1. Rescue

The penetrating sound of distant animal screeches was all he focused on, his thoughts revoking control over magic as he looked down on the burning pit.

The crumbling of a house in the sea of fire tore him from his reverie, underlining once more how utter destruction had come to the Pirrah.

Catfolk known for their easy-going nature and teasing antics. Well, no more. He thought, tracing along the sharp edges of his bent horns. Here goes my rest, my happy fucking. And their lives. I wonder which ranks first on the list...

He sighed. A dark shine enveloped his waistbelt and just barely tore his attention from the ruined village to the small booklet affixed on it with a thin chain.

Gisg-Na-Med-Gisg-Na it read in the eyes of mortals. Small, ominous letters only the few could read and even fewer interpreted unhinged each word. As for gleaning its contextual meaning? Only those he allowed to could do that.

Because it was his name and the book was his as were the concepts. Thoth perceived what it wanted to convey and obeyed. Relaxing his leathery wings, he lost altitude. Landing on the ground, he approached the crematorium.

Little past a scorched signboard barely reading Hamstay, he set foot on the streets he'd remembered crawling with visitors, crowded with merchants while being kept clean by the energetic catfolk.

"There was Florian, a stray vagabond." He muttered while walking past medium done corpses. He did not fall alone. "The fool stayed to the bitter end."

Behind the bloodsoaked tent the old lycanthrope had called home, he came across the remains of brave militants. Cut and pierced lay the bodies, the ground brown with dry blood and brittle from the unforgiving heat of dying embers.

If not for remembering how delicate the Races were, Thoth would have thought of the fire as part of the village. An attraction or something similar, to increase the customer base this far out in the middle of nowhere.

"What...is this?" He stopped momentarily, tilting his head this way and that as fire licked his bare feet. "There it is again." Thoth crossed some alleys, down the hill, past the evaporated little stream, away from the dried-up riverbed and up again. "Whaaa~"

He approached the ruins of his original target. Past old Ferris, or what ashen remains had yet to dissipate of the drunkard dwarf. The inn was hardly recognisable, a far cry from the homey hamlet in his memory.

But amidst the burst pediment barely kept standing by the last two smouldering pillars which had not yet fully yielded, he espied some sort of webbing. Surrounded by fire, seriously?

"Whaaa~ Uwhaaaa~" Approaching the place, Thoth wasn't surprised to find a bundle of ragged cloth in which a big head had been lovingly tucked away.

While the package had been wrapped in apparent hurry, Thoth was damn sure the whole house would crumble down first before the baby came to any harm.

"The young. Nasty place to be." Thoth grimaced, transforming his expression into a wide grin consumed by mockery. Under fire it would have suffered less. And now it's at risk of starvation.

He locked eyes with the baby and waited. It will soon kick up a storm. The screams were to see no end. It will spit and brabble as it hollers at the top of its lungs.

And then, it might choke on the drivel. And die, if it's lucky. Won't starve this way. Won't burn to death. Amidst the ridicule he felt, there was a deep sea of melancholy hidden away in his ash-coloured eyes.

The baby widened its eyes to the extreme, seemingly surprised that the screaming fit had provoked a reaction. Finally someone graced it with undivided attention. Though that someone certainly looked very strange...?

It felt the absence of a certain, much-hated emotion. Then it looked some more at the scary visage, opened its mouth and...giggled happily. Mirthful laughter rang through the burning village. The unfamiliar creature held no malice.

Happy chimes all reserved for Thoth and Thoth alone melted millennia-old ice. A lifetime's worth of fuzzy memories of him from another itineration flashed past his eyes, leaving an indelible mark.

Some different choices, changes in fate and duty. Fewer opportunities but greater luck would have made him the protagonist of these memories. Flashbacks that came and went once in a while. It was a very effective attack straight to the heart he recognised.

Thoth was spellbound and lost in his astonishment. The mind washing began or so he'd explain much later his state of mind at that strange time.

Only when the baby's stomach rumbled and jovial giggles turned into screams of pain and some furious calling over the coals did he jolt awake.

Smelling the stench and seeing its beet-red face, Thoth became all antsy. Extending his claws, he tentatively let them hover over the bundle, unsure if the delicate creature would come to harm from his rough, awkward handling.

Still, his hand eventually grabbed the small thing. Astonishment came over him, for the baby was sick, burning hot even to his weathered scaly touch.

In the furthest recesses of his head, Thoth remembered the importance of family members for incomprehensible stuff like that and dangerous situations alike.

Suddenly, Thoth marvelled at how difficult it was to care for someone in comparison to setting up a guy or engaging in happy warfare. This unbefitting realisation kind of rubbed him the wrong way. Someone must miss the young something fierce.

"[Detect Karma I]!" He scouted almost hysterically. With so much death surrounding him, just from where came his bloody wish to actively contribute? It was bad manners...

Nothing but some bugs and bacteria appeared on his radar. "That's not gonna work. [Greater Detect Karma III], c'mon!" Now all three surrounding hills came to life in his perception, much more detailed than before.

Yet no single thread entangled with the baby other than the insufferable aristocrats responsible for the mindless culling. Including their ridiculous reasons, now all known to him. "What the...?

Even some random bugs have greater karmic profiles than this young?" Focusing some more as Thoth clung to his stubbornness, the baby was left staring at a gaping mouth and two rows of terribly sharp, very pointed teeth.

Faint but real, there was a link! Albeit with...him. This kind of feedback was worse than getting no answer. "How is this possible? This makes absolutely zero sense. Must be wrong."

Thoth fidgeted around a bit as he clumsily tried to calm down the shrieking baby, now letting loose all the water contained within that small body.

And hell, that was a lot. Can't be healthy for the young. Must change...diapers. They are called such, no? "Diapers!" Thoth looked around quickly but nothing useful came to his eyes. "[Greater Inanimate Radar III]" Mana crashed into the booklet once more.

A hopefully satisfying answer later, he fell into a jog. Down some alleys and up a hill until he came to a stop in front of a magnificent house in ruins. "[Lesser Earthquake I], [Heaven's Pull I]!" The ground shook and dirt splattered left and right like the spray at the sea.

Much intense labour later, a crate came shooting from the ridiculously big hole he'd just created. Thoth crushed the adorned ornament worth a pretty penny, grabbed the soft silk inside and flew back at full speed.

Four seconds later and he arrived, soothing the bitterly crying baby. Cleaning its petite body proved to be beyond him, dashing his efforts.

While he didn't feel like giving up, a load of diaper rash messed Thoth up while trying. And with the skin reddened and most likely itchy too, the happily laughing bundle of positive energy had its very terrible mood swings to burden the inexperienced creature with.

Thoth even considered casting a classified spell just to finally get rid of all the persistent waste clinging to furry ears and an agitated tail. "You're really a handful, young." Perhaps that statement was meant for him more so than it was meant for the baby.

Only the unwelcome scene doing so would have created convinced him of the necessity of employing lesser solutions. "[Greater Purification III], [Greater Detox III], [Greater Heal III]."

The spells he cast were potent enough to eradicate the prenatal weakness the baby suffered from at its root. Even the clogged eyes were liberated from grime and dirt, revealing a turquoise and a gold pupil.

Resentment, curses and the wicked souls still lingering over these doom afflicted lands all found absolution as the fire turned a holy gold, healing instead of burning.

Thoth didn't think his selective choice was overkill. Instead, his mind was occupied with the correct angle he should go at the baby for the linen to cause the least cold or uneasiness.

Being exposed to a spring of never-ending mana, the baby soon showed signs of unhealable mutation. By the time Thoth discovered the scary change, he almost cut off his arm as he tried to get some of his blood onto the baby.

It sizzled only for a short moment before all kinds of resistance buffed it up for good measure. His blood had this ability. Why do I even care? Karma sometimes also lies.

Thoth never stopped gently wrapping the comfortable linen around the small body, fearing injury at every jolt. It too cannot be mine. But logic alone had never truly dictated anything to members of his kind.

Magic flowed into the bundle, transforming its characteristics on a fundamental level. It became more durable than the best armour of mortal making and softer than the most expensive of silk.

This could be a ruse. Thoth didn't trust the thought. For that, the baby was just too cute as it halted in its heartbreaking screams and revealed a happy chuckle at least until famine caught up with it. Cuteness is justice, after all.

With what he had in mind, something crazy could be cooked up which he liked very much. Craziness was somewhat baked in his blood, but first things first.

Thoth needed the baby alive for the plans he had. But that's just me trying to reason with the situation. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted as the booklet affixed to his waistbelt glowed clinically white. Somebody had intruded in his sphere.

More specifically, creatures of light Thoth never welcomed had. Creatures that the baby couldn't handle. What the...I'm already thinking for the young?

Considering the circumstances, Thoth's thoughts were in favour of evading a confrontation. Too much blood spilt on this day already. Thoth grabbed the bundle, secured it on his bosom and took flight.

The incoming paladin was barely looking at the husks of destroyed houses built with wood and stone before fixating Thoth with his beady eyes so rich in fury.

"[Righteous Slaaaaaaaaash I!!] Rrrraaaahhhh!!!" A mighty beat of his wings propelled him out of range, the sword cutting nothing but empty air. "Oh, you so fucking do not escape, frigging murderer! [Lesser Consecutive Follow-Up II]"

Much to Thoth's chagrin, the baby wriggled its head out of the tight silk wrapping, happily giggling away as the sky and earth met. Thoth tumbled through the air, taking all pressure upon his powerful body.

The little thing would not survive half the spinning force, and even if it did, Thoth wasn't one for unnecessary risks. "Stop...," he evaded another twenty or so slashes that left a noticeable mark in the sky, "...this instant."

The paladin had a mighty snort on the ready as an answer. Discovering his martial commitment only served to act as a nice breeze conjured upon his deep frown an even darker shade.

It was quite evident he wouldn't catch up to Thoth's speed, at least not in the air and out of his usual element. "Cleanse yourself of your sins, daemon!" Barked the paladin, his overflowing mana suggesting a big move. With more blood? Silly. I refuse.

The pair of white wings on his back vibrated dangerously. Just moments prior, he distanced himself far enough to charge up unhindered. "Archangel Chamuel, bless your fervent servant.

To vanquish the indomitable evil, bask this undeserving mortal in your holy presence. [Conjecture: Equipment Release]!!" Thoth could have easily done him in by taking advantage of the opportunity if he didn't want to see more blood spilt on this unlucky day.

Yet while his mind was still unsure of what to do and how to dispose of the hot thoughts of happy fucking lacking an outlet, the next flurry of attacks rocked radiant sword slashes filled with holy energy his way.

The glaring light was nothing to his eyes, but for the baby, it was another story entirely. Of clashes, inertia and vibrations, Thoth could protect it.

But of light? Even he was a bit too slow to counter the speed of light. The baby shrieked as it brawled its eyes out, the small furry ears inclined, running parallel to its head.

Thoth immediately turned his back towards the paladin, letting the radiant slashes crash into his wings where they were soon eroded by the darkness.

"Master Roches, status report!" Reinforcements. And of the dumb-looking kind at that. Zealots, I bet. "Cadet Damsel, Evelinn, stay clear. This daemon is not a creature you can fight."

Master Roches never averted his eyes from Thoth's rhythmically beating wings, knowing very well how cunning daemons could be. "What is a daemon doing here?" He soon started his onslaught yet again.

Urgh, this cruelty...only absolute evil can do such horrendous things. But is this really the work of a daemon?" Evelinn was the other member of this meagre squad of three, a petite woman pondering over the most minute details.

As an inspector, her piercing gaze immediately found something to fuss over. Not that it was hard. "Master Roches, your armour won't hold long. Huggenritt will give you an earful, be warned." Even in the heat of the fight, the paladin winced.

"Listen you imbeciles, I—" It simply wasn't meant to be Thoth's day as he wasn't allowed to finish his sentence. "Daemonic Whoreson!" Oouf... Rather nasty even in my impressive collection of flattering titles.

"What are you doing with a baby? I fucking dare you use it as a shield." Cadet Damsel sounded as pissed as she was convinced of the truth she'd concocted.

Just that the brawny woman failed to actively translate that ire into brawl power. Not for a lack of trying, as Thoth amusedly noted. But there was a limit to what she could do by hurling scorched remains his way with the meagre power of a mortal.

"To seek murderers go west. Under the insignia of hooves and four dahlias you will—" "Keep your lies, daemon. We won't fall for your instigation." Listens less than my old rocker. Well, what did I expect?

"Remember this, I might be weaker today, but in the future, I shall slay the sinful likes of you." Cadet Damsel's furious hollers made it abundantly clear that Thoth could keep his mouth shut as well.

"Then the baby—" "Rotten Sucker, what do you plan to do with the poor thing?!" "[Righteous Slash I]!" "Not you too while I'm talking. Urgh." Thoth evaded both literal and metaphorical threats with strained movements.

Ridiculous. Their death's an easy feat, but the young has precedence. What if it gets mentally scarred or develops badly? Thoth, they are not worth risking a calamity.

A groan escaped his fangs-filled mouth. With the baby's emotions negatively impacted, it failed to keep its waste. Thoth smelled it. The stench was awfully similar to deadly trouble.

"Enough, you unreasonable bunch. Mindless faith has indoctrinated you stupidly." Thoth punched the paladin he dubbed a nasty fly. The unexpected movement found surprisingly little purchase but some cracking armour.

Blessed, that one. Chamuel...was it? Now more than ever, what the paladin had equipped looked worse for wear. Roches shot down to the ground like a missile, coughing up blood and bile. Thoth definitively wasn't kind to his stomach.

While still up in the air, the man tried to mitigate the force tearing at his abdomen. He'd shouted a muffled "[Lesser Aura of Vitality I] to make sure he'd survive the fall.

And that he did, but not without paying a certain price. Even so, the outcome was just like what Thoth aspired to see. And in this situation, Thoth also had the right counter ready to end this farce. Joung's seriously screaming. Can't be good...

"[Lesser Earthquake I]" The ground shook under a sudden nasty tremor and dust and ash rose into the air. "[Poison Cloud II]" It was still too little commotion for his taste.

"[Lesser Whirlwind II]" Now the sight in front was what he deemed a healthy mix of chaos, a great smokescreen he could make use of.

After filtering through a couple hundred coordinates in his head and excluding those who obviously weren't a great place to be for a baby, Thoth was left with a handful of choices.

None were really attractive, and only two gave the possibility to acquire the bare minimum necessary in terms of clothing and other necessities indispensable for a baby:

A comprehensive record that'd teach him the ins and outs of how to take care of one. Only one place ticked the most boxes on his imaginary wish list. "[Greater Teleportation III]."

Visibility via simple mana discharges was about to return and Thoth still planned to make use of the favour of the hour. The booklet affixed to Thoth's waistbelt shone in eerie grey, the letters constituting his name turned dark gold.

It opened with a thundering bang. Dozens of different letters shot out of its vortex-like, freely scrolling pages, rearranging themselves into a specific order before the immediate space he resided in got separated from the rest of the world and the two disappeared.

Only a greater spell had the punch to tear away a suitable piece of space for teleportation purposes. Only a greater spell guaranteed the baby would feel absolutely nothing at all.

Yet it was also only a greater spell that would alarm all the surrounding kingdoms in this rundown corner of nowhere. Thoth wasn't keen on repeating past mistakes.

He had no interest at all in acting as a trouble magnet. It's bad for the young. Yes, it's all because of the young. The young saved your lives, children of the fake light.