Koda’s remaining forces marched through the long mountain pass, knowing the journey would last two days. Despite spending an extra day in Stonewall, Koda’s men were not revitalized enough to start another trek and even less ready for a battle at the end of that trek. The mountain pass was a narrow stretch of road that sliced through a single mountain. A set of high rock-face walls bordered the road and wind rushed through the makeshift valley with its cool autumn air.

Wiccer and Elisa marched behind the train of troops, watching its rear. Wiccer was still very tired. Leading ARO and acting as a military advisor had taken its toll on his body and mind. His eyes drooped and his movement was slow, as if he walked through mud. His joints creaked stiffly as he trudged along.

“You should get some rest. There are a few wagons not too far ahead. No one would look down upon you if you hitched a ride,” Elisa said softly.

Wiccer jolted his head in a quick shake to wake up. He sleepily smiled at the shadow elf, “I’ve always treated you like dirt, but you’ve been nothing but kind to me.”

Elisa paused before responding, “I was a prisoner in the past. I’ve killed many and caused much strife to many others. I would treat me like dirt too.”

“You’ve changed so much, Elisa. Do you know that?” Wiccer asked. He rapped his scabbard with his thumb while trying to choose his words, “It’s like you’re one of us now. No it’s not that, it’s more like ever since you and Avren were together you’ve just been trying to make things right.”

“Avren…” said Elisa faintly, still pained by his loss.

“You’ve gone above and beyond to show me that you really cared for him, I think I was too upset with myself to see that,” Wiccer swallowed his shame hard, “I’m sorry Elisa. You are a true friend.”

Elisa smiled gently, blushing up to her ear tips, “You’ve changed a lot yourself, Wiccer. You no longer see ARO as just some asset. You really care for each and every one of us.”

Wiccer nodded and looked away, “It took a war for me to finally see that the lot of you are my family.”

“Even Elucard?”

Wiccer held silent, not ready to admit he now saw Elucard as a friend.

“Someday, perhaps,” Elisa sighed.

***

Timber and Calsoon looked down from their perch, high on top of one of the stone walls. They sat looking down at the marching army, silence filling the gap between them. Finally Timber spoke up, although seemingly to herself, “My grandmother was a wise wolf shaman. She was very religious and often told me stories of times long ago. She once told me a story of five individuals and the sacrifices they made to vanquish an evil that descended from a new moon.”

Calsoon turned curiously to his companion, but she did not return the gaze. She continued all the same as she regaled the tale:

“Long ago, before there were no gods. A time where there was only ‘Nihilio.’ The world had its magic, but only for a select few. Man lived in fear of the wickedness that the shadows brought. At the time, the wicked were ruled by the vampires and the Night was not nearly as frightful as it would soon be. For once the Black Moon appeared in the sky, the Night would rule. Demons descended from the new moon, and with them brought a war that man would fight for one hundred years.

At first, man did not fight alone. Following the demons came the angels. Skin like gold, wings as pure as pearls. The angels fought valiantly, but were overwhelmed by this menace. Save for six, the angels retreated from whence they came. The six angels were indeed fantastic warriors in their own right, but the demons were greater.

It seemed all hope was lost, until Nihilio stepped down from his celestial throne and gifted five mortal beings with the power of a second soul. The second souls were of a new magic, a magic crafted to hunt the demons. Embedded with the souls of the Jade Hawk, these five men and women fought back the demons in a final bout. The demons were defeated, but not destroyed. They crept back in their shadows. The five Jade Warriors vanished, now that their purpose was complete.

The six angels ascended to become gods, a mortal leader was chosen to ascend with them. Once the new gods were established, they saw Nihilio as their All-Father. After one hundred years of a brutal war for survival, man found peace again.”

Calsoon grinned, “I’ve been told that story before, but you tell it so eloquently.

Timber finally turned to face Calsoon. Her eyes were steely and her face was grim to match,

“My grandmother told me that the demons still lurk among us. She tells me to watch for anyone with amber eyes that the Night shines through like an amber moon.”

Calsoon chuckled lightly, “You granny is full of stories.”

Timber smiled thinly, “Perhaps…”

But stories are always born from a shred of truth.