The mission had taken me deep into one of the oldest forests in the demon realm, a place where the canopy was so thick that sunlight struggled to break through.
My boots crunched against the leaves and twigs that littered the forest floor, and the air smelled of damp moss and woodsmoke.
I wasn't supposed to linger; technically, I had already finished the task I was assigned a simple retrieval mission for Leora. But something about this place made me pause.
That, and the nagging thought that I still didn't have a ring for Aeliana.
The thought of proposing had been swirling in my head for weeks, yet the perfect ring eluded me. It wasn't just about the metal or the stone. It had to be something extraordinary like her.
Aeliana wasn't just any woman. She was a bright, beautiful force in my life who made everything seem a little warmer, a little easier, even when she teased me relentlessly or gave me that annoyed look when I dodged her questions.
The problem was, nothing I'd seen so far felt right.
The forest seemed quiet enough, though the occasional flicker of movement in the shadows kept me on edge. Rumor had it there were rogue demons in the area, but they didn't concern me.
I was far more interested in the stories I'd overheard in a nearby town—the whispers of a rare red diamond hidden somewhere in this cursed wood.
They called it the Heart of Ember.
According to the stories, it was a gem of unparalleled brilliance, with a fiery red hue that shimmered as though it held a heartbeat of its own. A stone like that felt perfect for Aeliana something bold, passionate, and utterly unique. Just like her.
"Alright, forest," I muttered under my breath as I pressed further into the trees. "Show me where you're hiding it."
The deeper I went, the stranger the forest became. Gnarled roots twisted across the path like skeletal fingers, and the trees themselves seemed to lean inward, their branches forming an almost impenetrable barrier. But then I saw it a faint glimmer in the distance, like a flicker of firelight.
I approached cautiously, hand resting on the hilt of my blade. The glimmer turned out to be a small spring surrounded by smooth, glistening stones. In the center of the spring was a pedestal of rock, and atop it sat a cluster of crystalline shards.
My heart raced. Could this be it?
I stepped closer, water sloshing around my boots as I waded into the spring. The shards sparkled, catching the dim light filtering through the canopy, but as I reached for one, a deep growl rumbled behind me.
Spinning around, I found myself face-to-face with a massive, wolf-like demon. Its fur was black as midnight, its eyes a piercing gold. It bared its teeth, saliva dripping as it stalked closer.
"Of course," I muttered, drawing my blade. "Can't have a treasure hunt without a little danger, can we?"
The demon lunged, and I dodged to the side, my blade slicing through the air. It moved fast, faster than I expected but I was faster.
With a swift series of strikes, I drove it back, my movements fluid and precise. Still, the beast was relentless, its claws raking through the water as it tried to pin me down.
"Not today, mutt," I snarled, delivering a final blow that sent it crashing to the ground.
The creature whimpered once before dissolving into a misty black vapor, leaving behind only a faint shimmer of light. I sheathed my blade, breathing heavily as I turned back to the pedestal.
The shards on the pedestal were beautiful, but they weren't what I was looking for. They lacked the depth and fire I imagined the Heart of Ember would have.
"Damn it," I muttered, stepping out of the spring and shaking the water from my boots. "So much for that lead."
As I made my way back to the path, I heard a rustling in the bushes. My hand instinctively went to my weapon, but instead of another demon, a man stepped out—a scruffy-looking fellow with weathered skin and sharp, calculating eyes.
He carried a bow slung over one shoulder and wore a patchwork of leather and cloth that suggested he was some sort of hunter.
"Not often you see someone like you out here," he said, his tone casual but his gaze wary.
"Someone like me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"A well-dressed demon with a sword that looks like it costs more than my house," he replied with a smirk. "You looking for something, or just out for a stroll?"
"Depends," I said. "You know anything about a red diamond? Heart of Ember?"
The man's smirk widened. "Ah, so that's what you're after. I thought as much. You're not the first to come sniffing around for it."
"Does that mean you know where it is?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"I might," he said, tilting his head. "But it's not here. If you're serious about finding it, you'll want to head south. There's a bounty out for some rogue demons causing trouble in that area, and rumor has it they're holed up near where the diamond's supposed to be."
"South, huh?" I said, considering his words.
"Big reward, too," he added, his eyes glinting. "If you're up for a fight."
A slow grin spread across my face. "I think I can handle that."
The man chuckled, giving me a mock salute. "Good luck, then. You'll need it."
As he disappeared back into the forest, I couldn't help but feel a surge of determination. The Heart of Ember was out there, and I was going to find it—even if it meant fighting an army of rogue demons to get it.
And when I finally placed that ring on Aeliana's finger, it would all be worth it.
---
The southern forest had an entirely different energy than the northern part where I'd started my search.
Here, the air was thick with tension, the kind that made the hair on the back of your neck stand on end. Shadows danced ominously among the trees, and every sound every snapping twig, every distant rustle of leaves—felt amplified in the heavy silence.
I wasn't one to get easily rattled, but this place had an oppressive vibe, like it didn't want me there. Still, I pressed on, guided by the hunter's directions. The possibility of finding the Heart of Ember burned brighter in my chest than my unease about what might be lurking nearby.
The path narrowed, forcing me to push through tangled vines and underbrush. A faint, acrid smell hit my nose, making me wrinkle it in distaste. Smoke? No, this was something darker, more sulfuric. My grip tightened on the hilt of my sword.
As I moved closer to the source of the smell, I spotted a clearing up ahead. Pale light filtered through the canopy, illuminating a jagged rock formation that rose like a fortress in the middle of the forest.
At its base was a crude camp makeshift tents, charred fire pits, and the unmistakable claw marks of rogue demons etched into the dirt.
"Jackpot," I muttered under my breath.
The camp was eerily silent. No voices, no movement, just the faint crackle of embers in a dying fire. I crouched low, scanning the area for any signs of life or death. It was too quiet, and that was never a good sign.
Creeping forward, I moved between the tents, my eyes darting to every shadow and crevice. There was evidence of a scuffle overturned supplies, torn fabric, and a lingering aura of something dark and violent—but no demons in sight.
Where the hell were they?
My boots crunched against something brittle, and I looked down to find a shattered arrow. Its shaft was splintered, the wood blackened at the tip as if it had been dipped in fire. My stomach churned uneasily.
A sudden growl broke the silence, low and guttural, sending a chill racing down my spine. It came from the far side of the camp, beyond the jagged rocks. I spun around, sword drawn, every muscle in my body taut.
The growl grew louder, deeper, echoing through the clearing like a beast announcing its presence. The air seemed to thicken, the acrid smell intensifying as heavy footsteps reverberated through the ground. Whatever it was, it was big—and it was coming closer.
The shadows between the rocks began to shift, coalescing into a massive, hulking figure. Two glowing red eyes pierced through the darkness, locking onto me with predatory intent.
"Well, great," I muttered, raising my sword.
As the figure stepped into the clearing, its full form became visible: a towering demon, easily three times my size. Its skin was the color of obsidian, its body rippling with muscle and covered in jagged scars.
Massive horns curled back from its head, and its claws were sharp enough to tear through stone.
It let out a deafening roar, its fanged mouth stretching impossibly wide, and I felt the ground tremble beneath me.
I tightened my grip on my blade, my heart pounding in my chest. This was going to be one hell of a fight.