11 C11 - Group's Reunited

Time went past quickly, the soldiers taking a rest, as Nathan kept his eyes peeled after watering Kai. The retreating army that he had decimated still headed north-west, away from their location. He had a hunch that the first military must have come from a large city based in this desert, meaning that the entire land was not just a ruined wasteland of sand and despair.

He continued his work, watching the area for any signs of people trying to sneak up. It took almost thirty minutes before a guard from Feya's side approached them, gesturing for them to walk towards the basin.

While the entrance stood blocked with massive boulders, it seemed possible to navigate between them, the cliffs on each side providing a good defensive bonus.

Lee Shee moved up to walk alongside the young man. While he had hoped for someone older, he expected him to be young. Demigods tended to represent eternal youth. Even the Dusk Mistress looked rather young, though she was almost five-thousand years old at this point. He looked towards the gentleman as he realized something.

"Sorry, I don't think I ever caught your name."

Nathan stopped as he turned to the man, thinking for a moment as he wondered if a fake name was better at this point. He figured it didn't matter, so he simply shrugged.

"Call me Nathan."

Lee nodded his head as he could tell it was not a fake name. The person hesitated to consider it, but the resolve clearly stated that he thought giving a fake was not a good choice at this time.

"Nathan, interesting name. Have you known this group for long?"

Nathan was surprised at the questions, but just shook his head slowly as he answered them truthfully.

"I just met them nearly ten minutes before meeting you. I saw the unarmed folks and this massive army. I was right to join in. This world is much different than what I imagined."

Lee felt confused at that point, looking at the man as he stopped in his tracks before the giant boulders.

"Different? What did you imagine?"

Nathan again had a choice. He could lie, or give the full truth. He thought for a moment before deciding to be truthful.

"I thought I was coming into a warzone between all seven Demigods." Nathan stopped moving at this point, the soldiers staying still as they looked nervously at the Demigod that was leading them forward.

"The Age of Downfall?" Lee asked with curiosity.

He felt worried now that the wrong answer might anger this young man. He had only just arrived with these fundamental questions.

"Yes, that is right. It should be 668 A.E at this moment?"

Lee's face grew pale, his eyes staring at Nathan as he felt his throat tighten. His actions made it clear to Nathan that something was wrong.

"What year is it, General Lee?"

Nathan turned his body to face the man properly, staring at him not with rage or anger, but with understanding.

"It's 997 A.E, my Lord."

Nathan slowly sighed, relieved. He let out a deep laugh as his hands placed themselves on his hips.

"Oh my, seems I missed everything. Well, three-hundred years is a large jump! I guess I will need a refresher course later!"

He laughed before turning around and continuing to walk towards the entrance to the valley, squeezing through the rocks. The entire army behind him was left dumbfounded by the calm and happy response. Even Lee Shee was surprised.

Ameria and her guards moved forward, her smile growing as she looked at her father.

"Stunned, father? He's not like our old Mistress."

Lee nodded to his daughter as he and the rest of the army followed through the gap. Kai was moving at the back, merely watching in silence.

Feya and the rest of the guards had taken almost twenty minutes to collect everyone together. Aside from Feya, there was another woman leading the group. Her name was Auryn Zey.

Auryn stood at the front of the group that had regathered, her pale skin almost like snow with a tall, thin figure that made women jealous and men stare. She had long white hair, each strand perfect as it floated down her back. Two long elven ears stuck to her head, and she had piercing silver eyes. She had lived for a long time before being thrown into the vortex.

She had seen the Demigods in all their power. She had enjoyed the era before the Age of Downfall, and had watched it all. She was somewhat knowledgeable about most facts. As such, she was confused about how or why a new Demigod had appeared here when she heard the news from Feya.

She watched as the sunken looking human approached, the others behind him showing respect. Those around her tensed up at the fact that the enemy was also with them. Though Auryn herself was not all that bothered, she needed to figure out if the man who looked almost like a skeleton was an ally to them, or someone who would doom them all.

Each Demigod received their power from the creator god. Each of them could do certain things within the limits of the powers they had received. It was not easy for the Mistress of Dusk to do certain things that her fellow Demigods might be able to do.

Auryn resolved herself, taking prideful steps forward. Feya almost choked when she saw the resolved footsteps from the Elf, each movement causing her heart to sink, as she knew this would cause trouble. She decided to watch it to the end, not interfering. She needed answers as well, and knew that Auryn would get them.

Nathan, Lee and Ameria, including the army behind them, stopped. The tall elven woman now stood before them, towering over even the old General Lee. Her eyes betrayed her intelligence as she looked directly at Nathan.

"You claim to be a Demigod. Prove it to me, or I will denounce you here!"

Everyone drew a sharp intake of breath. The guards, soldiers, even Lee Shee, Ameria, Kai and Feya all stared at the woman who seemed to cross the boundary. This was going to be terrible.