Not far from the worn down stone pillars that surrounded the entrance way to the underground ruins of Ekeletas, the expedition team had set up camp. Numerous white tents, built up in orderly fashion, was the main characteristic of the camp. In addition to that, there were numerous people going about, setting up their camps and getting ready for tomorrow when the entire team shall venture into the ancient city.

Loganel meandered about, not far from the tent he and his party was using. Around him, the leaves on the trees was the beautiful colors of Autumn, and a gentle wind that blew by rattled the branches, causing the leaves to fall to the ground after they swayed about in the air. With nothing much to do, he let out a moody sigh as he decides to return back to his tent to await nightfall.

It had taken quite sometime for everybody on the expedition team to arrive. This was mostly due to the heavy supplies that was brought by the adventurers, knights, soldiers, and commoners. The trek was a tiring one, but once everybody had arrived at their destination and had everything set up, everybody appeared to be in a more joyful mood. They began socializing, talking to each other and getting to know the other groups. Due to this, the camp was busy and loud. Everybody seems to have a place to be. This didn't bother Loganel since this meant that the majority of them will be too occupied to pay notice of him. However, those that did notice him Loganel just straight up ignored. In his opinion, it is of no use and benefit to himself for caring about what these people think of him. To him, they're just strangers, not major characters that are in his life.

Loganel had wanted to immediately retreat back into the tent, but after walking for a bit and returning back to the tent, Loganel discovered that his party members had gotten quite friendly with the group that had set up their tent next to Loganel and his party's. They sat in a circle, using fallen logs as seats, as they talked and generally had a good time.

Loganel quickly surveyed the other group with his eyes. They appeared to be students from the Academy as well judging by their age. There was a boy who was probably their group's forward that is dressed in metal armor. This boy was the type that Loganel was the worst at handling. Loganel could easily tell that that boy was a natural at socializing with how he smiled and acted with confidence. All in all, this boy emitted an aura that was a bit too friendly for Loganel's liking.

"Hello," the boy dressed in that suit of metal armor with no helmet waved at Loganel and smiled, which made Loganel feel quite uneasy.

"Come on," a girl sitting next to the boy giggled. "You have to introduce yourself first."

As she spoke, Loganel's eyes wandered onto her. Dressed in a simple green tunic with long brown hair and green eyes, she turned to Loganel and smiled. From just looking at her, Loganel could tell that she's a Sylvan, a race of elves that resides in ancient forests.

"Right. Thanks for reminding me, Teryani. Sorry," the boy dressed in armor smiled apologetically at me. "I'm Sullivan, the leader of my party. In this expedition, our place in the formation is right next to your groups. Nice to meet you."

Loganel merely nodded in response.

"Don't be so cold," a boy with a gray hair chimed in.

Loganel looked over at the boy, and was initially shocked by the furry cat ear the boy had on. However, Loganel soon realized that this boy was a demi-human, one of the Feline sub race of the demi-human race. Soon, Loganel's eyes drifted to the meandering tail that was in the air behind the boy.

"Name's Kaz," the boy said, smiling and revealing some teeth that was sharper than the average human's.

"I'm Morgan," another boy said. This boy was dressed in a heavy robe that resembled those worn by the priests of the Church. However, based on the small round shield and the mace he wore on his belt, Loganel concluded that this boy wasn't a priest, but rather, he was a cleric.

"I'm Marilin," a second girl introduced herself. Her long dark azure hair was tied into a pony tail, and she was dressed similarly to Juliana, therefore making her a priest.

"So for our group," Sullivan started talking once again. As he talked, he looked into Loganel's eye, asserting his confidence in himself unconsciously. "Me and Morgan are the forwards. We distract the enemies while Teryani, our mage, and Kaz, our assassin, takes care of the enemies. And as all good parties would have, we have a trustworthy priest to heal us just in case and apply stat buffing spells for us."

Loganel couldn't understand why Sullivan was introducing himself and his party to him. He just couldn't. To not appear rude, Loganel nodded his head without saying anything, and then walked over towards the tent. As he walked, Sullivan and his party's eyes followed him. Initially, they weren't sure as to what Loganel was doing, but soon after, they realized.

"At least introduce yourself," Juliana stopped Loganel by grabbing onto his arm and whispered into his ear.

"But I don't even know them," Loganel responded calmly.

"Not showing any decency in manners," Azura murmured and shook her head. "How much of a scum can you be." She didn't look at Loganel once as she spoke.

"..."

Loganel was silent. Usually, if it was anyone else, he would've been mad, infuriated by the derogatory comment. However now, all he did was look down at the ground, frozen. For some reason, he couldn't get himself to be mad at Azura.

...Still didn't look at me...

It was dead silent as the standoff continued on. Everybody present could sense the sheer drop in the atmosphere.

"Calm down," Sullivan attempted to ameliorate the awkward situation by intervening. "There's no need to be upset."

His words however, did not make things go for the better.

"I...I think I'll go walk around for a bit more."

Loganel walked over to the tent, grabbed his belongings, and started in the direction away from the tent. As he left, he kept his head low, and made sure to not make eye contact with anyone for fear of them seeing the weakness that was on display on his face.

Iry... Loganel whispered her name in his mind to himself. Why is it that whenever she speaks of me, I can't find anything to rebuke her with?

*

Night soon befell the world, enveloping the world with darkness underneath the nighttime sky that was sprinkled with numerous stars in the heavens above. At the camp, a warm glow was emitted from the numerous camp fires, and trails of smoke slowly rose into the nighttime sky. It was loud at the camp as everybody enjoyed themselves one last time before entering the ruins of Ekeletas and the expedition starts for real.

Away from the loud noises of the festive campsite was Loganel, who laid on the riverbed near the campsite. He was close enough to return when needed without much worry, but wasn't far enough to completely drown out the noises. However, it was silent and somewhat masked by the sound of the running water in the river.

Around Loganel, it was quite dark. He was laying about in the umbrage of a nearby tree to hide from the sun earlier during the day, and Loganel hasn't moved since. There was no reason for him to move.

Suddenly, Loganel heard the sound of footsteps. He quickly brought his heads to his sword, and slowly rose from the ground into a kneel. He kept his eyes open and ears alert as he scanned around for any threats. Slowly, he back stepped into the bushes into hiding and if need to, ambush whatever was approaching if it meant harm. However, Loganel didn't see any enemies that could physically harm him. Instead, he was delivered a mental damage.

Emerging from the line of the forest and onto the riverbed was Tetsuya and Azura. Tetsuya was grabbing onto her hand as he led her there. Slowly, Loganel released the tight grip he had around the handle of his sword and relaxed. However, he did not leave his hiding spot, but rather, he stayed where he was so as to not ruin the moment for them.

What are they saying? he asked himself. If they came here to avoid all the people, then it must mean that then...

Loganel slowly lowered himself down onto the ground and laid there. He had no intent of peeking on their intimate moment.

Why hide it though? They don't want to affect how things are going in the overall party? Or is it that Juliana and Sherriel both know already and are just giving them space?

Loganel closed his eyes and listened to the sound of the running river, which masked the conversation that Tetsuya and Azura were having.

Why do I feel so melancholy right now? It's that right? It is that...I should stop lying...I have feelings for her, Azura. But what about Iry? How do I see her? Is it the same way I see Azura? It's similar. If so, then what is this feeling? What word can describe this feeling of pain I feel when I see her with someone else that is not me, and what word can define this feeling that is so similar if not exact to the feeling I have for Iry?

Loganel covered his ears.

Anyone, please...Can anyone tell me...What is the name of this emotion I feel within me? What is "love"?

***

The next morning, the expedition team entered the ruins of Ekeletas. It was still as Loganel had remembered it. The same old staircase, and the same old environment. What's different was that this time, Loganel was with many others.

As they walked down the staircase, Juliana continuously glanced at Loganel. She appeared quite worried, and clutched her hands before her chest.

"You alright?" she asked in a worried voice.

"I'm fine," Loganel responded.

"If you don't feel good, tell me okay?"

Loganel nodded. It has been a while since Juliana had shown Loganel this kindness and care, which made Loganel slightly uncomfortable at first, but he quickly denounced that feeling. He allowed things to be as it were before all of this "drama" had occurred and had split them. However, this does not mean Loganel had forgiven what Juliana had done or said in the past. But, maybe the ice that separated them had melted a bit.

***

Not long later, the first confrontation between the expedition team and the Kobolds began. There were numerous of those wolf humanoid creatures as they ran at the expedition team with their crude weaponry in hand. Their charge led to them confronting the first line of the expedition team's offense straight on. This first line composed of the experienced adventurers and the knights led by Marsha herself. Obviously, it was all one sided in favor of the expedition team.

"Our job is to take care of any Kobolds that manages to get past the first line," Testuya said to everyone in our group.

"That's right," Sullivan nodded as he delivered the same message to his party.

Just when they had finished saying that, a Kobold came rushing at them with its weapon raised. It had gotten passed the first line due to those people there being engaged in combat with a large number of Kobolds, which was the reason why this Kobold was able to penetrate into the formation.

"We'll take this one." Tetsuya said to Sullivan as he allowed his shield to expand back into its regular size. Tetsuya drew his holy blade, Exflage, and prepared everyone for combat. "Same as always. I'll distract it and Azura take care of it. Juliana protect Sherriel, and Sherriel, if there are more coming, get them with your spells."

"Got it," they said in unison.

Tetsuya had issued his commands almost naturally. He had done this numerous times in the past so it became almost a second nature for him. However, this meant that he wasn't able to take Loganel into account. This was the reason why he was surprised when Loganel walked in front of him and towards the charging Kobold.

"My bad Loganel!" Tetsuya stopped and tried to get Loganel to stop as well. "Get back for now and assist Azura! Loganel, stop!"

Loganel ignored him. Instead, he slowly walked towards the Kobold and brought his hands to the handle of the blade that he carried on his back. With a quick, smooth motion, he drew his nightshade blade with elven glyphs carved into it.

"Loganel come back!" Juliana shouted. "It's too dangerous!"

Dangerous? Do I feel threatened right now? Loganel asked himself as he walked. His sword was drawn and pointed to the ground by his legs on his side as he walked.

No, I don't feel threatened, I don't feel danger, and I don't feel scared. What I do feel right now--

Loganel stepped forward with his left leg as he parried to the right with his blade, effectively deflecting the Kobold's attack. In one quick, smooth motion, Loganel followed up his parry with an elbow to the Kobold's snout, and after dazing the creature, he used his right hand to deliver a cut with his blade.

--is an unknown rage that I just can;t get away from my head!

Loganel followed through with his cutting motion, and only stopped when the momentum was completely dispersed. Around him, everyone was silent as the Kobold's head fell onto the floor and rolled around. From the opening at its neck, blood gushed out as if it was a water fountain, landing on Loganel's face, black coat, and the ground around the still standing corpse.

Officially, the expedition has started.

Author's Note: