“We can make it work,” Moonwash said as we talked about rituals, and specifically the kind that gave birth to the manor we now walked on. Pandemonium.
“What!? You’ve managed to make it work and you didn’t tell !!” I whined and complained!
“The Ritual Hall,” she pointed at a building in the distance. Her other arm was looped around mine. “How do you think that works? It uses objects of significance to enhance a ritual, in simple terms.”
“Ah… huh. But then, wasn’t it supposed to be super hard to do? Neither of us can do it consistently yet!” Without the Ritual Hall in question, anyway. Then only Moonwash could do it!
“It is hard. Entities like Pandemonium are rare if not unheard of. I suspect the ritual hall itself adds significance to the event, even if it’s used repeatedly. Additionally, the rituals we’re able to do with the Ritual Hall are still vastly inferior to creating Pandemonium or a wonderzone. It might be easier than it could be, but the rewards are proportionally smaller.”
“Eh.” I tapped the sword on my back. “Devilcalibur is pretty fucking great.”
“It is,” Moonwash admitted. “But Devilcalibur is our best work, and it’s still far weaker than the ritual that made Pandemonium and allowed you to evolve into an archdemon.”
“When you put it that way… I guess Devilcalibur is a little less impressive. I’m even a lot stronger now than I was then, yet I don’t think I can make sothing like Pandemonium again, even if I were to spend a year on it like before. Maybe not even if I were imprisoned and tortured again, although we haven’t actually tried that.”
And we won’t, because never again will I allow myself to be captured and have myself be humiliated and robbed of my freedom!
“We won’t do that,” Moonwash squeezed my hand tightly. “I won’t let you go through that ever again.”
“Of course.” I smiled and gave her a kiss. “I was just thinking the sa thing.”
“Don’t worry. I’m sure we’ll figure out how to make a thousand Pandemoniums eventually.”
I hacked, then cackled long and hard. “That… That I wasn’t thinking about.”
The ground under rumbled in contemplation.
~~~
“I don’t think I’m returning to Lost Reflections,” I told my girlfriend. “Not anyti soon, at least.”
“Why not?” she asked openly.
I bit my lip and shook at the admission I was about to make. “I am no match for the Illusion Dragon. Who knows what might happen if I go there again.” I wasn’t sure, but I hoped that dragon couldn’t hear my every word right now. Cursifix, the long-dead Cursed Dragon, presumably made no moves even when the angels conspired against him. Their… ‘dreaming’ ability must be very limited. It wouldn’t peek on random conversations. The things Hercalesal knew about were only the big things. Reincarnator, Progenitor, Pandemonium.
“It’s fine. I agree that it’s too dangerous. You shouldn’t go back there and put yourself through that kind of risk again.”
“Yeah… you’re right. I’ll be safe.”
I didn’t have a good way to catch an invisiboy anyway. They would presumably keep running away from from here on. The one conjured by the Illusion Dragon was an exception, and useless anyway for the purposes of getting those sweet all all-important materials.
My best idea was to rope Elfrafim in, but now, I could not risk a friend like that. I would hate myself and regret it so fucking hard if sothing happened to her because I invited her to the realm of a dragon.
FUCK.
It fucking sucked to be afraid. I hated being weak. I needed the power to face dragons, and soon. Or I would lose my mind and get that power any way I could.
“Sorry I can’t get you that invisboy.”
“Do not worry about that.” Moonwash stared into my eyes, completely unblinking. “Please, do not feel bad for my sake. I want you to be safe. I want you to stay away from there. I would suffer if you died trying to get a valuable pelt.”
“R-right. Okay. Okay!” I leaned into her, and we enjoyed our al of rabbid sandwiches under the black shade.
~~~
I stood in front of the prison cells in Moonwash’s lab. Thankfully, while I would not be able to dive into Lost Reflections for the foreseeable future, we had an embarrassnt of samples that I had caught prior. Among them were dozens, if not hundreds, of viable illusion-aligned horned rabbids. Now all we had to do was figure out a way to farm them, and we would at least have a steady supply of illusion mana.
“Here.” My girlfriend handed a small cage made of common steel, and I took it.
Pandemonium opened one of his own cages containing the specin we wanted, and I scooped the blurry figure of the horned rabbid up. It bit and snarled and clawed at , but the Level 10 creature was hardly strong enough to even scratch my bare skin, let alone the lighter casual armor that I wore.
The horned rabbid went into the cage, and then Moonwash handed a new one. In that manner, we separated the bunny monsters for transport.
~~~
I knocked on Grandpa’s room right next to the dical bay. It was still bright in the afternoon, but he did spend more and more of his ti sleeping in his own pod. Pandemonium had beco able to move its special rooms around years ago, but especially for the dic bay, the healing pods could be scattered into different rooms. At this point, we all had our own personal ones.
“Wait, wait!” An old, gravelly, yet still lively voice ca from the other side of the door. It opened to show a man still nearly twice as tall as , with smudges of blood left on his hair and occasionally dripping down. “Haell! And Moonwash! What’s going on?”
I snorted. “Nothing much, but be prepared for a lot of shaking.”
“Oh? Well... have fun! I rember when I was just your age…”
“Ha–NOT LIKE THAT IDIOT!” I snapped, and my grandfather laughed. “We’re doing so renovations. Major renovations. And this is the building that hasn’t really been used much yet. So we’re doing it here.”
“Ah. Now I’m interested! Can I join?”
I looked at Moonwash, and then shrugged, “Sure.” We led the way, and Grandpa followed through the massive hallways and corridors. I pulled a cartful of cages behind as I went. The rabbids inside growled at Grandpa, but he was unperturbed. We reached the stairs, and then they continually shifted, first to beco rough ramps for my cart to roll through, and then larger steps to hold Grandpa’s massive fra.
Finally, the rooftop opened up, and the door there actually grew larger to let us all through.
Grandpa laughed. “That never gets old! Thank you, Pandemonium.”
I agreed, and so did the railings on all sides of the rooftop.
Pandemonium’s ability to constantly shift and change like this had been really kind on my grandfather, as he was able to go to any part of the manor that he pleased. Every floor and wall was strong enough to hold his weight. Every hallway and ceiling could expand so that he could pass through.
“Are you going to add new floors?” Grandpa asked. “Or use the roof itself? It is quite empty…”
“Not exactly. Quite the opposite, if anything.” I smiled, and Pandemonium began to change. The renovations happened right before our eyes. A part of the flat roof disappeared, and then several floors below were hollowed out. Mouths disgorged dirt unevenly, pillars of stone rose, bridges of bones connected them and the walls, and then burrows began to be dug through every surface conceivable.
It was a jungle that took shape, but it wasn’t a real jungle just yet.
Moonwash jumped down to plant so seeds and facilitate their rapid growth. This took more ti and effort than what she would usually do in the middle of a fight, ultimately creating plants that would likely hold too many complications to live a long life.
Pink leaves began to cover the ground, and purple trunks started to rise. Vines snaked through the pillars and platforms, until eventually the marriage of bright colors and the darkest night was finished.
I helped Moonwash up, and then Pandemonium closed the entire space with tal bars on top, and on every door and window that could lead inside. There was a gate built into the very top where we were, and my manor friend opened it slowly with a long creaking sound. I grabbed a handful of cages, and then flew back down. Moonwash and Grandpa tossed in the other ones, and I set all the shaken horned rabbits down. I freed the ferocious monsters, and they predictably all pounced to attack .
All they accomplished was hurt themselves.
I walked away from them, and carefully pried three more that clung to my lightly armored body. Pandemonium then separated the monsters away from with a sudden wall of spikes that sent them fleeing away. I exited through another gate on the side that slamd shut once I was through. I had to make my way up the stairs again, to et back up with Grandpa and Moonwash on the rooftop.
They were both watching the new habitat with great interest.
“So this is how we would’ve had to do things without the fountans,” Grandpa said, conflicted.
I sat right next to the two. “Eh. We do have fountans here too. This is just an elent they can’t really make.”
The old and ancient man thought for a mont. “You’re right. They limit themselves. My ho has beco weak.”
“They are stretched thin,” Moonwash comnted. “The Angelore Empire is still one of the strongest superpowers of this world, from what I’ve studied. The only major dip in their power was when Cursifix killed so many of the angels. It’s unsure if we can even kill one.”
“Hmph!” Grandpa breathed. “The angels are indeed strong. Every one of them is stronger than at my pri. But do not give up. I am rooting for their demise, after a lifeti of service.”
“Hear, hear! I’m the one who’s going to be facing them, so of course it’s possible!” I shouted just as the barrels of beer and the corresponding mugs shot out of the floor beside us.
Pandemonium had brought treats, and watching the horned rabbids settle in was fascinating.
~~~
I hovered high above Licarl City as our own armies moved to surround the walls of these cowards who had chosen to turtle in from the start. Licarl City was still called as such, despite how Count Licarl had long died by my hand. Cities in Edengar and Angelore were typically like that, nad after their founder, and seldom actually changed. The main reason why the nas of their leaders still largely matched the cities was because of how young their influence in this continent truly was.
And now I was here to snuff it out.
My gaze was drawn towards the center of this place, and my malevolent glare shone with glee as I thought of the library that I wanted. It was Duke Astro’s, still standing all these years after his death. Him and Licarl, two close relatives whom I hated and killed, but it wasn’t over yet, for they still had things I wished to take for myself, even in death.
That was my priority for this campaign. Granuel had already negotiated for all the books to go to . They had almost miraculously survived my burning of the manor unscathed. Now all that was left, was for us to march and conquer.
I began the assault on the walls.
~~~
—Qina The Human Archer PoV—
Right there. She was right there. The slayer of my children. Haell Zharignan. But I couldn’t even draw my bow yet. The leadership wanted us to wait! …And I followed, because I knew their commands were for the best. The demon was strong. My son and daughter would not have died to her when she burned this city down otherwise. She had killed Count Licarl and even Duke Astro. She had done unforgivable things, so here she had to die, and I would give my all to make that happen.
The enemy army charged. I gnashed my teeth. My grip on my bow tightened. Until finally, the command I’d been waiting for ca.
“FIRE!”
I drew the bowstring and loosed an arrow into the mass of soldiers. I did not pause, and imdiately shot another. More projectiles ca from all sides of , and I felt myself beco one with my allies. Here we would break their charge!
“UP! HAELL!”
Finally!
The cowards descended. We focused our fire on them. They maneuvered in the air, and the harpies deflected too many of our attacks. Then that Haell’s vile magics ca, and with it sheer terror.
My allies froze. I understood why. She was an evil incarnate who should never be allowed in the world of the angels. But that was precisely why we must stand firm! For my children who died! I scread and continued to shoot into the wall of curse and demonfire! It barely did anything, though I hoped to God and His Angels that I was able to hit soone behind it.
“AAAAHHHHH!!”
“NO, NO!”
“MAKE IT STOP!”
“STAND FIRM EVERYONE! FOR COUNT LICARL! FOR THE ANGELS!”
The screams infuriatingly ca from my side. My allies had first began to panic or freeze at her re presence, while so had outright collapsed. They stood in the face of evil, and chose inaction. And then Haell’s first volley of magic ca undefended, and that was when my colleagues truly grew crazed, now deserting or killing our own!
I grew so angry I nearly broke formation, but thankfully, the shepherds were here to restore order and remind of my purpose. Haell’s next barrage was overco by our own wind and water mages. I trusted in my allies to cover my back, and they did not disappoint, cutting down those who were once our friends. The demon’s influence was insidious, and I could only keep firing at her for what she had done to us.
“AGGH!” I growled when an arrow suddenly buried itself into my shoulder. More projectiles ca from below, as the enemy army had begun to provide support fire for their fliers.
My stance wavered, and yet I did not stop. Our formation broke, discipline frayed, but the shepherds yet maintained so semblance of order. We could not lose this city to her, so I continued to fire at Haell. That was the only thought I could keep in my mind. I cheered when one of my arrows managed to bury itself into her arm, past the defending harpies and her breaking white armor. Then I shook my head hard, as I shouldn’t celebrate while the demon still lived.
Haell landed on our ramparts and began to carve her way through my allies, good n and won that she wouldn’t ever understand. I couldn’t get a clear shot like this, so I climbed the railings on the wall. Arrows and spells landed on , which should have been obvious, but I could still shoot. I aid for Haell as I bled out. I was dismayed that the arrow I’d hit her with earlier was sohow gone. Her armor had turned red, drinking from the blood of our fallen. A dark symbol showed on her chest to show how evil she was, and yet those thoughtless animals from New Grandera chose to ally with her regardless! I scread as my arms burned from wounds and effort. My vision grew dimr as I struggled to point in the right direction. I managed a dozen more shots, until everything had gone dark.
Did I… get her…?
~~~
—Back to Haell PoV—
The ramparts had beco a sight of blood and death. People were still climbing to try and retake it, but that number was dwindling. Our own armies had spilled past the broken-down gates, and were now rampaging all across the walls and sotis through the streets.
I turned to my harpy companions with a raised eyebrow. “Can you guys handle this on your own?”
“Naturally.”
“Good luck on your own mission.”
I chuckled. “Okay. Thanks.” It was nothing so grand. I wasn’t doing it for any lofty ideals. I just wanted sothing from the ruling family of this place, and I would take it.
I took off. I quickly spotted my target because of how he stood out. I couldn’t help but judge the young man a little for wearing flashy blue robes with a wavy design, and having his hair out at all while in the middle of a war, let alone have it be of the sa loud blue color. He was Lorn, a water mage, who left none of that to surprise.
But I shouldn’t judge the kid too harshly. He was here to help . So I swooped down, killed the enemies nearby, grabbed him, and then sped towards the center of this city.
“Waa… AAAHH! AH! Demon Queen Haell! We’re raiding that library you ntioned!?”
I snorted. He wasn’t my first choice, but it would be too awkward to carry a crustecar. “Yeah! And we’re not destroying it, to be clear! I want everything as clean and pristine for to take later as can be!”
“OKAY!” he agreed just as we reached the grounds. I had gone pretty fucking fast as the adventurer did not seed rattled at all by our speed.
Now, I slowed down, but didn’t really stop. I consulted my mory core again, and found a fair amount of the place rebuilt since I had last burnt it down. Still, Astro’s library remained in the central wing, and I knew from our intel that it had not been moved. I entered through the main door and finally landed with my hoooves, but I did not stop the montum I’d already built. I ran through the hallways and corridors, with Lorn still clinging to , and I almost forgot that I shouldn’t just smash into obstacles with him around. Still, we made good ti through the mostly empty halls, until I finally reached the entrance to the library.
The templars guarding barely had ti to react before I’d chopped them each into two halves. Lorn hadn’t even finished landing on his ass yet before the guards began to join him on the ground. I didn’t really want to make of this place a battleground, but it wasn’t unheard of for enemies to sabotage so things on their way out, and I did not wish to lose my prize. I kicked the door open, and found only a handful of shepherds inside.
I unleashed my full intimidation package, and one collapsed.
I killed two with arrows just as I ran for the last remaining one.
The area was cleared in short order.
“Wow! That was great!” Lorn grinned. “Now what am I supposed to do?”
I was about to answer, when a bunch of rogue-ish n and won dashed towards us from the hallway past the still-open double doors.
Lorn understandably startled and pulled out his magic.
“WAIT!” I stopped him before he could shoot his watery blades. “They’re on our side.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I wanted to get ahead of the leadership here potentially deciding to burn this place down on their way out. These are the… agents we had stationed nearby for precisely that outco. But it turned out to be a needless precaution. So now we just wait and guard my treasure.”
“......Okay! I think I understand! I’m a mage, after all!” Lorn laughed, tapping twice on his skull. He understood the assignnt and watched for threats that might co into the enclosed space. The New Granderan spies stread inside and began to do much the sa; scrutinizing the walls, floors, ceilings, books, shelves, and other furniture for anything that might be a danger. I decided to also roam around and use my unique spatial senses to try and feel for any approaching enemies.
Nothing happened. No one ca.
“I didn’t even get to fight,” Lorn complained, now having picked up a book to read. “This much people is overkill. You took them all out by yourself. Relax a little!”
“The last ti I relaxed, I got captured, imprisoned, and tortured for a year,” I said almost absentmindedly. I too had a book in hand to read, but I never stopped pacing for threats. The book was a dry list of prominent historical figures, so I shouldn’t get too distracted.
“...Oh.” Lorn eventually said, and then dove back into reading his own book.
It took an hour more until our allies finally ca by to inform us that the city had been captured and the threat had passed.
~~~
I escorted the last caravan of books to Pandemonium. This last trip had actually seen bandits that were obviously Angelore plants try to raid our caravan, seeking only to burn what we had instead of stealing it like normal lowlives.
The ambush predictably failed. We had other mages and adventurers in our cohort, who were more than enough to defend the wagons. I went ahead and made short work of the enemies, as I always did.
“Thank you for delivering everything right on schedule. I’ve prepared a small bonus for all of you to enjoy.”
“Ah, no, no. It was our pleasure to work with The Angelslayers…”
Granuel talked with the caravan people as the crates of books began to be unloaded on the courtyard. I looked at my friends and family and shrugged. Angerly had visited just in ti for this, and the two of us began to carry the crates to the newly expanded library in the central wing. Everyone else followed, and we took a mont to appreciate how the place had changed.
The library was now thrice as large as it was before. The entire space had been remodeled to have alternating black and white shelves, with cozy blues and purples covering most other surfaces. We’d made a counter for a librarian we didn’t have, added small private reading rooms off to the side, and improved our furniture and ladders for truly any species of any size to enjoy.
Moonwash took a seat on the nearest desk, and then began to check and catalogue all the books before deciding which shelf they should go on. Berry and Elfrafim were the ones to actually arrange them while giggling about the titles and speculating. Mom and Dad followed us out, and decided to join in carrying the crates back to the library. Astan sotis flew by just to say hi. Granuel eventually returned from dealing with the caravan, and helped Moonwash with the remaining books.
We all gathered together in the end, and marveled at the fully stacked black and white library that spanned multiple floors.
“We’re proud of you, Haell,” Mom said. It was so sudden that my head snapped towards her.
“Very proud,” Dad added, touching the wood of a deep brown desk almost lovingly. “No one else could have done this. You can doubt and struggle with your every choice, but we will always know that you are doing your best. You have never not given it your all.”
My breath hitched. The words choked and died on my mouth. But I hoped that the tears that stread down my dark and slitted eyes said enough.
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