The Demon of the Three Rivers – Chapter 04

This is the 4th 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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So, two thousand years passed. And the demon and the demigod were a servant and his lord only in name. In actuality, they were more like friends.

The Demigod of Light had decided to stay in the world, just to make sure everything would be alright. Or at least, that was his initial thought. And by his side, of course, Velek, building up the Demigod’s and the Sun God’s trust, and learning his “friend’s” weaknesses.

Starting from the western lands, when the war had finished, they were in the east. And in the east, there was a small village, in a plateau, where two rivers descending the mountains used to meet and form a third one going down to find the sea, somewhere far away.

There was no place more beautiful than this, all around the world. It was as if nature there was trying to impress the eye. If it wasn’t so difficult to reach that land, I’m sure the village would have been a great city.

Even during the dark year, most of the flowers and plants there survived. Afterwards? Nature was restored to its previous glory in less than a year after the end of the war. There was a reason for these miraculous blessings.

This land of the three rivers used to have the greatest population of undines. In fact, it was said, that all the rest of the undines in the world were less than half in number compared to the ones living in this land.

This isn’t an accurate fact, to be honest. In actuality, only the one fourth of the world’s undine population was living there, but even that was far too many.

So, those undines were the ones who tried and managed – hardly – to keep the plants alive during the dark year. And those undines were the ones who restored it – easily – back to its glory, after the war.

Their population, though, had suffered a lot, for it is known that the undines have the power to purify the waters, and, by means of them, the land. So, the demons rampaging there, gave priority to killing them.

It was in this land the Demigod of Light decided to live, and he had been living there for the last two thousand years. And by his side, of course, Velek, who, by the way, had suggested the place.

The Demigod of Light had two useful weaknesses, as the demon had found out. His love for wine and his love for beautiful women. And where can one find good wine, if not in a land with the best soil, the best water and many grapes? And where can one find the most beautiful women if not where the greatest number of undines live? After all, amongst all the races living on this earth, the Elementals are the most beautiful, and foremost amongst them, the tribe of the undines.

And, of course, the son of the fairest of Gods could easily impress the average undine, just by means of his looks. But, as Velek expected, after a while the Demigod lost interest in the average ones. And then, Velek told him about Alina.

She was so beautiful that many would say not even a goddess could hold a candle to her when it came to her looks. Moreover, Alina was considered to be the most powerful of her tribe in magic. Alas, she was a priestess under a vow of virginity and she had never been known to show any interest in anyone.

Alas, yes, for the Demigod and for Alina, but not for Velek, who made sure to point out these facts. He knew the Demigod would find them more challenging than discouraging.

So, indeed the Demigod went to see her, and Alina didn’t give him a second glance. And thus, the Demigod became obsessed to make her his. For years he kept on trying his best, but to no gain. And Velek was always by his side to push him one step further.

“I can’t understand how she can refuse a man of your looks and your valour. Not to mention, a demigod and the son of the Sun God, to boot!”

This he was saying to the Demigod, after yet one more rejection, and while serving him more wine. Although, the Demigod had had more than enough, already.

“I’ve tried everything, yet she doesn’t even give me a chance.”

“Unbelievable! Unacceptable! If only… no… forget it.”

“What?”

“It’s nothing, really. The wine was talking. Don’t pay me any attention.” But the demon wasn’t drunk.

“Speak!”

“I can make her fall into your bed. I can’t make her fall in love with you, but I’m sure, once you have her, she’ll be head over heels for you. I mean, she must be blind! How else can she not realise what a golden opportunity she’s getting! But, of course, you wouldn’t need my help.”

“Can you really do it?”

“Of course! I’m a demon, you know!” And he refilled the Demigod’s glass, once more.

And the Demigod drank it in one gulp. “Then, do it, and I’ll owe you one.”

“Do you swear, in the names of the Supreme Gods, you’ll make it so that no god or demigod can kill me, once you’ve had sex with Alina?”

“That’s beyond my powers, but I can make it so that none of them will ever be able to see you, feel you, or find you. If they can’t do those, they won’t be able to kill you.”

“They may send others to kill me. So, can you make it that they won’t remember me, either?”

“Of course.”

“Then take this oath in the name of the Supreme Ones that from the moment you have sex with Alina, no god and no demigod will have any memory of me, and they won’t be able to see me, feel me, or find me, for ever.”

And the drunk demigod repeated the oath the demon had so carefully phrased.