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The Journey to Remember For

Then the night came.

Qeveriyt was not just a city of dragons. It was also a trade hub from all over the regions. Ever since the Eastern Region opened its border to the rest of the Regions in Main Continent, Qeveriyt became the center of everything happening around Main. As it was situated in the Central Region and, given that the Central Region was mostly a desert and both Qeveriyt and Dracokin were the big cities, it was natural for traders to come to the city. It became a melting pot for different cultures, only rivaled by the port city of Pol Hain.

Of course, Qeveriyt's nightlife was also as bright as it was in daylight. It did not really affect life since most of the city was underground. Still, despite all that, the life on the surface was pretty much silent and calm. The dragons were pretty much resting or conversing among each other at night, while those who chose their residence on the surface also had the benefit of this quietness.

As for the group, each had things to do, and they did not want to rest just yet. The night was still young, after all, especially for the members who did not even know life on the surface would be so vastly different from the Underworld.

As Malkar and Belial resumed their studies on the journal, Zardes, Ammon, Gehen, and Damos walked through the bustling city under the surface. Of course, they were not trying to join in the rather rowdy atmospheres of the subterranean pubs that were around. No, they were trying their best to resupply however they could.

Took Damos, for instance. While he could buy bullets down in the Outer Rings area, he knew that the Ashenlanders would not have any stores selling him bullets. So, he went to a rifle shop and, with the help of Zardes, got the right ammunitions for the battle ahead. Of course, given the fact that Damos's rifle was also made in the Underworld, the human shopkeeper was puzzled by its peculiar design.

"This rifle doesn't look like it fits any kinds of bullets they made up here," said the shopkeeper. "The chamber's so...peculiar."

"It's made in the Underworld," said Zardes.

"I know that, sonny. We humans don't design stuffs as gaudy as this. Still, I think I know what your rifle feeds on."

The shopkeeper then gave Damos a bullet. It was black-colored, unlike the typical brass-colored bullets usually used. Damos simply loaded it into the rifle and cocked it.

"Do you have a shooting range?" asked Zardes.

"We do. Come this way, if you may," said the shopkeeper while taking them to a big room behind the counter, where several other sharpshooters were practicing their aim.

"(So, Damos, try and hit that target over there)," said Zardes while pointing to a human-like black figure at the end of the room. "(Try a headshot)."

"(Well, if you insist. Don't blame me if they thought I'm boasting)."

"(Not if that human on your right is getting some good shots)."

Damos smiled, took his position, looked down his scope for a good aim, and pulled the trigger. A loud, but typical, bang went out from the rifle and, one second later, there was a hole on the target's 'head'. The rest of the humans practicing their aims did not seem to see this as a worthy enough achievement to turn away from their own activity.

"(That bullet clearly fits the rifle)," said Damos. "(I can't see any problems using them)."

"What do you think?" asked Zardes.

"I think you found your bullet," said the shopkeeper with a smile. "Anyway, how many do you want?"

Zardes then told the shopkeeper what Damos needed, and he gave them that. They walked out of the shop to continue their stroll.

As they went through the bustling city night into the calm ground level, they felt relieved that they did not need to walk around the city with so many people around. The one who was pretty much worried about this was Ammon, who never saw so many people from different parts of the continent walking around. He was not familiar with a mostly human city as Ternor's cities and towns had a mix of humans, Lycans, hellhounds, and Fuzandres. Still, Ternor had no dragons, so it was seen as a trade.

The night sky was clear, and the full moon was upon them that night. As they walked out of a nearby underground access, they were greeted by Itresil, who was waiting for them there.

"(Getting bored)?" said Itresil with a smile. "(Well, I'm far too big to fit that small access, so I leave your dealings there in my imagination)."

"(Don't you feel bored living up here?)" asked Gehen through Damos.

"(Oh, you mean about me as a demon. Frankly, no. I chose to live up here and the Outer Ring Region if I have the chance to. My life as a demon is far behind me now. Even if I do return, I don't think I'll stay)."

"(I guess this is what Belial feared)," signed Gehen.

"(The prince knows his duty, ash hound. I, on the other hand, has no such duty. I had no purpose down there, and I found one when I regarded Zardes to be worthy to climb on my back. You need a lot of respect from a dragon to let you climb on their back and become their partner and rider, if you wish to find a partner)."

"(I'll pass)," signed Gehen with a smile. "(Even if I do find one, they won't even be able to understand my sign language)."

Itresil gave a silent smile to the mute hound. It was a barrier that needed to be overcome if Gehen decided to find a dragon partner and become a dragon rider. For one, the dragon would not have the same respect for the interpreter, so Gehen needed a dragon that could understand that his hands flailing about was an attempt to communicate, or at least a telepathic one.

The dragon then turned to the Fuzandre, who was silent the whole time. She lowered her head and said, "(Anything interesting, demon bat?)"

"(Oh, uh...no)," said Ammon. "(It's just...I've never seen a dragon before. Not in my entire life)."

"(Oh. Well, you have nothing to fear around me, demon bat. Zardes trusts you, so I'll trust you, too)."

"(Thanks)."

"(On that note, I should warn you that I have a thick scale that can break your fangs if you decided to suck my blood. I heard about you from Zardes, and your...insatiable hunger)."

"(I...can't help it, you know)."

"(I understand)," said Itresil with a smile. "(But, I think it's better if you ask for some in the blood bank. They'll understand. Well, not really. They only know vampires as fiction, not a human-sized vampire bat)."

"(I'll help you if you really need to stock up on some blood)," said Zardes. "(The paperwork will be a problem, but it's not something I can't handle)."

"(Thank you. Really, thank you, Zardes)," said Ammon. "(You and the others have shown me a degree of kindness I've never imagined before. Most people who knows who Barbatos is will just look at me in such a way that I'm uncomfortable, but not you)."

"(Even if you're Barbatos's Vessel, you are still Ammon the demon bat)," said Zardes patting his shoulder. "(And your life's your own, not for some prince you barely know about)."

"(I guess you're right)."

The group chatted and walked back towards Zardes's apartment. Like all rider's apartment, it was located on the ground floor. The tallest building in Qeveriyt should not be more than three floors so as to not crowd the landing pads. It was preferably this way, too, especially during emergencies. Riders on second and third floor could simply jump down onto their dragon's back quickly. Same for those living on the first floor. They could run out and climb their dragons in short notice.

Zardes's apartment was on the first floor, with modest interior. He preferred an uncluttered home where he would have a lot of space to lie down and relax. This was what Belial and Malkar did during the research when the rest of the group came home.

They reconvened and finally got to rest for the day. It was a rather relaxing evening for all of them, where they got to know each other better. It was far more relaxing in that apartment room than in the Outer Ring wilderness, but this apartment would be the last place they could rest like this. After that night, they would resume their journey, and they knew that this journey would be far more dangerous than before.

While the rest were doing whatever they could to relax, Zardes walked out to meet with Itresil.

"So, how's your travel back home?" asked Zardes.

"Pretty boring. I did not have anything to do in Ternor due to their air traffic law, so I went home earlier than your message told me to. I know you won't come back after a week, so I'll just wait here for you to come home the long way around."

"And you're doing delivery work while you're waiting. Well, I guess you know what you're doing, after all. I really have a reliable partner."

"But, since now I know the situation at hand, I think you need help to even the odds."

"Wait...you're going with us?"

"You don't want me to come with you?"

"I don't know...I feel like we can still do this while you help up here."

"No, Zardes. I think you need my help in the coming times because the demons you're fighting against are more dangerous than you think. You're not dealing with dangerous cultists; you're dealing with dangerous demons. For that, you need more than one demon."

"Can you fit through the Crossing Gate?"

"I can. I tried it a couple of times before."

"Huh. Doesn't look like it'll fit you."

"It won't fit me if I keep my wings open."

"Alright, I get it. You need some action going on and this is a chance you won't miss," said Zardes with a sigh. "We'll leave tomorrow morning."

"You guessed it. Other than that, I am genuinely concerned for you. I know you're capable enough to go on without me, but you don't know when to stop, and that will kill you."

"So, you're my conscience?"

"More like your guardian. That's what we are, right? A dragon and her rider? It's my job to protect you, as is your job."

"Can't argue on that."

"Besides...I can't lose two riders in one year. Atmell's my responsibility, too, and I...."

"I know, I know. But, like you said. They are a wyvern and a rider, and they will protect each other. I'm sure right now they are having one hell of an adventure out there, far from what we're going to face."

"I hope you're right. Still, I have a feeling that he'll face a danger far more dangerous than us. We somewhat know what we're against. He does not."

"Then I hope that he can rely on Arcturus."

"If that's your hope, then I think it's time for you to stop worrying about him. Even if you worry, there is nothing we can do to help him. He's beyond us, now. What he has out there is his cunning and quick thinking. I sure hope what I see in him can help him survive."

"You took this fact better than I do," said Itresil with a smile. "But anyway, you're right. We have our own problems on Earth."

"And also sleep. I need to rest up for tonight. We'll tell the rest later."

"Yeah. Good night, Tresi."

"Good night, little one."

Zardes smiled as Itresil laid down to rest. The hellhound walked into his apartment room to see most of the party already sleeping, except Belial. For an Infernal like him, the time to sleep was not as much as hellhounds. Zardes once saw him asleep for only two hours at best. He also claimed that he could stay awake for three days straight before his mental health started to suffer. For a human, three days were the maximum, and by the end of the third day, they'd die due to exhaustion. Other than that, mental damage could occur.

Belial saw him enter the room and said, "Hey, there. Having a good chat with her?"

"Yeah. We talk about things before we go to sleep. I think you should, too."

"Nah. Can't let myself relax, even if it's rather calm out here. It's a nice change of pace, even if it was only for a short while."

"It is a nice change of pace, and also a good time to relax."

"So, I suggest you take a good night's sleep tonight. We might not get this kind of chance when we resume our travel," said Belial.

"Guess so. Anyway, Tresi's asleep right now. Don't bother her."

"But she's a demon. She doesn't need that much sleep."

"She's a demon who chose to be a mortal dragon, so she's one of us now. Let her be."

"You're right."

"Anyway, good night, Belial."

Belial waved his hand before resuming his read on Asdal's journal. Zardes walked into his own bedroom, where Malkar had slept. Gehen, Damos, and Ammon were sleeping in Atmell's currently vacant apartment room. Zardes decided that he could cover Atmell's rent for two more months, but more than that, he'd have to move on as Atmell, even if he was alive, would be declared officially dead. By that point, the hellhound doubted that the human would ever return. By then, he also hoped that his own problems would be sorted out, so he could be preoccupied with his usual life problems.

He thought about it, but soon chose to sleep instead of worrying about it. He walked to his bed after cleaning his paws, before dozing off.

***

The next day....

Belial woke up first as he only needed two hours of sleep. He woke up as the sun was out. Zardes's apartment was facing the sunrise, so it brightened the room for the morning.

Belial then walked out to meet with Itresil, who also woke up early. While she had chose to become a mortal dragon, her sleeping time was still relatively short (only around 4-5 hours at best). The dragon also noticed the Infernal and greeted him.

"Good morning, prince Belial," said Itresil towards the demon. "Sleep well."

"I guess the proper way to reply is 'yes, I do'. Right?"

"You'll learn how to be proper when you live up here long enough."

"I might. Still, my domain's my responsibility, and I need to be around when our problem's finished."

"I'll be around when that time comes. Even if I chose mortal life, I still live a very long life, longer than Zardes."

"You do that, then."

"Anyway, I talked with Zardes last night, about accompanying your group to sort out this mess. I feel like you need all the help you can get."

"You know. I prefer doing it alone, but as I travel, I value their help, so I guess the more the merrier. Just don't get in the way. You know I fight."

"I can say the same for you, prince Belial," said Itresil. "We demons don't think of collateral damage as much as they do."

"For that, I agree. So, let's get on with it and let loose, shall we?"

If there was any indication of malice and destruction on Belial's caprine face, it would be all over it. Itresil had heard once from a human rider that a goat's expression was rather weird. Well, to be fair for the dragon, the human had other things to do than look at a goat's expression. Still, they would want to know why their eyes were a lot different from other ungulates. Their horizontal pupil was very pronounced due to the bright color of their irises compared to horses and deer.

Still, that human had never seen a goat with the eyes of a predator. If one saw Belial's face without minding the twisty black horns and sharp rows of teeth, they would never think a goat was an innocent animal. In fact, it was quite the contrary. Belial, and all pureblood Infernal in general, were the testament of a twisted nature. It did not help the fact that Belial was carnivorous.

He was quite courteous during breakfast in the food court, as he had learned during his travel, but even then, there was a sense of uneasiness to see a goat-faced person eating a well-cooked steak along with eggs while showing to everyone that his teeth was just like a hellhound: sharp and ready to rend flesh, as he had demonstrated with the steak. He did not have dinner in public, so no one caught on to this.

Belial was not oblivious of this. He knew the humans were staring at him. He knew he did what Zardes had told him about manners, and he appreciated the virtue of cooked meals. He also realized that being stared at was very, very uncomfortable. He might not mind when he first met the group, but his travel changed him, for better or for worse.

Still, he had to say something, so he turned towards the staring humans and said, "Do I look funny?"

They quickly returned to their meals, but Belial could see that they had become unsure with the cooked meat they were eating.

"Well, an Infernal walking around on the surface world is a rarity. Can't blame them," said Zardes.

"I think they don't expect you to eat meat at all, Belial," said Malkar.

"Look, just because I have a face of a goat does not mean I don't eat meat, alright?" said Belial. "Besides, my teeth are not for eating grass, so that explains that."

"Don't worry about them," said Zardes. "We have our own problems."

"Yeah, you're right. So, do you think old Schelkz will accept what you're proposing now?"

"I just told him to expect the worst and keep at least two dragons and their riders to guard the Crossing Gate. The Order is always ready to fight any danger, provided they know what the danger is."

"It's your call, not mine. I don't lead the bunch."

"If the humans are not convinced, maybe the Hellfighters will. I am planning to go to Ashten about this and talk with commander Tirkeni about deploying them."

"Hellfighters?"

"Hellhound squadron," said Malkar. "Created by the Order as first responders for a hellish invasion. Well, that was the idea, but in the end, it became a squadron of hellhound dragon riders. Zar was one of them, but I pulled him out."

"No doubt Tirkeni know what's at stake after seeing you," said Zardes. "Ever since we announced the Crossing Gate's existence, he had always thought of it as the start of an invasion. Still, he can be a little too overcautious."

"How so?"

"When Zardes and I announced our findings," said Malkar. "He was the first to suggest that we destroy the Gate. I objected, of course, and after a thorough explanation, he relented. Still, he warned me that an Invasion could still happen."

"And he is right," said Belial. "If Barbatos is summoned, you people will not have a chance. My suggestion is that when we go back down there, we'll close the Gate. I suppose you know how to close it without destroying it."

"Yeah," said Malkar. "We can deliberately misalign one of the beasts."

"Then it is settled, then."

"(Uh...excuse me)."

The three of them turned towards the rest of the group. Zardes realized that, with the excitement of planning, they forgot to include the three individuals in the group that could not understand or speak Common.

"(O-oh! Sorry, Damos)," said Malkar. "(I'll explain everything to you three while we prepare. After breakfast, Zardes and Belial needs to do something)."

"(I get it. Anyway, can I have seconds? These are really good. What you call it? Omelets? Also, I think Gehen wants more)."

"(And coffee. He wants coffee)," said Malkar when he read Gehen's signs. He replied with signs, too, and Gehen smiled. He simply made a sign saying, "(Thanks)."

As Ammon, Damos, and Gehen, accompanied by Malkar, continued their breakfast, Zardes and Belial went to the Order's building to meet with Ashten. There, the old hellhound, along with several other members of the council, listened to Zardes and Belial's argument that an invasion could happen before they knew it, and they needed to be ready for anything.

There was a lot of efforts needed to persuade them, for there wasn't any hellish invasion for a hundred years since the major invasion in Ternor Continent. While they nevertheless knew the danger, it took only one decisive vote to let the council mobilize the Hellfighter squadron for an imminent invasion. Until the inevitable, however, the Crossing Gate would be guarded while it would be closed from access while the group continued their journey. As it was just as Zardes hoped, he happily accepted this decision and walked out of the room.

As the two of them discussed their travel and what needed to be done with the journals, Ashten greeted them on the way out.

"I guess you two have convinced them, after all," said Ashten with a smile. "Congrats."

"Thanks to you and Tirkeni," said Zardes.

Ashten shook his head. "I know Tirkeni will say yes if there is any shred of evidence of a hellish invasion. I can't blame that hound. Hellfighter was made to live up to its name, not just a hellhound squadron. He did get commendations for his dealings during the Northern dragon invasion, but I think he knows the true purpose of the squadron. Still, don't see him as a war-crazed hound."

"Nah," said Belial. "He's not close to being one."

"Good thing I got the assurance of an Infernal. Anyway, I can't provide you anything except good luck. You'll need it badly, especially if you're dealing with another demon prince as cunning as the prince of darkness."

"Yeah, I suppose so."

"Anyway, did you forget something that's mine?"

Zardes was confused about what Ashten was talking about, until the sudden realization came to him. There was one thing that he had forgotten due to the development.

"Oh, no! Your family's crest! I've forgotten about it ever since Drundas! I gave it to your cousin!"

"If you don't have it, I'll ask Adre about it after we're finished."

"Sorry, Ash."

"No worries. It has no use unless you want proof of your royal roots. For me, the only symbol I need is this."

He then moved took his tail and unruffled the fur-covered tip, where a triangle-shaped tip was pierced with three rings.

"They'll know I'm a Schelkz if I show them this. You can't fake those rings, but you can fake crests. Anyway, I've hold you long enough. It's time for you to go."

Zardes waved goodbye to Ashten as they returned to the group. In their absence, they had prepared for a journey back to the excavation site, now with Itresil in tow. The dragon had explained her joining to the group, and they appreciated all the help they could get.

And so, they were off before noon and arrived at the excavation site later that day. Malkar quickly explained about the situation to some ash hounds exchanging knowledge with the excavation team. He also told them that it would be temporary, and the ash hounds understood. They were given a choice to either stay up on the surface or return to Ashen Lands. Some chose the latter, while other chose the former. They had some unfinished work that they would like to continue.

Zardes then saw what Itresil meant. The Gate was big enough to fit her with her wings folded tightly to her body. She demonstrated this by walking into the Gate with space to spare. It seemed that he had misinterpreted the size of the Gate due to the excitement of crossing it for the first time and had completely forgotten about it after Atmell's disappearance and the continuation of their attempt to decipher the Texts.

This travel could be far more dangerous, but Zardes knew that Itresil's help would be a great way to balance the risks. He always felt that he and his dragon partner would be unstoppable the moment they joined forces and worked together, and he was determined to prove that during this journey.

For Ammon, who had also found a renewed sense of hope during their short time on the surface, was also determined to prove that he was not just a copy of Barbatos, and especially not his vessel. He would not want to be possessed by the demon, as he was Ammon the Ash Priest, not simply a Vessel to a demon prince.

Gehen and Damos joined the group knowing that they would attract danger if they stayed, especially with Gehen being targeted for reasons yet unknown. But as they traveled, they became convinced that they were simply bored of hiding and wanted to find more excitement in life. Still, they never would've thought that being bored got them an adventure of their lifetime, and it would surely become even more exciting the more they came closer to the truth.

Malkar may had no comparable fighting skills except for self-defense, but his desire to know something convinced him to continue the journey, even if he knew that it would be dangerous. But, danger was part of his job, so he gladly took it.

They all had their own reasons to continue, and everyone, even after they had given a chance, would not back out. It was their decision to start the journey, and they would see to it that it ended.

Looking at the swirling green portal in front of them with a vague Ashen environment they would step into again, Zardes, riding on Itresil, took a good breath before he said, "Well now. Off we go."

They walked into the Gate, disappearing from the surface world as one of the ash hounds turned the statue of the beast away from its place, misaligning it so the portal was temporarily locked.

Now the adventure continues, and the end would be coming soon....