章 27: Innocence

With her breath ragged and her steps heavy, the child with long silver hair covered in mud and dirt weary from battle dragged her feet, falling into a bush. Clawing her entire body in, she laid still praying to a God she didn't believe in.

'There are no gods, only devils and monsters.' Zireael once stated, "Pray to none, for they will not return the favor."

Wiping the sweat flowing down the nape of her neck, she laid still and quiet, resting. The sun was still high in the air and would be for a long time. Yet the Hollow Marshes maintained its dark, eerie color.

Remaining still for a few hours, Aurelia gripped her sword, not daring to relax her muscles as the echoes of a horrid beast resounded in the air. She could not see outside the little bushes around her, but she knew what was out there.

Gathering what little strength she could, Aurelia peered through the bushes in trepidation. Noticing the path clear, she did not rush out but rather sniffed the air. Shooting Aurelia leaped into the trees with a determined gaze.

"Anima, how much further? Aurelia doesn't want to stay any longer in this marsh. That Ghoul was far too powerful."

"Keep heading east, and you should arrive within three hours. However, based on your power, such an undead should not have proved difficult." Stated Anima in his usual mechanical tone, "That particular Ghoul was only a little faster than you, but Host had both magic and Skill."

Biting her lips, the golden-eye girl paused, suddenly reflecting upon her early battle. Thinking of the claws that could have paralyzed her with the slightest touch, she frowned. Realizing it was only at the end of the battle that she ignored the claws, she achieved victory.

"Kerr, how are your injuries?" Clara suddenly asked, drawing Aurelia's attention towards the group in the distance about fifty meters away.

Clitting his tongue Leif clenched his fist, "An entire Flask of Forest Blood gone! If we do not find that girl, we are fucked!"

"I know!" shouted Kerr glaring at the three fingers now on his right hand. With most of his injuries missing, he cursed, "That bitch, had better be worth it!"

"It's only two fingers, Kerr, and you were asking for that she did carry a staff. You should have expected that!" Said Clara giggling.

Noticing the mockery within her words, Kerr scoffed, "Like how someone else should be aware?"

Losing color within her face, Clara pulled an animal fur hood over her head, hiding within its shades.

Scrunching his brow in suspicion, Leif all of a sudden turned towards a vague glimmer within the trees.

"Be on guard, Clara, draw your bow! Wait for my command!" ordered Leif pulling out his bastard sword from his waist. "Kerr, get ready; if you can complain, you can fight!"

Startled by their movement, Aurelia suddenly looked at the blade within her hand. Noticing the reflection of what little light was within the marsh, she readied herself for combat.

"Fire!" Leif whispered.

Releasing an arrow from her longbow towards the shimmer within the tree, the golden eye girl leaped out of the way, maintaining a great distance, her staff glimmering with a powerful golden hue.

"Fir.."

"Wait!" Leif shouted, "Stop!"

Startle Aurelia stopped her spell midway breaking her concentration; growing pale blood slowly trickled from her nose. Noticing the faint wobble, Leif did not think much of it, "Stop this, Aurelia, we only want to bring you back! This forest is dangerous!"

Hearing his words from a distance, Aurelia ignored the twisting of her organs, raising her staff getting in position just in case, vowing such a mistake would not happen again.

"Aurelia needs Ravens Glass! She cannot leave without it!"

Lowering her bow, Clara scrunched her brow, "Ravens Glass? Why would you? No matter, we just want to help you. This forest is dangerous! Ghouls, goblins, and various other monsters live here. We can help you, but we need you to trust us! Please." She pleaded, raising her arms to show she meant no harm.

Biting her lips, Aurelia hesitated. Remembering the warning of her master, she took a step back, her gaze turning to the man whose fingers she blew off. Throughout everything, he had not said not one word.

"Don't worry about him!" Shouted Leif, who slapped his chest, "I promise you, Aurelia, we just want to help you. If that means helping you find Ravens Glass, we are more than willing to lower our little misunderstanding a few hours ago. Is that not right, Kerr?"

Gripping the tattered longsword within his hands, Kerr swiftly smiled, "But of course, I am sure Duke Blackwater can help me recover my lost fingers. This Ravens Glass is for him, correct?"

Nodding absentmindedly, the young girl's guard began to slip, bringing a sheepish grin upon the group of adventures.

"Yes, he wanted me to get them. Master and Aunty are both waiting for my return." Aurelia dully explained.

"So it's a Test of Valor? Then let us help you, Aurelia. Did you know A powerful monster always protects Ravens Glass? They are called Specters, powerful undead ghosts that are immune to physical damage and hold powerful resistance to magic!"

Turning white as a sheet, hearing Leif's words, Aurelia gripped her staff tighter. However, the words of her master continued to echo out. Nevertheless, Aurelia's gaze suddenly filled with determination, "How do I... How do we kill them?"

Lowering their weapons, Leif chuckled, stepping close towards her "Holy water, Clara's father is a priest, and she trained under him, so she can bless our weapons. However, that will only last a few minutes. The real killer will be the holy water she will bless for us."

"it's that easy?" Aurelia questioned astonished

"Of course, we were coming to this marsh anyway for a mission to exterminate a Drowner nest!" Said Clara, "we were prepared not just for the Drowner but for Ghouls, Spectors, and zombies!"

Amazed, Aurelia understood how ignorant she was stepping into the unknown without a second thought. Sheathing her sword, she peered towards the group smiling back at her with warm faces.

"Teach Aurelia!"

Taking her into her arms, Clara nodded, "I will teach you everything, Little Aurelia. You are now a member of our little band!"