Sona practically sprawled out on her desk in her house and sighed wearily. A huge amount of various literature lay scattered around her, from ancient scrolls to books. Her head ached and demanded rest, as did her eyes, which had had to scan thousands of letters. She wanted to fall asleep right there, but she had to at least make it to her bed. But how could she sleep when someone was living right next to her? Someone who claimed with complete seriousness that he was from another world and possessed magic that was inaccessible to anyone else? Of course, Sithri didn't believe him at first, although she was surprised by his words. At first, she thought he had certain... Problems with his head. It just fit perfectly: aloofness, academic speech, and coldness. These are signs of a not-so-healthy mind. But to this extent?
However, the confidence in the guy's words, as well as his story about another world where powerful gods lived, where the power of the stars was real, and all the planets and their contents were made from the blood of one ancient god, shook Sona's thoughts at that moment. It was all too... complicated and confusing to be the ravings or fantasies of a sick person. And then the demon began to listen more closely, as well as to her own feelings. There was an incomprehensible aura of something unknown, something she had never felt before. Perhaps she simply lacked experience in encounters with various mythical creatures, but still... It was strange.
She was surprised by her new conclusions, so she decided to look for more information herself without Castor's help. This incomprehensible person (was he even human?) could have answered anything. Although she had been watching him for a whole month, she still couldn't understand what was going on inside him. A man of mystery. The answer might lie in literature, but that didn't help at all! Nothing! No similar stories or events!
"What on earth is this?"
"Sonya!
Sona sighed heavily and raised her head slightly to look at the door. A second later, it opened and her sister walked in, wearing a loose sweater and trousers. So she hadn't come home from work or filming, otherwise she would have been dressed differently.
"Wow! Someone's been seeking knowledge?" Serafall smiled. "Although it's you, So-chan, you're always like this."
"If only. Right now, everything is much more complicated..." the girl said slowly, dropping her head back onto the table. She heard her sister approach her.
"What's wrong, little sister?" Sithri didn't have the strength to brush her hand away from her head. She just grumbled helplessly. "Just ask, and the strongest woman in the Underworld will come to your aid!"
"I... Eh..." Sona shook her head. It wasn't scary to ask her sister for help, she just didn't want to bother her over something trivial, because Sona had decided to take care of herself without supervision from her family. Especially the cursed council of elders.
"I've run into someone who's raising too many questions for me.
"Oh? Is my little Sona growing up and finding herself a boyfriend?" — At her older sister Citri's sarcastic tone, Sona frowned and grumbled discontentedly. Sometimes... Often, she wanted to hit Serafall over the head with something heavy to knock some sense into her.
"No. And don't tease me," Sona raised her head and looked at her sister, who was smiling from ear to ear. "There's this student. His name is Castor Brinel, and he recently told me..."
The girl fell silent when the Lord's smile disappeared, instantly replaced by a frown and concern in his eyes. This raised even more questions in Sona's mind that needed answers. And urgently, otherwise she wouldn't be able to sleep properly.
***
Castor felt a strange tingling sensation at the back of his head. It could have been a subtle sign that someone was thinking of him somewhere. Or it could have just been a random sensation on his skin.
"This body was practically torn to shreds," Brinel looked at the torn demon wings and body parts that the unknown assailant had scattered around the torso. There was no order, only pure chaos. Consequently, there was no sequence in the attacks or martial arts, only raw power and the desire to get rid of the enemy as quickly as possible. Plus, the nature of the injuries did not match those of animals — Brinel found a fist mark on one of the bodies.
"I don't understand: you want a peaceful life, but you get yourself into all kinds of trouble," said Ddraig, his voice full of doubt.
"True. But peace can only be ensured by having a quiet place to live. And no one but me can provide that," the mage raised his long sword and examined it. It was an ordinary blade, but the material was different from what he was used to. Judging by the sound it made when struck against metal, its colour and density, it was either demonic metal or a defiled alloy.
Castor returned to the shadows and continued along the ruined road. Where the grass was burning on the side of the road, the mage extinguished it with ice. But otherwise, he just watched. Corpses, corpses, and destruction. The smooth road had been turned into a battlefield that had been attacked with mortars for hours. Craters, chips, entire sections of asphalt torn out... In Kaerne, this was common on all major highways, although there they were built from slightly different materials. Otherwise, it was the same as there: destruction, blood, the smell and atmosphere of a bloody bath.
Castor walked for a couple of minutes until he came to the end of the road of destruction. The number of corpses increased sharply, but further on, the road remained normal. Intact and without pools of blood. The reason lay in the creature standing by the side of the road, leaning against the barrier and breathing heavily, judging by its heaving chest. It was a woman, to be precise.
"You determined that by her breasts, right?"
Castor ignored the sarcastic lizard and continued to look at the one who had caused the carnage, judging by her blood-covered hands. Her long dark hair was tangled, a pair of cat ears stood erect, and two cat tails peeked out from behind her back. Judging by all appearances, they grew from somewhere around her tailbone. Her clothes were in a sorry state, torn in places and leaving her practically naked. Her amber eyes, almost golden, darted around frantically, searching for any source of danger. Her left leg had a wide, bleeding wound that caused nothing but concern for the health of this cat-human, and her right leg was slightly deformed. There were also wounds on her torso, but they were not as significant. However, it was possible that the remains of her clothing were hiding the most serious injuries.
"You're not planning on helping this obviously insane person, are you?"
"Maybe I'll help her.
"What?!" Ddraig was genuinely surprised. "You're going to help a psychopath who could kill you?!"
"Her fighting, her energy..." Castor took a deep breath. "I've never seen anything like that before. A strange mixture of demonic and natural energy... I'm interested in this.
Besides, a demon slayer could be an ally in a possible confrontation with this species. Yes, the locals were different from the creatures of the abyss, but life had taught him to always prepare for the worst-case scenario. Who could guarantee that there wouldn't be a war for the survival of one of the species, that the demons wouldn't decide to keep humans as livestock and turn them into their servants as needed? Castor had seen no documents or acts, nor any assurances that humans would remain in their current position until the end of time. And it was better to have an army and the means to wage war against an entire race at his disposal than to find himself, as Ulgrim had said, with his bare ass in front of a porcupine when the moment came.
"A pessimistic outlook."
"It is what it is. Demons turn people into servants, trying to hide behind noble concepts," Brinel's smile became cold and even evil. "In fact, they enslave them, dangling the carrot of becoming a higher demon with their own entourage," the mage snorted. "In a couple of hundred years. And it's far from certain that you'll live that long or even deserve such a title. Purebloods are jealous of their position..." Castor sighed. "Humans and demons alike.
"Angels turn a blind eye to this, even though they position themselves as protectors of humans," Brinel's smile became cruel. "Either protect them or don't position yourselves that way. I've had enough of false defenders of humanity.
Kimon... Corvaak deceived the desperate inquisitor by introducing himself as his brother, Empirion. Under the banner of a forgotten and embittered god, the once respected man began to gather crowds of believers whose souls were slowly being consumed by the Terrible Sun. Of course, these fanatics fought against the cultists of H'ton, but in Castor's eyes, it was a case of trading one evil for another. The outcome for humanity was dire in either case. Either death or slavery. Seeing the consequences of worshipping Corvaac... He was only confirmed in his own conclusions. Under the gaze of the Terrible Sun, thousands of years of slavery and absolute worship awaited them. And Castor doubted Corvaac's victory. The trio of Sorcerer Gods was hot on his heels, and besides the Chthonites, there were also the Ethereals...
"How do I make contact with a wounded, embittered, and dangerous killer?" the mage asked aloud, slowly stepping out of the shadows, his hands in plain sight.
"You're a crazy bastard, but you know that already," muttered the dragon, who was ignored by the mage, who silently walked towards the cat-woman. Or woman-cat: he still couldn't figure out which was which. Outbursts of aggression are also characteristic of humans, in case anyone didn't know, and are even more dangerous than in animals. At least animals show signs of this aggression...
"I knew that, but why didn't I see it in my brother?"
Brinel deliberately stepped louder when he stepped onto the road so that the stranger would know he was there. She instantly looked up at him and bared her teeth, hissing. Her hands tensed, and her sharp, almost cat-like nails flashed dangerously. She tried to tense her legs, but this caused her to wince slightly from the pain in them. Logical: the wounds were quite painful.
"At first, I didn't know the reason for the large release of demonic energy, but now I have a logical assumption: there was a battle here involving a huge amount of demonic energy.
"Add to that..." Castor slowly and carefully picked up the sword by the tip of the blade and raised it to the level of his nose, parallel to the ground. "The excessive cruelty of the killings, which had a negative effect on the energy field around us.
"And also the fact that you hate demons so much, and they want you very badly. Everything always has a reason," Brinel threw the weapon aside, and it scraped across the asphalt with a screech. The cat narrowed her eyes and looked at him silently. The suspicion in her eyes did not diminish, but she was in no hurry to attack. Judging by her legs and arms, the woman planned to tear him to pieces if necessary.
"If my senses and knowledge do not deceive me, you are a servant. Former," Castor emphasised the word with curiosity and open interest. He could feel the demonic energy that no one could control from the outside, just as he had seen in Akeno. Here, it was restrained... Brinel allowed himself a warmer smile. Ah, natural energy, definitely. Just like the shamans who wanted to use the power of the Wendigo.
"Interesting... She has excellent control over her natural side, which allows her to restrain uncontrollable bursts of demonic energy... And at the same time, she can handle a large number of powerful demons."
"I didn't mean to offend you," Castor added when a quiet growl reached his ears. "I thought you would take it as a compliment."
"Compliment?" the woman said slowly, looking at the mage in disbelief, who only smiled more warmly.
"Such control is impressive. I've seen the consequences of a unilateral breach of contract, and you look extremely attractive compared to the mutants I've seen. However, your wounds spoil the overall picture. I advise you to seek medical attention.
"So, I don't get it, what's going on? Have you decided to hit on this cat?" Ddraig asked with feigned indignation, then laughed. "Great! My partner isn't a blockhead after all! But he's completely brainwashed!"
"You're crazy," the woman replied, distorting the word due to her origins. A hint of interest appeared in her eyes, heavily tinged with suspicion.
"Judging by social norms, yes. But you don't follow them either, wreaking havoc all around you. Therefore," Castor took a small step forward. "I offer help from one strange person to another.
***
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