Chapter 9

After meeting Hasul, he had begun to do things that her brothers wouldn't, he'd given her a metal object as she was in love with the feeling of cool metal she could now bend to her will and shape into weapons at will. She preferred the smaller

"Marie, I need you to send a small group out to find this group of people that Casey mentioned, He is going with you as well," Richard said, Marie nodded her new metal bracelet rubbing against her skin as she played with the black metal. Richard didn't say anything about the bracelet in any way but did notice her.

"Alright," Marie said. Her mind creating plans for the trek already.

Marie and Casey had talked briefly during the planning, she introduced some of her men to him, Eric, and Martinez. Both were able to possess magic. A small amount by Maire's comparison but able all the same.

"Will they protect me or you?" Casey asked his voice despite him being taller than Martinez who was one of the tallest men in the encampment sounded terrified. Martinez laughed as Casey flinched.

"We protect each other, my friend," Martinez said, his accent was from the Demon Land of Fire, but it wasn't strong. Eric smiled his voice softer than Martinez but much deeper.

"We'll keep you and everyone else safe, or die trying," Eric said, patting Casey gently on the back. Casey smiled at Eric.

His height was nearly the same as Marie's, a head taller, and with his bright red eyes, few thought he could've been a demon prince. However, the blonde hair on his head made it obvious he wasn't.

Eric and Casey became fast friends, Eric understanding the anxiety that Casey has and the stress he presented so obviously.

Martinez and Casey grew on the other Casey being the less sociable, until Martinez, Marie, or more importantly Eric joined him. Marie tried to form a conversation with the three once.

"Boys, I have to ask, what do you... what do you think of me?" Marie asked once they had decided to eat lunch together.

"What do ya mean Major?" Martinez asked.

"She means what do we think of her as a person dumbass," Eric said hitting the taller man on his head, Martinez ran a large hand over his aching head.

"I think you were hot until you kicked my ass!" Martinez boasted proudly. Eric sighed loudly and Casey shook his head.

"He's not wrong though Marie, I thought you were beautiful," Eric said, Casey blushed as he nodded meekly. Marie gave a soft smile.

"Thank you but I'm not that beautiful, Emily is much more attractive than me" Marie admitted looking away, she rarely talked about these things. Her own inner mind was burning the small amount of confidence she had.

"I think you are still hot Major!!" Martinez said abruptly. Marie gave a ghost of a smile Martinez flushed and stopped talking for a second. Casey and Eric gave a look at each other.

"I am going to ask you something Casey, and you are going, to be honest," Marie said sternly.

"W-What?" He asked.

"Are you and Eric together or something?" Martinez asked. Eric flushed. And Casey just leaned on Eric.

"I wasn't going to ask that," Marie said sighing. Casey hid his face in Eric's shoulder. Eric petted the poor man's head. Casey was blushing and Eric now had a smug smile. Marie gave Casey a look. "Are you going to be ok leading us back there?" Casey froze. His face seemed frozen with his eyes glued to Marie's.

"O-oh.. of c-c-course... Major.." Casey replied.

Marie remained skeptical about his answer.

"Eric" Marie called, Eric leaned against a wall of the encampment.

"I know, he's shaken up and worried like hell Major, something has him shaken up about this mission," Eric said, looking at the sky. The red sky giving way to the dark blue that was littered with clouds.

"Probably the group that we're going to meet," Marie said softly. Marie leaned against the wall next to him. A soft male whisper echoed in her mind,

'You'll be fine just trust me, Marie.'

And despite the anxiety that coiled in her gut, despite the fear of failure, she looked up at the morning sky and smiled.