Good Evening Traveler

Chapter Eighteen: an Abyssal Intrusion

    The next morning, Lumine woke Xiao up. He wan't sleeping this time, but was keeping watch. "Xiao, we should head back - Ayaka is going to have a heart attack if we don't go!" She explained while hastily grabbed her things.
"Alright. Lead the way."
"Don't you have any of your belongings to bring?"
"I don't carry things like that. There is no need."
Lumine laughed before leading Xiao back up the hill towards the Kamisato estate. Thankfully, Ayaka hadn't sent out a search party yet. "Lumine! Xiao!? Where were you last night? I searched everywhere for either of you, but you weren't in your rooms. Did something happen?"
"No. The traveler went out for a run and I went to go check on her and nothing more. I apologize that there's no drama-filled response to please you."
"I'm just glad you're all okay. Now, Lumine, would you like help with your commissions today? There've been some rumors that the commissions have been kicked up in difficulty. As in...quite a bit. Several have abandoned their commissions due to the danger! I'm likely being overdramatic, but I would like to keep you all safe - it's my duty," Ayaka smiled. Lumine looked more concerned than anything. Why had the adventures guild made the commissions more difficult? There had to be something, or someone, behind this. Instead of asking questions, Xiao volunteered his help as well. "Hm...How about this? On the list of four commissions, I'll take the first two, Xiao can take the third, and Ayaka can take the fourth. I can split the payment if you would like," Lumine suggested. Everyone agreed and was given their commissions. Xiao's sounded simple enough - "Fight the Golden Wolf lord and deliver the drops to Arataki 'numero uno' Itto!" the note read. The group all bid their farewells and Xiao began his way to southern Inazuma.

The wolf lord roared mightily, the sound echoing throughout the entire island. This didn't look too hard. After all, there has been far worse. He stepped into the arena as the wolf noticed him. the battle begun. Xiao was a renowned fighter - after eons of slaughter, you would be as well. It took him a moment, but Xiao managed to dodge most of the attacks. Though, he did get hit at one point and was sent flying. Suddenly, he felt he was growing weaker. This must be the corrosion that had been mentioned by the traveler. It felt...different than the karma he was used to. Not worse, but surely not better. Nevertheless Xiao carried on.
After fighting with his Karma for quite some time, Xiao's health began to dwindle. Though he couldn't fail now. He couldn't fail ever. There had been more difficult bosses before. The wolf lords tail whipped around and hit Xiao in the forehead. Blood began to pour out, and it didn't help that most blood vessels were on the forehead. Even worse, now that his wound was exposed, the wolf was already taking advantage of that. Why was this so difficult? Xiao had fought demons for most of his life. Why was one wolf causing so much trouble? Xiao was growing weaker by the minute. If he stopped now, then he would die. Then again, perhaps death would be a sweet release from this world of pain. Whatever was going through Xiao's mind, he continued to fight, attacking the wolf from every angle. He kept getting knocked back, bashed with cuts and bruises, but he carried on.

After what felt like hours, maniacal laughter began to grow louder and louder. Suddenly, an abyss herald appeared from behind the wolf. "Well done, well done I must say. It's a shame you've gotten this far. I was sure the wolf would have gotten to you before me. Oh well," the herald laughed, "I'm sure you're wondering why I'm here, beside this...animal. I thought it would be good to provide you with a little...challenge, per say. As much as I'd love to admit to coming up with the idea, it was his majesty's."
"You'll be the one with a challenge by the end of this," Xiao glared.
"We shall see. I thought that the famed conqueror of demons would show more physical strength than emotional strength. Both me and the prince will be very disappointed."
Before the herald could go on, Xiao lunged forward, ready to finally win the battle. Unfortunately, this wouldn't end well for anyone. Just as Xiao was about to strike, the herald grabbed him by his ankles and threw him towards the rocks nearby. "You'll...pay... for that," Xiao muttered before blacking out.

The herald laughed in victory, before disappearing. By now, Xiao was out cold. His wounds weren't helping his case either - the wolf lord could smell his blood. Before Xiao could be finally killed, both Lumine and Ayaka had appeared to the scene. "Xiao? Xiao? Xiao? Where are you!?" Ayaka yelled. Lumine and Paimon were frantically looking around for the adeptus. It didn't take them long to see the nearly-dead Xiao, slightly buried underneath the rocks. "Ayaka! Quickly! Get over here!" She yelled. The young woman almost instantly appeared beside her, and was shocked at the scene. "What do we do? Aw...Paimon is so scared!"
"Take care of the wolf lord. Ayaka, can you protect Xiao?"
"I give you my word."
The two friends nodded, and their rescue plan went into action. Lumine swiftly took care of the wolf lord before noticing a piece of fabric on the ground. Once it was safe, she went to examine it. The fabric belonged to someone - or something - from the abyss. What did the abyss have against Xiao? He killed demons, not abyss pawns. There had to be something missing, and she was going to figure it out. Shoving it off for the time being, Lumine ran over to Xiao, Ayaka, and Paimon.
"Is he still alive?"
"Yes, I think so. We have to get him to the estate, or he won't be alive much longer."

Together, Ayaka and Lumine made their way back to the Kamisato Estate, Xiao being dragged by the two of them. He was set down in his room before Ayaka ran off to fetch Thoma. Lumine stayed by Xiao, carefully trying to do what little she could do in the situation. Running back and forth, she had gathered all the blankets and pillows nearby and placed them all by Xiao. Lumine had elevated his arms and left leg, while trying her best to bandage the wounds, but it was nothing. Thoma soon took her place and wrapped bandages around his wounds, some of which were still bleeding.
As the sun set that night, Lumine examined the fabric she had picked up. How did it end up by the wolf lord? Did it have anything to do with Xiao's injuries? Whatever it was, she made sure to not forget it. After all, she had to protect the one she loved.