Chapter 9.4. Whispers of the snakes.

Lilith groaned as consciousness returned, every fiber of her being screaming in agony. She tried to sit up, but fell back against the pillow, breath hissing through gritted teeth.

– Easy there, – Cian said softly, dark eyes filled with concern, as he gently pressed Lilith back down: – You’re safe now.

Sharr nodded agreement, snakelike tail flicking nervously behind him.

– The fomorians are gone, for now.

Lilith’s mind raced to catch up, memories flooding back in a dizzying rush. Ghol’gothar’s attack, desperate struggle against overwhelming odds, she casting a spell, and then darkness.

– What happened?

– Soon after you left Azael said that he sensed something and flew away. Captain Dremon was furious, when he noticed that you both left. But not much he could do, since many run, back then. Still he reduced your pay by half. Azael found you unconscious and brought you back to town, – explained Cian.

– Was I alone?

– Yes.

– Good.

‘Spell worked then’ – thought to herself Lilith – ‘Ghol’gothar was imprisoned, for now at least. He probably released some spell, which hit me.’

Lilith sat up and looked around.

– What about the fomorians?

– When they broke through the wall, we thought that all was lost. But hour later Belphegor himself came out. He was… Well, like bigger and stronger version of Azael, – began explaining Cian: – With huge flaming sword he killed fomorian by a dozen. His personal guard Oni, followed him. They drew fomorians back. Followed them through the broken wall and right into their camp. Fomorian army retreated after Belphegor burned down their camp and supplies. They will need many years to recover from such defeat. All town is celebrating.

– Good for them, – Lilith looked around and extended her arm: – Water.

Sharr filled a cup and gave it to his master. She drunk it all and massaged her temples.

– What is Oni?

– Demons, – explained Sharr: – They have horns, sharp claws, wild hair, and large teeth. Larger and stronger than most demons, they have red, blue, or green skin, and sometimes a third eye. They work as royal guards, and also personal guards to fallen archangels and town lords.

– I see. So the war is over?

– Indeed it iss-s. We collected the reward from the guild. But yourss-s and Azael’ss was reduced by half, – hissed Sharr with displeasure.

– No matter, – waved off his concerns Lilith: – Cian, now that the battle is over, we should leave. Good news for you, we are going to your homeland. Bringing Spear of Lugh back to your people. Find as work as guards to merchants, who travel to Mor-Mojek. Trade should resume, now that fomorians are gone.

Cian smiled and nodded:

– I will do that.

Two days later, Lilith stood atop the wagon, hands gripping the side as it rattled over dusty road. She looked back at Slother one last time, silhouetted against bloody sunset sky.

The town’s walls rose like broken teeth, holes gaped where fomorian siege had breached defenses. Smoke still curled from rooftops. Reminders of destruction wrought by invaders’ dark magic.

Yet even as ruin surrounded it, Slother endured. People moved through streets below – some rebuilding homes, others tending to wounded brought in from battlefields.

Lilith turned away then, her eyes hard with grim determination. There was nothing left for her here. No home, nor belonging to claim among ashes and bloodshed.

– Onward, – she murmured, more to herself than any companion present: – The road ahead beckons…

The merchant caravan rolled on, each turn of wheel carrying mercenaries further from war-torn town behind them. Towards Tuatha Dé Danann homeland. The journey would be long, she knew. And fraught with peril at every turn. But for now, at least? They were free and on a road again. Cursed Wanderer continued her journey.