Hunting Without Joy

"Katherine, please scan again."

"Got it."

A swirling energy collects at the wizard's staff as we slowly traverse the forest trails. With such an early start, we hoped to cover the entire area before the sun forced us to camp out for another night. Considering how little any of us seem to have rested last night, that situation would be undesirable.

Just like before, Bernard rides beside me and provides a warning to the whole party.

"Expect a larger group. The demons likely discovered that their patrol never returned and will be cautious."

"I sure hope we don't see more than a couple…"

Leon and the heroes have proven capable of handling stragglers amongst the demons, but any more than that may cause an issue. I may have no military experience, but I can surmise that a larger number has a better chance at beating a smaller one. If a much larger force appeared, I would have to find a way to convince these kids to flee.

"Shouldn't be too difficult…"

After all, they are all seasoned fighters.

"I got a hit! Two kilometres West!"

"Prepare for battle!"

We all dismount and tie up our horses. Everybody leaves behind anything that isn't necessary for battle. In their case, that is everything but their weapons. For me, that is effectively everything except my bare hands, since this bow is basically a stick of wood with some string.

"Keep your eyes open, Rado…"

I have to make sure I play my part, no matter how much fear I feel. That is what I promised to both myself and my departed family.

"Demons spotted ahead!"

Leon drops to a fierce whisper and slows his approach. Sure enough, a sign of demons can be seen in the distance. A small smokestack betrays their position before their forms come into view.

"I'm detecting only three."

"Good. We'll commence as planned. I'll kill one whilst you two hold off the others. I will move in after and finish the job."

My body tenses up when the hideous creatures come into view. Just like their allies, these demons are just as monstrous with equally grim weapons. The only saving grace is that none of these share the presence of a calamity. That alone makes our approach bearable.

"N-None of them are the Demon Lord!"

"I would hardly expect it, but that's good to know."

The young hero takes a deep breath and focuses on the targets stationed at the perfect range to attack. His eyes seem to become enveloped in a shade of red, an enraged fixation aimed directly at the demons' necks. Just like before, his mind is likely swirling with dreams of torture.

"Katherine."

"I know. On my signal."

Our wizard stalks through the brush to get a good shot. Following just behind is the knight, who gives me a pat on the shoulder before pulling ahead. For some reason, my hand reaches out and holds him in place.

"Wait, kid! Something…doesn't feel right!"

"What do you mean, Rado?"

"I-I'm not sure…"

It's difficult to explain, but my instincts are telling me that we're making a mistake. The feeling is in the air itself, almost as if the wind carries a warning for me. This isn't like the last time.

I try to look for some kind of clue, some justification for this foreboding premonition. The demons are sitting by a small campfire with basic tools made for cooking. Something should be simmering in the pot, but the smoke suggests that nothing is currently simmering inside. Considering the time it took to get here after seeing it in the sky, the pot should be at a steady boil. The demons are eating something as they patiently sit. It's meat that has been dried long ago.

Realising that the knight had held back, Leon lets out a furious hiss.

"Bernard! Get in position!"

"D-Don't! Something must be coming!"

Stuck between my pleas and Leon's demands, the knight is forced to make a choice. Unfortunately, his decision was made very quickly.

"Rado, keep an eye out. If you see anything, let us know."

With that, Bernard continues forward and prepares for their assault. All I can do is stand back and watch with this discomfort as the signal is given.

BANG

A flash of light blinds the supposedly oblivious demons and the battle commences. However, the battle does not follow the same flow as the previous. These demons were certainly surprised, but they were still able to gather their weapons and defend against the coming onslaught.

"DIE DEMON!"

Leon is quick to engage one, who holds up a spiked shield against the piercing metal. On the other side, Bernard holds his axe forward and releases a smiting light from its surface.

"Be still! This is my Authority!"

Just like before, the light burns away at the demons. They have no choice but to cover their eyes in order to avoid being blinded by the destructive rays. At least for right now, the fight appears to be going as the heroes had expected.

"No…"

I realise that this isn't the case almost immediately. The way the demons move, they aren't even trying to fight back. Leon's flames threaten the demon, but it does nothing but hold its shield and back away. The other two also only stab weakly at the young knight, paying attention to Katherine instead. As she fires bolts of magic, they hold their weapons up to survive the blasts.

"What does this mean…"

If only I had any experience in battle. If only any of us had experience. Even these kids have only practised in a controlled environment where everything is exactly as prepared. They know how to fight the enemies in front of them, but that is it.

"Wait…"

At that moment, my nose catches a scent. The battle is going nowhere, but that will not be the case for much longer. I know this taste on the wind, this magic. There are demons coming. Their numbers are far greater than my brain can comprehend, even with all five senses.

"Everyone! There are more headed this way!"