Zaine Part 5

The endless expanse of jagged rocks and shifting sands stretched as far as the eye could see, a desolate landscape that seemed to go on forever. Having decided to return to human territory, we knew we would need to retrace the perilous path we had taken to get here. But first, a stop in the city was unavoidable—we needed supplies. Risky as it was, there was no alternative.

Zaine and I moved cautiously through the unforgiving terrain, our cloaks and hoods shielding us not only from the blazing sun but also, once we reached the city, from prying eyes. Behind us, the ominous dark clouds that shrouded the crater and its ruins faded into the horizon.

"You know, Dox, I must say again that this is the worst place. Not a single flower, no fruits... nothing pretty anywhere," Sunshine's voice came from the medallion around my neck

I glanced down at the medallion, smirking, "Soon, we will leave this desert and return to more pleasant places."

Zaine walked beside me in silence, her posture rigid and her face partially obscured by the shadow of her hood. Her presence was imposing, even now, as she scanned our surroundings with sharp, calculating eyes.

"Do you always talk this much?" She asked, her tone neutral but carrying the faintest trace of amusement.

"Only when Sunshine won't stop complaining," I replied, earning a soft snort from her.

"Hey, I'm just pointing out the obvious! This place could use a makeover," Sunshine retorted, her voice brimming with indignation, "Hey Zaine, I don't think you'd do a good job as Demon Queen if you had a place like this."

"Sunshine, how do you expect someone to change a desert to something more pleasant like a forest? Also, do you know how huge the demonic territory is? During this entire trip, we only traveled to the southern border. There must be all kinds of places." I responded with a scolding tone.

"I'm just saying that this place must have been different before," Sunshine complained, her voice resonating faintly, "Even where our ancient sacred forest was, it looks very similar to this place with only traces of what it once was."

"...I don't have an answer for that," I said, "I guess we can ask Zaine once she gets her memory back."

When I turned to see Zaine, she was just looking at me with no expression on her face.

We trudged on, the heat of the day slowly building as the sun climbed higher. The rocky terrain gave way to smoother, sandy stretches, and the occasional gust of wind carried fine grains that clung to our cloaks—hours passed in relative silence. If only I could fly like Sunshine and Zaine can, everything would be so much easier. I suppose that at some point, we will encounter a flying motor, and I will be able to use the power I stole from Duke Vanth to control it and ride on its back through the air. That way, we can cross the border, avoiding the war between demons and humans without having to go through the entire route we took to get here. But for now, the thought of reaching Avernus was both a goal and a source of dread. A city full of demons—one wrong move, and everything could fall apart. It seems that the Demon King is not yet aware of Zaine's escape, but it will certainly not take long for this place to become chaotic, full of his people hunting us mercilessly.

By the time we arrived at the outskirts of Avernus, two days had passed. The sun hung low in the sky, casting the city in a golden glow. It was a sight to behold—an oasis of life and color amid the barren desert. Towering spires of brown stone and shimmering obsidian rose above lush greenery fed by a network of canals.

"Finally," I murmured, taking in the sight, "The city really is an oasis in the middle of the desert."

Zaine's gaze lingered on the city, her expression unreadable, "That place looks stonishing," She said, her voice quiet.

"Agree," I added, pulling my hood lower. "Too bad we need to be quick. Get what we need and get out."

Sunshine chimed in, her voice filled with mock cheer, "Oh, sure! Just two suspicious figures buying supplies in a demon city. What could possibly go wrong?"

"Unfortunately, we have no other option if we do not want to die of hunger," I replied, "We already spent two days without eating anything."

We stayed hidden until nightfall came. Once darkness arrived, we entered the city, crossing the wall that protects it thanks to Zaine graving my hand and flying to the other side.

The last time we were here, it was just passing by. I was focused entirely on Zaine. The streets of Avernus were alive with activity despite it being night. Demons of all shapes and sizes moved about, their voices blending into haggling, laughter, and the occasional argument. The air was thick with the scent of spices and the faint metallic tang of the canals. Still, despite the beauty of the place, I couldn't shake the tension coiling in my chest.

Zaine walked beside me with practiced ease, her movements graceful and deliberate. Even cloaked, she carried an air of authority; meanwhile, I kept my head down, focusing on the task at hand. We entered a bustling marketplace, the stalls overflowing with goods—exotic fruits, bolts of fine fabric, weapons, and supplies. I caught sight of a vendor selling dried provisions and made my way over, trying to appear casual.

The demon behind the stall, a towering figure with horns curling back like a ram's horns, eyed us suspiciously, "Travelers?" He asked, his deep voice rumbling.

"Something like that," I replied, keeping my tone even, "We need supplies for a long journey."

The demon grunted, his sharp eyes darting from me to Zaine, "Strange outfit," The demon said, trying to see our faces covered by the hoods, "Does a hornless demon even have the money to pay?"

"Just give us what we need," Zaine said with a commanding tone, her voice carrying a note of finality that brooked no argument.

The merchant was strangely surprised by Zaine's command, and his body even trembled a little, "M-Money first," He said hesitantly.

I was about to try to haggle to buy whatever was possible with the bit of money I had left, and then we would figure out how to get the rest. However, Zaine stepped forward, her confidence unshaken.

"Perhaps," She said in a low, commanding voice, "There's something else that would suffice. You wouldn't turn away a potential favor from someone like me, would you?"

The vendor blinked, momentarily thrown off by her authoritative tone and the audacity of her request, "Ah? What are you saying? If you don't have money lea-"

Zaine leaned in slightly, her hood revealing her eyes to the merchant, "Favors from me often turn out to be worth more than gold."

I was as surprised as the merchant by Zaine's attitude and even more so when I saw how the merchant turned pale. His body relaxed while his gaze remained fixed on Zaine with a tired expression.

There was a tense silence before the demon only attended with my head, "Fine. I'll give you all you want. Take whatever you want."

"Good," Zaine replied smoothly, her poise unwavering; then she turned to look at me, "Darx starts gathering everything we'll need," Zaine told me while I was still in shock, not understanding what had happened.

The merchant looked as if he were in a trance, looking ahead with a tired expression while we put all his merchandise in my magicbag, and then we just walked away.

"W-What did you do?" I murmured, glancing at Zaine. "He gave us everything without charging us anything. It looked like he was in some kind of trance."

She shrugged, a faint smirk playing at her lips, "I'm not very sure. I just had the feeling that I could bend him to my will if I asked him to, and it worked."

Sunshine's voice cut through the tension. "Whoa, Zaine! That was kind of amazing—and terrifying. Did you see his face?"

Could it be some of her abilities that she had from before? As more time passes, little by little, it seems that Zaine is recovering her power.

"Whatever that power is, please don't use it on me." I said jokingly but with some nervousness, "Still, you really know how to make an impression."

"Survival isn't about impressions," Zaine said, her voice steady, "It's about leverage."

Her personality is undoubtedly changing gradually as her power is returning, and she gets used to not being locked up.

As we made our way through the city, the atmosphere shifted. The once lively streets began to quiet, the glow of lanterns casting long shadows. We still had enough time to get everything we needed without spending a single coin, thanks to Zaine. By the time we finished gathering supplies, the city's streets glowed with the soft light of lanterns. The cool night air was a welcome relief, but the tension in my shoulders hadn't eased.

"The longer we stay, the higher the risk, but we can probably sleep a little in an Inn before leaving the city," I said, glancing at Zaine.

She nodded in agreement, her gaze focused on me, "I'll do whatever you decide."

As we made our way toward closes Inn, Sunshine's voice broke the silence, "You two are way too serious. Relax a little! You pulled it off, didn't you?"

"We're not safe yet," I muttered. "Let's save the celebrations for when we're out of danger."

Zaine and I made our way through the dimly lit alleys, cloaked figures blending into the shadows as we searched for the closest Inn to spend the night. After a short time, we found the place where we would spend a few hours. The sign above the door read The Obsidian Hearth, its blackened letters glowing faintly in the warm lamplight. It seemed modest but clean. Inside, the Inn was dimly lit, the smell of spiced meat and burning wood filling the air. Demons of various shapes and sizes occupied the tables, talking and laughing. I approached the counter cautiously, with Zaine just behind me.

"We need a room for the night," I told the innkeeper, a stout demon with green skin. He regarded us skeptically, his gaze lingering on our cloaks.

"You're lucky," He said finally, "Got one room left. You'll be sharing, though."

"That's fine," Zaine answered before I could say anything.

The innkeeper's eyes flicked to her, narrowing briefly, but he didn't press further. After a brief exchange of coins, he handed us a key, "Second floor, last door on the right."

We climbed the creaky wooden stairs in silence. The room was small but serviceable—a single, large bed dominated the space, with a simple wooden table and chair off to one side. A small window overlooked the alley below.

"I'll go get us some food," I said, "You stay here."

Zaine arched an eyebrow at me but didn't argue, "Don't take too long."

The common room was quieter now, many of its patrons having retired for the night. I approached a vendor near the hearth, a wiry demon with ash-gray skin and quick, darting eyes. After some haggling, I managed to procure a modest meal—a loaf of crusty bread, a wedge of cheese, dried meat, and some fruits for Sunshine. It wasn't much, but it would suffice.

When I returned to the room, Zaine was seated on the edge of the bed, her posture as composed as ever. She looked up as I entered, her sharp gaze softening slightly.

"Dinner is served," I said, setting the food on the table.

"Finally," Sunshine's voice piped up, her excitement palpable, "I thought I was going to starve in here!"

Zaine and I shared the bread and meat while Sunshine eagerly devoured the fruits. She chattered incessantly at first but soon grew quieter, her voice trailing off as sleep claimed her. She fell asleep while eating, her face resting on the bitten apple she was eating. With Sunshine's soft snores, the room fell into a comfortable silence.

"So," She began, her voice low to avoid waking Sunshine, "Tell me about the human territories. What are they like?"

The question caught me off guard. I chewed thoughtfully before answering. "It depends on where you go. There's a lot of diversity—plains, forests, mountains just like here. The cities are crowded, noisy, and full of life with humans and a few from other races instead of demons. The countryside is quieter, more peaceful."

"And the people?"

I hesitated, "Complicated. You'll find kindness and cruelty as in any other place. It's… a mix. Unfortunately, as you know, the relationship between humans and demons is not the best, much less with the current war, so we must stay in some remote area. Plus, I'm also a fugitive, which makes things worse," I paused briefly before continuing, "But I'm certainly more familiar with the landscape, so I have an idea of ​​where we might stay.

"And where is that?" She asked.

"The village where I grew up used to be," I replied, "But it's gone now—the demons destroyed it. No one lives in that area anymore, especially since it's deep in the forest. I know the place well, though."

Zaine looked down as feeling responsible for what the demons did to my village, which was not my intention.

"Hey, it's not your fault!" I hurriedly said, "It's the fault of the current Demon King and a Duke I already took care of. You don't have to feel responsible."

She studied me for a moment, her expression unreadable, "So you like that place?"

"Yeah," I admitted, "It's simpler. Quieter. After everything I've been through, the idea of peace is… appealing."

Her lips curved into a faint smile.

"What about you?" I asked, curious, "If you could choose, where would you go?"

She looked away, her gaze distant, "I don't know. I suppose I'll decide once I remember who I am."

"O-Of course... We'll figure it out," I said softly.

The conversation drifted to lighter topics after that—small memories from my childhood, amusing anecdotes about Sunshine's antics, and some memories of the times we spoke in the world of darkness.

As the night deepened, the question of sleeping arrangements arose. I stood awkwardly, scratching the back of my neck, "You take the bed. I'll sleep on the floor."

Zaine arched an eyebrow, her tone leaving no room for argument, "The bed is large enough for both of us. There's no need to be ridiculous."

"I… I don't mind the floor," I stammered, the idea of sharing a bed with her making my pulse quicken.

She crossed her arms, her expression firm, "Darx, I'm not going to let you sleep on the floor. You've been through just as much as I have. We're both exhausted. Just get in the bed."

Reluctantly, I conceded, "O-Okay."

"Darx," Zaine's voice cut through award silence, her tone measured yet assertive, "I need to change into something more comfortable to sleep in."

"O-Of course," I replied, my voice showing the nervousness that suddenly gripped me. I turned away from her, giving Zaine the privacy she needed but unable to shake the image of her alluring body, accentuated by her long purple hair and piercing purple eyes.

As the rustling of fabric reached my ears, I couldn't help but imagine what Zaine looked like as she undressed, her beauty both captivating and intimidating. My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to focus on anything other than the tantalizing sounds behind me. What am I doing? This isn't like me at all.

"Are you alright, Darx?" Zaine asked, her voice softening.

"Yeah," I replied, "Are you done changing?" I asked, still facing away from her.

"Yes," She answered, "You can turn around now."

I hesitated for a second as I turned back to see she was already inside the bed.

I blew out the candle, plunging the room into near darkness. As I lifted the covers and slid into bed, I immediately realized that the bed was smaller than I had anticipated, our bodies much closer than expected.

"Good night," I muttered, forcing myself to relax and closing my eyes, attempting to ignore the warmth radiating from her body.

The truth was, having Zaine's body so close to me made me feel anything but relaxed. My chest tightened as I tried to find a comfortable position without touching her, but the confines of the small bed left me with little choice.

"Goodnight, Darx," She whispered softly, her breath tickling my ear.

We lay in silence for a while, the soft rustle of the sheets the only sound. Gradually, her breathing evened out, and I realized she'd fallen asleep. I stared at the ceiling for a long time, my thoughts a tangled mess, before sleep finally claimed me.

I woke up a few hours later. The room was still dark, but I could sense that dawn was fast approaching. For a moment, I couldn't comprehend why I had woken up so suddenly until I realized the sensation of weight on my body.

Zaine was on top of me, her head resting on my chest, one arm draped over my side, and her leg was above me. Her silky purple hair fanned out around her, strands tickling my skin. My breath caught in my throat as I tried to control my racing thoughts and conflicting emotions. The intimacy of our position was something I didn't expect when I woke up.

"Zaine," I whispered urgently, gently shaking her awake, "We need to leave before the sun rises."

Her eyes fluttered open, confusion clouding the depths of her violet gaze. As she propped herself up on her elbows, she looked down at me.

"I see..." She murmured, rolling off me and sitting up.

"Get your things together. We can't afford to waste any more time." I replied, forcing myself to focus on our impending departure.

As Zaine nodded and began to gather our belongings, I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. The memory of her body pressed against mine lingered, making it difficult to concentrate on the task at hand.

Before dawn, we left the Inn, careful not to draw attention as we slipped through the quiet streets. Zaine carried me effortlessly as she flew over the city walls. Now, we just have to get away from this place and, as soon as possible, find a flying monster with which we can cross the border, avoiding the battlefield between humans and demons.