Cedric POV

  The small, rogue class demon sat beside the fire, staring with an unperturbed focus. Zorrack had gotten up, wandering off to who knows where, and Cedric felt slightly embarrassed to be sitting completely alone in the middle of the temporary encampment.

  I have no one to talk to. He thought to himself sadly.

  Suddenly, as if answering a wish, a voice interrupted his solitude. “Hello, young one.”

  It was Lioren, the Ashmane, that Lucivar had met when he ran into the human adventurers in the dragon’s ravine.

  “Hey,” Cedric greeted solemnly, not bothering to turn his head.

  “What are you doing?” Lioren asked, crawling towards the log that Cedric was seated upon.

  “Oh, nothing. I’m just… sitting.”

  “I can see that,” Lioren responded humorously. He shook his golden mane, illuminating the demon’s face with a pleasant glow. They sat together, staring into the crackling embers for a few breaths. Finally, the Ashmane spoke again. “How are you feeling, about… all of it?”

  Cedric hesitated for a moment, then replied. “I’m… sad.”

  Lioren stared at the demon knowingly, then egged him on. “Because?”

  “Do I need a reason?” Cedric shot back defensively; however, inside, he knew that the Ashmane’s instincts had merit.

  The rogue-class demon was no stranger to death and destruction. Despite his small, child-like stature, he was actually the eldest of the demon companions Lucivar had saved. As such, he had spent a great deal more time down in the Demon Realm than the others, and he had faced a number of…

  Bullies. That’s what they are. Bullies. He decided mentally.

  Cedric was always picked on back in the Demon Realm, mostly by larger and stronger demons, who looked suspiciously similar to Zorrack, now that he thought about it. In fact, the only reason he got captured by Luminarch in the first place was because a Greater Demon had stolen Cedric’s bone dagger, and while the small boy had attempted to retrieve it, Luminarch arrived and took them all away to be sacrificed in the Umbral Gate opening ritual.

  But without them, I would’ve never met Lucivar… He thought.

  “Cedric?” Lioren probed, nudging the demon with a humongous paw.

  Cedric shook his head, then began to reply with a heavy sigh. “Because Lucivar is sad.”

  Lioren nodded as if he already knew.

  “But that doesn’t mean I don’t care about the others! Especially Ossara! Without her, Lucivar would’ve…” The demon trailed off, knowing that Lioren already understood where the sentiment was headed.

  “I never said you didn’t,” Lioren said calmly. “I was only acting on a hunch.”

  Cedric relaxed a bit, returning his gaze to the fire. He didn’t speak, letting the silence stretch for a few moments.

  Finally, the Ashmane continued. “I have a question, Cedric. I myself have no recollection of life before appearing in Seraphael’s sanctum. I was simply there, waiting to be freed,” He paused. “Or killed, depending on who had found me first. As such, I know very little about this world, especially about you demons.”

  Cedric’s eyes widened, taking in the creature's story. He had never thought about the Ashmane’s past before, and it saddened him a little. To think that his fate was to be trapped within some ruin, forced to fight or be killed under the guise of a trial.

  It was unfair.

  “I apologize if I am overstepping, young one, but why is it that you are so attached to Lucivar?” The Ashmane questioned. His tone wasn’t demanding, just simply filled with genuine curiosity.

  Cedric hesitated, contemplating his answer. He breathed in, then finally responded truthfully. “Lucivar was the first demon who didn’t bully me.”

  Lioren nodded, waiting for Cedric to elaborate.

  “Back in Hell, I was just wandering around aimlessly, not sure what to do,” He began. “I didn’t even bother to finish that stupid booklet. But it was always the same whenever I met someone new. They would judge me for my size, pick me up, and throw me around. Punch me. Hit me.” Cedric teared up, barely able to continue speaking. “Lucivar wasn’t, isn’t, like the other ones. Zorrack and Viressa, and even Kril, aren’t either, but I don’t know if that's because they are truly my friends, or because of Lucivar.”

  “I see,” Lioren said, lifting his head to the Amber moon above them. “Even so, does simply being kind warrant such… devotion?”

  “Lucivar did tell us about his skill that makes it so other demons would follow him, but I don’t feel like it’s because of that,” Cedric reasoned. “I can still disagree with him, and even get mad at him.”

  “Then why?”

  Cedric shrugged. He wasn’t quite sure himself.

  “Perhaps you do not know the answer yet, demon, because you do not truly understand yourself yet,” Lioren continued wisely.

  “How would you know?” Cedric said, his tone growing slightly defensive once more.

  “I wouldn’t,” The Ashmane answered simply. “But it seems my race has an inclination towards loyalty, and as such, we can sense it in others.”

  Cedric waited for the Ashmane to continue.

  “I sense a powerful loyalty in you, Cedric. I simply wonder why.”

  The demon sat in silence for a moment, thinking. But he never came to a conclusion. The only thing he could think of was that Lucivar was simply the only person he had ever met who treated him with unconditional kindness.

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  That was it.

  He treats everyone kindly, even if they don’t deserve it. That’s why.

  But Cedric couldn’t. Not after everything he had been through. If someone wanted kindness from him, they would have to earn it. And if they didn’t earn it, if they acted the same way that those bullies back in Hell did, or like the bullies in the Mortal Realm, then they would garner no mercy from him.

  “No more bullies,” Cedric mumbled quietly, soft enough that Lioren knew the demon had said something, but not quite loud enough for the beast to make out.

  But Lioren didn’t push for any further elaboration.

  [Quest Completed: The Rogue’s Loyalty]

  [You have qualified for a Class Upgrade!]

  It was a simple choice, considering how Cedric tended to fight from the shadows, darting in and out with deadly precision.

  [You have chosen the Assassin Class!]

  The sun only barely crested the horizon, leaking glimmers of golden rays across the endless sea of green. A pleasant scent assaulted Cedric’s nose, but he didn’t have time to stop and enjoy the fragrance.

  War was upon them.

  “Cedric, you know what to do,” Lucivar commanded sternly, his voice taking on a chilling tone. He had never seen the demon so…

  Angry.

  “Zorrack and Fang, you take the left flank. Do not allow any to escape. Lioren and Azazel, cover the right side. Kril will stay with me, but we will hold off until the captains begin to join the battle. Viressa, use your summons to help out anyone who needs it, but make sure to keep an eye on the battlefield at all times. If something looks off, communicate with me immediately.”

  “How about me?” Atea, the angel that Lucivar had brought back with him, asked quietly.

  “Uh…” Lucivar began hesitantly. “Save your dancing for if anyone looks like they are in imminent danger. Matter of fact, stay close to Viressa, and listen to whatever she tells you to do.”

  The angel nodded enthusiastically, eager to help in any way she could.

  At least she isn’t afraid. Cedric thought to himself. He turned to the female demon, who seemed happy at being entrusted with babysitting duty.

  “Are you ready, pipsqueak?” Zorrack asked, leaning down to hide his humongous figure from the Elven soldiers.

  “Don’t call me that. I’m older than you, after all.” Cedric spat back.

  Zorrack playfully slapped the demon on the shoulder, chuckling. “Of course, I apologize.”

  Bully. Cedric thought quietly, although he knew the large brute meant well.

  The newly upgraded assassin class demon inspected Mount Boom, now turned into a minor Elven settlement. Several white tents were pitched, dotting the landscape with cloth and rope. The Warg den had been turned into some sort of command outpost, and he could see at least three Elves with silver armor spread throughout the camp. Each one was supposedly a captain, at least on par, if not stronger, than Iseldrynn, the Elven captain that he and Lucivar managed to capture.

  Back then, it had taken both of them to even contend with the girl.

  He was not the same demon that he was back then.

  “Ready?” Lucivar called out, and the residents of Mount Boom responded with a simultaneous nod. There were roughly three hundred Elven soldiers throughout the camp, but the true threats were the captains, according to Lucivar. As long as they could defeat them, the battle would be won.

  Cedric activated his Ring of Shadows, becoming completely invisible.

  [Greater Agility]

  He burst forward, moving at a quickened pace. He attempted to control his breathing, but it was difficult as his mana was quickly draining. Cedric needed to act fast.

  Then, he spotted his target, a male Captain with a silver spear strapped to his back. The Elf had a teardrop insignia attached to his chest and shoulder guard, as well as a short crop of platinum hair.

  The demon waited, completely silent.

  A crack of thunder signaled that it was time to strike.

  The residents of Mount Boom began to charge forward, each one carrying out their individual tasks. Zorrack and Fang tore through swaths of unsuspecting soldiers, while Lioren and Azazel were a monstrous duo of beasts, burning through hordes of Elves with a combination of violet and golden fire.

  Lucivar, Atea, and Viressa waited on the sidelines, the only action from the trio being a horde of skeleton warriors charging forward to assist Zorrack and Fang, who were also followed by a pack of ten Wargs.

  He’s waiting for me. Cedric thought to himself, then steeled his will, drawing his dagger from the newly acquired sheath along his waist.

  The dagger tore through the air, impaling the center of the Elven Captain’s chest. He activated a pair of skills, one being Afterimage, creating a ghostly clone behind him that mirrored his every movement.

  [Ghost Step]

  Cedric suddenly appeared in front of the wide-eyed Elf, grabbing his dagger and simultaneously cloaking it in shadow magic. He ducked beneath a sweep of the Elf’s spear, then plunged the dagger deep into the Elf’s thigh.

  “You sneaky bastard!” The captain cursed, leaping backward to avoid further damage. Cedric crouched down, inspecting the area directly surrounding him. Three Elven soldiers suddenly appeared, drawing their swords and charging towards the demon.

  Three heads flew into the air, severed from their respective bodies.

  “Impressive!” The Elf exclaimed, dropping down into a fighting stance. He flourished his spear elegantly before continuing. “I am Tareth, Captain of the Deepguard. You are?”

  “I don’t care,” Cedric spat, then disappeared from the Elf’s sight.

  A clash of sparks cascaded down towards the grass.

  He’s quick. Cedric noted mentally.

  They exchanged blows, each attack from the Elf parried by a dagger dripping with shadows, while each strike from Cedric was parried by a twirling silver spear.

  Then, Tareth activated a skill.

  [Flowing Dragon]

  A torrent of water appeared from thin air, manifesting into a long, serpent-like creature. The head opened up, revealing a set of razor-sharp teeth formed from liquid. Tareth led the dragon with the tip of his spear, aiming its head toward the small demon.

  Cedric reacted fast, however, tossing his dagger through the air and sending it soaring above Tareth’s head. Its trajectory may have seemed off to any spectators, but the assassin had a plan.

  [Ghost Step]

  The demon blinked, narrowly avoiding the Captain's attack. The assassin appeared directly above the Elf, who didn’t have time to react. Cedric could see the weak points along his shoulder blade and also gained a damage bonus from fulfilling the requirements of his class skill, Backstab.

  A splatter of blood laced the air with a vibrant red as the dagger sank deep into the Elf’s flesh, drawing a cry of pain. Tareth whirled around, roaring with fury, but Cedric was already gone, and the Elf only managed to strike at his afterimage.

  “Stop running, you bastard!”

  Tareth let out a torrent of water blasts, but none managed to hit the mark. He felt at his shoulder, lingering shadow magic persisting and causing him to take damage over time.

  I’ve almost got him. After this, the battle should be easy. Cedric thought.

  Suddenly, an arrow of light pierced straight through the demon’s chest, landing with a thud against a tree a few feet ahead of him.

  Lirien stood gallantly, still holding his bow with one arm in front of him, the other poised with an open palm.

  He wasn’t supposed to be here! Cedric thought to himself in fear, gripping the wound in his chest.

  “You lot just won’t give up, will you?” The Elf Prince spat. “I guess I will just have to show you the true meaning of defeat.”

  He’s a bully. Cedric decided.

  Then, a silver sword stabbed into his stomach with a sickening squelch, and only one thought rang from the demon’s mind as he slowly faded into unconsciousness.

  Help… me… Lucivar.