Chapter 8

Saria and Solara arrived in Astria after traveling for a few hours. They were both tired and frustrated about everything that happened.

Both of them had their regrets and reasons for feeling guilt. When Saria emerged from her ship, castle guards knelt down to welcome her safe return.

She waved at the servants who passed by bowing their heads before continuing on their way. Solara leaned closer to Saria so she wouldn't be heard as she spoke.

"How do you ever get used to all this attention?" Solara whispered as Saria rolled her eyes unhappily.

"I never have, and it always made me uncomfortable. Now if you were asking my sister, she'd tell you that she loves the attention." Saria whispered as they approached the large castle that was so grand it practically blocked the view of the sun setting.

Two guards pushed open the large castle doors and waved for Saria to enter. Solara followed close behind her, noticing the strange glares she was getting from the guards.

The duo entered the entry hall to see many people rushing about to different parts of the building. Saria noticed a woman clad in armor speaking to a man who was dressed in royal garments.

It was her brother Orym and the paladin of the royal knights, Rosaniya Ulaven. She hadn't seen them for months since they were up in the northern region of Vanaheim. In the north Terrans mostly lived there.

It was a small country where the Astren followed a half Terran instead of Saria's mother. Rosaniya had received word that the country was under attack by monsters.

The queen sent Rosaniya and a small fleet to aid them. Orym had volunteered to go with her to speak with their leader.

Saria was surprised and relieved to see her brother as she approached him. When he noticed her he smiled joyfully as he marched over to her. He embraced her and squeezed tightly causing her to wince in pain.

Orym laughed as he stepped back clasping his hands to gather. His golden eyes glistened with joy as he stared at his sister.

"Konichita imo wata joh anat." He said using the Astrari language to say he missed her. Saria smiled as she pointed at him.

"You know I prefer the common language, brother. I've missed you a great deal and I'm glad you returned safely." She said as she noticed Rosaniya stepping forward.

She smiled and bowed her head until she held out her hand. She gently brushed her lips against Saria's hand before looking up at her.

"It's been a while, princess. I'm glad you are well." She said before bowing to Orym and then turning away leaving him alone with Saria.

"I heard mother sent your mate Vesryn with a small guild to retrieve the Reaper sword. How did that venture fare?" Orym said as Saria looked at him surprised.

He frowned as he looked over at Solara who was looking around. It took her a moment to realize Orym was looking at her. When he noticed she immediately bowed her head causing him to wave with a smile.

"It went horribly disarray actually." Saria started but paused a moment unsure of what to say to him exactly. Despite Vesryn being a part of the reason, everything went sideways she didn't want to blame him.

Not only that he merely wanted to get rid of Ky and she was well aware of her mother's opinion of him. "Would you mind coming with me to speak with mother?" Saria questioned as Orym looked surprised but immediately nodded.

She smiled as she stepped forward and he turned to follow her. They headed up the long flight of stairs passing by what she assumed was a foreign royal from another continent. Saria was unsure of what the occasion was, but she knew it must have been serious.

They made it to the third floor of the castle where they found themselves walking down a grand hallway. Saria saw more foreigners walking about.

They were Espers who were known to be citizens of the land of Alfheim. Orym leaned closer to Saria to whisper in her ear.

"I believe they're here because the demon army first appeared on their land, and they have reason to believe some traveled here recently." Orym whispered which sent a chill down Saria's spine. Despite already being informed of this she didn't want to believe it since she hadn't actually seen any demons yet.

The Espers traveling across the sea about this was very concerning to her. They finally arrived to where their mother was to see her sitting with a Esper nobleman.

He was a messenger who traveled all the way from Alfheim to deliver the information. Saria's mother was a queen that radiated strength and authority. She admired her mother but didn't wish to be like her.

The queen appeared serious as she was talking to the messenger until she noticed Orym and Saria. She gently raised her hand toward the messenger to stop him from talking.

She waved at Saria and Orym signaling for them to come inside. Saria looked back at Solara urging her to follow her in. The queen stood to her feet with a solemn look on her face.

"My children, I'm grateful the two of you are safe. Saria, how did the quest for the sword go?" The queen immediately questioned which surprised Saria. She glanced over at Solara who remained by the door.

Solara was aware of the queen's reluctance to welcome outsiders. Having the Esper messenger as a guest in her kingdom was unsettling for her.

"Everything went sideways. Demons ambushed us and killed Elec. Ky also came with us but ended up being injured...by Taegan who is the reason the demons were there." Saria said uncomfortably as her mother looked at her with a blank look on her face. Orym looked surprised and confused.

"What of Vesryn? Where is he currently?" The queen asked in a serious tone. Saria sighed unhappily.

"Well, you know he can be quite prideful, so he went after Taegan with Ava." Saria said, struggling to hide her dissatisfaction of lying to her mother. The queen frowned as she nodded before turning away.

"Well, I'm more relieved that my beloved daughter is well but my condolences about your charity tool." She replied as she returned to her seat across from the messenger. Saria looked partially offended by her mother's response about Ky.

"Ky was... is my friend, mother." Saria said in a serious tone, causing her mother to let out an exasperated sigh.

"A peasant and a princess, friends? How absurd can you be, my child?" The queen said as she tapped her fingers on the table. "You took pity on that boy for what your father did, don't confuse that as a genuine friendship." She continued causing Saria to be taken aback.

She hated that her mother never seemed to feel any guilt or remorse. Not only that, but this was also the first time she ever mentioned Saria's father since he was executed.

"I didn't show Ky kindness in an effort to atone for my father's crimes. Besides, I had formed a friendship with Ky before I was unaware of my father's plot for treason!" Saria said loudly, causing Orym to nudge her in the arm with his elbow.

The queen looked at Saria in silence as she stopped tapping her feelings. "Yet, when you became aware of this did you ever inform him of the truth?" The queen questioned as she leaned forward resting her chin in the palm of her hand.

Saria stood frozen, unable to utter a word for she never did tell him. She was always afraid that he'd hate her and possibly try to do something foolish.

"Pardon me queen Shalana, but thy daughter mentioned demons attacked her and her comrades." The Esper messenger nervously said, breaking the tension in the room. The queen sighed unhappily as she returned her attention to the messenger.

"It would appear that is the case, but do you have any clue as to how they're entering our world on a scale of this caliber?" The queen questioned as the messenger nodded slowly.

"King Asha believes that they were summoned through a gate. Currently, he has a team searching our land since the demons appeared there first." The messenger said as queen Shalana slowly rose to her feet.

"Saria, do you know where Vesryn went exactly?" Queen Shalana asked as Saria glanced over at Solara who still stood silently by the door.

"He believes that Taegan went to Cruuxford which is the village he's from.'' Saria said nervously as queen Shalana had a serious look on her face. She monitored the guard that stood in the corner as a guard.

"Report to Rosaniya and tell her to gather six of her best knights. She'll be sending them to Cruuxford." Queen Shalana ordered, causing the guard to nod and head toward the door.

"Mother, Rosaniya just returned from a mission, is it wise to send her back out there again?" Orym spoke up, causing the queen to look at him surprised.

"I'm not sending her out there, instead find the Palatine since she's the second in charge of the army. Have her take the Arc knights with her." The queen ordered as Orym sighed as he looked to see the guard leaving.

"Have your people captured a demon? If so, questioning them might give us some answers." Orym said glaring at the messenger who leaned back nervously.

He shook his head slowly causing Orym to appear disappointed. If they were able to capture a demon alive it would be possible to get answers. He felt that should be the current goal, but he knew his mother wouldn't care for that.

She'd want every single demon wiped off the land. Vanaheim was her home, and she would do anything to protect her people. She may come off as a cruel person at times, but she meant well when she could help it.

"Demons are wicked beings who are products of despair and chaos. Through the ages they've always shown themselves in our world due to corruption." Queen Shalana said in a tone where it was clear she was trying to suppress her emotions.

"There have never been any records of demonic activity of this scale before, mother. We've only ever had to deal with monsters in our land but are we really prepared to take on demons?" Orym questioned as he took a seat in a chair at the table. Queen Shalana was silent and unsure of what to say.

"Without the support of the gods it will be quite difficult. However, this world is filled with magical artifacts and powerful spells that we can use at our disposal. Not only that but we have the most advanced magical technology at our hands." The queen said as she looked to be pondering something.

Saria let out a sigh as she felt ashamed that she failed to get the reaper sword. No matter the artifact they'd still be at a disadvantage. As they stood in silence for a moment, they began to hear someone running. A guard appeared in the doorway with a frantic look on her face.

"My queen, Ava of the Silver cloaks guild has arrived with a Vesper who was with a group of half demons in Cruuxford." The guard said, sounding out of breath. Queen Shalana's eyes widened as she pushed past Saria and walked over to the guard.

"Take me to where they are at once!" Queen Shalana said, causing the guard to nod as she turned and left the room. Saria followed her mother, motivating everyone else in the room to follow.

*****

Vesryn stood in the village surrounded by dead demons and half demons. He breathed heavily as he looked toward the sky. As he walked over to a demon that was still alive, he wiped the sweat off his forehead.

Vesryn placed his foot on the demon's chest causing him to cry out in pain. The demon was an Oni that appeared smaller than most. His piercing yellow eyes glared up at Vesryn.

"Why and how have your people come to my land?" Vesryn asked in an angered tone as he put pressure on the demon's gaping wound.

"One of our leaders made a deal with a king to help gather people to form a gate for us to crossover. Anon didn't want to do the peaceful approach, so he wanted to come here." The demon said with a smile. Vesryn looked at him silently as he began to wonder what king would be foolish enough to help demons.

He was aware of the rumors that the large number of demon appearances were coming from Alfheim. To him the Vesper was the only possible answer to those foolish enough to help them.

Vesryn was also aware that Vespers had odd relations with demons throughout history despite them not being the only ones. For him the Vesper king was the only logical answer, but he needed to know why.

"So, a king I assume from another continent helped you, why?" Vesryn asked as the Oni nodded as he struggled to breathe. He had a gaping hole near his heart.

In order to permanently kill a demon, the heart has to be completely destroyed. This Oni was lucky enough to only have his heart grazed by Vesryn's spatial tear spell.

"Yes, and because we made a deal with him. We give him revenge and he'd be willing to make peace with us so long as we didn't cause trouble." The Oni said with a smile but cried out in pain when Vesryn pushed down on his chest.

"Yet here you are, causing trouble!" Vesryn said angrily as he raised his hand. "Where do I go to find the gate and the demon known as Anon?" Vesryn asked as the Oni remained silent. Vesryn sighed as he lowered his hand and pointed it at the Oni's chest.

A part of his chest exploded causing him to gasp for air. He became motionless as he took his last breath. Vesryn sighed as he looked at the sky wondering when Taegan would arrive. It wasn't long before he got his answer for, he began to hear footsteps.

He turned to see Taegan with a strange look on his face and he wasn't alone. Beside him was a Vae. Vae were a powerful race of demons that lived off blood consumption.

Their kind were practitioners of blood magic and illusion magic. His spiraling red eyes glared at Vesryn menacingly as he stepped closer to Taegan. The Vae placed his hand on Taegan's shoulder.

"You weren't kidding about how powerful this one could be, Taegan." The Vae said as he started to approach Vesryn. Vesryn raised his hand with an annoyed look on his face. He became certain that this demon was none other than Anon.

He pointed his finger at Anon and drew a line in the air aimed across Anon's chest. A large gust of wind blew through the air toward Anon but there was a distortion in the atmosphere. Vesryn looked surprised as the Vae smiled while still walking toward him.

"Impossible." Vesryn said as he tried it again but had no effect once again. Anon chuckled as he raised his right hand which had a gauntlet covering it. In the palm of the gauntlet was a sphere that was a galaxy like color.

"You didn't think I'd come to this land unprepared for your type of magic? Anon asked playfully as he stepped a few feet away from Vesryn. Anon had a group of thirty Vaes behind him. Vaes were a race of demons that were extremely powerful and became stronger through blood consumption.

Vesryn was outnumbered once again but this time he was fatigued. Not only that his arm was still badly burned, and it pained him to move it. He tightened his grip on his dagger as he readied himself to fight once more.

"Why can't you stay in the underworld where you belong?" Vesryn questioned angrily as the demon looked unhappy.

"The underworld is out of control with demons eating one another and war. I tried to be peaceful like the other leaders but it's not my cup of tea." Anon said sincerely but Vesryn scoffed at his words. He spit at the demon's feet with a scornful look on his face.

"You chose the wrong continent to set foot on!" Vesryn snarled as the vampiric demon turned toward Taegan.

"You may have a powerful army, but your people have no real trust in each other. It's only a matter of time before the queen is betrayed." Anon proclaimed as he returned his attention to Vesryn.

"Allow me to meet with your queen in order for us to make a deal. This is the last time I'll try to be like the other demon leaders. If we can't come to an agreement, well the kingdom will fall." Anon said as he held out his hand waiting for Vesryn to extend his in return.

Vesryn swung his dagger trying to cut the demon's hand. Unfortunately, the Vae was quicker and evaded with ease. He used his small wings to float in the air away from Vesryn. Anon stared at his hand disappointedly before lowering it to his side.

"I'm one of the royal knights who has sworn to protect the queen and her kingdom. You demons will not settle on our land! Anyone foolish enough to betray the queen will be slaughtered with extreme prejudice!" Vesryn roared as he raised his hand upward.

The Vae looked up to see a spatial rift appear above him and his army. Spears of magic energy came raining down upon them. Those that knew they wouldn't be harmed remained still while others scattered away.

In this moment Vesryn made his move creating a portal to move to the demons running away. In a matter of seconds, he took out the demons that separated from the group. More blood contaminated the ground beneath his feet.

Cries of pain and agony filled the air as Vesryn continued moving around the village using his portals. When his eyes wandered for a moment, he saw Taegan wielding the sword. In a fit of rage, he moved toward him trying to attack him.

Taegan was prepared and readied himself with the Reaper sword. Unfortunately, before Vesryn could reach Taegan, The Vae Anon appeared before him and slashed him across his chest. As he fell backwards, he saw the demon licking his fingertips which were covered in Vesryn's blood.

"You may be powerful, but your arrogance is quite annoying. I'm one of the best blood magic users in my family so I could easily kill you. I could even make you a puppet of mine and have you destroy the kingdom." Anon said slowly as Vesryn looked at him as he sat on the ground. The hair on his neck stood on end as he slowly stood to his feet.

"Give me that sword and I'll consider letting you live." Vesryn said as Anon began to appear annoyed.

"You cannot win this fight since I now have the taste of your blood. You are mine if I so will it!" Anon said with a grin on his face causing Vesryn to be angered. As he stood silently for a moment, he heard a loud booming sound up above.

He looked up to see a large ship appearing from a portal that opened up. Vesryn realized he had finally received reinforcements, but he was unsure if they'd be of any help at all. He was already fatigued and the fact that the Vae now had his blood he'd be a liability.

This infuriated him to a whole other degree that he never experienced before. They watched as the ship landed in the distance. Vesryn opened a portal and headed over to the ship. He emerged from the portal to see seven knights emerging from it.

In the rear was a young woman who was wearing less armor. It was Vesryn's squire Thalia Bitoris. These knights were believed to be some of the strongest of Rosaniya's army. The woman at the head of the group was the first in command under Rosaniya, the palatine.

Her name was Lura and Vesryn had a disliking for her. Despite him being the strongest and most talented he was nothing more than a high-ranking captain. Above him were the three generals and she was above them. The three generals were Vesryn's family members which angered him even more.

"Captain Shaynore, what's the status of threat?" Lura asked in a stern tone before she looked down at his wounded arm and chest. She waved her hand motioning for Thalia to hurry over. She rushed over to Vesryn's side and looked at him worriedly. She stepped beside Vesryn and began rummaging in her satchel.

She took out a vial of potions that she placed on Vesryn's burns. He watched as she began to wave her hands as magic circles formed around his arm. She began mumbling something as Vesryn returned his attention to Lura.

"You should've brought me with you, sir Shaynore." Thalia mumbled nervously as Vesryn scoffed at her remark. He noticed her tense up and paused before continuing her healing spell.

"I've reduced their forces a great deal but unfortunately, the six of you are not enough reinforcements. Their leader has an artifact that makes anyone who knows spatial magic useless. Not only that but Taegan is over there with the sword. The demons that just arrived are Vaes and their leader is a blood magic user. He got a hold of my blood so..." Vesryn trailed off, annoyed that he was reporting to this person who he deemed to be beneath him.

She nodded her head before glancing over at the others.

"Were you able to get any sort of information from them?" Lura asked as Vesryn nodded hesitantly.

"He gave me a story about things happening in the underworld that have forced them to flee. From what I understand there is more than one leader. The others are apparently more peaceful than this one. He also implied that some of our people may want to get rid of the queen." Vesryn said, looking over his shoulder to see the Vaes still gathered around each other in the distance.

"In the queen's eyes all demonic lives must be extinguished regardless of whether their intentions may be peaceful." Lura said she placed her hand on her sword and stepped past Vesryn. He quickly placed his hand on her shoulder.

"I don't know what else he has in his possession that could put us at a disadvantage, so we'll need to be careful." Vesryn said with a serious look on his face. Lura gently brushed his hand off her shoulder.

"You head back to Astria; we'll handle the rest here." Lura ordered, causing Vesryn to scoff at the way she spoke to him.

"I'm not about to be sent home like some useless low ranking foot soldier!" Vesryn said angrily as Lura sighed vexingly.

"You're injured and you've spent a great deal of your mana fighting already. You said he got a hold of your blood so if he knows how to control you then you'd only be a liability. I'm ordering you to go home because the queen can't lose one of her best. Also, tell everything you just reported to me at once." Lura ordered without taking a single look at Vesryn.

This angered him because this meant he was accepting defeat and couldn't live with that. He had never lost to anyone ever in his life. This was the second time he had been bested which infuriated him.

Reluctantly, he waved his hand, opening a rift in the space before him. He knew he was far from the kingdom which would take up a great deal of energy to create a portal that extended that far. He didn't want to waste his strength, nor did he want to take orders.

Not only that he wasn't ready to accept defeat, but he had no choice to admit to it. Before he stepped through the portal, he noticed Thalia trying to follow him, but he raised his hand.

She looked confused as he shook his head and turned away. She may have been his squire, but he didn't like having her around and at the moment he wanted to be alone.