"My Queen, we have made it." Halona stared in awe at the empire before her. "Wow. Sobloeze really does look like something out of paradise. It's breathtaking to see." Lemrina scowled. "My queen, we are not here for sightseeing. We need to find you a bed and a change of clothes. You look awful."
"I'm aware, Lemrina. Let's go."
The two went from market to market, asking people if they heard anything about the Cahaya's whereabouts. "This is hopeless," Halona sighed. "All I've gotten are stories and fantasies. The people don't seem to know where he is."
"But they confirmed the Cahaya came here, and he left not too long ago," Lemrina said. "That's something. Somebody may have seen him leave, or even better, knows where he was heading to." Halona nodded. "You're right. We should talk to the ruler of this nation. I have a feeling they would know something."
Halona heard screaming and took towards the sky. From above, she saw black dogs the size of sailboats running around, eating anyone they caught. "Hellhounds," she thought. "They're quite pesky. But they only show up in dark places. So what are they doing here?"
Halona saw a woman wearing a white dress being pursued by a hellhound. Halona flew over to her and punched the Kegare, sending it flying into the sky. Two more ran towards her. "Penghancuran!" A black hurricane sucked them up as well as all the Kegare in her proximity. The remaining hellhounds ran away from her, but Halona took them down one by one. Halona flew towards the woman she helped. "Are you ok?" The woman nodded. "I owe you. You saved my life." Halona shrugged her off. "You don't have to pay me back. I just want to know where the Cahaya is."
"Who are you?" Halona scratched her head. "Well, my name's Halona. I'm not from this world, you see. I came here through a portal, and the journey here sucked."
"You're a demon, then?" Halona nodded. "Yeah. But only the royal family knows of the existence of demons. Are you the princess of this nation?" The woman nodded. "Yes. I am Lucia, the princess of Sobloeze. Come with me. I feel we're going to have a long chat."
Halona marveled at the gigantic castle Lucia simply referred to as 'her home.' "Um, Lucia, I know you're a princess and all, but don't you think that's a little too extravagant?" Lemrina tugged Halona's sleeve. "She's a royal," Lemrina whispered. "She probably just as short-tempered and easily offended." Lucia smiled. "You can be at ease, then. My father ordered the construction of these castles, not me. I acknowledge that people of the upper classes tend to be too self-conscious, but I assure you I'm not that proud."
"Guess I'm with good company, then," Halona said. "My Queen," Lemrina whispered. "You're too trusting. She could poison any food or drink she offers to you for all we know." Halona sighed. "And you're too suspicious. I'm sure she's not hiding any malicious intent. But I promise not to let my guard down if that satisfies you."
"Why would you ever lower your guard?" Halona shook her head. "Nevermind that, let's just go inside."
Lucia motioned for them to sit at a round table on her balcony. A maid brought them cups of tea. "Thank you," Lucia said. The maid bowed. "I live to serve, milady." Halona sipped on a cup of tea. "See? I told you she's not a bad person." Lemrina rolled her eyes. "Whatever you say, my queen."
"Why does she call you her 'queen' " Lucia asked. "Are you also a princess?" Halona nodded. "I was once the princess of Akuma, what you humans call the demon realm. Now my own father has been corrupted by the darkness. I ran away not too long ago, hoping to find a ray of light here." Lucia sipped her tea. "You mean the Cahaya?" Halona nodded. "If he really is the one who will save the world from darkness, then he is our only hope. I wish to join forces with him."
"Well, you're in luck. Karna stayed here for a while before he left for Vroborg." Lucia realized that Halona had no clue what she was talking about. "The name of the new Cahaya is Karna," she explained. "He's a thin boy with brown hair, around my age. Vroborg is another empire northeast of here. I'm guessing you don't know where that is, do you?" Halona nodded. "I've never been to the human world, so of course not."
"Makes sense," Lucia said. "I've told my maid to go fetch some maps. They should help you find Vroborg."
A soldier bowed to Lucia. He was bloodied, and he was missing an arm. "Your Highness! A Kegare has appeared in the kingdom!" Lucia sprang out of her chair. "Where? What type of beast is it this time?"
"In the city of Flalo, milady. There a dragon roaming about." Halona stood up. "That's my cue." Lemrina held on to her as she flapped her wings. Lucia caught her foot. "Wait! I could send you some soldiers! You'll need help!"
"No, I'll be fine on my own. Thanks for the offer, though." With that, Halona flew into the sky.
Even though Halona didn't know where Flalo was, she had no trouble spotting the dragon. It was hard to miss. The dragon had obsidian black wings and red eyes. A black fire erupted from the dragon's mouth, instantly disintegrating everything it touched. What was once the city of Flalo was now a heaping pile of ashes and corpses.
"My Queen, you should have asked for backup! How on earth are you going to take a dragon down by yourself?"
"Lemrina, the Cahaya took a basilisk down on his own. He even ate it, bones and all."
"That's just gossip! Dragons are tremendously powerful! This is real! You could die!"
"Basilisks are much stronger. If I can't take this dragon down, I'll only be a burden to the Cahaya. That's the last thing I want."
"You're so stubborn!"
"I could say the same about you, Lemrina. If I don't stop that beast, more people will die. I'm not going to let that happen."
Lemrina sighed. "A noble sentiment, but it will get you killed. Alright, promise me you'll come back alive." Halona smiled. "I promise. I'm going to drop you off nearby. Don't do anything stupid, like trying to help me, alright?"
"I'm not the one who wants to fight a dragon," Lemrina grumbled. "What was that?" Halona asked. Lemrina shook her head. "Nothing. Just drop me off." Halona obliged. Lemrina held Halona's hand. "You better come back alive. I wouldn't... I couldn't forgive myself if you died." Halona took her hand. "I promise I'll come back alive, Lemrina. I need to go now." Lemrina nodded. "I'll pray for your victory."
Halona flew towards the dragon. "Master," the Hakai spoke in her head. "A dragon is a powerful foe. Are you sure about this?"
"Yes. I've made up my mind." Halona punched the dragon on the snout. The dragon roared as it smashed into a pile of rubble. The dragon spread its wings and shot fireballs at Halona. Halona dodged them and accelerated towards the dragon, preparing to punch it again. However, the dragon seemed to sense this and curled his tail around her right arm before she could land a blow. The dragon opened its mouth. "Penghancuran!" Halona opened her palm as she was enveloped by flames. Her right arm shot it right back at the dragon. The dragon bellowed in pain, blinded.
Halona huffed. She had nearly been overwhelmed, and even though she managed to redirect the flames back at the dragon, she still ended up burnt. Her clothes were scorched, and her left arm was completely red. She rubbed it. "Ow," she thought. "Great. My left arm is totally limp now." She dodged another fireball from the dragon. "What should I do? I was barely able to absorb the flames. How am I supposed to absorb that monster?"
Halona again flew towards the dragon, this time grabbing its tail. She threw him around, smacking him on the ground several times before tossing him into another pile of rubble. Before the dragon could take flight, Halona punched it in the snout and repeated the process. Halona grabbed one of the dragon's wings and tore it off with great effort. She did the same with the tail. The dragon roared so loudly it parted her hair. Halona punched the dragon one more time, and it collapsed. Halona grabbed the dragon's neck. "Penghancuran!" Slowly, her right arm absorbed the dragon into itself. Halona's wings were now black, and the fingers on her right hand now had scales on them. "I did it," she croaked before falling facefirst to the ground.
Halona opened her eyes. "My Queen!" Lemrina hugged her tightly. Halona hugged her back. "Easy on the left arm, Lemrina. It's still burnt." Lemrina nodded. "Lucia's soldiers found you on the ground and carried you to her bed. She was the one who treated your left arm." Halona blushed. "Oh, did she? Looks like that's another favor I'll have to owe her for. Did anything else happen after I passed out?"
"No. You were out for four days." Halona's jaw dropped. "Four days?!" She looked out the window and saw a full moon. "It's nighttime at the moment. When are we leaving?"
"Whenever you're ready. You can rest for as long as you need to."
"Then we should head out tomorrow. I don't Lucia doing any more for us."
"But, my Queen-"
"No buts, Lemrina. We need to leave." Lemrina saw there was no arguing with her. "Fine," she sighed. "I'll pack our bags." Halona gripped her arm. "Did you get hurt in any way, Lemrina?"
"No. Unlike you, I was wise enough not to fight a powerful Kegare."
"Oh, wow, thanks a lot," Halona muttered. Lemrina smiled. "I'm glad you're alive, My Queen."
"So am I, Lemrina."
Halona bowed before Lucia. "Thank you so much! We've burdened you quite a lot, didn't we?" Lucia dismissed her. "I should be thanking you. You took care of the dragon. Mending your arm was the least I could do." Halona nodded. "Yes. But I-"
Lucia waved to her. "I would like to chat, but I cannot stay long. Instances of Kegare have spiked up in my kingdom ever since the Cahaya left. I wish you luck in finding him." Halona nodded. "Thank you once again!" The two then went their separate ways.