The Damned Demon

Under the cover of darkness, a bit far from the Nightshade Kingdom, Rowena and her people moved carefully across rugged, perilous terrain.

The survivors of the Bloodburn Kingdom journeyed slowly but steadily, thousands walking with grim determination and vigilant eyes.

Generals and soldiers surrounded their caravan protectively, weapons at the ready, their keen gazes scanning the shadows for threats.

Alchemists worked diligently, trailing behind the main group, scattering special dust and mana-infused substances designed to erase their traces.

Seron, Jael, Esther, Sabina, Silvia, and Isola moved at the forefront, expressions tense and vigilant, ready for anything.

At the heart of the caravan, inside a modest yet sturdy black carriage, Rowena sat quietly, breastfeeding her newborn daughter Ravina.

She gazed tenderly at her baby, whose tiny hands gently gripped her pale skin, suckling eagerly with surprising strength.

Merina sat opposite Rowena, watching them warmly, eyes filled with quiet affection and respect.

Rowena softly sighed, smiling faintly despite her exhaustion. “You truly get hungry so fast… don’t you, little one?” she murmured softly, gently caressing Ravina’s delicate, pale cheeks.

Merina smiled gently, eyes twinkling warmly as she remarked, “If she maintains such a hearty appetite, Your Majesty, there’s no doubt she’ll become incredibly healthy and strong after drinking so much of her mother’s milk.”

Rowena nodded gently, warmth flickering in her tired crimson eyes. “Yes, she certainly will,” she agreed quietly, voice tinged with bittersweet longing.

Her smile gradually faded, replaced by a deep, quiet sadness. “It’s a pity I couldn’t even hold a proper ceremony for her birth. I must be the first queen in history to miss something so important… and so much more.”

Merina offered a sympathetic, reassuring look, gently shaking her head. “Please don’t think that way, Your Majesty. Your ancestors would be immensely proud that you gave birth to such a remarkable soul, and that you did everything in your power to protect our people. Ceremonies can always be held later. Little Ravina herself would surely understand and say the same thing when she grows older.”

Rowena met Merina’s gaze softly, gratitude filling her voice. “Thank you, Merina. I can truly see why he kept you close and why he trusted you so deeply. You know exactly how to comfort people when they need it most.”

Merina’s expression softened, eyes gently lowering, humbled by the queen’s praise. “Please don’t thank me, Your Majesty. This is truly the least I could do for you and your family.”

Rowena’s smile returned faintly, though a sudden pang of sorrow darkened her eyes again.

Her voice grew softer, heavy with guilt and regret. “I am deeply sorry about Ceti, Merina. She protected me since childhood, always there at my side. In the end, she gave her life for us. Your daughter was truly one of the few great souls I was honored to know so closely.”

Merina’s eyes quickly turned moist, but she offered a gentle, reassuring smile. “Your words mean more to me than you know, Your Majesty. Knowing how highly you think of her… it’s the greatest honor a mother could ask for. Thank you.”

Rowena felt the depth of Merina’s sadness now more than ever. With Ravina in her arms, she truly understood the sheer pain Merina had endured losing her daughter. She felt responsible—her inability to protect Ceti weighed heavily upon her heart.

Yet, before she could speak further, Rowena looked down gently at Ravina, noticing the infant had quietly fallen asleep, lips still faintly suckling at her breast. She chuckled softly in exhaustion, eyes growing heavy with fatigue. “Oh, finally… she’s full and asleep.”

Merina leaned forward gently, concern filling her eyes. “Please let me care for her now, Your Majesty. You look very tired. Take some rest—I insist.”

Rowena hesitated briefly, but then nodded slowly, carefully transferring the sleeping Ravina into Merina’s waiting arms. Merina cradled the baby gently, feeling a profound warmth fill her heart as she held Asher’s daughter close.

Rowena watched the two of them quietly, feeling an immense wave of exhaustion finally overtake her. Leaning back heavily against the cushioned seat, her eyes fluttered closed, fatigue washing over her entire body.

Yet beneath the weariness, she felt profound relief and gratitude to have someone as loyal and compassionate as Merina beside her.

Merina, holding Ravina tenderly, whispered softly to the sleeping child, “You are truly loved, little princess. Your father would be so proud. Sleep peacefully, knowing we’ll all protect you with our very lives.”

The caravan moved steadily forward into the uncertain darkness, and though their future remained dangerously uncertain, within that humble carriage, hope glowed softly, carried within the tiny sleeping form of a child whose very existence promised strength and renewal.

—

*Thwak!*

Drakar’s hand slammed down upon the armrest of his crude throne, the iron beneath buckling slightly beneath the force. His dark, leathery wings snapped outward aggressively, eyes blazing with frustration and rage as he glared fiercely at Commander Zulgi.

“What do you mean they’ve slipped away?!” Drakar’s voice resonated with cold, contained fury.

Commander Zulgi, unfazed by his master’s display of anger, stood rigidly upright, his voice steady yet careful. “It appears the Bloodburn survivors left the Nightshade Kingdom swiftly and in secrecy, Your Majesty. They’ve already set out into hiding, attempting to conceal their traces.”

Drakar’s dark eyes narrowed sharply, lips pulling back into a sneer. His fingers dug into the twisted metal of the throne, leaving fresh gouges as his mind raced, wondering what he should do next.

Before he could respond, a calm and serpentine voice slithered into the room like a phantom.

“A wise move… but futile all the same.”

Both Drakar and Zulgi snapped their gazes to the shadowed far end of the throne room.

Emerging from the darkness was a short, bald figure, draped in a tattered brown cloak. His skin had a sickly yellow hue, his round ears and oversized gray eyes unmistakable.

A Mindslayer.

Zulgi’s instincts flared. With a shout, he unsheathed his weapon, its obsidian edge glinting, ready to cut the creature down.

“You dare break in?!”

But the Mindslayer merely raised his pale, four-fingered hands.

“Calm down, please. I come in peace,” he said, voice polite but unnerving.

“Stand down, Zulgi,” Drakar growled, narrowing his eyes. Zulgi reluctantly obeyed, though his grip on the weapon remained tight.

Drakar leaned forward on his throne, eyeing the figure like a predator sizing up a rat.

“Orbos…?” he muttered. “How the hell did you get in?”

The Mindslayer gave a modest shrug and bowed slightly, a crescent smile curling his lips, “Do you need to ask, Your Majesty? One of your men was gracious enough to point me the way.”

Drakar’s face darkened, his voice a venomous growl, “You slippery rat.

Give me one reason I shouldn’t gut you where you stand. I know you’re in bed with the Moon Guardian. Don’t pretend I wouldn’t know.”

Orbos bowed deeper, his head nearly touching the dusty floor. “Ah, misunderstandings, Majesty. I assure you—I am no traitor. Mindslayers do not deal in loyalty. Only in crystals and usefulness. And I have never failed you in the tasks I was paid for. I helped you so many times in the past, didn’t I?”

Drakar’s sharp nails scratched against the armrest again.

“You still haven’t given me a reason.”

Orbos raised his hands again. “Of course. That’s why I’ve come. I’m offering you what you want—the Bloodburn Queen’s newborn child. My people are masters at staying unnoticed. We do not crave conflict. And yet we starve due to these reasons. In exchange…” His gray eyes twinkled, “We need sustenance. A portion of the resources your conquest will bring. We serve you, you feed us.”

Drakar’s brow furrowed, his rage giving way to dangerous curiosity,”You want scraps, and you’ll give me an infant in return?” he asked with a grunt. “Fine. Go with Zulgi’s men. Find them. Bring me the child alive. No one is allowed to harm her. I want her intact.”

Orbos smiled, the kind of smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, “You will not be disappointed.”

And before either of them could say more, the Mindslayer vanished into the shadows, slipping out of sight like a wisp of smoke in the wind.

Zulgi turned towards Drakar and asked, “Can we trust him, Your Majesty?”

Drakar scoffed and said, “What do we have to lose? If he fails, he fails. But if he succeeds, which I am sure he will because if he puts his mind to it, then this should be an easy task, as he said. That’s why I trust his greed, heh.” Drakar smirked as he rubbed his fingers in anticipation.

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