In the most remote recesses of the Demon king's fortress, down pitch-black corridors, the figure in a hood swaggered with silent ease down a narrow shadowy passage leading to the truly hidden compartment. The air was heavy with royal scent and the aura of the looming castle. The even breathing was composed-as if all this had been gone through a thousand times each. Their gloved hands moved swiftly, the compartment opening with a practiced touch. Inside lay the small box, amidst ancient scrolls and dark-ominous relics. The figure retrieved it without a moment of hesitation, tucking it into a hidden pouch beneath their cloak.

The fire danced fitfully in the compartment, casting eldritch silhouettes on stone as the figure slowly turned to pull its hood deeper over the face, then was gone, as quietly as they appeared. As they neared the main hall, however, the clatter of armored footsteps echoed from corridors further afield. The figure quickened its pace, all sound of the boots deadened now as they slipped on cold stone flooring. In a moment, it had reached out to a narrow window looking well above the outer walls of the castle and out onto some deep, encircling ravine.

The figure sprang out of the window without hesitation and, as they fell, threw out their hand, below its feet, a dark construct. It came as a solid platform of shadow, a stepping stone in the air from which the figure launched itself and landed on the ground with aplomb.

The guard on the wall watched the figure drop down, high above. His eyes opened wide in recognition, and immediately he raised an alarm, his voice roaring out across the night: "It's him! He’s escaping! Sound the alarm!"

It was pandemonium at the fortress as guards emerged out of every nook and cranny, weapons drawn, peering into the darkened landscape.

In a flash, the figure in the hood was a blur of running motion toward the edge of the cliff bordering the fortress. The guards were hot on his heels, their shouts filling the night. But the figure was quick on their feet and reaching the edge of the cliff, showed no hesitation. He jumped, disappearing over the side, plummeting into darkness below.

They reached the edge in time to see the figure disappear into a narrow cave mouth at the base of the cliff. "After them!" the captain barked, leading the charge down a steep twisting path. The way was treacherous, loose rocks skittering beneath their boots, but the guards gave no ground. Into the cave they descended, the torches illuminating their path as they pursued the sound of the intruder's footsteps.

Indoors, the atmosphere was cold and humid, the walls shiny with dampness. Twisting and turning narrow passageways lead further into a maze designed to confuse.. The guards pressed on, their breathing coming in harsh, heavy gasps as flickering torchlight cast long menacing shadows that seemed to twist, like living things.

As the hooded figure neared the entrance to a much wider chamber in this cave, he slowed and found another cloaked figure emerging from the shadows. An exchange was made: a silent moment between the two-or an unspoken understanding. They darted further into the labyrinth.

The guards, hard upon them, made to split at a fork in the tunnel, each half hoping to corner their prey. "Stay sharp!" the captain hissed. "Don't let them out of your sight!"

But the cave had seemed to conspire against them, amplifying every sound-every drip of water, every scrape of boot upon stone. The guards were surrounded by echoes-the sounds of one's own pursuit rebounding off walls, confusing their senses. The flickering light of the torches played upon their eyes, making every shadow a potential threat.

In so doing, the hooded figures moved with fluid ease, slipping through the tight spaces as if it were all but supernatural. Obviously, they knew this place-or at least they moved like they knew each step sure and precise. They ducked into narrow passages, leapt over small holes-always keeping just ahead of their pursuers.

The guards surged forward, desperation now driving them. The voice of the captain cut through the dark: "Faster! Don't let them escape!"

The cave fought them. Loose rocks sent men tumbling the rough ground dragged at feet and slowed them. The darkness seemed to press in around them, squeezing the breath out of them. The distance lengthened between the guards and their quarry, no matter how hard they struggled. The cave finally opened into a huge underground chasm-a yawning black abyss before them. The guards skidded to a stop, held high their torches, showing jagged edges of the precipice. The hooded figures seemed to have vanished right into thin air, so that, other than the echo of footsteps, a faint whisper of wind remained.

The captain stared at space, his fists clenching in frustration. "We lost them." His voice came out low, bitter

"Damn it!" one of the guards cursed, slamming his fist onto the wall. Another guard whispered, his voice barely audible in a trembling tone, "If the Demon king were to find out about this, we are as good as dead..”

...

Day of the Sun, Year 19XX, March 3

The alleyway fell within a forgotten nook of the city, bathed in the golden light of day. The sun cast long shadows against the uneven cobblestones, drawing out the cracks and crevices in the old brick walls. It was a secluded place, far from the prying eyes of any busy street beyond, and an otherworldly rift now marred this otherwise unassuming wall. It was as if reality itself had been torn open, revealing a fathomless well of swirling tenebrousness beyond. From this rift emerged Belial, his ebony skin standing in stark contrast to the mundane surroundings.

With the warmth of the sun upon his skin, Belial's hawk-like eyes, sharp and calculating, cut across the alley. Just beyond came the sounds of the city, a cacophony of lives and commerce muted by narrow walls. The air was heavy with the smell of gas mixed with the scent of newly made coffee - a classic city aroma that was both unfamiliar and recognizable.

The warning his master had given him before he stepped through the rift still echoed within Belial's mind.

"Never let your guard down, not even for a second," his master had counseled in a voice laced with ancient wisdom. "As demons, we are banned from this realm, banished from ever leaving. The world you're entering is one of uncertainty and ever-changing possibilities. Be vigilant, Belial, and the odds might just tip in your favor."

His master's words weighed heavily on Belial's heart. This would be no ordinary mission but one in a realm where the laws of demons held absolutely no sway, where even the fabric of reality might shift beneath his feet. Yet a sense of duty and a thirst for answers drove him onward, despite the dangers that lay ahead.

"This is your exit ticket. Do. Not.Lose. It," his master had said, pointing to the small sword shard he now held tightly in his hand.

He cast a last, backward glance at the now-sealed rift, took a deep breath, and resettled the wide-brimmed hat he had pulled from his cloak. The hat cast a shadow over his face, concealing his features and making him just another face in this unfamiliar world of humans. With determined steps, he left the alleyway and joined the vibrant chaos of the festival grounds beyond.

The Oasis Festival was in full bloom—colored, noisy, and intoxicatingly perfumed with food. Excitement mixed with a bit of trepidation as Belial's heartbeat quickened. He was aware of these human festivities, but actually participating in one was a completely different experience. He was surrounded by bright hues, delicious dishes, and loud music that excited and engulfed him.

Making his way through the crowd, he noticed the enticing scent of grilled meat in the air. It was a scent he knew well, bringing back memories of bygone days.

 He followed the smell until he came upon the Yakitori stall! The scent of smoke was irresistible. In his bag, Belial rummaged around until he found two copper coins, this was the standard currency that would be accepted throughout every realm.

"Two Yakitori, please," he said with a steady voice, a playful smile dancing on his lips.

The burly attendant, all thick beard and joviality, returned the smile. "Two Yakitori right up!" he replied, deftly spearing the meat and laying it on the grill.

As he waited for his food, Belial struck up a conversation with the attendant. "How's the business been?" he asked as casually as possible.

The man shrugged, flipping the skewers with practiced ease. "It's been alright, I guess. Not as busy as I hoped, but it's still early. Can't complain, though. At least I'm making some coins."

Belial nodded and took a mouthful of the piping, juicy Yakitori as it was handed to him. The flavor was out of this world—perfectly seasoned—and for a moment, all his cares dissolved as he continued down the busy streets, reveling in the lively atmosphere of the festival with every bite. He could hear the music and laughter, and he couldn't help but smile at the performances and admire the colorful decorations.

It was then a thought crossed his mind,  'How did food from the demon realm find its way here? Did they manage to keep the recipes or something? Still its good but not as good as the yakitori from back home'

But the thought was short-lived. A loud, boisterous group of people pushed past Belial; their frantic energy sent the crowd flying, making an uproar. Belial was caught off guard—he stumbled, his feet losing their balance. As he righted himself, rubbing his brow in confusion, a figure with long, striking green hair grasped to steady him.

"Hey, are you okay?" the stranger asked, their tone soft and concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine, thank—" Belial began, but when he looked up, he saw that the figure was no longer there and didn't even leave a trace. He looked around, slightly dazed, but there was no sign of the mysterious person in the crowd.

Belial shrugged off his confusion and followed the crowd as it surged in his direction toward a nearby building due to the loud music and cheering. Curious, he approached until he came near a large concert venue where throngs of people waited with palpable excitement. The ages and backgrounds were varied, yet all had one thing in common—the awaited concert. Without a second thought, Belial joined them, caught up in the vivid ambiance. The band was tuning their instruments, and the crowd grew restive with each passing moment. The lights went dark, and the band stepped onto the stage, suddenly erupting into frenzied cheers and clapping.

The music drummed away, and Belial felt a strange sense of familiarity with that energy on stage; it was reminiscent of the green-haired one he had briefly encountered, but he decided to shelve that thought for later. The music was hypnotic, and for the next few hours, Belial lost himself in rhythms and melodies that completely engulfed him.

After the concert, he took some time off and headed for a small bar not far from his location. As he approached, he ordered a glass of juice from the bartender and asked about the city he was currently in. The bartender, curious, asked Belial why he sounded foreign, telling him that he was in Silva City—a charming, fun, and perilous place.

Belial listened with wide eyes, absorbing the information about the city, its culture, and its citizens. Indeed, there was far more to this new place than what first met his eye. Though he'd have to be cautious, his heart danced with joy at the mere thought of what Silva City had in store for him.

"I guess i landed a pretty good spot." he mused, taking one last sip.

He turned and asked the bartander for directions to a local inn he could spend the night. The bartender furnished him with the information, and Belial thanked him cordially before exiting the bar. As he walked around the city, he soon found that he was utterly lost. His sense of direction was poor to begin with, and he meandered through the streets, completely and totally disoriented.

Exausted and frustrated he stummbled inside the inn and made a beeline to the front desk.

"Welcome to The Elks. How may I help you?" the receptionist asked.

"A room for one night," Belial replied, pulling out five silver coins.

But before he could pay, a familiar voice cut in. "Five for one night? Really, El? You'd go so low just to rip this guy off? Come on, man, he's new here."

Belial turned to see the green-haired figure from earlier standing beside him. Under his stern gaze, the receptionist at the desk sighed.

"Fine. I'll make that three silver."

Belial thanked the stranger as he paid with three silver coins. The receptionist, in turn, handed Belial the key to his room, and Belial went upstairs gratefully, finally able to get a place to rest.

As Belial entered his room, he let out a sigh of relief as he set his things down beside his bed. The burden of weight from his bag and katana had followed him throughout the day, and he was eager to rest.The small room had minimal furniture and poor lighting, but it was sufficient.

He walked to the bed, lay down, and felt the plush mattress surround him. A wave of relief washed over his tired frame. Further adventures swirled in his mind as he closed his eyes, but now he was quite happy to be sleeping and revitalizing his energy, knowing that the next day would bring new challenges and sights in this intriguingly festive city.

In the Demon King's castle, the large halls were strangely silent, with their typical buzz of authority lowered. A dark figure quietly entered through the massive arched doors, moving with careful and intentional strides. The loud sound of boots hitting the cold stone floor reverberated, breaking the silence. Upon nearing the throne room, a soldier in dark armor quickly advanced and offered a salute. 

"Relax," the figure ordered, speaking in a calm and commanding tone. The soldier remained relaxed, yet tension still emanated from him. 

"Did you manage to capture him?" The sharp and expectant words lingered in the air. 

The soldier paused, a hint of discomfort appearing on his face. "No, Commander... we weren't. We couldn't find them in Kaze Cave, and since then... we have attempted all methods—dogs, ether trackers, yet they are nowhere to be found. "

The Commander's gaze became more focused, with irritation bubbling just below the surface of their calm demeanor. A heavy and suffocating silence lingered in the air between them. 

The soldier moved anxiously. He went on, admitting it was his mistake, his voice strained. I ought to have been on watch duty. But now... we need to figure out how to capture him before the Demon King comes back. 

The Commander's expression grew somber as the shadow of failure loomed over him. “I can only think of one person who could do it,” they whispered, their voice becoming softer. A disturbing silence ensued, as though even the walls were staying silent knowing who this person was.