During the ride, Dreu noticed something in the water. The thing was difficult to differentiate from the water but, for a split second, it reflected light that briefly blinded him. Curiosity got the better of him so he reached over to touch it. As soon as his hand touched the water, the thing dashed towards his finger. Following a prick to his finger, the young man quickly withdrew his hand. Seeing a tiny bit of blood, he quickly put the bleeding finger into his mouth.
What was that?
Even with his dark vision, Dreu couldn’t see what pricked his finger. The thing he saw could be mistaken for some debris but its behavior and his minor wound suggested otherwise. Dreu tried searching for it but the thing had vanished after he retrieved his hand. For the rest of the boat trip, Dreu forgot about the thing and enjoyed the rocking motion with only the sound of rushing water in the background. Both Aggich and Zog had fallen asleep in his lap. He was tempted to join them but the tingly feeling in his body made him alert. Despite his slight discomfort, he wished the moment would last longer. They eventually arrived at a clearing where Dreu gently held his two companions before he leaped onto solid ground again.
“What now?” Dreu asked once he stuck his landing.
“We’re joining the others at the exit. All the surviving demons should have gathered there. Then, we head deeper into the Demon Realm as a group, leaving behind the last of the demon civilization.”
“Deeper?”
“Yes, the demon settlements are built along the outskirts where it’s safer. Unless you’re as strong as me or Eglallin, you have no hope of surviving in the true wilderness of the Demon Realm.”
“Why wasn’t the wilderness tamed?”
“Demon and humans are different. We see no use of taming the wilderness when we can simply coexist with it. We leave it mostly alone and hunt the creatures for their skins, bones and other valuable treasures. It’s not all that different from how you humans and monsters interact with one another.”
Dreu nodded. He could see the value of having monsters to hunt in a controlled region. Human adventurers had to travel far from home if they wished for a chance at glory and riches. With access to loot much closer to home, humans would have grown stronger much faster. The demon clearly thought this out and built their settlements a day travel away from their version of monsters.
“You also mentioned demon settlements. I saw Gujash. Where are the others?”
“Gone.”
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The old demon had the same expression as the one he had when he spoke of Eglallin. While a part of Dreu knew he shouldn’t push further on the topic, the young man still went ahead knowing that the information might prove vital to his survival later. The more he knew about the demons, the better he could survive in the home of the demons. Even information about the past could fill in the gaps that were left behind by Bayard.
“Did the humans destroy them all?”
“Since Xemir defeated Xyheia, there was a major exodus of all the nonhumans on Ittoroth. I was among the demons who chose to stay so we could keep warring with Xemir and his followers. The three centuries of war between us and the humans came at heavy costs for us demons. We lost most of our population. Today, we lost our last settlement. We achieved nothing with all of our sacrifices. Now, we are wanderers of the Demon Realm where we are no different from barbaric brutes. Such is the cost for our pursuit of revenge.”
“And the exodus?”
“Xyheia is kind to her followers. She knew that, with her defeat, her brother wouldn’t show mercy to nonhumans. Therefore, she actively evacuated as many nonhumans as she could. As for where they sent, I fear I don’t know. Since their departure, I lost contact with all of Xyheia's followers who no longer walk Ittoroth.”
“Once she left, those who remained had to continue resisting Xemir and his followers, right?”
Tragthan said that was true for a portion of those who left behind. He stated that some of the nonhumans did change their minds and still had a chance to evacuate. They had to locate certain communities that were established in secret within the kingdom and still served Xyheia. The old demon started listing off a few town names when one familiar name jumped out for Dreu.
“Wait? Did you say Lullin?”
“Yes, that was one of the major hubs. I was devastated when I heard its population was slaughtered by Rowan and his followers. Have you been there before?”
“I was born and raised there most of my life. I left for an adventure and returned to see the aftermath of the town’s destruction. Now that I know who is responsible, I cannot stand idle without exacting revenge.”
“I pray that Xyheia will one day lead you away from the path of revenge. You can achieve so much more without so much anger in your heart.” Tragthan gestured to Dreu’s blade. “Maybe that’s why the weapon picked you.”
Dreu looked down as he pondered all that had happened since he fled Berkton. The friends and allies he made along with the losses he suffered. In some ways, he felt a new chapter was about to begin as he entered the Demon Realm, a place mentioned in the kingdom as an environment too harsh for even the strongest humans.
Maybe I will grow strong enough here to finally stand a chance against Rowan and Azorius. At least Tragthan and the other demons will be there to keep me alive until I get strong enough to fend for myself.
When Dreu looked up, Tragthan made progress down the passageway and he hastily followed. He was about to ask more about the exodus when he was blinded by the light coming through the cave entrance.
“I’ve just removed your dark vision. You should adjust to the light much easier.”
Once his eyes adjusted, Dreu stepped outside the cave.
“Welcome to the Demon Realm!”