Adeline sat down and she stared at the three knights tied in front of her. They slowly regained consciousness and instantly tried to struggle but to no avail. Behind her stood the other three knights, each holding a bundle of dried branches and shaking profusely.
"I will make this as simple as possible. I have questions, you have answers. Answer me correctly, I untie you, and all of you can fuck off. Bullshit me, they add wood, and when it's complete, you will all burn together."
"You lowly demon, untie us this instant or suffer the wrath of the Segar Empire!"
The man with the bulky voice screamed.
"Segar, so that is where all the rats are coming from. Where is Segar?"
"The closest village is two weeks away from here."
The knight behind her answered.
"I didn't ask you. So shut up and do as you're told."
Adeline snapped at the knight behind her who promptly closed his mouth.
"Next question. Why do you want the kid?"
"I won't be intimidated by the likes of you."
One of the knights behind Adeline stepped forward and lined the firewood around the knights.
"Christopher, release us now!"
The knight screamed, but Christopher was too scared to act and returned behind Adeline.
"It is amazing what fear can do. They would do anything to save their own lives, including taking others. Don't make things harder than they need to be."
"The empire will not stand for this!"
"The empire will only find your charred corpse unless you answer me."
"I will never talk."
The second knight came forward and lined the firewood around them. The other two knights started to panic.
"Sir, I don't want to die! I have a family."
One of the knights pleaded as the other one joined in.
"I will tell you everything."
"Then answer my questions, my patience is running thin."
"We don't know. They just sent us here to check on the child and the mother's state."
One of the knights answered in a panic.
"Yes, we don't know the real reason."
Adeline turned to the next knight who weakly walked towards the group and started placing down the firewood.
"You said if we answered, then we would be spared."
Panic set in as the two knights started to frantically try to break free once more.
"You promised!"
They screamed once more.
"One of you knows the real reason. You have one more chance. Why do you want the kid?"
"We don't know, please…"
They started sobbing, but Adeline didn't care. The last knight lined the last branches. Adeline lit up the torch, ready to set them ablaze.
"I will talk."
"My hand is getting awfully weak. You have like three minutes."
The once silent knight started to sweat as he took in a huge breath.
"The commander called me to assemble a group and take on a specific task."
"Was it to kill the child?"
"No, to see if the child and mother had died, and if so, to take fingers as proof and bury them."
"Was this the first time or recurring?"
"For us, it was the first time, but I heard whispers of others doing the same thing."
"Give me a name."
"It's Duke Westfen from the Iron Wall. I don't know anything apart from that. I swear on the gods."
"Was that too difficult?"
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief as Adeline got up while still holding the torch.
"I do have a problem."
Their hearts sank and braced for the worst, but that was when Lola came out with Helen on top, followed by Fang and Scales.
"Young master, she will be very upset."
Fang could be heard pleading. Adeline turned towards them, annoyed. Lola stopped in her tracks, tossing the giggling Helen. She got up and started to clean the dust off. She saw the annoyed face and instantly paused.
"Mommy, I can explain."
"Sure you can. Go back, and you can explain to me later."
Helen peeked behind Adeline to catch a glimpse of the tied-up knights. She scanned the odd armor, but once her eyes fell on the insignia, fear took over her. She started screaming and shaking. Adeline raced to her side. She carried her away and started to comfort the child who continued to scream.
"You are alright, I am here."
Adeline was confused as she tried everything, but Helen would not stop. With no other options, she resorted to singing a lullaby.
"Don't be afraid, mother is here,
She will chase the monsters away."
Her soft voice filled the forest, stopping everything. The animals came out and surrounded them.
"You are not alone,
Mother will protect you.
Mother will love you…"
Helen's screams turned muffled as her tears stopped flowing; she held on to Adeline tightly. Adeline continued to sing while caressing her golden hair.
"If the monsters ever return,
Mother will make them disappear."
Helen finally stopped crying, then fell asleep as the trio approached her from behind, visibly concerned. Adeline handed her to Fang. She made her way back to the camp as Christopher was trying to untie the group.
"You shouldn't have done that."
Christopher tried to get up and run away, but Adeline was faster. Her hand pierced his chest from behind, then lifted him in the air. She threw him away into the distance; he laid there trying to stop his guts from spilling out.
The rest were able to break free and started to run away. The first two took the wrong direction and fell into her traps. They instantly died as the large spear pierced their bodies. The remaining three tried to flee into the forest but were stopped by Scales. The large serpent looked down on the trio. She dived, killing one in an instant as her large tail slapped the other and squished him against the tree. The captain cowered backward but hit something. He closed his eyes for a silent prayer as Adeline beheaded him with one swift movement.
"Gather everything; we are leaving."
Adeline spoke in a low voice as Fang walked over and handed the sleeping Helen. They moved quickly and did not even care to hide their tracks. Adeline made sure they had enough water to last them a minimum of two weeks. Food was not an issue due to its abundance and also animals always followed her.
With everything ready, they moved east, further away from the Segar Empire. They walked throughout the day, with Adeline not stopping for anything. Helen nestled awake in Adeline's arm as she stared up to the night sky and the familiar face.
"Mommy, are we going somewhere?"
Adeline looked down at Helen with a smile.
"We are going on a trip."
"A trip, that sounds fun."
Helen freed herself from Adeline's grasp and started to walk by herself. Adeline clicked her tongue as Lola came to Helen's side. Adeline decreased her pace further as Scales and Fang walked further ahead while Adeline was behind Helen, keeping a close eye.
As they walked throughout the dead night, Helen was still full of energy as she rode Lola around and admired the stars.
"Mommy, the stars always seem as if something is looking down on us."
"That is because they are."
"Oh, really? Who do you think it is?"
"The gods."
"Why would gods be looking down on us?"
"Because you are special."
Adeline answered as Helen giggled and wore a bright smile.
"Mommy, I am sorry about earlier. I don't know what happened."
"No need to be sorry, but do you know what happened?"
"I don't know, I just felt so scared."
Helen closed her eyes and started to shake. Adeline placed her hand on Helen's back to comfort her.
"Let me tell you a secret."
Helen looked up to Adeline, who got closer and whispered.
"I also get scared."
"Really?"
Adeline nodded.
"What do you do when you're scared, Mommy?"
Helen looked up with anticipation.
"When I was younger, Helen would always be there for me. Once she passed, things became more difficult, and I had to rely more on my strength."
"Mommy, promise you won't ever leave me."
"I promise."
Helen smiled and started to kick her feet.
"Mommy, tell me more about Grandma Helen."
Adeline swooped her up and placed Helen on her shoulders. Helen instantly latched on to her horns with a giggle.
"She was the bravest woman I ever knew."
"Really? Does that mean I am also brave!"
"Of course, you are."
Helen tried pulling back on her horns, but Adeline simply laughed as they continued to walk through the forest.
"Tell me more!"
"If I tell you everything now, then I won't have stories for you in the future."
"Okay, tell me what she looked like."
"She was beautiful, just like you."
"Mommy is also very beautiful."
The two giggled in their own little world. Fang and Scales would glance at them with odd expressions. Adeline looked happy and human to them, but this was also the same Adeline who fought in such a vicious way. They spent about a week of traveling non-stop with minimal breaks.
On the eve of the new day, Adeline was set on top of the tallest tree. She tried to get her bearings of where they were, but it was just a large forest. She let out a sigh, then descended to the ground.
"Okay, pack up…"
Adeline was cut off as the bushes rustled behind her. She gave the rest the signal; Fang grabbed Helen as Scales and Lola shielded her.
A human face appeared, but it did not move and simply stared at them. Everyone else slowly backed off as an unexplainable feeling settled on their hearts, but Adeline stood her ground.
The face extended outwards, revealing a tentacle-like extension which was covered in slime. The face and tentacle suddenly retracted as more rustling could be heard. Adeline turned to Lola, who simply shook her head.
"Do not stray until we know what we are up against."
Everyone nodded, including Helen, who didn't protest. They all walked in one compact line as Adeline surveyed the area with great attention. She looked up the trees behind and in front, with Lola constantly sniffing the air.
Lola suddenly pointed behind them and started to bark. Adeline stepped forward, ready to attack, but a man wearing leather armor fell out. His silver hair was covered by leaves and looked very rough, with a book strapped to his waist.
"Who the fuck are you?"
The man stared up and saw Adeline standing with the rest behind her.
"Oh, me? I am nobody."
The man got up and slowly retreated, but the tentacle face appeared behind him. He ran behind Adeline as her attention turned to it as it scurried away.
"Maybe I am a somebody."
The man answered as he peeked to see if the monster had left.
"Can this somebody stop hiding behind me?"
"I was not hiding, it's a strategic position. I am placing a barrier between me and the presumed danger."
"If you continue wasting my time, you will be a dead somebody."
The man panicked as he stared back into the forest, then Adeline. He cleaned himself to an acceptable degree, then bowed.
"Sir Jeffery at your service. Historian, magician, and professor."
"How did you end up here?"
"I was on a perilous adventure to find and get in contact with the noble elves."
"You came alone?"
"Of course not! I procured the assistance of some adventurers who were eaten by the Faceless."
"That thing is called the Faceless?"
"Yes, quite scary monsters, very few have defeated one."
"Mommy, I am scared."
Helen whined in a low voice.
"Don't worry, I will take care of the monster."
Adeline hugged the scared Helen, who held on tight to her. After some time, she calmed down, and Adeline turned her attention to Joseph.
"Tell me about the Faceless."
Adeline signaled as they all huddled in a circle with Helen in the middle who waved at Joseph with a smile. Joseph tried to act in kind but was stopped by a disapproving glance from Adeline.
"Ah, the Faceless. Mystical creatures who feed on fear and desperation."
"So that's why it's lurking around. Does it have like a hole or cave of some sort where they reside?"
"Before you get ahead of ourselves, I would like to secure my safety."
"You are still alive, aren't you?"
Joseph fell silent for a moment.
"My late wife died of a rare disease that only the elves could heal, but due to the centuries of wars and enslavement of elves, they closed their doors."
"If you're trying to earn sympathy, I have none to give."
"No, that's not what I am conveying. The rare disease has returned and is spreading, so I am seeking their help."
"That is so sad."
Helen spoke as she turned to Adeline, waiting for an answer.
"Listen, that is sad and all, but I don't care. The best I can do is deal with the Faceless, then send you on your merry way."
"MOMMY, HELP HIM."
Helen screamed as she pouted towards Adeline.
"Helen, we will gain nothing from this."
"It is the right thing to do."
"I don't care about that, sorry."
"Mommy, you told me Grandma Helen cared for everyone! I want you to help everyone also. Grandma would have wanted that."
"It's not that easy, Helen."
Helen turned away, upset.
"Pardon my intrusion, but did you call her your mother?"
"Yes, she is my Mommy."
Joseph stared between Helen and Adeline, completely puzzled. To the best of his knowledge, humans and demons could not reproduce. At first, he thought she was a prisoner of sorts.
"Not another word."
Adeline warned.
"Of course."
Joseph answered and remained quiet. Adeline looked at the annoyed Helen, who averted her gaze.
"Helen, come on."
Helen remained quiet as Adeline let out a tired sigh.
"I will not make any promises, but if everything works out, I will help you."
"Thank you, Mommy."
Helen hugged Adeline, but her eyes remained on Joseph.
"If you are doing this for an ulterior motive…"
Adeline's voice faded off, but Joseph understood the threat. He wasn't even sure that she could take care of the Faceless, but this was better than nothing.
Joseph started drawing something on the ground. It looked like a series of tunnels with a mass in the center.
"The Faceless is just one big mass underground. It digs up tunnels and through its tentacles, it's able to reach far and wide while remaining safe."
"You said it feeds on fear. Does it actually consume fear itself?"
"I am unsure, as I said earlier, only few have ever survived it."
"Does it have a set face or does it change?"
"From my experience, it is different faces which warp to your biggest fear. I saw my late wife."
Helen moved and started to comfort Joseph, much to the continued disapproval of Adeline.
"So, we need to find the mass and kill it."
"Technically, yes. Again, most of this information is secondhand and filled with rumors."
Adeline got up, then covered Helen's eyes with a blindfold.
"Mommy?"
"It is for your own safety, just trust me."
If what Joseph said was true, she was not letting Helen go through another panic attack.
"Everyone stay close, we are going deeper."
Joseph quickly ran to Adeline's side but was pushed away. The group made their way as the Faceless continued to appear but always retreated when Adeline laid her eyes on it.
"Don't mind if I ask, but do you have a plan?"
"The plan is not for you to stray and pay attention."
Adeline pointed to a nearby tree, which confused Joseph.
"What about the tree?"
"We have passed that same tree three times now. We are walking in either a maze or we're trapped in the same area."
Joseph swallowed dry saliva as fear started to set in.
"I was not aware that it could do that."
"It's hunting us. Let's just set camp here and wait for night."
Fang was quick to act as he broke the nearby branches and started to assemble a fire. Adeline sat next to Helen, who was still blindfolded as she fed her dried meat and handed some water.
"Mommy, are we going to be alright?"
"Don't worry, we will be fine now, try and rest."
Helen used Lola like a pillow as she slept soundly. Night came as the camp provided the only source of light.
"We are running out of food and water."
Adeline announced the grave news to the group who remained silent. Joseph didn't have any food of his own, and this was his first meal in a long time.
"I am either going to die of starvation or be an appetizer."
"Tell me about the history of Segar."
"Segar? Well, they are the only empire in this continent. They have all the money, soldiers, and influence. The royal family has a tight grip on everything except the elusive Credoa."
"Is Credoa a kingdom or something?"
"No, they are a grand duchy and a major thorn. They hold the most skilled knights and superhumans. Credoa and Segar have a long and nasty history which drove a rift but still need each other for now."
"I see. Do you know the kid?"
"No, first time seeing her."
Something could be heard deep in the forest, but Adeline dismissed it.
"It's late, go to sleep."
Adeline turned to the other side and closed her eyes. Joseph looked around, then slowly made his way to Adeline. At first, he slept a distance from her, but after hearing more commotion, he moved closer.
"What are you doing?"
"I am just following orders. Always stick together."
"Do you wish to die?"
"I would take my chances."
"Trust me, your chances are better off with the monster than me."
Joseph remained silent, pretending not to hear her as he slowly drifted to sleep. The campfire was put out by Fang, who also went to sleep. Deep into the night, the Faceless appeared. Its long tentacles appeared, scouring the area with caution.
It slowly made its way to the biggest threat, Adeline. The large tentacle started to wrap around her leg, then pulled her violently into the forest. Joseph shot up and saw Adeline's hands disappear. He tried to pursue but was stopped by Fang.
Adeline, on the other hand, did not really fight back. Her body was raised into the sky, then released. She fell into a large hole, crashing into a large underground cave. Adeline did not move at first, just to make sure everything was clear.
Nothing could be heard in the darkness, so she decided to get up and scour. Her hands landed on pieces of a human skeleton. She searched through the corpse and found a torch. She wrapped it with a cloth dipped in animal fat, then tried to create a fire with a small iron ingot and stone. Thankfully, she was able to light it on fire as she quickly wrapped more cloth around it and stabilized the fire.
She raised the torch and saw a grave of bones of different kinds of creatures. She stared at the roof and saw the huge hole but it was too high to reach. She moved along the space and saw something scurry across the room. She got closer to investigate and saw three young elves who looked shriveled-up and scared.