On the next day of the mission.
The crimson dawn broke faintly over the Crystal Hollow Valley.
The valley had turned into a graveyard of broken stones, cracked crystals, and scattered remains of demon corpses.
The wind carried the stench of blood and smoke.
Faint trails of black energy seeped from the ground where some of the powerful demons had fallen the day before.
Their once terrifying presence was now reduced to lifeless husks.
Kael's footsteps echoed faintly through the rocky path as he made his way back toward the eastern ridge.
He glanced at his right pocket where faint lines of red crystal energy still lingered beneath his skin.
It pulsed softly, as if something inside him hadn't completely disappeared.
"…Whatever was there," he muttered, "I hope it doesn't blast."
His thoughts were interrupted by a distant noise.
He turned slightly, noticing shadows moving far off in the valley.
Some of the demons were there.
