Several carts full of demons traveled from the dark forest onto a new rocky plain where yellow grass sprouted scarcely. In the very front, Jala led, wearing his mask to conceal his face from their newly gained followers.
Jala breathed a sigh of relief, "< Finally>"
He continued to scan the vast rock landscape around them, staying vigilant for any surprise encounters they may come across. To their right, an enormous wall of rock and crystal lay in the far distance. However, to their left, he could see an opening showing the city of oars in the far-off distance, along with the vast lake that spanned beyond their sight. Even from where they were traveling, he could make out the sight of the rudimentary ships that sailed around the water –most likely delivering food or other resources.
He stopped suddenly and turned to take in the view. The chief, taking note of Jala's interest in the view, remarked. "
Jala didn't respond. Instead, he turned back on the road and gestured with his hand to keep moving. Without much inquiry, everyone moved again around the vast lake.
To Jala's surprise, his mask slowly began to disintegrate, forcing him to stop and re-manifest it with his earth magic.
"
Jala glanced back to find Mishti.
"
"
Jala glanced back at Misti. "
"
"
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Jala scoffed inwardly at the idea. "
"
"
Mishti chuckled. ""
Jala remained silent, focusing on the road ahead of them.
"
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"
********
Jala arrived at Lucius's and Lillian's side as their group continued. And despite the curiosity of the other demon children, they continued to venture behind the caravan of carts.
"You called?"
"There's a situation," Lillian said. "He was just fine just minutes ago. But then he just suddenly collapsed. At first I thought some sickness afflicted him, but..."
Lillian grew more silent. "That doesn't seem to be the case."
They could only watch on as the boy's flesh began to swell and contort. It was as if a creature inside of him was trying to break free. The child choked and gasped as blood ran down their face.
Panicked, Lillian turned her back to Jala, blocking his view; she attempted to heal the child in vain. Before long, the boy became limp, and the swollen muscles sagged.
"He's… dead…"
Lillian looked grimly at the child.
"So what is it that you need me for?"
Lucius sighed. "I was going to have you search for herbs. But…"
"We'll have to bury him properly," Lillian said. She then turned to Jala. "Could you take him with us?"
Without much resistance, Jala took the disfigured child and ventured alongside Lilian and Lucius. And just as they rejoined their group, one of the men collapsed by another and convulsed.
"Grelon!?"
Taking notice, Gail rushed from the front, checking on the convulsing demon. "Terk, what happened?"
"I don't know, I just fell."
The group stopped, and one after another, the kids fell into the same state as Grelon. However, this didn't stop with them. Lillian and Lucius were forced to watch in horror as the denizens from Bremwall also fell under the same influence.
"W-what the hell??" Lillian shuddered as she witnessed the sudden convulsion, the coughing of blood, and the abrupt swelling of their arms and face.
********
In the dead of night, a row of demons, adult and child alike, lay in a row with cloths draped over their bodies.
Within a tent, housing several of the surviving victims that barely clung to life as the muscles swelled and discolored blemishes covered their bodies as they writhed in pain.
The leader of the Bremwall residents paced back and forth, pondering as he bit his thumb. All the while, Lillian and Lucius overlooked the grim display of the Bramwall residents trying to help their dying men and women.
Lillian adjusted her mask as she glanced at Mishit as she placed a drenched rag on the forehead of one of their children.
Getting up, Mishti peered at their leader. "
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Kisik froze and stuttered. "
Lillian cocked her head, curious. "
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Lucius clenched his fist and looked at the dying demons that were traveling with them.
"
"Luc-" Lillian stopped herself, seeing Lucius's grimly serious demeanor. She recollected her and solemnly agreed with Lucius's.
"
"
Mishti chuckled softly at Lucius's response. She and Kisik watched as Lucius and Lillian left the tent without another word.
Mishti glanced back at Kisik. "
With a bitter resolve, I finally spoke. "
Mishti stood up, Knife in hand. "
Back outside, Lucius pushed his way past the Bremwall denizens, with concern laced on a few faces. He looked through the crowd of demons until he spotted Jala.
Fren, who accompanied Jala, could only watch as he was taken away and pulled from prying eyes. As they stepped outside, Jala spoke up. "Something important?"
Lucius gave a quick glare before turning his gaze back to the camp.
"What's wrong?" Lillian asked. "Do you know something? Does it have something to do with that savage tribe and dead gods?"
Jala passed a confused glance at Lillian.
Not hearing a response, Lillian spoke up again, more bluntly. "You think there's a traitor in their group, don't you?"
After a while of contemplation, Lucius finally responded. "Yes… and there's no doubt that whatever happened to those afflicted was the work of blood magic…"
Lillian grew more serious and glanced from Jala back to Lucius. "But Lucius. The medicine I had didn't work."
"But the medicine you had didn't work. It's not the same as the other ones you held. But they'd also have been too strong for anyone to handle." Lucius darted his eyes directly to Jala. "Jala. I need you to keep a close eye on everyone going forward. Something is clearly amidst here."
Jala bowed his head. "I understand."
"Good, and I'll keep an eye out, also make sure you do the same, Lillian."
Just as Lucius was about to depart, Lillian grabbed his arm. "Wait!"
"What was this about a dead god?" she questioned.
Lucius sighed. "I was planning on telling you before introducing you to Zelak, but… for some time before I was born, the people here in the pit worshiped a god.
His name was Zorbian. The same name that the human girl gave to her Dagger."
Lillian stood, stunned. "W…w…what?"
"You had no idea?" Jala asked.
"N…No… I always thought the name of Zorbian was strange, but I didn't know it belonged to some… dead god.' Lillian cocked her head, a little unsure.
"I suppose that makes sense," Jala said. "You seemed a little too carefree, even though speaking the name is practically outlawed."
"Outlawed? What for?"
"Back before the previous heroes of prophecy killed my father, there were Zilites. They were devout priests who served and worshiped this dead god, and for the longest time, they refused to work under my father and were constantly at odds with him." Lucius closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"After a while, he finally became fed up, and under the guise of converting himself, me, and Rakon, he invited the most notable Zilites and slaughtered them. After that, he went on a ruthless campaign to erase the worship of this god, Zorbian. Dead followers for a dead god, he told me once."
Lucius blurted a chuckle. "By the time he was finished with his campaign, he went to war with the Heroes of Prophecy, dying by their hands."
Lillian stood in silence, unsure how to feel. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
"Because. Your beliefs and theirs would've been at constant odds. I don't like starting unnecessary wars. But I will finish them." Lucius glared in Jala's direction before turning back to the camp to rejoin them.
Jala peered back at Lillian with a raised brow. "Your highness. If you don't mind me asking. Where exactly did you lie before meeting our king?"
Lillian grew cold. "That's between me and him. Where we met is none of your concern."
Lillian then followed after Lucius. "Just keep an eye out like Lucius said. And be careful. We don't know who's behind this, if it's anyone at all."
Jala stood and watched as Lillian and Lucius rejoined the camp. "A traitor, huh…"
A fire surged in the camp, and bodies of the dead were thrown in. A silence enveloped the camp as everyone watched on with a solemn understanding.
********
The small demon girl, Mae, collected black pieces of scrap wood in a dark forest. With an arm full of the loose sticks, she traced her steps back out of the forest, following the only light to their campfire.
As she arrived by the campfire, she dropped the pile and carelessly tossed them into the fire one by one. Hearing grunts and other noises, she peeked up at Rakon, who scribbled on a piece of parchment.
Rakon scowled and, in a rage, tore the parchment up and tossed it into the fire.
"
Rakon glared with black eyes, sending a chill down Mae's spine.
"
Irritated, Rakon turned away. "I'm retiring for the night. "
Gaz chuckled, watching the fascinating spectacle. After a while of waiting, Gaz finally spoke up. "
Mae ceased throwing the sticks in the fire, paying closer attention to Gaz as he continued.
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Gaz stood up and stretched.
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Mae simply nodded and sat by the fire. "
"
Gaz's words didn't seem to help. Instead, a more profound concern seemed to overtake her.
Relating, Gaz departed from the campfire. "Make sure not to stay up too late. Lord Rakon will need you at your best tomorrow for when we enter Oar's.>"
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