Piper knelt behind a row of towering spikes on the dragon’s back and gazed down at the castle in the distance. Before she arrived at its twisted gates, she needed to take some time to prepare herself. After all, she had no idea what awaited her inside.

  First, she cast [False Face], changing her appearance to resemble Malkazar. If another demon somehow saw through her illusions, maybe they’d hesitate at the sight of the demonic noble. Assuming he’d shown her his true form back on the ship. Based on her previous interactions with him, he seemed to like playing games.

  Next, she cast [Truth Shroud] and increased her level to 1000. Pursing her lips, she bumped it up to level 2000. In the Infernal Realm, there was no reason to keep her level low. With any luck, any demons she encountered would be intimidated by her level. And if any weren’t, then she was completely screwed anyway.

  Finally, she cast [Wraithskin] and faded from sight. Between the three spells, she believed she could either sneak or bluff her way through the gates. Failing that, she would have to fight her way through. With every passing moment, her body grew weaker back in the Mortal Realm.

  With a reassuring touch on her quiver, she set off down the slope of the dragon's back. She slid down the curve of the spine before arriving at the valley between the shoulder blades. When she reached flatter ground, she broke into a trot.

  Gorebark twisted in her grip. “You're really going to just walk into the Forbidden Castle of Certain Doom?”

  She slowed her pace. “Is that really its name?”

  “What do you think?” The bow guffawed. “But it might as well be.”

  Roling her eyes, she continued at a slower pace. “What should I expect in there?”

  “Those are Elaraxa’s protectors. Not even the nobles mess with them, and they like to mess with everyone. Odds are, they’ll kill you on sight.”

  “That’s why I hope they won’t see me.”

  As she jogged forward, she tried to push Gorebark’s warning out of her mind. She’d just have to trust in her illusions—she had no other choice.

  After a few hours had passed, she finally arrived in front of the fortress’s gates. Two hulking demons stood guard on either side, gripping black halberds. They almost resembled humanoid bulls, with bovine snouts, short reddish fur, and massive black horns stretching out wider than their bodies. At her approach, both of their gazes fell upon her.

  So much for my illusions, she thought to herself. Please, please don’t be aggressive.

  Of course, she might as well wish that a fish didn’t need to breathe water. So far, she hadn’t encountered many friendly demons. And she didn’t need to use [Identify] to know both demons standing in front of her were immensely powerful. In fact, she felt certain each one individually could stand against Malkazar in a fight.

  One of the demons stepped forward and leveled the tip of his halberd at Piper. “Remove your illusions,” he growled, his booming voice shaking the ground. “Immediately!”

  Piper bobbed her head up and down. She began to strip away her illusions one by one. When she’d finished, she stood in front of them, exposing her true face and class. She chewed on her lower lip, her heart racing, as she waited for the guards to react. What if they attacked?

  A prickle passed over her skin, and then the demon’s eyes widened. A moment later, both creatures prostrated themselves in front of Piper. “My deepest apologies. Welcome home, mistress.”

  “Um… thanks?” She started to creep past them but then stopped. “I have this quest… do you know where I need to go?”

  “The throne room awaits your presence.” The demon angled his face slightly to peer up at her with one dark eye. “Should we expect your sisters to be along shortly?”

  “My sisters?” Piper’s brow wrinkled with confusion. “What sisters?”

  “The remainder of Elaraxa’s brood. Are they not joining you for the class bestowal?”

  “Not this time,” she said, thinking quickly. “But I bet they’ll be here soon. Just keep an eye out for them.”

  “As you wish, mistress.”

  Piper turned sideways to squeeze through the hulking demons lying face down on the ground. She held her breath until she’d reached the gate. But neither moved to stop her.

  Walking through the archway, she entered a vast open courtyard and found dozens of the same species who prostrated themselves at her arrival.

  She approached the closest one lying on the ground, who appeared to be female and far smaller than the others. “Would you mind showing me the way to the throne room?”

  The demoness raised her face, her eyes burning with fervour. “Anything for you, mistress. I will sacrifice my life for you if required!”

  Piper held up her hands. “There’s no need for that. What’s your name?”

  “My name is Ashkara, mistress.”

  “Mine is Piper.” She smiled at the demoness. “And all I need are directions.”

  “Your wish is my command.” The demoness leapt to her feet and stomped toward the far side of the castle. Though calling it a castle wasn’t doing it justice. Piper’s entire neighbourhood on Earth could have fit comfortably within its dark walls.

  Following Ashkara, Piper kept sneaking peeks at the demons they passed. She’d expected to have to fight her way through waves of the horned creatures. Instead, everyone flopped to the ground the second she appeared.

  If it wasn’t for the news of having sisters, she might have thought things were going her way for once. The guard at the gate had expected the others of Elaraxa’s brood to arrive soon. Did that mean someone else would contest her claim to the new class? Perhaps she’d have to fight them instead of Elaraxa? Truthfully, she would vastly prefer that option over fighting a city-sized dragon.

  The demoness led her through twisting corridors and down ramps into the bowels of the fortress. All manner of what she assumed were trophies had been mounted on the walls. A few of the hallways had immense demon skulls on platforms, while others had broken weapons on display.

  “As you can bear witness to,” the demoness intoned in a solemn voice, “we have protected your home since Thronefall. Many invaders have fallen attempting to gain entry over the millennia.”

  “Very impressive,” Piper murmured, unsure of what else to say.

  Her words seemed to please Ashkara, who beamed as she led her deeper into the fortress. “We have carefully guarded Elaraxa’s classes,” she continued. “Each time you return to the Infernal Realm, you may claim another of the dragon’s legendary classes.”

  “That’s great,” she said excitedly. “Do you happen to know how I claim them?”

  “Such knowledge is not shared with a lowly protector such as myself.”

  “Oh, I see.”

  After their brief exchange, they continued on in silence, passing through what looked like a vast armory. Thousands of demonic weapons, all with faces on them, sat neatly in rows on metal racks. The power emanating from them nearly rivaled Gorebark. She’d have to ask if she could take one on the way back. A weapon that resembled her meteor mace had especially caught her eye.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  They left the armory and moved through what looked like a mess hall, where dozens of the castle’s protectors sat at tables. And despite what Astaroth had said about demons not needing sustenance in this realm, all of them were busy eating and drinking. At least until they spotted Piper, and then they hurled themselves to the ground.

  As she moved past the tables, she tried to inspect the food. But Ashkara moved too fast, and she barely caught a glimpse of the dark liquid steaming in the bowls. Beyond the mess hall, the floor angled upwards before transforming into a spiral staircase.

  Climbing the stairs, they had to stop every few paces for a demon to open a heavy gate. Each defensive bulwark was manned by archers and spellcasters. Should the need arise, the demons could probably hold off attackers almost indefinitely here.

  Piper couldn’t help but wonder what they were defending. Would she find all the answers in the throne room? Or would she only end up with more questions?

  Finally, after nearly half an hour of climbing the stairs, they arrived at a cavernous room with massive doors on the far side. The walls and ceiling were covered with exquisitely beautiful carvings of the black dragon. In each image, the dragon was engaged in a different battle. In the first one, she breathed fire on a demonic army, scattering it to the winds. In the last one, Elaraxa grappled with a hulking man in golden armor while thirteen others behind him hurled powerful spells at her.

  She would have liked to stay to examine the carvings, but already Ashkara had hurried across the room and pressed her palm against the door.

  “This is such a great honor, mistress,” Ashkara gushed. “To be chosen to visit the throne room is a lifelong dream of all my kin. My life is yours eternally for this honor.”

  Piper simply nodded her head dumbly at the demoness’s words. Hopefully, by choosing Ashkara randomly to escort her to the throne room, she hadn’t upset some delicate power balance in the fortress. She’d already sown enough chaos back in the mortal realm to last a lifetime.

  As the door swung open, a blast of heat struck them, as a room with a swirling pool of lava was revealed. The bubbling magma cast a bloodred light across the room, etching deep shadows into every surface.

  In the center of the room stood a grisly throne, the sight of which immediately made Piper’s mouth go dry. The seat had been assembled from bones, with massive femurs forming the back and a pile of skulls acting as the armrests. Rotting demonic corpses, frozen in poses of pure agony, had been twisted into stairs ascending to the throne.

  Piper exhaled slowly as she took in her surroundings. No one who had a throne room like this was going to be friendly.

  “May I have your leave to depart, mistress?” Ashkara asked, curtseying low.

  “Wait,” Piper said, rounding on the red-furred demoness. “What do I do now?”

  “Elaraxa will provide all the answers.” Ashkara looked plaintively toward the exit. “I beg of you, give me leave…”

  After a few seconds, Piper waved for her to go. She would have preferred to learn more from Ashkara, but the demoness looked ready to bolt. Obviously, she didn’t want to be in here for whatever was about to happen.

  Which means she’s probably smarter than me.

  Not since her fight against the shadeling during her first trip to the Infernal Realm had she felt so unprepared for an encounter. She knew something was going to happen in the throne room, but had no idea what it would entail.

  She nearly jumped out of her skin when the doors boomed shut behind Ashkara. As the echoes faded, the only sound in the room was the sizzling of the lava as it eddied around the pool. With the door closed, the heat began to increase, making a sheen of sweat spring up on Piper’s body.

  “Hello?” she called out tentatively. “Is there anyone here?”

  A swell of impossible power responded to her words, nearly dropping her to her knees. The magma swirled upward like a cyclone, the glowing rock spinning faster and faster. The spout twisted and angled toward the floor near Piper.

  She instinctively stepped back as the lava splashed down a short distance away. Then it withdrew, leaving a statuesque demoness in its wake.

  The woman stood nearly double Piper’s height, and her black horns twisted toward the ceiling. Her facial features looked almost uncannily beautiful, with high cheekbones, glowing red eyes, and flawless alabaster skin. At first, Piper thought she was wearing a black bodysuit, but then she realized the demoness’s body was covered with tiny scales that rippled in the crimson light.

  Was this Elaraxa?

  Without thinking, Piper curtsied to the demoness. This action earned a slight smile from the dragon.

  “Welcome, my child,” the demoness said in a silky voice. “I have waited ever so long for your arrival.”

  “Elaraxa?”

  The demoness inclined her head slightly, her smile growing.

  “I have so many questions for you—” Piper trailed off as the demoness raised her hand to indicate silence.

  “There is no time for any questions.” Elaraxa said sharply. “Events in the mortal realm are unfolding more swiftly than expected. I foresee disaster if you do not return immediately.”

  “You must have time for a few questions? Please…”

  Elaraxa’s eyes clouded before she nodded tersely. “Speak quickly, child.”

  “Is it… true that you caused my disease?”

  As Elaraxa nodded once more, Piper’s heart felt like it shattered.

  “You stole my life,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “I spent almost every day in a hospital suffering.”

  “I will not apologize for actions necessary to save all the realms,” Elaraxa said in a flat tone. “And did I not grant you another life?”

  “But it was my life, and I wanted to live it with my parents!”

  The demoness stepped forward and reached out to caress Piper’s cheek. “Your sacrifice will save untold souls. Does that not make it worthy?”

  “Why didn’t you ask me?”

  Elaraxa arched her eyebrow. “How was I to ask the unborn?”

  “I should have had a say!” Piper cried out, knowing she was being unreasonable, but a flood of emotions wouldn’t let her stop. The demoness standing in front of her had caused all of her pain and suffering on Earth. “Why me? Why did you choose me?”

  “There is no time for such inane questions.” Elaraxa dropped her hand. “I must bestow your class on you and then you must return with all haste to the mortal realm.”

  “Wait… what’s happening back in Kalmyros?” Piper’s heart dropped as she realized the implications of what the demoness was saying. Something had gone wrong in the mortal realm.

  “If you do not return immediately, then you shall be discovered and most likely slain. I would prefer to avoid that outcome at all costs.”

  “Can’t you do something to protect me?”

  “My powers are currently limited,” Elaraxa replied. “Even the act of taking this form will take months to recover from.”

  Piper fought down the urge to ask a thousand more questions. She slung Gorebark over her back, the bow having been mercifully silent for once, and placed her hands at her sides. “Please grant me the class.”

  Elaraxa raised her hand, and blue flames leapt from her fingers. The magic slammed into Piper, driving her to her knees. Then visions bombarded her mind.

  Piper found herself floating above a vast range of erupting volcanoes, the peaks belching smoke and flames. In the distance, an impossibly large black dragon marched through the falling ash, each footfall shaking the world.

  At first, Piper thought she was here to witness the dragon. But her viewpoint shifted to observe a demoness clambering up the side of a volcano. Rivers of magma glowed on either side of the woman as she picked her way through razor-sharp rocks. Already, the demoness’s feet and hands bled from dozens of cuts, but she kept moving forward.

  As howls erupted from below, Piper turned her gaze to see dozens of dark shapes loping after the demoness. Now she understood why the woman wouldn’t stop; the things pursuing her looked like hellhounds on steroids. They had powerful bodies, with long black fur, and slavering mouths filled with sharp teeth. Each of their tails ended in a scorpion's stinger.

  At the sound of the howl, the demoness raised her gaze to peer worriedly down the slope. Piper blinked in surprise at recognizing a much younger Elaraxa. She didn’t have the black scales covering her body, and her face looked much plainer, but there was no mistaking her features. Then her gaze snapped over to the dragon tromping around in the distance. If this was Elaraxa, then who in the world was that dragon?

  There’s more than one infernal dragon?

  Before Piper could dwell long on her question, the pack of twisted hellhounds reached Elaraxa’s position. One of the creatures launched itself forward and snapped its jaws shut around the woman’s ankle.

  Elaraxa spun around, her features twisted with pain, and launched a spell at the pack. Spiked chains erupted from the earth and ensnared the hounds. The barbed restraints immediately snapped taut and dragged the nearby creatures to the ground, where they whined and thrashed around.

  The demoness changed targets to the handful of creatures who had evaded her spell. A surge of power followed, and glowing red runes burst to life on the hounds’ chests. The magic pulsed as the creatures desperately tried to scramble away. With another burst of power, the runes detonated, and the hellhounds disintegrated into a red mist and bits of fur.

  During the scuffle, another demon in dark robes had drawn closer. It superficially resembled Astaroth, being from the same species. Except it had dozens of what looked like ritualistic marks carved into its skin. Dark blood dripped from the open wounds, congealing and twisting as if it were alive.

  Elaraxa turned to face the new arrival, her eyes narrowing slightly. She limped as she reached across to unsheathe a midnight-black sword from her hip. A single red eye burned with power on the hilt of the weapon. She brandished the sword in front of her as she circled her opponent.

  As the towering demon began to cast a spell, Elaraxa hurriedly countered with one of her own. The demon’s mouth dropped open, its spell having failed. He frantically raised his hand, but again nothing happened.

  With a wicked grin, Elaraxa stalked forward. The demon tried to backpedal away, but he tripped over a rock and tumbled to the ground. He reached over and tried to manipulate the blood on his wounds. But whatever he was attempting took too long; Elaraxa sprang forward and drove the dark blade into his chest. The second the weapon pierced his skin, his body shrivelled up into a withered husk.

  Piper watched as Elaraxa ripped the sword free, the eye blazing with immense power. Then, with a glance down at a seething mass of demons farther down the volcano, she turned and resumed her climb.

  While Elaraxa continued up the mountain, Piper felt her vision fraying. An eldritch pattern formed around her before solidifying into a glowing portal. Her soul was sucked through, hurtling back toward her body in the Mortal Realm. She could only pray that things weren’t nearly as bad as Elaraxa feared. But if they were, then she would be ready.