Kept dry from the tarpaulin, the group made it through the night with no one falling ill. Seonghwa's heart ached insistently as ever when he woke, and he needed a moment of leaning against a tree until his sight had cleared from the dark spots dancing in front of it. He had dreamt of Hongjoong again. The gargoyle had chased him in low flight with his claws outstretched to snatch Seonghwa, but the priest had narrowly avoided being consumed by him. In his dreams, Seonghwa was more powerful than during the day, but he dreaded the night when the demon would catch up to him. Whatever despicable things he wanted to do to Seonghwa would blemish his pure soul.

After Seonghwa's morning prayers and a light meal to appease his nausea, they packed their things. The rain had let up during the night and only its scent on the soft earth lingered. Lush and green, the grasses balanced the last drops. Seonghwa dipped his finger in a tiny pool of water gathered in the cradle of a flower.

The air was fresh and cold, a relief to Seonghwa's burning lungs as he picked up his staff and set out. Hongjoong swung himself into the air like every morning to scout their surrounding, so Seonghwa and Yunho remained to share the tranquil atmosphere of the sleepy forest. Light bathed it in gold to twinkle on the wet plants and the first birds dared stretch their wings again.

"I have a question, Yunho," Seonghwa began as they wandered in peaceful unison to the right side of the path, so any travellers who tipped their heads at them had enough space to pass.

"I will reply to my best ability," Yunho grinned, ever so charming. Perie was in the air with Hongjoong, so Yunho carried his tall body with nonchalance. He was no warrior, his body rather slender, but his effortless skill likely extended to the weapons on his belt.

"Last night, you made Hongjoong stay and talk to us. He usually avoids me like the plague. I wondered if you could teach me acceptance? He and I are so different, like sun and moon, as you put it. I wish to respect him despite those differences." Murder could be forgiven in the eyes of the Lord. Hongjoong was wicked, but he had been chosen as a blessed being. He could be a friend, or at least a friendly companion.

Yunho's staff thudded onto the earth and left markings next to his feet. He hummed in thought as he racked his brain for sensible advice that didn't narrow down to his natural charm. Seonghwa had always assumed he was well-liked as a kind priest who relayed the word of Christ to the sweet villagers. While travelling non-believers had been rare in his perception, he had never regarded them as enemies. Though Hongjoong was more than just that.

"You are on opposite sites on a spectrum of morals, so it's hard to find a middle ground. I appreciate all people I met without giving them value. However, you seek to banish evil. Hongjoong looks down on kindness. If neither of you moves from those railings you cling to, your hands can't meet in the middle."

With a frown, Seonghwa stared at the road. The first fallen leaves and pine needles littered it into a soft carpet woven by nature.

"From your standpoint, you would assume your way is righteous and a blessing to all people. I am sure he thinks the same."

"He's a demon. Naturally, he wants to destroy and bring unrest."

Yunho snickered to himself.

"And what is so bad about it? He flourishes in it as you flourish in generosity and warmth. So long as neither of you understands that and is willing to loosen your holds on those views, you are stuck on opposite ends. I agree with neither of you, I am a middle. He doesn't hurt my values and neither do you. But every breath you take is an insult to him. His mere presence repels you. Like magnets." Yunho used his fingers to show Seonghwa what he meant. No matter how much he tried to bring the tips to touch, an invisible wall seemed to keep them from each other.

"Your kindness is fitting to those who seek guidance from the Lord. Humans adore and respect you. But with light comes shadow and Hongjoong is that very shadow. I doubt you can coexist. Not as long as you want to convince him of your viewpoints."

Seonghwa sighed to himself. The more he taught Hongjoong, the worse the demon got. Seonghwa couldn't bring him salvation and he risked Yunho's life if he challenged Hongjoong again.

"If you weren't a priest and the sole reason he's bound to you wasn't your religion, you two could build a friendship based on different topics. Like travelling, as we did. But this mission narrows down to these very traits in you two."

"You mean to say we won't ever be friends?" Seonghwa searched the skies for the demon in question. He didn't have to admit his terror about being close to his taint to Yunho. An act of forgiveness and sympathy towards the unwilling heritage Hongjoong had been born with was a great sacrifice.

"I think it might be difficult. Bond with him through things aside from your belief. Things that he can see himself in."

Hongjoong crossed over the forest above, ready to breach the rays of the sun to descend. Like a miniature version, Perie chased after him with currs of delight.

"All he wants is to wreak havoc. The last time I tried to see his view and meet him in the middle, he... He is no good person."

"He isn't. And you need to understand that if you want to befriend him. If you truly wish to befriend even those with black souls, you must consider they chose to be dark. Not everyone fell out of Grace and got tainted. Some adore the night as we adore the day."

With his wings spread far, Hongjoong descended. In breathless fascination with his ability to glide through the air as if he weighed nothing, Seonghwa watched the spectacle. Once Hongjoong's claws dug into the earth and his tail swished behind him to balance his landing, the wings folded. Their pointed tops had tiny horn growths where the spindly bone connected the leathery skin.

Yunho dropped the prior topic to grin at Hongjoong in greeting. Unable to rid himself of his confusion about why one would pick the ugly side willingly, Seonghwa listened to Hongjoong's briefing with one ear.

"North is a lake that connects to a mountain chain. There is a human settlement near there, but it's filled with soldiers, so I will take my distance if you visit it," the demon snarled while he brushed some dust off. Perie circled around his horns as if doing an obstacle course.

Yunho pulled his map out of his backpack and unrolled it in the air. When Seonghwa came over to help him hold on to an edge, he picked up on Yunho's scent of honey and pears.

The taller man pointed at a lake in the northeastern corner of the map.

"What you saw should be Lake Morden near the Morden Mountains. The Reds occupy the lands past. Perhaps the soldiers are a group of crusaders. Should we pay them a visit so you may bless their blades?" A loose strand of Yunho's hair tickled Seonghwa's forehead when he turned. Mindful, Seonghwa listened to the ache in his chest.

"They probably brought chantry members along to cleanse their spirits. We shouldn't dawdle."

"Is it getting worse?" Hongjoong piqued up where he stood a few steps away with his arms crossed in front of his chest. The wind ran through his hair and the fine strands resembled spider webs as they floated along gracefully.

Seonghwa smiled a distorted smile, too repelled by what had to be sadism to be flattered.

"I can't tell; the change is so subtle. But my gut knows that time is precious right now."

Yunho nodded and rolled up his map.

"Then we won't pause. Unless you need to rest, of course. The river should take us right to Lewes and we can use it to refresh ourselves." His fingers wrapped around his walking staff again as he picked up their pace. Seonghwa followed along while Hongjoong trailed behind them to supervise their surroundings. The forest was peaceful, and only the occasional mouse rustled in the thicket at the sides.

They passed a few more travellers who stared in wonder at the unbothered gargoyle in its native appearance that followed the two men through the woods. Seonghwa knew he glared at them when they were quick to avert their eyes and muttered only fleeting greetings. He supposed that was better than a full-blown discussion with the gargoyle.

Until, instead of the wandering feet that softly thumped on the forest floor, the heavy trot of hooves caught up with them from behind. Two riders on white horses crossed the paths and their heavy armour was polished to shine like the sun. Seonghwa and Yunho huddled off to the side of the path to watch their majestic forms with awe. The swords by their belts were adorned with wings above the grip and their shields brandished red crosses.

They slowed their horses in front of the voyagers. Two men with cleanly shaved faces and orderly hair leaned back in their saddles as their horses stopped with the gentle click of their reigns on armoured hands.

Yunho and Seonghwa tilted their heads politely, and the two knights did the same.

"Blessed be you, Father. Are you on a pilgrimage?" The left one asked when he noticed the clothes and necklace that gave Seonghwa away as a man of the church.

Seonghwa smiled kindly.

"I seek a person of the west for a personal matter, but my voyage is most spiritual. Are you riding to war?"

The two nodded and beckoned at the forest behind them.

"We're patrolling these streets to catch barbarian spies from sneaking past our lines. We couldn't help but notice your peculiar companion."

When Seonghwa glanced to look at Hongjoong, he noticed Yunho had disappeared from his side. Hoping Perie's rather odd presence could be disguised from the knights, Seonghwa appeased their worries with a nod at Hongjoong.

"He's a guardian of my church, a gargoyle. He serves as my guard on this journey." Seonghwa beckoned Hongjoong to come closer with an insistent hand, and the gargoyle begrudgingly obeyed. Soon, he stood next to Seonghwa and stared up at the crusaders on their shining white stallions. His displeasure was apparent, but Seonghwa would blame it on his naturally sinister expression.

"He stalked behind you as if he wanted to pounce," the right knight said with a suspicious once-over at the demon. Neither drew their blades, but they were wary of the gargoyle's intentions.

Again, Seonghwa laughed soothingly.

"It's because his devious spirit hates being detained by holy chains. He couldn't pounce on me even if he wanted to, so you shan't fear for me. Though I am honoured you came to check."

Flattered by his genuine gratitude, the two rubbed their necks.

"It's our pleasure, Father. We wouldn't want a priest hurt on these streets. Since you are safe, we shall be on our way. Have a pleasant journey."

"May the Lord bless your courageous souls," Seonghwa wished back. The two saluted before they spurred their horses and continued their speedy trot through the woods. The dancing lights cast them in brilliant shine as they disappeared in the distance.

When Seonghwa turned to Hongjoong, the demon looked ready to pounce again. He snarled through his teeth, and his murderous eyes followed the two knights down the road.

Undoubtedly, he denied their worth and effort as much as Seonghwa's.

"We won't go near the camp, I promise. As soon as we are out of the area, you don't have to see more of us," Seonghwa sighed. He turned to continue down the path while Yunho emerged from the forest to his left. On his arm, he held Perie, all the explanation he needed. Gargoyles weren't unheard of in these lands, especially when connected to the church, but wyverns were dangerous and rare. Yunho's companion would sprout a lot of questions.

They picked up their walk again, determined to get out of the area soon before less understanding crusaders blocked their paths. Hongjoong stayed on the earth to bask in the protection of Seonghwa's oath. His presence loomed like a cloud and took every opportunity to question Yunho about him from Seonghwa.

Around them, the forest gradually dried and brightened for a pleasantly warm day they would spend in the blissful shadow under the trees.