lupa, she huffed and turned her back, putting up a front as though she did not need to be carried. However, her mannerisms shouted her envious desire to join her friend, but did not wish to for some reason. Which led to her to release many a scorned word that reached the ears of Karastak, but not the smaller of the pair, as they continued forward.

Within an hour after such a display of pride from the child, she had tripped and fallen over a rock before crying out in both surprise and pain. Whereupon Karastak rushed over to her side and gently lifted her into his arms as he knelt down so that the younger of the pair could slide down his back and fuss over her friend. Once the pair were made well, he gathered the pair of them into his arms and continued to move forward down the road where they came to a divide and camped there for the night.

Thus leading to the third day after beginning their journey together. Where a hay cart rolled by their campsite and the driver, an elderly Human wearing worn linen clothing, allowed them to ride in the back to the next village for a few coppers and a meal provided by the illusory Elf. This was done so by way of producing the food from the special pouch he had received by Command, but he was not about to reveal its source in front of the magickally inept.

Returning to the present, Karastak tapped at his Status Menu, noting only one change. He had gained a title, of which was currently equipped as Puella had an title. Which meant that as long as they had their respective titles equipped, he could “teach” her his spells. The only draw back was that she could only gain a total of three to five at Level 1, then one or two others as she grew in strength regardless of what the System stated.

In other words, if she were to gain enough points to cast up to ten spells, but only had five at the ready whilst still an apprentice, then she would have only five. It was quite the drawback, but as she was not of age, she could potentially outpace anyone who started within a Magickal College of some sort. Not to mention he was supposed to be Level 50 before even starting an apprenticeship with someone a lower than he, and it had to be someone willing. Though, with him being in charge of Command, this condition was artificially met.

He looked down upon the sleeping Puella was snuggled up against his hand, then returned his gaze back towards his Menu with a silent mouthing of, “Everyone wants to cast spells.” This led to his left eye glancing down upon the wolf girl who yawned as she moved close to his side, “Yes,” he nodded slowly, “Everyone.” For even the Wolfgirl was able to cast a basic spell called which granted her a +3 STR bonus for ten minutes. Of which she was excited about, and that it could be granted to others. However, such a thing would not have been possible if he didn't threaten Command with a day's worth of silence on his part, as she was a basic Warrior.

The illusory Elf's thoughts were quickly interrupted by the cart's halt. Turning his attention towards the front, he noted that they had reached their destination of the next village, which was called Stormhaven. However, there appeared to be a festival of some sort occurring within, as he could see the wooden gates were open and many were carrying large bundles of dry wood towards the centre.

“Huh,” Karastak shrugged his shoulders and called out to the old Human, “Are your people celebrating a general naming day, good Human?”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

“Hah?” spat the other who scratched his head, “'aven't 'eard of somfin li'e that, Lord. Migh' be a Witch Burning, though.”

“Oh? And who might they have accused of Witchcraft?”

“Dunno, Lord,” the old Human spat again, “but I gotta get home in time fer supper.”

“I understand,” he sighed and nudged the children awake.

“Hmm?” the pair hummed, rubbing the sleep from their eyes.

“Come along you two,” his voice was calm as he climbed off in order to carry them off the cart, “We need to find an inn before pressing on. Did you both have pleasant dreams, at least?”

“Uh-huh,” Puella nodded, slipping her hand into his right whilst continuing to yawn and rub her eyes.

Lupa, on the other hand, frowned as she gazed at the scenery. “Is something the matter?” he asked slowly with a small smile as the cat-eared girl was urged to become an Elf as well so as to practice her illusions.

As the spell was cast, the cart moved away and the Wolfgirl yawned, “Why does she have to keep casting that spell?”

“Would you rather she be stunned, or stun others? Perhaps you'd enjoy a constant mote of cold fire dancing around your body to allow everyone to know where you are?”

She frowned at his explanation just as the spell ended with another illusory Elf standing next to Karastak, holding his hand. “It's okay,” she slurred at her friend, still tired despite the nap, “I like being an Elf. When it's night, I can still see.” Her smile lit up the world around her, causing the other girl to sigh and embrace her friend.

“Just don't overdue it, okay?”

“Kay!”

The trio then head inwards, in search of an inn of some sort, but weren't stopped or even given a second glance as the rest of the villagers, dressed in rags and tattered clothing, rushed to place their many armfuls of sticks in the centre of the village. Whereupon they found a large stake driven into the middle of a platform with many bundles of sticks strewn about. Thus causing Karastak to frown as the children stared in curiosity at the wonderment of it all.

It was here that they heard, rather than saw, an individual shouting obscenities at everyone and everything on the other side of the gathered sticks. Whereupon they found a dirtied Human wearing a tattered grey robe stuck inside a wooden pillory. One which was a wooden structure with three wooden holes to force an offender to be subjected to much humiliation.

When they approached the Human, they noted that it was a man with Goblinoid features, despite giving off the appearance of a fully grown adult of the aforementioned race. To which he growled out, “What? Ya wantin' ta 'ave yer kids toss shit in mah face, too?”

Ignoring the snide query, the illusory Elf bent over in order to examine the man before him, who tried to skirt away from such scrutiny despite being chained. Of whom opened his mouth to shout something at them, but snapped his mouth shut when he was asked by Puella, “Did you do something bad?” Her eyes were full of tears as her face was mere centimetres away from the strange man.

She was then pulled away by her friend as the one in question blinked several times. “Wha-?”

“Is this to be your burning night, Human?” asked Karastak as he leaned against his staff.

“Bah,” spat the chained man, “They caught uh Witch last night. It tried to summon the dead, and Borun and his boy bashed it over the 'ed before draggin' it 'ere.”

“And why are you here?”

“Hmph. Wha's with the ques'shuns? You uh Copper?” He glared up at the illusory Elf, then squinted at the silvered hair before transferring his gaze to the children. “Hey, wait. You ain't no Humans. Wuss an Elf and a Dog doing 'ere?”

“,” growled Karastak, immediately swiping away a placard which appeared before his eyes without glancing at it, and watched as his target became nothing more than a drooling imbecile. One who would stay in such a state for up to an hour, unless something came along and snapped him out of his mental shock.

Puella, on the other hand, released a saddened, “Aw,” as she noted this, then turned and slid her hand back inside her “mentor's” own.

“Why'd you do that?” frowned Lupa.

“He was annoying my ears,” he rumbled in response, “Come. We've passed an inn coming over here, and I believe night will fall soon enough.”

“Are we going to stay for the party?” the other illusory Elf widened her oak-brown eyes up at him, begging to attend the party.

“Perhaps,” was all he could promise as he led the pair to a large, two story building with a sign reading, “The Drunken Swallow” nailed to the front. Upon entering the establishment, he frowned at the smell of unwashed bodies struck his senses, and desired his Undead self's lack of senses. However, he mentally cursed Command to dare to take them away, threatening it with added silence.

However, the atmosphere around them grew tense, as conversations became nil, and all eyes fell upon the trio. The children clung to his robes as he carefully made his way over to the counter where a burly woman was washing it with a dirtied rag.

“Whatchu want?” she grumbled, spitting into the rag and continuing to wash the counter.

“A room to start,” he replied with concealed disdain for having to speak with such an uncouth Human.

To which she snorted, hawked her throat, and spat at himself. This landed upon his chest, and a vein in his forehead throbbed at the insult. “We don't 'ave any. 'Specially for none 'pretty folk' li'e yerselves.”

“And why is that?” he spoke with clenched teeth as Lupa unsheathed her rapier, but clung to his legs in fear just as Puella cowered between his legs and the counter. For the room was filled with the sounds of chairs and tables being moved aside as the patrons within pulled out their weapons of long knives and daggers.

“Yuh Elves ain't never leave yer precious forest,” grinned a muscled bound male of a Human, “We know how much an Elf sells on da market. With da gold we ma'e from yuh body, the girly, and the mutt, we cud live li'e Lords fer years.” Many within agreed to the statement spoken, and moved to corner the trio.

“It appears I led you girls into an unsightly trap. My apologies,” Karastak reached down and pat the heads of the girls before righting himself once more, “Stick close, okay?” At their nod, they hugged his body just as one tried to grab at his staff. Of which was raised high before slamming to the ground just as he hollered, “!”