The city had a certain tension surrounding it as I stepped foot inside it.

It had been four weeks since I had left and two since I left Aura.

I had things to take care of and instructed her to return first.

The situation seemed to have changed for the worst.

Rumors swirled around about demons everywhere.

Curfew had been established to start as soon as the sun set.

I snuck back in by going over a dark part of the wall.

Currently there was nothing but guards out patrolling.

The city was gripped in fear and no one knew what to expect.

Would the demons kill everyone? Or would the rebels destabilize things further in to chaos?

I didn't expect Aura's problem to turn this in to a full blown lock down for the city.

I was headed to Arthur's place but no sooner had I turned a corner when . . .

“AMBUSH!”

I heard a yell cry out and several shouts followed.

Pretty soon the sounds of a battle could be heard.

I rushed to the scene and peered over it from a dark rooftop.

I saw Arthur, Greer, and two familiar looking girls trying to fight off several shadowy figures.

Several guards' bodies littered the floor.

“Give up Hero! And accept your death! You're outnumbered”

A figure snarled with delight.

“As if someone of your strength could kill me”

Arthur raised his sword and a blinding blast of light came out of it.

“AAAAAIIIIIEEEE”

“AAARRRGGGHHH”

When the light finally died down, I could no longer see the shadowy figures.

They had all turned to dust on that street.

“Hey”

I called out to Arthur after I landed behind a corner.

“Gia? What are you doing here?”

“I just got back to the city. I was attacked in the forest after the last time we met. I went to recover in one of the surrounding villages. It took several weeks, but I'm here to help again!”

Unfortunately, he gave me a cold reception.

“No need, we don't need your help as you can see”

“I see several injured guards”

“Our priestess can heal them, and the less more outsiders are involved the better”

“You still think I could be a demon in disguise?”

“You've been gone too long, I can't trust those I know nothing about”

“BUT--”

“Leave! This is official business and you're out past curfew. So unless you're a demon, I suggest you find lodging soon”

“She only wants to help, brother”

I turned around and saw Leon approaching us with a bunch of knights behind him.

“Leon”

“Shera or should I say Gia?”

“!”

“Why did you give us both different names?”

The two of them looked at me with mistrust in their eyes.

“I gave Leon another name since I needed to investigate Duke Marren's mansion. He had some connection to the names you gave me Arthur. And what do you know? The mansion was attacked . . .sort of, something broke out”

“You used me! And you were working for HIM!”

Leon was getting a little riled up, I guess he really didn't like Arthur.

“I didn't you were brothers, honest”

“You always were too much of a trusting fool, don't blame the girl too much”

The two brothers stared each other down for quite a while until Arthur's teammates came.

“Arthur we have to go now, there's been another break in”

Arthur nodded and walked off, leaving me and Leon there.

I turned to Leon and tried to speak.

“I--”

“Save it, I don't want to talk to you right now”

With that, Leon went to tend to the injured.

I decided I'll give him some space and apologize later.

I guess finding Aura now was what I needed to do.

“My master, the hero and his companions came but I managed to search the place. Unfortunately the item you seek wasn't there as well”

“I see, that only leaves the dukes and the king doesn't it? There is going to be a ball soon be in the castle, I'll search it myself then”

“Of course, I will handle the ducal houses in the mean time”

“Avoid Corland's, the hero is too strong for you alone and not to mention he has help”

“Understood Lord Metis”

“Excuse me, we need space to house some injured for the time being. Can you please let us in? You'll be compensated later”

“O. . of course, sir knight”

The old innkeeper was surprised when he saw a squad of knights at his doorstep.

As a result, Leon's men started to carry some injured guards inside since the church was currently full.

“Is everything alright?”

Leon turned towards the stairs and saw a pretty girl descending the stairs.

“Not worry miss, an altercation broke out and some guards were injured. We'll leave when we can”

“Oh is there anything I can do to help out?”

Leon hesitated a little when he saw her full figure.

“No the thought of it alone is enough”

She nodded and flashed Leon a smile.

“Don't worry sir knight, I can do my best still despite my hand”

“Leon”

“Hm?”

“Leon is my name”

“Nice to meet you sir Leon, my name is Trish”