"You're leaving?" my son asks.

He's known for a long time that I would be going on an adventure.

But, he's still not ready for the departure.

"I am."

His eyes water as he approaches me.

I embrace my son for the last time in an uncertain future.

"I love you, dad."

"I love you too."

We talked for some time before, at last, we parted.

The final figure for me to bid goodbye to is my successor, Garland.

"Your excellency," he says.

"My lord," is my response.

He smirks, "I think this is the first time in history that a demon lord has abdicated."

I smile, "I try to break the mold."

He nods, "Rel has tutored me well. I will surpass your example."

"Thank you."

I bow and leave the demon lord and his castle.

"Cheer up, partner."

I look at the sword.

"You haven't seen anything yet," the sword promises.

I continue my journey away from my loved ones to further my ascension as an immortal.

It's bitter. But, I think about all that I've experienced in my life.

By now, were I mortal, I would be well past middle age.

I put such thoughts out of my mind.

"Where is this portal to the big world?" I ask.

The sword thinks for a minute.

"The closest should be in the Crystal Sea."

I've heard rumors about the Crystal Sea. An expanse of water, plagued by monsters.

Sailors are reluctant to venture far into the territory.

I'll see what I can do to get a ship when I get to Fargo.

My meditation has grown beyond exploration and coalescing of my soul world.

Now, my soul world has condensed into a dazzling ball of energy.

"You're ready," the sword says.

"Ready for what?"

The sword examines my soul.

"That will be up to you," the sword says enigmatically.

I focus on the moment, the growth of my soul.

Days and nights pass as I steadily make my way to the port city.

I do not need food or sleep. The chi of my soul and the chi of heaven and earth sustains me.

Finally, the city of Fargo opens to me.

It is midday when I arrive. And, many merchants hawk their wares.

I pass them all, uninterested in food and jewelry.

Anything I could need has already been stored in my cosmos ring.

The harbor sees a wide range of vessels parked at docks.

Small sailboats and titanic cargo ships led me to wonder what would suit my needs.

First, I see the two-man boats.

"The Crystal Sea? Are you crazy? My boat would capsize the first time one of the monsters attacked."

I get similar answers from every small vessel I seek. It doesn't matter how much silver I offer.

The larger ships declined my request for lack of reason to venture into that domain.

Somewhat depressed, I find a pub near the harbor.

The ale soothes the rejection I faced today.

All around me, sailors are merry with song and drink.

"Mind if I join you?" an attractive woman with short red hair asks.

I look at the woman with surprise before shaking my head.

She sits across from me, silently appraising me.

"Can I ask your name?" she asks.

I peer at her from over my drink, "Askilar."

She smiles, "Interesting name, Askilar. I'm Emily."

I nod to her.

"Forgive me for asking. But, why do you want to go to the Crystal Sea?"

I set down my mug. She has my attention.

"There's an island I need to go to."

She looks at me, puzzled.

"Why?"

I can imagine explaining my cause to the woman and sounding like a lunatic.

"There's something I need to find there," I say enigmatically.

She stares at me, "I hear you have the coin to back up your request."

I pull out a bag loaded with silver from my cosmos ring.

I slide it across the table.

Greed takes the woman's eyes as she counts out the coins.

"Come with me," she says.

I leave my drink unfinished and follow her out into the dying light.

We make our way to the docks where we find a boat of middling size.

"Welcome to the Oncoming Storm."

It looks somewhat rundown, I think as I come aboard.

"The crew is on shore leave. But, they'll be back by morning.

"We'll make our way about noon."

She looks at my sword, "Can I assume you know how to use that?"

I nod my head.

She smiles, "Good.

"You can bunk down below deck."

I nod but feel no desire to rest in the lice-infested bunks.

"Which island was it that you wanted to see?"

I look at the sword.

"Hmm," the sword hums. "I think it was called Penel."

I relay the name to the captain.

"Penel? Do you mean Sabat? I think it used to be called Penel. A long time ago."

I nod my head, hoping we're headed in the right direction.

"Now, I understand why you would risk the journey. Those ruins are practically untouched."

She leaves me and I am left to the gentle rocking of the waves.

I take a seat out of the way and go about my meditation.

The crew drags themselves to the boat as the night ends.

When the day arrives, many grumble about their hangovers.

I never leave my spot.

A few of the sailors look at me peculiarly as they ready the ship.

The ocean is both gentle and fierce.

This is my first time sailing and I feel a thrill of excitement for my first time on the water.

"Why are we going to the Crystal Sea?" I hear one of the sailors ask as the days pass.

"It's for that weirdo over in the corner."

"Shut up, man," a voice hisses. "He's a spiritualist."

"Spiritualist my ass. He's gonna get us killed for a stupid treasure hunt."

"You," a big bruiser of a man comes to stand over me.

"You don't need to go to the Crystal Sea, now do you?"

He cracks his knuckles menacingly.

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My eyes still closed, I say, "I do."

The man growls. "If you would just be reasonable, I wouldn't have to throw you overboard."

My eyes open and I look up at the man.

The fiery tattoo on my arm grows into a coiling dragon as I raise my hand.

His eyes are transfixed on the eyes of the dragon as it grows and looms over the man's head.

I watch a wet mark form on his pants and a pool of fluid form at his feet.

As quickly as the dragon appeared, it retreats into my tattoo.

All spectators are left speechless as the menacing man stumbles backward.

I try to return to my meditation. But, the stink of the man's fear distracts me.

I rise and walk past the sailors who back away at my approach.

The front of the ship is clear. And, I picked my new place to meditate.

"What the hell was that?"

I can still hear the sailors murmur.

"That wasn't a spiritualist ability."

"I don't know what it was. I just know I'm not gonna be the next person to piss him off."

Weeks pass as I isolate myself.

The red-haired captain finds me.

She looks at me for a long time before speaking.

"We're entering the Crystal Sea. Can you help us defend the ship?"

I open my eyes and look up, "Yes."

She nods.

The hours pass with the gentle rocking of the sea.

Before long, aquatic monsters rise from the waters and assail the ship.

I rise and join the sailors in fending off the threat.

It's simple work that the sailors alone could manage. I just speed the process up.

The days pass with small threats trying to hunt humans.

The blade is bored, "This is like stepping on ants. If only something bigger would attack."

As if hearing the sword's wish, something massive latches onto the ship.

Massive tentacles wrap around the deck.

The sailors panic at the threat while I find the nearest snare.

Fire burns across the blade as I sever the first tentacle.

A tremor runs through the fiend's body.

I waste no time as I go from one appendage to the next.

At the back of the ship, the main body holds on.

Its massive beak threatens to bite at me.

I empower my sword with chi and slash down on the octopus.

Its body takes a moment to realize its death before sloughing off and into the endless sea.

I look back to see dumbstruck faces.

The captain is no less surprised than her crew.

I walk past the men and women and find my spot.

I pay no mind to the looks I get.

The smell of roasted octopus carries as the massive tentacles I severed remain on the ship.

They're taking the opportunity to celebrate their survival in an uncertain world.

After the octopus, the ship has been left alone by the monsters of the Crystal Sea.

I imagine the blood of an apex predator puts the monsters off.

Whatever the case, the sailing grows calmer.

Weeks of travel and we come in sight of land.

"How long will you be on the island?" the captain asks.

"Give me two days," I say. "If I'm not back by then, leave."

She nods, "Good luck."

A pair of sailors join me on a small boat.

After making landfall, the pair makes camp.

"You remember the way?" I ask the sword as I navigate through the thick jungle.

"Just keep going. I'll remember if I see a landmark.

We spend the next few hours searching for ruins of a bygone age.

"There," the sword says. "To your right."

Massive white stones rest in a heap. Some hold a semblance of a long-lost structure.

"Man," the sword says. "How long have I been out of the loop?"

I have no words to answer that question.

We delve deeper into the ruins before finding a tunnel.

"This is the way. I remember now. Keep going."

I summon a flame to my hand and explore the dark tunnel.

Tendrils from the surrounding trees penetrate some ways into the compound. But, eventually, all I see is stone.

"Take a left at this tunnel," the sword instructs.

I follow orders and dive deep.

Time is an irregular construct when searching ancient ruins.

Minutes can feel like hours and hours can seem like minutes.

But, the sword keeps me on track.

A blue light illuminates the hall ahead of me.

"There it is," the sword is triumphant.

I find myself entering an illuminated room.

At its center, a swirling tornado of energy casts blue light all around it.

It's not exactly what I expected.

I feel more doubtful of my decision to leave this world now that I stand before the portal.

"What are you waiting for, bearer? Let's go."

My thoughts turn to my family. This adventure comes at a cost.

I steady my resolve and step into the maelstrom.

In the moment that I enter the portal, I feel my feet come off the ground.

Despite its apparent violence, I feel safe as the whirlwind turns around me.

I don't know how long it lasts.

But, I feel my feet touch the ground.

The whirlwind evaporates from around me.

Looking around, I see an empty room with a hallway leading away.

"Where's the portal?" I ask.

"Not here. Those babies are one way."

Anger flares up within me.

"You didn't tell me that."

"Ah, don't worry. I've done this a hundred times.

"We'll find the portal back no problem."

I bite my cheek as I put the portal issue aside.

My flame illuminates the path as I seek out this world of immortals.

These ruins are far more pristine than the ones on Sabat island.

I find many branching hallways that lead to rooms like the one I arrived in.

"Back in the day, immortals from all sorts of worlds came to the big world through this temple.

The sword is pensive for a moment.

"The Celestial War devastated so many worlds."

I continue my search for the exit in silence.

Finally, a draft of fresh air calls me.

I walk out into the bright daylight.

What I see confuses me for a moment.

Dark-skinned men and women in tribal garb look at me with shock.

"Um, hello," I say dumbly.

The tribe begins talking among itself.

"Not an immortal in the lot," comes the sword's assessment. "We should move along."

I find myself agreeing with the sentiment.

As I move to leave, an old woman approaches.

"Greetings, stranger."

"Uh, hello."

"May I ask, how you came from the temple?"

I scratch my head, "A portal."

Hushed whispers spread among the tribe.

"Please," the matriarch says, "stay with us tonight. Your presence is a boon to us all."

I don't see any reason to turn aside from their hospitality.

"Thank you."

I'm escorted to a large hut where what looks to be a tribal council is gathering.

"Please, sit."

I follow the ancient woman's queue.

More elders join us and I feel myself grow self-conscious in the face of the gathering.

A young man comes before me as the gathering completes itself.

In his hand is a clear crystal on a piece of cloth.

"Please, hold the crystal," the matron requests.

I take the crystal in hand and watch it first turn blue. And, then purple.

As the elders see this, they kneel and bow their heads to the ground.

"Great one," the matriarch says after bowing. "We thank you for answering our call."

I'm confused.

"Ha," the sword laughs. "Perfect timing."

The elders look at me with reverence.

I wait patiently.

"Great one," says the matriarch. "Our guardian deity, Merses, has guarded our tribe since the Reckoning.

"She is a kind goddess."

The matriarch looks sadly at her fellows.

"But, demons have plagued the land and corrupted her sanctuary.

"We are too weak to face the demons. And, so, we have summoned you."

The sword laughs again. "And, here, I thought we were getting away from demons."

I sigh, "Of course."

Relief shows in the faces of those gathered.

"Tell me where to go."

Directions are relayed to me.

"Please, stay for a feast. It is the least we can do for you, a great one."

I decided not to point out that I don't need to eat.

"Thank you."

The day dwindles and a great fire is built.

The music of flutes and drums penetrates the air.

I only sample the food.

But, I relish the sweet alcoholic beverage that the tribe produces.

"Great one," a drunk man asks, "where do you come from?"

I think for a moment, "I come from several places. Not so different from here."

"How did you ascend?" comes another drunken question.

I try to explain the fundamentals of cultivation as I grow progressively more intoxicated.

As the night draws on, the matriarch comes to me with a pretty young woman.

The woman's eyes are on the ground as the old woman introduces her.

"This is Arina. She is a virtuous young woman. I hope you like her."

I realize what's going on. "I'm sorry. Thank you, Arina. But, I'm married."

The matriarch looks disappointed. But, withdraws with the meek young woman.

From here, the festivities dwindle as the alcohol makes the men and women submit to the call of sleep.

I purge the alcohol from my system.

While the tribe slumbers, I move into the forest to find the sanctuary of a goddess.

"What are the gods like?" I ask the sword.

"Eh," it says. "Depends on the god. I've known stuffy old fart gods. And, down to earth, humble, gods."

"Have you ever heard of Merses?"

The sword thinks for a moment.

"No. She might be a younger generation. New gods and goddesses pop up all the time."

I carry on with my search until I find a red thread tied from tree to tree.

On the outside, the forest is tranquil.

But, when I cross the line, I find a battlefield.

The dead demons flicker with living shadows.

The clang of battle alerts me to the fact that the battle is not over.

I rush to the sounds of fighting.

What I find is a beautiful woman, with a large sword, slashing into a large demon with vicious teeth.

A halo of light illuminates her shoulder-length brown hair.

From her back, wisps of white form wings that stabilize her on the ground and elevate her in the air.

As she dispatches the last of the demons, she turns to me.

"Leave now, demon," she spits.

"I, uh... we should calm down. We can talk about this."

"There is nothing to talk about with demons.

"No," she pauses.

"You're not a demon.

"What are you?"

Suspicion keeps her blade pointed at me.

"I'm Askilar. I'm, well, I'm an immortal."

"I've never known an immortal with so much demon in him.

"Tell me," her suspicion gives way to something akin to hope. "How did you purify your corruption?"

I shrug and pull out my sword.

The orange light is dazzling as the shadows of the dead demons hiss and flee.

Merses looks from the sword to me, "We can talk."

She invites me into her shrine and we take up positions on the floor.

She allows her holy raiment to fade.

"Where do you come from, immortal?"

I don't have a name for my home world and say as much.

"To abandon your world. What were you hoping to accomplish?"

I scratch my head, "It was the sword's idea."

Her eyes widen.

"What is its name?"

I look at the sword.

"Eh, names are for humans. I'm a legendary sword."

I chuckle, "It's just a legendary sword."

"Where did you find it?"

I tell her the stories of my time with the sword and the goddess listens without judgement.

"I am grateful that you have come.

"The corruption has grown beyond my ability to manage.

"There are so many demons and their corpses are corrupting my sanctuary.

"If you could cleanse the dead, my powers would grow. And, I could survive the demons as they come."

I nod my understanding.

"Great use for a legendary sword," the sword grumbles. "Giving last rights to demons. Tell me we get to fight soon."

I spend the day that follows shedding the sword's light on the fallen.

The shadows that were gathering fade, and then, disappear. Leaving a pile of demon corpses wherever I turn.

"Do not worry about the bodies. With the fel purged, I can foster regrowth in the forest. The dead will return to the circle of life."

When I finish, I observe Merses breathing out from her sanctuary.

An air of rebirth settles as vegetation grows over the dead.

"Where are the demons coming from?" I ask.

Merses shakes her head. "I do not know. But, they will not stop.

"Even with what we've done, this cycle will repeat until I am overwhelmed."

I look at the sword.

"Are we going hunting? Yay."

"We'll find them at their source."

Merses gauges me carefully.

"Here," she says as she offers me a bell. "This can be used to break the illusion that hides the demons."

I thank her and get up to leave.

"Please," she says. "Stay the night in my sanctuary.

"Hunting demons in the dark is a dangerous foray."

I think back on the foolhardy night raid that got me turned into a demon.

"Thank you."

The goddess needs no sleep as she maintains her night vigil.

I settle down to meditate.

Through the night, I hear the ding of battle as Merses guards the shrine.

As day breaks, I purify the fallen and begin my search for the nest from which all these demons come.

I know the general direction from where they attack.

The bell rings melodically as I hunt.

The first pack of demons I find is startled when I attack them.

A giant, bipedal, demon commands a pack of hellhounds.

My sword runs red as I cut through the mutts and face the giant.

The enemy's axe swings wide as I dance around it.

Its attacks are lumbering and I cut into its muscle.

The monster roars its indignation that I don't simply die.

The sword glows brightly as I move in for the kill.

The blade pierces the demon's heart and it falls to its knees.

"Finally, a real fight. That's what I'm talking about, bearer."

I clean the blade on the dead and continue the search for the nest.

It isn't long before I find a cesspool of demonic filth.

I walk boldly into the camp, eliciting growls from several beast-type demons.

Human-type demons fly down until I am surrounded by the winged monsters.

"Why have you come, demon?" comes a voice.

I look to its source.

"I have come to stop the assault on the goddess Merses."

Malicious laughter spreads among the demons.

"Why, demon, would you do that?"

"Because I can."

Another round of laughter spreads.

"Kill him," the voice commands.

The encampment goes wild as beasts and bipedal-type demons swarm around me.

A few human types take to the air to come at me.

As the density of my enemies peaks, I channel my purifying flame into the sword and pierce the ground at my feet.

Fissures of orange fire spread out from my central location.

A hailstorm of purifying flame explodes from the ground, consuming every demon in a wide radius.

When the flames abate, charred remnants crumble on the ground.

I look out for those fortunate few who were outside the range of my attack.

"Who," I hear the voice of the demon that had been speaking.

"Who are you?"

I breathe deeply, "Askilar."

"We," the demon says, "will do as you command Askilar."

With a final look at the demons, I turn and find my way back to the sanctuary.

"Don't get me wrong, bearer. I love finishers. But, you ended that way too quickly."

"I'll try to do better in the future."

Merses is surprised to see me again so soon.

"Did you not have success finding them?"

"I found them. They shouldn't bother you again. Your bell."

I offer the item back to the goddess.

She's numb to my words for a moment.

"Please, keep the bell. It is useful for breaking illusions. It will serve you well.

"Thank you for your efforts, immortal. Go with my blessing."

She smiles kindly as I turn to continue my journey.