JONAH
"Calm down, would you?" I tell the djinn woman who just burst into the tent. "Deep breaths. Tell us what's happening?" Though I remain calm, Obi is already digging for the daggers he left somewhere. How'd we get to the tent, anyway? The last thing I remember was the bath... Ah, I guess I fell asleep.
"One of the devils has come to Wyrwood Village," Ishtar says. "He claims to be here to negotiate, insisting the devils have no quarrel with the djinn."
Truth be told, I should have sensed as much already. Now that I'm paying attention, it's easy to feel that dark, malicious mana all around us. It's strong, too â far stronger than the devil I killed in the Labyrinth. This one is a royal, though I can't quite tell which one from here. It isn't Nyarlathotep, which is somewhat positive. If it comes to a fight, Isthar alone should match them. "What does the devil look like?"
"Like his father fucked a cat."
"Risk." I turn toward Obi immediately. "He probably already knows we're here. Find Yukiji, Snow and Marcus. We'll need to get a move on if we're planning to run from him."
"I don't think that's gonna happen."
"What?" I don't get what he's about. "What are you talking about?"
Summoning his bow in preparation, Obi plays with it a bit, testing out to see if it'll work. "Patrick lost his arm to Risk, remember? They're gonna want revenge."
"If they're stupid enough to try and fight him, they deserve the death he'll deliver. We need to move. He'll be able to sense my mana, but yours is low-key compared to the djinn, so you go and search. I'll go and talk to Risk."
"We will not fight them," Ishtar says, crossing her arms. "If they truly have no quarrel with us, then I will not be the one to start it. So long as they leave those I care for alone, I'll not battle the devils. Besides, we understand fully how the betrayal of humans stings. We're trapped here because of them, just as the devils were."
Wait. This is new. "Didn't the fairies trap them?"
Isthar seems genuinely surprised by that, and moves aside to let Obi through. "Who fed you such a lie? The fairies were extinct before the devils were imprisoned." I clear my throat at that. "Almost extinct." That's better.
"Wait, so it's possible for humans to beat them?"
"Do you wish to stand around and chat, or are you going to start helping with the escape?"
She starts walking away, and I hurry after her. "Wait! If you know of a way for us to seal them away again, you have to tell us!"
"I have to do nothing of the sort. You have the entirety of Heaven on your side. Have them tell you."
"But you're here now!"
She whirls on me, her mana just as dangerous as Risk's, revealing the anger she's been barely containing these past weeks. "If I tell you, they'll assume we are making them our enemies. It is not my concern whether humanity survives or not. As far as we're concerned, you deserve everything that comes your way. This is just the turning of the Wheel. The season of humanity is over. Perhaps it is time for the devils to be on top. I'll tell you nothing, Jonah, and you will take that nothing and flee with it. You are no longer welcome here."
I bite back a retort. She's not incorrect, but that doesn't mean she's not wrong. I'm still not about to anger her, however. On her word, we could all be surrendered to Risk, and God help us then. "I understand."
Nodding, she turns around and keeps walking. I catch up to her, knowing there's a discussion we must have. "Raksha."
"I am thinking," Ishtar replies. What's his role in all of this? We promised to help each other, but so much has changed since then. Is he gonna want to go with us? Is his mother even gonna allow it? Would he even be capable of crossing the barrier again?
"He'll choose to go," I assure her, knowing that to be the truth. He would not abandon us this far in. He's not the type of man to do that. However, there will not be a whole lot he'll be able to do, should the rest decide to forbid his inclusion in the war.
"I am aware of what you lot mean to him."
"Then let him go."
"So he can die fighting your battle?" Her voice is calm, but strained. This must be what it is to be a parent. Do you let your kids fly free, exposing them to the dangers of the world, or do you keep them in your cage, where they'll know neither freedom nor harm? I'd like to think I'd open the cage without thinking, but I'm not too sure of that. "He's just a boy."
"That boy you speak of has already helped take down three devils. He fought sand krakens, ghouls and even Apostles. Hell, he's probably older than I am."
"And yet he's not seen half as much as you. He's more a child than you are." Can't argue with that one, though it's tempting to try.
"So, what now? Will you let him come with us?"
From the silence of the forest we are now entering, a familiar voice calls out, "You say that as though I will ask permission." Landing in front of us, Raksha directs a glare toward his mother. "I am going."
I fully expect her to start arguing with him, but she instead turns around, and her mana grows more intense. "Go."
What? I don't understand. Is she just letting us leave? Raksha can come with? "Is that really-"
"GET DOWN!" Ishtar suddenly yells, and Raksha knocks me to the forest floor just in time to let the slim build of our pursuer fly above me. When I stand up, I immediately prepare to take Risk on. In the dream world, he should be no match. It might take years off my life, but it'll be worth it if it means getting rid of demonic royalty. Desperate times and all that.
"You," the devil says, slowly turning to face me. He doesn't seem to register the other two as his golden eyes narrow. "You're not shaking anymore."
"Huh?"
"Back at Rook, you couldn't stop trembling when I attacked you." His ears twitch a bit, as if belonging to an actual cat. "All I had to do to beat you was apply a bit of pressure."
"It won't be so easy this time," I tell him, preparing to start hurling fire his way. He'll be sure to close the distance if I take that route.
"Then, all of a sudden, you became stronger than me." Taking his eyes off me, Risk looks up at the mist-covered sky. "I can't say that's the case right now."
"Guess not." What's he getting at, anyway? I throw a quick glance at Ishtar, and see her edging closer to her son. Good. One less thing to worry about.
Looking at me once more, Risk nods. "But you're a lot stronger than you were in Rook. It's hard to fathom how you were capable of accomplishing so much."
In an instant, my wings sprout from my back, revealing the two white eyes in the middle of them. "Forgetting about these?"
"A fairy," the devil mutters, taking a step toward me. Raksha takes a step after him, prompting Ishtar to stomp up to her son. "You guys betrayed us a long time ago. That's why I'm here."
"Want revenge?" I can't help but snort. "I wasn't there when it happened. Besides, you had no trouble teaming up with Ozymandias."
"Vengeance is lost to us," Risk says, taking another step toward me. Isthar grabs Raksha by the forearm, not letting him get closer. "The fairies were slain by the same humans they put their trust in. This is why Ozymandias welcomes us as comrades, you see. He is the seeker of vengeances, not us. No, I am here to kill you simply because you have so much potential." Crouching down, he uses his full power to enhance his physical abilities, eyes zeroed in on me, rendering me little more than prey. "In time, I believe your fangs might reach the King's throat. I'll die before I allow that."
Then, he pounces. I focus as much mana into my eyes as I can, but I can still barely see him. He comes flying to me at a greater speed than the fastest arrow. Raising his paw to swipe my head off, Risk suddenly winces, and is sent flying to the side. Almost as an afterthought, I see a blue vector pass before me, and follow its movement towards where Risk landed. "You again."
"Us again," Dexter confirms, standing on the right side of me. "We've got some unfinished business, you and us."
Standing up, Risk frowns at the Apostle. "If you leave, you'll have the same chance of survival as any other human. Higher, actually, given your power. I promise not to personally pursue you, at the very least. Just give me the boy."
I look at Isthar, who is frozen with fear as she stands between the devil and her son, itching to get away from here. Raksha mouths something at me, but I can't understand it.
"We could do that," Patrick says, "but we kinda like the kid." He throws his remaining arm over my shoulder. "Besides, how could we pass on the chance to kick your ass?"
"I am Risk the Hunter," the royal devil replies, crouching down once more. "It will take more than the likes of you to take me down."
"You got that right." Dexter gives a confident smirk, and Risk's eyes widen, as if realizing something I'm not seeing. "Guess we'll just keep you occupied until we find a way to put you down, then."
Focusing on Risk, I notice blue arrow's marking his body all around. He seems to be struggling, but can't move. Each arrow points in a different direction, and yet he's moving toward none of them. "You think this will keep my in place for long?"
"I put all my mana into that," Patrick says calmly, and I finally realize he's running on empty. "It will take a few hours. Thanks for letting your guard down. Couldn't have done it without ya."
"You are making a mistake," the devil snarls, his tail twitching a bit. "The Wild Hunt will find you. There can be no escape."
Pulling me along, the twins start walking away, ignoring Risk's threats. They approach Ishtar, who seems undecided about what to do. Pulling his hand free, Raksha steps up to me. "You're alright?"
I can't do much but shrug and smile. "Alive, at least."
"Why do we not finish him?" he asks, directing a glare at the devil, who finally betrays a hint of fear. "He is helpless. We have him trapped."
"If he dies here, they'll think the djinn did it," Isthar explains, offering me a scolding look. "I'll personally protect him if I have to."
Obi lands beside me then, and I trust the others aren't far behind. "Got 'em all. They're already there."
"The Doorway?" I've never used one, and there are risks involved, from what I understand. "Are you sure?"
"We can't outrun that thing," the former-spy reasons, giving Risk a worried glance. "Once his legs are free, he'll catch up in minutes."
"But Yukiji-"
"She has magic, so she's eligible," Ishtar cuts in, her hand inching toward her son's once more. "You cannot sense her mana, but that is simply its nature. She's a mage, alright. There's nothing to fear on that front."
"Only Snow, then," I whisper just as he reaches us, Yukiji close behind, and Marcus not far behind her. "His magic is different."
"Devils cannot pass. That's true." Taking a deep breath, Ishtar reaches out and tries touching him. The boy tries to move back, but Dexter bumps him forward, and the djinn woman's hand connects. In an instant, his power changes completely, and the two small horns vanish from his forehead, retreating back into his skull.
"W-What?" he gasps, feeling around his skull. "They're gone! Give them back!"
Yukiji smacks him, doing my job for me. "You aren't supposed to want them."
Looking up at me with teary eyes, Snow pleads his case. "But I'm stronger with them! I can't help you now."
"You don't need to help," counters Patrick. "You're just a kid."
"Is it permanent?" his brother asks as Snow starts tugging on my arm.
"I don't want to be weak again, Jonah. Please give them back."
"It is not," Raksha replies, scoffing. "No such magic exists. It is just a temporary distortion."
"It'll be okay, little dude," I hear Marcus say, presumably to Snow. "They'll grow back!"
"He can use the Doorway now," Isthar says, then turns toward her son. "You must vow to return."
"Do you think so?" Snow replies hopefully.
"Definitely!"
"You both disgust me," Yukiji tells them, once again doing my job for me.
"Shouldn't we be moving?" Obi asks me, as if needing permission. "I told them to go there, but I guess they wouldn't sit still."
"I promise, mother."
"You're so mean, Yukiji!"
"Don't cry, little dude. She's just jealous."
"Dude, that seal won't hold much long-"
"SHUT UP!" I scream, finding I've had enough. "Obi, Yukiji, move your asses ahead, and make sure there are no demons near the Doorway. Marcus, drag Snow if you have to!" Once I'm done with them, I turn toward the twins. "Please, for the love of God, tell me you're coming with us."
"Fuck yeah," Dexter answers. "We're here to protect the kingdom, remember?"
"Can't let a little devil stop us," adds Patrick, and then they both open their mouths.
"That's great," I say quickly, not letting them start. "Now move your asses along." One more stop. "Raksha..." I don't even know what to say. How can I ask him to go?
"We don't have all day," he says simply, then walks after the others, taking my by the wrist and pulling me along.
"Be careful!" Ishtar yells after us.
"I will!"
"Don't do anything reckless!" she adds.
"I won't!"
"Don't forget to eat four meals a day, my boy!"
"Mother!"
"Nutrition is important, Raksha!"
The final nail in the coffin of my attempts to hold back my laughter is the quiet grown he gives out.
"Not one word, Jonah."
"Quiet as a statue."
"Thank you," he says, lowering his guard.
"My boy."
Groaning once more, he drags me all the way to the Doorway, which I see is already in use. Dexter is standing on one side, and Obi on the other. It's a relatively ordinary wooden arch, with an endless waterfall flowing inside of it. None of the water ever gets out, and it's not always there. It takes two people putting magic into it, so it's not possible to use one by yourself.
"How will you two get through?" I ask, putting a hand on Yukiji's shoulder. Marcus, in his attempt to peek through, gets pushed inside by Raksha, and vanishes into the waterfall, which remains undisturbed throughout.
"Go," Dexter tells his brother.
"You promise you'll manage?"
"I'll get it, Rick. Just move!"
Clenching his teeth, the Apostle goes through with a lot more dignity than Marcus, and then Obi looks at me. "We just need to put magic into it. We don't have to keep it going. Go on. Get â HOLY SHIT!"
As his eyes widen, I turn around, and see a massive black dog running toward us. Its skin and hair have melted away completely, leaving only a bizarre mix of bones and bloody intestines. Above the dog-like monster flies a similar creature, this one resembling a bird. Raksha blows the dog away with a gust of wind, but the bird maneuvers out of the way, then attacks the doorway. I push Yukiji through before the spell can break, then start pulling Raksha along. The bird tries to peck me, but I blast it with a controlled ball of fire, and it starts shrieking as it burns away. The waterfall starts to ripple, making me hesitate before going in. "Is it still safe!?"
"Fuck," Dexter curses.
"That better be a good fuck!" Wind starts picking up all around us, and I hear more of those birds closing in.
"The target location has changed!"
"What the fuck does that mean!?"
"It means the others are in a different place than the one we're going to! We'll figure it out later! Get in!"
Still hesitating, I'm picked up by Raksha, who jumps through. The water is cold as ice, and I wince upon hitting it. Expecting it to be over instantly, I am surprised to find myself at the bottom of a larger body of water. Looking down, I see an old Doorway, stuck to the very bottom of this thing. Yukiji is already near the surface, and Raksha is propelling himself after her, blasting as much wind from his feet as he can. When that seems to fail, he uses what water magic he can, and makes us both reach the surface faster.
"What the fuck was that?" I ask as I take in a deep breath. Looking around, I realize the shore is near. This must be some kind of lake, as a forest surrounds us on all sides. "Where are we?"
"No way of knowing," replies Raksha, and Obi and Dex comes out as well, breathing heavily.
"Get to land," Yukiji mutters, thrashing about in the water. I move close enough to let her cling to me, then slowly start making my way toward the surface. I'm a horrible swimmer, but Raksha's still doing his thing, keeping us all afloat.
"Think this water is infected?" Obi asks, moving ahead of us.
"That's the least of our worries," Dex answers him, and I almost stop moving. "Don't panic, but don't turn back, either. Just swim!"
Naturally, I turn my head around, and regret it almost immediately. A massive fin is several feet behind us, prompting me to start thrashing as quickly as I can. "What the hell is that!?"
"Black piranha!" Obi yells.
"How do you know that!?"
"We use them to assassinate people who go out fishing! Blood makes them grow! Just keep moving!"
Screw this. I didn't go through Hell â literally â and high water â once again, literally â just to die to an overgrown goldfish. Heating up my hand, I push myself to the side, then reach between Raksha and Dex. Taking a deep breath, I summon a fireball beneath the water, making steam rise instantly as it burns through the lake. The fish sinks immediately, and I see the lake's surface rippling as it moves away from us.
"Don't do that!" Dex chides. "You might attract something worse!"
"It was gonna catch us."
"We've got magic."
I can't help but roll my eyes at him. "Yeah, and I just used it."
He mutters something, but I fail to catch it. We keep swimming until we reach the shore, and Yukiji immediately starts trying to become one with me, practically burying herself into my side. She's shivering, and so are the rest of us. "It's cold here."
"Where are we?" Raksha asks, looking around the forest. It's all pines around us.
"We'll figure it out later," Obi says, looking around the grassy shore. "We need to warm up fast, or we won't live long enough to find out."
Raising my hand, I summon another fireball, then condense it as much as I can, without letting it lose any power. Once it's small and safe, I keep it close to Yukiji, letting the heat it emanates warm her up.
"Got enough to go around?" Obi asks, and I try to kick him. "Kidding! Kidding! Sheesh. I'll get the damn firewood."
It takes us a bit to find anything dry in the forest, which seems to have a layer of snow on the very top of the trees. There's no sunlight to be felt, so I decide to just dry the wood myself. Once we've got a fire going, we sit around it, huddled together as our teeth chatter.
"I think we should've packed warmer coats," comments Obi, who is on the other side of the group, so I direct a look at Dex, sitting right next to him.
"Smack him for me, please."
"I can't feel or move my fingers."
"Then kick him."
"You're even nicer during stressful times," Obi remarks, and then I start looking around. There doesn't seem to be civilized life anywhere near us. Where the fuck did we wind up?
"No village," Yukiji says. "No castles or taverns or forest paths or anything."
"Seems so," Obi adds. I guess he talks a lot when he's nervous. And when he's not. "And with this weather, I guess there's only one place this could be."
"The Polar Plains?" offers Dex. "The altitude can't be that high, so we're not one one of the mountains."
"Where's the closest place, then?" I ask.
"The whole fucking other side of the continent from where the others went," the Apostle groans, burying his face in his forearm. "We're near Jotunheim, and we sent them to Alfheim."
"Any way to contact them?"
"A few, none of which are available right now."
"Well, where can we get what you need?"
Standing up, Dex starts walking, gesturing for us to follow. "We find the nearest establishment, and we hope we find someone who speaks Valski."