Rearing Demons
Chapter 111: The War Begins

Chapter 111: The War Begins

For the next few days, Yur began his purge through the city. At this moment, he was heading deeper.

Yur snuck into the large castle, his movements swift and precise. Thanks to Velmira, who had turned hundreds of guards into his followers, his infiltration was effortless.

Her power is useful. Very much so. He admired the ease with which she manipulated others, though deep down, he resented the fact that such a power didn’t belong to him.

"All I have is yours. I shall turn anyone and anything you desire into your followers," Velmira assured him, noticing the flicker of desire in his eyes.

"I know." He nodded, masking his unease. "Have the guards located all the royals?"

"They have," she confirmed. "They are being transported to the location you specified."

"Good. Begin drawing the ritual circles using their blood, the exact way I showed you." He couldn’t afford delays. His enemies were growing, and even his supposed allies were beginning to surpass him.

That is something I will never allow.

Jisvruul, progress report?

Master, the third ritual circle is complete, but we lack enough blood to draw the last two.

Not enough? Yur rubbed his chin in thought. Take the younger prince. Nyz, do you have eyes on the king yet?

Master, the king is four kilometers from Verlont with his army. They have yet to engage.

Still gathering forces, huh?

Infiltrate Verlont and capture a royal. Use them to bait the king.

Understood.

With that, the mental link severed.

Turning to Velmira, Yur issued his next command. "I’m heading to Dyranto. Have the guards begin a massacre, drive everyone toward Freau."

His voice was cold, detached, as if the thousands of lives he was condemning held no more value than mere livestock.

"As they flee, eliminate anyone too powerful." His eyes darkened. "I won’t tolerate another hidden Luminous Heart cultivator like the one in Freau."

Velmira smirked. "Consider it done."

With a graceful leap, she soared into the air, her cloak billowing behind her as the guards charged into the city, their blades raised high.

Yur narrowed his eyes as two great black wings, tattered yet magnificent, unfurled from his back.

With a single beat, he launched into the sky, streaking toward Dyranto.

Behind him, flames consumed the castle, and the city trembled with the sounds of wailing and despair.

————————————————————————

Zhal watched the grieving family as they wiped their tears, recounting the tragic past.

So, this is what happened?

He exhaled softly, lost in thought.

Over the past few days, the queen had shown him warmth he never expected. She treated him as one of her own, ensuring he was cared for, despite his role as a guard.

She even tried to protect him.

It was unfamiliar. Strange. And yet...

I don’t hate it.

A small smile crept onto his face.

"Zhal, when Xia leaves with you, take care of her, alright?" Fren approached, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "I never met Aunt Willow, but I know her story. Xia means everything to us. Keep her safe."

Zhal quickly nodded.

"Thank you." Fren smiled.

Zhal turned toward the queen, who beckoned him forward. As he approached, she embraced him warmly.

"’My sister meant the world to me. To her, Xia was everything. Be kind to her. Protect her.’" Ley translated her silent words.

Zhal placed a hand over his chest in solemn agreement.

The queen gently cupped his cheek, smiling, her eyes still wet with emotion. He returned her smile.

Zhal, Jisvruul is coming for the young prince. Find a way to hand him over.

Yur’s cold voice suddenly echoed in his mind.

Zhal’s stomach lurched.

T-Traa Traa... (What do you mean, Master?)

Jisvruul is coming for Prince Fren. Prepare the body.

Zhal’s fingers trembled.

T-Traa... (B-But why?)

Zhal... Yur’s tone slowed ominously. Are you questioning me?

Sweat trickled down Zhal’s face.

T-Tra Tra Tra! (No, Master! Never! I just mean—Fren is you—)

Seems you need to be recreated. Yur’s voice grew icy.

Zhal’s body stiffened in fear.

T-Traa! (No, Master! Please!)

Jisvruul will take the prince. You will be recreated after the war.

The mental link severed.

Zhal’s hands clenched into fists, his breath shallow.

What do I do?!

Panic surged through him. Yur would erase him, remaking him into someone unrecognizable.

He had only just begun to experience life. To understand warmth, to feel something real.

And now, it would all be stripped away.

His eyes darted to the family in the garden, now chatting peacefully after reliving their painful memories.

They don’t know what’s coming.

"Zhal, are you alright?" Silo’s voice cut through his thoughts.

She stepped forward, noticing his pale face and trembling body. "Oh my—Zhal, you’re shaking! Are you feeling sick?"

The others turned at her words.

"Zhal?" Ley and Fren walked over, concern etched into their expressions. Even the queen looked worried.

Zhal’s heart pounded. His throat tightened.

Gritting his teeth, he turned to Fren.

With frantic movements, he gestured wildly.

"What is it?" Fren frowned, unable to understand his desperate signs.

Without hesitation, Zhal dropped to the ground and scrawled three words in the dirt.

RUN!

————————————————————————

Julian stood at the front of the army, beside him, Xia.

"Xia, when the battle starts, stay with Polu in the air," he instructed, glancing at the old hawk she sat atop. The beast, scarred and weathered, flapped its great wings beside him.

"Got it, Dad." She nodded.

"Good." His grip on his sword tightened. "This battle will be dangerous. Another Luminous Heart cultivator may appear."

He knew Yur could handle two of them if needed, but that was under the assumption they showed themselves.

"This won’t be like our spar in the castle," he warned. "This is a true war."

Xia’s expression grew serious. "I understand." Then, softer, she added, "I trust you."

Julian reached out, gently patting her cheek. "Thank you, my baby. When this is over, I’ll find you the most beautiful dress and throw the grandest wedding."

Despite his concerns, he had accepted her growing feelings for Yur. The man had proven himself—at least, for now.

Xia blushed but nodded happily.

"Alright, Polu. Take her high into the sky." Julian patted the hawk’s head.

With a screech, the beast soared upward, carrying Xia to safety.

Julian turned to face his army of tens of thousands.

Most were either first-rank cultivators or mortals, with only a handful reaching the second rank.

"Soldiers!" he roared.

The army fell silent, eyes locked on their commander, weapons clenched in trembling hands.

"This war is no longer just about survival!" Julian’s voice boomed, carrying across the battlefield. "Freau will rise and expand! We will seize victory! This war will be our rebirth!"

His eyes blazed.

"ARE YOU READY?!"

"RAAAAAAH!" the soldiers roared in unison.

At their deafening cry, Dyranto’s walls bristled with defenders.

"GET READY TO DEFEND!"

"GET READY TO ATTACK!" Julian countered, wild anticipation in his eyes.

Raising his sword, he bellowed the final command.

"CHARGE!"

Like a tidal wave, the army surged forward, the earth trembling beneath their march.

————————————————————————

High above the battlefield, Yur observed the chaos. A tsunami of dust clouded the battlefield, blinding the defenders.

His gaze drifted across the field, finally settling on Xia.

"Xia," he murmured.

He tossed aside the severed head in his hand, watching it fall. Luminous Heart cultivators here are too weak. He clicked his tongue in dissatisfaction.

One Rank Five down.

"Yur?" Xia’s voice pulled him from his thoughts.

She watched as he approached, his wings—black as the void, tattered yet eerily beautiful—fluttering against the wind.

Landing atop the hawk, he sat beside her.

"What are you doing up here?" he asked.

She didn’t reply. Instead, she threw her arms around him, planting dozens of kisses across his face.

"Calm down, Xia," he chuckled.

She finally pulled away, eyes shimmering. "I missed you. You left five days ago without a word."

"If I had spoken, leaving would have been difficult." He smiled. "But now, the war has begun."

Xia sighed, leaning into him. "I hate war."

"Luckily, this one will be short," he assured her. "One Rank Five is dead. The other is hiding."

"You killed one?" she gasped.

"Easily." Yur smirked.

His gaze lowered to the battlefield.

With the war underway, the Ritual of the Hollow begins...

————————————————————————

Zhal’s heart pounded in his chest as he sprinted through the burning remnants of Freau, the Queen and Ley clutched tightly in his arms.

I’m already a dead man—but I have to protect them! I have to!

The sharp, searing pain in his skull grew worse with every step, like jagged blades twisting inside his mind. Yur’s wrath loomed over him, pressing down with an unbearable force. The command to obey screamed inside his head, but he pushed forward, ignoring the agony.

The Queen gasped in confusion, her body trembling against him, while Ley clung to his arm, eyes wide with fear.

"Zhal, what’s going on?!" Fren shouted from behind, his breath labored as he ran. His voice was panicked but trusting—he didn’t stop, even as uncertainty clouded his face.

Zhal gritted his teeth. He had no time to explain. No time to warn them.

"Traa Traa!" He rasped, forcing words from his ruined throat.

"I don’t understand you!" Fren snapped, still running beside him. But despite the frustration in his voice, he kept going, matching Zhal’s desperate pace.

A slow, amused chuckle echoed from above.

Zhal’s stomach dropped.

The laughter slithered through the night like a venomous whisper, chilling the air around them.

"He’s trying to tell you," the voice drawled, "that someone is coming to kill us all. Aren’t I right, Zhal?"

Zhal’s breath hitched.

His instincts screamed.

Without thinking, he threw the Queen and Ley toward Fren, shoving them with all the force he could muster.

"TRAAA!!"

RUN!!

A shadow streaked through the air like a vengeful specter, descending upon them at terrifying speed.

Tsk tsk. The voice grew closer, mocking. Amused. "Nyz is so much better than you, Zhal. Master told me to bring you back. It’s time to leave."

A blur. A rush of wind.

Zhal barely turned before a cold iron grip wrapped around his throat, lifting him into the air.

He choked, his legs kicking violently as he clawed at the hand strangling him.

Jisvruul’s black eyes stared into his, dead and empty, filled with nothing but cruel amusement.

"You disobeyed Master?" Jisvruul sneered, his grip tightening like a vice. "For them? These useless tools?"

Zhal thrashed, trying to break free, but Jisvruul’s strength was overwhelming. His body flashed through the air, dragging Zhal with him in an instant.

Fren barely had time to react before Jisvruul’s foot slammed into his chest, sending him flying backward with Ley in tow. The sound of their bodies colliding against a stone wall cracked through the night.

The Queen barely had time to scream before Jisvruul snatched her up by the throat.

Traa (Let her go, please!) Zhal’s vision blurred with panic. His hoarse voice barely made a sound, but he struggled, kicking, fighting, clawing at Jisvruul’s arm.

Jisvruul tilted his head. "No."

His jaw unhinged.

Then—he bit down.

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