Azemo was in his element, he was lost in another forest.
"I think we have been here already. I remember that sign over there." Ima did not like walking around as much as Bella and Azemo didn't want to carry her so she was in somewhat of a bad mood.
As for the sign in question it read. 'The forest holds many secrets.'
"Master said not to go into society for a bit so a forest is a good place to be." Azemo was as sick of the forest as much as Ima but he was doing his best to stay positive. "Didn't you guys spend a lot of time exploring this forest while I was training with the spear."
"Iumm the forest holds many secrets." Imagine looked like she was having a good laugh when she spoke so Azemo did not push the topic.
"Bella you have been awfully quiet, what are you up to?"
Bella had been focused on training with her newly improved claws and Azemo's words made her lose focus. In fact she became so distracted that she bumped into a tree. As she got to her feet she responded to Azemo with.
"The forest holds many secrets."
"Aiyah what is up with you two."
Bella and Ima were having a grand old time at Azemo's expense in the hopes of distracting him from the recent past and also because they were bored. The three continued to joke about as they headed farther away from civilization.
At this point in time the trees were starting to grow closer together which was somewhat good news. At least that meant they weren't going in circles. It also meant that there was less space to walk so the trio crowded together and continued pushing onwards.
As the trees continued to grow thicker and thicker Azemo wondered if they should turn back. Right when he was about to turn the group around something started beckoning him forwards. Not physically beckoning but Azemo felt a powerful pull towards something that was just up ahead.
"Do you guys feel that?" Azemo knew that in a magical world it was always a good idea to follow some weird beckoning feeling.
"I don't feel anything except for annoyance at these trees for being way too close together." Bella swiped at a nearby tree with her claws leaving deep gash marks.
"Same here i don't feel anything but the forest does hold many secrets." Ima and Bella got a kick out of her statement but Azemo decided to keep pushing onwards. What was the worst that could happen?
As Azemo led the tigers towards the origin of the feeling an odd light could be seen in the surrounding trees. It was similar to the green color of the leaves but it was somewhat dull. Still it managed to create enough light for Azemo to see his shadow stretch across the ground.
Azemo was a demon so something like that wasn't very creepy so he continued onwards and eventually came upon a small clearing with a hole in the ground.
As Azemo stepped into the clearing the dull light began to shine brighter emanating from the hole and slowly an orb of light rose from the pit. It was another Soul Essence!
"The forest holds many secrets." A soft voice that seemed to be able to entrance even the grass of the forest came from the orb. Of course Bella and Ima lost it but Azemo did his best to keep his calm. After all Soul Essences were usually connected to powerful demons.
The orb seemed to look disdainfully at the two tiger cubs before its voice fluttered out again.
"I am the Soul Essence of the demon lord Beherite, the world's desire."
Azemo remembered what he had learned about Behirite from the turtle master. Behirite was a demoness who was so powerful that she could make a person perish with a single word. Her form was unknown to most, as was the custom of the lords, but rumors whispered that she was a great beauty.
"This one is Azemo, the newest addition to the demon lords." Azemo was tempted to make up some ridiculous title but it was important to maintain a certain level of formality with a Soul Essence, otherwise it might just disappear.
"Yesss you are a demon lord that is why I called you." The voice seemed to be a hiss this time but somehow it still maintained a level seductiveness.
"How do you know that I am a demon lord?" Azemo blurted out his first thought without thinking too much.
If the orb could have given him the how stupid are you look, it would have. "Demon lords all have a unique strand of mana in their body given by their predecessor. Also we have been conversing in the language of the monsters, which only demon lords and monsters can speak."
"We are speaking in the monster's tongue? How was I to know?"
"What have the demons become if this one is a demon lord." The orb would have facepalmed if it had any hands.
Azemo remained silent, there was no benefit in telling the Soul Essence of a dead demon that he was the last demon alive.
The orb saw that he did not respond and continued on.
"I am one of the unique Soul Essences of the demon lords. Across the world there are countless Soul Essences made by demon lords of every generation. Only a demon lord can find them and prove that they are worthy of the treasure their creator left behind."
Bella and Ima were not very interested in the conversation and at this point they climbed into the room bag to sleep.
"How do I prove myself, honorable Benirite?" Azemo had heard tales of the demon lord's extraordinary powers and he hoped Soul Essences would help him achieve them.
"I will allow you to enter the world that I created for this test. You must find the problem and solve it. Depending on your solution I will judge your reward."
"To be able to create a world seems impossible."
"Don't underestimate demon lords young one, most Soul Essences have a world attached to them. It is obviously not a real world, we are not gods, but a simulation of one."
Azemo wanted to point out that she said not to underestimate demon lords but instead said. "When I can I start your challenge?" He didn't want to seem like an idiot. Of course the orb already thought he was one.
"When…"
Azemo interrupted. "Sorry, but how long do you think this challenge of yours will take?"
"Time is irrelevant in this test and will have no effect on your score. If you are worried about missing something in the real world time moves extremely slow when you are in the simulation."
Azemo opened his mouth and promptly closed it. He couldn't think of another question. He knew that as soon as the orb had left he would probably think of one but what was he to do.
"Are you prepared. I will only give you one shot at this."
"I am ready. Please send me in."
"Leap into the hole in the middle of the clearing. I can guarantee the safety of your real life body so do not worry about anything but the simulation."
Azemo didn't hesitate and jumped down the hole in the ground. As he was falling colors flashed before his eyes before they faded into a landscape.