CHAPTER 57: three hairs of the devil

After some practice I managed to control the flames that I spit out. I could let it float in the air for a limited amount of time. This of course required magic, but it didn't take that much since I was only controlling them and not creating them through said magic.

After a few hours, or maybe a day of walking I reached the nearest building. I didn't dare to fly towards it because it would make me an easier target for the other flying creatures.

In front of the entrance to the temple stood a few lifeforms that were barely recognisable as humans. the state they were in made me realise something.

The mind, soul and body were linked. If one were to suffer damage the others would as well. And if one were to go missing the other two would be miserable.

The body and mind, without a soul would be emotionless and in pain. The body and soul, without a mind would be a puppet, incapable of thinking. The soul and mind, without a body, would be forever drifting between life and death.

But, this didn't mean that they all needed at least one of the others to exist. However they would be even worse of. Only a soul would be a floating mass of energy. Only a mind would be a collections of thoughts and memories. And only a body would be a sack of meat.

I ignored the humans and entered the building made out of stone and bones. It was like I was drawn to that place, like I had to enter.

The halls were dark and empty. My footsteps made loud echoes in the large open space. When I reached the centre of the building I saw a circle caved in the floor. It resembled the one that was used to send me to this place.

Something about that circle was tempting. But, I stayed away from it for now and looked through the rest of the room. Large pillars with sculls on top of it reached for the ceiling.

("Who build this place?")

I looked around for a bit to see if I could find any clues of who or what build this place. then a soft humming noise could be heard coming from the carvings. They lit up in a dangerous lime green that had a strong contrast to the dark blue and red from the building.

It somehow felt good and alluring. But, I didn't want to come near it. It could be compared to wanting to eat some delicious dish despite knowing that you will be sick due to overeating. You don't want it, but the temptation is just to great and eventually, you give in.

Step by step I walked towards the circle. The humming sounded so peaceful compared to the constant roars from outside. It was like it was humming a tune.

Before I noticed it I stood in the circle and it formed a gate that sucked me in. right at that moment I could see a different demon still trying to reach the gate in time before I completely passed through and with the opening closing behind me.

In merely an instant I was transported to the other side of the gate. I was in a cave with a human humbly kneeling before me.

("So, it was a portal room. But what could have made it so skilful that the summoning went so smooth? Or is it because two circles were used? One to expel and one to summon.")

The human raised his head. The disappointment could easily be seen in his eyes.

Meanwhile I was standing in the summoning circle, taking in my surroundings. The air felt different, better said, the little dreads of magic ever woven in the air was different. This was not my original world.

("This is a complete waste of time. I need to get back to hell before the others try to summon me back.")

"Human, state your reason for summoning me and I micht let you live."

Instinctively I knew that I could remain in this world, only because of this human. so, if he were to die I would immediately be transported back to hell.

("So that is why the demons before me left their human pets by the entrance of the temple. Those humans were waiting for tier masters to come back.")

The human stood up, what really annoyed me. He dared to summon me, to waste my time and then he thinks he can face me as an equal!

The human sighed and stroke his dark brown hair back.

"well you see. A few decades ago, the current king was faced with a quest to claim three golden hairs of the devil in order to marry the princess who now is the queen. on his way he was also faced with three questions. Why is the well dry? Why does the tree not grow fruits? And how can the ferryman escape his job? He claimed the three hairs, found the answers to the questions, and helped the people who asked the questions. And on top of that he earned a gigantic mountain of gold.

So, I wanted to do the same in order to marry the girl I like."

("I see. He was disappointed that I'm not the same demon as the one in the story and my hairs are not gold.")

"Ask me the questions first. I will judge from those if you are worthy of my time and thus will be kept alive."

The young man crossed his arms and grinned wide. He seemed to be thinking that his questions were important enough for me to spend more time here and give him three hairs without a prise.

"Okay. The first one is. What is the meaning of life? The second one is. What is infinity? And the last one is. When is something real?"

I grinned. ("Those are good questions, indeed. I will try my best to answer them.")

"The meaning of life is different to the individual. The paths led by others will only lead to a dead end when searching for it. But, in my opinion is to give life meaning, the meaning of life.

As for the second one. When a bird scratches its beak on a rock every hundred years. And when after millions of years the crock has completely worn down to the point that there isn't even gravel of it left, not even a fragment of infinity has passed. Because in contrast to the rock, infinity has no beginning nor end, so everything you will ever know, think about, or believe in isn't infinite for it has a beginning and accompanying that, an inevitable end.

As for the last one. Everything is real to a certain extend. Maybe something only exists in dreams or thoughts, but that doesn't make it any less real. Maybe something only 'exists' in fantasies, but it exists non the less. Because who cares where something exists, even if it only exists in those fantasies. It is still real. "

The young man gave a short applause. While he stood there with a wide grin on his face.

"Verry good. Now give me three hairs and we can both go on with our day."

I shook my head. "There is something you missed. All of those questions you asked can be answered by anyone. Yes, nearly everyone will give a different answer, but you can still ask a four-year-old. And not only that. The questions asked by that king were to help others, yours are only to impress your girlfriend. And you never offered anything in exchange for my knowledge while this is wasting my precious time. Therefore, you are not only stupid, you are also selfish and straight up insulting me.

I told you before, I will use your questions to judge if you are worthy of living. Now, prepare to face my judgment."