———Red———

I follow him out of the treehouse and into the open plains. As we step under the vast night sky, I look up and see Zenot, still radiating a strange white light. The sight is otherworldly, casting an eerie glow over the land.

"What happened up there?" I ask, turning to Domnik.

He shrugs. "No clue. I was hoping you could tell me."

"How would I know? I've never even been to Zenot."

He raises an eyebrow. "The way you collapsed last night, I figured maybe you were connected to it somehow."

"Or maybe I fainted because I was holding a blade forged by Iridian."

"Good point." He laughs a little, but his tone shifts. "Look, I wouldn't worry about it too much. We'll find out soon enough. Right now, we need to get back to Malice."

"Wait, no—you're supposed to be teaching me how to fight first."

He smirks, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Best way to learn is by doing. Wouldn't be the same if it wasn't a life-or-death scenario."

"You're mad."

He nods without hesitation. "I'm aware."

"Can I even go in there? I mean, is it even possible? Udis said this injury on my arm would help me enter the Shores of Malice, but..."

He stops, glancing at me with concern. "The thing that attacked your home gave you that? How long ago was that?"

"A day... maybe a day and a half? Time's kind of blurring together."

"Great, another thing to add to the list." He sighs, his expression shifting to something harder to read. "Most turn in three days, assuming any divinity within you doesn't stop it first. Just keep me posted on how you're feeling every now and then. If it gets bad, we'll handle it."

I nod slowly, processing. "Yeah... I can do that."

He nods back, then adds, "As for your question, technically anyone can enter any plane of existence. Udis gave you the task of getting ashes as a way to make a portal—that's the only real barrier. Your... condition doesn't actually have anything to do with getting there. Like I said, Udis lies. That's what he does best."

"So he's probably lying about Alyse, then?"

"Maybe. Only one way to find out." He stops, glancing around at the open plains. "This seems like a good enough place. Take my hand."

He extends his hand, palm open.

"A good enough place for...?"

He grins. "Do you trust me?"

"I mean..." I reach out slowly, grabbing his hand. "I guess... but—"

Before I can finish, the world blinks out. I feel a rush, a dizzying spiral, like my entire body is being squeezed and stretched at once. My feet hit solid ground, but we're no longer in the plains. I look around, and we're surrounded by skulls and rivers of fire.

Ahead is a drawbridge spanning a gash in the earth where lava flows like blood. Dead trees cling to the edge of the cliff, twisted and blackened. Across the bridge looms a dark castle, jagged towers jutting into a sky choked with smoke.

"Welcome to Hell," Domnik says with a smirk as he steps onto the bridge. "Usually, I'd teleport inside, but I thought we'd take the scenic route since it's your first time."

"This place is... intense," I say, glancing around, trying not to let my fear show.

He turns back, his gaze sharp, almost challenging. "Not a fan? Careful—that's my home you're talking about."

My face flushes, a bead of sweat trickling down my temple as I worry I've offended him. But then his serious expression breaks into a grin, and he chuckles.

"I'm just messing with you." He laughs, shaking his head. "I know. This place is a hellhole."

I follow Domnik across the bridge, the wooden planks creaking underfoot as we step into the castle. He pushes open the heavy doors slowly, cautiously, and they let out a low groan that echoes through the empty corridors.

"You said you knew someone who might have answers. Who is it?" I whisper.

Domnik's gaze lifts toward the distant throne, shadowed in flickering torchlight. "Galagon," he murmurs. "But I have to ask you to stay quiet, Red. Like I said, this won't end well... especially once he realizes I've brought a mortal into this realm."

As if summoned by Domnik's words, a tall, imposing figure steps out from the shadows behind the throne. Galagon's piercing eyes land on Domnik before shifting to me, sharp and unblinking, assessing.

"Domnik," he says, his voice a low rumble that reverberates through the hall. "Where have you been? And why have you brought this mortal into these halls? Living mortals are not permitted within Malice Domnik."

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"Well this is my realm now, what I say goes and he's staying. Now answer my questions Galagon!"

Domnik doesn't flinch as Galagon's gaze locks onto us, his presence dominating the room. I can feel the intensity radiating from him, and though I try to stay calm, a chill runs down my spine. This isn't just a powerful Daem; this is a creature who rules over darkness itself.

Domnik steps forward, his expression cool but cautious. "I've been taking care of some business in Naurus," he says smoothly. "And I brought him because he has something you might be interested in."

Galagon's expression shifts slightly, intrigued but still guarded. "What could a mortal possibly possess that would interest me?"

Domnik glances at me for a fraction of a second, almost a silent signal to stay composed, then looks back at Galagon. "He's connected to the girl Muthos took," he says carefully. "And I think you know why that matters."

Galagon's gaze narrows, his interest sharpening. "Alyse... so that's what this is about." He turns and descends from the throne's platform, his boots echoing against the stone floor as he approaches, his gaze fixed on Domnik. "What do you want from me, Domnik?"

Domnik holds his ground, unshaken. "I need to know if you've heard anything—anything at all—about her whereabouts. If she's alive, if she's in Naurus, if she's fallen into Udis's hands... and I need to know why Muthos wanted my help and why now he wants me dead. I need information, and you're one of the only one who might have it."

Galagon studies Domnik, his expression unreadable. "You think I'm just going to give you that information?"

Domnik's eyes narrow. "If you have it, yes. Or we can start a conversation about the ways I can make life in this realm very difficult for you if you don't."

A brief silence stretches between them, tension coiling tight. Galagon's gaze flicks to me, then back to Domnik, as if weighing his options.

"And what makes you think I'd have any knowledge of that?"

"You knew her name..." I say.

Galagon turns to me. "Speaking out of place is to be unwise mortal." He turns back to Domnik. "It is true I know her name but only because I've followed up on the lead you mentioned the other night. Muthos and Udis are at odds, and it seems that girl is part of the reason why. I am unsure as to why, but they are both trying very hard to keep this knowledge a secret. I assume as an attempt to win favor with Vermidia over me."

"But why would they want a mortal girl? Daem kill mortals, they don't abduct them. It's not making any sense." Domnik asks.

"You will soon learn that your uncles do all sorts things that don't make sense. One thing is for certain though, it's always a play for power. Perhaps that girl serves a greater purpose than we can understand, perhaps she is linked somehow to that boy Vermidia found on Zenot? Perhaps Muthos has other information he's not willing to share, just as Udis. The Daem don't share their discoveries amongst themselves, they use their findings as pawns to gain the favor of your mother. That's how we survive. That's how we insure our survival. If they aren't proving beneficial to the effort of the Mythic then she will surely end them. One thing I do know for certain is that I am no oracle."

"Well why does Muthos want me dead? It's connected isn't it?"

"It would seem Muthos wants your allegiance as security. He wants to make sure that when he comes for Udis, you will be on his side. What did you expect being a full Daem now? Assuming you refused, it's likely he's trying to eliminate your potential threat."

"But why would I..."

"Did you not just hear what I said boy? I am no oracle! If you want information then speak to that damn ogre! I've had enough of this interrogation!" Galagon shouts in rage. His voice echoing through the halls.

"Calm down Galagon, this is my throne room you speak in. You would do wise to remember that, you don't rule this plane, I do."

"Do you? Well maybe it should be mine once again? Especially after harboring a mortal into this place, and conspiring to interfere with the business of the Mythic." He tosses a journal to the ground in front of us.

"You read my journal!" Domnik shouts.

Galagon draws his blade. "You'll die here, traitor!"

———Domnik———

My hand goes immediately to my sword, my eyes locked on Galagon. "You think I'm a traitor? Just because I don't want to play into this endless cycle of backstabbing? Then so be it."

Galagon's smirk twists into a sneer. "Traitor or fool—it makes no difference. You can't stand against the full might of the Daem, Domnik, and certainly not against me."

I stand frozen, feeling the weight of every word, knowing I'm outmatched in power but refusing to abandon Red. I turn to see Red reach for his own weapon. I give him a sharp look—a warning to stay back.

"Stay out of this, Red," I murmur. "This fight is mine, watch and learn."

Galagon advances, his blade glinting with a dark energy, a power that pulses like a heartbeat. He swings first, and I meet him head-on, our swords clashing with a deafening clang. Sparks burst from the impact, illuminating the room in flashes of blue and red.

His face is set in fierce concentration, every movement precise and controlled. Galagon lunges, his blade aiming for my chest, but I sidestep, twisting my body with agility. I swing low, aiming to destabilize Galagon, but he counters, the two of us locked in a deadly dance of blades and fury.

"I've fought stronger Daem than you, Galagon," I growl, parrying a series of quick strikes. "You're not as powerful as you think."

Galagon's laughter is cold, sharp. "Not as powerful? Foolish boy." He shifts, and suddenly, shadows pour from his blade, tendrils of dark magic stretching towards me like claws. I bring my sword up, muttering an incantation under my breath, and my blade ignites in a molten glow, slicing through the darkness as if it were paper.

I can barely keep up, each strike and parry moving faster, more viciously. I can't relent, I feel my horns now fully extended, my eyes glowing with a fierce red intensity. I'm pushing Galagon back, step by step, but Galagon's not retreating. Instead, he's luring me toward the throne, the center of his power.

"Domnik!" Red shouts and I realize too late that Galagon's led me into a trap.

Galagon grins, lifting his free hand, and shadows begin to swirl around the throne, growing into a writhing vortex. With a sharp pull, the shadows yank me off-balance, dragging me closer to Galagon's blade. I struggle, my molten sword flaring as I try to cut myself free, but Galagon's grip on the darkness is too strong.

"I've had enough of you, Domnik. It's time for you to learn your place," Galagon sneers, raising his sword for a final strike.

But my gaze shifts to Red, an almost imperceptible nod. He understands.

———Red———

I leap forward, drawing the DarkBlade and driving it down into the vortex, breaking Galagon's concentration for a split second—enough for Domnik to wrench himself free. I then turn and drive the sword forward, straight through Galagon's armor.

Galagon gasps, looking down at the dark molten blade lodged in his chest, eyes wide with disbelief. "You... would dare..." he chokes out, blood staining his lips.

Domnik doesn't hesitate. "This is my throne room, Galagon. And I make the rules."

"You couldn't even do it yourself... but this mortal... how...?"

I look back to Domnik. He nods at me. I turn back and with a powerful twist of the sword, I shove Galagon back, sending him stumbling to the ground.

Galagon's form wavers, flickering as he clutches his chest, his power fading. He looks up at Domnik one last time, a shadow of his former arrogance. "This isn't over... the Daem will come for you both, and they will not be merciful..."

Domnik's expression hardens. "Let them come."

With that, Galagon's form dissolves into darkness, his last words echoing through the halls before fading away.