“Have you seen anything suspicious?” The guard looks at Amara with a lazy gaze.

Amara thinks for a moment, but ultimately dismisses any suspicions she may have had. There’s no way that crying girl is a demon! She’s suspicious, sure, but what she really needs is somebody to help her out. She’s nothing like a demon. What kind of demon breaks down crying like that. After thinking to herself, Amara nods and responds casually to the guard.

“Sorry, I haven’t seen anything.”

“I see… Well, thanks for your time.” The guard lets out a sigh, shrugs, then walks out of the inn. He doesn’t get to waste time, since he has ordered to visit every house in town by the end of the day. Quite frankly, he finds the chief’s orders ridiculous. A demon disguising itself as a human? That’s completely ridiculous for someone of the narcissistic demon race.

Alright, I suppose I should get back to my stew. Amara returns to the kitchen, forgetting about the event, completely unknown to her that she is actually harboring the demon in question. They have propagandized demons for so long that very few humans truly understand demons.

Lunella finds herself in a pitch black space once again. This time, however, the scenery of the riverbank surrounds her illuminated by some non-existent light. The inky black seems to extend in all directions without ceasing. Feeling a little dazed, Lunella whispers to herself,

“What is this place?”

“How to explain it… it’s like, well, demons don’t exactly have dreams? Instead, they have this place, it’s kinda like a home inside of their head. You’ll probably end up here anytime you go to sleep.”

Not expecting an answer, Lunella quickly turns around to see the hooded figure from before standing there.

“Who are you?” Lunella calls out to the figure.

“Me? I’m hardly important, just a vestige of some girl that used to exist.”

“So what, you’re like a ghost?”

“Something like that, but a ghost that lives only in your head.”

“That’s kinda weird…”

“It’s weird to me as well. I’m stuck here in this dark plane. Well, at least you gave me a small riverbank to hang out on.”

“So it’s not just a coincidence?”

“Probably not. I think if any place leaves a strong enough impression on you, it will become a part of this place.”

“Hmm, okay… Well, now what?”

“Whatever you want, this place belongs to you. It may be a good idea to use this place to train. I’m not very strong but I can be your combat partner,”

“Alright, let’s do it.”

Lunella and the hooded figure begin an intense training regimen inside of her mind.

After a long cooking session, Amara finishes her boar stew as well as some fresh baked bread. It’s one of her favorite recipes, taught to her by her mother long ago. It’s a boar stew, but it has a special ingredient that’s rather difficult for most people to obtain — Salt. While she’s never thought too much about it, it’s certainly odd that her mother can get salt in this remote town. In addition, few have the luxury of using salt to cook, since it’s used as a medium in many magic spells.

Amara quickly scoops up a spoonful of the stew into a wooden bowl. She then carefully garnishes the soup with just a tad bit of parsley. Enough to give it that tantalizing appearance that would make anyone jump in line to taste it; It almost looks like something that might be expected at a fine establishment or served in a noble mansion.

After giving a satisfied glance at the bowl, she begins walking up the steps to the girl’s room. Unknown to her, the girl is currently asleep and is revealed in her full demon form. Amara approaches the girl’s room and gives it a quiet knock three times.

“Hey! I’ve brought you some food.”

Hearing Amara’s voice, Lunella wakes up and lazily responds.

“I’m coming… give me a second.”

The demon girl gets out of bed and throws on her cloak, hiding her demonic features. She then approaches the door and opens it slightly ajar, peaking out towards Amara. A warm smile appears on her face.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. I figured you might appreciate some good food.”

“I do, that seriously looks and smells amazing!”

Lunella takes the stew in her hand and walks back into the room, closing the door behind her. She then takes a seat at the small table in the room. Amara’s soft voice can be heard again through the doorway.

“I take it you probably aren’t feeling well, still do you want to talk a bit? I’ll stay on this side of the door.”

“Sure... I guess a conversation might be nice.” Lunella moves her seat and the table near the door.

“Have you tried the stew yet? Is it good?” Amara asks as she takes a seat on the other side of the door.

The demon girl slowly takes a spoonful of the soup, making sure to get some meat and some vegetables and brings it to her mouth. The taste of a properly prepared meal brings a tear to the girl’s eyes. Having only survived on sun dried jerky for the past day, a well seasoned and meaty stew really hits home. She then takes the small piece of fresh baked bread, rips off a piece, then chews it. The fresh warm taste of bread sends her overboard and the tears begin to flow.

“Ish… Sho good!”

“Are you crying?!”

“M-maybe… I just love bread so much!”

“Really?”

“Do you have any idea how amazing bread is? Bread is now my favorite food.”

“Pffthaha you really are something. Okay, I’ll bake more for you later than.”

“Please! Still, how lucky am I to end up in such a good inn?”

“I don’t think we’re that amazing. Having lost your memories, isn’t everything a new experience for you. Gosh, what I wouldn’t give for things to feel fresh.”

“Aren’t there new things you can go out and do? I’m sure you have some things you want to experience.”

“Not in this town. Having been here my whole life, it’s like time doesn’t move here, nothing ever changes.”

“Haven’t you traveled anywhere?”

“Sure, when I was a kid. Back when my father was alive, we used to travel now and then. But now that it’s just me and my mom... We haven’t traveled at all. I haven’t stepped past the town wall in over five years.”

“Well, at least you have it better than me. Lost without a home and not a memory to spare.”

“Yeah… compared to you, my problems are minor. What’s it like, not having a memory that is?”

“Well, it’s weird... I think it might be deeper than just a lost memory. It doesn’t feel like there are any memories. Not a single fragment of a memory remains. Sure, I’ve retained a lot of basic knowledge of the world, but nothing about myself.”

“So it’s just blank? It’s like you’re a brand new person.”

“I keep worrying. What if my memories come back? I’m honestly scared to find out who I used to be. What if I was a bad person? If my memories do return, who will I be then? Will I disappear?”

“I see... That’s not a pleasant situation. But honestly, why waste your energy worrying about something that may never happen? Just live your life as you are now and make your own identity.”

The two continue to talk about random topics and, without noticing, hours manage to slip by.

“So tell me, what does your future look like? Are you going to take over the inn?” Lunella asks Amara.

“That’s what I’m set to do. But if I’m honest, I don’t think it’s really what I want to do.”

“Oh? Why’s that?”

“All my life, I’ve just been the innkeeper’s daughter. Which is fine, it’s given me a peaceful life at least. Still, I can’t help but want to find out who I am. I want to be something more than an inherited profession. If I take over the inn, what will I be? Just an innkeeper. When will I ever get to choose what to be, maybe I want to become a knight, go off and grapple with monsters and demons?”

“Then why don’t you? it sounds like you know what you want to do.”

“I guess because it’s not realistic. How can I tell my mother that I want to give up this safe life that she built for me and risk it all to fight against terrifying demons. In a way, I envy you Lunella...”

“You don’t envy me, but I do understand the sentiment. Let me be honest, do you really think that just being protected is any way to live? Do you think you’ll be able to live with yourself if you just keep putting off the things you want to do?”

“You might be right… thanks for being supportive, Lunella. Everyone else thinks I’m a fool or ungrateful for wanting to give up this safety I was given. Now it’s your turn. What do you want to do in the future?”

“Besides not dying? I haven’t really thought about it… If I had to say, I’d like there to be peace between all races, demons and intelligent monsters included.”

“Hahaha, you make my dream look completely sane, peace with monsters? Though if it’s possible I wouldn’t mind seeing it… Do you think it’s possible?”

“Well, when I was in the wilderness I ran into an orc and instead of fighting we just talked and went our separate ways. I thought that it might be possible then. I think as long as it’s possible to talk, we can make peace,”

“As long as it’s possible to talk, huh? I doubt it would be that simple, especially with the demons.”

“Why would it be more difficult with the demons?”

“Well, demons are more organized and they’re very intent on staying hostile with humanity.”

“I sure hope that’s not the case….”

“Well, it’s getting a little late; I should get going. Thanks for talking with me Lunella.”

“No, thank you for talking with me. I think I would like it if you came and talked to me again…”

“Yeah, me too. Goodnight Lunella.”

“Goodnight Amara.”

Amara returns to her room, feeling quite refreshed from her conversation with Lunella. It isn’t often that she gets guests who she can really talk to; A guest around her age, who she feels any connection with at all, is almost unheard of. Amara sits on her bed with a smile on her face as she fades off into a deep sleep.

Lunella remains in her room and slowly gets into bed. Her thoughts begin to spiral around in circles. I think Amara is a good person. Getting to talk like that with someone felt so freeing. I need to keep my guard up though. She clearly has a hostile opinion on demons perhaps deeper than most humans. If she knew who I was, would she really talk to me like a friend?