For 57esq I thought I’d at least go up a level or two. But that isn’t the case it seems, the stronger you are the harder it is to level, I may have underestimated Reais’ effect on Essence and Esq. Still, I’ve got a few points to spare and if my past year training has taught me anything it’s that I’m still nowhere as tough as I should be.

It’s no wonder these demons look down on me as Lord Crimson, looking out to the hurt of the fire divide I wonder if there’ll even be a chance for my usual speedy guile and tricks.

I sink 3 Trait Points into [Armoured Form]. After evolving twice it’s rather expensive now. The remaining 2 Trait Points fall into [Quick Mould], as much as I’m nervous about witstanding attacks I want to give them out as quick as possible as well, though with the Seeker Blade I figure that changes the paradigm of how I fight.

For the sake of battle I split my Essence Points 4-1 in favour of Strength. It’s the first time I’ve favoured Strength, but it’s the right time to do so. Wisdom only goes up by one point because I doubt it’s the extra wisdom stopping me from casting [Minor Illusion].

Name: Nil

Race: Demon

Type: Transformed Deviant Soul

Age: Immortal – 7years, 4months.

Crystal Essence: [Crimson]- Lvl.6— 197esq

[Available Essence Points— 0]

Strength: 24

Agility: 56

Wisdom: 23

Abilities: [Faithless Absorption], [Faithless Mimicry], [Faithless Essence Amplification]

[Available Trait Points— 0]

Traits: [Armoured Form]- Lvl.2, [Greater Cognizance]- Lvl.1, [Psychic Resistance]- Lvl.3, [Quick Mould]- Lvl.3

Ascension Perks: [Reais Fiend]

Spells: [Invisibility]- Lvl.1

Patron: Nil

To an extent I’m beginning to understand why I’m getting so little power from Crystals that are nearly my level and even higher. But understanding doesn’t make it any better.

My consolation prize however, is the new the extra power in my muscles, the Essence Points I tossed into Strength gave me more than some extra muscle.

I’ve gained an extra bit of health from it. In the sense that my Soul Crystal feels fuller. There’s always been that gap between the max Essence I can move around from mimicry, boosts and other feats and the max Essence I need to remain alive. They’ve both increased.

My general disappointment doesn’t feel as bad anymore.

With my newest strengths acknowledged I leap down from the dune and trot over to the [Leptir] and [Ashka]. Despite spending a long time in the desert, fighting and eating weaker demons as we travelled, I still haven’t learned their names— if they have any that is.

“What are they talking about?” I ask, interrupting whatever conversation they may have been engaged in.

The [Leptir] turns to me again, ever amused with its wings fluttering behind it, “Nothing you’d understand.”

“Its strategy.” The [Ashka] cuts in, mandibles clicking even as his [Leptir] companion snaps a glare at him, “The base we’re assaulting is relatively new, that means a new Maroon tier demon is ruling there. Compared to the Queen or even your Calridian, they’re much weaker. They’re closer to Fex and Gerim in power than the Queen and Calridian.”

He explains, ignoring the [Leptir’s] snarling as I do, “So we have a good chance at winning then.” I say with some excitement, if this Maroon tier demon isn’t as strong as Calridian or the Queen then there’s some hope to be had coming out of this alive and stronger.

But it’s here the [Ashka] falls silent, exuding an impression of discomfort and uncertainty his mandibles click again, “I wouldn’t be so proud to say there’s a good chance. This is still a Maroon tier after all, a tier we’re all so far from. The powers vested in demons of this tier are…well, it outclasses us.”

The [Leptir] makes a sound akin to a scoff and beats its wings, “What’s the point of this talk anyway? You should tell it the truth.”

“What truth?” I press as the [Ashka’s] impression fills with annoyance.

He turns away from his companion, shaking his large ant-like head, “He believes we’d either be dead or too weak to even face off against the Maroon tier.”

“And I’m right!” He beats his wings again, the wind turning the sands around, “No matter how young this Maroon tier is the fact is they’re going to be Blood Orange tiers around and many, many Crimson tiers. Even if we clear out the Crimson weaklings we’ll be left to fight the Blood Orange tiers, keep them at bay at least while our seniors over there head over to challenge the Maroon tier while they still have some strength in them.”

Carried by his wings he leans in, “Realize it now, whatever strategy they come up with is going to boil down to tossing us ahead of them so they save their strength for the true challenge. So try not to die, although I don’t expect many of us will be leaving with our lives.”

With the curt, angry outburst the [Leptir] flies away, hovering over the ground as he does. I can’t tell with him; I don’t know if he feels proud at being chosen or if he dreads it.

Before this I would’ve quickly picked the former but now…

“Let’s go. They’re ready.” The [Ashka] says, walking out to the others gathering in front of Gerim and the other Blood Orange demons.

I’m tall enough to catch a good view of the Blood Orange demons lined up in front of us. Staring at them up close is intimidating, my senses pick up several sources of Essence and I figure Fex isn’t the only one with an enchanted weapon.

The ten of them are of varying sizes, specie, gender and power. But out of them all there’s only one that catches my eye, a tall reptilian looking demon with long gleaming claws. Poking out behind it are large cleavers with serrated sides. It dons an armour as well, the first I’ve seen worn in Reais.

There’s little doubt that he’s the strongest.

Of course, there’s no icon indicating what type of demon it is, but I don’t fret about that— it is embarrassing that Gerim is the only demon out of them whose icon I can read clear as day.

Compared to the large oppressing presence that is this demon, Gerim feels more like a peer than anything.

‘Hope he didn’t hear that.’

“The time is now!” the demon starts, “I am your commander in this assault, you may refer to me as Lord Commander or simply Lord. Our goal is simple— show the fiends of this Divide that encroaching on our Great Lord’s territory will not be tolerated!”

“Now, these brutes are an audacious bunch, so the moment we march into their territory to mete out their punishment, expect their fodder to lie in wait, expect them to ambush and trap us! Be ready to for anything!”

One of the demons beside him seems to mention something telepathically and he adds, “Yes, we will follow behind you. You, the children of our Great Lord will be the first to reap the rewards. Kill, destroy, occupy! That is our mission.”

“What did I tell you?” A voice pokes into my mind, it’s hard to hear because of the effects of [Psychic Resistance] but I know who it is and my head turns to meet his eyes.

Hovering above us all the [Leptir] looks down at me and at last I understand what he’s been thinking— feeling.

Hopelessness.

“Stick with me, we’ll survive this together.” I urge, speaking directly to him.

He doesn’t say another word, cutting me off instead as he flaps away as the group begins to march.

“Nil.” Gerim calls out, grabbing my arm. His frown deepens at the sight of my face and though he has something to say, he says something else, “Don’t overextend yourself.”

With that he lets my arm drop and stands beside the rest of the Blood Orange demons, safe behind the Crimson’s.

‘Well, this ought to be…bloody.’