Marked Ones: Advent of the Demon Prince

After a short while, Jen and the others entered the borrowed house. Apparently, the village chief paid a hefty sum for the pelt and claws. Rena was curious why the did not just store the items in their storage rings when they collected them, but apparently it was specifically so the villagers could see the spoils of victory directly as well as do a little advertising.

The village chief clearly had a fondness for his ancestor that had tamed one of the twin-headed bears in the past, so it only made sense he would be interested in at least having the pelt of this one decorating his home. It would probably make a nice rug in the center of the office they first met him in.

She and Lucius had a nice long talk before the party showed up and she felt much better after it. The plan from now on was that he would rely on her judgement calls when it was needed as it related to helping those unaffiliated with him.

From their discussion, he had no problem with going the extra mile to help people he viewed positively, like his mother, Rena, and the rest of the party to an extent.

It did make her feel a little uncomfortable because it seemed like she was taking away some of his agency, but to avoid future conflict it would be for the best.

'At least this behavior will suit him well when the war starts and he…' She didn't want to think about it, but she could not help but remember that after the Grand Raid, Lucius would likely be sent off to war. It was not a guarantee, but talk of rising tensions were heard along every street and whispered around every table. It was truly only a matter of time.

If they were really unlucky, it would happen before they could partake in the raid…

"Hey Rena, what made you guys become adventurers anyway?" Lethen asked. He had broken a decently long and awkward silence that had fallen on the group. Paul was busy stoking the fire and preparing some dinner for them. Jen was cleaning the weapons, and Lucius said he needed some air and was meditating outside.

"Well, I have always been interested in the idea of being an adventurer since I was a real little kid, but over the last few years that interest developed into a desire." She explained.

"Also, House Petra has this thing where the most accomplished of the younger generation inherits the head of the house, so a lot of us become adventurers since that is the easiest way to accomplish something…well that and war."

"Oh right, I thought I heard something about that." Jen interrupted. Rena guessed she was listening in, but that confirmed it. "You Petras are really weird. Forcing your own children to play some sort of survival game, making them fight each other to get their inheritance…gotta say, never heard of a family like yours."

All she could do was nod along, because Jen was right. Rena's family was quite different. "You're right, but the Petra domain regularly churns out the best soldiers in Arcadios. Our house heads are also usually some of the strongest warriors and greatest tacticians…it has to come from somewhere."

"Just feels like a bit much sometimes. Like the reward is not worth the cost, ya know? Some of those kids who die in your trials could change and go on to be great warriors or artists." Lethen explained.

"Again, you aren't wrong. But other than those who are marked, only those who want to be warriors or mages partake. So it's not mandated…well I guess all of the Petra children have to partake too." Rena attempted to explain. However, even she knew her words were empty.

She really could not argue for it too well and all she could do was regurgitate the same explanations the adults in her life always gave her. She never really believed in the words.

"What about Lucius?" Paul chimed in finally.

Silence once again fell on the room before Rena broke it with a sad smile. "He became an adventurer because I did. He is my bodyguard. A promise made by his father with his final breaths."

"What about the war? Its coming and even I know all the marked adventurers are tracked. He's going to be forced into it." Paul continued. His monotone voice was starting to piss her off, but she held in her frustrations…though only barely.

"Yes he will…but to put it in his words…" Rena inhaled deeply to calm her rising anger. She remembered what he had said to her on their way back home on the day they joined the guild. "He might die in the Grand Raid…so maybe it won't be a problem."

Jen, Lethen, and Paul all looked at her with shocked faces. "You want to join the Grand Raid?"

"Yes. If I survive it, it might just be enough to take on the mantle of the heir to house Petra. Lucius will join me because…if he survives the Demon's Stomach, he might be able to survive coming back to me. And if he doesn't, then he won't die as a pawn in a game of war."

With that, she killed the mood. It was not great to begin with, but now it was not only awkward, but somber. Who could blame them though? Talking about someone who has a plan for death is not a pleasant topic. It was not pleasant for her when Lucius said it, so why would it be different for them?

They did not know him for very long at all, only a handful of days at this point, but still; he was a young man who was planning for death.

"Kid may not be strong, but he's fast. Maybe he's fast enough to outrun death? Who knows…but you know what…we will come too." Jen said. Paul and Lethen sat for a moment and then nodded in agreement.

With that, the rest of their party agreed to join them on the raid to the Demon's Stomach. Jen, Paul, and Lethen absolutely already qualified for entry, but their entire party had to qualify for them to take a spot.

They would need to get at least nine more quests at Intermediate Rank or above to qualify and with the help of Lethen and Jen, who were Advanced Rank warriors, and Paul who was Intermediate himself, they could probably pull it off.

"Alright, sounds like a plan!" Rena smiled.

"We will pick another one out when we get back. Probably good to take a few lower quests just so you guys can get your sea legs. But before that…you two kids have a date around town when we get back if I remember correctly!" Jen teased with a sly grin.