A/N: If anyone reads this story and is interested to see it continued faster then please leave a review. I prioritize my stories by how many people care about them.

Chapter 2 - Town Guard

The crisp air felt refreshing. Wolves howled in the distance but the Demon Slayer wasn't really worried about them. Even the wolves from the mountains of El Nath were no match for him. Besides with how weak those other monsters had been he didn't think that staying alive would be his major concern.

No. The biggest challenge would be finding out where he was. It wasn't unusual for the Maple World to suddenly discover a new area of land. It happened rather often. Once he managed to find a ship that would take him to Orbis he wouldn't be opposed to exploring this new land.

"Over here! It's this way." That was the voice of the lv 50 boy.

"Look I'm sure it was just a Militean with those Wings everyone has started wearing. Slow down." This voice he didn't recognize. Perhaps this is a higher level Adventurer who wouldn't run. He leaned back on a nearby boulder as he waited for them to approach. Might as well have a defensible position if something does go wrong.

"No it wasn't. He didn't even know where Tir Chonail was. Just come and see." That one was the girl.

"Ow. Ok stop pulling. We'll get there…" The kids came into view around a large tree, which they ducked back behind when they saw the Demon Slayer standing out in front of the cave entrance.

"There he is.." They whispered. The owner of the third voice stepped around the tree. He appeared to be in his late teens. He wore a heavy looking set of armor. A strong chin and mischievous smile show even through his unkempt black hair. There is also wisdom and kindness shining in his eyes that goes beyond his years.

The Demon Slayer watched the young man come closer.

"Well you don't look like any Incubus I've seen. Are you Friend or Foe?"

"Neither. I am simply lost. Could you tell me where I am?"

The young man came closer, his hand resting on the hilt of his sheathed sword. "You're at Ciar Dungeon, south of Tir Chonail.

"Yes that's what that girl told me. But where is Tir Chonail? How far are we from Orbis?"

"Orbis? Never heard of it. Is that in Iria?"

The Demon Slayer was shocked at these words. Orbis is the center to all major trade routes in Maple. Just how new is this area of land that the locals would not have heard of it? "What is this land called and what else is nearby?"

"This is Uladh. This continant we're on. There's Iria across the sea and the Dominion of Belvast, that's a small island in between. It's all part of the world of Erin. Hey so if you're not an Incubus… mind telling me what you are?"

"Well first, I don't know what an Incubus is, and I'm of the Demon race. Second, do you know how I can get back to Maple World? The Black Mage will be rising before too long and I refuse to be caught here while someone else kills him."

"Woah what? Maple? Like the leaf? You serious? There's a place called that?"

"Yes now if you wouldn't mind… I would like to be rid of this place." The Demon Slayer found himself annoyed with look on the boy's face. The laugh felt to him as if he were being mocked. The youth strolled forward and stood right in front of the Demon Slayer and extended his hand.

"I'm sorry you feel that way. I think we got off on the wrong foot. I'm Josh the Town Guard."

The Demon Slayer just raised his eye brow at the gesture of friendliness. "A pleasure.."

Josh retracted his hand a bit off put but then shook it off and smiled. "So what's your name?"

The Demon Slayer absentmindedly fiddled with his mace, "I've long since forgotten my name. My companions simply call me Demon Slayer."

"Demon Slayer? I thought you said you were a demon…"

"I did."

"Uh… ok… Well then Slayer, I'm sorry to tell you this but I'm not too sure where this Orbis place is." Josh laughed as he noticed the Demon Slayer tense up at these words. "Calm down. I don't know but I know a girl who might. She does a lot more traveling than me."

The Demon Slayer looked skeptically upon the youth. "And where is this girl?"

Josh scratched his head, "Well I did say she does a lot of traveling. Let's head into town and I can send off an owl to find her."

The Demon Slayer stood there thinking for a moment. He looked over at the two children still cowering behind the tree. With a sigh he turned back to Josh and asked, "Will the reactions of the townspeople be anything like that of those children?" Josh turned around to look at the pair.

"Not if I'm with you. I know everyone in town; if I say you're okay they'll probably believe me, as long as we don't mention that you're a demon." Josh turned and started walking up the path expecting the newcomer to follow.

The Demon Slayer stood for a moment thinking what would be best to do. This boy could easily be leading him into a trap. He could be a Black Wing's spy, but he could also be simply a human trying to help. In the end he was forced to acknowledge the fact that standing by this rock would get him no closer to finding Orbis, so he followed.

During the walk into town, the two children warmed up to The Demon Slayer and began asking him an assortment of meaningless and annoying questions. He answered the ones he felt like answering and completely ignored the rest. It really didn't interest him to learn their names were Seikan and Emily. I don't plan to stay long so there is no reason to force myself to learn names, he thought to himself.

The group arrived at an inn. Going inside, Josh went up to the counter and tapped on the small bell. A voice called out from a back room, "Be with you in a second." A few moments later, a girl wearing a well-ironed green apron came out, gazing cheerfully at her surroundings. Her bright eyes held an azure blue and a faint smile plays at her lips. "How can I… Oh! Hello Josh. What can I do for you today?"

Josh smiled at his friend, "Hey Nora. Has Kathy been around lately?"

Nora tilted her head to the side thinking. Her eyes wandered to The Demon Slayer standing behind Josh and opened wide for a moment as if she was surprised. The expression vanished a second after it appeared. She shook her head, "I haven't seen Kathy in quite a while. You know her, always off communing with nature."

"Ha yeah," Josh laughed, his smile revealing thoughts of some crazy memory from his past. "Well then can I borrow your owl? I need to get a message to her as quickly as possible."

Nora leaned in close to Josh to whisper, "Is this about that other world?" Her eyes held concern for her friends as she glanced between Josh and the stranger behind him. Josh smiled at her

"I honestly don't know. It could be." Josh laughed as he admitted his ignorance for the situation. Nora couldn't help but smile in return.

"Alright. I'll send out an owl and prepare a room for your friend here."

The Demon Slayer thought about objecting to the title of 'friend' but though it better to not argue with the ones that were trying to help him. That night he allowed himself the first good rest he had gotten in a very long time; in this strange new world it would be safe to assume it would also be the last.