Donovan glared daggers at Bjorn. "If that's the case. Why aren't we using it to get out of this place!"
Unfazed, Bjorn glanced from Donovan to the Beltru's home, then skimmed his sights to just off the cliffs of the homestead, looking over the village below. "Get out the cart. And I'll explain. And bring your mask, just in case."
Reluctant, Donovan glared a moment longer, eventually relenting. "Fine. But you'd better have a good reason." He jumped down from the cart and grabbed his mask from beside the stone furnace, cooking their food. "And let's make this fast, too."
"You'll understand in a moment. Trust me." Bjorn, carrying the large barrel of mead, placed it by the house and led the way further along the pit wall.
The two hiked past a few trees and an increasingly rocky terrain where the pebbles crunched beneath the steps of their quiet journey. Eventually, the wall curved, leading to a magnificent view of the village below, and just within view stood a large stone fortress. Housing a number of different-sized demon soldiers that marched along the paths and patrolled the perimeter.
Donovan scrutinized the view, then glanced at Bjorn. "So, what's so special about this place?"
"For one. This is one of the most heavily fortified places of the pit, alongside several others that I'm aware of." Bjorn pointed to a far-off stone tower that stood within, barely in sight. "Can you see that building there, in the center?"
"Yeah… Just barely. What about it?"
"That is the pit's exit. And while I'm sure Kalika would find no problem dispatching every soldier here, there's a specific issue this one shares with the others."
"And that would be...?"
"Our armies above… Even if we make it above, there'll be an army just waiting for us above. And if they don't kill Kalika, they can kill you or me. It puts us in needless danger. The pit exit I have in mind is an ancient one, not guarded and considered difficult to ascend. However, I know that that specific exit isn't guarded, nor is it close to any fortresses we have above. In fact, it'll take us close to the border of those uncharted lands and that country you talked so highly about."
"You mean Kynreth."
"Of course. If I truly meant to betray you and Kalika, I'd be dead by now. Besides, I'm leaving with the two of you out of this pit works to my benefit too. At this point, Rakon thinks me a traitor, and if possible, I'd prefer not to face his wrath."
Donovan remained silent, scrutinizing the sight of the fortress as it was then closed by the soldiers inside. "I think I remember now," he suddenly said.
"Remember what?"
"This was the place where I first came to this world. Back then, they were transporting me to that prison."
"I'm not surprised. Many of the human prisoners came through this village, merely as a means of quicker travel and to prevent rescues."
"Is that why you prefer I stay here? To keep the locals or soldiers from recognizing me?" Donovan turned, and to his surprise, Bjorn began to leave. "Hey, wait! Where're you going!?"
"Back to the Beltru. His wives wanted to join in cooking." Bjorn continued on, forcing Donovan to follow
"Hey, wait! Aren't you going to answer my question!?"
********
River waters splashed. Sticks clashed, and furs flew. All around, Kalika demon children played in a chaotic symphony of animosity and savagery, all as she could only sit with twitching eyes. In the center of the chaos, the two karnal sisters played along, taking center stage as they defended a small hill, pushing the clashing sticks with the children and taunting them.
"What the hell is happening…?" Kalika grumbled.
Res was suddenly knocked from her podium, sending shocked awe and gasps. With a fervor, Res stood and shouted. "
Slowly, the boy was set down, and Zel kneeled to the boy's level. "
"
"
The boy nodded happily with bright eyes.
"
The children all around sat at once, with one clutching Kalika's arm to her annoyance. She quickly and quietly cleared her throat and watched the two sisters keenly.
"Psst, Kalika! Can you help us too?>" Res suddenly called, hushed.
"
The karnal woman nodded vigorously, forcing a groan from Kalika as she forced herself back to her feet. The child, who once clung, looked on teary-eyed, disappointed in the turn of events.
"
""
"
"What?"
Without Warning, res spoke, "
Kalika took quick notice of Res's gestured hand. "So, I'm supposed to be this Jof?"
"
Zel cupped water in her hand and blew it towards the children. "
"
Kalika cringed but quickly relented and drooped her mouth into a frown as she ignored the kids, pulling awes from the children and some confusion from the children.
Res and Zel circled Kalika. "
Res and Zel turned to Kalika, their hands on her shoulder. "
Kalika listened and followed their lead. Surprised murmurs from the kids suddenly erupted with a conflict of thoughts evident.
Kalika, seeing Res purse her lips and turn with a cold sweat, huffed. "I thought so."
Res suddenly sprang to her feet. "
"Invincible?" Kalika slowly picked herself from the ground shortly after Res posed in a fighting stance, surprising Kalika.
"
Kalika awkwardly followed Res, dodging, parrying, and countering her, ending with her pretending to die.
Zel stood and presented Kalika as the winner. "
The children clapped and cheered.
Zel smiles softly at the children, then turns to the dying lights above. "
Without hesitation, Zel threw in a crystal piece along with Res, and to Kalika's surprise, the other children followed along, each one throwing a singular crystal into the basket. Even the ones that looked half-eaten were thrown in and accepted. With the basket half full, Res and Zel tossed it into the running water, letting it sink into the pond-like river.
"Why are they…" Kalika glanced back at Res, who looked on happily as she turned and waved the kids away. "
"
Not long after, with the children out of sight, Res flumped to the ground, exhausted. "
"
"
Zel chuckled at the remark. "
"Hmm… " Kalika squatted down in front of the display, pondering over the pile of crystals. "
"
"
"
"
"
"
"
Zel chuckled. "
Kalika glared, doubtful. "
"
"
"
Kalika sighed. "
"
"
"
Kalika eyed Res. "
"
"
Res cocked her head, confused.
"
"
"
Kalika stared on in shock at the sudden mention. "Ek... and Kel?" She muttered.
"
"
"
Res softened her glare. "
Zel turned to Kalika. "
"
"
Kalika, with a growing conflict, took a deep breath and stood. "
"
"So this was the village he mentioned…" Kalika frowned. "Tomorrow can't come soon enough."