The Four Demons

[Third-Person Point-of-View]

Several hours had passed since the four parties of adventurers entered the cave, and finally, the group of four demons decided to enter the cave as well.

Unlike the adventurers who weren't sure what that cave was or what was waiting for them inside and were only looking for riches, hoping to find relics left behind by the ancient civilization of [Zrephia] before any of the other parties found them first, the demons knew well what that place was and what was at the bottom. The war against humans and all other races will soon begin, and they know well that what is at the bottom of that cave will greatly help them.

The Demon King entrusted Olval to be in charge of infiltrating the different territories and making sure to sabotage any attempt at an alliance between the races. It was important that the humans had no support from the other races before the new Demon King could unite all the demons and crush the demons that are still loyal to the former Demon King.

Olval has long black hair and is one of the Elder Demons. A demon so ancient that he was alive when the city of [Zrephia] was still standing.

Olval participated in the lost war against the humans led by Riledo shortly after the destruction of the city of [Zrephia], and since then, he swore that one day he would take **** on the humans.

Olval, despite not being strong enough to have a position as one of the 20 generals, a position that only the most powerful demons have under the direct command of the Demon King, confirmed his loyalty to the demon king when Olval helped overthrow the former Demon King; that's why that critical task was entrusted to him.

Being an infiltration job, Olval only took with him three more demons with adequate skills for infiltration and information gathering.

The first was his twin brother Tulman. Identical in appearance to him, with the only difference being that his hair was white. The most significant difference between them is their personalities. While Olval is a calculating and expressionless demon, Tulman has an explosive character. Typically Tulman is not the best option for a job like this, but Tulman is the demon he trusts the most, and his strength is similar to Olval's. He knew that if they found themselves in a difficult fight, between the two of them they could beat any human adventurer regardless of their rank.

The second demon to accompany him will be Namy.

Namy was loyal and fought for the previous Demon King, but when they were defeated, she agreed to change sides to save her life. Although she is not very strong in combat, she has a very useful skill that allows her to change her appearance to whatever she wants and hide her demonic presence making her practically undetectable.

Olval tasked her with infiltrating the castle to gather information and sabotage any attempt by the humans for outside help. To achieve this, Namy killed a noble girl named Caroline and took her appearance. Everything went well for her until her plots were discovered, and she had to escape.

The last member is Usofra. Like Namy, she also fought for the previous Demon King and changed sides after being defeated.

Usofra was sent by Olval to the dwarves' territory to further instigate the existing conflict between the dwarves and elves by causing them to stay focused on that conflict and be unable to help the humans. Usofra shines in sensory skills as well as the unique skill that allows her to put her mind into another person's body and control it for a while. That skill immensely helped her in her goal to further stoke tensions between dwarves and elves.

Meanwhile, Olval was in Beast-Kind territory, inciting an invasion of the humans as soon as they moved their forces north. Despite having some complications, the plan was going well. The humans were alone in the war against the demons. The mistake they made in the previous war, letting the other races unite against them, would not happen this time.

Then a fortunate event happened for the demons. After an earthquake, the entrance to an old prison made by [Zrephia] people was discovered on a mountain near the sea. All humans assumed it was a temple, like others found before, but demons as ancient as Olval remember that place—one of the prisons made by [Zephia's] people to keep dangerous individuals sealed away. Among them is a demon that not even Riledo and his army could kill, a general who was locked up, and they strongly suspect that he is still in there.

Olval called back the other three demons with the intention that they help him free said demon. The four demons entered the cave and advanced until they reached a circular area that had doors around and right in the middle and a large dark hole that seemed to have no bottom.

"It seems that each party took a different path," Usofra spoke.

"Do you know which paths they took?" Olval asked.

"I'll know if you give me a moment."

Usofra started walking around the area, checking each of the doors. Namy was behind her while the twins waited in the center, looking into the abyss of the hole.

"Hey, Usofra, do you know where Darx went?" Namy asked, whispering, trying to be discreet.

"I already found the entrance that he and his party took," Usofra replied, "I will take that path. I need to confirm what I felt when I saw him."

"I understand!" Namy replied, "A-And what will we do if it's true? If she's alive..."

"I have to find out first why I felt her coming from him. For that, we cannot let Olval or Tulman find out. They will kill him instantly." Usofra answered.

"Then, what?" Namy asked again.

"If that Darx boy is somehow the key to finding her. We'll have to get him out of here without the twins finding out. If they catch us, they won't only kill him but us too, and then all will be really lost."

"I don't think Darx will willingly come with us," Namy added.

"I don't care about that. I'll cut off his legs if I have to." Usofra reply.

"OK! Keep in touch with me." Namy said at the end.

After checking each of the doors, Usofra and Namy returned to the center.

"I already know which were the four doors they took," Usofra spoke.

"Once we separate, let them kill each other. If you have the chance to kill one of them, do it, but they mustn't discover our presence as it could complicate everything, "Olval spoke, "Let them do all the work of dealing with the traps and the monsters of the place. Once we reach the bottom, don't do anything until I give the order, understood?"

"Yes!"

"Now, Usofra, tell us which paths to take." Olval continuo.

Usofra pointed to a door, "That is the entrance that the Beast-Kind party took. I suggest that Olval be the one to take that path since he has more experience dealing with people of that race."

"Hey, who do you think you are to be directing which entrance each one takes?" Tulman asked, annoyed.

"I'm just pointing to the obvious. Also, the Beast-Kind has an S-Rank. Namy nor I could handle someone like her." Usofra reply.

Usofra then pointed to another entry, “For that entry, Ovlibion advanced. Namy should follow that group. Even though they also have an S-Rank with Namy's skill, it should be impossible for them to detect her."

"Tss..." Tulman made a sound showing his disgust.

Usofra turned around and pointed to another door, "Dark Dragons go that way. You, Tulman, should go after them."

"Oh, and why is that?" Tulman asked, irritated.

"Because the last party is Midnight Dawn, the weakest of the four parties. It seems logical that I'm the one who follows them since I'm also the weakest of us four."

"You being the weakest is right!" Tulman said mockingly.

"If it's already decided, let's get going," Namy spoke.

"Hey, Hey! Are we really going to follow Usofra's instructions, Olval?" Tulman asked.

"Yeah, it's not like she has hidden plans, right, Usofra!?" Olval asked her, looking into her eyes, "You already swore your allegiance to the Demon King."

Usofra felt a chill run through her body but managed to hide her fear, "Of course! I only suggested the best route forward. If you decide to be different, I have no problem."

"We will follow your plan!" Olval spoke, "Now get out of here and let the bloodbath begin."

As planned, Usofra followed Darx's party undetected for several days. During all that time, Usofra didn't feel the presence she hoped to feel again. During all those days, she was aware of his every move. Darx was someone very strange to her. A presence quite unlike any she has felt before. Her sensory abilities were among the best among demons, and even then, she couldn't understand him. She realized that Darx's presence was not that of an ordinary human or another race that she had felt before, yet at the same time, he made her feel a feeling of familiarity.

Usofra could only deduce that understanding what Darx is would be the key to achieving her goal.

However, one night what she wished for finally happened. As Darx slept once more, she felt the presence. She got closer to the group, risking being discovered. Since in order to use her mind seize skills, she needs to see her target. When she succeeded, she sent her mind to Darx's body.

Normally the body she's in would wake up. Usofra wasn't sure what would happen if she used her skill on Darx the moment she felt the presence; however, she didn't expect to find herself in a completely dark world. It was a place that seemed to be devoid of life. It was a place that scared her. She couldn't feel even the touch of her feet on the floor. All Usofra could do was move in the direction where she felt her presence.

After walking for a while, Usofra finally got to where Darx was, and in front of him was a chained woman whose face was hidden between the darkness and her hair. However, Usofra knew well who she was. It was a presence that had no equal.

A few tears came out of her eyes as she said, "She's alive... the Demon King... is alive!"

Both Darx and the chained woman became aware of the strange presence. At that moment, she was ejected from Darx's mind; however, while she was being expelled, she could hear the cry of a baby in the distance.

Her mind returned to her body. Also, Darx woke up at the same time. Usofra ran until she was sure no one was after her. Usofra sat on the ground when she was safe, smiling and crying simultaneously.

Once again, Usofra used her mental power to communicate with Namy.

"Namy! Can you hear me?"

"Yeah, very distant in my mind, but I can hear you," Namy answered.

"Something happened!" Usofra said.

"Really!? I also have some things to tell you. This group is good! Maybe we can use them to get rid of Olval and Tulman. What do you think? They are advancing without any complications. I think they'll be the first to reach the bottom. If it weren't for them constantly stopping, and every time they stop, couples break away from the group for a long time and go fuck each other! Humans are funnier than I thought!"

"Namy...!" Usofra tried to interrupt her.

However, Namy didn't hear and kept talking, "Remember how I told you I heard that the Dark Elf of this group and Darx are a couple!? Well, right now, she and Kase are-"

"NAMY, SHUT UP!" Usofra yelled, "She is alive!"

"What?"

"She is alive! The Demon King is alive! I saw her!"

Namy went silent for a few seconds trying to digest the news.

"A-Are you sure? What do you mean you saw her?" Namy asked.

Usofra told Namy the details of how it happened. As Usofra spoke, Namy didn't say a word.

They both joined the current Demon King after thinking the previous Demon King had died. All the demons believe that the current Demon King killed the previous one. The demons loyal to the previous Demon King were left with ****. It was either join or die. But now that they know she's still alive, that changes everything.

"Now what, Usofra? How do we get Darx out of here?"

"I have been thinking about it, and we will have to meet at some point. Let's take advantage of the distraction while all the adventurers are fighting, and I will use my skill to take over Darx's mind for a moment. After that, I will take him away from the combat zone and Give us enough time to tie Darx up. We'll take him out of here before Olval and Tulman notice."

"Sounds simpler than it is," Namy replied.

"If we want to find out where she is, we have ****."

"I guess there's ****..." Namy said while exhaling, "Oh, You also said that you heard a baby cry. What do you mean by that?"

"Who knows! It was in his mind, so maybe a sound from his subconscious." Usofra replied, "Forget about it and just focus on not getting caught until we find our chance."

"Okay!"

The opportunity that Usofra and Namy were waiting for came days later. A clash between Midnight Dawn and Oblivion happened. Namy, who was following Oblivion, was away from the combat area, waiting for Usofra to contact her. The combat was becoming more and more violent, which was beginning to worry Namy. She couldn't let anything happen to Darx, but she couldn't move until Usofra arrived.

"Where are you, Usofra?" Namy wondered as she nervously walked in circles.

Moments after, another party arrived at the showdown. The Stormbirds appeared, dealing the first blow against Kase. Midnight Dawn took the opportunity to fall back and tend the wounded. Midnight Dawn backs up close to where Namy is. Namy could see them from the shadows. She saw the only adventurer of their party with sensory skills was focused on healing Dante. The other healer was also busy tending to the wounded while the other members were on guard, covering the entrance they came from in case someone was after them.

Darx and Gerald were close to each other. Namy doesn't have the skill to take over Darx's mind for a short time and bring him to her, but she thought of a way to lure Darx away. It was the perfect opportunity!

Namy changed her appearance to Caroline's. She bet that if she lured Gerald, Darx would go after him. Fortunately for her, her bet worked.

Seeing his beloved Caroline, Gerald stood up and ran after her, and Darx ran shortly after him.

(Where are you, Usofra? You let me do all the work. Luckily I achieved the objective. Once I get far enough away, I'll kill Gerald and take Darx out of the cave. Make sure you catch up with me) Namy was thinking.

Namy ran to cross a wide area when she suddenly stopped. Looking ahead as if he were waiting for her, Olval stood before her. Seeing to Olval's left, Usofra was on the ground with her body covered in wounds.

Namy immediately understood that Olval had discovered their plan. Usofra most likely tried to oppose Olval after being discovered, and he left her in that state.

"Carolin! Wait!" Gerald's voice was heard as he finally reached her.

Moments later, Darx also arrived. Darx's astonishment was not for Caroline. When he looked ahead, he saw a demon, a real demon!

"So, Namy," Olval spoke, "Usofra refused to tell me what was happening. I hope you can tell me what this is all about."