91 A Void Owl

Making it back to the Langsen rift, I was grouped together with the other entrants to the Cove of Death.

"Soldiers, prepare yourselves, for now, you dive into the jaws of the Langsen Rift," said the Viscount leading us to the Cove of Death.

The rift was a desolate place. There were tears in space everywhere. I was cautious during our travel. There was no telling when a chaotic demon would pop out of one of the spacial tears. Devils loathed chaotic demons.

The entire chaotic demon race was born of the most depraved souls from the mortal realms. These individuals were not beguiled by devils into the path of evil. They were truly evil people in life. These villains knew nothing of how to live in a civilized society.

Whenever they spawned, devils would exterminate them. It wasn't worth the effort to reform these chaotic demons. Abyssal Rifts where were these chaotic demons were birthed. The devil race was an evolution of chaotic demons. However, we had an organized society.

Devils culled all the chaotic demons birthed by the Abyss. This lead to endless wars between the chaotic demon and the devil race. Not every Abyss was as fortunate as the Xertzul Abyss to be ruled by devils. Powerful chaotic demons ruled some.

Devils did not have a problem with demons that had been beguiled by devils to turn into a demon such as Wanfang. These people were easy to deal with and could fit into society. But chaotic demons were lawless individuals only caring for themselves.

After being killed, chaotic demons souls would be recycled by the Abyss to form demon beasts. Malicious and chaotic, these creatures would want to do nothing by cause chaos and strife. It was in their very nature.

When I reached the encampment at the Cove of Death, I was enamored.

The cove was huge, bright, and archaic. It was on the edge of a void ocean, formed from soft rocks, and weathered away by the movement of waves, currents, and tides. A small town was nestled between the granite cliffs.

This town was the base camp where the standing army resided. Chaotic demons would attempt to swim over the barrier at high tide and be trapped by the strong cultivators standing guard.

The town was called Coldridge Base. This would be my residency for the coming years as I fulfilled my service within the Langsen Rift.

"I am a Baron Smith, I was told that the Cove of Death is in need of a Baron smith to fill its ranks," I said to the officer in charge.

"Good, we have a smith in this batch. We really need it, our weapons are always breaking from the constant warfare," said the officer.

"You are assigned to the Smith Division. There is currently only old Zaymore within the Smith Division here. You will be under his command henceforth."

"You can locate the blacksmith shop on the north side of town. It will be easy to find from the smoke and sulfur."

I knocked on the door.

"Drop off hours are between 9-12, if you can't respect my hours then you won't receive repairs," said an elderly voice from behind the door.

"Sir, I am a new recruit for the Cove of Death," I said.

"New recruit? Good, come on in young fellow," said the elderly voice.

The shop was a mess, broken weapons were shewn all over the place. There was not a bit of order to this shop. I wondered how this old man even kept track of people's weapons.

There in the middle of the mess sat a soot-covered elderly devil.

"I have been in this Cove of Death over 50 years. If you want to survive work at forging and don't ever think of heading to the front lines. The only thing that awaits those that fight out there is death," said the elderly devil.

"50 years, why so long?" I said.

"You young fellows know nothing. Not everyone chooses to come to Rifts for merits. Those that offend the wrong clan get banished here to live the rest of there days 'serving the Empire'," said the elderly devil pointing to the black owl mark on his forehead.

I winced at the mark on his forehead. It was the Void Owl mark of banishment. Every devil was taught early about this mark. It was the highest form of shame for a devil. Anyone that had one was not welcome in Empires or Kingdoms. They could only live out their lives in the Rifts.

Taking a mark of banishment absolves you of any crimes, however, they swear a devil heart oath to prohibit them from marriage, family, and land ownership outside the Rifts until their natural death. They renounce all past allegiances and birthright.

It was possible to escape this punishment with overwhelming meritorious service. However, most lived out the rest of their lives within the Rifts, since the merits required were almost impossible.

"Hear my words and bear witness to my devil heart oath. The Void parts, and now my service begins. It shall not end until my death or the death of six-hundred sixty-six demons by my hands," said the elderly devil.

"I shall take no wife, hold no lands, and father no children outside the Rifts. I shall wear no crowns and gain no glory. I shall live and die in the Rift. I am a guardian of the Rift. I am the owl silent in the Void. I am the shield that guards the Abyss of devils. I pledge my life and honor to the Rift's protection, for this day and all days to come."

"It's been centuries since I took that oath, but it still resounds as clear as day within my devil heart. Only through living my last days in a hell hole such as this do I have the possibility of one day seeing the Abyss again."