The chief nodded. "Indeed. But we are not mindless undead—we live, we protect our own, and we serve Volfang, who has given us sanctuary."
Then, he turned back to them. "Now… what is it you seek in the Obsidian Kingdom?"
Asher met his gaze, unshaken. "Refuge. And a chance to fight back."
The chief smiled. "Then welcome to our lands."
The chief provided them with a small but comfortable house, along with a detailed map of the surrounding territories.
After a long day of travel and fighting, Asher collapsed onto the bed, staring up at the wooden ceiling.
"The whole god and domain thing is really starting to bug me," he muttered.
Serena, sitting by the table and studying the map, raised an eyebrow. "What now?"
Asher sighed, rubbing his temples. "Everything about this world is just... awkward. It's powerful, sure, but it's not exactly advanced. And even gods have fanatics." New novel chapters are published on Novel~Fire. (n)et
Serena chuckled dryly. "That's a given."
"Still," Asher continued, "one god saves people by turning them into undead, while another god butchers people in the name of slaughter. Either they're all fools who can't see the bigger picture, or they're too blinded by their own fanaticism to care."
Serena shrugged. "Or both."
Asher groaned. 'Damn it, can't those damn teleportation have thrown me into a more normal world?'
Serena looked at him and asked " did you said anything?"
Asher shook his head. Instead, he let his eyes drift shut, exhaustion finally catching up to him as he fell asleep.
Serena looked at Asher as he slept, a soft expression crossing her face. She gently tucked the blanket around him, watching his steady breathing.
"Haah... I wonder who you really are, Asher," she murmured under her breath.
With a small sigh, she climbed into her own bed and soon fell asleep as well.
The next morning, Asher woke up to the faint scent of earth and the sound of digging. Rubbing his eyes, he stepped outside, only to see Priest Peldet burying the bones of the dead in a small graveyard near the village.
"What are you doing?" Asher asked, his voice still groggy from sleep.
Peldet glanced at him while placing one last bone into the grave. "I'm helping them have a proper rest."
Asher frowned slightly, noticing that these were the remains of the undead they had seen yesterday. "Did you... turn them into undead just so they could say goodbye?"
"Why else would I do it?" Peldet said, shrugging. "They deserved a final moment with their loved ones. Now that it's done, they can finally rest in peace."
Asher remained silent for a moment before nodding.
"Let us help, then," he finally said.
Serena, who had just stepped outside, nodded as well. "Same here."
Together, they helped bury the last of the undead. The village elders chanted soft prayers, and soon, the ceremony ended.
Afterwards, Asher stretched his arms. "Thanks for everything, Peldet. But we have to leave now."
Asher and Serena traveled along the worn dirt path, the sun barely visible behind thick, gray clouds. The air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and distant rain.
"How far is Myid City from here?" Serena asked, adjusting the straps of her bag.
"About two days on foot," Asher replied, scanning the horizon. "If we find a merchant caravan, we might be able to hitch a ride."
Serena sighed. "Great. More walking."
"You can always fly," Asher teased, shaping a small pair of blood wings on his back for a moment before dispersing them.
Serena shot him a glare. "And let you fly alone? I'd feel mad about it"
Asher smirked. "Good. You should."
Serena rolled her eyes, but there was a faint smile on her lips.
The two set up camp near a small stream, the fire crackling softly in the quiet night. The stars peeked through the cloud cover, casting faint silver light over the forest.
Serena leaned against a fallen log, sharpening her daggers. "So... what's the plan once we get to Myid City?"
Asher poked the fire with a stick, his crimson eyes reflecting the flames. "First, we gather information about the Obsidian Kingdom and its connection to the Dark God, Volfang. Second, we find out if the Blood Cross has any influence here."
Serena frowned. "You think they do?"
"Possibly," Asher admitted. "They're fanatics, and they spread like a disease. If they have roots in Myid City, we need to be careful."
Serena blew out a slow breath. "And if they don't?"
"Then we focus on securing our place in this kingdom," Asher said. "We can't keep running forever. We need allies, resources, and a real plan to deal with Malfus's followers."
Serena fell silent, thinking. "...You're really planning for the long term, huh?"
Asher shrugged. "I don't have a choice."
Serena looked at him for a moment before sighing. "Alright. Then let's get to Myid City in one piece."
Asher grinned. "That's the easy part."
Serena tossed a twig at his face, making him chuckle.
The night passed quietly, with only the distant howls of unknown creatures echoing through the trees.
The Next Day – Arrival at Myid City
Asher and Serena finally reached the gates of Myid City, a massive stone-walled metropolis bustling with merchants, adventurers, and armored guards. The banners of the Obsidian Kingdom hung from tall spires, displaying the dark sigil of a wolf howling under a crescent moon—the mark of Volfang.
The guards at the entrance wore black and silver armor, their helmets shaped like wolf heads.
"Halt," one of them said, stepping forward. "State your business in Myid City."
Asher kept his expression neutral. "Travelers looking for work and information."
The guard narrowed his eyes, scanning them for a moment before nodding. "No trouble, and you'll be fine. Cause problems, and you'll regret it."
Serena smirked. "Sounds fair."
The guards let them pass, and as soon as they stepped inside, Asher and Serena were greeted by the sights and sounds of the lively city—street vendors shouting, the scent of roasted meat in the air, and the distant ringing of a blacksmith's hammer.
"Welcome to Myid City," Serena muttered, taking in the scene.
Asher adjusted his cloak. "Time to find a guide."