"Alright, let's pack up and go!"

The party looked at him with detached expressions, as if stating the obvious.

"Oh, yeah. I forgot. We all lost our belongings at the forest... Well, let's put that behind us and finish this, shall we?" he began walking first, now knowing the way they should take in order to pass the blocked off city.

"He truly is odd sometimes. One day he's on the verge of dying, and the next he's venturing off somewhere without caution. Tell me, Cecil. How do you keep up with him?" Claire asked Cecil as she fixed her glasses, sighing.

"That's what I've been asked by many others. Honestly, I don't know as well," she replied, looking rather dejected, but feeling proud that she could even keep up with the man.

Remuil followed along, carrying almost the same amount of energy that Laruse had, saying, "Come on! The caravan will get away if we take too long!"

The rest couldn't do anything but follow the two, seeing as they made sense with their intentions, leaving while the sun was up, shining brightly overhead, indicating that it is now the afternoon.

Following behind them was the old man who had accepted Cecil and the other's invitation, laughing to himself as he bore witness to the energy of youth, despite being young adults already, mumbling to himself, "Ahh, these kinds of things brings me back."

After trekking the outskirts of the city, they finally came to a mountainous passage that seemed to lead nowhere, a passage closed off by rocks.

"This should be the place if my memory serves me correctly," Laruse mumbled to himself, examining various areas where a secret entrance may be.

"Why didn't you just take the map?" Claire asked, crossing her arms as she looked at Laruse.

"That'd be theft, my friend. It'd only make sense to do it if there's no other choice. Such is the life of someone in need," he spoke as he continued to search.

After a while of searching, they couldn't find the entrance, let alone any sign of there being any entrances at all.

"I don't suppose those rumors you heard back in the day were true," Cecil asked, tired after the all the time they had spent trying to find a trace.

Before Laruse could reply, someone from behind them spoke, "Is this the entrance that you were speaking of?"

Alesis pointed to the obviously large cave entrance beside him, making the others doubt their visions for a brief moment after pondering on whether they had passed it or simply never paid attention to it in the first place, which would be impossible from the looks of it.

"I may be old, but my eyes still see very clearly," he laughed, combing his white beard.

"Alright! We found it! Nice work, Alesis!" Laruse put a hand on the old man's shoulder, giving him a thumb's up with a smile, laughing internally along with him.

"Let's keep moving, shall we?"

They entered the cave, pitch black with the faint sound of water dripping from a distance, rivaled only by the sound of their footsteps.

"Hey, Andersen, could you use that magic of yours?" asked Remuil, whose voice echoes in the far distance, disappearing.

"Of course. Please wait a moment."

After a brief moment of concentration, Andersen produced a ball of light that gently floated on top of his hand, illuminating the cave with a faint white glow, enough to see at least a hundred meters in front of them, but not enough to blind them if they were to set their eyes upon the orb of light.

The cave stretched out endlessly, and darkness still enveloped the far side of the cave.

It was dark and damp, he air could be heard whooshing back and forth, coming in and out from the entrance as if it was a large monster breathing in and out.

Laruse led the way, knowing nothing of what lies ahead of them.

"Still, this place is pretty huge for a cave," Remuil's voice echoed forward.

Still, they continued on until they reached a large chamber that looked unnatural for a cave, designed to look like a ceremonial room without anything in it besides the markings on its walls.

It was bright enough to see around them as torches were lit up.

"I don't like where this is going," Zafra mumbled from behind, standing on guard.

Before they could continue forward through the entrance directly in front of them, a tall man clothed in a dark, long robe emerged, combing his silver hair upwards, looking at the group with his scarlet eyes.

"Oh, I didn't expect this much of you to be here. I thought I was merely dealing with two pests," the man spoke condescendingly.

The group found themselves on guard, in fear even, or the man standing before them, showing no signs of even trying to harm them.

"What's this feeling I have? It's like he's not normal at all," Claire whispered to the group, who found themselves agreeing to her remark.

Cecil stood close to Laruse, who seemed much more relaxed than everyone else in the room.

"Who are you?" Laruse asked nonchalantly.

"It seems that you're not affected by my influence. How interesting. My name is Alastor," he smiled upon introducing himself, seductively licking his lips, making his red eyes glow brighter.

"Influence? So does that mean you're the source of that?"

"Indeed. It should send fear in to one's heart, yet you are not affected at all. Why is that? Your group is already struggling. All they await now is petrification," Alastor took a step forward, eyeing Laruse greedily.

Laruse's body twitched as Alastor took a single step.

The man noticed without fail as Laruse tried to conceal it to the best of his abilities.

"You look very confident. But it seems that you know my influence, and how it's not affecting you. Hmm, you're different. You'll make for a fine servant for my master with your aptitude alone."

"What do you want from us? It doesn't look like you're here to simply take a stroll, right?" Laruse asked, taking on a more serious expression, different from his earlier optimistic one.

"Impressive. You also seem to exert a strong aura. You're a mortal, yet I can feel such a potential coming from you. This changes everything. You might even make for a greater master than him," the man's eyes widened as he extended his arms in ecstasy, laughing minimally.

He then wore his own serious expression, focusing his gaze on Laruse and Laruse alone, saying, "I'll have to put you to the test, that is if you value your life and your friend's. Come, struggle and show me your worth!"

The man reached for the insides of his long sleeves, taking three sharp knives on both hands, looking at Laruse, as if waiting for him to make his move.

"Laruse! I feel something bad coming from him!" Cecil yelled out in concern, wearing an expression of fear as the man's mysterious influence seemed to have taken a strong grip on the others, preventing them from even moving a muscle, forcing them to stay in place, a few meters away from Laruse.

The room became colder than it was before, coming from the presence of the pale man wielding blades that seemed to be able to pierce through anything.

"It seems that I don't have a choice, Cecil, everyone. It looks pretty dangerous already, but I think I'll manage somehow," he said, drawing his sword in front of him, facing the man who smiled at the gesture.

"Good. I am very well looking forward to how this will turn out. Will you be reduced to nothing as I take your life away including your allies, or will you prevent that?"

The man rushed at an amazing speed, undiscernible in the eyes of a normal person.

He reappeared, while floating in the air, behind Laruse, who hadn't made a move as of yet, having his front facing the same place, as if he hadn't noticed his enemy's disappearance.

Alastor then threw his sharp knives at him, each knife aimed precisely at one vital part of his body.

In that moment, Laruse moved fluidly, barreling forward, then turning to face Alastor, who expelled one last blade from the inside of his sleeve.

Only a few meters away from Laruse's face, he swatted the blade away with his sword, displaying a great amount of precision, looking to be equal to Alastor's eyes, which seemed to see everything.

"Another surprise? I thought that'd be the end of you, but I never took into account of something like this to happen," Alastor said upon landing back to the ground, his back facing the group, a few meters away.

Alastor traced Laruse's line of sight, noticing this, he speaks, "Not to worry. I won't harm them, not if you win that is. I have all the power to consume them and defeat you, but that wouldn't be too fair, would it? This is a test. A vital one for you, and me."

"So does that mean I have to kill you?"

"If you can. But at your current state, I can deduce that you might only be able to graze an inch of my clothing with your sword. Given that you're able to do that," Alastor crossed his arms upon looking at Laruse once more, making the battle rather tense in the victim's side.

They engaged once more. Alastor toyed with Laruse with the same technique, throwing blades and testing his worth, grazing his skin with a few lethal encounters.

Laruse on the other hand, fared rather well in his opinion, staving off blade after blade, unable to even close the distance between them.

After what seemed to be a few minutes, Laruse's energy waned a rather substantial amount. His body began feeling sluggish after using every bit of his senses to keep him alive. But he was not spared from receiving damage, enough to hinder most of his actions and immobilize him.

"Damn. I can't do anything with him," he spoke in irritation.

The rest of them merely stared in awe of what was happening between the two. It could only have been called an epic of a battle.

"Amazing. That Alastor person's something else. I've never seen anyone else this fast before," Remuil said to himself, unable to follow most of Alastor's movement. But he had seen enough to make him understand the gravity of Laruse's situation.

The rest agreed with Remuil, staying silent as to keep a keen eye, seeing as their lives depended on their ally's victory.

But, that awe inspiring battle became short lived as Laruse stopped trying to pursue the agile Alastor.

"Well this is rather unamusing. You've run out of motivation? It seems that I will have to make things more interesting for you. I'm not really interested on making this a long battle for I have many other things to do," Alastor spoke as he approached Cecil, the one closest in the group.

With that one approach he saw Laruse move, reigniting the fierce fighter in him.

Alastor noticed the ferocity in his eyes, exciting him as he took another step further as to see where his bounds stretched.

"Get away from Cecil, you fiend!" Claire threatened the man, who simply took a look at her in order to silence her into submission.

He traced his fingers on Cecil's chin, holding it with his index finger and thumb. They stood inches away from each other.

The pale man produced a single blade from inside his sleeve, wielding it teasingly, slowly drawing it up to Cecil's neck.

From behind them, the old man unnoticeably started casting a mysterious spell using his words, but he stopped, seeing the sudden turn of events.

As the cold, sharp edge of the blade reached Cecil, enough to piece her skin a bit, producing blood, Laruse bolted forward, surprising Alastor as he was unable to move at the right time and avoid his attack, forcing him to catch the sharp edge of his sword with his bare hands, using his thumb and index finger to halt the blade from grazing him.

"I see. So you hold her precious, do you not?" Alastor continued to provoke him as he held the blade in place with one hand, trembling due to the strength that Laruse was exerting.

He pushed further, forcing the blade to cut Alastor's skin lightly, resulting in the tall, pale man to change his expression to a terrifying one, subduing Laruse's rage simply with a glance.

He breathed out, speaking to the unconscious Laruse, "I've seem to have lost my composure. But, you have grazed me. I shall keep my promise and leave you be."

Letting go of Laruse's sword, he started walking the opposite way, but not before leaving a message for the group to hear.

"I shall eagerly await our next encounter. You have passed the first test. I wish to see the fullest of your abilities, mortal. You might just be the one I am searching for."

And silence followed, nothing else, not his presence, which left the room, allowing the group to finally move, breathing in relief after experiencing unconditional fear.

Cecil moved towards Laruse right away, carrying him to see how he was doing.

"Is he alright, Cecil?" Andersen asked in concern, looking over the two.

"Yes. He's only sleeping."

"But still, that was something else. Only Laruse could move under such an influence. Just what was that guy? He doesn't feel normal at all, Claire stated, hugging herself as she remembered the man's eerie nature.

From behind them, the old man came forward with an answer.

"That is what you might call a Demon lord's disciple."

His words immediately caught the attention of the others, who now began listening keenly.

"Being who have been give power by a Dark lord in order to have servants. I was unsure whether to believe if such a being was right here in front of us, inside the boundaries of human lands. Yet there was one. A terrifyingly fearful one at that," he knelt down beside Laruse and Cecil, looking him over, continuing with his speech.

He placed two fingers on top of Laruse's head, producing a clear bright light that illuminated ever dark crevice in the cave.

In seconds, Laruse awakens.

"What, happened?"

Remembering his battle with the strange man, he sprang up and searched for his weapon, looking around him only to find his companions staring at him.

"He's gone, Laruse. You saved us," Andersen said.

They began telling Laruse what they had been told by the man, now established as a Dark lord's disciple by Alesis, the mysterious old man who had drawn everyone's suspicion with his knowledge of the dark beings.

"Still, I'm surprised that you know a lot about then. Are you sure that you're just an old man?" Laruse said as they continued walking through the cave, nearing the entrance that was only meters away from them, brimming with light at the very end.

"I assure you that I am merely an old man. Besides healing, there's nothing I really am good at. But you on the other hand, were able to go against such a powerful being. I am very impressed as I watched," Alesis laughed jovially, walking alongside the group.

"I'm not really fond of the idea of having lost to him. I'll have to pay him back next time," he said, puffing his chest in an attempt to show confidence.

Remuil interrupted, "You're plenty strong already. I know I've asked this before, but I just want to confirm it again. Are you really not Laruse the demon lord replica?"

"Like I said! I'm not him!" Laruse yelled out, making the others laugh as they watched the two argue for a bit, lifting their spirits.

Regardless of their encounter with the strong being, they continued on, still trying to make ends meet as the time of the caravan's arrive neared its date.

Upon reaching the outside of the cave, they came to the sight of a wide are filled with greenery, including the main road that leads to the various cities to the west of Rade.

"Well then, this is where we part. I would have never made it without you, my friends," Alesis turned around to speak.

"Where are you going exactly?" asked Laruse.

"Who knows. Like I said. I'm simply a traveling old man, looking to see the sights. Wherever the winds take I shall go. Now if you will," he bows to the group, saying and receiving their farewells, which was heartfelt despite their short adventure together.

After seeing him off, they were left with each other once more, and now with one last goal of which was the only thing left for them to do.

"Well, there's only one thing left for us to do. Let's give it our all!" Remuil's voice resonated with the sky and air, drawing tired looks from his own party, except Cecil and Laruse, who seemed to be alright even after what happened.

From a distance, the old man pondered on what he had seen in the young man.

"An impeccable amount of strength when the odds are against them. Is he the one the world had been searching for? Are you the fabled hero, savior of the world?"

He looked at the serene sky, trying to answer the question he had asked himself.

"Who knows, hohoho, not an old man such as I!" he laughed continuing forward in his travels.

Meanwhile, in Palas, the so called largest, and the center of Independence. People and soldiery alike were being rallied by the call of the instigator, the one who arranged for a revolution.

He stood before the immense number of crowds in front of him as he wore a dignified expression in front of them.

Beside him on the platform was a large cloaked man serving as one of his benefactors who've proven to be vital in his plans for the future, depending on him whenever he could.

They all awaited his message, eagerly looking at him like a saint.

The atmosphere was bright as day, which made them think that him being here would bring good things to them, and to the revolution.

"People of Independence. The time is near, and soon we will fight against the tyranny that is the nation of Farron's oppression against our people. I want to dispel that fear within us, mold it to become our strength. I shall stand before you and fight to protect what we will stand for!"

A roaring applause was met after his speech, empowering the people to look up to him.

He stepped down, still hearing the people 's cheer.

The charismatic, golden haired man arranged his regal clothing, passing by the guards who stood as sentries leading to the governor's hall, now the palace of the revolutional leader.

Spencer August Olfrin, the leader of the Olfrin faction, a group that sought to build a great nation that will allow them to be recognized as a true nation, and possibly become a unifying nation. Yet, it was all ambition in the works.

The palace had been furnished to become a place fitting for a ruler to govern from. Decorated by statues, chandeliers, ornaments, and many others.

Once inside, Spencer began inquiring about the efforts of the other cities and how they were faring.

The tall and intimidating benefactor spoke with a rough, low voice, "Rade has created a quite substantial amount of men, drawing in people from other cities. I have arranged for them to train the new recruits at once, and will be provided with better arms once we have established a far more suitable trade and economic circulation."

"Very good. What of the other cities who've joined our allegiance to the west of Palas?"

"They have, by your orders, assembled an army to make sure that Farron won't be able to invade through the north-western line. Vallis, the closest city to the border of Farron, is being reinforced by the city to its south and south-east, Thrace and Ward-Crux respectively."

"Then what about the other cities who have not sworn allegiance?"

"They are Zeal to the east, Sor to the south of Civil. Then Darsin, Port city Harrick, and Kausten to the south-west. There are no signs of either of them forming unions to oppose us, but they clearly do not like the idea of forming a nation due to their prideful ideals."

Following a long corridor decorated by a velvet carpet and some guards on standby, they arrive to the newly made throne room containing a large hall that can accommodate the guests of a ruler, and the throne itself.

"Tell me, how goes the subjugation of Civil. Surely it has fallen. After all, it has been a week ever since I sent an army there," he asked before sitting on his throne.

"Civil... Is putting up a rather long fight, intending to try and outlast us as best they could. Needless to say that both sides have suffered rather greatly from the battle. But, they have not long before they are forcibly taken."

"I see. That means we can't use another army since most of them are occupied, correct?"

"Yes, my lord. If we were to try and thin out one of the armies in order to increase the number of actions that we take in this war effort, then we'll risk Farron trying to attack us with their full army. They've already stationed a large force at fort Stratof, forcing us to station armies to the north-western boundary."

Spencer sat on his throne, thinking through some way that he could make things move quicker, knowing that the longer he stalls, the smaller their chance of success becomes.

"Who are our available generals?"

The man pondered, stroking his white beard.

"We have general Vista of the first army stationed here. She is one of your most capable generals, and I do not recommend sending her off somewhere. Other than her, you also have general Lester with his reserve unit, whose main purpose is to reinforce the army here. Those are the only two stationed at Palas. The other armies have been stationed elsewhere, and are pivotal in where they are now."

"Thank you, Hendrick. I shall trust your judgement as I always have. You may go now. I will need to think about something for a while."

"By your leave, my lord," the large man bowed upon speaking to Spencer, leaving the large stone built hall.

The lord slumped on his seat, exhausting his mind upon thinking too hard of the affairs happening around the land.

"Do they still not believe in my abilities to truly establish peace within our own nation? Or do I lack something important, something that I gravely need?" he began mumbling to himself, his voice echoing through the halls where only the elite guards inside the room could hear, standing still.

Just then, a pang of pain in his chest, forcing him to grip the part where his heart lies, gritting his teeth in order to show his fortitude on front of his men.

"Not, again... Argh!"

He fell forward to his knees, grasping for air, unable to endure the constant pain that continues to grow stronger.

His men scrambled to his side, immediately calling for the doctor, putting the palace at an uproar.

In his head, a tumultuous voice ravages his thoughts, whispering words at him, slowly driving him insane.

"Accept the darkness in your heart. Only then will your ambitions become reality."

"No! I will not! I won't become a demon that rules with fear! Silence yourself and disappear from my mind!" he yelled out from inside his consciousness.

The voice simply replied with a hearty laugh, one of a condescending manner, but indeed disappearing after uttering a few words.

"You won't be able to resist. The chaos inside your heart demands it. You will never become the man who you want to be, not unless you accept me, the darkness in your heart."

With that, he took in a sharp and deep breath of relief.

Looking around, he realizes the small crowd that formed around him, concerned and stressed.

"Please, I’m fine. That was simply a small travesty on my behalf."

He stood up, proving to those around him that his constitution remains the same.

Once having dismissed his staff, he then returns to his chambers, intending to rest before the pain in his heart could return.

Before laying on his bed, he spoke to himself, hoping to find an answer to all this.

"This is strange. Hendrik's vial assured me that my health would become better. I must ask for more on a later date. I cannot afford to let this pain halt me from my actions. I must protect the people of Independence. The only way they could survive being conquered by other countries are by being united."

He laid down, closing his eyes and finally succumbing to fatigue.