“I really miss those days, Jaxith. I’m getting old, and my lovely wife died. The only thing that keeps me happy is the people around here – we’re like a family. And also Emelia. By the way, there’s a good surprise that I’ll let Emelia tell you about. I won’t spoil it,” Miller said, smiling. They were sitting outside the stable, Miller sipping wine while Jaxith enjoyed his orange juice – typical Jaxith.
“That’s good for you. When is she coming by, anyway?” Jaxith asked, taking a sip.
“She isn’t married to someone from here. He’s a merchant from a nearby town. Lucky for you, she always comes on Fridays to visit me before leaving on Saturday. You’ll be seeing her tomorrow morning,” Miller replied.
“That’s good,” Jaxith said, taking another sip. Miller also drank from his wine glass.
“So, are you going to tell me what’s the story behind her?” Miller asked, looking at Irene who was feeding Senka. Jaxith looked at him for a moment.
“I’m helping her,” Jaxith said calmly.
“I know you’re helping. That’s what you always do. I mean, helping her in what? You know better than me that she isn’t human, Jaxith,” Miller said.
“Half-human, Miller. She’s not a demon,” Jaxith corrected.
“Half-human doesn’t count as human, Jax,” Miller countered.
“Look, she is totally harmless. A bit stubborn, but kindhearted. She won’t harm anyone, Miller,” Jaxith said seriously.
“I’m not saying that she’s harmful. I’m just trying to understand how you ended up helping someone like her. Maybe I can help you,” Miller said. Jaxith put down his glass, leaned back in the chair, and looked at Miller.
“I met her at Orstone,” Jaxith said calmly. Miller paused, looking strangely at him.
“I heard there was a strange attack on the upper hill, a demonic one to be precise, and a hunter stopped it. Are you related to that?” Miller asked curiously.
“The demon was summoned to kidnap her. Long story short, I met her by accident and discovered she wasn’t just being pursued by the mayor’s men for stealing his ring – another unknown group was after her too. I helped her, and I’m going to get her to the west of the kingdom. She knows someone called Lance who might be able to help her,” Jaxith explained.
“I see. You know nothing about this group?” Miller inquired.
“The only name I know is Blamore. He seems important, if not the leader,” Jaxith said. “Do you know anyone by that name?”
Miller thought for a moment. “No, doesn’t ring a bell, sorry, Jaxith.”
“Don’t worry, I wasn’t expecting you to. At least now you know why I’m doing this,” Jaxith said.
“I understand. She doesn’t know anything about these people?” Miller asked.
“No, nothing. And she’s also been having strange dreams and started experiencing severe pain a few days ago, coinciding with my encounter with the Onohly. It’s like something is awakening within her, and she’s really struggling to cope,” Jaxith said, looking worried about Irene.
“I see, but you will stumble across a lot of troubles, Jaxith. Whatever is happening doesn’t look good. Please don’t get me wrong, but I have a feeling Irene will bring a lot of trouble, and I’m afraid you won’t be the only one to suffer from it. It’s obvious that what happened at Orstone wasn’t a random event,” Miller said. Jaxith silently considered Miller’s words.
“Whatever, it’s your choice, and I’m sure you know what you’re doing. You’re a smart Legnican,” Miller said, smiling. Jaxith smiled back before looking at Irene in the stable.
“You didn’t go back, right?” Miller asked.
“Legnica?” Jaxith clarified.
“Yes,” Miller confirmed.
“No, it’s better to earn a living here in Vidin,” Jaxith replied.
“I understand. I just wanted to know if you missed your homeland. That’s all. I’ve never left Vidin, not even Ebonmere. So, didn’t you miss home, son?” Miller asked, and Jaxith pondered for a moment.
“No,” Jaxith said.
“You’re a strange man, Jaxith. Someone with your abilities should have been of use in a kingdom like Legnica, yet you came here seven years ago. I don’t want to pry, but I think there’s something strange about that,” Miller observed. Jaxith remained silent.
“I think I should stop now. I apologize if my words have upset you. I’m still trying to understand you better since I don’t see you every day,” Miller said, smiling politely.
“Don’t worry, you can say there’s nothing to go back to, Miller,” Jaxith said calmly. Miller paused for a moment.
“Whatever you want. How about heading back to the inn? It’s getting cold, and I think both of you could use a good sleep after that travel and the meal,” Miller suggested.
“You’re quite right, IRENE!” Jaxith called out to Irene.
After some time, Irene and Jaxith were in a wide room at the inn with two beds. Jaxith checked the windows, closing them tightly before pulling the curtains to conceal them from anyone outside. Miller entered the room after a while and noticed Jaxith’s careful inspection – the windows tightly closed and curtains drawn.
“Don’t worry, it’s safe in the village,” Miller said.
“Better safe than sorry,” Jaxith replied, looking back at Miller, who smiled calmly. Always cautious.
“Anyway, I’m sleeping in the room next door. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me,” Miller said.
“I will, thanks, Miller,” Jaxith acknowledged.
“It’s your second home, Jaxith,” Miller said with a wide smile before exiting and closing the door behind him.
“So, I guess it’s the end for tonight,” Irene said, sitting on one of the beds.
“Yeah, I guess, unless you want to talk about anything,” Jaxith said, turning to her after checking the door. Irene was silent for a moment, seemingly deep in thought. Jaxith let her be and went to hang his coat on the couch. The room was warm and comfortable.
“Actually, I wanted to ask you about something, and I think it’s important to know about them now, since the demon we fought was one of them,” Irene said. Jaxith looked at her.
“Do you mean the Scarlet Army?” Jaxith inquired.
“Yes, that’s the name. I always forget it,” Irene admitted clumsily.
“What do you want to know about them?” Jaxith asked, walking closer to Irene and sitting on the bed opposite her.
“Whatever you know. I think I should know more, at least try to understand what’s happening,” Irene said.
“I’m afraid they don’t have anything to do with the people after you,” Jaxith said.
“What do you mean?” Irene asked.
“I’ll tell you what I know, which isn’t much. It’s more religious than I am, kind of interfering with the gods. My mother used to tell me this story when I was a kid. It’s a known story, actually. Are you sure you’ve never heard it?” Jaxith asked.
“No, I didn’t have a mom to tell me bedtime stories,” Irene said sarcastically.
“Guess I’m telling you one now, so be grateful,” Jaxith said, smiling. Irene shyly smiled, stroking a strand of her red hair.
“Fine, mommy, tell me your bedtime story,” Irene said with a smirk. Jaxith chuckled softly, looking away.
“I’m sure she could even rob the king himself with slyness like that,” Jaxith thought.
“Fine. They say that during the creation of humans, there was a huge war between the gods and the demons in the realm of the gods," Jaxith began.
“The realm of the gods? What about Plistura? Wasn’t it there?” Irene asked.
“It was created by the gods just for humans. The demons didn’t like it and wanted control over both Plistura and the realm of the gods,” Jaxith explained.
“Where were the demons living during that?” Irene asked.
“They were sharing the same realm with the gods. It seems they didn’t like sharing and over centuries decided to declare war on the gods for power and control. The war raged for ages, and eventually, the gods gradually gained the upper hand, despite being outnumbered by the demons, who were known for their rapid breeding,” Jaxith explained.
“That’s it? So the gods were able to claim victory in the end, but that doesn’t answer my question. What is the Scarlet Army?” Irene asked impatiently.
“Patience, girl. The gods seemed victorious and it looked like they could easily wipe out the demons within a few decades. But then something strange happened. A new demon was born, and this demon grew to become the most powerful ever. He was powerful enough to create special beings from his enormous dark energy. These beings were called the Scarlet Demons before they became a whole army under his command, alongside the other ordinary demon hordes. This demon became the Demon Lord, and because of him, many gods died. It seemed they were going to lose. They say this Demon Lord was as strong as the Great God himself, before the Great God debunked this theory and defeated him. Even so, they couldn’t destroy it, so the gods decided to use all the divine energy they could produce to create a realm to contain him, his army, and the remaining demons. They succeeded, and all the demons were locked up in this prison-like realm from which they couldn’t escape,” Jaxith said.
“Then how are there still demons?” Irene asked.
“Of course, some have escaped. Not all were imprisoned, but all of the Scarlet Army were imprisoned, and that was the most dangerous,” Jaxith said.
“Then how did we fight one of them?” Irene asked.
“That’s another complicated matter. Do you remember that black gem with the assassin?” Jaxith asked.
“Yes,” Irene replied.
“It’s a rare type of gem used to store dark energy for various purposes. You need to be an expert in using it to cast powerful spells. One of these spells is summoning demons from the realm where they’re imprisoned. They could be simple hounds or even ones from the Scarlet Army, like the Scarlet Giant. The stronger the demon, the more difficult the summoning and the more energy is required from both the gem and the dark caster using it," Jaxith explained.
“So, even after everything the gods did, there’s a way for the demons to get out of their realm,” Irene said.
“Actually, the Scarlet Summoners are the ones getting them out. They can’t do it on their own. Although they can’t summon anything much stronger than the Scarlet Giant, I think that’s the best they can achieve. You can’t imagine how unstable the dark energy is and how easily it can even kill its user,” Jaxith said seriously.
“You don’t need to tell me. I’ve seen what it does to you,” Irene said, looking worried at Jaxith. Jaxith looked at her carefully.
“Don’t worry. I don’t use it much, and I’m not a dark caster. I just channel it physically, and I promised you that I won’t overdo it,” Jaxith said.
“I know, I know. So, what I understand is that the ones after me can use dark magic, and the demon we fought was just a creation of theirs. It doesn’t have anything to do with my parents,” Irene said.
“Of course not. The demons that escaped to Plistura were few in number, and all of them were lesser demons. They have nothing to do with the Scarlet Demons. Your demonic parent shouldn’t be that dangerous, Irene,” Jaxith said.
Stolen novel; please report.
“I guess I should be thankful that my kind didn’t cause all of that destruction,” Irene said sadly.
“You’re nothing compared to them. You’re human, regardless of the blood you carry. You’re even kinder than many humans,” Jaxith said calmly.
“Thanks, Jax,” Irene murmured.
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Jaxith asked, placing both his hands on her shoulders in a calming manner.
“I just don’t know what they want. If I don’t carry strong blood, then why are they chasing me? I’m not the only hybrid. I keep thinking about that, and that’s why I asked you. But now that I understand this Scarlet Army part, the questions have only increased,” Irene said, lying back on the bed and staring at the ceiling.
“Look, we’ll get to the bottom of this together. Just trust yourself more, okay?” Jaxith said.
“I’m trusting you more than I’m trusting myself, actually,” Irene said calmly, staring at the ceiling. Jaxith listened to her words and felt a wave of nostalgia before she turned and slept on her side.
“Good night, Jax,” Irene said calmly. Jaxith stood up, took a blanket from the wardrobe, and then turned to Irene, spreading the blanket over her.
“Looks like someone is taking his mommy duties seriously,” Irene said sarcastically, without turning to look at Jaxith.
“And you’re taking your ‘dumb role’ seriously too. We’re in an inn, not in the forest to sleep without a blanket. Even in the forest, you used to cover with one,” Jaxith said seriously.
“Fine, fine, old man. Don’t make a scene out of it. It’s just a joke,” Irene said, pouting but still looking away. Jaxith smiled and finally covered her properly.
“If you need anything, don’t hesitate to wake me up, okay?” Jaxith said, stepping back.
“Okay,” Irene replied. Jaxith looked at her for a moment, then sighed and lay back on his bed, slowly closing his eyes.
Irene closed her eyes, smiling and clutching the edge of the blanket happily before drifting off to sleep. She thought about what Jaxith had just told her about the Scarlet Army – questions, so many questions, and yet no answers.
“ROARRRR,” The deafening roars erupted, jolting Irene awake. Fear, icy and sharp, pierced through her. The air, thick with the acrid scent of smoke, grew unbearably hot. Panic clawed at her throat as she realized the room was engulfed in a ferocious inferno.
Leaping to her feet, she frantically scanned the room. Jaxith’s bed, a smoldering pyre, stood stark against the raging flames. He was gone. A suffocating wave of smoke choked her, but fear spurred her into action. With a desperate gasp, she navigated the treacherous, infernal path towards the door, skirting the edges of the inferno.
“Come on, Irene,” she muttered, her voice trembling, “You must find Jaxith. If he’s not here, he’s likely out there, shielding the inn’s occupants from this… this hell. But his efforts seem to have been insufficient. This fire… it’s consuming everything. Don’t be afraid and find him quickly.” Taking a shuddering breath, she flung open the door.
Instead of the grisly tableau of death she had anticipated, she was met with a sea of flames. The inn, a once-majestic structure, was now a skeletal framework, its timbers ablaze. Her heart hammered against her ribs. Another deep breath, and she ventured forth, only to be met with a thunderous crash. A massive timber, wrenched free from the collapsing ceiling, plummeted to the ground before her! The inn, it seemed, was teetering on the precipice of utter destruction.
Irene bolted from the room, her lungs screaming as she bellowed Jaxith’s name into the inferno. Silence. Disheartened, she reached the front door, her voice hoarse as she croaked his name again. The smoke, choking and acrid, seared her throat. Still, no answer. An eerie silence had descended, as if the entire inn had been wiped clean.
A deafening crash echoed through the building as another timber plummeted from the collapsing ceiling. Panic surged through her. With a desperate heave, she burst through the doorway, her haste causing her to stumble and tumble down the steps that she didn’t notice because if her fear.
Groaning, she righted herself, clutching her throbbing head. The air, thick with smoke and the stench of burning wood, was almost impossible to breathe. The cacophony of roars intensified, drowning out her own labored breaths. The village, once a quaint haven, was now an inferno, engulfed in a sea of flames. But the flames were not the only abnormality. The sky, once a serene blue, was now an ominous, blood-red hue.
“What in the heavens is happening?” she gasped, fear clawing at her throat. Confusion reigned supreme. The air was filled with the agonized cries and grunts of the wounded, the clang of steel against steel, yet she saw nothing. Terror threatened to consume her, but she stifled the rising panic.
“Remember what Jaxith would do,” she reminded herself, her voice a mere whisper. “Stay calm, remain undetected. You are strong, Irene. Focus.” With renewed determination, she stepped forward into the village in chaos.
Irene navigated the chaotic landscape of burning houses, each one a grim testament to the devastation. The air was thick with the stench of smoke and despair.How many innocent souls have been extinguished in this inferno? “Could this… this carnage be a consequence of my pursuers? Have others died because of me?” She wondered in fear, her voice a mere whisper.
These morbid thoughts, like venomous vipers, coiled around her heart. As she stumbled through the wreckage, grappling with the horrifying implications, a searing pain erupted in her neck, swiftly ascending to her head and exploding in her left eye again!
With a strangled cry, she crumpled to her knees, tears of agony streaming down her face. The excruciating pain, however, was fleeting, vanishing as abruptly as it had arrived. Slowly, she raised her head, her breath catching in her throat.
The familiar landscape had vanished. In its place, an expanse of shimmering sand stretched out before her, an eerie desert devoid of life. Scattered across the barren expanse lay a macabre assortment of weapons, twisted and grotesque, and the lifeless remains of creatures she had never encountered before.
Fear, a cold, insidious serpent, slithered through her veins. Yet, despite the chilling terror that gripped her, Irene remained remarkably steady. Her time with Jaxith, a seasoned warrior, had undoubtedly tempered her spirit, instilled in her a measure of resilience.
“Are those… demons?” she gasped, her gaze sweeping across the grotesque tableau. “Did Jaxith… did he slay all these… things? But they’re unlike anything I’ve ever seen – not like the scarlet giant or those monstrous hounds. There’s one… yes, there’s the scarlet giant, but these others… I don’t even know what to call them.” A chilling realization dawned on her. “Regardless, I must find Jaxith. He must be close by.”
Pressing onward, she stumbled upon a sight that sent a jolt of icy dread through her veins. Embedded deep in the sand was Jaxith’s sword, its obsidian blade stained crimson. With a surge of desperate hope, she lunged towards it, her hands trembling as she grasped the hilt. The heavy weapon resisted her efforts, but with a grunt of exertion, she finally wrenched it free.
Her triumph, however, was short-lived. The sword, once an extension of Jaxith’s indomitable will, was irreparably shattered. The tip, jagged and broken, lay discarded in the sand. A strangled sob escaped her lips as she dropped the weapon in despair.
“Jaxith! Jaxith!” she cried, her voice raw with anguish. “What… what could have done this? His sword… it was unbreakable!” Horror clawed at her throat. What unspeakable force could have shattered the weapon of a warrior renowned for his strength and skill? And what had become of Jaxith himself?
“JAXITH! JAXITH! IF YOU CAN HEAR ME, PLEASE ANSWER! THE VILLAGE IS IN FLAMES! I DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO!” she screamed, her voice echoing across the desolate landscape.
Then, it came. The chilling voice, the same one that haunted her nightmares, slithering through the air, a serpent of sound. She spun around, her eyes wide with terror. A fierce wind, born of unseen forces, whipped across the sand, swirling into a miniature whirlwind that seemed to beckon her closer.
Irene, with a desperate heave, plunged into the swirling vortex of sand. The storm raged around her, stinging her eyes and throat, visibility reduced to near-zero.
Through the haze, a figure materialized – humanoid, yet radiating an aura of chilling menace. Despair clawed at her, but the need to find Jaxith overrode her fear. “PLEASE!” she shrieked, her voice hoarse, “I need help! My brother… my elder brother… he’s missing. Can you tell me what happened?”
The figure remained motionless, an obsidian statue in the midst of the maelstrom. Suddenly, the earth trembled, a deafening cacophony of roars erupting from the depths. Each roar was unique, a terrifying symphony of raw power, promising imminent death. Each roar is definitely different from the other.
Irene, battling panic, strained to see through the swirling sand. Emerging from the shadows behind the enigmatic figure were a host of monstrous creatures – a colossal, winged beast resembling a dragon, and several others, their forms obscured by the swirling sand. There were five, perhaps six of them, each exuding an aura of malevolent power.
The figure, with a chilling grace, extended a hand. Irene, her heart pounding like a war drum, recognized it – the visage of the cloud from her nightmares, now terrifyingly real!
“Come on, Irene, conquer your fear. Jaxith needs you now,” she incanted, forcing herself forward. The sandstorm intensified, a swirling maelstrom that threatened to engulf her. Visibility plummeted, the figure before her the only beacon in the suffocating tempest.
“WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME? WHY CAN’T YOU LEAVE ME ALONE?” she screamed, her voice raw with frustration. The humanoid remained impassive, its outstretched hand an eerie invitation. With a surge of defiant courage, she pressed on, each step a victory against the paralyzing fear that threatened to consume her. Now or never. Perhaps this… this entity held the key to Jaxith’s fate.
As she drew closer, a chilling detail emerged from the swirling sand. At the figure’s feet lay a familiar object – Jaxith’s coat.
“JAXITH!” she cried, a surge of hope igniting within her. But that flicker of hope was quickly extinguished. As she approached, the horrifying truth became undeniable. Jaxith lay sprawled before her, his body a macabre tableau of blood and wounds.
“No… no… no,” she whispered, her voice choked with despair. “Not you too.”
She sank to her knees, the weight of grief threatening to crush her. “WHY? WHY DID YOU DO THIS? I WARNED YOU! I TOLD YOU THIS WOULD HAPPEN! WHY?” she wailed, her cries echoing through the storm, a mournful lament for the fallen.