Chapter 116 - Setting Off

Turned out that Coctim had sent word to his ship, The Cold Water, via pigeon. The cog had just set into port, docking alongside Brae’s galley on the other side of the same dock. It was about a third of the size of the larger ship of war, but still big enough to carry a decent amount of people.

The sunset displayed a brilliant array of oranges, reds and yellows across the western horizon as the last of the group made it back to the ship. Celtic music Trey was fond of sounded upon the ears of any nearby as creation literally swayed back and forth with the rhythm. He had decided to practice using his lullaby of the behemoth ability and in turn it supplied much needed entertainment for the group - and as long as he didn’t use it to its fullest extent, he could play melodies even without triggering a cooldown. He’d cycle through alternative rock, hip hop, church hymns and other songs he’d memorized. When he’d run out of songs to play he’d let the lullaby form by itself just as it had when he’d taken back Sithis - saving his friend from death as he ripped Sithis out of the devil’s body on Xil’s second set of games. A small crowd had gathered along the docks and perimeter of the ship as they ate and drank to listen to the music, and the atmosphere of the docks was far cheerier than it usually was because of it.

Taen had already discussed with everyone the note he had been given and the shapeshifter. The others were glad to know, but they had all been running and fighting for so long that it didn’t surprise them in the least. None of them seemed overly worried about it and Taen believed them to be somewhat jaded from their experiences since being taken from Earth. He could hardly blame them - he was jaded himself somewhat.

“It’ll definitely be on the list of things to do,” said Trey casually as he laid back to play with Napoleon and the whore’s daughter who he and the others had saved earlier that day. “Stopping by this Agustus’ house for more info I mean. We already have to go back to Yosemar eventually to kill that bitchass high priest Neheren and King Hethemon. Might as well make a short stop by this guy’s place while we’re at it. Hopefully it’s not some sort of trick.”

The daughter of the whore that Trey’s company had saved was named Susu and was very young. She was currently having the time of her life as she played with the tiny imp on deck. Susu’s raven-haired mother, Pulie, had bawled her heart out and hadn’t stopped giving them thanks for saving her life until Ashe had put a stop to it with a sit down talk. She’d agreed to join Trey’s own brothel whenever he got it set up, on the promise that she and her daughter would never see any harm, and had made quick friends with many of the other prostitutes Trey already had under his wing. Now Pulie sat behind Susu and smiled widely as her daughter pretended to be adventuring with the tiny demon.

“How does it feel?” asked Izumi as she looked her handiwork up and down. It had taken a long time but she had finally fixed it with a little bit of help from some of the other smiths. It had been much faster than she had thought it would take, as the original set of dwarvish metal had come with a couple dents and scratches.

“Fits perfectly. Splendid job as expected, Izumi.” Bann was smiling as he looked at his reforged set of thick battle armor, glinting in the sunset. Even the dwarven faces on the pauldrons had been remade and he looked larger and daunting. “I couldn’t have asked for something better.”

The ghoul had taken a strange tone recently and after further questioning it turned out that he was actually quite nervous to be in the presence of so many people who weren’t undead. He was becoming anxious as they prepared to set off. He couldn’t even remember what civilization outside of Ornthas was like it had been so long, and seeing it again was something he’d never thought was going to happen. But here he was, cured of disease and plague... still a ghoul but not contagious. He felt very fortunate to have met these good people and felt a strong sense of belonging after they had gone out of their way to include him in their conversations, meals and activities.

Izumi took out the nether core cube that Ashe had found and inspected it for a moment. “I hope I can get this thing to work.”

“What’s that?” chimed in Ezdeath who walked over to sit against the rail at Izumi’s feet, tail flipping back and forth as she stretched her long black wings.

Izumi slunk down to join the succubus on the ship’s deck. “A power source of some sort used in Ornthas tech. I have only one schematic involving this, but I’m going to give it a go.”

“What’s the schematic of?” asked Ezdeath curiously.

Izumi rummaged around in her satchel, adjusted her top-hat, and pulled out her scrapbook again. Flipping through the pages she paused to let the dying light caress the intricate schematic she pointed to. “This.”

Ezdeath scowled in the dying light of the tropical sunset, and it was apparent she had no idea what it was the schematic was trying to create. “...and that is?”

“Well it’s definitely a construct of some sort. Looks like some sci-fi droid. Not sure what it’s used for but I’d like to think it’s a war machine or mining drone based on the attachments it has.” Izumi shuffled around in her bag again and pulled out a long and decorated pipe - with an intricate painting of a fairy in flight along the wood. “I just bought this! Do you want to smoke some herb with me?”

Trey snickered in the background. “Make sure what you’re smoking is safe Izumi… the last thing you need is a drug addiction and that stuff you bought recently is questionable at best.”

“It is! I specifically requested something light!” replied Izumi cheerfully, adjusting her top-hat again.

Ezdeath hesitated a moment, brushed her white hair behind her horns, and took off her demonic gauntlets to set them aside before nodding. The black metal shimmered with red light along the runes and pentagrams engraved into them, and a faint heat radiated off the armor as well. “Sure… why not. I’ve never smoked anything before though. I’m not sure I’ll like it.”

From the docks below Coctim and Claire reappeared from a brief discussion with someone about buying food and supplies. Coctim cleared his throat to speak: “Everyone ready?”

“We’re not waiting until tomorrow to set off?” Taen questioned while leaning against the outer wooden cabin wall with his black robes fluttering in the strengthening breeze.

Coctim glanced to Claire and shook his head. “I’d rather not wait any longer. To be honest I have a mother and father back home to take care of… and I always keep them worried. I’m anxious to see them again.”

“First time you mentioned your parents. Didn’t realize that’s what this was all about,” commented Taen with a brief sneeze. “Alright. Well everyone is here. Is everyone a go?”

Trey gave a thumbs up from lying down on his side while watching Napoleon play with Pulie’s child Susu. “We’ve got all our stashed supplies in those trunks back in the cabin. Unless there are any objections I say we leave whenever.”

No one spoke up to object and Trey nodded again. “Alright. Brae, let’s go.”

The scarred captain gave Trey a brief nod and began screaming at his sailors to get to work. The ones flirting with Trey’s whores quickly began to scurry around the deck and make preparations, and Coctim began to head down the wooden ramps alongside Claire to get over to his cog not far off.

Then the anchor was drawn up along with the wooden walkways and sails were hoisted. Soon the galley of war had departed Teretog alongside Coctim’s smaller ship and was out in the narrow channels of the Lawless Lands - navigating the tiny tropical islands step by step and barely making it out to the sea before the day turned to night and stars began to show alongside the multiple moons of Nagochus.

Atharost stood on the starboard side of the ship overlooking the dark waters as the ship drifted on underneath the starlit night. He turned to his three companions beside him - Napoleon, Sithis and Ezdeath - who were all looking out over the side across the sea. “I’ve never been to a real human city before… aside from the time I broke Trey out of Rorington’s prison. Have any of you?”

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“No no.” Napoleon quickly stated with a clap of his tiny hands. “I no no been.”

Ezdeath raised her hand and nodded while looking back at the few members of the party asleep on the deck. Only some of them had remained atop the ship while others went below to sleep. Trey had gone back into the main cabin that Brae had loaned him, and even from here: Ezdeath could hear Piggy and Rivia loudly squealing while they were beaten and fucked.

Ezdeath gave the others a small smile. “I have”

“I only know of them through master’s memories while we were bound together, and they were all earthborn cities...” replied Sithis as he squatted down - still big enough to easily see over the railing.

“Are they accepting of our kind?” inquired Atharost.

Ezdeath and Sithis immediately laughed.

“Definitely NOT!” smirked Ezdeath. “At least not usually. Demons are naturally predators for them so trusting us will probably not come easily. I’m not sure how Trey plans to approach this but I am sure it will work out. At the very least, I will be able to accompany him as I am able to hide my identify as a succubus by changing my looks… you two may have to be sent to the nether realms until he needs you.”

Atharost frowned, and his fire elemental Boxamonth whizzed by as it playfully flitted through the air.

“More necks to snap if they show hostility. I will not have those insects pointing their crude weapons at our master. They will know their place.” Sithis uttered menacingly. He then turned to Ezdeath. “Speaking of such things… I must ask you succubus: what are your intentions with him?”

Ezdeath was confused and slightly startled by the question. Rubbing her golden eyes she stated: “What is it that you mean by that?”

Sithis snorted. “You know full well what I mean by that. I am convinced you are playing with him.”

“And what makes you think that?” Ezdeath asked concernedly. “He took me from the tomb of his own choice, I am bound by my oath to Eleknar.”

Sithis didn’t skip a beat to reply in his deep demonic voice. “Your species does not have the best track record when it comes to seduction for their own gains. You met us almost a month ago and you’re already trying to do so with our master. I will not have you lead him down a path to nowhere succubus. He is more fragile than you know. Past mates of his have treated him quite poorly and have left scars upon his psyche. You will not be the next to do so, I will not allow it. Even if that means that I persuade him to choose a mate from the lesser humans instead of you.”

Napoleon and Atharost glanced at once another while the pureblood succubus and devil stared each other down. Sithis had stood to his full height to tower above the woman and stare at her.

“...What do you mean he’s been treated badly?” Ezdeath looked sad more than anything else. “If anything, it is he that treats-”

“That is none of your business,” snapped Sithis.

“I WILL MAKE IT MY BUSINESS!” retorted Ezdeath with a sneer. “You who have been alive less than a YEAR take it upon yourself to protect Trey from things you don’t even understand. I have been serving Eleknar for centuries!”

“I am vastly more intelligent than any of you and can see things for what they are,” replied Sithis with folded arms.

“OBVIOUSLY NOT!” exclaimed Ezdeath - obviously upset. “Name ONE THING that I have done that is wrong! One thing that I have done to hurt him!”

Sithis did not reply.

“As I thought. I realize my species does not have a good ‘track record’ as you would put it, but you cannot judge an individual off of an entire race. Generalizing is not a fair way to look at things, Sithis.” Ezdeath took in a deep breath and calmed herself, puffing out her chest as she did. “You asked me what my intentions were? Do not be ridiculous. He is Eleknar’s Heir and the Vatosis Inferna, either of those alone would be enough to make him my mate.”

“Stop right there. That, what you just emphasized, is the problem I’m speaking of.” Sithis made a deep rumbling noise resembling a growl. “You do not care about who he is, you only want him because he happened to be chosen by the void essence. What if he somehow loses Eleknar? It is not impossible. I will not have someone so superficial trying to weasel her way into his life.”

“WEASEL!?” Ezdeath stood aghast. “I was emphasizing that BECAUSE of what ALL THE OTHER HEIRS HAVE BEEN LIKE before they were KILLED. DO YOU EVEN REALIZE WHAT HAVING BOTH THE ESSENCE AND THE TITLE OF VATOSIS INFERNA MEANS, SITHIS!?”

Izumi, Ashe and Bann all stirred in their sleep upon the deck and Ezdeath immediately quieted herself after noticing. Sithis again did not reply.

“I realize you are new to this world so I will tell you what it means devil. Having a kind and compassionate heir to Eleknar is unheard of, and every successful rise of the heir results in mass destruction with civilizations falling en masse.” She leaned forward, her pretty features turning up in an evil grin. “There have only been a few other heirs, but those who join the heir early are always destined to rise to extreme heights of power. Those that get in Eleknar’s way… are often doomed from the start. The only difference now is that Eleknar’s Heir is also the Vatosis Inferna, prince of the infernal powers and a creature far beyond any mere archdemon. This may be the last of Eleknar’s heirs… the one to last through the eternities and reign supreme. OF COURSE THAT IS ATTRACTIVE SITHIS! But let me tell you this - even if the title of Vatosis Inferna was to be lost and the void essence somehow ripped from him, I would still stay. I would still want him. The moment he let me out of Xil’s game… I could not contain my happiness at being set free. I owe him EVERYTHING that I am. I live because of him, and I live for him. This will not change regardless of whether he chooses me as his mate in the end or not. But I did NOT wait a thousand years in a damp LONELY dungeon to be told off by some infant devil saying that I cannot have the one I want. If HE does not want me, fine. I will deal with that. But YOU are not going to be an obstacle. There is no real reason that you should try to dissolve something that hasn’t even really begun, nor has it brought anything but happy thoughts to Trey or I! Or at least I would hope… by the hells I don’t even know if he really likes me back or if he’s just being nice! We have done nothing but harmlessly flirt! At least give me a CHANCE! I haven’t even had that yet!”

“I agree with Ezdeath,” remarked Atharost coolly with his arms crossed. The ifrit received a death-glare from the larger devil, but he did not back down. “Everything she said is correct. I’ve told you this many times myself but you seem to ignore it.”

Ezdeath’s demeanor shifted to one of true gratitude as she glanced at Atharost in a new light.

It was Talsh’Noc’Un’s turn to interrupt as the giant sword drifted down from the upper deck to hover next to the others. “I know... of what you speak... Sithis.”

The four demons turned to await on what the weapon had to say as another loud and tortured squeal from Rivia inside the cabin reached their ears.

“When rummaging through his mind... I found some very... painful memories... regarding multiple past human women... who manipulated him... and slept with other men... while in a ‘relationship’ with him... Although he is somewhat jaded now… and his morals have been lost... his true and original character…. is that of an innocent child... wanting to find affection... I can see why you are concerned... about Ezdeath’s advances.”

Ezdeath’s face fell, but Talsh’Noc’Un continued before she could protest. “However... Though I believe your intentions are good... cutting him off from Ezdeath... would likely result as opposite... of the desired conclusion...”

“And you believe this… why?” responded Sithis slowly, his giant claws unfurling and clenching up as he thought over the sword’s words.

The giant blade hummed with amusement. “You must observe things by fact... and not by emotion... To be guided by emotions is the folly of a fool... To be guided by facts is the key to wisdom... Unbiased judgement is crucial in all things... You have presented no proof... of anything Ezdeath did... that would influence Trey in a negative manner... Yet you seek to deprive him of what he obviously wants...”

A larger wave from the ocean beneath them rocked the boat slightly before it settled back into the monotony of the steady calm sea.

“Obviously?” repeated Ezdeath softly. “Are you sure he’s interested in me then?”

Napoleon looked at Ezdeath with a blank stare. “Are you stupid stupid?”

Ezdeath was taken aback by the comment, especially from the imp of all things. “...W-What?”

“Are you stupid stupid?” repeated the imp, with Napoleon’s large ear’s perking up as his little claws clacked together curiously. “He he cannot take eyes eyes off you. And and I know you heard heard him talking about you you many time now.”

Ezdeath blushed, smiled and awkwardly shifted. “I just… I don’t know. It seems to me like he might just being nice. I’ve been locked up for so long I can’t really cue in to social situations very well anymore… and he’s sleeping with all of those other women! Why not me?”

“You’ve heard Rivia yourself.” replied Atharost confidently with a gesture towards the cabin. “He’s intimidated by you. Getting back to the point - I agree with the others Sithis. It would be detrimental to Trey’s emotional health if you were to deprive him of a relationship that could potentially bring him happiness. He obviously uses sex as an emotional crutch. Factually there is nothing that this woman has done to justify your scorn. Therefore I see no reason as to why it should not continue on a trajectory guided by only Trey and Ezdeath. Let them be the ones to decide what happens. Your interference is not needed.”

Sithis was obviously not used to being scolded. He was at a loss for words for a long time before regaining his composure. He turned to the succubus girl, and his four clawed hands slunk down to his sides in a relaxed position. “Very well. I will permit it to continue then. But know this - if you hurt him… not even the bindings of my contract will be able to protect you from me. Be very careful about how you handle this, succubus, and know that I will be watching.”

Ezdeath smiled softly and reached up to touch the devil’s forearm. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”