Realm of Token

"This plant? They say this plant attracted them?" Lucky asked, tapping her chin with her head tilted to the side.

Lumi nodded as she poked the leathery purple petals. “Yeah…I don’t understand. What is this plant, anyway? I know I read about it, but never did my books say that Demons were attracted to it.”

“I…am not sure myself.” Lucky said, sounding deflated by her inability to automatically provide Lumi with the answer. “Have you asked them?”

“No! I locked them in the bathroom. I still can’t believe they’re even here.” She tried convincing herself that everything she was experiencing was just a bad dream. That after she had returned home from humiliating herself in front of Ikuo, she had gone to bed and this was just a terrible dream that she would wake up from. But no matter how hard she pinched herself or slapped herself, she wouldn’t wake to her room being bathed in warm morning sunlight.

She had called Lucky over in a panic after she had successfully gotten the two Demons into the bathroom. To say that she was beyond shocked would be an understatement. While she was surprised that Lucky hadn't questioned her too much on the situation, she still had a hard time thinking straight, and her natural ability to panic and her urge to run to the nearest authorities was pressing more and more urgently in the back of her mind. But there was another side of her, the side that wanted to learn more about them, and what the flower had to do with anything, since it had apparently lured them right to her backyard. Her instincts told her that she was in danger and that she had to run away, but something nagged at her, something told her that she didn't have the whole story straight. She was missing something, and she knew it.

"This...this is so crazy." Lumi said, running a hand through her hair. "I mean, who would have thought that Demons could ever just wander into Edgerest. I mean, how far away is Bellcrest, anyway?"

Lucky looked thoughtful for a moment. "I think it's about two days' walk. So, they must have been traveling for some time."

Lumi shook her head. "That doesn't make any sense. They mentioned the Demon Queen and that she was forming an army...doesn't that mean she plans to attack the Elven Kingdom? Why else would she form one? And why would she slaughter her own kind?"

"I...I am not sure, Lumi." Lucky said with a sigh. "Maybe they are lying? Demons can be tricky, you know."

"Yeah, but that's the thing. The girl one...she said her name was Jester...she seems really sincere. Like...like she didn't even know the definition of lying. She seems so blunt and...and just happy. I don't think they were lying. And if they were, they would have tried to kill me, right?"

"Jester? If I recall correctly, 'Jester' means a professional fool. Why would anyone have a name like that?"

"Well, there's only one way to find out, right?" Lumi said, giving her a small smile. "I have to talk to them."

Lumi sighed. She couldn't help but feel nervous about the whole situation. She had never questioned a Demon before up until a few minutes ago, and the idea of doing so again made her stomach twist into knots. But she had to know more about what they were saying. If what they were saying was true, then she had a bigger problem than just some random Demons wandering into town.

Lucky placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "It'll be okay. I'll be here with you the whole time."

"Thanks, Lucky..." Lumi said with a small smile. "You know, you're always so calm and collected. How are you not freaking out right now?"

Lucky laughed, her voice like tinkling bells. "I'm not really sure. I guess I'm just used to strange things happening. You live in a town where you see a mystical creatures riding past your window every morning, so you kind of get used to the weird stuff."

Lumi cast one last look at the purple flower sitting by her feet, her eyes tracing over every inch of it. She took a deep breath and nodded.

"Okay, let's do this."

Lucky gave her an encouraging smile and followed her as she made her way out the door, heading towards the back door. Her house appeared as it always had, with faux plants on most available surfaces and random books scattered throughout various shelves. The fireplace was empty, and the scent of lilac filled the air from the small potted plant on the windowsill.

As they stepped towards the bathroom at the start of the hallway, Lumi's heart began to race. She could feel the anxiety welling up inside her, and she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. Her hands shook as if they had been in frigid ice water, and her heart was beating a thousand beats faster than normal. Even though Jester had said that she meant no harm to her, she had a hard time convincing her brain of that. Her normal life crashed around her, and it would become even more real as soon as she opened the door to the bathroom.

Lucky placed a hand on Lumi's shoulder and gave her a single nod and a small smile of encouragement. Lumi took another deep breath and reached out, her fingers wrapping around the cool metal handle. She opened the door and stepped inside, her eyes landing on the two figures sitting in the tub.

To entertain themselves while locked in, Jester and Lenix had turned the tub into some sort of battle preparation zone. All her bars of soap had been molded into weapons, and the bottles of shampoo and conditioner were emptied carelessly into the toilet to become boats, with toothbrushes and combs serving as sails. Lumi watched as Jester held up a bar of soap in the shape of a sword, while Lenix wielded a shampoo bottle in the shape of a shield. They clashed the items together, and Lumi had no choice but to clear her throat to get their attention.

"Oh, great, you're back," Lenix said with a sigh, his hand dropping to his side. "Thank god."

"I told you she would be back soon," Jester said with a grin, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Hi, best friend!"

Lucky stared at the two Demons, her pink eyes wide. This was her first time seeing them, as Lumi had refused to open the door earlier. She wasn't sure what she had been expecting, but these two certainly weren't it. The smaller Demon, Jester, was actually kind of cute, with her red hair and overly kind eyes. But the other one, Lenix, looked like a man out of a girls fantasy. His hair was spiked white, his skin was the deepest black, and his eyes were a piercing shade of red that sent shivers down her spine. His body was lean and muscular, and he had a look that could kill.

"I told you, I'm not your best friend," Lumi said flatly, crossing her arms over her chest.

Jester pouted, her bottom lip trembling. "Oh, but I thought we had bonded so well earlier!"

"That doesn't mean you can just call me your best friend," Lumi said, rolling her eyes. "Now, I have...some questions that you two will answer...uh...yeah."

"Okay! Can I get out of the tub now?" Jester asked, already stepping out without awaiting an answer. She shook off the water from her body, letting it splatter across the bathroom tiles. Lumi cringed as she felt the droplets land on her arms.

"Okay, first question..." Lucky interrupted before Lumi got too upset at the damage done to her bathroom. "That flower. What's is name where you come from?"

"Dreamblossom!" Jester said proudly, placing her hands on her hips. "It's a super cool flower that only grows once in a generation, and you can only find it in Bellcrest, which is why it's super weird to see one here, cause this sure isn't Bellcrest."

"Dreamblossom?" Lumi repeated. The name sounded unfamiliar to her. In the books she read, the plant had been labeled as a 'Chameleonbloom', not a Dreamblossom. Why would the books give it a different name? Why would it only grow in one location? So many questions she couldn't answer. She quickly filed those questions away to remember later.

"Yeah, Dreamblossom!" Jester repeated with a smile. "It's really pretty, and it smells really good. Fun fact! The Dreamblossom has a different scent for every Demon! How cool is that?"

Lucky and Lumi exchanged a glance, eyebrows raised in confusion.

"How does that work?" Lumi asked, turning back to Jester.

"I smell fresh meat whenever I sniff one of those flowers, and Lenix here smells cherries. They're our favorite foods!" Jester beamed.

"The plant can adapt its fragrance to resonate with the desires or cravings of any Demon, that's what drew us here." Lenix chimed in, draping his arm over the side of the tub and resting his chin on it. "We didn't expect such a flower to be here, so the dumbass here decided to investigate...and here we are."

"I'm not dumb," Jester pouted, sticking her tongue out at Lenix.

"You're kind of dumb," Lenix chuckled.

"Am not!"

"Are too."

"Am not!"

"Are too."

"Am not!"

"Okay!" Lumi shouted, raising her hands to get their attention. "I have more questions, but we don't have to stay in the bathroom. Come to the living room, okay?"

"Yay!" Jester pumped her arms in the air, more droplets of water spraying across the mirror and sink. She hurried out of the room, leaving wet footprints behind her. Lumi followed behind her, mumbling about needing to mop the bathroom floor. Lucky couldn't help but laugh softly.

***

"How did you find Edgerest?" Lumi asked, ready to write down the answer, her pen and notebook all prepped.

"We just walked and walked until we smelled the flower." Jester said with a nod. "It was super easy!"

"Did you ever see the Queen?"

"Sure, I saw her, and I heard her talking to my sister before Lenix and I made our super awesome escape. She was acting all shifty and praising my sister like she was some kind of God or something." Jester pouted, crossing her arms. "My sister totally stole the victory from me. She must've known I was stronger than her."

"What kind of praise?" Lucky asked, glancing at the others.

"I dunno, something like this; "Oh, you did so well fighting all those Havoc Demons and Deity Demons, most Demi-Demons can't handle fighting them but you did oh so amazing, please join my army!"

Lumi and Lucky exchanged a confused glance, Lumi's pen inches away from her notebook.

"She's exaggerating." Lenix said with a heavy eye roll, stretching his legs out from where he sat on a plush chair. "It's what she does best."

"So, you're saying it didn't happen exactly like that?" Lucky asked.

Lenix shook his head. "Not exactly."

Jester pouted, glaring at Lenix. "Yes, it did! She was gushing all over her and said she looked forward to seeing her fight in the future! All she did was beat a few Demons and stab me in the back."

"What do you mean when you say she stabbed you in the back?" Lumi asked, tilting her head to the side.

"Well, after she fought the Havoc Demon and the Deity Demon, she attacked me too. She jabbed me with the stupid blunt end of her spear to knock me over, meaning that she would be the last one standing and win." Jester explained, a frown on her face.

Lumi blinked, her brows knitting together. She couldn’t say for certain if Jester was bluffing about anything, and after glancing at her rather jumbled notes, she saw that her story did make a sort of strange sense. The two Demons had no choice but to flee from their village and ended up in Edgerest, which really wasn’t too hard to accidentally find, since it was on the edge of the most expansive forest in all of Token. Really, they were just stragglers. They seemed completely harmless, just hungry and lonely.

However, there was still something about them that Lumi couldn't place. It was as if they were hiding something from her. The way they talked and acted around each other, it was almost as if they were siblings. But that was impossible. They looked nothing alike. Still, she had to wonder.

"I guess that makes sense, but..." Lucky began, but paused, as if lost in thought. She sighed and shook her head. "No, nevermind."

"It's fine, we all make mistakes," Lenix said, a smirk on his face. "Sometimes we misjudge someone and end up making a huge fool of ourselves. But hey, it's not like we all didn't already know that all Demons are predominantly dangerous and are always labeled as liars and cheaters.”

“No, it’s…it’s not like that.” Lumi said, clipping her notebook shut. “I mean…it’s just a little strange, isn’t it? Two Demons magically showing up in my window? I believe I have a right to be shaken up. But…I don’t think you guys are bad.”

“Really?” Jester asked, her eyes wide and full of hope. She reached forward and grasped Lumi by the shoulders, causing the girl to jump.

Lucky sighed, stepping forward and gently prying Jester off Lumi. "Look, we're sorry we jumped to conclusions. You two…seem very kind.”

"Kind? Us?" Jester said, tilting her head to the side. "No one has ever called us that before! Well, maybe me once or twice, but just to Lenix, not me."

Lenix rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, we get it. What’s for dinner?”

Lumi blinked. “Oh? Uh…you’re staying for dinner?”

“Of course!” Jester said with a firm nod of her head.

Lumi sighed, her shoulders slumping. She glanced at the two Demons, who were staring at her expectantly. They seemed harmless enough. If they wanted to hurt her, they would've done it already. But the fact that they were Demons still made her nervous. She couldn't help but worry about what they were really capable of.

"Well...I suppose you can stay for dinner. Just make sure you wash your hands." She said slowly, feeling like her mother when she would tell a young Lumi to prepare for dinner.

Jester squealed, her tail wagging wildly. "Oh, thank you! Thank you! Thank you!"

Lenix smiled, his white teeth gleaming in the dull sunlight. "Don't worry, we'll behave ourselves. We promise."

Lumi nodded, her anxiety settling down. "Alright. Uh…Lucky, come help me.”

Lumi dragged Lucky into the kitchen, making sure they were out of sight before wringing out her hands, pacing back and forth. 

“Okay, I’m panicking. I’ve never made a meal for Demons before…don’t they primarily eat meat? What do I do?” Lumi gripped strands of her hair, sucking in deep breaths.

Lucky giggled, placing her hands on Lumi's shoulders. "Relax, Lumi. They're just normal people. Well, you know what I mean."

Lumi took a deep breath and nodded her head. "Yeah, you're right. They're just regular old people...well, regular old Demons...whatever. I'll just treat them like regular old guests."

Lucky nodded her head. “Perhaps we could make a dish with meat as the center ingredient, along with…mashed potatoes and…maybe even some vegetables. It doesn’t have to be fancy, as long as it tastes good, that's all that matters."

Lumi sighed. She knew Lucky was right, but she still felt uneasy. She didn’t want to mess up and end up offending the two Demons. She didn’t know much about Demon culture, despite all her reading, but she was pretty sure they took food very seriously. She just hoped they would like what she made.

After a few moments of debating, they settled on making a hearty steak dish, with mashed potatoes and steamed vegetables. Lucky volunteered to cook the steaks while Lumi handled the rest. They quickly set to work, gathering ingredients and tools. Soon, the kitchen was filled with the aroma of sizzling meat and buttery potatoes.

As they worked, Lumi couldn’t help but feel a little excited. She had never cooked for Demons before, and it was a new experience. She wondered if they would enjoy the meal, or if they would find it bland and unappetizing. She hoped they would like it. But on top of that, she felt a new feeling at cooking for someone other than herself. It was a refreshing feeling, one that she had never experienced before. It was strange, but it was nice.

Once the meal was finished, Lumi and Lucky set the table, making sure everything was perfect. They wanted to make sure the Demons had a good experience, and they wanted to impress them…which actually made them laugh as they laid out the silverware. Two Elves, so eager to impress two Demi-Demons. It was humorous and slightly ironic.

“Need any help?” The chip voice of Jester spoke, making Lumi jump. Somehow, in all the hustle and bustle of preparing the meal, she had actually forgotten about the two Demons.

Lucky smiled and shook her head. "No, thank you, we've got it covered."

Jester nodded his head, a slight pout on his face. "Okay...I'm sorry I couldn't help more..."

Lumi watched her for a second, then gave a sigh of sympathy and handed her a pile of plates. “Just…put these in front of each chair. And be careful…they’re antique.”

Jester took the plates and headed over to the table, placing each one down carefully. She seemed to be taking the task very seriously, and Lumi found it rather endearing. She really did want to help, and she was doing her best to be useful. Her energetic and childish behavior died away as soon as she was given a task to complete, as if she had become a completely different person. It was interesting to see how she acted when she was focused.

Lucky glanced at the clock and gasped. “Huh. I did not realize that much time passed. Anyway…dinner is ready! Come get it while it’s hot.”

The four of them gathered around the table, each taking their seats. Lucky sat at one end of the table, with Jester to her left and Lumi to her right. At the other end of the table sat Lenix, who had been silent the entire time. He sat there, staring at his plate as if he were lost in thought. Lumi glanced at him, wondering what was going through his head. He seemed like he had a lot on his mind, but she decided not to pry. It was probably just the stress of being in a strange place, and she didn't want to make him any more uncomfortable than he already was.

Everyone began to serve themselves, and Lumi couldn't help but smile as Jester piled her plate high with food. The bright smile on her face was enough to make Lumi herself feel happy. It was a strange kind of happy…one that she hadn’t known she’d ever feel. Lumi always considered herself a normal, average Elf with a normal, average life. But the events of the day flipped everything on its head. Here she was, sitting at her dinner table with her best friend and two Demons who had showed up at her window. If someone had told her this would happen yesterday, she would have laughed in their face, but here she was.

Lucky cleared her throat and raised her glass of water. "I do hope the meal is satisfactory.”

Jester, with her mouth full of food, gave her a thumbs up and nodded her head vigorously.

Lucky smiled. "I'm glad to hear that.”

“It’s not half bad,” Lenix muttered, stabbing a piece of steak with his fork.

Lumi scooted her vegetables around her plate with her fork, her mind a jumbled mess. She was happy that the Demons were enjoying their meal, but she couldn't help but feel guilty. This was her home, and she felt like she should be doing more to help them. But she wasn't sure what to do or say. They were far from home, with nowhere to turn, and judging from their story, they certainly couldn’t go back to Bellcrest. She knew that they needed a place to stay, at least for a little while. They needed to come up with a plan, but Lumi had no idea where to start.

"So..." Lucky started, breaking the awkward silence, "what are we going to do now?"

Lumi sighed and shook her head. "I honestly don't know. We can't just sit around and do nothing. But…I thought about it, and maybe you two would like to…stay here with me until you can figure out where to go or what to do.” She looked to Jester and Lenix with a gentle smile, then glanced over at Lucky, who nodded her head in agreement. "It's the least I could do."

Jester's eyes widened and she nodded her head eagerly. "We'd love to!"

Lucky nodded, a small smile forming on her lips. "Of course, you're welcome to stay as long as you need to. We will do everything we can to help you…in return for you not turning out to be killer Demons.”

Lenix let out a sigh and set his fork down on his plate. "Thank you. It means a lot. We'll…try not to be any trouble."

"Oh, please. You're no trouble at all. In fact, we're happy to have you," Lumi said, looking at them with a warm smile.

"Yeah, it's nice having someone else to talk to besides Lumi all the time," Lucky said with a giggle.

Lumi rolled her eyes and playfully shoved her. "Oh, stop it."

Jester grinned and bounced in her seat. "So, what's there to do around here?"

"Well, there's not much, but we do have a nice library here in Edgerest. It's not as big as the one in Steelgate, but it's still pretty impressive. And we also have a large pond where people like to go swimming in the summer," Lumi explained, taking a sip of her water.

"Swimming is a great deal of fun. I love swimming," Lucky said, her eyes sparkling.

"I've never been swimming before," Jester said, tilting her head to the side.

"Really? Oh, we'll have to teach you, then. It's a lot of fun," Lumi said with a smile.

"I'd like that," Jester said, smiling.

"But that's not going to happen for a while," Lucky said, glancing outside at the cold, Fall landscape. "It's way too cold to go swimming now. Besides, I don't think other Elves would be too happy seeing Demons in their swimming area just yet.”

Jester's expression faltered slightly, but she quickly recovered, her smile returning. "Well, that's okay. I'm sure we'll find something else to do."

Lucky smiled and nodded her head. "Don't worry, we'll show you all of the fun things to do here in Edgerest."

"Yes, we'll make sure you have a good time," Lumi said, smiling at them. She leaned forward in her seat, reading her forearms on the table. “I’ve been meaning to ask you…why is your name Jester? It’s not a very kind term, and is only used in kingdoms and castles nowadays.”

Jester shrugged her shoulders, taking a sip of her tea. "I don't know. That's just the name I've always had."

Lumi raised an eyebrow, curious. "Did you have any parents?”

“Yep…but they didn’t like me very much cause they said I always caused problems and stuff.”

Lumi frowned. "Well, that's not very nice. Everyone makes mistakes."

Jester nodded her head in agreement, but she didn't seem convinced. "I guess..."

"And it's not like you're a jester anymore, anyway. You're an ordinary girl now." Lucky said cheerfully, trying to lift the mood.

Jester smiled and nodded her head. "Yeah, I guess so…but it’s always been my name since birth, and I’ve gotten used to it. It has a nice ring to it!”

Lumi gave a sympathetic smile. “I suppose it does.”

There was an awkward silence that passed over them, until Lenix cleared his throat. “I call dibs on the couch.”

“What?! What about me?” Jester asked incredulously.

“You get the floor.”

“That’s not fair!”

“It’s completely fair.” 

“I want the couch, too!”

“I have a spare bedroom…” Lumi said softly, raising her hand to get their attention. “If…you would like that?”

Jester and Lenix were silent for a good few moments, their gazes fixed on each other with an intensity that Lumi could only describe as a type of battle gaze. Then, in a flourish, they launched from their seats and both made a beeline for the room, shoving each other and putting each other in headlocks. A battle had clearly begun for the spare room, throwing caution to the wind. Jester shoved Lenix into a wall, and Lenix retaliated by sticking his leg out to trip her, sending both of them collapsing to the floor with an unceremonious thump.

Lumi and Lucky watched them in bewilderment, neither having anything to say until the two Demons left their line of sight, the sounds of their fervent battle echoing through the hallway.

“Well,” Lucky began, standing up and collecting the dishes. “That was certainly interesting.”

“What should we do?” Lumi asked, biting her fingernails. “I promised I wouldn’t go to the authorities…maybe we should do more research on the Queen?”

“Perhaps.” Lucky nodded, making her way into the kitchen. “But it might not be wise to concern ourselves with their problems. It may drive us into bigger situations.”

“Well, yeah, but…if the Demon Queen is forming an army, shouldn’t we be concerned? What if we brought Jester and Lenix to the Elven King? If anyone would know what to do, it’d be him, right?”

“Correct, but we cannot just bring two Demons to the king who tried to obliterate all the Demons.” Lucky placed the dishes in the sink and wiped her hands with a wash cloth. “This may be more complicated than you think, so we should sleep on it and discuss this more tomorrow. Since they’re staying the night, I assume you’ll want me to stay as well? For moral support, of course.”

Lumi laughed and nodded. Once again, Lucky was putting her own needs aside to help her. It was something Lumi never understood. She knew they were close friends, and Lucky was naturally caring, but to drop everything to aid someone else…it was beyond admirable. It did wonders to Lumi’s rapidly beating heart and rampaging thoughts. It was as if Lucky had a magical aura that calmed her down in an instant. She didn’t know how to tell Lucky just how much she appreciated her. She seemed completely unfazed by the fact that they had just basically befriended a pair of Demons, and it amazed Lumi to no end. Lucky was, without a doubt, a truly great friend. “Thank you, Lucky, but it really isn’t necessary.”

“I am certain it will be fun,” Lucky said with a grin. “I look forward to getting to know these Demons better.” She winked at her friend. “From what I have seen so far, they seem like a pair of lively fellows. It’s going to be difficult to get any sleep with those two fighting over the spare room, however. Perhaps we could coax them to sleep with some cookies and milk?"

Lumi laughed aloud. "You truly are a born mother-figure, Lucky."

Lucky blushed and coughed. “I appreciate the compliment, Lumi, but there’s no shame in wanting the company of others. It is only natural, regardless of where or how their born.”

“I know, I know…” Lumi ran herself a cup of water from the faucet and took a gulp. “I just wouldn’t have expected you to go to such lengths to entertain a couple of strange Demons, that’s all. I mean, when's the last time any of us spoke to Demons? They've been separated from the other species of Token for so long that...I guess you eventually grow to forget about them...you know?"

“Yes, but we must work to make sure they do not cause trouble here in Edgerest. We can speak with them more tomorrow and figure out some sort of plan as to where they are heading and what we could do to help.” Lucky smiled. “So, to bed with you. We can discuss this more in the morning.”

“Alright, alright…” Lumi smiled back, feeling very strangely calm.

“G'night, Lumi.” Lucky smiled, giving a slight bow before turning and heading towards Lumi's room. They had had many sleepovers in the past, and there was a special spot on the sofa in Lumi's room that was always reserved for Lucky. It was like it was her own special place in Lumi's room, complete with pink throw pillows and a fuchsia blanket.

With a sigh, Lumi set her cup of water in the sink and blew out the candles in the kitchen and living room, bathing the rooms in darkness save for the gentle glow coming from the moon shining through the windows.

Peaking into the spare bedroom, it seemed as if Jester and Lenix had come to some sort of compromise, as they both were sharing the bed, laying head to foot. They were sound asleep, save for the rather unladylike snoring coming from Jester. Lumi chuckled and gently closed the door, making her way to her bedroom at the end of the hall.

***

Berkton was the kind of city that enchanted newcomers with its charm and beauty. It was small, but its royal counterpart, Mirstone, and rival, Steelgate, both held it in high regard. It was known not only for its quiet and quaint atmosphere, but also for its unique selection of antique shops. The streets of Berkton were dotted with elegant gowns and the most beautiful antique shops to be seen anywhere. It was not an overly enchanting city, but it seemed to exude an air of both sophistication and mystery. Friends and family often gathered in the streets and smiled and greeted their companions with frequent handshakes and hugs. Berkton truly had an old-world charm about it that made people feel as though they had stepped back into a medieval king's court.

More perceptive residents of Berkton knew that the city was the top source for magic in the region. Mages and powerful sorcerers gathered here, and many of the ancient spells that existed in the world were known to have originated in Berkton. It was a special place, and it truly set itself apart from other cities and towns in the area. All around the city, people found evidence of magical energy and power - from faint whispers of enchantment to mysterious books of secrets. People from all over traveled to Berkton to experience its magic, regardless if they believed in it or not. Of course, the residents of Berkton loved their city for its charm, but also for the energy that it held. Even on the most peaceful of days, the city was buzzing with potential. 

Each morning, people of the town awoke to find a new day full of possibilities. They would walk down streets, knowing that the very buildings they passed were filled with old secrets ready to be discovered. Deep within the city, ancient forgotten relics and enchanted artifacts lay waiting to be discovered. In all honesty, Berkton seemed like it was more of a magnet for the mysterious crafts of magic and spells than a peaceful city, but regardless, everyone loved visiting Berkton. It was renowned as one of the most peaceful towns in the East side of Token, with a very minimal crime record. It was as if Berkton itself, despite it’s otherwise vast knowledge, didn’t know what the word ‘crime’ meant, instead flourished with peace and smiles.

The clop of horse hooves on the cobblestone streets echoed through the morning air, creating a rhythmic melody that blended seamlessly with the enchanting atmosphere. Travelers arrived, drawn by the allure of Berkton's magical reputation, their eyes filled with curiosity and anticipation. As the day unfolded, the antique shops displayed their treasures, each item telling a story of forgotten times and mystical endeavors.

In the heart of Berkton, the grand Mage's Guild stood tall, its spires reaching towards the sky like ancient guardians of arcane knowledge. Students gathered in its halls, eager to delve into the mysteries of magic under the guidance of seasoned sorcerers. The air buzzed with the energy of spells being cast, a testament to the city's deep connection with the mystical arts.

Berkton, with its medieval charm and magical prowess, stood as a haven for those seeking both tranquility and the allure of the arcane. In its streets, every passerby could feel the echoes of ancient spells and the promise of a city that held secrets waiting to be uncovered. And so, Berkton continued to enchant, not just with its quaint facade but with the invisible threads of magic that intricately wove the tapestry of its existence.

The tavern, on the other hand, was every-man-for-himself. Nestled in a quiet corner of Berkton, the tavern was a stark contrast to the refined elegance of the city's exterior. It was a place where the enchantment of the magical city yielded to the raw, unfiltered essence of its inhabitants. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of ale and the murmur of lively conversations.

Mismatched wooden tables and creaky chairs filled the tavern, each telling a tale of countless patrons who had come seeking refuge or revelry. The bar, weathered and worn, bore the scars of many a raucous night. Patrons, a diverse mix of locals and travelers, leaned in over mugs, their laughter blending with the occasional clash of tankards.

The bartender, a grizzled figure with a knowing glint in his eye, navigated the chaos with practiced ease. In this realm of the every-man-for-himself ethos, camaraderie was forged over shared tales and shared drinks. The atmosphere was charged with the spirit of authenticity, a departure from the polished facade of the rest of Berkton.

The doors of the tavern swung open, creaking in protest as they did so, a figure shadowing the light from filtering in. Few heads looked up in curiosity, while others remained glued to their drinks. Dust particles swarmed around in the air, and the somehow comforting clink of mugs wafted to the ears of the newcomer as she made her way to the bar counter, sitting down quietly. Her long blonde hair and piercing green eyes stood out broadly, but not as much as the sword in the old, worn scabbard on her back stuck out like a sore thumb among the practically pacifistic Berkton patrons, but no one said anything, aside from the bartender, who walked up to her from the other side of the counter, wringing a rag in and out of a glass mug. 

“Ayo. What can I do ya got?” He asked, his voice old and hoarse, as if he had introduced it to far too many cigarettes.

The mysterious newcomer's gaze swept across the dimly lit tavern, her eyes reflecting a journey marked by unseen battles. She leaned on the scarred bar counter, a subtle air of weariness clinging to her. With a measured nod, she acknowledged the bartender's inquiry.

"Something strong," she replied, her voice a low, gravelly timbre that resonated with the heavy weight. The bartender, unfazed by the unusual request, reached for a bottle of a potent local brew, pouring it into a weathered mug.

As the bartender slid the drink toward her, he couldn't resist a curious glance at the sword strapped to her back. The patrons, momentarily intrigued, stole furtive glances but wisely kept their inquiries to themselves. The newcomer, however, seemed unbothered by the attention, her focus fixed on the swirling liquid in her mug.

"New in town, are ya?" the bartender ventured, trying to strike a balance between casual conversation and the unspoken understanding that some stories were best left untold. The newcomer's gaze met his, a silent acknowledgment that carried the weight of experiences beyond the confines of Berkton's magical charm.

"Aye, just passing through," she replied, taking a measured sip of the potent drink. The subtle clink of the mug against the counter marked the beginning of a quiet conversation between the worn traveler and the tavern. “Got any posters?”

The bartender quirked up a brow, momentarily pausing in his cleaning of a cup before resuming again. “Posters?”

“Yes. Bounty posters.” The woman said again, this time more sternly. “Do you have any in this establishment? The guard station didn’t have as much as a single bounty poster, so the second obvious location would be the tavern.”

The bartender chuckled and set down his cup, crossing his arms. “You a bounty hunter? Sure don’t look like one to me. Woman don’t usually take on bounty jobs.”

“Spare me the gender role speech and fetch the papers you’re hiding behind the counter before I lose my patience.” 

The bartender's amusement faded, replaced by a wary acknowledgment of the newcomer's no-nonsense demeanor. He gave a resigned nod and reached beneath the counter, producing a small stack of weathered parchment. Unfurling them, he presented a collection of bounty posters, each bearing the likeness of individuals wanted for various crimes.

"There you go," he muttered, eyeing the woman cautiously. "Not much action around here, but every now and then, someone passes through stirring up trouble. Might find what you're looking for in those."

The woman studied the posters with a practiced eye, her expression betraying a blend of focus and detachment. As she perused the faces on the bounties, the atmosphere in the tavern seemed to shift, a subtle tension settling among the patrons who exchanged curious glances.

"Any of these catch your interest?" the bartender inquired, his tone a mixture of curiosity and wariness. 

She was silent as she flipped through each piece of torn paper, the faces staring back at her with an unblinking, almost judging demeanor. Her fingers grazed each word, the ink old and stained permanently into the parchment. The crimes were petty and hardly worth her time, such as horse theft, jewelry theft, and the usual stick up. She scoffed at these and tossed such posters back towards the bartender, until one was left.

This poster held two portraits of a young girl and a boy, around the teenage age, maybe older. From the horns on their heads and the sharp fangs protruding from the girl’s bright smile, the woman deduced that they were no doubt Demons, and the size of the horns told her that they were Demi-Demons. Their names were unknown, but the authorities had marked their crime as mass murder and theft all across the smaller cities and towns of Token.

The atmosphere in the tavern seemed to tighten as the woman's gaze lingered on the bounty poster, the weight of the unspoken crimes pressing on the air. The bartender, sensing the gravity of the situation, observed in silence as the worn traveler absorbed the details.

"Them?" the bartender questioned cautiously, gesturing to the two Demons depicted on the parchment. The woman nodded, a flicker of determination in her eyes.

The bartender leaned in, his voice lowered as if sharing a forbidden secret. "Word is they were seen heading North, towards Edgerest. Locals claim they've got some hideout there, but nobody's been brave enough to confront them."

“Have you seen them?” The woman asked, tapping the paper idly. 

“Nope, not me. I stay in here most days. They haven’t come through Berkton, but I’ve been hearing word about them two Demons being spotted near Edgerest and Norwich. Maybe they’re on some sort of rampage.”

The woman bit the inside of her lip, fumbling with her thoughts. Demons travel in packs, like wolves, so why would there be just two? Why would they need to leave Bellcrest, anyway? The Queen made an agreement with the Elven King to keep her Demons out of Elven territory, and vice versa. There would be no need for them to venture into Elven cities and towns. There’s nothing here for them. They must be after something else.

She stood abruptly, startling a few patrons seated behind her. “Thank you for the drink.” Reaching into her pocket, she dropped a few crowns onto the counter. “I’ll be taking this poster. I appreciate your patronage.”

“You’re actually going after a couple Demons?” The bartender asked as he gathered his new crowns. “Brave bastard. I hope that sword can protect you.”

She paused for a second, her hand resting on the cracked wood door. Casting a look over her shoulder, she gave a soft smirk, her vivid green eyes twinkling for a brief second. “My sword can do far more than just protect me.”

The bartender gave her a curious look before she pushed open the doors, her heels boots clicking against the aged wooden porch before stepping onto the dirt. A large, broad-chested horse snorted at the arrival of its master, its flowing brown hair flipping from side to side as it shook its head.

“Thank you for waiting patiently, Icarus.” The woman said, running her hand lovingly along his snout. “We’re heading to Edgerest.”

The horse snorted and nodded its head as if he truly understood. 

She climbed into the saddle and gripped the reins, pulling them back to direct Icarus to the cobblestone street.

The tavern doors flew open, and the bartender waved frantically to the woman. “Wait, I want your name! In case ya die, I can know who thought they were brave enough to take on a pair of Demons.”

The woman huffed and spurred Icarus into a gentle trot, looking over her shoulder for a brief second before turning back.

 “Tiffin Grant.”