Solitary: Compass Of Fate

Edwin Byword sat down then realized something that made him stand up. "Would you like to have tea or coffee? I can make some right away." 

Walker shook his head, "It's alright, we're leaving soon anyway."

Edwin sat down again and asked what he originally wanted, "What brings you here?"

Walker quietly lifted the bottom of his shirt and showed the part of his abdomen where five holes were apparent, each swollen.

A cold ripple crawled down Edwin's spine at the sight of the wound, which had gotten red and dark. He sensed something odd and understood the reason for Walker's arrival.

"I see… Is the girl affected as well?"

Walker nodded and tucked the bottom of his shirt back into his trousers.

"I need a check up, see what I'm dealing with." 

Edwin probed his chin as he explored the possible entities and a few names came into mind.

"For starters, I'm sure you're aware, that's the mark of a Devil's Offering. The ones capable of leaving it are high ranking demons, ones that descended from just being a spirit."

Both of them felt a tinge in their wounds then Walker asked, "Any clue who it might be?"

"That depends. Anything I should know about it? Like words, behavior or related events?" Edwin stood up and went for the shelf behind him, it was brimming with all kinds of books. He scanned the spine of each while listening to Walker speak.

"It mentioned something about its children that I apparently slaughtered, the one I can remember is a hybrid usurper and shapeshifter."

"Oh…" his finger stopped at a book… a book that had once been bound in white leather, now browned with age.

Edwin flipped over the pages until he found something worthy of mentioning. He had read every book quite thoroughly so it was easy to tell which page was worthy.

"It's an old tale but not as old as the other ones I've got."

Walker attentively listened, Lucille was too dazzled by the library of books to pay attention. It made her nostalgic of home where she would secretly read and study.

Edwin sat down, cleared his throat and spoke. "This book is about a century old, I found it hard to believe but what you've shown me made me think otherwise."

"Anyways, here goes: in the year 1705, there was a despicable man known as Drashei in the Asian Kingdom. After acquiring the power of the ancients, he went on a rampage. Cruelly killing people, defiling the women and devouring the children. He buried many innocents by assuming their forms while committing those atrocities. Eventually, the authorities caught on and he was banished by the Emperor and he was sent to the underworld, therein he became a demon and went into hiding while still terrorizing people from the shadows." 

Having explained the evil entity's lore, Edwin moved on to what the party wanted to hear. "His class was recorded as The Usurper. Not living in the human realm wasn't stopping him from paving his claws into it. He'd leave his essence into living beings via wounding them."

Walker rubbed his wound then came up with a question, "So what happened to those marked by him?" 

Thud! Edwin closed the book and stared into Walker's eyes as he answered. "They became enslaved to Drashei's will."

Walker looked at Lucille's distracted carefree nature and sighed. "So what do you suggest we do?"

"Kill or be killed—but killing him isn't so simple." He put the book down and interlocked his fingers.

Walker stood up as if he had heard everything he came for. "That simplifies things… Elizabeth, let's go."

It reminded her of home—of dimly lit corners where she'd secretly read books far beyond her station. A part of her she thought she'd lost stirred awake.

Assuming it was for discretion, she stood up, placed her hand on her chest and nodded, copying Walker.

Walker did the same and they went their way to the exit.

When Walker opened the door, he heard Edwin call from behind.

"Mr. Soliraine, I forgot to remind you,"

Walker stared with curiosity.

"If the wound worsens further, return to me and I'll try to subdue it. Just a reminder."

Walker nodded again and turned, walking outside. Once Lucille stepped out, Edwin closed the door after waving them goodbye until they were far enough.

They walked for about 10 minutes then Walker came to a halt. He'd used that time to consider his options, and the most prominent had prevailed over any of the others.

He turned to look at Lucille and asked with a stern expression, "A scholar… how strong is one?"

As a secluded nobility, Lucille had not seen many Neophytes in combat, let alone a scholar. The strongest that came to mind was her brother and even that was for a limited time and a few glimpses. But what she had seen had left a strong impression on her.

"My bro-" she shook her head. "I have seen an Acolyte in action, one capable of destroying walls and rock swiftly without breaking a sweat."

Walker quietly rubbed his chin and finally came to an answer.

"Fine. I'll give this anthology thing a go, if it means returning you home and freeing myself from this place."

Lucille's eyes sparkled out of joy, she could not express her happiness which made her look even more clumsy than usual.

Walker couldn't help but smile at the sight, "I wouldn't get my hopes up too much, I'm incompetent as the old lady says."

Lucille shook her head, "No, you will be great! I believe in you, Mr. Walker!"

Walker chuckled, "Thanks, Liliana." 

All of Lucille's emotions twirled and vanished into a void, she had come to understand the situation.

"Mr… is it possible that you don't remember my name…?" 

Walker became confused by the question, he raised an eyebrow as he answered. "Of course I do, what kind of fool do you take me for?"

Lucille sighed, even though she had been called a different name two times in the past 15 minutes, she could not help but believe the firm look on Walker's face.

I sure hope you're right…

The duo walked with a new purpose in mind, the idea Walker had been trying to avoid eventually came to him as an opportunity.

To move forward.