Later that morning Coralia, Hurstag, Laz, and Peyo sat alone with the three newcomers inside the newly constructed longhouse. The demons were averse to magical light, so they sat in dim torchlight.

“Let’s just begin at the beginning with your names.” Coralia urged the two seated demons. “You don’t need your helmets here. There’s no danger.”

Hurstag and the kobolds sucked in a breath at the sight of the red skin, black eyes, and horns but remained calm as they had promised Coralia they would. The female demon looked over at her male companion and spoke.

“I am Elisif, first knight of Belithel. He is Mathael, second knight of Belithel. This child’s name we will tell you as we tell our story, if you would hear it at all.” The demon named Elisif said. “Does that suffice?”

Coralia nodded and Elisif closed her dark eyes to gather her thoughts.

“Ten years ago a war on this plane created a flood of new life to our world. Life has a resource cost there, just as it does here. Also just like here, wars are waged over those resources. Lord Maiphon and his hordes invaded Primea Verdis, the realm of our queen Belithel. Individually we were far more powerful, but Maiphon’s horde is limitless. Six years ago our defenses were breached and the millions of bloodthirsty horrors flooded in like magma. They tortured, raped, and devoured all they could touch.” Elisiph paused her tale and blinked a few times to steady herself but then Mathael placed a gentle hand on her shoulder and took over for her.

“Three years ago, the horde reached the castle of our queen. Maiphon himself tore the entire castle from its foundation and cast it into the ethereal sea. The war has engorged him so that the two hundred foot deep chasm surrounding the castle was only up to his knee. As a final act of desperation, our queen bound Maiphon to that spot with a curse. She used her own flesh as material for his bindings. As her body was destroyed, her spirit fled into Elisif’s womb where she grew as any baby would. Belithel was reborn and we spent nearly two years protecting her and hiding in the hells until we learned of a gate opening to this world. We snuck in with the horde and fled to the surface. A hunting party caught up to us last night, and you know the rest from there.”

Coralia’s mouth was hanging open and her eyebrows were stuck high on her forehead.

“So... The demon goddess of vanity, carnality, and hedonism is...” She looked at the tiny bundle of cloth in Elisif’s lap as she trailed off.

“As long as she lives in this current incarnation, Maiphon cannot join his children in their rampage across this plane. Her curse is absolute but if she dies in this form and is banished then he will be free to enter this world which he craves above all others.” Elisif answered the unfinished question.

“This all seems like such absurd coincidence. From the moment I chose to save the kobolds this meeting was decided, perhaps even earlier. Was it her meddling I wonder?” Coralia mused while staring at the tiny reincarnated deity.

Belithel’s blanket had shifted a tiny bit as she looked about the room, revealing a chubby porcelain white face and wide golden eyes. Striking features aside, there was nothing abnormal about the toddler other than her quiet attitude. She seemed every bit an adorable well behaved two year old.

“Do you believe ‘em?” Hurstag asked Coralia, not hiding his suspicion from the demons.

“Implicitly, yes.” Coralia answered. “A demon cannot offer a false name, and once offered cannot lie to the one compelling it to say its name.”

“It is a leap of trust to offer our names freely, for they confer power over us.” Mathael confirmed. "Though it goes both ways. A weak will is easily trampled."

“Are we free to go then?” Elisif asked hopefully.

“You are, but I have a suggestion.” Coralia replied. “We have a mutual enemy right now. Why not pool our strength?”

“You would ally with demons?” Mathael interjected with surprise.

“Don’t be racist.” Coralia retored with a sly smile. “I know the hells are a nuanced place just like the mortal plane. So what do you say?”

“We say thank you. Thank you and yes, we will join you.” Elisif bowed her head and a single tiny tear of relief streaked down her red cheek. “It’s moving to find an ally after so long surrounded by enemies.”

“A demon’s tears are a valuable thing you know.” Coralia said still smiling. “Rest today and close both eyes for once. You have my word that you are protected. When you wake, join us in planning our defenses.”

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With that, Coralia and the others left the demons to rest in the longhouse. Laz wore a concerned look, and Coralia beckoned her to speak her mind.

“Is it wise to harbor such a fugitive?” Hurstag translated the concern from the young kobold princess.

“It would be far more reckless to let such a fugitive out of my sight. As of now it is the duty of every mortal to protect that child. If Maiphon comes, all of the hells come with him. His presence blots out the sun, and allows his army to raid the surface with impunity day and night.” Coralia answered slowly, ensuring nothing could be lost in translation.

She saw Laz pause and consider the words as Hurstag relayed them. She then nodded in firm agreement.

Sometime later, Coralia gathered all of the villagers aside from the resting demons for a strategy briefing.

“Double the sentries. Begin laying out plans for our defenses. Our very first order is to seal that cave opening. With the masons’ magic and my runes we should buy ourselves a good amount of time. Further, we need to find a better source of salt and devote more effort to producing iron.”

“I know some mineral divination magic but why do we need more salt? We produce plenty to survive from animal blood.” The smith Straga inquired with a raised hand.

“Salt crystal and pure iron are highly toxic to creatures of the lower planes.” Coralia replied. “With it, even kobolds can injure them.”

“Understood. I will begin divining for a salt vein or brine spring right away.” Straga vowed seriously.

“After we take care of the cave, we can create deep pits disguised with brittle clay as traps using earth magic.” The mason Gorta added.

“Good idea, and line the bottom with wooden stakes that have been soaked in salt water.” Coralia encouraged the nodding mason couple.

“What of the kobolds?” Hurstag asked in translation for Laz.

“All kobolds not on sentry duty will gather sticks of appropriate size to sharpen into spears and stakes. After that report to one of the masons working on the pits.” Coralia replied. “Once our immediate defenses are prepared we will move to combat training. Report any snags to Hurstag or myself. Clear?” She finished, looking out over the crowd as Hurstag relayed her instructions.

“Oh shit!” The two hundred kobolds shouted as they saluted their leader before scattering to follow her orders.

Coralia then took the two mason dwarves to the cave entrance. It was a simple task to collapse the cave. The ebon dwarves weakened the walls with softening spells, and gravity took care of the rest. Thousands of tons of rock collapsed deep into the cave system, it would take far more effort for anyone to excavate the entrance. Just to be sure, Coralia placed several runic wards upon the rubble for good measure.

“This reminds me. Where did you all enter the surface?” Coralia asked the two dwarves on the way back to the village.

“Higher in the mountains to the south, we sealed it behind us.” Brecker answered what he suspected was the forthcoming question.

“Good. In the best case those were the only nearby exits to the surface, but I still want to prepare for the worst.” Coralia said as she marched ahead of them.

She stopped suddenly a moment later, turning back in the direction of the collapsed cave. The mana signature she had sensed spying had suddenly appeared, and it was approaching at unthinkable speed.

“Run back to the village, tell everyone to prepare.” Coralia said without looking away from the southern sky.

“What is it!?” Gorta asked fearfully.

“The worst. Go!” Coralia ordered forcefully. “If anything reaches the camp before me take the demons - especially the child and flee for your lives.”

The dwarves nodded and ran north with all speed. Coralia kept her eyes fixed on the sky as she began independently tracing runes with each hand. Coralia was naturally powerful, nearly peerless in physical strength and raw mana among her mortal peers, but that was a pale thing compared to her mastery of enhancement and rune magic.

Titan Strength, Ultimate Freedom, Eyes of Agma, Total Resistance, Resist Negative Energy, Resist Poison, Penitence Brand, Aegis Aurora, Distort Light, Spell Stop, Greater Acceleration, Last Wish: Vengeance. Coralia finished her preparations as the landscape around her darkened in the shadow of red wings.

A red dragon, in all of its majesty landed before her. Between its horned snout and spiked tail dwelt one hundred and fifty feet of unbridled destructive power. Its ruby colored and ruby hard scales glittered in the afternoon sun. Its claws tore furrows in the stone, and the wind from its wings laid the trees low as it landed. Its lamplight eyes bore into Coralia with cunning and intellect that far surpassed any mortal’s. Flames rolled from its jaws with each breath, highlighting its hundreds of sword like teeth. It radiated power such as Coralia had never felt before. For the first time in many years, Coralia felt utterly inferior.

The dragon cocked its mighty horned head as if in confusion. A voice that would send thunder into hiding erupted in the language of magic. Coralia felt a searching spell digging through her mind, she reflexively pushed back and shattered the connection.

“You do not wish to converse with one of your own kind?” The booming voice shook the crags and vibrated her whole body. “The planes are finally getting festive once more. The Coral Titan has begun to rampage in the sea. Maiphon belches forth his malice. My beloved Belithel is deposed. The devil Onigoro has left his hibernation. A dragon wearing a human costume parades about my own garden with a colony of mice. I could no longer be satisfied simply watching from atop my hoard. Dalazog the Red who has dined with and upon gods has introduced himself to you. Would you snub him?” The earthshaking voice finally inquired.

“I never meant to snub one such as you.” Coralia bowed reverently. “I fear you are mistaken about me though, I am fully human. I have no riches to offer for your great hoard, and my village is a humble one.”

The dragon snorted, a peculiar sound. “You do not lie, though that only means that you believe your own false claims. Any of the twelve spells hovering about you at this moment would break the mind of a pitiful human magic user and leave them as a desiccated husk. Last Wish alone is a god tier enchantment capable of even destroying me, yet you still cling to your illusion of humanity. Pathetic, yet fascinating.” The dragon snaked its massive head forward to within a few feet of Coralia as it spoke.

She could feel the heat from its maw and every primal instinct in her body screamed but she held firm.

“True enough. I only know what I know. What more may I do to entertain the mighty Dalazog the Red?” She asked, still bowing her head.

“I came to speak to a dragon. In time you will come to your senses. In the meantime I’ll be watching.” The dragon leaned back and began to spread its great wings.

“A moment, great Dalazog.” Coralia bade him as she remembered something the great dragon had said. “You called Belithel ‘your beloved’ did you not?”

“Of course.” The dragon responded as though the question were foolish. “What self respecting red would not love the embodiment of vanity and pleasure?”

“I see. Then if you’re leaving may we meet again.” Coralia bowed low once more as she spoke.

“What is your name, deluded one?” Dalazog asked as he once again spread his great wings.

“Coralia Balfonse. It’s my humble pleasure to witness your majesty, Dalazog.” Coralia answered, still suppressing the terror of the dragonfear emanating from the beast.

“Humph.” The dragon grunted. As Dalzog began flapping his wings, he reached under his own chin with his razor sharp claws and plucked one of his scales. He tossed the palm sized ruby red scale to Coralia and she caught it easily.

“A memento.” The booming voice echoed above the rushing wind of flapping wings as Dalzog leaped into the air, flying fast back to the south.

Coralia breathed a bewildered sigh, watching the massive creature shrink in the distance. She turned her attention to the red dragon scale in her hand. It practically hummed with magic, and she had the feeling it had been given as much more than a mere memento.