Crystalline Swordsman

Walking through the streets, Fero paid close attention to the people on the sides. Pickpockets were always around in this area of town. Even large groups such as the one he was a part of were targeted on occasion. The group was headed out by order of the King to eradicate a small regiment of demons that had taken over an abandoned castle. The group was roughly 90 people in all. The enemy castle would take about 5 days to reach. Kasila, the woman walking next to Fero was several inches shorter than him. Her long jet-black hair really caught his attention. Her deep sea blue eyes were something he could stare into forever.

"You look sweaty already. You scared?" Kasila teased.

"Haha! You think a little walk will scare me?" Fero snapped back

"You know I'm talking about the demons." Kasila corrected him.

"The walk itself is scarier. I was doing some training before we set out." Fero jokingly wobbled his legs. He then patted Kasila on her shoulder.

Fero was a hardened berserker. He has a little fame in the kingdom. His strength though is legendary. At least that's what he says. Kasila was more familiar with light swords and quick swordplay. She was on par with Fero when it came to renown in fighting on the battlefield. They were friends since childhood. Fero liked her a bit more than she knew.

Fero could see though, that Kasila had eyes for the actual hero in this group. A swordsman with a sword like no other. Jikal has defeated demons thought nearly impossible to kill. He had the entire kingdom in the palm of his hand. He was a celebrity.

Others in the group included a blacksmith with a portable workshop on a horse-drawn carriage. Many swordsmen and women of some renown were among the group. Even a fox demon with white fur has sworn an oath to the hero. Bakers, gatherers, and other non-combat personnel help the group get ready on the day before the attack. The enemy force was estimated at roughly 25-50 demons. The issue with those small numbers is the fact that some demons are much stronger than others.

Jikal had his own carriage to travel in style while most of the others in the group have to walk. His laughter could be heard in the distance.

"He's in good spirits. Lucky bastard." Ferro commented.

"Yeah." Kasila agreed out loud, but her thoughts wandered.
'He can't be walking all over the place. His legs would get too musclebound and ugly. His perfectly short blonde hair. His small but strong muscles. His short stature and his dreamy bright blue eyes. OH! I can't help but shiver when I think about him.'

A young woman jumped on Fero's back. He didn't recoil one bit.

"Hello, Hira. You gonna make me carry you the entire way?" Fero greeted the young woman.

"I know you can handle it. You swing a sword with one hand that's heavier than me." Hira responded as she ruffled Fero's short spiky black hair.

"That also means he can throw you farther than I can throw a stone if you get on his nerves." Kasila reminded Hira.

"I haven't had that happen yet. I'll take my chances." Hira teased.

Hira had medium-length blonde hair with a black bandana keeping any longer strands out of her eyes. Her hazel eyes were sharp as daggers. Just like the weapons she uses. Hira actually took a liking to Fero. Her methods of battle scare most men away. The fact that Fero was not scared of her was a source of security for her. She felt like she could live her life with someone due to his stoicism. Maybe even Fero himself, if she could turn him over to her. He was dense with her advances though.

"So, Fero. Wanna wrestle in the sack later?" Hira not so subtly hinted.

"You know I would win. What's the point?" He calmly replied.

"Such a "Fero" answer." Kasila acknowledged.

Fero had a confused look on his face while Kasila and Hira laughed.

The group had made it out of the city's main gates and picked up the pace to a fast walk. After two days of walking, the group stopped to take an extended break. They were ahead of schedule. The stopping point was on a field at the foot of some mountains with a hot spring nearby. Fero decided to do some training there.

Fero stood tall in only his undergarments, balancing on one foot. He held his arm and sword out in a straight line with his left hand. He balanced three rocks, one on top of the other on a flat side at the tip of the sword. Kasila, hoping for a bath came across the scene. She was mesmerized by the balancing act in front of her. His eyes were closed. She was safe from being discovered. She found some nearby reeds to hide behind in the hot spring water. She continued to watch as his body was rigid and unwavering. He began to move. His right arm shifted and his body quickly pivoted on his toes. He let go of the handle with his left hand and nearly instantly grabbed it with his right. The rocks on the tip of the sword made no shuffle. The sword was still perfectly balanced. This display of skill was nothing like she had ever seen.

"I know someone's there," Fero called out.

Kasila was caught. Or so she thought. She began to stand when someone else spoke up.

"Well, I was just going for a stroll and found quite the sight." An unfamiliar voice answered.

"You are... Aneka? Correct?" Fero asked without looking.

"That's right. I am afraid your name escapes me. I was hoping for some bath time but, I found you instead." The woman responded.

Kasila watched as Aneka slowly strode up to Fero and began to caress his steamy, sweat-covered back with her hands. She went up toward his neck then back down. She reached around the front to feel his abs before she went even lower.

"Please don't. You'll interrupt my training. I'm Fero, by the way."

Aneka stopped for a moment before pulling away.

"You are no fun. If you are not using the pools then maybe you should let others use them. There is one more here waiting for you to leave." Aneka pointed out.

Fero opened his eyes and looked around. He just barely saw a skin color through the steam and behind the reeds.

"I'm sorry, Kasila. I didn't want to interrupt you if you need a bath. I'll do some different training elsewhere." Fero lowered his sword and dropped the rocks. He raised his sword above his head and locked it behind his neck with his arms before he turned and walked across a moss-covered path out of view.

When Fero was out of sight, Aneka revealed her nude body and a long fox-like tail. She placed her towel on a nearby rock and slowly got into the water. She was tall. Taller than Fero. Her hair was mostly a combination of long and short demonically red hair with white tips. She had fox ears instead of human ones. She had three stripe marks across her left cheek the same color as her hair.

"Are you going to just stare? Come, join me." The fox demon beckoned.