Celso led the group in the direction Athena and Kassach had pointed to go. He checked over his shoulder for the hundredth time since leaving. The result was the same every time; he couldn't see the other people. He could hear their heavy breathing and footsteps behind him, but he couldn't see them. He turned his head back around and continued to trudge through the tall, yellowing grass.

His mind kept wondering back to Athena. Was she safe? What happens if King Buledal finds out about her helping us escape? What will he do to her? Images flooded into his mind as he quickly pushed them to the back. He didn't want to be - couldn't be thinking about that right now. He had to trust Athena and that she had everything under control.

Taking a deep breath, he let go of those thoughts and kept his feet moving. He was ready to stop. He didn't know how long he had been moving, but the sun had already passed its highest point and was now moving back down. They should be arriving at the village soon.

He hoped.

------

Two hours later, Celso could see the broken tips of buildings above the tall grass. He smiled as he led the group closer. They finally stepped through the grass and out into the open cobblestone area. Celso stopped around a medium sized fountain. It's small, cobblestone walls were starting to crumble and fall. No water spewed out of the top and it's pool was dried up.

"I don't like being here," Celso heard Jay whine behind him. He turned around and was happy to see Jay instead of air.

"I can see you," Celso smiled at him. He looked over Jay's shoulder to see the rest of them walking their way.

"I can see you too, Celso," Jay laughed.

"I assume we have to make the smoke now," Yong mentioned.

Celso looked up at the sky and saw the stars trying to peak through the darkening sky. They had just enough light to make the fire and send the smoke signal. He nodded his head once and started to gather the wood.

When the wood had gathered and the fire was lit, they all stood around the fire and watched the smoke rise up. Celso prayed that Athena would see that they had made it and that they were alright.

"I'm guessing now would be a good time to make camp," Jay suggested.

Celso shook his head. "No. We need to keep moving."

"Celso," Coleen started softly.

Celso held up his hand and shook his head. "Please, Coleen, listen. We have to keep moving."

"I agree with Celso," Robby spoke up. He stepped beside Coleen and placed a hand on her shoulder. "I know we need rest. I know that we've been traveling all day, but the sooner we get back to our world and warn the elders, the better."

Coleen looked up at Robby and reluctantly nodded. "I agree, but in a couple of hours we will rest." She looked at Celso when she mentioned the latter.

Celso nod his head once before turning around and grabbing his pack. He slung it over his shoulder and started walking towards the edge of the forgotten village.

For a while it was quiet behind him. No one dared spoke, but eventually, Yong jogged up to fall into step with him. "I hope the right ones will see our smoke signal."

"You and me both, brother," Celso agreed.

"What if they don't," Yong questioned. "What if the demons come back to get us? Celso," Yong took a deep breath. "I don't want to go back."

Celso looked over at Yong. Celso hadn't noticed before, but Yong wasn't looking good. His cheeks were hallowed looking and his eyes had bags underneath him. Celso noticed how his clothes seemed to be a tiny bit bigger than when they first crossed through the portal.

"Did you eat?" Celso asked him worriedly.

Yong shook his head. "I've had a bit of the bread Athena stole for us, but that's all. I was waiting till-"

"No," Celso quickly interrupted. "Did you eat when we were being held prisoner."

Yong looked down at his shoes and shrugged his shoulders.

"They gave us food, Yong," Celso's voice started to rise.

"Can you keep your voice down?" Yong hissed at him. He took a deep breath and ran his fingers through his hair. "I didn't trust what they were feeding us. It looked disgusting."

"What were you expecting?" Celso asked him in a hushed voice. "A five star meal?"

Yong glared at him before shrugging his shoulders. "I don't know what I was expecting, but I sure wasn't expecting a five star meal." Yong brought his attention back in front of him. "I know it was foolish of me to not eat, but I'm sorry that I don't trust demons as quickly as you and Athena do."

"I only trusted that one," Celso argued.

"Yes, but that could lead to you trusting more of them just because Athena trusted him."

"Are you saying-"

"I'm not saying anything negative about Athena. I know how protective you are of her, but I'll be honest. I do find it odd how she trusted that demon so much."

Celso shrugged. "I can't answer that thought, but I trust her judgment and always will."

Yong nodded. "I know."

Celso looked at him out of the corner of his eye and sighed. "Yong, when we stop I need you to promise me that you will eat whatever I put in front of you."

"I'll eat whatever the others eat," Yong harshly told Celso.

"Yong-"

Yong held up his hand to stop him. "I'm not going to be treated any different because I'm not as nourished as the rest. I will eat the same amount as the rest."

"Yong-"

"Please, Celso?" Yong looked at him with a pleading expression.

Celso sighed. "Alright."

Yong nodded, satisfied. "Thank you."

Celso looked straight ahead. He promised himself that he would keep a close eye on Yong and make sure that he's eating. Celso was not going to loose anyone.

---

When the moon was at its peak in the sky, they stopped for rest. Celso helped Jay and Robby find some wood and start a fire while Coleen cooked a stew. The men sat around the fire waiting for Coleen to finish cooking when a noise came from the bushes. Everyone reached for their weapons and watched the bushes sway back and forth. 

"Please, have mercy," a familiar voice came from the bushes.

Celso, confused, stepped forward. "Kassach?"

Kassach stepped through the bushes and stood up to his full height with his hands in the air. "Please, don't do anything rash."

"Why shouldn't we?" Jay stepped forward with his knives out in front of him. "For all we know, you could be here to retrieve us and take us back."

Kassach turned to glare at Jay. "Why would I do that?"

"You work for the King," Jay growled.

"A King that I want to watch die." Kassach turned his attention away from Jay and back in Celso. "I have news about Athena."

Celso let his sword fall by his side. "What about her?"

Kassach let his hands drop by his side. He stepped closer to Celso. "I'm sorry. If I only knew he was-"

"What happened to Athena?" Celso growled as he raised his sword and pinned it against Kassach's neck.

Kassach quickly raised his hands. "The King was waiting for her in her room. He- He brought it out of her. I'm so sorry, Celso."

"Celso," Ray spoke up from behind them. "What is he talking about?"

"She's no longer the Athena you all knew," Kassach explained. "I'm sorry, Celso."

"Why didn't you protect her?" Celso yelled. He pushed Kassach making him fall on his back. Celso fell on top of him and pushed his sword against his throat. "You promised to protect her!"

"I tried, Celso! I didn't know that the King was waiting for her!"

Celso felt weak inside. The one thing that he wanted to protect wasn't even the girl he had sworn to protect. She wasn't his anymore. She now belonged to King Buledal as his weapon.

Celso felt hands grab his shoulders and pull him off of Kassach. He didn't struggle against them as they sat him down on a stump. He felt someone push a bowl in his hands. Looking up, he saw Coleen squatting in front of him. Her lips were moving, but he couldn't hear what she was saying all he could think about was Athena.