Our Journey

Three Steps Back - Part 2

When Eon next awoke, he was confused by his surroundings.

A bright, colorful place. Plants he’d never seen, animals he’d never seen, and a warm, salty scent tickling at his nose.

The ocean? He recalled they were near the ocean, but somehow, this feeling was different. Warmer, softer, nostalgic. The breeze that swept through the tropical trees carried a familiar scent. Soft colored buildings reflected in his narrowed vision, somehow ethereal and mysterious.

A faint voice reached his ears, both near and far. The words were inaudible, and yet, Eon felt as though his name were being called. He turned towards the sound, recognizing the form before him as a person, however, he couldn’t seem to make them out...But he knew this person. They were speaking to him, even if the words didn’t reach his ears.

A glimpse of vibrant, red hair swaying in the wind. That’s what he recalled the most as the dream-like visions receded, ebbing away bit by bit.

And then it was gone.

Two-toned eyes opened to see a gray sky above, morning frost clinging to the tall grass around him, stiff and straight from the cold, but Eon didn’t feel the same chill.

He felt rather warm, actually, and he had the strangest inkling that eyes were on him, so he looked down.

At first, Eon thought it might have been snow, but he soon realized that white fluff belonged to Max, who was fit snugly in his arms, staring up at him.

Or rather, it was safer to say that Eon simply hadn’t let him go.

“...If you’re awake, can you finally let me go now?”

“...Ah.” Eon released Max, letting him get up before Eon sat up himself. He was a bit shocked that Max stayed that way throughout the evening.

“...Because you were clinging so much, I couldn’t get away even if I wanted to.” Max answered, as though guessing what Eon was thinking within that moment.

If Eon looked closely, he could make out the slightest tinge of pink underneath the white fur of Max’s ears. Whether from embarrassment, or the cold, he didn’t know.

From there, Eon simply waited as Max spent some time grooming himself. He always did this in the morning, starting with the tops of his ears, to the tip of his tail. It was rather curious to watch, really, even though Eon never really understood this strange, animal-like behavior. Max was a person, but at times, he seemed more likened to an actual animal. Was this an instinctual behavior? Or was it just Max??

Regardless, Eon wasn’t in any rush, letting Max groom himself to his heart’s content before the two would pack up and resume their travels.

It wouldn’t be long at all before they would be nearing their destination, ascending a large, grassy hill, the sky spanning out above, before eventually meeting glittering, azure waters in the distance.

A massive city spanned out along the entirety of the coast down below, rivaling the Capital in size.

“...Wow.” Max couldn’t bite back his awe at the sight below. There were so many buildings and ships scattered across the waters...It put the Farronian Port to shame. It couldn’t even compare to this.

“...Never been to a city like this before?” Eon questioned, surprised with Max’s open amazement. His reaction wasn’t nearly the same when he stepped foot in Vars for the first time.

“...Ah...Not a port city like this. Ours is pretty small, and people don’t cross the ocean much at all.” Max admitted, his gaze glued to the widespread city.

Eon...Really didn’t want to burst Max’s bubble. Rather, given the chance, he’d have liked the opportunity to give him a grand tour himself, but Eon knew things weren’t going to be as pretty as Max likely hoped. Sahrim was hardly as glamorous as it looked...For people like them, anyhow. For Humans, it was surely paradise. Despite being so far away from the Capital, no Demon dared step foot within this city.

“...Well, let’s go, shall we?” Eon suggested before the two began descending the hill, and towards the city below.

As they got closer, there didn’t seem to be a distinction between outside, and the city within. In an instant, they were already in the middle of clamorous chaos.

Street kiosks, performers, and various business’ lined every corner of the bustling city. Tall, multi-story homes, made of either wood or stone, fine, cobblestone or dirt paths circling and winding. There were even dark, sketchy alleyways cut between the tall buildings, occasional vagrants lounging within them, beckoning to those who passed by in an attempt to draw attention.

There was far more energy charging the air here, and Max’s fur swelled out in response. Neither good, nor bad, and he felt stares from every direction. Not all were aggressive, some were of confusion, others of envy and greed.

As they continued going further into the depths of the wide city, they drew closer to the docks, filled to the brim with both ships, and various fish merchants. That salty smell hung in the air heavily as the chilly, sea breeze swept inland.

Max dared to glance around in curiosity, noticing a small commotion along one of the empty docks.

A gathering of people, noisily murmuring among themselves as they crowded around something, or perhaps someone. He wondered what it could have been, but Max didn’t move, looking up at Eon, whose attention had also fallen onto the gathering, looking as though his gears were turning...And then, something seemed to click.

“...Stay close.” He hissed under his breath, visibly tense. Regardless of that, though, rather than walking away from the commotion, Eon made his way towards it. He pushed his way through with Max tailing close behind, getting little more than slight, annoyed looks from the others. They were generally disregarded. They were far too preoccupied by whatever spectacle laid just ahead.

In a tidy line, several people stood, their heads hung low. It was obvious they weren’t Human, gray-black tails of various shapes and sizes sagging limply behind them. Some were horribly scarred, as though they knew nothing but battle. Others, sporting exquisitely beautiful features. Like works of art. Yet they all shared that same, hopeless look in their eyes, bound and chained, and boards with prices hanging from their necks.

Max’s blood ran cold at the sight of this. At that empty look within their sullen eyes. These people had long since given up.

...No. They were no longer people. They were things. Possessions. They had long since stopped being what one would call a ‘person.’

He felt a wave of disgust, but Max didn’t avert his gaze, even as the excited bidding began.

A young man sold off the Demons one by one, his hair a flamboyant, bright, strawberry blonde. Slicked back and well kept, yet it was obvious this color was by no means his natural one, and there was a keen, greedy vibe glinting from within his vivid, hazel eyes. They were cold and shifty, reminding Max of a snake. As for his clothes, they reeked of the upper class, your typical, high collar, rich boy. His personality was probably as shallow as his generosity. Max knew these kinds of people well. The kind where money, authority, and fame meant everything.

Finally, the last of the Demons would have been auctioned off, and Eon suddenly walked forward as the crowd began to disperse, making his way towards the man as he shuffled through his catch for the day.

“Hey you.” Eon called out to the man, who glanced up, looking surprised to see Eon approaching him before pocketing his unjustly earned money.

“...An unattended Demon? Where’s your Master??”

“Sorry, but I don’t have one.” Eon frowned, fishing out a badge from his pocket that resembled the spiraling emblem of the Society.

“...Ah.” The man’s snake-like eyes narrowed as he realized what this was about, giving Eon his full attention, and giving him a blatant once-over. “I’d heard the Society enlisted in the aid of a certain Demon, but aren’t you a curious sort...Hmm??” The man suddenly blinked, peering around Eon as he noticed Max, whom Eon had been purposely hiding behind him.

The tip of Eon’s tail twitched, reluctant to let the man even cast Max so much as a glance, but he’d already been noticed now.

“That’s…” The man’s shifty eyes widened in genuine bewilderment. “My, what a lovely Demon...Does this little lady belong to the Society as well?”

Max’s eyes narrowed, his ear twitching as he heard the muffled snort of laughter that escaped Eon. He couldn’t resist casting him a sharp look, promptly digging his heel into Eon’s foot.

“Ow-!”

“First of all, I’m a man. Second, I don’t belong to anyone.” Max hissed, fur swelling out in anger.

“A-hem. What my foxy lady friend means, is that we’d like to hurry up and start the inspection soon, y’know?” Eon interjected, roughly throwing an arm around Max’s neck and muffling his outraged protests, a bit salty about that foot stomp a moment ago. “I trust you have no objections?”

“...I suppose not.” The man replied, casting the two a curious glance. “I’d be more than happy to invite such lovely looking Demons into my abode.” He added in with a bow. “I’ll call for a carriage immediately.” The man added in, calling out towards one of his servants that attended his little auction.

“...Guess I’m not the only one he’s got an eye on. What at lovely Demon you are, Eon.” Max managed to chime in with a cheeky grin, seeking revenge.

“...Shut it, or I’ll shave you bald and use your fur to make a nice coat.”

“…!! You wouldn’t!”

...He really wouldn’t, but Eon wasn’t going to say that out loud.

Moments later, the sound of wheels rolling against the cobblestone roads sounded off in the distance as an extravagant carriage was pulled their way...But not by horses. No, they were pulled by Demons, the same as the kinds Max had become accustomed to by now. Those awful, beast like creatures, prowling on all fours...Yet, this was a pitiful sight. Bits were jammed into their gaping mouths, reins attached to them as they pulled the carriage along meekly, obediently.

The carriage door was opened, and the two were invited inside.

...Neither of them wanted to step forward, but they had no choice.

So, remorsefully, they entered the carriage, and it went on it’s way.

The entire time, the two of them had to listen to the man’s incessant chatter...And all the while, Max felt that the man’s eyes were on him. Uncomfortably so.

They couldn’t have arrived any more slowly, but even when they did, Max hardly felt relief.

Arriving at a horrendously large mansion, almost medieval in architecture, it sat along a small plot that overlooked a portion of the city.

Large, garden hedges lined the perfectly fitted, stone pathways that led to the iron gates, and inside those very gates, sat a luxurious fountain.

All before they even made their way through those giant, front doors. As for the interior, it was another story entirely. A large, exuberant, red carpet ran between the front door, and the ascending staircase at the far end of the foyer.

Demonic servants lined the entryway, all sharing the same, extravagantly, beautiful features, bowing upon their entrance into the building.

The entire abode was dominated in an unpleasant, rusty red, dimly lit...It felt more like a brothel over someone’s home, and it made Max feel queasy.

“Aren’t my lovelies amazing?” The man hummed from behind them, spreading his arms out happily. “If you would like to see the rest for your little inspection, follow me.”

Walking ahead, the two followed as the man lead them towards a door at the back of the staircase. Heavy and made entirely of iron, it gave a metallic creak as it was opened, revealing a dark, narrow staircase that lead deep below the mansion.

Looking down, it was difficult to see within...And immediately, Max felt an overwhelming sense of unease overtake him, settling within the pit of his stomach.

He didn’t want to go down there. He felt that profusely, but as the man descended, Eon followed, and Max had no choice but to do the same. He didn’t want to be up here alone, and he desperately trailed after that broad back, as they walked deeper and deeper. If he were to lose sight of Eon, Max felt as though he would disappear within this infinite darkness.

A stale scent struck his nose, tinged with a sense of familiarity as they reached the bottom, a long corridor lined with doors and barred cages.

...He knew what it was, feeling the heat drain from his body.

Each door, each tiny cage held something within. A Demon. Grotesque, beast-like ones. Ones that bore resemblance to Humans, and everything in-between. Some sat in their little cages listlessly, the light of life having long since left their eyes, even as they still breathed. Others cried despondently. A chaotic symphony of despair and madness.

They were in a deplorable state, and Max steadily felt as though he couldn’t walk forward. He felt trapped, as though the walls were closing in on him. All was narrowing, those empty gazes reflecting in the back of his mind.

For a moment, he felt as though he himself was the one trapped behind those bars.

He desperately tried not to lose sight of that back in front of him...But Eon felt so far away.

He had to hurry. He couldn’t let that back get too far from him...If it did...Surely, he would be lost in here forever.

Hurry…!

Vivid memories flashed through his mind. Dark memories. The feeling of being huddled in a silent, cramped space. The aches and pains of his body. The agony burning within him, the screams of fear and resentment around him, and the stench of death. If he listened closely, he could hear the sound of a metal door opening, terror flooding through his mind and body.

Would he ever see daylight again? Max wasn’t even sure what his reality was anymore. Was he too, trapped behind those bars? Kept within those tiny cages??? Perhaps he had never truly left them. Never left that dark place.

His footing seemed nonexistent, and he was sent spiraling into an abyss he was uncertain he’d ever escape from. Surely...He would tumble forward into that nothingness.

And yet, through his narrowing tunnel vision, he felt as if he was floating, suspended in the air, rather than falling into nothing. He was delusional, perhaps, but somehow...He felt a familiar warmth around him, uplifting him, comforting him. In his flickering consciousness, he wondered if these sensations were real. He didn’t know, but he didn’t care.

He felt safe.