Get on the road.

After much of the day is spent traversing down through the mountains, around the lake, and across the plains, you eventually reach the main road which leads straight up and down through the Empire of Tivera. It won't be much longer before the night fully comes and you'll need to stop and rest alongside it, but for the last fleeting moments of the day, you continue onwards.

As you do, Sen-nu walks up beside you--both sides. You aren't exactly sure which way to look, and you can't help but wonder if she does this just to mess with people. She acts so calm and stoic, with that being the way of her species, but with both her bodies being incredibly alluring, and with how close she's standing on either side, you feel a warmth in your cheeks before you stare straight into the eyes of the body on your right.

"May I ask a question?" she asks, though it's the other which speaks.

You roll your eyes and turn your attention over. "Yes. Of course you can."

"Are you certain it's all right for those like me to come uncovered?" Both bodies look down at themselves, brushing a fluffy paw down their stomachs in unison. "I've never been so boldly presented for others to see without the worry of panic," one says.

"There are multiple demons behind me right now, and I'm not gonna have any of you hide yourselves. If we run into trouble on the road, we'll deal with it, though I doubt anyone would dare to challenge us anyway."

"I see somebody to the west," Amara speaks up from nearby. Even with the sun's light fading, and at such a distance, her vision is as keen as ever.

She's right. Soon, you're all able to spot the small band of figures coming down not the road but from the grassland westward. It feels as if they're moving in a way to meet your path as well, whoever it may by, though they could also just be travelling towards Tolis as well. Still, you remain on guard. Time passes, and eventually, they come fully into view as they reach the road as well. Your destinations collide, and the group of a dozen men and women halt obediently. Leading them is a single man, and upon seeing him, you feel the oddest sensation of exhaustion, like being called into work on your only day off.

First, he laughs. The pretty-faced gentleman brings a gauntlet-clad hand over his forehead and back through his shimmering blue hair. "What entertaining fate to have brought us together again, Demon King," comes the words of Sir Elyndar Imaeris, a famous adventurer and heartthrob to women everywhere. Well, except for here. Most of those who travel with you currently know the man well enough to not be smitten by his looks, and the rest may understand soon enough.

Amongst his group are two recognizable faces, the blond squire boy, the gnome, and the half-orc.

"Oh great," you mutter. Then you speak up. "If you're here to make an attack, go ahead. Get it over with."

"Kyle Warren! Do you think I am some sort of brute? As much as I would love to be the holy blade that slays yet another Demon King--"

"You didn't slay the last one."

"--I am simply here to observe the gathering up north, to which I expect you are going as well."

"So you know of this Sports Festival too?"

"Of course. Word has gotten out that there will be multiple beings there of great power, and perhaps great evil. To have such a thing so close to the capital... Well, surely our king must know what he is doing, but still, I would not be a grand hero if I did not make certain nothing bad happens there. If things become troublesome, I suppose I will be the one known for slaying all Demon Kings, if that is how it must be."

Rose puts a hand to her chin and thinks aloud. "Oh yeah. I've heard of this guy. Imaeris, or something like that, right?"

The man's smile practically glows as he smiles with an absurd amount of confidence as if all he needed was a single woman amongst your group to recognize him. "That is correct. Perhaps you know me as the slayer of the black dragon to the northwest, or the man who single-handedly struck down the infamous dire wolf near Tolis. Or, if you must bring it up, the hero who charged into the lair of Demon King Sa'dis to take his head."

Rose's eyes look to your as he speaks, and then she turns back to him. "No... I was gonna say the adventurer who came in his pants at a beach party."

"They were shorts--!" In a fit of blinding and sudden rage and embarrassment, the man turns away for a long moment. Then he finally turns back as if nothing had ever happened. "A funny joke. Laugh at whatever you wish, but I am Sir Elyndar Imaeris, and while we may have worked together in the past, Kyle Warren, you have become darkness and my light has only become brighter. I do not wish to know how you have even corrupted the mind of the once-noble Lady Tesgella, or any of the others amongst you. I am not here to fight, no. But you must know where we stand."

"The only mind messed up around here is yours," you respond. "Nyllia isn't corrupted. She's as noble as ever."

"You did not just refer to her so casually!"

You cross your arms. "We're about to set up camp. Do whatever you want to do, but you don't lay a hand on anyone here."

"Pardon me, but we were about to set up camp as well."

"Go ahead."

"I... I will!"

The mighty Mistress Dajy emerges from the side, placing a long, sharp fingernail upon her own chin as she observes the paladin with a penetrating stare. Even with a horn mostly cut, the other is extensive, and the span of her wings makes her appear even larger than she is. Such a silhouette suddenly appearing causes the elf to flinch. "My my, what an interesting creature," she ponders, though loud enough for him to hear it. "If he does attack us, may I keep him as a prisoner?"

"E-Excuse me," Imaeris mutters as he fumbles to grasp the pommel of his sword. "What sort of terrifying army have you gathered here?"

Nyllia steps forward and brushes back her hair, staring at him in a manner that makes him feel half her height. "You may camp here as well if you wish, Sir Imaeris, but you must do so at your own discretion."

With him unable to find anymore words, him and his party head a short distance away before setting up a camp of their own, separate from yours. Meanwhile, you get ready to have a small dinner before getting as comfortable as one can in a bedroll situated near an open flame for warmth.

Stax brings out some remaining fresh meat instead of rations--sausages--which she begins roasting over the fire. After plunging the juicy wiener in her mouth and letting out a soft moan of enjoyment, she looks to you, swallows, and wipes her lips. "So uh... Is that thing about the beach party true?"

"Yup."

"And how did that happen?"

"I don't wanna talk about it."

Delphi flutters down and nods. "Before the orgy, Kyle here gave Imaeris a little pleasure."

Stax coughs on the next bite of her sausage.

"Do not tell a story if you're going to leave out ninety percent of the details!" you bark back.