under a red sky

The difference in the world inside the blood sphere wasn't that incredibility different from standing outside it The notable differences were that the world looked a little rosier, what with the red light filter and all. And there were these teasing motions in the periphery of one's vision.

Alex knew that those little movements were the blood wraiths of the sphere, but they weren't really visible when you looked right at them, they were more like flies in a room, always teasing the eyes with their movements, but never being still long enough to get a good look at them.

The feeling of a million eyes staring at Alex made him most uncomfortable this time passing through the sphere, and the knowledge that even the special eyesight he had from his demon eyes couldn't give him a clear image of any shapes added to being unnerving.

(I don't think there is a division between the souls and the sphere, Master.) Demon answered his thoughts.

(That doesn't make the feeling less unnerving.)

(Imagine how it feels with the sensory sensitivity of a cat. I'm keeping my eyes shut.)

(We'd have been dead for sure a few paces into the sphere. I wonder how many times it took before he was so comfortable walking though this field.)

Shoulder to shoulder with Alex, Raven was walking in even carefree steps. No bluster, no hustle, nothing in his stance or stride to signify that where he walked now was any different from any other place in sight of a walled city.

"Tell me Raven," Demon's voice broke the silence, "Is there normally a welcoming party at the city gates?"

Raven looked perplexed, "Not in my experience. They must be here to see you two."

Alex sighed, "I'd rather not spend more time out here than necessary. The sphere makes me uncomfortable."

"Why? It's basically just red fog."

"Is that all you see?" Alex asked.

"Yes...what does it look like to you?"

"I suppose I see swarms of something like insects, constant movement in the corners of my eyesight, but I can't follow their movements or see then head on."

"Oh," Raven looked around, "Honestly I see nothing."

"It's not just him," Demon added, "I'm keeping my eyes closed too."

"Then how do know there's a welcoming party?"

"I can feel their thoughts, anticipation, it appears to be five of them."

Raven squinted into the distance and let out a low whistle, "I can't count them clearly from here, but it does appear the wicket is open and some people are outside the city."

"Detect anything unpleasant?" Alex asked.

"No. I can feel the Avatar deeper inside the city, probably in the temple. These are just humans."

"Best not keep them waiting." Alex sighed and quickened his pace.

At the gate were waiting five women covered from the crown of their heads to the dust of the earth under veils. Their shapes could be seen well enough to know that they were fully robed but not well enough to make out any distinct features.

When Alex and Raven approached they knelt briefly before rising and lifting their arms to the sky in unison.

"Greeting to the divine entertainment." "Greetings to the deviant child." "Greetings to the blessed guide."

Raven leaned over and whispered, "I know which one I am, but which are you?"

"I'm older so he has to be the deviant child."

Alex scowled over his shoulder, "You really expect me to accept that your the divine entertainment?"

"I'm hilarious."

The women parted and motioned to the open pedestrian door in the city gate. "Our city greets you; our god bestows his favor; and our husband, the Avatar, has made preparations for your stay in our quite little city."

Demon looked at the women and hunkered a little, (Nope, big nope. That's suspicious as hell.)

Raven also moved behind Alex and gave him a little push. "You're the brave one, hero, you go first."

Alex groaned internally before taking a deep breath. The women were still holding that formal bow framing the door like a corridor to some unspeakable trap.

Steeling his resolve Alex stepped forward, knowing he was already too committed to this decision to back away now.