I knew where I stood. 

I stood by the people who only wanted to see peace for their race and have things return to the way life used to be! A life that I hadn’t been present for but...a life without war nonetheless. It was beyond time for action, setting a heavy example was the only way to get people to stop in their tracks and take a moment to think. 

“...My beauty, by setting an example, what do you mean?” Ryzel suddenly asked, snapping me out of my own thoughts before I crossed my arms with a scoff. 

“Isn’t it obvious by now? I mean that you should kill them, every single one of them.” I spat. 

“Sure, I have my own grudge against the Paladins, they’re the reason why Ibis is sitting in a coma in her own damn cave!” I huffed. 

“But...I don’t want to get gray hairs from worrying over you y’know? Constantly fearing the possibility that someone may come along and alert the Paladins to your tribe’s presence in the town. It’s risky having constant trade to the town.” 

“A risk you were willing to take.” The Incubus said, tossing another bag into the middle of the small pile before he got up and dug through a larger bag.

I scoffed, of course I was willing to take the risk! I thought I made it more than clear by now that I was a risk-taker and that I enjoyed the thrill of things! However, just as Ryzel took out a saddle from one of his bags, the sight of the thing being purely made out of iron making my eyes widen, before I had a mind to raise a question, it didn’t take long for another question to pop into my mind. 

The thought of our relationship...maybe it was just me being paranoid about nothing but, I couldn’t help but worry about how the war could possibly ruin things! 

After all, the original plan for me was to simply go off by myself and return when I returned however...now that Ryzel was going with me? It made my mouth run dry, I loved him, nothing would change that and I’d never do anything to make him think otherwise. To worry much less even dare to think about the possibility of him being injured in this war? 

I...I didn’t know what emotions I’d feel. 

“How is our relationship going to handle the war?” I blurted out, the question making Ryzel stop immediately in his tracks as his eyes widened. 

“What’s with that question all of a sudden my beauty?” He asked, quickly placing the saddle down before he walked over and crouched in front of me.

“You and I both know this war is risky, what if something happens? I planned to go alone to protect you! You saw how Beasts acted previously...you being with a human?” I scoffed, not a single ounce of joy in it. 

“For a second, I thought I had warts and moles all over me. It was dirty in their eyes.” I continued, the sight of Ryzel’s eyes narrowing making my own narrowing as well. 

Slowly, he took his hands into my own, a heavy sigh leaving his lips as he placed a kiss onto both of them. 

“No matter how many times I get on your nerves about wanting to participate in dangerous events. Wars, battles and all...it won’t change the fact that, if it meant that I had a one hundred percent chance of never hearing your stupid flirts again...? I’d never do it. I love you.” I said before I gave him a kiss on the forehead. 

The sight of his cheeks tinting pink ever so slightly only made me grip his hands a little bit harder. Along with his flirts...the small moments where his confident flirt persona cracked and crumbled? 

These were the moments I loved, the ones I've begun to cherish just a little  bit more ever since we actually got together. 

I could't lose this...not by a long shot. 

But, unfortunately, his blushing didn't stop him from letting out another heavy sigh as he tightened his hands around my own in return. 

“...Pertaining to the war? I’m still hesitant, I will not lie to you about that my beauty.” The Incubus started off. 

“You’re the only one I’ve ever truly loved; my people see true beauty only once in their lifetimes. No one gives me a spark like you do.” The Incubus chuckled quietly, giving my hands a gentle massage with his thumbs.

“But, we’re in this together. Mates stick together through and through, the fires of the Under-Realm much less the words of my people won’t stop me from chasing you.” I narrowed my eyes.

“But you saw how they acted! They would’ve killed me on the spot if you weren’t around or didn’t understand the fact that I was working side by side with the Queen-” 

“Forget about them.” The Incubus hissed, his hands immediately rushing up to cup my face. 

“Whisperings of disgrace, cursing our generations after us and trying to do everything in their power to prove that we’re too different for one another? That mortals and immortals need to stay with their own people? It won’t stop me.” Ryzel huffed. 

“I will only love you, I will only fight for you and I will only die for you. If I have to fight against my own people to show that...I don’t mind being disgraced, shunned, much less forbidden from ever returning to my homeland. I’ll risk it all just for you.” 

“...Can’t help but want to tell you not to die for me.” I said with a quiet snicker, placing my hand above his own as I tried to keep the happy tears at bay. 

“If it comes to it I will, if being with you is dirty then I’ll gladly roll around in months old sewage for you.” I rolled my eyes, causing me to close my eyes gently as I began to try and sweep away the worrying thoughts. 

The plan was already set in motion at this point in time...I knew what I wanted to do and that was to help this world out to the best of my ability.

I couldn’t and wouldn’t sit still, not when I knew that the only outcome of the Paladins winning would only spell bad news. Although I still had my worries, after all, I didn’t want Ryzel to walk into danger just because I was doing it! I already knew what death tasted and felt like, I didn’t have too much of a fear of death before but...the thought of Ryzel experiencing death like I had? 

That was what made my stomach churned, what made me take a second to think things over and try to really decipher whether or not fighting in this war was really worth it! I’d be leaving my village behind; my mate would be leaving his family behind and all for a war that was capable of going either way! It was risky...the rare type of risky that made me shuffle in my place and have second thoughts but, with Ryzel by my side? 

At least I could proudly say that I had just a little bit more hope about our situation. 

“Then we’re in this together, we’ll do our best to succeed.” 

“We will succeed. You have quite the record of being usually lucky my love.” Ryzel chuckled, placing a kiss on my lips before he rose to his feet and helped me up. 

I felt another round of fiery confidence begin to erupt in my soul.

“That’s because I've already died once, I deserve some good luck after that experience.” I snickered, placing my hands on my hips before I quickly decided to walk over and help Ryzel carry some of the bags outside while he mainly focused on carrying the saddle. 

Immediately, upon exiting the hut, I felt a small shock of fear run down my spine at the sight of the horse staring intently at me. Had he been staring at the entrance this entire time?! 

“Your owner’s fine.” I said with a nervous chuckle, the feeling of the cool breeze only heightening the stallion’s chilling glare until Ryzel finally came out of the hut. 

“He really likes staring...does he understand me?” I gulped. Ryzel gave me a look of confusion. 

“Why wouldn’t he?” 

“He’s a horse.” “You have Sabre-Wolves and they understand you.” 

“That’s different! They can talk!” 

“Fair.” Ryzel snorted, setting the saddle down before he stretched a little and gave the horse a small pat on his side. 

“The animals of the Under-Realm are known as ‘Lesser Daemoniums’. They understand talking but they can’t replicate it like some of the creatures on the Surface-Realm can.” Ryzel explained, causing me to tilt my head a little.

 “Any idea why?” 

“Hm, maybe The One just thought there were enough talking animals already? He does have his precious Guardians after all.” He said.

“You sound jealous.” I teased, causing me to quickly bring the bags closer to the man as he started to place the saddle on the stallion’s back. 

"Not in particular." He laughed. 

"Merely confused, why worship something that's constantly being replaced?"

“All those strangers worshipping you...I don’t understand it. Guardians die like the ones who worship them, no point in putting your faith into a being that will eventually die.” He hummed.

I couldn't help but shrug, I was simply playing a role that I technically signed up for. I intended to play it until I was free to let Ibis take the reigns once more. 

Strangers worshipping you...it was weird. I couldn't even begin to understand why people would have God complexes, this job was practically the easiest way to get gray hairs from sheer stress and pressure alone! 

I was simply a messenger that got a promotion and nothing more.