When the group had rested, Nelson first left the building in his disguise, then snuck into an alley where he hid his costume and then waited for the other two just outside. From there, he acted as their guide. He wasn’t sure how much either had visited the town itself and learned the layout, but it hardly mattered beyond them having an escape plan should something happen. The market was lively and full of stalls that sold deliciously smelling foods, and various drinks, some were even alcoholic, and jewellery worthy of any noble. There were many guards at the four entrances to the market and many more wandering around the stalls. No thief would take a risk of stealing anything here. It had tempted Nelson to swipe something. He always enjoyed a challenge like this, especially if he could make a fool out of the guards. However, knowing how important his mission was ensured that he behaved. Perhaps after this mission was over, he might play his games and find something he could profit f
With Nelson dressed in the best clothes he had packed, he felt so underdressed to be a ‘guest’ of Sethis. Though he knew none of this visit was a particularly friendly one, nor did he believe Sethis was offering his hand out in such terms, either. There was something else at play here, and Nelson had a few guesses about what those things were.Shade showed up a little later. He seemed a little frazzled, but otherwise, he seemed as well as he had a couple of hours before. “Sorry to keep ya,” Shade said, dipping his head. “Something happened but ya need to worry none. Let’s go inside.”Nelson didn’t believe it had anything to do with his break-in earlier, as he had put everything back the way he had found it. Yet there was always that chance he hadn’t.“I hope it is nothing too serious,” Nelson offered, to see if Shade would open up a bit more. He didn’t want to come across as pushy or else the rattus might suspect something.Shade shook his head and said, “just the maid probably. Is al
As Nelson moved down the hallway, the way Shade had taken him, he noticed a young woman. She had long white hair and golden bronze eyes. She was quite pretty but seemed very anxious. Nelson thought little of her at first until he realised who this was.This was Elena Silversmith, Sethis’ daughter. He hadn’t seen her around much, but she had become quite the talk of the Falanthyst Kingdom when she had visited during the tournament. Sitting next to the King and even holding his hand at one point.Of course, Nelson hadn’t been there himself. The King and the group he was with at the time had seen him, so going was too risky. That didn’t mean Nelson hadn’t sent several unknown spies to check things out, though.This made things a little tricky now. They couldn’t deal with Sethis so quickly with her here. They would have to get her out of the way before they could strike him down, or else she might draw an old God’s attention and get possessed. Or Sethis might sacrifice her to get what he
Once more, Nelson moved through the old city, though this time he was in an area he hadn’t been in before. He at least knew what to expect, which was more than Fenryn and Vaughan could say. Yet they had already come across a minor demon or two he hadn’t seen before.Despite the fact the two said they had no experience with demons, Nelson couldn’t help but notice his human companions had handled themselves rather well. If it was merely the training they had as noble and royalty, Nelson didn’t know, but it was clear it did not disturb them in the slightest.“We be closer now,” Shade said, keeping his voice low. “With luck, it will not have lesser demons to take power from… nasty stuff, that is,” he added. His rat-like tail swished along the ground as he shook his head.“Then let us finish this fast,” Nelson said, not wanting to see what might happen if this particular demon got stronger. The chance
It took the group an hour to sneak around several demons unrelated to their mission before they finally found their target. It was a giant beast with two heads and looked almost like a wingless dragon. Walking on its hind legs, the demon’s hands ended in sharp claws.The group watched as it stomped about the small area. It almost seemed to search for something, but even Shade wasn’t sure what that something might be. So far, it hadn’t noticed them, and there didn’t seem to be any minions or other demonic creatures around.Nelson wasn’t entirely sure how they were going to fight this thing. Yes, they technically outnumbered it four to one. However, the demon having two heads would make any sneak attacks almost impossible. Not to mention that long, spiky tail and sharp fangs. If the thing could breathe fire, then this fight would not last long at all.Whispering low enough so that the demonic creature couldn’t hear him, Nelson a
Nelson watched from within the shadows as the fight continued to drag out. He saw how the second head gave the demon the advantage of any sneak attacks to strike at its head. There was no way his plan was going to work while one head could still defend its back from attacks.The group was getting worn out, even with the golem’s help fighting and distracting the beast. Nelson could do nothing yet but watch and wait. He didn’t want to waste any throwing knives when the scales would deflect them so easily, and the poison couldn't do anything if it didn't cut skin.There had to be a weakness somewhere, which didn’t involve dealing with two heads. But where? There weren’t many spots on the demon where its scales didn’t protect the skin beneath.The only plus side to this whole thing was that the demon had not yet called anything else to aid it. If that should happen, he doubted they would ever defeat the beast. He sure as the Underworld
As soon as the gemstone was pulled out of the demon’s chest, Fenryn saw the glow pulsate one last time before it became a dull glow and nothing more. He frowned and took out a piece of cloth, drying off the blood from his hand, arm, and the gemstone. He tried not to think about it, but the truth was that this gemstone wasn’t from the ground like the others. Even if this wouldn’t be used in the ritual to make one a God, then it still had special properties to it. It was the heart of a demon, and he dared to think what power it was capable of. Vaughan marched over to Fenryn and grabbed his arm, pulling the King out of his concentration on the demonic gemstone heart. At first, the sudden call to move puzzled him, but then he saw and heard the lesser demons coming their way. Putting the gemstone in the dirty cloth and carefully away in his satchel, Fenryn swiftly followed Vaughan back the way they had come. He didn’t want to wait and find out what happened when the lesser demons found t
As Sethis showed Nelson to the guest room, he couldn’t help but wonder if there were any hidden passages or spaces within the mansion. Although not as large as the King’s castle, there was no reason not to suspect the nobleman wouldn’t have things he would rather hide away from the rest of his peers.Especially something as secretive as his desire to become a God. That would mean Nelson had some more exploring to do. He had noticed nothing major the last time he had been here, but he had found the real journal under the floorboards.Nelson concluded Sethis had a love for hidden things. Then there was the old spirit that had been lingering around here. One that loved those who were sly and sneaky. Things were certainly lining up.“So, what is the gemstone for, anyway? Do they sell for a lot?” Nelson asked, sounding far less interested than he truly was. “I have never seen them sold back over in the Falanthyst Kingdom.”Sethis beamed a smile. “They’re used to help boost magic,” he repli