Days passed. In the stand storm they moved, Warwick in the front, the girls in the middle, Reid and Noha behind, paced so as to not lose sight of each other. Their vision clouded by the dust and sand carried into air. The loud howling of the winds disorienting them. Wrapped around the faces were a light strip of cloth to help filter the sand from the air that breathed in. And over their eyes to prevent blinding, even so the dust was thick and the wind harsh. They had ventured into many storms the months they had been stranded on the sands. Each having their dangers. It was fortunate that none had lost their lives during those time. Each time their senses were dulled due to the winds and sands yet they persevered desperately trying to keep away of the surroundings veiled by the thick blanket of dust. Not long had they wandered into the storm, moving in a straight line. Any mistake and they would be yet again displaced, keeping them further stranded on the sands. Since entering the

I open my eyes. The dull blue of the sky is staring back at me. In the corner of my sight the usual rubble of the old times. What happened? I remember entering into the ruin which was in the distance when suddenly I heard a ringing and everything went dark. Not been able to feel pain will turn out to be a disadvantage when being attack, especially one such as this. Wait… I don’t hear it. I sit up. I look to my side… swiveling to the other. Where is she? And the youngling beast. “Oh you’re awake…” A full turn to where the voice came from. I don’t know what race he is—obviously because I never cared to know—four arms, head that looks almost reptilian though slightly rounded, with two pairs of eyes donned in leather armor, his slightly thick arms bare. Two sheathed swords were crossed behind his back. I wonder what the other pair of arms would hold, if he has only two swords. “… Where is the kid?” “You must have arrived with a companion. Unfortunately, if they aren’t here you

Back towards the doorway where I had left Dehl, I hear bootsteps coming closer. He steps out as I reach the now door-less room covered in blood, cuts over his person. Blood dripping on the floor from his lower left arm, held by the lower right. He was able to fight those magic users. “Already got the kid? It’s a real mess in there. Didn’t think that calm old man got it in him. Thought I was going to lose a couple of arms.” He looks down at her in my arms. “Nasty scare she got there.” A straightforward person. “Cute kid, though. She yours?” “…” “… You got what you came for so what now?” e brush of the awkwardness of my silence. “Find her a healer.” “Yeah, she doesn’t look too good?” I didn’t stop and continued on. Pass by the corpses or walking over them. “… There are people done there. You should find people to get them out.” “Sure. Thanks… Where are you going to stay. No inn’s going to let you in this late.” That’s true. But I already got that figured out. “… Up.” Yes. I de

When the figure moved to face me there was a distinct creaking with every movement. What stood before me was a disfigured old woman dressed in a one piece which seemed to be falling apart. Her hair was falling out and instead of hands she’s got… long blades. Her knees were more forward with a thick skin linking the joint making her knees like so, and another deformity leaving her with only two large toes for each leg. Yet, she was my height, maybe a bit taller. I look at the old woman before me. It was a slightly different sensation I felt from when meeting the shadow of Kein. She had no breath of life on her. No heartbeat. Smell. Odd. She doesn’t smell like a corpse either. But she does have a scent… Is she the Baba Jaga? “Who are… you?” Her croaky voice—I could see quite a few teeth missing—snapped at me, and with a creak a step forward pointing an arm at me. “I should be the one asking. You brought me here.” “Answer the question? Who are you and why are you here?” How troubles

I didn’t plan on staying in Erndt any longer. The main reason I came here has been accomplished and as I didn’t feel the hands of a demon on this place there is no reason to stay. And if they did they would have hidden themselves pretty well, so why bother with the unseen. The idea was to head to the next location, a bigger one. There were bound to be demons in a bigger location. Even if it’s a lesser devil it will lead to one of a higher rank in that place. So I set sights to Avd’elisi. Learning from Lreen, from the previous settlement, the fastest way to get there is through here. And that’s the role of the vessels when he said that. I plan on heading to the dock and getting a ride on board. It would be fast and reduce the risk of having to run into monster every now and then. That’s why for whatever reason the old man wants to speak about, I don’t care for. “I’m not interested…” I walk heading for the stair. Currently it should be getting dark and since I have no idea when the bo