Darkness surrounded Caladel as he stepped through the dead forest. Walking with him was none other than Aldir's adopted daughter.
The two remained silent, not bothering to even try any sort of conversation. It was silent journey to leaving this dead forest.
There truly was nothing that lived in the forest, whether it be plantlife or any animal. Well, a few beasts, but nothing to mark important.
"You know, for being so surprised earlier I thought you'd be bombarding me with questions."
Caladel remained silent at the question, his movement focused and precise with each step. Even his breathing was controlled, he didn't mind the young girl. The one person who was close to his goal because it didn't matter if it wasn't Aldir.
Azure flames flared up from his back and took the shape of a pair of wings. The girl took two steps back in surprise before yelping as she picked up by him.
"We're not wasting anymore time here. You said that there is an Order of Stars camp nearby right?"
The girl could only nod slowly and quickly closed her eyes. At that very moment, Caladel soared through the air and in the distance. Caladel could see movement and the flickering of fire.
"Is there anyone of importance there?"
Eyes still closed, the girl answered.
"No, but there was a letter I can tell you the contents of."
Just as he landed right in front of the camp. He gently placed her down before bringing her behind him.
"Alright. After this, you tell me what's in that letter. Now close your eyes."
She gulped as she hesitantly closed her eyes. Caladel looked back at the camp and raised the broadsword up. The azure flames from his back, slowly swirled before converging into his sword.
He swung it down and the flames erupted, taking shape of a frenzied wall.
Before a member of the Order of Stars could even notice. The azure flames consumed everything and consume it did. Everyone in that camp screamed, dreadful screams that begged for their lives.
The tents and banners were nothing but ash. Nothing was left of the camp and the dead trees that surrounded it had been burnt to ash.
"You may your eyes and before I forget again. Your name."
The girl was breathing heavily, hands shaking, and sweat dripped down her face. She didnt know whether it was from the heat or fear or maybe both. Who knows really, all she understood at that moment was that if she wasn't Aldir's daughter.
She'd be dead already. Opening her eyes, she looked up at him. His face having no expression as usual.
Caladel waited for her to relax as he crouched to her level. He placed both his hands on each shoulder as mana particles slowly popped out of his hands. They quickly turned into small bubbles and popping immediately, releasing a mist that slowly eased the girl.
"L...L...Lilith." she said, taking in small but deep breaths. "The letter was an order from Lord Aldir that we were to await for more orders..."
She stopped talking, closing her eyes as she let out a sigh. One of exhaustion, fear, and pain. Her eyes remained closed before grabbing the courage to open them again.
"Apparently, he was going to a temple in the City of Leyurnia to handle matters with the church of the Almighty Glorious Life."
The mere mention of the Holy City was enough for Caladel to slightly worry. However, he managed to hide it under that stone expression of his.
Lilith gulped, staring at him with fear. Her breaths erratic and noticing this, Caladel placed a hand on her head. The gesture caught her off guard before she felt the same mist of mana touch her again.
"If you're father is heading to Leyurnia for these supposed matters with the Church. That would mean he's going against the Sol Hydra worshippers, am I right?"
Sol Hydra... Lilith laughed at mention of the creature. A monstrous creature blessed by the gods with skin that is impenetrable and even if you manage to pierce through it's flesh.
A regeneration that can bring it back even if it's just a torso. However, no one knows if such creature truly exists as it was only told through tales by fishermen, farmers, and soldiers.
The creature has had many descriptions, so no one truly believes if it truly exists. But one thing is for sure, the most dangerous part of this creature are its followers.
Caladel picked Lilith up and placed her on his shoulder before azure flames flared up from his back. Flying up, he soared through the forest with Lilith's hands wrapped tightly around his neck.
Across him, far in the distance was a ruined castle and village. However, what caught his attention was the fact that there were a few people resting around a campfire next to the village.
They didn't look like normal citizens and there were only five of them and by the looks of it. They may be adventurers, but Caladel wasn't about to word about them. What he needed to deal with was Aldir, but the lingering idea of resting to conserve his power was in his mind.
He then pivoted his course and landed in the middle of the dense trees all of which were dead. Lilith got off him and clung close to him, wary of the people sitting and chatting in the distance.
"You think this is a good idea?" she asked, looking up at him. When Caladel looked down at her, his expression still stone.
"If they do anything they wouldn't be a threat to us both anyways. Either way, they don't seem like the type of people to hurt us."
Approaching the group of people. They looked up at the two, immediately wary of their presence. Two of them had already stood up and one of them had a longsword pointed at Caladel.
The one with the sword was a woman with brown hair that had been tied into a bun. A green traveling cloak and brown tunic to match with a pair of brown boots.
Although, her expression was strong and stern. Her grip on the sword was shaky, telling otherwise.
"I can see that you lot are here for something. Could you not point that thing at me it's scary."
His tone was nonchalant way too relaxed for an encounter like this. These group of people were terrified of this man just for that relaxation. After all, they were in middle of a desolate forest with creatures that could tear them apart in minutes.
"Who are you? No, wait, what are you?"
Her words came out as a desperate response. Behind her was a gnome male with orange hair, the same outfit except for the fact that he had a multitude of pouches around his belt and tunic.
He peered from the side with a dagger in hand and a wand in the other.
"I can feel so much from you. So much mana, so much controlled anger, and this force. Sharp like crystals, yet grand like magic. I fear that you are a Volantrian."
The question hung in the air as his comrades looked at him as if he were mad. There was no way that the man before them was a Volantrian.
"What are you saying, Dorn?" the last that had stood up asked, another male voice, not too deep not too high either.
A normal human at a ridiculous height. Perhaps there was more to him.
"Everyone settle down." the woman ordered, lowering the longsword. "You still haven't answered my question."
She looked back at Caladel who still had a relaxed expression. As for Lilith, she simply. stood next to him, scowling at the woman.
"I'm Caladel, for sure you know who I am from that name. This here is Lilith my traveling companion and we are simply to take rest at your camp."
Everyone went silent, thus, nothing, there was absolutely nothing. Since there were barely any insects or birds in the area, it was only the hollow wind that made noise.
"If Dorn says that you are a Volantrian, then, I will believe that you are Prince Caladel. But, if you really are the prince may I know why you are here?"
The lady placed the sword back into its scabbard, but her eyes still focused on Caladel. Her comrades wary as they kept their guard up, contrasting with Caladel's calm expression and stature.
"I mean to travel to Leyurnia, but without any coin or food. Me and my companion may not survive the trip, so we request for you to assist us. In return, I shall help you with whatever thing you need."
She looked back at her group who had the same look of suspicion. Was this man to be truly trusted? What would ha—
Whoosh!
Something flew passed, and someone followed.
Only for a brief moment did they see it. Caladel in the air with his broad mid swing and right in front of him was a gargoyle. What followed after the finished swing were the azure flames that engulfed the sliced gargoyle.
Lilith played with fingers in intricate movements, catching the attention of Dorn. She then, blew air into her hands before clapping them together. A rotting seed appeared in her hands as she tossed it into the air.
Once it landed, it embedded itself onto the ground before instantly sprouting out a rotting tree that was as large as the tress surrounding them.
Then its trunk opened wide like mouth and from it came out undead corpses that reeked of rot and malice. Shrieking, they swung their grimy hands around, grabbing some of the incoming gargoyles and tore them apart.
"What the actual fuck?" the tall one cursed, taking a step back with a disgusted groan.
"From the looks of it these creatures are coming from that ruined castle. Then, if I am right, you were all heading for the castle?"
The question took the lady out of her shock as she took a step forward and dashed straight ahead. With a swift unsheath of her longsword, she had managed to cut down two gargoyles as they feel on either side of her.
"You are correct, Your Highness." she said, biting her lip to force herself to remain calm.
"May I ask why you're going there for? And Caladel is fine."
"We were requested by the Adventurer's Guild in Kroma to investigate an ongoing mystery within that a castle. Apparently, a mage who went passed this area saw a light in the castle."
Caladel looked back at the ruined castle whilst sidestepping a lunge from a flying gargoyle. Without looking at the gargoyle as it lunged again, he grabbed its face with his free hand and crushed it.
His focus was on the ruined castle and slowly he closed his eyes. After the darkness, slowly small groups of crystal-like aura appeared and a much large one came from the ruined castle.
The moment he opened his eyes, he quickly pivoted his body and sliced at the gargoyle behind him.
Looking back, he saw Lilith and another of the lady's group fighting against the gargoyles. She seemed to have a slim figure and from the looks of it had silver hair that wasn't too long nor short.
In her hands was a bow that looked old and worn almost as if it would break at any moment.
Caladel turned back at the lady and spoke.
"I suggest we enter the castle. It would be best if we handle the root of the problem and continue to stay out here."
She nodded at his words as Caladel ran, and right after she followed suit. Calling out to her fellow adventurers to follow as Lilith was picked up by the tall man.
However, one of the lady's adventurers tripped and was soon torn apart by the gargoyles in gruesome fashion. They pushed the doors open in which Dorn casted a barrier spell right above them and before the door.
"That should leave us some time to find where these creatures came from." he said, panting out his words as he crouched down.
The tall man dropped Lilith in shock as he leaned his face against the cracked wall.
"Oh fuck... they killed him. You saw what they did to Lewis, Ambrette?"
His words cane out in a staccato rhythm, tears welling up in his eyes as he looked back at Ambrette.
Ambrette was standing next to Caladel who had been inspecting their surroundings.
".... I heard him... couldn't bare to look back, Sylas." she responded, gasped as she sat down. She slumped her back against the wall while slowly sheathing back her blade.
As for the other girl who had the bow had been crying into the arms of Dorn. Seeing all of this, Lilith could only sigh before walking over to Caladel.
She whispered into his ear with a irritated expression.
"What the hell are you doing? I thought you wanted to rest and directly head for Leyurnia? Why are we staying here with these people and helping them?"
Caladel moved his gaze down at her without a single bead of sweat. A single glance at him and you wouldn't have guessed this man was tired.
Whispering back, "You are a normal human, you need water and food. These people can help you, which in turn helps me."
She clicked her tongue and moved to his side, sitting directly next to him.
"Lilith whatever these people are investigating. I don't think they're going to make it out alive without us."
Lilith looked up at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Whatever's in this dilapidated castle seems to have a high amount of crystalline aura."
Her eyes slowly widened at the realization as she gripped her robe tight. Biting down her lip enough to draw blood as she forced her eyes to close.
"At least it can't use that huge amount of crystalline aura." she said and right after she let out a chuckle, a mixture of both sarcastic and amused.
"Either way, we need to be careful. You rotmancy won't help us here and you know it."
Caladel's words made Lilith feel even more hopeless. Crystalline Aura the very flow of life within humans known as many things such as blood, spirit energy, and also qi.
It was the very thing that allowed those who couldn't use magic to be on par with those who could. However, unlike mana one can enhance and increase their flow and storage of crystalline aura. Thus, allowing themselves to grow much stronger than any mage, sorcerer, or warlock.
Such a thing terrified Lilith because her rotmancy was a mixture of mana and crystalline aura. Rotmancy being a subcategory of necromancy where one can bring back the dead except for those heavily decayed or corrupted with rot.
Using crystalline aura, one can reverse the spell, and in turn instantly rot any living thing. They could bring back the rotten dead, however, unlike normal necromancy, their soul itself would forever be rotten and could never go to the afterlife.
And if one were to have a high amount of crystalline aura, they would be able to resist her spells. That idea terrified her, but pulling her out of her stressed stupor was Ambrette.
Ambrette had managed to control her emotions and noticed Lilith in the corner. Worried for the young girl, she slowly approached her.
"You okay?"
She had a sweet, gentle smile on her face as she crouched down with her hands resting on her knees.
Lilith could only nod at her words before shivering from Ambrette's touch. Her hand was on her head softly caressing her hair.
In her thoughts, Lilith always wished for comfort like this. Something she wished from Aldir, but never got it and here she was getting it from a stranger she had just met.
A small smile curled her lips, her small hands coming up to grab Ambrette's arm.
"This is nice..."
She murmured, leaning into the touch of Ambrette. At that moment, she felt at ease, truly at ease.