Chapter 52: Rising conflict

The creature moving among hundreds of its kind was a demon from the first batch released when the sky opened. This bald male demon, Burz, had elf-like ears and several boils on his face, which were actually closed eyes. Burz had previously tried to possess Sage but was expelled by a witch, luckily she wasn't strong enough to end his life.

Still covered in dust, Burz stomped his feet in anger, recalling the witch who intervened just as he was about to capture a powerful being in the other world. If given another chance, he wouldn't hesitate to try again, but his energy was too low for another journey now. He needed to regain his strength and plan his next move carefully.

As he dragged his feet through the open field towards the twin mountains, he noticed how many other demons had gone to the other world. Burz looked at the portal in the sky and was disappointed as the sky was still the same size as when he left. He needed to hurry.

When in the other world, Burz believed he had possessed the being that caused the sky to connect their underworld to the human world.

When Sage's energy was unveiled at school, it seemed like a strong, uncontrolled force running wild. However, it had created a portal allowing demons to enter the other world. This portal was the only way for demons to escape their cursed realm and wreak havoc on the human world.

Burz, a newly recruited soldier, wasn't sure how important the news he was about to deliver to King Exanimus was. Upon reaching the mountain, there was a cave opening leading inside. The mountain, divided at the top but sealed towards the middle. The mountain was similar to the one inhabited by vampires. It was called the Twin Mountain not only because it was split in two but because it connected to another world where the demons now lived.

Vampires and demons once cohabited here in the underworld and accessed the human world freely, but the vampires, distant relatives of the demons, found the human world more suitable and banished the demons to the underworld. It was a battle, and the vampires emerged victorious. Vampires fed on human blood while demons fed on sin, fear, greed, and other evils. Once a demon possessed a being, vampires couldn't feed on that being, leading to their conflict.

Mortimer, Exanimus stepbrother, led the war against the demons and sealed them away.

Exanimus has been waiting for centuries to exact revenge, only to learn Mortimer had killed all his other brothers before passing on. This news infuriated Exanimus, fueling his desire for vengeance even more. He imagined the torment and suffering he would inflict on Mortimer's descendants and all vampires who had betrayed his kind.

Exanimus, who never left his throne of bones inside the mountain, didn't eat as his food was on the other side of this world, nor did he sleep as his mind ran endlessly with thoughts of vengeance against the vampires. His throne room was dimly lit by the flickering flames of torches, casting eerie shadows on the walls. Bones of fallen enemies adorned his throne, a grim reminder of his ruthless nature and his resolve to annihilate the vampires.

While he sat there idle, suddenly, a holographic image of Kashina appeared, unstable but visible. Getting a connection from the world Kashina lived in to this world was an impossible feat, but not for a witch like Kashina who had the book of dark spells in her possession.

"Kashina, you better bring good news this time," Exanimus growled, his voice echoing in the cavernous throne room.

"Of course, I do," she replied confidently, though a hint of nervousness was detectable.

"Go on then," Exanimus demanded, his patience wearing thin.

"Currently, Soren, one of Mortimer's sons, is seriously ill and dying slowly…"

"How is that information useful to me?" Exanimus snapped, his anger rising.

Kashina took a deep breath, understanding his impatience. "A lead on the energy that opened the portal has been found. Start getting your men ready; war will begin soon," Kashina said before cutting the signal, leaving Exanimus with hope.

Though not much information was given, Exanimus liked what he heard. Without access to the other world, he relied on Kashina's word. The idea of war and the possibility of breaking free from their prison invigorated him. He could almost taste the blood of his enemies and hear their screams of agony.

"Master," a young demon approached and bowed. Burz had just arrived, with no guards to stop him. Trust had grown among the demons, united by their common goal of escaping and defeating the vampires.

"What is it, young soldier?" Exanimus asked, his mood lighter than ever, eager to hear what Burz had to say.

"I have just returned from the human world with news," Burz said, trying to contain his excitement.

Exanimus smiled. Burz was likely one of the first soldiers to go out and return safely. In the other world, they were in their ethereal form, and without a strong host, survival was uncertain. But Burz had survived, and he had brought valuable information.

"I believe I possessed the one responsible for opening the portal. When I possessed her vessel, I couldn't control it. There was a seal in her mind holding back a wild energy, but the seal was cracked and I could feel the energy. It was just like when the sky opened up."

Exanimus saw no reason to doubt Burz. What were the chances a demon could possess the hybrid among millions? Yet, Burz’s tale seemed credible, sparking a flicker of hope in Exanimus’s dark heart.

"I see what you want. You want to be in the next batch of demons going to the other world to possess her again and lead her to our allies. I grant you permission." Exanimus waved his hand, and a black arrow appeared in Burz's hand, a ticket through the portal.

"I won't fail you, master," Burz said, running out of the throne room to fulfill his task. He was determined to succeed, knowing that the fate of their kind rested on his shoulders.

As Burz moved among his kin, he felt a renewed sense of purpose. His mission was clear, and he would stop at nothing to ensure its success. The weight of his failure in the previous attempt still lingered, but it also fueled his determination. He would not fail again.

Exanimus, meanwhile, sat back on his throne, contemplating the impending war. His mind raced with strategies and plans, each more ruthless than the last. The time for vengeance was near, and he would make sure that the vampires paid for their betrayal. His thoughts were a chaotic blend of anger, anticipation, and dark satisfaction.

And so, with every passing moment, the underworld buzzed with the impending storm of war, the demons' eyes gleaming with malevolent anticipation. They would rise, they would fight, and they would reclaim what was once theirs, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The final confrontation was inevitable, and the world above had no idea what horrors awaited them.