Rakon, in lighter, travel-ready attire, slung a large bag over his chest as he stepped out of the castle. Kalika followed and reluctantly carried another bag herself as she wore similarly designed clothing.
Kalika grimaced. "Wouldn't it be easier to use that cart?"
"Too slow," Rakon proclaimed. "Flying is much faster, even if I have to carry you."
Gaz nearby circled Kalika. "
Kalika scowled, clenching her teeth. ""
"
Gaz turned. "
"
"
"
"
"Rakon," Kalika called, her expression unreadable. "Are you sure you don't want to eat the core yourself?"
"And what's that going to do for me? My blood magic is stripped until my arms recover."
"Hmm… Right…"
Rakon stepped forward and unfurled his wings. Kalika examined his back, lost in thought.
"Where the heck does he put those huge wings…?"
Rakon glanced back, growing impatient. "I'm waiting."
Kalika reluctantly approached.
Rakon bent to one knee, making it easy for Kalika to grab his shoulder. He gripped her legs tightly, his muscles twitched and he winced, lifting her. With a single beat of his wings, he soared into the sky, shocking Kalika.
She clung tighter, bracing for the sudden ascent, and before she knew it, he darted forward, forcing her to ride his back.
They flew. His wings beat in the air, steadily sailing across the ruined city in mere minutes.
Kalika gazed out, finding the demon world more mesmerizing than she remembered. She saw the lake and the town of Kisik in the distance.
"Wow."
Rakon glanced.
"You like this view."
"It's… My first time flying this high."
Rakon chuckled. "From what Gaz told me, you hitched a ride from a Karnal mercenary before."
Kalika huffed. "Those were different circumstances." She glanced back at the castle as it shrank from view, then returned her gaze to the back of Rakon's head, where his black hair billowed in the wind.
His wings beat again, carrying them higher as they continued to glide.
"You demons make no sense." Kalika suddenly said.
"What do you mean?"
Kalika stared at Rakon's wings more pensively. "How is it that you demons have wings? Last I saw, your back looked entirely normal."
"Extra Bones." Rakon laughed. "Did Lillian never tell you about her wings?"
Kalika scoffed. "The only thing she ever wanted to talk about was her problems and those stupid death games she wanted to play." She grimaced. "And then she abandoned me in that prison. It was always excuse after excuse. Saying hi here then bye there and leaving when it's convenient… And killing me when it's not. The worst part is that she tried to hide dainty little visits by stripping my memory."
Rakon narrowed his eyes, unsure what to say as the moment passed. "Is that why you refused to leave?"
Kalika's fists clenched. "Why do you think? I already told you, didn't I?"
Rakon sighed. "Yes… Yes."
Kalika turned back to the scene before them. She carefully observed the crisp black trees below and the yellow grass across the rocky terrain. Strange, leather-skinned birds flew alone, while some feathered beasts crossed their view—one even hunted another, capturing its prey and dragging it down.
"If you want, I'll let you look at them when we camp for the night."
"A… Are you sure?"
"I don't mind."
Quickly, Kalika cleared her throat and abruptly pressed against Rakon's back. He flinched and glanced back in surprise. "W-what are you doing?" he asked.
"What does it look like? I'm looking for those books." She pulled out a grey book about blood magic and carefully closed the bag.
"Remind me to switch bags with you."
"Mhmm…." She opened the book.
"Are you sure you want to read those books?" Rakon asked, his eyes scanning the cover.
"I have a lot of time," she said flatly. She firmly planted the book on Rakon's back and carefully skimmed the pages. Each page piqued her curiosity anew, until she suddenly stopped.
She glanced at Rakon. Her lips tightened, then she returned to the book in hand, engrossing herself in the knowledge she craved as a distraction.
********
Flying through the sky, Lillian's eyes stared laser-focused as she flew over the expansive black and purple forest below. Her mind flashed back to the bedroom, where she had witnessed a white flower bloom before her.
* * *
Lillian, in her gown, stared in shock at the sudden bloom. Her mind reeled from the impossibility of the flower, and upon touching it, a boy's voice rang through.
"[Impressive. You still live.]"
Her eyes widened. "Cassell?!"
"[You still remember my voice… Good.]"
Lillian tensed, clutching the sheets of her bed. "Why are you contacting me?"
"[As one of the last Heroes, alive and of age, the times have grown desperate to prevent a disaster that will occur three days from now.]"
"Disaster?"
"[Yes. a disaster caused by none other than the woman you tried to protect… The Evil One-]"
"Don't call her that!!" Lilian calmed herself. "Her name is Kalika."
"[Regardless of the label you give her, she is destined to crack the very foundations of this world apart… The very world I have painstakingly cared for since its inception. In due time, this world may become as broken as that city those demons call Oar's.]"
Lillian narrowed her eyes, unsure
"[You doubt me. I can sense it.]"
"B-but what you're saying is impossible. Kalika's only human… I know what you're trying to do… You're trying to convince me to imprison her in that world you mentioned. Back when..."
"[I'm not telling you to capture your sister. I need you to stop her before she can consume my brother's core.]"
Lillian froze in place, her mind flashing to the black core in the broken chamber and Lucius's dismissal of its legends.
"[If she eats that core, my brother may be reborn. And if he revives, he is sure to destroy everything this world has to offer. That castle. Your Land. Even the one you still believe to be your sister.]"
Silence filled the air as Cassell awaited Lillian's response. "You know where Kalika is, don't you?"
"[I do.]"
She straightened. "Then tell me where she."
"[No.]"
"Why not!?"
"[I won't tell you where she. But I can tell you where she will be…]"
Lillian pursed her lips, contemplatively. "Why do I feel like he's not telling me something… Still… I have to find her somehow…"
"Fine. So… Where is she going?"
********
"[Oar's]"
Lillian cringed as Cassell's last few statements replayed in her mind.
"[But if you want to reach her in time, you should use the power I bestowed. If I'm not mistaken, you should be able to use one of the four granted since your inception.]"
She looked at her hands, reluctant.
"[That very power you used to save yourself from Terrocht…]"
Lillian grimaced. Her thoughts whirled on with worry, unable to think of anything other than Kalika as she sailed over the forest and crystals.
"I'm sorry Lucius… Jala… Dahlia…" She clenched her jaw. "But I have to find Kalika."
********
In the dark of night, Kalika slept soundly, her face pressed into the book, undisturbed by the wind brushing past her.
Rakon glanced at his back and scoffed. With a sigh, he wrapped his tail snugly around both their waists, keeping her on his back. "Absolutely reckless," he muttered.
Some time later, Kalika stirred, raising her eyes. "Where am I?" she slurred.
She raised her eyes, seeing that they now flew over the lake between Kisik and Kasak.
"You're awake," Rakon said. He turned back once more. "We'll be landing soon."
"Where are we?" she quietly questioned, still sleepy. She turned, finally recognizing a familiar fort behind them in the dim light of the crystals.
"We're nearing Kasak," Rakon explained. "I figured we could sleep in an inn for the night instead."
"Ah…" Kalika looked onward, seeing the docks of ships. She peered back at her book and froze.
A wilted black flower protruded from her book, trembling in the wind before breaking away.
"Of course," she breathed.
Not long after, Rakon veered toward the docks and touched down at the beginning of the dock. He quickly caught Kalika by the hips. His arms strained, and his fingers clenched as he slowly lowered her.
"
Kalika fixed the book in her hand and peeked from behind Rakon.
Before them, Lyra stepped forward. She stood tall, dressed even more casual than usual amidst the busy crowd of demons.
"
"I thought you were going to leave." Kalika chimed in.
Rakon glanced. Lyra smiled.
"That was the plan, but a few of my girls are going to be mothers now, so their well-being must come first." She turned, her smile even more mischievous. "If you two need a room for the night, I can happily provide you with some, along with a bit of privacy."
Rakon winced. "Separate rooms, please." He stepped forward, joining Lyra.
Kalika stood in stunned silence, unsure what to make of the sudden familiarity.
Rakon turned. "Are you coming?"
Reluctantly, Kalika followed. She took Rakon's side, keeping a steady glare on Lyra.
"
"
"
Rakon flicked his gaze forward. "
"
Suspicious, Kalika bumped her shoulder into Rakon's arm.
He flinched, forced to peer down at Kalika. "What is it?"
Lyra calmly peeked from behind Rakon. "Ah. Sorry, Cham- Kalika. It's been so long I just had to catch up with my favorite son."
"Huh??" Kalika stopped and stared in disbelief.
"It's not the appropriate time." Rakon scolded.
"
Losing ground, Kalika quickened her pace to Rakon's side again.
Rakon glanced before turning back to Lyra. "
"We met in Oar's," Kalika explained.
Lyra peeked back at Kalika, smiling. "In the aquadras bathhouse, to be exact, so we got to know each other a little more intimately."
Kalika cleared her throat, passing a silent glare back as the two continued to converse as if it were the most normal thing in the world. They continued through the dark streets, eventually arriving at their destination—a dimly lit inn.
They entered a tavern full of demons quietly talking about construction and terrain clearing.
Lyra led them to the bar counter before stepping away. "
Lyra gone, Kalika shot a glare at Rakon. "You know her?"
Rakon leaned against the counter. "She was the caretaker for Lucius and me before we came of age. Since then, she has been allowed to establish a brothel in Oar's for her other kin."
"Is that so…?" Kalika glanced at Lyra, even more bemused by her smile.
Not long after a burst of excited laughter erupted among the calm crowd of patrons; she turned and watched a young grey-haired, red-skinned waitress conjure ice in a mug. The demons clapped, thoroughly entertained.
"
The very same woman moved with fervor, a smile playing on her face.
"
"
"
"
"
"
"< Don't worry about a thing.>" Her smile deepened. "
Rakon scoffed. "
Lyra clasped her hands happily. "Then it's settled. I'll even bring you to your rooms myself."
Kalika glared sourly at Lyra, forced to bide her time as they ascended the stairs and entered a narrow hall. Lyra presented the first room to Rakon.
He unlocked it.
Kalika stepped forward. "Rakon..." She stopped herself, unable to continue.
He turned. "What is-?"
"Never mind."
Lyra's eyes drew to Kalika. The slit of her pupils narrowed. "Hmm?"
To Kalika's surprise, Rakon tossed the keys into her hand.
"Tomorrow we'll sort out the books," he said.
Rakon entered, the door closing softly.
With a sigh, Kalika turned to her door, unlocked it, and discovered a bloom of black flowers in the center of the room. "What the…"
Kalika turned to Lyra, finding a cold smirk playing on her face. "God Zorbian would like to talk to you."
Without protest, she entered, with Lyra following and closing the door behind them.
As composed as always, Lyra sat on Kalika's bed, her fingers holding her face up as she thoughtfully looked at Kalika.
"
"Shut up." Kalika narrowed her eyes. "I could say the same for you…" She turned. "Hmph! So what does he want with me now? I'm doing what he wants, right?"
Lyra gestured to the bed of black flowers. "Just lie down, and he'll speak through the flowers."
"And what's the point of that when he can speak with me just fine as is? He seems to have no problem invading my mind when he wants."
"Because… He wants to speak directly to you."