I watched my reflection on the flowing water. I was pale, much more so than usual. With a sigh, I splashed some water on my face. I had to pull myself together.
"Come on," I whispered as I brushed my hair back, revealing my face completely. I took a deep breath and got back up on my feet. I stretched my wings wide and leapt up into the air. It was the afternoon – I had little less than a day before the tournament resumed.
With clenched fists, I flew to Baile Chailce. I was going to win this tournament, get the support of the Ereth's ruling caste and end the Demon Lord. I wasn't going to let this game of death drag on any longer than it already had.
I couldn't help but constantly think about what Rina had asked of me as I left. As she convinced all the residents of Stonepatch Village to travel to Baile Chailce, she looked so sure of herself – like a pillar that all of us could always lean on. But later, as people packed their valuables and prepared for the long journey ahead of them, she had come to me and made me promise – I'd take her and Alex with me when I went to kill the Demon Lord. They wanted to be there to see his demise.
I had accepted, though reluctantly. If they were blinded by the revenge they sought, that final fight could very well spell our demise instead. But seeing her expression, I couldn't bear to say no.
"Kai." Asher's voice sounded in my mind. "How are you holding up?"
"I'm ok." I said after a while. "I'm on my way back to Baile Chailce." Hoping to get to the city before midnight, I flew faster. As the rhythmic beat of my wings accelerated, the wind hitting my face grew stronger.
"I'm on my way to the city as well." Asher's words surprised me. "I'll be there to watch your next match. Once you win the finals too, we can head to where the primal core of water is." He paused. I could feel it in the back of my mind – he was pondering something.
"What is it, Asher?" I asked after a short while.
"I'm glad that a fear of mine proved to be unfounded." He replied with a chuckle. "I'll see you tomorrow." I felt the connection sever as his words faded.
While I wasn't entirely sure of what he was talking about, I was pretty sure he wasn't making much sense. I shook my head and let my wings carry me to the white-golden city.
The sun set and the stars began to shine, yet the city was still not in sight. Only hours later, as exhaustion set in and I began to slow down did I see the shining lights of the chalk city. With a sigh of relief, I approached the ground. Once the city gates were in view, I landed among the trees and walked up to the gates.
"Halt." An Ereth guard raised his spear, effectively blocking my path. "Identify yourself."
I opened my interface and showed my name. "I come from Stonepatch Village. They were attacked and had many casualties. The remaining population is on its way here – they will probably arrive in the coming week."
Another soldier stepped up from the shadows. "Do they have military backup, guards to protect them?" She asked. From her fancy cloak and armour, I assumed she was a ranking officer.
"No, some adventurers are with them, but they don't have enough fighting power in case another attack of a similar scale happens." I said, worried they wouldn't believe me. Alex and Rina needed all the help they could get – including help from Ereth military.
"Thank you for the information, Keeper." The Ereth officer said with what I assumed was a smile. For some reason, despite their humanoid appearance, I was having a lot of trouble deciphering Ereth facial expressions. "I will prepare a squad and escort them here." She said before turning to leave.
"Thank you." I said with relief. Protection from the Ereth military was probably the best we could hope for. While I knew the Ereth's power outside the range of their crystals and Divine Pillars was reduced greatly, they were still fearsome fighters.
"You may pass." The Ereth guard said. "And good luck at tomorrow's match, Keeper."
I chuckled, thanked him, and stepped through the gate. As soon as I did, the white and golden colours of the city assaulted my senses.
Exhausted, both emotionally and physically, I headed to the inn. All I wanted to do was fall asleep, but I knew that I wasn't going to be able to sleep. The sight of that covered body and the child, asking me to help Alex's sister… They would haunt me for a long time.
It was probably written on my face that I didn't feel good, because as soon as I stepped inside the inn, the innkeeper started pouring a drink.
"You look like you went to the abyss and back."
I chuckled. "It sure feels like it." I replied before sighing. "I don't drink alcohol." I said, glancing at the glass, filled with a crimson coloured liquid.
"I know," She said with a shrug. "This is juice, no alcohol."
I hesitated. I wanted to go to sleep but…
"A drink and a hot bath." She said with a warm smile. "You've already paid for the room and I won't charge you for anything else."
I relented. I sat on a stool by the bar and took a sip of my drink. I flinched, I hadn't tasted anything like this before, it was bitter, warm, and fuzzy.
"What is this?" I asked as I took another sip. It actually tasted pretty good – just unusual.
"Nectar of the bleeding trees." She said. I almost puked what I drank. "Bleeding trees?!" I asked in shock.
"It's just nectar, not blood." She said, trying to contain her laughter. "It helps with sleep and enhances the flow of magic in your body." She chuckled. "For the Keeper of Souls, you sure are naïve."
I sighed and shook my head. "Thanks for the drink." I put the empty glass on the counter and got up. "I'll take you up on that bath offer."