As Ian approached the living room, a savory scent wafted into his nose and cheerful chatters resounded in his ears. Whatever lunch is...it must be delicious. When the living room came to view, Ian immediately saw his friends wolfing down what seemed to be some sort of chicken and vegetables stew. His friends sat at a medium-sized table with a huge pot in the middle. There was Jarol - a ranger from the kingdom of Aladon - and Sheryl - a priestess of the Temple of Vizion. Jarol was about his height with a slender but fit body. He was a few years older and had blond hair and green eyes. A scar ran vertically on his left eye, which Jarol always boasts that he had gotten it from Rogue Lord he had killed a few years back. Jarol had on leather armor made of Demon Boar hide and carried a long bow made from the wood of the Dryad Oak and the tendons of the Guardian Bear of the Tallahen Forests. Sheryl was a ginger with brown eyes and a cheerful countenance. She was a year younger than Ian but she acted like his older sister. Sheryl wore a robe that was crafted and enchanted by a famous Arcane Tailor and blessed by the Holy Cardinal. She carried a staff made from a branch of the Tree of Life. When they saw Ian come in with the elderly couple, they got up to check on him.

"Ian! How are you feeling?" Sheryl asked.

"I'm fine. Many thanks to the care of Irwin and Celina." Ian replied as he nodded to the elderly couple.

"You're welcome dear." Celina smiled.

"You go sit there while we get you something to eat." Irwin replied as he and his wife headed to the kitchen.

"How long have I been unconscious?" Ian asked his friends as the elderly couple left the living room.

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"It's been three days." Jarol answered.

"Three days?! Has anything happened while I was out?"

"Yea. Apparently the demon sightings were not just demons."

"What do you mean?"

"The Demon King is also here."

"What?!"

"Yea, the Demon King is here. Apparently, a few miles from here, we found what seems to be his stronghold."

"Then...that means this war will finally be over."

"Yes, hopefully we will win against that Demon King."

Ian nodded as he pondered about this. This Demon King, unlike any of the previous ones, looked more human-like minus a few demonic features and even proclaimed himself to be of another world. Could it be possible that the Demon King was summoned? There had been legends of otherworldly heroes that were summoned, so why couldn't the demons summon one for themselves? Anyways, it seemed the Demon King had started stirring up a lot of trouble. Many villages near the borders of the Demon Lands in the east were attacked. The king had placed out an announcement calling all warriors and heroes to help fight back and defeat the evil Demon King and his army. That's where he and his party came into play.

Initially, Ian and his party numbered to twenty members. However, with the cruel and brutal war, Ian had lost many of his friends. Through peaceful times and tough times, Ian and his party hoped to finally reach the ending...the final battle. Once they destroyed the Demon King, the demons will scatter at the loss of their leader and will become easy-pickings from then on out. The three friends quieted down their discussion when the elderly couple came back out from the kitchen.

"Here you go." Irwin said as he laid a bowl, a spoon, and a plate of bread on the table near Ian.

"Thanks." Ian smiled.

After the meal, Ian told Irwin and Celina that he and his friends needed to leave as they had some important business to take care of. The elderly couple nodded with understanding and Celina went into the kitchen and packed a few sandwiches for the party to have during their trip. Thanking them once again, Ian and his party bid farewell as they set out towards the Demon King's stronghold.