Chapter 17: Bad Memories...
The next morning came swiftly for Xolvion and the others, the forest awakening with birdsong and dappled sunlight filtering through the ancient canopy.
Vlad was the first to wake, something he wasn't used to, as he typically slept in after the others. Stretching and yawning, he noticed the girls all waking with unusually large smiles on their faces, an odd contentment radiating from them.
"Looks like you all slept well," Vlad said, laughing as he observed Kerry and Junip in particular.
Both women looked at each other and then at Vlad with dreamy expressions, nodding enthusiastically.
Xolvion already had his back turned to them, a satisfied smile plastered across his face as he remembered the previous night's activities. The knowledge and abilities he'd absorbed from his companions now flowed through him like a second nature.
This time, Holly noticed that both Kerry and Junip were acting strangely, practically glowing as they smiled for seemingly no reason.
"Right then, time to pack up camp and get boar hunting!" Vlad announced, shrugging off his observations as he clapped his hands together.
Everyone agreed and began dismantling their makeshift camp, sharing a quick breakfast before setting off to locate their elusive quarry.
The group travelled along the winding forest path, searching for any signs of the giant boar that had been terrorising merchant caravans. The sun climbed high in the sky, becoming particularly fierce today, causing everyone in the party to perspire heavily as they wished they could find a river to cool down in.
Xolvion remained unaffected by the oppressive heat. After all, his father was Demon Lord Malphas, master of hellfire, and his demonic blood provided natural resistance to such temperatures, having lived in the demon realm his whole life.
Eventually, Vlad decided they should take a brief rest, seeking shade from the sun's relentless rays.
"Bloody hell, it's sweltering!" Vlad exclaimed, trying to pull his armour away from his skin to get some fresh air circulating.
The girls agreed as they did the same. Junip waved her staff gracefully and created a small pool of water from the moisture in the air, demonstrating the magical control Xolvion had absorbed from her.
"Here, everyone," she offered, dividing the water and splashing it over their heads to help them cool down.
Xolvion watched with keen interest as she employed her magic. Magical ability had always been beyond his reach since childhood, he reflected, his mind drifting to a painful memory.
180 years ago in the demon realm of Valous...
"Fireball! Fireball! Fireball!" A young Xolvion shouted desperately, trying to cast the fundamental spell that even demon children could usually manage.
"Why can't I do it?" he asked, staring at his trembling hands before looking up at his tutor with defeat in his red eyes.
"Give it time, young master," the tutor said gently, trying to encourage him despite knowing the futility of it.
"So the hornless bastard can't use magic either!" a familiar voice sneered from behind him.
Xolvion turned to see two of his older siblings approaching with wicked grins. Seraphine moved with predatory grace, her violet skin shimmering in the hellish light, whilst Vorthak's massive crimson form cast an intimidating shadow.
"Why Father allows you to live, I'll never understand," Seraphine said coldly, her silver hair catching the volcanic glow as she flicked it dismissively.
Unlike his human appearance, his siblings bore the traditional marks of demon nobility. Seraphine's elegant frame was adorned with delicate bone protrusions that served as natural armour, whilst Vorthak's curved obsidian horns spoke of immense magical power.
"Princess Seraphine, young Xolvion is still learning. With time, he will be able to—" the tutor began nervously.
"Silence, servant!" she suddenly roared, her shadow magic flaring around her like living darkness. "If I want you to speak, I'll command it."
The tutor bowed deeply and stepped back, apologising profusely.
"You're a worthless runt," Vorthak rumbled, his voice like distant thunder. "You don't even have horns yet." Without warning, he drove his massive fist into Xolvion's stomach, sending the young prince sprawling.
Vorthak stood over eight feet tall, his crimson skin marked with ritual scars that glowed with inner fire. His curved obsidian horns swept back from his skull like a crown of destruction, and his burning eyes held nothing but contempt for his half-brother.
"If it were up to me, you'd already be dead," he declared, looking down at Xolvion with disgust.
"Come, brother, he's not worth our time," Seraphine laughed, her amusement cruel and cutting.
"F-fuck you," Xolvion whispered under his breath as he slowly struggled to his feet, blood trickling from his lip.
"I will be able to use magic one day! Just you wait and see, Vorthak!" he shouted defiantly.
His brother's eyes flared like molten coals as he turned around, his magical aura erupting to life.
"You dare speak to me like that, you hornless mongrel!" Vorthak snarled, hellfire igniting in his palm before he launched it at Xolvion, the blast sending him flying backwards to hit the floor hard.
"The only thing you're good for is target practice," Vorthak said coldly, stalking over to grab Xolvion by the scruff of his neck with one massive clawed hand.
"And if you ever speak back to me like that again, I'll kill you. Do you understand?" His voice carried the promise of death.
Xolvion fought back tears as Vorthak released his grip and dropped him to the ground. The eldest prince smiled cruelly as he raised his leg, preparing to deliver a devastating kick, when suddenly a powerful wave of hellfire smashed into him, blasting him backwards into the stone wall with bone-jarring force.
Seraphine spun around in shock, her shadows writhing defensively as she searched for the attacker.
"That is quite enough, you two!" a commanding voice boomed across the training chamber.
Both siblings immediately backed down upon seeing who had intervened, their aggressive postures shifting to reluctant respect.
"Father," Seraphine said carefully, not quite meeting Demon Lord Malphas's burning gaze. "We were simply... testing our younger brother's resolve."
The massive form of Lord Malphas Valous dominated the chamber, his presence alone making the very air shimmer with barely contained power. Standing nearly ten feet tall, his obsidian skin bore intricate silver runes that pulsed with ancient magic. His crown of curved horns marked him as one of the most powerful demons in existence, and his molten eyes held the wisdom and fury of millennia.
"Testing? It appeared more like cruelty to me."
Vorthak pulled himself from the wall, gasping as he struggled to regain his composure. Even his considerable power was nothing compared to their father's casual demonstration.
"Xolvion," Lord Malphas said, his tone softening as he approached his youngest son. "Are you harmed?"
"I'm fine, Father," Xolvion replied, though his voice shook slightly. The contrast between his father's treatment of him versus his siblings' cruelty never failed to move him.
"Your mother always said you possessed a different kind of strength," Malphas said gently, helping his son to his feet. "Perhaps it simply requires a different approach to manifest."
Seraphine and Vorthak exchanged meaningful glances, their resentment at their father's favouritism burning brighter than any hellfire.
Xolvion snapped back to reality as Vlad's voice cut through his memories.
"Hello! Earth to Xolvion!" Vlad laughed, waving a hand in front of his face.
Xolvion smiled apologetically. "Sorry, were you talking to me?"
"You really zoned out there, buddy. Everything alright?" Vlad asked, crossing his arms with concern.
"I'm fine, just spaced out for a moment," Xolvion replied with an awkward laugh, pushing down the bitter memories.
Vlad shrugged it off with his characteristic optimism, taking a swig of water before pouring some over his head.
"I hope we find this boar soon. I don't know how much longer I can take this heat," he said, settling onto a fallen log.
Kerry nodded in agreement, kneeling to rest her aching legs. "Me too, I'm absolutely soaked through!"
"You don't seem bothered by the heat at all, Xolvion," Holly observed, stretching as she studied him curiously.
"No, the heat doesn't really affect me," he replied truthfully.
"How strange. Do you have some resistance to heat?" Junip asked, blushing slightly as their eyes met—a lingering effect of their encounter.
"I suppose so. I've always been like this," he lied smoothly, unwilling to reveal his demonic heritage.
"Lucky you," Holly said playfully, punching him lightly in the arm.
Xolvion pretended the strike hurt, and they all laughed together during their rest.
After a short while, the group decided to continue their quest, deeper into the forest where the ancient trees grew thicker. They encountered several more slimes along the way—gelatinous creatures that posed little threat to their coordinated teamwork.
Vlad also spotted a pair of horned badgers, tough beasts standing on four legs about a metre in length, each sporting a sharp horn protruding from their skulls.
"Watch out! These things can be vicious!" Vlad shouted as one of them charged at him with surprising speed.
Vlad intercepted it with his sword, batting the creature away before taking a defensive stance.
"Leave this to me!" Junip called out, raising her staff with both hands before slamming it into the earth.
"Fire Trap!" she chanted, and the ground beneath the monsters suddenly erupted in a vortex of flames, incinerating both creatures instantly.
"Brilliant!" Kerry cheered as the monsters were reduced to ash.
"That's our mage!" Vlad added proudly, sheathing his sword.
Xolvion smiled as he observed the magical technique, feeling Junip's absorbed knowledge resonate within him. I can't wait to put her powers to proper use, he thought with anticipation.
Suddenly, a loud grunting noise echoed from the deeper forest, followed by the sound of splintering wood. The very ground seemed to tremble beneath their feet.
"What's that!" Kerry asked.
"It's the boar!" Vlad shouted, immediately gripping his sword handle as a massive shadow burst through the treeline.
The giant boar was a magnificent and terrifying sight. Standing easily two metres at the shoulder, its muscular frame rippled with power beneath a hide that looked thick as armour. Tusks like gleaming spears jutted from its massive skull, and its eyes burned with primal fury as it fixed its gaze on the adventuring party.
"Everyone, quick! Defensive formations!"