Testing Damien

The group walked through the open terrain, the darkened sky shinning down dimly on them as they moved cautiously.

The earlier battle against demons had left everyone energized, though some were grumbling about Damien's lack of participation.

"I don't get it," Jallen said, breaking the relative silence. "You talk big about not wanting weaklings to slow you down, but then you don't even bother to show us what you've got."

Another member of Axiom's group, then dual-axe wielder named Ryn, joined in. "Yeah, for someone who put us through a trial by fire, you sure like to sit back and watch."

Axiom chuckled, clearly amused but keeping his tone neutral. "Maybe that's his way of testing us. But I'll admit, it'd be interesting to see him in action."

Damien didn't respond. His sharp blue eyes stayed fixed ahead, his mind occupied with a mental tally of his progress.