Twisting and turning Leonardo couldn’t sleep. Both sides of his pillow felt the same- a trap of lingering warm. His sheets clung to him like a limpet, and the humidity made his sweat sticky like glue. His sleeping conditions were far from ideal, and he almost wished he’d never gotten up to use the bathroom.

  After a few desperate shifts and slow turns Leonardo had given up, laying flat on his back and staring at the ceiling.

  Alone to his own thoughts, the boy was berated with the haunting reality, he may never reach home…

  And yet instead of fear, he felt an odd sense of relief. This world almost felt like a distraction, one that washed away his pain with “work”.

  Was It ridiculous and cocky to call his situation “work”? Yes. But his current streak lit an intense confidence within.

  He then turned his head, eyes meeting the sheathed Clarent leaning on his headboard. A strange urge to hold it took over, and he pulled the blade beneath the covers with him.

  Instantly warmth resonated throughout the boy’s body. His muscles eased, and a wave of drowsiness clouded his mind once more. He felt at peace, like a baby falling asleep to the heartbeat of its mother…

  *****

  The world’s fauna would burst into life with chirps, howls and crows as the sun peaked above the skyline. Its rays would gently peak through the blinds- AND ALBERT WOULD BURST OPEN HIS DOOR WITH A THUNDEROUS CRASH.

  “ITS TIME!” Albert wailed.

  Leonardo groaned, prying his eyes open after the rude awakening..

  Albert pointed at Clarent and raise an eyebrow,

  “When did you two get so close?”

  “I’m up, I’m up, please… stop talking…” Leonardo muttered as he dragged himself upright..

  “You got an hour, be ready with all of ya equipment.”

  “Yeah Yeah…”

  “Don’t use that tone with me boy!”

  “Understood Master” Leonardo grumbled

  “I can’t hear you!”

  “UNDERSTOOD MASTER!"

  Once Albert left him to his own devices, Leonardo began his day with a shower. He hopped into a small basin and tapped a blue crystal fixed to the wall. Water poured from above.

  “Oof, too cold!” he yelped.

  Quickly, he pressed one of the two runes floating beside the crystal, and steam soon rose from his skin.

  Dressing, however, proved more complicated. Securing his new dark combat boots into his puffy trousers was no easy task, especially while wrestling with unfamiliar handguards. Soon after, he clipped Clarent to its fresh belt and stepped out – still not entirely sure how the rest of his gear was supposed to fit.

  “Your both early I love it!” Albert blared. As Leonardo waddled in.

  “You know what they say, early is on time, on time is late, and late is really late” Leonardo quipped.

  “Boy, the gear are supposed to go on your body. You’re not supposed to hold them” Albert commented noticing Leonardo’s situation.

  “Aww, did you not know how to put them on? I can help” Evangeline said finding his incompetence sweet.

  Leonardo offended brushed her away with a swipe, “I got this.”

  Once he was done, Albert would burst into laughter,

  “You surprise me a lot!”

  “Huh” Leonardo looked downward. He thought he’d done a decent job.

  Evangeline would then walk over, “It’s ok Leo, let me help” She tugged his tunic down under his belt, fussing with the drape until it hung just right. “You’d have worn it backwards if I let you,” she teased, tightening the straps on his shoulder plate.

  “I was getting there,” Leonardo muttered, though the chest plate still sat crooked until she gave it a sharp twist into place.

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  “Don’t be embarrassed, we’re besties, this is what besties do.” Evangeline smiled.

  “Yeah thanks.” Leonardo replied looking down. His embarrassment shifting into that of being moved.

  “Very true! Anyways… to business” Albert interrupted, “Due ta my renown I got ya guys a free pass to becoming an adventurer. Ya just have to complete one mission.” Albert explained

  “Isn’t it like an Isekai, don’t you just measure you magic level and get the good to go?” Leonardo asked.

  “Isekai?” Albert questioned.

  “It’s a little vision where you see these drawings move and talk. It’s like moving stories, me and Leo watched a few when were in Milon.” Evangeline explains proudly.

  “I’m so proud.” Leonardo nodded in approval.

  “Well, sorry it’s not one of your lala stories. Being an adventurer is a very serious ting ya know, ya basically become mobile soldiers. You need to be trusted. There’s a lotta of tests. Physical, intellectual and mental.” Albert explains.

  “Oh…”

  “Da fact you two are getting to skip all of dat issa privilege.”

  Sure, buddy. Eva could’ve nepo-babied her way in, and I’m the fucking hero… we shouldn’t even be doing a test.

  “You’re only a babe when it comes to combat squirt, so tis is gonna be really helpful for ya. Take this map, your mission investigate disturbances at a nearby town. Enter da barrier, get ya info and help em wit whatever.”

  Albert handed Leonardo the mission’s official record, recounting all that he had said, but in greater detail.

  “Understood?”

  “Yes Albert Sir!”

  “Yes Master!”

  Once they had gotten their things in order, Evangeline and Leonardo departed from Miloncroft by horse. As always, Evangeline at the reigns and Leonardo holding the flank.

  The people and buildings of Miloncroft faded into horizon as the two fully exited the town’s barrier, once again in the demon wilds. Their journey was rather peaceful, the road flanked by lush grasslands, familiar animals trotting, hopping and skipping through the fields.

  Leonardo glanced at the watch Albert had given him, furrowing his eyebrows. It had been 55 minutes since departure yet, looking down at mission notice, the barrier was only a 40-minute journey.

  Evangeline soon shared his concern his concern when a distant town came into view.

  “This is bad… I already see the town.” Evangeline asked.

  “I know what you’re thinking…” Leonardo gulped, “Oh fuck.”

  Approaching the town, the two dismounted early. Evangeline quickly struck the ground to make a makeshift fence, which she tied her horse to, leaving behind a meal and some treats.

  Approaching the town, the two dismounted early. Evangeline then struck the ground to form a makeshift fence, tying her horse to it and leaving behind a meal and a few treats.

  Leonardo kept a firm grip on Clarent’s hilt as they approached the town.

  With a clear view of the town, they could see the sign at the entrance was half torn, only the letters Mag- remained.

  As they stepped inside, the duo caught a waff of a sickeningly dry sweet metallic stench that permeated deep into their nostrils. It was overpowering and Leonardo tried his best not to gag or let out breakfast.

  Doorless houses, burnt shrubbery, charred wooden framing and deep crimson stains filled the town. Yet not a corpse or any sign of present or previous life was evident.

  Leonardo’s pace slowed – not from curiosity, but from a heavy, boulder like fear pressing down on every step.

  “Eva-“

  “Leo, I see something.” She cut in, hurrying toward what seemed like a tavern.

  Leonardo gulped and followed quickly, not wanting to be left behind.

  Inside Evangeline kneeled beside a man lying in a pool of blood.

  It was hard to believe he was alive until Leonardo saw the man’s hand pressed to his abdomen, a faint green glow under his fingers. Upon closer inspection, runes circled a deep stab wound.

  “Sir, are you ok?” Evangeline asked, inspecting him.

  No response – only ragged, strained breaths.

  She clasped her hands over his. The green light flared brighter, the rune sharpening into solid shapes. The man’s breathing turned into harsh, raspy coughs as blood splattered from his mouth.

  Leonardo could only watch helplessly as she worked.

  Suddenly, the light would dissipate.

  And the room fell silent.

  Evangeline pulled her hands away and waited. A groan would escape the man’s lips. Still clutching his wound, he sat up with effort.

  “You saved my life.”

  The magician’s face broke into a wide smile, barely able to contain her excitement.

  “Young Madam, how- ”

  “I didn’t do anything,” she said quickly. “I just poured my mana into your spell and then strengthened it.” Evangeline explained.

  “That isn’t as easy as you explain. How did you read the flow of the rune’s mana.” The man asked, astounded.

  “She’s one of the best magicians in the world, that’s how” Leonardo chimed.

  “Anyways,” Evangeline said, brushing it off, “less about me and more about your town. What happened.”

  “Oh yes” The man tried to stand but sat down again as pain gripped him, “I see my spell wasn’t as adroit as I thought.”

  “Your still weak. Here take this, drink slow and then tell us.” Evangeline said before rubbing the man’s shoulder to reassure him and then handing him her flask of water.

  He took it in his bloodied hands, draining it in a single pull. A satisfied sigh escaped him before he spoke.

  “We were attacked by… demons.”

  “What…” Evangeline’s voice trembled, her eyes wide.

  “Yes… they destroyed our town’s barrier. It’s the first time I’ve heard of a demon bypassing one …” The man coughed.

  “That actually happened recently at Eladia.” Leo added

  “They then attacked and pillaged the town. Me and a band of passing adventurers held them back, but there were many casualties… and kidnappings.”

  “How are these demons doing this…” Evangeline murmured, slipping into deep thought.

  “Is there anything else? Where they went? How they attacked?”

  “I do recall hearing a child talk of a creature ripping from the flesh of a human before the attack… At first I thought it was just the babbles of a child. Yet, for some reason I find it hard to believe it not true… For the demon’s location. I know nothing.” The man explained.

  Evangeline would then stand,

  “I’d suggest heading to Miloncroft, your wounds should be healed. Take these too” Evangeline said before handing the man some of her travel rations.

  “What of you two?”

  “Well, were going to find and kill those demons…” Evangeline smiled before walking out of the tavern. Leonardo soon followed.

  “But you’ll be mass-“The man spoke aloud until Leonardo pulled his blade, the shimmer of golden radiance alerting the man of his identity.

  He swallowed his words and waved the two goodbye, before praying for their success…