The next morning I had regained most of my energy trough rest even though I didn't sleep.
("Seems like what my mom told me when I was young is true. Even if you don't sleep as long as you stay in bed you're resting.")
I was already sitting on my bed and stretched my wings since they felt stiff after pressing them against my back for the entire duration of the night.
Allenya stood up from her bed on the other side of the room. She looked like she just came crawling out of a cave. Her withe hair basically stood upright and her eyes were still half closed. It took her a wile to get dressed and be fully aware of her surroundings. But one she was we ate some of the leftovers from yesterday.
Since they were now cold and not as fresh as yesterday most of the taste had been lost. But they were still worth eating.
Eventually Allenya managed to make her hair decent enough to display in public. She had it now in two ponytails that landed on her shoulders. However, with her energetic movements they rarely stayed on her shoulders for more than a few seconds.
"Gustave. For how long do you think you can hold the illusion now?"
I quickly conculcated the amount of magic I had regained over the span of the night.
"I think I can last a solid four minutes. Why do you ask?"
"we al wanted to show you the village since you didn't have time yesterday."
"Sounds fun. When will we go?"
She pointed with her thumb to the wall on which on the other side the others were sleeping.
"When those sleepyheads are awake. On the way back they agreed on knocking on our door when they are ready to leave."
It didn't take long for that to happen. I used my illusion magic and stepped out the door.
Despite being so early the streets were filled with people. They were quarrelling and fighting over minor events, but also laughing and talking some even dancing and singing and, alive.
The way the village was build was different. The houses weren't as unique and lively as the ones in my village, nor was it built in the same way. But the people, the people were the same. Each and every single one of them had their own things on their mind, their own hopes and dreams, their own story to tell.
I knew we couldn't go far because of the amount of magic I could use at the moment but I enjoyed every second out here.
Then I smelled a familiar sent. At first I couldn't place it. But then I memorised the events in the forest. It was the strange scent of that man that wasn't quite human.
"Yohan, there is something I must do. Please don't come after me."
With that said I ran in the direction I knew the scent of the man was coming from. (" I don't know wat that man is or what he wants but I'm sure I can't hide from him. It will be easier to confront him without the group.")
I followed the trail until I reached a dark alleyway. I saw him standing in a corner that was arguably the darkest. However I could still make all his features out. He was still wearing is black mask and cloak.
Leaning against the dark wooden wall with his weapons ready, he lifted his head up when he noticed me approaching him. He had clearly been waiting for me.
I tilted my head. "Hey there, I didn't think we would meet again in a place like this."
The man took one step back and drew his sword. He also took a shining silver cross out his pocket.
"Are you a demon?"
His voice was clear and carried a lot of power in it. I smiled as I slowly let the image fade. "Yes. Now tell me what are you?"
The man took another step back.
"Hmm. So you're a young one."
Suddenly I felt a strong battle intent coming from the man. As a reaction to it I raised my hands to show I wasn't carrying any weapons.
"Please calm down. I'm not here to fight"
The battle intent of the man subdued a bit. Then he shrug his head.
"As a scout from the stone city I cant let a demon go!"