New Party With Rivals

The air in Hokado, capital of the Kingdom of Insei, crackled with a nervous energy. Months had passed since Terran and his companions last ventured into the human kingdoms, their focus entirely on the growing unrest along the demon realm border. Now, they were deep within Insei, taking on hunter guild missions to gather intel on the demon realm. The city buzzed with activity, the scent of spices and woodsmoke filling the air.

Terran, his light leather armor slightly torn from a recent skirmish with a particularly aggressive pack of shadow wolves, surveyed the bustling marketplace. He adjusted the worn leather strap of his sword, his gaze sweeping over the crowded stalls. Suddenly, a familiar face broke through the throng. Reval, son of the legendary Sword Saint, stood a few stalls away, his eyes narrowed as he examined a display of ornate daggers.

A moment later, a figure with a mischievous glint in his eyes, Poh, son of the Great Mage, materialized beside him, his staff tucked under his arm. Terran felt a jolt of warmth, a familiar camaraderie that had been absent for too long. Months. It had been months since they'd last spoken, since they'd shared a meal, a laugh. Their rivalry, though still present beneath the surface, seemed to fade into the background as they recognized each other.

"Terran," Reval greeted, his voice a low rumble. "Didn't expect to see you here."

"And you two," Terran replied, a smile touching his lips. "Likewise. What brings you to Hokado?"

"A mission," Reval said, gesturing towards a nearby guild hall. "A rather...unusual one. Apparently, some strange beasts are plaguing the outskirts of the demon realm border. The guild needs our skills."

"Unusual, you say?" Vin tilted her head, her brow furrowed. "This might actually be a lead worth following."

I nodded. "I've been feeling a growing unease. This could be more than just another demon-hunting job. It could be a sign of something larger, something we're not quite seeing."

"Enough of that! We are not finished." Reval had pulled out his sword in a challenge to Terran. That is when Uriko walked up. WIth a sigh, she just turned around and went to the next stall. Terran still was nervous saying. "This is not the best time." 

Demon Lord Enuma chuckled, "Your pest is still so desperate."

Reval then started to panic and quickly sheave his sword. While Vin used her Stoke family connections to talk down the guards. 

With huge confidence I said, "I beat you before, I will beat you any time you wish to lose to me again." 

Then Reval started to throw a fit of rage screaming at Terran, while Poh in his smaller framed body did his best to hold back the swordsman. Terran decided to keep walking and Vin followed him, showing off her favorite stalls at the market. 

Reval and Poh followed them, and Uriko was at a stall and called over Terran. That pissed off Reval to see them get along so well. And he was unable to approach his crush. 

After a while the trio went back to the hunter's guild and invited Reval and Poh. With their rivalries temporarily set aside, the group gathered around a large map in the guild hall, plotting their next move. 

 Reval, Poh, Terran, and the women worked together in tense silence, sharing information about recent sightings and strange disturbances along the demon realm border.

Terran, however, had a quiet, personal purpose tucked away in his mind. As they strategized, he glanced toward the side of the map, where Vin’s branch family was stationed. The Stoke family quietly spoke with a healer. The rumors that Vin’s cousins had reporting the Insei people were suffering under the shadow of demon oppression, their village a recent target of barbaric raids and forced slavery. 

I replied "Why would the demons focus on kidnapping humans of Insei? Is it something dirty?"

I clenched my fists, determination hardening my facial features. This wasn’t just about uncovering mysteries or gathering intelligence anymore. It was personal. I had to do something as these demons were giving Enuma a bad name. To the darkness threatening them all of the humans was only a disaster. 

Turning back to my companions, I made a decision. “This mission isn’t just about finding out what’s happening in the demon realm. I want to do more. I want to go deeper—beyond the border, into the heart of the realm. Rumors speak of slave camps, barbaric outposts, and a growing network of those who thrive on cruelty. I want to find those places. I want to free the captives and strike back at the source.” 

Reval looked at him, eyebrows raised in surprise. “That’s dangerous, Terran. The demon realm is no place for adventurers from the guild." 

Vin the thoughtful tactician said, "We can make use of this pending real mission listed by the guild. Then we can do both, track this wanted rogue beasts in the demon realm. Also find these captives as a strike force find out if the rumors have validity." 

The mission involved investigating reports of unusual creatures near the border, creatures that exhibited characteristics from both the human and demon realms. Reval and Pog agreed to put aside their past rivalries with Terran and work together.

Their shared history and bond rekindled by the urgency of the task before them. This time, they weren't just hunting demons; they were hunting for answers. And in the process, they might just uncover a truth far more terrifying than anything they had imagined.