Lorcan strapped his bow to his back and walked out through the wooden doors of his house. Lyra followed behind. The sun was bright and the land was vibrant. There were tall wooden walls with points staring at the sky. There were several smaller houses strung about and specialty buildings for crafts and food. As they walked through the camp several people waved and smiled. They passed a farm building surrounded by wheat and fenced in areas for animals. They then stopped at the main gate which was closed. Lorcan looked up at one of the lookouts.
Lorcan: "Hey Stefan! Crystal! Anything to note today?"
Stefan: "All clear today Mr. O'Cleary! How are you and Miss Ohara doing?"
Lorcan: "Fantastic! Got plenty of sleep!"
Lorcan and Lyra walked by and headed over to another building with a sign that read "Town Hall". Kairos and Aria stood by the door. Kairos is leaning against the wall with his arms crossed and Aria is waving.
Aria: "Hey guys! You sure did take your time getting out of bed."
Lyra and Lorcan chuckled a bit
Lyra: "This guy decided to sleep in. Though I guess that is my fault."
Kairos walked forward looking Lorcan in the eyes.
Kairos: "I'm assuming you're here to see what all the commotion is about "Leader""
Lorcans smiled fell ask he spoke
Lorcan: "Judging by your look it's serious. We better head inside then and speak to Aaron."
The four of them walked inside. They pass several pews as they reach a group of people surrounding Aaron. The crowd turned to see them walking up.
Man: "There is the welp! Thanks for no help at all Aaron!"
The man walked towards them and the crowd followed him. The man crossed his arms and gave a spiteful look at Lorcan.
Lorcan: "Ah it's you Percy. What is it this time?"
Percy: "I knew it'd be a mistake making a child the "Leader" of this camp of ours. I don't care how strong you are. I true leader wouldn't sleep in on the comfiest bed in the camp while his people are in danger!"
Lorcan: "What are you talking about Percy?"
Aaron shuffled through the crowd hurriedly. He broke through them and quickly spoke to Lorcan.
Aaron: "Ah Lorcan finally! These mad men wouldn't leave me alone for one moment! Please follow me."
Percy: "Hell No! We want to speak with him now!"
Percy tried to get in Aaron's face but Kairos stepped between them crossing his arms. He stared Percy down. Percy's face softened as Kairos made him back away.
Percy: "Fine! Fine! Just get away from me!"
The crowd and Percy backed off and walked outside. Aaron fixed the collar of his shirt as he walked toward a back room. The four followed him as they stopped inside a room filled with crude maps circling important scavenging areas and places too dangerous to enter.
Lorcan: "Alright, let's hear it Aaron, what's going on?"
Aaron cleared his throat and wiped his brow. He pulled one of the maps off a board and laid it on the center table.
Aaron: "So, what Percy said was entirely untrue. Dangers are increasing as Abyssals have started heading closer to this area."
Samir: 'Of course they are. Those mindless freaks only go where they sense the living and there is a lot of living here.'
Lyra: "I'm sensing a but here. What's the real issue Aaron?"
Aaron cleared his throat.
Aaron: "Right you are Lyra. Recently on one of my scouting expeditions I could sense a terrifyingly strong presence nothing like the Abyssals."
Kairos perked up and walked forward.
Kairos: "Leviathan?"
Aaron shook his head.
Aaron: "No it didn't feel like how you described that foe. It was more like an erupting volcano. The area became increasingly hot, and the air itself felt dry and… angry? But also sad. It was strange."
The four of them stood pondering what it could be. Lorcan paced with his hand caressing his chin. Aria spoke up.
Aria: "You don't think it's a Demon Officer do you?"
Lorcan: "It's certainly possible. We don't know how many possible officers are under Leviathan's rule. It is odd, his forces have not advanced in several weeks. Aaron, can you show us where on the map you encountered this presence? We're going to head out and investigate ourselves."
Aaron grabbed a pencil and leaned over the map. He circled the spot several times over.
Aaron: "Alright if that's what you plan on doing it's here near the ruins of the nearby town to the south."
Lyra: "Wasn't that the big hotspot for Abyssal activities? Then all the abyssals suddenly just disappeared?"
Aaron nodded.
Aaron: "Alright good luck out there. I pray for your safe return. I'll oversee all the other nonsense while you're out."
They all walked out the building. Lyra and Lorcan walked toward the gate as Aria and Kairos stopped. They turned to them and Kairos looked at Aria then back at them.
Kairos: "We'll catch up with you guys."
Lorcan: "Alright don't be too long."
They walked off as Kairos turned to Aria who looked at him worriedly. He gave a confused look as he crossed his arms
Kairos: "What's wrong?"
Aria: "Do you think I'm ready? For actual combat?"
Kairos gave her a faint reassuring smile.
Kairos: "Of course. We spent the past couple months getting you prepared. You do great."
Aria: "Are you sure? I wasn't much of a fighter then. I don't know if I will be now. And these daggers are exactly powerful, especially if it's a demon officer."
Kairos: "You'll be fine. Play to your strengths. When we started you could barely throw a punch but now, just earlier you were keeping up with me. You're fast, able to dodge my fastest punches. That's why you have those daggers. It's not to do massive damage all at once. As you dodge and weave, strike, and overtime you will hurt the opponent enough they won't be able to fight back."
Aria's worry didn't leave but it lessened just enough that she's feeling a little more confident about what's about to happen. SHe walked past Kairos and smiled.
Aria: "Come on! With you by my side I'm sure we can beat whatever threat is coming!"
Kairos smiled and walked forward following her to the gate.