Red Demon was training with the element Bolt as Raijin and him were locked in a high speed sparring match. The idea was to power the body with lightning and push it to its physical limit. He and Raijin's movements were flashes of light and sparks. As they moved about the field in the back and forth.
Till finally Red Demon was thrown off balance by a kick and then at high speed fell forward sliding across the grass. He clenched his blades and fell to his feet in time to block an attack. "Well your recovery time has gotten faster, Lad" he said, releasing his swords and holding them to the side. Red Demon lowered his blades and sighed his body felt numb. "That was quite a sensation," he told Raijin.
"You'll get used to it" Raijin shrugged. He sheathed his blades. He then pulled out a homemade book. He threw it to Red Demon, "Take this. Some spells you can weave and some tips on how to use the element. We don't have a lot of time so be sure to find time to train" Raijin sat upon a boulder. Red Demon sheathed Moon Ray and Salamander's Tail.
He picked up the book and began to look through it and stopped at a spell called "Lightning Battle Rope" he said out loud. "That's good for defense and offense," Raijin stated. "Thank you" Red Demon put the book into his belt. "Sister Spinner seemed to have done well on that outfit you're wearing?" Red Demon was dawned in the red and white garment Spinner made him and Smiling received a new suit for battle. The garment was woven with enchanted threads from the threads of fate. It was enchanted with self repair and was hard as steel. "Yes it's sturdy, but very light" he sat on another boulder removing his new metal oni mask made by Smiling. He had painted with red accents upon it making the dark grey pop out.
He brushed his fingers across the cool metal. "What will you do?" Raijin looked at the Red Demon and shrugged. "I'm not sure. I'm back to being homeless when I became a Slayer. I can't go back to my plane without the World knowing. So I'm truly lost at the moment" he cocked his head and smirked. "But when lost; new roads open up to unknown destinations" he then stood up. "Come on, we need to head to see Hastor. Time for you to head out" Red Demon hesitated, staring at Raijin's back as he was walking further away. He then followed as they were to finally leave the Land of Fate.
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Red Demon and Smiling Demon stood side by side. Smiling was dawned in a white and silver garment with leather armor shoulder pads. And a fur collar the full garment was made of the same material as Red Demon's. Upon his face was an elaborate half mask with a grinning demon smile with rows of jagged teeth. It was silver and black and was crafted by himself. He and Red Demon looked more similar than before like a cohesive unit now. Smiling had his two normal weapons upon his back. And a glowing ring upon his hand he was given a dimensional ring for his own uses. Along with rows of pockets inside his garment for whenever he shrunk anything.
He had the mechanical greave upon his left arm. A blade with a chain dangling from his lower back. Red Demon switched out his Sun Shard sword for Black Brand, Moon Ray, Havoc blade on his left hip, and Salamander's tail upon his front belt. Hastor looked them over and nodded. "Well it looks like you two are ready. Shall we bid every farewell" he then clapped his hands as a portal opened in front of him. Sister approached the two. "Remember to give the other two the gifts from me. And please look after eachother. Remember what we discussed, Red" she padded the two upon the shoulder and stepped away. Raijin said nothing and shook Red Demon's hand and Smiling's hand. They then followed Hastor as he walked into the portal. They seemed to be walking on a path of white dust that solidified under their feet with each step.
They were surrounded by stars that were swirling around them and just vast space. Ahead of them was another portal in the far off distance. "What is this place?" Red Demon asked. "Between Space and Time. Call it a shortcut through distances. It's very beautiful right?" Hastor said, staring up at the swirling stars above them. "Yeah you could say that" he was struck by the beauty. But also he felt like he was getting a glimpse behind the curtain. So this is what time and space would look like if conceptualized. He lingered for a moment pausing as a meteor shower came down lighting up the sky, and then swirling around them. Red Demon took the moment to take it all in.
This would be a nice memory when things got worse going forward. "This is quite a sight," Smiling stated in awe. "Yes it never gets old. Keep moving I need to get out of this Acolyte very soon or they turn to ash" he seemed more annoyed than worried. Which from what Red could surmise the person he was inhabiting had more risk then him. Being merely a spirit he would be fine in his own plane. While this poor schmo would no longer exist.
The two demons picked up their pace. When they made it to the portal Hastor stopped. "Step through this and you both are in the Tech Realm. I will be going no further. Good luck to you both. I doubt we will ever see eachother again" he waved nonchalantly. Red Demon scowled in surprise and Smiling merely waved back walking through the portal. "Thanks for assistance," Red Demon said, walking past Hastor through the portal.
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Location: Tech Realm
Red and Smiling found themselves in a forest. Up ahead they could see a silhouette of a city in the far off distance. The sun was low and setting, making the sky bright yellow and red. "I say we camp out and head our first light?" Smiling nodded. He then set his weapons down and began gathering sticks. While Red began using Terra to create a fire pit.
After catching some wild game they cooked it over the fire and sat in silence eating before turning in early. Next morning they set out for the city in the distance. As they walked they found themselves not alone in the forest. Red could see men in armor camped out and hiding amongst trees. They saw a red banner with a crown and sword upon it. "Sword King?" Red said out loud.
"Why would the Sword King's army be out here? Aren't they allies?" Smiling asked, staring at the army shuffling about. He made a good point. If this was a friendly get together they would be in the city living it up. But to be hidden deep in the forest can only be nefarious. "Seems we have missed something? Maybe things aren't as peaceful as we think?" He gestured for Smiling to back up.
They decided to go around the army and took a long route to the city of Golden Eye. They had no troubles from the invading army. And were met with an open gate and people none the wiser. 'They have no clue and security looks to laxed' They stood a mile from the gate and began to hide their weapons in the dimensional spaces. Only they kept their smaller weapon in person. Also hiding their masks but keeping their skin masks on over their mouths. They approached the gate following in with the masses that were heading into the kingdom.
They had no trouble and Red Demon, while scanning the crowd, found a group of six that stood out. They were clean, had hoods up like them, and had eyes of predators. Red nudged Smiling and pointed with his chin. They weren't far behind the group and were unnoticed by them. They hung back from the group and slowly followed. The group headed to an inn and sat in the corner.
To be honest he planned to come here first anyway, but this helps. Here he could hit the tavern and hear rumors. But this world was different. It was more advanced and automated as most bars seemed to be run by an automaton. They went and got two rooms first. And got card keys to get in their respective rooms. The group they were tailing went to the attached bar to the inn. Red Demon and Smiling Demon sat adjacent to them. "So what do you think is going on?" Smiling asked with concern. "Well could be a power struggle. We may have hurt the Void King more than we thought? If that's the case then we may have just walked into a powder keg?" Red was interrupted when an automaton approached the table to take their order. "May I help you?" A female metallic voice came from the machine. Red and Smiling paused at the interaction. "I'll take an ale? And some ribs?" Smiling uncertain if this request could be granted. The automaton nodded, "As you wish sir. And for you?" She directed this question at Red.
"I'll take some chi wine and some rice with beef" the automaton nodded. "Yes sir right away" the mechanical waitress left the two. "Huh that was strange. But looking forward to my food at least" Smiling said, rubbing his hands together. Red kept his eyes on the group.
Then another stranger came into the bar making a B-line to the group. He had a guild crest upon his uniform. Of a beaker he was stocky and was alone. He pushed his glasses up. Red couldn't hear what they were saying from this distance. When the food was brought out he ate while keeping an eye on them. Smiling devoured his ribs with great happiness and had three ales to wash it down. Red finished his food quickly and downed three glasses of chi wine. Smiling patted his stomach in satisfaction. "So they're still there?" He asked to drink the rest of his beer.
Red nodded and then saw the group stand and exit the bar. Red threw down money and then the two started to follow till they found the group heading down a dark alleyway..