Dark clouds rolled over the heaven preventing the light from touching the land. Ravens gathered as piles of corpses litter the ground like the leaves in autumn. The blackbirds sang a hideous song that honors the death of the fallen, a song that narrates their defeat to the hands of the vicious and merciless demons. The elves fought bravely to their last breath, even the feeble and insignificant leonins gave their best to defend their homeland but all their efforts were in vain as the mighty forces of darkness poured upon them.

Dyrroth walked through the path of corpses never minding the putrid scent that reeks from their rotting flesh which the scavenger beasts feasted upon. He was counting the bodies of the fallen, both his soldiers and foes, and found amusement due to the fact that not even one demon died in the attack. Not that it mattered anyway since this place is merely an insignificant stronghold that guards a mine that they need to manufacture the machine he designed to win the war.

He felt something lightly hit his face and gazed up to see droplets of water raining down on him. The sky seems to weep the death of these forest dastards. Or it might be weeping in advance of the impending death of everything that lives in this forest because he will surely spare nothing that breathes in this blasted place.

"My lord." he heard Sorca call him. Dyrroth turned his attention to the demoness who bowed her head in respect to him.

"Is the rose blooming?"

"Yes, Lord Martis recently confirmed her well-being and improvement in combat. She is furthering her training and she is healthy and happy."

"Then I'm glad." A smile lingered on his lips but it soon disappeared before looking at her with a neutral expression.

"Tell the legion to begin extracting the necessary materials. We shouldn't waste time any more than we already have. Send the head of their elven general back to their castle. That ought to taunt them enough since I'm getting bored of waiting."

"Additionally, we can finally avenge your sister once we breach their castle and I can finally return to the arms of my precious rose." A dark chuckle escaped the demon's lips as he visualized a gruesome scene he planned for the elves.

"Most certainly, my lord. We will slaughter those swines and make our way to plunge the Empire in death. The Abyss will rule the world once and for all." Sorca declared before bowing her head and taking her leave. Dyrroth paid her words no mind and gazed upon the grey sky deep in thought about something.

"Ruby is happy, huh?" he mumbled.

The yelling of demons barking orders and the loading of metals in the minecarts broke the silence while the pine trees roared with the wind. The rain poured harder as the clouds grew darker and whipped the land with fearsome lightning. All these deafening noises fell unheard as the prince felt a terrible sensation swelling within his chest. There's something despicable gnashing in his ribs and screaming like a banshee. What is the name of this monster?

"She's happy... But without me. How could Martis pull it off and I couldn't?"

"Oh my, are you getting jealous? The Prince of Darkness and the everlasting Inferno is jealous?" interrupted an insolent little voice.

Jealous. Is that the name of this terrible feeling? A feeling so mundane and so mortal which has no place in a prince's heart, is currently bothering him.

"Well, Ruby is such a beauty and Martis is an unmarried handsome man. The Ashura allows women to marry multiple men so even if you're already bonded with her, nothing is stopping Martis from making a move on your girl. Wouldn't that be a spectacle?" Selena teased as she walked up to him.

"Nobody was asking for your opinion, you double-faced witch. Regardless of your foolish thoughts, I know that Martis won't double-cross me especially when it comes to women. He at least has some honor. Anyway, why did you come up to me in the first place? Are you only here to tease me or do you actually have something important to do?" Dyrroth said with annoyance due to the things that the Dark elf implied. Even if he denies it, he knows that he's getting jealous of Martis for having Ruby's attention. Dyrroth trusts him as an ally and as a friend but a filthy painful feeling grips on his chest whenever he thinks about the two of them spending so much time together.

"Teasing you was so much fun but I actually have an important matter to report to you." The uncharacteristic seriousness on the elf's voice caught his attention making him interested in what she has to say.

"Oh? Then what might it be that you find important for me to know?"

"A spy has been caught."

"I don't see what's so important about that? Just torture him and then dispose of him once you're done. You should have come to me when you finally have some results." Dyrroth said in annoyance before walking away to return to his tent and rest.

"Well, we did. But the things he said were what I came here for. He said that they were looking for Ruby." This made the demon pause on his tracks pondering her words.

"Why? What are they aiming for?"

"He said that... They wanted her dead."The Harbinger of Wolf has fallen in the Abyss. The priestess of Fenrisulfr must die lest she release the incarnation of evil too early in this world." The elves want to get rid of her. They're going to kill Ruby."

Silence lingered between them, confusing the elf. Why wasn't he saying anything? The demon's back was turned to her, that's why she can't see his reaction to this new information but she can only guess that he's beyond furious.

"What makes them so sure that I'll let them." Selena's eyes widened as fear suddenly gripped her cold empty heart. Dyrroth turned to give her a wide grin.

There was something in his eyes that terrified her. It felt like a beast was staring right into her soul and devouring everything that defines her existence. It was so cold, so dark and so sinister that even her, a creature that lurked in the deepest darkness of the Abyss, trembled with fear. It was Death itself that judged her with its merciless eyes.

"M-my prince?" was all she could utter as her lips quivered.

"A storm is coming and those who sought to harm my light will have to be punished with fire and blood."

"We will leave no one alive." Dyrroth turned his back on her and began walking away.

"Get some rest. Be ready to kill your sister and the rest of your kin by tomorrow. I don't want to see the hesitance in your eyes ever again or else I'll be the one to behead you."

"Yes, my lord." she replied as complete perplexity overtook her being. She can only stand and watch as Dyrroth retreated to his tent.

"What the fuck just happened?" she asked herself as she stood alone in the sea of corpses.

🌹

"Martis! Martis!" Ruby called as she ran through the camp with tears pouring out of her emerald-colored eyes.

The Ashura who was talking to some soldiers raised his brow as he turned his attention to the maiden who was running up to him like a child to her mother. He sighed and wondered what it could be again this time. He rolled his eyes before excusing himself from his soldiers and walking up to the wailing maiden.

"Martis! Martis!" she cried.

"What is it, Ruby? Can't you see that I'm busy?"

"But this thing... You see..." The girl tried to say in between sobs but failed to create any coherent thoughts so she showed him instead.

"What the fuck are you doing with a fucking snake?!" he exclaimed furiously as the girl presented him with a lycodon which pushed its tongue at him curiously.

"Did it bite you? Are you hurt?" alarm suddenly registered in his countenance as he began inspecting her body looking for any wounds but so far he found none.

"No, no, it did nothing wrong. It's just... It's so sad." Ruby said as she wiped her tears.

"Sad? What the hell do you mean?"

"He doesn't have any arms! Or legs! How is he supposed to survive out there with all those big and scary monsters if he can't punch them in the face or kick them in the nuts!? Martis, let's help him." The huntress begged as she cradled the snake into her chest. There was a brief pause as silence came from the Ashura king.

"Ruby you idiot!" He yelled, hitting the girl lightly on the head.

"Ouch! What was that for?!" Ruby exclaimed angrily while the snake also glared at Martis.

"Have you never seen a snake before?"

"Well we don't have one in the Dark Forest and I haven't seen one in the Abyss either so I thought that he's the only one like this. Poor thing." The Ashura sighed exasperatedly pinching the bridge of his nose.

"You idiot. What if you've got a venomous one instead? Snakes are dangerous even if they don't have arms or legs. They use their body to wrap around you and choke you to death before eating you whole. They will constrict around you till your bones break while their venom renders you powerless. You will die a terrible death."

"But they look so gentle."

"How the fuck can that thing look so gentle?!"

"Well, I don't think that they're that bad. I think that they're just misunderstood. Like this one, isn't that right, Lyca?" The snake wiggled its tongue at her as the girl rubbed their faces together.

"Don't give it a name and return it where you got it. Seriously, all you do is give me trouble. Continue with your duty or else there'll be no lunch for you." He reprimanded as he flicked the girl's forehead.

"Nooooo! That's so evil! Martis, you're so mean! I wish you die without getting married. Hmph!" Ruby exclaimed before running away to return the snake to its habitat.

"Ah, she's so cute when she's angry. King Martis maybe you should take it easy on Ruby. She's still a child you know." a soldier commented as they gathered near their king.

"I'm well aware of that but if she's going to survive in this world she needs to learn how to grow up especially since she won't be staying here for a long time. We can't protect her, that's why she needs to learn how to protect herself."

"But isn't she strong enough for her age? I mean, she's a young girl but she defeated all of us in combat yesterday." Aadesh commented, reminiscing yesterday's mock battle with the little maiden.

"Oh, yeah. It was terrifying how she looks so murderous whenever engaged in combat. The way she stared at me made me feel that I've been marked for death. I'm still having nightmares about it." Ritesh chimed in as he joined the conversation.

"I know that she's contracted with a God of destruction but it feels like there's something else where her darkness is exuding from. She's indescribably beautiful but there's something sorrowful about her."

"Oh, yeah she's really pretty. I wish that she can become my wife. Her skin as white as rice and hair as gold as the corn is really wonderful."

"What the hell? You're describing her like she's food. You're hideous Arash."

"All I'm saying is that Ruby is so unique and pretty. Even her name exudes beauty. It'll be such a waste if she doesn't get married at the prime of her youth. What do you think, King Martis?"

"Well, I think that the lot of you should stop chit-chatting and do some actual training! If a little brat can hand you your ass then that means that you need to get better and do something about it you idiots instead of lusting after a child." yelled the Ashura as he threw him back to the training ground making the rest of them follow fearfully.

"Boss is so edgy." he heard someone comment but paid it no mind.

"Nah, he's always like that."

"Yeah, but now it's a little extra. Perhaps he hasn't had sex for a while. He's so tense."

"Maybe he wants Ruby?" suggested another one.

"I think he likes his women younger."

"Didn't I tell you to stop chit-chatting!" Martis yelled before throwing an ax at them which luckily for the bunch didn't hit anyone.

It's been 3 weeks since Ruby came to Devas and many things have happened since then which includes her introduction to the soldiers as a new trainee and her wonderful experience living with the rest of the Ashura people.

"Herrons! I would like to introduce to you our new trainee. Her name is Ruby and she'll be with us for a few weeks, serving as a huntress while experiencing the intense training of an aspiring Ashura God." Martis said, almost yelling while gesturing to the maiden standing beside him.

"Hi." Ruby waved amicably at the Ashuras staring at her with wonder, lust, or innocent adoration.

"I've never seen anyone with hair like sunlight and eyes like emerald stones. Is she the daughter of a goddess??"

"She's so cute!"

"She's young and beautiful and those thighs are certainly the work of heaven!"

"How old are you, little miss?"

"I have a very big flock! Please be my wife!"

"Keep your mouth shut!" Martis yelled furiously, interrupting the words of adoration from his brethren who immediately kept quiet.

"She is already the partner of a friend of mine so I suggest that you keep away from her. I will allow no fraternizing and if you can only think of flirting with her then you can leave from my sight this instant! Treat her like no different from you, which means that no special treatment even if she's a female. I admitted her to our training because she claims that she's capable and today she will show us what she's really made of. Is that understood soldiers?!"

"YES, SIR!!" replied the trainees.

"Wow, they're certainly energetic." commented Ruby.

"And you. Include yourself among the ranks and keep your mouth shut."

"Yes, sir." Ruby said as she ran towards the front of the line where the others moved a few steps backward to give her a place.

"Now give me 1000 push-ups!"

"Yes, sir!"

The first weeks of her stay were spent on intense physical exercises with the rest of the Ashura soldiers in training. The experience was utterly dreadful. Ruby almost fainted about 50 times due to extreme exhaustion and muscle strain but she never gave up even with her small stature. It also helps that she's tapping into Fenrir's powers to give her a few buffs which hopefully will lead to better understanding of his capabilities.

This time she no longer restrained herself in using his powers, but of course, there's still a limit to how much her mortal body can handle the amount of cosmic forces coursing in her veins so she doesn't try pushing through her limits unless it's extremely necessary.

She was smitten by the charm of the Ashura people. Even though Martis is rough and a bit intense, his people prove to be individuals of their own that live peacefully and meaningfully as they function to provide for each other. In a way, his country is almost utopic given that everyone is happy and well-cared for. Crime is barely a problem here since everyone is doing something to provide for themselves. Martis can be harsh most of the time but it doesn't mean that he can't be a great leader.

Anyway, her hunting jobs consist of tracking down, trapping, and killing wild beasts and monsters that serve as food for the tribe or pose as a threat to the lives of the people or their livelihood. Her job wasn't easy but it wasn't very difficult as well since Ruby already knew the basics of hunting and mastered the skills required for it.

After her training and duties, Lady Shura would sometimes invite her to meditate with her in their sacred sanctuary where the forces of harmony and divinity are greatly amplified to help her speak with the gods. Ruby found her efforts very thoughtful and it helped to keep her mind at peace however Fenrir would seldom speak with her in this condition because he's a God of chaos and destruction. She had observed that Fenrir frequently visits her only when she's experiencing great conflict and a downpour of negative emotions which is understandable given his nature.

Ruby would get regular calls from Dyrroth, asking about her well-being and how the people are treating her even though he was in a much worse condition than she was. The demon was obviously stressed out and tired because of his ongoing campaign to bring the creatures of the Azrya forest into ruins and it seems that the job is proving to be harder than he expected. Nevertheless Ruby did her best to cheer him up and lighten his mood by engaging him in conversation and telling him about her day. Dyrroth doesn't seem to mind and was in fact interested in every single thing she does without his supervision. Their calls would always end with him telling her how much he loves her but Ruby would only reply with a smile and bid him good night.

She admits that it might be cruel to deny him how she truly feels about him but their wager makes things more complicated and she can't exactly tell him that she loves him too since she's still unsure of her feelings. In any case, it might just be Stockholm syndrome that's compelling her that there's something in her for him. Even though Dyrroth treats her well, his mere existence is a contradiction to everything that she believes in.

If you would ask her former self if she would accept Dyrroth as her partner, then she would probably reply that she will slit her own throat just to get away from him. But now, she can't even bear the thought of losing him that's why she's making excuses for herself not to use the pearl Terizla gave her. Maybe staying in the Ashura is what she needs to get ahold of her thoughts.

"Hey, Lyca. Does this look like your home? Everything looks the same so I'm just gonna put you down here and leave you to do your business. Maybe you can eat a whole boar too like Martis said you can." Ruby said as she gently returned the snake to the ground.

"Nah, I just digested one. Want an apple?"

"You can talk?!" Ruby exclaimed flabbergasted.

"No, up here sweetie. Look up at the tree." Ruby lifted her gaze to the branches of the tree overhead and saw a man around his mid to early 30s sipping wine in some golden cup. The man jumped from the branch and landed perfectly in front of her before bowing like an actor after a spectacular performance.

Now that he's down from the tree, Ruby can finally see his whole appearance in a better light. The man is well dressed in a fancy burgundy tunic and fur trousers; a red cape lined with fur hangs from his back and his whole outfit is adorned by golden accessories and embroidery. His hair is red like the sunset and his eyes were like the ocean being reflected through a clear mirror. To her, he looks like he came from the northern part of the realm, so what is someone like him doing in the middle of the forest?

"Who are you? Are you lost, mister? You don't look like you're from Devas? Are you a merchant that got lost in the forest? If so, I can lead you back to the city if you want."

"How very kind of you. What a sweet sweet child. But no thank you, I was just here to see the latest favorite toy of my son. He's not here so I guess I can play with it a little more than he likes."

Ruby doesn't know why but something about him is unnerving. She can feel the hair on her arm standing as the man scrutinized her. If he was some creep in the forest then there would be no problem because she can handle herself well but this man doesn't feel normal. Something inside her is screaming at her to run and never look back. Every sense she has is tingling with panic, putting her on high alert. Somehow it feels like her body knows that this person is bad news. She can see him, feel his presence, and detect his movements but it feels like he's not here at all. It almost feels like he's a ghost.

"May I know your name? I'm Ruby by the way."

"I have several names but you can call me Veles. May I interest you with a little story? I promise it will be very entertaining."

"No, I don't really want to because you're a stranger in a creepy forest. Plus if you start singing I'm gonna throw up."

"You're a funny little child aren't you? But don't worry I won't do anything bad to you. I can't hurt you after all."

"Okay, bye. I still need to train with the others so I'm going to leave now. Good luck with whatever." Ruby began walking away and didn't even turn back to take a last glance at Veles though she was putting all of her senses on high alert in case he tried something.

"There was a mischievous God who fell in love with a mortal woman, she was a huntress clever, beautiful, and strong. Although she can be gullible, gluttonous, and easy to deceive, the mischievous God loved her. He loved her face, he loved her hair, he loved the gentle voice of her sweet red lips. But most importantly, he fell for her courage, her bravery, her cleverness, and her sorrow. She was loyal, she was honest, she doesn't lie unless absolutely necessary. She was Valor incarnate. A person whom the god can never be so he desired her."

Ruby can hear the voice of Veles resonating from every direction as she traversed her way through the undergrowth. She cannot see him but it feels like he's everywhere. In front of her, behind her, in both her sides all at once but when she turns her head in a direction he's not there. Just who the hell is Veles? Is he a spirit of the forest she has offended? She frequently gets herself in that kind of trouble in the Dark Forest. She thought she finally graduated from that phase but here she is again being bothered by a mysterious stranger.

"He became her friend and companion in traveling and hunting down monsters. She was the huntress and he was her mage and for the God it was everything in the world. However one day the huntress was nearly struck down by a terrible beast. Argus was his name, a wretched angel who had fallen from grace and harmed the love of a God. As the huntress was drawing ragged breaths, the God could not accept that the first thing he has ever learned to love in all the infinite worlds, is dying before him. So he sought the wolf chained at the end of the world and took a portion of his soul by severing his heart to bring the huntress back to health. The claw of the primordial wolf gave her tremendous power to heal her wounds by harming others in battle, using their blood as a means to amplify her healing and that is why you mortals now have the ability of Lifesteal. Finally, the huntress was well again but they proceeded from there as if nothing changed." Ruby drew her sickles in a battle stance in preparation of anything that might come to harm her. Somehow, Veles's story resonates greatly with her heart. For some reason, his words sounded true and not just some made-up story.

"What do you want from me? And why are you telling me all this?" she screamed into nothingness as only the trees and the earth heard her voice.

"When the God finally worked up the courage to confess to his true love, he was met with utter despair since she's already in love with someone else, a demigod who had turned his back from divinity and believed in the power of humanity to move forward without the help of the gods. Such a foolish notion and yet he's the one she chose. Perhaps the god was a fool to think that a scoundrel like him will ever be as lucky as to be loved by a woman as magnificent as her."

"The huntress and the God severed their ties but the God could not accept it because he had given her his heart and she shattered it like a hollowed shell. Soon enough the huntress bore a child for the demigod; a beautiful baby girl blooming with her radiance. A child that could have been his."

"Enough with the chit-chat! Show yourself!"

"In a blind fury, the god tried to kill the child with his own hands but he found himself unable to do so. She is being protected by a powerful spell from all harm the God could do. But the God was cunning, he looked for ways to eliminate her because if he can't kill her, then someone else can. That is why he ordered his son, the wolf, to attack their fortress and assassinate the child. But for some reason the wolf did not follow through and instead saved the girl from harm bringing her to a faraway place the God could not observe. Until now that is."

"What the hell are you even saying? Why can't people just tell me things at face value? What's with all the riddles and metaphors?"

"Not a fan of stories I take?" Veles said, appearing in front of her when she turned around.

"What's your deal mister?"

"Nothing really I just wanted to see how you're doing. Let's see. Hmm. You really did inherit everything, didn't you?"

"Wh-what do you mean?" Ruby questioned perplexed by his words. She's becoming more and more fearful by the second.

"Well, for one you look absolutely like Althreya. She was a dazzling beauty in her youth until now. From your eyes, your hair, your voice, your body and I guess even her honor. You are Althreya through and through. You are such a beautiful child. If I knew you would be this fine I would have worked harder to woo her." The man had a playful tone but it was far from friendly. If anything it was mischievous and sinister like a storm waiting to be unleashed.

"W-w-who i-is Althreya?" Ruby stuttered as every moment with the man became heavier and heavier with each passing second. It felt like an induced fear quite similar to Fenrir's presence and yet more malevolent than even the God of destruction.

"She's your mother of course. The woman who abandoned you and sent you in the forest to die but then this nice couple got you and raised you as their own. You could have been my daughter but then she chose this other man and drove me away. We were friends, you know. And I love her greatly that's why I even gave her Fenrir's paw, what you call Haas' claw so that her mortality won't be a bane to her but what did she do? She rejected me to be with your lousy poor excuse of a father. Geez, kid, didn't you get anything from the story I told you?"

"Why should I believe any of your words? I don't even know you!"

"True but I'm just giving you a heads up so that you don't die ignorant."

"What? You're going to kill me?"

"Well, not me because I already told you earlier why you're immune to my magic but someone else will come to take your head. Also, I'm not here per say. I'm just a projection of a human form. It's my specialty being the God of mischief and illusions. Didn't my son ever talk about me at all?

"You're Loki! You're Fenrir's father. What do you want from me?! Shouldn't you be in a cave where poison is dripping on your face with your poor loyal wife catching it with her little bowl?"

"Shouldn't you be dying in a ditch with your tiny boobs and shitty skirt?"

"I don't know I guess I am kinda busy talking to a carrot no one would ever want in their food or much less even a dildo. No wonder Althreya chose someone else. It probably has something to do with the dick size."

"You little bitch. You're as sharped-tongued as Fenrir, aren't you? But you won't survive long enough to use it anymore. Thankfully those bastards are finally near. You know it only took a little "prophecy from the Gods" to coax them to murder you. I just needed to tell them that you will let my traitor son escape from his chains and destroy the world even before Ragnarok and they're fast to suck it up. They were able to plan to assassinate you while fighting your little demon boyfriend. Anyway, I should go. I don't wanna spoil the fun."

"Hey, wait what the hell are you talking about?" Loki suddenly vanished from the scene like a bubble that popped into nothingness. Ruby gritted her teeth in annoyance and anger however she didn't have any time to bad mouth the man anymore as an arrow shot past her. Thankfully her senses automatically kicked in allowing her to move away just in time to avoid being struck by an enchanted arrow that moved as fast as lightning.

Ruby turned her attention to the foliage and saw cloaked archers and assassins concealed in their robes that blended well with the forest. With their amazing skills at mimicry, it was almost impossible to detect them among the lush greenery and warm earthy colors. She knew that this ability is a special skill gifted to the guardians of nature instantly revealing their identities to her.

"Fucking elves. It seems that they can't be reasoned with so my only choice is to run and fight."

"Fenrir, your dad was kind of an ass so I'll take more than usual. You have a lot of explaining to do tonight." Ruby whispered as she felt the wolf's Authority coursing through her blood. Her verdant eyes turned crimson as runes began glowing in her skin, increasing her defenses and buffing up her offense. It felt like a bolt of lightning struck her as every bit of her body felt energized and powerful.

"If you live long enough to hear them then I would gladly comply. For now, show these twigs how mighty the power of wolf is!" A smirk appeared on Ruby's lips as she finally finished counting her enemies. There were 20 of them pointing arrows at her, some concealed in the branches while some hid under the brush with daggers drawn and poison brew. She is surrounded and outnumbered yet there's no place for fear in her heart as the air vibrated with a murderous aura.

"Heh. Let the hunt begin."