CHAPTER ASHBORN 456: EMERGENCY AID (TWO)

Maiya couldn’t help but feel a little smug watching Greesha's expression shift—from terrified to gloomy to something that resembled the barest hint of appreciation—as the Pagan Order's demons marched steadily through Ashani’s Gate.

The old demon was the sort to mistrust everyone until they’d proved their worth, and Maiya couldn’t fault her for thinking that way. There were too many scum in the world to give people the benefit of the doubt. Especially when she was supposed to be their queen.

The demons marched from both the Pagan Order’s capital city of Balindam, and from Kartara.

As Maiya had guessed, it’d taken no time at all to convince both the Tribunal and the Pagan Order demons aiding Riyan to assist their demonic brethren in the Demon Realm. This was a place the Order had yearned to reunite with for centuries. Rather than asking a favor, in their minds, Maiya was giving a spectacular gift.

Within minutes, she had an army before her. An army formed from two places halfway across the Known World. An army that had traveled literal realms to be here.

She shook her head at Ashani, who stood beside her, smiling warmly as she always did. The goddess might be approachable—and even a little innocent at times—yet no matter how much she denied being a supernatural entity, the casual nature with which she performed miracles would only cement the world’s belief that she was a god. No matter how much she herself wished otherwise.

The least I can do is treat her the way she wants, just like Vir does, Maiya thought, swearing not to be intimidated, no matter how many miracles the wondrous woman performed.

A small army of Balindam’s finest warriors assembled before her. Maiya cleared her throat, standing tall in front of them.

“Welcome to the demon realm, everyone. I thank you all for coming on such short notice, and with such little information. I know many of you have yearned to visit this realm, and I promise you, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to explore it after we’re done. This is but the beginning of the cooperation between the demons of our two realms.”

Maiya took a deep breath.

“Time is short, so I will be brief. You are currently in Samar Patag’s castle, the capital of Clan Garga. The Akh Nara’s clan. You call him the Primordial.

“I’m afraid the situation is dire. A fierce battle rages outside the city against the combined army of our enemies, but that fight is not our fight. The enemy—Clan Chitran—has recruited children to fight for their cause under threat of death. We believe they’ve been fitted with some sort of art that will detonate in proximity to certain individuals.”

A wave of hushed curses and scowls rippled through the assembled demons. If they weren’t vested in the battles before, their grim expressions told her they absolutely were now.

“We cannot verify if it’s true or simply a bluff,” Maiya continued, “but we cannot afford to call them on it, either. As such, we have to assume the worst, which is why you will divide and conquer. Princess Ira will lead her forces into the Commons district, while General Riyan will lead you into the slums. I am aware that you have never worked together before, however these two bear my full trust, and both have fought and bled for a world where humans and demons coexist. I hope you can get along.”

At least, it was true that Ira had. Maiya hoped that by announcing the same for Riyan, he’d be more likely to adopt the cause. From the death glare he shot at Maiya, she had no doubt she’d succeeded. Maiya tried not to smirk.

“You’re looking for a tattoo on any child’s wrist. The moment you find them, knock the child out—non-lethally—and bring them to the castle, where they’ll receive medical treatment and we’ll attempt to remove the tattoo.

“Do not, under any circumstances, allow them near Janani or Greesha,” Maiya said, gesturing to the old demon and the orphan mother. “Bring them straight to the castle, through the route we’ll show you. Take no chances, and if you absolutely must fight these demons, do so with no less than five of you for every one of them. These demons wield powerful bloodline arts that far outstrip magic of the Human Realm.”

Maiya had feared that admitting as much would’ve undermined their courage, but on the contrary, this revelation only seemed to excite them. Perhaps they were eager to get their hands on those arts? That could certainly be arranged. Regardless, these were professional soldiers—the best the Order had—and while their strength might not stack up, Maiya had full faith in their tactics and training.

What was more, Order demons were practically perfect for this role, with all the experience they had operating in small raiding groups to rescue demons from the clutches of demon haters.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

“This is a rescue operation first and foremost. Ensure that no harm befalls any of the children. Avoid fighting wherever possible, but do try to douse fires if you’re in a position to. Are there any Water Mejai present?”

A handful raised their hands. Fewer than she’d hoped, but more than she’d feared.

“Good,” Maiya said. “Assemble into groups of three, and take twice as many escorts. Your mission will be to douse the fires.”

“Again,avoid contact with the enemy. Each group will be assigned an Asura—let them do the fighting. These demons are far more powerful and wield stronger arts than you can imagine. Do not engage unless absolutely necessary. Are there any questions?” 𝙍𝐚ℕo͍₿ƐṦ

One spoke up. “We’ve heard the rumors but to see her in person… Will, will the goddess aid us?” the demon asked Maiya, too afraid to address Ashani herself.

Maiya glanced at Ashani.

“Of course I will,” Ashani replied. “I will fly above the city and lend aid wherever possible, but bear in mind that I can only be in one place at once. Oh, and I’m not a goddess.”

Maiya rolled her eyes. Not a single demon had acknowledged that statement, instead looking upon her with awe and reverence.

“If that is all, you are dismissed. Time is of the essence. Let’s move out.”

The veteran soldiers dispersed, heading out of the castle guided by the few Asura that remained.

Good luck, she thought. They needed it. Hopefully, they’d douse the fires and bring the children back without casualties. But Maiya knew. This was war.

War was rarely so kind.

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“What will you do?” Princess Ira asked. “I assume you refrained from leading a group yourself out of concern for the children?”

Maiya pursed her lips. “I wish I could be out there with you, but the possibility that Annas has rigged their bombs to explode in my presence is too high. I will fight off Annas’ demons wherever possible.”

“Are you sure that’s wise?” Riyan asked. “If these demons are as strong as you say, then perhaps you should remain behind—where it’s safe. As difficult as it is to accept, you are royalty now. Royalty does not risk their lives on the front lines unless absolutely necessary.”

Maiya scowled. “If I stay back, I’ll regret it for the rest of my days, Riyan. I am no queen to be coddled and protected. If Vir is out there fighting, then you can bet your butt that I will be too.”

Maiya only hoped she had what it took to make a difference.

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Rushing through the streets of Samar Patag, Maiya headed straight for the nearest fire, finding no one attempting to combat the blaze that had already consumed one building and was quickly spreading to another.

Maiya brought out a B-rank Hail Burst and fired it into the inferno as she ran. On its own, ice wasn’t nearly as effective as water, however the fire’s heat quickly melted the magic, creating puddles on the ground and containing the fire, preventing it from spreading.

Once constrained, she blasted it with a B Grade Razor Gale—a gust of wind so strong, it suffocated the fire. Like blowing out a candle. A very large candle.

Maiya followed up with another Hail Burst to douse the ground with yet more ice and water, vanquishing the heat and preventing the fire from resuming.

It was perhaps not the most efficient way to deal with the problem, but it worked.

“One down,” Maiya muttered, wiping her brow. “Only about twenty more to go.”

She quickly dashed to another fire, only to find herself shivering as she approached. The culprits were two Asura, who worked to quench it with their Aspect of the Eternal Storm and Aspect of Midwinter’s Embrace arts.

One shot out of a jet of water, while the other chilled the ground, sapping the fire of its all-important heat. Maiya felt a pang of jealousy—demonic arts might be harder to master, but the sheer variety a single art could manifest was unthinkable in her orb-based world.

She thanked them for their service but quickly realized her mistake when she had to waste precious seconds convincing them not to kneel and bow in front of her, ultimately resorting to giving them a direct order.

The devastation became worse the deeper she penetrated into the city. Thick black smoke choked the alleys. Screams echoed through the haze, and the oppressive heat slammed into her with the force of a charging Ash’va.

“Stay in your homes!” she called, spotting a demon man doubled over, coughing and sputtering. “It’s not safe outside!”

Some listened. Others didn’t. She didn’t have the time to tend to them—she had bigger problems to solve.

A young girl burst into the street as she rounded a corner, and Maiya stumbled to a stop, nearly tripping over herself.

The girl stared up at her, wide-eyed.

Maiya backed slowly away. She’d gotten to within five paces of the child. Did that mean she wasn’t one of Annas’ targets? Did she need to get closer? Or was it all a bluff, as Greesha had guessed?

She also couldn’t be sure this was one of the children affected by Annas’s curse, but she wouldn’t take the chance.

“Run home,” she said gently but authoritatively. “It’s not safe out here.”

The child’s eyes widened even further, showing no sign of moving. Maiya was about to raise her voice when another, older girl appeared, grabbing the younger girl and dragging her off.

Maiya bit her lip but didn’t pursue. The streets were no place for this children, especially amidst a fire. Yet her time was better served putting out the flames than risking helping two children.

With a heavy heart, Maiya ran deeper into the city, where there was so much smoke and fire, Maiya could scarcely tell where one began and another ended. No B Grade orb would suffice here. Maiya would have to bring out the A rankers. Luckily, she’d replenished her stock ad had precharged several. As she raised the A Rank Blizzard, her battle-honed instincts sensed something behind her.

She whirled, and just in time to dodge a dagger thrown at her neck.

Six red demons glared at her.

“And who might you be?” Maiya asked as the dagger clattered on the ground nearby.

“It’s her,” one of them said. “Look at her skin. It has to be her.”

“What Rajni would be foolish enough to run into a fire alone?”

Maiya scowled, fingers tightening around her Blizzard orb. “You’re Aindri. You’re the ones who set these fires. Aren’t you?”

They didn’t answer. Instead, they drew their talwars and rushed.

Maiya had never fought demon Arts before—but she had defeated two Altani mejai.

She cracked her neck and surged prana into her orb.

“I suppose we’ll see how demons compare.”