"What's wrong, son?"
Cass stood silent.
"The boys call 'em demon lollipops. Not only does it boost morale, but they emit a miasma that keeps beasts at bay. Very useful."
Captain Stanev had been assigned to lead their group by Brigadier General Barus. The same lowly general that captured Ariayah. Cass wanted to snap at the captain, but he wasn't sure what to say. He patted Cass on the shoulder and they continued marching out. They were headed for the spider den. Since this was a recovery mission, they would bring vehicles this time. Cass let his mind wander as he sat in the passenger's seat of the Growler.
It's stupid…She's not even real.
All of this was just a conjuration of the fog; a game to mess with him. The only thing that mattered is surviving. Well, if death meant that Cadeyrn would suffer one 10 times more painful and horrific, then he would probably be okay with perishing in that case.
I only knew her for a few weeks anyway. I must be more susceptible to demon mind tricks than I thought. Plus, it was my first time seeing a head on a pike, so…
Even when they arrived at the cave, Cass still wasn't able to focus. Razorlegs were known to share dens; that's why they wanted a Blessed for the recovery effort. No doubt the report of mana crystals expedited the mission. They were one of the most precious resources on the planet.
Did she actually just want to hangout? No, it had to be part of her scheme. She must've planned for that chain to snap. For that demon to smash through her cell or…find a key and bring it to her? How would she know the chain would break? Must be…a demon ability? Someone attacked the Blessed who was maintaining that chain? Sure, that was plausible: knowing the right powerful Blessed, one kept in the utmost secrecy, who also had other powerful Blessed guarding them. Not to mention getting the timing right…
AH! Damn it all!
Cass's mind was a jumbled mess.
None of this should matter. It was just an experiment to learn more about demons. Who cares that it's over? The Ariayah in the real world was dead, regardless of what happened in the fog.
He rested his forehead on his hands.
I had so many other questions I wanted to ask her. What a waste. But ultimately, this is for the best.
She had known just what to say too many times for Cass's liking. It was as if she was reading his mind and playing off his insecurities and desires. A younger sibling outperforming her? Getting her powers at the last second? It was all a bit too convenient. And why'd she want to know so much about him? It could only be for gathering intel on an enemy. Real friends…Wait, how did real friends act? He had spent almost his entire life on the family's property, so he never had a chance to make friends.
Yes, THAT was the reason…
Was making friends much different than what he had experienced with her? Hypothetically, he was interested in her and she in him. And was it really that far fetched that they had similar experiences? Sibling rivalries and family expectations? Isn't that something almost everyone had to deal with? And Cass wasn't the only noble he knew of who got their Blessing at 17. The family made sure to remind him of that over and over.
What am I even doing here? When will this stupid trial end?
Before he knew it, Cass was back in the truck. The bodies of the soldiers along with plenty of mana crystals had been loaded up as well.
She had also kept his mind off Misha. Every moment, Cass yearned to see Misha again. She had been the one constant in his life that brought him joy. Being separated from that was more painful than the blade in his chest had been. The annoyance of dealing with a bratty princess had preoccupied his mind from that suffering. And now that was gone too.
"Seem a little distracted today, son."
"Sorry, sir. I was just thinking."
"Feeling homesick? It's pretty common with new soldiers."
"Not exactly. It's more like…just one person."
"Ah, a special lady perhaps?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
He chuckled.
"Hope you didn't propose before you were drafted."
"No. Kinda wish I had now."
"Nah, you don't wanna make rash decisions like that under duress. Young love is fast and messy a lot of the time. Don't let it get you down. If she's worth keepin', she'll be waitin' for you when you get back."
"I hope so."
"Just make sure you make it worth her wait, now!"
He laughed and nudged Cass's shoulder.
Once they arrived at the base, they unloaded the bodies and mana crystals. Cass turned to tell Captain Stanev they were done. Before he could speak, he noticed the captain staring at the sky. Cass followed his gaze and was perplexed by what he saw. A large black mass was floating through the sky. Strange tubes running along its length and steam flowing be-
A blinding flash of light interrupted his thought. Cass was off the ground and completely disoriented. Everything was silent for a moment until he suddenly crashed into…something. The force was incredible. Cass tumbled through what felt like reinforced concrete and steel before coming to an abrupt stop. The wind was knocked out of him. He gasped and heard the cacophonous sounds of battle surrounding him. Screams, explosions, falling debris, and the wail of sirens were all around. It took a moment but he could finally see again. Looking to the sky, he saw his attacker: A demon airship.
"God damn it all!"
Along the side was a sigil of Eisheth. Was her house here for revenge? Demon's didn't engage in such human behaviors, so he'd been told. It only made sense that they were. He heard an explosive burst come from the ground near command. It sounded like a missile being launched. It was actually Barus leaping into battle. Not a second later, he heard an impact and metal groaning as Barus slammed into the airship. He might as well have been a missile; 3rd tier Blessed were a terrifying thing. It's the least he can do; he is the one who captured her, so it's only right that they kill each other and leave us out of it. Unfortunately, the bombardment continued. Cass tried to move.
I can't get my damn arms loose!
He was trapped under tons of rubble. There was too much smoke and people scrambling and shouting…Along with the firing of mana rifles and heavy artillery…it was too much. No one was coming to help.
Hell, we'll probably be wiped out before Barus can get back. IF he even succeeds.
Cass couldn't see the battle above anymore. He could certainly hear it though. No doubt the demons had sent out Blessed to fight against Barus and slow his attack of the ship. Even worse, Cass could hear fighting on the ground too.
So the demons sent out ground troops? Wonderful.
His muscles strained against the weight of the rubble to no avail. Usually thinking of Misha pushed him above what he thought his limits were. However, it couldn't perform miracles. He closed his eyes and waited. It wasn't long. Just as quickly as the chaos started, it subsided. All he could hear was the crackling of fire. Even the noises in the sky were silent. Cass was about to call out when an urgent whisper reached his ear.
"Stay quiet, Cass!"
Captain? Where?
Craning his head around, he finally spotted Stanev's head and torso not 2 feet away.
What's he doing here? He's 5th tier. This rubble should be no problem for him.
He didn't need to ask why. He saw the mana chain draped around his body. Cass wasn't sure if it was the exact one that was used on Ariayah. Regardless, it was just as potent. Captain Stanev was weaker than her too, so its effects were that much more powerful. The captain coughed, spattering blood across his face and the ground. Cass kept his voice low.
"Shouldn't I call for help? You aren't looking too good, captain."
And I'd prefer not to die under this pile of junk.
He didn't have time to argue further. Two figures obscured behind the smoke were approaching the rubble. Cass didn't need to see their faces, he could tell by the red glow in their eyes. His eyes widened. Blood was covering both of their mouths; dried trickles snaking down the corners. They were heading towards the two men, scanning the battlefield with their eyes.
"Play dead. Hope you can hold your breath."
Cass heard their footsteps draw near. They were speaking, but Cass couldn't understand the language.
Bastards are laughing. Do we look funny to you?
In truth, he'd hoped they hadn't seen them. Unfortunately, their voices stopped right above them. Cass held his breath. They were calling out to them. Probably "Hey, you bastards alive? Hello~o?". He heard one kneel down. Cass's heart rate increased.
Perhaps I was a bit hasty when I said I was ready to perish. What was it? 10 times more gruesome to Cadeyrn? Maybe that wasn't good enough.
Cass felt a hand close around the top of his head. The scum said something to his lackey.
This is it, isn't it? He's gonna pull my head off before I even realize, isn't he?
The sound of a sudden noise shook Cass's focus. It took every ounce of willpower not to turn his head in horror. Captain had coughed. The demons laughed. They sounded more than a little excited. His eyes shifted towards the captain just in time to see a boot come crashing down on his head. All Cass could do was watch helplessly as the blows continued to rain down on Stanev's head. After a while he saw the face of his attacker. A demon with long, snow white hair and a contorted grin on his face. That's all he could make out. His focus was on the curved, jagged knife that materialized in his hand. He lifted Stanev's head up and unceremoniously slit his throat. The fiend's head shot down quickly as he began slurping up the blood. Cass also realized that his accomplice was holding a soldier's arm; large chunks of flesh were missing. The bastard bit another chunk off while he laughed at the scene in front of them.
Damn it all!
Cass was pretty sure the knife bastard and his lackey weren't Blessed. Had he not been pinned down, it wouldn't have been much of a problem to deal with them. Or no effort at all had Captain Stanev been free. The fiend stood up and said something. Cass couldn't tell if it was at them or his companion. Just as nonchalantly as they arrived, they were gone. Captain Stanev's cold, lifeless eyes gazed at Cass. It sent a chill down Cass's spine.
One thing's certain: Demons' and humans' eyes look eerily similar when dead.