* * * * * * *

  Ren followed Radcliff and Darwin into the camp.

  Four makeshift tents surrounded a large bonfire. Sitting by the stones was a knight clad in shining steel armor, the same one he had seen before succumbing to his wounds.

  However, unlike Radcliff, he carried an aura of power, as if he were a radiating sun, the same feeling Leo gave him.

  "That is Sir Gale," Radcliff muttered. "He's the lady's personal guard. As a warning, be careful with your words. He's not too kind to newcomers."

  "Ah, you got the fire going. How splendid, Gale," Darwin said, hobbling toward the stones around the fire.

  "Now this is the warmth I've been missing. Instead, we had to drag that brat over here."

  The knight looked up, staring at Ren.

  "Uh—yes. Let's do some introductions. Gale, this is Ren—"

  "No need to tell me his name," Gale interrupted coldly. "He'll be leaving us anyway."

  "Well, actually, Gale…" Radcliff scratched his head. "We thought we should take him with us. Right, Darwin?"

  "I hate to agree with this fool, but we need all the help we can get. You know this. If he's half good enough to survive the forest, he'll be useful."

  "What? Are you crazy?" Gale snapped. "We know nothing about this child. I will not allow anything that brings the lady into danger."

  He pointed directly at Ren.

  "He's an unknown. Tell me, what did he say about his past?"

  Radcliff hesitated.

  "Well… he said he doesn't remember anything before he woke up."

  Gale scoffed.

  "And you believed it? Rad, you are more gullible than I remember."

  With a sharp metallic sound, Gale unsheathed his sword.

  "I'll find out everything we need to know in a second."

  Radcliff instantly stepped in front of Ren, pushing him behind his back.

  "You may be a superior knight," Radcliff said firmly, "but I will not stand for injustice. If you want the child, Gale… I'm afraid you'll have to cut me down first."

  Ren slowly stepped back as the two men locked eyes.

  "Stop."

  The sharp voice cut through the camp.

  "What the hell do you think you're doing, Gale?"

  A beautiful woman stepped out from the largest tent near the edge of the camp.

  "My lady!" Gale turned immediately. "You don't understand. They just brought the prisoner back and are trying to have him join us. It's too dangerous!"

  "Gale."

  Silence fell.

  "You know we need the help," she said calmly. "If Rad trusts his story, I have full faith in his judgment. You know he's good at reading people, do not take him as a fool ever again."

  Reluctantly, the knight slowly put his sword back into its sheath.

  With a scowl, he turned away, walking to his tent.

  "I apologize for my insubordination, milady."

  "No need," she replied. "I know you want the best for my safety. Get some rest, we can take watch."

  She turned back to the group as Gale left.

  "Now then. Back to introductions. As you were saying, Rad?"

  Radcliff cleared his throat.

  "Ahem, yes. This is Ren."

  Gesturing to the lady in front of them, Radcliff turned to Ren, "Ren, this is lady-," before he could finish, the girl cut him off.

  "I've told you to drop the lady," she said, sighing, "All of us here are equal; nothing good comes from an overbearing tyrant."

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Turning to Ren, she introduced herself.

  "The name's Selenia, it's good to meet you. And truly, I'm sorry about Gale. He means well, I promise, he just needs to get used to you."

  But Ren did not blame Gale. Actually, the suspicion gave him a sense of comfort. It was as if he were back in the slums.

  When survival was everything, you learn to measure every stranger with risk; he was the same way.

  "It's nothing, don't worry about it. I understand his reasons."

  "Well then," Selenia said, gesturing around the hall. "Welcome to our humble camp."

  At the entrance of the ruins, the camp sat as the foothold for the party's travels.

  She turned to Radcliff.

  "Did you explain the situation to him?"

  "Yes," Radcliff replied. "On the way here."

  "Good."

  She smiled at him, but her expression grew serious.

  "As you've heard, Ren, we're facing grave danger. The world has turned on us. To protect our people, we must defeat the evil that lies at the end of these ruins. I cannot guarantee your safety, or any of ours for that matter, but if we want to succeed, we need all the help we can get."

  "I hate to do this, but since we saved your life, you owe us a favor. We need you to join us."

  Ren knew this was the way forward in his trial.

  But not having a choice in the matter did sting his nerves.

  "It doesn't seem like I have a choice in the matter. But I planned to join you either way."

  Selenia let out a relieved laugh.

  "I won't lie, I expected you to reject us on the spot."

  "Don't worry, when we get back to the kingdom, you'll be praised as a hero, so you'll still be getting a reward for your efforts."

  Even though he knew that could never happen in this Trial, the idea of saving a kingdom did sit well in his mind.

  Darwin stood up with a groan.

  "Alright, you brats have fun. This old man needs his rest."

  "Ah, Darwin," Ren called out, remembering Radcliff's words, "Thank you for saving me."

  Without turning around, the old man waved a hand.

  "It's nothing, brat. If you want to thank me, make sure you pay back the favor later."

  As he left, Radcliff followed.

  "I'll take the night with the old geezer; we have limited Tents you can use mine, Ren."

  "Are you sure? Really, I'm fine with the floor."

  "Nonsense," Radcliff said. "You already had to recover in that horrid cell. Let me do this for you."

  "Thank you."

  Rad nodded and walked away to help Darwin into the tent.

  Ren turned back to the last person remaining.

  Selenia.

  She couldn't have been much older than him. Her hair was radiating red, and Ren couldn't help but stare.

  She was gorgeous.

  In his entire life, Ren was certain she was the most beautiful person he had ever seen.

  "Staring much?" she teased.

  "Ah, I'm sorry." Ren said, slightly embarrassed, "I like to get a good look at new people."

  She laughed.

  "Don't worry. I'm just joking. In times like these, we have to relax a little. The dangers we face are deadly. If we don't laugh sometimes, we'll all go insane."

  She leaned forward slightly.

  "So… I have to ask, how did you survive the forest?"

  Curiosity shone in her eyes.

  Ren told her what parts of his story he could.

  Soon, laughter echoed through the camp.

  "I can't believe you almost died from a piece of driftwood!" Selenia laughed. "Don't get me wrong, living wood is deadly, I know. But really, fighting driftwood! If only we had come down the river sooner, I could have witnessed it."

  "Yeah," Ren sighed. "Real hilarious while it was tearing my guts out."

  "Enough of me, I'm already tired of recalling the pain."

  "Let's hear your story, milady."

  Selenia's smile faded slightly.

  "Maybe another night," she said. "A lady can't reveal all her secrets at once."

  "You got me there."

  She stood up.

  "I'll be taking the night watch. Go get some rest. It sounds like you've had a long day. Besides, we'll need you tomorrow if you want to pay us back."

  Rest well, Ren. I'm glad we have you with us."

  "Goodnight, Selenia."

  * * * * * * *

  Ren rolled around on the soft bedding inside the tent. Light poured in through the cracks of the sheets, but he did not care.

  I lied.

  This must be what heaven is.

  Even back on Earth, he hadn't slept this well in years. His wounds had closed, leaving only scars, and his energy was reaching new highs.

  With the morning fog around his mind gone, Ren sighed as he got up and looked back at the bed.

  Farewell, I'll be back for you soon.

  As he stepped outside the tent, he saw Gale and Radcliff sitting beside the smoldering fire.

  Sunlight streamed through the ruined entrance of the dungeon, illuminating the camp.

  Ren walked over and sat beside them. A map lay spread out before the two knights.

  "I'm telling you," Radcliff said, "we should take this path today. Everything else has been dead ends. We need to go deeper."

  But ignoring him, Gale noticed Ren approaching.

  Radcliff, seeing this, turned around.

  "Ah! Good morning, Ren. How did you sleep?"

  "Amazing, actually, thank you for the tent. I can't remember the last time I slept so well."

  "You poor thing," Radcliff said dramatically, wiping fake tears. "When we make it out of here, I'll introduce you to real luxury."

  Ren knew this wasn't really possible, but he couldn't help but wish his new friends' joke was serious.

  "As good as that sounds, let's survive first," Ren sighed, putting his thoughts of luxury away.

  "That map; are those the ruins you've explored?"

  This time it was Gale who responded, "Yes."

  "Were going deeper today. So be careful and do not be a fool. One mistake can cost your life, two could cost ours as well."

  "We don't know what dangers lie ahead."

  Ren nodded.

  "I understand. I'll stay on guard."

  He paused.

  "And… also, thank you for not torturing me yesterday. I'm not very fond of pain, actually."

  Gale didn't smile.

  "For now," he said evenly. "You can never be sure."

  Ren started laughing but quickly noticed Gale's dead expression.

  'Oh… he's serious.'

  Ren couldn't help but shudder.

  Radcliff chuckled.

  "See? Look how well you two get along."

  Gale shot him a glare that immediately shut him up.

  Before long, Selenia and Darwin returned from the mountain path carrying a basket of herbs.

  "Oh look," Selenia said, "The stooges are awake."

  Darwin chuckled at her, "You learn well, Selenia."

  "Oh no, please, it was my amazing master."

  Before the three, now sighing men, Selenia continued.

  "How's everyone feeling this morning?"

  Radcliff responded for the three, "Good, were mapping the path were taking today. You guys gathering medicine?"

  "Observant, are you?" Darwin snorted.

  "I used too much medicine yesterday. Needed to restock."

  Before he could make another sarcastic comment, Selenia clapped her hands.

  "Alright. Pack up, everyone. We can chat on the way."

  Her voice carried command now.

  "Let's get moving."

  With that, the party began exploring the ruins.

  However, unknown to them, shadows stirred in their wake.

  An entity had noticed their existence.

  * * * * * * *