The next day, the chosen descendants met at the council hall first thing in the morning, each decked in their uniforms.
Eve walked into the hall with something that looked like a scroll in her hand. Her eyes scanned through the five of them as though making sure everyone was present.
Looking back at Shane for a bit, she pulled her eyes away;
"This is the map to the Forest of Azman. Some demons have taken over the forest and are slowly making their way into the surrounding villages. The number of demons is uncertain at this point, as no one who has ventured into the forest has come out to tell the tale."
Eve paused as her eyes swept over Shane who appeared to be a little frightened by her words, and then she looked at Nyx;
"I trust you can handle this?"
She questioned and Nyx nodded, taking the scroll from her hand. Nyx was the strongest among them all. So she was automatically their leader on this trip.
"We'll do our best."
Shane looked at Nyx. She looked quite serious, not a hint of a smile on her face. She knew when to joke around and when to be serious. Even when she was this solemn, she still looked very cute.
Eve spoke drawing Shane's attention back to her; "I know you all are curious as to why a fifth rank is with you. The council decided to send him with you to test his powers on demons to know if he can draw from their mana, it'll be very beneficial to us if he can. Do you have any objections or questions?"
She inquired and none of them said anything.
"That said; you can be on your way. Your horses are ready outside the gates, and I hope you have a safe journey back."
She said and they nodded and left.
"I'm positive she's the one who suggested they select you for this trip, the look she gave you didn't seem like she liked you at all." Sky said to Shane as they left the hall.
"That is the least of my concerns right now, I'm more concerned about not getting killed on this trip, she's the least of my worries."
Outside Tatiana and Finn were waiting to bid them goodbye;
"Please come back alive," Tatiana said, a sad look on her face. She hugged them briefly but stayed a bit longer in Shane's arms.
Sky gave a grin; "We'll try our best, don't fall in love while we are gone, you know how much it'll break my heart." Sky said making a pouting face.
Tatiana gave a frustrated sigh and shook her head; "what do I do with you?"
Sky drew in closer to her and puckered his lips as he said;
"You can start by giving me a goodbye kiss," Tatiana instantly moved her hand in front of his face, shoving his head away. Turning to Shane, she said;
"Shane please stick beside Nyx and others, Sky will get you in trouble if you stay with him."
Sky smiled at her remark; "This could be the last time you'll see me, be nice to me today."
Tatiana stared at him; ''You better come back alive unless I won't forgive you.''
Sky smiled, caressing her chin fondly; ''Don't miss me too much.''
''You wish.''
"What are you guys doing there?" Yuri shouted, beckoning the duo to join them as they were about to leave.
"Come back safely," Finn said as they waved them goodbye.
There were five horses and the other three descendants had mounted theirs as they waited for Shane and Sky. Fortunately, Shane learned horse riding back on earth, it was the only other thing he took joy in apart from drugs and mobile games.
Sky chose the black horse, leaving the white horse to Shane. It was the only white horse and Shane loved it because it kind of suited his white hair.
Shane patted the white horse, as though telling it to be good before he mounted it.
Hya!
Nyx pulled the reins of her horse and the others followed, riding off into the distance.
They traveled for long hours before they stopped to eat and drink from the necessities they had packed for the journey.
After they had eaten and regained their strength, Nyx placed the map on the ground, pointing on it where they were currently at.
"We are here; " she said, pointing at a spot, "and this is where we are headed." She completed, her index finger tracing on the map, and stopping at another spot, showing them how much more they still had to go.
"It doesn't seem like we'll be getting to Azman anytime soon.''
Dai commented, seeing that they still had a significant distance to travel,
"Yes, it'll take us two days to get there. When dusk arrives, we will make camp in the next village and continue on our journey tomorrow."
Nyx said as she folded the map back.
"We should set off now if we don't want to extend our journey to four days."
She said standing up and they walked back to their horses.
They had stopped by a nearby stream, so the horses had drank some water and ate some grass before they set off again.
They rode for a few more hours before sunset came. Luckily, there was a small village nearby so they went in to look for a place to rest for the night.
The locals stared at them in a strange manner as they rode gently past them;
"Why is everyone staring at us unusually?'' Shane asked Sky,
"I don't know. Maybe they haven't seen new people in a long while," he responded, just as unaware as Shane was.
Nyx stopped a little girl, who was carrying a wicker basket full of grains,
"Is there perhaps an inn around here?"
The girl appeared to be about 12 years of age and she looked at the other descendants and then at Nyx but did not say anything in reply.
Nyx asked again; "Is there a guest house in your village?"
At the second question, the girl pointed to a road;
Nyx looked at the distance then she nodded to the girl kindly, "thank you."
The girl stood still as she watched them leave, and then she walked away with her basket.
"This village has a strange and unsettling air about it. Nobody seems to be acting normally here. '' Shane remarked.
It was barely half-past six but there were no children laughing or playing. The older ones had a grim look on their faces as they went about their business.
Sky chuckled, "it's getting dark, they are trying to get their dinner and livestock inside before night falls, you don't expect them to be laughing while doing that, do you?"
Sky said. He also had a feeling that something was off there, but he did not want to think too much about it, he might be wrong.