It was an odd twist, to feel safer fleeing the Apple Infernal than I did staying staying there. The demoness’ remark about emotions once more reaffirmed something I already knew: a mortal like me couldn’t hide anything from demons. Not for long, at least.

Some of my emotions could blend in easily enough. Demons expected mortals to feel uneasy and fear, so if they sensed those feelings in me, they wouldn’t be suspicious. No demon was likely to guess I was trying to hide wealth.

Not that I was particularly wealthy anymore thanks to my heavy spending at the Absorbtion Station, or that demons would want the kind of wealth I still possessed.

I would have to be careful not to reveal the mana crystals to any mortal. Well, any more mortal. I doubted Mia would forget the accusations I threw at her that first day we properly met.

I winced a little at the realization that she was firmly ‘Mia’ in my mind now, and not the ‘cat lady’ or whatever else I used to call her.

With an effort, I pushed aside the thought, along with the stab of fear that came with it. The unease stayed around, taking root in my chest, but I ignored it and strode purposefully out of the city towards the legion’s former campsite.

To my mild amusement, a good number of tents were still set up there. Several recruits had been forced by lack of souls to camp outside. These recruits were disassembling the tents as fast as they could, but that didn’t save them from the jeers of both demons and their mortal peers. There was no mercy for failure to save up enough souls even for the most basic city lodging.

I couldn’t help but notice that all these tent-dwelling mortals were vaguely familiar. I wasn’t one hundred percent certain, but I was willing to bet they all belonged to Glaustro’s troops.

Not long after my arrival, Glaustro and Graighast themselves made an appearance. The two sergeants looked more exhausted than I had ever seen them. Point of fact, I had never seen a demon look that worn out minus the slight fatigue the demon mages had when sieging the shield. Both were glowering, and if I didn’t know any better, I would take the slight discoloration under their eyes as bags caused by lack of sleep.

Demons don’t need to sleep, not really. Right? I think I read something along those lines…

My musing was cut off when Glaustro slashed his hand through the air in front of him several times in quick succession. Each motion left angry red mana threads hovering in place. When the threads formed into a glyph, Glaustro punched his fist through it. The glyph erupted into a wave of mana that washed over us and into the city.

Immediately, my brand started to heat up. I clenched my teeth in preparation for the pain, but this time, the heat faded before it could hurt me. As I brushed my hand over the brand, the message that typically forced itself into my mind fizzled out. In its place was a vague sense of accomplishment, like I had already done what was required of me.

I smiled.

So, if I want to avoid pain, all I need to do is show up at the meeting place before the order is sent out. Good to know.

That explained why most demons were always ready and waiting by the time I had turned up in the past. They knew how to avoid all the unpleasantness of the brand’s summoning. The fact that no one said anything to warn the mortals about this filled me with bitterness for a moment, but the feeling evaporated instantly. It wasn’t like anyone bothered to share other important info with us anyways.

The two sergeants took their seats in the command tent, but instead of lounging like they usually did, they called for one of their aides to bring in a short table. Then they spread out a map and leaned over it, conversing earnestly. Their voices were too low for me to overhear, but I knew from the intense focus of all the demons around me that something important was happening.

When everyone finally arrived, it was Graighast who stepped forward this time, leaving Glaustro to glower at the map angrily.

“Listen carefully,” the nicer of the two brothers demanded, arms crossed over his chest. “Things have developed in an unfavorable direction. As some of you may already know, the locals have started to meddle with magic they have no business researching.”

A ripple of discontent ran through the demonic troops, but it was a hushed reaction. Muted. Clearly, news had been spreading among them while I sequestered myself in the Apple Infernal and the station.

“They have weaponized both spatial and soul mana. We discovered multiple sites within this city used for sacrificial offerings, where civilians were killed and their souls extracted to fuel the city’s defenses. Obviously, those defenses failed to hold us back.”

The demon made this statement with as much disdain as he could manage. However, even I could detect a hint of concern in his voice. And for once, the demons surrounding me didn’t pretend to hide their own unease. I swallowed. Whatever was enough to throw a whole army of demons off-balance was beyond deadly to me.

“We also discovered, thanks to the quick thinking and action of one of our mortal soldiers, that the cities now have a hidden teleportation network fueled in much the same fashion. While this would normally be a boon, this time, it has turned into a weakness.

“Their civilization is still much too young and weak to have properly studied the principles that govern teleportation. They might have been able to establish a rudimentary system, but they don’t know how to key it to select individuals only, or even to their species as a whole. As such, this presents us with a unique opportunity.”

The demonic commander smiled like a shark, and Graighast’s sudden shift in mood surged out over the troops. All the demons leaned in, their faces eager. More than a few mortals followed suit. I kept my face calm, but I could feel the sharp edge of anticipation digging into me.

“Instead of marching deeper into their territories, we can leverage these teleportation circles. We have done several small tests already, and while they won’t let us teleport directly into the center of our enemies’ kingdom, we can jump to the next node in the chain. We will not have to contend with whatever traps and barriers the locals have managed to build. We can appear in their midst and wreak havoc!”

A roar of approval met Graighast’s declaration. I gave in, raising my voice along with them. There was something electric about being part of the crowd. Even if the crowd was half demon.

What’s more, the red half of my mana was pulsing in tune with the emotions of the demons. I could feel the cravings of the Abyss inside my chest. I could practically taste its anticipation for more souls, more lives, and more fuel for its expansion. Its call thrummed in my veins, promising rewards, accolades, and power the likes of which I could never imagine, if I simply did my part.

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It was a heady feeling, and I lost myself to it as I listened to Graighast speak.

“All demons, be ready to storm the walls immediately. Their casters are likely prepared for the first sign of trouble. We cannot let them make sacrifices and raise their barrier. Mortals, it is your job to mop up all civilians and troops languishing within the city itself. This is your opportunity to earn more souls, and to rampage to your hearts’ content! Do not fail us!”

That was an order, not a request, but I didn’t care either way. This was everything I wanted and more. If other mortals were my only competition, I could feed the craving of the Abyss, improve my ascension, and take my rightful place among demon kind in one fell swoop.

Mia was the only one to worry about, but we probably had enough of an understanding between us to avoid immediate conflict. I might have to seek her out if I didn’t have enough souls by the time the city fell, but I pushed that idea aside as a future concern.

Instead, I focused on the warmth of demonic mana. Embracing the power, I sent it coursing through my veins, pumping myself full of electrifying urges.

It was Glaustro who wrapped up the speech, rising from his chair with a characteristic growl.

“Our aides will lead the way and activate the teleportation matrix. Do not start any trouble. Slaughter any guards you encounter on the other side and wait for all your fellows to pass through before launching the attack. If anyone starts the assault early and tips off our enemies, they will have to answer to us.”

He cast the map aside with visible disgust. Something else was clearly bothering the commanders, but at that moment, I didn’t care. All that mattered was that I would soon have souls within my reach. Souls no one could stop me from reaping.

I followed the stream of bodies down the path I had taken in pursuit of the mage. Then a hand closed around my shoulder, and I almost snarled. The only thing that stopped me from reacting badly when I spun around was the realization that the hand belonged to a demon.

“Mortal. Kid,” the demon corrected himself. It took me an awkwardly long moment to realize I was looking Bronwynn in the eye. “Are you okay? You don’t look too good.”

He spoke calmly and quietly as he tugged me along, keeping us in line with the moving crowd, his hand still clasped firmly on my shoulder.

“I’m fine. I feel great.”

I tried to keep the snappiness out of my voice, but it was difficult. He didn’t need to hurry. He was a demon, guaranteed a place in the charge. I had no such assurance that I’d be included. And he was holding me back to chat pointlessly about my health.

“Are you sure about that? You look… twitchy. Angry. Don’t tell me I’m wrong*, I can feel it*.” He narrowed his eyes, then they widened in sudden alarm. “Wait. Damn it all, kid. What did you do? Why can I feel so much demonic mana in you?”

“I did nothing but what’s expected of me,” I snapped, jerking my shoulder in an attempt to dislodge his hand and hurry ahead. “My ascension has started. I will soon do my part to feed the Abyss, as is proper.”

The words tumbled out of me, and my mana reacted to them with approval. My body warmed with the same comforting acceptance I felt while boosting my ascension, and I smiled.

What was I thinking? I should have fed all my souls to my ascension. Keeping them is pointless.

My musing was cut off by an angry growl.

“How far did you push?” demanded a very displeased Bronwynn. “Twenty percent? Thirty?”

He looked like he wanted to drag me off to one of the alleys and give me a lecture. Thankfully, he didn’t. He just kept us moving along with the rest of the army. My mind started drifting towards the souls waiting for me beyond the teleportation…

Then he shook me, forcing me to answer.

“Fifty,” I said with pride. “I can feel it, Bronwynn. I am almost ready to complete my ascension. I just need more souls, and I can get them, right now.”

“Fifty? Kid, are you insane? You’re supposed to — No, of course no one ever explained that. No one cares anyway, and you’re not supposed to be able to get that many souls yet. How did you — No. Doesn’t matter.”

The demon cut off, then looked around wildly like he was expecting a solution to jump out at him from behind the next corner. I couldn’t understand what was bothering him. I just wanted to get through the teleport.

Thankfully, we were nearly there! The mage must have been trying to get to the teleport when I fought him, and we had already passed that spot in the tunnel. It couldn’t be too much further.

I wasn’t sure when I started grinning, but I did nothing to stifle the feral expression on my face.

“Listen. Hayden, listen to me.”

I blinked, then turned to look at Bronwynn. Had he been saying something? I couldn’t remember.

“I don’t have time to babysit you right now, kid. However, we will talk about this as soon as this battle is over. Of all the rotten luck... Just try not to charge into danger recklessly, alright? You really can’t afford to die right now.”

I mumbled something in response, but I wasn’t really listening.

I could finally see our destination.

We were entering a massive cavern underneath the city. I could tell immediately that it wasn’t natural. The walls were too perfectly smooth and spherical. Someone had used magic to banish a ton of earth and left behind the perfect staging area for teleportation.

In the middle of this underground hall was a massive magical matrix, delineated by a huge, shining, cyan circle. Every inch of the circle was filled with symbols, glyphs, runes, and arcane markings, all glowing with the same crystalline wash of colors the city’s barrier had featured.

Two demons I recognized as aides to the sergeants were kneeling next to the matrix, hands splayed over its edges. Mana was streaming from them constantly, but the conversion process was inefficient. The tide of red mana they let off was reduced by more than half when it met the edges of the matrix, slowly getting lost in the circle’s characteristic kaleidoscope of colors. I was caught between the anxious desire to rush into the matrix and a sense of awe at the sheer amount of mana the two demons could supply.

One by one, groups of demons stepped onto the matrix. Red mana flowed into the circle from the two aides. When the intensity of the circle’s glow reached a peak, the group of demons standing there vanished, and the next group stepped in.

“Damn it,” Bronwynn snarled, reminding me of his presence. His hand tightened on my shoulder. “Just… stay safe. It’s almost my turn. Don’t do anything stupid.”

With those parting words, Bronwynn hurried ahead, leaving me to wait alongside the other mortals.

I hated it.

I hated being bundled with them. I hated having to endure my own mortality and lack of strength. I sank deeper into the warmth of the abyss, loving the reassurance of it, the way it sang to me of all the power and safety it could provide.

When it was finally my turn, I had to resist the urge to power up my body strengthening in my rush to get to the matrix. I was practically bouncing on the balls of my feet as the circle lit up under me.

Then the world tilted sideways.

I felt like I was yanked out of my skin, bundled up, crushed into atoms, and scattered across the entire width of the world before something suddenly reassembled me, spewing me out onto a matrix identical to the one I had stepped onto just seconds ago.

Or was it decades ago? I couldn’t tell, and that worried me.

Looking around, I found we had teleported to another cavern. I felt both dazed and clearheaded. My mana was in absolute disarray, refusing to obey me, and my state didn’t get any better as I stumbled away from the teleportation matrix.

What was I doing?

I still felt a hint of an urge to rush out of this new cavern, but the reasoning behind the urge was now a mystery.

My mind swam, and I almost puked.

Urgh, what is that?

Everywhere I looked, lines slashed through the walls and floor of the cavern, shining with a low, multicolored light. Looking at them was giving me a headache. It was like they were and weren’t there, simultaneously. A part of my brain insisted I was seeing them, while my mind and soul were rebelling against the idea.

There was something about the lines that made me want to scream and run for the hills, but a glance around showed that no one else was reacting to the light show as badly as I was. The demons ignored the glowing lines entirely, and the mortals were regarding them with curiosity, at most.

The lights flashed and faded again in my vision, and I doubled over.

Seriously, what is wrong with me?

Panic gripped my chest. It exploded through my lungs, closing my throat, cutting off my breath.

And it just kept rising.