"What did you find out?" Cassandra asked at the table.
"We met the local ruler. There is a kind of civil war in the region between noble families. It's strange how everyone treats me like an Emperor here," Caden explained.
"That's a nice change, isn't it?" Merill laughed.
"Wait... what change? What are you talking about?" Elard asked.
Caden looked around. "Can we trust you?" Caden asked.
"You are all I have at the moment, so yes," Elard replied.
"Oh, how cute, tell everything to this Dark One, so they can stick our heads on the spears," Cassandra complained.
"Wasn't it you who said that we shouldn't believe the rumours about them?" Merill replied.
"Maybe, but how would someone from the Empire react if you told him that you are out of here?" Cassandra said.
"You're from the Em..." Elard said and then was silenced by Caden's hand.
"Shhh... It is a secret."
"Great, can we at least choose the style of our execution? I choose the burning for Caden," Cassandra giggled.
"I promise I won't tell anyone. If you tell me how you got here," Elard said.
"You wouldn't believe it," Caden said.
"Try it," Elard replied.
"Okay, we went through the gate to the demon's land, and from there we went here with a magical staff that is no longer functional," Caden explained.
"You're right, it sounds pretty crazy, but I've heard a harder to believe stories," Elard said.
"Great, and what do we do now?" Cassandra asked.
"Well... you could look around here, I'll show it to you here," Elard suggested.
"Great, do you all want to go?" Caden asked.
"I'll stay here and try to figure out why the staff isn't working," Stephan announced.
"Well, can we go?" Caden went on and continued outside.
"First of all, I should lead you to the temple. Everyone here fanatically worships Mor'lak, he is a kind of god of darkness," Elard explained.
"And you do not worship him?" Cassandra asked intently.
"I believe he exists, and I also believe that he is a slaver rather than a protector and saviour. For this opinion, they would burn me alive, so perhaps you understand that I am honest with you," Elard replied.
"Ah, our chosen one! Have you come with your retinue to pay tribute to the all-powerful Mor'lak?" Aldred greeted them in front of the temple.
"Well... of course," Caden replied.
"Come in."
The small temple surprisingly seemed much larger from the inside, a huge statue of a creature that they already met was standing in the centre.
"So, this is Mor'lak?" Cassandra stood in front of the statue and looked at it thoughtfully as her memories flashed through her mind.
Caden and Merill also did. It was a demon who attacked them on the tower. Cassandra dropped her shoulders and opened her mouth.
"You were right... the wardens were right. They are just a demon worshipers!" Cassandra shouted.
"Uh, what happened?" Aldred laughed uncomprehendingly.
"Ehh... she's just... Confused, she was hurt... ahh...!" Caden knelt and grabbed his head, while he heard a deep voice in his mind. "So you are pretending to be my chosen, human worm?! You may have escaped, but my servants will hunt you like animals you truly are. I will destroy you just as I have destroyed part of the Empire with the help of your friend, and I will soon turn it into the dark ashes."
Images of a ruined castle began to project in Caden's mind, and there were many corpses around.
"Caden? Caden! Are you okay?" Merill helped him up.
"Yes... it's alright. We should go away."
Merill helped Caden to get outside.
"What happened?" Elard asked.
"I'd rather tell you... Somewhere private."
Everyone went to the tavern where Caden told them about his vision.
"Great, so now the demons are hunting us instead of wardens?" Cassandra laughed.
"Mor'lak just bluffed, only a mighty mage could summon him," Elard explained.
"Speaking of it... Stephan, did you move on with the staff?" Caden asked.
"Somehow, the crystal could theoretically make one way into the demon's land, but nothing more," Stephan said.
"If Mormir summoned the demon, couldn't he also get away?" Caden continued.
"Mormir lives?" Cassandra said.
"Maybe, we don't know..." Stephan said uncertainly.
"I must save him!" Cassandra proclaimed.
"Cassandra, we don't know if he lives or there is just that demon," Stephan said.
"Even if I'd have to live through all the nightmares of the world, and only find that demon, at least I will avenge Mormir."
"You're not listening to me! If you'll go there, you will not get back!" Stephan shouted.
"Mormir is my family, just like you. Maybe he lives and suffers somewhere in the clutches of that vile demon," Cassandra said while taking Stephan's staff.
"Fine as you wish. Perhaps you will come back..." Stephan frowned.
"Thanks... I... I love you all. Send me there," Cassandra said.
Stephan closed his eyes and whispered something, Cassandra disappeared.
"Did she really say she likes us?" Stephan asked.
"Yes, I think. But what are we going to do now?" Caden freaked out.
"We have to get back to the Empire," Merill said.
"How?" Caden asked.
"I don't know..."
"But I know," Elard said firmly. "It won't be possible through the Wall of Sorrow, but I know the other way," he added.
"Then you will lead us," Caden said.
"Like now?" Merill asked.
"Not today, tomorrow. It was enough for today, we're going to sleep," Caden finished.485Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ20KY7PM6Y9
