When my vision finally cleared, I found myself standing on barren land beneath a blazing sun. The ground was cracked and lifeless, stretching as far as the eye could see. There wasn't a hint of shade, not a single tree or bush—only jagged rocks scattered like forgotten remnants of a broken world. The heat pressed down on us, relentless and suffocating.
The others were nearby, their forms sharpening through the shimmering haze of heat. I didn't speak, choosing instead to observe. That's how it always started—watching, waiting, letting the others move first. The silence didn't last long.
"Defeat a demon lord, huh?" the man said, his voice dry and laced with skepticism.
His tall frame cast a faint shadow across the cracked ground. Black hair framed sharp features, and his dark coat looked impossibly untouched despite the oppressive environment. He carried himself like someone who didn't take orders lightly, his voice carrying just enough weight to suggest he might be trouble later.
No one responded immediately, the tension palpable. So I broke the silence. "We should start with introductions," I said, my voice calm and measured. "I'm Arcelus Kai."
The red-haired girl was next. She smiled faintly, the kind of smile that felt more like a smirk, and tossed her fiery locks over her shoulder. "Scarlett Rose," she said, her tone light and playful, though I caught the faintest glint of calculation in her blue eyes.
The older woman with silver hair stood with an air of quiet authority. She nodded briskly before speaking. "Liora Veyne," she said. Her green eyes were cold, scanning the group as though evaluating our worth.
Finally, the man who'd spoken earlier crossed his arms. His dark eyes rested on me for a moment longer than was comfortable before he spoke. "Calen Dray," he said simply, offering no further elaboration.
The air hung heavy after the introductions, and I could feel their gazes lingering on me, expectant. I didn't say anything more. Silence often revealed more than words.
"Well, this is a fun group," Scarlett said, breaking the tension with her trademark smirk. She pointed toward the horizon, where something shimmered faintly through the haze. "That looks like a kingdom. Let's move. Sitting here in the sun isn't going to help us."
We all turned to look. In the distance, vague shapes began to form—towers, walls, or maybe just mirages. It was impossible to tell for sure, but it was the only direction that offered any semblance of hope.
Without another word, we started walking.
...
..
.
The trek across the barren land was grueling, the sun an unrelenting adversary. No one spoke at first, the silence stretching between us like an invisible thread. I used the time to observe them—Scarlett's casual steps, as if she weren't bothered by the heat; Liora's efficient, calculated pace; and Calen's position at the back, deliberately hanging back to watch all of us.
Scarlett was the first to break the silence. "So, what's the plan when we get there?" she asked, turning to glance over her shoulder at me.
"We observe," I replied simply. "Then we decide."
"Not much of a talker, huh?" she said, smirking.
I looked at her and gave her a smile. Which I think was not all that great.
Her smirk widened. "Mysterious. I like it."
Liora's voice cut in, sharp and precise. "We'll need to figure out how to survive first. We have no money, no supplies, and no idea where we are. We can't afford mistakes."
"She's right," Calen said, his voice low but firm. He didn't look at me as he spoke, but I felt the weight of his suspicion lingering in the air. "One wrong move, and we're done."
I kept my expression neutral, letting their words play out. Scarlett and Liora seemed practical, though Scarlett's light-hearted demeanor hinted at hidden layers. Calen, on the other hand, was openly distrustful, his words carefully chosen to challenge me without being overtly hostile.
"You seem awfully quiet, Arcelus," Scarlett said, her tone teasing but probing. "Got any big plans for taking down a demon lord?"
"Lets not waste energy on speculation," I replied. "We'll see what the kingdom has to offer first."
"Smart," she said, though I could sense the skepticism beneath her words.
The tension between us was thick by the time we reached the edge of the kingdom. Walls rose high into the sky, casting long shadows over the parched land. The gates loomed ahead, flanked by guards in dull, battered armor. This wasn't a place of prosperity—it was a kingdom worn down by something darker.
"Well," Scarlett said, stopping just short of the gates and turning to face us. "What's the plan now, fearless leader?"
I glanced at the others. "We observe," I said again. "Then we act."
Scarlett smirked. "Sounds thrilling."
Liora and Calen said nothing, but I could feel their eyes on me. The group was already on edge, and we hadn't even entered the gates yet.