Chapter 749: Rash’alon’s purpose
Jessia continued to hold me from behind, a the sun seemed to dim, and a filthy black aura overshadowed the forest. My chest tightened, breathing coming in shallow gasps, as every instinct urged me to flee.
A dark, domineering figure strode across the clearing, entering the grove with confidence. He was a wraithlike being, made entirely of living shadows. Darkness wrapped around him like a cloak. His malevolent eyes swept through the trees, glancing right over Luke. I stiffened, holding my breath, as they seemed to find our hiding place, only to continue on without lingering.
"Don’t worry, not even he can pierce my shroud," Jessia whispered.
I nodded, but that did little to ease the panic clawing at my chest. Black dots spun across my vision, though from his aura or my vision wavering, I couldn’t tell.
"Rash’alon. What are you doing here?" Luke asked, folding his arms crossly. He held none of the respect he had in the vision when the demon first descended.
Rash’alon’s eyes finally stopped roving, snapping to Luke with a ferocity that made him flinch. Judging with the Oracle of Eternity alone, their souls seemed equally intense, neither aura gaining dominance over the other. That wasn’t good. Not good at all.
"Have you considered my proposal?" the demon finally asked.
Luke sighed, letting his arms fall. "No. How many times do I have to tell you? I have nothing to do with the Oracle. She was but a tool I used in my conquest of the northern lands. Her usefulness expired. Why are you so obsessed with her? She’s too weak-minded to be an obstacle in the rest of the invasion."
The demon looked around again, sounding nonplussed. "Sent her away, hmm? I was under the impression you two were rather...close."
"A lie made up to destabilize my power," Luke said flatly.
"Sometimes, when I’m around you, I still catch wiffs of her scent," Rash’alon’s said, sidling closer to Luke.