Some residents of the settlement were already gathering around where he had landed, wondering what had just crashed into the ground like this. A few of them feared an enemy attack.
But once the first of the militiamen arrived, he saw Astaroth, embedded into the ground, and stood by. The young man, no older than sixteen, felt like the man before him was familiar, but the demonic traits about him kept the man from getting closer.
The younger militiamen waited for someone with more authority to arrive, standing close to Astaroth, weapons at the ready. When Astaroth got up to his feet, after catching his breath, he laughed at their attempt to project strength.
"No offence, kids. But you are shaking in your boots."
Un-melding with Asmodeus, Astaroth regained his normal appearance, which already assuaged the young men a bit, but they stayed put around him.
