Amara relaxed in the oversized bathtub, enjoying the heat seeping through down to the bones. Once again Amara was reminded of the significant difference of how one regarded heat, depending on whether or not one was relaxing with the purpose of enjoying the warmth.

When she thought back to her first fight, Amara didn’t feel as bad as she expected she would.

Maybe it’s because it was a kill-or-be-killed situation? Probably.

Though it wouldn’t have been one if I hadn’t brought the troll here. But I guess allowing it to kill the guy wasn’t an option either. Only other thing I could’ve done was throw it out somewhere else. 

But then it would eventually just attack someone else I suppose. 

Amara frowned as she tried to keep the details of the fight out of her train of thought. The feeling and sight of the halberd breaking through the troll’s skull kept resurfacing from her memory and making her nauseous. 

How did I end up in this kind of situation? Like, really.

I never wanted to fight. I still don’t want to.

I suppose I lack any real motivation for this fight. I mean I get that the demons are bad news from what the angels are saying, but it doesn’t feel personal in any way.

Maybe I can find some history books mortals have written to find what they think about demons?

Amara swam to the opposite side of the pool and rested with her arms on the edge.

Either way, I should prepare a bit more next time. I still haven’t even started making any combat oriented spells. 

Amara’s thoughts were interrupted as she heard Ezme’s voice in her head.

[Amara?] (Ezme)

[Hey, Ezme. What’s up?] (Amara)

[What do you mean? You’re the one who told me to call you. Tsk.] Ezme clicked her tongue before she continued in a sulky tone. [If you don’t want me to call you I can stop you know.]

Amara smiled gently as she responded. [No. I’m glad you called.]

[Yeah, you ought to be!] Ezme exclaimed before her voice turned considerate. [...Hey, is everything okay? You sound a little unsettled.]

Amara sighed. [I’m just thinking about some things.]

After a pause Ezme answered. [I can listen if you want.]

Nawh. Look at her, she’s dependable now. Wait, did you hear that?

It was silent for a while as Ezme didn’t answer, and Amara thought the angel hadn’t heard her until Ezme spoke, but her voice lacked the same level of concern. [Do you want me to listen to you?]

Amara smiled as she replied. [Thanks, but I think I have more of a question in mind currently.]

[Oh?] Emze’s questioning reply came.

[It wouldn’t be possible to get another champion in my place would it?] Amara asked the question she already felt she knew the answer to.

[Well, no. If the champion backs out it counts as a premature loss. And even if we could replace you, it wouldn’t be very pleasant. First you’d be killed, and then Father’s gift would be ripped from your soul. Or ripped and then killed. Or both at the same time. Anyway, unpleasant!] Ezme explained.

Amara snorted and sunk deeper into the bath. [Yeah, doesn’t sound very pleasant.]

[Indeed.] Ezme asserted. 

Amara sank into thought until Ezme picked up the conversation again. 

[Any other questions?] (Ezme)

[...Have you ever felt bad about killing?] Amara eventually asked.

[Oh.] Ezme paused as she thought about her answer. [...So far I’ve only killed demons. Killing them makes the mortals safer. So in the end I’m not that bothered by it.]

[I see. What about the demons? What do you think of them?] (Amara)

[They’re twisted. They enjoy only the suffering they inflict on others.] Ezme’s tone became filled with disgust as she answered.

Amara sighed as she leaned her head back on the pool’s edge and looked up at the ceiling. [I guess against such an opponent your actions will always feel justified. Has anyone tried to negotiate with the demons though? Make them stop?]

[Demons can’t be reasoned with. Most of them seem...limited in intelligence. More like beasts that follow their instincts. Don’t get me wrong, they're smart - but the only ones that seem capable of communication are the demon lords.] Ezme explained and considered before continuing. 

[Besides, the demons only do what their god tells them to. So if you wanted to negotiate with someone, it’d be the Devourer and other gods like him. But I suppose those negotiations aren’t going too well, as we have this war that has been going on since...forever?] (Ezme)

Ezme continued in a humorous tone. [But I wouldn’t count on getting an audience with him, I hear he’s unfriendly to visitors. Anything but a god will simply be...devoured?]

[Alright, I get it.] Amara sighed. [Looks like war is the only option then.]

[Indeed.] (Ezme)

Realizing that Amara didn’t have any serious questions left, she diverted the conversation. [Speaking of, how’s it going? You sound a bit tired.]

[Oh you know, kill one demon and two more take its place before long. I’ve already lost count.] Ezme responded exasperatedly. 

[Sounds rough.] Amara replied seriously.

[It is.] Ezme sighed.

A wry smile spread on Amara’s face as she decided to tease the angel to lighten the mood. [I suppose it might be expected though, I haven’t heard anything about angels having any form of general education.]

Ezme’s shout echoed in Amara’s head. [Insolent! I’ll have you know I do know how to count!]

[Alright, want to prove it? Would you count a billion seconds for me?] Amara teased.

[Certainly. One, two, three-] Ezme began.

Amara almost began laughing and immediately interrupted Ezme. [Hold on. Do you know how long it would take to count to a billion?]

Ezme’s answer came after a pause. [...A while?]

Amara smiled as she replied in an amused tone. [Thirty years or so can be considered a while I suppose.]

Silence was the only answer Amara received as a reply. Oh dear, sounds like she’s embarrassed. 

[Still want to count for me?] Amara asked.

Ezme snorted and replied snobbishly. [Nah. Sounds boring. Counting is a bothersome task that should be left for mortals.]

[And here I thought I mattered to you, Fluffles. You won’t count for me?] Amara teased.

Ezme’s angered howl resounded in Amara’s head. [You don’t! Insufferable! Count on your own!]

A smile tugged on Amara’s lips before she answered. [Hey Fluffles, when will you get back?]

[I don’t know. It’ll be a while.]

Amara threw another jab at Ezme. [...Not a billion seconds I hope?]

[Insufferable!] Ezme retorted angrily.

Amara smiled. [Take care, Fluffles.]

[I will. And stop calling me that!] Ezme protested.

Amara grinned as the conversation ended. 

 

________________________

 

After finishing her bath, Amara chose to snatch more books from the libraries on Ramay. More specifically, books on history and theology to see what she would be able to find about demons. 

None of the history books contained any records about demons from recent history. Although there were plenty of mentions of demons in the theological books that depicted the demons’ brutal nature, next to none of it seemed anything like reports of identifiable events. 

The cases that did seem like it, only told of a great war in the past, but even the details were far gone. 

It’s more like everything is just to remind and warn about the demons’ existence, and their possible return. 

Amara frowned. If I could steal records from my own domain, I’d probably get to learn quite a bit of information. But I’m not allowed to touch them with my divine power.

I suppose having a mouthpiece in this case would be useful.

But on the other hand...I can find plenty in the world where Ezme is. 

Make A Call: Ezme.

Amara activated Farsight as she followed the path she felt the divine power come and go as Ezme answered.

[Amara? I’m kind of busy.] Ezme’s strained voice came. Amara’s sight arrived at the world after memorizing the path and she took in the birdseye view of the battlefield. She quickly diverted her sight from the bloodshed.

[Just needed to call you in order to peep on your world. Hey, do you know where I can find any historical records of demons in that world?] (Amara)

[Some of the cities to the north I guess. Where the demons aren’t.] Ezme replied tiredly.

[Thanks. Hey, come back soon Fluffles. And take a break.] Amara reminded her.

[I’ll try.] (Ezme)

 

Amara began her search. As she already was at the battlefield, she snatched a couple weapons to compare later on. Among those she found staves, which most likely were weapons magicians used. Amara only took a couple items in total, as she didn’t wish to impact the battle.

There must be some on Ramay too. I wonder why there were none in the treasuries there - maybe they have something like an organization for magicians that keep them somewhere separate. 

Using Farsight, Amara followed the roads that had the occasional group of what looked like refugees and soldiers headed in opposite directions, until she eventually reached a larger city. Once she found the libraries and began searching, she found plenty of records regarding demons. 

When reading through them, Ezme’s words were more or less confirmed.

So the demons made their appearance, or reappearance, centuries ago. They were few at first, and were considered merely high-tier monsters it seems. That was until their god Biradol confirmed that the newly emerged monsters were indeed demons.

But as long as their numbers were few they were only considered powerful vermin. But once their numbers grew, the kingdoms most affected tried to negotiate apparently. But any attempt was merely met with silent, angry violence.

Looks like those kingdoms lie beyond where the battles are taking place, and several kingdoms fell during the centuries. During that time the angels began making their appearance and pushing the demons back, but the demons would always return in greater numbers.

Alarice said that Ezme was deployed as rearguard. I wonder what defenses they will be preparing at the city, or if they will abandon that too and move the line even further back. There didn’t seem to be much in terms of preparations going on from what I saw.

I suppose I’ll keep tabs and see how things progress.

But in any case, even the mortals seem to agree that demons can’t be reasoned with.