"I apologize if they have insulted you, stranger." A man called from above the tree-line behind the group.
Looking up, Nix noticed a man dressed in an all black outfit etched in a blood red dye. 12 others floated on each side of the man wearing similar clothes of various colors, all exuding a mysterious aura.
Cocking her brow, she put her spear in the Void Corridor before lifting off the ground using Wind's Grace. She felt more eyes on her than seen, making her sigh softly at how many they had brought just to meet her.
"I don't suppose you are the so-called Demon Lord this girl claims as a father?" She asked as she leveled herself with the other group.
It was strange to see people of such power wearing nothing but cloth. Moreso, only blades and some trick weapons could be detected amongst the hundreds that surrounded her below.
"Giltaris Cheon, the 34th Demon Lord of the Demon Clan. Dame Nix, to what do we owe the pleasure of your arrival?" The man spoke in a soft tone, yet malice could be felt like a thick tar in his words.
"I do not know why I am in your Territory, Human. However, for you Humans to claim to be Demons is deeply unsettling. Do Demons not refer to those of the Oteron Kingdom like myself?" Nix asked with a tilt of her head.
"No one here has heard of this Oteron Kingdom, nor have we ever seen someone of your stature before. If I may, what race do you claim?" The man asked as he gestured his hand.
Feeling the sincerity of his question was somehow unsettling. After a few moments, she reached up to gently pull the helm off of her head after undoing the clasps on her neck and maw. As her sunset colored fur was exposed, she noticed everyone else stagger in disbelief, save for Giltaris.
"I am Nix of the Altrika people. The same animal-like people you Humans went to war with while claiming us as Demons." Nix glared at the man as she held her helm under her right arm.
Hushed batter could be heard from those below, yet the people before her seemed to converse by throwing their voices with a strange energy.
"Elders, have you ever seen such a being."
"Never."
"No, My Lord."
"Could she be a part of the mystical race?"
"That makes sense. She does not seem to be using Ki either."
"Let us be calm Elders, perhaps she can be of use to-"
"I don't believe I have agreed to be of 'use' to you Humans." Nix spoke up, using her Mana to exude pressure on the group infront of her.
"You!"
"How dare you interrupt our Lord, whelp."
"My Lord, allow us to teach this child a lesson."
The elders bowed to Giltaris as they held their fist in their hand. Their words made Nix snort as she tried to hold in her laughter. This only made the Elders glare in pure hostility towards her.
"Apologies." Nix chuckled as she put her helm in the Void Corridor, making the rest pause a little. "Exacly how old are all of you to be calling me a child?"
Giltaris cocked his brow at the question. Looking between the Elders, he decided to test the waters as he held his hand in gesture. "The oldest among us is around 70 years old."
"That's impressive. Most Humans only live to be 50 as far as I know. Oh if my King could see you children now, even he would be impressed for living this long." Nix chuckled softly as she shook her head.
She knew it was bad to pick on the other races like this. Even then, it was a delight seeing these Human's reactions at her words.
"Children?"
"You whelp, you dare to look down on us?"
"My Lord, please let us teach this barbaric animal a lesson!"
"Barbaric animal?" Nix asked as murderous intent leaked from her. Those below were hardly affected as their seniors exuded their energy to combat hers. It was impressive seeing how coordinated they were, but it was still something she could ignore. "You Humans, who would kidnap my brethren to torture and skin alive, dare call me a barbaric animal? You, who have spent the last 300 years throwing yourselves at my blade while calling us Demons for not being as weak and furless as you?"
"Elders. Bring me my map." Giltaris ordered in a calm tone as he exuded his own energy to protect those below from her malice.
"Y-yes, my Lord." The closest to him spoke as he reached into his clothes. Pulling out a scroll, he offered it to Giltaris with a bow.
"Before throwing out threats, please take a look at this." Giltaris spoke up as he tossed the map at Nix using Qi.
After catching the scroll, Nix quickly unfurled it to check the contents. For several minutes, everyone watched as Nix's expression changed the longer she stared at the map. After a while, sadness fell on the wolfs face. Using her Mana, she furled the scroll and tossed it back to the man.
"My apologies, but may I ask what the name of this world is?" She asked in a defeated tone, making the Elders look to Giltaris in confusion.
"This world is called Xuxia. Though there are some mystical creatures, the lands are primarily settled on by Humans. Do you see any marks on the map that are familiar?" Giltaris asked in a softer tone. Even from so far away, he could feel Nix's sadness overwhelming him.
Her silence confirmed Giltaris' thoughts. All of this misunderstanding of war between them, names he had never heard of, the unknown energy this stranger wielded along the strange weapons and armor she wore. It all boiled down to one simple truth.
"This world...is not mine." Nix sighed as she put her helm back on.
Unknown to everyone but Giltaris, tears began to stream down beneath that ferocious helm, tears of a creature resigned to believe they were now alone in this world.