Chapter 1
House of Cryos, Aperion
Many Years Ago
It’s been two hundred and eighty-five days since I’ve last killed a demon.
Two hundred and eighty-five days since I’ve been on a battlefield.
And now I am forced to stand witness to the musical atrocity in front of me. All in the name of being seen in high society. All so I can be seen as ladylike and not a heathen who enjoys making demons bleed before sending them off back to the Source.
I tighten my fingers on the leaflet detailing tonight’s performance, and a gust of chilly air blows through my hair, messing the updo my maid had painstakingly spent hours to style.
“Minerva,” my mother hisses in my ear.
I glance at her from the corner of my eye.
The scowl on her face accompanies a deep frown that ought to permanently get etched into her features. It really should, considering how often she sports it. But alas, she’s a powerful deity from a reputed clan. Despite her advanced age, she only looks slightly older than me, which she never fails to point out.
She’s a beauty. A scowling beauty, but one nonetheless. And there’s nothing worse than a female who is well aware of her attributes. Somehow, her sullen appearance makes her even more intriguing to the male population, which she greatly enjoys.
It’s disconcerting how many admirers she has—males who openly profess their adoration to her even though she is married. To a king, nonetheless.
But my father is most often oblivious. Or if he notices, he turns a blind eye.
He is busy with important matters, not frivolous ones like monitoring what his wife is wearing or if she flirts with half of Aperion. In his eyes, she has done her duty. She provided him with three children: an heir, a spare, and a female—yes, that is exactly how both of my parents refer to their precious offspring.
It’s laudable to have three children, considering an Aperite female has an average of one point five children. Not to say that they birth halves, though perhaps that happens sometimes? I’ve never personally witnessed a birth, so I cannot say how those little creatures come into the world, nor have I been allowed to investigate it, though I have been curious about it.
It’s a matter for the worldly female, my mother would say, snatching a book on the topic from my hands. “You will learn about it after you get mated.”
That means that no matter how many military treatises I read or how many classic works on the topic of demonology and spiritual energy I memorize by heart, I will never be allowed to investigate matters that are of a more…intimate nature.
Those are for the worldly female only. And why? Because not only my mother, but other females within our circles believe that worldly knowledge equals temptation. Once a young, unmated female becomes aware of those secrets, she is naturally bound to want to explore them.
Alas, it seems I am about to find out soon enough, seeing as how I am betrothed to be married.
I have been engaged for two hundred and eighty-five days. The connection between my new betrothal and my lack of demon killing is clear, though perhaps not as intuitive as one might think.
My fiancé is a refined male. A bit of a peacock if you ask me. Unfortunately, my parents chose him for me without even seeking my opinion.
But I gave it nonetheless at the engagement party they sprang up on me.
Quite loudly.
Quite…unladylikely.
Oops.
Who told them to spring up on me a surprise of such magnitude in public? I am not the type to silently acquiesce to everything, which my parents are well aware of. Perhaps they thought that by announcing the engagement in front of an audience, I would be less inclined to throw a fit.
Oh, well…
Theron of the House of Pyros is by all accounts a perfect match. He is a reputed warrior who has recently gained favor with Commander Azerius for his last mission. Rumors say he might make general soon.
Now that is quite the achievement, and I’m almost jealous about it—if it were actually deserved. It’s no secret it is my ardent wish to excel in the army and become a general myself. The first female general in Commander Azerius’ army. You would think that Theron, a warrior himself, would appreciate my aspirations.
No.
Not. At. All.
After my rather loud outburst in which I may or may not have said that he is a peacock—perhaps I should have chosen a different word for it, but I was too annoyed at the time to mind my vocabulary—he announced that he would magnanimously forgive me for my careless words. With a caveat, of course. I was to stop all unladylike activities and dedicate myself to becoming the model of decorum.
His prestige alone would be enough, so I do not need to concern myself with such business.
Psh! What an arsehole!
I would have said that to his face, too, if my parents had not promptly removed me from the ballroom.
As it stands, both families have signed the mating contract. The wedding is as good as done. But that doesn’t mean I am pleased about it or that I bow down to what they dictate.
It’s just a matter of…figuring out the best course of action.
So for now, I will smile and keep my mouth shut while silently planning my next move.
After all, it’s not as if Theron likes me either. With his enormous ego, he probably thinks I am not fit to be within a few paces away from him. But egocentrism is not his only quality, you see. He’s also a mamma’s boy. And if his mother has decided on a bride for him, then he will of course do as she says.
Ugh!
“Minerva! Was that a snort I heard?” My mother gasps.
I bite my lip to stop a retort I know will not be welcomed. Instead, I put on my fake smile.
“Something was obstructing my breathing, Mother,” I murmur in a low voice.
Her eyes narrow at me.
With a huff, she turns her attention back to the musical.
I release a sigh of relief.
I wonder how much longer I will have to withstand this cacophony.
My mother suddenly rises to her feet. Her eyes sparkle as she looks to the side. I follow her gaze, and my lips flatten in displeasure.
Theron and his mother, Olivia, are heading toward us.
He’s proudly wearing his military uniform. On his jacket, he has displayed all his honors, including the ones that are more of a…participatory nature. But one would only know that if one happened to be in the military as well. To the rest of the world, so many medals on his jacket must be highly impressive.
Peacock.
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him that I own most of those medals too. But that would earn me a scolding—the last thing I need now.
“Olivia, dear,” my mother calls out. “And dashing Theron.” She studies his medals with interest. “I did not realize you were such an accomplished soldier. My congratulations.”
Theron grunts. Tipping his chin up, a proud smile prods at his lips.
“Thank you.” He inclines his head.
“Minerva,” my mother whispers, giving me a look. “Isn’t Theron so impressive?”
“Of course,” I add with a fake smile.
He preens.
“I would never boast around with a participation prize. But if that gives him joy…” I trail off.
Theron and Olivia gasp at my words.
My mother is a little slower in understanding what I mean, but when she does, she elbows me in the ribs.
“She just meant that Theron must be quite involved in a lot of activities, no?” my mother says in an attempt to cover for my blunder.
Theron’s eyes flash at me.
“Why don’t we give them some time to talk during the recess,” she continues. “They must be excited to get to know each other.”
“It’s not proper, Mother—”
“There are so many people around.” She waves her hand to the rest of the audience mingling around for the break. “It is quite proper, I assure you.”
Olivia agrees, and they all but shoo us to a more discreet corner so we can get to know each other.
We’re still within their sight, but now there’s no one to save me from having to make small talk with him.
Great.
Just what I needed on an already abysmal day.
Theron studies me, his lips curled with disdain.
“That mouth of yours will get you in trouble,” he comments in a bored tone.
I shrug.
“At least I keep my mouth out of other people’s arses. Who knows how many you had to kiss to get those distinctions,” I grumble.
He reddens with anger. His hands are balled into fists by his sides, and he makes to grab me. But realizing how many people are around, he thinks better of it and stops himself before doing something scandalous.
“You will learn how to behave after our nuptials, Minerva. If I have to muzzle you, don’t think for a moment that I will not.”
“What?”
“I don’t like you. In fact, I actively dislike you. But Mother has decided your family name is good for us, so we will marry. But do not for one moment think that I will let you behave thusly after we are mated.”
“Really?” I ask drily. “And how will you have me behave?”
His lips press together in annoyance.
“As if you did not exist,” he replies through gritted teeth.
Oh, my! That’s quite the auspicious beginning to my marriage.
I smile sweetly and bat my lashes at him. While he’s distracted—or better said disgusted—by my charms, I gather some of the moisture in the air and fashion it into a block of ice.
I should make a spear and stab him through the heart. Unfortunately, that will only get me in trouble, not only with my family but with the law as well. Alas, I must resign myself to something…smaller.
While he’s scowling at me, I carefully manipulate the ice and send it flying toward his crotch, imbuing it with a little chant so it melts on impact.
The moisture splashes across the front of his uniform pants.
He stumbles back, his eyes alarmed, and as he takes in the big wet spot on his light uniform, I can barely hold onto my laughter. He stares at the wetness for a moment, almost as if he’s too flabbergasted to react.
“I hope they give you a participation prize for that, too,” I say with a wink.
His mouth opens and closes, his eyes now a stormy black as he slowly looks at me.
Energy swirls around him, threateningly so.
Oops. Or maybe make that double oops.
“Is that Theron of Pyros?” someone asks, pointing a finger at him—or rather, his crotch.
People stop to look at him. Well, at his crotch. Some even say he must have been overly excited. I suppose that’s one way to empty one’s bladder while in public. Safe to say, the whispers abound. Mayhap I did not plan for such a thorough humiliation before. But now that it’s happened?
My, my. This is rather delicious. If Theron’s humiliation had a taste, it would be a cloyingly sweet one. Of course, for someone who lives off sweets, there is nothing better.
“Minerva,” he utters my name in a low, dangerous voice.
“Is that his betrothed? That’s why he was too excited…” another voice comments.
So many people have stopped to comment that I see this as my chance to make a run for it. Before he can put his hands on me and strangle me—I will not put it past him at this point seeing how angry he is—I slip away and rejoin my mother.
“What happened?” she asks, her voice the epitome of motherly concern. She eyes the commotion suspiciously.
“I think Theron had an accident,” I whisper. “Perhaps it’s time to leave.”
“Accident?” Olivia intones. “What accident?”
A crowd is gathered around Theron.
Mother frowns, but as she looks at me, it dawns on her that I must have had something to do with it. She releases a long sigh before she addresses Olivia.
“Perhaps we should cut this evening short. I see that my daughter is not looking too well.”
Olivia barely minds her as she tries to find her son in the crowd.
“We will be in touch, of course.”
“Of course,” Olivia replies absentmindedly.
Taking advantage of everyone’s distraction, my mother and I slip out of the music room. We increase our pace as we go down the palace doors until we find our carriage.
“I cannot believe you, Minerva!” she bursts out when we’re in the back of the carriage and on the way home. “What did you do?”
“Me? Why do you think I did anything?” I pretend to be insulted by her accusations.
“I know you.” She narrows her eyes. “You did something. Otherwise, we would not have left in such a hurry.”
I shrug.
“As I said, Theron had an accident. I was just as surprised, you know. Someone of his age should be able to control his bodily functions better.”
My mother gapes at me.
“W-what? Bodily functions?”
“Perhaps it’s all that time in the military. It must have affected his…” I trail off. “Poor male.” I shake my head.
“Do not try to deceive me, Minerva. I know you must have done something.” She pauses before a concerned look crosses her face. “How will I face Olivia now? How will we face Theron?”
“Maybe we…don’t?”
She gives me a harsh look.
“The marriage is on, whether you like it or not. But you have made a fool of your betrothed now, and if he treats you badly, then it is on you.”
“So you will allow him to treat me badly?” I blink.
“I will not be able to do anything. You have brought this upon yourself.”
“But, Mamma, you’ll let a male treat your daughter badly?” I ask in an attempt to appeal to her emotional side.
She snorts.
“Perhaps it is high time someone did. Your father and I have been giving you too much freedom and it shows. By the Source, Minerva, you are a princess! I don’t think there is anyone else with your status in Aperion who has such a disregard for manners and social protocol.”
“I didn’t exactly have time to cultivate manners in the army, Mother. I could hardly go to a demon and say pretty please, can I kill you?”
She glowers at me.
“And this is why you should have never been allowed to enroll. Goodness, Minerva. You’re little more than a heathen despite your royal upbringing.” She removes a handkerchief from her reticule and wipes away a fake tear. “I don’t know where we went wrong with you. I really don’t.”
“Have you ever thought that maybe I don’t want to get mated? That my purpose is not to be a paragon of decorum, but rather to keep the universe safe?”
She releases another snort.
“You?” she asks in disbelief.
“Yes, me. I did well in the army. You know that. I have the skills. I have—”
“You have only opened your fifth gate, Minerva. I would not call that having the skills as you put it. Look at your brother. By the time he was your age, he had already opened his ninth gate.”
“Because I was hardly given the opportunity to!” I cry out.
She shrugs. “You would have if you were good enough.”
“Good enough? What? I’ve had dozens of opportunities in the last few hundred years to take the next exams. Every time I registered, something happened and I never made it to the exam. As if I don’t know you and Father had a hand in that.”
“Males do not appreciate overly ambitious females,” she mutters. “It is for your own good.”
“What?”
“You already have your pedigree. The fact that you’ve opened your fifth gate is in your favor, of course, but your future mate will not care about that. Your job will be to deliver him strong children—stronger than both of you combined.”
“Mother!” I exclaim.
“We have arrived. This conversation is over. You must go to your room and craft a letter of apology to Olivia and Theron.”
“But—”
“No buts. You will apologize, Minerva.” Another harsh look and she’s gone from my side.
I hunch down my shoulders and stomp to my room, careful to avoid running into my father. The last thing I need is another lecture about how I am not good enough for the military, only for popping out children.
The moment I’m in my room, I release a loud groan and kick the first thing I see—which happens to be a wooden table.
“Ugh!” I yell out in frustration.
“Am I to understand your outing with Mother did not go as planned?” a voice calls from behind.
I swivel and come face-to-face with my brother.
“Kai!” I call out and run to him. “I didn’t know you’re back!”
“Well, not for long,” he says with a chuckle, giving me a tight hug. “I was allowed one day at home before the next mission as it’s going to be a long one.”
“Next mission? What is it?” I ask excitedly.
He smiles indulgently at me as we take a seat at the table.
He’s wearing his full military garb, which tells me he hasn’t even stopped by his room before coming to see me. That warms my heart. At least one person in this wretched household believes I am good enough.
“It’s in Anthropa. There is a violent conflict going on, affecting the entire world. Commander Azerius dispatched me and my regiment to prevent demons from consuming the souls of the mortals dying in the conflict.”
“Oh,” I murmur. I don’t know where Anthropa is, but it’s standard for an Aperite regiment to head to a world when there is a widespread conflict. Demons are always lurking around, waiting for such an event so they can swoop in and consume as many souls as they can.
“I am not sure how long we will be there, so I wanted to see you before I left.”
“That’s so sweet of you, Kai. I wish I could also be there.” I sigh.
“You don’t.” He laughs. “It’s not going to be pretty, Minerva. It will likely be bloody and dirty. That’s not a place for you.”
“I don’t care about that. I only care about killing demons,” I tell him. “And I can already imagine they’re going to be swarming around.”
He grunts.
“The casualties the House of Psyche reported so far for Anthropa are in the millions. And that is only the souls that have managed to cross over. We don’t have an estimate for how many have already been consumed.”
“Why didn’t Commander Azerius send you there earlier, then?” I frown.
When a world becomes embroiled in such a conflict, Aperite forces are immediately dispatched to prevent the loss of souls.
Kai flattens his lips.
“He sent another regiment. But they are overwhelmed.”
“There are that many demons?” I ask in awe.
He nods grimly.
“We don’t know why, but lately there’s been an increased demon activity. He sent a regiment based on the normal estimates in the case of such a conflict, but it seems this particular event is more violent than we thought.”
“Violent how?”
He looks away for a moment.
“Genocide.”
I blink.
“W-what?”
“It is not just the soldiers on either side that are dying or some unfortunate civilian casualties. There are people specifically targeted for extermination. Hundreds of thousands of them as far as we know. Maybe more.”
“Genocide?” I repeat weakly. “On that scale?”
“Thousands die daily. The current regiment cannot keep up with it.”
“And we can’t do anything to help?” The words are out of my mouth before I can think it through.
“I wish we could do something about it. I wish we could do something about all the conflicts in the universe. But you know we cannot, Minerva.” He sighs. “We cannot intervene in mortals’ fates. If they wish to destroy themselves… They have the freedom of will to do so.”
“But—”
“It saddens me just as much as it does you. Our only duty is to prevent demons from disturbing the natural cycle of a soul, nothing more.”
“I don’t like it,” I grumble.
He gives me a sad smile.
“And that, my little sister, is why you would have never made a good soldier.”
“Hey!” I suddenly stand up. “I am a damn good soldier and you know it,” I declare emphatically.
“I am not talking about your abilities, Minerva. I am referring to your penchant for ignoring orders.”
“Oh, well…”
“We both know you have a hard time following the chain of command.”
“But I’ve been actively trying to be better. If only I could get a chance to prove it.”
“Your betrothed does not want you in the field.”
“Because he knows I might be better than him!” I exclaim.
Kai chuckles.
“That might be so. But Theron is a good soldier. He will make you a good mate.”
“No. He will not,” I retort with a huff. “He is an arrogant peacock who only thinks of himself. The moment we’re mated, he will lock me away and oppress me even more than I already am.”
“Minerva…”
“Can I join you on the mission? Please? One last mission before the wedding. I know I cannot back out of it, but this way—”
“You know I cannot do that. You have already been discharged. And Mother and Father would have my hide if they knew I abetted you in any way.”
“They don’t have to know. We can just come up with something else. Besides, you need more soldiers, no? To keep up with the demons,” I add excitedly.
“You think they would not notice your prolonged absence?” He laughs. “You are too naïve, Minerva.”
“You could tell them you need me. You’re the only one from Cryos in your regiment, aren’t you? I’m sure you could use my skills and—”
“The answer is no, little sister.”
He stands up to leave.
“But, Kai, please…”
“It is not the place for you. You have done your duty to Aperion, and you have proven yourself. Now it is time for you to marry and settle at your own home. That is safer.”
“Safer for whom? Not for me. Not with Theron for a mate. He will make my life unhappy, Kai. You have to see it.”
“This discussion is closed. It was good to see you, Minerva. Take care of yourself.”
“But—”
He’s gone.
Just like that, he’s gone.
I scowl and kick the table again, though this time with intention.
Damn it.
Damn Theron and damn my family for thinking he would be a good match when I cannot stand the sight of him. Oh, and the feeling is mutual. Our mating would only be a disaster.
And of course, damn Kai for not letting me have this one thing.
Am I really to never kill a demon again?
I sigh and wipe the moisture from my lashes with the back of my hand.
I know he thinks this is what’s best for me. But he doesn’t know what’s best for me.
Unless…
I bite my lip as a barrage of ideas inundates my mind.
He will never give his consent beforehand. But what if it’s an accomplished fact?
Without regard for the consequences, I go to my closet and pull out my uniform.
Chapter 2
The two suns are slowly rising into the sky as I surreptitiously make my way outside the palace. Shielding my energy signature, I take the staff exit so no one can spot me.
With a little luck, my parents won’t notice my absence until midday, at which point I should have already left Aperion.
If all works out, that is.
Kai may not have given me too many details about this mission of his, but it’s standard practice for the regiment to meet with Commander Azerius before a mission to get direct orders.
Once I’m out of the palace, I leave the premises on foot until I’m sure I am outside the range of the protective runes of the place. Even if I hide my energy signature, if I teleport while on my family’s land, they will know.
The staff who awoke with the dawn, ready to start the day’s chores, pass by me without recognizing me.
A smile pulls at my lips. It seems like my disguise worked.
I styled my long hair in a bun and hid it under a black nondescript hat. I put on an old pair of dark gray pants and a loose woolen jacket to make it seem like I’m a street urchin. I also went through the pain of binding my breast to ensure no one can tell I’m a female.
Swinging my small bag containing my military uniform over my shoulder, I double-check to make sure I’m off my family’s land before I teleport to the Center for Military Advancement—the official building that houses all the send-off events for missions.
Getting inside the building is easy. For a military building, the security is quite lax. I go in search of a restroom to change into my uniform and then look for the event room.
I let my shield down and expel a burst of energy fly from me as I let my hearing roam through the building, listening to all the chatter.
The moment I hear the word Anthropa, I follow the source of the sound until I reach the designated room.
There are around fifty people inside. Eighty percent of them are male and only twenty percent are female. Despite the fact that the military is advertised as a free-for-all opportunity, there is still quite a disparity between the numbers of males and females.
It all comes down to ability and spiritual energy. Like me, a lot of high-ranking females are expected to marry well and are seldom given the opportunity to hone their abilities. The ones currently in the military are largely young females who have not yet been forced to abandon their vocation for a mate.
Unfortunately, most of them will be forced to quit at some point.
I’ve yet to meet an older female who’s made her profession her priority, mostly because it’s not always up to them. If they have a living family, best believe that they will be forced to give up their career dreams sooner or later.
Years ago, I did not think this would be me. In fact, I had resolved to be the exception.
The first female general.
Little did I realize that it would not be up to me any more than it is up to the other females.
Would I be able to refuse the marriage and run away? Yes, of course.
But then my family would disown me and I would be branded a disgrace. No one in Aperion would look kindly on me, and the military would categorically not accept me anymore.
After all, family is the most valued thing for Aperites. And if you’re willing to betray your family, who is to say you will not betray your realm, too?
As I get to the room, I sneak in among the people at the end of the line and keep my head down.
My brother is at the front of the room, giving a speech about the particularities of this realm. I’m only half listening, though, since I am more concerned with not getting caught.
Only moments later, silence descends in the room.
The crowd parts as a tall figure enters.
Commander Azerius.
He’s dressed in a dark uniform with a purple belt wrapped around his waist that houses a white sword—the famed sword that has the power to kill a deity. Magical runes are etched on half of his face, swirling in different patterns as if they have a life of their own.
A shiver runs down my back. He is scary. But my apprehension is mixed with a sense of awe as he strides to the front of the room to join my brother.
Commander Azerius is a legend in itself.
I’ve only seen him in person a few times, but it never fails to leave me breathless. He exudes so much power, confidence, and discipline that it’s hard not to admire him.
He is feared and hated—with good reason. But he is also a damn good soldier. The very best Aperion has to offer.
No one knows the full extent of his powers, but there are whispers that he is more powerful than all the Supremes combined.
My brother inclines his head at him.
“General Molokai has already briefed you on the particularities of Anthropa,” he starts in an authoritative voice. “It is of utmost importance to ensure that those demons do not consume souls and ascend.”
Everyone nods.
“But there is something else you need to be aware of.” He pauses. “A few of our scouts have sent word that they have sighted Sons of Tenebreis outside of Tartareia.”
Gasps erupt in the room.
Sons of Tenebreis? In Anthropa? But…
“I have not been able to confirm these accounts, but I would like you to be vigilant. I have already dispatched a small squad in charge of tracking the Sons of Tenebreis. But if that proves to be true, it is even more imperative that you do not allow any demon to ascend to a high level since they will likely feed that power back to the Sons of Tenebreis that control them.”
“But… How can it be?” someone asks. “There has not been a sighting of a Son of Tenebreis in thousands of years.”
Azerius regards the room with a bored expression on his face.
“The Chalice,” Azerius states. “It appears they might be using the Chalice to move between realms.”
My mouth parts in shock. Everyone has the same reaction.
The Sons of Tenebreis have been locked in Tartareia for more than seven thousand years. Although they couldn’t leave their realm, they could remotely control demons. They used those lower-level demons to feed on the souls to increase their power. With every passing millennium, the Sons of Tenebreis became stronger and the barrier in Tartareia weaker. But so far no one has seen an actual Son of Tenebreis break free.
To hear that they might have found a way to get out of Tartareia? That is…
Terrifying.
We have a hard time keeping up with the myriad of lower demons preying on mortal souls as it is. The last thing we need is to have the Sons of Tenebreis out in the open.
If a high-level demon is powerful, then a Son of Tenebreis is infinitely more so. They are the elite warriors of Tartareia, the descendants of the Dark Seven themselves.
Aperion led multiple wars against Tartareia. But they were all before my time. Still, if rumors are to be believed, a Son of Tenebreis is as strong as an Aperite Supreme. And that is…absolutely chilling.
“They have the Chalice?” Someone finally dares to ask.
Azerius nods.
“It appears that when Elias absconded with the Chalice, he joined the ranks of the Sons of Tenebreis.”
It was a huge scandal a few years back when Elias, the King of the House of Bronte, and his high priestess disappeared together with the Chalice, the House of Bronte’s most prized artifact.
Each one of the fifteen Houses of Aperion has one such artifact that was passed down by the fourteen Primordials. Initially, there were only fourteen Houses, a direct link to the fourteen Primordials that created Aperion. But the House of Psyche and the House of Moirai became separated soon after their creation. Their artifact, too, was split in two.
Given that the Chalice is imbued with the pure energy of a Primordial, it is exceedingly powerful. It doesn’t surprise me that it would allow the Sons of Tenebreis to break free of Tartareia. But it does shock me that King Elias betrayed us and joined them.
Why?
Why would he have done that?
Why did his high priestess do it?
Just like every House has an artifact from the Primordials, they each also have a Temple and a high priestess in charge of guarding said artifact. Both the kings and their high priestesses take a vow to the Source to protect the artifact with their lives.
How could have King Elias and his high priestess gotten around that vow? It is physically impossible to do so.
“This is an alarming development, of course. But I am monitoring the situation closely,” Azerius continues. His voice is…deadpan. There is no sign of alarm there, though I’ve never seen him exhibit any type of emotion before.
“I will now leave you to prepare for your journey. Make Aperion proud.”
With that, the sea of people parts again for him as he departs the room. When he’s gone, everyone is quiet, mulling over this new information.
Most of the people here were born after Tartareia was sealed off. But we’ve all heard the stories from before—of how scary and powerful the Sons of Tenebreis were.
Aperion and Tartareia were always at war. And because of that, the lifespan of a deity before was much shorter. We might be immortal, but we are not impervious. And the Sons of Tenebreis were one of the few things in the universe that could kill deities—just as deities could kill them.
In the seven thousand years since Tartareia was sealed, everything changed. No longer were the demons the most feared thing. Now it was… Azerius and his sword. The God Killer.
But where death at the hands of a Son of Tenebreis left the essence of a deity alive for the House of Psyche to cultivate it and prepare it for a future incarnation, Azerius’ sword annihilates the very essence of a deity.
We exchanged bad for worse.
But despite the fear surrounding Azerius, he never does anything without a motive.
His executions are not random. They are the result of a fair trial. And to be sentenced to execution means you’ve done something.
Aperion is nothing but fair in that regard.
That hasn’t stopped people from reviling Azerius. That also hasn’t stopped me from admiring him.
The most loyal soldier of the realm—and the most powerful.
“You’ve heard Commander Azerius. It is imperative that you do not allow any demon to ascend. Ideally, we should be exterminating them while they are amorphous.”
“But how do we do that without harming mortals?” someone asks. “If they are amorphous, they will likely possess a mortal.”
“Indeed.” My brother nods. “But there is one exception. If enough time has passed since possession, the demon has already consumed its vessel’s soul. In that case, the mortal is already dead. What’s left behind is only a carcass.”
“How will we know?” the same person asks.
I nod, curious about that, too.
In the past, we’ve usually avoided harming a mortal if it was the demon’s first possession for fear its soul might still be present. As deities, we are prohibited from messing with mortals’ lives. That means we cannot kill them, but we cannot save them either if their time has come to pass under normal circumstances. Of course demons present a rather abnormalcircumstance. But still, we were taught to never take chances since the punishment would be…death. Killed by Azerius. Rather poetic if you ask me.
“You will each receive a small crystal. If a mortal touches it and it does not change color, then the soul is intact. If a mortal touches it and it becomes red, his soul has been consumed and now the only being inside that carcass is a demon. You may then act accordingly.”
I blink. I’d never heard of such a crystal before or it being used.
The crystals are being passed around from front to back, and of course, by the time my turn comes, there are no more crystals because they were based on the exact number of the regiment.
Damn it.
Perhaps I can do it without a crystal?
But just as I think of ways I can still fight demons without the assurance of the crystal, my brother’s eyes connect with my own.
Oh no!
His eyes narrow at me, and he shakes his head, his expression promising retribution.
I give him a feeble smile.
“You are dismissed. You may gather your belongings and prepare for departure. We will meet at the portal in one hour.”
The crowd disperses.
I’m rooted to the spot, waiting for Kai to chastise me but also thinking of ways to appeal to his brotherly love so he will allow me to come with him.
“Minerva,” he grits out.
Here it comes.
I take a deep breath.
He stomps his way toward me.
“Please, please, please, please, please,” I burst out as I get to my knees and kowtow to him. “Please, please, please, please—”
“Get up.”
“Please, Kai!” I continue to beseech him while bumping my forehead onto the hard floor in another kowtow.
“Get up, Minerva!”
“Please let me join you. One last time. Please, Kai…”
His hands cup my shoulders and he swiftly pulls me up to my feet.
He glares at me, his cheek twitching with displeasure.
“I already told you no. How did you even get in here?”
“Your security is not very tight,” I say as I give him an awkward smile.
“I’m taking you home,” he snaps.
“What? No, no. Please, Kai. This is my last chance.”
“You were officially discharged from the army, Minerva. I can’t just—”
“You can! You’re in charge of the regiment. I’m sure you can squeeze me in.”
His lips flatten.
“Please? One last time, I promise.”
“Mother and Father will not like it,” he grumbles.
“I will deal with them. I’ll take the punishment. I’ll even tell them I forced you. Just please…”
I’m close to tears as I realize he may very well send me home. Only a few seconds separate me from this place to my home should he decide to teleport there. And once my parents find out… They will lock me away for good until the wedding. I will not be able to go anywhere. They might even bind my powers to ensure my cooperation.
“One last mission,” I whisper.
Kai stares at me, deep in thought.
“You will behave?” he asks eventually.
“I will only kill demons. I’m good at what I do. You know it. And as Commander Azerius said, you need everyone to be extra careful. I can be helpful, Kai.”
He doesn’t reply.
Taking his hands off me, he steps back and paces around.
I swallow hard in an attempt to ignore my rising anxiety. He can’t send me home. Not yet.
“Please,” I whisper again.
Once more, he doesn’t say a word.
If anything, he looks pissed.
His entire body is tense. His features are tight and scary.
He stops his pacing.
Swiveling, he marches toward me, stopping suddenly.
I instinctively take a step back, ready to run if he’s decided to return me home. I cannot go back yet. And if he won’t let me join his regiment, I suppose I can try to sneak into Anthropa on my own.
Pulling something from his pocket, he thrusts it toward me.
I blink, not sure I’m seeing this right.
“This…”
“You will need it to assess the demons,” he mentions in a low voice.
I take the crystal from him with both hands and carefully cradle it against my chest. I’m so scared of doing or saying the wrong thing and have him send me back that I simply stand still as a statue, my lips firmly shut.
“One last mission,” he finally says. “Go get ready.”
Not one to take my good luck for granted, I give him a wide smile and jump up to kiss his cheek.
His brows go up in surprise, and a small smile pulls at his lips as he watches me leave.
I did it.
I convinced him.
My heart beats wildly in my chest.
For a moment, I truly thought he was going to send me back.
But Kai isn’t my favorite brother for nothing. He might not say it outright, but I know he’s not exactly thrilled about my parents’ plans for me or the fact that I had to quit the military when I was doing so well.
He knows how much I love to be on the field and how dedicated I am to my job.
Yes, I might have a small authority problem, but I make up for it in other ways—namely killing twice more demons than everyone else. That is my plan for this mission too.
If I can do something extraordinary, maybe kill a high-level demon, or even a Son of Tenebreis, Commander Azerius will praise me for my abilities. And when he’ll hear I am going to quit, he’s going to insist I don’t, that I’m a valuable asset of the army and for the whole of Aperion.
My parents and Theron will not be able to say a thing against Commander Azerius. He is the ultimate authority, after all.
I smile to myself.
Yes! I just need to distinguish myself in this mission and I might escape my fate.
A few years back, a deity was given a medal and special treatment for killing the most demons in a mission. Even if I don’t kill a Son of Tenebreis—though I would love to, just to say I did it and watch Theron’s face mottle with jealousy—as long as I kill the most demons, I might get a distinction.
My plan is made, and an hour later, I’m standing in line with the other soldiers as we go one by one through the portal.
Anthropa, here I come!
Maybe I shouldn’t be this happy about going to war, but how can I not when killing demons is so much fun?
Chapter 3
London, Anthropa
Year 1943
The city of London is in disarray. Buildings are collapsed. Some are totaled to the, ground while others sway with every little breeze, ready to tip over. The air is filled with the smell of powdered concrete, rubber, and death.
Yet despite the destruction all around, people continue on with their lives.
The night sky is clouded, the moon barely visible.
I’ve been in Anthropa for a few months now, and I don’t think I’ve seen a clear sky in all that time. It’s always foggy, dark…foreboding.
When I decided to join Kai’s regiment, I suppose I hadn’t thought of everything this mission would involve.
It is war, yes. I’m killing demons, yes.
But it’s getting harder and harder to ignore the casualties all around me.
Daily, I see people die. Horrible, asinine deaths. And for what? What is the point of this war? Why do so many innocents have to die?
I take a bite out of my sugar-glazed donut as I walk down a dimly lit street. It’s getting close to the blackout time, and people are frantically running up and down the street, trying to get to their homes in time before darkness sets in.
There are, of course, some unsavory figures who wait for the darkness to come to commit nefarious acts. Unfortunately, I have seen plenty of those, too.
Like any person capable of empathy, my first instinct is to help. But I am bound by my own laws, and I cannot intervene even in a small incident since it might ricochet and have unintended consequences on people’s lives.
Fate. Such a tricky thing. Even something so little as a walk on a bustling street can be a pivotal moment in someone’s life.
I take another bite of my donut.
Food, too, is scarce around here. People are living on rations, and the portions are not only small but also have a questionable taste.
I went through so much trouble to procure this one donut from the so-called Yanks. They have a base not too far from London and have brought with them some of their products—a fact that makes the British very jealous.
I would be, too, if those Yanks had sugary goodness while the British have…potatoes.
Not that potatoes are bad. In fact, they, like any other vegetable, have their purpose. But when everything becomes about potatoes… Well, then I can see why people would tire of them.
There are, of course, other available items, but they are in short supply. Meat, in particular, is scarce to come by, unless you have the money to purchase it from the black market.
I suppose things are better in the countryside where people grow their own produce, but how many people can boast about that?
London is the most populous city in the entire of Anthropa. I can’t imagine how many people are suffering and going without because of the lack of resources.
For the first time since I can remember, I hate war.
From the corner of my eye, I note a small child of about eight or nine staring at me. His clothes are dirty and torn, and his face is smudged with dirt.
To be more precise, he’s staring at my donut, not at me.
I swallow against the immediate discomfort.
His eyes glisten with longing in the shadowy light of a street lamp. Not a moment after, his stomach growls loudly in hunger.
I shouldn’t do this, but I cannot help myself.
In a couple of steps, I am in front of the child and hand him my leftover donut, together with the little food I had left in my pouch.
His eyes widen in shock and I can tell he’s ready to refuse. I open his palm and place the items in his hand before I leave without looking back.
Not a moment ago, I was giving myself a mental lecture about the importance of not intervening in mortals’ lives. That small quantity of food could have very well made the difference between life and death. And though I know I might get told off if that is the case, I find that I cannot turn a blind eye to this type of suffering.
The image of the starving child remains with me as I continue walking aimlessly.
The streetlights go out one by one. The buildings still inhabited go dark too. Some people turn off their lights while others pull heavy, dark curtains over the windows to trap any light inside.
In a matter of moments, everything is pitch black.
Cars are still driving on the street, though there is almost no visibility. A few cries erupt in the air from people who barely avoid getting hit. It’s the same situation every day, except sometimes they do get hit.
I take a deep breath and try to ignore the commotion around me. As I keep walking, I devote my attention to scanning the area for demons. Nighttime is the perfect opportunity for them to roam around in search of victims. As if the war casualties are not enough.
I walk for close to a mile before I stop, my senses on alert.
They’re near.
I tilt my head to the side and close my eyes.
One. Two? Maybe three demons.
They’re not far from me.
I focus on the tingling sensation I get when a demon is nearby and follow it as it intensifies.
Eventually, I end up in front of a three-story building.
On the outside, it’s as quiet and dark as the rest of the buildings on the street. The windows are all firmly shut and there isn’t any flicker of light coming out from the inside.
I sharpen my hearing, and that’s when the sounds come through.
Music.
Loud chatter.
The clinking of glasses.
I narrow my eyes.
A party. And it’s coming from the basement.
I circle around the building a few times, trying to find the entrance, until it dawns on me that the way into the basement is by going down the stairs at the front of the building—the servant’s entrance as they call it.
I could, of course, teleport inside—or attempt to. But I can only teleport to a precise location if I’ve visited it before. Given that it’s a new place, the basement of a building nonetheless, I could end up falling from the ceiling in the sea of people. Considering the fact that I’m trying to keep a low profile, that would not be appropriate.
I knock on the door, and as it semi-opens, someone demands a password.
I frown.
Placing my foot between the door and the frame, I push it open and move past the person at the door. I wink at him as I erase my presence from his mind.
A long, winded dark corridor leads to the main room. There are no windows here, and the few in the back have been barricaded with pieces of wood so no light can sneak out. The light inside is strong, but the thick cloud of smoke from the cigarettes makes it uncomfortably irritating.
Everyone is smoking. Left, right. Males, females.
They’re puffing their cigarettes and blowing clouds of smoke into the air.
My nose twitches.
I inhale sharply. The tingle continues. My eyes water and I lose my way through the bustling crowd. Someone even blows smoke in my face—the last thing I needed.
The tingling intensifies until I can no longer contain my sneeze.
I release a loud wheeze, followed by a harsh cough. My throat itches.
I’ve seen people smoke before but not on this level. How can they breathe in this noxious air?
My lungs? They can heal. Their lungs?
T.S.
I smile to myself, proud of my new vocabulary that helps me assimilate with those humans. Although good thing they like to use abbreviations because tough shit just sounds vile. T.S., on the other hand, is more palatable. Of course I have been taught not to swear in any language I might speak. Not only is it highly disrespectful but it is also a sign of bad breeding.
My parents may have been rather autocratic, but they did provide me with a perfect education from my cradle—despite the fact that they are now bent on seeing me stop all my educational endeavors and simply devote myself to my future mate.
Ew.
I wave around the smoke in front of me in hopes I can help the air circulate better.
The signal from the demons is getting stronger. They must be here.
But there are just too many people, and it’s not as if I can visually determine whether someone is a demon. We have a hard enough time when these demons take on humanoid appearances without minding the fate of the soul within. Now? Not only do I have to go around and bless drinks to see who is harmed by them, but I also have to touch them with my color-changing crystal to ensure the vessel’s soul has not been consumed yet. Add to that the fact that I may also encounter high-level demons that are already humanoid on their own and my chances of success in this crowd are looking…not good.
Of course I would never complain about finding a high-level demon. Defeating one of those pests is sure to get me some notice from the higher-ups. But they are also rather…strong. One would be fine. Two? Maybe stretching it. But more than three?
I bite my lip in concentration as I try to come up with a plan.
From the corner of my eye, though, I see that the fates have decided to smile upon me.
There is an entire bowl filled with a drinking substance on the table close to the exit.
My eyes follow the movements of the humans until I am sure that bowl is where they source their drinks from. I nod to myself after I note quite a few of them serve themselves from the bowl, and I decide to start there.
Elbowing my way through the crowd—which is quite hard, seeing as I am the smallest person in the room—I attempt to reach the exit. All the human females are wearing heels, while the males are significantly taller than me. They are not as tall as some Aperites I know, but they are still towering over most females.
Their sweaty bodies move to the music, swaying from side to side.
It’s…disconcerting.
This is the first time I have been in such an environment and I do not think I like it.
So far, I have not seen the more…debauched side of Anthropa since I’ve kept to the streets mostly, away from the crowds of people.
But this? Touching and eating each other’s mouths in public? With so many people around them?
And if the murmurs I hear are to be believed, they don’t even know each other.
One soldier admits his wife is across the ocean, but he quickly tells his partner that he might die soon, so he’s going to have as much fun as he can. Then he leans in and licks her neck.
My eyes widen in shock.
Humans! Such libertines!
I cannot believe it. Why did Molokai not warn me about the obscenities I would witness here? I might have been only half-listening to his speech on Anthropa, but I am sure he never mentioned anything about their lascivious behaviors.
This is preposterous.
My mouth drops open in shock when I see a soldier’s hand go up a woman’s thigh, sneaking in under her dress until he…
“By the Source, what is this?” I mutter in disbelief.
He’s touching her. In her private place.
She throws her head back, releasing a low moan as she lets herself be fondled like that.
Madness. This is madness! I must get out of here as soon as possible. I cannot witness this debauchery for much longer or I will become ill.
I put more strength into my elbow kicks, targeting especially those couples that are far too indecent. After a lot of shoving and witnessing even more outrageous behavior, I finally make it to the bowl.
Making sure no one is watching, I dip my finger in the bowl and start chanting the blessing ritual. Once I’m done, I find a more quiet place and start observing.
Unfortunately for me, that also means observing more obscenities.
If I’d known what was happening in Anthropa, perhaps I wouldn’t have insisted on this mission.
Ah, who am I fooling? I would have insisted on it anyway since it might be my only break before I’m forced to mate that odious Theron.
I try not to look too closely at what’s happening on the dance floor, at how the bodies are writhing together, touching places that shouldn’t be touched except by a mate.
Yet I can’t deny that I’m also a little curious.
This is what my mother didn’t want me to know, isn’t it? This type of touching that is both scandalous and…intriguing.
I know the mechanics of mating—or at least I think I do. A male and a female are joined somehow and they exchange energies, after which the female becomes heavy with child, whom she later bears. I am not entirely sure how these touches I’m seeing on the dance floor relate to that, though.
I force myself to focus on the matter at hand—identifying the demons. But against my will, my eyes roam around the room, following the sighs and moans and every little hitched breath that comes with those forbidden touches.
Why?
Why do they make those sounds?
Is it pain? Pleasure? What is it exactly?
Is this what happens in Aperion too when males visit bawdy houses? They go there to watch this…? Experience it? But why? What are they getting out of this? So far, it seems that only the females are the ones being touched.
Deep in thought as I contemplate this matter of touching, I almost miss the hiss of pain that erupts through the air after a male drinks from his glass. The sound, low and harsh, filters through the loud music and reaches my ears.
My eyes flash, and I tense.
My gaze lands on the culprit just in time to see him deposit his glass on a nearby table. His face is contorted in pain that he tries to mask, but is unsuccessful.
The blessing chant works like a poison for any demonic energy. Though it is momentarily painful, depending on the level of the demon, it doesn’t take them too long to recover.
I watch his expression closely, counting down the moments it takes for him to shake the pain from his features. While this is not a foolproof method, it gives me an idea of what I’m dealing with.
Five, six…
Seven.
His face is back to a neutral expression as he shrugs off the last of the pain and puts on an affable smile.
Low level.
And seeing the way he ignores what just happened and continues to mingle around people, I realize he must be a really young demon, unaware of the power of a blessing chant—or the fact that it means an Aperite is on his trail.
Straightening my back, I make my way through the crowd, going straight for him.
The demon has possessed a tall male—well, at this point who isn’t taller than me? He has short-cropped black hair and brown eyes. He’s dressed in a military uniform like so many others in this room are, and his body language is just as sleazy.
As a young demon, I have no doubt that he still has ties to the physical realm. He might be little more than a corrupted soul, but he still remembers what it was like to be made of flesh—to use said flesh and enjoy all the perks that come with it.
Seeing the way he’s eyeing the dance floor and studying the females in a lascivious manner, I can tell his first intent is to get some of that touching action. Next is, of course, consuming the souls.
Not under my watch, demon!
I get in front of him, but he doesn’t see me.
Damn it.
His eyes are fixated somewhere above the top of my head, and with my size, it’s like I’m invisible in front of him.
He’s about to move through the crowd when I quickly improvise and throw myself against him.
“Oh, my,” I murmur, purposefully slurring my words.
He narrows his eyes at me.
“Hello, handsome,” I say and bat my lashes at him.
Ew! I’m about to gag the moment the word is out of my mouth, but alas, I am ready to sacrifice a little sweet talk for a future promotion.
He looks at me pensively for a moment before he smiles.
“Want to get out of here?” I whisper.
Say yes, please. Say yes and let’s go out where I can exorcize you or kill you—depending on whether the mortal soul inside you is still alive.
He raises a brow at me before his lips slowly curve into a smile. He nods to me to lead the way.
Giddiness suffuses me.
My first kill of the night. So what if it’s a low-level demon? It’s still something. I’ll add it to my killing collection so far and if I don’t win over Commander Azerius’ praise by quality, then at least I will do it with quantity.
I make my way through the crowd, keeping an eye on the demon to make sure he’s following behind me. We get to the hallway, and as we move past the male at the door, we’re finally out of the building.
“You have a place in mind?” he asks, his brows wiggling.
I nod and smile, beckoning him to follow me.
There is a small alleyway between buildings a few paces away. The perfect place for this demon to meet his end.
He’s dumb, too. He doesn’t even question why I’m doing this or who I am. He simply follows along.
The streets are dark, but the alleyway is even darker—if that’s possible.
Luckily, I have rather good night vision, so I am able to scan my surroundings and position myself in the best spot to attack the demon.
His shoes scrape the ground as he enters the alleyway.
Caught you!
Before he can open his mouth and say another disgusting thing, I’m on him. But whereas before I would have killed first and asked questions later, now I have to remember to take out the crystal and confirm whether the mortal soul is gone.
I roll my eyes.
Rummaging for the crystal, I push it into the man’s hand just in time to see it turn red.
Thank the Source!
Sliding the crystal back into my pocket, I will my energy to the surface. Two long ice blades descend from my hands, and I waste no time in slashing the demon in a crisscrossing motion.
The poor demon barely has time to react. Poor not because I pity him, of course. How could I pity demons and kill them in the same breath? No, no. Poor because no one taught him how to be a proper demon, and as such, this will hardly be a challenge.
He tries in vain to block the attack with his arms, but my blades are far too sharp. They cut through flesh and bone until the hands of the vessel fall to the ground.
He releases a loud sound of pain, but before he can wail some more—not that I would not enjoy that—I slash across his neck all the while murmuring a low chant to exterminate the demonic essence.
As the blood splashes out of the host, the demon struggles to keep control of the body. Despite the darkness, it’s hard to miss the shadowy smoke coming out of the dead vessel. It’s slow and aimless.
Extending my arm to the side, I will my sword to turn into a larger version, all the while murmuring the same chant.
The disoriented demon heads straight for my enlarged sword, which by now is shrouded in the holy chant. Upon contact, a sizzling sound erupts in the air as the smoke promptly disintegrates.
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how you kill a demon.
My swords disappear and I pat my clothes to shake off the demon dust.
A smile creeps up on my face.
One down, a few more to go.
But just as I’m about to turn, my ears pick up on another sound. It’s close and getting closer.
I swivel.
My eyes widen as I note another demon coming straight at me. But this time, he’s carrying a weapon in the form of a long knife.
I smirk.
This one seems to be a bit more knowledgeable. He’s charging at me as if he actually means to do me harm.
So he knows I kill his kind, doesn’t he?
Feeling for the crystal in my pocket, I throw it at him, waiting for the flash of light that will confirm whether I can go ahead with the kill.
But just as the crystal emits a low, red light, another set of steps echoes in the alleyway.
I barely get to react before two strong hands cup both sides of the demon’s face, and in a swift movement, they twist the head of the vessel.
It drops to the ground, lifeless.
I blink. The demonic essence fizzles out and vanishes without my ritual.
What?
I stare in shock at the fallen carcass.
“It’s not safe for a girl like you to be alone at night, darling.” A deep drawl sends shivers down my spine.
My gaze snaps up to the person who did this—the hands that snapped the neck.
He slowly walks past the fallen body and heads toward me. He’s dressed in a military uniform too, but the number of medals on his blazer are far more numerous than any of the ones I saw tonight.
He might be a higher-up? I’m not too familiar with the human military to say for certain, but I think they take their distinctions as seriously as we do.
One thing is for sure, though. He is the tallest human I’ve ever encountered. Quite easily among the tallest males I’ve ever seen, too.
Green eyes sparkle in the darkness. Full lips smile lazily at me.
But there is something else.
Half of his face is badly scarred. A harsh, jagged line starts from his temple and goes down his cheek and neck, hiding into his uniform.
There’s something about his presence. Something…imposing.
My brows knit together in a frown.
Is he an Aperite? A deity? Who is he that he can so easily kill a demon—granted, a low level, but they’re resilient bastards.
I swallow hard, a little taken aback by his presence. Especially as he continues to advance toward me.
“Who are you?” I whisper.