"Hmm..." Kalika looked at the last of the magic crystals in her hand. She watched as it drained much more slowly than the others, piquing her curiosity. She quietly sighed and threw the crystal in with the pile of other crystals, then turned to Donovan, who prepared his.
Donovan stood unsteady in the cart, putting on the last of the tunic and pants, specially made with a false demon's tail. He grimaced as Charla calmly applied reddish mud on his head and neck. Finished with the application. He fit his specially made mask on his face, which also covered his hair. The final touch was provided by Charla, who presented a specially made, sewn glove she had created.
"Finally." He sighed. "Thanks, Charla." To Donavan's surprise, Charla looked at him with a sad pride scrawled across her face.
Finished with her job, Charla carefully sat back down in the cart as Kalika looked at Donovan. Unimpressed, Kalika pushed the pile of Magic crystals away and turned back to the view outside of the cart of the river that flowed to destinations unknown. She traced the river to a distant bridge, secured at its end by a massive stone gateway.
"Looks like we're almost there," Donovan noted. He sat and gazed at the towering pillar across the river. Across the massive stone pillar, holes of varying sizes, bridges, and other stone-like constructions littered its surface.
"Hmm?" Donovan gazed further up, noticing a strange light coming from the holes near the top of the pit pillar. Even Kalika's gaze drew to it. She felt a subtle tingling, as if something was calling out to her.
"Zorbian?" She muttered
"That Pillar is the largest in the pit." Bjorn suddenly explained. "It holds the main castle in Oar's. The last home the king lived in before moving to the world above... Since he's moved, it's become the home of the elder council instead."
"Elder council? What are they, a bunch of noble demons or something?" Donovan asked.
"Yes and no. They're a group of past great generals that's survived over four hundred years of war. They've served to rule over both King Lucius and his father. They make the laws and govern the king when necessary. Aside from that, nothing else."
"Right… So a bunch of nobles…" Donovan sighed.
Kalika groaned. Turning her attention away from Oars. Catching sight of a strange stone building, she raised a brow in surprise.
Donovan traced Kalika's Gaze along with Charla, taking note of the enormous stone building that stood tall, just under the cliff.
"That 'there' is the previous home of the elder council. Pay it no mind." Bjorn said. He conjured a stone bowl and began to reshape and mold it, creating a mask for himself. Unsatisfied with it, he broke it down and tried again.
"That 'Building' used to be a temple of Zorbian," Zelak stated. "It was cleansed by the king some years before I was born."
Bjorn rolled his eyes. "You should be focusing on the road, Zelak."
Zelak glanced back. "I am, and it looks like we got company…" Using his eyes, he drew everyone's gaze to a caravan of carts heading their direction. With some irritation, Bjorn remade a mask and hung it on his horns to cover his face.
A group of merchants slowly passed by, carrying food, textiles, and other essentials. As quickly as they arrived, they disappeared from sight, relieving Donovan of the need to keep his mask on. "That was close."
Bjorn silently agreed. He then turned and traced the path ahead, seeing other caravans heading in and out of separate bridges that led in and out of Oar's
"By the looks of it, it shouldn't be too long now. "Zelak noted. "We should be at the gate within an hour, it looks like."
"Sounds like great news if you ask me," Donovan said. He leaned back, taking Kalika's pile of drained crystals, refilling them.
"Hey Bjorn," Zelak called. "How's Bretta holding up?"
Bjorn peeked up at Bretta, seeing that she was fast asleep in the fetal position.
"She's sleeping."
"
"Let's hope it stays that way for now. We wouldn't want any unnecessary trouble." Bjorn said.
Zelak nodded and kept his eyes forward as they traversed the stretch of land separating them from their destination.
The travel, although quiet and productive, the ride down the stone-laid path brought a soft sense of unsatisfaction that hung in the air. Charla especially stared on, lost in thought, as a strange sense of longing slowly chipped into her heart.
Donovan, noticing her estranged gaze, glanced at her, curious.
"We've arrived," Zelak announced.
"Good, and not a moment too soon," Bjorn replied.
Donovan turned to Bjorn, watching as he hung it over his face. He then leaned over, getting a better view of some of the carts opposite them. Not long after, they turned up the tan bridge leading to the city, following right behind the new caravan of carts until they reached the gates.
Donovan gazed up at the towering tan-bricked walls, manned by archers decked with their specialized armor. The only thing that stood in their way, aside from the tall walls, was the gate itself, which had iron bars, the color of coal, that seemed to be dug deep in the ground below.
The waterway suddenly dropped, subtly shaking the ground beneath them.
The cart ahead of them moved on, entering the city. However, before they could enter, the guards prepared their spears and stood in front of their cart.
Kalika rolled her eyes at the sight and watched as the gate returned to form. Another guard circled to the back of the cart, getting a good look at everyone from inside the cart.
His eyes shifted to Bretta first, taking note of the red symbol on her chest. He grunted and looked at Kalika, then Donovan and Charla.
"
Charla shook as the steel-armored guard pointed at her.
"
Charla's shaken demeanor flipped. With great pride, she stood.
"
Donovan glanced at Charla, confused. "What is she-!?"
"
Everyone stopped and stared at Charla, stunned by her bold remark. All the while, Zelak silently snickered to himself. "
Just before the guards could get another word in, his superior, sporting a double-horned helmet, stepped in.
"
"
"
The guard became quiet, annoying his superior. "
"
"
"
"
Charla, with a somber smile, sat down quietly and stared off as if lost in thought. Donovan took note and quietly watched over the succubus, unsure what to make of her newly changed demeanor.
Slowly, the bars of the gate lowered once again. The guards lowered their spears and backed away, making room for the cart to enter the city.
"
Their cart moved forward, entering Oar's at long last. A wave of relief washed over everyone.
The roads, just like the roads outside the walls, were pure stone, just like the homes and buildings around them. The streets looked wide as the buildings looked tight and bound together, like small, intricate alleys that led inside. Looking up, it was hard to ignore the plethora of stone buildings that towered over the cityscape and riddled the view like essential waypoints.
Surfing further down the stone road, they watched as many of the city demon residents unpacked carts, carried goods, and traveled along the side of the road, with children in tow.
Demons yelled out prices, as others replied with counteroffers. Crystals were exchanged in abundance along with other goods.
The experience was fast and jarring, even for Kalika. It was an unexpected life they had never experienced before. Even the markets of Berg couldn't compare to the life that prospered as vividly in Oar's.
"
"
Zelak shifted the cart, turning down a road where demons were even more plentiful. Signs hung around, advertising various businesses, along with stands of food that mostly featured meat-related products.
The smell was mouth-watering and tempting. Even Donovan was pulled by the allure of the scent, half tempted to jump out to exchange their crystals.
Bjorn, paying attention to the road ahead, pointed for Zelak. " Zelak quietly pulled the cart to the front of the stone inn, which blended with the landscape of stone buildings.
" " "Let me guess… Another ogre like yourself." Kalika sighed.
" Suddenly, a blitz of water sprayed out of the Inn's door along with several demons.
" A red karnal demon with spiked white hair jumped out of the Inn and, with fury, captured three of the demons in a tube of water. With wild control and whipping the demons around, splashing everyone with the water.
" The Karnal demon swung the tubed water, sending the other demon patron flying.
Despite now being soaked, Kalika looked at the flying demons with amusement as they hurled partway across the city, with one hitting the stone building.
The karnal demon puffed his chest and snorted with vast irritation. He then turned a glare to Kalika's group, cart.
" " The demon turned his glare directly at Bjorn, revealing his face. In an instant, the anger from the demon melted away.
" " "Hrm. If that's the case, come inside, we'll talk in private there. But I'll warn you, it can get busy fast. Especially now that everyone's moving around.>"
" Falaz raised a brow. " ********
"Khah hahahahaha!!! I warned you, didn't I?" Falaz slammed his own drink on the bar table of his empty Inn, thoroughly amused. "Just cause you're a greater demon doesn't make you immortal."
Kalika watched from afar on a stone table, sipping from a mug full of disappointing water, as Bjorn and Donovan sat together with Falaz, serving them.
"I'm still a little surprised you know our language, but uhh… are you sure it's fine to be drinking on the job?"
"HRM!?" Falaz eyed Donovan. "What are you? A softy!?"
"No, I uh-"
"HERE! Have another one!"
A second mug passed to Donovan, surprising him.
"You need to loosen up a bit. You're too damned rigid!"
Without hesitation, Bjorn took Donovan's drink and gulped it down without even trying. "He doesn't need it," Bjorn said. "He needs to stay sober."
Falaz leaned over, Eyes directed squarely at Bjorn. "Let me guess… You're looking for Cyrus, aren't you?"
"As perceptive as ever, Falaz."
" "What matters is that we find him. So do you know where to find him?" Bjorn asked.
"Who can say? That old bastard likes to move around too damn much. One week, he lounged in the castle's studies. The next remote building in the dark district. And if we're lucky, maybe he'll be held up in one of Hansu towers that litter this damned city." Falaz laughed.
Bjorn groaned in irritation. "So he still hasn't changed."
"Why is it that he moves around a lot?" Donovan asked.
"It's a force of habit, I think," Bjorn said. "Ever since he became the king's primary alchemist, he has always moved from place to place after every project he does. From my understanding, He didn't trust the king's people for some reason. But I think he's scared of the idea of being kidnapped or something."
Bjorn sighed. "Either way, it seems like you and Kalika will have to go search for him in the city if you can."
"Me too?" Kalika questioned.
Both Bjorn and Donovan glanced at her, slightly surprised to see her talk again.
"Yes," Bjorn affirmed.
Kalika rolled her eyes. "Why can't Zelak go instead?"
"He has to take care of his mate. To make sure she doesn't do anything that'll cause trouble."
"Like digging another hole?"
"Exactly."
Kalika cringed. Annoyed by the answer. She took another gulp of her drink. "Fine, but I'd look around by myself."
Taking concern, Donovan stood. But before he could voice his opposition, Bjorn cut him off.
"That's fine. Just don't cause trouble or kill any demons while you're searching."
"Fine," Kalika said with growing irritation.
"Kill?" Falaz questioned.
Donovan, unwilling to stand, approached Kalika at the table. "K-Kalika. Are you sure you don't want me to help?"
Kalika silently leered at Donovan, and without batting an eye, she drank the last of her water and walked away, attempting to leave the Inn.
"Hold up!" Bjorn shouted.
A rolled parchment was tossed in Kalika's direction, landing at her feet.
She stopped and opened it, revealing a couple of maps of the city.
"That's the map of Oar's. The red 'x' on it is the Inn. Just make sure to come back at nightfall." Bjorn explained.
Without other words, she rolled the paper back up and left.
"Are you sure? Is it all right to let her go by herself?"
"Yes. Besides, it looks like she still needs some time to herself by the look of things. For some reason, she reminds me of her old self from the prison… Before she lost years of her memories."
"Really…" Donovan stared at the door of the Inn, uncertainty filling him.
"Do you want to explain to me who that woman is anyway?" Falaz asked.
"Sure. But it's a bit of a long story."
"That's fine by me."
"I guess I should go now, too. While you two can exchange stories."
Bjorn suddenly tossed another copy of the map to Donovan, who caught it in his hand.
"Remember to leave the talking to that succubus of yours. She might not understand you, but you can make your intentions clear with your orders."
Donovan nodded. "Thanks. Noted."
********
Charla stood outside, by the cart. Her mind was adrift in the clouds, with strange foreign thoughts slowly eating away at her. The image of Bretta, crying in agony, along with seeing the colors of her newly found raw emotions of complete and utter rejection, lingered in Charla's mind.
She felt the symbol on her chest, remembering those same colors of a deep red that always seemed to linger from Donovan. She pursed her lips, unable to understand. " She jolted awake at the second opening of the door. Her gaze locked on Donovan before she turned.
Donovan paused for a moment, sensing a subtle tension. He rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "Hey, Charla, I need your help, so… Come help me?"
Feeling the invisible pull of the symbol on her chest, Charla obeyed, looking at Donovan somberly. "