Upon returning to the spot where they had encountered the shadow beings, they proceeded to establish their camp once more. However, they remained tense and vigilant, determined not to be caught off guard like before.

Asukem took the first watch. He gazed into the fire, listening to the crackling flames and the chirping of crickets, observing that everything seemed normal. Asukem glanced at his sleeping friends. Kittienia and her panther Kwitwaka snuggled close, looking adorable. Leo muttered in his sleep, "Weakling mutt..." Asukem smirked, tempted to retort, but decided against it. He then watched Gimp toss and turn, murmuring, "No...no! Stop! Leave her alone..." Asukem grinned, reassuring Gimp that they would rescue his friend. Gimp, taken aback, responded, "She's not my girlfriend..." Asukem smirked at that.

Asukem's wolf-like ears suddenly twitched as he caught the sound of rustling in the bushes behind him. Reacting swiftly, Asukem grasped the hilt of his sword, drew his katana, and spun around to point it at Grant's throat. Startled, Grant apologized, "Woah, sorry Asukem, didn't mean to startle you." Asukem let out a sigh of relief as he sheathed his katana, "Is it that time already?" he wondered aloud, realizing he had lost track of time. Grant sat down and shook his head, "No, not really, just woke up out of the blue." With a grin, Grant added, "And it looks like you could use some company." Asukem chuckled softly, "Perhaps I do need someone to talk to, or at least keep me awake," he said with a burst of laughter. Asukem and Grant spent the rest of the shift keeping each other company and engaging in conversations.

Asukem and his friends trekked through the rugged mountain paths in the morning. The terrain was challenging, with loose sections, boulders blocking the way, and signs of rock slides. They proceeded cautiously, knowing that one misstep could lead to disaster. While Gimp soared above, scouting ahead, he spotted the ocean in the distance. Hurrying back to the group, he excitedly shared his discovery. Leo grumbled at Gimp's enthusiasm, but Asukem eagerly asked, "What did you find, Gimp?" Gimp beamed, "The ocean!" Grant pondered, "The ocean? There must be a village nearby. Let's go check it out, Asukem." Asukem agreed, "We could use a break."

Asukem and his companions proceeded along the mountain path, trailing behind Gimp as he guided them towards the ocean. Upon reaching a secure route, the landscape transformed. The rocky, uneven path transitioned into a smooth, white sandy trail that stretched to the pristine, azure sea. While some elements of the terrain remained unchanged, such as scattered stones and boulders, they appeared to be deliberately placed by the Great divine Alterous, with the sand around them seemingly embracing their presence.

Lush greenery could be seen peeking out from the mountains, creating a serene atmosphere. The presence of flowers, bushes, and seagulls added to the tranquility of the area, indicating that even the fish enjoyed this idyllic place. Palm trees provided shady spots on the sandy land, perfect for relaxation. The calls of the seagulls and the gentle sound of the waves contributed to the peaceful ambiance of this beautiful scene.

Asukem and his companions came across a small village in this particular scene. The structures were constructed from wood and thatch, and there were signs of poles, fishing equipment, nets, anglers, and small rowboats in the vicinity of the village, but there was no one in sight. Suddenly, the wind started to blow, causing the signs of the village to hit the posts and walls, disrupting the tranquil scene and sending a chill down their spines.

The wind's relentless blowing caused the sea to churn uneasily, leading the boats to collide against the docks of the village, intensifying the eerie atmosphere. The wind rustled through the structures while the sea's mist enveloped the surroundings, with the ocean's fog creeping in silently. Gimp chuckled anxiously and remarked, "I doubt anyone resides here." Abruptly, a voice emanated from a building resembling a tavern or gathering spot for the locals, declaring, "This is an omen of misfortune, we must eliminate it!"

Suddenly, a shrill scream broke the silence, sounding like that of a young girl. Everyone's gaze shifted towards Gimp, astonished by the surprising noise that had just come from him. "Did anyone else hear that? It must be a ghost!" he cried out, visibly shaken by the eerie sound. Asukem chuckled and dismissed it, "You're just imagining things, Gimp." He confidently strode towards the building where the sound originated. Inside, he found all the villagers gathered around a table as if in a meeting.

As Asukem approached, a girl on the table came into view. Before Asukem could inquire about the situation, Grant interjected, "What in the Great Divines is going on here!" misunderstanding the scene. Gimp added fuel to the fire, exclaiming, "Oh no, they're cultists! They're going to sacrifice her!" Asukem, Kittienia, and Leo exchanged shocked glances, realizing that Gimp's words were not helping Grant's theory.

One of the villagers turned around and exclaimed, "Demons? I knew it! This is a bad omen! Just toss her back into the ocean to rot!" Grant's expression mirrored the shock on everyone else's faces, including some of the villagers. Grant finally exclaimed in disbelief, "Hold on! Hold on! She's a living being!" The villager who proposed the idea retorted with disrespect and rudeness, "Well, what do you suggest then? Let this bad omen linger?" Asukem rolled his eyes at the superstition surrounding bad omens and suggested, "Why not try to heal her and then let her go on her way?"

The villagers gazed at Asukem with raised eyebrows and puzzled expressions, taken aback by the demon's suggestion. An elderly villager took a step forward and said, "We would help, but unfortunately, we lack the necessary tools." The villager who proposed tossing the girl into the ocean pondered aloud, "What about that potion? The one the Kobold concocted? We're aware he stashed it in the cave." The elder shook his head and responded, "Felix booby-trapped the area, it's far too risky."

Asukem surveyed the villages with a serious look on his face, having made up his mind, "Lead me to the cave, and I will take your spots." The villagers were once again puzzled, but their astonishment grew as a demon was willing to sacrifice himself for strangers. Leo muttered about their lack of courage. Asukem then turned his gaze to the girl lying on the table and whispered to her, "Fear not, I will return. Just hold on a bit longer."

Upon nearing the girl and making his pledge, Asukem realized that she was a mermaid, a siren. The girl appeared to be 18 years old, her scaly light blue skin shimmering under the sunlight. Seashell earrings adorned her fin-like ears, while a metal piece on her forehead almost resembled a crown, embellished with pearls and ocean-colored gems that emitted a bluish-green hue. Her hair, dark blue like the depths of the ocean, seemed to be soaked with water. Webbings between her fingers and toes hinted at her aquatic nature. She wore chainmail that resembled seaweed, shining in a bluish-green hue and trimmed with a purplish pearl color. Despite the cracked chest piece, it looked as if it was made of coral, matching her leggings and gauntlets. Fins adorned her elbows, and her fish-like tail had a fin at the end.

Beside the table where she was lying, there was a shield and a trident. The sight of the bruises and cuts on her body made his blood boil, as a rare race should never be treated in such a manner. In a fit of rage, he demanded, "What happened to her?" One of the villagers who had found her in a fishing net replied, "We caught her like that, and we tried to bandage the wounds." Gimp perched on Asukem's shoulder and inquired, "Do you want me to come along?" Asukem looked at the siren girl and said, "No, I need all of you to protect her and these people, something is not right."

Asukem quickly realized something was amiss when the Wind suddenly picked up, howling wildly and dangerously. The sounds of boats outside grew louder as they crashed against the buildings and decks of the village. Lightning streaked across the sky and the rain poured down in sheets. The storm that brewed was eerie and malevolent, with twisted, swirling clouds. Panic spread among the villagers, especially when one of them mentioned a bad omen. "See, I told you it was a bad omen!" they exclaimed. Asukem and his friends hurried outside, prepared for a fight or to witness the unfolding events. The elder pointed out the location of the cavern to Asukem, who nodded and escorted the elder back inside. "Please let my friends protect you all, I will be back," he assured them before rushing towards the cavern.