The demon scam

You take a firm grip of Merle's arm lift her up, hardly slowing your steps at all. Better get the heck out of here while you still can.

Merle struggles in your arms, trying to get away. "I don't want to! Let me go!"

But off course you don't want to do that. You ignore the pain in your wound and keep running. Not until you think that you are safe, you slow down and glance back, but there is no sign of the demon. Looks like you got away.

You put down Merle, who is still in a foul mood, but that is hardly your biggest problem. It blackens before your eyes and you sink down on your knees, panting as you don't have any strentgh left. Blood from your wound slowly stains the ground...

You try to catch your breath, but you feel rather faint as you've been pushing yourself with that wound.

Merle keeps trying to get away from you for a moment longer, before she pauses and takes notice of your condition. "Stupid big brother got hurt..?" She shakes her head in an all-too grownup manner for her young years. "You need to get to the doctor," she says, and reaches out to touch one of the blue rock formations that are just beside you.

You look up to see what she is doing. "Huh..?"

Instantly, the rock starts to shimmer with the same glow you saw back in the forest.

You gape, totally stunned. What the..!? SHE openened up the portal here by herself?

You're too shocked to allow this to sink in just now, but you will make sure to talk to the village elders about this when you get back...

"Come on," Merle says and pulls you through the portal to get you home to the village safely.

THE END
End Of Story