A Hero With/Out Time

Chapter 2: My Mistake. (Part 4)

"Come in, the door is unlocked."

"Thank you Taylor, you can go now," I looked her dead in the eyes once more.

She pouted, "But what if I want to join you?"

"Please leave," I asked but then sighed. "Well it's not like you can't eavesdrop anyway."

"I'm joking," she laughed. "Till later then Rain. Remember my room is-,"

I entered Ardent's room and closed the door cutting her off.

"Rain? I didn't expect it to be you," Ardent showed his surprise as he stood up. It looked like he had been meditating and a glow of light faded from the floor.

"Were you expecting someone else?" I asked in case I was intruding.

He shook his head, "Not at all. It's just rare for you to come to me. Ah sorry don't mind the mess, I was just practicing." His bed was littered with open books and half written parchments laid about on the ground. "So what can I help you with?"

I struggled to find where to start, "Umm about tomorrow, do you know where we're going?"

"Did Ronalt not tell you yet? We're heading to the border forest west of here."

"Have you been there before?"

"That forest specifically, no, however I have been to the demon territory several times."

"Wait really?" I was surprised. Not many people had crossed over and come back alive. The most I heard of was small skirmishes between our two races.

He nodded, "To some of the more amicable races. Though that was before the Demon Lord rose to power. Despite what Ronalt may tell you, not all demons want our blood. Though the majority of them nowadays are more than willing to follow through."

His words intrigued me but I shook my head, "No that wasn't my point. The forest we're going to, do you know about the Monster that lives inside?"

Ardent's eyes widened, "Monster? I'm afraid I do not."

"It's a rumour from the area. An incredibly powerful Monster capable of destroying entire towns lives in the forest's depths. It travels beneath the earth and rises to eat its prey, measuring dozens of metres long and wide." The rumours weren't so specific but my experience made up for it. "People say it's the reason why the demons don't pass through from there."

"That's an intriguing rumour but I can't believe that," Ardent laughed. "A 'Monster' on that scale would be considered ancient and rivalling that of even the strongest dragons."

"But what if it was real?" I asked and my tone showed my seriousness.

Ardent paused and looked at me quizzically, "Rain unless you've seen it yourself or you can find solid proof I'm afraid we can't take it for fact. What is a fact is that going through that forest is our safest and most covert route."

Covert I could believe because we'd all be dead with no one knowing what happened to us. My lips quivered on the brink of opening. I wanted to tell him I saw it, that the Monster existed but... there was no point. They'd never believe me. As much as Ardent said he would try help me, I could see it in his eyes, he thought this was no more than a baseless rumour.

"The most we have to fear is being discovered on the way through. Even if we met with the unfortunate monster we're more than capable of dealing with it." He held my shoulder reassuringly. "Don't worry I'll be casting a barrier as we go through. No random monster will kill you before we can help. We can do that much for you at least." He smiled.