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Faunus,he thought, heading in the direction of the feline-skulled Mavka.Faunus’ skull was cracked, and now it is solid with a gold scar. He escaped death, so maybe I can do the same for Aleron.

Because Ingram refused to believe there was no way to bring Aleron back. He wouldn’t be without him for long – he knew this for certain.

However, first, he would change this world. He would make it safer for Aleron’s return. He would make it better. He would not see him perishtwice.

Ignoring the Witch Owl, as she was of no significance to his constant and often erratic bouncing thoughts and attention span, he headed towards the forest. His sight drifted in the direction of the Demon King’s castle, and his orbs flared an even darker crimson.

Whether it was with Ingram’s last breath or the returning of Aleron’s, Jabez, the Demon King, wouldpayfor this. He would learn what it felt like to have his skull crushed.

He had ordered for the death of all Mavka, and his actions had taken away the most precious creature to Ingram, who was not beneath vengeance. He would make sure it was painful, even if it had to beswift.

“Where are you going?!” The Witch Owl shouted as she ran to be in his way once more.

He gave her a warning snarl before stepping to the side.

“To the other Mavka, to bring back Aleron.”

He needed a direction, a task, something to give him hope, or he’d sit here digging for his heart for the rest of his life.

“He is gone, Ingram,” she answered with a sob. “The other Mavka cannot bring him back.”

He roared barely an inch from her nose.

“Then if he cannot come back, I will destroy everything that took him away from me!”He swiped his front paw at her, stabbing his claws into her side and dragging her to the ground. He was above her within a second.“I will start with you if I must!”

Just as he snapped his skull forward to shove her head into his maw, she turned intangible. She floated through him and backed up as he slowly gave chase, saliva flooding his mouth cavity.

He didn’t like that she could so easily escape him, but it also meant he was disinterested in fighting her. He had desires, and currently they wanted bloodshed – to hunt, maim, and eradicate the one creature he could truly blame.

“I want to help,” she stated, her voice echoey. “But if I could bring Aleron back, I would. I would have brought back the serpent-skulled Mavka years ago.” Then she turned physical and assumed a brave stance, facing him. “I am not your enemy, Ingram.”

“Then help me destroy the Demon King.”

“I will. I promise I will, but I still don’t know how to defeat him. At least, not in a way that won’t cost more of your lives. You need to be patient. Please, I promise.”

Her answer and following plea were insufficient.

“If you will not help me now, then I will go by myself.”

Her colour turned ashen. “You cannot go after him by yourself, Ingram. He will kill you.”

“Then I will make the other Mavka help me.”

He was sure they had just as much of a desire to kill the Demon King.

Just as he redirected his path to go to the northeast of the Veil, where the three Mavka he knew resided, she stepped in front of him again, arms open.

“You cannot go through the forest! You must leave the Veil, Ingram. You are without a ward or a home, and the Demons are waiting for you to leave this protection. It’s no longer safe for you here.”

“Then I will go around the forest!”he yelled, turning to the Veil’s canyon walls.

There was a path there that often got sunlight. He would walk along it.

She ran to intercept him once more, ducking when he tried to head-butt her with his small, sharp horns. He snapped his beak forward, but she only turned incorporeal to evade him and then back to physical to speak with him clearly.

“The other Mavka cannot help you either. They have brides, Ingram. Some of them have younglings. They either cannot or will not go with you.”

“I WILL destroy the Demon King. With or without your help, their help. Iwillbring Aleron back.”