Argelia
"Lord Zerenex? By the Gods, I did not expect you to undertake this task, sir!"

The Samurai bowed courteously, looking at him with a respectful aura.

"Nothing much that has not been told during the recruitment drive, I am afraid. Indaki is infamous everywhere, doing his raids in Mistrion, Velaris, and now, Yronis. He controls the minds of people he catches, and uses magic to corrupt souls in order to enthrall tough creatures."

He turned to the other adventurers, who were coming in by the dozens. Many were men looking to make a quick coin, others seemed to have personal vendetta, and some just wanted the challenge. Plenty of men were here, and were already packing up the camp.

"All right, listen up! To the north of this camp is the Keitan forest, and we have plenty of reasons to believe Indaki's forces and creatures are there. Each of you will be paid in gold after this battle is over, and you are entitled to any loot you may find afterwards."

The northern gates to the camp were then opened, and the Lord's soldiers, numbering no more than two hundred exited first. 

"Follow me! To glory!"

With the combined forces of everyone else who arrived, they totalled nearly a thousand men strong. Indaki is indeed a true threat if such digits were sent solely to defeat him.

Nonetheless everyone was headed deep into the dark forest, with thick green leaves blotting out the sun and illuminating the bands of adventurers and mercenaries with uncomfortable darkness.
Bernard
*Saurek gazed down at the other man and nodded as he placed a clenched fist over his heart and leaned forward in a respectful bow as well.* "Of course, we can not stand to allow a dangerous madman to continue unopposed, as an ally of Yronis it is in my duty to come to your aid in times of trouble. Even if it is only this once I will lend my aid in bringing this evil to heel." *The respect paid to him was returned in kind from one warrior to another as he gripped the reigns harshly nodding. His voice reverent as he spoke with Amidawa, he definitely came across as a hardened and proud warrior.* "Then if that is the case it is best we strike quickly like a thunderwave so as to prevent disruption." *As he gazed at the small army of sorts that was building he could not help but feel a twinge of pride and concern. If their enemy had the capability to dominate the minds and corrupt the souls of allies then such a large group would likely only serve as a detriment. But nevertheless he would ride out with them to the battlefield, if only for one time these would be his allies and likewise they would be able to find an ally in him.* 

*As much as he had respect for the Lord and the soldiers that would be leading them into battle. They were trained and disciplined honorable warriors who had a purpose there. But he did not quite hold much respect for the mercenaries he saw join up. He considered mercenaries a slap in the face of soldiers and warriors alike, part of him considered them worse than the hated barbarians of the east. Most mercenaries fought for their greed or sadistic pleasure. Not with a fire or passion to prove themselves, nothing like his own proud warrior race. Saurek himself did not take pleasure despite his love of war, it was a duty and honor to his bloodline, and his people unlike some hired hands yet to prove themselves.*

*His contempt-filled gaze looked at the half-giant and his large band of hired hands, the seemingly ill-equipped valac, and then of course then noctis who looked more belonging in a nobles court than on a battlefield. Perhaps they would prove to be honorable warriors but he would not expect much from a rag-tag group of mercenaries. But it would be best to keep things amicable at best so he pushed down his own biased opinions and offered a friendly nod as he turned his horse and followed after lord Amidawa the distinct sound of marching armor sounding out as the small make-shift army set off to face their foe. Saurek himself was welcoming of the dark forest, it was closer to his homeland than anything so far. But the trees and dense foliage concerned him as it felt almost as if they were walking into an ambush.*
Kevin
Noctis drew his hood up, the deep hood and a very minor illusion spell created a darkness that hid his face well. This was an opportunity for many things in Noctis' mind. 

Letting Valac fight would further help the dark being hone his ability- he needed to become a better fighter if he was to withstand whatever darkness was within him. 

Meanwhile the massive Orc and the massive man, perhaps even of giant descent, were by and far the most interesting. One had even brought nearly 300 men, the other... Well seeing the way Lord Amidawa had reacted to him had certainly been enough to spell interest in every language Aeterna spoke. 

He wasn't here for glory, gold perhaps was a surface level reason- what he wanted from this was to understand the dangers Aeterna faced and to figure out further where he wanted to fit into this new, sometimes head spinning world that had once been his beloved home. Now he was a stranger, out of time, out of place, out of money and with too many options. 

Stroking the hilt of Ebony Rose, Noctis strode alongside the party. 

"Stay strong Valac- I'll keep an eye on you." He said calmly to his traveling companion, before using his Flash Step. The ability was a two part combo that he'd used with Valac before, creating an illusion of himself over himself and then momentarily boosting his speed to a point he'd be hard to track- effectively vanishing while leaving behind an "After-image." After a few moments when they entered the shadows of the trees the illusion would vanish, unnoticed by everyone but the most perceptive of eyes. 

Meanwhile Noctis would silently and swiftly through the branches, carefully practiced footfalls and silencing illusion magic making him as light as a squirrel. He'd keep his eye and ear on the conversations of the important people while scanning above the traveling group for threats. 

Noctis looked young and dainty, but he'd fought alongside Scipio in the Cousin Conflict, he hated war, but he knew it as intimately as a
Mary
*Out of the hundreds if not thousands of warriors that crowded around the lord like loyal little dogs, he only picked out a handful of people that caught his attention. First was a man of unnatural beauty, or at least what he thought was a man. With cheeks as soft as those he might as well have been a woman. Fenier chuckled at this thought. Standing beside the man was... A child? No, a dwarf? No... A young man? He wasn't exactly sure but he certainly wasn't dressed for war. Both of them stuck out like a sore thumb.

Fenier turned his head to look towards the man with the pretty face, but there was only an empty spot where he once stood. Fenier stared at the spot for a moment before shaking his head and turning his attention towards the final man who was worth any of his time. A massive man of orcish decent, large even by his race's standards. A towering wall of well-muscled flesh clad in a suit of hardened plate... Just like Fenier. And from what he could tell, the man seemed to be somewhat close with the lord, at least an associate of sorts. Fenier would make sure to keep an eye on him.

Once the lorded had finished addressing the participants of this raid, he took his leave to return to his men, looking to give them one final message of encouragement. "Brothers and Sisters of the band! I expect you to show no mercy to our enemies! Polish your armor with their blood and sharpen your blade on their bones! Leave not a man breathing, i accept absolutely no prisoners today!" Fenier roared out to his men, throwing his hands into the air encouraging his men to howl alongside him.

"For glory! For recognition! FOR OUR GREAT PATRON LORD TITANOS!!! He has blessed this day, victory stands over the hill men! Steady yourselves and ready for FIRE AND IRON!" He chanted loudly, the stomps of his men and the thud of their polearms causing the ground to shake beneath them. Only causing further excitement within the band, who were nearly foaming at the mouth at this point.

"With me b

Oys, to glory we march!" He finished off as he motioned for his men to follow him behind the rest of the lord's forces. Following behind like the good little guard dog he was.*
Stephen
"I'll try my best to keep up... Just don't leave me to die." 

*Valac would snicker as he seemed to be quite enthusiastic of this occasion. As much as it may prove difficult, he was excited for the mere challenge of it all. Though, he would have to rely on Noctis as well, along the lines of information, and environment advantage. Yet, he can't help but feel like he'd probably be left alone again, similar to fighting that were-cat that he had first encountered. It made him a little bitter that he handle the situation on his own. He hoped that it wasn't going to conclude like that again. There were far more opponents this time, and therefore... Leaving him behind with some aid would probably not suffice.* 

"I'll have to utilize that power again... If I want to even survive. I hope you're there to stop me before I do anything terrible... Or make a mistake. Well comrade, let's get into this chaos!" 

*He said, looking at his new "Companions" That he'd have to work with. He felt as if he had no synergies with them. Especially the judgmental look from the giant. He returned a bitter cold look, seemingly distasted by the judgment. He knew that he had cards up his sleeve, but he didn't want a confrontation nor conflict because of mere looks and assumptions. It was better to remain collected and calm throughout the midst of this. It was a serious battle, as much as it was entertaining, he knew the vast importance of this. 

If they wanted to enter the Eternal City, and discovering what he truly was rather than a name and a mere demon at that. He knew there was something more, but he wouldn't use all of his cards immediately. He'd have to play carefully, meticulously. As they began to shout, Valac covered his ears from the unpleasant sound of resonating pride and moral ringing in his ears. He winced a little before crossing his arms. He followed along, and followed closely by Noctis. That was the only person he can truly trust in this vast throng of people.*