Chain pulled out his phone, quickly typing. Ash glanced over . "Who're you texting?"
"Fred," Chain answered without looking up. "Told him to meet us in Star's Bridge."
"Is Juliana with him?"
Chain gave Ash a look that clearly said, 'Obviously.' "Do I even need to answer that?"
"Guess not," Ash conceded.
Everyone gathered their equipment. Ash eyed Saious's vintage car parked outside. "Seriously, Coal? How long are you keeping that classic? It feels like you've had it forever."
"Sometimes, Ash," Saious replied, patting the car's roof fondly, "it's about loyalty. See you all in Star's Bridge." He slid into the driver's seat and drove off towards the South.
As the others prepared their bikes, Chain gave final instructions. "We regroup in Star's Bridge, maximum six weeks. Jorden, if you encounter Knights causing trouble there, let me know immediately. Good luck." He nodded to Ash. "And Ash – if you find anything or anyone potentially useful on your trip, recruit them. Don't hesitate."
"See ya," Ash said, revving his engine. Within moments, Chain and Ash roared off in separate directions, embarking on their desperate race against time to counter the return of Vaelor.
ash gunned his bike north, heading towards Dragon's Love, the capital of the Northern Kingdom. Once he hit the main northern highway, the landscape transformed. Snow-dusted hills rolled away towards jagged, ice-capped mountains under a vast, cold sky. The view was breathtaking, magnificent enough to make Ash momentarily forget his mission. Damn, wouldn't mind just cruising and soaking this in instead of watching the road, he thought, a rare moment of quiet appreciation cutting through his usual impatience.
The terrain was a unique blend of old and new. Modern train rails webbed across the frozen ground, crossing over and under the highway. Elaborate rail bridges arched over deep mountain valleys, while tunnels bored directly through the colossal peaks.
In the distance, perched dramatically atop the ruins of an ancient, massive castle, sat a sprawling train station. Imposing stone dragon statues, weathered by centuries but still majestic, guarded the approach – clear remnants from the long-gone Dragon Era.
Shivering despite his gear, Ash pulled off at the station, needing hot coffee to combat the biting cold. Stepping inside the grand hall was like entering another world. The sheer scale was staggering – easily large enough to stable five fully grown dragons side-by-side.
Modern renovations, like polished floors and sleek information kiosks, contrasted sharply with the exposed, ancient stonework of the original castle ruins, creating a fascinating architectural fusion.
He found a vendor and grabbed a steaming cup. Taking a cautious sip, the warmth instantly welcome, he muttered to himself, "Shit, where's Chain when you need a coffee critic?" He considered the taste. "Hmm. Solid 8 out of 10. Actually pretty damn good." Draining the cup, he felt slightly more human. "Alright, enough sightseeing. Back on the road."
Hours blurred past. The sun dipped below the mountain peaks, painting the snow in hues of orange and purple before darkness fell completely. The temperature plummeted further.
Seeing the glowing sign of a roadside motel ahead, Ash sighed with relief. "Just how far is this city?" he grumbled, pulling his bike into the nearly empty parking lot. "Whatever. Time for this hunter to hibernate for a bit."
Jorden
The bus rattled along the highway, heading towards Star's Bridge. Outside the window, the green landscape of the Middle Lands rolled by – rivers, gardens, well-kept houses. In the distance, the dark, massive sprawl of the ancient forest, known simply as the Big Forest, loomed against the horizon.
Jorden watched it pass, then turned to the old man sitting beside him. "See that forest?" he pointed casually. "That's the Big Forest of hever. It's famous around here. They say it protects itself – rejects outsiders."
The old man glanced out, looking unimpressed and slightly annoyed. "Rejects them? How does a forest 'reject' someone? Sounds like nonsense."
"It's the mist," Jorden explained, leaning forward slightly, eager to share his knowledge. "People say if you try to enter with the wrong intentions, a thick mist appears out of nowhere. Blinds you. Next thing you know, you're standing right back where you started. I've heard plenty of stories, and I even tried it once myself."
The old man grunted. "Local superstition, probably. Wasting time on ghost stories."
"Maybe," Jorden conceded, though he clearly believed otherwise. "It reminds me of other legends, like the Maytam Temple. Makes you wonder what else this world is hiding." He noticed the man's gruff manner and accent. "You're not from the Middle Lands, are you? The South, perhaps?"
"The South," the old man confirmed curtly. "And I don't have time for misty forests or temples. I have business in Star's Bridge." He turned pointedly back towards the front of the bus, clearly ending the conversation.
Jorden shrugged, leaning back in his seat. "Whatever you say," he murmured quietly, turning his gaze back to the imposing edge of the Big Forest as it slid past the window.
Chain headed west, the powerful engine of his upgraded motorbike eating up the miles. His destination was a small town nestled between rolling hills, home to Bianca, another demon hunter – and a fellow eccentric. What would be a six-hour journey by car, Chain expected to cover in a fraction of the time.
He arrived as dusk painted the hills purple and parked his bike outside a nondescript apartment building.
He climbed the stairs and knocked on her door. Silence. He knocked again, louder this time. Still nothing. Chain's patience frayed. Muttering under his breath, he bypassed the lock easily – a skill honed over years of needing access without invitation – and pushed the door open.
"Alright, Bianca, playtime's over," he called into the apartment, annoyance clear in his tone.
The state of the place hit him immediately. It was chaos. Empty instant noodle cups, discarded snack wrappers, and plastic bags littered every surface. Dirty clothes were piled haphazardly. "Damn," Chain muttered, stepping carefully through the mess. "Even Jorden's disaster zone isn't this bad."
He spotted her then – a figure sprawled asleep on a thin mat on the floor amidst the clutter, seemingly oblivious to the state of the world or her apartment. Chain nudged her none-too-gently with his boot. "Get up, you lazy demon."
The figure stirred, then sat up, pushing long strands of striking white hair from her face. Her skin was almost unnaturally pale, contrasting sharply with the hair. Her face had sharp, high cheekbones and a strong jawline. Light, piercing blue eyes blinked open, focusing on him with an analytical, almost predatory stillness before recognition dawned, mixed with faint confusion.
"Who are you?" she asked, her voice slightly husky from sleep.