Hunter’s heart raced as He Xiangu pinned him with a death glare, the intensity of it leached into his very bones. Suddenly, she tore her gaze away, casting one final glance over the battlefield as the Demon Emperor’s flags unfurled. Their appearance served as a stark symbol of the defeat suffered by the Demon Emperor's enemies.

He Xiangu’s voice echoed with righteous conviction. 'I lay claim to these lands on behalf of the Demon Emperor.' A shadow of weariness passed over her face, at odds with the sentiment in her tone.

The battle is over, but not the war.

Hunter took a deep breath. 'Since we were interrupted earlier, do you have any more questions about the tower? You can ask them while we make our way to meet your father.”

He Xiangu nostrils flared in answer.

She stepped forward, a large red flag bearing the Demon Emperor’s fierce emblem appearing in her hand. With little effort, she planted the wooden shaft in the ground, the red flag billowing above her head like a ship’s sail. Leaning back, she gave him a sideways glance before turning and walking away.

Hunter took that as his cue to follow.

He fell into step beside her, matching her pace stride for stride. Despite the weight of her hard stare bearing down on him, he forced his focus to the ground, ensuring each step was deliberate and sure. With keen awareness, he navigated the treacherous terrain, sidestepping pitfalls and skirting around the fallen, each one a somber reminder of the battle's toll.

Meanwhile, He Xiangu moved with an effortless grace, traversing the scorched earth with ease, her steps sure and purposeful. She paid little heed to the obstacles littering the ground, effortlessly leaping over the fallen bodies of her demon brethren with a fluidity that spoke of years of training and mastery.

Since He Xiangu showed no sign of answering him, Hunter spoke again. “I swear to you on my life, Bravo, I’m an open book. Ask me anything—”

He Xiangu raised a fist, cutting him off with a sharp gesture. “You have two problems. First, if you call me 'Bravo,' one more time, I’ll cut out your tongue and feed it to my Komodo Dragon.”

Hunter winced inwardly, but maintained his composure. “And the second one?”

He Xiangu’s voice boomed with authority. “That's a much bigger problem for you. You do know who my father is…” She let the words hang in the air.

Hunter nodded. “The Demon Emperor.”

He Xiangu quickened her stride, effortlessly leaping over a fallen comrade as she continued speaking. “My father doesn’t take kindly to uninvited guests, especially those who are not demons. It’s as plain as the nose on your face, you are a chi cultivator. Don’t expect me to protect you if he decides to incinerate you on the spot.”

Hunter’s grin widened. “Ah, but that won’t happen. I have a trick or two up my sleeve. All you need to do is introduce me.”

He Xiangu raised an eyebrow, glancing at the horizon where storm clouds swelled with a murderous red tint. They appeared ready to burst forth in a bloody torrent, adding to the grim atmosphere of the battlefield. “If you think I’m going to formally introduce you to my father with only that information to go on… think again. Demons have a shitty sense of humor and don’t like tricks played on them. You better tell me what you have in mind.”

Hunter increased his pace to keep up with He Xiangu, raising his voice, he kept his tone clear and honest. “I’m sorry, that was a poor choice of words. I don’t plan on tricking anyone. But I do think your father would like what I have to say. You saw me calm the beast. Isn’t that good enough to prove I’m a smooth talker?”

He Xiangu clutched her side as she laughed. “Are you sure you’re not a court jester in disguise or worse, a damn dragon shagging bard? That demon beast you calmed was dumber than rocks. You think you can charm your way inside the Emperor’s court using your aura? My father’s Dark plasma will consume you whole.” She shook her head, eyes dark and filled with amusement.

A lump formed in Hunter’s throat.

Perhaps meeting He Xiangu’s demon father isn’t such a good idea.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Despite that thought, Hunter sensed he was on the right path to convincing He Xiangu to join him as the next tower initiate. He just needed a little more time. And if that meant following her into the bowels of the Underworld to meet the Demon Emperor, that’s what he'd do.

Hunter took a long breath and held firm, not letting his voice waver. “Warn me all you like, I’m not afraid. We have more in common than you realize, He Xiangu.”

Whether it was the resolve in his voice or the glint of determination in his eyes, He Xiangu slowed her pace, a hint of respect in her demeanor for the first time.

Hunter’s spirits lifted as they crested the hill of the fallen, his gaze fixed on the swirling portal that lay ahead. It loomed like a fiery dragon’s maw, casting an uncanny indigo glow over the barren landscape.

He Xiangu’s eyes flashed with a challenge as she turned to him. “If you insist on courting death, follow me.” Her voice held a ruthless edge.

Hunter met her gaze, his voice low and dangerous. “Lead the way.”

***

With each step closer to the indigo flicker, the hum of Dark plasma energy that radiated from the portal, pricked Hunter’s core like a hundred needles.

“So are we walking the whole way across the mountains to get to your father’s palace or are we using that portal?” Hunter's eyes locked on the source of the energy. A smirk formed on his face as his vision determined the dark form of a small creature shifting side to side near the violet pulse.

He Xiangu rolled her eyes. “Walk across the mountains? The only other travel I’m doing today is through that portal.”

“Huh, you’ve got guards around the portal opening? Surely, chi cultivators know better than to force entry through a demon portal?”

He Xiangu stopped, turning toward her. “You’ve clearly proven idiots exist in other worlds. Look, I’m going to get you through, but don’t beg for mercy when my father crushes you bone by bone.”

Hunter shrugged. “Your words still don’t scare me.”

They continued to the portal, its violet hue blinking as if it struggled to draw energy from its source. The demon guardian sniffed the air, nostrils flaring as it stalked closer to Hunter. He Xiangu thrust her palm in between the demon and Hunter.

The guardian grunted. “Who is this cultivator? He’s not of demon blood.”

“Don’t pucker your ass.” He Xiangu narrowed her eyes. “I know he’s funny looking, but he’s with me. No need to waste time sweeping his aura.”

Hunter nodded as He Xiangu lowered her arm. “Too much ass-puckering’s not good for the core. Do you have a core?”

The demon guardian’s black eyes blazed red.

With a sharp inhale, Hunter’s core vibrated as a pulsating wave surged through him from the demon. He was reminded of when he cultivated inside the Black Temple, his core still tainted by Dark plasma. Images of his sister Jo trapped in the dome flashed in his mind. He focused on his breathing, his Earth and Wind chi coating his outer core to keep the Dark plasma from leaking.

He had risked everything to save Jo; even now, the taint of Dark plasma on his core lingered. His brother and sister in arms, Mercos and Lyra, had warned him of the consequences of cultivating inside the Black Tower, but they didn’t understand the protective effect his stunted cultivation path had on his core, preventing damage. He exhaled as He Xiangu backhanded the demon guardian’s face, yelling obscenities.

His lack of cultivation had been a mixed blessing. The generous amount of Dark plasma he cultivated into his core, didn’t have the same negative impact on him as it would have for others raised within the broken system. He smiled, tapping He Xiangu on the back. “No harm done.”

He Xiangu stood, dusting herself off. She pointed a finger at the demon guardian, who still lay sprawled on the ground. “If you dare get up before we leave, I’ll strangle you.”

Hunter shook his head. “Seriously, he’s worth keeping around. I’m sure it’s difficult to find a demon who is willing to do such a boring job.”

He Xiangu scowled at the demon guardian before turning to Hunter. “What are you, a mouse? You let just anyone sweep your aura without asking?”

“Oh, my divine gods, you sound like my school teacher.” Hunter leaned closer to her. “Whose side are you on?”

Narrowing her eyes, He Xiangu groaned. “If I back down here, word gets around. Demons are awful gossip-mongers. I don’t know where you come from, but strength and honor are everything here.” She took a step closer to the portal and glanced over her shoulder at Hunter. “I will not lose face to make your life easier.”

Hunter watched as her boot disappeared through the indigo flame. He looked down at the demon. “Is she always like this?”

"Yes," the demon guardian snorted. Its wretched form twisted as it locked eyes with him, revealing needle-sharp fangs in a feral grin. "I tasted your Dark plasma, cultivator! You'll barely pass through the portal. Do not expect the Demon Emperor to be impressed by the trace amounts in your core."

“Hmmm…” Hunter bobbed his head side to side. “Since you’re still sitting on your ass, I doubt you have a clue what I’m capable of.”

The demon’s bony fingers grasped for Hunter, but activating Windfall, he leapt out of reach through the portal.

Every muscle in his body froze. His thoughts raced, the only thing that seemed to move. This portal seemed to access a different energy plane than the tower or Claude’s space-time travel. In an instant his muscles spasmed, and his body hit the stone ground.

He Xiangu’s familiar laugh echoed in his ears. “Get up, cultivator. I can’t have dear old father think you’re groveling already.”

Hunter sucked in a breath. The dizziness and lightheadedness faded as he rose to one knee. His eyes widened at the dark, towering figure that stood at the top of the black marble stairs.