Screams in the storm part 2

As the night stretched on, the group remained vigilant, waiting for Gadaric to return. Rufus and the others were engrossed in a heated discussion, trying to unravel the mystery of Gwon's unusual behavior. Despite being over 40 years old, he seemed unable to control his actions and was proving to be a challenge for the group.

"Liana," Doreen asked, "Why is it that you've aged and matured, but Gwon hasn't?"

"I've known Gwon since we were kids," Liana replied. "He's always been like a brother to me. But as time went on, he never really grew up. Often when he transforms into his Seng form, he loses control and becomes a monster. An animal that fights not to win, but to satiate his hunger."

"Did this happen often?" Rufus asked in shock.

"We've been in countless battles over the years. All while you were inside the palace," Amala chimed in, having a little bit of contempt in her tone.

"One of the most intense was in the kingdom of Alberic, which had fallen into chaos. With lords and nobles vying for power, we decided to support the most capable leader and help restore order. During the battle, we ran into the Azure Sea Guards, who were supporting another lord. Gwon was ambushed by at least twenty guardsmen and when we arrived, we found him covered in their blood, devouring one of them." Doreen explained the rest.

"That's what I think is happening," Liana said. "His childlike personality is the only thing keeping his beastly nature at bay."

Rufus sighed, "We need to seriously consider if we can continue traveling with Gwon like this."

Throughout the discussion, Gwon had been listening intently, gripping the sand tightly. The weight of their words was clear on his face, as he grappled with the realization of the danger he posed to his friends.

~~

Gadaric then returned, after being gone for some hours. He walked with his steps not making a single sound.

"Did you find any more of those fanatics?" Rufus asked him.

"I think you all should see it yourselves," he replied.

~~

He took them a few kilometers north. There, a force of about two thousand zealots had encamped. They were all gathered in a circle, in the middle of a ceremony, held by the same zealot they had seen at Ctesiphon.

"This many zealots in one place?" Amala said, shocked.

Yosef snarkily commented, "Well, they say stupidity condenses in a group."

Very few of the Sassanids seemed like they were actual soldiers. Many women and even children were present. Entire families moved with the group, believing in their godless faith.

The gathering looked more like a mob than an actual army.

"We shouldn't be worried. Based on what we saw, Div, the silent guy can take all of these without even breaking a sweat," Edward noted.

Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream pierced the air, cutting through the sandstorm like a knife. A large, bird-like monster descended upon the gathering. It had broken and tattered wings, a lanky and skinny body, both legs and arms, holding a staff, and no eyes. It landed on the altar at the center of the masses. It was a night screamer. A demon.

"You think Div can take that one on?" Yosef then a,sked.

"Oh great messenger from Cyrus. We follow you and are ready to destroy the city of the djinns," The preacher and head of the zealots yelled and proclaimed.

The night screamer just screeched loud, with the masses being terrified and doubtful.

"Do not be afraid! For I can communicate with it!" The preacher yelled to the zealots gathered.

The night screamer once more screeched so loudly that both Rufus and his friends had to hold on to their ears, even though they were far away.

"Bring the offerings!" the preacher yelled.

Four bound Sassanians were forced onto the platform. They yelled and screamed as they were being forcefully pushed toward the demon.

The night screamer plunged its staff into one of them, revealing itself to be a djinn, shifting between different people in agony, unable to control its shapeshifting powers.

The night screamer looked around and analyzed the patterns of how the sandstorm blew. He saw the winds had changed as soon as the djinn started to yell in agony. The demon called another one forward and once more inflicted pain on it.

The night screamer used the pain of the djinns to force the city of secrets to reveal itself. To come to the rescue of a djinn that needed it.

"This is bad. The city of secrets is not far away and it will be here soon unless we do something," Suomi said.

"You think that one demon can take on the entire city of secrets, that is literally guarded by a powerful djinn warrior," Edward noted.

The night screamer then yelled with the preacher translating, "The chosen and most faithful! Come forth!"

Fanatics gave room to the sassanids dressed in grey. They knelt and with the command of the preacher, they lit themselves on fire. At least thirty sassans burned themselves all over the fanatic army, making it look like a festival with bonfires.

The demon lifted its spear high and with the death of the zealots, the winds of pandora gathered. The negative and hateful emotions were perfect for the demon and it took control of them. It made the malicious energies gather and morph into a creature, a monster, a demon. Another night screamer had been born.

As the newly-formed demon rose from the pandemonium, it let out an ear-piercing screech that shook the ground beneath their feet.

"You had to once again open your mouth," Yosef said and looked at Edward.

"I didn't cause that!" Edward yelled.

The two-night screamers turned their heads and spotted the group. Edward had yelled loudly enough for the two demons to hear.

"Way the go you two..." Joan muttered, readying her blade.

"HE CAUSED THIS!" Edward yelled once more making it clear to the demons that someone was spying on them.

"Dumbass....." Yosef said to himself.