Veritas opened his eyes. He had thought that when did so, he would find himself chained to a wall, or at least imprisoned in a rusty cage. However, in reality, he was lying in a very soft bed, in a very well-lit and cozy room. Next to him were two empty beds. It seemed Aria and Hiatus had woken up before him.

             His throat was burning, and he noticed a huge cup of water next to the bed. He gulped down all the water ."How considerate of the host." With that thought in mind, Veritas felt much more secure as he exited the room and explored the place.

            This mysterious place, like the room, was cozy and well- lit. Veritas noticed that the incandescent light was coming from the runes on the walls. He could see paintings hanging all over the place, depicting people and sceneries beyond his knowledge. A thick red carpet covered the floor, thus each step he took felt soft. Fynbos grew  throughout the place.

            " Aria? Hiatus?" Veritas shouted.

            " We're over here, captain! Just follow our voice!" Aria replied.

            It took Veritas a while to locate Aria and Hiatus. They were sitting in what seemed like the dining room. There was a round table at the center with cutlery and crockery neatly set up. Various cans, bottles, packages and boxes lied on a shelf that circled the room. A few steps from the table, a masonry fireplace was warming up the room.

            " Where is this place?" asked Veritas.

            " We don't know," said Aria." It seems we're still in Vuur, the hidden part of it."

            " Yes, you are in the hidden part of Vuur." A loud voice emerged from behind Aria and Hiatus."This is my home. "

            An old man stepped forward the three, and his appearance surprised Veritas. He was tall and well-built, but moved around swiftly. He got tanned skin and an unkempt beard. His most striking characteristic, though, was his thick chestnut-colored hair that matched perfectly with his glowing eyes. He gave off the air of an old sage.

            " Please, have a seat. Let's me pour you some water."

            After everyone had settled in their seats, Veritas took the initiative to introduce Aria, Hiatus and himself. The old man listened, his fingers pressing against one another , eyes gazing at all three.

            "I see, you are demon hunters." The old man furrowed his brow." Wander's acquaintance, I suppose?"

            " So he really was here." Aria raised her voice." Mister, is he alright?"

            " He's okay. Physically at least."

            " Mentally?" Hiatus frowned.

            " A little unstable. Lost."

            Veritas thought it was obvious that a turn would feel that way. He knew those who betrayed the Hunters and the Council would never feel at peace.

            " Mister, you know, right?" asked Aria.

            " Yes, I know he's...demonic."

            " You didn't....kill him?" Aria fidgeted.

            " I failed," he smiled." That girl stopped me."

            " Maria?"

            "That's her name?"The old man frowned."Yeah, this Maria, she stopped me. I  may consider her my king candidate."

            "King candidate?" asked Veritas.

            " Yes, the candidate for the "Regis Magus" title"

            " So you are..." Aria gasped." No way!"

            " Oh, I forgot to introduce myself: My name is Ignitus, also known as King of the South- one of the level seven Familiars."

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            The three stared at Ignitus with their mouths open. They had not expected to meet a legendary familiar this easily.

            " Jake is so going to be envious when I tell him I met a level 7." Hiatus grinned.

            " But this doesn't make sense." said Veritas. "You look..human."

            " This is my human form. My familiar form is more beast-like, more believable, I guess."

            "But wait, Maria stopped you?" Aria raised her eyebrows."You are one of the most powerful beings in the world."

            " Life is full of surprises, isn't it?" Ignitus smiled." I guess Maria is one level above me then.."

            " This is not good." Veritas shook his head.

            " Why?" asked Ignitus.

            " Sir, that girl manipulated a massacre back at a hunter institution. She indirectly killed hundreds of hunters and summoners! She coerced Wander into demonization. She's in league with hostile forces, most likely the demon."

            Ignitus's face twisted into a grimace of shock and disgust

            " You're sure?" asked he in a grave voice." She was nice."

            " Yes, we're sure. The Council, the Round table, M.O.M, we're all sure"

            Ignitus inhaled deeply. He clenched his fists.

            " I'm hope you're wrong. Or else, things will get quite ugly."

            " Sir?" said Veritas.

            " She's heading for Fulish's island. I don't know why but after hearing what you said I doubt she's going to there for a party. "

            " Foolish?" asked Hiatus.

            " Fu-lish. King of the West- The lightning god and tons of other fancy self-claimed titles- he is also a level 7 like me."

            " Fulish the treasure hoarder? Lightning God?" said Veritas."By any chance, would he be in possession of an artifact called Pillars of Light?"

            "Pillars of Light? That sounds like something Fulish would possess. I'm not sure though. Maria told me she was looking for her lost item. Is that it?"

            " That's it" Veritas shook his head." Maria, now I'm sure  she's working for the demon lord Samundo."

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This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

            " Samundo?" asked Ignitus." That thing is back?"

            " I guess it's futile to conceal the truth now. The demon lord is back. Must have been more than 4 months."

            Next to Verias, Aria went pale. Hiatus did not change his expression.

            " Samundo, he's looking for two artifacts: the pillars of light and the key of darkness." said Veritas. "We were trying to stop him from achieving that goal, but I guess we're one step behind."

            "Then you must go now!" Ignitus slammed the table." To Fulish's domain. If lucky you can still warn him. Damn, my contact device is broken thanks to that girl."

            Veritas nodded.

            " How can we get there as quickly as possible?"

            " Use the Gate to get to San Francisco, and from there fly to Fulish's island. I will give you the coordinate and the way to access it. Fulish will kill me for this, but the world's at stake so I guess no time for his privacy."

            " Thank you," said Veritas." Please send it to my phone. The number is... Wait, where is Tetrax?"

            Veritas's question startled everyone in the room.

            " Sir Ignitus, another one was with us." said Aria. "Do you know where he is?"

            Aria's question was followed by a earsplitting noise from above. They could hear Tetrax call out their names, and Ignitus' settlement trembled under a strong force.

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            Aria, Hiatus and Veritas followed their host upwards the staircases as rocks were falling off the ceiling. They realized they had been underground all the time.

            " The reason you couldn't find my house was because I conceal it in a mini Halcyon." said Ignitus." And sorry for the heat, that is to keep people out. By eternity, this Tetrax you talked of is ripping my Halcyon apart. Too many unwanted trespassers in two days."

            When they emerged to the surface, they were taken by surprise by the surreal surrounding. The sky was constantly changing from being starry to being cloudy then to being crystal clear. Pieces of it fell apart then were instantly replaced.

            With a simple hand gesture, Ignitus vanquished his Halcyon, and the sky broke into millions of pieces. Tetrax appeared, holding her medal.

            " Tetrax!" Aria called out." Stop, we're not in danger!"

            Noticing that her friends were still okay, Tetrax put away her medal, then dashed towards them.

            " I was worried dead! Where were you?" she panted.

            " We were with sir Ignitus. He took us in."

            " Ignitus? Like the legendary Ignitus?." Tetrax stared at Ignitus in disbelief.

            " Nice to meet you. Quite an overwhelming tool you have." Ignitus pointed at the medal.

            " I'm sorry. I was panicking."

            " That's okay. Hmm, what's this?" Ignitus leaned forward."Oh , you friends are mistaken then. You're a woman."

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            Only after assuring her companions that she was truly a woman and her rough voice was synthesized  did Tetrax get a chance to ask them what news they had. Veritas promised to tell her later when they reached the place they need to reach. He asked for his phone back, and Ignitus input the coordinate of Fulish's island.

            " Go back to Simon's Town, and gain access to the Gate. This is the best I can do for you."

            " Thank you for everything." said Veritas.

            " Don't mention it. But I do need you to keep this location and me a secret. Can I have your words?"

            The four all nodded.

            " Now, off you go then so I can rebuild my Halcyon. I was about to finish fixing my signal transmission and you screwed it up again" Ignitus sighed."  And one thing I want to tell you, that girl Maria, I don't think she's capable of all that killing. She showed great concern for Wander's well-being. She was nice when we talked. Can a mass murderer do that?"

            The hunters stared at Ignitus, frowning.

            " It sounds like she put on a good act." said Veritas." And to answer your question, yes."

            " Sad truth, huh." Ignitus nodded as he raised the Halcyon.

            " And I won't trust her caring girl act. Maria Gwendolyn- whoever she is- messed with the minds of  hundreds of Summoners."

            "Maria Gwendolyn?" Ignitus raised his eyebrows."A fake name, right?"

            " How do you know?" asked Veritas.

            " Her appearance just doesn't match Lady Gwendolyn. And I don't want a dubious person to bear that name."

            " There exists a real Maria Gwendolyn?"

            " Why, yes. But Lady Gwendolyn died a very long time ago."

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            On the way back to Simon's Town, Tetrax was informed of all the news gained from Ignitus. She was visibly shaken.

            " She's with Samundo. said Tetrax." And it doesn't make sense."

            " What doesn't make sense?" asked Aria.

            " Something just doesn't add up." said Tetrax." Why does she bother visiting New York? Why didn't she go straight to Ignitus? Surely the Pillar of Light should be her first priority?"

            " Two birds with one stone"said Veritas." She must have discovered Ignitus' position thanks to Hamilton- a summoner of high rank. At the same time, using him to execute her plan: the massacre."

            "I just hope that's the reason." said Tetrax." If not, the other possibility is much more frightening."

            " And that is?" asked Aria.

            " We talked about this before. She specifically chose to demonize Wander. Maybe she came to New York because of him. Now, I must ask you two, do you really know that friend of yours?"