Chapter 81: The Whisper Before the Fall

The sun slowly cast its rays over the small village where Niyus and Rivhiamë lived, where the mountains bowed to give way to golden fields, and the rivers seemed to hum ancient lullabies. The thatched roofs bathed in amber light, and the air smelled of warm earth and wildflowers.

Niyus, with brown hair and a gentle gaze, shared a stone bench with Rivhiamë beside him. She had only been there a few moons, taken in after being found in an abandoned place by Niyus long ago.

The village children, initially wary, had gradually grown fond of her despite knowing she was a demon—something only Niyus and she knew.

Rivhiamë and Niyus seemed lost in thought, watching the children play in the courtyard.

Niyus was filled with many questions, and Rivhiamë knew it, which only made her more worried.

Rivhiamë asked, curious, "Niyus... are you still thinking about Mù Sunghiun from the world of myths?"

He looked at her, his eyes showing concern. He smiled and gently stroked her head.

Niyus: "Don't worry about it, it will pass. It's just that right now, the shock is still too strong for me."

Rivhiamë: "You know, Niyus, you shouldn't worry about that. The spiritual world is even bigger than the physical one. In that world, you just have to get used to crossing paths with creatures that could kill you if they had the chance. That's how it is. It's a vast world where sometimes you have to resign yourself if you want to survive. So don't be ashamed or disappointed because for the first time, you resigned to Mù Sunghiun's request just because you felt she was more powerful than you. Believe me, in the spiritual world, there are creatures even stronger than her."

Niyus, lost in thought, listened to every word Rivhiamë said. He closed his eyes and sighed, letting the breath escape into the wind, trying to free himself from frustration.

Niyus: "You're probably right. You, Rivhiamë, are used to this world because you are yourself a mythical and mystical creature. Me, I was just coming back from this game as a human. I got cocky but didn't know I would one day hit a wall as tough as Mù Sunghiun. And then... that famous Mü Thanatos—I wonder why she never comes to face me."

Rivhiamë: "If Mü Thanatos is the goddess who commands the angels Mù Sunghiun and Wamy as servants, that would mean her power is titanic. From what I remember of deities, angels themselves are stronger than some demons and even some gods. But I'm sorry, I don't have more information than that."

Niyus saw the sadness on Rivhiamë's face; she felt guilty and bad for not being able to give more information.

He smiled and comforted her—she had no reason to blame herself. After all, she was just a young demon taken away from her kin in the underworld and her world a very long time ago.

Niyus: "Rivhiamë..."

He spoke softly, catching her attention to look into his eyes.

She noticed the soothing smile on Niyus, which suddenly warmed her heart.

Niyus added:

"Thank you for all this information, and thank you again for supporting me in this situation. It does me good."

Rivhiamë's eyes shone; Niyus's words meant so much to her.

Niyus then stood and looked at the orange sky.

Niyus: "Will you come with me? I'm going to pick some fruit not far from here."

Rivhiamë quickly got up, her face joyful and determined.

Rivhiamë: "Yes, Niyus, let's go!"

The two figures disappeared into the tall grass where the earth was soft and dotted with bushes heavy with red and golden fruits. The orange sky slowly faded into a mauve twilight, and the wind carried scents of bark and ripe nectar.

Niyus, bent under a wild fig tree, calmly picked fruits, slipping them into a small cloth bag hanging from his hip, while Rivhiamë, a little further away, bent under a dark berry bush, humming a melody from another world.

The moment was simple, almost suspended.

And yet, the image of Rivhiamë earlier, lowering her eyes, her voice trembling from not being able to help, came back to gently strike Niyus's mind.

He remained still for a moment. He looked at the fruit in his hand: round, luminous, fragile. Like her, he thought. Beautiful, strange, out of this world. And yet so full of effort to understand this world that was no longer hers.

"She doesn't have to know everything. She is already here. And that is enough."

This thought brought him a new warmth, like a ripe fruit bursting in his mouth.

So, with a small smile on his lips, he stood up, dusted off his hands, and slipped quietly behind the nearest tree, where Rivhiamë, on her knees, was reaching for a stubborn fruit.

He crawled through the grass, slipped behind her with the stealth of a forest cat, and then suddenly blew into his hands to make a rough, deep sound, imitating a creature emerging from the shadows.

Rivhiamë startled so violently that she knocked over her entire basket of fruits. She turned around, her eyes shining, her cheeks red with surprise.

"Niyuuuus!" she shouted.

"What's wrong with you? Did you think I was an Earthy Spirit coming out of the ground?"

Niyus burst into laughter, holding his sides, almost bent in two. He struggled to speak:

"Your scream... Rivhiamë... it sounded like a hoarse banshee falling into a well!"

There was a silence. Then, despite herself, Rivhiamë chuckled.

She tried to keep a stern face, but her lips trembled. And finally, they both laughed. Loudly. For a long time. Like two children forgetting they carried wounds too big for their age.

They stayed there, amidst the grass, the overturned basket, the fruits rolling around them, laughing at this moment stolen from worry.

Time passed, and Rivhiamë and Niyus returned home.

The scent of spices and simmering vegetables filled the small kitchen. Niyus, focused, gently stirred his pan while humming an old melody. Rivhiamë didn't understand the words, but the rhythm was comforting. She was sitting on a high chair, her slender legs swinging in the air, her eyes shining softly with a faded red, watching each of his movements with childlike wonder.

"Do you want to taste?" Niyus asked with a mischievous smile.

"Hm... Are you still trying to corrupt me with food?" Rivhiamë teased.

"No need to corrupt you, you're already hooked. It's natural to be proud when a little devil straight from Hell prefers your cooking to that of demonic chefs, right?"

Rivhiamë crossed her arms, rolling her eyes.

"Pffft... as if there were demonic chefs to begin with... don't get too full of yourself either... But," her cheeks began to blush, "yes, you cook better than anything I've known. It's annoying to admit, actually."

Niyus smiled and said:

"How can I not be proud when you love my cooking more than I do myself?" He added with an exaggerated bow.

They burst into laughter together. This kind of simple moment, without the sound of agony, without chains or shouted orders, was perhaps still new for her. But she clung to it. Like a precious stone she didn't want to let go of.

Then, a yawn escaped her.

"I think I'm going to take a little nap... Your cooking puts me to sleep," she mumbled, heading towards the couch.

"Sleep well, demonic princess. I'll watch over the Kingdom of Pots," Niyus replied.

She closed her eyes, a smile at the corner of her lips. But it was short-lived.

The dream engulfed her immediately.

She was small again. Even smaller. Her horns barely formed, her wings too young to fly. She ran through the burning alleys of Hell. Demons laughed, mocked her, some threw chains at her. Memories... or fragments of memory. She didn't know.

Then she saw him.

Him. The primordial demon. A massive silhouette made of burning shadows and silent hatred. He extended his hand.

And suddenly, she was no longer alone.

Niyus was there. By her side. He held her hand. His gaze was confident, solid. He was there for her.

But the demon seized her.

He tore her from Niyus's arms with a gesture as brutal as it was fatal.

She screamed. Struggled.

But when she looked at Niyus again... He didn't move. He looked at her, immobile, his face empty. Inexpressive. As if he had never known her.

Rivhiamë screamed.

She woke up with a start, panting, her wild eyes searching the walls, the shadows, the dark silhouette.

But everything was calm. The moonlight outside filtered softly through the window.

It took her a few seconds to realize she was in their home. Their real home. Not the abyss.

A silence, then she slowly got up and walked to the terrace.

Niyus was there, sitting at a table, savoring a bowl of noodles.

When he saw her, he raised his eyes and smiled.

"Here, it's for you. Enjoy it before it gets cold."

Rivhiamë stopped abruptly.

She stared at him.

For a long time.

Her red eyes searched every corner of Niyus's face, as if to ensure he wasn't a dream or an illusion. She saw his dark circles, his lazy smile, his way of biting into his spoon like a kid.

She still remembered... that nightmare.

"Niyus... could you ever leave me?" she asked hesitantly.

Niyus widened his eyes.

"What? Is this another one of your silly questions?"

She lowered her eyes slightly, embarrassed.

He put down his spoon, stood up, and approached her.

"For nothing in the world would I leave you, Rivhiamë. You are my everything. My friend. My accomplice."

He placed his hands on her shoulders.

"And accomplices... we never abandon each other. Come on, take this dish. Otherwise, it will get cold, and I'll have to become a killer of warm soup."

Rivhiamë looked into Niyus's eyes and saw that soothing tone that warmed her heart. She couldn't take it anymore.

She burst into tears, threw herself against him, and hugged his torso as tightly as possible.

"Thank you... Thank you... Thank you," she repeated. "I love you, Niyus. I want it to always stay like this. For nothing to ever change. Promise?"

Niyus, surprised, remained frozen for a moment.

Then, slowly, he placed his hand on her head and returned her hug.

His gaze drifted away.

Into memories.

He recalled that mythical world... where everyone talked of greatness, destiny, epic battles.

And he sighed.

"You know, Rivhiamë... I still think about it, the mythical world. Maybe it's not for me. I've thought about it often. But I love this life. The one others find mundane. Because it's simple. Without drama. Without fear. Without chains. Just us. Here."

He closed his eyes.

"This life... flows like a river of peace. Without drought. Without destruction, just peace."

They stayed like that for a moment, a demon and a human, united in this strange calm, woven from complex emotions and soft light.