Demons.

  The image that appears in one's mind when they hear that word is probably one of horns and fire. Maybe tail’s and goats, Canada sweaters, even the seven deadly sins.

  However, words change, take new meaning, and new subjects.

  Demons aren't manifestations of temptation and evil.

  Demons are just an invasive species.

  No tail.

  No fire.

  No horns.

  They tear up and destroy everything around them.

  Like ants finding themselves in new soil.

  They take lives, spread plague, and cause hunger.

  They may look like you, talk just like you.

  They may be you.

  But they are evil.

  Maybe the word itself hasn't actually changed much then.

  Pure evil.

  A demon.

  To be killed.

  To be exterminated.

  They should be sent back, they should just disappear.

  That's something I believe–

  “With All My Heart”.

  ▽ ▼ ▽ ▼ ▽ ▼ ▽

  “Ksht”

  The doors opened slowly, revealing the busy crowds.

  “All passengers departing the Manzat, Nanshe Line, please exit to your left! The Nirah line to Genoscere departs now!”

  The broadcast continued as her feet touched the hard stone of the platform.

  The train station was packed, groups of people rushed to follow the announcers orders. A large Platform spread out, with one Tiranne on each side. The platforms end in metal green stairs that rise upward over the rails, connecting to the main building to the left. The building is made of typical brick and mortar, the same as the station I had just come from, a reddish brown color with white accents.

  Smoke and steam filled the station. Tiranne’s honked and rattled, whistles and calls shouted over each platform, melding together to become a soup of words.

  I joined the crowd, Cramming onto the platform, and moving in tandem with their steps.

  Tiranne’s are a series of carts connected and moved on a track, a concept known as a train.

  Following the crowd, people's conversations roar around me, filling Her ears.

  “It's beautiful!”, “ Guess we’ll have to deal with that damn dog again”, “I can't wait to get there!”, “ You wanna grab something to eat?”, “I heard the entrance ceremony is next week.”, “Yeah”, “Mom, What are those?”, “Tiranne’s are so cool”, “Yeah, can you believe a demon came up with them?”, “Apparently they developed them here.”, “My name Is Edwin…”, “The Apportitioner Guild came from Genoscere”, “Really? Are they alumni?”, “That’s-”. In a moment, the crowd went silent.

  …

  “““WOW””” The noisy crowd stopped in unison as they laid their eyes on it.

  There is one difference that sets the stations on the Cynosure continent apart from any station across the world. Across the entire train station, a line of color laid on every surface. The configuration seemed very much like a cable, snaking across the station's walls, floors, and ceiling. The cable continuously changed colors, from red to violet, occasionally black or white. The comparison to RGB light lining the top of a ceiling would come to mind however, the colored cables were not luminescent, Their shine limited to their container, the station's lighting remaining its natural color.

  This was what the train station- or rather, the Central continent of Cynosure was known for. Known as “Veins”, the cables ran all throughout the continent, covering every building and street. They are even said to power the entire continent, fueling its magical and technical prowess. The Veins are said to originate from-

  “Miss! Move out of the way!” A voice shouts out suddenly, breaking my line of thought.

  I was so entranced by the Veins that I had wandered from the crowd and wound up on the other side of the tracks. In front of me is a man, most likely the origin of the voice. He’s average height with black hair, nothing quite stands out except his clothes. The man wore a striking white and blue uniform, one that denoted the University of Yuuna. He stood in front of a large metal box on a cart, its size easily being the same as one of the train carts.

  I move out of the way back toward my original side of the platform.

  Wooo- Ding ding ding

  “Crapppp, we're too late!” The man cries out as the Train leaves the station. He falls on his knees and holds his head in his hands.

  I start moving back towards the stairs, pity in my heart.

  The University of Yuuna was the world's largest educational institution, said to sit at the center of the world. The university is situated in Genoscere, the city of knowledge, the largest city in the world. The school accepted everyone, regardless of race or status. A stereotypical ‘Perfect school” through and through.

  It’s also my destination.

  Crossing the stairs, the veins catch my attention, having become a deep black color.

  The veins are said to be a creation of the University. Spread across the continent, they power everything from small lights to the trains themselves.

  The vein begins to fade color, the black color getting lighter until it is very close to gray.

  “Huh”

  Suddenly, the vein I was looking at disappeared, no- the entire wall changed.

  The wall was now pure stone, gray and cracking. The line that was once filled with color was now empty. The old stone encapsulates me, spreading out in every direction.

  A tunnel?

  Suddenly being transported into a tunnel was certainly not my plan. Looking down each direction showed only more tunnel for as far as the eye can see.

  Nothing to do but walk.

  There are no doors or repeating painting adorning the wall, just stone and the empty Vein.

  Step after step, nothing changed. I can only keep walking for so long.

  “Hey.”

  Suddenly, a voice called out from beside me. The voice was cute. With just one word it struck deep in my heart. It was one that I deeply wanted to hear again, even after just one word.

  A woman suddenly stood beside me, who seemed to be the wielder of the cute voice. slightly shorter than Her, and wearing an eccentric, yet undeniably beautiful red dress. she stares at me perplexed. Her black hair is done up in twin tails that reach her elbows. The most notable feature, however, is the giant scythe on her back. It’s ornamented with a glowing blue gem in the steel wing making up its blade. The staff is made of very natural wood, as if it was just ripped off a tree.

  “What are you doing here?” The woman began, “There had never been another who… But then three in one day… Ah.” The woman seems to change her mind before speaking more, then reaches into her back pocket.

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  “Have you seen this man?” Pulling a piece of paper from her pocket, she forces it into her face. The man, or the drawing of him at least, depicts a middle aged man in glasses, his hair short, the expression determined.

  I shake my head no, opening my mouth to speak. However, before I get the chance-

  “You don’t?! Ugh!” the woman says, stomping her feet. Holding her head with her hands, shaking it around. The sudden outburst is certainly threatening, especially with that scythe flying around with her

  Suddenly she stops, looks back at me and asks-

  “Then, who are you”?”

  “Hk-”

  A moment passes, then two.

  Time feels frozen, no words escape my mouth to answer her, they’re unable to.

  Her eyes stare deep into me. As if she can see everything about me. Those deep blue eyes draw me in, making it feel like I can't look away. It;s as if I'm the only person in the world with her right now.

  Several moments pass, the amount unknown to me, as she stares into Her eyes.

  “Well, whatever. I better get back to work. So do you have any idea where I could start to find this guy? ” the woman suddenly says as she turns, Her scythe swinging with her body. She lowers her body, looking down the tunnel, which now ends in a wall about 1 kilometre away.

  “Um..” I think about the man, If this scythe bearing woman was looking for him, his fate probably wouldn't be pleasant. The place I ran into her is also clearly no good either. Should I help her or… no, I have a feeling i have to help her, or else. “It's just something I read in a book once but-” One more sin against you.

  “Huh?!” the woman suddenly looks back at me.

  “Huh, what?”

  “Nothing… continue.” she says, looking perplexed once again.

  “Um… You could probably ask the guilds, they have a lot of people come and go, so they may have some information, or you could put up a request.”

  “Ah!!” The girl exclaimed, jumping slightly. “That's so smart, how didn't I think of that? Thanks.”

  “Oh, no probl- Actually, I was wonde–”

  “See you around!” the girl says as she vanishes. She left so fast that the air displaced, causing a slight breeze to flow through the tunnels.

  ftt

  “Haah.” a breath escapes Her lips as I realize she left. I didn't get to ask her where I am.

  Still, the situation was quite dire. Both ends of the tunnel were identical,and they now both ended in a wall. The Issue? I never turned when I was walking.

  How did I end up here? Who was she? Who was the guy on the paper?

  All of these questions ran through my mind. However, they’d have to wait, as my main priority was getting out of here.

  The woman had gone left, the obvious answer was that I should follow her, but I wasn't too keen on following someone with a giant scythe on their back, but the only other option was to go a completely unknown direction, so I'm going left.

  After walking for around 15 minutes, I reach the wall, only to be met with another left or right turn.

  The advice of a crimson eyed chain user spoke in my mind to go right. However, the scene of a looper and his group of non combatants going right to only end up going insane also plays in my mind right after. Not that either of those paths worked out better for that group.

  Since the woman had disappeared, I could no longer lean on her to make my decision. Reaching into Her pocket, I grabbed a slip of paper.

  University Of Yuuna Applicant Entrance Test- Group C

  Meeting spot: Pastdown Inn- Yildon. (Near the Left Gate)

  From the conductor, to the pamphlet, everything was screaming left, So I went left. I had to reach that location in time, or things would get complicated later on.

  Turning left got me in the same situation, the hallway I had turned down looked the same as the others. Steeling myself to have to continue walking through hallways, I continued.

  That determination doesn’t last long.

  Suddenly, my body feels light, as if it's been lifted off the ground. There’s no nausea, I don't feel as if I've moved at all. My eyes don't adjust to the change in lighting. I was no longer inside a tunnel.

  A sea of blue and clouds stretched above me, setting the backdrop of the houses and other buildings surrounding me. Buildings stretched as far as the eye can see, each bearing at least one “Vein” of unstable light. The vein was gray, slowly turning lighter until it reached a pure white. That, at least, confirmed I was on the same continent.

  My surroundings seemed to be a back alley. The alley was completely enclosed. Despite the clear sky, the alley was dark and dingy, however there was no trash littering the ground.

  A perfect place for some thug.

  “Hey, I'm just asking you a question.” A masculine voice suddenly resonates from a nearby alley to my left.

  Think of the devil and he shall appear. Quite the powerful ability that guy has.

  I suppose I should go check it o–

  I noticed it.

  A “pressure”.

  Maybe Pressure’s was more accurate.

  Two powerful pressures bounced off of each other from the alley where the voice echoed from. The feeling of pushing two magnets together, that powerful hesitation, ran through Her body.

  Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.

  I’ve gotta calm down.

  Something like this is way too out of the ordinary. Today was terrible. The train was late because of some boar. I got lost and ended up in some “Labyrinth of the minotaur” esque crap. The minotaur was actually some cute girl with a scythe, who disappeared in a second. And then I find myself who knows where, With some crazy shit going on.

  Some god must hate me.

  Not that She’s a god.

  The “Pressure” came from the only exit from this alley. I could try to get up on the roof, but that could end badly, and make me stand out. Depending where I am, That could put me in a bad spot.

  My best option is to probably scout it out, then go on from there.

  With my course of action decided, I move toward the unpleasant place.

  After 3 or 4 minutes of stalking my way closer, I finally reached the corner. Readying myself, I look around it.

  “Hey, c’mon, answer me ya brat. Just tell me where I can find this place.” A large man said. He wore a shoddy robe, looking like a space swordsman from a galaxy far away. His build was big, bigger than a gorilla’s. That was impressive enough, but his Pressure was also awe inspiring, almost to the point where it felt somehow artificial. He has a paper, holding it out in front of him.

  The man was talking, or rather harassing a small figure. My viewpoint didn’t give me a good view of the girl, however it was clear she wasn't in a good spot.

  “Haah… I… Haah… Do- Haah” escaped the girl's mouth. The girl was up against a wall, breathing heavily and holding herself in her hands.

  In most cases, One would immediately jump into this situation, however the “Pressure” was keeping me from reacting harshly. Not because the man’s power was overwhelming, but because the second pressure that was battling against his own, was nearly double, maybe even triple his strength, and that “Pressure” came from that small girl.

  This situation seems to be a little complicated, but I can't risk putting my task in jeopardy. I can’t match them as I am now, I feel bad just passing by but I can't put Her In harm's way. I cant put her hair, her eyes, her mouth, her arms, her legs, her body, or her smile in danger, I can commit another sin, even if I am just a th–

  “-help-” A barely audible whisper squeaked out from behind the large man.

  I step out from my corner as loudly as possible.

  “Hey, yo-”

  “HEY! Get away from her!” A voice called out from behind me.

  The entire alley freezes. The man turns around and stares at the two of us. The girl freezes and looks towards the entrance to the alley, and immediately looks away. Her eyes drift towards me. Latching onto me, she stares at me, her eyes not letting go. No, I don't know that guy.

  I turn around, only to find myself looking at a black haired, brown eyed guy. He wears light armor across his body. A black undershirt lays under the brownish tan armor, his pants the average utility pair. A sword lies at his waist, its golden highlights and intricate design denote it as more than just the common weapon.

  “That's enough, get away from her!” the guy calls out towards the man.

  “Mind your own damn business.” The gorilla shaped man responds. “Who the hell are you guys anyway.”

  “Oh, Uh, i’m no-” I try to clarify.

  “I'm a hero!” The guy says

  …

  …

  ……

  Todays just a lot, huh.

  ▽ ▼ ▽ ▼ ▽ ▼ ▽

  “Heh, Heha, Hehahahahahahahah-” The gorilla guy belows.

  “You think now's the time to be laughing?” the “Hero” Asks.

  “You- Haha- You just called yourself a hero- Haha”

  “Yeah, what about it?”

  “Nothing in particular, just that it's funny when kids say shit like that.” The man says, slowly recovering.

  “So you think I'm a kid?”

  “What else would-ya be? Going on about heroes. Those died a long time ago.”

  “If you think that, just watch, people will be calling me the number 1 hero soon enough”

  “Haah, yeah? Then show me.”

  ”Pft”

  Come on dude, you're revving this guy up.

  “Hk” A sound of collapse comes from behind the large man.

  “Hey, Hey. You can't be leaving yet, you still haven't answered my question.” The man says to the girl, whose legs had given out as she tried to sneak off.

  “Leave her alone, get out of here before I make you.” the self proclaimed hero states, walking into the alley.

  I’ve been completely ignored. Well, the girl noticed me. Hm… That may work.

  “You're gonna make me? Hehahaha, then do it.” the large man turns toward the “Hero”, lowering his stance.

  “Fine.” The “hero” reaches for his blade.

  The air goes static. The man's “Pressure” disappears, no, it shrinks back into him. The air suddenly explodes with movement. Spirits dance around the two, moving towards the man, and away from the “Hero”

  “Murlourd!” The man sends his fist flying forward, the floor of the alley raises just in front of the fist, the two heading straight for the hero.

  “Tomí!” The “Hero” calls out as he draws his one sided curved blade, a katana. His sword flows straight towards the wall of stone, but never connects.

  "Rassembler!” I call out.

  In the center between the sword and the wall, a vortex of air appears. Starting clear, it quickly begins appearing more gray, until a clump of black forms.

  Pop

  “Gah!”

  “Hah?”

  A loud popping noise echoes through the alley as the sword and wall make contact with the black clump. The air fills with dust, making the visibility near 0.

  Boom

  “Mur”

  A second noise echoes out as the sword and the wall collide

  “Huh?!” the girl says.

  “Let’s go!” I say, grabbing her hand and pulling her up.

  “Oh no you don’t!” The man calls out, reaching for the slight silhouettes of figures he can see in the dust cloud.

  Crt

  The man, grabbing on the figures, grabs nothing but stone.

  “Dammit!”

  “Hya!” A shout from the hero echoes through the alley.

  ▼

  Holding the girl's wrist, I run out of the dust filled alley.

  The setting opened up as we crossed the threshold of the alley, entering a street. Buildings of various uses lined the street, the road had carriages passing by and people going about their daily lives. At least, they had been, before the commotion. I move forward, quickening my pace, the girl still trailing behind me.

  Plat

  After 5 minutes of running, the sound of flesh hitting stone came out from behind me. Looking back, the girl had collapsed.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Haah, hah, haah.”

  “Did I run too fast? Do you need water? ” I say as I bend down to her level

  “Haah, no, Haah… Thank, hah, you…” She replies.

  “I…” She says, looking back up at me.

  Her eyes are a teal color, they glisten under the light of the sun.

  “Sorry about the dirt, you must want to clean it off.” I said, looking at the damage of my spell.

  The girl, just like myself, was covered in dirt and dust.

  “Ah! I… Here.” the girl says, reaching out towards me.

  “Vider”

  The air stirs, the dust covering our bodies flows off of us. The spiritual wind carries it over to a nearby garden, placing the dust lightly down.

  ‘Thanks, are you okay now?”

  “Yes.. thank you so much” the girl says, looking straight into my eyes.

  The girl, now in full, clean view, was really cute. Her shoulder length silver hair slowly faded into a light blue. Her clothes covered every inch of her skin, A blue poncho with a fuzzy tan outline covered a black bodysuit. She wore a white skirt with brown boots to complete the look. Her teal eyes looked at me with genuine gratitude and relief. Pointy ears stuck out of her hair. An elf, huh.

  “That was amazing, how’d you even come up with something like that?” She said, looking at me with absolute amazement.

  “I mean, gathering all of the dust in the alley into one condensed clump, then using their attacks to make it explode! Then making decoys under the sound of their conflict, that was so impressive!” The girl exploded, still on her shaking knees. It's far more impressive that you knew what I did after watching it just once…

  The girl stared at me, earnestly wanting an answer of how I came up with that diversion. Her eyes feel like they only look at me, like I am the only person in the world to her.

  “Well… It's not actually that impressive…”

  “It's just something I read in a book.”