The Devil Race had variants like the Vampires and the Succubus. The variants formed their own kingdoms named the Eastern Blood Kingdom of the Vampires and the Southern Dream Kingdom of the Succubus.

Originally they were a united bunch, collectively called as the Devils. It all changed when the variants were born.

The Vampires were innately gifted at creating things called magical force fields. These force fields could take any shape and design. While the Succubus were experts of illusion arts and hypnosis. Even breathing in the same room as them was inviting danger.

Of course, the original Devils remained the strongest, with their high affinity for miasma. They were experts in magic, and their talent was no less than that of the Dragons or the Druids. That was the reason that although somewhat divided, they still stood toe to toe with the mighty Dragons.

Three ships representing the three kingdoms were currently sailing towards the Gateway Island.

On one of these ships was Tengoku Yokusei, one of the Generals of the Horned Devil Kingdom. Other than a General, he was also the nephew of the present Horned Devil King.

The General was enjoying his personal maid Harumi when a soldier knocked his door. Yokusei was annoyed, but he knew his soldiers. They wouldn’t disturb him for nothing.

“What is it?” he asked lazily while wearing his clothes.

“Sir, we have arrived.” The soldier respectfully replied.

“Hmm” He kissed the beauty in his bed and teased. “We’ll continue later.”

The beauty said nothing and shyly disappeared under the blanket.

He walked to the deck, and saw the magnificent island.

At last, he thought. The island was a natural treasure trove, filled with mysterious beasts and magical herbs. Adding to that the recent mysterious phenomenon of disappearance of Profound Energy, the island had been probably hiding something more.

He could also see familiar ships belonging to the Vampires and the Succubus. He couldn’t help but snort at the thought of those despicable people.

They had achieved independence using the aid of Dragons, their mortal enemies. And although they called their kingdoms for Vampires and Succubae, a majority of their citizens were Devils.

The division of the Devils caused a drastic drop in their strength.

They were no longer able to threaten the Dragons.

Yokusei inhaled deeply. The matters of the past were no longer of any importance. What he came here was to investigate the reason for disappearance of Profound Energy, and to collect some treasures. And, if possible, to kill others who’d come to the island.

He took out his telescope to watch the island. His aide stood behind him all this time, always ready to receive orders from the General.

He saw the General watching the island and felt proud.

Although the General was a little lewd, and might have some kids which he himself doesn’t know exist, he was an excellent person when it came to commanding. After all, he was famous among the vampire and the succubae for being an eyesore.

He saw the General become stiff for a few moments.

Yokusei saw a bright light between the two peaks, which disappeared after a few moments. He became excited. He turned his head toward his aide and said.

“Full speed”

The aide was clearly surprised. After all, they had already reached near the island. But he, being the General’s aide, was experienced. He went to tell the General’s command to the ship’s captain.

Next day.

Although Madhu was as fit as an athlete, Param forced her to stay and rest. Even though she was a huge power source, he could not bring himself to force her to work today. She pretended to be alright, but he saw her arm was slightly swollen.

Also, he was confident that he could take care of himself, against gigantic beasts, huge birds of prey, humongous trees whose branches if fell accidently could squash him to death… maybe not.

He roamed cautiously and collected some familiar fruits and nut looking things. He saw some rabbit like animals and hunt one down. That was the extent of his capability.

They say fortune favors the brave. Param saw a typical arrangement of leaves and rocks. It was clearly not natural. He was puzzled. This was the first time he’d seen something like this. It was neither a nest nor a place of resting of an animal. So what could it be ?

Looking left and right like a thief and confirming that no one was near, he moved towards the nest like arrangement.

There were huge leaves in the centre, and many rocks creating a circular boundary. In the middle of the leaves were purple colored grape like stuff. He held one in his hand. He used both of his hands as each was larger than an orange. It felt like jelly, and gave off an irresistible aroma.

He wanted to try one, but suddenly the ground shook. He heard a hoarse scream.

He saw a huge creature made out of wood, as if a tree in the forest had become alive. It looked a XXL version of Groot from Guardians of the Galaxy.

Param dropped the purple stuff and raised his hands. The creature was clearly intelligent. It might understand if he showed he didn’t mean to take his stuff.

“It’s alright, I don’t want your stuff” he said and slowly backed off.

But Mega Groot gave him no chance. He rushed towards Param like a train. The ground shook with each step he took.

Param was screaming in his mind: I didn’t do anything ! I didn’t take your stuff !

He ran and ran, and Mega Groot followed. If it weren’t for those huge trees in the forest acting as obstacles, he’d have died much earlier.

Finally, after almost fifteen minutes he succeeded in throwing off the big guy.

He’d never run like this his whole life. His legs had cramps, and he was having difficulty breathing. He took deep breaths, and spoke angrily.

“Complete and utter bullying !”

That was really how he felt. He felt like a cockroach running away from a human. It was humiliating. He swore he’d take revenge.

Night.

Param was dreaming again.

The era of touch screen mobiles was coming. Any guy who had a smartphone was a cool guy among his or friend circle. At that time, Param received a brick phone.

He was happy like any other kid who’d received a phone, even though it was outdated. Now he could at least contact his classmates.

He took numbers of his guy friends- no problems with that. But no girl gave him her number, saying she didn’t had a mobile, which she clearly had.

The naïve Param felt confused, sad and humiliated. Were they not his classmates ? They acted normally until now, but now ? Why ?

He felt inferior. When the class ended, he drove his cycle hard. It was raining, yet he still rode. The cold made his mind calm.

He finally thought, what’s the big deal ! It’s just a phone number.

Reaching home, he received a good thrashing for coming home wet purposely.

Param opened his eyes, and placed his left arm over his forehead.

Dreams like these were common for him.

In the noon, he went with Madhu to a certain location. Their mission- Revenge by stealing the purple thingies.

He’d already explained her what are they going to do. He would act as a bait, and Madhu would steal- confiscate all the goods.

Madhu hid behind a huge tree, and Param went towards the purple stuff. He waited for a moment until he heard the ground shake.

He took a deep breath. Mega Groot was coming.

As soon as Mega Groot saw Param near his stuff, he raged. No one could imagine such a gentle looking creature howling just for some peanuts.

As planned, Param ran followed by the giant. When they both were quite far, Madhu emerged and quickly stuffed the purple jelly-like things into her makeshift sack. These guys clearly looked like professions, with how easily they implemented their plan.

Evening came, and Param finally returned to the cave. Apparently, Mega Groot wasn’t much smarter than Groot.

Madhu had her brows furrowed until she saw Param. He saw her expression change rapidly from concerned to arrogant, like a hidden expert.

He could do nothing but smirk at the thought of this lass…. like mature woman.

They ate roasted fruits and meat, and now it was time to inspect their earnings.

Param held one in his hand.

“It really gives off a nice smell” he murmured.

Although it looked edible, he wasn’t sure if it could be eaten. It looked like a fruit, or a seed, or a …. testicle.

He shivered at the thought, and turned his head. The girl was happily chomping into them, and her mouth had become purple.

At the bright side, she was helping him taste whether they were edible or not.

He took a nibble and exclaimed: So delicious !

He wasn’t fast enough and more than half of them went into Madhu’s stomach.

Both burped satisfactorily and laid down to sleep.

That was when the magic of the purple fruits began.