I tried my best to stifle my ragged breathing, but my thoughts wandered to their situation. How could they be faring at this moment? Will I be able to reach them in time?

The anxiety made me panic even more to the point that I mercilessly forced my mount to its limit. The thought of losing another person that I've cared for made me weak, so much that I was willing to risk anything to save them, even myself, though the thoughts became terrifying as I had dozens of chances to lose my life in the past.

I passed through village after village, not stopping at any one, except at a river where I had to rest my horse.

I leaned back on a tree and looked up. "It's already gotten this dark," I said to myself, despite the blurred vision, I could clearly see the twinkling of the stars up above the clear night sky. My body still ached because of the previous encounters I had in the tournament, so I was in no position to do anything strenuous... "Are you kidding me? Pull yourself together, Zach."

I planted my face unto my hands filled with cold water from the river and awoke myself. This was no time for me to rest. It hadn't even been a day, but I wouldn't gamble this situation like that.

"But why do I have this feeling that I did something wrong?" I stared up, immediately remembering the promise she had made to me, earlier this morning. A pang in my heart welled up as I cursed myself. I broke my promise with her, simple as that, and I can't do anything about it anymore.

I left Gino and Daphne without explaining anything to them. Some friend I am. Did I have not enough trust in them to ask them for help? Or did I leave them on instinct since, deep down, no matter how much they're indebted to me, I didn't want to drag them into this.

It's easy enough to lose your life, even when you're that skilled. This power of mine is the only reason I can shoulder this decision of mine. I know they can handle themselves, but I can't put them in danger, I care about them too much for them to be put in harm's way.

"Why is this all happening?!" I yelled out to no one in particular. "If only I didn't have this mark with me," I stared down the back of my hand and clenched it, forcing that white outline to appear.

"Show up, damn it! I need you..." but nothing. It remained blank for the longest minutes that passed. It felt heavy as those few minutes passed. I was wasting the chances I had.

"Fine! I don't care if you don't show up. I'll save them all by myself," I kicked the tree right in front of me, unsettling the horse I had stolen.

"Sorry, I had to drag you into this. I promise, when we get there, I'll set you free," I said to it, calming it as I felt its nose shivering.

Without delaying anymore time, I rode through the paved roads once again. My frustration mounted with the silence around me, save for the galloping of the horse's hooves.

She sat there alone, looking at the festive lights and the soft sound of harmonious music being played in the background. She was alone, waiting for someone as the night sky and the stars kept her company. On her lap was a Yellow rose, and a tulip.

Naturally she believed that the twilight festival would bring out the awaited shower of light like everyone had anticipated, but as time passed, her beliefs grew weaker, and so did her confidence. Her mind became troubled as she expected him to come saying 'sorry I was late!' but nothing. Time passed until the twilight festival came, and it the time for rest arrived.

But, she stayed stoic and adamant, remaining there even when the night started to sink in, hoping and wishing for a miracle to happen.

"Imbecile! He could have waited for us. Not like there was anything stopping us from helping him. So why did he just have to go alone?" she contemplated, riding full speed into the night, wearing her full set of armor.

"It seems there are still some things that we have yet to know about him. That may be bothering him, I speculate," Gino retorted, carrying a bag full of his belongings. "But in any case, we have better get to Lavis right away. I have a bad feeling about what's going to happen, but I don't exactly know what."

She gripped the reins tightly and ground her teeth. "Doesn't he trust us enough to tell us about what's happening?..." she felt saddened by her reasoning. On the inside, she was shaken, not sure what to believe.

"I'm sure he has his reasons. And whatever that may be, we will be sure to ask him about it. We've gone this far, so there's no need for us to separate, is there?" he said enthusiastically, lifting her spirits up by a little.

Through the night, there showed a crimson flare in the distance. A dark cloud of smoke that signaled 'help!' as it became larger the moment I drew closer to it.

Sounds of people screaming ripped through my ears. Upon closer examination, houses and fields of wheat and grain burned as bodies littered the surroundings. Demons with amalgamations of animals and some vile beasts were in the mess as well, some even roamed and stalked their prey as if they were enjoying a feast. There was a large number of them, and a quickly dwindling number of the opposition, fearfully fighting back the monsters while heroically defending the feeling unarmed people.

As if by impulse, I leapt from my mount and hurried to their side, taking my sword from my sheathe and swinging it at the nearest demon that I could find.

The heat was overwhelming, and so were their numbers, which seemed to increase tenfold from nowhere.

"Hurry! We have to get them somewhere safe!" one of the soldiers in charge beckoned, dutifully giving out orders with a quivering voice. His eyes wandered, trying to find more of those that he could depend on, but they themselves were too occupied to follow his orders.

A demon knelt there, possessing two horns and a long snout; a large, scaly body and a tail. It feasted on the remains of a deceased farmer, not noticing my presence. Beside it was a child, crying and sobbing at the farmer being consumed.

Before I knew it, I was running and driving my sword into the monster's mouth, forcing him to choke on its own blood. The best I could do was tear the child away from the horrid sight and give him to one of the fleeing peasants, who turned me away with terrified looks. Many more passed, declining the offer to save a life. I even saw some of the helpless children being trampled by the stampede of fleeing farmers. All I could do for them was yell at the farmers before the imminent came.

I asked myself this as these precious seconds passed. "Just who is more of a monster?"

I then gave custody of the child to one of the soldiers, who reluctantly took him away from me, saying, "What are you still doing here?! You're too young to stay and fight, never mind. Creator bless you that you saved this child when no one would. Everyone's just out for their own asses here. You'd best get out of here, too! There's no chance of saving the village. There's just too much of them!" then he ran along with the others.

I faced the oncoming horde, now alone. I felt a warm sensation on the back of my hand, growing stronger as I remember it. Like a flame being tended to until it burns bright and strong.

"Come! I'll show you how terrifying the light is!" I yelled out, gripping the hilt of my sword, nearly crushing it. Thus, the light grew brighter and brighter until it outshone the scarlet, red flame burning around me. The demons stopped in their tracks and looked at me as if I were a monster.

Lorelei...

Tears streamed down her face. "Have I done something wrong?" she asked, trying to think of why he had not showed up yet.

But Sofiya interrupted her, and she hurriedly wiped off her signs of sorrow.

"Princess! What are you still doing here? The festival is finished, so there's nothing to admire any longer. Come, let us head back to bed. Things will start being hectic starting tomorrow, I predict."

But she did not receive an answer, not even a glance.

Being the one who had spent the longest time with her, save for her parents, she immediately knew that something was wrong. So, she came forward and sat with her, looking at the stars and admiring them.

"Wow, it's not every night that you see them like this. It just doesn't compare to every night. What are you waiting here for, Princess?"

"No one in particular. I was admiring the festival alone, that's all," she let of a stifled laugh and spoke indifferently, calming down to realize that he was not coming.

"That's strange. I was sure that you would ask Sir Zachary to join you. But I guess he wouldn't be able to anyway."

She stopped before she could descend the stairs, turning around with a confused glance.

"What do you mean?"

"You have not heard? Well, I guess you wouldn't have. You were asleep, after all. I did not want to wake you since you looked so tired. But yes, there was something happening to the south. A woman came earlier, and Sir Zachary seemed to know her. She's in the infirmary, resting, but she told him about Lavis being attacked, so he left in quite a hurry. There have already been reports of dispatch, but they won't depart until tomorrow. No one truly knows what's happening to the kingdom."

She looked behind her and whispered his name in concern. She placed her hand on her chest where her heart is and prayed for his safety. He had a reason to go, and she knew how badly he wanted to go for his reasons were too great for her to be upset about it. He had a task that he himself made firm in his mind. But she couldn't help but feel restless now that she knows what kind of danger he is in.

"Let us rest then, Princess. It would be better to do it now. I guess it disappointed you that nothing happened this festival. Well, many had their hopes up, seeing as how they all saw that white light, and twice! I was waiting too, but I guess we'll have to wait and see for another three years."

Just before they could descend, she felt a slight chill on the nape of her neck that made her turn around to see the horizon overlooking an empty and dark road leading southwards.

A strong flash of light exploded, giving off a brilliant radiance that eclipsed the light of the sun itself. It's turbulent magnificence spread instantly across the dark land, illuminating everything with a purifying splendor. It was not blinding, nor did it bring harm to them, but it felt warm, like the embrace of another person. There was a sense that gripped everyone who took in the light that lasted seconds when it felt like eons. Then came another wave, this time it descended from above, a shower of light and stardust.

And so, it disappeared, and everything went back to normal, or so it seems. All in the kingdom, and many other kingdoms were shook, unable to grasp what had just happened. No one spoke, and everything became silent, so silent that it was deafening.

Looking at it as the light faded, a single tear fell from her eye. She wiped it off and blinked, snapping herself back to reality.

"Amazing... What a beautiful light... But why does it feel so painful?"

"Unbelievable... Was that truly the Twilight festival at work? It's the first time I've seen it, and it's magnificent!" she said, at a loss for words. "But yes, I can feel a sad emotion from it, I can't tell why or how, but this anger, I, I don't know what else to say."

Daphne...

"That light! I recognize it. It's him... but this light, it's different. Why do I feel anger from it, a restless, and uncomfortable one? Not like the ones I saw before," she said.

"I agree. I might be imagining it, but it's like I can feel an emotion from looking at it, feeling it. Quite poetic, but I can't jest at a time like this."

"But It is him, there should be no doubt about it."

"Then we must hurry. We're a bit far from it, but if we don't rest, then there's a chance that we'll be able to catch up with him."

"Maybe it's just me, but you seem to awfully concerned about him, and not to a simple standpoint. Want to tell me anything?"

"It's nothing. Let's just keep going. We can't risk losing any more time. If we lose him, it's over, for everyone."

She said that, but deep inside, she tried to keep her emotions in place. Her mind was in shambles, and nothing was clear. She was worried about him, and what could happen to him if something terrible were to occur.

When he left suddenly without telling her anything important, or even confiding in her why he had to go, she thought that the problem stemmed from her, and that she was the one who drove him away because of what she had said to him at the park. But, she remained stoic and kept it at the back of her mind till she could truly find out what the matter was about.

Zach...

I was close to passing out. My hands barely gripped the reins to prevent me from falling off, but there were more than a few times that it almost happened. Me still being here was a miracle. But it happened again. Right when I needed it the most, but did not expect it to show up, it saved me, I suppose. But that doesn't matter anymore. I won't last long without it.

Instead of being ungrateful for it and blaming my weakness as a human, then I'll just have to be grateful for it and embrace my lineage to the fullest. But it would help if I could control it.

How long has it been, anyway? I've lost track of time, but the sun seems to be rising already.

The wounds surrounding me itched and stung with every move I would make, and riding a horse made it worse.

The moment the power faded, and the mark disappeared from the back of my hand, there came a scorching pain that replaced it. I remember almost losing my voice to how much it pained me, but then it quickly went away. Then disappeared my strength, as if it was sapped from me in an instant.

After a while, I reached a forest and followed a stream to a small clearing where I found the desperate need to rest. The pain and constant worrying about the time I would lose if I slept kept me awake, but it was greatly tempting. My promise was hanging on a single moment.

Still, what amazed me the most was how I had been able to endure this much. If I were my past self, then I would have never made it this far. Maybe I've changed after all these few days that have passed.

I washed myself on the stream and stretched my body. It didn't feel the same, but it was refreshing.

I cleaned and glanced at the one of the two belongings I brought with me. My father's sword. It looked as unbreakable as ever. Thought it was a simply longsword, its pommel had the Erinn name engraved on the bottom of it in small words, reminding me of them constantly.

Just as I was thinking to myself, I heard a faint rustling getting louder and closer towards me. It was abrupt, but I took a step back on the ground and pointed my sword in the direction to where the rustling could be heard.

There appeared a wolf, running towards me at an amazing speed that even I couldn't keep up. I staggered back in surprise, but more so that it hid behind me, whimpering again, its leg and sides bleeding as it set itself down on the ground, releasing from its grip a smaller version of itself, sleeping soundly. It breathed slowly, but sure enough it didn't look to bright.

It then growled as two demonic figures appeared from the bush, faces and claws covered in blood, teeth gnashing, eyes glaring. My horse started making sounds as it was unable to settle down, trying to get free of its reins.

They resembled wolves, but ones that stood on their hind legs, possessing horns; their bodies have grown to an even more terrifying and advanced rate that one could not tell them alike as they surpassed my height and towered above me by a few inches. One had a scar on his face, while the other was spotless and furious.

The mark on the back of my hand started glowing, and I could feel the faint beating of my own heart. It seemed to burn, but not enough to make me lose my focus in front of the two monstrous figures that can kill me without much effort if I give them the chance.

"Finally starting to warm up to me?" I said, glancing at the mark.

As a cold sweat dripped form my back and my hands felt restless, I seemed nearly weightless as the seconds counted down. The weight in my sword became less, and my body felt unusually strong despite my earlier weakness.

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They rushed at me with a single leap, claws readied over me, eyes looking me down. Their large bodies created a shadow over me at time moved at a slow pace.

Then I rushed, moving to its side and hacked the left one's shoulder, forcing it down tumbling to the ground, creating a small cloud of smoke as it whimpered at its injury.

The scarred one leapt at me relentlessly as it landed on the ground, appearing behind me.

I kept my footing as much as possible as to not lose balance, yet its constant assault using its sharp, malicious claws seemed to close the distance between it and my neck with every swipe.

As the battle went on, I managed to injure it to the point the it became a stalemate, or so I thought.

It was awfully quiet, and it became a fatal mistake that I ignored the one behind me.

I felt a rush of pain invade my mind as I fell to my knees. But, before that, I turned using the weight of my body and found the one I had injured earlier lying on the ground, looking up at me, snarling tenaciously. Then it lifted itself up and threw itself at me, claws at the ready.

I gripped my sword tightly and sliced it across its face, narrowly avoiding being caught. But the beast finally fell to the ground without a fight.

Blood trickled from my back as the sharp pain of its claw was engraved deep within me. I fell the ground with my hand supporting me, my other keeping my sword steady.

In my moment of weakness, the scarred demon rushed at me with a powerful bloodlust that it felt suffocating.

I tried to move, but my body wouldn't react, as if I was tied down to the ground.

My eyes locked with the beast, and it almost seemed like I could see into its mind, but I was caught by surprise.

The wolf that hid itself behind me threw itself onto the beast, preventing it from getting to me in one leap. It was caught and thrown to the side, hitting the stump of a tree, discarded like nothing.

I stared as the entire thing transpired. I was at a loss for words, with nothing to say or do.

Before I knew it, I was driving my sword deep into the beast's head mercilessly, staring it down with an insatiable anger in my heart. Many thoughts raced in my mind, but that didn't matter in the least.

I couldn't think clearly, but there was a calm rustling feel to the forest as I closed my eyes and heard the rustling of the eternally peaceful forest once more, slowly taking over my senses.

It was clear that I fell to the ground, unable to move an inch further.

But I was so close.

I can almost feel it, just a few more steps.

Pathetic, just pathetic. I can't even save myself when someone needs me.

I try to save someone and I end up dying on the ground. What use am I? Being the son of the revered Frederick Erinn, trained by the infamous Sir Hark of Lavis. Am I nothing but waste in this earth? I'm so insignificant. Even though I have this much power with me, I can't use it properly, nor be someone deserving of its power.

Maybe I should just give up and close my eyes. That seems easy enough.

But, as everything started to fade, I felt a soft ball of fur near my stomach, a calming warmth that I could embrace in my fleeting moments. Forgive me, father, mother. I know that you raised me with good intentions, but I turned out like this in the end. Guide me to wherever you are.

It is still not your time. As much as we would like to see your face and feel your embrace, it simply isn't your time yet. You will live longer, but not enough to see the world you saved prosper.

In time, you will know when it is your time to go. But for now, many still need you. Do not give up on them. You are their last bastion of hope, the last thing they can cling to.

This voice is familiar. It's as if I was hearing these words as they were being said beside me.

It was a pure void of darkness where I could not even see myself. It was the same thing I see with my eyes closed, but this must be a hallucination.

Glancing here and there, my search became fruitless as I was unable to find the source of the voice.

Oh, how I longed to hear their voice after so long. I felt weak, enough to let tears stream down my face, but yet, there was nothing.

'Zach, please, they need you, more than we do, more than ever.'

My father's voice echoed.

"Wait! Where are you? Father! I still need your guidance! I-I can't do anything right. I can't decide on anything; I can't think clearly. What should I do? I'm lost, I need you to guide me. I'm torn about everything that this uncertainty might swallow me whole. So please, won't you guide me?"

'Son, you do not need our guidance anymore. You can handle this all by yourself. All you need to do is trust who you are and what you believe in.'

I felt a weight on my shoulders, two hands filled with the warmth I'm so used to feeling.

Turning around, I saw their faces, clean, pure, smiling happily as if not to give a care in the world. They were the only sources of light in this void of darkness around me.

"Mom... What do you mean I don't need you both? That's... It can't be true. I never thought that it would all turn out this way. Tell me, what should I do?"

I pleaded with them, helplessly and sincerely. Though they might not be the real parents I once had, I knew for a fact that this feeling, as I floated in this void, they were indeed my parents. Those that raised me, those that taught me love. It was cultivated within me, and in the years that passed, it grew stronger, strong enough that without them, there was an internal void deep inside my heart where they were.

'Do you remember? Those times that we enjoyed together, living our lives in that small cottage. We have taught you many things, but at the same time, I didn't my best to teach you what I could. I worried day and night about the trial you were going to be forcefully thrown in. I clearly knew of the dangers.'

He took a slight pause then spoke.

'We have been looking at you from above. Though you still have much to learn, you have done many great things. I know that this isn't something I should be praising you for. Killing demons is no little thing to be praised, rather commended. This is just the beginning for you. There will be so much more challenges for you to face, but know this, we believe, your mother and I, that you can achieve your fate.'

I felt their hands depart from my shoulders, and at the same time I turned around to find them walking away with their backs turned to me, retreating into the void whose end I could not see.

"Wait! I still need to ask you so much more! Don't leave me! After seeing you, I just can't let you go..."

I grasped the air, running with all my strength to catch up got them.

I knew it was unreasonable to ask them to stay for a little longer. They weren't there anymore. They already passed away, yet I didn't want to give them the peace that they deserved because I felt lonely and lost.

"Won't you let me be selfish even for a bit?"

I gave up the chase and looked at their trail, whispering my words with contempt.

I clenched my fists and stood in wonder, just where is this all heading to?

They believed in me, even in the afterlife. I couldn't ask for better parents, even if they are adoptive.

I never received a reply from them, no matter how much I wanted to hear their voice, I knew that it was impossible.

But, they believed in me. Isn't that enough of a response to keep myself from giving up?

"I won't fail you. Please continue to keep on looking over me."

And so, I closed my eyes and resurfaced from the darkness.

I slowly opened my eyes to a new dawn, the light of the sun shining down upon my face, irritating my sight.

I unconsciously let out a pained groan as I felt the wound from my back assault me.

My body contorted and convulsed to the point that I ground my teeth in resistance.

But after a while, the pain had dwindled, and I had managed to gain a bit of composure by lying still, letting the sun's radiance shine down upon me.

Moreover, there was a peculiar feeling in my arms, a soft, furry texture that exuded a comfortable warmth, one that made me want to embrace it even more.

The small ball of fur expanded and deflated; it produced a small growling sound at it stirred on my stomach, then settling down.

But as I continued to caress this ball of fur, I heard the faint rustling of the grass and the sounds of boots walking toward me.

"Ah! Finally awake? Thank goodness. I thought you'd been completely lost back there, I wasn't really sure what I should've done."

A young man came into view. He was undistinguishable, but I had a strong feeling that I had met this man before, yet I can't quite remember the day as to when that happened.

Even after these events that have transpired, it felt like my memory was getting worse by the second.

"I didn't know that you were the kind of person to keep pets. But it's quite brave of you to take care of such a 'pet'"

"What do you mean?"

He glanced at my stomach to where the warmth rested. And sure enough there sat a small canine with dark fur and pointy ears sleeping soundly.

"How and where did this come from?"

I asked myself, unable to find the answer.

Recalling my memories, it dawned upon me quickly. This was not something that fell from the sky, but something given to me by that wounded wolf. The one who gave its life to protect me when my time nearly came.

Does that mean... Unfortunately, it seems that was the case. There was no sign of the wolf anywhere.

This was her cub, a life she tried to save but couldn't, so she passed it on to me.

Why me was another question for another time, but the suddenness of the responsibility quietly shook me.

How would I be able to take care of a cub? I have no knowledge of the very simple guidelines to follow.

"Well, it seems like that is the case."

I said, answering my own question.

"That's a bold task you've taken up right there. To take care of a cub. I wonder how it'll turn out."

I tried to stand and look around me, remembering my task, but a torrent of pain came crashing down upon me and the wound on my back.

"I don't think that you should stand, so please, just stay where you are. And don't worry, I won't harm you. I fixed your wound as best as I could, so it shouldn't take a long time to heal, not unless you do something to agitate it."

He spoke with a certain familiarity that caught be off guard. My mind sifted through the few faces I've come to know, but I've started narrowing them down slowly... But nevertheless, my capacity to think as of now had dwindled.

I had exhausted myself to the point where I could not think clearly. Every time I tried, it would be for naught.

"Thank you. Your voice, it sounds familiar, like I've heard it before. Forgive me, but would you tell me your name? I can't seem to remember it."

"Oh, well, I can't blame you for that. I remember you, rather, I can't forget you and what you've done for us. The name's Durham, I'm from the village near Lavis. I'm sure you don't remember me, but you saved me and my sister, I guess not just us, but everyone else there."

I looked at him and saw his face beaming enthusiastically.

His face became familiar suddenly, someone that took the liberty of defending a handful of people by himself, standing between the innocents and a ragged band of marauders.

I remembered his shuddering figure as he held his weapon back them, and how the entire thing transpired.

"I remember now. Sorry, but my mind was a bit spurred that I couldn't think straight."

"Yes, I believed that was the case. After seeing your wound and everything around your body in that clearing, I was amazed that you were still breathing. But that's a good thing!"

"Where am I exactly?"

I asked Durham, looking around me as best I could.

There was nothing in sight but the wilderness and some hills and mountains over the great horizons. I understood that I was lying down by a doused campfire and two sleeping bags, one where I was resting on. A couple of belongings were gathered together in one place, but that was the limit of my gaze.

"I don't really know myself, but we're somewhere near the village, or what's left of it anyway."

His voice carried a certain negativity that made it obvious there was something wrong with what he had said. His face gave it away even further as he looked at the ground and said nothing.

"Ah! But don't let that bother you. Everyone already evacuated when Sir Hark gave the order to the other surrounding villages. The only problem is that we don't have a home anymore."

"You were talking about a sister. Where is she?"

"With some people from the village that I escaped with. They're around here somewhere, foraging before we move further up towards the other safer towns."

"I can't quite understand everything. Tell me, just what happened here.

"Alright," he sighed, showing complete dislike of the reminisce. "It all started two days ago. It was a calm morning just like every other day. After recovering from the previous bandit attacks and having restocked our stores, we went about our day as normally as we could, all the while receiving some help from the town of Lavis, which already had its forces stretched thin. Everyone knew of what happened at Caspia, after all."

His hands started fidgeting. His face was covered with uncertainty that he barely kept eye contact with me.

I myself couldn't realize just how grave it was, but time passed, and I allowed it. I had used up too much of my energy that I was still feeling spent after the rest I had just received.

I couldn't calm my nerves thinking constantly about Sir Hark and his state, but I had to listen. There was something important in his words that I had to hear.

My initial panic caused me to lose all composure and act irrationally. That was my first problem.

If there are more, which I know there are, then I will find out in due time.

Durham continued, gazing off with his eyes restlessly looking over the place around us unfamiliarly, as if he was lost and was trying to find a way out.

Yet he seemed composed.

"But suddenly, the village was attacked by a small number of demons. We were able to beat them, thankfully enough, but the rest had to be sent back to Lavis since they were being attacked there. We were made to evacuate the village. It's been happening ever since, so no one knows what's happening there."

"Then that means I have to go."

I tried to stand, but the pain still lingered, preventing me from moving a whole lot.

"Like I said, just there. Why do you want to go there so badly? I already said that it was dangerous. Besides... as much as I don't want to admit it, there might not even be anyone alive there anymore."

"No, It can't. I won't and can't accept it till I can see for myself. Losing those I care for is the last thing I would want."

"I know it's hard to lose anyone, but, we're powerless. You're strong, and I've seen that. But there are just some things that can't be shouldered by a single person. You'll only lose your life in the process. Is that what you would want?"

"It won't matter if I'm dead, as long as they're safe. It's terrifying, the idea of death. I've come face to face with it so many times already that I still am terrified. But if I give up on the one promise I swore to keep, then that's even more terrifying than dying."

"Well that's surprising. I haven't seen or conversed with anyone whose had a resolve this strong. I can't really stop you if you're that adamant about it, not like I could in the first place."

"Durham! We're back! See anything while we were out?"

A small group of people consisting of children and women asked, carrying baskets of fruits and leaves.

One of them rushed at Durham and gave him a warm wide embrace with the span of her small arms.

"Micah! How did it go? Find anything interesting?"

He ruffled her hair and smiled warmly.

"Who do we have here?"

Durham's companions looked me over in my pitiful state.

"Micah, I suppose you remember this man. He saved us, after all."

She narrowed her eyes at me, but it was seemed to be focused somewhere else.

With a jovial expression, she ran up next to me and snatched up the ball of fur nesting on my stomach. It let out a surprising yelping sound and whimpered as she embraced it as if it were a stuffed toy.

"Ah! Be careful!"

Durham said with a swift suddenness as he pried them apart, saving the small cub from her own little sister. The wolf cub then hid itself in my arms and continued so whimper, trembling in fear.

"But I wanted to play with the doggie."

"Micah, come now. We must not forget how others feel. Look, it's terrified. I think it'd be best if you simply admired it from a fair distance, don't you think? It's here, and you're here as well, so everyone's fine."

As if to bitterly reconcile, she sniffed looked down, nodding her head.

"I understand, sorry."

"Ahh! I'm so proud of you!"

Durham said pridefully, embracing Micah with a tender face equaling that of a father and mother.

"Durham. I think you're spoiling her too much. Help us out here, will you? We need to get moving as fast as possible."

One of the women laughed at their act of sibling love and set their baskets down, wiping the sweat from their brows and sitting down.

Some even came up next to me and gave their greetings, showing a surprising amount of warmth once they realized that I was one of the three saviors of their village.

Durham praised and glorified my deeds after having fought two dangerous demons that took the lives of dozens of people, and without much surprised they showered me with praise.

A wonderful and youthful maiden, who didn't at all look intimidated by me or my antics, offered to look at my wounds and gently touched me with her delicate fingers, often sending a brief chill up my spine.

She applied more herbs and ground them up on a mortar, then pressed them unto the wound.

I ground my teeth and sometimes let out a pained cry, but it the very least, I felt the incessant need to stay strong and keep a brave face in front of her.

"There. I think it'll be better if you moved around, but take it as slow as possible. This medicine will help if you get accustomed to it."

"Thank you. It hurts less now than earlier."

"I will commend Durham for his exemplary, and quite messy work with patching you up, but it seems that he still needs a lot more training."

Before I could speak, she continued, staring at the back of my waist where my scar was.

"But, you are strong. You came back alive after encountering demons. But that's not all."

She looked at the rest of my bare body and examined me with an uncomfortable face. She made a pained expression in my stead as she gently felt up each scar on my body. It tickled, but I assumed that it would be inappropriate to do that and laugh, so I held my breath and let her go on.

"Even with these much scars and wounds, and despite your age, you've managed to keep living. Where do you get your motivation? Aren't you scared of getting hurt further?"

The atmosphere became solemn and serious. It drew me in and I gave her an honest answer.

"It's because of a promise. I guess it's simple enough to say that, but it's true. I don't know if what I've been doing so far is right or wrong, and most of the time I feel like I'm not even going in the right direction, but I can't turn back anymore, rather, I had no choice to turn away in the first place."

Her eyes looked at me strictly and she spoke.

"Your face tells me that you carry a very heavy burden. I won't ask, but I will pray for your success."

She then departed from me with a smile and a wink, then went and helped the others is organizing their belongings.

Finally, alone, I looked at my companion beside me. It returned a pure and blank expression with its tongue out, perspiring with its tail wagging behind it.

It was odd that it became terrified of someone else trying to touch it, but with me, and at this close of a distance, it doesn't seem as terrified, in fact, it seems more at home and comfortable.

I tried reaching my hand out towards it to pat its head, but without protest it willingly allowed me to do what I wanted. I was warming up to it and was starting to get fond of having it around as I was unable to resist its charm.

It was a vague understanding, but there was a guess in my mind about the how’s and whys to all this.

But as the precious minutes passed, and the morning sun was in full view, I regained sight of my goal. I started getting impatient, the words of that dream I had, the voice of my parent, it woke me up.

"So, you're really going, aren't you?"

Durham came up to me and asked with a wry expression on his face. He looked bitter, as if cursing himself for not doing anything drastic to put a stop to my shenanigans.

"Yes. It's the only way left for me to do. There are others, but this is the only way I have to go, forward."

"I wish I had that resolve of yours, or even a fraction of it. We'll be moving out, too, so this is where we part ways."

He extended his hand out to me and I reached for it, standing up wobbling. I used the tree beside me to support my balance, but it returned gradually.

"I just have one favor."

I asked him, handing the cub who looked at me innocently, tilting its head to incite a tinge of pain for my own decisions.

"Where I'm going, I think it's obvious that I can't bring him there."

As he tried to reach for the wolf cub, however, it snarled and threatened him, astonishing Durham a great deal as he instantly retracted his hand.

"Man, that's smarts. I guess it wants to stay with you then. I'm sure you'll figure it out somehow, you always do."

He took a small bow and faced me sternly.

"I'll say this once. I'm grateful for what you did for us and the rest of those in the village. I swear, I'll become as strong as you someday, and I'll return the favor. It doesn't have to be to you, but it could be to someone else in need. We won't ever forget you, so don't go forgetting this promise of mine, alright? So, don't go dying on me."

"I'll look forward to it. If you think that I'm that strong, then it's only right that I try and live up to your expectations, right?"

I said, shaking his extended hand firmly.

The rest of them gave their own grateful speeches and gratified me. I thought that it was excessive since I didn't do most of the work, but denying them would only hurt them more than me, so I allowed it as it is.

"Bye bye! Thank you for saving me, mister!"

the small girl named Micah yelled out with a wide smile, waving jovially, hand in hand with Durham as they disappeared into the distance.

Again, it was me alone again, but this time with my two new companions, a wolf cub and a horse. Not that i scorned the company. I welcomed it better than nothing.

"I wonder how you've grown so attached to me so suddenly."

I said, looking down at the cub who circled around me, howling and barking, losing its voice to show its inexperience and lack of growth.

"Well, I guess it doesn't matter anymore. It's time to get this over with."

I took a deep breath in and relaxed my body. Surprisingly enough after emptying my thoughts of everything that could distract me, the glow began to appear on the back of my hand, sending a swell of energy throughout my body as it always would, but at a weaker rate than when I was in danger.

It only disappeared right away when the cub started howling and barking at me, making me lose my focus.

"We're going to have to work on that."

I said, swinging my sword for a little practice, then mounting the horse.

The cub followed me around as I thought it would, so I had the horse gallop in a slow pace that the cub could keep up to, and it if looked like it got tired or started getting left behind, I carried its small body in my arms.

Instantly I felt our bond grow through that, though there are still many unanswered questions, I knew that this was another one that I would have to keep safe no matter what.