Serah exits the portal and looks around. It was a grey world of mountain and rock. The sky was blue, so Serah assumed that there was water somewhere on the planet.

Samantha steps forward and looks around. “Come on. I'll get the spell started.” She says as she stirs her magical power.

“Hmm. Sense anything?” Serah asks.

“Hmm. No.” Samantha says.

Nickie looks around. “Come on. Let's go this way.” She says, leading the way.

“Meow.” The kitty calls out.

“Do you sense something?” Serah asks.

Nickie smiles. “Yes. The kitty senses it too. Come on.” She says.

“Okay.” Serah says.

…

…

“Wait.” Samantha says as she raises her hand. “Something doesn’t smell right.” She says.

Serah sees something flicker in her vision. “What was that?” She asks.

Realization dawns on Nickie. “Shadow people.” She says.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“Meow!” The kitty calls out.

Serah raises her sword.

Samantha takes out her wand, and Nickie, her staff.

“Come out!” Nickie yells.

“Raaaarw!” A growl echoes out.

From a rock’s shadow a figure pops out and runs in their direction at breakneck speed. With a screech, it suddenly enlarges and becomes three feet tall in the figure of a hulking beast. With a fierce and powerful arm it strikes out.

Serah doesn’t hesitate. She quickly dodges and readies her sword; within an instant, she stabs out, sending out an energy pulse-wave.

“Flowing Tide!” Serah yells out as the beam of pulsing energy lands onto the shadow creature before reverberating through its body.

The shadow creature’s body began to shift and distort, but before long, it settled back to its normal shape.

“Damn.” Serah exclaims. Flowing Tide isn’t going to work. She thinks.

Nickie creates a large fireball before shooting it out like an arrow.

**BOOM**

The shadow creature lets out a shriek. It’s body caught on fire like a piece of paper. Then, within seconds, it was ash.

Samantha smiles. “Weak against fire. I’ll take note of that.” She says, satisfied.

“Meow!” The kitty calls out.

Nickie’s brows furrow. “Something else is here.” She says.

Serah sniffs the air, catching a scent. “I know that smell! A demon!” She exclaims. She suddenly recalls what Kristoph said and she lets out a sigh. “Demon, come out. I know you’re there. I wish you no harm.” She says.

A silence is heard. No answer.

“Demon! I said come out!” Serah says again.

“You promise no violence?” A grumbling voice says.

Serah raises an eyebrow and looks behind a large rock. “Promise.” She says.

A hulking red figure appears from behind a rock, it’s curling horns showing, clothed by only a loincloth.

“D-don't come near! I’m a very fierce demon! The fiercest!” The demon says, somewhat stuttering.

Serah raises an eyebrow. What kind of demon is this? She wonders. “We won’t come near.” She says as she gets a closer look at the demon. Seems harmless to me. Big, but harmless. She thinks.

“Where are you from demon? Who do you serve?” Serah asks.

“I-I serve no one! Chomund only serves himself!” The demon says. “I sensed a new plane form, so I came to investigate, t-to conquer all the land! For I am Chomund the Mighty!” He says, trying to sound brave.

Serah lets out a smile. “Okay, Chomund the mighty. Why aren’t you in hell, with the other demons?” She asks.

Fear appears on Chomund’s face. “H-hell? I-I, Chomund doesn’t like hell. The other demons are bullies!” He says, sounding somewhat frightened.

Serah lets out a laugh. “Why wouldn’t you like hell?” She asks.

“I-I, Chomund was exiled, h-he bad negotiator, didn’t receive enough souls. L-leader says, C-chomund better off as dog food for the mortals.” Chomund admits.

Serah smiles again. “What if I could send you back? An archdemon asked me to find lost souls for him.” She says.

Chomund’s eyes widen. “T-take back?” He says. “H-how?” He asks.

“Leave that to me!” Serah says confidently.