The Silent Cave
The man sat quietly on a stone at the far corner of the cave, his presence calm and unmoving. The flickering firelight painted long shadows along the rocky walls.
Near the center, Eris knelt beside Sara, her trembling hands glowing softly with healing magic.
"Please… wake up, Sara," Eris whispered, tears slipping from her eyes.
After a moment, Sara's eyelids slowly opened.
"Sara!" Eris cried and wrapped her arms around her.
"I'm fine," Sara said weakly, pushing her away. "This isn't the time for that. Heal Liza first."
Eris hesitated, then nodded, wiping her tears.
"Okay…"
Sara stood up and walked toward the man.
"Thank you for saving us."
"You're welcome, but—"
"But what?"
"…Your chest is exposed."
"EH—?!"
Sara shrieked, immediately covering herself.
"Don't stare at me, you pervert!"
"I wasn't staring. Sorry."
Her face burning red, Sara rushed back to Eris.
"Eris! Give me your leather jacket—and make sure you cover Liza's chest when she wakes up! There's a pervert here!"
"What?" the man protested.
"Okay," Eris said calmly. "Now let me concentrate. You should sleep—it's already midnight."
"Fine," Sara muttered.
The Next Morning
"Is it morning…?"
"Yes. Good morning," the man said.
"The pervert!" Sara shouted.
"First of all, I'm not a pervert," he replied calmly. "It's your fault for talking to me with your chest exposed."
"Shut up, pervert!"
"Can you two please stop?" Eris sighed.
"Eris, have you healed Liza?" Sara asked.
"No. It will take more time."
"But you haven't slept at all!"
"But if I stop—"
"If she sleeps," the man said calmly,
"your sister will die, Sara."
Sara froze.
"…How do you know my name?"
"Your sister told me."
Sara turned sharply.
"Eris! Why did you tell him my name?"
"He asked about us," Eris said softly. "About who we are… and why the demons were chasing us."
"Tch… annoying. Fine. I'm going to find food."
"What if a demon attacks you?" the man asked.
"I can fight."
She walked out of the cave.
The man smiled faintly.
"What's the problem between you two?" Eris asked.
"Nothing," he replied, still smiling.
A Few Hours Later
"I'm back," Sara announced.
"Did you find anything?" Eris asked.
"Only a small rabbit. Not enough for all of us."
"I won't eat," the man said.
"Why?"
"I'm not hungry."
"But you haven't eaten since yesterday," Eris said.
"It's fine."
"…Okay," Sara said.
They cooked the rabbit and sat together.
After eating, Sara stood up, walked over, and placed a piece of meat in front of the man.
"I said I'm not hungry."
"Shut up and eat quietly."
He didn't argue. He ate.
Eris silently watched them while continuing to heal Liza.
The Next Day
The cave remained unnaturally quiet.
"I don't understand," Sara said. "Why haven't the demons attacked us again?"
"Yeah," Eris agreed. "They should have found us by now."
"That's because I killed the one leading them," the man said.
"The leader…?" Sara asked.
"He was a demon general," he continued, "one of the Six Sinners."
Eris stiffened.
"The Sixth Sinner…"
"They are the highest-ranking commanders under the Demon King," he explained. "Only demons of such rank possess intelligence and direction. The lower ones only obey."
"So without him…" Sara murmured.
"They are lost," he said. "They can't track you or make decisions."
"But shouldn't the Demon King already know?" Eris asked.
"No. Information doesn't travel instantly among demons. Only when survivors return will the news reach him."
"And until then?" Sara asked.
"You're safe—for a short time."
"When the death of the Sixth Sinner reaches the Demon King," he added,
"everything will change."
The Following Evening
Liza slowly opened her eyes.
"Liza!"
Sara and Eris rushed forward, hugging her tightly.
"I'm glad you're okay," Sara cried.
Eris wept silently.
"You shouldn't move," Eris said. "Your body is still weak."
"It's okay," Liza replied softly.
She turned to the man.
"How is he," Liza asked.
Eris told her everything.
Liza go towards the man.
"Thank you for saving our lives."
"You're welcome."
"May I know your name?"
Sara and Eris exchanged looks.
We forgot to ask…
"My name is Marcos."
"That's a nice name," Liza smiled.
"Thank you."
"You should rest," Eris said.
"And you too," Sara added.
"I'll guard outside," Marcos said.
The sisters soon fell asleep.
Later That Night
Marcos sat outside when Liza approached.
"You should rest more," he said.
"It's fine."
"…Do you want to ask me something?" he asked seriously.
"Yes."
"Then ask."
"Will you help us take revenge on the Demon King?"
"For your father's death?"
"Yes."
"I'm sorry. I can't."
"Why?"
"Revenge brings only destruction. I know this from experience."
"Then tell me," Liza cried,
"what would you do if someone precious to you was killed?"
Marcos froze.
"…I would seek revenge," he whispered.
"Then why can't I?!"
"I'm sorry. I can't help you."
"Then I'll go to the gods."
She turned away.
Marcos grabbed her arm.
"You must not go to the gods."
"Then what should I do? I'm not strong enough to fight alone!"
He paused.
"…Alright. I'll help you."
"But first, we go to a village. The demons will arrive here soon. Wake your sisters."
"Okay."