The Damned Demon

The next day,

Morning sunlight filtered harshly through the thin fabric of Rowena’s tent, casting faint crimson patterns across her pale, tired face.

She had barely gotten a few hours of rest, her body heavy with fatigue, the strain of the journey weighing heavily on her exhausted frame.

She didn’t even get enough time to hunt for blood after looking after Ravina for so long. However, sleeping for a while seemed to restore some energy to her body.

The tent was quiet, serene—a brief refuge from the hardships that lay beyond.

But her peaceful sleep was abruptly interrupted when Merina hurriedly entered the tent, her gentle face flushed with urgency and astonishment.

“Your Majesty, please forgive me for disturbing your rest,” Merina whispered apologetically, gently shaking Rowena’s shoulder. Her voice trembled slightly with suppressed excitement and shock.

Rowena’s crimson eyes fluttered open slowly, her gaze hazy with sleep and confusion. But seeing Merina’s distressed expression, she immediately felt a chill of worry gripping her heart. “What happened? Is everything alright, Merina? Is Ravina okay?”

Merina quickly raised her hands to reassure her, shaking her head softly, “No, no! Nothing is wrong, Your Majesty. Ravina is perfectly fine. But… but you need to come quickly. Something has happened. You must see her yourself.”

Rowena quickly sat up, heart pounding anxiously despite Merina’s reassurance.

Without another word, she hurriedly rose from her makeshift bed, slipping on a simple robe as she rushed out of the tent. Her eyes widened instantly as she took in the surreal scene before her.

Standing amidst a circle formed by a shocked but fascinated crowd—Sabina, Silvia, Esther, Seron, Jael, and Igrid among them—was a small child, around one year old, wrapped in a makeshift black cloth resembling a robe.

Isola stood beside the child, watching affectionately as the little girl, with her eyes wide and her finger in her mouth, wobbled slightly as she attempted to walk.

Rowena felt her breath catch sharply, her eyes frozen wide in disbelief, unable to move or look away from the child’s glowing dark golden eyes.

The little girl seemed equally startled by Rowena’s sudden appearance, her mouth falling open slightly in surprise and her finger popping out.

Isola crouched down gently beside the child, a soft smile lighting her face as she spoke tenderly. “That’s your mother, Ravina. You can call her ‘Mama’ too.”

“Mama!” Ravina’s surprised expression immediately dissolved into delight as she excitedly cried out.

Her tiny legs moved quickly but unsteadily, carrying her toward Rowena with wobbling enthusiasm.

Instinctively, Rowena knelt down and opened her arms, catching Ravina easily as the child nearly stumbled into her embrace.

Holding the warm, giggling little girl in her arms, Rowena felt her heart twist with wonder and disbelief. She clearly remembered holding Ravina as an infant mere hours ago.

Yet now, she had grown impossibly fast into a small child capable of speech and walking.

“Ravina…” Rowena whispered softly, her voice laced with awe and shock, gently tightening her embrace, feeling the newfound weight and size of her daughter.

How could this be possible?

Rowena slowly stood, still clutching Ravina protectively to her chest. She turned urgently to Isola, eyes wide with confusion. “What happened to her, Isola? How is she…”

Isola offered a comforting smile, gently reassuring her, “Don’t worry, Rowena. Nothing is wrong with her.”

Igrid quickly stepped forward, his aged face wearing an expression of fascination and understanding. “She is right, Your Majesty. You have nothing to worry about.”

Rowena turned to Igrid, eyebrows knitting tightly in confusion, voice trembling slightly. “What do you mean, Senior Igrid? What is happening to her?”

Ravina, oblivious to the adults’ confusion, happily tugged and played with Rowena’s raven hair, innocently stuffing the strands into her little mouth as her mother spoke.

Igrid carefully explained, eyes filled with quiet awe, “When I first examined her, I sensed a powerful energy lingering around her mana circuit. But at the time, I wasn’t completely sure. I needed confirmation. Now, it’s clear—the enormous amount of Deviar energy she absorbed through you still remains within her body.”

Rowena’s eyes widened in alarm, her hold on Ravina tightening instinctively. “Then…could it harm her?”

Igrid shook his head reassuringly, his smile growing gentle yet excited. “If she were an ordinary child or even one of us, it would be deadly indeed or impossible, to say the least. But the little princess doesn’t follow the normal rules or limits we abide by. She already harnessed that same Deviar power to accelerate her growth within your womb. Now, she’s still unconsciously absorbing it, rapidly accelerating her development. She’s already close to becoming a Soul Devourer.”

Rowena stared, lips parted in shock, eyes filled with wonder and confusion. “Then does that mean she’ll continue growing rapidly?”

Igrid shook his head gently. “Not exactly. The bigger and stronger she becomes, the faster she’ll consume that lingering Deviar energy. Eventually, it will run out. Until then, though, we may see more rapid growth.”

Sabina, standing nearby, watched Ravina in bafflement and envy, voice tinged with disbelief. “Fu! She’s casually consuming the power of a Deviar? Simply by walking around and playing? Even a genius like me would nearly lose my life trying something like that! This lucky little thing…”

Silvia’s face, however, broke into an ecstatic smile, eyes sparkling joyfully. “Our little Ravina is incredible! She’s going to become so strong!”

Esther, Seron, and Jael exchanged astonished glances, each silently contemplating the implications of Ravina’s rapid growth.

Esther, in particular, felt quietly awed, realizing just how extraordinary Asher’s child truly was.

Seron couldn’t help but feel even more hopeful that they would have a future. If this child kept growing at this pace or at least fast enough, then maybe…they could truly reclaim it all even if her father does not return.

She just needed to be kept safe until then.

Rowena, still holding Ravina gently, studied her daughter’s innocent face.

Ravina reached out a tiny hand to gently caress Rowena’s cheek, smiling softly as she murmured affectionately, “Mama…”

Rowena’s heart swelled warmly, yet she felt a strange, bittersweet pang deep inside.

This was supposed to be a joyous occasion—her child growing rapidly and healthily, gaining strength.

Yet Rowena couldn’t deny a subtle sadness tugging at her heart. Ravina was already growing so quickly, changing so rapidly. She suddenly felt the fleeting nature of these precious moments.

A brief image of Asher’s face flashed through Rowena’s mind, deepening the ache in her heart.

Rowena stood quietly near the edge of the makeshift camp, her eyes heavy with thoughts and uncertainties as she gazed at the peaceful yet vulnerable figures of her people bustling around the tents.

Her heart tightened painfully each time she thought about the future—about Ravina growing so unnaturally quickly, and about the dark threats lingering beyond their sight.

As if sensing the weight of her thoughts, Isola gently approached Rowena, placing a comforting hand upon her shoulder.

“I know what you’re thinking,” Isola spoke softly, her voice calm and reassuring yet tinged with understanding. “But considering our situation, I am certain Asher would rather Ravina grow strong and happy rather than remain vulnerable to danger. We should take solace in the fact that the stronger she grows, the less we need to fear for her safety. In times such as these…it’s not safe to raise an infant.”

Rowena turned slowly, her expression softening at Isola’s words. She took a deep breath, glancing fondly towards Ravina.

Despite the heaviness in her heart, Rowena felt relief upon seeing the child’s innocent smile.

“You’re right, Isola,” Rowena finally replied softly, determination returning to her eyes. “It’s truly a blessing that Ravina possesses such strength. But that doesn’t mean we can lower our guards, even for a moment. I fear Drakar won’t rest until he sees us utterly destroyed—or takes this child from me.”

Isola’s expression hardened into quiet resolve as she nodded firmly, meeting Rowena’s gaze. “I promise you, Rowena, none of us are taking this lightly. We are constantly vigilant, watching carefully to ensure none of Drakar’s spies or soldiers can track us. You’re not alone in this—we’ll protect her at all costs.”

Rowena exhaled softly, comforted by Isola’s determined reassurance. “I know you will. Still…I hope we find a truly safe haven soon. Ravina deserves more than living on the run.”

Isola nodded, her eyes quietly fierce. “We’ll find it. There has to be one.”

Rowena pressed her lips together as she nodded.

Days flowed swiftly yet tensely by, each passing moment marked by growing astonishment and hope among the Bloodburn survivors.

Within a mere week, Ravina had grown remarkably, appearing as vibrant and lively as a child of three years.

She ran and laughed freely, her small voice speaking clearly and coherently, astounding even the elders among them.

“Come, Ravina, catch your little aunt if you can!” Silvia laughed merrily, dancing lightly out of Ravina’s eager grasp, her ruby hair flowing behind her as the little princess giggled happily and stumbled forward playfully.

“You’re too slow, Little Aunt!” Ravina called out, her sweet, innocent voice echoing joyously through the camp.

Sabina stood to the side, arms crossed, feigning disdain even as her ghostly dark red eyes sparkled warmly. “You’re losing to a little girl, Silvia? Maybe I should train her instead.”

Silvia stuck her tongue out teasingly at Sabina, calling back, “Hmph! You will lose to her too in no time!”

“You cheeky little!” Sabina hissed playfully with a chuckle.

Ravina paused briefly, turning to Sabina with wide eyes filled with innocence, “Aunt Sabina, do you want to play too? Ravina will play with you!”

Sabina’s lips curved as she twirled a tiny strand of Ravina’s hair, “Are you sure you can handle me, you little thing? Don’t go crying if I beat you.”

Ravina excitedly smiled and said with a hint of cockiness in her eyes, “Ravina can handle anything and Ravina won’t cry!” She then excitedly spun around to look at the elegant figure standing a few feet away, “Mama! Watch Ravina win against Big Aunt!”

“I am watching, my child,” Rowena said with a soft smile, warmth filling her heart as she observed how lively and happy Ravina was.

It was as if she didn’t belong to this cruel world.

Her people’s spirits seemed lighter, lifted by the extraordinary growth of their beloved princess. Despite their dire situation, Ravina’s joyful presence was an unexpected beacon of hope.

“Look how happy she makes them,” Isola quietly commented, stepping beside Rowena with a warm smile. “She’s truly a blessing.”

Rowena nodded softly, a gentle smile gracing her lips. “Yes, she is. Her strength gives us all hope, but her innocence keeps our hearts alive.”

“I just wish Callisa was here. She would have loved to play with a little sister despite the vast difference in size,” Isola said with a melancholic look, feeling bad for Callisa whom she had to leave behind in the seas. After all, Callisa wouldn’t be able to sustain herself properly on land and would suffer a lot.

“We will do everything we can to make sure we can bring her back safely,” Rowena said in a reassuring voice, knowing how sad Isola was feeling about Callisa.

Yet even as Rowena spoke, a chill breeze whispered subtly through the camp, rustling tents and brushing across her neck, making her skin prickle uneasily.

Unknown to them all, a shadowy figure stood concealed behind the crest of a nearby hill. Draped in a dark, hooded cloak, the figure watched silently, observing every detail.

The cloaked figure’s lips curled upward into an unnerving, sinister smile, his dark gray eyes glinting with dark satisfaction.

“Found you,” he whispered darkly, his voice barely audible even to himself. “He will be pleased.”

With quiet, deadly purpose, the short figure slipped silently away into the darkness, vanishing from sight, leaving behind no trace of his presence.

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