After their shower, Avon and Arcadius told the girls they were done with the river. The girls went to get the camp ready while Avon took his sword and went for a stroll. Arcadius settled by the fire, reading a book on "political diplomacy."
Sara, Minerva, and Vernara headed to the river. They took off their clothes, and as Minerva stood completely naked, Sara and Vernara looked at her body in shock and sadness. It was covered in old cuts and fresh wounds. They decided it was a subject best left untouched for now. As they waded into the water, they began to talk.
"This weather is amazing," Sara said, sighing contentedly. "I haven't felt this much freedom in a long time."
"Right?" Vernara agreed. "It feels like ages since we had a real shower."
"What about you, Minerva? Do you feel it?" Sara asked.
"N-not really," Minerva replied.
"How so?"
"I don't have that feeling... of freedom, I mean," Minerva said, looking down at the water. "Even with wings that I can call on at any time to fly through the clouds... I don't feel free at all. I believe that feeling was stolen from me a long time ago."
A beautiful flower, carried by a gentle breeze, landed in her hands.
"I want you to promise me something," Minerva said, her voice smooth and serious.
"Of course," Sara replied.
"When the day comes and you see me lose control... please end my life."
"What?" Sara asked, stunned.
"Wait, what do you mean, lose control?" Vernara pressed. "Are you..."
Minerva gently placed the flower on the water's surface. "Right now, you are talking to the human Minerva. But my other self can only keep this state for a short time."
"How long, exactly?" Sara asked.
"Two months," Minerva said. "In this state, I will slowly return to my other self."
"The mindless one," Sara finished.
Minerva smiled, tears welling in her eyes. "Would you mind if I asked for one more favor?"
"Anything," Sara said.
Minerva took off her necklace and placed it in Sara's hand, closing her fingers around it. She then held Sara's face, resting her head against hers. The gesture was so familiar, it reminded Sara of her older sister.
"H-how did you know?" Sara whispered.
"Take care of Avon," Minerva replied. "He needs you now more than ever. I can feel him... his rage, his suffering, his agony. They are eating him, but what's consuming most of him is a thirst for revenge. Someday, he will save humankind. I know it."
"How can you know that?" Sara asked.
Minerva kissed her forehead and pulled back slowly. "Because you will be by his side. With you there, he'll always remember who he is, and what he is."
"How can you tell?" Vernara said, impressed. "Even I find that hard."
"It doesn't take a genius," Minerva said with a sly wink. "Right now, if you asked Avon to conquer a city, he would take over the entire world and serve it to you on a silver platter."
She seems so different... so mature and confident, Vernara thought.
Minerva looked at her from the corner of her eye and smiled. Vernara's eyes widened. The hell? Did she... Can she read my mind? Of course, she can!
"Who exactly are you?" Vernara demanded. "You're not the Minerva we met."
"I noticed it too," Sara said.
"I am the real Minerva," she said, her smile broadening. "The human one. It's funny, you only know my timid and shy side. It's nice to meet you. The other one you met is the mindless one, but she's slowly retrieving her memories. I don't have much time, so we'll continue this later."
Minerva spread her wings. "One last thing. We succubi can read the minds and thoughts of our prey. We use it for intel or against our enemies. In the future, you will meet others of my kind. When you see them, don't hesitate. Kill them all."
"What if we find someone like you or Helen?" Sara asked.
"Mother was an exception; her will was harder than adamantine steel. But me? I am just a temporary one. You will have to kill me one day, too."
"I've had that thought," Vernara said, "but seeing how kind you are makes it hard to imagine."
"Trust me, you don't want to see my true form. I am as strong as Mother, and we are both exceptions. Killing me would grant your race a fearsome reputation among my kind," Minerva said. "We're attracted to your race. Our prey... killing me would grant you a certain reputation."
"What?" Vernara asked.
"Reputation?" Sara said.
"Kill me now, and the entire succubus and incubus race will hunt you... not you specifically, but your race, for killing a powerful one like me. It doesn't matter who we get our life source from; it's all the same." She paused, her expression changing. "I have to go back now. It was nice talking to you both. Don't mention any of this to my other self. This form is only temporary. My other self is the mindless one, but she will retrieve her memories soon. This won't be the last time we talk. Take care of Avon and Arcadius for me. Goodbye."
Her confident expression faded, replaced by her usual shyness. "H-hi... Is there something... wrong?"
"Not at all, sweetie," Sara said.
"Is it okay if I ask some personal questions?" Vernara said.
"Ver, I don't think that's a good idea," Sara whispered.
"I-it's okay," Minerva said, her voice soft. "I don't mind talking about myself. It's been a while since I've had moments like this."
"How long since you felt like this?" Sara asked.
"I lost count after 2,530 years ago," Minerva said.
God, she's ancient, Vernara thought.
"What was life like before all this?" Vernara asked aloud.
"It was peaceful. So peaceful," Minerva said dreamily. "I will never forget those days... waking up early, feeding the horses, taking strolls around the village, working at the flower shop. I even remember the final delicious meal we ate at my aunt's house in the corner of the village. Those were beautiful memories. I remember my mother's face every time I came back from work."
"Your mother's name was Helen, right?" Sara asked.
"That's correct," Minerva said. "And she was beautiful. Light, smooth skin and beautiful red eyes."
Red eyes? Sara and Vernara exchanged a confused glance.
"She used to tell me stories before bed," Minerva continued. "But in the final days, I had my suspicions. She never seemed to sleep; she'd wake up with full energy after only five minutes. And she was always looking at the sky, as if waiting for something. In her final days, she began to go out at night often, staying out the entire time. I wonder what got into her."
Vernara saw Minerva trying to wash her own back. "I'll wash your back for you," she offered.
"Thank you," Minerva said.
"How long ago was the final day you were human?" Sara asked.
"Six thousand, three hundred years ago," Minerva said softly. "I still remember it as if it were tomorrow."
"What was that place like?" Sara asked.
"It was a huge landscape near the Kingdom of Avalon with strange mountains," Minerva said. "All the monsters and non-humans feared to go there. Something in those mountains hunted them, but never humans. The place was massive, and our village was there, a safe, peaceful place with everything needed to survive."
"That sounds... beautiful," Vernara said.
Sara and Vernara finished washing Minerva, and they all laughed as they joked and teased each other. The weather was getting cold, and darkness was falling.
"Thank you for hearing my story," Minerva said. "And for treating me so well."
"Don't mention it," Sara said. "You're like a sister to us."
"Yeah," Vernara said, "better than my cousin. He was a real pain."
They laughed and headed back to the camp.
When they arrived, Avon was sitting on a log, putting fish on sticks and cooking them by the fire. He waved at them. The smell of the food was delicious. Sara ran to him without thinking.
"You're quite energetic this evening," Avon said with a smile. "I believe the shower is doing its work faster than I thought."
"The water got cold fast, so we had to hurry out," Sara said. "What are you cooking?"
"Fish. It will be ready soon. Would you mind preparing the tea for us?" he asked.
"Gladly," Sara said. "Hey, girls, come help me!"
"It doesn't take three people to make tea, you know," Vernara grumbled, but she and Minerva went to help anyway.
Meanwhile, Arcadius was scouting the road ahead. He saw what looked like a village and a few camps nearby. It was dark, but his vision was clear. He decided to go to the camps first. He saw a road sign: "Royal Village" was straight ahead, "Kingdom of Avalon" was to the right, and "Kingdom of Cardareia" was to the left. At the bottom, a note was written in faded red: "All hopes were lost..."
He approached the camps outside the Royal Village. They were filled with skeletons and dried blood, the remains of the knights who had died long ago. He counted 30 human bodies, still in their armor, wielding their swords. He also saw 40 to 60 non-human creatures. He recognized the camp as belonging to the Sundevia Empire.
"They stood their ground and never retreated," he said, picking up a helmet. "They fought to the very end, knowing they would die. Thanks to you, we are alive. Rest well." He held the helmet to his chest in a sign of respect.
He looked around, seeing only death. He walked to the destroyed gate and peered through, his eyes welling up with tears. He wanted to go in, to find some precious memory, but he stopped himself. He turned back and walked to the camp. "Everything has its moment. Tomorrow."
Back at the camp, the fish and tea were ready. Avon served the fish on silver plates they had taken from the convoy.
"We should wait for Arcadius," Avon said. "It's rude to eat without him."
"Yeah, but..." Sara said, taking a bite. "We're kind of hungry here."
"Agreed," Vernara said, chewing. "This fish is amazing! Where did you get it?"
"From the river. Did you forget your manners?" Avon chided them gently.
"No, but... we have plenty of fish, and we're so hungry," Sara whispered, taking another bite.
Minerva smiled and agreed. "This fish is good."
"Alright, fine," Avon said, giving in.
A short while later, Arcadius returned, carrying a bag. Avon, seeing his downcast mood, rushed to him.
"What happened? You look upset," Avon asked. "And why did you take so long?"
"I went further down the road, and all I saw was death," Arcadius said.
"Did you find anything?"
"Yeah." He handed Avon the bag.
Avon opened it and saw the Sundevia Empire helmet. He held it to his chest and said, "Rest well. You have done your duty. Rest in the eternal chamber of champions."
"Is it far?" Avon asked.
"No, it's close. Too close."
Avon walked to the river, listening to the calm, peaceful water. He gently placed the helmet in the current and watched it float away. He then drew his sword and held it to his chest, the blade pointing up. Arcadius, standing behind him, did the same.
One day, humanity will stand their ground without begging for food or shelter, Avon thought. One day, humans will reclaim their rightful place and make all non-humans pay for the centuries of bloodshed. One day, humans will live free and in peace. That is my promise to you all.
"I'm going to the camp," Arcadius said, breaking the silence. "I'll tell them to get ready for tomorrow."
"Yes," Avon said. "Tomorrow will be a painful day. A long day, too."
Arcadius left. Avon stood alone, looking at the water. My dear sister... my dear mother... I will never forget you. I will avenge you, and I will avenge all of them, even if the heavens themselves turn against me.
Late that night, everyone was asleep. In the morning, Sara woke up to find Avon already up, standing ready, with the camp packed.
"I see you've packed the rest of the camp," she said. "Are you... nervous?"
"About what?"
"Don't act like you don't know," Sara said, her voice gentle. "You're nervous."
"Not even the slightest. This is our home," Avon said, his gaze sweeping over the landscape. "The air, the smell, the view... it's been a long time since I've felt something like this."
"Freedom," Sara said, her eyes meeting his.
He smiled and patted her head. "Get ready. It's going to be a long day."
"I'm sure it will," Sara said, "but I'm also sure everything will be fine."
"What makes you so sure?"
"Just a hunch." She went to the river to wash her face.
Arcadius and Vernara woke up. "Good morning," Arcadius said with a yawn. "What's good, sister?"
"Morning," Vernara grumbled. "Now get your butt up and get ready. We need to go."
"Why is she so mean to me this morning?" Arcadius muttered.
Minerva was sleeping in a tree like a bat. Avon was watching, impressed.
Arcadius came back with two cups of tea. "Good morning, big bro from another mother! So, what's goo... OMG, THAT'S A HUGE BAT!"
"That's Minerva," Avon said, taking the cup. "Good morning to you too."
"Minerva?" she asked, stretching her wings. "How rude. Good morning to you too, Arcadius." She flipped down from the tree, landing gracefully on her toes.
"Impressive," Avon said.
"Very impressive indeed," Arcadius agreed. "Hey, Avon, should we really be eliminating all of them? She seems cute. I mean, look at her."
"She's an exception, a human trapped inside a monster," Avon said. "We might find others like her, so keep your eyes open."
"Got it."
They turned around, and she was already eating an apple.
"Anyway, I'm going to get ready," Arcadius said. "Catch up with you later, birdy."
"Hey!" she said, throwing an apple to him. "You seem hungry. Take this."
"An apple from the goddess herself! I will treasure it with all my heart! Thank you!" Arcadius exclaimed.
"You seem different," Avon said to Minerva. "Did something happen?"
"Not at all," she replied. "But I do feel something strange. I believe this is the feeling of freedom."
"I'm happy to hear that."
Minerva walked off toward the river. Avon saw her catching fish in an impressive way, flying up like a bird and diving down like an eagle, splashing water everywhere. She returned with a fishnet full of fish.
"It's for the journey later," she explained.
Avon felt a sense of unease, but he didn't dwell on it. He smiled and walked back with her and the fish.
They followed the road, and soon a disgusting smell filled the air. They were walking through ruins, destroyed carts, and bodies of all kinds—animals, humans, and other unidentified creatures.
"Are you sure this is the path?" Avon asked.
"Pretty sure," Arcadius said. "A little ahead, and we'll reach the gates."
They walked on, and the destruction only grew worse. Soon, they saw the walls in the distance. The area surrounding the village was a terrifying battlefield, filled with bodies in armor, giant creatures, and massive war machines. There was a massive gap in the stone wall where the gate should have been.
"So, where's the gate?" Vernara asked.
"You're looking at it," Arcadius said.
"That's impossible," Sara said.
"It seems impossible, but it's the truth," Arcadius said. "These are the western gates of Vermile Royal Village... or what's left of it."
Avon looked at Minerva. She had no expression, her eyes glowing faintly, almost as if she were happy. He didn't question her, but he kept his guard up.
As they walked through the battlefield, Avon stopped to look at a dead knight in full plate armor, kneeling and holding a spear. Another spear had pierced the knight's body, while the knight's spear had pierced a massive armored creature.
"Brave men," Avon said quietly. "They stood their ground and fought to the very end, knowing there was no victory. This sacrifice must never be forgotten."
Sara looked at the sky above the village, amazed and terrified. There was a huge hole, like shattered glass, with the real sky visible behind it.
"W-what is that?" Sara stammered.
"It's the same thing I saw that day," Vernara said.
"How could I forget about this?" Arcadius said.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Avon said, his voice flat. "This is the Gate of Saccuba, leading directly to the nations of the succubus and the incubus."
"It's not red anymore," Sara said. "And I can almost see the real sky behind it."
"The gate was closed not too long ago," Arcadius said. "Imagine how many of them got through before it was shut."
"How do they open it?" Vernara asked. "Is it some kind of magic?"
"I'm not sure," Avon said. "There's still a lot for us to learn."
"Let's get going," Arcadius said. "It's already noon, so we have about six hours to explore."
"Let's make this worth the trouble," Vernara said.
As they approached the gate, Avon dropped his bag.
"Why did you do that?" Sara asked.
"It's no use to me anymore," he said.
"There's plenty of valuable stuff you can pick up," Minerva said. "Are you sure you won't grab something for your journey?"
Avon looked at her. "We are no scavengers. We are nobles, and we will remain one until the very end."
Minerva looked unimpressed. Avon's doubts about her grew. Arcadius dropped his bag, and the girls followed suit. They entered the village through the massive hole in the wall.
The first thing they saw were hundreds of skeleton heads on spikes, the heads of the innocent. Hanged bodies in torn clothes hung from rooftops. A building collapsed in the distance. They reached the village center, which was the bloodiest of all places. Dry blood stained the walls, and mountains of corpses were piled everywhere.
"Home," Vernara whispered, her voice cracking. "Our sweet... home." Tears streamed down her face.
"It used to be," Arcadius said softly. "Now it's a graveyard."
"Our leaders wanted to make peace with the non-humans," Avon said, his voice low and hard. "For generations, they'd been slaughtering us, and our leaders thought peace was the only option. I believe they were wrong."
"Too wrong," Arcadius agreed.
"They attacked this village because it held the key," Vernara said.
"What key?" Minerva asked.
"The key to defeat the non-humans, the demons," Sara said, a smirk on her face. "The key to avenging all the generations of bloodshed and reclaiming this world, as it should be."
"How do you know that?" Avon asked, surprised.
"Helen taught us," Sara said.
"How dare you... Wait, where were we when she taught you that?"
"You and Arcadius were sleeping like children," Vernara said, laughing.
"Hey, that's not fair! I was... hungry!" Arcadius whispered to Avon. "I mean, sleepy. Say something!"
"They're telling the truth," Avon whispered back. "I don't know what you were doing, but I was sleeping."
"God damn it," Arcadius muttered.
Vernara and Sara laughed.
"This doesn't make sense," Minerva said.
"Humankind is feared by all non-humans," Sara said, her voice firm. "We will always find a way to eliminate them. We did it once; we will do it again. It was a mistake of our grandfathers to show mercy, and we won't repeat it."
"Those who never learn from their past are doomed to repeat it," Vernara added. "Mercy is what led us to this state. This time, there will be none."
"Since when did my little sister get so political?" Avon asked, bewildered.
"Since today, I guess," Sara replied.
"Brother, shut it. We'll talk later," she said with a laugh.
"Sure, sister."
Man, I looked away for a second, and now I don't understand a thing they're saying. But man, I'm hungry, Arcadius thought to himself.
Minerva seemed uneasy, and Avon's doubts about her grew.
After a while, Sara said, "Our home is on that hill. Where's yours, Arcadius?"
"North side of the village, near the royal bakery," he replied.
"Mine's northeast, near the old temple," Vernara said.
"Then let's split up," Avon said. "Do what you need to do and regroup here in the center."
"Then what?" Vernara asked.
"We'll see."
They split up, with Vernara and Arcadius together, and Avon and Sara together. Minerva began to explore the village on her own.
"So," Arcadius said to Vernara.
"So?" she replied.
"If I ask you something personal, will you answer honestly?"
"Sure. It's not like I'm going to tell the guards," she said, giving a sad chuckle. "Go ahead."
"That day... how many close ones did you lose?"
Vernara looked at the ground, her eyes sweeping over the dead bodies around them.
"Too personal, I assume," Arcadius said. "Sorry I asked."
"It's okay. Nothing's personal between us anymore," she said, her voice cracking. "You're my brother. No secrets."
"I'm glad to hear that," Arcadius said.
"As for that day... I was at home, playing with my big twin brothers," she said, her voice growing distant. "Mother was in town getting stuff for dinner, and Father was in his palace in Verdunsvä."
"King Vélkavura?" Arcadius asked.
"Yes, that's my father. Funny how all our family names start with 'Ve'," she said, trying to force a smile.
"I believe it's a reminder that you belong to a great kingdom, to a great king," Arcadius said. "I heard he was the kindest of all."
"He was," Vernara said, her eyes welling up. "We were supposed to leave for the palace soon because he sensed something was wrong. It seems he was right, but too late. Only God knows what happened to him."
She stopped outside a toy store, the toys still visible inside. She opened the door and walked in, looking around as Arcadius followed.
"I don't know what happened to Mother," she sobbed. "I will find her, even if she's a skeleton. But my brothers... they..."
"They're still inside your home," Arcadius finished softly. "I know. Why is this store special? Did you used to come here?"
"Yes," she said, tears streaming down her face. "Now all this has no meaning to me. I lost everything."
Arcadius wrapped his arms around her, holding her as she cried into his shoulder. "How can you say that, when you still have us?"
"I could've done more!" she sobbed.
"You couldn't have done anything but die with them," Arcadius said gently. "You told me they were strong. If they couldn't hold them off, you wouldn't have stood a chance. What do you think their reaction would be if they saw you like this?"
"I know what you're going to say... just don't," she pleaded.
"Then get up," he said, pulling her up. "Get up and face it. Better now than never."
"What about you?" she asked. "Did you lose someone that day?"
"Yes," he said simply. "I did."
She hugged him again, and he pulled a towel from his bag to wipe her tears. "Let's go," he said. "My home isn't far."
"Mine isn't far either," she said.
I hope this day ends quickly, Arcadius thought. It's... painful.
Meanwhile, Avon and Sara walked together in another part of the village.
"Are you okay, brother?" Sara asked.
"Not sure," Avon said, looking at the bodies of hanged children. "Look at them... kids. They... they will pay for everything."
"I'm not sure what to say," Sara said, "but we will avenge them. I promise you."
"Not we," Avon said, his voice hard. "I will." He pulled his sword and cut down one of the small bodies, catching it gently.
"It's not that I think you're incapable," he said. "But what if I lost you like I lost this good friend of mine? How do you think I'd feel? This girl... her name was Erien. She would've been beautiful today, just like you. I won't lose you. And if I do, every single one of them will know the wrath of a human."
"And what about me?" Sara countered. "Do you ever think about what I would feel if I lost you? Do you think putting yourself in danger for me would solve things? Do you think I would sit on my chair waiting for my dear brother to come back from his slaughter? No. I won't."
"I won't lose. That's not an option," he said. "In this journey, I have to..."
Sara interrupted him, placing her soft hand on his cheek. "In this journey, I will be with you. On every path, good or bad, I will be there. In life and in death, we will be together... always, until the end."
"I'm glad to hear that," Avon said, a flicker of emotion in his empty eyes. "But you know my path isn't an easy one."
"I know," Sara said, "and I don't care."
Sara gently took the body of the little girl and placed it in a nearby cart, covering her face. They continued walking through the merchant district toward the upper gates. They found the gates burned down, with no way to enter, so they had to walk around the wall to reach the eastern gate, hoping it wouldn't be as dangerous. On their path, they passed mountains of bodies piled on top of each other, all of them missing their heads.
They reached the eastern gate, which was surprisingly in good shape, but a cart was stuck in the middle. They tried to push it out of the way, but something was holding it fast from behind, pinned between the iron spikes.
"It's no use," Avon said. "We have to find another way in. The wall here... nope, too tall."
Sara looked at a destroyed stone watchtower and saw a path leading inside. "Avon! There," she said, pointing.
"Be careful," he said. "We don't know what's inside besides the dead."
They walked slowly toward the tower. Written on the wall was a faded message: "Abandon all hope, ye who enter here." The rest was unreadable. Avon touched the writing, and a sudden, sharp pain shot through his head.
"What's wrong, brother?" Sara asked, rushing to him. She looked at the writing on the wall.
"It's... their blood," Avon gasped, clutching his head. "I can feel it! Argh!"
"AVON!" Sara screamed. "Avon! Stay with me!"
As Avon held the wall, he saw visions: a figure, fire, screams, laughter, the sound of flesh being cut... the sound of death... the red, broken sky.
He snapped back to reality, breathing heavily.
"Avon, are you okay?" Sara asked, holding his face.
"I guess," he said, a grim chuckle in his voice. "It's just one more thing to add to our passive abilities."
"You're talking nonsense, as usual," Sara said.
"Let's finish this, sister," Avon said, his eyes filled with a new resolve. "Let's give them the rest they deserve."
"Alright then," Sara replied. "Let's do it."
They walked to the tower, and they heard the cracking of the walls as if something was about to break. They started climbing, and surprisingly, the wall was still intact, just as it had been in its prime. They walked through it and got to the other side safely.
Avon was curious about what had caused the cart to get stuck. He went to look behind it and saw mountains of dead people trapped there. They had tried to escape, but the cart, or perhaps something else, had kept them from getting out.
The houses were heavily damaged, but they saw it. After more than 20 years, their house was still standing, as if nothing had changed, as if they had left just yesterday. They walked slowly toward it. With every step, they heard the screams and laughter of the past. They saw the red sky.
"It's either I'm seeing things, or I've finally gone crazy," Sara said.
"It's the same image from when I touched the wall," Avon said. "The past... laughs, screams, swords clashing. It's like this place is stuck in a time loop, never moved forward from that day."
"Let's go," Sara said. "The sooner we finish, the sooner we can leave."
They kept walking toward the hill. Every step made them feel the presence of the people who had died there—their souls never left this place. They finally reached the gate of their home, completely destroyed.
"Ready, sister?" Avon asked.
"If you are, so am I," Sara said, smiling.
They held hands and walked together into their home, with the view of the destroyed village stretching out behind them.