The first light of dawn filtered through the new home of the Venomania trio. It caressed the safe house with rays of sunlight streaming through the blinds, illuminating dust motes dancing in the air.
The place was spartan: four walls, a rustic fireplace, a roof, a heavily worn wooden table, basic supplies, and nothing more.
The location had no address, did not exist on any map, and could only be accessed through specific shadow anchors known only to Devyus. It was a limbo between places—the perfect refuge.
Devyus stood in front of the only table, studying a spread-out parchment map. His skin retained its usual demonic crimson hue, as did that of his sisters, who were waking up on makeshift mattresses on the floor.
Katherine stretched, her posture perfectly straight even upon waking.
"Onii-sama," she said, her voice still heavy with sleep but no less formal. "Have you rested?"
"Enough, little sister," Devyus replied without lifting his eyes from the map. "More than our pursuers ever will, I'm sure of that."
Catherine rubbed her eyes, yawning. "Katherine-san, I'm hungry. Is there anything to eat?"
"Emergency rations in the pantry, Onee-sama," her twin replied, nodding toward a small cupboard. "I'll see what can be done with what we have in this safe house."
As always, the younger sister—the most responsible and the best cook of the three—began checking the provisions, opting to prepare something basic: rice with some canned meat. Very few ingredients compared to what she was used to, but enough to satisfy their growling stomachs.
Meanwhile, Catherine occasionally peeked out the window, still without doing her usual ponytail braid.
Devyus finally looked up, a faint smile on his lips as he observed the dynamic between his sisters.
"Relax, little sisters. Today, there are no emergency protocols to follow. Today… we plan our future."
Both sisters approached the table, looking at the map with curiosity. Katherine carried three bowls of the rice and meat she managed to prepare, while her sister stepped back from the improvised boarded-up window, still yawning.
The map depicted a vast continent, with forests, mountains, and one particular country shaded in red: the Thunder Nation, also known as the Metal Nation, the most technologically advanced of the seven nations represented on that continent.
"Onii-sama, where are we headed?" Katherine asked, her analytical eyes scanning the terrain, her mind already weighing options before hearing her elder brother's response.
"Here," Devyus said, pointing to a bustling metropolis marked in the heart of the Thunder Nation: DATEN CITY. "The Thunder Nation is unique. It has little connection with the Fire Nation, aside from commerce; therefore, the likelihood of its forces searching for us is almost zero.
The Thunder Nation bases its culture on technological progress and conventional martial strength. There are almost no detectable spiritual energy users; however, their technology can harness such energy, which completely favors us in remaining hidden.
Its inhabitants rely on steel and gunpowder, which is a huge advantage for the three of us."
Catherine frowned. "But isn't that… a step back? Hiding among powerless insects?"
"It's the smartest strategy, Onee-san," Katherine interjected, adjusting her glasses. "Our sources indicate that the machines generating energy for the city will help conceal us, provided we don't use our full capacity. They didn't specify limits, but it's better to avoid using any of our circles. Guardian leader Slavy, with her connection to the former Lords' cells, has the tools and capability to track unique energy signatures across dimensions. Our demonic power, our spiritual energy—even the slightest use of our skills—would be a beacon for her."
"Exactly," the incubus nodded. "But our base physical strength and speed… are innate attributes. They don't emit traceable energy. We can pass as exceptionally talented humans, but not as supernatural entities. In Daten City, that's more than enough."
He showed them more details on the map.
"Daten City is a city of heroes, according to rumors and limited intelligence—a place with problems and corruption among its leaders…" His smile turned cynical, "…an opportunity. Where there is corruption, there are cracks. Cracks through which people like us can slip and take control, from the shadows, without destroying mountains."
"Will we live… as humans?" Catherine asked, incredulity in her voice.
"We will act as humans," he corrected. "Once near there, we maintain our base human forms. No transformations. Minimal shadow manipulation. No use of our Reiken abilities. And you two," he looked at both seriously, "no weapon transformations. No soul fusion. You will be my sisters, and nothing more."
Katherine nodded, understanding the depth of the plan.
"Total camouflage. The most effective way to hide is to blend into the environment. And our long-term goal, Onii-sama?"
"To settle. Build an operational base, gather resources and influence. Daten City will be our new nest. From there, when secure, we can seek ways to travel to other continents, or even other worlds, undetected—or… build our own kingdom from scratch, far from everything known."
The idea sparked excitement. Catherine no longer saw the city as exile, but as a new playground.
"Sounds more fun than dealing with boring hunters all day!"
"With their technology, we might even replicate—if we play our cards right—the portal that Commander Slavy has, maybe even better, to escape to another dimension and then hide our powers entirely," he said, smiling at both. "Just us using our skills and conquering a perfect place for ourselves."
"It will be a challenge, Onii-san," Katherine said, a gleam of anticipation in her eyes. "It will require patience and discretion."
"Resources," the incubus said, tossing a small bag onto the table. "I've gathered local currency and valuable items from several worlds. This will be our initial capital. We will register as a wealthy family seeking… business opportunities in the city." His tone made it clear that "business" could mean anything.
"How will we get there, Onii-sama?" Catherine asked, tasting the food from her bowl. "Crossing the border requires identification."
"By paths not on the maps," Devyus replied, pointing to a spot on the parchment. "Here is where we must focus our effort. The key to our next move lies here. Using our speed to cover great distances quickly, but only at night and avoiding populated areas."
The ex-Lord indicated another point on the map, drawing a line.
"Now we can also go through here. Look—this is the path we'll follow now, marked by the old forest trail."
"And what about crossing the river, Onii-sama?" Katherine asked.
"It's safe," her sister replied while eating, pointing to where her brother's finger rested. "Due to the beasts nesting in that area, Guardian hunters avoid it. And with the leaders in the state we left them, no one will search there."
"Exactly, little sister. This is the path we must follow, marked by the ancient ruins," the brother concluded.
"But what of the dangers ahead, Onii-sama?" Katherine questioned, always thinking ahead.
"The nesting beasts will feel threatened by our presence," Catherine replied once more. "I've been there, and it's just a matter of using Circle 1 so they prefer to flee rather than see us as food. We can use what happened last night with Slavy to our advantage."
Devyus nodded, then rolled and stored the map.
"Pack your things. Only the essentials. We leave this safe house in ten minutes. For now, we remain in our demonic forms, but once there, we maintain human appearance as much as possible. Names: Devyus, Catherine, Katherine Venomania. Origin: merchants from a distant land. Story: keep it simple and close to the truth. Understood?"
"Yes, Onii-sama!" both sisters replied in unison, straightening.
"Good." Devyus looked out the window at the dawn. Hinata-soul, the Lord title, the Guard… all left behind. A chapter closed.
"Onii-sama," Catherine said, shouldering her small backpack. "Do you think… we'll find others like us there?"
Devyus placed a hand on her shoulder. "In a place like Daten City, little sister, anything is possible. But for now, our sole objective is to vanish. The world will believe us dead or lost forever. And that… is exactly what we need."
With that, the ex-Lord and his two demon sisters left the safe house for the last time, vanishing into the forest foliage, their demonic forms moving with supernatural grace and speed, leaving no trace of energy—only the whisper of the wind and the promise of a new beginning in the City of Sin and opportunity: Daten City.
The chapter of their old life had ended. The symphony of their new empire was about to begin.
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