Mutagen

Day 151 - 10:11 PM - Mountain Area, Barangay Sioron, Municipality of Gigmoto, Catanduanes

After the scattered group of Demons ran across the mountains, a fairly organized group passed by afterward. It was a group of about two hundred individuals, each emanating auras far different from the first groups.

A whole lot of them appeared to have a human appearance. It was the trait that only those that were born human but inherited the Demonic abilities of their ancestors had. It was unlike the failed Feral Demons and even lesser Demons.

These descendants were reborn as Demons through inheritance. They were not forced to become Demons using a ritual. It was also the very reason why they had higher intelligence compared to lesser Demons, that were close to beasts in behavior.

At the center of the group was the leader of the Demons on this island, Lord Seis. He was riding on a black stallion with red glowing eyes. It was obvious that this horse was not ordinary but a transformed Aswang. It was unexpected, however, as these Demons were never seen to take a form like this.

In rural legends, literature, and folklore, Aswangs were only seen to take forms of boars, dogs, and carabaos. All of which were extraordinarily large with black skin and red glowing eyes. That was why it was unusual that an Aswang that took the form of a horse.

Nonetheless, while it seemed that it was strange that an Aswang would allow anyone to ride it, it was likely to be an honor for them to be the mount of their leader.

Walking beside the horse, there was the Mist Demon, Muggur.

The two were surrounded by a variety of creatures. The one that stuck out the most was an old woman with a beggar-like appearance. Furthermore, she was one of the few that was riding on a mount. While the others were riding on different kinds of animals, however, she was the only one riding on a giant insect. Her mount was a gigantic grub about the height of a motorcycle and as long as two motorcycles connected front and back.

In every way, she looked strange among the group. Furthermore, while the others were riding on transformed Aswangs, she was the only one riding on an evolved insect.

Yes, the larva of a beetle she was riding was not a Demon. It was a tamed insect.

That insect, however, proved what this old woman was. She was not a Demon, either, but someone deeply associated with their kind. Furthermore, from all the known creatures associated with Demons, there was only one prominent figure capable of taming bugs.

A Mambabarang, that was what this woman was.

Nonetheless, it was strange that she was appearing here.

Mambabarangs were known for their sinister curses that could bring forth disgusting effects on their victims. Because their curses needed to be done with preparations and a ritual, it was unexpected that she would appear in the frontlines where there was no chance of doing it.

And yet, she was here.

The group of Demons traveled across the mountains at their own pace. They all look forward to the anticipated war with the Spirit and Elemental Races that inhabit this very same island.

Along the way, they passed by dead bodies of evolved animals. The scent of blood began to make them feel the blood rush.

But then, they came across a scene with several dead animals and the smell of the blood of their brethren.

"It seemed like some of our brethren got injured." The Mist Demon, Muggur, voiced out beside their Lord. "Is it really fine to let them clear the way?"

"Kekeke, you are being a worrywart, aren't you, Muggur?"

The old Mambabarang chuckled.

"I am not, you old hag." Muggur retorted with a frown. "It is just anything that could happen while they were all out of our supervision."

"That is what you call being a worrywart. Kuku."

The Mambabarang ridiculed Muggur. Of course, the latter was infuriated.

"Muggur, Legra. You two want to go back?"

Lord Seis spoke without looking at the two.

"Legra, you stop trying to start a fight with Muggur at every possible occasion. I told you that several times already."

"And you, Muggur. You don't have to babysit everyone. Even I would prefer to make all of us travel in one group. However, you know the nature of Demons. We all long for the blood of our enemies. We who were powerful enough could suppress this urge, but it is different to our new brethren. Remember that most of them were new to our side. If they could lessen this urge by killing animals along the way, it would be easier to control them later. Furthermore, it is better if they can get any battle experience along the way."

Muggur nodded in silence. He understood what Lord Seis was saying. Furthermore, he was not stupid to forget his past self. Not all Demons were born strong. He was one of those that struggled with his urges several decades ago. It was fortunate that he was a Mist Demon, with the ability to turn into mist. He was able to escape the anger of humans. The other weaker Demons at his time, however, were killed by missionaries and human hunters.

It was also true that it was better if the new Demons gained some fighting experience. While many Demons were hot-headed and would get into fights often, it was far from the actual battle experience needed.

Nonetheless, Muggur could not shake off the odd feeling that something wrong would happen. This area and the place where they designated as a gathering point was still far from the enemy territory. Yet, he was feeling restless.

The whole group continued on their way. Up until now, nothing of note happened or was seen along the way. In another half hour, they would reach their destination. They would see the other groups that gathered there already.

Maybe Muggur was just being paranoid.

"By the way, that Brat, Austin. He's still missing, isn't he?"

Legra suddenly asked.

Those that heard her could not help but frown. Lord Seis and Muggur were no exception.

Austin was a high Demon that appeared on the island some time ago. And to say, aside from Lord Seis, there was no doubt that he was the most powerful in the group of Demons on this island. However, compared to other individuals, Austil was aloof and did not interact with others in any way. Because of his behavior, he was ired by many Demons.

Nonetheless, no one could deny his strength. There was one time that a Demon challenged Austin to a fight. The Demon was killed in a blink of an eye. No one, whether it be the Demon or the audience, understood how Austin killed the challenger. From then on, while most Demons in their group did not trust Austin, no one openly showed their dislike to the outsider.

There was one thing that made Austin stood out and become an important member of their group. It was not his strength but knowledge. Unlike the Demons on this island that was uneducated, Austin had a deeper knowledge of humans and Demons alike.

Compared to his intelligence, the Demons on this island were, more or less, barbarians. That was why he became the person that Lord Seis would ask about things when there was uncertainty.

He was an adviser, as Austin called himself after getting such a position.

The odd thing, however, during the ritual last night, Austin vanished from their settlement. It was a bad thing since he was one of the crucial pieces in this war. The Demons would need his strategies and knowledge. Yet, when they needed him the most, he vanished without a word or even a trace.

Nonetheless, Austin's disappearance did not really matter to most of the Demons. Even more, to some of them, Austin's disappearance was a blessing. Since they would not be overshadowed by the mysterious outsider, they could show their prowess instead.

"It doesn't matter if he's here or not," Lord Seis replied to Legra. "We will still take over this island."

Less than half-hour passed and the main forces of the Demons crossed the last mountain. Being able to traverse the mountains in a short time showed their difference to humans.

Finally, Lord Seis and his group reached the area where everyone was supposed to gather.

It was a secluded farming village in the middle of the mountains in Viga. Since there were wide farmlands in the village that surrounded the Tambogñon River, there was a vacant area wide enough to contain all their troops.

But then, everyone was overcome with confusion.

The Demons that were already waiting in the area, eating the flesh of the dead evolved animals, turned towards the main group with eyes filled with incredulity.

On the other hand, Lord Seis and his entourage had the same expression. There was no need to count. It was clear that a large portion of the Demons that went ahead was missing.

At the arrival of their leader, the Demons left everything they were doing and gathered in groups, kneeling before Lord Seis.

That gesture, however, did not make Lord Seis feel any better.

"Where are the others? Did they go somewhere else?"

Lord Seis asked a higher-ranked Demon from the first group. It was the leader of the riders of those flesh beasts.

"M-My Lord. Forgive me. I had no idea." The group leader of the riders replied nervously. "We arrived here first to clear the place of any danger. Then, we just stayed put waiting for the others to arrive. We are also bewildered that My Lord arrived already when the others had yet to."

The leader of the Demon riders was very nervous. He cautiously picked his words to reply to Lord Seis. If he made a mistake, it would not be surprising if his head suddenly flew off.

Fortunately, Lord Seis had more important matters to consider than lopping off the head of this innocent Demon.

"What in the world is happening?" Legra voiced out. "Did they get lost or something? It won't be surprising since those lesser Demons had low intelligence."

The other Demons frowned at the Mambabarang's remark. However, what she said was true. Lower-ranked Demons had limited intelligence compared to higher-ranked ones.

"That' can't happen." Muggur glared at Legra before turning back to the leader of the riders. "You are still carrying the censer, right?"

"Yes."

The leader of the riders replied to Muggur, pointing at his flesh beast that had a censer attached to its body. Even right now, the censer was releasing smoke with an attractive smell to Demons.

Low-ranked Demons had lower intelligence. As such, something was needed to guide them. This censer was not an ordinary one but something used to command low-ranked Demons. The smell it was releasing could scatter a few kilometers away and could only be sensed by Demons that knew its smell.

Because of this censer, even if the low-ranked Demons got lost in the mountains, they could easily find the way as they only needed to follow the smell.

Yet, even with this thing, they were missing a large portion of their troops.

This was impossible to happen. Just what in the world was happening?

None of them could fathom how a large portion of their troops would vanish into thin air.

But then, there was only one possibility.

"That Damned Diwata learned to use tricks, doesn't she?"

Lord Seis was furious.

Diwatas were an embodiment of righteousness and justice. That was why they were known to be straightforward individuals that would not play sly tricks on their enemies. It was not like they could not, but the way they were created would deny it out of their minds.

And yet, the only possible thing that could have happened was that the Diwata and her warriors did something out of the norm.

"DAMN IT!"

Lord Seis roared. The whole place shook from his furious voice.

"What are we going to do now?" Legra asked. "Retreat or continue?"

"We are already here." Lord Seis grit his teeth. "We will continue forwards. We only lost low-ranked Demons. Most of our brethren were still here."

In the view of Lord Seis, the low-ranked Demons were, more or less, just cannon fodder. Their disappearance would not impact the overall strength of their army.

When the time struck midnight, they would rush towards the territory of their damned enemies.

But then, Muggur stiffened. He was releasing mist from his body, searching the area around them.

"Muggur, what happened?"

Lord Seis immediately noticed the Mist Demon's strange behavior.

"Lord Seis," Muggur replied with a bitter smile. "It looks like we won't be able to wait for midnight. We are already surrounded."