When The Sky Bleeds ✔️

Chapter 17

Our bodies, weary from the journey, finally found rest in the refuge of a small and abandoned cabin. Its weathered walls stood as a testament to the passing of many seasons, bearing scars and marks from nature's relentless assault. The door let out a long, rusty creak as we pushed it open, revealing the dim interior. A sense of relief washed over us as we stepped inside, our limbs sagging with exhaustion. The air was musty but welcoming, saturated with the scent of pine and earth. It was a stark contrast to the metallic tang of battle that still lingered on our tongues. We sank into the worn furniture, grateful for this momentary respite from the harshness of the outside world.

"Home sweet temporary home," I sighed, dropping my sword with a clatter onto the wooden floor, echoes of the battle still resonating in the steel.

Lily collapsed beside me, her laughter bubbling up like a clear stream. "I could kiss the ground," she said, though making no move to fulfill her claim, her eyes closing in contentment.

Crusader Hadley, ever the caretaker of our group's comfort, bustled around the room, gathering wood and arranging it just so in the fireplace. Desmond, with a flick of his fingers, summoned a small flame that danced along the logs before erupting into a roaring fire. The warmth spread through the room like a comforting embrace, casting a soft amber light that illuminated our faces.

"Do you recall the incident where the demon attempted to imitate my appearance?" Lily's voice echoed through the dimly lit room. "And Ever, here, nearly severed my head in his attempt to vanquish it?"

"Hey, it was a good likeness," I defended, a smile tugging at my lips as I recalled the near mishap. "Besides, you know I'd never let one of those fiends hurt you."

"True," she conceded, "but who's going to protect me from you?"

"Ouch," Desmond's voice rumbled from a dark corner as he unpacked his bag, his tone edged with mirth. "She's got you there, Greywood."

The easy banter continued tales of narrow escapes and past bravado spilling forth, each story embroidered with the threads of our shared experiences.

"Attend to those wounds, girls." Josephine's voice softened, her brave warrior facade giving way to a nurturing, sisterly presence. I handed Lily a bottle of Holy Water as a weapon cleaner and wound sanitizer.

"We will join the other recruits tomorrow," Desmond informed us, his eyes still focused on the blade he meticulously cleaned. "The next battle will be against a horde of demons, so we must prepare ourselves. Greywood, you must learn to prioritize your own focus in battle. Do not let yourself become distracted by others. Trust in their abilities to defend themselves." His gaze turned stern as he addressed me directly.

"And for the love of God," he added with a small smile playing on his lips, "don't go looking demons in the eyes."

My scowl deepened at his teasing tone, feeling a twinge of embarrassment at the previous incident. "I fail to see the issue. I have looked into your eyes on numerous occasions."

The room was filled with light chuckles at Desmond's expense.

We sat around the fireplace and ate our dinner from thermals. Desmond sat across the room, Omen by his feet, both unaffected by the chill in the air. My mind was bursting with swirling thoughts centered on the enigmatic red haze that had plagued my dreams and now manifested in the real world. It seemed to cling to my every thought, pulling me deeper into its mysterious depths.

"What was that red haze?" I finally mustered up the courage to ask, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled over us.

Desmond and Josephine exchanged a glance before Josephine spoke up. "We are uncertain at this time. It appears to be a novel development,"