"Of course", he answered with a large grin on his face, "And I'll be coming with you."

"Leader!" Cecile shouted, "You can't just do that!"

"Yes I can. Before departure I received permission from lord Garm to take some time off if the battle ended in victory." His voice was resolute, he had already made his decision.

Jyl was smiling widely, happy she would be going home after all, if only for a little bit.

While they were talking, half a dozen soldiers wormed their way through the human forces, and towards them. They were all relatively unharmed, which was odd considering the heavy losses the Eagle Division was suffering. Completely disregarding the angry shouts of their superiors, they started climbing up the hill.

The man running in front, covered in blood but his green eyes shining, headed straight for Jyl and pulled her into a hug.

"I was so worried! I saw those flying demons heading towards the archers, and then arrows stopped coming!"

"Calm yourself, Lyall. Did I not promise I would not let myself get killed?"

"I know, I remember, but still!"

"If you keep hugging her like that, you'll squeeze her to death, Black Bear!" Another male voice shouted. He pulled Lyall away from Jyl before looking her over.

"You're not injured?"

"I'm fine, Aiden", she replied.

"Who're they?" he asked, looking suspiciously at the two demons.

"Wait until everyone is here, then we'll do introductions." She looked down the hill, where the other four had started their ascend.

"We're missing someone?" Sadness permeated her voice.

"Erin was put in vanguard, the chances he made it are..." Aiden sighed.

"No wonder Lyall was being so emotional", she glanced at the large hunter. He'd gone back down to aid a woman who had gotten injured in the thigh.

"He will not like what I have to tell you", warned Jyl, "Please help calm him down."

Her words startled him, but he still nodded.

When finally everyone had gathered, Arick was the first to step forwards.

"I am Arick Zilverhoorn, leader of the Obsidian troops' winged squad. It's a pleasure to meet you."

The six newcomers looked at the demon with varying degrees of suspicion, caution and curiosity. But seeing Jyl standing next to him, they accepted his presence.

"Aiden, the Direwolf. Nice to meet you too."

"Lyall Black Bear." He puffed out his chest, emphasizing his large build and powerful muscles a little more.

Next was the woman whom Lyall had helped. "Rina the Thunderfox." Her light brown eyes serene despite the painful wound.

"Evelyn, Horned Lion." A stoic expression on her face and with her arms crossed in front of her chest, she looked very unapproachable.

"Alcaeus Direwolf, nice to meet you. I'm Aiden's younger brother in case you're wondering." He leaned his elbow on Aiden's shoulder, smiling brightly. Their brown eyes were remarkably similar, but Alcaeus was shorter and bulkier than Aiden so it was difficult to tell at first glance that they were related.

Last was a hunter with blonde hair and dark eyes, his lanky build seemingly incongruous with the fierce strength he possessed.

"My name is Solon, the Tree Viper." He imitated Arick's slight bow.

All eyes gathered on the last person who needed to introduce herself. It seemed she had forgotten that fact herself, as she was startled at the sudden attention.

"Right...", she quickly composed herself. "I am Cecile Bloedveer, second-in-command of Obsidian's winged squad."

With introductions over and done with, Lyall immediately brought up the matter at hand.