Chapter 452: The Damned Plains

Chapter 452: The Damned Plains

All the air was knocked from Noahs lungs as something punched into his stomach. The red energy of the portal vanished with a sizzle as he doubled over, coughing, and slammed into the ground. Rough dirt pressed against his cheek and a dry, acrid stench worked its way into his nose, something between sulfur and burnt bread.

It felt like his body had been stuffed through a sausage grinder. Every single one of his muscles ached and a furious headache pounded in a temple. Even though his eyes were still squeezed shut, the world shuddered, spun, twirled like he was on a carnival ride.

One of his hands was still wrapped around something. It took his reeling mind a moment to remember what it was. He forced his eyes open and shoved himself up with his free hand, ignoring the sharp earth as it pushed into his palm.

Lee laid before him, her form back to normal. Her claws and horn had receded. He still had a vice grip on her ankle. Red dirt stretched out all around them, a ruddy color that would have looked right at home on the surface of mars. Noah coughed some dust out of his lungs.

Something shifted behind him and he jerked his head around, only to find Moxie pushing herself up. Her hair was covered with a fine layer of dust and her clothes were streaked with reddish-brown streaks from the ground.

A vague memory of something snagging onto his leg before hed entered the portal passed through his mind. Shed done the exact same move to him that he had to Lee.

Noah tried to speak but ended up coughing up more bitter dust instead. He doubled over, heaving and coughing in an attempt to empty his lungs. Moxie joined him in his coughing fit. By the time the two of them had managed to gather themselves again, Lee had started to stir.

She sat up and looked down at the ground, rubbed it between two fingers, then let her hand drop once more. Lee blinked heavily several times to get the dust out of her eyes, then wiped her face with the back of her arm.

Noah? Moxie? Why are you here? Lee asked. She blinked again, then rubbed at her eyes once more. Are you here?

As far as I know, yes, Noah replied. His throat was dry and scratchy, but at least he could breathe properly again. He ran his tongue along his lips and grimaced in distaste. The bitter taste of the ground had still yet to leave his mouth. Is everyone okay?

Im alive, and it looks like the two of you are as well. Moxie pushed her hair away from her face. I think thats the best we could have possibly hoped after that shitshow.

I dont get it. Why are you here? Lee asked, a note of panic entering her voice. Why did you follow me? Dont you realize what happened? Were in

The Damned Plains, Noah finished. He directed his gaze upward. A vast expanse of black stretched above him, entirely devoid of clouds or stars. Swirls of red energy slithered through the sky like serpents, passing over an enormous, light blue moon. I know, Lee. Wizen got the key working.

If you knew, why did you follow me in? Lee demanded, then doubled over coughing as she accidentally inhaled some of the dust floating around them. She wiped her mouth off with the back of a sleeve. I pushed you out of the way so you wouldnt fall in!The most uptodate novels are published on n0velbj)n((.))co/m

Which I deeply appreciate, Noah said, casting his gaze around them. There was nothing but rolling red hills. Of Wizen, there was no sign. You saved me from getting dragged along by Wizen. He wasnt holding onto us when we fell into the portal, so it looks like we got sent somewhere else.

Maybe some god felt pity for all the stupid shit weve been through, Moxie muttered. She started trying to comb the dust out of her hair, and Noah caught a faint tremble in her fingers.

He could feel the same shaking in his own hands, a mixture of fading adrenaline and worry swirling its way through his bloodstream and winding around his chest. They were in the Damned Plains.

If you knew, why did you do it? Lees gaze bored into his head and her hands tightened in the red dirt.

Its pretty varied. Not as much as the human world but varied. Its just that every part of it is awful, Lee said. She sniffed at the air and grimaced, rubbing at her nose. A lot of it is like this. Theyre called Wastes. This is where many of the lowest level demons and bottom feeders hide. I spent a lot of time in places like this.

They hide? Noah looked around the sand, then drew on his imbuements to see if there was anything nearby. There didnt seem to be any movement around them that was out of the ordinary. Where?

Not usually in the ground, Lee answered. There are other places. Caves. Cliffsides. All over. This area is just even more barren than most.

Any plants? Moxie asked hopefully.

Not really. Not here, at least.

Thats fine. I brought my own.

What else should we know off the bat? Noah asked. I vaguely recall you mentioning the existence of roaming demon cities. Can we

No. Its too dangerous. Lee shook her head firmly. I know the mortal realm was different, but the limit here isnt Rank 6. There are Rank 7 demons in many of the cities. They dont just let you in. You need to prove your worth to them.

And how do we do that? Moxie asked. Kill a bunch of people?

Not too far from the truth, Lee admitted. You need to be of high enough rank or have someone vouch for you, and then you need to bring a suitable sacrifice to the ruler of the city youre trying to enter. Thats usually some part of another demon you ran into. The stronger, the better.

So we just need to find a demon that acts like an asshole and we can head over to one of the cities? Noah asked. Because that seems like it would be the most logical first step. Im sure the demons have some sort of information exchange, so we could try to learn about Wizen and what hes up to.

Youre forgetting something, Lee said. She poked Noah in the chest. You and Moxie are human. There isnt much more valuable to demons than that. Youre a walking source of food. Humans dont just walk around in the Damned Plains.

Noah winced. That was a pretty good point. Never? Is it really that obvious? I never thought that much about it, but if you just feast on emotion can you really tell whos a demon and who isnt? You didnt even have horns until recently.

Well your emotions taste better. You cant really tell immediately, but demons and humans have differences. You know that. Youve seen me and Azel. We dont have domains and stuff. We also act really differently. A human would get spotted really fast.

Noah tilted his head to the side. Thats it?

What do you mean, thats it? Thats a lot.

Its definitely a problem, but if Im understanding this correctly, youve just told me that as long as we act like demons and dont reveal our domains, the other demons wont have any way to know that we arent demons. Am I right?

Well yeah. I guess, Lee said with a small frown. I havent put that much thought into it, but powerful demons can take on human forms.

Then I think we should go find that sacrifice and the nearest city, Noah said, a determined smile pulling across his lips. Because if theres one thing Im really damn good at, its bullshitting.