God Ash: Remnants of the fallen.

"These are incredible. They should work very well on monitoring a vast area, or even relaying information over vast distances."

Hunter was stunned.

He knew Cain could craft weapons and items like the {Dark Egg}, and the pair of daggers he was currently using.

However, this item was on a completely different level.

Its utility and importance to them, especially during times like these, couldn't be measured easily.

Staring down at the bustling streets down below, Cain shrugged. Then he turned to face Hunter,

"I plan on spreading them throughout the city."

Hunter raised a brow, "I don't think Gilead would like that very much."

Cain shook his head, "Not this city..."

Hunter frowned, "What, you want to watch the Devils?"

Cain nodded, his face a bit grim...

A week had passed since those from the military camp and had moved into Valestorm.

Over that time, a lot had changed. For one, Valestorm had become much more crowded. The vigor within the quasi-city had also skyrocketed.

Those from the military camp had managed to intermingle into Valestorm's system without a problem.

Valestorm already possessed a system of exchange, so Cain was also raking in the profits. He had also gotten the information he wanted about that Otherworld, although that was all Gilead was willing to share.

This was because the Otherworld was the main advantage he had over Cain.

While Cain could bring resources into Valestorm through his {Spatial Gate}, the Pilgrim's couldn't.

In fact, stepping out of the Dome at a time like this, was a suicide mission at best and a really stupid idea at its worst.

And so, they had to turn their attention elsewhere.

Although their progress into the otherworld was much slower and a bit more dangerous thanks to the loss of a few of their powerful combatants, Gilead was a patient man.

Everything was going smoothly...

Until it wasn't...

With a sigh, Cain turned his eyes back down to the bustling streets.

With a glance, he could see a band of Beastmen, selling their catch of the day to a group of local Pilgrims.

His eyes drifted up slightly, his gaze landing on the barrier.

Or rather, what was beyond it.

There...

The Dark Tower that stood as a symbol and testament of the horrors that went on beyond the safety of the Dome's borders.

"I know for certain something is going to be happening soon. The best we can do is prepare, but we cannot prepare well it we don't have any idea what moves the enemies might make."

Hunter was silent for a moment. Then he huffed lightly,

"So that's why you called me back..."

Cain nodded,

"I can use the {Demons Eye} by myself, but I feel they will serve more purpose if there are two minds at work. I also have Vince and Jenny learning how to use them just in case."

Hunter nodded calmly.

The darkness brewing beyond the dome was indeed terrifying. Taking a few precautions was necessary.

"In other words, you want me to keep monitoring what's going on out there. Is that right?"

Cain smiled wryly, "I know I'm adding a whole lot to your plate by asking this, but I believe you are the best choice here."

Hunter chuckled, then sighed,

"Alright, I'll do it. However, I won't be able to manage your precious ship."

Cain waved, "Ignis will handle it."

Cain heaved a sigh of relief. That was one worry off his back.

It had been a while since he had last ventured into the ruined City. But he could feel that something dark and sinister was brewing on the horizon.

He began recalling the brief meeting he had had with Gilead just a few days ago,

***

"The Otherworld is a strange one. We don't know what to call it yet. All we do know, is that a vast civilization once ruled it, but they were wiped out by the Devils. Shockingly, the entire world was not fully destroyed, and it managed to recover from the devastation aftwr a while."

Gilead paused, allowing Cain to take in what he had just said. Then he continued,

"However, while the old civilization was wiped out, a new one arose. Judging by our discoveries so far, we can say the old one was wiped out quite a few hundreds of thousands of years ago."

Cain's brows shot up in shock,

"That long?"

Gilead nodded, "My reaction was the same as yours, although I cannot be fully sure, as this information came from Wulf.

His expression turned dark for only a split second before he continued,

"The new beings that populate this world are strange. They aren't fully mutant beasts, but they also aren't Devils. Instead, they are more of a mix between the two. And..."

Gilead paused, his expression rather strange,

"They give off the same feeling as you do. Now, don't get me wrong. I am not comparing you to mindless devouring beasts. But I am being completely honest when I say that of you and one of those things stand before me on a dark room, I wouldn't be able to tell the difference."

Cain rubbed his forehead and sighed,

"I see..."

His expression turned ugly,

"I know what they are if that is the case..."

Gilead raised a brow, his expression suspicious,

"Really?"

Cain smiled wryly, "What are you being suspicious for?"

Gilead shook his head, "I apologize. Do continue..."

Cain shrugged, "They are Demons."

Gilead frowned, "Demons?"

Cain nodded, "Beings that possess a trace of Devil lineage in them. How this happens varies depending on the circumstances too."

Gilead shook his head, his fron deepening,

"So are you saying that if a Devil sleeps with a different species, they can birth a whole new abomination?"

Cain snorted,

"It is much more nuanced than that."

He was silent for a moment, putting his thoughts together,

"Think about it like this; the nature of Devil Essence is to corrupt, to change, to perverse something and alter what it once was, twisting it into a darker, more malevolent version."

Cain tapped his fingers on the chair's arm rest as he turned his thoughts into words,

"I can describe Demons as beings born from this perversion. Some might be beings who's bodies have been affected and changed by Devil Essence until they become an entirely new creature..."
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His eyes narrowed, "Or, they are beings born the natural way...

Gilead shook his head, "Unbelievable... To think Devils fuck too."

Although his words were vulgar, Cain believed he couldn't have said it any better.

He chuckled, "It might not seem like it, but I have come to the conclusion that they are just like us."

His face turned dark for a moment,

"They can feel, they hurt, they bleed, they change just like we do. That is what makes them so scary. It would have been so much better if they were just mindless beasts that know nothing but to attack madly."

Gilead shook his head,

"In any case, there are a lot of lost artifacts,l in the ruins of this world. The flora and fauna are also developed, and there's a bunch of untapped magical resources. But the problem is these Demons are a tough nut to crack. Each and every one of them possess incredible individual power, and although they aren't nearly as menacing as the Devils, they are up there."

He paused, "The ones we have discovered so far are just mindless beasts. Who knows, maybe that will change in the nearest future."

Cain leaned back, "And you still won't consider my offer for help?"

Gilead shook his head firmly,

"That is the one thing I refuse to give even an inch of legroom on."

Although the words weren't said, Cain understood his intentions clearly.

He sighed, "If that's the case, then so be it..."

***

Hunter's voice brought him back to reality,

"In any case, we have a lot of work on our hands, it seems..." He said as he prepared to leave.

Cain waved him goodbye.

Before he left, Hunter paused for a moment.

Then he called out, "Cain..."

"Hm?" Cain glanced back.

Hunter pursed his lips, a look of obvious distress on his face.

In the end, he sighed,

"Just... Try not to piss the ladies off. Know your limits."

Cain raised a brow, completely confused,

"What the hell are you trying to say?"

Hunter was silent again, then gritted his teeth,

"I don't know. Just try staying out of trouble for now!"

And with that, he jumped away, leaving Cain alone in his confusion.

He sighed then shook his head.

The invincible {Demons Eye} hovering above Valestorm wasn't picking up anything interesting, so he decided it was time to leave for the moment.

The space around him distorted, and with a thought, he arrived in his room.

At a corner of the room was the spatial anchor; a series of revolving plates and orbs with runes etched into their surface, contorting and affecting the space around them.

Arriving before it, he placed a hand on the anchor. Space quickly folded in on itself, and in a moment, he was gone.