“Azure, what do you want for breakfast?” A warm voice calls out.

A young and bright-eyed Azure looks at her mother with a beaming smile as she tries to steady herself and sit at the table like her parents do, but it’s a challenge as her feral form complicates things.

“Fluffies!” She cheers, her enthusiasm contagious.

Opal giggles, her eyes crinkling with amusement as she turns her back to Azure, lighting a flame beneath the well-worn skillet.

“Don’t you get tired of fluffies? You eat them every day.”

“I love everything you make, Mom!” Azure replies, sincerity ringing in her voice.

“I love you too, Azure,” Opal says, her heart swelling with affection.

Azure looks down at her feral body as she tries to negotiate a better sitting posture. But after a moment, she notices the room is far darker than she last recalled. Looking up, she still finds her mother standing at the stove, but there’s something wrong.

Azure tilts her head, her brows furrowing in concern. “Mom?”

When Opal turns to face Azure, the majority of her face is horrifyingly melted away. “Why did you kill me?”

Azure wakes up screaming, her heart pounding in her chest. Looking around frantically, it takes her a moment for her mind to fully wake up as she takes in the unfamiliar surroundings. She pants heavily, her gaze locked onto her disheveled blankets. How long has it been since she’d had that dream? When a tear drops onto her hand, she quickly clears her eyes before taking a long, steadying breath.

Why did she have to have that dream on the day the Hero was coming back? Her mind was kept busy by their ongoing war, but because of this little scheme he’s been playing, Azure has found there is more time where she’s left with her thoughts. Drawing her knees to her chest, she rests her head on them, feeling the weight of her emotions. Why is she still playing his game? This isn’t fun anymore.

She lets out a weary sigh. All she can do is take things as they come. For now, she needs rest.

As we near the castle, the crest comes into view, and a wave of relief washes over me. It’s strange, but I almost missed the constant threat of the generals lurking around. And then there’s Azure. I wonder how she’s been holding up in my absence. My attention shifts to the figure atop the castle walls. Even from this distance, I recognize Lilith’s arms crossed with a broad grin on her face. It appears I won’t have much alone time.

“Stop here,” I instruct Shadow.

Puzzled, he asks, “Why?”

“I have some company,” I reply.

We halt half a mile from the castle gates, and I jump off, discarding my cloak. Lilith leaps down from her perch on the wall and strides towards me with an air of confidence. What catches my interest is the absence of malice in her eyes. She seems content, even happy. As I look closer, I notice her mana channels have changed. She’s been busy since I left.

“Couldn’t you wait until I unpacked?” I tease, speaking first as we draw nearer.

Her grin transforms into a smile, revealing her teeth. “Are you ready?”

“Wheneve-”

Her fist came at me with lightning speed, and I had mere milliseconds to respond as I stepped back. Luckily, I had prepared for this scenario with my thought acceleration and twitch reflex spell, allowing me to match her movements. With the help of haste, her previously blinding speed now seemed normal. That’s an achievement all its own, as previously, she would’ve appeared to be standing still.

It’s not a fluke, either. Lilith has learned to channel Ki into her body. Like a raging river of flame, it flows through her without disruption, reaching the top of her head and the tips of her toes. While she’s not near my level, anyone but Azure and I would be overwhelmed. Nevertheless, Lilith still has immense growth potential. I decide to test her abilities and see how far she has come. I create a shield, and she responds with a quick jab that smashes it.

Excellent, Lilith no longer relies on brute force to break shields. Let’s see how she fares against a more physical challenge. I invoke the spell “Iron Flesh” and deflect her cross hook before delivering an uppercut to her chin. She staggers, visibly disoriented, shaking her head several times to regain sight. I glance at the arm I used to parry and notice it’s gone.

Fascinating. Lilith’s power is not just raw strength; it’s honed and precise, akin to a hammer and nail rather than a sledgehammer. Despite the damage she has inflicted, I remain unfazed due to my ability to nullify pain. Her savage smile only confirms her enjoyment of the challenge.

Lilith taunts, “Perhaps you’re not as strong as I thought.”

I chuckle and respond, “I’d have to lose my head before we’d be on even ground.”

My words push a button, and she charges at me again. Let’s see how well she fairs against my attack. I sidestep her, but she swings wide to adjust, trying to make contact with my face. However, she only chased my afterimage as I struck her with a hook in the back of her ribs. She’s thrown off her feet but manages to twist her body mid-air, landing gracefully on her feet.

She can’t help but stumble slightly, resting a hand on the spot I hit. When I first met her, that hit alone would’ve broken ribs, if not more. She’s come a long way in such a short amount of time. I can’t deny it; I truly do envy her. Shrugging off the pain with a growl, she raises her fists once more. We could go on for hours, but I’m ready to end this sparring session.

“You’ve done well, Lilith, but there is still much you have to learn,” I state.

“I know,” she says, her voice tinged with excitement. “Show me; give me something to strive for!”

I can’t help but chuckle under my breath. “Very well.” I look her in the eye, my smile fading. “Fracture.”

Shadow watched in awe of Alex, completely captivated by how he handled himself in the spar. The level of control he displayed was that of a seasoned master, skillfully guiding Lilith with his actions. Observing her every movement, analyzing her strengths and weaknesses, testing her resolve. However, what came next sent an icy shiver down Shadow’s spine — a sensation he had never experienced from Alex – a wave of terror washed over him. Whatever Alex was about to do next, it was something he had never witnessed before, and it filled him with an unshakable sense of dread.

Shadow tilted his head quizzically as Alex’s visage changed before his eyes. It was as if he was looking at him through a distorted pane of glass, but then, suddenly, the glass shattered, his image splintering across all the fragments. The shards seemed to dance in the air, reflecting a myriad of Alex’s, each with the same intense gaze. As Alex took a single step forward, all the shards fell in unison, and he seemed to teleport a few steps behind Lilith, who collapsed to her knees, her breath ragged. Shadow couldn’t help but wonder, what was that? What kind of power did Alex unleash?

Just as Shadow was about to call out to Alex, seeking answers, he noticed Princess, her brindle and white fur rippling in the wind. Crouching low momentarily, she took a single, strong leap from the carriage, covering the distance to them in an impressive bound. His questions would have to wait.

I look down at Lilith, her chest heaving as she desperately tries to catch her breath. Even with me using only a fraction of my power and Lilith channeling her entire mana into protection, the impact is undoubtedly paralyzing for her. I walk over to retrieve my severed arm, its weight surprisingly familiar in my hand. I place it on the stump and cast a mend spell. With a few shakes, my arm fuses back to normal, just in time for Lilith to regain her composure.

She gives me a defeated sigh before a chuckle escapes her lips, and she admits, “Well, I suppose I need more training.”

“You’ve impressed me,” I acknowledge, a hint of admiration in my voice. “If you keep up the effort, I may have to take you seriously one day.”

A loud thud lands next to me, sending a small cloud of dust into the air. I glance over to see Princess there, her eyes fierce and focused. The cloak is gone, and all the fur on her body stands on end, her lips pulled back in a snarl that reveals her sharp teeth.

“You dare lay a paw on him, you welp!” Princess’s voice boomed through the open space, filled with fury as she approached Lilith.

“Eldest?” Lilith’s eyes widen as she quickly lowers her head, showing submissiveness. “What brings you to the castle?” she asks, her tone filled with respect.

“You know her?” I ask Princess.

“We have an alliance with the hyena. They have no clan, so we took them in.” Princess explained, approaching Lilith and giving her a once-over. “Care to explain your actions?”

“W-Well... Um...” Lilith looks at a loss for words.

“She just wanted to show off,” I speak up for her as Princess turns her attention to me. “I showed her a magic technique that she could use.”

Princess returns her gaze to Lilith. “You always were an eager pup, Lilly. Perhaps too much for your own good.”

Lilith’s fur darkens considerably at hearing that nickname. “I apologize for any inconvenience I’ve caused.” She keeps her head low, if only to hide her embarrassment.

I rest a hand on Princess’ shoulder. “It’s fine, honest.”

Princess looked at me, her expression softening slightly. “Very well,” she said, letting out a sigh. Turning back to Lilith, she asked, “Is Azure busy?”

Lilith rose to her feet, relieved that the situation was diffused. “Not currently. Are you interested in seeing her? Shall I show you there?”

“No need. Alex and I will see her now,” Princess said, walking past Lilith but stopping to pat her back. “Don’t get too eager, Lilly. I’m happy you’ve found something to call your own. We’ll talk later.”

“As you wish,” Lilith replied, bowing her head once again.

“I’ll catch up with you two later.” Shadow calls out as he points to the wagon.

I give him a wave as Princess, and I make our way to Azure’s throne.

Azure let out a weary sigh, feeling the weight of the Hero’s return. She knew that he and Lilith had fought not too long ago, and it was likely that he’d come to her throne room for some reason or another. The room was quiet except for her quill scratching across parchment. Suddenly, the door creaked open, but she didn’t glance up.

“I suppose my vacation is over,” she muttered bitterly, not looking up from her work. “Do me a favor and let me finish my work.”

She heard him step further into the chamber before stopping halfway.

“You always were a hard worker, Sweetheart.”

As time slows to a crawl, Azure’s entire body freezes. That wasn’t the Hero... Lowering her paperwork, she finds Princess standing before her. A whirlwind of emotions floods Azure, but what stands out is how young she looks. The canines had informed Azure of Princess’ weakened state and how they would stand in for her at gatherings with higher demons. However, here she stands, exuding love and confidence.

“W-What are you doing here?” Azure bites her tongue due to her stutter.

“Is it too much for me to be here?” Princess asked, a soft smile on her face. “You haven’t visited.”

“I’ve been busy,” Azure replies, avoiding eye contact. “Reports have also said that you’ve fallen ill.”

Princess laughed it off. “Is that what they’re calling old age these days? I suppose it has kept me from seeing you.”

“Why are you here? Where is the Hero?”

“There’s much I wish to speak with you about. Are you free?” Princess asks.

Azure feels an overwhelming sense of guilt as she looks at Princess. Just seeing her is enough to bring back painful memories of the past. Although she knows she can never fully repay Princess for all she has done, there are nights when Azure wishes Princess had killed her all those years ago. The fact that Princess is the only being who has never treated her like a monster is more agonizing than anything the demons or humans could inflict upon her.

Azure takes a deep breath and sets her paperwork aside. “I have the time.”

Knowing that my presence might hinder Azure’s reunion with Princess, I gave them their space and wandered over to Lacey’s room. I hoped to gain valuable insights and brainstorm potential solutions with someone more knowledgeable about the demon realm than I was.

Using my “Detect Life” ability, I quickly located Lacey’s whereabouts and made my way over to her room. When I arrived, I knocked on her door a few times before it slowly opened on the third knock, revealing Lacey sitting at her desk, absorbed in her reading.

“Well, well, well... It took you longer than anticipated, but you’ve finally arrived,” Lacey remarked in her usual confident tone without looking up from her book. “What pleasure do I owe to have the hero at my chamber door?”

“I’ve come to chat,” I replied. “And who better than the most well-read general in the demon realm?”

Lacey chuckled under her breath. “As you know, knowledge isn’t free. I’ve spent a lifetime acquiring it, and it doesn’t come cheap.”

“I recall you were seeking help with some experiments,” I said, trying to spark her interest. “Perhaps more can be offered as we get to know each other.”

Lacey set her book down and stood up, her slender lioness form revealed by her tightly-fit dress. As she approached, I couldn’t help but notice the intricate tattoos that helix up the fur on her arms, a last resort catalyst to cast spells. When I return my gaze to meet hers, she lingers a moment.

“Very well,” she said with a hint of amusement. “Let’s not waste each other’s time. What exactly do you want to know?”

“I’ve spoken with some locals about the state of the world,” I continued. “The terrain is proving difficult for many things: housing, travel, and large-scale crop growth. Even if that wasn’t the case, there’s the fact that the soil itself lacks nutrients, and there’s a severe water shortage.”

“You’ve certainly done your homework,” Lacey replied as she strode over to her desk and retrieved a large scroll. She unrolled it, revealing a detailed map of the area. “As you can see, we have an abundant water supply, but it’s trapped in these large craters.” She pointed out the various locations on the map. “They’re completely inaccessible, and the water quickly evaporates, perpetuating the cycle. I’ve been racking my brains trying to devise a solution, but it would require magic far beyond my abilities.”

“Why not destroy the mountains holding these craters?”

“A straightforward solution can cause an expected disaster,” Lacey cautioned. “The surge of water would obliterate any nearby clans and homes. The damage would be immeasurable.”

“Then why not create channels for the water to flow through?” I countered.

Lacey chuckled wryly. “If only it were that simple, Hero. The Demon Queen’s power isn’t precise enough to accomplish such a delicate task, and even I could only make a few feet of progress daily to create something workable. It would take centuries to reach the summit, and the process would have to continue for all the other craters.”

I look over the map and take it all in. Her reasoning is logical, but my power isn’t.

“What if someone like me were to do it? How long would it take?”

Lacey raised an eyebrow in response before taking a moment to ponder. “Although I’m not fully aware of the extent of your divine powers if they are truly limitless, it’s possible that you could accomplish this task in a shorter time frame. But,” she warned, looking at me skeptically, “why would you want to?”

This was the question I had been anticipating, and it was one that I found difficult to evade with someone as intelligent and perceptive as Lacey. She’s a surprisingly practical female, focusing on solving problems in her world, regardless of whether or not it leads to peace. Lacey was more concerned about improving things, much like a scientist, and less about ego or pride. The demons came first, and that was evident in everything she did.

“Indulge me, Lacey,” I said, taking a seat. “Why do you think I would want to do this?”

Lacey sat across from me, assessing me with her piercing gaze. “Many would assume that you have a nefarious motive, perhaps to gain control over our water resources or to weaken our defenses.”

“As we both know, people only believe what they’re told. But I’m more interested in knowing what you think.”

Lacey leaned back in her chair, considering her response carefully. “Honestly?” I nodded, eager to hear her answer. “Everything you’ve done goes against recorded history. Your care for Shadow, your teaching of magic to Lilith - I can’t even begin to fathom your desires. Perhaps you’ve grown tired of fighting for the humans? As they say, the land is always flatter on the other side.” She chuckled. “Or maybe you’ve developed a fetish. I won’t judge. In the end, I can’t say for sure. At the very least, I know you’re not acting maliciously.”

“A fetish, huh?” I chuckled at the thought, feeling a sense of relief at the lightheartedness of our conversation. “Life would certainly be simpler if that were the case,” I replied. “But you’re right. There are many things I desire, things I will keep to myself until the time is right. For now, let’s focus on making a difference in your world.”

Lacey maintained eye contact for a moment, sizing me up before reaching over to grab a piece of parchment. “I suppose that’s the best I’ll get,” she said, tossing it to me. “Give me your thoughts.”

I quickly peruse the report handed to me, detailing a worsening water shortage for smaller clans who lack any influence with the main leaders. These clans have been allocated only the land they could manage to seize, resulting in an inadequate water supply. The report highlights an alarming increase in deaths due to dehydration, with no end to the prolonged drought in sight.

“Is transportation available?” I inquire.

“We utilize any available means to move water immediately. But, the volume required to sustain these clans is far too significant.”

“Is it possible to channel any water into a nearby basin?”

She shakes her head. “Doing so would disrupt the natural channels supplying the greater clans.”

“May I see a map depicting the locations of these clans?” I request.

Lacey stands and retrieves a map, handing it over to me. “This map shows the nearest water sources and the locations of the clans in need.”

Upon closer inspection, many of the clans are quite distant from the others, effectively isolated. However, their separation aligns with a particular marking on the map.

“What does this marking signify?” I ask, pointing to the spot.

Lacey examines it for a moment. “That’s the remains of the dragon clan.”

“Where the crater is?”

She appears surprised for an instant before smirking. “Impressive research. Yes, the very same.”

I immediately think about Africa and how wild animals flock to any available water source. Wouldn’t this crater contain enough water for all of these clans? If so, why isn’t it being utilized?

“Why aren’t they using the water there?”

“Demons can be quite superstitious. Given the history, there are tales told of demons who’ve gone for a drink at the crater, only to vanish without a trace, never to be seen again.”

“All unconfirmed, I’m sure?” I ask, looking at her.

“Of course. I’ve been there myself. I’ve seen the water and tested its purity. There were no corpses, just a tragic history, and lingering fears.”

That’s certainly true, but I shake those thoughts to remain focused on the task. I’m sure Lacey has considered many options; that’s why I’m here - to think of something outside of the box. I examine the topology of the dragon clan’s territory and find it’s at a higher elevation than the clans desperately needing water. An idea begins to form in my mind. It’ll be challenging but far more manageable than extracting water from the mountain tops.

“If the demons are too afraid to enter the dragon’s land,” I point to the crater and trace my finger to another part of the map that lies beyond the dragon clan’s borders but remains equidistant from the other clans, “why not relocate the water slightly outside of their territory?”

Lacey walks alongside me, her gaze fixed on the map. With her in such close proximity, I can hear her heart race with excitement as she becomes deeply engrossed in her thoughts.

“The elevation is high enough. It would only require a single channel, followed by a large ditch to collect the water,” she murmurs. “Flooding risk is minimal due to the valleys. The travel time between clans isn’t too extensive. Road work could be implemented later on to improve the travel time.” She glances at me with a wide smile. “That’s certainly an intriguing idea, Hero. However, there’s one problem.” I raise my eyebrow questioningly. “To create a secondary crater, even one significantly smaller than the one in the dragon clan, we’d need more power than any demon possesses. Excavating it would be a lengthy process.”

That’s more or less what I anticipated. “Azure isn’t adept at precision work...” I stand tall as she follows suit, our eyes meeting. “But I am.”

She holds my gaze for a moment, searching for something, before she looks away.

“Such a mystery,” she remarks before walking over to her desk and noting a few details. “I’ll need time to gather some resources, but delaying this would only result in more demons perishing. Does two days from now work for you?”

“I’ll be fr-”

"Alex!" A voice shouts in my head. It’s Alice sending a message. “We have trouble and need you back immediately!”

Lacey watches in disbelief as the Hero’s previously friendly expression morphs into something far darker, causing the fur on her entire body to bristle in alarm. His eyes lost their warmth, and his jaw clenched tightly.

“I’ll be free,” he replies curtly, his tone significantly harsher than before as walks over to the door. “Some urgent business just arose. I’ll return by day’s end.”

The heavy atmosphere enveloping the Hero is almost as oppressive as Azure’s presence. Lacey, taken aback by the sudden change in his demeanor, struggles to comprehend what could have triggered such a drastic shift in his attitude.

“Where are you headed?” she manages to ask, her voice wavering slightly, fearing perhaps this dream of his peaceful cooperation had finally lifted.

He pauses for a brief moment, his gaze distant and cold. “The other side.”

Without further explanation, the Hero vanishes, leaving Lacey alone and uncertain about what transpired. The intensity in his eyes had been all too familiar – reminiscent of the same resolute expression he had worn when they had previously fought but a far deadlier edge to it. Lacey forces herself to shake off the involuntary shiver running up her spine, focusing instead on developing a new plan to address the water shortage.

Despite her best efforts, her thoughts keep drifting back to the Hero and the mysteries surrounding his motives. The unsettling feeling gnawing at her refuses to dissipate, and she can’t help but worry about what might be unfolding on “the other side.”