Chapter 137: The Demon's Invitation
The demon's voice slithered through the air, smooth and amused.
"Well, well. What a delightful little gathering."
Kael's grip on his sword tightened. The unnatural mana rolling off the creature was suffocating—dense, controlled, intelligent.
This wasn't a mindless beast.
This was a high-ranking demon.
And worse?
It knew who they were.
The demon tilted its head, studying them like a predator assessing its prey.
"Kael Veyrin."
Kael's jaw tightened.
"It's an honor," the demon continued. "Truly. The one who ended Xelthar, now walking straight into our lands."
Raithon tensed. "How does it know his name?"
Thalric spat. "Because demons have spies. Everywhere."
The demon smiled.
"Astute," it said. "But incomplete."
Its violet eyes flickered toward Vasaria.
"And you… Noctis royalty. My, my. How the mighty have fallen."
Vasaria's fingers twitched. "Say another word, and I'll carve out your throat."
The demon's smirk widened. "Such fire. I do love your kind."
It stepped forward, slow and deliberate.
And Kael felt it then.
This wasn't just a demon.
This was a Demon Lord.
One step below a true Demon King.
And it wasn't attacking.
No.
It was waiting.
"State your purpose," Kael finally said, his voice steady.
The demon grinned.
"An invitation, of course."
Silence.
Raithon scoffed. "You think we'd accept anything from you?"
The demon chuckled. "Perhaps not now. But soon, you will see. The war you fight is… pointless."
It spread its arms.
"The demons are not your true enemy."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "And who is?"
The demon's smile remained, but its eyes…
They were watching. Calculating.
And then—it vanished.
Gone.
As if it had never been there.
Leaving only its final words echoing in the silence.
"You'll understand soon enough."
The group remained frozen, processing the encounter.
Saria was the first to speak.
"…It didn't attack."
Thalric exhaled sharply. "Because it didn't need to."
Raithon clenched his fists. "What kind of games are they playing?"
Kael didn't answer immediately.
Because something was wrong.
The demon's words, its presence, the way it had watched them.
It hadn't come to kill them.
It had come to warn them.
But why?
Later that night, as the camp settled, Kael found himself alone with Vasaria once more.
Not by choice.
She had simply… appeared.
He sighed. "You want more blood."
Vasaria smirked. "I don't need it yet."
Kael raised a brow. "Then why are you here?"
She tilted her head, eyes gleaming.
"You're thinking too much."
Kael scoffed. "Of course I am."
Vasaria stepped closer, voice softer now.
"Tell me what's bothering you."
Kael hesitated.
Then—he spoke.
"The demon knew me, Vasaria."
She watched him carefully. "You're famous."
"Not like this," he muttered. "It wasn't just my name. It was… personal."
Vasaria was quiet.
Then, after a moment—
She smirked.
"You're afraid."
Kael sighed. "I'm being cautious. There's a difference."
Vasaria grinned. "Mmm. If you say so."
Then—before he could react—
She leaned in.
Fangs grazing his neck.
Kael stiffened. "Vasaria—"
She chuckled. "Relax. I'm not drinking."
Her lips hovered just above his skin, her breath warm.
"You're just interesting," she whispered.
Kael exhaled.
"You're a menace."
Vasaria laughed, stepping back. "I know."
She turned away, leaving him alone once more.
And Kael?
He sighed.
This mission was getting more complicated by the second.