The Demon of the Three Rivers – Chapter 03

This is the 3rd Chapter of “The Demon of the Three Rivers”. To find the whole chapter list click here.

Also, do remember, this is a prequel to “The House in the Lake”, so, if you haven’t read “The House in the Lake”, there will be some spoilers.

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The sun was about to set for the third time, when the news reached the village where Velek was, at the moment. A demigod, they said, all alone, had descended on the world in the Sun God’s temple of the Capital and was fighting the demons and the beasts. And not just that. No demon had escaped his arrows and blade, the rumours said. And he was coming to join the army of the heroes.

This would be Velek’s army, as the people used to call it, but, again according to the rumours, the demigod had called it “the army of the heroes”.

In any case, though, although the news was too good for anyone to believe, people believed it. Maybe just because they needed to believe in something good.

“If the Sun God’s son is coming here from the Capital, we should head his way, to meet him as soon as possible.”

And, by these words, Velek’s army got ready and started heading towards the Capital.

Two days they were travelling, killing beasts, until they were surrounded by a whole army, not of beasts, but of demons. They were the demons gathering to ambush the demigod, but they caught the army of the heroes, instead.

The heroes fought a brave fight, but the truth is, only Velek could fight against the demons on equal terms. But the demons were too many. About half of the heroes were killed. But then!

A hundred arrows came at once, and none missed its target. A hundred demons died in an instant. And then, a hundred more. And then, the few remaining ones were gone, as well.

And Velek and the remaining army of the heroes saw a single man, standing about two hundred metres away, holding his bow. And the man came to them.

“I’m the Demigod of Light and I have come to clear the lands from the rampaging demons. And, also, I have come to ask you to join me.”

And the heroes ran to his side, praising him and thanking him. Welcoming him and joining him. But Velek… didn’t move an inch.

The Demigod of Light turned to him. “Are you coming, or not?”

Only then, did this peculiar being agree to join the Demigod’s army. And following him, they freed the lands, all over the world, in just two months.

After one battle had finished, the Demigod of Light announced the war had ended and the rampaging demons and beasts were no more. So, after that fight, the army of heroes threw a feast to celebrate their victory.

And when alcohol had most of the heroes either dancing or sleeping, the Demigod of Light offered one more drink to Velek.

“You did a great job in the war, even before my arrival.”

Velek noticed the Demigod didn’t offer any thanks. He took a sip from the drink and then he spoke, plainly, looking at the wine, not at the one sitting next to him.

“The war has ended, and the world is getting back into order and into peace. So, oh Divine One, has the time come for you to kill me? And if so, will you give me the chance to offer a last prayer to your father and yourself, my, with no disrespect, friend?”

“My father has told me to repay your prayers by being merciful to you. And on top of that, I’m not killing a friend. Even though you are a demon. For even demons have the right to regret their evil deeds and change their ways. That’s why the Gods don’t kill them, unless they have to, after all. But I can’t let you loose, my friend. So, you’ll spend your eternity serving me.”

And the demon smiled, joyfully. Everything was going according to his plan.