'I'll do it.''. Says Adrian.
''What, Really?''. Zelzick shockingly responds. Adrian continues.
''But I'm not doing this for you, at all in fact. I'm going because I'm curious to see things which are new to me for my work.''.
Zelzick nods his head in agreement, even if he does not quite understand.
''Plus you would probably force me to go even if I said no.''. Adrian adds.
Zelzick bursts into laughter while saying.
''You're most likely right. Come, I'm sure you will see stuff which you have never seen before.''.
Both stand up and face the portal, Zelzick stands behind Adrian who is trying to look into the foggy depth; nothing can be seen through it. He nervously gets closer to it trying to peak around the corners to make out anything which would be familiar to him, as he does Zelzick nudges him forward ever so slightly, enough for him to lose his balance and fall through it.
---
A small demon child chases after two of her friends, around them a dark, rundown village. Some adults are outside hanging up clothes and others doing their best to grow crops (to no success).
As the child runs, she turns to an opened portal, which starts to shoot of electricity. Her face lights up, she runs into the town calling out to the rest of the townspeople.
''Zelzick's back! He's back!''.
A sleepy demon in a watch tower quickly wakes up from the racket and begins furiously ringing the bell, the villagers all slowly surround the portal waiting impatiently.
One final flash of lightning emits from the thunder rods and outcomes Adrian from the portal, he lands straight on to his face with his butt straight into the air. He groans and gets himself up from the floor, he looks up to an audience of hundreds of different demons looking at him, this startles him. He starts to think of the worst which might happen now.
Zelzick walks through the portal behind him, he looks around to the crowd which has gathered and raises his fist in the air. All the demons cheer loudly and start to swarm the two of them.
Adrian gets picked up by some bigger demons and gets tossed repeatedly into the air, although this gesture from them is meant to be a friendly one, Adrian is spooked out. Zelzick, who also is being carried, tries his best to calm the hyped crowd.
''OK, OK! Everyone, we got plenty of time to celebrate later!''.
No one listens, Adrian finally gets let down and starts to walk forward with Zelzick through the crowd, as he does some demon's talk out to him.
''Hey! How's your training coming along, are you already able to use the Shadow talent yet?''. One shouts.
''What? No''. Adrian responds, only to be hounded by another demon's question.
''Do you think that now the worlds are linked again, poverty in the demon realm would stop!''.
''Errrr, I don't know?''. Adrian replies.
A very tall, slender succubus grabs Adrian by his shirt, pressing him against her.
''Do you think a human would find me attractive!''. She crazily yells in his face.
Adrian goes bright red, he is lost for words not only by the question but also being smothered into her chest, Zelzick grabs Adrian's waist and jumps onto the top of a destroyed well, then on to a large building. All the demons look up at the two of them, they start to settle down. Adrian looks out and see's hundreds of house's, none of them particular nice. They carry on as far as the eye can see.
''Demons. Friends. Family. Citizens of Oksun. I want to introduce you to not only to the new holder of the Shadow crest, but also the human who will help save our village from its demise. Please welcome to our lovely home, Adrian from Earth!''. Zelzick announces.
The demons all roar, Adrian watches, overwhelmed. He looks at Zelzick for an answer to what he is saying, but he continues his speech.
''For too long we have not only been refused to be acknowledged as demons, but have instead been labelled as Low-born. A term not only Royalty scuff at the sound of, but also the rest of hell. My wish it to not only dismantle this hierarchy, but also bring peace between the different worlds and most importantly to our own. I understand that may be asking for too much, and I understand you are angry, but we learn to be better than they are, if we wish to come out on top... I am confident that with the help of Adrian here and the rest of us, that one day we could make this dream a reality.''.
Zelzick lifts Adrian's arm into the air and finishes.
''And Oksun will finally be free!''.
All the demons cheer once again, louder than the last time. Adrian can't help but feel a little moved and excited by the speech. Zelzick jumps down with Adrian and quickly enters the building in which they were both standing on, the cheering outside still ensuing. Adrian pulls up on Zelzick.
''What the hell was all that!? You didn't tell me that these people think I'm going to safe them or something!''. Adrian shouts at Zelzick.
''It's called raising morale, don't worry, I don't expect you to do anything. Just yet anyway. After your training, I think your help will be very... Helpful.''. Zelzick responds, casually pouring himself a drink from a pot.
Adrian snaps at Zelzick furiously, he shouts.
''That's it! I have seen enough of this crap, I'm going back home now!''.
As Adrian turns, someone knocks on the door and enters, from outside waddles a small pale demon with a magnificent beard and mustache, he turns to Adrian and says.
''An honor to finally meet you Adrian, and thank you Zelzick for bringing the hero here to us.''.
He grabs Adrian's hand and shakes it, he has no choice but to really go with it.
''Oh, I'm Hekmur, the Village Chief. We would love if you would join us now for a feast in celebration for your arrival.''. Hekmur hopes.
Adrian looks for a way out, he turns to Zelzick who quickly looks away taking a cheeky sip from his cup. He turns back to Hekmur who is waiting.
''I would love to, but, I have made myself food back at home before I left.''. Adrian rambles, trying to convince him.
''There's no need to worry about that Adrian, time moves slower here. In fact, a week here is about a day on earth!''. Zelzick interjects from the back of the room.
Adrian gives an annoyed glance over at him.
''Oh, Brilliant! You must come now, we have so much to talk about!''. Says Hekmur
Hekmur walks with Adrian pushing him to what looks like the biggest building in the village, the contrast to what's inside is very diffrent to the outside, especially compared to some other run down buildings nearby.
Demons try desperately to get Adrian's attention as he walks into a large room.
He's like a celebrity!
Inside, a long table with many chairs on one side, Adrian cant help but notice the humorously large fancy one in the middle.
Hekmur pulls out that chair and Adrian sits, he can't help but feel as if he is an exotic animal being leered at from everyone around him.
Many other demons from the village start to enter, these slightly better dressed than the hordes in rags earlier. Hekmur approaches Adrian and says.
''Our village advisors would love to talk to you about the annual 'Demon Games' fast approaching.''.
''I don't know what that is.''. He bluntly responds.
''Oh, of course no problem, there will be plenty of time to go over it with you.''. Hekmur says.
As he goes away, Adrian rolls his eyes, but is nearly caught by him turning back round.
''Oh, and also my beautiful daughter has insisted that she sit next to you, I'm sure you won't have any objections hey?''. Hekmur teases as he waddles away.
The look on Adrian's face says it all, he wonders what kinda wacky character is going to next haul him. He pulls out his phone from his pocket to check it, not surprisingly, he has no connection.
''Wow, your technology is so advanced I don't even know what that is!''.
Adrian looks to the side of him to see who was talking, he turns and finds a cute girl looking around the same age he is with pink skin and two little white horns, her eyes bright orange.
Adrian stares at her face, someone this cute is a demon?
''Oh, sorry! I didn't mean to scare you! My names Ophus, the chief is my dad. I wanted to talk to you so badly once I heard you finally arrived!''. She says.
''Yeah sure we can talk, about anything if you like?''. Adrian says sliding the phone into his pocket.
''Awesome!''. She says, while pulling out a book from beside her, she pushes her plates aside to make room for it and slams it on the table opening to the first page. She goes on.
''Do humans fight, and if they do what about?''.
Adrian thinks and gives a very vague answer.
''Umm, maybe if they disagree on something?''.
''No, no, no! More detail!''. She declares.
''OK! Humans fight over politics, religion, sport. Basically anything really I guess.''. Adrian replies.
Ophus listens with wide bright eyes tantalizing on every word spoken, she is blown away by what is being said.
''Wow... I don't know what any of that is! Demons here only fight about food or water and maybe clothes, sometimes.''.
Adrian's attention from her gets broken as he sees Zelzick at the end of the building go to exit, he gets up from the table and goes after him.
''Excuse me for a second''. He says while quickly making for the door, Ophus tilts her head in confusion.
Outside, many demons spot Adrian and call out and wave to him, he sees Zelzick walking down the street and runs after him. Hekmur stumbles out the building, yelling after Adrian.
''Wait, come back, you have to try the desserts!''.
Adrian now is fully committed in catching up to Zelzick, as he turns each corner it looks like he only just gets further away, finally after running for a while he catches up to him. Adrian wipes the sweat from his forehead and walks over to Zelzick who is standing looking over a small fence.
''Brother!''.
A small dark skinned girl runs out screaming to Zelzick and hugs him, he picks her up and holds her.
''Did you have fun today?''. Zelzick asks her, while also playfully tickling her. Adrian watches them both, the girl looks over at him.
''Who's that!''. She asks.
''Him? Why he is the new shadow crest holder and human hero of the village!''. Zelzick says.
She looks at Adrian, sizing him up, this guy really?
''Hi, yeah that's me.''. Adrian confirms.
He is met by a reaction which he didn't expect, she turns her head away from Adrian and sulks.
''My brother's stronger than you and is the real hero of this village, not you.''. She says.
Adrian laughs awkwardly.
''Fee-Fee that's not how we talk to people is it?''. Zelzick says scolding her, she does not take any notice.
''Brother! Can we get food at the shop! Please! Please!''. She begs.
''OK but only one thing, ok?''. He responds.
Fee-Fee runs happily towards the small shop, it is not selling much really. Zelzick turns to Adrian.
''You going home already huh? Ok. The village cant say that I didn't try. A deal is a deal, just let me just spend a bit of time with my little sister first. Please''.
Zelzick says while walking towards Fee-Fee, he helps her pick what to get from the shop. The buffalo looking owner smiles watching the two of them.
''He might be blunt sometimes but no one has more kindness in their heart than Zelzick does.''. Ophus says sweetly walking beside Adrian.
''I've been so caught up trying to process everything which is happening that I only have been thinking about myself, the people living here have it so bad and yet they dont even know it.''. Adrian says quietly watching the two of them.
''It's not your fault, meeting loads of crazy looking demons all of a sudden and basically becoming one yourself, then being told you're our hero. That's a lot to take in- wow damn that is alot to take in...''. Ophus tries comforting him but makes it seem funny instead.
''I should hate him though, he and other demons came to earth and caused havoc for the people living there. And not only that, I don't even know what I am anymore.''. Adrian says pessimistically while looking at his hand.
''Sure you do!''. She replies enthusiastically jumping infront of him.
Adrian looks at her, she continues.
''Your still you? Right? That's all that matters. I't don't matter what changes about you.''.
She cheekily smiles at him, Adrian cheers up a little, her weird words of encouragement worked perfectly.
Abruptly a loud shout comes from the buffalo shop owner, two young demon kids, one resembling a wolf the other a bird run with a handful of fruit they stole from inside; they make a dash down the street. Zelzick leaps in front of them causing them to bump into him then each other. They both lay on the floor.
Zelzick picks up what they stole and walks towards the shop owner, the bull is raging, each breath he takes can be felt through his nostrils, the kids place their hand on the back of their heads in panic.
''Sorry about that Sir, I'll make sure that these kids don't do that again.''. Zelzick says to the owner. Who responds.
''Orphans like these never learn unless punished probably.''.
Zelzick quickly blinks in front of the children with great speed, the bull swallows his anger. He hands the fruit back to the shop owner but keeps two, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out his wallet. Inside only two coins left, he hands them to the shop owner.
''I would also like to have these.'' Zelzick says with a smile.
The bull takes the money and walks off calmly, around demons have started to make a crowd. Zelzick kneels down to the two kids and hands them a piece each.
''Time's are tough, but that is no excuse to steal from one another. You just have to try and work something out like everyone else for a little longer.''.
Both kids nod, Zelzick places his hand on the bird child and ruffles his feathers, they both run off.
Zelzick walks towards Adrian and Ophus.
''Come on then, lets get you back. The portal should still be open.''.
Zelzick goes to walk off but notices they don't follow.
''I have decided to stay''.
Zelzick turns and faces Adrian, surprised at what he just said, he asks him.
''Really? You would do that.''. Zelzick questions.
''Yes, after seeing this place I can't just leave all these people behind to suffer knowing I could have done something to help.''. Adrian responds.
Fee-Fee pokes her head out from behind Zelzick and looks at Adrian, he adds.
''And im hero after all. Arent I?''.
Her face glows up, Adrian looks down to her, she hides behind Zelzick again.
Ophus jumps up and down in excitement, Zelzick grins while saying.
''Alright then Hero, lets get to training!''.
---
Wheels bump over a large stone in a road path, one of many chariots are travelling down this disfigured road, the chariots are being pulled along by beasts. Guards also ride alongside the chariots on their own steeds.
''Two more days in till we reach Oksun, Captain!''. A guard yells out to the back of the carriage.
In the back of the carriage a man picks his teeth with his own finger which is made of iron, he does this while looking at himself through a handheld mirror.
It's Captain Fon.
''Well go faster!''. He yells kicking the seats in front, denting it, the beasts yelp from the impact.
When he pulls his leg back, a tiny draw opens hanging by one hinge, something glimmers from inside, Captain Fon reaches for it to see what it is.
He holds up a small piece of gray iron, he tenses his jaw and drops it to the floor.
The chariot goes ahead, behind it thousands of demons on horses armed with melee weapons.
All Heading to Oksun.