Arbal may seem to be a critical point in their attempt to find a way to counterattack, but in the mind of Eshdar, the whole idea seemed like a false hope disguised as a strategic importance. No matter how he looked at it, the small town would never be able to hold back an army of demons, especially not if the demons in question were demons from the lower circles of Hell. In his three years fighting against the Hellish Incursion, none gave him the most fear than demons beyond the Third Circle, which included the horse demon he fought alongside Albert and Lilac, and Gurlon, the snake demon that almost took over Lilac, causing her appearance to change permanently. Both times, the experienced Demon Hunters managed to defeat them, especially Albert, who was revealed to be a very experienced Demon Hunter. He felt lucky that he was travelling alongside Albert.

But he knew luck had nothing to do with it. Even Albert repeatedly told him that he had a courage where people would falter. The vulpine hellhound felt rather optimistic because of it, but then he heard about Stadelitz, and he felt his courage falter slightly.

Fortunately, Eshdar wasn’t alone in this matter. As he worried about the situation in Stadelitz, he stumbled upon Nergora. Sovarn, his companion, was already taking his rest while Nergora took first watch. In Eshdar’s eyes, Sovarn and Nergora seemed to be the closest of friends. Unlike Ifrit, they traveled together far longer than the couple of months Eshdar had with the black-furred hellhound. Considering how things had developed in such a short time, he wondered if things were different for his half-brother.

Eshdar considered this to be the best time to know the albino hellhound better. Compared to Ifrit, Nergora seemed…distant. It was like he deliberately tried his best to stay out of conversations, only talking if he had a differing opinion or if he had a good suggestion. Most of the time, he only listened to conversations. Either the group rubbed him the wrong way or it was a conscious attempt on his part. Like his powers, he seemed cold.

So, Eshdar approached and sat beside the hellhound. Nergora looked at the dimly lit Tragorian landscape with a serious expression on his canine face. He seemed tense.

“(It pays to relax, you know),” started Eshdar, trying to lighten up the mood. “(If you’re expecting trouble, it will surely come. Ever heard about that?)”

“(Can’t afford to if trouble is expected),” said Nergora. “(Beyond this hill is the enemy’s territory. We are at the frontline).”

“(Whoa, hey. Calm down. You sound like you are wishing for a fight to come. Take a breather, Nergora. It helps).”

Nergora seemed to follow Eshdar’s advice. He amusingly exhaled ice crystals from his breath, lowering the temperature around him quite a bit. Even Eshdar felt the cold despite his thick coat of fur (he was a vulpine hellhound, after all).

“(Feelin’ alright now?)” asked Eshdar.

“(Yes),” said Nergora. “(You’re right. I may have been a little too tense. With our travels and everything that has happened since the Incursion, we cannot afford to relax).”

“(I wonder. How long have you two been traveling together? You and Sovarn, I mean).”

“(Ever since I came to age and refused the throne),” said Nergora. “(At least I am aware of my heritage and my father’s plan towards Ifrit. Otherwise, I might hold a grudge).”

“(Still sounds like you’re supposed to. Losing your claim to the throne is never going to be bloodless).”

Nergora chuckled. “(You’re thinking about me and Ifrit, don’t you? Do not worry. After finding out about his own story, I can only sympathize with him. Still, it’s fair to say that I haven’t been a good brother. How can I? I was young, selfish, and quite frankly, rebellious. I was born out of wedlock from an ice demon my father summoned. It’s not like I don’t know how he looked at me and thinking about kicking me out once a true Schelkz heir was born. Still amused by how ironic it all becomes).”

“(Damn. That’s harsh, mate).”

“(Not really. I don’t want to be a part of his legacy, not after realizing how ruthless Hynorsi Schelkz could be).”

“(Considering the claim of one disgruntled former general, I can understand why no one seemed to like him at all).”

Eshdar remembered what Rhynsa claimed about his quickly abandoned attempt on Ifrit’s life, or the fact that many hellhounds, despite of being against the Uprising, condemned Hynorsi and Leahn Schelkz for inspiring such act in the first place. It was clear how bad the Schelkz family’s reputation was.

Trying to change the topic, Eshdar asked, “(So, when was the first time you realize you’re a half-demon)?”

“(Quite a while now),” replied Nergora. “(I once thought it’s just a simple albinism, but when I accidentally froze a hellhound in a fight, I learned a thing or two).”

“(Then you trained to use it?)”

“(It wasn’t easy. I never realized how devastating the element of ice could be. Most of the time, using ice exhausted me. Fortunately, I had 15 years to learn how to control it. But the knowledge of wielding such dangerous power means that I can’t get too involved with anyone).”

“(Really? I think I heard you talk about a failed relationship).”

“(Is that how you ask about someone’s life?)”

Realizing how awkward it sounded, Eshdar became embarrassed and said, “(Sorry. It…doesn’t came out right at all).”

Nergora did not seem to mind but being reminded of it did not make it easier for him. In fact, it only served to let out a recent unpleasant memory of a relationship that he was forced to end.

“(It’s for her own protection),” asserted Nergora. “(I do not wish to see her heart break when she realized who I really am and why I was never in one same place more than one or two days. I know who I am, Eshdar, and I know what a demon can do to a surface dweller and Underworlders).”

“(But, uh…Lilac…).”

“(I believe my brother is not aware of his demonic blood. If he did, I think he’d be reluctant, too. Nothing good can come from being involved with a demon).”

“(Okay, I get what you mean).”

“(Glad you are).” Nergora then looked as if he accidentally said something offensive. He quickly said, “(Sorry).”

“(No, I’m sorry. I don’t know how touchy that subject is for you).”

Nergora shook his head. “(If there is a way to do it without risks, I would gladly take it. I can’t bear the guilt of ruining an innocent life for the sake of my own desire).”

There was a silence as both contemplated what they just talked about. Eshdar had no idea that having a great power would also mean exchanging something important in life. Hearing Nergora’s reason not to pursue further relationship made Eshdar think that Ifrit looked like an irresponsible hellhound. Not only did he corrupt Lilac, but now he did not even return to Lilac. Of course, that was if special circumstances were not put into consideration. Ifrit was killed and returned to life. Nergora even surmised that Ifrit wasn’t aware that he was a half-Infernal before he was being told about it. Lilac never blamed Ifrit for what happened to her. Rather, she regarded this as her wish coming true.

Then, breaking the silence, Eshdar sighed and said, “(I just wanted to know a bit more about why you’re so grumpy. Can’t believe we strayed too far from that).”

“(You could’ve just asked).”

“(I prefer something less direct. You know…a little chat? Before the inevitable?)”

Before Nergora could reply, there heard a loud shriek. Both quickly snapped towards the source of the noise and saw an impish demon being burned to ashes by the cleansing barrier activated earlier that day.

“(An imp? Is that the best they can do?)” commented Eshdar.

“(They’re testing the waters),” said Nergora. “(And their first move).”

As soon as Nergora said that, the dark plains suddenly lit up with crackles of the cleansing barrier that intensified as demons, most of them lesser, were being fed towards the barrier like fodder. Eshdar was worried that the barrier wouldn’t hold, which was quickly confirmed by Albert as he and Lotte ran towards the two hellhounds.

“That barrier will not hold very long against a barrage of them!” said Lotte. “Get into position now!”

Eshdar and the others had discussed the defensive position they should use when an attack happen. The hellhound nodded and quickly readied his bow and arrows. Then, he heard Albert calling his name, which he quickly followed.

“Come on, Eshdar!” said Albert. “We can’t waste time!”

He was momentarily distracted by a high-pitched scream when one of the lesser demons turned to ash. He realized that the screams were also used as a twisted way to damage the assembled army’s morale. Eshdar could see one of the surface dwellers becoming unnerved by the agonizing deaths of the demons.

After he reached Albert, Eshdar said, “They really don’t pull any punches, do they? Those bone-curdling screams really do their work!”

“They know how to manipulate fear,” said Albert. “That, plus their disregard of war crimes make them the worst enemies that we can’t prosecute.”

“Good thing we can kill them. How long will the barrier last?”

“Not very long. We really need more than just three demon hunters doing the rituals.”

“Then, we’ll do this the old-fashioned way.”

Both Eshdar and Albert ran towards the highest point in Arbal: the watchtower at the top of the town hall. It was one of the older structures in the town, but it held on due to its stone construction. The top of the tower was perfect for an archer and a sniper’s vantage point, as Albert had noticed. Their only problem, however, was the attack starting when the night was at the darkest, in line with Lotte’s prediction. To make it worse, the town had no searchlight, only electric lights near the edge of the walls and the crackles of the demons trying to get through the wall. Eshdar had an advantage over Albert since he had proper night vision like all canines. In fact, every canine people had proper night vision, making them good handlers of rifles to shoot the demons in the dark.

Everyone quickly became alerted by the bell that Lotte rang. The rest of the defenders rose from their beds and readied themselves for a battle that started in the dead of the night. This included the volunteers who stayed behind to defend their homes, arming themselves with whatever rifles and weapons from within their own inventory or their guardhouse, all of which had been loaded with Albert’s anti-demonic bullets, which were guaranteed to kill any demons that were shot by them.

Many who volunteered or drafted had experience with using a gun, based on their own past fighting against the hellish incursion. Others volunteered because they wanted to bolster the strength of the defenders, yet they were worried that it would not enough, especially after most of them were already unnerved by the screams of the sacrificial demons thrown into the barrier to weaken it.

But the barrier held despite the barrage of lesser demons and corrupted victims thrown at it. Lilac, by this point awake and alert, quickly readied herself, shotgun in hand. She trained herself on how to use the weapon, despite of its heavy recoil. She managed to compensate by using her rattlesnake tail for balance, along with the increased strength caused by the incomplete corruption. She preferred to use her claws and her fangs, which she found were venomous. She wasn’t sure if being a snake-wolf would have its benefits regarding appearance, but in a fight, she would be a deadly opponent.

“Deadly as a snake, smart like a wolf.” Those were the words she lived by after accepting herself. She could be both, for the unifying element of both was her humanity. She walked the path of not only a woman, but also a snake and a wolf. She never regretted her new form, for it was one, and not three.

Lotte readied herself with the rituals and her own claws. Lilac noticed this and said, “Are you sure your claws and teeth will work against demons?”

“Not without the cleansing ritual. Albert gave me an idea of coating myself with cleansing aura,” said Lotte. “It’s not something normally taught, but Albert being Albert, I don’t think I’ll ever learn what he learned.

“Well, it’s like what they say. Experience is the greatest teacher.”

“Well said, miss Rezmirn. Well said.”

Lilac smiled, glad that she could be of help. “You ever fight as a werewolf?” she asked.

“A couple of times,” she said. “You?”

“Never against demons. But I fought as a snake. Also, I prefer my guns over my fangs. The venom isn’t exactly good against demons.”

“Then I hope you know where to aim,” said Lotte. The Lycan’s body then slowly seemed to bulk up from her more humanoid appearance. Lilac knew this was her turning into something more bestial than the form she already used, shown by her claws getting bigger and her body becoming bulkier. Soon, she looked closer to a monster than a Lycan, ready to rip and tear any demons coming her way.

Lilac wasn’t sure if Lotte could understand her words or even reply to her in that form, but she just said, “Good luck. May the goddess of the moon bless your hunts.”

Then, to her surprise, Lotte said, in a gruff voice, “Shame there is no moon tonight.”

It was a shame, thought Lilac. But, despite the lack of blessings, she couldn’t just assume the worst.

She survived three whole years fighting demons, not cowering in fear of them. Whatever came forward would have to come through her.

Thus, with a determination, she pumped the shotgun and said, “Come, demons! Have at you!”