The ship cut through the void in silence, following closely behind the dark-red vessel of the demon general. From the viewport, Dragos slowly came into view.
It was impossible to miss.
The planet burned.
Not in the sense of destruction, but existence. Vast stretches of the surface glowed with molten veins, rivers of lava carving glowing scars across blackened land. Volcanoes dominated the horizon, some dormant, some actively spewing fire and ash into the atmosphere. Even from this distance, I could feel it. The fire laws here were dense, aggressive, alive. They pressed against my senses the moment we entered orbit, as if welcoming us in their own brutal way.
Three moons circled the planet. One was cracked and glowing faintly from within. Another was dark, almost absorbing light. The third burned with a dull crimson hue, reflecting Dragos’s surface like a watching eye.
Saleos stood beside me, arms crossed, gaze fixed on the planet.
"This is Dragos," he said quietly. "The demon headquarters. Our home."
The fleet slowed as it adjusted course toward the brighter side of the planet, where structured lights formed patterns across the surface. Massive cities were embedded directly into mountains and volcanic plateaus, their architecture angular and severe. Spires of black metal and stone rose alongside lava falls.
Saleos continued, his voice steady. "The planet is divided into two halves. The civilized sector and the free sector."
I glanced at him.
"The civilized half is where the Demon Monarch resides," he explained. "Administration, military command, research, industry. Order. Structure. Laws."
"And the other half?" Steve asked from behind us, pressing his face close to the viewport.
Saleos’s mouth twitched slightly. "Chaos. Freedom. Survival of the strongest. Anyone can live there however they want. Fight. Hunt. Build. Destroy. No interference unless it threatens the planet as a whole."
"That sounds... fun," Ragnar muttered.
"It keeps balance," Saleos replied. "Despite appearances, demons are unified. When the Eternal threatens us, Dragos answers as one."
He paused, then added, "Ninety percent of the forces you fought beside to close the rift came from this planet."
That earned silence.
The ships descended toward the civilized sector, passing through layered defensive barriers that shimmered briefly before allowing entry. The heat intensified, then abruptly stabilized as Essence fields adjusted around us. The city below was enormous, carved into the side of a mountain range that stretched far beyond the horizon.
The general’s ship touched down first. Ours followed soon after.
The moment the hatch opened, hot air rushed in. The ground beneath my boots hummed faintly with hot Essence.
The old general stepped out ahead of us, his heavy armor clanking softly. He gestured forward.
"This way."
We moved through wide platforms and ascending paths carved directly into the mountainside. Demons of all kinds passed by. Some paused to stare. Others bowed their heads slightly. Word was already spreading.
Our destination came into view as we ascended higher. It stood on one of the peaks, separate from the main palace, but close enough that the massive central mountain loomed in the background like a silent monarch watching everything below.
The structure was built from dark stone, its design elegant but restrained. Large balconies overlooked oceans of clouds and lava-lit valleys far below. Essence barriers pulsed quietly, keeping the environment stable.
The general slowed and turned back toward us before leaving, his heavy armor shifting as he faced me fully.
"This will be your residence," he said, gesturing toward the structure. "Servants have been informed. Everything here is yours to use. Rest, recover, and prepare yourselves. There will be a celebration tonight."
I inclined my head slightly. "We appreciate the hospitality."
He studied me for a moment longer, then nodded.
"You did more than close a rift today," he said. "You gave Dragos something it hasn’t felt in a long time. Relief." His voice lowered. "And momentum."
I met his gaze. "We didn’t do it for gratitude."
A faint smile creased his weathered face. "Good. Gratitude fades. Results do not."
He straightened.
"I’ll spread the news myself," he continued. "The Demon Monarch will hear of this soon enough. Until then, consider this place neutral ground. No politics. Just rest."
I nodded. "That’s all we want for now."
The general gave one final nod, then turned and began walking away, his escorts falling in beside him before flashing out in streaks of red light.
Only after they were gone did the tension ease.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then Steve exhaled loudly. "Wow. Demons really know how to pick vacation spots."
"Vacation?" Knight said flatly.
"Workcation," Steve corrected.
Ragnar stretched his arms and laughed. "I like this place. Feels alive."
Silver looked tired but satisfied. "I just want a bed."
Aurora had already wandered to the edge of the balcony, staring out at the horizon, lightning flickering faintly around her fingers.
Lyrate tilted her head, eyes scanning the mountain range. "The land itself is aggressive. I like it."
Mazikeen crossed her arms, expression unreadable.
Servants arrived soon after, efficient and silent, guiding us to our respective rooms. The interior of the guest house was warm, totally different from the heat we were feeling outside.
As we dispersed, Lyrate leaned closer to me, a knowing smile on her face.
"Steve won’t be joining you tonight," she said.
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
She glanced down the hall. "He’s with Mazikeen."
From somewhere deeper inside the guest house, Steve’s voice echoed. "I swear I didn’t mean it like that—"
A loud thud followed.
Lyrate laughed softly.
I shook my head and headed toward my assigned room. North was already there, standing by the window, watching the volcanic horizon.
The door sealed behind us with a soft hum, cutting off the distant sounds of Dragos. For a moment, neither of us spoke. The glow from outside spilled through the tall windows, painting her silhouette in shifting reds and golds.
I stepped closer and wrapped my arms around her from behind, resting my chin lightly near her shoulder.
"Are you okay?" I asked.
She let out a small laugh and leaned back against me, completely at ease. "More than okay."
"That doesn’t sound like someone who just walked out of a rift war."
She turned slightly in my arms, enough to look at me from the corner of her eye. "I’m excited," she said honestly. "For the first time, it doesn’t feel like I will be left behind. I can feel it. My body, my skills. I’m progressing."
I smiled. "Ranking up?"
She nodded, eyes bright. "Yeah. Transcendent. When I was in Vaythos the best I wanted was Grandmaster."
I brushed my thumb along her arm. "I did too."
She faced forward again, resting her hands over mine. "Also," she added, almost casually, "I kind of like our small group. It’s fun to be around everyone."
I chuckled softly. "Yeah. A weird bunch for sure."
She laughed again, light and unburdened. And as I stared into the red glow, my thoughts drifted to the future that was waiting for us. I was optimistic.