"There" Logan shouted and pointed at the arrow which had stopped its trail, but the others were too weak to speak. They looked in horror as they saw the malevolent spirit 'Aieda'. It took the shape of a tree, but the roots and vines of it seemed to be alive. The tree had thorns and left a ghastly smell, so excruciating, it made the air grow thicker.
"Everyone, don't breathe in the air here! cover up your faces! This doesn't seem to be any ordinary mist." Damien commanded whilst the others tied whatever fabric they had around their face.

As they grew closer to the target, they heard loud noises, almost the sound of explosions and a lot of cussing. "take that you vile b**h!!, let go of her now!"
Helene took a quick peek, it was Adam. He was still fighting, throwing small bombs and shooting the tree with his revolver. But the ancient spirit didn't even seem to take any damage. Actually all of the efforts seem to have made the tree more angry.

Dear Emris we forgot about Adam didn't we?... wait did Damien also forget about him... Luna wondered silently.
"Oh my god Kiara," Damien said as he watched his sister being held high up by the roots, tightening its grip making sure she didn't go anywhere .

"I need to save her" just as Damien was going to run, Luna held his hands and stopped him. "Not without a plan, you are not."

"Excuse me, but who put you in charge?"

" I'm sorry Damien, but I don't think you completely know what we are dealing with here..." before Luna could answer Logan said , "The malevolent spirit 'Aieda', the one who feeds on 'fear'."

"umm, I volunteer Logan to be the leader. Since you know... he clearly knows what we are dealing with. Right... bud" said Helene awaiting for a reassuring answer but gaining nothing more but an unenthusiastic stare.

"I actually was a part of Kraizen's expedition back then, and if I had learnt anything at all, it was that all malevolent spirits supposedly have a life core. Destroy it, we can get Kiara back. So all we need to look for is the spirit's heart ." said Logan.

This was the first time the sisters have seen him speaking more than five or less words.

"Okay, does this heart radiate dark energy. Cause then I've already spotted it." said Helene pointing at the huge tree hollow, at least twenty feet above ground, which was glowing in emerald green.

"It seems to be covered in mist, actually. The only problem is getting up there." Damien said, analyzing the field they were in.

"Also, your buddy Adam does not seem he can handle it anymore." said Luna with a worried face.
"Hey blondie! I need you to guard me while I make a run to the core. Logan, use your axe. I need you to find a way to get rid of that branch Kiara's in. And Luna, you're on saving Adam duty. Let's move, we don't have much time. " Damien said.

"Ok chief! I'm on it." said Helene drawing her sword. " Damien, I think I can be a bit more useful, because you know mage and.." Luna kept going on.

"listen princess, I would love to chat, but we have to save my sister before it's too late. We can talk about your contribution, after I kill the beast. ok?" Damien patted Luna on her head as he walked towards Helene whispering their strategy. Luna just stood there flabbergasted, giving Helene a 'that asshole is soo dead look.'

"That's Damien. You'll get used to it" said Logan as he sharpened his ax and went towards the rest of the gang.

Luna huffed and snuck behind Adam. He was fully still immersed in the fight "Listen you tree, let my friend go and I will in trade give you someone else.. Like a mage! you'd love that you know?" He was rambling on.
Is he ok? Why is he trying to bargain with the tree... wait am I the mage....
Luna glanced to see Damien already forming an orb, "Hey Aieda! " just as it heard Damien all of the vines pointed to him, Damien threw the orb towards the core. "That ought to get you rattled up" he muttered. The vines were screeching, they formed a shield protecting the core from Damien. "Damien you came for me" Adam said spreading his arm, only to get dragged behind a tree by Luna. "Oi mage that hurt.." he said.

"Adam we don't have time-" before Luna could finish his sentence, Adam hugged her tightly "I always had faith in you Luna, I knew you'd come for me"

"Ok so.. awkward. Also didn't you just try to sell us to the evil spirit?" Luna said struggling to get away from his grasp. "Oh you heard that... it was a figure of speech" he said with a coy smile. Before they could argue more they heard a loud crash. It appeared that Kiara had fallen to the ground, logan quickly rushed in picking up his axe. He lifted Kiara up with no struggle and started running for cover.

"Adam do me solid, and cover logan and Kiara" Luna said slowly pulling her sword out of its sheathe. "Don't have to tell me twice, but what you planning to do?" Adam asked raising his eyebrow. "Can't let them have all the fun now, can I?" She replied with a grin. "Some crazy mage you are.. Love it" that said, Adam pulled out his revolver and started shooting the vines that were trying attack Kiara and went to their side.
Damien was still throwing orbs at the core, although it seemed to take damage the vines seemed to have more power than before. Helene and her trusty sword belle kept swinging at the vines but Luna could see that her cousin was getting weary by the minute.

I need to help her...

Luna drew her sword into battle position "Dear Emris lend me your fire " she prayed under her breath. Her sword began to heat up, her sword blew up in flames indigo and blue.

"Oh Draven, what is she?" Adam said turning and seeing his new found friend. "Logi boy remind me to never get on her bad side, yeah?" to which logan just sighed and shooked his head .

With a battle cry to get Aieda's attention, Luna stared to violently attack. The vines caught fire, it was very effective. The vines were slowing down, it's attacks were now reduced most of attention it's was given to protecting the core.

"Nice of you to join us, lulu" Helene said joing her cousin. "Oh you know i can't resist a good fight hells!" Luna replied, "You go help Damien lulu, the core is going to need something a bit more powerful than his orbs" and with a nod Luna ran towards the shadow prince's assistance.

A dozen of Aieda's vines came towards Damien's way while he was trying to destroy the core. He was ready to take the hit but suddenly the whole forest was covered in screams. Luna's fire infused sword striked through the vines making it weak for a good minute. "I told you to save Adam!? What are you doing here!?" Damien said while piercing through the roots trying to get to the core.
"If I wasn't here a minute ago, you'll be dead by now you asshat!" She yelled, cutting through the vines.

"Can you two stop bickering and destroy the core for Emris's sake!" Helene was covered in greenish goo as she was violently hitting the vines without no remorse. Luna certainly knew she didn't want to be in a situation just like the vines and continued to cover Damien until he reached the core. He had to climb all the way to the top in order to reach his desired destination. With the help of Luna and a very angered Helene he finally saw the glowing light of the core. He conjured his shadow spear and from one powerful strike, the beast roared and the whole tree slowly became black, leaving no trace of life. Helene dropped down to the ground, feeling tired as ever, While Luna waited for Damien to get down from the now blackened hollow tree. Just as he was in his final steps, he slipped his foot. He was too weak to even create a portal.

"Damien!" Luna suddenly ran towards a very much struggling Damien trying not to fall and break a bone. Just as he was a few feet above the ground, Luna caught him just in time. He was now in Luna's hands, bridal style making his cheeks taint a red hue instantly.
"Who is the princess now rosey?" Luna couldn't help but laugh, seeing Damien quickly getting away from her grip.

"Bravo! Mage Luna.. Bravo! I didn't know you that strong!" Adam clapped laughing with a very shocked looking Damien.

"There's always a first time for everything Adam!" Luna chuckled, wiping away the greenish goo from an agitated looking Helene.

"It's getting dark, I think we might have to call it a day, while we still have some light. which... this forest barely gets. Let's make some tents over here." Damien said while rolling his map down and putting it into his side pocket.

" Well even a toddler can say this place is not safe, big guy? And you want us to stay here?" Helene said while looking around what seems to lead nowhere but spilling darkness.

" Well yes mage Helene. This place is pretty haunted at night. Rather than the demons, the spirits roam around quite often here at dusk. And each time we came here, we barely got any sleep. Had fought the undead several times, that none of us were able to sleep." Adam said while walking over to Damien.

" So you mean we are going to REST, not SLEEP, am I Right?" Adam asked. Damien lazily nodded to Adam. "Okay let's make the tents. About the protection part, me and Helene have it under control. Guess you guys are gonna get your first sleep, here in the no man's woods" Luna said while smiling.

" And how are you going to do it exactly, princess?" Damien asked Luna, quite unsure about her words ." Well I think actions speak louder than words. So let us show it." Luna simply nodded at Helene and Helene smirked in return. Helene started to slowly rise up from the ground and her eyes were glowing like stars in the darkest nights. Her hands were forming a ball of white energy and with that she created a protection shield around the crew and some ground, so they have enough space to build up the tents. The healers were given the power of 'shielding', to protect the civilians and the other warriors during battle. Rarely any demon can get in. Even though the chances are pretty low it's never zero. She slowly reached the Earth's surface.

"The glowing eyes part and me levitating was totally unnecessary. I could have done it in a second. But I wanted it to be cool because I was bored." She said just as she landed.

Luna chuckled at her sister and went forward to do her part. Helene's power already protected them. But here at the no man's woods nothing can be trusted. Luna closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Her hands were now covered with black fire, or hell's fire as Emris named it. Deadly for the demons and the roaming evil spirits. The black fire was so unique, that only her grandfather possessed the power after a long line of mages. Now Luna had it and mastered it quite well on her own. When her grandfather died, not only she lost a dear one, but also her master. She placed her hand to the already formed shield by Helene and slowly the shield was covered by black fire from the outside. She took a step back and looked at the shield she and her cousin made. Helene stood beside Luna and put her hand around her beloved cousin.

" It's simply beautiful."

" It indeed is." Luna said while smiling.

" Totally forgot we had talented mages!" Adam said while admiring the now formed shield in front of him." It's just beautiful! I can finally sleep!" Kiara said excitedly while grabbing Damien's collar and pushing him from side to side.

" Ca_ yo..u you! Please stop.oop ittttt!!!" Damien said while pushing his sister aside making sure not to harm her while at it. " Sorry I was too excited." Kiara giggled like a little child still mesmerized by the shield.

Soon it was night time and the tents were up. Since Luna already had the power of fire they could easily create a bonfire to sit around and have dinner.

" What the actual fu**!!" Helene stood up while screaming, throwing her cooked piece of meat to the ground. Everyone looked in the direction where Helene was looking. Several spirits were starting to surround the bubble they are in. One by one they multiplied and now nine spirits were looking at them. " Oh thank God for the shield! If this was not here, We would have to fight until we lose our shits." Adam was shuddering while even thinking about that horrendous thought.

" Why are they looking at us like that?" Luna asked, confused.

" They pretty much want to possess us and have their way In life. Or to get out of this woods. But it doesn't mean they'll leave us alone after we get out. They'll simply kill us." Damien replied so casually as if it didn't phase him at all.

" They'll go away when they realize it's useless to stay." He went back to eat his food.

"And how sure are you about that?" Luna questioned him once again. " So many questions in your tiny head, isn't it love?" Damien asked playfully, narrowing his eyes at Luna.

" Well yes. I like to learn new things." She retorted. Damien chuckled, " They were once Alive. So they are not that dumb to stay and waste their time while they can find something else to feast on."

"Oh" was the only thing Luna said.

" I'm not eating this now. My appetite is non-existent. I'm going to sleep. Good night y'all."

Kiara stood up and went inside her tent.

"Same here. I'm tired." Helene yawned and hugged Luna good night and left. Adam and Logan stayed for a little while and also went to their tents.

"Even though we have shields to protect us, it's better to guard. I'll stay, you have some rest too, 'Luna'." Damien said while looking at the crackling fire in front of him.

"I'm not that sleepy or tired. Besides, I'm used to staying up all night. Why don't you get some sleep, Damien?" she looked towards the man she had been after all this time.

He was right in front of her; unmasked, casual, like a normal human being. Damien's gaze which once was looking at the fiery pit, was now upon Luna. Luna could swear over and over again, she had never seen such beautiful eyes ever in her life. She felt blood rushing to her cheeks because of her thoughts. 'Do I really think this thief is handsome.?' she thought to herself.

"Am I making you uncomfortable love?" Damien asked cockily. And all she wanted to do was smack the living daylights out of him for some reason. Since when did I become his freaking love? "No you are not." she replied back.

"Well your cheeks say otherwise." he chuckled. Silence once again fell upon them.

"Why don't we both guard tonight? We can get to know each other more." Damien said while scratching his neck. Also kind of confused why he said something bizarre. Luna raised one eyebrow in surprise, "uh huh.."

"I mean we have to get to Viltarin and...umm...we need to have some mutual trust.. You know?'' he started to blabber nonsense and suddenly stopped when he saw Luna's amused face.

"Sorry. You can go to sle–"

"no i would love that.'' Luna said without daring to look at him. "Okay. So Tell me about your life Luna." Damien waited patiently till Luna answered his question. Luna thought for a good minute and started to talk.

"Well...how can I give you classified information about myself like that? Besides, we have only known each other for 4 days." Luna asked Damien. He grinned and said, "to be exact we have known each other for the past 4 years. Am I wrong?"

"That doesn't count Damien. And besides, something tells me that you want to know something else from me rather than my life. " she said.

"A wise warrior indeed. And yes I have something to ask you." Luna looked at him expectantly. "How much did you see?" Luna knew what he was asking about. His memory and the illusion Aieda created. "I'm not going to lie. I saw everything." Damien's gaze on Luna was now sharp.

And the fact that she did not break eye contact, he knew she was telling the truth. He gulped and looked back at the fire, his hands clasped together,

"Were you afraid...of what I became?" Luna didn't know what to say exactly. She just said whatever her heart was telling her to tell. "If I said I was not scared, that would be a total lie even Emris would curse me herself." she sighed and again waited for him to talk. But his mouth uttered nothing but silence. "Have you ever... turned into that beast?" she didn't know if he would respond to her sudden question. She knew it was personal, but her curiosity beat her to it.

"If you don't want to tell_"

"yes. Once. And Aieda created that specific day to trap me in his illusion." he finished.

"Did you hurt anyone?" she again asked.

Damien didn't know why he was telling these things to Luna. Her midnight blue eyes glowing with the flames somehow showed that she can be trusted. Even though Luna didn't know, Damien always admired the way she works with the civilians. He saw how she cared about people from afar. 'You are very creepy Damien.' he thought to himself. "Umm Damien?"

"Oh what? sorry. No, I have not harmed anyone. Yet." he said to her.

"You didn't harm anyone. For all these years you have done such an amazing job trying to control your inner beast. So why be afraid now?".

"Because I almost changed today!" His voice became a bit loud. His sudden outburst startled Luna a little bit. But she remained calm, because if she were to be frightened right now the situation would not get any better.

" But you didn't. You didn't change. That's what matters, you dumbass! Even before I came to save you from that god damn tree beast, you were trying to calm yourself down! Don't underestimate yourself Damien."

Part of him always wanted reassurance from someone just like Luna did today. Someone to tell that it will be okay and he won't turn into something he was afraid to become.

"Thank you." he said to Luna, his words full of sincerity.

"Oh don't worry about it. I happened to give motivational pep talks quite a lot." Luna shook her head smiling. "I bet you do love." he chuckled.

"If you don't mind me asking, what did you see?" Luna looked down and started fidgeting with her fingers. "Well since I saw yours, i think it's fair i share mine too." she looked at him trying to find the proper words to describe what she saw.

"When me and Helene were little, I messed up a spell and it trapped both of us in a mindlink. We were in a coma for nearly a week because of that. The Grand Healer mages said that it might drive one of us or both of us into insanity, if our minds combine together."

Damien listened to her speak attentively.

"Our grandparents did everything to cure us, over the years. And me and Helene were trying to practice to create mind walls, so we can have the privacy we needed."

"Did you succeed?" He finally asked a question.

"As a matter of fact, yes. We did succeed. And the elders thought we were cured." Luna chuckled.

"But in reality, we had mind walls up."

"Am I the only one who knows this?" Damien was curious to know who else knew about this incident.

"You and... a dear friend we lost." she replied.

"So you fear that one day you both will lose control and combine your minds together?"

"Yes. I am the reason she is at possible risk. And I love her too much to see her suffer." Luna didn't even want to imagine what would go wrong if that happened.

She sighed and stood up looking directly at his eyes. She didn't say anything because she shared more than enough with him. Also, Luna never ever thought she would have to motivate her enemy much less talk about her deepest fear with him.

And as for this moment, was he really the enemy? She thought.

" I know you can hear me rosey. Don't think too much. You'll be just fine."

The confusion in Damien's eyes was giving immense pleasure to Luna. Luna was one of the people he couldn't read minds on. Well others were from the shadow manner itself but Luna was an outsider. The day they first met, even then he couldn't read her mind. And now she let her wall down so he could hear her. 'Why is she letting me in her mind? Does she trust me now?'

he was still looking at Luna who had a half smile on her face. "Why? Good question. And if you think I trust you, no I still do not. Well, partially. Partially I trust you." She smiled.

" Wait, you can read my mind?! But how!?" Luna couldn't help but laugh.

"I actually don't know how? I could only hear Helene up until now. I found that I could read yours the day you kidnapped us." She chuckled lightly and left to her tent only to find a snoring Helene who was also mumbling in her sleep here and there. She made herself comfortable in the tent and closed her eyes. "Didn't even say good night darling? Where's my goodnight kiss?" he teased.

" Sorry Rosey, I'm suddenly sleepy."

" Why 'rosey' Luna? It's too girly."

" Well look at that, it rhymed!" Luna's laugh echoed through Damien's mind. He couldn't help but smile All by himself.

" Not going to steal your beauty sleep love. Good night."

" Well you ain't as bad as I thought you would be rosey . Good night."

The fire was also dying down little by little. Damien sighed and looked at the night sky thinking about what the hell happened a few minutes ago. For four days only he knew truly about Luna. And somehow he couldn't wait to get to know her more. He was suddenly overwhelmed by his cheesy behavior and decided to call it a day. What would happen if an evil spirit got inside the bubble? Right now it was the last thing he would worry about. He needed to find a way to control his inner demons. He can not let anyone get hurt.