On top of a mountain hidden by the trees is a stream that flows into a small pond. The water would usually trickle in slowly, but today would be anything but usual.
The rain poured harder than any day he could remember. A little black leech sat at the bottom of the pond. It had a long black body with a smooth mucus membrane. One end merged into a tail, while the other end had a ring of sharp teeth.
This leech was no normal leech. It was a special type that typically stayed deep in the ocean. In the monster world that's where the strongest aquatic creatures would stay. The further away from land, and the deeper the territory you occupied, the stronger you were.
Back in the ocean, his race had carved out a large territory using their special ability.
He didn't know how he got here, at the top of a mountain stuck in a small pond, but he enjoyed it. Everyday he could laze about as the prey came to him.
It's just him and a group of small fishes that live here. An occasional frog going for a dip is a delicacy.
He wrapped himself up on the top of a rock just below the surface of the water. On rainy days he enjoyed sitting here and feeling the gentle vibrations of the rain. Most creatures wouldn't because it jumbles the senses, but he was the apex predator here. Nothing to worry about!
Crack!
"What was that!"
He felt a strong vibration as the water began to surge toward a direction. He flipped his body around desperately searching for something to grab onto but the water was too strong. His body flipped and rolled as he was pulled along.
The pond had gotten too full. The pressure caused a weak wall to burst sending a cascade of water down the mountain.
He was carried along by the water and had lost all bearing. Which way was up? Which way was down? He didn't know!
As this was happening he wasn't scared for his life, he had only one regret.
"Food will be so much harder to get now. Hopefully I land in a similar pond further down the mountain. That would be great."
At the foot of the mountain there was a clearing. The ground was covered in black dirt. Little shoots of red sprouted and swayed in the wind. A small hole formed just above the ground. It twisted into existence and slowly expanded.
Once the hole was large enough to see through, you could peer into a different world. It was filled with luscious green grass. The sun sent blinding rays through the portal to the demon world. The portal kept expanding until it was over thirty feet across.
"Forward!"
Knights kitted out in silver and golden armor marched through the portal. They stood in front of the portal, tensed, ready for combat. The higher-ups said they would be making a surprise attack, but they never let their guard down. This was the demon world. Nearly everything here could take their lives.
A group of people flew out of the portal and stood in the air.
"So this is the demon world huh? Not impressed." Said a man with a thick grey beard. His face was full of wrinkles, but his body was thick and firm like a bodybuilder's.
"I agree, master. It seems we might have overestimated this world." The youth next to him agreed. He had a slimy demeanor, like an accountants, as he constantly fidgeted with his glasses.
"Whether we have or not, we still have to do our duty. Shae, start scouting." The man commanded.
"Understood." The girl spread her arms, conjuring a group of birds that sped away in all directions.
"Their doesn't seem to be anything near the portal except... EEEHH!"
The two men shot to her side as they went on alert, looking in all directions. The old man spoke without turning his head. "What was it Shaelin!"
The girl's cheeks turned as pink as her hair. "That... um... it's a leech."
"Huh? A leech?"
The girl fiddled with her hair as she looked down in embarrassment. The man with glasses shot her a look. "Exactly what I thought. This is why I said she shouldn't come. Getting so scared by a leech, what are you a child?"
Shaelin swung her little fists at him, which he dodged easily. "I'm not a child, I'm a woman. And any woman would get startled if they looked at that thing! You should have seen it's teeth, it's definitely not normal."
"Of course it's not normal. This is the DEMON WORLD!"
"Enough." The old man stopped their bickering. "Shae was there anything else near the portal?"
"No, master."
"Good. I'll go report to the General. You two go set up my tent."
"Understood, master." They replied in unison. The old man flew back down toward the portal, leaving the two of them behind.
The little leech had been dumped into a stream at the foot of the mountain by the current. He was swimming along when he felt something beside him.
"AAH!" He boosted forward at his greatest speed just as something struck the water behind him. He knew what this was. It was a bird! He had watched as birds would eat the fish from his pond sometimes but they never once attacked him!
He swam away with all his strength, but the bird kept attacking him! "If running won't work, then I'll use intimidation!" He spun around to face the bird and opened his mouth wide. He stretched his mouth as wide as he could, revealing rows, and rows of pointy white teeth.
The bird was just about to strike again when he did this. It cawed as it jumped away from the leech.
"YES! It worked!"
The bird must be a coward! That's right, just try to eat me! I dare you! He wanted to bite the bird but it had already left. This only added more pressure to the leech. At least when it was attacking him he knew where it was. Now that it's flying he has no way to sense it. He needed to find shelter, and fast.