The Earth After Rebirth

They were so immersed in their conversations, that they didn't take the chance to look at the city around them, the environment, the beings that lived within it.

Now that they walked in silence, they could see it all. The city was well beyond their expectations, Kiro didn't think the city would be this futuristic. It didn't hold a candle to the ones in his world but this was still impressive.

He suddenly understood where Hubris got his natural building skills from, although they were shabby he was still able to erect usable shelter.

The city had buildings he wasn't familair with, they weren't skyscrapers, but the design was very advanced. It was the first time he saw them, as the wall surrounding the city engulfed it completely, making the outside world oblivious of what was inside.

There weren't cars or anything, but the streets were very busy. It wasn't just hounds living there, many species were there but it was pretty clear that hounds were at the top of the food chain.

Just like they were told, there was no source of energy. Lanterns were installed on every building so that the streets weren't dark. The beings that dominated the city were hounds and arachnids, Kiro didn't see any spectres. If they were around, they hid themselves very well.

Arachnids were obviously the working class, as they had installed stands in front of buildings selling things. Most shops had hounds to tend to them.

Instead of hopelessness, the city was bustling with joy and chatter. There didn't seem to be bad blood between races, they lived in peace. That's at least the picture they showed anyone passing by.

The arachnids were a race evolved from hell spiders, they were humanoid, but still had their many limbs. They walked on twos, they weren't very pleasing to look at either as they had many eyes.

Every time they talked, their fangs clicked, which was an annoyance Kiro couldn't get over so he tried to avoid them the best he could. They were there for business anyway, not as tourists. But he let Hubris enjoy his home.

He was like a child in a candy store, pouncing from one to another and letting Belial buy him everything that was food that interested him.

"Master is still the better cook." He said enjoying, what looked like a dragonfly skewer.

"Hubris, I'm not your cook. You better learn how to soon." He told him, he knew that, once they defeated his uncle, his people will want him to stay, he didn't have the heart to ask him to go with him.

But Hubris was in a heaven of his own, he didn't think that far ahead yet, if he did, he was hiding it very well from Kiro.

They entered what looked like a dingy pub, they were welcomed with open arms and chose a table at the very corner of the establishment. While Kiro wanted to drink alcohol, he didn't want to here as it was unknown territory, he couldn't trust anything yet.

They sat there chatting, for the first time in a long time, they felt relaxed. Ever since they started this journey, it seemed like it was one problem after another, but today it didn't feel like that, while they knew they still had a big thing to carry out, today they didn't really want to think about it.

"Sire, I recommend hellfire whiskey, it'll quench your thirst while it lights a fire within you that makes you all warm." Belial suggested.

He was apparently a trusted customer there, since they entered they asked him if he'd have the usual, he shook his head and asked for a table instead. Telling the owner they'll sit around for a moment and order later.

The pub was small, but it was packed with different races. Ones that made Kiro think back to harbingers, he guessed they were lesser versions of them. He didn't sense any animosity from them, so that made him relaxed a bit.

Belial went to get them their drinks, they were shocked when Hubris downed it all in a single gulp. As if he'd had it before and was used to it, but it was his first time. He was still an infant when it came to these kinds of things, so he didn't really think about the consequences of doing what he had just done.

Like Belial said, he felt a strong kick of fire burning his insides. He was immediately out of it, but surprisingly he wanted more. Whether it was stress of having to fight his uncle, Kiro had no idea but he let him be, he was there after all if anything happened.

"Master, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me," He commented and burped while at it, "I don't ever want to leave your side. I am so sorry I made you go through a lot back then."

"Don't worry about it buddy." Kiro comforted him while occasionally using vibrations to make sure everything was going smoothly.

He had 3 glasses and was out cold after that. He was snoring ontop of the table, luckily his robe was still covering the whole of him.

Kiro found it strange that none of the people in this city could use Kaos. While Hubris did say, you had to work hard to get it even for them. He didn't understand why they didn't try, maybe they were too afraid to go insane, which was cowardly in his eyes.

"Why can't you all use Kaos energy?" He finally asked.

"We are not worthy, Sire. The energy only chooses a few. Even then, it mostly chooses royalty, us common folk can only dream of using it."

"But I can use it, I'm not royalty, I'm a common folk just like you."

"There's no way Sire is a common folk, no hellhound would take you as a master if you weren't already amazing." He was very careful with his words.

"I doubt that, you guys are just cowards. I've had the hardest time trying to harness Kaos, but I beat it in the end, with nothing but—"

It happened so fast, a hound at his back tried hitting the knocked Hubris with poison darts but Kiro stunned him with vibrations before he could even try. Hubris jumped from where he sat, connecting his paw with the hound's neck, causing him to fall on his back.

It was as if he was never drunk or asleep. Kiro knew for a fact he was, he even snored. He got up from his seat, to take a good look at the assassin. Hubris was now revealed, his robe laid forgotten where he had slept.

The assassin couldn't move a muscle, as vibrations was effective and Hubris' weight was nothing to scoff at.

"Who sent you?"

"Long live King Azazel."

He then turned to dark liquid. The pub had stopped whatever they were doing, to look at the commotion. Nobody in there needed to be told that Hubris was royalty they could tell. When they turned to look at the silence, everyone was on the floor bowing.

"I think, we've been betrayed." Kiro said still looking at the hound that had turned to black liquid.