Dark & Light – Chapter 18: The Name That Shouldn’t Be Spoken

A Quiet Morning at the Inn

The morning light filtered through the wooden shutters of their small inn room, casting soft shadows on the walls. The scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling meat drifted from downstairs, stirring Rai awake.

He blinked, groggily sitting up and stretching. For once, he hadn't woken up to Vael shaking him or some life-threatening situation.

He glanced across the room. Vael was already awake, sitting near the window, absentmindedly sharpening one of his daggers.

"You're always up before me," Rai muttered.

Vael smirked. "Survival habit."

Rai swung his legs over the side of the bed, rubbing his face. "So… breakfast?"

Vael stood, sliding the dagger back into its sheath. "Let's eat and get moving."

Breakfast at the Sleeping Boar

The common room of the inn was warm, filled with the chatter of early travelers and merchants preparing for their journeys. Wooden tables lined the room, the scent of eggs, roasted meat, and ale filling the air.

They took a seat near the corner as a young serving girl approached.

"Morning! What'll it be?"

Vael waved a hand. "Whatever's fresh."

The girl nodded, disappearing into the kitchen.

Rai leaned back in his chair, looking around the room. "It's weird. Places like this make it feel like we're just normal travelers."

Vael took a sip of water. "You're not. Remember that."

Rai sighed. "Right. The whole 'hunted by two entire races' thing. Hard to forget."

Before Vael could reply, the girl returned, setting down two plates—fried eggs, smoked pork, and thick slices of bread with butter.

Rai dug in immediately, but after a few bites, he glanced up. "Vael, can I ask you something?"

Vael barely looked up. "You just did."

Rai rolled his eyes. "No, I mean seriously."

Vael sighed. "Fine. What?"

Rai tapped his fork against his plate. "Your past. You said you were a low-tier warrior, but…" He hesitated. "That's a lie, isn't it?"

Vael's eyes flickered slightly, but his expression remained unreadable.

"Believe what you want."

Rai frowned. "You fight like someone way above low-tier. You're way too skilled, too experienced. So what's the truth?"

Vael took another bite of food, chewing slowly before answering.

"The truth? I was a demon warrior. I followed orders. I fought battles. Then I left."

Rai narrowed his eyes. "You make it sound so simple."

Vael finally looked at him. "Because that's all you need to know."

Rai scowled, but he knew he wasn't getting anything more out of him—not now, at least.

With a sigh, he returned to his food.

A Shift in the Air

After breakfast, they mounted their horses and left town, riding along the dirt path toward the northern trade route.

For a while, it was quiet. The road stretched ahead of them, flanked by tall trees and rolling hills.

Then—Vael slowed his horse.

Rai, noticing the change, furrowed his brows. "Something wrong?"

Vael didn't answer immediately. He scanned the area, his senses sharpening.

Then he sighed. "Keep going ahead."

Rai blinked. "What?"

Vael dismounted, tying the reins of his horse to Rai's.

"I'll catch up."

Rai frowned. "Vael—"

Vael cut him off. "Just go."

There was a firmness in his tone that made it clear—this wasn't up for debate.

With hesitation, Rai turned forward and continued down the path, glancing back every so often.

Vael, meanwhile, turned and headed south, his steps swift and precise.

The Encounter

The moment he entered the clearing, he saw the figure.

A tall, imposing demon warrior, dressed in dark armor, a long black sword strapped to his back.

His presence was powerful—no ordinary soldier.

Vael stopped, folding his arms. "You're not subtle."

The warrior turned, eyes narrowing in surprise.

"You found me fast," the demon said.

Vael shrugged. "You weren't hiding well."

The demon's eyes glowed faintly, scanning Vael. "I assume you're here to fight?"

Vael tilted his head. "That depends. State your business."

The demon's stance remained relaxed, but his tone sharpened. "I'm looking for my warriors. Ten of them were sent on a mission but never returned."

Vael's expression didn't change. "They were looking for trouble. So I gave them trouble."

The demon's eyes darkened. "You… killed your own kind?"

Vael exhaled. "I haven't been taking orders from a demon in a long time."

The warrior frowned, scanning Vael more carefully. His golden eyes, his black hair, the scar along his neck—something clicked in his mind.

His breathing hitched.

A name formed on his lips.

"No… it can't be."

His voice became panicked.

"Vael the Unchained?"

Vael shrugged. "Don't know who that is."

And then—he attacked.

Vael vs. The Lieutenant

Vael moved like a shadow, his daggers flashing as he closed the distance.

The lieutenant barely managed to block, stumbling back as Vael's relentless assault forced him on the defensive.

Vael's human daggers clashed against the lieutenant's armor, but—they didn't cut through.

The lieutenant smirked. "You'll need to try harder than that."

He drew his weapon—a black sword, pulsing with energy. A Celestial Weapon.

Even if it was one of the lower-ranked celestial weapons, it was still strong.

Vael sighed. "I should stop playing with my food."

Suddenly—two daggers appeared out of thin air, their edges glowing with ethereal power.

The lieutenant's face paled.

"Those daggers… it is you."

His voice trembled.

"I am old enough to know I don't stand a chance against the strongest demon of all Demonkind."

He gritted his teeth, but there was a sliver of resignation in his eyes.

"You may take my life… but that kid you are protecting will meet his end."

Vael didn't respond.

He didn't need to.

With a single swift motion, he severed the lieutenant's head.

The body collapsed.

The battle was over before it even began.

Vael stood over the corpse, his expression unreadable.

Then, without another word, he turned back the way he came—toward Rai.