Far south from the Kingdom of Byron, hooves and neighing horses echoed in the dense forest as animals and beasts made way for the ragging group of men in war horses and metal armors.

A young man, clad in azure armor with the metal mouth of a loin flanking each side of his shoulders, led the impressive cavalry at the front. His orange hair turned golden under the sipping light from the dense canopies. His handsome countenance made his youthful face appeared younger and proud.

He was the best among the beast from his generation for the reason that he inherited the Legacy of his father and grandfather. This Legacy was the techniques, skills, and spells passed down from generation to generation.

He was Lucian Asura, grandson to the legendary Lionell Asura, the leader among the five heroes who led humanity to freedom fifty years ago.

Lucian’s eyes never stray ahead as he commanded, “Let’s make haste. There’s no rest for us until we reach our destination!”

A resounding ‘YES’ vibrated in the trees and startled the creatures away.

Lucian’s azure eyes remained focus which shook from time to time. Cecily, hang on. I’ll definitely come and save you.

----

It was a clear night where the two full moons were high in the sky.

In a secluded, secret underground cave in an unidentified land, which only a few knew, laid a tavern that mainly catered to illegal dealings. Asad and Eoi walked with heads high as they made their way towards the barman.

Oroborough Tavern is led by an unknown race. Its appearance depended on who was talking to it. For Asad, the barman was an undead and for Eoi, the barman was a dark elf with long pointy rabbit-like ears.

This unique Tavern didn’t exist in any realm. To have access, you’re required a special pass. But everything you need, classified and not, was sold here if the price was right.

Different races walking in and out of this Tavern was not unusual. In fact, the majority of the customers were of an alien race. It was neutral ground, and anyone who caused a commotion would have their once in a lifetime pass revoke –– permanently.

“Do you have an available merc that we can hire? Preferably, an A-class or higher,” Eoi said upon arrival as he flung a black soul cage full of captured souls on the table.

Asad eyed the cage. Souls were sought after in the demon realm, for they could absorb it to rank up into a higher class demon. Asad grumbled, but he didn’t say anything more.

Gold and other forms of money were useless in this place. To acquire life, they must return of equal value.

Asad glared at the others when they flung their head in their direction. Upon seeing the demon’s gaze, the greed in their eyes vanished as they lowered their head and continued drinking and chatting.

Asad let out a smug smirk before looking at the barman who was inspecting the souls. His bulky long pointy nose crunched as the edge of his lips rose, jagged yellow stained teeth on display. He arranged the monocle on his warts-filled face before he asked in a piercing, slithery tone.

“When do you need it?”

“As soon as possible,” Eoi replied.

The barman scratched his warts with the sharpness of his nails. “Regretfully, all our mercs are on a mission.”

Asad and Eoi frowned. Asad growled in impatience, “When are they gonna be back?”

To which the barman replied, “Hard to say. It could be tonight, tomorrow, or even when the three moons are up?”

“Sixty days? We don’t have––!” Asad’s complaint lodged in his throat when Eoi stopped him with a hand.

“Is there no one available?” asked Eoi. His gaze never leaving the barman’s cat-like orange eyes.

“. . .” The barman’s lips quirked, and he grinned. “There is this . . . creature . . .”

Asad and Eoi eyed the barman in curiosity.

“If you want to take a look. I can bring you to it.”

Asad and Eoi looked at each other and said, “Lead the way.”

The barman’s face twisted in a horrendous grin. “Come with me.”

Asad and Eoi followed the barman as they made their way into the deeper parts of the Tavern, where a selected few had access.

The flicker of the torches light was the only source of illumination in the dark, murky passageway. Asad and Eoi felt a slight chill, and their guard rose when faint guttural sounds vibrated into the cave’s unknown depth.

When they had reached the end, an enormous birdcage enforced with spells and pentagrams stumbled into their view.

As the light illuminated the cage, their jaws drop, and a gasp escaped from their lips.

For the life of them, they haven’t seen a creature of this kind. It was neither human, beast, nor anything else. It was over two-meter-tall and bulky, with tiny bumps like pus about to erupt protruding here and there. It had two face, a demon with tiny horns on its forehead which rested on another face of a monster with jaws as its torso. Two large horns burst from where its shoulders were supposed to be. It has six arms in total, a pair of humans hands, a couple of sharp crab-like claws, and a pair of monstrous beasts claws. And all this weight was supported by a pair of massive beast-like legs.

It looked like he was just randomly put together without caring for its appearance.

The barman’s grin widened into a warped smile. “Lo and behold! A failed experiment from our lab. But don’t let that discourage you. This creature was born from the blood and flesh of different races. It goes without saying how powerful it is.”

Asad and Eoi were still processing what they saw while the creature eyed them with its four eyes. Its enormous jaws breathe foggy steam, and saliva dripped to its cage. Its drool was like acid as it sizzled upon contact with the metal. But with the spell reinforcement, the hole in the cage was as good as new.

The barman skimmed the sharpness of his jawline. “If you don’t mind an unruly, savage monster accompanying you, I might just lend him to you if you add another cage of souls.”

Silent descended, and the monster’s breathing fogged the area.

After a moment, Asad flashed his sharp teeth in a wide grin.

“We’ll take it.”