Devil's tale

Devil's tale, chapter 43

Avarice first made sure to rescue Mormir from his father, before returning to the mortal world. The task was a relatively simple matter, as Avarice simply stepped from a portal, took Mormir by the arm and then flew off with him, leaving the flightless Mordukein behind in stunned indignation. The archdevil shot spells after Avarice of course, but he was able to easily dodge them and get to safety. He and Mormir landed near the same cave they'd hidden in when Avarice had first arrived in the hell of poison.

"Well, look at you." Mormir remarked.

"I know, I know." Avarice said dismissively. "I can't stay long. The gods only know how long I've been stuck down here, I need to get back to Jazz and Emily."

"I know." Mormir said. "Just make good on our promise."

"I will."

"I don't mean just dethrone the king like I tried to do. Build something new, something better, once he's gone. I know you can do that."

"So do I, though I guess it took a journey through hell for me to finally see that."

Avarice held out his hand and Mormir shook it. "I'll make sure you didn't die for nothing. That I didn't kill you for nothing."

"Alright, alright, that's enough flowery words. Go on, get out of here, you've got people waiting for you."

"And what'll you do?"

"I've got no one left, so I'll do what I've always done, rebel. Though I think I may take a cue from you and start coming up with a way to change things for the better, instead of just burning them down. Who knows, after I beat my father, I may be able to make sure the demons here don't have to roam an endless jungle and suffer for eternity."

"I wish you luck then... my friend." Avarice opened another portal and stepped through it. He once again stood in the nameless valley, right at its edge. He turned around to see Glorofin standing within the mists of the valley, smiling at him.

"So you've returned."

"I have, and I now know what this place is."

"And as for how to mend it?"

"Excuse me?"

"You didn't think that my hopes for you simply involved you becoming more powerful, did you?"

"Then what's your real game here?"

Glorofin sighed. "I am an old spirit who never chose a side between the gods and the demons. All I want is to see this wound in reality healed, for the sins of the higher powers to finally be made right."

"And you think I can do that?"

"I think you and Emily working together can do that. You've learnt all you can from Amnon, now I suppose your next stop will be Leto."

"Not to do your bidding."

"No, but to help someone you love, and her character is what will lead you to the fallen god of light. This is why I have hope in you, why you two are the subject of my prophecy, because you are the kind of people who would fulfil it, even if I had not said so to you."

Avarice nodded. "Fine, if the only thing you hope for is that I act as I normally would, then I've got nothing left to argue against that." He spread his wings. "Anything else I should know?"

"Oh yes, Emily and Jazz are still within the city of water. You'll most likely find Emily within the imperial library at this hour and Jazz should be wandering the streets somewhere nearby."

"You can see that far?"

"No, but I know their souls and that is what I can conclude from them."

Avarice chuckled. "The arguments about determinism I'd be able to have with you."