"Archis? What is Archis?"
"Th source of calamity, the hearth of darkness whose blood corrupted everything it touches just like the Daemons. If the Daemons are a evolution of beasts, then Archis is the trigger."
This time, the hundred-eyed beast transmitted it's voice directly into Thomas' mind and it continued.
"If I'm right, you should know others with similar circumstances, like the Sage for example."
Thomas slowed down his pace at the end of the phrase. "Wait... So you knew what the Sage is?"
"Where my prowess is lacking, my eyes are not. He's different from the Daemons, intelligence is higher and the primal instincts of a Daemon have been suppressed. I suspect he's a higher evolution belong that of a Daemon, same as you. Wish I could ask him more about it, but it's a pity he left the same day as you."
"Wait, the sage is gone?"
"Of course, he's a wise person who's also very knowledgeable about lots of things. It's him who told me about the demons and how they are connected to our world."
Thomas then listened to him. While the corrupt energy within Daemons could penetrate and taint other beasts, potentially making them into Daemons, it only works on a very small scale and that only the mysterious Archis achieve this level of effect.
In fact, the records of the Hundred Eyes Beasts relate that a single drop of Archis' Blood could corrupt over ten thousand beasts. However, it's not possible to be it since the Archis had been sealed for over ten thousand years and it hasn't been found yet since the Twilight Lion's Tribe Head was looking for the key.
The Hundred-eyed Beast waved his wand and a old parchment paper flew over to Thomas' hand. "I don't know for how long I can keep it so I want you to hold onto it. It's a copy that contains the location of the Archis."
By this point, Thomas already connected all the dots and began paying special attention to what would be the so-called Archis. Meanwhile, Kez' Ganak was watching it all while frowning.
[This can't be... are we in Zeria?]
Thomas only heard a little of it and muttered the strange name. "Zeria?"
The hundred-eyed Beast by his side shook, stunned, he turned to Thomas in a hurry. "Kid! Where you heard that name?!"
"Er..." Noticing this name carried some kind of importance, Thomas guarded the name deep in his mind.
"Fine, I will keep this map for you."
"Thanks for the benefactor's assistance."
Thinking he must have misheard, the hundred-eyes beast nodded at Thomas and went back into the group of beasts.
Almost immediately he called out for Kez'Ganak. "Kez, what is Zeira? You and that guy seem to know about it."
A voice slight more emotional than before echoed.
[It's a place. It means Holy Land, in demon language and it refers to the birthplace of the Seven from which all demon clans originate from. You know, the seven Ancient Demons I mentioned in one of our talks. Their names are Pride, Greed, Lust, Envy, Gluttony, Wrath, and Sloth and the were originality from Zeira.]
"So were they beasts err.... I mean, Daemons?"
[I don't know, there is no records of it in the first place and even if they existed my clan would have no means to find it. What I know is that the Seven could alter their shapes to become taller and stronger than any demonic beast.]
After getting some important info out of Kez, Thomas guided the surviving beasts of Aaron back to Xamak.
The beasts staying there until moments ago all left with exception of a few, and as soon those few remaining 2-star beasts saw Thomas' lion form, all shuddered and opened way.
They were the ones to feel the full impact of Thomas' pressure, even believing he held the power of 8-Star or beyond.
It didn't take long for Thomas to organize everyone in the cave system inside Xamak. Separating the injuries ones in an area so they could be treated faster while the rest would focus in getting back in shape.
The space in Xamak's caves is small, but they soon build large accommodations across the mountain to house everyone, including those who arrived later
Thomas already counted, only two thousands beasts who were still capable of fighting survived. Another two thousand were incapacitated, lacking a limb or two. With his treatment the number of beasts in grave condition were less than a hundred which was a good thing.
With the Battle Heart Tribe and other strong tribes all wiped out, their forces are weaker than ever.
In fact, Vail would let them live so easily because he knew they wouldn't last long in their present state.
"Now, all I need is to wait until Lulu brings her sister and the other beasts back." Without a second thought, Thomas closed his eyes and immersed himself in the memories of the old Demon Lord in hopes of finding more about the Seven Ancient Demons.