When the people heard about the death of Black Annis, everyone started cheering out of pure joy. Finally, they are once again safe from the claws of the monster.
As the news spread, the people started gathering outside the inn where the travelers were staying.
They came bearing gifts and wide smiles, wanting to see as they call them… their co-called SAVIORS.
"We have to get going," Brennan said as he look outside. Peeking through the small crack of the window.
Lucky for them it wasn't made out of glass, the owner not being wealthy enough to own glass windows.
"I know, but how can we leave if they won't go away?" Darius grumbled. Using his thumb and index finger, he pinched the bridge of his nose out of frustration.
'We are wasting time.' He thought.
"Maybe we should just face them, then say your welcome and leave," Brennan suggested.
"With that amount of people? I doubt we could leave that easily."
A knock on the door interrupted the conversation, "It's me sir." The innkeeper announced.
Opening the door he had brought two bags full of fruits, packaged goods, and water gourds.
"I have brought you supplies for your travel, your horses are also ready and waiting at the back of the inn where there are fewer people. If you move swiftly, they won't be able to catch up."
"Truly?" Darius asked, clearly surprised.
"Yes, it is the least I could for the people that killed the witch that had been haunting our city for so long."
"How come they believed the story that easily anyway?" Brennan pointed out.
"Ah, they already searched the forest with the help of young Agnes. They found the cave full of skin and the decapitated body of the witch." The keeper explained.
"Bloody hell, we just took the child home and they decided to take her back in that nightmare." Darius shook his head disappointed at the people.
"Well, they are enthusiastic to find out more after hearing the death of the terrible creature that had been haunting the city. You can't really blame them for that." The keeper reasoned.
"I suppose… but still, it's not good for the child." Darius sighed.
It was midday when Brennan and Darius had the chance to slip away from the city folks.
Sneaking out of the back door with the help of the keeper, they rode the horse and left the city without turning back.
"Well it was good that we are out of that mess," Darius said as they traveled along the long dusty road.
"Hey, Darius…"
"Hmmm?" the other hummed in response.
"You don't like being around people don't you?" Brennan asked.
But of course, how can he ever like people when he grew up hated by the village folks back at the dead swamp.
With such bitter childhood, there's no way he can endure any shred of attention from any sort of crowd.
"Well… I have my reasons." He simply replied.
"Gah! There you are again with that kind of answer." Brennan complained making Darius chuckle.
"Don't laugh. You still owe me." Brennan added.
"Pardon?"
"In the Wilson manor, you said that you will tell me about your life before all of this."
"Oh… I did huh."
"You forgot?"
No, he did not forget. But he was hoping the Brennan will or at the very least. He wanted to delay it as much as he can.
Talking about his past – especially the time he was Ravana's slave was not easy. In all honestly, he just wanted to bury that part of his life and forget it all as if it never happened.
Darius remained in silence, unable to answer the younger man.
"I'll squeeze it out of you eventually," Brennan shrugged, deciding to leave his friend alone. After all, they have a long road ahead of them.
As the sun started setting on the horizon, the travelers also decided to camp for the night.
By the time the night completely took over, Darius and Brennan were already sitting by a fire.
"Here," Brennan handed Darius some bread, cheese, and dried meat.
"It's from the innkeeper packed a lot of food." He said.
"That's fine, we will need them anyway." The dove, which is now in the form of a young woman said.
"But the southern mountain is just two days away, isn't it?" Darius furrowed his brows.
"Yes, but that was reaching the foot of the mountain. Climbing the peak is another matter to resolve." The young woman explained.
Darius groaned, "Of course the mission is not just at the foot of the mountain but at the top." He said as he started massaging his temple.
"You'll be receiving a blessing from the lord of the forest, you don't have the right to complain." The woman glared at Darius softly, making the male sigh in defeat.
'I'm too tired to argue with her.' He thought.
"Fine, but what was in the mountain anyway?"
"Weren't you listing? He told you to find the nest of the Adar Llwch Gwin and protect it."
"I know that much but for how long? And from what?" Darius asked.
"Until the mother had properly laid its eggs." The woman replied before looking away.
"As for the later… I…" she shook her head.
"You don't know?"
"W-well…" she slowly nodded her head, ashamed of not knowing what they are against even though she was supposed to guide the travelers.
But even the lord of the wild doesn't know, who exactly had dared to attack those majestic creatures. However, from what they know… not only the Adar Llwch Gwin were being targeted.
Some of the other creatures of the wild are also being attacked, but more are able to flee. Unfortunately, this was at the time of laying eggs, and was unable to leave the nest.
"W-we… we're not entirely sure. But what the lord of the wild had told me, someone was purposely gathering power and that's why they are collecting those creatures. They will be used as weapons."
"There is no telling what was going on at this point, but he said he can feel it… something big is going to happen. Something that even the gods are not able to see, not even the fates can tell what is happening." She lowered her head saddened by the truth.
Besides, even the gods know, it's not like they can do anything.
There was an ancient rule, one that was even older than the gods. One that was created by the world tree and one that the gods are forced to follow.
'No god must directly affect the shifting of the world, no matter where it was leading.'
They can only observe, even if the world is burning right before their eyes.
It was mainly to protect the realms and every living creature. Because each god has its own biases due to the realms' beliefs and chosen god to worship.
At the end of the day, the world tree by nature will not allow the realms to fall into destruction.
This is why, in the most critical moments.
It will choose a hero to defend the balance between the realms.
Darius sighed, "It can't be helped then." He shrugged, but in his gut, he could feel something… something bad… something he didn't like.
Not even in the slightest bit.
The planetary alignment will happen in about a year and so is the summoning. Now someone is gathering power?
He is no fool, the two have to be connected… somehow.
The question is, what was the enemy's plan?
To summon a monster? To gather power?
Where will that lead?
What is the end game here?
"Fuck," a curse slipped out of his tongue.
"Ah, sorry."
The three of them stared at each other awkwardly.
Until they heard a growl coming from the young woman's stomach.
Her face erupted in a color even brighter than the flames.
"D-don't look here!" she shouted, her face contorting in an expression that only shows embarrassment.
Her actions made the young men laugh, while theirs made her blush harder.
"Here eat this," Brennan handed her the same meal as they have.
"I…" she bit her lower lip.
"The bread is fine." She said shyly taking the bread from Brennan.
Usually, Brennan would give her pieces of bread while in the bird form, being a dove was easier. She could eat crumbs and still feel wonderful, but the human form was different.
"Then have an apple as well," Brennan said with a bright smile.
"Now that I think about it, we don't really know you. Aside from being our guide and being a bird that is." Darius begun.
"Let's make introductions, how's that?" He added.
"A-ah… there's no reason for you to do that. This is Brennan, I received some information about him but the most notable one was his remarkable archery. On the other hand, you're Darius the wilder of the subterranean sword also known as the devouring sword. You were once a slave a witch named Ravana, in your years of service you earn the title-"
"Okay that's enough… what about you? Tell us your name at the very least." Darius felt his heart skip a beat.
He doesn't want to hear that again.
Not now and more preferably, never.
"Oh…" the young woman eyed Darius, she understand. She will probably feel the same way if it was her.
To be forced to perform such gruesome tasks was beyond her comprehension.
"I'm… nothing but a nature spirit that serves Cernnunos." The woman's eyes glossed with admiration and devotion.
"He created me from a feather that fell from the sky and into his hand. He gave me a life and took care of me. I have never left his side since then because I wanted to pay him back, I wanted to serve him with all I have." She said with a smile.
"Oh!" she exclaimed upon realizing that she was getting sidetracked.
"You can just call me… Kalla." Her bright smile matched the twinkle in her eyes. Her blonde hair sparkling against the crackling fire.
Breathtaking, was the only word that could describe at that moment.
And not a single soul can deny that.