The next day we got up early, so early that the first glimmer of dawn was barely visible. I got up and prepared everything necessary, then proceeded to leave the hut; a few meters away, the twins were already waiting for me, looking very sleepy.
—Good morning! Ready for today's adventure? —I greeted them cheerfully.
—The perverted cockroach is here, Lady Janeth! —Petra called out to the giantess.
—Alright, it's time to go then —Janeth said, stepping out of her hut.
She wasn't wearing her usual clothes, which consisted of a battle tunic and a rigid corset; this time she wore something lighter, a simple peasant dress. The twins were dressed similarly.
—You know I don't like that nickname you gave me, right? —I reproached Petra.
—It's not a nickname; it's because you're a pervert who took two defenseless girls by force —Petra replied.
—You two were the ones who brought up that marriage thing! —I fired back, furious.
—It's true. In our village, we have a custom that if someone beats you in battle, men must swear loyalty, and girls must get married —Anastasia explained.
—You've explained that before; regardless, I didn't ask for it —I replied.
—It doesn't matter! You must comply to maintain our honor —Petra exclaimed.
—I refuse.
—Aaaaaaah! You cursed perverted cockroach! —Petra stepped closer and gave me a little swat. She looked cute, like a small child throwing a tantrum.
—Stop fighting already! We must leave as quickly as possible. The carriage is waiting at the village entrance —Janeth interrupted.
—Yes, Lady Janeth! —the brats exclaimed in unison, bringing their hands to their foreheads in a military salute.
With that said, we went to the entrance, where surprisingly Old Siro was waiting on the carriage, ready to depart. I was glad he had survived the attack in the capital. We climbed on and set off; the trip would take three days there and three days back.
It had been three months since I was last in that place. I spent three years there with my Liva parents, until someone came, killed them, and posed as them to kidnap me, later leaving me to my fate with those demons of the shadows.
—Well, I'm going to sleep. Wake me up if anything happens —I said as I settled in.
The wood was hard and cold; this would be my bed for almost a week. The bitter purple demoness was next to me. Suddenly, she took my head; I thought she wanted to hit me or something, but she settled me on her lap. Why is she acting like this now? Even the twins, sitting opposite us, were left jaw-dropped.
—Don't say a word, you wretched vermin! Just enjoy it and rest! —Janeth exclaimed. She looked quite flushed.
Could she like me? I don't think so; I'm something like a pet to her. To be honest, she doesn't look at me with loving eyes, but rather like someone petting a kitten. I see: apparently, my cuteness is on another level. All I had to do was spend two months in a coma for her to start treating me well! Incredible.
Feeling the softness of the giantess's legs, I fell asleep immediately.
I don't know how much time passed; I only know the twins woke me up.
—Wake up, Mr. Samuel —Petra was patting me on the head as I opened my eyes—. Look at this.
I sat up and looked out the carriage window. I could see a large group of demons walking with their heads bowed; they looked malnourished. They were heading in the opposite direction, seeking refuge in Bigue. Most were children, the elderly, and women. Men were nowhere to be seen. Perhaps they were taken as prisoners or slaves? Or maybe they died defending their families?
There was a group of about twenty children walking unaccompanied; some were crying, but only one looked firm, marching at the head of the group. I also saw an old woman with a burned face wearing a cloth that barely covered her. There were people missing limbs and others carrying the sick, the wounded, or even corpses.
That damn Augusto! I'll make him pay; I'll find a way.
We kept moving; for now, I can only pray they arrive safely and receive help. How can I interrupt the "Master's" bond? There must be a way to kill someone who regenerates, but I can't think of anything. We could burn him alive or drop him in acid... but where the hell do I get those things? This is very complicated.
If I don't find a solution, I'm going to have to make a pact with a deity. I really don't want to do that; those wretches aren't trustworthy.
Several hours passed; everyone in the carriage felt their spirits drop. We didn't say a word until we stopped.
—It's time to eat! —Old Siro climbed down and opened the door for us.
—Finally! I'm starving; we left without a bite —I tried to break the tension.
We all got out and sat on some logs positioned around an extinguished campfire.
—Many travelers used to stop here; this place was very famous. I guess because of the war, the young woman who worked here had to leave —Siro said, pointing to a burned-out food stall—. Let's eat something and then move on.
After the brief rest, we resumed our journey. During the three-day trip, we saw a lot of unheard-of things: settlements reduced to ashes and, on another occasion, piles of bodies thrown into a ditch as if they were worth nothing. We also crossed paths with another group of children who were having a hard time; the only thing we could do for them was give them some food.
Finally, we reached our destination. The carriage stopped right at the entrance of the forest. Apparently, those bastards hadn't reached here yet; it's understandable, as Honoriria is said to be hidden and almost impossible to find without a local guide. Luckily, we aren't headed there; I'm only here to find Uuk.
I spent a long time here and never saw a trace of civilization; those people really are well-hidden. The problem now is that I don't remember how to get to my old home or the iron cave my friend the Gondra took me to. I had never left this area; I only remember it was near the mountain. From here you can see it, but it's very far, and the woodland stretches all the way there. I think at least a full day's hike awaits us.
—Don't tell me you don't remember how to get there? —Janeth questioned with suspicion.
—Of course I know how to get there, I was born here —I replied, though my nerves were betraying me.
—That means the perverted cockroach doesn't remember a thing. What a useless husband —Petra commented mockingly.
—I am not your husband! —I reclaimed indignantly.
—Let's take it slow. Do you remember more or less what the place looked like? —Old Siro interrupted to calm the waters.
—It was at the base of the mountain; I estimate it's about a day's walk.
—You're in luck, my Liva friend: I am an explorer and tracker. With me in charge, we'll be there in half a day —Siro said, boasting of his skills—. So let's head out quickly; let's make use of what's left of the light.
We entered the forest and the smell of vegetation filled my nose; everything was just as I remembered it. The colorful flowers, the green leaves, and the damp earth... nothing had changed. I immediately climbed a tree; I was in my element. A Liva's body is built for moving through branches; walking upright was already driving me crazy.
—How cute! —Janeth blurted out the compliment and immediately covered her mouth—. I mean... how stupid!
The twins looked at her strangely.
I went swinging through the treetops; I was so fast that sometimes I had to wait for them for a while. Old Siro was right: after a few hours, we reached the base of the mountain. My parents' shelter was nowhere to be seen, so I scouted the surroundings until, finally, I found the nest that was my home.
—We're here! —I shouted.
The others approached. The place was neglected and half the floor had collapsed. I don't know why, but I miss them. They were like pets to me, but their deaths still hurt. I'll pray for their rest; this world is hell.
—What now, Mr. Samuel? —Anastasia asked.
—Don't worry, wait here; I'll go find him.
I left them resting and headed toward Uuk. The path hadn't changed and it was only about twenty minutes away, so I arrived in no time. I felt nervous; it had been a long time since I last saw him and the last time he simply vanished. I didn't know if he had anything to do with the incident, so I had to go slowly.
His home was protected by giant trees that served as natural walls and a ceiling. I walked in.
—Hello! Is anyone home? —I shouted.
Suddenly, I felt a tremor as something colossal moved in the back.
—Who dares to intrude upon my chambers? —an ancient, majestic voice rumbled through the place.
—Don't you remember me?
I heard him inhale deeply.
—You don't smell like anything familiar, small creature —he replied.
—You are Uuk, right?
—How do you know my name, inferior being? I have only told it to my kin and to a little friend who died recently —he announced with sorrow.
—I am Samuel.
The ground vibrated again. He stood up and approached; his crimson eyes seemed to look into my very soul.
—Are you really little Samuel? Did you not die when the puppet came? —he asked—. I assumed that thing had killed you, just like your parents.
"Puppet? I guess he means the thing that posed as my parents," I thought.
—Let's just say it kidnapped me and I managed to survive. Here I am back again, old friend.
—Why do you smell different? —Uuk blurted out, narrowing his huge crimson eyes—. There is something dark in your scent.
—I'm a demonic Liva now; a lot of shit has happened since the last time —I replied, letting the forest wind stir my purple fur.
—You ate the flesh of those spawns?! —he roared, making the leaves of the giant trees vibrate—. That could have claimed your soul! You could have died in the most painful way imaginable!
—It's a long story, old friend. It all started when...
I sat on a thick root and told him everything. For two hours, the only sound in that tree shelter was my voice narrating the betrayals, the fight against the Demon King, and how the capital of Divon ended up reduced to ashes. Uuk listened in a heavy silence, exhaling breath that smelled of hot metal.
—Interesting... —he murmured when I finished—. So little Samuel now carries the fate of a kingdom. I suppose you came back to ask for my strength, didn't you?
—You're right. I need you to tip the scales.
The enormous creature straightened up, shaking the earth beneath my feet with a certainty that left no room for doubt.
—I will help you —he declared—. One always helps a friend, especially if he has such a crazy story to tell.
I let out a sigh of relief I didn't know I was holding. With him on our side, the war against Augusto no longer felt like a suicide mission. Now all that was left was to return to the others and prepare for what's coming.