Kalika sat on the window, watching as the guards ran about chaotically past the alley in the night.
"[You've finally decided to summon me. Oh. And congratulations, my little champion.]"
Irked, Kalika cringed. "Shut up." She climbed back into her room and laid back in her bed with a sigh. She then pulled her mirror shard from the side of her bed and gazed into it, seeing the reflection of her human self.
"So… Are you going to tell me how to use my magic or not?" She quietly questioned. "I want to get this whole stupid ordeal over with already."
"[Patients. You'll be able to escape this dream soon enough. I can lead you partway, tell you the fundamentals. But you'll need to have Zelak assist you to hone your skills and understanding of our magic.]"
"And how is he supposed to help?"
"[Much like our magic. His blood magic requires him to know how to detach from this world. Both physically and mentally.]"
"Is that so?" The mirror cracked in Kalika's hands, seeing her once dull teeth sharpen.
********
Bretta Shook, clutching her stomach and writhing in pain as she lay in bed.
Zelak could only watch as her breathing became more labored, with sweat falling from the side of her face. Hearing an ongoing conversation out in the bustling morning streets, he gazed out the window and saw a couple of demons gossiping.
"
"
"
"
"
Zelak closed the window, leaving just a crack for some air. "
Zelak turned to leave when Bretta suddenly called out. "
Zelak nodded. "< I'll get something.>" he then left, entering the inn's bar and closing the door.
"Falaz," Zelak called.
Falaz peeked from behind the kitchen door. "
"
Falaz nodded and re-entered his kitchen.
Zelak slowly approached the bar counters, his gaze focused and intent on waiting.
"
"
"
"< That's my business. "Zelak's eyes slowly drifted to the rooms behind and took keen notice of Charla, sleeping right beside Donovan's door.
"
"
"
"
"
"
"" Bjorn said.
"
"
" Kalika's door opened. "What's the point of children?" Kalika questioned. She approached and sat at the bar. "The most that they're good for are menial tasks."
"Children are the future. They carry on our ways, and sometimes accomplish things we otherwise would be capable of." Bjorn answered. "You should at least understand that much. We've all been children at one point, Kalika, and it's not like we can live forever."
Kalika sneered and turned to the kitchen door.
" " Kalika slouched on the bar counter, annoyed. Her eyes then traced to Charla, "By the way, why the hell is that succubus sleeping there?"
"Does it matter?" Bjorn questioned.
"She's annoying. She's nothing but a stupid reminder and simply an embarrassing woman. I can't fathom the way she thinks, the ridiculous desires that she has! It's stupid! A demon and a human having a child!?"
Kalika scoffed. "Even if this is a stupid dream, the notion is stupid regardless. Why would someone human like me want a child from a demon to begin with!? It's utterly nonsensical!"
Zelak, seeing Kalika's trembling hands, slowly approached. "Champ-?"
"You wouldn't happen to know if there's a place to bathe and shop in this city, would you?" Kalika suddenly asked. "Zelak?"
Bjorn raised his brow.
"There are several bathhouses and shops south of here. Bretta and I passed them yesterday, going to the city's main bridge."
"Good. Show me. And bring those stupid crystals too. I'd want to buy a change of clothes. These fur clothes are starting to stink."
Falaz stepped out of his kitchen, holding a bowl of freshly cooked crumbled meat porridge. He served it directly to Zelak.
" Kalika watched in annoyance as Zelak took the hot, meaty porridge to his room, leaving it on his table across from Bretta. She saw how Bretta shook, as she clutched her large, swollen stomach. "What's happening with her?" Kalika questioned.
"She's fine. She's been like this since yesterday. It's been on and off, so it's hard to tell if she's in labor."
"She's close to giving birth, isn't she?" Bjorn stated.
"I thought we had a few more days. But yes, it seems she's closer than expected." Zelak said. He quietly closed the door.
"Isn't that all the reason you stay then?"
"No, she'll be fine. I should be back by the afternoon after I show the champion to the places she needs to go. But just in case, look after her for me."
"Not like I can do much else now, can I?"
Zelak sat by Kalika. "So when would the champion like to leave?"
"As soon as I have my meal."
"Then it's settled."
********
Waking from his slumber, Donovan rose from his bed and glanced at his flimsy pipe put together pie. Thoughts of his trials and tribulations filled his mind. And stood and took the pipe in hand; he fiddled with it, trying to keep his pipe from drooping down.
"Perhaps I should have a blacksmith look into this…." he wondered. "Might as well see if Bjorn knows one around here."
Donovan laid the pipe back on the table, leaving it behind as he opened the door. To his shock, He quickly found Charla, still sleeping at the door.
"She's… still here?"
"She still hasn't made her mind up either." Bjorn suddenly spoke.
Donovan turned to Bjorn, who ate sliced pieces of big meat. "R….Really…?" With an exasperated sigh, Donovan forced his gaze away from Charla and joined Bjorn in the corner of the empty bar.
"Do you know if Kalika's still in her room?" Donovan asked.
"She just left, actually. Missed her by a few minutes."
"She wasn't still mad about Charla, was she?"
"It's hard to tell. She seemed angry, but I couldn't tell if it was directed at the succubus or not."
"Jeez…" Donovan muttered. He quickly became lost in thought. Staring at the corner of the bar. "When I see her again, I should probably talk to her. See how she's holding up personally…"
"Thinking about Kalika?" Bjorn asked.
"Yeah. Kind of. I can't put my fingers on it, but she seems a little…Colder… and... Angry/"
"Yeah." Bjorn agreed. "It reminds me of how she was a year ago. Or at least some of the rumors of how she would have a plan or scheme in mind. And how she would easily become violent when approached the wrong way. And she would use people for her own goals."
Dononva leaned away, Hlaf doubtful. "Well, whatever's going on, she probably needs some more time to herself. By the way, do you know a good blacksmith, by chance?"
"Looking for more equipment or skill?"
"I need help with my pipe. I can't get it to keep steady. If I could carve the handle, it would be much easier."
"Ah. I see. So the blood blade is keeping you from making progress. My advice is to put yourself in the mindset of reshaping as opposed to breaking down the handle."
"Tch. I'm not like you demons, you know. Besides, it's probably easier said than done. So do you know a blacksmith or not?"
"Me. Not so much. But I'll ask Falaz. "Bjorn glanced at the bar. "Falaz!"
" " " "A blacksmith named Karsh. He's close to the castle plaza, appBjorn's," Bjorn's stated.
"Me and Charla were in the castle plaza before. So I think I know the way."
"Good. But have Falaz mark it on your map before you and Charla leave."
"Charla?" Donovan glanced at Charla, who slowly ate her meal, somberly, Confused. "O-oh, right."
Bjorn sighed. "Not like there's anyone else that can help you. Just tell me what you need, and I'll tell her what to say. Just be sure that you're prepared and that you actually come back this time."
"O-of course. I don't plan on staying out long this time. Once my pipe's repaired, we'll head back." Donovan quickly stood from his chair. "Here, I'll go ahead and prepare everything. I'll be a minute."
"Alright. But hurry up."
Donovan, passing Charla, stopped, seeing that she was sitting and watching them. He exhaled sharply, knowing her eyes directly avoided him.
" Charla weakly agreed and slowly approached Bjorn.
With an unreadable expression, Donovan averted his gaze as he closed the door, starting his preparations.
********
"So this is it, huh? Kalika looked at a singular, large building in the center of what looked to be a plaza. She scanned the stone roads and buildings around, seeing no source of water. " " Kalika followed, doubtful of Zelak's claims. As they entered, humidity filled the air along with a thick sheen of fog.
Inside, Kalika could see the small, intricate carvings within the stone walls. Pictures associated with demon symbols drew Kalika's attention. Led away, she read the carvings out loud.
"Scrub the horn hard with rough cloth to remove dirt?" Kalika analyzed the others through the fog, gaining some interest. "Instructions."
" Kalika turned from Zelak and took the clothes. "Good…" she said,
Without another word, Kalika entered the hall, leaving Zelak behind. To her amazement, however, she entered what felt like an endless hall of pillars. She stopped, admiring the new scene before her, all before turning her gaze on the visage of herself.
Those sharp green eyes. That blonde hair. Her almost pristine fair skin.
It was all of her. Wrapped in dirty prisoner's clothes.
She approached herself, resting finger on finger. The contrast was so deep that it felt like an illusion, with reality stuck on the other side.
Her eyes scanned every inch of her face, eventually trailing down to her neck, where she caught sight of a bite mark.
A pit formed in her stomach, and her heart started to ache. "Damn him."
Her breathing shallowed, desperate, she tore her gaze from herself. But to her shock, a new visage formed. That of familiar blue demon women. One with curved horns, sharp yellow eyes, and black hair with visible white strands. But unlike her human self, this demon before her looked devastated, wearing ruined clothes.
Seeing the dead, pained look in the demon's eyes, bult a silent fury within Kalika. Unable to bear the visage, she stormed on through the hall and passed two women.
" " The grey-haired woman laughed. "Can't win them all. If she wants a child, I'm sure she can find another mate out there."
The two women gazed upon an empty reflection of themselves, giggling like little girls. "