Chapter 6: A Shared Destination

Time appears frivolous. Likewise, the realma seems to be inconsistent. As the lone soldier and her new companion leave behind grassy fields, mountains rise into view. The black stone reaches the crimson sky. There are fewer trees surrounding the area. However, to Kiora's pleasant surprise, the sparing few have brown bark. 'No flesh-eating arbors around!' She sighs with relief. The two Daemik trek for another hour before coming to the edge of the mountainous terrain.

Kiora checks around a rock for snakes. 'Good.' She beams and takes a seat. Luce sits down on a stone beside her. While they rest, Kiora glances from side to side. 'I haven't noticed anything edible!' She frowns. Her fellow traveler catches her grim expression. He shuffles over to sit on the ground.

"So, what's wrong?" Luce's green eyes peek up at her.

"I'm feeling a bit famished!" Kiora admits while patting her stomach. "My tummy-box is on empty."

Luce laughs light-heartedly at her speech. He pulls his leather bag onto his lap. Kiora stares at the pouch. 'When did he have that?' She wonders. The lone soldier mourns her lack of focus. 'Now, I know that I'm hungry!' Her curious eyes study the bag as she waits for an explanation.

"Why didn't you say something?" He chuckles. "I've got some jerky left!"

The Daemik removes the package. He unfolds the paper to reveal strips of meat. Luce hands her a piece. As she takes the offering, Kiora's brow rises.

"What meat is this?" She inquires.

"Oh, it's daervin," he replies. "They live in herds near the castle."

Kiora sniffs her slice. 'Smells untainted.' She observes. Kiora takes a bite. Her mouth delights in the flavor-salt, black pepper, cayenne, and sweet meat! The lone soldier eagerly takes another piece.

"What exactly are daervin?" Kiora asks. "I don't believe that I have seen any."

"Well, let me think of what to compare them to," Luce answers. He glances over his jerky. "I think some people are more familiar with deer. Though what makes daervin special is that they are great at evading regular hunters. One needs a bit of magika to catch them off guard. Though once you're able to, their meat is quite the reward!"

Kiora sits while digesting the new information. 'Does that mean they're magical animals?' She wonders. The thought is a bit unsettling. After all, having magika may suggest a level of sentience. 'I cannot tell if I should feel guilty eating them.' Her silence raises the other's interest.

"Is anything wrong?" Luce asks.

"No." Kiora shakes her head. "Thank you for lunch!"

"I'm glad that you enjoyed the meal!" He beams while returning the remainder to his bag. "They are one of the only wild games left in this realma. So, we're lucky that they like to reside by the castle."

Kiora's guilt recedes. 'If the realma is so devoid of food, then hunting daervin must be a matter of necessity.' She rises to her feet. 'Everyone needs to eat.' Kiora remarks with a sigh. Her attention turns towards the mountains while remembering her journey.

"Where's the castle?" She inquires.

"Just behind the horizon." Luce replies while shuffling to stand. He emphasizes his response by pointing a finger towards the lofty rocks. "Once you navigate through the mountains, then you'll be on the route to the castle. Though, I must ask, why would you want to go there?"

Kiora denotes the serious nature of his tone. 'How odd.' She thinks. A sigh releases from her lips. The young Daemik stares at the black mountains.

"I 'must' be there." Kiora's statement is sharp. "Don't ask 'why.' I only know that I have some business there."

Luce remains silent. He gives her a look of concern. 'What's biting him?' Kiora wonders. As his eyes meet hers, Luce laughs to lighten the mood.

"Me regrettis [my apologies]." He replies in a familiar Daemik dialect. "If that's the case, then you're in good company. I know the path."

Kiora smiles. She extends her hand forward. Luce chuckles and accepts the gesture. As they shake hands, Kiora feels more confident. 'I've finally came upon some fortune!' In her excitement, Kiora releases his hand. The lone soldier begins to walk towards the mountains.

"Alright! Let's go!" She announces with a fist in the air.

"You're going the wrong way!" Luce stops her with a hand on her shoulder. "We don't venture forward. Rather, along the right bend here."

The lone soldier flusters from embarrassment. 'Of course, I need to not make hasty maneuvers.' She throws her hands behind her head. 'Especially, when I don't know which trail to take!' Kiora points towards the 'right' direction.

"Please, after you." She smiles.

Luce nods. As he takes the lead, Kiora follows closely behind. Once they round a bend, Kiora realizes why the trail is specific. On their left, is a cliff! 'So, if I continued, then I'd plummet down the gorge!' She sighs. 'That's why I must be careful.' Kiora shakes off the thought. With negativity aside, she regards the horizon in earnest. The twilicht [twilight] sun hangs beyond the mountain peak with a beautiful glow. Without a cloud in sight, Kiora's heart feels serene.

The young Daemik continues to observe where she treads. The copper ground below is littered with stones of the same hue. Similar to her first fall in the realma, Kiora notices a lack of life. Aside from herself and Luce, the land appears deserted. The plant matter is sparse and there are no critters living beneath rock. Kiora turns towards her guide.

"What's this place called, Luce?" Her inquiry brings him to a stop.

"You mean, all of this?" He waves his arms wide skyward.

"Yep." Kiora replies without an interest in his theatrics.

"De Infernum." Luce answers with a grim undertone. "It's not as populated as it used to be."

"Why, what happened?" A curious mind presses.

"War happened, my dear." Luce sadly sighs. "Isn't that the same downfall of many realma? The once lush and lively worlds grow dim and decay because of 'greed.'"

Luce's final word spits like venom. The lone soldier tilts her head. 'Seems true.' She vaguely concludes. Without a clear recollection, Kiora can only trust intuition. Luce's bitter expression softens. He places a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry," Luce smiles. "There is still life left. Otherwise, the black castle would be nothing but a pile of rubble.

"I see." Kiora nods. She taps her chin with a pensive expression. "What life still exists? I mean, the Infernum should have more wildlife than I've been noticing."

"There are daervin among other animals," Luce replies. "However, similar to the people residing here, the numbers found in nature are slim."

Kiora frowns. 'It's such a pity to see a world in such a devastated state simply because of selfish deeds.' The Daemik shakes her head in lament. Kiora wonders about how long the misfortunate events take place. 'Better to leave that question for another time.' After seeing the sad gleam in those green eyes, Kiora puts her curiosities on hold. She gives him a consoling pat on the back.

"Shall we continue?" Kiora attempts to deflect the negativity.

"Oh," Luce sighs. He shakes his sorrow away and flashes a grin. "That would be best. Let's keep moving."

The two Daemiks trail deeper through a red mountain pass. The path descends and Kiora watches her steps. 'Don't fall.' Her thoughts urge. As the ground levels, she glances up at the peaks. For some reason, the lone soldier grows nervous. 'What's wrong?' Kiora wonders with mixed perplexity. Luce catches her shift in mood.

"Hey, it'll be night soon." He indicates the obvious. "Maybe we should take shelter."

Kiora passes a glance at her feet. 'They do seem overused.' She observes a tender nerve while flexing her foot. Kiora's sights scatter around them. There are rocky plateaus that could provide some means of security through the night. 'I cannot shake this feeling that we're too exposed.' Kiora's tail whips about with uncertainty.

"Where shall we make camp?" The lone soldier inquires with both arms crossed.

Luce cannot resist a chuckle. 'She's being too serious!' He thinks. 'Though, who am I to judge?' Instead of responding through speech, the Daemik prefers to act. He walks over to the nearest mountain base. He knocks along the rock wall with the back of his knuckles. Luce's demeanor causes Kiora's brows to rise.

"What are you doing?" she asks while taking a step closer.

"Well, aren't you the inquisitive one?" Luce teases. "No matter, asking questions is good. Hmmm, it looks as though 'I'm' the one with an inquiry now."

Upon that comment, Kiora peers at the stone. 'He might know a secret!' She beams. The young Daemik watches the pattern of his tapping. As the other continues to walk along the slab, Kiora follows behind. She mimics how he knocks. 'Perhaps, there's a method.' The idea sounds possible. However, if her guide knows the secret, then he shouldn't he have revealed it by now?

"Is there a hidden cave nearby?" she asks while stopping in front of a strange presence.

Luce turns around and proceeds to her location. His eyes brighten with delight. Luce places two hands on his hips. He whistles in surprise.

"Well, I'm impressed!" Luce cheers. "You've found it! Allow me to readjust the seal."

Kiora steps aside. She watches with great interest as her guide regards the stone slab. Luce places both palms against the wall. He utters an incantation within an unfamiliar tongue. As Luce's words pour from his lips, a golden energy flows from each hand. The rock wall reverberates under the spell's influence. Kiora's eyes widen as a door appears! Luce turns the handle and invites her inside.

Cautiously, the young Daemik enters. She sees a large open space. In the center rests a fire pit made of dark stone. Along the right wall is a small wooden dresser. Kiora notices a small sleeping mat towards the back of the room. Luce ignites the fire before shutting the door. The flames provide enough light to illuminate the space. Kiora stands close to the fire while staring into the flames.

"Make yourself at home." Luce breaks her focus. He welcomes her with a warm expression. "This is my mountain base."

"So, you're journeyed through here before?" Kiora takes a seat by the fire.

"Yes," he replies. Luce sits beside her while offering jerky. "Here, have some as we rest from the long walk."

Kiora nods in thanks. As the two eat dinner, her mind spirals into a frenzy. 'Who is he exactly?' She ponders. 'Luce must live at the castle, but what is his role there?' The young Daemik appears stressed while deep in thought. She nibbles on jerky before feeling the full force of her fatigue. Kiora draws out a long yawn.

"If you want, then you can rest on my bedding." He indicates with a finger towards the rear wall.

"What about you?" Kiora asks-uncertain of stealing someone else's bed.

"I have enough blankets to sleep on." Luce shrugs. "Or, if you prefer, then I can sleep next to you."

"That's unnecessary!" Kiora throws both hands in swift protest.

"Suit yourself." He replies with a little disappointment.

Kiora ignores his teasing. She is far too tired to care. With slow steps, she walks over to the bed. Kiora observes several pelts and a large woven blanket. Fortunately, a pat-down reveals no bugs. 'Good.' She smiles while settling in the blankets. Kiora rolls on her side to peek at Luce. He remains by the fireside. Kiora watches as the Daemik is lost in the flames. Another yawn persists. Soon the lone soldier falls asleep-eager for the trek in the morrow.