The Prima studied it. The leaves were brown and shriveled, and the wood was covered in black spots. "Corruption?"
The bloodseeker nodded. "Recently. Less than a day. There's still some residual here."
Mashira allowed the branch to slip from her fingers. "Let's find the center. Maybe we can pick up a trail from there."
"Agreed. It appears to get worse in this direction."
The group followed Sundancer deeper into the forest, and the foliage became progressively worse. Advisor Razza Merona knelt to study the flowers. "The petals and leaves are completely gone. We must be getting close."
Mashira swept the dead leaves with her foot. "This has to be either the Seductress or Erynion. Lady Sundancer, do you see anything resembling a demon?"
The bloodseeker's head twitched to the side.
"What is it? Do you see them?"
Sundancer sidestepped over to a petrified tree and knelt by the exposed roots. She ran her fingers through the dirt. "A demon died here. A powerful one. The ground is still stained with darkness."
"Finally, some good news," Razza Merona said. "Is it the same energy as the Corruption spell?"
The bloodseeker scooped up the dirt and held it beside the dead tree. "No. Different."
"That means at least one of them is still out there." Mashira surveyed the area. "And if we can't sense them, they've either fled beyond our reach or taken a dip in the lake. Either way, there won't be much we can do."
"Should we return to Royal Oak then?" her advisor asked.
The small group of priests, paladins, and watchers huddled around the Prima.
"We have a lot of light left. Let's continue to the lake and search the area. If we get some confirmation that they're hiding there, maybe we can set a trap."
✽✽✽
Erynion did his best to keep up with Flinch's pace as the jester scampered through the forest. "What do you mean we have to stay below the surface the whole time? How do I hold my breath for that long?"
The jester threw up two fingers. "Lesson two. Air isn't as crucial to demons as it is to humans."
"What the depths does that mean?"
"It means we can stay under the water for quite a long time. That's how Sonojj and I snuck into the city last night."
"Really?"
"Yup. It's simple. You know, once you get past the drowning sensation."
With the lake barely visible through the trees, the demon lord slowed to a walk. "What?"
Flinch put his hands on his hips. "Don't worry. You'll be fine. It's just a natural reaction. A holdover from when you were human. Once you're under the water, you'll see, no problems."
As the two demons passed the tree line and descended toward the shore, Erynion gazed out over the large body of water. A feeling of isolation overcame him. He was used to being in a large group, but now it was just him and Flinch. With the Seductress returned to the Depths and Maligus having run off, the demon lord wondered about the fray that had previously constituted their army.
Flinch wasted no time and waded knee-deep into the water. "What's wrong now?"
The demon lord watched the ripples come into the shore and rebound back into the lake. "Why am I running?"
"Uh, that's easy. Because if you're captured, then they'll cleanse you, and you'll be stuck in the Depths forever."
"As opposed to staying here? When night falls, the agony will show me no mercy."
Flinch scratched the back of his head. "Yeah, that's a tough one. I don't know how that feels for a demon lord, but we've all gone through it to some extent. Once you discover your identity and your abilities, the agony will be a thing of the past."
The demon lord unbuttoned his shirt to reveal the scarring on his torso. "Every night since I've been here, the Seductress has stolen my strength to keep me safe from the agony. The first night, she wasn't there, and this is what I did to myself."
Flinch slapped the water. "She wasn't helping you! She was trying to control you. And you forgot about last night. You avoided the agony by healing me."
"So? Are you going to cut your arm off every night?"
"I don't know. Maybe. You're missing the point. There are ways around it. Don't you see you're free to fulfill your purpose?"
"My purpose? Yeah, well, here's the thing about my purpose. My dreams have been clear. My order is to kill the king. To kill Batar. To kill my brother. Why would I want to kill my own brother?"
"I don't know the answer to that, but I'm sure there's a reason. We can sort this out later. We don't have much time before the priests come through those trees and capture us. Come on and get in the water."
"What's the point? I should let them take me."
"Fine," the jester said. "Lesson three. You've been given free will. Any demon stronger than fray has it."
"So?"
"So? Only a small percentage of wanderers are even capable of becoming something more powerful than fray. And for those of us who are, we have to willingly give our allegiance to Verago."
The demon lord's eyes narrowed. "What exactly are you saying?"
"For whatever reason," Flinch said as he pointed at Erynion, "you agreed to kill your brother."
✽✽✽
The trees thinned out as Prima Mashira and her group arrived at Lake Ivorus. The still water glistened in the afternoon sun and calmed her. What a beautiful sight. It was a shame she couldn't just sit down to enjoy it. Groups of the hunting party exited the woods and congregated on the shore.
Don Millan came up beside Mashira. "It's huge."
"There could be thousands of demons underwater and we'd never know."
"Then how do we find out?"
"Keep an eye on the surface of the lake. Demons can hold their breath for a long time, but not forever. We should get some boats out there too. I believe there's a dock on the south—" The Prima stopped abruptly as she caught sight of a priest sprinting toward them.
As he reached the group, he dropped his hands to his knees and gasped for air. "Your Luminescence…we've found…someone…on the shore."
"Demon?"
"We think so." The priest panted. "We think it's him."
"Erynion?"
"That's right. Archdon Westan has instructed that no one is to go near him until you arrive."
"Take us right away."
Chapter 25
The Devil's Eye
The sun crept across the sky and beat down on the shore of Lake Ivorus as the Prima trudged along the mix of coarse sand and small stones. The heat of the sun baked her blond hair while the sunlight reflected brightly off Sundancer's armor. Ahead of her, several priests and paladins were gathered around something.
"Right up here, Your Luminescence," said the priest leading the way.
The crowd parted for the Prima's group until only a lonely figure near the water remained. No one dared to move in any closer. From a safe distance, Mashira observed his back as he sat quietly on a large rock. His shirt, soaked, appeared to be a thin fabric, like a nightgown. His hair, drenched, was silvery white and extended down past his neck.
An archdon with a black goatee bowed to Mashira. "Your Luminescence."
The Prima returned the gesture. "Archdon Vikard."
"We just found him sitting here. He hasn't moved or spoken. Since there was no immediate threat, Archdon Westan and I thought it would be best to wait for you."
Mashira focused on the figure on the rock. "Do you think he's surrendering himself?"
"Maybe. Why he would do that, though?"
"Good question. Well, I suppose we should ask and find out."
"Would you like us to restrain him?" the archdon asked.
"Not yet. I don't want to startle him. Surround him, but keep your distance. And be at the ready."
"Yes, Your Luminescence." Archdon Vikard rejoined his group.
The Prima took a deep breath. Accompanied by Lady Sundancer on one side and Advisor Razza Merona on the other, Mashira inched toward the possible demon lord. The oth
er priests fanned out to form an arc around them. Sundancer subtly removed the two sickles secured across her back.
"That aura." Mashira was baffled by what she saw. "There's darkness there, but nothing that would indicate a powerful demon."
"He appears human, but his energy reminds me of a zaidon," Razza stated.
"Yes, you're exactly right. This is what I felt around Mortis the last time I saw him. But if this is Erynion, the demon lord, why can't we sense his full energy?"
"Maybe he's like the Shade."
Mashira continued her approach. "Perhaps. Instead of being invisible, his aura makes him appear human. No wonder the watchers at Nolka let him through."
Sundancer blocked the Prima with her arm. "If you wish to move closer, I must insist he's restrained."
Mashira abided by the bloodseeker's suggestion and paused well out of reach. There was no way for her to know if her enemy was armed. "Hello there."
The shape on the rock didn't budge.
"You're him, aren't you?" the Prima asked. "Erynion? The demon lord?"
He turned his head so Mashira could see his face. She noted the cloth wrapped around his head. Scars peeked out from the linen above and below the eye. Archdon Feranis had told her about the Devil's Eye that lay beneath. If only she could get a glimpse, perhaps she could learn his identity and cleanse him.
As the Prima took another step forward, Sundancer cut off her path once again. "With all due respect, Your Luminescence, it's not safe. I must insist on restraints."
The figure finally spoke in demon tongue. "I'm no threat to you. At least, not until nightfall."
The bloodseeker glanced over her shoulder. "You'll excuse me if I don't entirely trust you."
Mashira politely pushed Sundancer's arm aside. "I'll be fine. Trust me."
Razza Merona joined the two women. "I wasn't aware that paladins were taught Kisejjad."
"They're not," the bloodseeker said under her breath. "Para Paya are."
Mashira addressed the demon again. "So you're Erynion then? You're the demon lord that's been terrorizing our land?"
"I am," he said. "And who are you?"
"I am Prima Mashira, leader of Candelux. We've come to stop you."
The demon lord smiled sadly. "Good. I'm glad to hear it."
"You want to be killed?"
"I want to be free of the agony."
"You've survived for four nights. The last demon lord didn't make it past four hours. And now you want to surrender?" the Prima asked.
"Survived? Barely. The first night I destroyed a town. And the last few nights, the Seductress was stealing my power."
"The Seductress? And where is she now?"
"Dead." The demon lord sneered. "I killed her. She promised to help me with the pain, but she was full of lies."
"What do you expect from a demon called the Seductress?"
"I suppose. So, do we have an agreement? You'll kill me?"
"You're the biggest threat to the kingdom since the Assault," Mashira said. "I won't pass up an opportunity to send you back to the Depths."
"Excellent. Excellent." The demon lord turned the rest of his body to face her. "Make it quick."
"I'm afraid we can't simply kill you outright."
"What?"
"If we kill you right now, yes, you'll lose your strength and return to the Depths. That's for certain. But, nothing prevents Verago from empowering your soul and sending you back here again. He's been searching for centuries for someone capable of becoming a demon lord, and you've proven that your soul is quite capable."
Erynion tilted his head. "What are you saying? You won't kill me?"
"Not in the same sense, I suspect, that you killed the Seductress. You see, she can still return to the Surface. I'm afraid the only way to keep the kingdom safe is to cleanse you."
The demon lord rose from the rock. "No, that was not the agreement."
Mashira instinctively retreated as Sundancer hopped in front of her. The bloodseeker raised her weapons in preparation for a fight, however, the demon made no attempt to attack. The Candelux leader marveled at the size of the beast. She had heard descriptions of his height, but it wasn't until he stood that she felt threatened by his presence.
After the initial panic subsided, the Prima stepped out from behind Sundancer. "What were you expecting? You said you wanted to be free of the agony. I told you I would do that. You're telling me you've changed your mind?"
"No, I want to be free of this curse, but I know about cleansing. There would be nothing worse than being banished to the Depths for eternity."
"I'm sorry, but it's the only way to ensure the safety of the kingdom." Mashira shouted to the arc of priests, "Restrain him!"
Light flooded the shoreline as blessed chains of energy filled the air around the demon. As the blessings were pulled tight, Erynion sat down on the large rock.
The Prima eyed the demon lord. "Does this hurt you at all?"
"I feel nothing."
Even a greater iymed would've reacted to the pain of all these chains, but Erynion showed no sign of it. Mashira closed the gap between them. "A friend tells me you're hiding the Devil's Eye under that cloth."
"Do whatever you like."
His expression was so blank, so empty. She had never encountered a demon who was so calm or apathetic when faced with their own cleansing. Her hand twitched as she reached out and lifted the cloth covering Erynion's right eye. The Devil's Eye glowed and pulsed with oranges and reds. The catlike iris pulled open the pupil and created a gaping black hole.
"Advisor Razza." The Prima waved her over. "I'm not sure what I'm going to find. But once I'm in, I won't have any sense of time. I'll need you to alert me if it's taking too long, if the sun is dropping."
"I understand."
Mashira placed the tips of her fingers on the demon's temples and gazed into the Devil's Eye. The periphery of her vision steadily faded until darkness enveloped her. The hunting party, the lake, Erynion. It all vanished. A flurry of sounds and pictures surrounded her. She kept a sharp eye out for any evidence that would lead to discovering the demon's true identity, but so much of it was fragmented. Blurred images and garbled words discouraged her as she was unable to make any sense from them.
"Who were you? Who was Erynion?" she shouted.
More shapes and voices of memories flitted by her, and the experience became increasingly disorienting. Finally, a little girl screamed in the distance. "Help me! Erynion has me!"
Mashira remained wary as the girl begged for assistance. "Where are you?"
"I'm over here!"
The Prima tried to follow the sound of the voice, but there was no one around her.
"Here! Here!" the girl yelled.
Mashira whirled around to find a small child. The face was unclear, but the dress she wore had a regal flair. "Little girl, who are you?"
"Don't you recognize me?" she asked, dumbfounded. "I'm only the most beautiful princess in the whole kingdom."
"So young, and it's been so long. Is that you, Princess Sereyna?"
The face unscrambled, and the little girl grinned from ear to ear. "Of course it is!"
"What is Sereyna doing in here?" Mashira asked herself. She nearly jumped as a hand landed on her shoulder.
An image of Razza Merona with her eyes closed materialized behind her. "Your Luminescence, can you hear me?"
"Yes, what is it?"
"I apologize for the interruption, but you've been in this trance for over an hour. The sun is not far from the treetops. We need to leave soon if we're to make it back to the city before nightfall."
The Prima groaned. "I understand. Pull me free when we can't wait any longer."
The advisor transformed into sand and scattered into the sudden wind. Mashira returned her focus to the demon lord's mind, but panicked when the little girl was nowhere to be found. "Sereyna! Sereyna! Where did you go?"
The little girl suddenly reappeared. "Here I am!"
"Good. Ser
eyna, please listen. I need you to help me. Where are we?"
The little girl shrugged. "Wow, you're really pretty."
The Prima bent over and gently grasped the hand of the princess. "Dear child, I don't have much time. Whose mind are we in?"
"I can't tell you that."
"Why not?"
"Because I can't. Ask me something I know."
Mashira straightened up. "But you said Erynion had you. You don't know who he is?"
"Oh, Erynion? Yeah, I know who Erynion is."
Her eyes lit up at the child's response, but Mashira felt her body being pulled out of the darkness. She struggled to get one last answer. "Who's Erynion?"
"Sir Bix!" the child responded cheerfully.
The lights and sounds of her world flooded her senses. As she left the trance, the Prima dropped to one knee.
Sundancer caught her and helped her back to her feet. "Are you all right?"
"Yes." Mashira held her head. "Yes, I'll be fine."
"We must return to the city now or we'll be vulnerable out here in the darkness," Razza cautioned.
The Prima nodded her head. "Give the order for me, please. Have Archdon Westan's group keep the restraints on the demon. We'll take the road."
"Wait. You mean to bring the demon lord back to Royal Oak?" Sundancer asked.
Mashira sensed the hesitation in her voice. "Yes, but there's nothing to worry about. I know who he is. I need some time to recover and clear my head, but the cleansing is happening tonight. So, we must bring him back to do the ritual."
As Advisor Razza Merona relayed the Prima's orders to the crowd, Mashira closed her eyes and replayed the Devil's Eye experience in her head. There was no doubt in her mind she had heard the correct name. Sir Bix was a well-known member of the Paladin Order, specifically a bloodseeker. He had been bestowed the title of Champion of the Light the year before the Assault on Light's Haven, only to throw it away when he became one of the nine founders of the Death Gods. But prior to his move to Alovajj, Mashira had briefly met him a few times. Though the two of them were not close, both she and Bix came from noble families with close ties to the monarchy. It would make perfect sense that he would know Princess Sereyna.
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