Antvance into the Unknown

122. Just Can’t Keep out of Trouble

Travelling through the vast plains is strangely peaceful, despite the literal ocean of death and destruction happening ceaselessly. After the first ten minutes, I kind of fell into the habit of not directing my attention downward, and all of a sudden, the endless war of the little demons wasn’t such a big deal anymore. Every now and again, I might get swiped by a wayward claw, but even if they are monsters native to the third stratum, with all sorts of built-in advantages over me, they still can’t penetrate my diamond carapace or cause any real harm to my legs.

Instead, I take in the sights and enjoy having such a vast open space above my head. From the ground looking up, it’s even more incredible to see than it was from the roof looking down. If I trick myself, I can almost believe the ash and smoke that swirls far, far overhead are clouds in a particularly hot sky.

The temperature is rather bothersome. I’d kind of thought it might be a little cooler down here, since hot air rises and all that. Turns out no. There are open rivers of lava down here. Lava! Ignoring that, the rock itself is boiling hot! My poor claws sizzle every step. Uncomfortable, to say the least. Compared to the freezing cold of the shadow sea, I honestly don’t know which is worse…

From behind, I hear a muffled thump and watch confused as an infant demon sails through the air in a graceful arc before thudding on the ground more than fifty metres away. The little beasts are so hardy, the thing just flips itself over with one clawed arm and starts ripping into its closest neighbour.

[Tiny…]

[Hrrr?]

[Did you just kick an infant demon?]

He looks to one side.

[Why would you kick an infant demon, Tiny?]

He shrugs his massive shoulders.

[You’re bored? Ugh… I don’t care if you’re bored! Don’t go punting monsters around. First off, you’d get almost no experience, even if you managed to kill it, and second, we are travelling whilst surrounded by literally millions of the damn things. I really don’t want to slow down so you can kick your way through the plains, alright?]

The big ape is frustrated, but nods in understanding. He’d been hoping for more to fight down here, I have no doubt about that. Other than the exciting chase in the city, he hasn’t really had a chance to stretch his… fists. Even if that’s the case, there are some behaviours we simply don’t stoop to.

[Not to worry about it, champ, I’m sure we’ll run into some stuff to battle soon enough. If we keep an eye out, there’s bound to be plenty of tier four and five demons running about, and you can beat up on them all you like. Just be patient.]

The giant bat-faced gorilla shifts his weight from foot to foot and nods unhappily. Poor old lug. He’ll be right as rain once we get a good scrap in. Seeing how tightly wound-up Tiny is makes me think I should check in on my other friends as well, just to see how they’re travelling.

[How’s things, Invidia?] I cheerfully greet the envy demon. [Enjoying your time here on the third stratum?]

[The heat issss pleasssant…] he drawls, his little wings fluttering in the hot, his eye closing.

[I suppose you were raised on the second stratum, so you never got to enjoy this warmth, huh. You don’t find it weird looking at all the infant demons around our ankles killing each other?]

The green eye flicks to the ground then back up again.

[I am pleassssed I wassss spared thissss trial…]

[Makes sense. Seems like a brutal and inefficient way to grow up.]

[…But I wantssss their ferocity and drive!]

The eye glows green.

[Of course you do.]

Looking at the literal ankle biters, they sure do have a lot of spirit…

[How about you, Crinis? You holding up alright?]

[I am, Master,] her voice sounds a little pained. [It is uncomfortable, but I can bear it sufficiently well.]

[Please let me know if you need help or a rest,] I implore her. [You aren’t being a burden when you ask for the help you need, alright? Don’t be so selfless that you put yourself in danger, that doesn’t help anybody.]

She hesitates for a brief moment.

[I-I will try, Master,] she promises.

[That’s all I can ask. You’re doing well.]

To be honest, a little selfishness would help Crinis a great deal. Living your life for another being in the wholehearted way she does just isn’t healthy. The ultimate goal to return my pets to independent entities still remains, though I have absolutely no idea how that can be achieved. As far as I’m aware, there’s no way for a pet to continue living once its ‘master’ has died.

[Something is coming,] Al declares, appearing in a burst of flame to my right.

[HOLY… Would you please stop that already! I’m going to burst my core or something before we manage to get anywhere.]

Rather than respond to my petulant demand, the demon points with one tendril of flame. Turning my attention in the indicated direction, I struggle to see what he’s referring to, only to realise I’m looking in the wrong place. He isn’t pointing along the ground, but above it. Thanks to my largely omni-directional vision, I manage to detect a flicker of motion about a hundred metres above the plains. And whatever it is, appears as if it’s drawing closer.

[Any idea what that might be, Al?]

A pause.

[Al?]

A quick scan of my surroundings informs me that the demon is completely gone.

[Well, nards…]

The object we spotted is a flat disc that hovers through the air by some means I don’t understand. Standing atop that disk is a small collection of demons, each of a different sort. Judging by their expressions, they aren’t exactly happy to see us.

[Get ready for trouble, gang,] I tell my crew. [This could get ugly.]

A broad grin splits Tiny’s face. Finally, things are going his way.