The wind''s howl reverbated through the trees as Elias strode forward at the pace of the group. In contrast, Auron chased him, a relaxed expression ghosting over his face. "Do you believe it''s only two steps apart from here?" came a voice trailing towards him.


    Elias held his foresight. "Two hours maximum." was his instinctive reply. As expected a timid laugh floated behind him, "You have an inner map that dictates every inch of our journey."


    "You don’t give yourself enough credit. Though questionable, there might be some reason backing to your belief."


    With a simple twist of her body, burst of light encased in golden locks began to stir. “Can he display even a hint of affection?” was uttered beneath Leona''s breath, the skilled healer of the group.


    "He has always been useful, but at times, I feel like he is hiding something," said Erik, the knight, who was riding with them.


    "You mean he does not do anything ever since you met him?" He seemed to smile, but Auron could feel it fading the more he heard Auron.


    Regardless, Auron picked up the pace in tandem with Elias pace. "So tell me, do you ever... get bored of this, Elias?" Auron whispered slowly, more like afraid of a response.


    After all, it was a sensitive subject. Elias paused slightly to consider the question, then carried on. "Bored?" He sighed and turned his head to Auron. "Always being in motion and fighting?" Auron asked. "Lively to some degree. Rest? That is optional."


    Auron thought taking a closer look at Elias. ''There is a deeper meaning to him.'' "At least, you do not need to be worried," he said monotonously as if confirming an unfelt statement.


    The simple sentence resonated throughout, compacting the certain form of realization that was overwhelming.


    During all of this interchange, helas had bade goodbye to them while they were interested in their own arguments aside his. Auron laughed and gave a fixed look towards Elias but to his dismay, he shortly withdrew his gaze. "Now we should get moving toward leisure."


    Before long, an event riveted the tranquility of their walk. From the thickets in front, there emerged savage howls that were primal in nature and monstrous in character — shadow hounds, dogs of desolation, gushed forth from the thickets.


    “It’s Ambush,” Erik screamed and unsheathed his sword.


    The team split and organized into form. Reflexively Auron took a stance, shield erected to defend Leona, who was getting ready with her healing spells.


    Elias unsheathed his sword in a single fluid motion and emanated graceful energy. A hound sailed at him; his gaze was still as calculating as the pierce of his sword. He took a sidestep and pushed his sword into the chest of the hound without flinching.


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    “Zero has been struck!” he mumbled looking at Auron


    Auron met the challenge handsomely by using his weapon''s shield to crash a hound and then stab another. The opponent he cut down instantly was the amount he had in mind, yet two more took its place, making the game all the more two-sided.


    “What does this mean?” Leona screamed while trying to maintain her spells.


    Elias stole a look at Auron who was wounded lightly on the shoulder.


    Elias cordially approached Auron and a hound and cut it down, removing the potential of it hurting Auron.


    "You are injured,” Elias calmly stated.


    “I have hurt myself worse,” Auron stated boastingly. “I’m all right.”


    Elias did not answer, in meta he left his words unguarded. To protect Auron’s side, he kept his sword and with every faced movement offensively raised the frequent cutter.


    Once the last hound fell, its form melting into darkness, the party collected themselves.


    Leona caught her breath. “What was that? This is too close to the city…”


    “Something is messing with the monsters,” Erik replied as he cleaned the blade. “Perhaps dark magic. We ought to alert the town,”


    “Do you think it is the Demon Emperor who is responsible?” Auron spoke while looking at Elias.


    Elias took a brief pause, “Perhaps,” he said cautiously.


    “Or perhaps you know more than you care to share,” Erik whispered but in a manner where Elias was able to hear.


    Elias directed his gaze towards Erik, “If I knew more than I let on, then trust, you would be the first one to hear.”


    “Would we?” Erik quickly retorted, “You’re known for holding information. We don’t even know what your motivations are for assisting us,”


    “That’s enough, Erik,” Auron interjected and moved between them, “Elias has rescued all of us more times than I choose to remember.”


    Rina laughed sarcastically but did not continue any further.


    Elias shifted his gaze elsewhere, his face expressionless.


    That night, a camp was set up. The fire made poping noises while illuminating the woods around them. Auron handed Elias a bowl of stew and sat next to him.


    Here," Auron said, a smile on his face. "Well, you need to eat too."


    Elias paused before accepting it. ""Thanks."


    They were quiet for a while eating, hearing the wind stirring the leaves.


    Auron, after some time, said, “You don’t say much, do you?”


    Not much to say."


    "There is," Auron said as he applied


    light pressure on the other. "You always help us. You look after us when things go south. I know others neglect your efforts, but I don''t."


    Elias gazed deep into the flames. The fire danced in his eyes.


    "I’ll be fine, and I do not want you to worry about me."


    "But I do," Auron said giving his friend’s arm a momentary touch before retracting his hand. "You’re my friend, Elias. Even if you don’t agree."


    For a split second, Elias’ mask became unhinged, if only slightly. “Friend, huh?”


    Auron nodded. “Yeah.”


    In response, Elias almost missed smiling. It was barely perceptible. “Alright.”


    Suspicion clouded Erik''s eyes, who was sitting across the fire, as he scrutinized the two of them.


    As the rest of the group slept, Elias remained up watching the glowing embers turn cold. He took a small, old pendant out of his coat and started to fiddle with it.


    Strangers were never permitted entrance into the walls of sorrow that held this emotion so Elias frowned as he looked at the pendant.


    "I made a promise," he whispered to the night. "Even if you’re not here anymore... I’ll keep it."


    The wind carried his words away.


    Elias’ name was muffled by Auron who was dozing off behind him stirring in his sleep.


    Elias stood and walked to the edge of the camp, staring up at the stars.


    “I won’t allow him to die, he said with certainty. “Whatever may happen, I will make sure of it.”