Zaine Part 6

The endless horizon stretched out before us, a blend of rocky terrain and patches of barren wilderness. For two weeks, Zaine and I had traveled westward. Zaine's stride remained steady beside me, her tall, graceful frame strikingly contrasted with the rugged environment. Every now and then, I caught myself glancing at her—a mix of curiosity and something deeper I couldn't quite name.

"Were you staring at my ass?" Zaine remarked, her voice smooth yet tinged with the faintest hint of amusement. She didn't look at me but kept her gaze fixed ahead.

"W-What?? N-No, I wasn't," I replied quickly, "I-I was just lost in my thoughts and didn't pay attention to where I was looking."

"Is that so?" She mused, finally turning her head to meet my eyes. Her expression was calm but with an unmistakable edge of knowing.

Sunshine's voice chimed in before I could respond, "Oh, he was definitely staring. And can you blame him? I mean, Zaine, you have a big and round ass!"

"Sunshine!" I barked, my face heating further.

Zaine chuckled softly, a rare sound that caught me off guard, "It's fine," she said, a faint smile curving her lips, "Let him look if it helps him stay alert."

"I wasn't..." I muttered something incoherent under my breath and adjusted the straps of my pack, focusing on the path ahead.

The days of traveling like this were beginning to take their toll, though Zaine seemed unaffected. Her composure, even in the face of the harsh wilderness, was both admirable and, at times, intimidating.

By midday, we stopped near a shallow stream to rest and refill our waterskins. The faint trickle of water provided a soothing backdrop as I knelt to drink. Sunshine had emerged briefly from the medallion, flitting about in her small, glowing form to stretch her wings.

"You know," She said, perching on a nearby rock, "For a supposed demon queen, Zaine, you're surprisingly… well… quiet. I expected more ominous proclamations and less… brooding."

Zaine arched a brow as she sat on a fallen log, her long legs crossed elegantly, "Would you prefer ominous proclamations?" She asked, her tone dry.

"No, no! Just…” Sunshine waved a tiny hand, "Never mind."

I couldn't help but smirk at the exchange, "She's not wrong, though. You've been pretty quiet. What's on your mind?"

Zaine's gaze shifted to the flowing water, her expression thoughtful, "I've just been wondering how long my memory loss will last. Now that you've told me more about myself and I now know that I was betrayed and locked up by people I trusted, it explains a little about this feeling of anger that I felt all this time. Still, I don't know who to direct it at," Zaine said with a penetrating look and threatening, "It would be easier if I at least remembered the face of the current Demon King or the people who betrayed me to know who to direct my fury on."

I leaned back on my hands, considering her words, "I understand that it must be difficult, but one of the reasons why I decided to go to human territory besides the fact that it will be safer for us is that unlike here, I have trusted friends who maybe can help us find a way to recover your memory. Although it will be a bit problematic to contact them at first."

She studied me intently, her eyes searching, "I trust your judgment."

I just smiled at her, somewhat grateful for her trust in me.

A week later, we encountered something that I had been waiting for. The midday sun blazed above as we walked through an open field. It was Sunshine who first noticed it, her voice sharp with excitement.

"Look! Over there!" She pointed with one glowing hand.

I followed her gaze and froze. A massive winged beast, its scales glinting in the sunlight, rested near a rocky outcrop. Its serpentine neck coiled as it drank from a shallow pool.

"That's…" I began, my voice trailing off, "A sky serpent,"

That monster was breathtaking and dangerous. The power I'd taken from Duke Vanth… I could use it.

"Stay here," I said, moving forward.

The process was easy. The sky serpent resisted initially, its shrieks echoing across the field as I used the skill. But slowly, surely, it relented. The bond formed, tenuous but strong enough.

When I returned to Zaine and Sunshine, the serpent trailing obediently behind me, Sunshine's mouth hung open.

"Nice," She said, awe coloring her voice.

"Impressive," Zaine said, "You can really control monsters."

"Now we can use this monster to cross the border much faster," I replied, climbing onto the serpent's scaled back. Zaine followed, her movements graceful as ever, settling behind me.

The serpent's wings spread wide with a powerful sweep, and a gust of wind kicked up dust as we lifted off. I tightened my grip on the improvised harness, feeling Zaine's hands rest lightly on my sides for balance. For the next few days, we traveled south directly instead of continuing west, following the road we had arrived on, trying to descend as little as possible, usually just to sleep in hidden places. After the tiring trip, it was then that we arrived at the border at midnight, taking advantage of the fact that the clouds hid the moon.

We rise as high as possible, seeing the immense demonic army below us. Thousands of tents covered the entire terrain where the demons participating in the invasion were surely sleeping.

Soon after, what drew my attention wasn't the landscape; it was the chaos unfolding below, even in the middle of the night. The battlefield stretched out in grim detail, even from this height. Smoke rose in thick plumes, obscuring the horizon, distant yet unmistakable. Armored figures clashed in brutal skirmishes, the humans' disciplined ranks struggling against the relentless onslaught of demon forces. Fires raged where fire spells had struck, leaving scorched craters in the earth.

Zaine leaned forward, her voice low and unreadable, "So, this is the human resistance."

I nodded, my throat tight as I took in the war, "They're holding their ground."

Her gaze lingered on the scene, her expression inscrutable, "Do you think they'll survive this?"

I hesitated, "If reinforcements come in time… maybe. But it's hard to say."

Sunshine, unusually quiet, settled onto my shoulder, "This is awful," She murmured.

While flying over the battlefield, a sudden commotion erupted below. Without warning, winged demons shot up from the chaos, their eyes glowing with malice as they zeroed in on us. They seemed to be part of a patrol, scanning the skies for intruders.

"Shit!" I shouted, feeling Zaine's grip on my sides tighten as the first of the demons lunged toward us.

"It seems that we will not be able to cross so easily," Zaine muttered, her tone cold as she raised a hand. Thin, black rays of demonic energy crackled to life at her fingertips, cutting through the air like black jagged lightning. The nearest demon shrieked as her attack hit, its wings folding as it plummeted back to the ground.

I summoned my ice magic, creating sharp spears of frost that launched toward the approaching demons. Each one hit its mark, going through their stomachs and freezing their bodies mid-flight, sending them spiraling down. The attacks were precise and efficient, leaving no time for the demons to call for reinforcements.

Within moments, the skies were clear again.

"Not bad," Zaine remarked, her voice steady as she lowered her hand.

I glanced back at her, wiping sweat from my brow, "You weren't too shabby yourself."

She smirked faintly, but her eyes remained alert, scanning the horizon, "We should move quickly before more show up."

Nodding, I urged the sky serpent upward, guiding it into the dense cover of the clouds. The damp chill of the mist wrapped around us, concealing our presence as we continued. The silence between us was filled only by the steady beat of the serpent's wings.

When we finally descended from the clouds, the sprawling human encampments came into view, meaning we were finally on the other side. Even from this distance, judging by the number of tents, it was clear they were outnumbered.

"Half the size," Zaine observed.

I nodded, my chest tightening. I know I'm considered a criminal now, but a part of me really wishes I could fight. I hope Shalia and the others are okay.

It had been a month since Zaine, Sunshine, and I crossed the border going toward the village where I had grown up, a place now destroyed and uninhabited. We managed to travel without many problems for the past month, only stopping to sleep or hunt for food. Occasionally, we would pause in villages along the way to replenish our supplies.

"Darx, are we close?" Zaine asked, her purple eyes reflecting the burning skyline as she gazed into the distance.

"Yeah," I replied, "We should reach it by tomorrow."

"Good," She said, looking around for a suitable spot to make camp. As much as our journey was driven by necessity, there was also a sense of urgency about it, like time was running out for us.

"Ugh, finally!" Sunshine exclaimed, emerging from the medallion with an exasperated sigh, "Can't you guys at least give me a heads up when we're stopping?"

"Sorry," I murmured, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of my mouth as I watched her flutter about.

"Whatever," She chirped dismissively, then turned to Zaine, "So, what's the plan? Are we camping here tonight?"

"Seems like it," Zaine replied.

We descended and began setting up camp. As night fell, we huddled around the fire, sharing stories and laughter to keep the darkness at bay. For a brief moment, it felt as though the weight of our journey had lifted, and we were simply three friends traveling together, bound by a shared purpose. Tomorrow, we would reach the village, and I would face the ghosts of my past, but for tonight, I allowed myself to cherish the company of those who had come to mean so much to me.

The next day, around noon, I finally managed to see in the distance the open area between the trees where the village where I grew up was. That place, once bustling with life and laughter, now lay silent, a shell of its former self.

"So this is where you grew up?" Zaine's voice broke the quiet, her tone as measured and curious as ever. She was sitting behind me, her eyes scanning the desolate remains.

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat, "Yeah… or what's left of it."

"It's eerie," Sunshine chimed in, her voice faint but tinged with unease, "Like a ghost town."

"Well, that ghost town will be our home from now on, so get used to it," I replied, though the knot in my chest tightened as we stepped further into the village. The memories here were like ghosts themselves, haunting and vivid. I could almost hear the laughter of Amelia and Oliver, the clatter of hooves on cobblestone, the warmth of my home living with my mother—all of it swallowed by time and destruction.

Zaine's hand brushed against my arm, a fleeting touch that drew me back to the present, "What is that place? Zaine asked, pointing to a large, destroyed building that stood out above everything else.

"A mansion," I said, pointing toward the large structure partially obscured by the trees at the edge of the village, "It belonged to Mr. Enzo. He was the wealthiest man here. It's half-destroyed, but it might still be habitable."

Upon arrival, I instructed the flying creature that brought us here to descend. From this height, it's challenging to recognize the village due to its current state and the time that has passed since my last visit. That time was when I left the town to travel to the capital, eager to become an adventurer.

"Let's explore the village first," I suggested, my voice betraying a hint of melancholy. Zaine nodded in agreement, and we began to wander through the ruins, the silence around us heavy with memories.

I led them to where my house used to be, a place that once held significance in my life—the place where I lived my entire childhood with my mother, Ilene. The sight of the collapsed structure, now barely recognizable as a home, sent an ache through my heart. I could almost hear her voice, the smell of her cooking filling the air, the simple joys of a life long lost, but at the same time, it brought back memories of my current relationship with her, knowing who she decided to share her life with. Still, I can't help but wonder how she is doing.

"Your home?" Zaine asked softly, observing my expression.

"Was," I corrected her, tearing my gaze away from the rubble, "But it's been reduced to nothing more than a memory."

Sunshine emerged from the medallion, materializing beside me. She looked around with sorrowful eyes, "It must have been beautiful, Darx," She murmured.

"Once upon a time, it was," I replied, the weight of the past pressing down on me.

As we left the ruins of my childhood home behind, I took them to the only structure left standing—or at least part of it.

The mansion loomed before us, its once-grand facade now marred by time and destruction. Half of it had collapsed, the roof caved in, and walls crumbled to rubble. Yet, the remaining structure stood stubbornly.

"Charming," Zaine remarked dryly, crossing her arms as she surveyed the building.

I gave her a faint smirk. "It will need several repairs and cleaning, but a section of the mansion is still in good condition."

Inside, the air was thick with dust and the faint smell of mildew. Broken furniture lay scattered across the floor, and cobwebs draped every corner. But beneath the decay, there was potential. A few rooms on the east side were still intact, their walls sturdy and roofs unbreached.

"This will work," Sunshine said, "We can clean it up, make it livable."

"And by 'we,' you mean us," I replied, "You're not thinking of leaving all the work to me, are you?"

"Of course I am," She shot back with a grin, "I'll supervise," She retorted, sticking out her tongue.

Zaine's low chuckle caught me off guard, moving past me to inspect the nearest room, "Let's start with this one. It looks the least damaged."

While Zaine was in charge of cleaning that room, I walked around the mansion, trying to remember what it looked like before and seeing what was useful until I reached a kind of room with a sofa on which was a helmet that looked familiar. Walking over to the couch and inspecting the helmet, I noticed that it really looked like the helmet on my mother's armor. Is it the same? Was she here, or was it just a coincidence? ...Weird.

Over the next few days, we settled into a routine. By day, we worked to clear debris, patch up walls, and make the mansion livable. By night, we huddled around a small fire, sharing sparse meals and quiet conversations.

"You're good at this," I said one evening as we worked side by side to fix a broken doorframe.

"I've always been a quick learner," Zaine replied, not looking up from her task, "Though I can't say manual labor is not my style."

"What do you think you did before as a Demon Queen?" I asked, the question slipping out before I could stop myself.

Zaine paused, her hands stilling, "Something important," She said after a moment. "I feel it in my bones. I just… don't know what." She glanced at me, her eyes softening.

As the days passed, the mansion began to feel less like a ruin and more like a refuge. The east wing became our living quarters, with makeshift beds and a functional kitchen. Being a known area, it was also easy to hunt for food.

One evening, after a simple dinner of roasted rabbit and foraged berries, Sunshine dozed off on a pile of blankets in the corner. Zaine and I remained awake, our shared silence comfortable as we sorted through the remaining debris in the main hall.

"What about this?" I asked, holding up a tarnished candelabra.

Zaine tilted her head, her lips quirking into a faint smile, "It's salvageable. Clean it up, and it might even be useful."

I set it aside, my gaze drifting to her as she sifted through a box of odds and ends. The flickering torchlight cast her in a warm glow, highlighting the sharp angles of her face and the softness in her expression. She seemed almost at peace, a stark contrast to the intimidating presence she usually exuded.

"You're staring again," She said without looking up, her tone teasing.

I felt a flush creep up my neck, "Sorry. I didn't mean to."

"It's fine," She said, glancing at me with a hint of amusement, "I don't dislike it."

Before I could respond, the torch in my hand sputtered and went out, plunging the room into darkness. I cursed under my breath, fumbling to relight it.

"Leave it," Zaine said softly. Her voice was closer now, the darkness amplifying every sound, "We've worked enough for tonight."

The silence stretched between us, heavy and charged. I felt her presence, the warmth of her body close to mine, even though I couldn't see her. My heart pounded in my chest as the seconds ticked by.

And then, in the dark, I felt her lips brush against mine. The kiss was tentative at first, a gentle exploration that quickly deepened. Her hands found their way to my shoulders, steadying herself as she leaned into me. I responded instinctively, my arms wrapping around her waist, pulling her closer.

The world outside faded away, leaving only the two of us in the quiet, unbroken darkness.