In the depths of the Underworld, a realm as vast as that of the gods, Lilith observed the passage created by Velda-a corridor surrounded by dimensions designed to prevent weak demons from escaping. These barriers, present on both sides, were so powerful that merely approaching them was enough to weaken or even annihilate any demon lacking sufficient strength.
Schela, attentive, declared:
"I now understand what my mother meant."
Anube replied:
"Yes, only a primordial demon or a demon king can cross the Underworld so easily."
Lilith laughed:
"Hahaha, did you see that? Velda crossed those dimensions solely by her speed, without even using teleportation!"
A low-ranking demon could leave this world only if summoned elsewhere or helped by a superior demon.
Schela confirmed:
"Her movement speed now seems limitless!"
Elika, the fifth demon king, wondered:
"Could Velda have become a primordial demon?"
Anube explained:
"No, Velda has the ability to increase her power at will, surpassing even our hierarchy. Before, she struggled to influence an object as massive as a planet, but today, she manipulates entire worlds effortlessly."
Elika insisted:
"So, what is she really?"
Zarachie, the tenth demon king, intervened:
"She remains a demon king because this power level is only temporary. Her progression is rapid, but she has not yet stabilized this new plane."
Elika, doubtful:
"A demon king with the power of a primordial? Even archdemons can increase their power at will!"
Schela clarified:
"Yes, but they only become better archdemons, gaining new abilities without changing hierarchical rank."
Zarachie added:
"And to increase their power, one must know how. Even we, demon kings, can do it, but our hierarchical plane remains unchanged!"
Elika, still skeptical:
"I don't see the point; I could eliminate Velda if I wanted!"
Anube retorted, amused:
"Are you joking? Velda's exponential ascent changed her hierarchical plane, which is normally impossible. It's like a flea suddenly becoming a lion in the jungle!"
Ephrath, the third demon king, concluded:
"No need to explain further, Elika. Velda is now a superior demon king, that's all."
Amused by their quarrels, Lilith moved away to attend to other matters.
Lilith headed to the lower zone where the low-level demons were. There, GAaron, crying, called out:
"Mother, look what she did to me! I can't even regenerate!"
His arm bled heavily.
Lilith, serene, replied:
"Why worry? You transcend life and death; nothing can truly kill you. Show me your arm."
GAaron, worried:
"Yes, but she touched my source; it's unsettling!"
Lilith, mocking:
"You shouldn't have provoked her. Own it instead of complaining!"
She healed GAaron's wound, his arm immediately regrowing.
"Thanks, mother!" he said, waving his hand.
"Next time, manage it yourself; you could have regrown a new arm alone!"
GAaron, embarrassed, admitted:
"I panicked; it slipped away from me..."
Spreading her black fallen angel wings, Lilith picked up the broken sword guard of Erasa, then dashed at lightning speed, crossing all dimensions of the Underworld to land directly in the world of existence.
Using her detection skill, Lilith extended her perception across an entire world, searching for Velda and Erasa.
"Hmm… found… Erasa, hihihi! I'll watch you for a while, just to pass the time."
She then activated Presence Erase, a demon skill often used to escape the most dangerous among them.
In a human village, under heavy rain around two in the morning, most inhabitants took advantage of the downpour to rest. Yet, in one house, a couple and their child were awakened by a loud noise on the roof.
The woman asked worriedly:
"What's that noise?"
The husband replied pragmatically:
"I'll check; it's probably ice blocks formed by the rain."
Putting on his coat, taking an umbrella and flashlight, he opened the door. Outside, the night was dark, rain falling in thick curtains.
He shone his flashlight on the roof and was stunned: a young girl, appearing about 15 or 16 years old, stood there, naked, looking at him.
Surprised, the husband asked:
"Uh… who are you? What are you doing naked on my roof? You shouldn't be out at this hour, especially in this rain; you might get sick."
The girl silently looked at him without answering, then stood and left.
Suddenly, a dark violet energy enveloped her body.
The husband, frightened, murmured:
"Is that black magic? Witchcraft? Are you a disciple of the great sorcerer Boaz?"
But the girl vanished completely, leaving only a faint violet glow that quickly faded.
The husband wondered:
"Where did she go?"
A little further, an explosion sounded in the forest, increasing his fear. He wondered if the girl had come to curse the village.
Driven by curiosity and fear, he ran toward the explosion site, his flashlight sweeping the wet trees.
There, he saw the same girl getting up after a fall.
He called out:
"Tell me who you are, stop ignoring me. Did you see this rain?"
She calmly answered:
"Of course I see it, but it doesn't bother me."
The husband jumped, then calmed down.
"Don't say anything; you might get sick."
He approached slowly, torn between fear and curiosity. The girl did not move, staring at him.
Taking off his coat, he placed it on her shoulders.
"Come, I'll shelter you for the night."
He took a few steps, then turned:
"Come on, or if you can't walk, I'll carry you. Get under this umbrella; it's better."
The girl silently obeyed.
Back home, the woman and child worried, when suddenly the door opened. The husband entered, announcing:
"I'm back, but not alone!"
The woman, surprised:
"Not alone?"
The husband addressed the girl:
"Don't be shy; you have nothing to fear here."
She entered, revealing long white hair, bright red eyes, and a cold, absent, emotionless gaze.
The woman asked:
"Where did you find her?"
The husband explained:
"On our roof. She was the one making that noise. She was soaked, poor child."
The woman, doubtful:
"How could she make so much noise on the roof? Anyway, my son, prepare a bed in the room at the end of the hall for her."
The son nodded and went to do so.
The woman then addressed the girl:
"So, little one, what's your name? Where do you come from?"
But the girl remained silent, observing the house.
The husband, compassionate:
"Well, you must be cold. Maybe you were attacked? A little girl abandoned like that..."
The woman agreed:
"Yes, that must be it..."
The son returned:
"Mom, I'm done!"
The woman smiled:
"Perfect. We'll talk tomorrow. For now, everyone to bed. Someone will accompany the girl to her room."
The husband took the girl's hand and accompanied her.
On the way, he tried to reassure her:
"You have nothing to fear here. I see in your eyes you're not bad, even if what you did in the forest scared me."
The girl remained indifferent, staring straight ahead, ignoring his words, which made the husband uncomfortable, as if he were talking to a wall.
He resumed softly:
"I don't know what you've been through to be so cold and distant. Maybe you're shy. Anyway, don't be afraid of us. We'll be here for you until you find your family or whenever you want."
At these words, the girl finally answered:
"I have no family. I never had one."
The husband, surprised, smiled gently:
"It's good you finally spoke. I think I understand your problem a little. We'll talk again soon. For now, rest. Tomorrow, I'll find you some clothes."
Before leaving, he asked:
"By the way, what's your name? I'm Ben, my son is Jérôme, and my wife is Elodie."
The girl looked at him for a moment, then said:
"My name is Erasa."
Ben was surprised she finally gave her name.
"Erasa, that's a beautiful name. Did your mother give it to you?"
She nodded.
Ben smiled:
"Good night, Erasa. Tomorrow, we'll find a solution, okay?"
"Okay."
Ben closed the door on Erasa's room, then walked away, thoughtful.