Fenrir’s opponent, though powerful, began to falter under the wolf’s relentless assault. With a final, bone-crunching bite, Fenrir tore out the demon’s throat, its lifeless body collapsing to the ground.
Cerbe, on the other hand, had already reduced one of its opponents to ash, and the remaining demon was barely holding on.
Damien decided it was time to act.
He sprinted toward the chained humans, conjuring a blade of flame in his hand. With a single swing, he severed the glowing chains binding them, the magic dissipating into the air.
~~~~~
The battle was over almost as quickly as it began. Fenrir, Damien’s Monstrous Wolf, and Cerbe, his ferocious Three-Headed Hound, executed their orders with unyielding precision.
The demons, despite their twisted forms and malice, were no match for the combined ferocity of the summons and their master’s command.
The battlefield was left eerily quiet, save for the faint crackle of fading energy and the groans of the captives who remained bound nearby.
Damien stood amidst the aftermath, his sharp eyes scanning the cave. The chains that bound the captives shimmered faintly, etched with runes that carried a trace of demonic magic.
He approached the group of seven people, their faces pale and gaunt from days of captivity. The captives flinched but soon realized they were free, their shackles clattering to the stone floor.
One man, slightly healthier than the others, stepped forward. His gratitude spilled out in an unending stream of words. “Thank you! Thank you for saving us. I can’t tell you how much—”
Damien nodded in acknowledgment but said nothing. His focus remained on helping the others to their feet, steadying them as they wobbled from weakness.
The group was a mix of men and women, their clothes tattered and their expressions hollow. He counted six ordinary humans among them, their presence lacking the faint glow of an essence core.
The seventh, the one who had been thanking him repeatedly, stood out. Damien could sense the hum of an essence core within him, its faint energy marking him as a Silver Rank combatant—stronger than most but far from formidable.
Once the captives were gathered in a loose cluster, Damien stood with Fenrir and Cerbe flanking him, one on either side.
The mana beasts exuded an overwhelming presence, their sheer power radiating in waves.
The captives shrank back instinctively, struggling to breathe under the oppressive aura. Fenrir’s piercing gaze and Cerbe’s three sets of unblinking eyes only added to their unease.
Damien noticed their discomfort and sighed. “Cancel Fenrir and Cerbe’s summon,” he commanded, his voice firm but calm.
At once, Fenrir and Cerbe vanished, their forms dissolving into a blue portal which then dissipated into particles of light that faded into the air.
The oppressive atmosphere lifted immediately, and the captives visibly relaxed, their shoulders slumping as they exhaled in relief.
He turned to the man who had been speaking earlier. “What happened here? Why were you captured?” Damien asked, his tone steady but tinged with curiosity.
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The man hesitated, his eyes darting to the others before he spoke. “We’re tourists,” he explained.
“From a city near Westmont. We were on our way to the town three days ago. It’s a small place but lively—people always talk about how it thrives without being under the control of a major power. We thought it’d be a nice place to visit.” He paused, taking a breath before continuing. “On our way there, we stumbled across this cave. It looked interesting, so the others wanted to explore it. I didn’t think it was a good idea and said so, but they voted on it.”
Damien raised an eyebrow. “And?”
“I voted against it, as did one of the women,” the man admitted, scratching the back of his neck. “But the rest insisted, and since I was their hired guard, they argued I had to come with them. It turned into a back-and-forth until… well, the demons showed up.”
He shook his head, his expression darkening. “They came out of nowhere. I didn’t stand a chance against them, not alone. They captured all of us and dragged us here.”
Damien’s eyes narrowed. “What about the chains? Demons don’t usually use tools like that.”
The man shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know. They had the chains when we woke up here. They’ve been using them to keep us bound ever since. Beyond that…” He shook his head again. “No clue.”
“What were the demons planning to do with you?” Damien pressed, though his tone lacked sharpness. He was simply trying to piece together the puzzle.
“I don’t know,” the man admitted, his voice strained. “They didn’t say anything. Just… watched us.”
Damien sighed deeply, the weight of the situation settling in his chest. There was clearly more to the demons’ actions, but the captives weren’t likely to provide any additional answers.
He glanced at the group, noting their weakened state. They were in no condition to move, let alone defend themselves. “You need rest—and food,” he said, his voice softening slightly. “You won’t make it far like this.”
The man nodded, agreeing silently.
Damien considered their options briefly. He suspected there was more to the demons’ presence in this cave. He couldn’t leave without investigating further.
But he also couldn’t leave the captives to fend for themselves. “Here’s what we’ll do,” Damien said, his tone decisive. He summoned Luton, the Stellar Slime, its red form appearing with a soft hum. The captives stared, wide-eyed, as the creature glided forward, its surface glowing faintly like liquid starlight.
“Luton will take you to Westmont,” Damien explained, turning to the man. “Once you’re there, ask for a woman named Arielle. Tell her I sent you. She’ll help you.”
The man hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded. “Understood.”
“Good,” Damien said. “Now, Luton—store them safely.”
The slime pulsed in acknowledgment before extending itself toward the group. The captives flinched as Luton enveloped them one by one, its soft, gelatinous form holding them securely without harming them. Once they were all inside, Luton retracted itself, its body shimmering faintly with the weight of its passengers.
“Take them to Westmont,” Damien commanded. “Quickly.”
Luton bounced onto the back of Aquila which Damien called forth to carry them. With a powerful flap of its wings, Aquila launched itself into the air, disappearing through the cavern’s entrance with Luton and the captives in tow.
Damien watched them go until they vanished from sight. Then, he turned back to the cavern’s tunnels, the faint glow of his magic illuminating the dark paths ahead.
There were still questions left unanswered, and Damien intended to find them. Taking a steady breath, he stepped forward into the unknown. “I’ve got work.”