Rearing Demons
Chapter 87: Consequences

Chapter 87: Consequences

Within a large cave, a heavy gray aura erupted, causing everything to tremble and splinter.

The nearby trees, which resembled bleeding eggs, cracked open, flesh spilling out.

The mountain caves shook, and black rocks tumbled down.

"He’s finally breaking through?" Outside the cave, Nia stared with wide eyes.

The aura around her was powerful, at the Essence Forge realm. On her back were a set of white wings made from essence. She floated in the air, avoiding the powerful eruption, yet her eyes shone with excitement.

Unlike her, Fyr was having trouble breaking through, as he wanted to master the new essence he had discovered and use that for the breakthrough.

The essence permeating from the cave gave off an overwhelmingly deathly aura. Anything that didn’t break began to melt—but not in the way flames would. It was as if time itself was melting them.

So this is the Duskgrave Essence? She was shocked by its power and lethality, instantly aware that it would decimate her in an instant, no matter what she tried.

He’ll sit in second place in the rankings, maybe even first, with this new essence.

There was no jealousy in her thoughts—just pride and excitement.

She had been in love with Fyr since the day she first saw him years ago. His maturity, his calm demeanor... she loved it all.

Hours passed as she watched him. His breakthrough took much longer than hers, yet at last, it began to settle.

Though the surroundings were completely destroyed—a mess of blood, flesh, and melted rock—she flew down, ignoring it all.

Her only concern was Fyr and how his progress had turned out.

"Fyr?" she called out, stepping into the cave as the silence deepened.

She had to wait only a few seconds before a reply came.

"Come." A powerful yet calm voice.

With light steps, she walked into the cave, which was in an even worse condition than the outside. But that was expected; it had taken the full brunt of the essence.

As she walked through the dark tunnel, a dim, organic glow flickered in the distance.

In front of the eerie flames sat a man cross-legged, his upper body bare. A new tattoo wrapped around his right arm and chest, something both enticing and wild.

"You changed this much?" she murmured, stepping closer. Her lover’s eyes were now a sandy brown, and his hair had turned a dirty blonde. His muscles seemed even more defined, and his height had increased slightly.

Normally, human cultivators didn’t undergo physical changes during breakthroughs—unless they were practicing special methods.

Fyr was not one of those people. Yet, his body had transformed. Standing up from the ground, Fyr beckoned her over with a small smile.

She walked forward, her gaze tracing the tattoo. "What are these?" she asked, noticing odd runes embedded within them—symbols she didn’t recognize.

"I’m not sure, but they help me cycle my essence." The tattoos suddenly pulsed with a dirty brown hue, and the cave trembled.

Nia found herself encased in a protective bubble as the entire chamber threatened to collapse again.

"Powerful, right?" Fyr chuckled. Despite being in the same rank as Nia—Essence Forge—his strength was vastly more potent and dangerous.

In the past, she could match him.

Now? She couldn’t even hold a candle to him.

That was how much of a difference a powerful essence could make.

"Very," she admitted, still in awe. During their time together, she had attempted to comprehend Duskgrave Essence with his help, but there had been no luck.

For some reason, she wasn’t compatible with it—while Fyr wielded it as if he was born for it.

"Now what?" she asked. They had achieved their goal of reaching the next rank. With their Essence Forge strength, they could be promoted to elders in their sects or remain disciples—it was up to them.

"I think it’s time for me to head back now." Now that his strength had grown so absurdly high, Fyr was sure he could handle even a few Valgath. That meant he could finally try to save Celis.

You waited long enough. I’ll come and get you.

Though he had wasted time, he didn’t consider it wasting.

Whether it was hunting demons, sleeping with Nia, or ranking up—it was all for Celis. At least, that was his reasoning.

"Already?" she pouted, looking at him with disappointed eyes.

Fyr smiled and casually pinched her cheeks.

"Relax. We’ll meet again. We can make it official once I’m done with my business."

"Can’t I come with you?" she asked hopefully.

"And what about your sect? They’d lose their minds if you just disappeared."

Fyr understood the Guardian Sects well. If their strongest disciple suddenly abandoned them for a different sect, there would be consequences.

"For now, stick with your sect. It’s just a matter of time."

"Alright..." she sighed. "Well, I think I’m done here, too. I don’t need to stay in Zulmasharr any longer."

"What about the hostages?" he asked.

That was another task given to them—one nearly impossible to accomplish.

"How could I possibly save them when most of them are with eighth and ninth-rank demons? The only ones with Valgath demons are titled demons."

The Guardian Sects wanted the hostages saved, but the difficulty made it almost impossible.

Which was also why the reward was so high. The hostages were important—which was why they were hostages. Unless someone like Celis—who could now match titled demons—was involved, it was a lost cause.

Of course, there were other ways to save them. Like meticulous planning. Which Ris had wanted to do. But even that was more difficult than fighting the demons outright.

The hostages wouldn’t be in open spaces. They’d be hidden in cells. "Anyway, let’s head back. I want to return to my sect. It’s—"

As he spoke, a sudden pressure descended upon them.

Narrowing his eyes, Fyr scanned his surroundings. There shouldn’t be any Valgath nearby! This is a safe zone!

His battle instincts flared as his aura immediately shielded both himself and Nia.

"Calm down." A strong yet calm voice echoed. "It’s me."

Fyr turned toward the cave entrance and saw a familiar figure approaching.

His eyes widened. "Sect Master!" He quickly bowed. "Nia, bow down!" With a firm hand, he pushed her head into a bow as well.

"It’s fine. Raise your heads." The man standing before them was none other than Sect Master Hinjo. Hinjo’s gaze flickered between them, then nodded toward Nia. "You must be Nia."

"Y-yes." She nodded, feeling awkward. Her arm was still wrapped around Fyr’s waist.

It felt like she was caught by her in-laws—an extremely awkward feeling.

"Essence Forge? Very impressive." Hinjo nodded, then turned his gaze toward Fyr. "You too? So, three from your batch have now reached rank six?"

"...Three?" Fyr frowned in confusion.

"The friend you’ve been so diligently trying to save—Celis—also broke through. Just a bit before you."

Hinjo’s gaze was sharp, carrying a hint of disappointment. "I am very disappointed in you, Fyr."

Fyr’s stomach twisted. "I—I’m sorry," he muttered, ashamed. He had abandoned not one, but two friends.

"There is no room for ’sorry.’" Hinjo shook his head. "But alas, that was fate for you both. At least one of you survived."

Nia, who had no idea what had happened in the Land of the Mother, wisely stayed silent.

"Your punishment?" Hinjo said coldly. "You will tell Celis what you did."

Fyr’s face drained of color. "S-Sect Master, can I get a different punishment? I beg you! Give me something else—something worse, even."

"No." The Sect Master shook his head. "This is what you deserve. And he deserves to know the type of people he surrounds himself with, doesn’t he? Perhaps if he understands the situation, it won’t be as bad."

Hinjo then turned his gaze toward Nia.

"Go back. Or do whatever you wish." His eyes sharpened as he continued. "I shall be taking your little lover for a period of time."

Before Nia could react, Fyr and Sect Master Hinjo vanished from the cave, leaving her alone.

————————————————————————

Celis finally reached the portal. He took a deep breath.

So, I’ll be entering the Nor Region, the place where Sect Leader Olmi fought a Demon King. A man who made history...

Stepping through, a strong ray of light struck his eyes. He lifted his hand, blocking it.

"Hello, Celis." As he adjusted his vision, he suddenly heard a voice. Celis rubbed his eyes and turned to the side. "Sect Master?" He raised a brow, his reaction not as drastic as Fyr’s had been. After all, his master was the Azure Lord, someone far more powerful than Sect Master Hinjo. "What are you doing here?"

"I brought you a friend." Hinjo smiled before waving his hand, and suddenly, Fyr appeared out of nowhere. "He wanted to speak with you about something."

"Fyr!" Seeing him safe and sound, Celis nearly teared up. "I thought you were dead!"

He rushed forward and pulled Fyr into a tight embrace, his smile wide and ecstatic. "Bro, I thought you didn’t make it."

Feeling his stomach twist even further, Fyr gave Celis a weak smile, hugging him back, though not as tightly.

"Where are the rest?" Celis asked, worry clear on his face. Fyr shook his head, his gaze falling to the ground.

Seeing this, Celis’ expression paled, but he only shook his head. "At least one of you survived."

Although he tried to keep his voice steady, both Hinjo and Fyr noticed the crack in his tone.

The group had been close, very close. Celis had built deep friendships with them, starting from their time as new disciples. They had done everything together—missions, training, life itself.

To lose nearly all of them so suddenly was unbearable. Yet, Celis had never had the time to grieve them.

Fyr avoided his gaze, noticing the small tear welling in the corner of Celis’ eye, threatening to fall. "At least you made it." Celis pulled him into another hug, his heart tearing apart. "To think we lost them all..."

His body trembled. "Yeah." Despite everything, Fyr also felt the weight of the loss. They had been his friends too, people he cared about. But he had chosen survival. Am I really so wrong for wanting to live?

"Fyr, you wanted to tell Celis something, no?" Despite the heavy atmosphere, Hinjo pushed him forward.

He had seen much death in his life, and to Hinjo, honesty was essential, no matter how painful.

Celis wiped the corner of his eyes, his expression bitter. "What is it?"

He wasn’t completely focused; his mind still lingering on the pain of loss.

"Well..." Fyr turned toward Hinjo, his eyes pleading. But Hinjo only stared at him, waiting for him to continue. Fyr sighed and took a deep breath, nausea building in his stomach. But he still spoke. "This is what happened..."

As Fyr explained, Celis’ expression froze. "What?" He stood there, his body stiff from shock.

Fyr continued, explaining what had happened after, including how he met Nia and his own thoughts; most of which felt irrelevant now.

"Bastard!" A terrible aura erupted from Celis, suffocating Fyr on the spot.

Even after breaking through and gaining more power, he’s still this much stronger than me? Fyr’s shock rendered him speechless.

"You abandoned him?! You abandonedme?!" As his fury soared, large wings sprouted from Celis’ back.

Hinjo’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he remained silent. Who would question the successor of the Azure Lord?

"Celis... I really tried—"

"Shut the fuck up!" With a clenched fist, Celis punched Fyr, sending him flying. "To think you not only left us to die, but got distracted by a fucking girl?! Do you have any idea what kind of torture I went through?!"

Hovering mid-air, Celis glared at the bleeding Fyr from above, his Azure aura tinged with red.

"You have to trust—"

"Trust my ass." Celis’ gaze burned with raw fury. "Pathetic."

Without another word, he turned around and vanished.

Fyr’s lips trembled, but he forced himself to stand, his body aching, not just from the punch, but from the humiliation. But... not from anger.

"Alright, time for us to go back now." Hinjo didn’t allow Fyr a single moment to recover.

He grabbed him—and disappeared.

These were the consequences of Fyr’s actions. How they would impact his future... and whether his friendship with Celis could ever be salvaged—

That remained to be seen.

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