Lillian cautiously traversed around and through the large roots and bushes.
Just behind her, the group of eight children was led by her as she kept a cautious eye out for danger.
Even with her holy barrier around them, she couldn't help but feel an unease cling to her. Concerned, she stopped, glancing at her arm for the fifth time. "Am I really fine? Hopefully, Lucisu is right about this being blood magic. But then that would mean someone from our group infected me with it, and they're still among us. But Still… I wonder why it suddenly stopped like that. Perhaps they thought I'd already died, or maybe it's that the user was too far…"
Suddenly, Lillian felt a tug on her robe. She glanced down to see the girl look at her, worried. "
"
The girl smiled, then returned to holding the hand of her undead mother, who rode on Lillian's back.
Lillian continued her march forward, returning to her thoughts as she did. "Either way, it looks like I've been spared for now. Hopefully, it doesn't return anytime soon either.
Some time later, their group traveled down a steep, narrow pathway, and the sound of rushing water became audible. Lillian gestured for the children to halt and stood stiff. She perked her ears and slowly scouted ahead, finding a small clearing of gravel dirt that sat beside a river that rushed downstream towards the large lake.
She gazed downstream towards the lake, and although faint, she could tell that her barrier was more visible than expected. A cold sweat ran down her face, seeing this. However, she quickly turned her head in doubt. "I'm sure they won't notice."
She sighed to herself and looked towards the large hill across the river. It was then that she realized the crystal in the ceiling was ceasing its glow, marking the end of the day, as the magic crystal around her dimmed slowly.
To her surprise, Lillian felt a new tug at her robe. She glanced back, finding that the children followed against her wishes.
"
""
********
The children huddled by the fire in the darkness, aside from the girl who cozied up next to the undead woman who cared for her.
Lillian checked on the assortment of headless skewered fish that cooked over the campfire. "Should be good in a couple of minutes."
Noticing that one of the boys was trying to reach to steal a piece, Lillian slapped him on the wrist.
"
Silent whines filled the air as the boys huddled closer to the fire in deep anticipation. Lillian sat back across from the boys and glanced at the girl. Despite not moving, she could tell that even the girl was anticipating the food, her eyes fixed directly on it as she lay.
"
Lillian playfully peered through the lens made by her fingers. "
The boys immediately began to shield their eyes. Their girl, watching their reaction, followed their lead.
Seeing their reaction amused Lillian, but only briefly. Her mind soon became clouded by mounting thoughts. "I hope Lucius isn't too far from us. The best-case scenario, we meet back with him by tomorrow, but it could be two or three days. And I don't have anything to keep them warm or sheltered aside from my magic…"
Wanting to tear herself from these thoughts, Lillian spoke. "
"
" Lillian felt the indirect shot, but managed to keep calm. " "I-I almost forgot the demons lived that long…"
She quickly cleared her throat. " A silence filled the air concerning Lillian. Just as she was about to give in, the youngest and hornless among the boys shyly raised his hand and spoke up.
" Lillian gasped, Speechless. She recomposed herself and smiled more cheerfully for the children. " The first one excitedly raised his hand. " " " " " " Lillian recognized the last boy as the one who had constantly fought another child before they died. The contrast between his fiery nature and the shy boy was hard to ignore. However, she quickly pushed that thought aside.
"" Lillian said. She then turned to the girl with a smile. " The girl blushed. " " The girl turned away. " " Lillian pulled her arm back down. " The girl shook her head, no.
" The ears of the boys perked up. " " ""
The topic of getting a name sent the children into a frenzy as they began to crowd Lillian one after another.
" A few groans and whines sounded out.
Lillian poked and prodded at the youngest's head. " "I technically shouldn't do this, but what's the harm?" Lillian thought.
" The demon girl immediately stood up, excitement filled her eyes as she held her breath. A visage of a young Kalika emerged, a memory of their younger years reigniting in her mind.
Lillian chuckled inwardly as she remembered Kalika revealing the name of her favorite doll.
She then awarded the girl her name. "Fayelynn"
"Fa…yelynn?"
Lillian affirmed. "I'm sure Kalika wouldn't mind me stealing that name…"
The girl blushed at the name, repeating it to herself. The boys immediately whipped up into a frenzy. Hoping to be named.
" Lillian immediately went on a naming spree, starting with the oldest of the boys.
"Bregon"
"Siraj"
"Kirf"
"Hark"
Lillian then turned to the last, silent boy. The boy held his breath in a deep anticipation. "Hmm… The Boy, Jasaf, cracked a smile for the first time. He repeated the name to himself, with great satisfaction.
The boys erupted into chatter, repeating and calling each other by their new names and teasing one another. All the while, the two youngest boys were required to acknowledge their position in the newly forming hierarchy.
Seeing how lively they were, Lillian chuckled, amused by them,
Suddenly, Siraj raised a question. " Lillian immediately froze and turned from the kids. " "I'm sure they'll find good meaning to pair their names with."
Seemingly satisfied with the answer, the banter of the boys continued.
Realizing that their food was ready, Lillian pulled the skewered fish from the fire and passed them along to the children. The remainder of the night passed quickly, and the children, once highly active, fell asleep, bringing peace to Lillian.
"Finally." Lillian exhaled a sigh of relief and leaned back on a smooth-barked jungle tree. "Some peace…"
She once again looked over the sleeping children, finding it still hard to believe they were the same children. "It's hard to believe that a month ago, these children were hunting one another for food… They've really turned around this last month."
Lillian then glanced back at both Fayelynn, who slept peacefully by her undead mother.
" Looking at the woman, Lillian couldn't help but feel sympathy. "It's truly a shame… These children will never know the warmth of their actual mother… This is as close as they'll ever get."
Her eyes scanned the area around them, looking at her barrier, the river, and even through the set jungle trees beyond the river."I should turn in for the night, too."
Lillian raised her hand, manifesting a shelter of earth around the children, with a single hole for the campfire. Just as she stood to join the kids, her eyes caught the shade of a figure through the jungle thicket.
Her heart raced, and her eyes traced the figure beyond her barrier, realizing it to be the shape of a demon. "I-it couldn't be!"
Lillian raced to the figure and, with the help of her wings, jumped across the large river. As she approached closer, she prepared a waft of wind magic in her hands and slowed her approach to the barrier's edge.
However, to her shock, the figure disappeared."Where did they go? I could've sworn I saw someone here…"
As she approached the barrier, her foot tapped something round and heavy. She glanced down, finding a sack of supplies. "What the…" Her eyes traced from one bag to another.
"How did these get here?" Lillian wondered.
Unknown to Lililan, from behind the bushes and large jungle trees, Lucius's undead puppet laid flat on the ground with a spear through its head.
A tall, green humanoid monster ripped its spear from her head, while another, with its clawed fingers, tore open the bag on the woman's back. An assortment of food and other supplies spilled from the sack, piquing the interest of the monsters.
Grunts and snorts from the monster were passed along from member to member, in an incomprehensible language only they understood. The tallest of the small group peeked from behind the tree at Lillian, who stood behind the barrier of light. Not long after, she took the bags and returned to the camp without another word.
The leader who watched growled with deep irritation that bubbled up for all to see.
The leader spoke another round of grunts—a new command, issued.
Half of their group immediately broke into two, with one half leaving as the other stayed behind, staking out Lillian's group from afar.
********
Kalika hung upside down from a tree, watching Bretta curiously as she cuddled up with Zelak, who slept soundly. Despite the calm, the woman's huge, yellow eyes continued to scan her surroundings for danger.
"Hey, Kalika. Are you going to hang up there all night?" Donovan asked.
Kalika looked towards Donovan, who sat by the crackling fire, practicing his magic. She turned away, practically ignoring him.
Donovan could only sigh at this.
"Ignore her," Bjorn said. "Keep practicing your fire magic."
"Whatever."
To Donovan's surprise, Charla suddenly laid in front of him, with her head just under his raised hands.
"Ch-Charla! What are you doing!?"
"Focus!" Bjorn scolded.
Reluctantly, Donovan sucked it up and continued to manifest his magic under the satisfied gaze of Charla as she hummed happily.
"Hey, Bjorn," Kalika called.
"Hmm?"
"What's wrong with that woman?"
"Charla? She's suc-"
"No... the pregnant one. She keeps giving weird stares. And it's getting annoying."
"Her? She probably feels vulnerable. Usually, our women tend to hide themselves in a more secluded area for the safety of their children. And being in the middle of the forest isn't the safest of places to be."
"But we're safe with your blood magic, right. Besides, can't you calm her down or something?"
"My magic cannot calm those who are frightened. If I could, it'd make my life a whole lot easier."
"Really?" Donovan glanced back, surprised.
"Yes."
Kalika sighed exhaustedly. "That's annoying," She then leapt from the tree, frightening Bretta even more.
To everyone's surprise, Kalika jumped into the cart and shuffled through their supplies. Eventually, she pulled out a massive piece of leather made from the clopsin, which they had once defeated.
" Beretta kept her distance from the leather thrown to her.
"Giving her that won't help." Bjorn raised his hand. "But I suppose we can use it to make a shelter for them."
Pieces of earth clamped on the corners of the leather, stretching it. From the outstretched leather, it slowly rose from the center, eventually outstretched into a tent for two.
Beretta, curious, inspected the new creation, practically sniffing around the corners.
" Bretta glanced at Bjorn and, without hesitation, moved herself and Zelak into the secluded tent.
"She's actually using it…" Donovan looked on in surprise, along with Kalika.
"At least she won't be staring at me anymore… But…" Kalika thought.
"Hey, wait a minute! Why don't we have tents too!?" Donovan questioned.
"We don't have the supplies. Besides, you two never asked."
"You could've at least offered!"
"Why, you two seemed perfectly content with sleeping out in the open."
"That's not the point!" Donovan glanced towards Kalika. "See! Even Kalika agrees with me!"
Kalika glared at Bjorn with a pout. "I don't know why that woman trusts you."
"Wh…What?" Donovan looked at Kalika, even more puzzled.
"Honestly, you look the least trustworthy out of everyone here, if you ask me."
Unable to comprehend Kalika, Donovan dropped his grudge. "Perhaps it's a good time for everyone to sleep. But we'll talk about this whole tent business in the morning."
"Sure. Sure." Bjorn said.
Without a word, Kalika grumbled and departed from the campfire. As she did, she began to hear the scratching and clawing of dirt. She glanced at the tent but quickly returned to reaching her bed. "Stupid demons."
That night, Kalika couldn't help but stare at their tent, feeling an ache in her heart she couldn't comprehend. "I hate these demons."
********
As morning arrived, Zelak slowly opened his eyes, feeling the weight of something on his chest.
"Huh?" He glanced at Bretta, who slept soundly, then to his chest, which was covered in dirt.
" "