Villages come and go along the way. And, I stop on occasion to resupply or enjoy a drink.

Ever Southward, I travel.

"I can't wait till we find a demon to fight," the sword, happily, yammers.

"I wonder what kind of demon the current Mao is."

"There's no Mao," I say. "No demon lord. Just a bunch of monsters."

"Oh, my naive friend, there's always a Mao. Just some are more recognizable than others.

"It's the nature of demons to seek out power. Most want it for themselves. But, there's always a king at the top of the mountain."

My thoughts turn to the demon that once brought terror upon me.

I shove such thoughts aside and move forward.

A town appears before me and I make my way to the inn.

I pay for my stay before turning to the world outside.

There are several pubs and eateries to pick from. But, my purpose is the local shrine.

There is no one religion in the empire.

Rather, there are numerous regional deities.

I find the shrine to the god Mithra. A service going on.

"In these, the last days," I hear the priest preach, "there are those who consort with demons.

"Your neighbor, your friend, your public official. Any may be aligning with the forces of evil.

"Only in Mithra do we find protection from the darkness."

The priest carries on for some time before the congregation disburses.

I find myself alone with the priest. He smiles as he greets me.

"Hello, brother. What do you seek guidance with?"

I smile, "I was hoping to purchase some holy water.

Stolen novel; please report.

An eyebrow raises on the man's face.

"For what purpose, if I may ask?"

I shrug, "In case I come upon a demon."

He smiles a genuine smile.

"Too few take the threat seriously.

Come, I will get the materials ready in a moment."

The man takes several vials filled with water and presents them to a statue of the god Mithra.

I watch as the priest begins chanting a prayer.

A white glow emits from the statue to engulf the water vials.

I'd never seen the ritual performed and I'm left awestruck.

"So, it glowed a little," the sword spits. "I do that all the time."

I put the sword's words out of my mind as I prepared the coin for my purchase.

The pries gratefully accepts my offering and I come away equipped with a new weapon in my arsenal.

"May Mithra guide you."

I nod my head to the man as I turn to leave.

"So, you finally want to face off with demons," the sword says.

"It's just a precaution," I explain.

"Sure it is. Has nothing to do with your quest for vengeance."

"I don't have a quest for vengeance."

The sword is silent for a moment. "Then why do you keep heading South?"

"I'm a nomad. I wander."

"Ha... Lie to me boyo. But, don't lie to yourself."

The day is growing long as I find a pub close to my inn.

The ale is just bitter enough as I taste it on my tongue.

"I heard that Rungi up North is afire with revolutionaries. They want to break off from the empire."

"Crazy terrorists," someone spits. "They'd trade law for anarchy."

"I dunno," a voice says. "With things escalating with the drow, the army might not be able to bring the North to heel."

"Aye, shit's going to hell."

"At least the demons are staying quiet."

"Quiet?" a voice balks. "You must not be following the news. There's an army of them moving about South of the wall."

A silence comes over the table from the gossip being shared.

I turn my attention away from the rumor mill and focus on my ale.

"See," the sword says. "It's destiny. The demons are on the move. It's gotta be a demon lord's doing."

I drink my ale in silence until a brown-haired young woman approaches me.

"May I sit here?" she motions to the seat beside me.

I'm surprised. But say, "Yeah."

She smiles and waits for the bartender to get her a drink.

"I, um," she says. "I saw you at the shrine."

I look at her curiously.

"Do you- Do you hunt demons?"

"I don't."

She deflates at my words.

"But, you're... I mean, can you?"

I find myself treading upon dangerous ground with this conversation.

"Yes!" the sword screams. "Quest accepted."

I flick the sword with a finger.

I let out a sigh, "I could."

Hope wells up in her eyes as she unloads her burden upon me.

"I'm from a small village to the South.

"There's no protection from the empire in those lands."

I nod my understanding.

"A-" tears well up in her eyes. "A demon has established itself nearby. Every month, it demands a sacrifice.

"I came here to find someone who could save us.

"Please, if you're able, come with me and help us."

Her anxiety is on full display as she hopes for my help.

"Quest accepted," the sword repeats itself.

I think about what the dangers I face may be.

"I've never fought a demon before.

There are very real dangers to taking up such a mission.

"Okay," I say.

Relief shows in the young woman's eyes, "Thank you."

We make arrangements to leave the following day. And, I return to my drink.

The night grows long and I retire.