"Where to start? Hilda asked no one in particular as she tapped the mutilated corpse before her. "In the end he still didn't talk" she sighed, angry that Draghyr still had many demons who were posing as ordinary humans and elves.
If not for her powerful light spell 'Reveal' Hilda would probably not be able to fish them out. And yet none of her targets had given any information regarding the dragon's hideout.
At the moment the Matriarch was already considering whether Draghyr was even in this realm to begin with.
The secret in her mother's book would probably be able to give beings the ability to go and come back from the realms.
She even wondered why her mother had kept such a great secret from her though in a way it was actually a good thing since a lot of mages, a good number of which were immortal had been banished to other realms and one could only imagine the chaos that would unfold if they ever made it back here.
"Even this so called 'Forsaken contracts are beginning to look suspicious" Hilda frowned. "In normal circumstances only powerful magical souls would be able to summon demons".
"But yet I'm pretty sure that the number of these creatures would be about fifty but form the looks of it they were mere grey demons, which might be the reason why the dragon had not used them in the earlier attack on the capitals".
"So where are these souls being gotten from? Hilda shook her head before dragging the injured demon behind her along, seconds before they disappeared in a bright shimmer of light.
A few seconds later and the demon opened his reptilian eyes to a shocking sight.
First of all, the powerful mage had managed to tie him up with strange golden ropes and secondly the two of them were now in a small cottage that had a weird vibe to it; a vibe that scared the living daylight out of him.
"Where are you? Hilda asked impatiently. No response was heard and even the demon was waiting so this boring suspense would finally come to an end.
Then to their both relief, the thick brown door opened and in came an old bent woman whose face was the literal definition of ancient. She first took of her shawl and then went ahead to the room's end where Hilda and the demon sat.
"Good to see you again Dianne". Matilda smiled, extending her hand to help the woman to a crooked chair.
"Same here Hilda" Dianne bowed. "What brings you here and what's the deal with the demon?
"I need you to extract some information from me".
"That will not be a problem" Dianne smiled, gesturing with her hand for the demon to be brought closer.
A light wave of her twisted wand and the demon along with his chair appeared right at Dianne's side.
"Any special thing? Dianne asked as she stretched forth two hands onto the head of the fidgeting demon.
"How? The demon roared. "Your kind are supposed to be extinct!
"And yours are meant to be in hell" Dianne fired back. "Which makes me wonder what business you have in the land of the living".
The demon knowing what was coming next gritted his teeth to prepare for the pain to come.
"AHHH!
"Be careful" Hilda softly said. "Everything about Draghyr"
The old woman who was now shaking back and forth like a leaf nodded and dug her now sharpened nails deeper.
A powerful scream erupted from the tied creature and the pain from the telepathy deepened to an extent that the forsaken creature was now struggling to leave his vessel.
Unfortunately for it, Hilda wasn't going to let that happen and she showed why the title of Grand Mage had been given to her.
Glowing bright runes appeared on its vessel body and little by little the grey demon gave up on the fight and allowed the woman in front to do whatever she wished.
"Done" Dianne coughed, staining the floor with crimson. Hilda quickly held her up and offered a handkerchief. Dianne accepted it smiling. "It's such a shame that the vessel wasn't able to survive it".
"All that matters, is we were successful in obtaining the information I needed".
"So?
"Draghyr isn't in this realm but it seems he has finally unlocked the secrets of inter realm travel". Dianne cleaned her bloody nose and continued. "There wasn't anything regarding Patricia or why exactly the demons are working with him".
"Where is he? Hilda interrupted.
Dianne leaned back into her chair and replied "The Fallen realm".
"IMPOSSIBLE!
Hilda had gotten to her feet now, twirling her necklace as the severity of what all this meant sunk in. "But only fallen creatures can survive there" Hilda pointed out. "There is a reason why it is sometimes called the 'Land of Death'.
"I wish I had a solution to your problems but I'm now way too old to be going off on dangerous adventures".
Hilda put her hands on her waist before shaking her head. "Same here".
"Thanks for everything" she added with a bow. "I need to inform my order of this as soon as possible and please do take care of yourself".
"I will" Diane smiled as she collected the golden goblet Hilda just brought out of her robes.
Diane swirled its contents just as Hilda was exiting and with one large gulp the goblet dropped to the floor clattering as it rolled, leaving behind a small trace of crimson.
"I just hope you will be okay" Diane smiled.
....
"Since you have accepted". Alicia smiled, "Then all that remains is for us to pick a date".
Leo rubbed his chin in thought and finally gave a reply.
"The last days of the week would be fine by me".
"Then it's settled, your training will start by Midnight". Alicia got to her feet and in a bright light she disappeared.
"Lucky you" A mocking voice hissed. "Let's go home, I really need to get some shuteye".
Leo didn't say anything and turning around began a slow walk home.