The stench of rotting flesh was wrought in the air. Ari covered his nose, but it was too putrid. He recognized the smell. Only wyhils smelled like that after rotting for awhile. The Khaeo would burn their bodies so not to attract any other demons that feed on their flesh. Even when they burned it smelled, but it was a lot quicker and less tiring than burying them. It did not bode well with Ari. Something was amiss.

Ari searched around his surroundings and saw nothing but dead old trees and snow. It is all he saw for the past three days. When he turned to face Kaval, Kaval put a hand out signaling Ari to stop as he continued forward.

The crunch of Kaval's footsteps was all Ari heard until birds shot up, startling him. Ari licked his lips and stared on. Ari could not sit on his hands and do nothing. He crept closer to Kaval as he used his footprint to follow. Ari felt around his waist for any daggers. There were none. Being kept for so long made him forget one of the core rules Freir embedded in him since he was young. Always have a weapon.

Ari sucked in his cheeks and sighed. Rein also taught him that anything could be fashioned into a weapon. He ran over and grabbed a stick about the length of his arm. He put half of it under his foot as he lifted up the other side until it snapped. It was now the size of his forearm with a jagged edge. Ari rubbed it up against a tree doing his best to peel away the pieces that he did not need. It would become pointier.

A growl reverberated through the air. Ari's head turned to the sound. He looked around for Kaval, but he had lost him. His senses were off. Auovin took more blood than Ari was ever without. There was no time to muse on it now. The Khaeo raised him, and they did not raise him soft. He would have to make do. Relying on Auovin's and Cyrus' strength for so long made him softer. There would be no more of it if he was to get both him and Kaval through this.

As soon as the stick was sharp enough to his liking, Ari stalked towards where the fading scent of Kaval lingered. It was hard for him to separate Kaval's scent from the strong smell of rotting demon flesh as he moved further into the cover of trees. The growls multiplied and became more pronounced, but still he saw no demons. When a clearing came into the distance Ari's senses heightened.

Ari ducked and rolled as something came from above nearly catching his hair in its grip. As it swooped for his head again, Ari grabbed its scaly leg and pulled it down. He climbed on top of it as it screeched and failed underneath him, but Ari had it by its feathery throat now. In one swift movement Ari plunged the stick through its head. Blood spattered on his face. He paid it no mind. More would be coming. He had to find Kaval soon or they would be surrounded.

More snow was falling and the air grew colder. Ari could only see faint traces of Kaval's snow prints. It made him grow anxious, but he swallowed it down and continued towards the unbearable stench. Ari knew he was being surrounded by some of the lesser demons. He could not pay it any mind. If he wasted any more time—

Ari hid behind a tree once he felt the presence of a larger demon. It sniffed around and snorted, trying to find his scent among the rotting smell. Its large footsteps shook the ground he stood on. As it came closer Ari held his breath. It inhaled then growled but nothing more. Still, Ari kept steady with his stick ready in hand.

This demon was tricky and smarter than most lessers. Ari did not know how he knew but he knew. He would have to trick it first. There was no other way around it. As it walked away, Ari moved away from the tree. Soon the demon lunged for his throat, but Ari stabbed it in its eye causing it to howl. It toppled over him snapping blindly at him. Ari struck its other eye ignoring the drool and blood pooling onto his face. Before it could howl for help Ari wrapped his arms around the top of its head and twisted it as hard as he could. Ari tore its head off.

Ari fell in the snow in surprise looking at his hands all the while. He could not have done that. Never was he that strong. His body needed blood after all, so how? Ari's brows furrowed more as blood began dripping down his face. He wiped it away and shook his head. It was no matter. He would think about it later.

The creature laid lifeless on the red snow surrounding it. Its flesh was decayed and charred as if it escaped a fire. Ari could make out bite marks where its flesh was missing as well. Where had it come from? Perhaps, it was attracted to the stench. Ari gave the demon's body one more fleeting glance before turning his head to an opening in the forest. Something was eating.

Already Ari had come across two demons, and he knew there would be more. There was no use in avoiding them. He had to find Kaval. Kaval was at his weakest because of him. Ari licked his lips and steadied his heart. His slow silent steps were cushioned by the snow. When he came into the clearing, Ari's heart sank into the pit of his stomach.

Human bodies laid sprawled across the red snow. Their limbs were scattered with some missing their heads. The dead brown eyes of one gazed into his. Ari fell to the ground looking around with wide eyes at the beast gorging itself on the bodies. Its rancid smell caused tears to mass in his eyes.

It turned and faced him with its mouth full of limp bodies. Their arms dangled from out the sides of its large mouth. It had no eyes, only nostrils and rows and rows of sharp jagged teeth. The demon was one hundred times his size with muscle to show for it. Instead of engaging him, it continued to chew and look at him as if daring him to come near. It smiled and laughed as it finished.

It could speak.

It reached out a claw-like hand for another body and swallowed it whole and grinned.

"Daevasari," it whispered in a growl.

Ari rose and clenched his hands into fists trying his best to do away with the fear that took hold of his heart. No fear was more important than Kaval.

"Daevasari," it whispered again. "I have waited long for you to leave that mountain."

Ari wanted to run. He wanted to dash back into the forest, but judging by its legs it would be useless.

"Why do you call me that?"

The demon laughed and stalked closer to him. "Long, long, long, long..."

Each time it said it became more haunting and dark than the last. Ari put more distance between it. It was forcing him out into the clearing. There would be no cover for him if it were to attack. No stick would help him. It had thick calloused skin. What he needed was a blade and Ari doubted he would find one there. However, he was wrong.

Ari noticed a glint from the snow. Soon many glints from the snow reflected off the setting sun. As Ari took a closer look his eyes narrowed. Those bodies... those swords...

It ran towards him with its large mouth agape. Before Ari could react, blood splattered his face. Kaval's arm went through its body. He shook it off him like snow on his shoulders.

"Kaval," Ari murmured. "I thought I lost you—"

"I am fine, Ari. Do not ever wander after me. Not now. Not until you get more blood."

"Something is not right." Ari gazed at the pile of bodies the demon had not finished. "Something is terribly wrong here."

"Demons like this one will be lurking here. We mustn't dawdle here."

Ari gazed at his blood covered hands before looking at Kaval's dark gray eyes. "Kaval, what is going on?"

"I did not want to leave the mountain until you had blood for fear of this. The demons know you are weak right now. They can smell it on you."

"It called me something then." Kaval grabbed Ari's wrist and dragged him back into the small forest of dead trees and demons. "How did it know what I was?"

"You are like a delicacy. It is rare to find one so weak. They think by consuming your blood and flesh they can grow more powerful. We must hurry now before more comes."

Ari nodded and kept to Kaval's pace. He still had more questions, but they would have to wait. Their snow prints dyed the snow red. If there were demons lurking about it would be hard to sneak away.

"There is a village up ahead. We can stop there and rest," Kaval said without looking back.

"Are they dead?"

Kaval shook his head no.

"Then those people back there, they were apart of the Khaeo were they not?"

Kaval flicked his eyes over to Ari before looking back ahead. He sighed and tightened his hold on Ari. Ari did not want to know the answer to that question. Already he was growing weary with the long days and travel.

"They were," Kaval answered.

"And you did not help them?"

"Why would I?"

"Because! Freir and Rein... It could have been them..."

"Ari... it was not. Do not worry."

Ari bit down on his lip doing his best to coax down his rising anxiousness. Something was not right. Ari felt it in the air and in his bones. All those bodies and odd demons did nothing more but add to his worries.

"What if it was?" Ari murmured.

"It was not."

Ari took back his arm and hugged himself tighter. The wind did not faze him when he was on guard. Now, it chilled him to the bone. If he was feeling this way, he could not imagine how Kaval was feeling. He had such tremendous strength but at what cost?

"It is just a little further ahead. I asked for them to prepare a bath. It should be ready by time we arrive."

As they walked for a little longer small dilapidated huts came into view. It was quiet and no fires were lit. When they came closer, nearby dogs growled and chickens squawked in their pens. Fresh cooked yams and rice made it to Ari's nose. He did not feel hungry by the smell, but it sure was a nice smell after having experienced the rancid smell of a demon.

Kaval motioned to a small hut. "This way."

The hut warmed Ari the moment he stepped inside. New clothes was laid on the bed of furs. A jug of water along with a couple of smaller cups was out by a table. It looked as if it had just been left, but Ari did not bother to ask questions.

"I asked them to leave. I did not harm them," Kaval said as if reading his thoughts.

"I know. I know you would not."

Ari went and sat down on the bed of furs. He was thankful for the rest and the small comfortable bed Kaval obtained for him. Because of that, Ari would not say a thing or question him. What right did he have?

"The bath is—"

"I am fine with a wash bowl and cloth. You do not need to pamper me like this."

"You are so used to..." Kaval pressed a thumb to his lips and trailed off.

"I was," Ari mumbled. "But the Khaeo gave me no such luxuries. I am not used to them any longer."

"Forgive me."

"It is fine. Sometimes, I find it hard to separate myself from then from now as well." Kaval poured some water into a bowl and grabbed a clean cloth from the table. "I know it must be hard for you. You were the one who knew me best, after all."

Soon Kaval came and and cleaned his face with deft hands. "There is no then and now. It is just you. Present you. The one who I treasure the most."

Ari bowed his head and rubbed away a small smile. It made Ari's heart warm from the sweet words that would come from his lips. "So do not be at odds with yourself, Ari."

"You are right. But when I think about Auovin and all the events that has led up to this moment I cannot help but think. And I think. And I think again."

Ari grabbed Kaval's hand now almost finished with the other side of his face. "But there is no thinking with you," Ari murmured.

"That demon is many things, but the love he has for you... It is certain."

"I am afraid of what he has done."

Kaval pursed his lips and looked at him.

"I have this aching feeling in the pit of my stomach, nestling now deep in my bones, that something is wrong," Ari stressed.

"You will be home soon."

"That is what I am afraid of the most."