As night fell, the guards got into their positions around the camp, as the group others gathered around the campfire. Imuru cozy up beside Forcent, whilst Yosho observed them amused.
The night sky was splattered with the congestion of stars that brightened the night.
It was a calm start to the night counting the trend of the day, but before Collon could settle in among the group, Mult came to get him.
"Pardon me sir, it's urgent," Mult informed.
Collon got up to his feet unsurprised, keenly observed by Slite. He took the scrying orb from Mult and wandered off a distance from the center of camp.
"I'm here," Collon said.
This time there wasn't any projection needed as there was only one voice, and it was of the Fifth High Council Calnary.
"We proceed as planned," He said simply.
Collon felt his breath caught in his throat, and covered his mouth. It took a moment, but he painfully swallowed. "I-I understand."
And just like that it was over and decided. Collon sighed deeply, wiping his face, he tracked back to camp, rejoining the group.
Noticing Collon's strange demeanor, Yosho shuffled over to the side of her brother. "What's the matter?"
Collon chuckled quietly. "I'm fine. You don't have anything to worry about. You'll be fine."
Yosho's eyes opened slightly, eyeing him with a discerning look. "Of course."
As they carried on everyone departed, heading off to their respective tents. Before Imuru could do the same, someone caught up to him, resting a hand on his shoulder.
Turning around Imuru smiled, noticing it was just Collon.
"Sorry there… Imuru can I speak to you for a moment," Collon inquired, a dullness in his gaze.
Together they stepped a few meters from the camp grounds. Collon cleared his throat. "Imuru, you're a good kid, in my opinion at least. I'm sure my sister would probably be pissed at me…"
Imuru listened to him, puzzled. "Are you nervous?" He chuckled, planting his hands on his hips, grinning from ear to ear. "Don't even worry about it. Though, I'm surprised the storm really has gotten you worked up."
Collon smiled. "I'm glad we're thinking of different issues here." His expression fell. "There's that… But right now I'm worried about your safety. Whatever they say in that meeting Imuru, I'd prefer you not engage the storm," Collon requested.
This stunned Imuru, and he froze for a second. He lowered his head. "I can't do that."
"Why not? Oh. Is it because of Ori?" Collon guessed.
"That's correct. I already made her a promise," Imuru said.
Collon gazed up to the sky, and let out an exasperated breath. "Fine! Damn it! I'm coming clean."
Imuru cocked his head. "Um. Okay." He moved slightly away from Collon. "Wow, wow, wow. Coming clean?! This is not good."
"They're planning to target you, once you're exhausted," Collon said hastily and with hesitation, unable to even look in Imuru's direction. "I just couldn't keep it from you. They think you'll be a threat to us, but of course I think that's wrong! They've never met you. You're a good person Imuru—I just couldn't."
The pair remained standing in the silence of the night for a minute. Feeling embarrassed, Collon couldn't take the silence any longer, so he turned to face Imuru.
"Excuse Me!!!" Imuru blurted out. "I'm gonna be killed? This is it, my worst fears have already come through!"
Panicking, Imuru held his chest, stepping off back to camp.
Collon reached out a hand to comfort him, but Imuru raised his hand up to stop him from coming any closer.
"No, you don't," Imuru said weary. "Don't come any closer to me. I need to sleep this off…"
"We never had this conversation, Collon!" Imuru shouted at the top of his lungs, walking off back to camp.
Inside his tent, Imuru slammed his fist down on his futon. "Like hell, we didn't have that conversation. Ughhh!!! Give me a break."
He melted on to the ground, laying flat on his stomach. He sighed deeply. "I need to think this through. When I'm exhausted, huh? Forcent…"
"That's right. So they'll be at this meeting. I'll need to explain this privately with him. At least I could take that off my mind. Ugh! On the other hand, the real issue is with Fernum…"
Morning came quickly, and everyone got themselves ready to continue the journey. They got into their respective stagecoaches once again taking off back on the path.
Sitting uncomfortably, Collon could only dare to match the cold gaze of Imuru. The demon lord leaned his head against his hand, he propped up at the window frame.
"I-I suppose it's a good idea, I explain." Collon steady himself, to address Imuru. "The High Council voted on the decision. I was against it, but they've made their decision. At the Sacred Forest Council meeting you'll meet them. There shouldn't be more than one representative; which would've been me, but towns left awhile ago, so The High Council took their place in those seats."
Collon awaited a response from Imuru patiently, raffling with his thoughts along with Imuru.
Imuru straightened himself, letting out a deep breath of content. Crossing his arms across his chest, he spoke. "That makes it easy."
"Hm?" Collon looked up at him confused, additionally astounded Imuru seemed to have taken it so well. "What, do you mean?"
"I was planning on taking some assistance on this issue, but it seems it's best if I go alone to Fernum," Imuru confidently commented. "I've informed Forcent of the issue, so I'll be leaving him there… To persuade them if they try anything."
Collon nodded. "Going alone would be for the best. I'll do my part in ensuring Forcent is with them at all times. Though, I hope you know this is not a solution in the long run."
"Yeah, I get that," Imuru replied. "Force my hand, and the long solution would be me leaving. Or them—to the afterlife," He thought, two solutions, merely weighing his options. The first was simpler, but he wouldn't shy away from the latter.
"He's a lot calmer," Collon thought. "I pray that this is the last conflict between us. So we can go back to building trust between each other."
Imuru smiled, and nodded in calm agreement, both of them wanting this to be over.
Just as they were before, the forest came creeping back in, gradually shutting out the mountainous plains for the time being, as they made their way uphill.
It was calm as going up, the girls chatting along gleefully. Slite had his gaze outside the window scanning the forest, taking in as much as he could see through the clustered trees and high bushes.
Curiously the stagecoaches came to a halt. The two leading knights—Mult and another quietly eyed a sitting Gray Persudo in their path.
Mult gestured over to the other to alert Collon and his allies. Forcent stepped forward, from behind the caravan, seeing the guard Mult sent informing the final coachman of the wagon.
Imuru came rushing out of his carriage, hurrying to the front.
"Imuru, please stand back." Mult's gaze narrowed, his body flooding with adrenaline. "There must be more," He said in a husky whisper.
Forcent joined them, and this stirred a reaction promptly from the Gray Persudo. It up from its sitting position, pacing back and forth.
"Hmph!" Forcent stepped forward in front of Imuru and Mult.
Mult glanced at Imuru. Shrugging, Imuru walked to the side of the Ennom. "Forcent?
"I suspect they're a loyalist of Erinot from the Grand Pack," Forcent said, huffing, disinterested in his gaze.
"Loyalist…" Imuru took a deep breath, and exhaled, scratching the back of his head. "Plan of action?"
"Hi there. My name is Imuru." Imuru hands raised, trying to defuse the situation. "I mean no harm. Is it possible for me to speak with your leader?" Imuru inquired.
The Gray Persudo snarled at Imuru, but paused its pacing. He howled to the air, then came more howling from the forest. The Gray Persudo rushed off into the woods, disappearing into the trees.
Imuru sighed, slouching over. He waved back with a tentative smile.
Despite the slight panic, the group was eventually able to carry on. Imuru tagged alongside Forcent leaning against him as they walked.