Aeruna, a country located to the east. Xain had stumbled upon mentions of it in the books he had 'borrowed' over the years. The country's culture was said to be vastly different from the rest of Aetheria, with a strong emphasis on spirituality and a unique connection to Aetheria itself. However, the details remained elusive, as the books Xain had come across never delved deep into the specifics.
Larkin scratched his beard thoughtfully and spoke up, "Yeah, I have some connections there. I know someone who can help us out." Xain leaned in, studying the map before them. It depicted Ironhelm at the center of Aetheria, surrounded by the neighboring regions. Aeruna lay to the east, while Veridiania stretched to the west, Elarien was positioned to the south, and Haldoria occupied the northern reaches.
As Zee examined the map more closely, Xain directed his question to Larkin, curiosity evident in his voice. "So, you've been to Aeruna?" Larkin paused, briefly savoring another spoonful of stew before responding, "Yup, it's a beautiful country. Much better than Ironhelm, no offense." Xain nodded, his expression showing a hint of offense, and replied, "Some taken," acknowledging that he couldn't help but feel a bit defensive about his home.
Zee neatly folded the map and stowed it away. "Well, it's decided then. We're going to Aeruna!" Her voice held a tinge of excitement, though Xain's response was more subdued as he simply shrugged. His familiarity with the outside world was limited, and he was content to go along with their choice. *Aeruna, huh? Well, it's definitely a better choice than Veridiania,* Ercale commented in Xain's mind. The mention jogged Xain's memory. *Right, they were ones that mainly fought you, weren't they?* Ercale's response was a simple *Yes.*
With the stew finished, Larkin clasped his hands together. "Well, time to head off to bed," he declared. Xain's concerns came to the forefront. "Aren't there people chasing you? Shouldn't we keep guard?" Zee gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll keep watch. Us elves don't need as much sleep as you do, so I'm the perfect candidate for this," she said with a hint of pride in her voice, evidently sounding proud of her elven genetics.
Xain was thoroughly exhausted, so he welcomed the prospect of finally getting some sleep. After all, it had been an eventful day. He had fought an orc, been knocked out, experienced a takeover by a Demon Lord, helped eliminate one of the most dangerous criminals, been arrested once again, subjected to yet another round of interrogation, and then unceremoniously expelled from the city that had been his home for his entire 16 years of life. All in all, an exceptionally long day.
Just before Xain retreated into his tent, he gently intercepted Zee, who seemed poised to ascend her tree again. In his hand, he presented her with a small, peculiar device. "What's this?" Zee's curiosity sparked as she examined the unfamiliar object. "It's a chronoscope, a timekeeping tool. Figured it might come in handy for your guard duty." As he spoke, he noticed a twinkle of gratitude in Zee's eyes. Before she could voice more questions, he turned and went towards his own tent.
Xain and Larkin retreated into their respective tents. Collapsing onto the sleeping bag, Xain let out a tired sigh. He was joined by Ercale's voice in his mind. *Is your life always like this?* As sleepiness crept over him, Xain answered, *If you mean chaotic, then yes, but it hasn't been this chaotic since the first time I met Malvin.* To his surprise, he detected a yawn in Ercale's tone.
*Huh, am I getting tired?* Ercale wondered, his uncertainty quite evident, as if the idea of being tired was entirely new to the Demon Lord. Xain speculated, *Maybe because you used so much magic today?* Although Xain's understanding of magic was very limited, it seemed Ercale was grappling with his own fatigue. *Maybe... whatever, just go to sleep,* Ercale retorted, a touch grumpily. As Xain embraced the invitation to rest, he murmured, *You know what they say, tomorrow is another... something,* his words trailing off as slumber claimed him.
**Several hours later**
Zee examined the chronoscope Xain had given her. It bore the marks of age, its surface worn and battered, yet it retained a certain charm with faded golden floral patterns etched across its exterior. The craftsmanship suggested value, and Zee couldn't help but wonder, *Did Xain steal this?* Her curiosity prompted her to open the timepiece, revealing the hands pointing at 2 o'clock. She secured it shut again, gently hanging it onto her pocket while remaining vigilant of her surroundings.
Zee, although committed to her role as a lookout, found herself grappling with an unexpected adversary: boredom. "If only there were animals around," she mused to herself, with a pout on her face. Her thoughts were interrupted as an unfamiliar presence registered in her senses, setting her on edge. Instantly on alert, she readied her daggers, fully prepared to engage if necessary. *If it's that blond woman Amara, then I'll need to approach her quietly,* she strategized, stealthily navigating through the trees to get a closer look at the source of her unease.
However, the figure that emerged from the shadows wasn't Amara, but rather The Fiend himself. Zee's senses heightened, her heart racing as she observed him moving stealthily through the forest. *What is he doing here? Can I take him on alone?* she wondered, evaluating the situation and her own abilities.
As the seconds ticked by, she realized that she was the only one with both energy and mana remaining, while Xain and Larkin were drained from the day's events. Determination coursing through her veins, Zee steadied herself, gripping her daggers tightly as she prepared for action. Without a second thought, she jumped down, aiming to catch The Fiend off-guard.
As Zee attempted to drop down on The Fiend, her daggers poised to strike his shoulders, he suddenly looked up, his senses tingling with awareness of her presence. In a seamless motion, he adjusted his stance, effortlessly sidestepping her attack. Zee's daggers sunk into the ground where his feet had been just a heartbeat earlier, throwing her off balance for a split second.
They both stared at each other, tension thick in the air. Zee quickly regained her footing, adopting a defensive stance with her daggers at the ready. On the other side, The Fiend remained still, his focus solely on her. The forest seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the impending clash to unfold.
Before Zee could decipher this curious shift in attention, The Fiend propelled himself forward with a burst of astonishing speed. Zee's instincts kicked in, prompting her to dodge, yet The Fiend's agility surpassed her expectations. His clawed fingers snaked out with unerring precision, closing around the chronoscope?
Zee's heart raced in her chest, a mix of fear and wariness swirling within her. She couldn't shake the memory of their earlier encounter, *He could have ended us at any moment,* she realized, a cold shiver running down her spine.
The chronoscope, which he clutched to his chest, seemed like an odd point of focus amidst their confrontation. *Why is he so interested in that watch?* Zee's mind raced with questions even as her senses remained sharp, alert for any movement from her opponent.
Summoning her courage, Zee's voice cut through the tense air, her question hanging in the stillness, "Who are you?" The Fiend's body tensed visibly at her words, a fleeting sense of vulnerability in his posture. He cast a wary gaze around their surroundings before his hand moved to his mask.