Chapter 2

Ellie woke up to Carter pacing in the front of the camp, looking into the distance. Ellie then felt the feeling of the strong magical pull again, and once again instinctively got up and looked into the direction. Then she exited the tent, and met with Carter.

“Hey bud, what’s up?” Ellie asked.

‘He seems increasingly nervous and worried for some reason.’ Anna said in Ellie’s mind, Ellie ignored her. Waiting for Carter’s response.

Carter shook his head, “Ya, I just hate this place.” He looked in the direction Ellie had looked at when detecting magic, “You have enough energy yet?”

Ellie shook her head, “Nope, I’m at full magical power, but I don’t have the ability to open portals yet.”

Carter nodded, “I think there’s something here that can help us with that.”

Ellie nodded, “I know, I can feel it. It makes you scared.”

Carter stopped talking, “I’m afraid of this place, yes. The item I was talking about was the heart’s forge. Still beating somehow. It is in the hands of the Republic of Romania.”

Ellie nodded, “Isn’t that a good thing then?”

Carter nodded, “It is, very good for the world, helps every demon in Romania.”

“So what do you have against it?” Ellie asked, a bit scared of what Carter would say back.

Carter nodded, “Is it that obvious?”

Ellie shook her wrist back and forth, “Well, with the outburst when we got here, the continued angry attitude, and the whole vibe in general. Yes, it is that obvious.”

Carter laughed, “And I don’t care if it is.” He sighed, “A Demon hurt my family, in ways you could never imagine. That’s it, that’s all I’m saying.”

Ellie nodded, “Ok, then can we go and try and see what this mystery source is? No Demons?”

Carter nodded, “There’s gonna be Demons,” He looked at her. “All right mage, but if we run into Demons and you hate them. Your fault.”

Ellie nodded, “Noted.” They packed up camp and started moving through the desert that was in front of them.

After multiple stops, Ellie felt her power returning. Soon they found a town, Carter stopped her before continuing.

“Listen, I know you like to be positive about stuff. You need to keep the idea in your head that not all these people could be good.” Carter looked at her, “You understand?”

Ellie just smiled, “Let’s go find out what makes you grumpy.” She ran to the town, Carter right behind her.

When Ellie entered the town it seemed a lot like the town in Marshlake, multiple kinds of people. Demons, Elves, Humans, Supers. They were less like medieval buildings from Marshlake, and more like her world's chinese style architecture. It was only one story housing, with curved roofs, and pillars. It was really cool seeing all the buildings, there weren’t any walls and no warriors. The demons looked very kind, as much as a demon could look at least. Ellie herself had had a short run in with a demon before, and trust her they didn’t have the looks. Anyway they made their way through the village, some kids waving, some adults smiling. It seemed pretty nice.

“So what are we looking for exactly?” Ellie asked.

Carter shrugged, “Are you sensing any magic?”

Ellie tapped into her magical abilities, but didn’t feel anything too powerful. “Not the one I was being drawn to, no.”

“Then we’re not at the right place, let’s just keep walking.” Carter looked like he was avoiding eye contact with any of the Demons, it was quite strange honestly. Carter walked over to a demon, before he said anything he froze, but then started talking again. “Hello mam.”

The Demon turned around, making Carter visibly jump. “Yes young man?” They asked.

“Do you have directions to anywhere me and my friend there,” Carter pointed to Ellie, who smiled and waved, “Can get some rest? Maybe an Inn?”

The woman nodded, “Yes, there’s a small one down the road. Where are you two coming from?”

Before Carter can be rude to her Ellie bumped in, “We’re here on a mission from an adventurers guild in the Elf Realm, to harvest…” Ellie bumped Carter’s arm.

He grumbled, “String from an Aracnidos web.”

The woman nodded, “Quite the trouble you two are going through to do it, good luck on your journey!” She turned around and walked into her house.

Ellie turned around, “Is that a real thing?”

Carter nodded, “Quite a rare item, very useful for alchemists.” Then he made a thinking face, “You know, since we are here…”

“No. Carter, even though you may have been a businessman before. Now, you're kinda part of something very big. So no more of that, but it is a good cover. Adventurers on a mission.” Ellie nodded, “Which right now is to survive the Demon Realm.”

Carter nodded, “Quite a dangerous task, this is the first time I’ve undertaken it.”

“Welcome to your first time!” Ellie said with a frown at the end.

They entered the Inn and walked to the front desk, where a demon with a nose ring sat.

They looked up and snarled, “Write your names and give me money, I’ll get you your rooms.”

Ellie nodded, “Thank you!” She said in a cheery tone.

She bumped Carter’s arm, he nodded. “Ya.”

The demon wasn’t really paying attention though, and gave them their keys. “Your room should be ready.”

Ellie nodded, “Thank you.” She walked to the long hallways that led to the rooms and looked to see their number, ‘289’ they were only at ‘13.’ “Why do you have to be so mean to Demons, Carter?”

Carter got out of some kind of daze, and looked angry about it. “I’m not mean to them, they're the ones who…” He stopped himself quickly, making Ellie a bit more frustrated.

“Listen, whatever reason it is I believe it’s fair, but if you don’t think I’ll understand then I understand. I think l can help though.”

Carter grunted, “Let’s just get this power source, and get out of here.”