***
No matter how well you prepare, not everything will always go according to plan; sometimes things outside of our control will simply be thrown in the way - just like now.
-Why couldn't they wait for just a few more days? My senses are picking up a mob that's headed our way, and this has never happened before since the Hag brought me here.
"There are people coming, a lot of them." At my warning, Merta stopped humming to herself and looked up from where she was braiding the redhead's hair.
It started as just another slow evening at the marsh; although hard to tell at first glance due to the wetlands mild climate, the spring was upon us, and our host decided it was time to clean up the place - very odd. Circe's acting skills were put through the test, and she passed admirably; pretending to be under the influence of the mind clouding potion and obediently following her captor's every whim. We were dancing on a very thin ice, but despite everything things were going fine.
Merta didn't seem to suspect anything, confident in her hex.
It helped that the hag was being very distracted. Ever since a servant delivered her an invitation to the ball at Carvell manor - a party to celebrate the baron Carvell's marriage, she was often stuck in her own world. Spending more time up in her room at the attic, or having our little bird sing her tales about princes and princesses while lost in thought, reminiscing. Then her mood would sour, face turning into an ugly grimace, before finding us something to do.
With great amount of reluctance she declined it back then, citing not being ready yet.
She didn't elaborate what was it she still had to do, but I've a pretty solid theory. Our host must have really regretted not pushing her plans during the last new moon - missing such a big event clearly stung her. The witch was acting more bitter and snappy then usual after that day, and I was sure we only had a little time left to finish our preparations...
And now this happened.
Our current situation could turn very ugly. "I can feel some very strong people among them. But they keep their distance and are staying in the back." -Damn it, just a few more day and we would have been out of here.
She glances at me, making her way towards the window. "How many? Do you recognize any of them?" Her face morphs into a nasty scowl as she looks outside, a muttered curse escaping her.
Merta's control over myself was also dwindling; I couldn't simply break the additional magical leash she had put over me without her noticing, nor openly go against her orders just yet - foolishly giving out my name was a huge mistake, yet how was I supposed to know back then. But I was no longer at her mercy; trapped by, or relying on the old woman's ritual to stay 'alive' in this world. I should now be able to simply leave and go back to hell; although that wouldn't prevent me from being called back again. As long as the hag knows my name, that is not an option.
The method of modifying and overwriting this magic was something I've been working on for months, ever since I realized why the old crone summoned me - yes, it wasn't a coincidence; she targeted me with her ritual and was apparently very determined in doing so. Her motives at the time... Well, thankfully something changed after she saw me back then. According to her black book and the notes she left scribbled inside, there was something special about using a cat as an offering. It allowed her to find and finally bring me here the moment I returned to hell from my little misadventure.
Being a demon with innate understanding of the runes and the mystical was very helpful in figuring things out; I was ready to modify the formation wrought around my core, but unfortunately wasn't able to perform it by myself for the very same reason. A mortal's help was required...
When the hag went out two days ago, looking for a few important ingredients - as the previously prepared batch spoiled, Circe had enough time to perform a ritual of our own. So with Merta out and not expected to return until morning - since she had to travel to the coast for those, we attempted to carry out our plans... Based on what I taught her after going over the demonology books, we were able to technically turn me into her summon instead - free of the original restrictions woven into the magic that brought me to this realm.
—The reagents turning bad was not an accident either - oh, dear I wonder how did that happen? I'm not able to mess around with Merta's stuff, but nothing stopped me from explaining to our guest a few things about how some of the items in the hut worked or what they were meant for; like how a certain tank full of magical leeches couldn't be exposed to light as they would all die - clever girl didn't need much prodding to figure out what to do. She was obviously not thrilled about the idea of giving her remaining years away to someone else, even the old woman who 'saved' her.
I wasn't yet able to break the wards put in place to keep anyone from leaving the house without the hag's permission, but I was optimistic we would both be free the next time an opportunity arrived—
Now everything might be lost.
"Focus demon."
—At her prompting glance, I try to discern if I've ever felt a similar presence before from among the crowd gathering outside. "I'm not sure, but I think the person that visited last time is there." It's is likely that servant from the new baroness of Carvell, and this means trouble.
Merta is powerful, but there is one especially strong individual staying in the back; I'm not certain what all this means - could've been an amazing opportunity for me... But what about the girl—
"Meow, you are coming with me." At that order my heart sinks, this won't be pretty. The old Hag looks furious and determined. I can feel magic stir all around, as if the swamp itself was prepared for a fight.
She rummages through her robes in a hurry, and turns towards Circe with that strange expression she's been giving the girl lately. Conflicted emotions running through her deep blue eyes - I can't tell at all what the old woman is thinking, there's just too much and she was always good at hiding things from me, but regret is clear to see.
Merta takes out a flat stone covered in runes, and throws it at the confused girl who catches it surprised - my eyes widen at what am I seeing; a path to freedom suddenly opened. With a flick of a wrist the ladder to the attic descends from the ceiling.
"Circe, upstairs, now! The wards there will keep you safe. Stay there until I call for you."
In the current tense atmosphere her act slips a bit, as she keeps glancing my way - earning her a raised brow from the Hag. At my silent nod and gesture to make her hurry, she scrambles up; to where we've been trying to get access ever since our plan was formed - there are some things there we will need if we hope to run away, mainly money. Traveling is expensive.
"Move demon! And be ready..." She makes her way towards the doors, and I can only follow as she tugs violently at the leash still tied to my core while muttering curses. "Did that bitch dare to betray me—?" Something tells me I'm not going to like this if—
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——
"Red!" A shout from below banishes the memory I've been immersed in.
"What was that all about?" Strained and worried question from Jarred, makes me open my eyes and look down from the golem's shoulder to the blonde man that was calling for me. "We have been looking for you for the—"
I tune him out. -Complain all you want, it already happened.
We've decided to use this spot tonight - likely the safest option, to mess around with the system after the recent level up.
And I was right to do so. Being cautious likely saved us all a lot of trouble, since after accepting the changes I've lost control of what the system gave us, and was then forced into deep meditation in an attempt to rein it in - not able to pay much attention. The elemental would have protected us in this vulnerable state even if something were to happen— also, this way none of the people from the caravan were be able to disrupt me either. Rose might have lashed out if they did, while I was focused on controlling my new power.
See how considerate I am? —Maybe I should have waited till we were back at the tower.
This is something new.
> Achievement: Reaching (Spirit 100) unlocks a Trait.
>
> New Trait: Presence - Your very existence has a weight to it. There is an aura around you and its pressure pushes against the world, imposing your will upon it.
I suspected something might happen, didn't expect we would be unlocking a new Trait though - this was a bit more drastic then anticipated.
Its scope was actually surprising and controlling it took some effort, but I was able to figure things out rather quickly... Not fast enough apparently; before we wrangled and pulled our presence in - hiding it from the others, half of the camp was already up and alarmed after a wave of my spiritual pressure washed over the area. But is seems they soon realized this was just their little demon acting up...
-As if there wasn't already enough excitement for one night. *Sigh. Retrieving our new pocket watch, I see that it took only 20 minutes.
"—woke up everyone."
"Sorry about that, had a bad 'dream' just now." Dismissing his worries, I turn back into a cat and jump down the massive arm of the earth elemental, using this form's amazing agility. Landing gracefully by the merchant just in time to see irritated Caroline approaching, heavy bags under her eyes.
"Damn, you really need some sleep. It's not healthy—" I swear, there was a vein popping up on her forehead at my remark.
...
——
Sun is already raising on the horizon; nothing disturbed the night after my little slip up, yet people are on edge.
I was expecting everyone would take it easy after the night full of excitement, but ever since the break of dawn the camp was a buzzing hive of activity. They are not even preparing any breakfast, the campfires are already out; who can, grabs whatever foods are at hand - bread, cheese or died meat, and eats while working on getting us ready to move as soon as possible.
Grim, tired faces everywhere, so I opted to move out of the way - least Caroline finds something for us to do.
Tents are being folded and the still half sleeping children are being loaded onto wagons and carriages together with all the equipment. There is now enough room for them all to ride, especially after the moron - under the watchful eye of our medic, went over the wounded. He was volunteered by Angie to heal them with his ability; another attempt to save him from being handed over to the guard after we reach the port town. Apparently the guy is not that useless; they wrung him dry of all mana though.
This young wannabe bandit's healing skill was an interesting thing to watch - some sort of nature magic if I had to guess. Its effect was somewhat similar to what a Bard's music can do - more like trying to coax or entice the magic to do what you wish for, than casting a proper spell. Unfortunately my understanding of the subject is rather poor, and not enough to fully grasp what exactly was actually being done; However, it worked well, and where his hand touched, wounds would start to close at visible rate.
There are some options for healing skills on my ever growing list - sadly, those seem useless to us. I've learned long ago that as a demon without Vitality Attribute such magic doesn't work on me, so I usually skip over them.
Another point for mortals I guess, since even healing potions I took at the lab had no effect on a demonic body. That crazy gnome was running all sorts of experiments on us all back then. So glad my role was to be the control sample. *Shiver.
-Anyway.
Some people are still not convinced about letting him of the hook, even after the innkeeper Hart promised to correct his behavior with some tough love. But it seems the moron still has an ace up his sleeve; I've heard him talk with the soldiers about a cargo ship that belonged to their band.
It also helped that the rescued women, although glaring daggers at him, didn't have much to say about his behavior so he was not yet completely rotten. -He might still live through this. Lucky bastard.
There is tension in the air... and a lot of smoke, the captured scum were put to work during the night. Upstream from the cordon, a giant pyre was formed and we now make our way there; no one had time or spare strength to bury the dead bandits, and with the looming threat of the undead this was a better option anyway. -A bit of a waste maybe, not sure how I would feel about draining them... We watch fascinated as the flames consume the bodies. There is something spiritual about it, purifying the essence and sending it— somewhere. Likely hell all things considered, those were not good people.
Whatever life force spilled with the blood last night was taken by the hungry earth spirit; not much was left for us after we returned from the hideout with the loot. Still, we can nibble at some bits of vital energy now permeating these funeral fires, it dissipates fast in a mysterious way - a shame we can't use Rose's roots as it is morning already. It's hard to grasp, but not impossible. The purity though, very much to my liking.
-Fascinating, this is new to me. I'm gaining new appreciation for fire, this blaze is almost alive and likely just a bit of magic would be enough for a new spirit to form. Something is preventing that from happening though; was it the funeral rites and prayers given earlier by the half-elf?
I don't know.
Having had enough marveling at this mystical warmth, I direct my senses inward. Feeling around for the part of my inner landscape that seems to be where the Identify skill is anchored to it - I notice elements of it activate as golden symbols appear, revealing our status.
> Name: Meow
>
> Race: Hellspawn** (6)
>
> Class: Red Rosen-Maiden Imp (6)
>
> ―
>
> Attributes:
>
> Strength 23: Physical power and fortitude - assists the degree to which your Body can physically influence and resist Laws.
>
> Resilience 32: Damage reduction - assists in keeping your Body's integrity against foreign influence.
>
> Magic 69: Magical power - assists the degree to which you can manipulate Laws with you magic. Expands your body's internal reserves of magic.
>
> Spirit 100: Spiritual capacity - assists the degree to which your intent can influence Laws and the Spiritual.¹
>
> Intellect 40: Mental capacity - assists in processing vast amounts of information.²
>
> Perception 24: Support attribute - Assists in processing your Body's sensory inputs.
>
> Agility 23: Physical movement and response - assists the degree of control you have over your Body.
>
> Dexterity 10: Support attribute - Assists in processing of the fine control you have over your Body.
>
> ???? - ????
>
> ―
>
> Traits: +1
>
> ????:
>
> Humanoid (2): Mana Channels, Magic Affinity.
>
> Horns (5): Sense Mana II, Magi Focus, Amplify Magic, Spell Matrix.
>
> Wings (1): Mana Channels.
>
> Tail (2): Dexterity, Mana Burn.
>
> Digitigrade (2): Quick Feet, Blink Step.
>
> Rose Symbiote (6): Rip and Tear, Vampiric Embrace, Magic Affinity, Mind Barrier, Rhizome Spawn, Black Bark Guard.
>
> Greed Core (2): Dark Ice, Ice Mastery (disabled).
>
> Presence.
>
> ―
>
> Skills: Hell Born, Identify, Mischief II, Imp Magic, Alchemy, Enchanting, Magic Pockets, Illusions II, Elementalist III, Empower, Overcharge, Animal Form. +2
Hard to believe how much we have grown in such a short amount of time. The amount of Skills now at my disposal and there are still two points to allocate. Those Attributes are also starting to look promising - yet it is still not enough; if they are even an issue here...
> ...You do not meet the requirements to use this item.
*Sigh, I will need to study the artifact more thoroughly after we are back in hell... Who would have thought I will look forward to going back there.
...
I'm tempted to use the remaining Trait point now, to check what's available under Presence, but we gave the people in the caravan enough of a scare already. I also want to get more familiar with it before attempting any modifications anyway.
We should likely decide on our next skill though; good thing we will have a lot of free time while on the road. Glancing at the camp I can see that the wagons are already being unchained.
Judging by how much everyone is in a hurry with packing their bags, maybe we won't need that extra day to get out of the marsh and onto the coast. The horses are being readied by the road and some people already went to inspect the old bridge.
—Granted we don't encounter any more nuisances...
Let's get back and find ourselves a nice spot; preferably far away from that crazy fire witch if possible, she just can't take a joke.
-Where did all her fear of the demons disappear?
————