The Goddess's Hero

Demons Keeper

Skye's POV

My tension rose as Sophia guided me through woods and patches of Demons to access what she called, "The Great Door." Several of the demons we traveled past gave me curious stares but otherwise didn't approach. I was doing the same to them. Most demons out here had humanoid forms and giant wings like Sophia. I did catch a few that looked to be made out of rock and were much larger in size to their Sophia-like counterparts. These were the types of demons I usually fought with. Their stares gave me goosebumps and I balled my hands into fists. 

Don't kill them. Don't kill them. Don't kill them. Don't kill them. Don't kill them. Don't--

"We're here." Sophia's soft voice reached my ears and I stared at the door in front of me. It didn't look like a door at all. Green lightning that didn't strike the ground hovered in the air before me. Within the oval I could see a great city made from magma. A lava river flowed through the center of the city and I could see demons of all sorts roaming around. Sophia's giggle brought me back to her. "What? You've never seen a city before?" Her genuine smile caught me off guard once again. I stood there speechless. She held her hand out for me to take. "Come then. I'll take you around the city." 

"Shouldn't he be brought before Bal?" A deep voice traveled through the earth and rose to my ears. Sophia and I turned around to see a large rock demon glaring at us with his arms folded across what I assumed was his chest. 

"Of course he will be, Trag'o!" Sophia smiled at the monster in front of her. "I don't think it would hurt to show him around first though, do you?" 

"Soph, you know the rules. Anyone new being brought in must be directly brought to Bal." Trag'o responded stiffly. I stood gaping at the sight. A demon was having a conversation with another demon. Right in front of me. I'd only ever heard roars, growls, and psychotic screams from demons. I had never heard one speak. I didn't know what to say. I didn't know what to do. I just watched from my spot as it  continued.

"Rules are merely suggestions." Sophia countered.

"That's not true and you know it." The earth beneath my feet rumbled. 

"Trag'thomoth, don't get upset." Sophia put a dainty hand on the big rock's arm.

"Who is he? What is he here for? Is he friend or foe?" A rocky hand pointed at me while his full attention was on Sophia. 

"Friend!" She replied merrily. "He is here to aid us in our hour of need!" 

"Hour of need? Friend? Did he tell you those things?" Trag'thomoth glared hard at me. An ounce of respect for him burrowed its way into my skull. At least he's asking questions and not merely assuming like this young demon girl. Trag'thomoth continued. "Soph, you are young and naive. Just because someone says something doesn't make it true. Not everybody is as honest as you are." Trag'thomoth patted the girl's head, but it didn't seem to faze her one bit. 

"I am certain he is our new protector!" She seemed to keep her cheery attitude. 

"Then why not let Bal see him?" Trag'thomoth tried a different approach. "If this..." The demon stared at me for a moment, "ugly creature is our new protector he will need to be provided with information only Bal can give." 

An understanding light filled Sophia's eyes. "Yes! Yes, of course!" She ran to me, grabbed my hand and pulled us through the lightning that struck no ground. Soon, Trag'thomoth was with us. "Bal is our leader!" Sophia began to explain as she tugged me through a maze of alleyways. "He is the strongest and smartest demon, as well as the eldest!" 

"Eldest?" For some reason, I imagined an old human with a cane and horns protruding from his spine. I shook it off. 

"Yes, he was the first demon ever created." Trag'thomoth interceded.