Chapter 1

Man had fought against the demonic scourge for years. Their magic, massive size, and multitude of varying forms caused their human foes endless strife; despite being out numbered ten to one. Not until the Demon Lord himself was located, were humans able to devise a plan to end the war once and for all! Readying the strongest army possible, composed of heroes the world over, mankind planned to raid the Demon Lord’s stronghold! On the day of the attack, the army of man was met with a fierce battle, the likes of which neither side was truly prepared for. The clash lasted for two long days, from dusk to dawn, the seemingly endless cacophony of steel, screams, and explosions rang out across the lands! Both demons and humans refused to yield! Seizing an opportunity, a small group of ten humans made their way through the battlefield aiming to confront the Demon Lord in his stronghold.

Part 1

“Alright…we’ve made it this far. All of you are to follow my orders to the letter, understand?” Making zero qualms about his position as the leader, the strong and handsome knight commanded his party with authority! The group all nodded their heads, noting that it was the most important day of their lives. They trailed behind their regal leader in a line, some praying, others drinking from small flasks, while some sharpened swords and arrow tips, however two who sat furthest toward the rear conversed in a hushed tone.

“Pewter, turn around and leave!” A young woman, clad in leather armor, and equipped with a large broadsword spoke with the young man behind her.

“Are you insane? There’s no way I could turn back now, even if I wanted to. I followed you and Gerald in here knowing full well that this could end with all of us dying, that this could be our last stand. But…” The young man paused, squeezing his bow against his chest.

“But…?”

“But…Abagail, I want to stay with you, no matter what! I'm going to use this bow of mine to protect you. I... I love you, after all.”

“…” The warrior woman was frozen! Awestruck by her younger ally’s sudden expression of love! “Pewter…no, Kris we’ve known each other all this time, why are you telling me this now?!”

“Because, if this is the last thing we ever do together, our last adventure…I don't want anything left unsaid.” Abagail hugged Kris, pulling the shorter boy’s head into her leather breast plate with a warm embrace. The others took notice of the moment and held back sweet reactions.

“Kris…I feel the same. I love you too. You can hear my heart, right? It’s really going crazy. Not because of the fear of battle, but because of how happy I am to be with you.”

“Not to ruin the moment…” The leader of the team, the knight, Gerald called back to everyone. “...but we are about to face the Demon Lord here, so if you don't mind.” Gerald pointed to the end of the hall where a bright red light emanated. Every one returned to their positions; ready for battle! As the party broke the threshold they were met with a surprise.

An enormous chamber room, housing nothing but a single man. The man's long, crimson hair poured out of his scalp like a fountain of blood, reaching down his back, parted by two short ebon horns. His thorned, obsidian armor resembled rose stems, twisted with blackened steel. That man’s pale skin, and eyes as crimson as his hair cast an otherworldly aura.

“This is the Demon Lord?” One of the warriors spoke up. He gave a hearty laugh at the sight of the unimposing man, but as he did, that laughter was cut short!

A spike shot up from beneath the laughing warrior; going right between his legs, through his body and out his mouth! The still living warrior gasped and choked as he futilely struggled, pawing at the tip of the spike which hoisted him higher and higher into the air! His agonizing cries echoing throughout the room, horrifying his companions!

“Grant!” One of the women shrieked in horror!

“Humans…to have made it this far, I must be getting complacent.” The man, the Demon Lord spoke in a somber tone. He began slowly closing the gap between himself and the party. The warriors prepared their weapons for battle, all except for Kris who trained his bow and arrow on the skewered warrior. He launched his arrow, piercing Grant's head, killing him instantly! “Hmm…I had no idea humans could make such calculated decisions in such a short time.” The Demon Lord was impressed with Kris’s quick thinking to spare Grant from any further torment.

“You bastard!” The woman yelled at Kris! “I-I could’ve saved him! You didn’t need to kill h-” She was stopped by Gerald!

“Sabrina, this isn’t the time! Eyes forward!”

The Demon lord began to chuckle, which turned into a laugh, and then into a full-on cackle. “You humans are so entertaining! It’ll be a shame when there are none of you left. Maybe I’ll keep some of you to breed. Yes, we’ll keep some, then domesticate you. Turn you into pets; and hopefully after enough breeding you’ll lose that disgusting, unwarranted pride. But for now …show me that… ‘pride’ humanity is oh so well known for!”

Part 2

The encounter between the small human group and the Demon Lord raged on for over an hour. The Demon Lord had a particular fetish for skewering people, as four of the ten warriors had been impaled on demonic spikes around the chamber. Kris made sure that every single person who’d been skewered, had been shot, so as to end their suffering. Gerald stood with his glowing white claymore, locked in combat with the Demon Lord!

A member of the party, a cleric, enchanted the tip of Kris’s arrow. “Kris, you need to hit this one, no matter what!” Blood poured from a wound on her head and one in her gut, staining her white robes.

“GraeRain, you’re bleeding! Heal yourself!” Kris pleaded.

“No…we have to end this now! If this continues…then…” Just as the cleric, GraeRain spoke, Gerald was thrown back into the two, knocking them down! The Demon Lord began chanting in the demonic language as a magic glyph formed around the warriors! Suddenly, Abagail leapt in from behind with her broadsword, swinging down and ending whatever spell the devious lord of demons was attempting to cast! Though she attacked with everything she had, he effortlessly blocked the blade with a single hand; the frustration on his face was palpable.

“Human pride…? No, this is determination! I believe I'm starting to understand, yet your resilience bewilders me. Allow me to test it!” The Demon Lord grabbed Abagail’s hands that gripped her sword, hoisting her up off of her feet! Again, he began chanting another incantation as a glyph encircled his hand.

“Abagail!” Kris yelled!

“You’d better take this chance to kill me…you’ll regret it if you don’t.” Smiling in the face of certain death, the warrior woman didn’t waver. With the glyph radiating dark energy, the Demon Lord plunged his hand into Abagail’s stomach! Her howls of agony resounded in tune with black flames exploding from her abdomen!

Kris jumped to his feet wanting to help the woman he loved, but he was stopped by GraeRain! She continued to desperately enchant one of his arrows. “We…we need to finish this…Kris…” Every ounce of willpower was necessary to keep from charging in, Kris held steady.

“This is the first time I’ve seen you show emotion, young archer! Do you care for this woman? Then…” The flames intensified, as did Abagail’s screams! Again, GraeRain had to hold Kris back. He bit into his lip, drawing blood as he needed the pain to keep his mind in check. “HAHAHAHAH!” The lord of demons cackled!

“Kris…it’s done…” GraeRain said as she fell to the ground. Kris readied his arrow and took aim at the Demon Lord!

“Are you a fool? As if I’d allow…” The Demon Lord attempted to pull his hand away from Abagail, but she slipped free of his grasp and took hold of his arm!

“Told ya’…you should’ve killed me!” The warrior woman said with a toothy smile!

“You cur!” As the Demon Lord spoke, Kris released his arrow, firing it directly into his forehead! Backing away from Abagail, he bellowed, just as Gerald leapt high into the air! With claymore above his head, he came slashing down cleaving the Demon Lord in twain! An explosion of dark mist roared outward, blasting everyone and everything away! Several wailing faces made of mist spiraled upward into the sky, engulfing everything in blackness! With one final horrific face of fury blanketing the map, then fading away, a serene, and beautiful blue sky smiled back to the heroes.

“Abagail!” Kris darted to her side, dropping his trusty bow along the way! “Abagail, please…open your eyes!” Her hand reached up covering his mouth.

“You’re being way too loud…dummy.” She smiled at him, knowing they were triumphant.

Part 3

After the Demon Lord fell, his army slowly dwindled. Hunting of the remnants of his demonic forces down commenced, and with time, they’d all but vanished. The few demons that stayed in the sight of humans pleaded for sanctuary, with some taking up residence in human villages that would allow them. However, many still loathed the demons as the scars of war ran deep and had yet to heal after only 2 years.

“Hey, Kris! They’re coming your way!”

“Got em’!” 4 arrows flew from a tree right into the skulls of four wolves as they ran from a barn! Kris, having grown older, with a thin beard strapping his chin, leapt down from the branch. “Was that all of them?”

“I believe so. Thanks, Kris!” An old, chunky farmer cheered. “You should come inside, get some food in ya’. ‘Man your age shouldn’t be so skinny! Come on in, we’ll get you fattened right up real quick!”

“Sorry, Lermin, I’ve got to head home. See ya’!” Kris ran off, leaving the man, Lermin, behind, feeling a bit disappointed.

The young man rushed through the small settlement where many residents worked, building houses, stables, and shops. The village was secluded on a large plateau, located on a hill, away from any kingdom or city. Despite its distance from said kingdoms, nobles occasionally stopped by, as there were many commodities; such as training from a certain hero.

Kris entered a simple one story house. As the archer left his bow by the front door, the sound of training in the backyard caught his ear. He strolled out back to see Abagail training some children in the ways of the sword.

The warrior woman, having aged only slightly since the war, spotted Kris standing in the doorway watching. “Hey.” She said, still focusing on the children before her.

“Hey. I didn’t notice until just now, but you’re letting your hair grow out again.” Abagail's auburn hair was normally kept short for adventuring purposes.

“Well, you know…not like we go out too often anymore. Let me finish up here.” She clapped her hands calling the training session to a close. “Alright everyone, that’s enough for today!”

As the sun set, aristocrats from the kingdoms came to pick up their children. Once the final one was gone Abagail let out a hefty sigh. She sat, placing her head on the dining room table with a yawn. Kris walked up from behind and proceeded to rub her tense shoulders.

“Don’t do that. You were the one out all day. I just stayed here with the kids.” Abagail pushed away Kris’s hands.

“Nah. Hunting wolves is nothing. I’ve done it since I was little. How about you go take a bath? I’ll make dinner.”

“…fine.” Abagail begrudgingly got up, and proceeded to the back, not wanting to argue. Kris walked over to their cooler and began preparing dinner but a knock at the front door stopped him. When he answered, the men of the village, pitchforks and torches held high, met him.

“What’s the matter guys?” Kris asked, hardly concerned.

“Kris, we need you and miss Abagail’s help.” Distress plagued their faces.

“Help with…?”

“There were some remnants of the Demon Lord’s army seen close by!”

A chill shot up Kris’s spine! “I thought the Demon Lord’s army hadn’t been seen in months!”

“A small carriage of demons was seen transporting something that seemed really important. When the townsfolk asked about what it was, they sped off and someone saw the Demon Lord’s crest on one of the sides.”

“…Are you sure?”

“We are.”

“…” Kris took a moment and thought. “…Let’s make sure first. I don’t want to drag Abagail along unless we really need to.”

“What?! But she’s the strongest swordswoman in all the world!”

“I know. But if it’s just some lesser demons, then I can handle them myself.” Once again Kris picked up his bow from near the front door. “Hey, Abagail!” He yelled to the back.

“What?” Abagail had just gotten into the bath.

“I’m going out for a little late night hunting.”

“Did something happen?”

“Nothing to worry about! I’ll be right back!”

“You want me to come?”

“Nah! I’ve got it!”

“Ok…”

“Let’s go before she asks again.” Kris and the townsmen hurried off to the woods.

The moonlight combined with the illumination from the torches gave the men ample visibility in the crowded forest. The heavily wooded paths continued onward for some time, with several hills and streams, the terrain was difficult to surmount on anything but foot. “Kris, do you want a torch?” One of the men offered.

“No, I’m fine. Ever since I was a kid, I've trained to hunt at night with my eyes alone.” Just then another man ran up to the group!

“Guys! The carriage went over! We’re chasing down the demons now, but a few got away!”

“Alright…fan out! I doubt they’d leave the forest, since there’s no real cover beyond the trees, and they’d have to climb downhill. They’re likely close by!” Kris took charge, just mimicking what he’d seen Gerald do before. All of the men separated, checking every part of the woods for any demons. Kris effortlessly scaled a tree, attempting to get a vantage point. He quickly noticed figures in the distance, cloaked in hoods, grouping together!

“I found them! Over there!” As soon as they were spotted, the hooded figures dispersed! They spread out amongst the trees, at first, seemingly trying to escape! Their odd movements bothered Kris, as he noted them heading toward the townsmen; all the while, one smaller figure ran opposite of the group. The archer swiftly leapt through the trees from branch to branch, following the lone fleeing figure! Without even breaking a sweat, he caught up to them, jumping down to block their path!

He readied his bow and asked… “Are you one of the Demon Lord’s retainers?”

“…” They remained quiet, while shielding an even smaller hooded figure.

(I didn’t see that one before. Is it a child?) Still with an arrow ready, he continued to question them. “If you’re a regular demon then you have nothing to fear. They don’t allow demons to live in this settlement, but they don’t just kill them indiscriminately.”

“P-Please…I don’t know what to say, but you don’t seem to hate us, right? Our kind…”

“…No, I don’t. Why?”

“Please let us go! This child…if they find him…”

“If they find him?” The figure pulled off her hood. She was a dragonborn, a small brown one, with red hair breaking in between her brown scalp scales. She got down on her thickly scaled knees and pleaded. “Please! I’m begging you!”

“You haven’t answered my question. Also, the longer we wait, the more likely they are to come this way.” Kris kept his eyes on the woman. Dragonborns were normally much larger, but the woman’s claws and fangs were more than thick enough to run him through, were she to have the chance; not to mention her wide meaty tail which could likely break stone, should she swing it with all her might.

“…” The dragonborn woman got back to her feet and pulled the boy’s hood off. A flood of crimson red hair poured out, revealing pale white skin, and a tiny black horn on the right half of his forehead.

Every muscle in Kris’s body seized all at once! If it were anyone else, they’d have released an arrow, killing the child immediately, but Kris’s self-control overpowered the urge. “That kid…he’s…”

“Yes…please, I’m begging you to let us go!”

“…”

“If they find us, they’ll kill him!” The sound of the townsmen and light from their torches grew closer. “Please, please, please!”

Kris swallowed his apprehension, and lowered his bow. “Go…don’t get caught.”

“Thank you!” The dragonborn woman grabbed the hand of the child and ran past Kris! As she made her way by, the ace archer took a second and considered his actions. It would only take one shot at that distance. Kris could put an arrow through the back of the child’s head with ease. He pulled his bow back up and took aim. His fingers strained as he recalled the horrors and atrocities committed just two years prior, and how much he, Abagail, and all of humanity had suffered.

(No…) It wasn’t right, even in Kris’s mind. There wasn’t enough gall or hatred that he could muster in himself to kill a child…even the Demon Lord’s.

Part 4

The demons had been captured by the townsfolk. As they began questioning them, Kris rejoined the party. “Oh, Kris! Just in time. We were about to start questioning these demons!” They were mostly frogmen and fallen angels. Frogmen had skin like humans, but facial structure, tongues, and some physical attributes like their amphibian counterparts. Fallen angels were human-like, though with inverted skin tones, as well as hair and eye colors. Some had wings, but they all had horns of varying sizes. “Why is it that you ran? And why did you have one of the Demon Lord’s carriages?”

“…” They all remained silent, looking at each other, as if to convey information nonverbally.

“Come on! I know at least one of you speaks Human!”

“I do.” A fallen angel woman in the back raised her hand!

“Ugh…” The townsmen huddled together. “I don’t know if I trust talking to a fallen angel.” They whispered.

“If she’s the only one that speaks Human, what choice do we have?” Another man replied. Kris sighed at their poor interrogation techniques.

“Why did you run before?” Kris took charge, directly jumping to the point.

“We…” The demon woman hesitated for a moment. The sharp-eyed archer noticed the fallen angel woman looking in the direction of the fleeing Demon Lord’s child. “…were the Demon Lord’s retainers.” The townsmen quickly raised their pitchforks! “But we aren’t anymore! After he fell, we took many of his possessions, including that cart, and ran! Nothing more!” Her possible sincerity fell on deaf ears.

“Can we really trust her?” Whispering again erupted amongst the townsmen. “She’s a fallen angel, after all. They’re really good at lying.” Kris knew the truth. It wasn’t a total lie, but a heavily omitted truth.

“What was in the carriage?”

“Just supplies. Mostly swords, food, and armor. We travel, as we don’t have a home.”

“Why not just stay in a village or town that allows demons?”

“…As you can see, two of my companions, and I myself, are fallen angels. In many of the towns we’ve visited, fallen angels are nothing but fighters in colosseums, or sex slaves; if we’re even allowed in. We do not care for that kind of existence.”

One of the townsmen mumbled under his breath… “It’s your own fault…” The others shushed him, but the fallen angel picked up on his comment.

“You are correct. We followed Lord Uzziel. We have only ourselves to blame. I still beg of you…let us go. We aren’t a threat to you.” She got down on her hands and knees begging. Kris took a moment and thought. The fallen angel was lying to protect the Demon Lord’s child, but was it a good idea to allow them to escape. A definitively correct answer wasn’t in the books, but for sure he knew one thing.

“Let them go.” Kris didn’t want to kill any more demons. “If they used to be the Demon Lord’s people, but have given up on that, they aren’t a threat to us. Let them be.” His relaxed tone gave the townspeople a sense of security, knowing that with Kris around they’d be safe.

“Fine. We’re sorry about your carriage, but you should really take the Demon Lord’s crest off it. We’re the nice ones, but if any of the demon hating patrols were to find you guys, they’d kill you without a second thought!”

“We understand. Thank you very much! We can fix our carriage enough to get it moving again. After that, we’ll be off.”

“Do you…want us to help you?”

“No, it is fine. Everyone, thank you again. Come on, let’s return to the carriage!” The fallen demon woman directed her group back towards their cart. For the briefest of instants, Kris and the fallen angel locked eyes. She knew he knew, though was perplexed as to why he allowed them their freedom. Regardless, the demons returned to their carriage and the townsmen to the village.

Part 5

“Thanks again, Kris!” The townsfolk thanked the ace archer for his assistance as they saw him off back home.

“It was nothing. I didn’t even need to fire one arrow! Let’s just put all of this to rest.”

“How about coming to the tavern? We absolutely owe you a drink!”

“Can’t. Abagail hates it when I come home too drunk.” Kris chuckled.

“Alright! You and your wife need to come and hang out with us more! Everyone in town loves you guys! You're our heroes after all!”

“I’ll let her know. For now, though, I’m going to get some sleep. Take care everyone!” Kris bid farewell as he reentered his home. Upon closing the door behind him, he noticed Abagail standing in a bath towel, boiling the food on the stove.

“Took you long enough! You left the food out, and it would’ve gone bad. I didn’t even finish my bath, so you owe me.” She walked over to him and gave him a warm ‘welcome home’ kiss. “Blech!”

“What?” Kris retorted.

“Your mustache tastes like leaves. Could you please shave it?”

“No way! I waited for years for this beauty to grow!”

“…”

“Why are you staring at me like that?”

“Just thinking…I’m kind of embarrassed at how much the tables have turned in our relationship.”

“I don’t follow.”

“You’re taller than me now, look more mature, you’re so reliable too. It’s nuts to think I’m seven years older than you.”

“Well…” Kris leaned in close, towering over his wife. As he reached for her large, exposed cleavage, slowly, the towel began to unravel. “I couldn’t tell that you were older…the way you talk to me at night.”

“You are a big, strong woodsman now, and most of the time…I can’t talk anyway.” She reciprocated his advances, stroking Kris’s firm biceps. The two started making their way to the back of the house, to their bedroom, but were, once again, stopped by a banging at the door! “Don’t answer it!” Abagail grabbed Kris before he angrily stormed off towards the door! “Ignore it. They’ll go away!”

Kris almost did until he recognized the voice. “P-P…please!...help!” He heard what sounded like a person collapse up against the door and rushed to open it.

In fell the dragonborn woman from before…gravely injured! Two broken arrows protruded from her back as blood dripped from her cloak! She still held the hand of the Demon Lord’s child tightly as her large three fingered hands shook weakly! “What the hell happened?!” Kris lifted the dragonborn woman and brushed the plates off the kitchen table to make room for her! “Abagail, get medicine! Quick!”

“R-Right…!” Rushing to gather the medical supplies, Abagail halted, seeing the child still sat at the door with his head covered by a hood.

“Abagail!” Kris yelling pulled her back to attention! She returned with gauzes and herbs!

“Th-they’re…coming…” The dragonborn woman spoke as Abagail tended to her wounds.

“Please, don’t speak!”

“T-T…they’ll kill…him. Please…you…have to…protect…h…” Despite their best efforts, ultimately, they failed. The dragonborn woman succumbed to her wounds on their kitchen table.

“Oh no…Kris, what is going on?” Abagail asked, but Kris didn’t answer immediately. He looked at the child standing in the corner of the room. The boy was shaking like a leaf, holding his head the whole time.

The burly voices of several men suddenly approached the house! Kris grabbed the boy’s hand then passed him off to Abagail! “Take this kid into the room and don’t let him come out!”

“What? What’s going on, Kris?”

“Just do it!”

“…Dammit! You’d better tell me when this is over. Geez…I haven’t had a chance to put on any clothes yet!” She uttered as she and the child ran into the bedroom, locking the door behind them! Kris reached over and grabbed Abagail’s broadsword, and without missing a beat, jammed it into the body of the formerly living dragonborn woman, only pausing to apologize!

Someone knocked at the door, once more. Kris opened it, and was met with a rather large, imposing man with an eye missing, as well as his group of thuggish looking cohorts. “Hey there, sir! You wouldn’t have happened…” He peered inside and spotted the dead demon on the table. “Whoa ho ho!” They pushed their way past Kris! “Ah, you got this sucker good!” The man started messing with the sword as Kris walked up and grabbed him by the wrist!

“I’m sorry; but who do you think you are?” Without so much as a break in stride the man laughed hard in Kris’s face!

“Hahahahaha! We’re just some good Samaritans! We were searching for this here demon, and another one…speaking of which, did you happen to see another one them?”

“No. She just burst into my house, and I slayed her. Didn’t see anyone else.”

“Hmm…maybe she dropped the kid and let him run for himself.”

“Kid? You guys are hunting kids then?” Kris continued to feign ignorance, while aggressively eying the men.

“Relax, pal! It’s no ordinary kid…we think this kid may be one of the Demon Lord’s spawn.” The air in the room got heavy.

“And what makes you think that?”

“...Less than a year ago, people started saying the bastard had a kid. What makes things worse, rumor has it those monsters are grooming him to take over for his old man!”

“Hmm...”

“Pal, we're serious here! If it's true and this kid is the Demon Lord's spawn, nothing good can come of it.”

“I understand that…” Observing the men, it was clear they were more than average hunters. They were equipped with jagged blades, throwing knives, and bola. “My name is Kris Pewter; I was one of the warriors who fought the Demon Lord personally. So trust me when I say, I know how vile he was.” Kris looked the man in the eye, unflinching.

“...Alright. Just to let you know, we may be walking around the forest near here for a bit. Searching for the kid and whatnot.”

“Do whatever you have to do…”

“We'll take the body too, if you don't mind.”

“...What do demon hunters want with this body?”

“...” The air in the room stagnated further. The cronies all began gesturing from their weapons, but a side glance from Kris halted them!

“You don't need to pretend. I could tell you were demon hunters the second you walked in the door.”

“We're going to skin it, take the fangs, and maybe drain the blood. Dragonborns' bodies can be used to make a bunch of decent remedies and armor.”

“Fine. I won't stop you.” The men picked up the body, dropping the broadsword on the floor. As the troupe made their exit, the large, one eyed man turned for one last, short conversation.

“Let us know if you see anything, pal. It's always good to see a hero still giving them the good fight!” Closing the door shut, Kris pressed an ear against the wood, listening closely as the demon hunters walked off, none the wiser.

Abagail threw open the bedroom door, finally dressed at last! She stormed over to grab her sword, but Kris preemptively lifted it out of her reach! “What are you doing, Abagail?”

“If what they said was true, then that boy in there is the Demon Lord's son. Do you need to ask?”

“…He's a child, Abagail…”

“The Demon Lord's child!”

“...”

“You knew? Why didn't you tell me?!”

“I only just found out. It got out of hand too fast, and I didn't have time.”

“My sword...give it to me.” Abagail extended her hand, demanding her weapon.

“Please, Abagail…” She snatched the blade from Kris and stomped back to the bedroom! Kris ran in behind her, still concerned! The Demon Lord's son laid on the floor in the fetal position, shaking. “You see?! This is a child!”

“You keep saying that over and over again! Doesn't that sound ironic to you? That bastard's son is in our house! Our house! He took away my ability to bear children, and here's his! Laying on my floor! You expect me to make nice?!”

“...”

“...Dammit! Don't look at me like that! How do you not feel the same?! You told me, you wanted a child just as much as I did!”

“Can you really kill a child, Abagail?” Abagail struggled with the thought, but relented, throwing down her blade!

“...What do you want to do? Keep in mind, this is all on you.”

“It's late. Can we figure this out tomorrow?”

“Whatever...” Abagail sat down on the bed.

“Um...” Kris knelt down to speak with the boy. “Hey, kid. We're not going to hurt you. I promise. What's your name?”

The boy, still shaking, looked up to Kris and said… “Timaios…”

End of Chapter 1