A Demon's Core

I am starting to feel suspicious of how peaceful it has been for a while. I have been able to summon two more imps since Violet came back and am almost ready for another one, but we have seen no sign of any human activity during that time. I would like to believe that it is a good sign, but a part of me worries that this might simply be the calm before the storm. Maybe I am just overreacting due to how much has been going on recently compared to how things were before the humans found us. It would be nice if that were the case.

I had wondered briefly if I should put a pause on summoning new imps for a while, at least until we have come to a definitive decision about whether or not we will be leaving the city. If we do leave, travelling will be easier with a smaller group. When I brought it up with Rose and Violet, they were adamant that I should continue. They insisted that an imp’s primary strength is their pack. Whether we stay or go, having more imps will make them all safer. Even if a larger group makes travelling more difficult, it is worth it for the added safety. So I will continue.

When it is time to summon the next imp, Rose, Violet and a few others gather at the rift once more to greet the new arrival. When the new imp appears and receives some clothes, we encounter an unexpected problem, though one we have dealt with before. When Rose and Violet speak to her, she does not appear to understand. When she replies, it is clear she is not speaking the same language.

“Your language?” Violet asks, turning to Coal.

“No,” he replies.

It was understandable for Coal. For a different type of imp that is so distinctly different, it makes sense that they would live separately from other varieties, possibly a great distance away. So speaking a different language would not be surprising. But this new imp does not look different from the other imps I have summoned; the same body size, the same dark hair, red skin and red eyes.

Some of the imps I have summoned have had noticeable accents and some have occasionally used words that I and the others do not know, but this is the first red imp that did not speak the same language as the others at all.

Does that sound in any way familiar to you? I ask Rose.

“No, I’ve never heard anything like it,” she replies, “but I don’t really know anything about any languages other than Balkret.”

Sorry to put this on you again, but do you think you can teach her?

“Certainly, after our experience with Coal, I think we have a much better idea of how to go about it.”

How is Coal progressing? I have noticed him speaking occasionally.

“He’s doing remarkably well. He still has a long way to go, but he’s picking it up faster than I expected, especially considering how we couldn’t understand each other at all at the start. I’m sure your influence is playing a part in that,” she excitedly reports.

How so?

“We have already observed how being here can improve our minds. It doesn’t seem unreasonable that it could be facilitating easier language learning and comprehension,” Rose explains.

That certainly sounds plausible. Perhaps you could also ask Igneous for help. He might be able to speed things along.

“Igneous? Do you think he would know her language?” She asks, looking over to the grey rock in the corner of the room.

No. He was able to understand you when he initially arrived here. At first I just assumed that he must also be familiar with Balkret, but then he was also able to understand the humans the first time he met them.

“So because he uses some kind of telepathy and doesn’t communicate with words, you think that maybe language isn’t a barrier for him?” Rose suggests.

Yes, that is my current hypothesis.

“I will go ask him.”

While Rose talks to Igneous, Violet is eagerly giving the new imp a tour and showing off all the interesting things that the imps have gathered in their time here. She is not going to let something like not being able to understand each other’s words get in the way of making a new friend. They are soon joined by Rose and Igneous and the new imp looks up at him in awe while Rose explains to Violet that he has agreed to help with teaching her to speak their language.

Later in the day, Aster, who was on watch, came down from the roof. He knocks on the door to Rose and Violet’s bedroom, but receiving no reply, he rushes over to my chair.

“Human car is here. It stopped near hotel.” He reports. That immediately puts me on edge.

How close is it?

“Near the big door.” At the main entrance then, so they are not trying to be subtle.

Was it only one car?

“Yes, only one.” He confirms.

Was the car pulling a trailer, or was it just the car?

“No trailer, just car.”

How many humans are there?

“I don’t know. Came to tell of car before humans get out. Other imp still watching to count humans.” His watch partner was one of the recently summoned imps who has not yet chosen a name, if I recall correctly.

Good, head back up and send the other one down if he has counted them.

Aster rushes out of the room to make his way back up. This is rather inconvenient timing as most of the imps are not here right now, even the hellhounds are out at the moment. Though I can summon them back if necessary so it is not too serious of an issue. I reach out to Rose to inform her of the situation.

How far away are you?

‘We’re at the river. Why? Has something happened?’ She responds with a concerned tone.

Some humans have shown up.

‘Do you need to summon us back?’ She asks.

I do not know yet. Their intentions are still not clear. Just start making your way back here for now, I will tell you when I know more. Are the hellhounds with you?

‘I haven’t seen them. Are they not at the hotel either?’

No. They left with Calla, Lily and Calyx, shortly after you did. It is not a problem, It just means that they will not get prior warning if I do have to bring them back.

It is then that the other imp who was on watch enters the hallway of the fifth floor. I do not wait for him to come to me and appear at his side.

Did you see how many humans there are?

“Yes. See five.” He replies.

What can you tell me about them?

“They have boxes.” That might be concerning.

How many boxes and how big were they?

“All humans carry one box,” he reports.

So five boxes, each small enough to be carried by one person? Still, that does not tell me much. A lot of different things could fit in a box like that.

Did you notice anything else unusual about them?

“Not know unusual for humans,” he says.

Of course, this imp is relatively new, so he has never seen humans before. It makes sense that he would not know what would be considered ‘unusual’ for humans.

That there are only five humans is a little encouraging. If they were planning to attack, they probably would have sent more than that. But that could depend on what is in the boxes. If they contain something dangerous, then maybe all they needed was enough people to deliver them.

I am soon shaken from my thoughts by Violet contacting me.

‘Rose says there are humans coming. Are they here to fight?’ She asks.

Their objective is still unknown. They have not reached anywhere I can see them yet.

‘We’ll be there soon. And if they want to fight, we’ll make them regret it.’ She confidently declares.

When the humans enter my field of perception, I anxiously track their movement as they slowly make their way up the stairs. I am incredibly relieved when they leave the stairwell on the fourth floor and head into the meeting room. Appearing in the room, I see that William and Cassandra have returned, along with three other men who are placing the boxes they carried on the table.

One of the boxes is a smaller, square cardboard box that could probably have been carried under one arm with little difficulty. One similarly sized box and two other larger boxes are made of a solid black plastic. The larger boxes are both rectangular, but one is longer and thinner than the other. There is also an orange plastic box that has been placed on the floor

The first thing I do is reach out to Rose and Violet to update them on the situation.

It is just William and some others from the DMO. It does not appear to be an emergency. I would still appreciate it if the two of you would come back, but any others who are with you can return to doing as they please for now.

After they confirm that they are almost home, I turn my attention back to William.

William, Cassandra, welcome back.

“Magentam! It’s nice to not see you again.” William calls out cheerfully.

I am not sure how to respond to that and after a moment of silence, he looks towards Cassandra.

“Not funny?” He asks her and she rolls her eyes in response. “See, this is why I joined the military instead of becoming a comedian, no one seems to get my jokes.” He chuckles to himself at his apparent attempt at humour.

What brings you here today?

“Right, to business. We have some slightly good news regarding our investigation and we’ve also brought some gifts.”

Slightly good news?

“Before we start,” he turns to the three men who accompanied them, “Please go back down and wait in the lobby until we need you. Some of the topics we discuss here might be considered classified. Cass will lead you out.” William instructs them.

“How many times are we going to be expected to walk in and out of this dungeon today?” A gruff, middle aged man with greying hair asks.

“I know it’s unpleasant, but you will be suitably compensated for the trouble,” William promises. “Now, please,” he gestures towards the door and Cassndra heads out with the three men following behind. “And don’t forget the rules,” he calls out to them as they leave.

“Yeah, yeah, don’t attack the little demons or their pets. We got it.” One of the men retorts.

Do they not also work for the DMO?

"They do, but after the incident with the leak, security has been tightened a bit. Particularly in regards to the handling of sensitive information." William explains.

If there are going to be humans waiting downstairs, I should inform Rose and Violet so they know what to expect.

There will be some humans hanging around on the ground floor when you arrive. They are not enemies, so please do not attack them.

‘We’re already here, but we don't see them.’ Rose replies.

Oh, well they should still be coming down the stairs right now. Violet, can you please keep an eye on them so they do not cause any trouble and also make sure that if anyone else comes back, they do not attack the humans.

“Ok, so, we’re pretty sure we have figured out who has been sending all these goons to attack you.” Wiliam begins.

Is that so?

“A man by the name of Franklin Walters. He’s some big shot CEO of a major weapons manufacturing company. He has previously been implicated in numerous crimes, including the theft dungeon cores.” he continues.

If you know all that, then why has he not been apprehended before?

“Well, apparently there’s never been enough evidence to-” William cuts off as the door opens and Rose enters the room.

She casts a glare at William as she approaches the table and climbs up onto one of the chairs

You saw the humans on their way down? I ask her.

“Yeah, Violet and the others are keeping an eye on them. The new ones were particularly interested in them. Likely curious because they haven’t seen humans before.” She replies, still glaring intently at William over the table.

Is Cassandra coming back up?

“The female human? Yes, but I saw no reason to wait for her.”

Focusing my attention on the stairs for a moment, I can sense Cassandra winding her way back and forth along the narrow path that I have laid. She is just passing the third floor now so even if she hurries, it will still be at least a few minutes before she returns.

“Is anyone else coming? Would you like me to wait before we continue?” William asks after Rose remains silent for a while.

I do not have anyone else coming so you would only be waiting on Cassandra.

“I suppose I probably should wait. Her job is information gathering after all. She wouldn’t want to miss anything.” He states.

And so we wait quietly for Cassandra to return with Rose never taking her eyes off William. He attempts to put on a friendly smile, but she just stares daggers at him the whole time. He looks quite relieved when Cassandra finally returns.

“Excellent, you’re back. Now we can continue, we’ll also be joined by this little lady here.” William says, gesturing to the imps across the table from him.

“Yes, I’m aware. We encountered her and several others on our way downstairs, including Violet and Coal. The rest are going to be watching over our guys down in the lobby, but apparently this one is Rose.” Cassandra replies and William's eyes go wide with surprise.

“Are you certain of that?” He asks, gazing intently at Rose.

“Violet referred to her by name when giving instructions to the others.” She confirms.

So it seems they did not even recognise her after the change in her appearance? Even though, other than the colour on one side, her face has not actually changed. I suppose they have only seen her a couple of times, so maybe it is understandable that they might not realise that this imp with unique colouring is the same as the plain red imp they have met previously.

“Magentam, is Rose the dungeon guardian?” William asks with a serious tone.

It is unfortunate that Violet’s slip up allowed them to make that inference. I will have to remind her to be careful what she says around Cassandra as she does understand Balkret, at least to some degree. There is probably not much use in denying it at this point as they may just assume that I am lying and that might make further negotiation more complicated.

She is.

“May I ask how many guardians you have? Are either Coal or Violet also a guardian?” Cassandra inquires.

I have no reason to share that information.

They might believe me if I told them that Violet is not a guardian after I was willing to admit that Rose is one, but it might be better to keep them guessing, especially if they are assuming that Coal might also be a guardian. Since Cassandra’s job is apparently gathering information, obfuscating the facts might be a better strategy than outright lying.

“Fair enough. We won’t push you on that front. Shall we get back to our original topic then?” William suggests.

Yes. Please do.