Katrina navigated the north hallway of the Palace, her steps echoing against the ancient stone as she approached the royal guest-wing. Clutched in her tense fingers was a small piece of parchment, its contents bearing news that quickened her heartbeat with each step. The morning had brought word that Illya, once the Krya of Vul De Rah, and someone she considered to be one of her closest friends in this world, had arrived in the city and was to be placed under Katrina's care. A tumult of emotions; eagerness, guilt, and sorrow; swirled within her.

As she neared the designated room, she spotted several royal guards standing sentinel. Their backs stiffened as she approached, and they saluted with fists across their chests in unison, "Spirit-Sent." They grunted.

Katrina dismissed them with a slight nod, her mind too occupied to engage in courtly formalities. The door slid open as she approached, revealing the room's interior.

"Kat!" The voice was familiar, filled with both joy and pain. Illya dashed across the room in an instant, enveloping Katrina in a fierce embrace.

Katrina inhaled sharply as Illya's grip tightened, her sobs muffled against Katrina's cloak. "Illya..." Katrina murmured, her hand finding comfort in the girl's pearl-white hair.

"It's so good to see you, Kat," Illya managed between tears, pulling back to look into Katrina's eyes. "So much has happened... I."

"Let's sit," suggested another voice, deep and calm, belonging to Delmos, who had apparently arrived before her, and wore an unusually grave expression.

Katrina, still holding Illya's hand, led her to the seating area by the balcony. Delmos sat opposite them, his gaze heavy with unspoken thoughts.

"I thought you were dead," Illya whispered, her eyes fixed on the floor, her grip on Katrina's hands tightening. "We all did. For a time. It was chaos in the final days, Kat. Yomin went mad. Once he heard that you and Daniel had returned here. And that Avria had gone straight to the High King." She paused, meeting Katrina's gaze. "What happened? Why did you stay?"

Katrina swallowed hard, the truth like a stone in her throat. "Illya... we. I tried to kill Alektor… But I failed." Shame painted her features as she struggled to maintain eye contact. "He kept me here as a sort of prisoner. And…"

"A lot happened, Illya," Delmos interjected, his tone one of quiet support. "Needless to say, we don't want to be here, but as the spirits will it, our path has been chosen for us."

"Lokkon lives on, through you," Illya said, her voice softening. "It will be in good hands."

"We will ensure it thrives, Illya," Katrina assured, squeezing her hands. "And the house of Ignos will survive. Through you and Boros. I promise!"

Illya's face fell, despair shadowing her features. "They said Boros was due to be executed. And I am to marry… Turak of house Skotos."

"We'll do something about that," Katrina declared with fierce determination. "I’ll talk to Alektor, force him to stop it."

"Easier said than done," Delmos murmured, shaking his head. "Boros is the last son of Ignos. Politically, Alektor would be a fool to leave him alive."

"Delmos!" Katrina's voice was sharp, her eyes blazing with fury.

"We can't lie to her, Kat," Delmos responded earnestly. "We will do what we can, but this is beyond what we want. What I am more concerned about is Illya's betrothal to Turak. He's a savage, and he hates the house of Ignos with a burning passion."

"I…" Illya sighed, her voice weak with worry. "I don’t know what to do."

"We will figure something out, Illya," Delmos said, his eyes darkening as he leaned forward, fingers steepled. "Turak is dangerous, but I will not allow you to suffer his torment."

"Me neither," Katrina affirmed, giving Illya a reassuring nod. "Whatever it takes."

A sudden knock at the door broke the moment, followed by an urgent call, "Spirit-Sent! Prince Delmos!"

Rising quickly, Katrina and Delmos readied themselves for anything.

"What is it?" Katrina demanded, her irritation clear.

"Spirit-Sent Daniel's party has returned!" The voice behind the door was frantic. "They have apparently been attacked!"

Katrina slid the door open to reveal a timid Dae attendant, eyes wide with alarm.

"H-High King Alektor and King Telmos are requesting both of you to return to the Throne room immediately."

Katrina and Delmos, using their Dunamis-enhanced speed, rushed to the throne room. The large doors slid open to reveal an almost empty chamber, where Alektor sat upon the throne with Telmos beside him, caught in what appeared to be a heated debate.

"Where are they?" Katrina inquired, scanning the room for signs of Daniel or his party. "Is everything alright?"

"They are on their way here," Alektor responded, his voice gruff. "But the reports are not promising…"

"They simply can't be true," Telmos countered, his disbelief evident.

"Why?" Delmos asked, stepping closer to his father. "What reports? What happened?"

Alektor raised a hand for silence. "We received word just before their arrival. It stated that the party had been attacked by humans." He paused, glancing at Telmos. "Who were said to have summoned demons from portals, setting them upon Daniel and the group."

"Preposterous!" Telmos spat out.

"Turak is a member of their party, Telmos," Alektor retorted, his gaze stern. "The letter bore his seal, and I trust him."

"So, demons attacked them," Katrina said, taking a deep breath, her concern for Daniel palpable. "Are they alright? Is Daniel ok?"

"They didn't give details," Alektor admitted, shaking his head. "Only that there were casualties."

"Shit…" Katrina muttered, a wave of fear washing over her. Daniel… please be ok.

The silence stretched, thick with tension, until the massive doors opened once more. Daniel, looking weary and rage-filled, entered with Turak and Malak.

"Daniel," Alektor greeted, standing from his throne. "The report we received was quite troubling. Could you—"

"We were attacked on the road to Sabree," Daniel cut in, his voice laced with exhaustion and anger. "The attackers were humans who wielded demonic powers."

Alektor nodded, then glanced at Telmos, who narrowed his eyes.

"Where is my daughter?" Telmos demanded. "She should be here to give her account of this report."

"During the attack," Turak explained, his voice heavy with fatigue. "We lost three members of our party. Two of the Rexunii elite caste, and the third… was Princess Avria herself."

A gasp escaped Katrina, and Alektor's eyes widened in shock. Telmos and Delmos looked on in stunned silence, their expressions turning to panic and sorrow.

"That can't be true!" Telmos shouted. "Where is she!? What happened!?"

Daniel shook his head, his eyes falling to the floor, his face etched with the weight of what he had witnessed. "When we set out that morning, we had just spent the night with the prince and princess of Baa'Yega. After some time on the road, we... I sensed something in front of us." His voice trembled slightly, the memory fresh and raw. "It turned out to be a group of four humans. Words were exchanged..." He paused, his gaze distant as he pieced together the horror. Katrina watched him, her breath hitching in her throat; his pain was palpable.

"They turned hostile," Daniel finally said, his face twisting into a grimace of remembered fear. "Before we knew it, they were slashing their swords... and opening portals or something. These horned creatures started to pour out of them, dozens of them."

"They were demons," Turak interjected, his voice dripping with disdain. "Foul monsters who bled black."

"Whatever they were," Daniel continued, "they paled in comparison to what they summoned next. Greyson... I think he was their leader, said it was a demon named Oo’lok. It was... monstrous."

"At least twenty feet tall," Turak added, his tone grim.

"It had this massive mouth... filled with razor-sharp teeth," Daniel described, his eyes haunted by the vision. He seemed to be reliving every terrifying moment. "It lunged at Avria first, and she dodged. It consumed her Cro’kan... whole." His words caught in his throat, a moment of silence stretching as he struggled with his emotions. "Avria saved me from the creature. It unleashed a powerful attack..." He inhaled deeply, steadying himself. "It took everything I had to stop it... I collapsed, and it lunged again… I couldn’t dodge it in time. But she... she pushed me out of the way. That’s when..."

"That's when the beast bit down on her," Turak concluded, his face a portrait of solemnity.

"It consumed her," Daniel confirmed, turning to meet Katrina's gaze. Her eyes were blurred with tears, the shock and sorrow of the news hitting her like a physical blow.

"No..." Delmos whispered, his voice breaking as he slumped to the stone floor, overwhelmed by the gravity of their loss.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

"What happened to the humans?" Alektor asked, his face one of cold determination.

"We fought them off," Turak said with a slight grin, a hint of pride in his voice despite the sorrow. "And we managed to capture one."

"Did you?" Alektor perked up, interest sparking in his previously stony expression.

"She’s being held with our warriors right now," Turak gestured toward the door, the implication clear: they had a chance for answers or vengeance.

~

Daniel stepped out of the throne room, the weight of his revelations trailing behind him like a dark shadow. Alektor, Katrina, Telmos, Turak, and Delmos followed, their faces a mixture of grief and resolve. Suddenly, Delmos grabbed Daniel by the arm, pulling him back with a grip that spoke of desperation.

"Dan, look at me," Delmos demanded, his voice laced with earnest pain. Daniel's gaze reluctantly met Delmos's fierce yellow eyes, which seemed to glow with the intensity of his sorrow.

"You saw it eat her?" Delmos's words were heavy, each one a burden.

"Yes…" Daniel's response was barely audible, his voice low and rough as if his throat were lined with gravel. "I was right there, Delmos."

"Then, that's it." Delmos shook his head, his face contorted with despair. "You know what they say about demons here, right?"

Daniel hadn't delved into the local lore concerning demons. His knowledge was limited to what he'd learned in his own world, and he wasn't sure how much of it applied here. He knew enough to understand that demons were universally bad news. He shook his head, indicating his lack of understanding of the local beliefs.

"They say that if you are killed by one, you are damned," Delmos explained, his voice barely above a whisper as he turned his gaze down the hall, staring into space. "It consumes your very soul. And casts you into a deep, dark pit for all eternity… where it feeds on your energy." His eyes met Daniel's again, filled with a mix of disbelief and horror. "I never believed in them, Dan. They were used to scare us as children, nothing more."

Daniel grimaced, the words sinking in like a cold blade. The possibility that Avria could be suffering an eternal torment because of what he witnessed was almost too much to bear. His mind reeled with the implications, his heart heavy with guilt and sorrow.

Delmos then abruptly turned down the hall, following the path where Alektor and his father had gone, leaving Daniel with a moment of solitude amidst the chaos of his thoughts. Daniel stood there, the silence around him feeling more oppressive than the battle he had fought the day prior, the weight of loss and the unknown pressing down on him. He took a deep, shaky breath, steeling himself for what might come next, knowing that the path ahead was fraught with more than just physical dangers but also the horrors of the unseen, the truths of this alien world he now called home.

“She’s damned?” Daniel whispered to himself. A cold fury settled on him as he closed his eyes. No way, he thought, I can’t allow that. He fell to his knees, and found himself within the oasis of his Dunem Dae Espa. He looked at his surroundings; at the lush trees and streams that crossed this growing paradise within him. He began walking toward the center. Toward the fig tree, and the golden pillar that shined with his inner light. He fell to his knees there and prayed for her soul. Begging God, or whatever would listen to spare her from an eternity of torment. Please… let her rest… don’t let her suffer like that. She doesn’t deserve it.

He took a deep breath, and placed his hands on the cool metal of the pillar. “I will defend this world. Like you said, Raguel. I promise you.”

~

Daniel approached the room where Lauren was being held. Katrina stood in front of it and looked at him. With a nod she slid the door open and muffled screams could be heard from within. Daniel entered and saw Lauren strapped to a stone slab that was tilted at a steep angle. She was gagged and looked like a mess. Her abdomen still bled profusely from where Turak had gutted her, and her face was a mask of pain and fear. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she fought against the bonds that held her. Then her eyes met Daniel’s and they widened. She began to whimper and struggle even harder. Katrina followed behind her and motioned at two guards who stood at her flanks. They both bowed and left immediately.

Daniel walked toward her slowly. His face a mask of indifference. She followed him with her gaze, and flinched as he pulled the gag out of her mouth. She coughed up blood and let out a cry. “P… please! I’m sorry! I’m so sorry, please don’t hurt me anymore!” She cried, “I’ll do anything you want, please!”

“Shut up.” Daniel said, coldly. “Greyson. Let’s talk about him for a bit. I want to know about him. How you met him, how he started associating with demons. What his plan is.”

Lauren's lips quivered, and she exhaled a shaky breath, her voice trembling with the weight of her fear. "He… uh… He was captured pretty quick when he arrived. We all were. I was taken by some people… I don’t know who t-they were. Slavers, I think." She winced, the pain of her experience etched into her face. "They were trying to make me into some sort of sex slave or something. I was being prepared to be sold off, I-it was horrible. Greyson though, he had it really bad. He was captured by some Visoth noble, and tortured day and night."

"Where were all of you when you woke up?" Daniel asked, his voice a blend of concern and urgency.

"I was in Northern Visoth," Lauren said, coughing up more blood, the act seeming to drain her strength. "Ashley was in Western Visoth, then got captured again and brought to Eleutheros. Dorian was in Dominicia, and I don’t really know where Greyson was. He didn’t say exactly where. He only said that he was tortured over and over again by them."

"How did he ally with demons?" Daniel's question was direct, his eyes searching for the truth in Lauren's pained gaze.

"He… uh." She paused, licking her bloody lips, gathering her thoughts. "He said one found him in his spirit-realm."

“The Dunem Dae Espa.” Daniel exhaled. “Go ahead.”

“It taught him how to escape.” She continued, her face twisted in pain. “Taught him abilities and showed him our purpose here. Humans, I mean.”

"And what is our purpose supposed to be? And how the hell would it know that?" Daniel asked, his arms crossed, skepticism written across his features.

“It knew that because… it was the demons that brought us here in the first place.”

"What?" Katrina's eyes bulged, her gaze locking with Daniel's in disbelief. "That’s got to be bullshit."

"It isn’t…" Lauren whimpered, pain wracking her body as she tried to find a more comfortable position. "They tried to open the gates themselves. Using their own power… I don’t really understand the details, but it was because of the spirits. They act like a sort of anti-virus for this world against the demons. Preventing them from using spiritual energy. So, they can’t do much here. They couldn’t even get here on their own. So, it took them thousands of years to accumulate enough power to open the gates, and unleash a flood of demons here. Instead… we popped out of the portals."

The revelation hung in the air, heavy and unsettling. The idea that humans were not the result of some cosmic mistake or divine plan, but rather pawns in a demonic scheme to breach this world's defenses, was chilling. Daniel felt the ground beneath his understanding of their situation shift. Katrina stared at Lauren, the horror of their plight reflected in her wide eyes. The room seemed to close in around them, the walls of their reality now painted with the potential dark truths of their existence in this alien world.

“I still think it’s bullshit.” Katrina shook her head. “Dan, you can’t believe this crap.”

“You saw it yourself…” Daniel looked into Katrina’s eyes. “You saw the end of their world… and we were there.”

Katrina sank at his words. “I…”

“Lauren, what did the demon say our purpose was here?” Daniel turned to her, his face stoic.

We were brought here to…” She glanced around the room. “Destroy the Dae.”

“You are all insane.” Katrina hissed.

“I’m not!” Lauren sobbed, her voice breaking. “I’m really scared, okay?” She coughed again, the sound harsh and painful. “Greyson and Dorian killed my captors and saved me. He can track humans with his abilities. I don’t really know how. But he made an agreement with the demon he was dealing with. The deal can’t be broken. And now we’re all a part of it. Greyson is a good person! He doesn’t want to do these horrible things, he has to!”

“He’s a piece of shit. Who let himself get manipulated by a fucking demon,” Daniel growled, clenching his fists. “Now, how exactly does he plan on destroying the Dae?” he demanded.

“He needs to open the gates, like I said,” Lauren's eyes blinked rapidly, her anxiety making her words rush out. “Gates to hell or something. I don’t know where it leads to, but that's where the Demons are. He said there were areas of high spiritual energy around Pelemont, the same places we exited. There is a really big one in the center of Visoth though, and in the forest here in Eleutheros. The one with all the spirits in it.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Katrina spat, her frustration boiling over. “Are we really talking about this? You want to open literal portals to hell!?”

“We don’t have a choice!” Lauren pleaded, her voice rising in desperation. “Greyson rescued me, and I got caught up in all this. There are people here who were trying to make me a sex slave. Then I was surrounded by monsters and demons and magic. What was I going to say!?” Her sobbing turned into uncontrollable cries, then a sharp cry of pain as she coughed violently, her face turning even paler. “I just wanted to go home! And to save my brother, who came with me here!” Her coughing intensified, blood spotting her lips. “Please. Don’t let me bleed to death like this. I can’t take it anymore.”

Katrina stepped forward, placing her hands on Lauren, her eyes closing as she channeled her healing abilities. Lauren let out a relieved cry. “Thank you… the pain was—”

“Where is Robert being held?” Daniel interrupted, his focus on the rescue.

Katrina’s eyes shot up, glaring at Lauren as she momentarily halted her healing.

“He is being held with us in our camp in Baa’Yega.” Lauren started to panic as she realized Katrina had stopped. “I-I don’t know if they’re still there or not. We move around a lot, but he was there. The demon Dio’Mar brought him to us. He was injured pretty bad.”

“What?” A deep voice called from across the room, startling everyone.

Lauren turned, her eyes wide with fear, scanning the empty space where the voice had come from. “W-who’s there?”

The wall shimmered, and Alektor strode out of an illusion, his hands behind his back, his presence imposing. “What did you say about Dio’Mar?” he asked, his face a mask of barely contained emotion. “You called her a demon.”

Lauren, now in full panic at the sight of Alektor, stammered, “She is one. That’s what Greyson said, he knows their energy. Robert didn’t want to admit it either.”

“So, she brought him to you…” Alektor’s gaze dropped, his hand moving to his chin in deep thought. “Why would Dio’Mar do such a thing?”

“Because she’s a demon?” Daniel replied, his voice laced with urgency, his resolve hardening. “We need to get there immediately and stop this insanity.” He turned to Katrina. “You with me?”

“Absolutely,” Katrina responded, her determination clear.

“We must execute caution,” Alektor warned, giving Daniel a very stern look. “I cannot permit you both to leave at such a time. With so many revelations being made, pertaining to not only your purpose here, but the potential threat to our existence. We must discuss this more.”

“Robert could be long gone by the time we get there,” Daniel sighed, the weight of urgency pressing against the walls of protocol and caution.

“I do not take the words of a wounded prisoner at face value,” Alektor’s eyes narrowed at Lauren, who seemed to shrink under his intense gaze, her vulnerability stark against his authority. “But further questioning is required before we move forward with any decision.”

“Alektor,” Katrina moved her face in front of his, forcing him to meet her eyes, her expression fierce. “We aren’t demons. I don’t care what she says, or what she says the demons are saying. Don’t believe it.”

“We were sent here for a purpose,” Daniel spoke up, feeling a rise of hope build up within him. He thought of Raguel, and his words to him in the Dunem Dae Espa, the memory fueling his conviction. “We’re not going to abandon the Dae. We’re going to save this world.”

The room felt charged with the weight of their words, the air thick with the tension of decisions that could alter the fate of not just individuals but potentially the entirety of Dae civilization. Daniel's assertion was more than just a statement; it was a declaration of intent, a beacon of hope amidst the revelations of betrayal, manipulation, and dark forces at play. Katrina's support was unwavering, her eyes reflecting a shared commitment to what they believed was their true mission.

Alektor's expression softened slightly, considering the gravity of their words. Daniel knew his role was not just to rule but to protect, and the information laid before him was a labyrinth of potential dangers and solutions. The mention of demons, the manipulation of humans, and the spiritual energies that could either save or doom them all; these were not matters to be rushed into without careful thought.

“Very well,” Alektor finally said, his voice a mix of caution and resolve. “We will question Lauren further, but I will not delay your mission indefinitely. Prepare yourselves, gather what you need. We will convene soon to discuss our strategy.” He turned to leave, but halted, and faced them again. “I believe you both. With every fiber of my being, I know there is a purpose to your arrival here. If not for the steadfast loyalty of Robert, and the compassion he showed a people who cruelly received him at first, I would perhaps believe differently. But remember, I watched him rise from the pit. I saw the Doulos weeping tears of joy for the Spirit-Sent who helped free them from centuries of slavery… No… The spirits sent you here. I’m sure of it.