Chapter 9: Whispers of War
Raviel and Horizon had barely finished delivering the sack of potatoes when a sudden shift in the atmosphere made Raviel's skin prickle.
The marketplace, once filled with the lively chatter of merchants and customers, had quieted slightly.
People were murmuring.
Horizon, who had been grinning like an idiot at Raviel's expense, paused mid-stretch. His keen senses caught something in the conversations around them.
"Hey, Rav," he murmured. "Listen."
Raviel's eyes narrowed. He tuned into the voices around him, catching snippets of hurried whispers.
"The Demon Realm... Under attack?"
"I heard the Celestial Court intercepted a message—"
"They say an army has invaded... something about a rift opening inside the royal domain—"
Raviel's breath hitched.
An invasion?
His mind raced. His father—no, the Demon God—was still alive, and now someone was attacking their realm? Who had the power to challenge the dominion of demons?
Horizon folded his arms, his usual smirk gone. "Well. That sounds concerning."
Raviel clenched his fists. He needed more information.
He turned sharply and approached a nearby group of men gathered around a town crier.
"—The Celestial Court has declared an emergency! The Demon Realm has been breached!" the crier announced, holding up a parchment. "We must remain vigilant! Powerful entities may attempt to infiltrate our lands—disguised as humans!"
Raviel froze.
The crier continued. "Two beings of great danger have already been identified! The Celestial Court warns that they could bring ruin upon humanity if left unchecked!"
The crowd gasped. Murmurs of concern spread like wildfire.
Horizon casually leaned toward Raviel. "Don't tell me—"
The crier held up a hand-drawn wanted poster.
Two rough sketches were displayed.
One was of a tall, imposing man with sharp eyes and dark hair, labeled as: "Raviel, the Demon God's Bloodline."
The other was a grinning troublemaker with messy white hair, looking smug even in a drawing. "Horizon, the Phantom Trickster."
There was a very long bounty beneath each name.
Silence stretched between them.
Horizon let out a low whistle. "Wow. They really nailed my good side."
Raviel resisted the urge to incinerate something.
They were now fugitives.
"Okay, first thing's first—new outfits."
Horizon pulled Raviel into a dark alleyway, dragging him away from the bustling streets.
"We can't keep walking around like this," he said, gesturing to Raviel's regal, high-collared coat. "You look like you just stepped out of a demon war council."
Raviel scowled but knew Horizon was right. If the Celestial Court had officially declared them threats, every city under their influence would be on high alert.
They needed to blend in.
Horizon rummaged through his stolen satchel (Raviel didn't ask where he got it) and pulled out two sets of plain traveler's clothes.
Raviel raised an eyebrow. "Where did you—?"
"Don't ask questions," Horizon replied cheerfully, throwing a rough brown cloak over Raviel. "Now, let's hide that ridiculous hair of yours. You scream 'demonic royalty.'"
Raviel bit back an insult as Horizon shoved a hood over his head.
A few minutes later, they emerged from the alleyway, now looking like two ordinary travelers.
Horizon flashed a grin. "Look at us! Just two harmless, regular humans, totally not demon fugitives."
Raviel sighed. "You are insufferable."
"Thank you.
With their disguises in place, Raviel and Horizon left the town before anyone recognized them.
They didn't have a concrete plan—just a mutual understanding.
Step One: Stay ahead of the Celestial Court.
Step Two: Find out who was behind the invasion of the Demon Realm.
Step Three: Survive.
The road stretched before them, leading into the unknown.
The world was vast, filled with human cities, mystical ruins, forgotten legends, and hidden dangers.
And for the first time in his life, Raviel was not a prince.
Not a ruler.
Not a future Demon God.
Just a fugitive with a smirking companion at his side.
Horizon patted his back. "Exciting, isn't it?"
Raviel sighed.
Their journey had just begun.