For 57esq I thought I’d at least go up a level or two. But that isn’t the case it seems—the stronger you are, the harder it is to level up. I may have underestimated Reais’ effect on Essence and esq. Still, I’ve got a few points to spare, and if my past year training has taught me anything, it’s that I’m still nowhere near as tough as I should be.

  It’s no wonder these Demons look down on me as Lord Crimson. Looking out at the Fire Divide, I wonder if there’ll even be a chance for my usual speedy guile and tricks.

  I sink three Trait points into [Armored Form]. After evolving twice it’s rather expensive now. The remaining two Trait points fall into [Quick Mold]. As much as I’m nervous about withstanding attacks, I want to give them out as quickly as possible as well, though with the Seeker Blade I figure that changes the paradigm of how I fight.

  For the sake of battle I split my Essence points four to one in favor of strength. It’s the first time I’ve favored strength, but it’s the right time to do so. Wisdom only goes up by one point, because I doubt it’s the extra wisdom stopping me from casting [Minor Illusion].

  Name: Nil

  Race: Demon

  Type: Transformed Deviant Soul

  Age: Immortal – 7years, 4months

  Crystal Essence: [Crimson]- Lvl.6— 197esq

  [Available Essence Points— 0]

  Strength: 24

  Agility: 56

  Wisdom: 23

  Abilities: [Faithless Absorption], [Faithless Mimicry], [Faithless Essence Amplification]

  [Available Trait Points— 0]

  Traits: [Armored Form]- Lvl.2, [Greater Cognizance]- Lvl.1, [Psychic Resistance]- Lvl.3, [Quick Mold]- Lvl.3

  Ascension Perks: [Reais Fiend]

  Spells: [Invisibility]- Lvl.1

  Patron: Nil

  To an extent I’m beginning to understand why I’m getting so little power from Crystals that are nearly my level and even higher. But understanding doesn’t make it any better.

  My consolation prize, however, is the extra power in my muscles. The Essence points I tossed into strength gave me more than some extra muscle.

  I’ve gained an extra bit of health from it: my [Soul Crystal] feels fuller. There’s always been that gap between the max Essence I can move around from mimicry, boosts, and other feats, and the max Essence I need to remain alive. They’ve both increased.

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  My general disappointment doesn’t feel as bad anymore.

  With my newest strengths acknowledged, I leap down from the dune and trot over to the [Leptir] and [Ashka]. Despite spending a long time in the desert, fighting and eating weaker Demons as we traveled, I still haven’t learned their names—if they have any that is.

  “What are they talking about?” I ask, interrupting whatever conversation they may have been engaged in.

  The [Leptir] turns to me again, ever-amused with its wings fluttering behind it. “Nothing you’d understand.”

  “It’s strategy,” the [Ashka] cuts in, mandibles clicking even as his [Leptir] companion snaps a glare at him. “The base we’re assaulting is relatively new, that means a new Maroon-tier Demon is ruling there. Compared to the Queen or even your Calridian, they’re much weaker. They’re closer to Fex and Gerim in power than the Queen and Calridian.”

  He finishes explaining, ignoring the [Leptir’s] snarling. “So we have a good chance of winning then,” I say with some excitement. If this Maroon-tier Demon isn’t as strong as Calridian or the Queen, then there’s some hope for coming out of this alive and stronger.

  But it’s here the [Ashka] falls silent, exuding an impression of discomfort and uncertainty as his mandibles click again. “I wouldn’t be so proud to say there’s a good chance. This is still a Maroon tier after all, a tier we’re all so far from. The powers vested in Demons of this tier are… well, it outclasses us.”

  The [Leptir] makes a sound akin to a scoff and beats its wings. “What’s the point of this conversation anyway? You should tell it the truth.”

  “What truth?” I press as the [Ashka’s] expression fills with annoyance.

  He turns away from his companion, shaking his large ant-like head. “He believes we’d either get killed or be too weak to even face off against the Maroon tier.”

  “And I’m right!” He beats his wings again, the wind turning the sands around. “No matter how young this Maroon tier is, the fact is there are going to be Blood Orange tiers around and many, many Crimson tiers. Even if we clear out the Crimson weaklings, we’ll be left to fight the Blood Orange tiers, keep them at bay at least while our seniors over there head over to challenge the Maroon tier while they still have some strength in them.”

  Carried by his wings, he leans in. “Realize it now, whatever strategy they come up with is going to boil down to tossing us ahead of them so they save their strength for the true challenge. So try not to die, although I don’t expect many of us will be leaving with our lives.”

  With this curt, angry outburst the [Leptir] flies away, hovering over the ground as he does. I can’t tell if he feels proud at being chosen or if he dreads it.

  Before this I would’ve quickly picked the former, but now…

  “Let’s go. They’re ready,” the [Ashka] says, walking out to the others gathering in front of Gerim and the other Blood Orange Demons.

  I’m tall enough to catch a good view of the Blood Orange Demons lined up in front of us. Staring at them up close is intimidating. My senses pick up several sources of Essence, and I figure Fex isn’t the only one with an enchanted weapon.

  The ten of them are varying sizes, species, genders, and power levels. But out of them all there’s only one that catches my eye—a tall, reptilian-looking Demon with long, gleaming claws. Poking out behind it are large cleavers with serrated sides. It dons an armor as well, the first I’ve seen worn in Reais.

  There’s little doubt he’s the strongest.

  Of course, there’s no icon indicating what type of Demon it is, but I don’t fret about that—it’s embarrassing that Gerim is the only Demon out of them whose icon I can read clear as day.

  Compared to the large, oppressing presence that is this Demon, Gerim feels more like a peer than anything else.

  Hope he didn’t hear that.

  “The time is now!” the Demon starts. “I am your commander in this assault, and you may refer to me as Lord Commander or simply Lord. Our goal is simple—show the fiends of this Divide that encroaching on our Great Lord’s territory will not be tolerated!

  “Now these brutes are an audacious bunch, so the moment we march into their territory to mete out their punishment, expect their fodder to lie in wait, preparing to ambush and trap us! Be ready for anything!”

  One of the Demons beside him seems to mention something telepathically and he adds, “Yes, we will follow behind you. You, the children of our Great Lord, will be the first to reap the rewards. Kill, destroy, occupy! That is our mission.”

  “What did I tell you?” a voice pokes into my mind. It’s hard to hear because of the effects of [Psychic Resistance], but I know who it is and my head turns to meet his eyes.

  Hovering above us all, the [Leptir] looks down at me and at last I understand what he’s been thinking—feeling.

  Hopelessness.

  Stick with me. We’ll survive this together, I urge, speaking directly to him.

  He doesn’t say another word, instead cutting me off as he flaps away and the group begins to march.

  “Nil,” Gerim calls out, grabbing my arm. His frown deepens at the sight of my face, and although he has something to say, he says something else. “Don’t overextend yourself.”

  With that he lets my arm drop and stands beside the rest of the Blood Orange Demons, safe behind the Crimsons.

  Well, this ought to be… bloody.

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