5 Doghaven prison

Drawing my transportation rune from around my neck, I disconnect it into halves and place it onto the ground before me. I take the dagger from my belt, kneeling as i meticulously carve several hieroglyphs into the dirt. Soon, an intricate pattern begins to form, stemming from where my rune lays. A while later, i finally complete the complex inscriptions that activate the rune's teleportation magic, despite Venesa trying to distract me at every chance.

Stretching, I place the other half of the rune into my left hand, flipping it gently into the air. As i prepare to toss the rune, Hestesa asks worriedly, "Where am I taking them?"

With a mysterious smile, i flip the rune into the air, saying cryptically, "I think you know," as me, Judas and the assassins vanish.

My bodies are momentarily suspended, and then I reappear on a massive cliff. Its jagged stone is completely surrounded by the tall, icy waters below. Peering up into the multi-colored sky, I get a face full of rain for my efforts. The sudden downpour is accompanied by roaring thunder chasing lightening across the sky. Though the darkness is beginning to grow, a fork of lightening above briefly illuminates the terrific scene.

Several hundred feet in front of me is a castle, encircled by a man eating mutated pig-infested moat and protected by ever-vigilant gun man, who patrol the walls. Inside are some of the most dangerous prisoners on DOGHAVEN,and their wardens: skilled guards, magicians, and Igamei the Selfless, the presiding wizard.

For the past few decades, he has dedicated his life to rehabilitating criminals, and most importantly, securing them in this massive fortress with intricate and powerful wards. Without him, this region would surely be a far more dangerous place. There is a long, stone bridge crafted from natural rock connecting you with this intimidating prison, the renowned Tower of DOGHAVEN.

Two grim-faced women appear at my side, walking out of a pair of inconspicuous recesses in the rocks. They wear the ruddy black uniforms of the Doshaven guards, and they are holding futuristic gun and silver shackles. The taller one says huskily, "No need to take these villains all the way to the prison. We can complete the transaction here."

I nod and step aside as the other guard begins to shackle each assassin in turn. As she finishes, she returns my chain to me. The taller guard says "In what rank do you place these prisoners?"

In all honesty, you'd place them in the vermin rank. However, it appears that this sentry isn't aware of their status. If I like, i could always fabricate their rank in hopes of a higher bounty. After all, this fortress is more professional than the soldiers at the outpost, so bartering is out of the question. On the other hand,i could also opt for the lowest bounty, were I so inclined.

The prisoners are in the Vermin rank.Nodding in confirmation, she tells me, "Glad to meet an honest person in this corrupt world," indicating a small rune glowing yellow in her hand. "Our runes will decipher any prisoner's level of power, even if it has been suppressed or recently removed. The question was just a formality," she says with a crooked smile.

Tossing me a sizable black case full of gold plate, the guard turns to her comrade, muttering, "Level two."

Nodding, the red-haired guard makes her way towards the tower, escorting the prisoners. As the other guard pivots around to follow her companion up the bridge, I ask, "May I see your badges? It's standard procedure, you understand..."

Chuckling wryly, the guard responds, "Ah, yes, of course."

Stepping forward, both of the sentries reveal their "Doshaven personnel" badges, which identify them as Ronda and Rodna. Satisfied, i nod an affirmative. Turning back around towards the prison, Ronda says, "Anyway, we appreciate your service. With more people like you, evil wouldn't be so rampant."

I smile slightly, but find myself shivering uncontrollably as the incessant downpour chills my entire body. As she walks away, i suddenly remember something important. Reaching out to touch her arm, you say, "Wait, I'd like to petition Igamei, I'm after a powerful demon, and I need the wizard to help me. These villains I've just delivered to you are nothing compared to who I truly face. I would go so far as to say that this devil is a regional threat."

Shaking her head sadly, the sentry replies, "I'm sorry. The Selfless wizard is currently cultivating a great deal of magic into various wards across the entire prison. He is building more of a mana to protect it from invaders. It requires an immense amount of focus, and interrupting the ritual could be disastrous. He's instructed all of us to not interrupt him under any circumstances. I will be sure to let him know, though."

Sighing, i respond, "Okay. Thank you anyways."

As the clouds continue to release their contents onto me, Judas voices his complaints from upon my shoulder. "I'm frozen solid, Gaara there's a sinus growing on my nose!"

Laughing, i can't help but agree with his point, if not his accuracy.

Eager to get out of the inclement weather and back to the warmth of the forest, i take my rune and raise my hand, ready to flip it.

Reappearing in the woods near Duithan Falls, i wring the water from your jacket. Turning towards Judas, I remark, "This sunny weather is a welcome change!"

Fluttering around, he agrees, "Much better than that wild storm!"

Then, i set to work, reattaching the separate halves of my rune. Next, i kneel down onto the ground and wipe out the glyphs until all i can see is plain, smooth dirt. The sun is setting soon enough, and i begin work on a bonfire.

I send Judas to gather tinder and kindling while I scrape out a small fire pit, and by the time he returns I have also found a few bigger logs in the woods that look fairly dry. I bend over light the dried twig and in a few minutes i have a roaring fire. While im working, Judas has snuggled up inside my backpack and is drifting into a amazing dream.

I stretch out besides Judas, feeling especially appreciative of his help today.

"I know I have heard this before," i begin, "but I can't thank you enough for your companionship. You've been my closest friend in all of our journeys together." I grin wryly, adding, "You've saved my hide more than once, too."

Judas drifts off to sleep, wearing a large smile as he settles deeper into my backpack.

With my apprentice now asleep,i turn to other matters. I'm fatigued from the events of my journey, though my cunning and prowess in battle have gotten me through unscathed. I stretch my aching limbs and decide a little healing ointment would be appropriate. Drawing the case of unguent from my pouch, i unscrew the lid and dab two of my fingers across the ointment, spreading it across my body. I sigh deeply, but my injuries need attention. Drawing the case of container from my small bag, i unscrew the lid and dab my fingers into the ointment, spreading it gently on my injuries.

My body feels better immediately. I let out a deep sigh, relaxed by the ointment's soothing effect. Slumber calls me urgently, so i gather a heap of soft leaves for a bed, positioning myself near the soft glow of the flames. There's just one thing. I no longer possess a power that i can realistically use in battle. I decide that my equipment is much more crucial than a few extra hours of sleep, especially considering the events of the day.

Tense in spite of my victory, I only feel saddened and worried.

I defeated those assassins, and I will do the same to the demon.

I'm mostly pleased that I have prevented the assassins from causing any further trouble.

After all, i believe i'll figure out a way to win this battle, regardless of the chances against me, defeating the demon.

I wake up, feeling as if i've just gone to sleep. My stomach growl away at my body with hunger. The battle has made me weak. Rummaging through my bag,I take out food, plenty of it, and warm it by the fire. When i finally finish my meal, i feel much better. I consider waking Judas, but he still looks exhausted and i decide to had better not.

Instead, I carefully place his portion of the meal by his side for when he wakes. As i lie back down, my mind wanders to my encounter with Linda . Her magic was certainly interesting, but i wonder if it's accurate enough to help me much. After all, even without her help, it was obvious that this demon is incredibly powerful. My chances of success look alarmingly slim.

Of all the pictures i could have seen, this one was incredibly unpleasant. And Actually, i don't put much value on her words. Fortune telling? It's nothing but unreliable voodoo! And although the task ahead seems daunting, the future is never set.For all her showy performance, Linda powers are just simple parlor tricks. The only magics i have seen actually doing something useful are the practical kinds: healing, nature bending, and the like. So, no matter what outcomes she foretold, i'll take it all with a grain of salt because i will defeat that demon, no matter what. Even with my mind saying no ,I'm so weary that i soon fall asleep.

Later in the night, I'm woken abruptly. Staring groggily into the night, im about to roll over and go back to my beauty sleep. Then, as my eyes finally adjust to the darkness, i see Judas standing right in front of my nose, one finger outstretched. Eyes wide, he pokes at me again and then suddenly realizes im awake.

Clearing his throat, his hands fidgeting nervously, he whispers, "Gaara Pamei, I'm really cold and I keep having nightmares about what happened in Duituan Falls...Can we cuddle?"

I blink up at him for a moment, my thoughts still foggy from exhaustion.

Though I'm still exhausted, i smile and open my arms, inviting him to curl up beside me.

His face lighting up, my little companion snuggles up against me looking very pleased. Taking the shape of a hairy dog .Meeting my eyes, he growl, "Thanks, Gaara Pamei."

Rubbing his head, i reply, "You're very welcome, my friend."

Sighing contently, he falls asleep right away. That night, I'm reminded of why I insisted Judas have his own room in my old home. His snoring and twitching jerks me out of my sleep several times, and occasionally he mutters something in a surprisingly loud voice. I eventually fall asleep from sheer exhaustion, though, my slumber solid and dreamless...