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Under the Ashes

"(This village of yours)," said Malkar to Ammon. "(How does it look like?)"

"(It's nothing much, really)," replied Ammon. "(Except maybe the temple building right in the middle of the village)."

"(Actually, I have something lingering in my mind. What's your kind of belief, anyway? I know that both surface and Underworld cultures had some kind of fixation of creating religions, be it for the good and for the bad. How are yours different?)"

"(I know some of it, but what I know is this. The belief was once started by a priest who believed that the ashes around us are sacred, and it's our responsibility to make sure that it's not abused. Also, we believed that everything will eventually crumble into dust, and hastening that process will be a sin of its own. Once you take a life, you can never return to the temples or even set foot in it ever again)."

"(So...you're barred from it?)"

"(Don't worry. The village itself is not as devout. Not everyone. I'll be fine)."

"(And just so you know. I am also here)," said Belial. "(So, if they start getting nasty, you know who to call)."

"(Y-yeah. Right...)."

Ammon was still embarassed around Belial, but it seemed that their friendly conversation helped him stand Belial better. The Infernal did not seem to maintain his tough guy attitude when around Belial. He seemed to be more expressive (at least to the limits of what his caprine face could give as 'expressive').

After the ambush by the mist vampire, they continued their journey forward. This time, they clearly realized the dangers of the travel, and such, they became even more aware with illusions and attempted ambush such as the one before. This journey, however, left more questions than before, and the only way to find out about the answers would be the Infernal Texts, however unlikely it was.

Things were uneventful in their travel towards the Temple of Ashes. They were greeted with several friendly ash hounds along the way, who also helped them give the general direction to the Temple. From where they were greeted, they walked for at least five more hours (with a couple of short rests in between) before they finally saw the village.

Just as described, the main feature of the village was the biggest building in the middle of it: The Temple of Ashes. It seemed very intimidating from afar, especially since it was mostly shrouded in darkness. It did not seem to be a holy place, though it was understandable as the temple was demonic in many senses, even if it had a tenet of no killing.

The village did not seem to be a crowded one, either, as the houses were unlit. The group wondered if it was already time to sleep for the village. This, however, was their thought when they observed the village from afar.

When the approached it, though, the unsettling and menacing appearance of the dark village was actually something tragic. The village was mostly abandoned, and it had been for a while, too. Infrastructures had become ruins, and the most of villagers had fled, leaving their homes behind. Something was not right.

Ammon, who was clearly the most surprised and disturbed, saw the destruction and said, "(This can't be happening.... My village...destroyed?)"

Ammon noticed a nearby ash hound, who was still sitting in front of his house. The Fuzandr recognized the old hound. He was a hunter who sold fresh meat to the temple, and Ammon always saw him visiting whenever he was playing outside. He wasn't a follower of the Ashes, but he was willing to give the Temple some food.

"(Randa!)" exclaimed Ammon who immediately approached the hound. The hound recognized the bat, and slowly said, "(Ammon?)"

"(Yes, it's me! Are you alright, old hound?)"

"(I'm fine. Can't say the same with the temple, though. I'm afraid Lehrn's had it)."

"(What? You mean he's...)"

"(See it for yourself, Ammon. Just be warned. He's not the hound you and I used to know, now that the truth had come out)."

"(What do you mean)?"

Randa pointed towards the temple building, which looked intact at first glance, but it was clear that the interior was ransacked. "(You'll know it when you see him)."

"(Before we go, old hound)," said Zardes. "(Can you tell us what happened to this village?)"

"(It's a disaster. That's all I can say. One day, these weird cultists came and destroyed our village, stating that we sullied the sacred ground. I did not understand what those crazies were talking about, but it was clear that the Temple was their true target. They went in, disappeared in it, then came out and burned down the village. Many left after they found out the truth)."

"(What truth?)"

"(I can't tell you more than what I know. It has something to do with the true nature of this temple. If you want answers, go seek Lehrn, the head priest of the Temple, or what's left of it. Also...thank you for taking care of Ammon. He's always welcome to this village, even if he had broken the rules that he held on)."

Ammon did not answer, and quickly paced himself towards the ruined Temple. The rest followed him, except Zardes, who then asked, "(Did he kill someone?)"

"(He did not)," said Randa assured. "(But poor Ammon thought he did and fled the village. Even if he did not do it, however, I can say that he had broken the cardinal rule of the Temple in his journey)."

"(You should see what he's capable of)."

"(And I'll trust you)." Randa sighed. "(Pity that even he must fall to our level. I always thought Ammon as a good bat, even if his race has the word 'demon' in it. Guess no one's innocent around here)."

"(I'm sorry about that)."

"(It's fine. You do what you must do to survive. Me? I won't be staying here for long. My grandchildren are gathering supplies, so we can move to somewhere calmer. The violence around here is not good for my health. Again, thank you for taking care of Ammon, and support him when it's time for the truth. He'll need his friends)."

Zardes nodded, then walked away as Randa waved to him. What did the ash hound mean as 'time for the truth'? Was there a secret that even Ammon was not aware of?

Ammon himself finally reached the Temple, and frantically tried to find someone of importance to him. He did not believe that the most important person for him growing up was killed in a gruesome manner. He did not want to think of it.

At least until he heard his voice.

"(We don't have anything here! What do you want?)"

"(Lehrn?)" said Ammon in disbelief. He quickly turned towards the owner of the voice: an old cloaked ash hound who was hunched and was wielding a cane. He was being escorted by a younger female ash hound, who Ammon also recognized. But, instead of greeting her, Ammon looked at her in disbelief, as if looking at a ghost.

"(You? B-but...how? I-I thought...)"

"(Ammon?)" said Lehrn while looking up. His eyes were blindfolded. "(Ammon, is that really you?)"

"(Yes, Lehrn. But more importantly...why is she still alive?)"

"(Hey, I know you have a past, but that's a rude remark given to your freaking ex)," said Belial nudging him. "(I understand if something happened...)"

"(She's my first victim)."

"(Eh?)"

"(You know my urge for the taste of blood, Belial, and the reason why I ran away)." He then turned his gaze towards the silent female ash hound. "(I once broke the cardinal rule of the Temple of Ashes, as I took the life of a sentient being. I could not hold back the hunger back then, and driven by the urge, I sunk my fangs to the neck of that hound. She...died on the spot. I was certain of it. Her eyes were lifeless, staring at me with piercing looks, blaming me for...)"

"(I don't blame you, Ammon)," said the female ash hound. "(In fact, I must thank you, for giving me a new life)."

"(Eh? But...)"

"(You attacked me and drained me of my blood, but I wasn't dead)," she said while showing the scar of what was presumably Ammon's bite. "(But, your bite changed me into something else. Something powerful, like you)."

That was when the group noticed her sharp long fangs, which seemed to come out from her maws like a sabretooth cat. Lehrn, who was out of touch by the sudden conversation, was being explained by the female ash hound, before he understood and sadly nodded.

He turned his head away from the group, before the female ash hound helped put his head's position right. He then said, "(I think it's time for you to know the true secret of this Temple, Ammon. The villagers already knew, and they fled. I could not blame them. This...Temple, is not a Temple of the Ashes. It never has been)."

"(W-what?)" said Ammon in disbelief.

"(I think it's easier to show you what this place truly is. Seja)."

Seja (the female ash hound) nodded, and while grabbing Lehrn's hand, said, "(Follow us)."

The group, shortly joined by Zardes, followed the two, where they were being led to the basement of the temple. Ammon had never been to the temple's basement, as everyone told him that it was off limits, even to an ordained priest. He assumed that, like many temples, it was the sacred area where the Ashes of the First was kept, at least based on what Lehrn had been teaching him for years.

Ammon did not seem to have the patience and asked whether it was really the Ashes of the First. Lehrn shook his head.

"(The Ashes of the First is never in this Temple, Ammon)," said Lehrn. "(It's somewhere in a small temple, out of sight, and only reserved for those who follow the path fully in a pilgrimage. Well, for the true followers of the Ash, anyway)."

"(Then what is it?)"

"(A book, of great importance, yet clearly intended for those who could read it. I have been warned that touching it recklessly will destroy it, and thus it was sealed, along with the secrets of the temple)."

They reached an open basement cellar, where darkness covered most of what was down there. Seja lighted several torches to reveal that the basement was very vast and elaborately decorated, though not with the best of aesthetics.

The architect of the underground area seemed to prefer an aesthetic of horror and uneasiness, seen with the warped appearances of the statues down there. There was one thing they noticed, however. These statues seemed to resemble a Fuzandre, or something far monstrous than a regular Fuzandre. Two of them, the biggest statues, were positioned as if they were holding the roof, and between them, a book covered in special gleaming ashes. Both Zardes and Malkar quickly knew what it was.

"(The Infernal Text)!" exclaimed both.

"That book?" said Belial in disbelief. "Are you sure that's the book?"

"Can't you sense a book made by one of yours?" asked Malkar.

"We don't write on flammable paper, genius. We write on tablets. Also, how the fuck do we even get the trees to make paper down in the Fifth Circle?"

"Then how the hell do you know of the book's existence, then?"

"I just know, okay?"

"It's Asmodel, isn't it?" said Zardes. "He was the one who told you about the book in the first place."

"What if it is?"

Zardes simply sighed, knowing that Belial would be offended if he told the demon that he was too simple-minded to be easily convinced.

Meanwhile, Ammon looked at the book and turned towards his now blind mentor.

"(Lehrn...what is that book?)" asked Ammon.

"(Even I don't know what it is. From what I can say, however, it was once used as the dark bible for the demonic cult that once inhabited the temple. The Cult of Darkness)."

"(Cult of Darkness?)" asked Belial.

"(Otherwise known as The Cult of Barbatos, the Prince of Darkness)."

"(Wait a minute. Barbatos? This place is his fucking temple?!)"

"(You know him?)" asked Lehrn.

"(Of course, I know him! He's my oldest brother!)"

There was an uneasy pause.

"(H-hold on a second)," said Malkar, breaking the pause. "(So, what you're trying to say is this. The temple was once used by the cult that worshipped your brother, a fifth Circle demon. That means, the Texts we are trying to find...is that of your brother's?)"

"(Is there any other way to explain that book?)"

"(Then why is it called an 'Infernal Text'? Wait, don't tell me. Asmodel?)"

Belial made a low, frustrated grunt. Everyone clearly found out something about their monstrous fighter.

"(How about if we read the book and find out whatever's written in there?)" said Zardes, diverting the conversation. "(There is a chance that it's written by an Infernal)."

"(Good idea)." Belial quickly walked towards the altar with the book and snatched it unceremoniously, causing Malkar to panic.

"(Careful, Belial!)"

"(What?)"

"(Don't handle the book that roughly! It's ancient!)"

"(Well, it does not crumble to dust, so it's still in top shape, right?)"

"(What part of being careful do you not understand?! You don't just snatch a hundred-year old book like it's a fucking newspaper!)"

"(Yeah, and I'm far older than this book. Just shut up and let me read, will you?)"

Belial proceeded to read the pages of the Text. At first, he seemed disinterested, at least until he read more.

"(Huh. Interesting)."

"(What's in it?)"

"(It talks about something called 'Barbatos's Vessel'. They are creations of the Prince of Darkness used as a vessel for his eventual return. It does not talk about it in detail, but one thing is certain)."

He turned to look at Ammon.

"(You're a Vessel)," he said.

"(Eh? Me?)"

"(Does this picture look familiar to you)?"

Belial showed Ammon the picture of a demon bat. Unlike regular demon bats, however, the picture looked like Ammon, with the face like a surface's vampire bat and the non-existence of fur.

"(Are you telling me that's a picture of Ammon?)" asked Zardes.

"(No, but don't you think it's peculiar? You hounds know how a regular demon bat look like, right? They do not look like him)."

"(I don't get it)."

Belial sighed. "(Can't blame ya for not knowing. Let me tell you. This is a picture of my brother, Barbatos. Now, look at the picture, and look at Ammon. Ring a bell?)"

Zardes looked at the picture again, then back to Ammon, before he found what Belial said.

"(Wait)," said the hellhound. "(Does that mean...?)"

"(Exactly what you think. A Vessel to Barbatos is basically his subject, much like how my subjects look like me. Ammon, you are a Fifth Circle Demon)."

"(I...am?)"

"(Not a true one, however. A fake one)."

"(F-fake?)"

"(The artificial creation of a Prince of Darkness. Simply put, you are not a native Fifth Circle demon, but more like a vessel for Barbatos. You were created for the purpose of being his body)."

"(W-wait. What do you mean, 'fake'? I am not a creation!)"

"(Why don't you ask your blind mentor here?)"

Ammon was clearly not ready for what Belial said, and was surprised when the Infernal referred to his mentor, Lehrn. The goat demon did not know the hellhound more than Ammon did, but how did he simply refer to him?

"(What does Lehrn have to do with...)"

"(Tell him)," said Belial to Lehrn. "(You can't get away with this. I am Belial, Prince of Violence. I know my brother's mark anywhere)."

This caused everyone to gasp in surprise (including Gehen). Ammon, still confused, said, "(L-Lehrn?)"

Lehrn, helped by Seja, then shook his head and said, "(You really have to say it, demon prince?)"

"(He deserves to know, hellhound)."

Lehrn did not know where Belial was, but it was clear from his expression that he was reluctant to reveal anything. After a while, however, he sighed, shook his head, and said, "(I guess you're right)."

Lehrn approached Ammon, who was still confused. He tried to find the bat, and when he found him, he said, "(I...am secretly a cultist for the Prince of Darkness. I was appointed as your caretaker until the moment of your maturity...and until the time when you will be a proper Vessel)."

"(Y-you mean...it's all true?)"

Lehrn nodded. "(Unfortunately, despite my best attempt to not get too attached, you are still an innocent bat back then, full of life, just like the others. When you went missing due to your mistaken belief, I was secretly glad. For me, you are always a son I can never have. I...chose to let you go instead of giving you to them. I...tried to defy the dark prince by sending away the rest of your friends, Ammon. You're...the first to have return)."

Ammon was still unsure, until Lehrn hugged him. Ammon, taken by surprise, yet overwhelmed by the sincerity of the hug, returned the hug with his big bat wings.

"(My)," said Lehrn with a smile. "(You've grown big. It's a real shame I can't see you now)."

"(Lehrn, I...)"

"(You don't have to believe what I say. All I want to tell you has been told. I know you'll understand some day, Ammon. Forgive me)."

Ammon was speechless. Part of him was angry of this fact, but he could not deny the fact that Lehrn was a kind and sincere hound. As always, Ammon could not find any malicious intent from his former caretaker, and that was the reason why the bat trusted the old hellhound.

The rest watched the tender moment for a while, glad that Ammon could reunite with his family. Not everyone was moved by the spectacle, however. Belial, who did not care, kept reading the Infernal Text, but found nothing more than the fact that Ammon was a Vessel.

Belial walked outside so that he would not be drawn by the others in that tender moment. He did not like tender stuffs. With the book in hand, he started reading it more. The goat demon did not expect to find anything useful after the initial information but found other information that's equally intriguing.

Aside from the fact that the book was written in an ancient Infernal language, it was also a journal. Still confused as to why an Infernal would keep a journal, he kept reading it until he found a name: Asdal. It could be anyone's name, but given the journal's language, Belial assumed that he was an Infernal. Which Infernal, however, was the question. Belial needed to know that this was not some misinformation by his siblings (especially since the existence of the book was revealed by the brother he did not trust the most). He did not want it to be a useless effort.

Just as he finished reading the journal, Malkar, who was searching for the book, walked towards Belial and said, "Anything of interest?"

"Not much. It's a journal."

"Journal?"

"Of an Infernal named Asdal. Aside from the one I told you before, it's mostly about his journey on the Outer Rings and his assessment of early hellhound civilizations."

"What did he think?"

"You were far too primitive back then," said Belial with a smile.

Malkar sighed. "Can't help it. Everyone back then, even the humans, are so primitive. The humans were governed by the dragons, and Ternor continent, due to its lack of dragons, was simply a land full of forest and war."

"Everyone gotta start somewhere, right? If you want to talk about our past, however, it started so many years ago, long before the concept of 'Hell' is understood. I don't bother looking at it. Too much of a hassle."

"Given your character, I guess it makes sense, huh?"

"What does that mean?"

"I mean, you can't expect someone with the title of 'Prince of Violence' to be well-versed in history, right?"

"I know several things, too, you know."

"Oh? And what's that?"

"Something about pissing someone else off in many ways possible."

"Guess that's how it works at me pretty well."

They both looked at each other awkwardly before Malkar snorted a laugh. A second later, he started laughing, to which Belial, who did not understand, became annoyed.

"Hey! Stop that!"

"Oh, sorry, sorry," said Malkar while stopping his laugh. "You have a wit in you, Belial, for a demon. A prince really is different from your usual demon."

"If I can't be different, then I won't be a prince for more than three thousand years, right?"

"Right. Of course, you are. So...when all this over, are you going back to your domain?"

"I have to go back. If I don't, I might lose everything, and my status as prince will be gone. Barbatos is now my problem, too."

"Wait. You didn't suspect him before?"

"I suspect Asmodel, but somehow, Barbatos eluded me. He's passive and kept himself neutral from any conflicts. Even his domain's a mystery to me. It's always shrouded in darkness among the blaze of the eternal fire."

"Even though that makes him even more suspicious?"

"If his interest is in our domain, then it makes him suspicious. His interest, however, is of your domain, so his exploits are not my immediate concern."

"Oh, yeah. I forgot. This place is not your responsibility."

"You don't seem disappointed."

"It's your war, so you won't gonna think about our safety, right?"

"I know, but...seeing how you are kinda hopeless without me, I guess I do care to an extent," said Belial.

"Is that...concern I hear?"

"Isn't that what you usually show?"

"Not if it comes from you, Belial," said Malkar with a smile.

Belial scoffed. "Guess mortality is rubbing off me more than I thought," he said.

"You're not dying off soon, right?"

"As if."

Just then, Belial and Malkar sensed something. For Belial, it was a hostile Infernal. For Malkar, it was the distinctive smell of something burning, but not what he understood.

"Enemy?" asked Malkar.

"You bet, it is," said Belial. "Go tell the others. Oh, and take this with you."

Belial gave Malkar the Infernal Text, which made him panic.

"Whoa, wait! This is valuable information! If I touch it..."

"It's just a regular book now. My touch took off the security measures. Now go!"

And with that simple explanation, Malkar ran back inside while Belial stood up. He felt like an idiot for sending the hellhound off. It was to protect him from something far too dangerous for a hellhound to handle, though it made Belial seemed like he actually cared about the hellhound's survival. What's even worse was how Malkar did not even tease him about caring.

"Guess they are rubbing off me far too much," said Belial as he turned to face his adversary. He knew this sensation too well.

An Infernal was never born a prince. They had to fight for it. Belial may seem to be of no competition, simply because he was too powerful for his own sake. If he was not, he might be a lesser Infernal and was fighting his way up to hierarchy. His rule went unchallenged, at least until he felt the challenging aura from an Infernal he knew too well, one that had been his primary challenger for a while.

"Azazel...," said Belial while baring his claws.

"Hello, there, prince Belial," said the caprine demon in front of Belial. He walked casually towards the prince, flaming sword on his hand.

Azazel looked at Belial, noticing his black full-body suit. He chuckled.

"I guess you felt being a sub is far more important than leading your domain," said the demon. "You have a secret desire there, Belial?"

"Not your fucking business, Azazel. Besides, it's not my choice."

"Right...."

"Anyway, what the fuck are you doing up here?"

"Well, turns out leading your subjects does need a little respect." Azazel then pointed the burning sword towards Belial. "And I...am going to take your throne."

"What? This is not the time for this! We have a bigger problem right now."

"Not if you're neglecting your throne and play with these mortals. The biggest problem is you, Belial. Now, tell me. Are you going to give me a fair fight, or I'll just knock you half-dead and let you acknowledge my rule over the Eternal Flame? I know you secretly want it."

"Oh, and you're gonna talk me to death?"

"Won't that be too easy?"

Azazel then swung his sword while Belial dodged it. His face turned from docile to aggressive, baring his fangs towards Belial, who made a fighting stance.

"I prefer something more of a bloodbath," said Azazel.

"Now that's more like it," said Belial with a similarly demonic smile.

They both lunged at each other, full of killing intent. Belial did not expect that one of his people would want to chase him to the Outer Rings simply to lay claim on the throne he had left vacant a while ago. However, one thing was certain.

If he lost, he would never be able to find the truth about the Texts.