Bushes rustled, leaves shook with different animals, and strange monsters keenly watched as the large group of demons traversed the narrow forest path. Within the group, a plethora of demon children were encircled by the undead women as if to ward off any predators that dared take a chance.
Just outside of the group of children, there were two in particular who were being accompanied by the men of their village, each one bruised and battered. One of the red demon boys glared at the other, growling. The other returned the sentiment but was slapped upside the head by a hunter demon, Gail.
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Terk, another of the hunters, pulled the other child by the shoulder, giving a stern look at the boy who was starting trouble. The boy instantly calms himself, allowing the travels to continue in peace.
In the front of the pack of demons were Lucius and Jala, who wore their stone masks. They stopped at once, hearing her rustling and loud thumping.
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He detached from the group and stepped off the road, following the direction of the sounds. As he caught a glimpse of green, he aimed his hand and conjured water that froze into a spike of Ice. He shot in the bushes, striking a hidden monster with expert precision. The green monster flailed and writhed around and was shot in an instant again.
Cautiously, he scanned his surroundings as he heard more rustling around him. He then closed his eyes, feeling out the world around for any sound, smell, and traces of the life of any more of those monsters that would dare cross their path.
Opening his eyes. Jala manifested several more of the Ice spikes, circling him. Suddenly, as if provoked, the hidden goblins leapt out in all directions, attempting to attack with their crude stone weapons.
Jala scoffed, unimpressed. Seconds later, the ice spikes shot and tore through the bodies of the attacking goblins like cheese.
Blood splattered onto his robe. He groaned, annoyed at his new filthy state.
Sensing another presence, he aimed another spike, but stopped as they ran back in the direction of his group. Unconcerned, he dissolved away his attack, bringing his hands back into his robe.
Jala stood and waited in complete silence. "I'm not hearing anything from the group… One of those children probably got loose or something."
Jala trudged his way back to the group with his newly bloodied robe.
As he arrived back, he could feel the many eyes of the curious boys and girls looking at him, some were left in awe, as others were curious about the event that had unfolded.
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On Lucius's signal, everyone continued to move on.
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Jala soo became lost in thought. Soon after, a strangesight came into view.
To Lucius's surprise, a caravan of demons with carts was being pulled by large birds. Lucius narrowed his eyes, recognizing one of the demons as the village chief of Bremwall.
"What's going on?" Lucius wondered.
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Lucius and Lillian, who wore their stone masks, were face-to-face with the Bremwall residents inside a large blue tent. A long table sat between them, furnished with snacks and fruits, unfamiliar to even Lillian.
The blue demon residents all wore the loose and dirty attire of an average villager, with some of the garments looking more torn than others.
A pink-eyed, blue-skinned and white-haired succubus brought the group some tea, setting each one on that table with care. Lillian gazed at the succubus curiously, taking in the rarity of this woman.
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The leader, who wore a simple leather vest, took a sip from his tea and spoke.
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Lucius froze, shocked.
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Lucius narrowed his eyes with a frustration building up within him. He clenched his teeth behind his mask. "
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Lucius glanced at the tent covers where everyone waited outside. "
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Lucius eyed Lillian, but kept quiet.
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The Bremwall leader nodded solemnly. "
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Lucius pulled at Lillian's sleeve, interrupting her. "
Lillian stood in silence for a moment, leaving everyone awaiting her response. As she gazed back at the demons they were conversing with, she noticed a veil of confusion.
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Lucius turned to Lillian. "
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The leader agreed and raised a toast to the newly found alliance.
Lillia begrudgingly obliged and raised her tea, before taking a small sip alongside Lucius. "This wasn't supposed to happen!"
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Jala watched as Lillian stormed away from the tent with Lucius watching from behind, He approached Lucius with a growing curiosity he whispered to Lucius. "What happened to her?"
"I'm not too sure. But she looks a little upset."
They watched as Lillian entered into the forest. Lucius shook his head and exhaled. "I'll go check on her. Keep an eye out on everything out here."
Jala nodded and watched as Lucius took off after Lillian.
Gail approached from behind. "
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"Yeah, but as long as we have somewhere better to settle and meat on our tables, we'll should be able to get by just fine.>" Gail said. "Anyways, Are we still going to this Bremwall place?>"
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Both Jala and Gail turned to find the blue-skinned succubus. " " " Jala pulled Gail away from the women, amusing her. She chuckled and returned her gaze to Jala.
"< A Succubus is a demon like us. Only more deceptive in nature.>" Jala explained. " Jala glared at the still chuckling succubus. " The succubus's smile deepened. " " ""
" " " " Jala glanced back at Gail to see him waving back like a fool in love. He rolled his eyes and pulled him out of his trance. " " ********
Lillian brushed past the bushes and the tree keeping constant marched forward as she entered deeper into the forest. With the feeling that she was far enough away from camp, she struck the closest tree in sight.
Her breathing became heavy. She brought his fists from the tree and struck it again. Then a third, a fourth and a fifth time.
The tree crackled and toppled over, leaving a trail of destruction. The sounds of animals scurrying about and away filled the air as Lillian attempted to calm herself.
"It wasn't supposed to be like this!" she silently exclaimed. She tightened fists. "First it was Rakon's betrayal. Then Lucius wanted to help those children. And now this!?"
And the ground cracked beneath Lillian. She quickly ceased and started breathing to calm down. "It's like God Cassell is purposely trying to slow me down!"
"Lillian?"
Lillian whipped around to find Lucius taking his mask off. "Do you want to explain what that was all about?"
"Leave me alone Lucius. I don't want to talk right now!"
Lucius ignored her , continuing his approach.
Without hesitation, Lillian conjured a ball of fire aimed at Lucius. "Leave me be!!"
Lucius continued, unfazed by her threat. In an instant she launched the fire ball at Lucius and took the attack head on. The flames around him slowly shifted around from his body and into the palm of his hands into a fire ball much smaller than Lillian's. The fireball quickly dissipated, frustrating Lillian.
"You know that won't work Lillian. Just talk to me."
"Tch! You're an ass." Lillian turned away from Lucius, crossing her arms tightly. "We ... We found those Bremwall demons. Why can't we just go!?"
"If we leave them now, they'll become vulnerable to Lillian. You know that."
"But they're demons too!"
"That doesn't make us immortal!" Lucius' voice became more stern, freezing LIllian in place. "Our number is small enough as it is already. If we were as numerous as the humans above, I wouldn't have to care as much. But that's not the case."
Lucius sighed, getting closer to Lillian. "Here. I'll make a promise. Once we've finished with delivering everyone to somewhere safe, we'll head straight back to the castle."
There was silence. After a while, Lillian finally spoke back up. "You promise?"
"Yes."
"Alright. But I'm holding you to it. The minute you go back on your word I'm going on ahead without you!"
Lucius chuckled at Lillian's proposed punishment. "That's fine by me. Let go."
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Azar, a red demon woman with black hair, violet eyes and short horns erected from her head, strolled through the castle corridors along with a demon soldier wearing similar armor to hers.
" " Azar growled frustrated. " The soldier bowed and took his leave with the new commands given.
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