There was a standoff in the museum ruins as Bryson, Sable, and Florence stood ready against the demon that had appeared. The demon looked rather causally at them, but made no movement to advance closer; likely they were aware that these three children weren’t normal.

“Oh come on. Strike up a conversation with me. First impressions are important.” The demon said with a devious smile.

Bryson noticed Florence reaching for her firearm and Sable reading to draw her blade. Bryson kept glaring at the demon with narrowed eyes, something clicked with him; it was the way the demon was moving. Bryson took a few steps towards the demon trying to keep a calm demeanor.

“What are you doing in a ruined city?” Bryson asked.

“I’m here to make sure that my things don’t get stolen.” The demon said casually. But Bryson noticed it; the demon took a step back. It was keeping his distance from them. Staring at the demon longer Bryson noticed the mana patterns.

It was strong and naturally emitted more mana than any of the three, but that was the default nature of these types of creatures. It didn’t seem to exude any great power, it seemed normal, for a demon at least.

Then again, Bryson didn’t really know how strong demons are firsthand. Aside from that one weird entity that he encountered the night his eyes activated, he’s had no experience. Still from what he’s been told in theory if this was a normal demon, they could take the demon. Bryson then considered the course of events.

The demon came and greeted them, no attacking, not yet at least. They had the initial jump of them, so why not attack? Either the demon felt no threat to them or they didn’t feel confident in the result of immediately starting a fight. Considering how careful the demon was with measuring distance, it was likely the latter.

“What does the bowl do?” Bryson asked.

“Now why would I tell you that?” The demon said playfully.

Bryson continued to narrow his eyes at the demon. What was its play? It showed itself to them, but why? Demons were known to make deals, but that shouldn’t be the case here. The demon already knew that they intended to take the bowl, so why confront them? They definitely didn’t want the bowl to be taken, so it was likely plotting something.

“Scatter.” Bryson said eyes widening as he realized what the demon was trying to do. Immediately Sable and Florence split off and not a moment sooner as a circle around where they were standing momentarily was filled with flame.

“Tsk.” The demon clicked their tongue in annoyance as the trap that had been prepared failed.

“That was rude.” Bryson said as he rolled forward to avoid the flames and shot a basic blast of mana at the demon.

From the outstretched hand of the demon a gnarled red and black blade appeared and the sword cut the blast into two in one smooth motion. Each half slammed into the walls on either side of the demon leaving large holes in the old building where they struck.

“Cute but- huh?” The demon began to say before turning around in surprise as they heard the loud heavy footsteps coming his way.

The Omen came hurtling down the hall charging straight at the demon, smashing through any of the old display cases that stood in its way. Upon reaching the demon it grabbed the demon with outstretched hands and caught them in a bearhug.

“Glarrggh! Let go!” The demon screamed upon being grappled while The Omen continued to run forward. Bryson quickly jumped to the side to avoid getting into the path of the two as they slammed through a wall.

The Omen didn’t stop moving as they took a few more large strides forward before slamming the demon straight into the ground. Then straight through the floor.

“Huh?” Bryson said with an audible gasp.

“It went down to the basement.” Florence stated matter of factly.

Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

“How do you know that?” Sable asked.

“These types of buildings have large underground basements.”

“Wait, did you call The Omen to help?” Bryson asked.

“No it did it on its own. Mother said that it was programmed to protect me when danger occurs.” Sable said but looked a bit unsure.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know. It just seemed to act a bit different.” Sable said with a shrug.

“Can that thing defeat the demon?” Florence asked looking down at the sinkhole, the sound of combat between the two could be heard.

“I think so.” Sable said, “But we should help the thing.”

As she said that they heard scuttering around them. Confused they started to look around for the source of the noise, only to find that it seemed to be everywhere. Bryson’s eyes widened as he noticed several dots start to converge on them.

“Monsters incoming!” Bryson said as he looked around for some tool to use.

“What’s coming- oh hell no!” Sable shrieked as she saw several dinnerplate-sized insects scurrying towards them.

Florence needed no advice as she immediately began firing at the first few dozen insectoid monsters that approached them. Controlling her mana input for her firearm she left the interior of the building in tact as she exploded several of the insects. Horrible noisy squelches were heard as these creatures exploded from the impact.

“It’s a mutated dwarf-roach hive! They’re flesh eaters!” Florence shouted through the firefight.

“Gods this is disgusting!” Sable complained as she drew her massive greatsword and swung it in the air. A blade of wind shot from the sword and cut a few more of the incoming bugs.

Bryson looked around them, he saw even more monsters converging on them in all directions, “They’re everywhere! I think we should leave! Can The Omen survive a fire?”

“Yes! Why?” Sable shouted as she turned around and squashed a few more bugs that came dangerously close to them.

“This building’s very flammable right and the bugs are susceptible to heat?” Bryson shouted at Florence.

“Yes.” She said plainly as she blasted more insects.

“Good.” Bryson said as he concentrated on his left hand and a small orange bead appeared in his palm, “Then let’s just eradicate the whole place.”

“What are you doing?” Sable asked looking concerned, “That’s not a normal fireball is it?”

“Nope, controlled incendiary flame.” Bryson said as he shot the bolt of fire straight down the hole that The Omen and demon made, “We have about a minute before it reaches the first floor. Grab the bowl and let’s go!” Bryson said as he began to run out of the room.

“Bryson you idiot!” Sable screamed in complaint as Florence shot the display case and Sable snatched the bowl and began to run behind Bryson with Florence covered for her. None of the three bothered to turn back for the Omen. As it was advertised, it should be fine against the fire, the demon was perhaps another matter.

“What you want to wade through this horde of roaches?” Bryson asked as he turned a corner and was confronted by more roaches.

“Fair point.” Sable said looking at the bugs in disgust as Bryson swept them away with a wave of magic playing cards. The room started to get warm and Sable could hear the sound of wood crackling from the fire that was quickly spreading.

“A minute huh?” She complained.

“The place is dryer than I thought.”

“Where wasting time.” Florence said as she pointed her firearm at a wall and blasted it open leaving a large hole to the outside.

“Perfect!” Bryson said as he saw the hole appear and he grabbed both Sable and Florence by the hand and ‘Flash Stepped’ them out of the opening.

This was the first time either Florence or Sable experienced the Flash Step spell. It was a strange experience, it felt as though their entire body went cool and damp while they became weightless. Then travelling through the air they were both feeling a strange moment of peace and adrenaline flow through them as they were yanked from one spot to another.

The trio then landed on the clear road unscathed. Taking a moment to collect themselves they watched as the entire building was now engulfed in flames and a large cloud of black smoke plumed upwards.

“Marsh, this won’t attract unwanted attention will it?” Bryson asked Florence in concern.

“No the monsters in the area try to avoid fire.” Florence said as she calmly scanned the area.

“A minute huh?” Sable said looking accusingly at Bryson.

“What? How was I supposed to know that the wood in that place was so dry?” Bryson said trying to deflect.

“You nearly cooked us alive!”

“But we’re out and unsinged, with all those roaches that you hated being burned to a crisp right?” Bryson pointed out.

“You’re unbelievable.” Sable said shaking her head.

“Hey, we can complain as we head back home.” Bryson said, “How’s The Omen doing against that demon anyway?" The demon was a pretty weak one I think.”

“Not sure.” Sable said before concentrating for a moment, “Hmm, it’s still active and I just called for him.”

“What about the demon?” Bryson asked as the bowl Sable was suddenly holding glowed brightly for a moment before dying out.

“Huh? What happened?” Sable said confused looking at the bowl, “The symbols are still here.” She said shaking it.

“Yes. But the magic is gone.” Bryson said frowning.

“What? How?” Sable asked.

“Maybe because the demon was eliminated.” Florence said pointing to The Omen who now exited out the flame looking unscathed.

“Huh.” Bryson said staring at the suit of armour that uneasy feeling returning.

“It seems to be okay. This thing is strong.” Sable said studying it.

“Should we go then Lord Bryson?” Florence asked.

“Uh, sure. Mission accomplished I guess.” Bryson said slowly as he glanced back at the burning building.