something is hunting us

“Ask your question, child!” the dragon commanded.

Charlene floated in the air, facing the cave’s mouth. Either this demon didn’t know what she was—or didn’t care. Either way, it was going to die.

She already made up her mind.

“What is your name, demon?” Charlene asked, voice calm and disarmingly gentle, as if coaxing a frightened puppy from beneath a couch.

The creature slithered deeper into the shadows of the cave, its voice echoing ominously. “My name, child? It’s Lord Leviathan.”

That was all she needed to hear.

Like a possessed banshee, Charlene charged into the cave, her energy blazing. The clash was immediate—slashing, slicing, metallic clangs and demonic howls filled the air. The sounds echoed out into the snowy landscape in a chaotic symphony of death. The battle raged for minutes until—

Silence.

Charlene emerged from the mouth of the cave soaked in blood, a jeweled crown gleaming on her head and emerald rings adorning her fingers. A bloody trail melted the snow behind her as she admired her spoils.

“One down. Three to go,” she muttered, glancing at the gore on her sleeve. She sniffed herself. “Ugh. First, a bath.”

Her presence wasn’t going unnoticed.

Far across the realm, a chubby imp raced into a towering throne room, panting. He was a grotesque little thing—three feet tall with clawed bird feet, sharp horns, a beaked mouth, and twitchy humanoid eyes. These demons normally preferred to overwhelm victims by sheer numbers and were known for their twisted delight in torture. But this one was shaking.

“Master, something is here—something is hunting us!” he squeaked, falling to his knees.

“Go away, vermin. I don’t care.” The demon lord lazily kicked the imp in the chest, sending him tumbling down the stone stairs.

“But your lordship—it’s not part of the usual torment. It’s foreign. It looks human, but it isn’t. I barely escaped with my life!” The imp clutched its chest, terrified of another kick.

That got the demon lord’s attention. He sat up on the throne and scratched his chin with talon-like claws.

“Come again?”

“It’s been killing demons all day—thousands. We don’t know what it is. But it’s powerful. Please, sire, it’s not natural.”

The demon lord narrowed his eyes. “Fine. Gather a few to track it. Do not engage. Just watch. I want to know where it goes.”

“Yes, master! Thank you, sire!” The imp bowed so fast he nearly toppled over again as he backed out of the room.

---

Meanwhile, in the catacombs beneath the Realm, Destiny, Argun, and Torock stood facing a failing Asmodeus. He was barely clinging to Haroon’s former body, black smoke seeping from his mouth like venom with every word.

Destiny stepped forward, voice sharp. “You don’t leave here unless you agree to our terms. You’re to return to your realm, and you’ll never come back here. You will also tell us who you gave the stones to.”

“I agree!” Asmodeus hissed, barely coherent. “I swear I’ll never come back. I’ll even show you who I gave the stones to—just release me!”

ReNew, Beth, Odo, and Argun stood ready. If he tried anything, he was dead.

They pulled the sigils from the containment box.

Asmodeus stepped out, abandoning Haroon’s broken body. Torock gagged and turned away at the sight of his former friend’s ruined form.

The black smoke slithered into the open portal and darted off like a bat out of hell.

“That liar!” ReNew growled, fists clenched.

“Relax,” Destiny said coolly. “We never expected him to keep his word. But look.” She pointed. “He’s leaving a trail.”

Argun smirked. “Perfect. He’ll lead us straight to the Demon Lords—and maybe even Charlene.”

Destiny turned to Torock and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. “You’ve come a long way. Stay here. I’m proud of you.”

Without a word, Torock nodded and left the chamber.

Destiny waved her hand. Instantly, everyone’s clothing transformed into battle-ready armor.

Odo opened his satchel and handed out enchanted charm bracelets etched with sacred symbols.

“These will cloak you from demonic sight,” he explained. “We’ll see each other, but demons won’t be able to see us.”

Beth kissed her husband on the cheek. “You always think ahead.”

“We’ve had a lot of practice,” he said with a grin.

Destiny stepped in. “Stick together. No wandering off. We stay as one.”

---

Back at the Realm, Idris returned to Seth’s room with a stack of books and a bag of snacks. He opened the door—empty.

He blinked. “Bro... I know you didn’t leave without me.”

Dropping the bag, he muttered a curse and changed clothes with a snap of his fingers. He immediately opened a portal.

Seth hadn’t even tried to cover his tracks. The path was clear as day.

“Maybe you wanted me to find you,” Idris said, stepping into the portal with a grin. “I’m coming, bro.”