Greyson held up his hands toward the alien and bizarre tree-line of the spirit-forest. Which had closed itself before him during his approach. The sight of hundreds of the strange trees uprooting themselves and moving together to create an impassible wall had given him, as well as his companions, pause. The prospect of entering the forest seemed more and more of a difficult task.

  “Well, this fuckin’ sucks.” Ashley cursed, coming to stand next to him. “How are we going to get past this?”

  “I’m thinking.” Greyson grumbled, focusing his power into the palms of his hands. A highly pressurized blast of water burst from his outstretched hands, slamming into the wall of trees, slicing their skin-like bark open, revealing what he could only describe as the insides of a living creature, not a tree, that oozed blue green blood.

  “That’s nasty as hell.” Ashley shook her head, her face one of disgust. “But cleaving our way through these trees isn’t going to work, Greyson. We need some help.”

  Greyson sighed, his frustration starting to burn like hot coals in his heart. “I thought the hard part was just getting here, undetected. Now we have to figure out how to get in without burning this whole fucking place to the ground.”

  “They monitor the spiritual energy here, for anything that might be off.” Dorian said, standing on his side, opposite of Ashley. “There’s no telling how long we will be able to keep ourselves hidden.”

  “Lauren would be great right about now.” Greyson sighed, a pang of guilt and regret assaulting him at the loss of her. She had a delicate way of approaching things, and tended to be the voice of reason in their group.

  “Please.” Ashley scoffed. “That bitch couldn’t fight her way out of a paper bag. You saw how quick she got her ass kicked by that Dae.”

  “Hey.” Dorian warned. “That fuckin’ Dae kicked both our asses, and almost killed me too. I don’t want to hear it. She held her own as best she could.”

  Greyson whirled on her, his face contorted with anger. “I also remember Daniel almost killing you too, Ash.”

  “Whatever.” She huffed, turning away from him. “I don’t know what you want from me.”

  “How about you show some fucking respect to someone who is probably being tortured beyond comprehension, as we speak!” Greyson shouted. “Not everything can be solved by slashing it with your sword, Ash. Or blasting it away with your powers. Lauren had a way with things like this. Things that were tedious and required some damn finesse. Something none of us have.”

  Ashley’s posture was stiff while he scolded her, but softened after several seconds and she met his eyes. “I’m sorry, ok?” She shook her head, seemingly embarrassed. “I’m just so frustrated with all this. I didn’t mean it… I kind of miss her too.”

  Greyson let out a tense breath, nodding in approval of her apology. She’d come a long way from when they first rescued her, but things had gotten a lot more complicated since then, so, he supposed it made sense.

  “I just hate it, Ash.” Greyson clenched his fists as the thought tore at him. “She’s probably begging for death right now… I can still sense her energy, so I at least know she’s alive. But it’s flickering, like it’s a candle struggling to keep itself lit in a breeze. God only knows what they’re doing to her.”

  ~

  Daniel smiled at the sound of Lauren’s laughter. Katrina joined in, her joke seeming to be exactly what she needed to hear. Daniel didn’t think it was that funny, but Lauren’s reaction was enough to make him chuckle.

  “That’s great.” Lauren said, wiping a tear from her eye. “God, it’s so good to hear something positive for once.” She sighed, letting the previous levity fade away. “Everything with Greyson was so dire and serious. I get it though. It’s life or death, but there has to be a moment or two where you can just sit down and laugh about things. Tell a joke or two.”

  “Amen to that, sister.” Katrina agreed, raising a half-filled bowl of wine in a toast before taking a drink. “So, you’ve been treated alright here? Nothing negative to report?”

  Lauren smiled, but shook her head. “No… everyone’s been pretty nice to me. Especially High King Alektor. I don’t know what to say… the Dae are so different here than from where I woke up.”

  “It really depends.” Daniel grunted, “It wasn’t always like this here. Just ask Robert.”

  “Speaking of whom, where the heck is he?” Katrina asked, taking an impatient glance at the door. “He’s supposed to be here already.”

  “Beats me.” Daniel shrugged, “He’s been acting all weird since yesterday.”

  Katrina went silent, sipping deeply from her bowl.

  Daniel winced a bit, recalling the incredibly awkward events that transpired between them with Avria’s proposal, and his subsequent acceptance. Even though she had given him her blessing, Katrina was still hurting from it. He knew this based on how hard she was trying to seem normal and fine with everything.

  “Anyway~” Lauren interjected, no doubt feeling the subtle tension. “I’m sure they’ll show up soon. Um… will Alektor be joining us too?”

  Daniel and Katrina shared a puzzled glance, but he just shrugged. “Not really sure. I haven’t seen him at all today. It’s possible though.”

  “You, uh… want to see him for something?” Katrina asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “He’s been really nice to me…” Lauren said, shrugging, but looked to the floor. “And clarified a lot about what humans mean to the Dae here… despite the whole… being summoned by demons thing. He told me that we’re here to save this world, instead of destroying it.”

  “He’s right.” Daniel confirmed, nodding along with her words. “It doesn’t matter what brought us here or how.”

  “I just wish I could talk to Greyson somehow…” She said, her voice laced with regret. “Convince him to stop with all this craziness… He’s not a bad person, guys. He’s just misguided.”

  “After what he’s done, though.” Katrina winced. “I think it’s going to be hard for the Dae. Even Alektor to get past it all.”

  “We just need to stop him, Kat.” Daniel said, standing from his seat. “Whether it’s with diplomacy or by killing him. Your vision can’t come true.”

  Katrina nodded with conviction, standing as well. She smiled at him, then glanced at the door. “Would you mind going out to see where everyone is? I’ll wait here with Lauren. It’s been forever since I’ve had a chance to talk to a human girl, and I can totally say that I missed it.” Katrina turned her smile toward Lauren, who only giggled in response.

  “Sure.” Daniel nodded, then stepped outside, looking for where the rest of their group was, and why they were so late. It didn’t take him long to find them as he made his way down the halls. Alektor and Robert were in the middle of a heated discussion with Avria, who seemed to stiffen as her eyes met his. Soon, all three of them were staring at him as he approached, and Daniel immediately felt the change in atmosphere.

  “Something going on, guys?” He asked, stopping before them.

  They all shared an uneasy glance, before Alektor spoke up. “We’ve received word from Baa’Yega, that there is evidence of a group crossing their border wall. With strange power signatures.”

  Daniel raised an eyebrow. “Haven’t they been crossing that huge wall this whole time? How come they are just now bringing it up?”

  “Think of it as a huge security system, that takes up a massive amount of power.” Robert explained, holding his hand up for emphasis. “They haven’t kept it on because of the amount of Dunamis it takes to keep it running. After this whole situation with you and Avria getting attacked.”

  “I ordered King Tegan to reactivate it, just in case.” Alektor interjected. “And it would seem that we now have an invisible group of hostile humans within our borders.”

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  “It wouldn’t be that easy to know if it’s actually them though, right?” Daniel looked at Avria, who shook her head in response.

  “The Dunamis of human beings are very unique, Daniel.” She said, solemnly. “It’s nearly impossible to miss for those who are looking. And now that we have had time to analyze your kind properly, I can say with near certainty, that it is them.”

  Daniel was about to ask another question, when Robert huffed and waved his hand in frustration. “Look, Dan. It’s complicated how it works. I only know because they took the time to explain it to me earlier, which I will convey to you and Kat shortly. Right now, we need to get to that meeting room and speak with Lauren. We need to know where they would go.”

  “Whatever they’re planning to do within these borders, can’t be good.” Alektor grumbled. “I will not allow a demonic incursion within Eleutheros. It would be absolutely devastating.”

  ~

  They returned to the meeting room, where Katrina and Lauren were in the middle of a conversation. Alektor and Robert took a few moments to bring them up to speed in regards to the new information they had been provided, then all eyes rested on Lauren. Who seemed to want to curl in on herself to escape the scrutiny.

  “Well?” Robert asked, his voice was gentle and understanding. “Where would they be going? Greyson mentioned the Spirit-Forest before, right?”

  “I…” Her voice quivered with emotion as her eyes darted from face to face. “I don’t know, really. I know there is a gate in the Spirit-Forest, but it’s a small one. The real gate is in the center of the continent. That was our real mission. The only reason we were here in the first place was to find, you guys.” She pointed to Daniel, Katrina, and Robert. “Other than that… I think.”

  “They might be attempting to rescue you.” Alektor interjected, placing his hands behind his back. “If that is the case, we must be extremely cautious.”

  “I don’t think they would do that.” Laurne shrugged, “but maybe. I knew Greyson liked me, but the other two… especially Ashley, I’m pretty sure they hated me.”

  “They were blinded by their hatred and lack of understanding, Lauren.” Alektor declared, giving her a rare smile. “Your true worth, and the worth of all your kind is far beyond anything you realize.”

  Sheesh, laying it on a little thick there, brother. Daniel thought, before seeing her face blush a bright red as a large smile creased her face. I see now. Daniel chuckled inwardly. Alektor was actually putting on the charm for her. She was a spirit-sent after all, and seemed to think the world of him. This guy is looking for a spirit-sent queen.

  “Regardless,” Robert pressed. “We need to send a detachment to the Spirit-Forest.”

  “I agree.” Alektor nodded, “Though, I need you all here with me. For yours and our safety. With Dio’Mar also helping them, and countless demons at their disposal, I don’t want to take any chances. I will have an entire detachment sent there as a precaution. But I still believe their true goal is rescuing you, Lauren.”

  “Alektor…” She said, her voice soft and anxious. “Please don’t kill them. If you can help it. They’re misguided and being manipulated by these demons.”

  Alektor’s expression softened at her words, and he looked down thoughtfully. “I will do my best to prevent any further violence, Lauren. But I will not hesitate to kill them if they force my hand.”

  “Same.” Daniel agreed, giving Alektor an approving nod.

  ~

  Greyson let out a deep breath in satisfaction. His raised hands slowly dropped revealing a torn and bloody entry into the Spirit-Forest. After hours of careful application of his power and the rest of his group, the persistent defense had finally faltered. Without any other options, they had decided to continue applying force. And after a nearly exhausting several hours, they had finally succeeded. “Let’s go, guys.” He said with an air of triumph.

  He and his two companions carefully stepped through the entry into the forest, that looked like it was a page out of a science fiction novel. The trees from within looked like strange creatures that loomed over them, blocking the light of the sun’s rays and darkening everything in view.

  “You may not enter here.” A voice boomed both in and out of Greyson’s head. The sound of which caused him to wince in pain, but did little more than annoy him. “You bring darkness with you, humans.” The voice continued, “Evil that has not tainted this sacred ground in thousands of years.”

  “Stand aside, spirit!” Greyson shouted around him. Trudging forward with newfound purpose and determination.

  “If you will not leave. Then we will—” The voice was abruptly cut off as Dio’Mar’s form appeared out of thin air. Her body was writhing in black smoke and radiating a foul energy that made Greyson’s stomach churn with disgust.

  “You… are far too sure of yourself… Gro’ak… son of Dro’gon…” The demon’s words echoed throughout the forest with a hiss. There was an immediate reaction to her presence, as all of the vegetation seemed to reel back from her in fear. “I remember a time… when the spirits of this forest welcomed my visit… and paid their respects…”

  “You— are corrupted.” The other spirit, said, growing out of the ground before them, it’s form one of a muscular looking gargoyle, with massive wings and a snarled face. “This was not the doing of any in this sacred forest. Only from you, and the ones you chose to ally with.”

  “And yet my brothers and sister sleep still…” Dio’Mar replied, drawing closer to him. “Powerless to stop what is coming… what is destined to come upon all who resist…”

  “There are those of us who will resist you…” The spirit’s words seemed weaker, rattled with fear and uncertainty.

  “What will you do, then. Gro’ak?” Dio’Mar’s body began to grow, the swirling smoke around her solidifying into tentacles that snapped and writhed. “You can do nothing… but watch… and live… The spirits of this world are not our enemy… only the sons and daughters of Pelemont. Who’s souls demand punishment for millennia of sin and debauchery… No… Gro’ak… you will not impede our task… in fact… you will help us complete it…”

  Greyson looked on in astonishment as the gargoyle-like spirit, Gro’ak, fumed in anger, but ultimately bowed his head to her in submission. What the hell? Greyson thought, noting the strange interaction between the two. Spirits were not subservient to demons in any way, shape or form. They would have fought them, tooth and claw to keep them out of here. What was she, really? If she were a demon, this would have gone down differently. He acted like he knew her.

  ~

  Daniel leaned his head against what had quickly become his favorite tree outside the city. The shape fit his body perfectly, and always seemed to have it’s leaves in the perfect spot to give him shade from the sun above. After the morning’s meeting, he found his way back to his personal training ground in the clearing he had become so fond of. The politics and direness of it all took a toll on all of them. Alektor had his study, and the company of his scrolls and a nice big jug of wine. Katrina and Robert found solace in the company of their Dae friends and loved ones, but he? Daniel found the peace and quiet of isolation far more soothing. It was something he understood; something he was used to. He remembered the long hours he spent on post, in Iraq. While stationed at his forward operating base, outside a small village called Tosh, near Ramadi proper.

  He took in a deep breath, letting the memory of the heat and sand wash over him like a pleasant tide. He didn’t fear the memories anymore. The images of death and violence that haunted him so many nights now seemed nothing more than a monument to his growth and salvation.

  “There you are.” A stern voice called to him, breaking his reverie.

  Daniel’s eyes opened in a squint, toward the direction of the voice. He knew who it was, of course. His gaze fixed on the form of Avria of house Regios, standing with her arms crossed, and a disappointed look on her face. “How’d you find me?” He asked, closing his eyes again, in a futile attempt to resume his rest.

  “It wasn’t hard once I asked around.” Avria said, her steps getting closer and closer to him. “More than a few people know of your ‘secret training spot’, Daniel.”

  Daniel huffed in irritation, and opened his eyes again, meeting hers. “Isn’t a man entitled to a little break every once in a while?”

  “You’ve been avoiding me.” She stated, her golden eyes narrowing with intensity.

  “I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me.” Daniel’s words were laced with his frustration. “And I needed time to think and gather my thoughts for once. Instead of just reacting to everything, Avria. Alektor can just conjure up plans upon plans at the drop of a hat. Maneuvering through politics and everything without even taking a breath; I can’t. I’m not used to this.”

  “So, this isn’t about…” She stiffened her posture, a flash of uncertainty crossing her features. “About our marriage? I thought, you would at least be…”

  Daniel sat up, looking at her intensely. He felt a surge of emotion come upon him as he recognized what she must be feeling. He then stood, and closed the distance to her. He felt the change in her posture as he did so, like she was holding something back, a question she didn’t quite know how to ask. “After our last conversation.” He started, his voice gruff but not unkind. “You told me to, basically, let it go. I would have respected that request. To try and ignore the feelings I have for you. But I want you to tell me, right now. How you feel. Forget the politics, and everyone else. What Alektor was telling you to do, or what your father or the clan or the whole fucking kingdom think. Tell me what you feel.”

  Her cold stare slowly melted under his gaze, and she brought her hands out to rest on his chest. “I…” She started, her face flushing a bright blue, complimenting her grey skin. “I want to be with you, Daniel. Despite my efforts to the contrary, I have grown to like you a great deal. And though this… situation is not what you or I probably had in mind. I believe this was always meant to be.” She turned away from him, her eyes lost in a memory of some kind. “After I— survived, my ordeal with Ool’ak. I think I started to truly understand your purpose here, as well as how I fit in with it all.”

  Daniel’s intense gaze softened, as a smile creased his face. He reached his arms around her waist and pulled her into an embrace. She didn’t resist him, and returned the embrace with affection; resting her head on his shoulder. They stood there for a time, letting the pleasant breeze of the clearing caress their bodies as they both enjoyed the silent company of one another. Daniel had fallen for this woman. A warrior who had seemed the antithesis of his efforts at the beginning of his time in Pelemont. A woman who had kept him alive and moving forward, as he did for her. When they had no one but each other in the wilderness, and in the violence of combat.

  Daniel pulled away, looking her in her eyes, then kissed her softly on her lips. She quivered at the touch, melting in his arms as his passion started to rise. Suddenly, she pulled away, looking as though she had come to her senses. “That’s enough, for now, Daniel.” She said, weakly. “We have a great deal of things to do.”

  Daniel smirked. “I can only think of one—”

  “Don’t even think about it.” She narrowed her eyes, but he saw that there was a smirk on her face as well. “Your charms are powerful, Hego. But in Lokkon, we save such things for the wedding night.”

  Daniel barked out a laugh, feeling her leave his embrace.

  “I am a Princess of house Regios.” She said, her smirk growing into a smile. “You will just have to wait.”