Greyson scanned the ruined city block, its toppled buildings and broken streets. Amid the terrible destruction was of course the carnage one would expect. Dozens of bodies were strewn about; blood, limbs, and entrails all painted a picture of what happened here. This was an otherworldly battle to be sure.

  “The power…” Genmei whispered beside him, her eyes glued to the horror all around them. “Are there any reports on what could have done this? Surely it was a spirit of some kind… but that shouldn’t be possible.”

  “We’ve received mixed reports, my lady…” Sazumi said, her face looking queasy. “Eyewitnesses report that a massive beast rose from the body of a local lord.” She glanced over at a very large handprint crushed into the pavement. “Evidence would support the claim… They also mentioned the opponents of this creature were a pair of Dae warriors. Women, who used impressive abilities of their own to topple it. No one saw the end of the battle, but seeing as there is no sign of—”

  “Are you serious!?” Genmei snapped, “they could be any one of these bodies!”

  Sazumi cleared her throat before elaborating. “They were reported to have… um… red blood? If that makes any sense to you.”

  Greyson’s head shot up, and he turned to look at her. “Are they sure?”

  “Yes…” Sazumi’s words were slow, but she narrowed her eyes at him. “Do you know what that means?”

  “It means they were humans.” A voice called from behind them.

  Greyson shifted his gaze from Sazumi and Genmei to see a tall Dae man, wearing the full plate armor of the Visoth elite.

  “I’m sorry, humans?” Genmei asked, eyeing the man suspiciously. “And who are you?”

  “I am Lord Rictus, of house Domina.” The man said, removing his helmet and eyeing them all with suspicion of his own.

  “Ah yes, the defector.” Genmei shook her head, looking disgusted. “And you know this because?”

  “Because, in Eleutheros,” He started, his eyes falling to Greyson. “We know far more about them than you do. We’ve studied them, fought them, and killed them. I take it you are the one who supposedly killed three of them?”

  Genmei stepped in front of Greyson, her posture turning very aggressive. “Lord Lytro and his team of warriors gave their lives to destroy the beasts. His prowess and skill in battle are more than enough proof of this. Now, tell me why the emperor has sent a traitor like yourself to this location.”

  “I’m here for the same reason you are, lady Genmei.” Rictus said, before he put his helmet back on and shifted his steps to depart. “To find the humans who have invaded our land and eliminate them.” With those final words, he turned on his heels and began walking away, leaving Greyson feeling very uneasy.

  “Don’t worry about the likes of him, Lytro.” Genmei nodded, her voice reassuring.

  “Who is he?” Greyson asked, “you said something about a… traitor?”

  “That~” Genmei crossed her arms, staring daggers at the man’s shrinking form. “Is the former High-Prince of all Eleutheros. He is brother to Phobos, the former High-King. After the war, he and much of his house, left Eleutheros, fearing retribution from Alektor. They were granted asylum by the emperor, and brought here as advisors against them. And, demon experts as well, apparently.”

  “So, he’s knowledgeable about humans, then?”

  Genmei shrugged, “I would assume so. But all that would include, I don’t know. He escaped here to save his own skin. He’s a coward and a fool; that’s all you need to know.”

  Greyson looked after the man, his mind racing at the potential problems he might pose.

  Later that night, Greyson lay on his bed staring up at the dark ceiling of his room. As imperial officials, they were granted lodging at the governor’s estate, and told to investigate this area because of the possible human involvement. The prospect was hilarious, but who knows? Maybe there was something to the rumors. What wasn’t funny at all was the definite demon involvement. Greyson’s skin crawled at the thought, and the familiar oppressive fear was now stronger than it had been since he opened the gate in the spirit forest. They’re here, he thought, turning to his side. What am I going to do if they find me? If they approach me? He hadn’t heard anything from the demon who had enlisted him, Mu’Dok. After their failure in the forest, all of the creature’s favor had disappeared. And now, after so much time, and the silence. He growled in frustration, pressing his hands over his face. What the fuck am I supposed to do!?

  He sat up, remembering that Dorian and Ashley were sleeping in the barracks with the other warriors of his little team. He needed to confer with them about this. He looked at his time piece, then determined that it wasn’t THAT late, so he got dressed and set off. Greyson made his way to the lobby of the estate he and Genmei were staying in. He could hear the boisterous tones of nobles going over the events in exaggerated detail. He paused in the hallway before entering, wondering if it was a better idea to sneak out the back.

  “You aren’t missing much.” He heard the familiar voice of Genmei coming from just behind. The Dae girl walked beside him, looking out at the clamoring nobles with a disgusted look on her face. “I grew up with people like this, you know? I often found myself hung on my father’s arm, laughing at a joke I didn’t quite understand. Or spending hours dressing up and making myself look as beautiful as I could. In the end, I realized I loathed these people. The falseness of it all... eventually showed me what I couldn’t see all those years ago.”

  Greyson looked at her, again finding himself captivated by her beauty. She was wearing her uniform this time, but it made little difference to him. Her eyes flicked toward his, and she narrowed them. He silently cursed himself, unsure as to why exactly he was drawn to this Dae woman. “Apologies, Lady Genmei. Did you need something?”

  “As a matter of fact, I do.” She continued. “I have to speak with you about something, Lord Lytro. Something that has been on my mind since earlier.” Her tone was serious. “You are the expert on these creatures, Rictus called ‘humans’. He seemed rather convinced that they were present, but I’ve never heard of a human changing their size like that. What do you believe really happened? The only thing I know for sure, is that it is no coincidence that this happens on our way North to intercept the human and his party of barbarians.”

  Greyson frowned and took several moments to gather his thoughts before answering. He had been pondering his place in Visoth as of late, where he would fit in if things turned out... differently than he believed it would. Dorian’s devotion to his adopted family, along with his own quickly changing, view of the people he had been spending every single day with, was to blame. And this woman, Genmei. At first, she seemed like a nuisance, only here to cause him trouble. But, after long days and nights training with her and the rest of his team, he was beginning to see her in a different light. But still the fact remained, he was a human, disguising himself as a Dae.

  He sighed before he spoke, a heaviness falling upon him. “I don’t know what to think about it… The creatures that fought here weren’t human though. That is for sure.”

  “Then what could have caused such destruction? Lytro, there was a handprint the size of a Cro’kan alpha! That sort of thing doesn’t just happen here. The spirits, perhaps. But they are forbidden from acting against the Dae. It hasn’t happened in a thousand years!”

  Greyson cursed himself for what he was about to do. Knowing he would get an earful from Ashley when this was all said and done. “What do you know about the humans, Genmei?” He bore his eyes into her, “I’m sure, only what you’ve been told about them. That they’re demons or some nonsense. Well, they aren’t.”

  Genmei seemed to think about it earnestly while eyeing him suspiciously. “I’ve only heard that they are demons from another plane of existence. But you’re right, that's what we’ve been told. Honestly, I don’t know, Lytro.” Her expression softened then, and she looked at the floor. “Things have been very different since they arrived. With the war in Eleutheros, and everything else that has been happening.”

  “They’re wrong.” Greyson stated, bluntly. Then took a deep breath. “Everything you’ve been told about them, is a lie.”

  Genmei raised her gaze back at him, genuine curiosity and trust in her eyes.

  “Human beings are creatures from another plane of existence; that part is true. But it’s another world, like this one. Not a hellscape or anything like that. They were brought here against their will, and forced to survive...”

  “How do you know this?” She asked.

  “I know this... because.” He exhaled, shaking his head. “I don’t know… you’re going to just have to trust me.”

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  “I do trust you.” She snapped, “But you’re going to have to give me more than that, Lytro. My father and I have a great deal riding on you.”

  Greyson fumed at himself for saying more than he knew he should. But how was he supposed to do this? He wasn’t even completely sure what he was going to do once he reached the other humans. Would he turn on his own men? On Genmei? The prospect was unthinkable. I can’t do that, not to her.

  “Lytro?”

  “I just. Damn it, Genmei! I… the humans we killed… they gave us their memories, alright!?” He lied.

  She froze at that, her expression suddenly very concerned. “You… melded with them in that way? I thought you—”

  “Look, I don’t know how else to explain it.” He pressed. “When we lost our memories, theirs sort of… went to us. It’s why we seemed so confused at first.

  “That sounds too ridiculous to me, Lytro.” She huffed. “Though… you were acting very strange. And some of the words you were speaking made no sense.” She crossed her arms, suddenly deep in thought. “So, you know the nature of them. That’s what you’re saying?”

  “Yes.” Greyson nodded, “and they aren’t who the emperor is saying they are. They’re not demons. They had lives, Genmei. Back where they were from. Before they were ripped away from them and thrown all over Pelemont. They suffered greatly after arriving… and, after killing them. I haven’t been able to truly forgive myself. They were innocent.”

  She held his gaze for a long minute. Her expression, completely unreadable. “I will need some time to… digest this, Lytro. Everything you’re saying is… well, it will take a lot for me to believe it.”

  “You’re just going to have to trust me.” He shrugged. “If you don’t, and tell your father about all this, who knows what he’ll do.”

  Her eyes narrowed again. “There it is again! You’re asking me to trust you.” She grumbled in frustration. “You are asking far too much from us, Lytro. And you withheld all this information from us? From my father?” Her expression shifted to frustration, then anger. “After everything? Everything we offered you? After I—”

  “No one would have believed me, Genmei.” Greyson shot back, “You think any of the nobles, who already questioned my sanity and purity, would have listened? I needed time to think... time to meet the right people.”

  Genmei scoffed, looking away from him in irritation. “We are not as unreasonable as all that. I would have thought that you would have TRUSTED us first.”

  “I do trust you. Now, at least. Before, you were just another haughty noble who annoyed me to no end.”

  Her pink eyes went deadpan as she cocked her head. “Really?”

  “Yes!” Greyson scoffed. “Have you even met, YOU people? The first thing you did when you came to my house was, what? You criticized my furniture. MY COUCH. You knew what position my family was in, and yet, you did it anyway.”

  “I—” She caught herself, then sighed, deflating. “I apologize for that, I know what you mean. I… treated you horribly at that time.”

  “BUT, since then, you have gained my trust.” Greyson moved to look her in the eyes. “You’ve become one of my closest friends here, and I thank you for it. That’s why I’m telling you this now. That’s why, I know you will take this information and do the right thing with it.”

  “What is the ‘right thing’, Lytro?” She sighed, her hand moving to rest on his arm. “I don’t even know what to do with this information. The emperor believes the humans are demons, and here to destroy our world. Eleutheros, our enemy, says the opposite. You’re telling me that Eleutheros is correct. Technically, that makes you a traitor, and me… a traitor for believing you…”

  Greyson grasped her hands, and held them in his. “That is all you need to do with what I’ve told you, Genmei. Just believe me… because that’s all that matters to me.”

  Genmei’s face blushed a deep blue, and Greyson let go of her hands, suddenly realizing their close proximity. “I… I’m sorry if I… I didn’t mean to—”

  “It’s alright.” Her voice was soft, but she was clearly flustered.

  What the hell are you doing!? He thought, she’s a Dae, she’s the… enemy.

  She took a breath, then fixed him with a steady gaze. “This… whole situation is strange, Lytro. And I know that we’ve been getting… closer as of late. Truth be told, I’m not quite sure what to think of it. Though, I can’t deny… I’ve been.” Her eyes then wandered around the hall, in every direction but at his. “You are a very impressive man. We aren’t scheduled to leave for several days. And…perhaps we can discuss your situation and the humans more thoroughly, in the morning?”

  Greyson’s mind whirled at the implication. Is she… asking me out? “I… uh of course. I’d love to.”

  She smiled awkwardly, then turned to leave the hallway. “In the morning then. There’s a café down the street that’s apparently very nice. I’ll send Sazumi to fetch you. Good night, Lytro.”

  “Night…” Greyson said, stunned at what had just happened. She left quickly after that, and he was left with extremely conflicting emotions. This could have been so easy if you’d just… focused on the fucking mission! He sighed, then turned to go back to his room. As he did, he noticed a small form floating in the center of the hallway. Immediately, his blood ran icy, and his body froze as terror filled him. He felt it then, the sickening aura of a demon. The little thing looked like an imp of some kind, but its wings were draped over its shoulders like a cape.

  “You… have been a very naughty human…” Its voice scraped at his ears as it spoke. Then its eyes flared with red light. “Forsaking your oaths… after such a spectacular failure. And betrayal… Tsk tsk… you have a l~ot to answer for, Greyson. Your soul is already forfeit… and ripe for torment.”

  Greyson felt his strength wane as the little monster floated closer. He fell to his knees before it, sweat now pouring from his face.

  What do I do? He panicked; I can’t fight it… it’s too strong for— he felt its little clawed hand press against his forehead. Instantly, he was in his Spirit realm. A murky swamp, blanketed in fog. He gasped at the sudden transfer, then realized he was in the middle of a broken structure of some kind.

  “However… we are still in need of your… abilities.” It continued. “We were set upon… by other humans. Two of them… Lauren and another who conceals them from our sight. They are beyond our influence, but not yours… you can sense them.” It pointed to the ground. “Use your abilities… and find them.”

  Lauren? He thought, his mind straining against the darkness. She’s alive? She’s here!? I can’t let this demon have her. He gritted his teeth, mustering the strength to resist. Dorian was right, she wasn’t tortured or killed.

  “No…” Greyson growled, defiance in his eyes as he stared the creature down.

  “You deny us?” The demon smiled, its mouth curling into a terrible parody of one.

  “No!” Greyson shouted, his body feeling a weight begin to lay upon him.

  “Such a foul little creature…” It cackled, pointing at him as it mocked his defiance. “How pathetic you are…”

  The pressure increased on him at that moment, and Greyson felt the filth on his soul. The decay of his being in the presence of this thing. It knew his every sin, constantly pressing it against him, pushing him further into despair. He sobbed as his strength disappeared, weeping for the soul he now saw, foul and horrid. “Lauren… I’m sorry.” He strained against it, with all his remaining might, but ultimately, he was compelled to obey.

  Against every fiber of his being, He focused on the power within him. Little sensations began to light up around him, not visibly, but in his conscience. He had this ability, to sense other humans. It was how he found Dorian, Ashley, and… Lauren. He felt the pulse of her essence, close. It was VERY close. Why didn’t she run!? he thought, suddenly feeling very afraid at what the demons were planning for her. Another, dimmer light shined beside her. He didn’t recognize the woman, but he knew it was Katrina.

  “There they are…” The demon spoke with a wet laugh. “Get closer…”

  Greyson cursed his weakness, glancing around for something, anything to save them from this. He saw many other lights that flickered in the distance. Humans spread across Pelemont, a large group of them, much closer than he would have imagined. That must be the group we’re searching for… he thought. There was a glare of light to his left, and he looked at it, wincing as the brightness of it hurt his eyes. What… is that? he stretched his senses further, over the vast desert, over mountains, and rivers. He felt it then, the immense power of Daniel, glowing like a beacon in the darkness that surrounded him.

  “What are you doing?” The demon seethed, its voice like scraping stones. “That is… Stop that!”

  Greyson had never attempted to contact another human before, the draw on his power was too great, and most other humans were too hard to pinpoint. Their power glowed like flickering flames in a gale, and he could never hope to communicate with them. But Daniel’s… blazed like a sun. Impossible to miss. He grit his teeth, remembering the words that Dorian had spoken to him. Maybe Daniel was the key to all this, maybe he… could help them. He reached out with his mind, his spirit stretching to its limit. He strained internally, feeling his soul nearly tear under the stress. Then, he felt it touch the sun.

  He collapsed to the ground, his spirit pulsing with an agony he had never felt before.

  “What… have you done?” The demon asked, sudden fear in its little voice.

  Greyson blinked his eyes, looking up from the murky water. He saw armored boots before him. He lifted his gaze, following them to meet the eyes of a man he had grown to fear, but now, placed all his hope into.

  Daniel narrowed his eyes at him, but turned his steely gaze toward the demon that floated nearby. “This… is a first for me.” The man spoke, holding his hand out to the side. “Care to fill me in on what exactly is going on here?”

  “I…” Greyson sat up, clutching at his chest. “I know I don’t deserve it… I know you all must hate me for what we did. I can’t do anything that will make it right. But, I’ve got nowhere else to go, Daniel. Please, help me break free of this nightmare. I… think I sold my soul to the devil.”

  Daniel looked at him, sympathy crossing his hardened stare. “That’s impossible.”

  “I did though.” Greyson insisted, grunting as he stood through the pain.

  “You can’t sell your soul.” Daniel declared. “It isn’t yours to sell.” He lifted his hand toward the demon, and a blazing light engulfed the creature. It screamed in agony as it burned away, so completely, that not even ash remained in the echo of its wails.

  Greyson blinked, the feeling of oppression and death lifting from him. Daniel sighed, crossing his arms, but said nothing.

  “I… we’re in Visoth, Dan.” Greyson eked out, his body wracked with guilt and relief all in one. “I think I sensed Lauren and Katrina near me… what do you need me to do?”

  “Greyson.” Daniel growled, his face deadly serious. “You have a lot to atone for. Thousands of Dae are dead because of your selfishness. But, you need to join with Kat and Lauren, and stop the calamity that is heading our way. I know you know what I’m talking about.”

  “The… gate…”

  “Yes. The gate in Visoth that Dio’Mar and the demons want to open. It must be stopped. Find Katrina and Lauren, and help them any way you can.”

  “I.” Greyson’s mind raced, what was he going to tell Ashely and Dorian? What was he going to do with the Dae who were with him? What was he going to tell… Genmei? “I’ll take care of it.”

  “There are demons there, too. Don’t be afraid of them anymore, Greyson. If you see them, kill them without hesitation. They have no real power over you.”

  Greyson nodded, “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Daniel looked around at the hazy swamp that was his spirit realm. “I would suggest doing some soul searching in here too. Then, find your light. Embrace it, and your true purpose will become clear.”

  Greyson looked around, at the shattered remains of the structure he appeared in. “What do you mean?”

  “You’ll know it when you see it.” Daniel said, then closed his eyes and faded from existence.

  Greyson was left alone in his world, and for the first time since arriving in Pelemont, without fear.