The trio starts arguing but you quickly interrupt them.


"Hey wait! Why shouldn't I go through with this?"


Everyone turns towards you as if confused to why you're still here. Tom let's out a long sigh and asks the question that has been on everyone's mind.


"Are you sure any of that was even real?"


You scrunch your eyebrows and consider the possibility. No, it can't be fake. The rush of it all was too great for it to be a hallucination. It was either real or nothing is real.


"Yeah your dumbass was probably just hallucinating from the cold," Connor jeers.


That can't be it. You know it was real, although they couldn't possibly understand. They weren't there.


"If I had to guess, I'd say a good Samaritan helped you when they saw you passed out. You might have mistaken their torch for that of a demon," Says Tom.


"Yeah and they probably told you to go to the tavern to warmup. That's what these two did when they first found me," says Greg.


For the love of god! Now even Greg is gaslighting you. Enough of this nonsense. You can either leave right now or waste your night away here.

You waste the night away

"Fuck all of you, let's talk about something else. Bartender! Get me another drink," you say.


A couple hours later.


"All I'm saying is it's a bit hypocritical to complain about demons capturing human when we capture orc children on the regular."


"What do you mean we? Last time I checked you're the only one in the army," says Tom.


"Yeah plus it's different. Orcs are uncivilized barbarians who kill all those they meet. When's the last time a human killed a demon unprovoked?" asks Connor.


"Did you forget how this whole demon war started? We tried to wipe them off the face of the earth and they retaliated. Jeez Connor, you say orcs are barbarians, but I've met orcs smarter than you," Greg says.


Connor slams his fist on the table making everyone jump a little bit. Although all he says is,


"Yeah, I'm sure you have."


Connor has been a lot less hostile to Greg since you came here. It's probably because Greg finally has someone who agrees with him on some issues. Oh, and the fact you could kick Connor's ass without breaking a sweat.


The three of you continue discussing the demon war and the implications it as on the empire. Recent news of the capital being overrun has set the whole empire into a panic. You begin discussing the possibility of fleeing the city before its too late.


"I don't have much confidence in Ashton keeping us safe, but it's more protection than outside the city walls," you state.


"I don't want to wait here to die," Connor says while slurring his words.


"You must know better than anyone being a soldier and all. Do you think the city guards could even kill a single demon? I know it's just rumors, but word says our army is ill-equip to fight in the winter, let alone against demons."


How the hell does a guy like Tom know that? You stare at him trying to gain insight into his mind, but all he does in shrug. Damn, might as well give him your honest opinion.


"I've never seen a demon. Well, other than that succubus and she wasn't fighting me."


"So, is that a yes or no you bitch?" slurs Connor.


"I don't know."


There is an awkward silence as you all realize how up in the air the future of this city is. The capital was supposed to send reinforcements to any city that sighted demons. Though with it being under siege that possibility lessens by the minute.


"Has anyone even seen a demon? I mean—" Connor says before downing another drink.


"Has your dumbass forgot already? This man right here saw a succubus!" Greg says.


Finally, someone believes you. Perhaps he agreed with you from the beginning and was too scared to admit it?


"Like I said before, it was probably just a hallucination. Plus, why would succubi be needed to conquer the city?" Tom says.


Just as you're about to answer that the question a man walks in the tavern. You turn to see who it is and wish you hadn't.


It's Lars.


It's inevitable he notices you and when he does, he wastes no time telling you why he's here. He got caught abandoning his guard duty last night and has been let go. When he tried to argue how unfair that was because he lacked equipment to handle the conditions all he was told was.


"That's your own damn fault! The other guard did it without complaint."


He came here to drink until he passed out. Without the money from his guard job he has no way to support his family. He appears a bit more unhinged than usual because of that.


"I fucking hope the demons break down the city walls and storm the captain's quarters. I don't care what happens next. All I want is for him suffer a slow and painful death. That's what he sent me to last night and blamed me for saving myself."


You sit in silence not knowing what to say. He continues,


"Speaking of which how the hell did you survive last night? When I left it looked like you were about to pass out."


Well he's got that right. You briefly consider telling him about your encounter with Catia but the rabid look in his eyes tells you that's not a good idea.


"Just lucky I guess."


He doesn't second guess you and continues his rambling. You pay little attention to his words and when you do it's clear he's gone off the rails.


"Then they'll rape his family and have him watch. It's what he fucking deserves, and he deserves what he's going to get."


As Lars drones on and on you realize how late it's getting. You better go home and get the hell away from this guy. You tell him you must go, and he just continues on talking to himself. It's like he doesn't know you're here.


That's probably for the best. As you leave you give him one last look, and he looks back at you with a huge smile and twitchy eyes. That's creepy. You make your way out of the tavern and are hit by the freezing winter breeze. You're going to have to get home fast lest you pass out again. Best to take the alleys as not only is it faster, but it also provides protection from the wind.


You don't even get a few steps before you tumble to the ground, but not because of the cold. You are whacked in the back of the head with a glass. You fall face first, mouth agape, breaking teeth instantly. Blood seeps out of your head as you press your hand on the back of your skull. It's more caved in than usual.


You start hearing laughter. This isn't your first time hearing it either.


"As if I believed you survived by pure luck. You're lucky I don't just kill you now. Now tell me the truth, demon!"


It's Lars and he looks completely unhinged. You try to say something but just start coughing blood. It comes out in chunks resembling mushy cherries.


"You really thought you could get away with it, didn't you? HAHAHAHA! I know you've been possessed by a demon; how else could you survive the frigid cold?"


Clumps of blood continue flying out of your mouth as you fail to speak. Lars crotches down next to you and strokes your face.


"It's ok, calm down. Like I told you before, or at least the non-possessed you, the city could use some heating up."


Where is this going?


"I want to make a deal with you! Kill the Captain and I'll let you live. Hell, I'll even give you something in exchange. Perhaps a part of my soul? If there's anything left in there."


Your vision blurs as Lars grins widely at you. Saliva drips down his face like a feral beast.


"Decide now! Don't make me kill you to reveal your true self."