Chapter 2:
Shalltear & Arlen Village Rest
The afternoon sun hung low in the sky as Shalltear and Arlen made their way to another small village along the forest's edge. The journey had left Arlen exhausted, his body aching from the recent battle against the demi-humans. Shalltear could see the fatigue written on his face, the way his shoulders slumped slightly and how each step seemed to weigh him down. She kept a watchful eye on him, her usual teasing smile replaced by a more thoughtful expression.
The village was a humble collection of homes, a handful of shops, and a small square at its center. Villagers bustled about, finishing their daily tasks as the evening approached. Shalltear led Arlen to a small inn near the edge of the village, its wooden sign swaying slightly in the breeze. She pushed open the door, the sound of conversation and laughter spilling out from within. The innkeeper, a broad-shouldered man with a friendly smile, greeted them as they entered.
"Welcome, travellers! You look like you've had quite the journey," he said, his eyes quickly assessing Arlen's tired state. "I can get you a room and a meal, if that's what you're looking for."
Shalltear nodded, her eyes briefly meeting Arlen's. "Yes, please. A room and dinner for the two of us," she replied, her voice calm and almost soft. The innkeeper nodded, gesturing to a nearby table.
"Make yourselves comfortable, and I'll have my wife bring you some food," he said before heading back towards the kitchen.
Arlen slumped into the chair with a sigh, laying his sword gently against the table's edge. He looked up at Shalltear, who remained standing for a moment longer, her eyes watching him with that same thoughtful expression. Finally, she sat down across from him, her hands folded neatly in her lap.
"You should rest tonight," she said quietly, her crimson eyes searching his face. "You pushed yourself hard today, and your body needs time to recover."
Arlen nodded, his lips curling into a small, tired smile. "I will. I just... I wanted to prove that I could protect you. That I could be strong enough."
Shalltear's gaze softened, her eyes losing some of their usual sharpness. She reached across the table, her hand resting briefly on top of his. "You have nothing to prove to me, Arlen," she said, her voice carrying a rare warmth. "You've already shown me your strength, not just in battle but in your determination. That's why I believe in you."
Arlen looked at her, surprised by the genuine emotion in her voice. He swallowed, nodding slowly as he tried to find his words. "Thank you, Shalltear. It means a lot... knowing you believe in me."
The innkeeper's wife soon arrived, placing bowls of hot stew and fresh bread in front of them. Arlen's eyes widened at the sight of the food, and his stomach gave an audible growl. Shalltear couldn't help but chuckle softly, her amusement returning as she watched him eagerly dig into the meal. She ate more slowly, her attention mostly on Arlen as he refuelled after the day's challenges.
As the evening wore on, Shalltear led Arlen up the stairs to their room—a simple but comfortable space with two small beds and a window overlooking the village square. Arlen set his sword carefully by the bedside and sank onto the mattress, exhaustion catching up to him quickly. Shalltear watched him from the doorway, her arms folded lightly across her chest.
"Get some sleep," she said, her voice softer than usual. "Tomorrow, we'll continue your training, but tonight you need to rest."
Arlen nodded, his eyes already half-closed. "Goodnight, Shalltear," he murmured, his voice trailing off as sleep overtook him.
Shalltear stood there for a moment longer, her eyes lingering on his peaceful expression. She moved quietly to her own bed, sitting down and gazing out the window at the darkening sky. Her thoughts drifted, wondering if this was what Ainz experienced when watching over his subjects—this strange mix of pride, protectiveness, and something more. It was a feeling she had never expected, and it left her both curious and uneasy.
But the hunger gnawed at her, a reminder of what she truly was. Shalltear glanced back at Arlen, ensuring he was fully asleep, before slipping out of the room with barely a sound. She moved through the darkened inn, her steps silent, her cloak pulled tight around her shoulders as she left the building and made her way back towards the forest.
She moved swiftly, her senses sharp, following the scent of the demi-humans that had retreated earlier. They were foolish to remain nearby, thinking they could regroup and lick their wounds without consequences. Shalltear found them easily enough—a small campfire flickering in the distance, the demi-humans gathered around it, nursing their injuries and speaking in low, angry voices.
A wicked smile curved her lips as she approached. The leader, the one who had dared to threaten Arlen, was sitting with his back to her, unaware of the danger that had returned. Shalltear's crimson eyes glowed faintly in the dark, her fangs extending as the hunger surged within her.
The demi-humans barely had time to react. She was on them in an instant, her strength overwhelming, her movements swift and lethal. She took down the leader first, her fangs sinking into his neck, the hot rush of blood sating her hunger as she drained him. The others tried to fight, but it was hopeless. She was far too powerful, her hunger making her ruthless, her need for blood insatiable.
One by one, they fell, their lifeblood feeding her, the warmth spreading through her body as the gnawing hunger faded. When it was over, she stood alone amidst the lifeless bodies, her lips stained red, her eyes glowing with a cold satisfaction. This was who she truly was—a predator, a vampire. She would not show this side of herself to Arlen, not yet. He was not ready to see the monster beneath the mask.
With the hunger sated, Shalltear turned away from the gruesome scene, making her way back to the village. She moved silently through the forest, her cloak billowing around her, the night air cool against her skin. By the time she returned to the inn, her expression was serene once more, her eyes losing their predatory glow.
She slipped back into the room, her movements careful as she closed the door behind her without a sound. Arlen was still asleep, his breathing steady, unaware of what had transpired. Shalltear allowed herself a small smile as she looked at him—so innocent, so full of potential. She would protect him, guide him, and perhaps one day, he would understand all that she had done for him.
As the night deepened, Shalltear lay down, her gaze still on Arlen. She allowed herself a small smile, her eyes softening as she watched him sleep. Whatever the future held, she knew that she would face it, and that she would do everything in her power to protect him and help him grow. And perhaps, just perhaps, she would learn a little more about herself along the way.
The first light of dawn filtered through the small window of the inn room, illuminating the simple wooden walls and casting a soft glow over the two figures within. Shalltear stirred from her light rest, her crimson eyes opening to see Arlen still asleep, his expression peaceful. She rose quietly, her movements fluid and graceful as she crossed the room to look out the window. The village below was just waking, villagers moving about to begin their day.
She knew they needed to leave soon. The demi-humans she had dealt with last night might not be missed immediately, but staying in one place for too long was always a risk. And besides, Arlen had much to learn, and the road would offer him more opportunities to grow.
Turning back to the bed, she moved over to Arlen, her hand resting on his shoulder, shaking him gently. "Wake up, Arlen," she said softly, her voice almost kind. "We need to get moving. There's more training to be done, and we can't afford to rest too long."
Arlen stirred, blinking his eyes open and looking up at her. For a moment, he seemed disoriented, but then recognition set in, and he nodded, sitting up slowly. "Right... Training," he murmured, rubbing his eyes before offering her a tired smile. "I'm ready."
Shalltear couldn't help but smile faintly at his determination. She stepped back, allowing him space to gather his belongings. As he strapped his sword to his side, Shalltear watched him, her gaze thoughtful. He had potential, but the fight against the demi-humans had shown her how much further he still had to go. He needed to be stronger, more adaptable. And she would make sure he reached that point.
After a quick breakfast provided by the innkeeper, the pair left the village, following the narrow path that led deeper into the forest. The air was crisp, and the sounds of nature surrounded them—birds chirping, the rustle of leaves in the breeze. Arlen walked with a determined stride, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword, his eyes scanning the surroundings.
"Today, we will work on integrating more magic into your swordplay," Shalltear said as they moved through the forest. "You did well yesterday, but your technique still lacks control. It's not just about brute strength or raw power. You need to be able to adapt to whatever situation you find yourself in."
Arlen nodded, his expression serious. "I understand, Shalltear. I want to get better—to be able to protect you, and myself."
Shalltear smiled, though her eyes held a hint of something darker. "Good. Then let's begin." She gestured towards an open area among the trees, a natural clearing where they could train without interruptions. Arlen moved to the center, drawing his sword and taking a ready stance.
Shalltear watched him for a moment before speaking. "Today, we'll start with the wind spell you saw yesterday. You managed to incorporate it into your attack, but it was clumsy and inefficient. Magic is not just a tool to amplify your strength—it is an extension of yourself. It should flow naturally, like your own movements."
Arlen nodded, his focus intense. He took a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment as he tried to recall the feeling of the wind magic. He could remember the lightness, the way it seemed to move with him, and he tried to channel that energy into his blade. He swung the sword in a wide arc, and for a moment, he felt the breeze gather around the blade, but it dissipated too quickly, leaving his swing feeling empty.
Shalltear stepped closer, her gaze sharp as she observed his movements. "Stop," she said, her voice firm. Arlen lowered his sword, looking at her, a hint of frustration in his eyes.
"You're too tense," she said, stepping behind him. She placed her hands on his shoulders, her touch cold against his warm skin. "Relax. Magic is not something you can force. It must flow naturally, from within you. Focus on your breathing, on the way your body moves. Let the magic follow that rhythm."
Arlen took another deep breath, trying to follow her instructions. He let his shoulders relax, his grip on the sword loosening slightly. He closed his eyes again, feeling the breeze around him, the way it moved through the trees. He swung the sword once more, and this time, he felt the wind gather, wrapping around the blade and following through with his movement. The air rippled, a visible current trailing his strike.
Shalltear smiled, her eyes glinting with satisfaction. "Better," she said. "Again."
They continued for hours, Shalltear guiding Arlen with patient, but firm instructions. She pushed him to his limits, forcing him to repeat the same movements over and over until they became second nature. She corrected his stance, his grip, the way he channelled the magic. Each time he faltered, she was there, her voice calm but commanding, her presence a steady anchor.
As the sun climbed higher in the sky, Arlen's exhaustion became evident. Sweat dripped from his brow, his breaths coming in ragged gasps, but he refused to stop. Shalltear watched him, her expression unreadable. She admired his determination, his refusal to give in to weakness, but she also knew his limits. He was human, after all, and pushing him too far would only hinder his progress.
Finally, she raised a hand, signalling for him to stop. "That's enough for today," she said, her tone leaving no room for argument. Arlen, though clearly exhausted, looked at her, his eyes filled with a mix of frustration and gratitude. He nodded, lowering his sword and taking a step back, his legs trembling slightly.
"You did well," Shalltear said, her voice softer now. "You've made progress, but there is still much to learn. Magic is not something that can be mastered overnight. It requires patience, practice, and a deep understanding of yourself."
Arlen nodded, wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand. "I understand. I'll keep working at it. I won't stop until I can protect you properly."
Shalltear's gaze softened, and she allowed herself a small smile. "I know you will, Arlen. And I will be here to guide you, every step of the way." She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly as she looked at him. "But remember, your strength is not just for me. It is for yourself as well. You must grow stronger, not just to protect others, but to protect your own dreams, your own desires."
Arlen looked at her, his expression thoughtful. He nodded slowly, understanding the weight of her words. "I will, Shalltear. I promise."
Shalltear watched him for a moment longer before turning away, her gaze drifting towards the forest. The hunger from the previous night had been sated, but she knew it would return. It always did. And she knew that, eventually, Arlen would have to face the truth about what she was. But for now, she would continue to guide him, to help him grow, and perhaps, just perhaps, she would find something more within herself along the way.
"Come," she said, her voice breaking the silence. "Let's find a place to rest. You need to recover your strength, and I have much to teach you still." Arlen nodded, sheathing his sword and following her as they moved deeper into the forest, the sun casting long shadows behind them as they walked.