Predestined Meeting Part 1

Four months had passed since my battle with Duke Vanth, and now I found myself soaring above the land on the back of a gross eagle monster I had tamed. Its twisted feathers and jagged beak were only a fraction of its terrifying appearance, but it was under my control. Stealing Duke Vanth's ability to command monsters before killing him had granted me this power, and with it, I could guide the monstrous creature as it carried me eastward. Still, even more than that, this power has granted me this exhilarating freedom. Monsters are no longer a problem on our journey. Even better, this demon-infested territory provides me with an almost limitless army of creatures I can summon when needed to fight for me. For now, though, I've only used this power to lure monsters to our campsite, keeping them still long enough for me to kick them into place. It saves me the trouble of hunting, and I always have something fresh to eat.

Namy and Usofra flew beside me, cutting through the air with grace, while Sunshine remained safely tucked within the medallion around my neck. It was really a great idea, although quite risky, to steal Duke Vanth's skill. I managed to get my **** for what happened to my village, and at the same time, now I have a way to fly since I was the only one who couldn't do it. Our aerial journey proved to be far quicker and more discreet than traveling by ground. With the Demon King's forces potentially hunting us down after Duke Vanth's demise, we needed every advantage we could get. Flying gave us the opportunity to avoid confrontations and slip past any checkpoints unnoticed. It was the perfect method for our current mission: finding Zaine.

We crossed into a new territory. Usofra called it Avernus. I noted the stark contrast in the landscape. The land below was a vast desert with rolling dunes and large rocks as far as the eye could see. Occasional patches of twisted and warped vegetation dotted the otherwise barren expanse, their leaves shimmering in the harsh sunlight. The oppressive heat radiated upwards, causing the air around us to shimmer and warp our view of the world below.

A strange feeling washed over me. It was as if Zaine's presence was calling out to me, beckoning me closer. My chest tightened at the thought of finally finding her. We are close. In my heart, I knew she was within reach, somewhere amidst the desolation below.

My mind raced with anticipation and uncertainty. After all this time searching for Zaine, I would finally have answers to the countless questions that plagued me. But more than that, I felt a genuine need to rescue her. To bring her back from the world of darkness that had swallowed her whole. It was a desire that went beyond mere curiosity; it was a deep, unyielding yearning to see her in person for the first time.

I allowed myself a moment of introspection, reflecting on the journey that had led me here. I had faced betrayal and heartache, but despite it all, I had persevered. With each passing day, the mystery surrounding Zaine and myself had become more entwined, and now, I was on the verge of unraveling the truth.

"Darx," Usofra called out, her voice barely audible over the sound of rushing wind, "We've made good progress today. How about we find a place to rest soon? We'll reach the city of Avernus tomorrow, and we'll need a plan before entering."

"Agreed," I replied, scanning the landscape below for a suitable spot.

"Over there," Usofra suggested, pointing to a small outcropping of rocks.

"Okay!" I signal the horrendous eagle to descend toward that spot. Namy and Usofra followed suit, their wings slicing through the hot air as we made our way to the ground.

As we landed, I dismounted the eagle and surveyed our surroundings. The barren landscape provided little cover, but we managed to find a good space to set up camp.

"Should I attract monsters around me so I can kill them and have something fresh to eat?" I asked while freeing Sunshine from the medallion.

"Naa, we still have food left over from this morning," Namy answered me.

That said, I headed back to the eagle to take my things down.

"Dox, why is it so cold if we are in the desert?" Sunshine, who was flying around me, asked while I took out some fruits that I had in the backpack that was on the eagle.

"Well, it's because-"

"Forget it! I don't care anymore," Sunshine said as soon as she saw the fruits, "Besides, your explanations are always very long."

"I-I see..."

I wonder if all fairies are like this...?

We worked together, gathering what few supplies we had and starting a fire to ward off the chill of the desert night. Meanwhile, Sunshine stayed on a rock, eating her fruits and picking her nose.

"Hey! Stupid fairy, you help too!" Namy yelled at Sunshine angrily with her hands full of her luggage.

Without any shame and with her finger still in her nose, Sunshine responded without turning to look at Namy, "That's no way to talk to your savior." After saying that, Sunshine smiled mockingly, which made Namy even more angry.

Since the day Sunshine protected Namy after Namy was left **** in the fight against Duke Vanth, it has been Sunshine's recurring response to remind Namy that she saved her life, which, as usual, sparks yet another argument between them, escalating until Usofra steps in to break it up.

After a while, we sat around the fire, eating a meager meal of dried meat and stale bread; I turned to Namy and Usofra, "Tell me, what can we expect in Avernus? What do you know about this place?" I asked, my curiosity piqued by the desolate scenery surrounding us.

Namy shook her head, her black hair shimmering in the firelight, "I've never been here before. I'm afraid I don't know much about this region."

"Neither do I," Usofra added, "But I do know that the Duke of this region is called Dagrol. He and Jaron are among the Demon King's closest advisors."

My gaze locked onto Usofra's, searching for any sign of deception. But her eyes held only truth – and a hint of sadness. It was clear that neither she nor Namy knew what awaited us in the city of Avernus.

As we continued to eat, I couldn't help but recall my encounter with Duke Vanth and how he had mentioned Jaron's name. The way Vanth spoke about Jaron made it clear that Jaron was someone trusted by the Demon King. More importantly, Jaron seemed to possess knowledge that I desperately needed. After all, it was Jaron who had instructed the other Dukes to be on the lookout for someone with red eyes. But what troubled me most was how Jaron knew my father's name. Duke Vanth also seemed to know a little about my father, Azriel, and me, but it became clear to me that all Vanth knew were things Jaron said without really knowing the background of everything.

Everything is so confusing. I had the suspicion that my father was, in one way or another, related to everything strange that had happened to me, but even when I asked my mother, she swore that my father was a normal person—a prodigy mage from Dark Dragons but nothing out of the ordinary. Could it be that my mother lied to me? or could it be that if my father was hiding something from my mother too?

"Usofra, Namy," I began, my voice low, "Tell me everything you know about Jaron and Duke Dagrol. Whatever you know, no matter how insignificant it may seem, is fine."

Namy's eyes flickered with uncertainty, "Well," Namy began, her tone cautious, "Duke Dagrol isn't someone who is seen in public very often; therefore, little is known about him. In fact, his fortress isn't even inside the city of Avernus. It's located a couple of days further north, in the middle of the territory."

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by this revelation. Fortress, not a castle? And why so far from the city? What kind of Duke would distance himself so far from his own people?

"Interesting," I murmured, urging them to continue.

Usofra added, "Duke Dagrol's fortress is a place no one approaches since it is prohibited under penalty of **** to approach that area for any reason."

"Really?" I asked curiosity piqued, "Why is it forbidden?"

Usofra's dark eyes seemed to search my own for a moment before she replied, "It's not because of the fortress itself, but because further north are the ruins of the ancient civilization of [Zrephia]."

"[Z-Zrephia] is in this area?" I said, quite surprised.

[Zrephia], the ancient human capital before it fell to the demons, had been spoken of for generations as a place of immense magic. It was believed that the most powerful magicians of any era once lived there, and the relics they created still determine the outcomes of wars even today. It was also the home of the royals, who were said to be direct descendants of a goddess. A place that always seemed like a distant legend—but for some reason, it always felt connected to me, especially because of the peculiar color of my eyes, the same as those royals from the fabled city. I never thought I'd actually see that place one day.

"Sunshine, who had been resting in my legs all this time, stood up upon hearing the mention of Zrephia, "I-If we are close to the ruins of [Zrephia], that means we are also close to the sacred forest," Sunshine said in surprise, "Our ancient forest was near that city!"

"The truth is I'm not sure about that. But it is possible that that is the case," Usofra responded, "It is a large area that we are not allowed to enter."

"Do you know the real reason why entering that area is prohibited?" I asked.

"For security," Usofra answered me.

"Zaine herself forbade any demon from approaching the ruins," Namy added, her voice taking on a solemn tone, "She said that the magic left behind by the Princess of Zrephia after she destroyed the city still lingers there, and it's deadly for demons. I think most humans and demons know her as the so-called Princess of Calamity."

As Namy spoke, a chill ran down my spine. The Princess of Calamity—another fabled figure, a mighty princess who had brought ruin to [Zrephia] centuries ago. Because of the apparent strange connection I have with that place, I have tried to learn as much as I can about [Zrephia] and, of course, the Princess of that now ruined city. Her name has been long forgotten, and she is now known only as The Princess of Calamity.

The Princess of Calamity is despised by both Humans and Demons, though for different reasons. Humans believed her madness was responsible for the destruction of the most powerful city ever known, obliterating its vast knowledge and ending the royal bloodline of the goddess [Imris]. Nearly every human blames her for igniting the war that caused the loss of much of their territory, a disaster that could have been even worse if not for the united army of the alliance of all races that halted the demons.

On the other hand, Demons hold The Princess of Calamity responsible for betraying them during a time when Demons and the people of [Zrephia] coexisted in harmony. It is said that the Demon King was the only one capable of standing against the Princess. To eliminate him, the Princess feigned a desire for a closer alliance between the two most powerful forces, claiming she wanted to integrate the demons—who had long been shunned and scorned by the other races—into a unified future for all. But in the end, The Princess of Calamity betrayed them, treacherously killing the Demon King. This single act sparked the chain of disasters that followed.

If that Princess's magic is still present in the ruins, that indicates that she really was incredibly powerful.

"Usofra, can you point to where Avernus city is?" I asked.

"Ah? S-Sure." Usofra responded, pointing east.

Looking toward the city, I closed my eyes and concentrated on Zaine's presence. There was no mistaking it—her presence was to the northeast, far from the city. This meant one thing: Zaine wasn't in Avernus city at all.

After detecting Zaine's location more clearly, I pointed my finger in that coordinate, "What is in that direction?" I asked.

Let me see," Usofra responded, taking out his map, "From the direction you're pointing, it seems to be the direction where Duke Dagrol's fortress is located."

"It makes sense that the Demon Queen would be in that place," Namy added, "After all, that fortress is considered impenetrable, and very few are allowed to enter. There's no better place to hide Zaine."

"Wait!" Usofra said with his gaze still fixed on the map, "It seems that in that same direction, there are also the ruins of [Zrephia]."

"Are you suggesting it's possible that Zaine could be in the ruins?" I asked.

"That's impossible!" Namy responded, "Didn't you hear what we told you? Even Zaine couldn't survive inside those ruins for long. She told me that herself once."

"But if the Demon King or Duke Dagrol found a way to survive within those ruins, there is no better place to hide Zaine since no demon could enter," Usofra said.

"So it's almost certain that Zaine is either in Duke Dagrol's fortress or in the ruins," I said, "Deadly or not, it seems we'll have to venture into those ruins or the fortress if we want to rescue Zaine," I said, determination setting in, "We can't afford to ignore potential leads, no matter how dangerous."

Usofra nodded in agreement, "It's true. From what little I know, Duke Dagrol is one of the oldest demons and has guarded this area for hundreds of years. It is almost certain that in order to get to Zaine, we will have to deal with him."

"Then we must be cautious," Namy chimed in, her voice steady and resolute, "We can't afford to underestimate our enemies, especially those with such a long history."

"Agreed," Sunshine spoke, "If kicking the ass of a Duke or two more will help me get to my destination, you can count on me."

"Speaking of enemies," I said, my curiosity piqued, "What do you know about Jaron? You mentioned that he's one of the generals who helped overthrow Zaine. The truth is that I am quite curious about him."

Usofra's eyes narrowed as she responded, "Unlike Duke Dagrol, we know quite a bit about Jaron. We've even met him in person quite a few times," My surprise was evident, and Usofra continued, "Jaron was the first among the twelve generals who had the duty to protect the Demon Queen. As the highest-ranked general, he commanded Zaine's personal legion or army as you may know them."

Namy's face grew dark as she added, "For hundreds of years, Jaron served Zaine faithfully. She had complete trust in him. Jaron was her right-hand man, her confidant, and even more than that."

"Was Jaron... Zaine's lover?" I asked, trying to keep my shock under control.

Usofra looked at me and nodded, "Y-Yes, he was. But don't let that bother you. The past is the past, and now Jaron is our enemy."

I couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy. It never crossed my mind that Zaine could have a lover, although Ziane is supposed to have been alive for hundreds of years, so it would be strange if she didn't have one. However, I quickly pushed those feelings aside, focusing on the task at hand, "So, what was Jaron like?" I asked, my voice cold and focused.

"Jaron was a kind and highly capable demon. He kept order but never abused his power. He was someone that I, as well as many other demons, admired. It was easy to understand why Zaine had so much trust in him." Namy replied, "It is no exaggeration to say that Jaron was a Hero."

"So what happened?" I asked, "Why did he betray Zaine?"

"Even we don't know the answer to that," Namy admitted, her anger simmering beneath her words, "When we first heard that he was one of the generals who helped overthrow Zaine, we refused to believe it. But then, on the battlefield, we saw it with our own eyes – Jaron slaughtering the very demons who were fighting to save Zaine."

"Something drastic must have happened for Jaron to change sides," Usofra continued, "Although we don't have the answer to his reason, one thing is clear to me. You Darx, for some reason, you are in the middle of everything."

"My sister is right," Namy added, "It's no coincidence that the Demon King is interested enough in you to order the Dukes to keep an eye out for a person with red eyes. The Dukes are the Demon King's strongest pawns. Only the most critical tasks are entrusted to them. Besides, why are you, a human person who has never been in contact with Zaine and lived thousands of kilometers of distance away from her, the only person who seems to have a strong enough connection with Zaine to feel her presence?"

"Outside of that, your demonic energy is at the level of a Duke and maybe even higher. Why does a human have demonic energy of such magnitude?" Usofra continued.

"That's just on our side," Namy continued, bombarding me with questions, "The color of your eyes is no coincidence, and believe me, the human Queen took a keen interest in you. During my time as a spy in the castle, I noticed that you had watchers—people keeping tabs on you, though you likely never realized it. I'm almost one hundred percent sure that they were watching you on orders from your Queen, and I wouldn't be surprised if someone was monitoring you throughout your entire stay in the city."

Was I being watched all the time? It is true that I noticed several times that I was being watched in the city, but I never thought it was all the time. Will it be true? I doubt Namy is lying to me.

At that moment, as if by some ill-fated coincidence, a pair of crows flew overhead—crows I had seen several times throughout this journey. Could they be Stella's crows? My Guild Master's birds? Was it possible that Queen Zara was aware of my every move, even here?