It was hard to make out Sahia’s camp, but Rhynsa knew she kept the place dark so no one could find her unless she turned on the electric lights, which was connected to a generator on the back of a car like a battery. There, he could finally see Sahia’s appearance better. Unlike Ifrit and Anubis, Sahia’s hellhound race was closer to a hound dog than a wolf or a jackal. The name ‘hellhound’ thus applied better for her than the others. She looked like a hunting dog, maybe a foxhound or a coonhound, with a short fur that made her body proportions easier to identify along with her pants and blouse. Her fur was chocolate brown colored with no visible stripes, and her ears were droopy and flappy, much like the surface hunting dogs she was based upon.
It was hard to notice due to her thick hair-like fur, but she had short horns that blended in well among her fur. Thus, the only indication that she was a hellhound came from her unnatural fox-like eyes. They were colored bright maroon over a dark-colored or black sclera, complete with vertical slit pupils. And, unlike the hound dog that she resembled, she looked very menacing, at least for surface dwellers. For Underworlders, she looked rather normal, especially if compared to a Death’s Jackal and a half-Infernal, or even to Fuzandres like Arnulfe and Rhynsa.
“Hey,” said Sahia, breaking Rhynsa’s pondering. “How do you know I don’t speak Hordo?”
“Hmm? No, I don’t, to be honest. I was just going to say it in Hordo before you replied.”
“Then you’re lucky.”
Rhynsa was carrying Sammael on his back when he got into Sahia’s camp, which had no indication that there were any huts at all. Maybe it was the villagers misremembering it, or Sahia deliberately saying that she lived in a hut. Either way, Rhynsa wondered if she did it to throw of her enemies as he gently put the Barghest down.
Ifrit lagged behind due to still dealing with the pain in his chest, caused by his lungs being burned by blessed water. Both Anubis and Arnulfe had already reached the camp when Ifrit was close. Sahia noticed this and said, “I suggest you get closer if you don’t want to be killed.”
“Oh. Oh, right,” replied Ifrit as he quickened his pace towards Sahia. After he did so, he noticed the simmer on the air behind him. It was hard to notice and seemed to only happen once, as it was gone the moment Ifrit realized it.
“Anti-demon barrier,” said Sahia. “It never fails…except when the demons are already inside.”
“So, you’re a Hunter?” asked Rhynsa.
“No, but we are their patrons. Sponsors. We gave them the money necessary for their jobs, and in return, they get to teach us basic cleansing rituals for our own protection. This barrier is not something I did. It’s far too advanced for me.”
“How about reversing the ritual, then? That knowledge can be very dangerous if it falls to the demons.”
“Only if I teach them, which is unlikely.” Sahia’s expression soon changed from serious to something akin to a sad dog. “Tell me…am I too soft?”
“For demons? Why not? They turned a whole region into a wasteland. There is nothing to be soft about them.”
“No, but…I sometimes wonder if we can be even worse than the demons. That ritual reversal was not supposed to be something anyone knows, but I learned about it anyway…after witnessing a cruelty.”
“What do you mean ‘cruelty’?”
“Not all Hunters are chivalrous defenders they painted themselves. Like hellhounds, they can act like demons when pushed too far. The reverse was done for an interrogation. I saw a lesser demon being tortured for information and…the way they handled it made me sick. If you have never seen a demon break, then I envy you. It was reduced into a shell of its former self and…it’s pitiful to look at.”
Rhynsa was quickly reminded of Sammael, who also went through what he assumed to be a similar situation. All he could say was, “Yeah. I know that feeling.”
“I suppose that’s part of the reason why I asked them to teach how to reverse the ritual. They couldn’t refuse since I was their patron. But…the way they taught me…what I did….”
“I see,” said Rhynsa, acknowledging what Sahia had been through. “But you know there can’t be anything good coming from a demon, even if said demon was a lesser demon. So, why reverse the blessing? Why didn’t you finish the job earlier?”
“Maybe because I was not a heartless person yet. I know it sounds stupid, but I believe that if we did what the demons do, we become the demons ourselves. It’s basically moral corruption. No matter who you are, no matter what race you belong to, you have this very weakness, one that made you either stronger or weaker.
Rhynsa chuckled.
“What’s so funny?”
“I don’t know. It’s just ironic, you know. We vowed to fight against the hellish incursion, but we found ourselves sympathizing with the demons. I mean, it’s obvious if you’re talking about a fellow non-demon, but for demons? Now, that’s new. Just so you know, the reason that Barghest is docile and not our enemy is because of a similar, but less sophisticated process, which also involved demonic rituals. His mind had been subjugated. He's nothing more than a dangerous guard dog. Granted, he still eat dreams, so he isn’t completely neutered. And besides, while I don’t like to admit it in front of the Barghest, he is a fighter and a loyal companion.”
“He is,” said Ifrit, who tried to make Sammael comfortable. True to what the Barghest once said, if the wounds weren’t fatal, the demon would not return to hell. Instead, he seemed to be recovering after the cleansing vapor was neutralized. Rhynsa still noticed that Ifrit’s breathing was labored. He only hoped the damage was not permanent. Unlike Sammael, he only had half a demon’s blood, and not a true demon.
“I see,” said Sahia. “So, what are you? You resemble bats native to the mountains, but you look like us. I have never seen one of you before, nor that furless one and the black fur one. He looks so…different.”
“I’m a (Fuzandre),” said Ifrit. “I think in Tragorian, it’s chiropteran, or bat people. Arnulfe belongs to the same race, though he came from somewhere different. The black fur is a Jackal, a different kind of hellhound. Also, you heard what he said. He’s blind.”
“You lead quite a group, herr Rhynsa,” said Sahia after she was astonished by how much variety the group had. “Yet I can’t imagine a life as a hellhound or a Fuzandre from the Underworld. I have been living on the surface all my life. The Underworld is but a story for me.”
“I guess that explains your previous comment. You’re a surface-born, aren’t you?”
“If that is the term you chose, then yes.”
“But then, how are you a Royal?” asked Ifrit.
“Royal? Who told you that?”
“Anarim Winsel.”
“Then I am not sure where he got his information from. But, if he is referring to my parents, then yes, I am a Royal hellhound by blood. My unmarried name is Brindor.”
“Brindor?” Rhynsa seemed to recognize that name. “Isn’t that one of the earliest Royal family to, well…fall?”
“I am not sure. You should ask my parents about it. They have been living on the surface for at least 5 years before I was born, at least that’s what my father told me when I was of age. He also told me a lot about who I really am and what my name means.”
“Okay, I need to stop you there. This isn’t about making a biography, anyway. Still, I am surprised that you ended up marrying a Dusdolfian noble.”
“I didn’t realize the irony until my father told me the family’s history,” said Sahia. “We wed out of genuine love. There was resistance from Max’s family at first. Back then, a noble marrying a commoner is frowned upon. But they were quickly convinced by my father. I suppose that being a former monarch, he had a certain way to convince people.”
“Yeah,” said Rhynsa as he remembered his own unfortunate past association with the Schelkz family. “I know that feeling too well.”
“Thus, I married into their family and learned of their dynasty. I soon learned that the family of Antelberg is a prominent family of Dusdolfian werewolves. I was the first hellhound to be a part of their family and to be fair, the fact I looked closer to a hunting dog than a wolf troubled me at first, but our love persevered for 15 years.”
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Rhynsa expressed a smile on his face upon hearing that declaration.
“Did I say something funny?”
“Nah. I just remembered how it resembled someone else’s story. (Right, Schelkz?)”
“(What?)” said the hellhound as he caressed Sammael’s sleeping form.
Rhynsa completely ignored Ifrit’s confusion and continued. “Anyway,” he said. “Now that we’re already acquainted, I think it’s best if we get started. The old Winsel knew the significance of an ally with noble connections. That’s why of all the Royal hellhounds, he chose to make contact with you. Mission Complete, I guess.”
“I know what you’re trying to ask me, but I must refuse,” said Sahia. “I ran from the Antelberg estate to draw the hellhounds away. My family is not a part of this. I do not plan on becoming part of your fight. All I want is for the safety of my family.”
“If you go with us, we’ll assure the safety of your family. Just tell us where your estate is and…”
“Wait. Why bother? You’re already here,” interrupted Sahia. “You can come and help me make sure my family is safe. In return, I’ll ask Max to help you as a favor. My estate is in a town called Stadelitz. In the map, it will be the town at the base of Antelberg, the mountain range. It has a tunnel that leads directly to Morran.”
“Morran?” said Ifrit. “That’s a familiar name.”
“Whoa, wait a minute. A tunnel leading directly to Morran? That’s a strategic weakness if I ever heard one! Are you telling me you have a gaping hole through the mountain where the demons can get in unchallenged?!”
“We didn’t expect the hellish incursion to ever happen. And besides, the tunnel was open to the public 15 years ago. I won’t forget the day Max officiated the opening ceremony, given it was one month after we wed.”
“That doesn’t matter! The fact that the tunnel exists is a problem!”
“Calm down and let me explain. There are demon hunters stationed on the other side of the tunnel in Morran that kept the Tragorian town free from demons. Ever since the fall of Tragoria, that town is the only town that’s still under non-demonic influence. But…that was two years ago, and even back then…”
“Smaller skirmishes were still happening in Dusdolf, causing confusion,” concluded Rhynsa, with Sahia nodding.
“But, uh, wait,” said Ifrit, who tried to give an opinion. “There are demon hunters with no training, yes? Like, not demon hunters?”
“I am aware of those who claimed to be demon hunters. However, in the end, they acted like mercenaries and their knowledge of the rituals were subpar. They were only motivated by greed, not the preservation of the surface world.”
“But one is better than none. There is no guarantee those demon hunters can hold on with dangerous demons prowling about the Tragorian wasteland. Hell, if an Infernal’s already involved, things could look pretty bad for all of us.”
“I see what you mean.” Sahia sighed. “Stadelitz and the tunnel is a strategic hole and can possibly be the one hole that caused a cascading disaster. So, the best we can do is keep the town secure.”
“Yeah,” said Ifrit.
Rhynsa and Sahia then continued discussing the situation while also telling her of the works Anarim Winsel and the council of Avicelis did to keep the situation under control, especially in the Adaline region. Meanwhile, Arnulfe, who was listening to the two talking, felt a tap on her shoulder. He turned to find Anubis. The Jackal looked confused and frustrated.
“(Did you all forget about me?)” said the blind Jackal. “(I can’t understand a word you’re saying!)”
“(I thought you learned a couple of words back in Summinat),” replied Arnulfe.
“(Not to a conversational extent. I never learned surface language like you did, so whatever you’re saying sounds like gibberish to me).”
“(If it makes you feel better, I talk in broken Tragorian. Rhynsa and Miza taught me, but I still confuse one word’s meaning with other, so I don’t talk Tragorian that much).”
“(Oh…but at least you can understand what they’re saying. It’s better than being completely clueless).”
Then Anubis sighed. Arnulfe knew it was not a sigh of relief. It was more in line with a sigh of frustration.
“(Arnulfe…I have been thinking. Maybe…maybe I didn’t think this through. I got way over my head on this one).”
“(Look, Ani, you can’t simply think that way. I’ve seen you fight earlier, and you can handle yourself well. Why the second thought?)”
“(I did not expect us to be fighting demons from the lower circle of hell or whatever the hell that’s supposed to mean. And I’m supposed to be the guardian of hell’s gate or whatever. I don’t even know all that before Anarim told me about it. And then there was that fight between Ifrit and that goat demon. I could see their fight, but it was terrifying. It’s like I was trapped with them in a field of fire! I started to wish that darkness is what I can see. It’s all just…I don’t know. I don’t know my purpose at all).”
“(Ani, Ifrit did not mean to scare you. Sure, that wasn’t really him, but…).”
“(Yeah, I know. He got his own reasons. But, in my opinion, that is not going to work forever).”
“(Why not?)”
“(Blaming his psycho personality? I don’t claim to know much about how he deals with his split personality, but sooner or later, no one is going to believe that he and that psycho he considered a separate personality are two different things. The only thing that will certainly convince us that he’s different is if he turned against us).”
“(I can hear you, you know),” said Ifrit, who was turning his head towards Anubis, who did not notice him due to his subtle demonic aura, which seemed to not be present when he was calm. “(Ani, I don’t want to sound rude, but you don’t know me. I just wish I know who or what I am, but at least I know that I have a name, a history, and a life. I didn’t mean to make you feel threatened by my presence. I…didn’t mean to).”
“(I know. It’s just…you reminded me of my ex).”
Ifrit remembered Anubis’s reaction when they were talking about his experience on love earlier, when the lupine hellhound politely declined Anubis’s consideration. Ironically, that refusal ended up being the right choice. If they ended up together, Anubis would be even more traumatized by Ifrit’s dangerous personality.
“(O-oh, no),” said Ifrit, trying not to make Anubis hurt. “(I didn’t mean to make you relive your trauma. I didn’t know).”
“(He was a jerk and a liar),” said Anubis with a sigh. “(And also, the reason why I was strung up with a tight mask. Two years of my life, wasted on an asshole and a slaver. If I meet him again, I’ll be sure to break his heart).”
“(Whoa, calm down there, heartbreaker),” said Arnulfe. “(Revenge’s not the way, okay? Just let him go and try not to think about it. He can rot in hell or wherever he is right now. You’re here, that’s all that matters. Besides, I bet I’m more handsome than him. Then again, you can’t really tell at first glance).”
Anubis snorted upon hearing Arnulfe’s dry joke. Unfortunately, Rhynsa heard that.
“(Hey! There’s time and place for that! Don’t go around flirting like nobody’s business!)” said Rhynsa.
“(Alright, alright. Calm down already, old bat),” said Arnulfe with a huff.
“(Seriously…).”
Anubis tried to find Arnulfe before he was contented by the leathery touch of the Fuzandre’s wing.
“(You always made me laugh in every opportunity, Arnulfe),” said Anubis, smiling while his head kept forward, not sure where to look. “(It’s like…it’s something I’ve missed ever since I was separated from my siblings).”
“(Do they like to make you laugh?)”
“(No, not exactly. I had younger brothers, but they were still too young to remember who I am. Some of my brothers and sisters could be caring, but the older ones were too busy, and those closer to my age were just cruel. I mean, teenagers, am I right? So, the only who I was very close with was my twin).”
“(Twin brother?)”
Anubis nodded. “(Though I’m not sure if we’re actually identical or not. But even with all that fact, I missed them dearly. I can only wish that we’ll met again, hopefully not in the afterlife).”
“(Oh, don’t be such a downer, Ani! You will meet them again. I’m sure of it. You just need to wish really hard for it…or just be lucky enough).”
Anubis smiled. “(You’re right),” he said, before he yawned. “(It’s been a long search. I think I’ll have my sleep now. Also, Ifrit?)”
“(Yes, Ani?)” said Ifrit.
“(Don’t force yourself, alright, and don’t blame Sahia. I can tell from your raspy, labored breathing that you haven’t really heal your lungs yet).”
“(Maybe so. Thanks for the concern).”
“(And for Arnulfe…)”
The Jackal waved his hands in the air, trying to find Arnulfe’s face before the Fuzandre realized what he was doing and guided his hands towards his chiropteran face. His claws were properly trimmed, but still sharp enough to poke someone’s eyes out. But before Arnulfe could even begin to worry about it, Anubis unexpectedly kissed the bat in the snout, causing his heart to skip a beat, becoming flustered about it. The kiss took a second longer than it should for a platonic one, as Arnulfe and the other noticed.
“(Good night, handsome),” said Anubis, smiling while also being flustered.
It was not nighttime yet, but Anubis couldn’t actually tell. Arnulfe could only say, “(Sure thing, Ani)” before Ifrit helped the Jackal find a place to sleep in, which was on the back seat of the car Sahia used as a generator.
Arnulfe was in a loss for words. Anubis was never that straightforward before, nor did he even have any courage to kiss someone he liked unexpectedly. It seemed Arnulfe’s influence had started to rub off the Jackal, and that fact made the furless Fuzandre smiled.
He did not get enough time to do so, however, before Rhynsa said, “If you two lovers can get a room, that would be nice. Not everyone’s thrilled by it. Right, Sahia?”
“I’m okay with it,” said Sahia, whose eyes were wide in shock. “It’s just…it’s so unprecedented.”
“Don’t expect surface dwellers to react like you do. They have a hard time understanding what’s not the norm for centuries. Anyway, Anubis is right. Maybe we should get our rest. It’s good to finally meet you, Sahia Antelberg.”
“Likewise, Rhynsa.”
As everyone readied themselves to rest for the rest of the day, Ifrit wondered about what Anubis talked about behind his back. He found that, despite his rather insensitive remarks about Ifrit’s darker impulses, he was right. It also showed that, even if the others tried not to show it, Ifrit could tell that they were wary of Ifrit. His darker impulses had no sense of survival, only existing to ‘have fun’ by trying to kill his enemies in the most brutal way possible, or at least challenge a demon that was clearly out of his league. It helped a lot during the worst of the Hellish Incursion, but Ifrit doubted he could do so again when his main personality was in control.
That confrontation with the Infernal called Azgal threatened to damage his body more than it should. He wanted to try and prevent that from happening, but it was hard when he started to become intrigued by his ability to produce hellfire. It might not be as powerful as a true Infernal, but it could help with the Incursion immensely, not to mention that, if he could control it, he would be unstoppable.
But if achieving all that meant sacrificing his soul, he would steadfastly refuse. But what were his alternatives? Anti-demonic weapons were off-limits due to their damaging nature. Hellfire was the only way if he wanted to kill demons effectively. He really hoped he had all the answers to his questions, hopefully before reuniting with Lilac again. He wanted to have control of his second lease of life. He did not want it to become the main reason why returning to life was not worth it.
For the sake of the land that he considered his home, he must conquer his own demons. He must.