The sun was low over Aldmere, its last rays casting long shadows over stone walls and twisted roofs. Soldiers marched in formation, armor clanking as they went. The scent of iron, mud, and something darker — something like fear — hung in the air.
Elias Veyrin slumped on a post next to the blacksmith's forge, arms crossed, eyes half-shut as he watched the others stirring. So arrogant, these people. So hungry for glory.
A voice broke his reverie.
"There you are, Elias!"
He didn't need to look in order to know who was speaking.
Auron Lannis, shining as always. Not just because of the elegant armor or superior attitude, but because Auron was the kind of man that people naturally looked up to.
Elias finally got to his feet, standing up straight. "Thought you'd be making speeches by now."
Auron grinned. "Thought I'd arrive first. We leave at dawn, remember?"
Elias nodded slowly.
Behind Auron, Rina stood with arms folded, leaning against a cart, and glared at Elias as if she were sizing up a stray dog. Dain sat on a barrel nearby, grunting as he sharpened his sword. Meris alone, sitting quietly with her satchel of herbs, smiled politely at Elias.
The norm.
"You could fake it, at least," Auron said, prodding Elias on the side.
"Yeah," Rina muttered, loudly enough for Elias to hear. "Wouldn't hurt you to play like you're here for a reason."
Elias did not move. He was a master at that.
Auron gave Rina a sharp look but otherwise said nothing
Later, the group sat close together around a fire, Auron laying a map out on his knees and tracing their route with his finger.
"We'll head east through the ridge, avoid the main roads. Reports say demons have been sighted near the old ruins."
"Figures," Dain grunted. "Always hiding in places that stink of death."
Elias sat a bit away from the fire, arms resting on his knees, listening but not speaking.
"You have any thoughts, Elias?" Auron asked, glancing over.
Elias didn't look up right away. He could feel the others' eyes on him.
Finally, he shrugged. "Keeping off the roads is a good plan. The ridge is narrow, though. If they're watching, they'll see us coming."
Rina rolled her eyes. "So what, we just stroll down the middle like a parade?"
"Just saying," Elias growled.
Auron's gaze lingered on Elias for a moment before a soft smile formed on his lips. "We'll make sure to be more careful."
Meris chose to keep quiet while glancing at the two and holding their comments.
---
As the day came to a close and everyone decided to take a rest, Elias continued to stare at the fire as the last of it slowly extinguished.
Auron effortlessly sank to the ground beside him with a low exhale.
Auron stated, "Elias, you always seem to distance yourself from the group," his tone gentler than before, "Tell me why?"
"I don't want to talk," were the words that formed in Elias's mind, and then a silence consumed him.
Auron let out a breathy laugh. "I've been thinking that maybe you actually from time to time consider joining the rest of us. Opening up."
Elias countered his gaze as he said, "What do you think?"
"Good question," Auron paused. "It is quite difficult as once you accepted that everything is okay, you always seem distant."
Elias averted his gaze from the world as he directed it toward Auron's form before turning his face down. "Not everyone can fold themselves to fit your perspective."
There was no sound or movement shared for a second with Auron's faint smile lingering.
"Anyway," learned Auron's voice, "I appreciate the effort you've made to be present."
Elias's lack of response seemed to confirm his silent agreement.
---
The new bright light from the sun arrived with colors of gray and white.
As the day began, it was evident that Elias was chosen to stay at the end of the group as their eyes circled the area for dangers at hand.
"Stop sulking, shadow boy," Rina said to him as she walked by and added, "You are going to make the demons weep before we arrive. Try to have a more pleasant expression."
Elias did not see why he should add anything, but he was aware of Auron shooting Rina an irked look.
Still, Rina was right about that. Elias had a talent for making everything l feel empty
They reached the edge of the ridge around noon, whereupon Auron lifted a hand to signal a stop.
"Keep your eyes open," he said. "This is where it gets dangerous."
They marched in tighter formation, and while Elias sneaked to the back, his keen gaze noticed everything from a broken branch to a weird mark inscribed on the dirt.
It was only a matter of time before he noticed the faint scraping ahead.
"Hold up," Elias said all of a sudden.
Everyone shifted towards him.
"What now?" Rina asked, irritated.
"I heard something. There is something over there," Elias said while gesturing towards the path ahead.
Dain strained his eyes. "Didn't hear a thing."
Auron was already raising his sword. "I trust him. Be ready."
Indeed, something moved from the ridge's shadows, and as the growl filled the air, it was clear what it was.
"Demons."
Those words seemed to flow out of Auron as the furious purple beasts flooded towards them with speed he was not ready for. Dain followed through with a roar, Auron met them furiously, charging ahead with his sword flashing while Rina's graceful movements quickly steeled an arrow, effortlessly letting it fly.
At first, Elias stood on the side calculating and watching them, waiting for them to catch a bit eager and agitated.
Elias sprang into action when a demon carved through Auron's weak flank side. He moved swift, clean, and quiet.
His dagger struck true, penetrating the creature's throat like a hot knife into butter.
Auron twisted around, startled with his mouth agape.
Elias merely responded with a swift nod.
In mere moments, the fight was decided. They remained where they were, amidst the slaughtered corpses, trying to calm their breath.
"Guess you were right," Rina said barely above a whisper, turning towards Elias, but not completely looking at him.
Elias said nothing, just wiping his blade carefully against the grass.
"Come here," Auron grinned and slapped him on the shoulder. "Knew I could count on you."
Elias allowed himself the faintest smile – just for a moment
That night while they were on safer grounds, Auron sat beside Elias again on the fire pit.
"You saved my skin back there," Auron said in a low voice.
Elias cassually shrugged. "You would've been fine."
Auron laughed mildly. "You don't give yourself enough credit."
The fire crackled softly as a warm ambiance developed between the two.
Auron decided to ask, "You ever think about why you stay, Elias? Like, what really is in for you to keep trailing me when you could be anywhere but here?" His tone softer than before.
Elias stared at the flames for a long moment.
"Well, what if I'm just waiting to see how it all goes down," he began before pausing. "That's worst case scenario, of course," Elias said finally, voice low.
Auron smiled sadly. It was clear to him that there was more to what Elias wasn't saying.
"Well, whatever your reason, I'm glad you're here," he said after some consideration.
Elias did not respond.
Auron allowed himself to slowly drift off at the fire while leaving Elias to watch the night sky.
"If something happens to you, Ill be the one to stop it but I really hate you all" Elias throught