grievance

***

Turning around I jumped out the window following Elise as we went to confront the group outside

" what's this about." The lizard-men were very agitated an I didn't understand why

turning to the gathering soldiers I told them to lower their weapons while Elise confronted the group, splitting apart a elderly lizard-man slowly made their way to the front of the group

' he seems a bit older then the last time I saw him.' The lizard-man's elder was moving sluggishly as he made his way to the front

" sorry for showing up in such a manner but emotions are high right now...as for why we came,we would like to leave the town and return to the forest. "

" I can't allow that right now, monsters are still active in the area threatening the our home." Elise understood their frustration but letting them go now would be a risk we were spread thin as it is we barely had enough soldiers to cover everything that's why James,lazza,kal and Selena can't be by our side all the time anymore

" this is not our home it's out there among the trees and waters of our birthplace." someone yelled from the group as other got riled up " please I beg you to reconsider my people can't take this anymore."

Looking around the group I noticed the lizard-men looked a bit sickly,some of their skin was peeling off and the usual vibrant colors of their scales looked a bit dull

" I'll take them there and see what can be done" I said before Elise could speak up wanting to defuse the situation

" fine but your handling anything they need,I'm already overwhelmed with what I have to deal with already " Elise said after staring at me for a few seconds

I know she has been working very hard since the eclipse so I can't blame her for not wanting more work on her plate" ok i handle it thank you my love."

Turning around she headed back inside the building " ok we will head out tomorrow,you should take this time to gather your things." I said looking back at the group

Walking over to me the elder grabbed my hand in a gentle manner using his tail " thank you."

" don't thank me yet we aren't sure what we will find." Shaking his head he looked into my eyes " that doesn't matter what ever may have happened our home can be rebuilt me just need to get back to get."

Turning around he went back to the group an they went back to their houses as I went back inside as well

" are you mad at me." I asked after getting back to the office " no I understand why you did it I'm not blind,it's just frustrating we already have a lot handle at the moment."

" i know I just wanted to help them they are obviously struggling...and it's my fault." Elise made me look at her " you can't blame yourself for every bad thing that happened during that time period."

" maybe,but I'm still the reason what the end of the day."Sighing she pulled me into a hug trying to make me feel better I had told her everything about what I was seeing an hearing those couple days we were in the room so she understood that I was still struggling to accept what happened an my role in it

Behind her in the corner of the room the demon just looked at us with his usual sadistic smile, a dozen figures stood around him spread all staring at Elise and I.

For the rest of the day I stayed in the office with Elise watching how she did things to hopefully lift some of the burden she has off of her

At some point Amelia joined us going to her side of the office for some reason she didn't look at either of us as she did,occasionally I would catch her stealing glances at Elise and I

Not dwelling on it the day past by quickly and before I knew it, it was the next morning and I stood at the entrance of the town waiting for the lizard-man to come while petting shadow

I was alone on this one James and kal were training new recruits,Selena was with Elise protecting her and lazza with Emily doing the same while trying to learn from the tutors as well since she didn't have any sort of education before hand

" she wasn't kidding about the man power issue that's the problem with being strict with the training I suppose

Above me two soldiers on the wall were looking at me strangely until another snapped them out of it people have been doing that since I got back an it's been making me feel uncomfortable,like I'm back in the elven kingdom after they saw what I turned into

" good morning my lord " Hearing Alistair's voice I turned to see him making his way towards me with oda by his side

" good morning, I didn't think you would be heading back as well? " I was surprised to see oda here I thought she would be staying if not for her work on the moon then at least for Alistair

" I'm not I just want to help my people rebuild I'm s~ure their is a lot of work ahead of them I just want to lighten the load a little bit." The lizard-men are a very tightly knitted race so I could understand why she wanted to help

After talking back an forth we say a large group of lizard-man coming towards us " I should get to my post it's almost my shift." Before he left he turned to me " please make sure she makes it back to me my lord."

" I will even if I have to go through the hells,

I already did it once after all." Smiling slightly he did a salute then left for his post moving past the group, a couple lizard-man gave him nasty looks

" I'm very des~ireable as a mate they are just jealous~ that he won me over."

" o an what makes you so desired as a mate." She leaned in towards me and whispered something in my ear making me blush

Seeing my reaction she smirked while giggling " I guess that's something all men want regardless of species

Shaking away the dirty thoughts implanted there by oda I focused on the elder making his way to me

" thank you again for allowing this my people need to go back to their home we don't mean to be ungrateful." With the help of his daughter he was able to stand without straining his body

" it's ok I'm just trying to do what's right." Walking over to him I lightly tapped his arm forcing gravity to be weaker on him, Straightening up he looked me in surprise before nodding in thanks

With That exchange out of the way the group of a little more then a hundred made their way into through the woods towards the swamp

The entire time though I couldn't shake the feeling we were being watched I even sent shadow and ajalentem to scout around but they didn't pick up anything " I guess you are feeling it to " I said ka'zeck noticing him looking around as well

" it's frustrating they should just show themselves...cowards!" He yelled the last part hopping to goad whoever was watching us to attack but it didn't work

Frustrated he kept moving but didn't stop scanning the trees for threats,I did the same the rest of the way to the village not wanting to be caught off guard

As we made our way through knee high water closing in on the location of the village something strange happened the clear water turned a deep red like it was blood instead

"What." I was standing above the water examining it when the blood red water stirred an a black tentacle grabbed my legs drag me into the water

Not given enough time to get a breath I was struggling to breathe as I was forcefully pulled through the water luckily I was lifted out of the water before I started to suffocate

Hanging upside-down I got to see what made a home out of the decaying remnants of the lizard-man's home rising up out of the bodies of the animals and people it has killed

Using them to sustain itself

Bringing me closer to isn't bulbous head the two story tall octopus tried to get a better look at me " great a blootus I hate these monsters always drenching me in blood and messing with my elements."

Grabbing the end of my staff I twisted bringing out the sword hidden within,cutting the tentacle holding me

As I was falling I was shocked to find I still has control over my elements allowing my myself to land softly on the surface of the bloodwater " that's a second time I've kept my element when I was suppose to I guess my body has changed a little."

" damn creature I'll kill you for defiling our village " ka'zeck came running from behind" no wait." I was quick enough to warn him before he slashed with his tail blade not expecting the attack to suddenly fizzle out a couple inches in front of his face

The side of the octopus's head enlarged before a beam of blood shot out of a hole there aiming to take ka'zeck's head

Rushing to him I forced the beam to go around us both " elements are useless against this monster I'll handle it I've hunted them before just keep the others back

Grumbling he did what I asked knowing the villagers would be vulnerable with a monster with that size and abilities anyone would be really except one