????'s Point of View

Lestrania

“So,” Credo began as we all sat around waiting. “Have you had any luck in your search?”

My eyes met his. “Not recently.” Was my dry response.

Pestilence chuckled. “I still remember the first time we met. It was the second time, wasn’t it?”

“No. I’m pretty sure it was the third hunt.” His brother shot back. “Not that it matters. How many do you have left?”

“A few.” I answered.

“Have you thought about what you’ll do after? With all that power, you might be able to challenge Thana yourself.” Credo pointed out. “Given how powerful you are now, I’d say there’s a possibility.”

“…” I didn’t answer.

The bandaged Demon frowned. “Are you more focused on Arthur?” He inquired. “I’m a little surprised you’re even here, to be honest. Last we heard, you wanted to kill him. Even had a few run-ins with each other, haven’t you?”

There was a ringing in my ears. “What I want is answers. Depending on those answers will determine how I proceed.”

Both brothers glanced at each other. “If that’s the case, why haven’t you killed Rudnurth? We all know where he is. Wouldn’t it be simple for you?”

“Rudnurth is a defensive mechanism in place to keep Helmsforth safe. Killing him would be simple, but his manipulation of magic is a counter against the Demon horde.” A small shrug escaped my lips. “Odds are he would be released if it was necessary, and I will kill him once it becomes necessary.”

“Your patience is incredible.” Credo commented.

“I have nothing left but patience.”

Pestilence scoffed at that. “I’m not so sure about that. You may be strong against magic users, but even you can’t fight everyone. Patience isn’t the same as being powerless, and you have been quite powerless.”

A shrug was all I gave him. “Think what you want. It matters not to me. Everything will be dealt with in time.”

Credo frowned as he gestured to me. “Are you referring to us?”

My eyes drifted to him for a moment before I replied. “No. Klasteris will be returning soon.” Both sat up in alarm at that, as they looked at me in disbelief. “Thanks to my sensitivity to magic, I know that it is waning, and that means Klasteris will return.”

“Doesn’t that also mean…” Credo trailed off when I nodded.

The green-haired Demon snarled at that as he spat. “Fuck!”

Our conversation ended abruptly as we all stood. “Did you feel that?” I asked.

“Hard not to when it would make anyone hesitant about approaching.” Pestilence responded snidely.

“Why does his magic feel so foul?” Credo questioned me. “Even Demons magic is dark, but I can feel the chilliness from here.”

“How should I know?” I shot back. “Regardless, we need to get closer and see what’s happening.”

Arthur's Point of View

Helmsforth Temple

“If these Demons are as powerful as you claim, what hope do we have?” The Beastmen representative asked. “Rather, why haven’t they made any more serious moves until now? If they can destroy nations, every one of us should be under their control, shouldn’t we?”

“Everything comes down to their in-fighting. It’s most likely that several factions are working against each other within the Demon ranks. Powerful Demons are vying for control or just straight up hindering one another.” I explained. “However, someone has more control than the others. That’s who we need to be worried about. The one issuing out attack orders in Lestrania.”

Dryritt aided me. “They must have some commander of sorts or perhaps a Queen.” He then nodded at his own words. “Dragons will challenge one another for more power. It doesn’t surprise me that Demons might do the same.”

It wasn’t that simple though, but he was leading others to what we both knew. “Still, to only call on us to inform us of such events seems excessive.” The Owl stated.

“Excessive?” Ventari finally spoke. “Lestrania, the Kingdom of Magic, almost fell. Fell.” She reiterated firmly. “Is it possible you don’t understand how grave this situation is? A Demon larger than the entirety of Helmsforth attacked my ships and separated the east from west.” The Queen of Dwarves pointed at me. “It was Sir Arthur who killed it and look at his wounds now. Do you think Demons that can permanently wound such a man who faced the Leviathan are just to be dismissed?”

The Dwarven Queen had made a valid point. One that I certainly agreed with. Unfortunately, none of us were able to respond as things started to become darker. The flames began to die slowly, one by one, until they were completely gone. Moonlight was all we had left until some of the Elves ignited their magic as many of us stood in alarm. My eyes were trying to find who was responsible but found nothing.

Until a wave of red and black magic filled my vision from an elderly man that appeared on top of the table. Dryritt was the first to move. Given his eyes, it’s no surprise the Dragons saw him first. Especially since they didn’t stand out of arrogance. Slashing across the table, he split it in two as the old man merely stepped onto one side over the other.

His voice finally came in as many stumbled about in confusion. “I’m not here for you, Dragon.” He warned. “No. My only goal is the Anomaly.”

All hell broke loose.