"What are you talking about?I'm human". Elijah said, confusion evident on his face.
Taelia was a little taken aback, Elijah was too defensive there, it was almost like he genuinely believed that he's human.
"Poor guy, must have hit his head real hard during the last attack".
"What are you two doing here?".
The voice of the woman that led Elijah into the medical tent called out, an annoyed scowl on her stiff serious face.
Elijah was more indifferent, too preoccupied with Taelia's controversial statement, but Taelia freaked, she jumped down from the barrel and slightly arched her back.
"Ms Kerys… I'm so sorry, I was um".
"She was tending to my mental wounds, thanks to her. I feel a lot more comfortable in my own skin now". Elijah cut in decisively.
Ms Kerys went silent for a moment, her intentions to scold Taelia thwarted by Elijah's timely interference.
"Verywell, since your patient here is all better, I suggest you get back to work Taelia".
Taelia affirmed with a nod and hurriedly walked away, leaving Elijah and Ms Kerys.
Ms Kerys was clearly the overly serious type, but who could blame her, they were at war afterall, one mistake on her part could lead to the unfortunate death of good men who risk their lives on the battlefield.
"Is there something you want to say to me?". Elijah asked, breaking the silence between them.
"I have been to many parts of our continent but this is the first time I have seen an umbral kin that looks remotely like you do. Tell me, where are you from exactly?".
"Oh that. I don't remember, did you forget Ms Kerys, I hit my head pretty bad, I still think I am human". Elijah ended with a cheeky smile.
"Dammit, I hope Ms lamplight here hasn't caught on to me, and what the hell is with the sinister am gonna murder you vibe coming from her".
"Oh. Is that so… Well then Mr Elijah, I suggest you go get some rest, from my experience, things like these tend to fix themselves over time, am sure your memories will return eventually".
Ms Kerys didn't wait for Elijah to respond. She simply turned around and began to walk away, but before completely leaving his line of sight, her eyes turned slightly in his direction.
But that only gave Elijah cold shivers.
"There it is again, how sinister".
…
Ms. Kerys turned to leave, but just as she stepped out of Elijah's line of sight, her head tilted ever so slightly, casting a glance over her shoulder, her lips curled into a faint smirk.
"What the hell was that? Why does she look like she's already plotting my funeral?".
…
Elijah was left standing alone, a freaked out expression on his face.
"Hey system, What the hell is her problem with me".
[NOTICE: Following an extensive evaluation of Kerys' behavioral patterns and cognitive processes, I have determined that the Umbral kin designated as "Kerys" exhibits romantic interest in your person]
"Well that was unexpected… what about Taelia?".
[NOTICE: Don't push your luck]
…
The bustling activity of the encampment gradually faded as the day slipped into evening. Before Elijah knew it, his conversation with Taelia had consumed most of the daylight hours.
Now, the camp was bathed in the flickering glow of fire torches, the weary soldiers retreating to their tents one by one as the rhythmic chirping of crickets claimed the night.
It was then that Elijah realized he had no tent of his own. Left to wander the encampment, he did his best to stay out of sight, carefully avoiding the watchful eyes of the night guards.
Elijah eventually made his way to an overly conspicuous tent, the tent is larger than the average weather beaten tent found in the camp and was of higher quality.
Even the warmth exuding from the tent was enough for the weary Elijah to lay next to and close his drowsy eyes.
Just as sleep was about to take over the demon, his eyes snapped open, annoyance labeled across his crossed forehead.
"What the hell is with these guys, don't they know it's bedtime".
Elijah sat up and glared at the tent as if it was the reason he couldn't get any sleep.
Just as Elijah was about to crawl away, he heard a familiar voice from within the tent, it sounded exactly like First lieutenant Verayth.
The woman that initially brought him to the encampment.
"This must be the meeting they're supposed to be having".
When Elijah realised that, he looked from left to right, then from right to left, and quietly scooted closer to the tent and placed his ear on it, fully intent on accidentally hearing them through the tent.
The muted murmurs from within the tent intensified as Elijah pressed his ear to the fabric.
"...Black Ash battlefront… critical position… reinforcement delay…"
Elijah furrowed his brows. He leaned closer, determined to piece together the context.
First Lieutenant Verayth's voice cut through the muffled words like a blade.
"Major, we cannot afford any more mistakes. The Nation of Thalora is relentless, and this delay in reinforcements will cost us dearly."
Another voice, deeper and calmer, responded.
"First Lieutenant Verayth is right, we've received word from the forward scouts. The holy church's forces have been sighted mobilizing their Vanguard Elite. If the reports are accurate, they're led by none other than Commander Varoth. The demon slayer himself."
A collective silence filled the tent, heavy with apprehension. Elijah's pulse quickened. Commander Varoth? The way the man said "demon slayer" didn't sit right with him.
Verayth's voice broke the tension.
"Then we must prepare for a final stand. If Commander Varoth is leading this charge, we need every able bodied man and woman ready in less than a month. Casualties will be inevitable, but if the Black Ash front falls, the central plains will be in imminent danger.
A new voice chimed in, gruff and impatient, it was First lieutenant Darvik.
"You are suggesting we recruit workers and medics to arms, even if we had a month to train them, they will only end up as ordinary fodder, Verayth… this is too cruel even for you".
"Then what other bright ideas do you have, First Lieutenant Darvik?".