“Alessia, get out of there!” Daelia shouts.
“Get back here, NOW!” Aurelio demands.
I understand their urgency. This isn’t a game, and this isn’t a joke. This is far worse than a wendigo. Why one would be traipsing the forest all the way out here, I have no idea, but I’m staring one down nonetheless:
It’s a demon.
Those otherworldly purple eyes haunt me as they stare me down, not a hint of feeling to be seen. Her copper skin, black hair, and athletic build should be familiar, but something about her screams evil to me. It’s like I’m picking up on her unholy aura, something highly skilled mages have spoken of when facing down demons using divine magic. It’s an aura that surrounds them at all times, aiding in subduing their victims and stealing their will to fight. I feel it working on me now, sapping the strength from my body as I stand there, mortified, searching for humanity in eyes where I know I’ll find none.
She lifts her sword, leveling it at my throat. I gulp, watching her biceps flex, which are twice the size of mine, and certainly larger than Aurelio’s. I may be stronger than her thanks to my imperial human blood, but demons are considerably stronger than humans. She could crush Aurelio easily with one arm.
“ALESSIA! GET OUT OF THERE!” Aurelio shouts.
I’m rooted to the ground. I can’t move. It’s too late to move, anyway; she’s got me cornered. I’m at this demon’s mercy now. I wait for my fate, staring her down, waiting for her to make the final judgment of whether I live or die. My heart rate slows, and I feel my stress levels bottom out as I accept the situation.
The demon tenses, preparing to strike. I prepare for the end.
But just then, she smirks, lowers her sword, and chuckles quietly.
“I see. You do not fear death.”
And just like that, she sheathes her sword, throws her elf companion over her shoulder, and hauls him away, disappearing into the shadows of the forest. I stand there for the longest time, unable to move.
“ALESSIA!”
Suddenly, Daelia’s in front of me, shaking me by the shoulders, shouting my name. I snap back into reality when I see the bloodstain across her shoulder.
“Daelia! You’re hurt!” I cry.
“Me? I was worried about you, you damn idiot!” Daelia shouts, her face turning purple with fury. “Why did you just stand there? She could have killed you!”
“I know, I’m sorry,” I apologize. “I’m just glad you’re safe.”
Daelia opens her mouth to say something, then shuts it, looking away from me instead. I catch sight of her lip trembling.
“Just…don’t scare me like that, alright?”
She practically tackles me in a hug. I get crushed between her arm guards and her chest plate.
“Dae! Can’t breathe!” I gasp.
“You’re fine,” she teases.
Still, she lets go, and I get a good look at her wound. I try to use healing magic on it, but it’s no use.
“Damn it. What do they coat their arrows with?” I grumble.
“It’s a potion, as far as I know,” Aurelio says, appearing by my side. “It prevents the use of magic healing. We’ll have to patch her up the old-fashioned way until we get back into town for proper treatment.”
Before I can say a word, Aurelio goes to grab supplies from his saddlebags, and he’s wrapping Daelia in bandages coated in alcohol. I look on in surprise.
“Aurelio, do you need any help?” I ask.
“No, I’ve just finished.”
He ties off the last of the bandage, then Daelia puts her armor back on, smiling gratefully.
“Thank you, Aurelio.”
