The sky had turned a deep indigo, stars slowly blooming in the vast tapestry above. With no village or shelter nearby, the group decided to make camp on an open stretch of land, where soft grass met the whispering wind. A fire crackled to life, casting warm flickers across their faces. They sat in a loose circle, cloaked in quiet as Eve finished her tale of Kaiden, Mari, and the true meaning behind the Yakshas.
The story ended, but silence lingered. The only sound was the soft pop of burning wood and the occasional chirp of distant insects. The weight of history hung in the air like mist.
Nick broke the silence, his voice low but thoughtful. "And here I was, thinking 'Yaksha' was just some fancy name for demons."
Eve looked toward the fire, her voice calm and steady. "No. In the ancient language of the gods, 'Yaksha' means savior... or protector."
Nick frowned slightly, processing the revelation. "So… the Yakshas fought beside dwarves and elves against the orcs? That makes them... heroes. They're not our enemies after all."
Eve nodded slowly. "They never were. People just stopped telling the full story."
Jace, who had been quiet with his gaze fixed on the flames, finally spoke, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Sometimes I don't know what's right or wrong anymore. Who's the real enemy? Who's a friend? What if I choose the wrong side in the end?" His shoulders tensed. "How can I be a hero if I can't even be sure of that?"
There was a pause, and then Eve replied, gently but honestly. "To tell you the truth… I don't really know how to be a hero either." Her eyes softened. "But once, my sister told me something. She said, 'No matter what you do, do it with everything you've got… and someday, it'll all make sense.'"
Jace looked at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Your sister sounds like a very reasonable person. I'd like to meet her someday."
Eve's eyes lifted to the sky, the starlight reflecting in them. "Yeah… she is. She always seems to know everything. She's amazing at everything is do. I just... I want to be like her someday."
Jace smiled, the tension in his voice easing. "Well, you've already helped more than you know. Thank you, Eve. I really needed this."
Eve's cheeks flushed a soft pink, and she quickly looked down. "Ahh… it was nothing, really."
Nick rolled his eyes with a smirk. "Alright, enough of the late-night soul talk. Get some sleep, we've got a long road ahead of us."
He stood and walked a few steps away, raising a hand to summon a glowing dome of light around their camp, a protective barrier woven with magic, meant to ward off wild beasts. The others settled down one by one, the fire crackling low as the night deepened.
---
The Next Morning: Into the South
The sky blushed with the first light of dawn as they broke camp. The wind had turned colder, and the scent of the air was different, heavier, wilder. By midday, the landscape had shifted; the trees grew twisted, and the grass thinned, revealing patches of dry, cracked earth.
Nick led the way, his staff in hand and eyes alert. "We're in the southern reaches of the Demon Lands now," he said, his voice grave. "They say this is where the carnivorous flowers bloom. Keep your eyes sharp and your weapons closer."
Eve gave a small hum of acknowledgement, scanning the dense undergrowth. "Noted."
Jace tightened the grip on his sword. "Got it. No more relaxing until we're out of this place."
To be continued…