Kauri was finally in his room, just as he entered he fell on the bed. Today's day was quite hectic for him. First, he had to go to the city with Anushna and Dolen, then when he came back Scarlett had arrived, also she had lost her hand. That was a very troubling site for him, though Scarlett was always mean to him, he knew she only did it to make Idris look larger than life. But then all that act to get Scarlett a prosthetic arm. He did it all precisely enough so she felt the least amount of pain. But it was still scary for him, what if he cuts too much, or she gets hurt or if he doesn't do it properly and has to do it again? He knew he couldn't so that slash was all he had. Then, Idris got angry at him and punched him, for Kauri, it was a good thing that he did so. It would have been wrong if he hadn't punched him.
Always there has been Idris, Scarlett, Livia and then, Kauri. He always felt like a fourth wheel, they were always jumping around each other, having fun while he was in the background, doing nothing. Though he may have changed a lot, still there is not much difference in the group dynamic. He still doesn't talk much with them, if he tries the ladies will shut him off. It would have been exhaustive for someone more talkative, but for Kauri standing all day saying nothing like a tree is not a big deal. Maybe if Anushna joins the group, maybe then they could be the other duo. Thinking so he suddenly remembers what Dolen had said, and thinking of it turned his face red.
And so he changed the topic to think, the next mission. That Idris, told him about, the Soul Orb. he still had no clue as to how it worked but he was ready for whatever came their way. Still, his hands and legs shook as he thought of the elite demon that they would have to fight. Fighting a demon ranked lower than it, Idris had to go all out. Still, Scarlett last a hand. And if he knew him right Idris would leave no stone unturned to save either Scarlett or Livia. He will do whatever it takes, he will not let any harm come to them. Idris was a big supporter of being alive, that is what mattered to him. He will do whatever it takes to be alive and have people around him live. While Kauri believed in sacrificing himself for the greater good. That was how their ideologies differed Kauri would give his life for others while Idris would find a way to save as many people who were closest to him.
And if Idris wasn't able to help Scarlett then, it was scary how strong these higher demons are going to be. If they have to fight an elite demon, while one of them has to die to win. Thinking all this was stressing him out and so he decided just to sleep.
On the other hand, there was Anushna, for whom the work had just started. Though it was night, it was a state emergency. If the demons are able to destroy the orb. The city will surely crumble and if they can absorb it, that elite demon will become stronger than they can imagine. As that higher demon told Idris that absorbing the orb made him elite level, if an elite demon absorbed it maybe it would become something close to a demon lord. And if he does, then there will be no hope for humanity.
She ran from room to room, somewhere they were talking about the strategy while at others they were thinking of if they should even give up the amulet. They thought if heroes have the amulet then it is easier for the demon to get the amulet from them and just get in easily. But for Anushna that was a stupid thought, if the amulet isn't safe with the heroes, then, there was no way it would be safe with someone like them. And she believed in Kauri, blindly. He was a kind-hearted man who would put himself on the line for someone to help.
She remembered how their tours of the city usually took twice as long as at every corner Kauri had to go and help someone who he saw is need of even the simplest form of help. Thinking of this a sweet smile came over her tense face. During all this rushing, she sat down on a pillar side to relax for a moment. She was happy to have met Kauri, as the life as a princess is a boring one. Even getting kidnapped by the dragon felt good for some moment until the dread of being tortured to death set in. and having a somewhat neutral person she could talk to was helpful. While he himself is an open slate, sharing everything good and bad with her," it is like we are a couple in the middle age", she thought to herself laughing off, until the gravity of the thoughts set in, she blushed and tried to once again get into her work. But now it was harder for her to get the thoughts of him out of her mind, as hard as she may try.
"But still he will be gone by tomorrow", she thought. Her smile disappeared. She had seen Scarlett's condition and she clearly understood what they would be facing. A demon that could take it on would be no joke if she knew the dungeon right. They will be fighting something that had she could not even imagine the strength of. And if she knew Kauri right, he would try to save others, even if it takes his life. Will he be ok? Is there something I can do to help him? These thoughts filled her mind. She was scared of losing him, what would she do? No one truly understood her, but Kauri was trying. No one has ever even tried to understand what she is going through, for them it is always the princess, what the princess may be thinking, what she is doing, protect the Princess, but Kauri did all that as a friend, he did protect her as Princess but she understands that slowly it had become Anushna in his heart. Nowadays the only places he calls her princess are where he has to address her formally, other than that, they are always talking and laughing all along.
Thinking of all this, her eyes started tearing. " I don't want him to go," she declared to herself. As soon as she said so, she covered her face with her hands. But why?!! " she thought.