Demon of Dawn and Dusk

In the darkness, I found myself engulfed in black flames. They burned me, scorching me inside and out. The pain was so unbearable, yet whenever I tried to move or cry out, I couldn’t. I could only lay there and do nothing as the flames burned me. However, I couldn’t give up. No. I wouldn’t give up. I was a divine demon and a practitioner of the Asura Crucible Body technique. I refused to just lay here and let these black flames consume me.

I focused and reached out towards the black flames with my mind. To my surprise, it worked. The black flames responded to my will. Joy filled me and I set out to tame the black flames. It took a great amount of effort on my part, but in the end I succeeded. I bent the black flames to my will, instead of letting them run wild.

Afterwards, I used the black flames to temper my body by using the Asura Crucible Body technique. It was still painful, but it was a useful kind of pain. It was the kind of pain that helped me grow stronger rather than weaken me. My body grew stronger as the black flames tempered it, burning away weakness and impurities.

I don’t know how long this went on for. Time meant nothing in this void filled with black fire. It could have been hours, days, or even weeks. I didn’t know. It didn’t matter to me. All that mattered was keeping the black flames under control and using them to further my cultivation.

It was in the midst of all this that I felt a presence. There was something else here with me in this void. I didn’t know how I knew, I just did. The presence didn’t feel hostile. In fact, it felt familiar. Friendly, even. I looked around, or tried to. Despite taming the black flames, I still couldn’t move or speak. However, I could still think.

‘Hello?’ I thought. ‘Who’s there?’

At first nothing happened. Just as I started to feel silly, a pair of eyes appeared right in front of me, amidst the black flames. The eyes were all gold in color, with no iris or pupil. To my surprise, they were the same shade of gold as my sisters’ eyes. I stared at them, mesmerized.

The eyes drew closer to me and an outline appeared in the black flames. At first it seemed indistinct, but I had the impression that the eyes belonged to something large and bestial; something savage. Despite this, I felt no fear. The owner of the eyes meant no harm, I felt it in my bones.

I felt it in my soul.

Soon, the outline became clear to me. The creature was some kind of large beast. It had a thick, leonine body and two large horns poking out of its head. That was all I could see of it. If the creature drew closer I would be able to see more, but it then stopped in place and didn’t come any closer. The creature studied me as I studied it.

‘Hello there,’ I said to it with my thoughts. ‘My name is Darian. Nice to meet you.’

The creature blinked at me in surprise, before its eyes twinkled with amusement and it let out a deep rumbling chuckle. I thought I detected something akin to fondness in that chuckle. Or perhaps my mind was just playing tricks on me.

The creature exhaled. Its breath washed over me, warm and comforting. The pain from the black flames disappeared, yet I continued to gain benefits from them.

‘A gift, my child.’ said a voice in my head. The voice sounded deep, but feminine.

With that, the creature turned around and disappeared. It moved so fast that I didn’t get a chance to call out to it. What was that creature? Who was that creature? It, or she, called me her child. Was that a general term of endearment, or…?

There wasn’t any point in speculating about it now, not when I had so little information. I would ask my sisters about it after I left this place, wherever it was. Until then, I would focus on refining my body with the black flames.

When I woke up, I found myself staring at an unfamiliar ceiling. The first thing I did, before I even sat up, was study my body with my spirit sense. Before I passed out, I remembered enduring a countless number of attacks and suffering from an extensive amount of damage. However, I found that my body was in perfect condition.

In fact, it was in better shape than before I passed out. I had somehow reached the sixth small realm of the physical refinement equivalent of Qi Condensation. I was one step away from reaching the peak.

How? That was when I remembered Astra’s words from before. She said that suffering physical injuries while within the vicinity of Flame Fiend Peak would help me refine my body. I thought back to the dream(?) I had earlier, the one with the black flames. If that wasn’t a dream, then I had practiced the Asura Crucible Body technique while unconscious and recovering from my injuries.

Wait a moment. If that dream was real, did that mean the creature I saw was real? If so, I needed to ask my sisters about it. Was it related to Flame Fiend Hall? The Asura Crucible Body technique? I had so many questions. However, I wasn’t going to get answers by just lying here.

I sat up and looked around. The room I found myself in was luxurious and well-appointed. It looked like the bedroom of a noble. Based on the crimson and gold color scheme, the abundance of Fire qi, and the overwhelming heat, I assumed I was in Flame Fiend Hall. Were these my quarters? I was an inner disciple now, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they were.

I got out of bed, but then realized that I was completely naked. Right. First order of business, find some clothes. I looked through a nearby dresser and found outfits. Most were the vest and trouser combination that I wore for daily use, but I also found several crimson and gold robes of differing styles. However, I didn’t see any shoes or boots, which I found odd.

Despite this, I dressed in a vest and a pair of trousers, before making my way out the door. That said, walking around barefoot took some getting used to. It turned out that the bedroom was part of a small estate, which also consisted of a library/study, a meditation chamber, a kitchen, a dining room, and a sitting room. Like the bedroom, they were all luxurious and well-appointed.

So much so that I wondered if someone like me deserved such a space. I was now an inner disciple of the Dawn and Dusk Sect, but still. Though it had been more than a year since I left Mt. Wind Dance, I was still used to more humble living quarters. Even Astra’s old immortal cave, back in the Black Mist Mountains, suited me more than this place.

After I explored the estate, I headed towards the front door. I needed to talk with my sisters, or at least one of them. For the past year, I had worked hard to become qualified enough to participate in the entrance exam. Now that I had passed the exam, and had joined Flame Fiend Hall, what did I do now? Focus on my cultivation? That was a given. However, I didn’t have an immediate goal anymore. I felt a bit lost. Perhaps one of my sisters would help me find my way.

When I went outside, I found myself in a courtyard built in the traditional style. Outside the courtyard, I saw other walled estates that looked similar to mine. Back at Mt. Wind Dance, the homes of the more treasured disciples, such as Lucius, were all grouped together in the same area. This place reminded me of that.

However, as I looked around, I found myself alone. There wasn’t another soul in sight. Where was everyone?

“Little Demon.” a voice called out from above.

I looked up to find Big Sidra floating in the air above me.

“You’re awake early.” she said, landing right beside me. “Good. I expected you to wake up another week from now.”

I blinked at her, before bowing to her.

“Good morning, Big Sis Sidra.” I said.

At least, I thought it was morning. It was difficult to tell, with the black clouds blotting out the sky.

“There’s no need for formalities between us, Baby Brother.” Sidra said. “You don’t need to bow to me every time we see each other.”

I nodded and let out a relieved smile. Good. While I had spent a lot of time with Astra, I had only just met Big Sis Sidra on the night of the feast. She was still a stranger to me, and I didn’t know how to act around her.

“Big Sis,” I said. “How long was I asleep? Your comment earlier suggested that I was asleep for some time now.”

“Three weeks.” she answered.

My eyes widened.

“Three weeks?” I said.

Big Sis Sidra nodded.

“Yes, which is fast, all things considered.” she said. “Most disciples who go through the Crucible of Flames, and endure until they reach their limit, take a month or longer to recover.” She gestured to me. “They also don’t break through to a new small realm, or most don’t at least. Astra was right. You are a genius when it comes to physical refinement. You should be proud of yourself, Little Demon.”

I nodded, though I didn’t feel much joy in her words. Three weeks. I had spent the last three weeks asleep. It felt unreal. Several questions bubbled up in my mind, most of which revolved around my friends and how they were doing.

“Come along.” Sidra said. “Now that you’re awake, it’s time for me to give you a tour of Flame Fiend Hall. As the vice hall master, I wouldn’t bother doing this for just any disciple. However, you’re not just any disciple.”

I blinked at her, before nodding my head in gratitude.

“Thank you, Big Sis.” I said.

Sidra nodded, before pulling out leaf-shaped flying magic treasure out of her storage ring. It was just large enough for the two of us to stand side by side. I stepped onto the magic treasure. When Sidra joined, it rose into the air and flew forward at a gentle pace. After we reached a sufficient height, I got my first good look at Flame Fiend Hall. What I saw took my breath away.

As Astra told me, before I participated in the Crucible of Flames, Flame Fiend Hall was located within the crater of Flame Fiend Peak. However, I hadn’t realized just what that meant. The crater was massive, easily several times the size of the valley where Mt. Wind Dance was located. At the bottom of the crater was a lake of molten fire. I felt like I would burn up just by looking at it.

Floating in the air above the lake of fire was a complex the size of a large city. South Vale had been the largest town I had seen with my own eyes, and it paled in comparison. It amazed me that something so large could float in the air like that with relative ease. Each building was located atop its own floating platform, with bridges connecting the platforms to one another. Some platforms acted as crossroads, connecting several buildings to one another. In the center of it all was a large stone plaza that seemed to connect to everything.

I caught sight of several people in the distance, though they were tiny because of the distance. Some were walking around on the platforms and bridges, while others flew through the air using magic treasures.

“Welcome to Flame Fiend Hall, Little Demon.” Sidra said, gesturing to the complex before us. “The area we just left was the housing quarter for core disciples.”

I started at that and looked at my sister.

“Core disciples?” I asked. “But…aren’t I just an inner disciple?”

Sidra raised an eyebrow at me.

“Whatever gave you that impression?” she asked.

I opened my mouth to respond, but paused before speaking.

“I thought I was too weak to become a core disciple.” I said after a moment. “Big Sis Astra is a core disciple, and she’s at peak Golden Core.”

Sidra let out a sigh.

“Astra is an exception.” she said. “If she had applied herself and contributed more to the sect, she would have been an elder by now.” She glanced at me. “That said, you are correct. Normally, a core disciple would be much more powerful than you are now. However, most core disciples have been cultivating from a young age. You just started. I have no doubt that within a few years, you’ll reach the Foundation Establishment stage. Your talent in qi refining isn’t as high as your talent in physical refining, but it isn’t bad.”

I flushed at that, pleased by her words.

“So, what does it mean to be a core disciple?” I asked, scratching my cheek.

I knew that core disciples were more valued than inner disciples, just as inner disciples were more valued than outer disciples, but that was it.

“A core disciple is the personal student of an elder.” Sidra explained. “This means they receive more instruction, more cultivation resources, and access to better facilities. In Flame Fiend Hall, it’s a little different. You’ll receive more instruction and access to better facilities. However, you’ll have to earn your own resources. Unlike other places, the disciples of Flame Fiend Hall don’t get a monthly stipend, no matter their status.”

I nodded.

“Yes,” I said. “Big Sis Astra mentioned something along those lines.” I paused. “Um, Big Sis? If I’m a core disciple, then who is my master?”

Sidra scoffed.

“Isn’t it obvious?” she asked. “It’s Mother. As the only other divine demon in Flame Fiend Hall, she’s the one best qualified to teach you.” She paused. “However, Mother is in seclusion, so she can’t officially take you on as a disciple just yet. That means it's up to us, your elder sisters, to teach you in her place.”

I frowned.

“What about mystic arts?” I asked. “I practice a divine qi refining technique, so I can’t learn any of Flame Fiend Hall’s mystic arts.”

Sidra gave me a mysterious smile.

“Don’t worry,” she said. “I’m already making the necessary arrangements. In the past, when a divine demon didn’t have another divine demon available to teach them, they would be sent to another hall to make up for the lack. In this case, you’ll join one of the Dawn Halls as an honorary disciple. I’ll let you know when everything is ready.”

I nodded in understanding. Good. I had been worried about that.

“Now enough with the questions.” Sidra said. “Let us continue with the tour.”

As the two of us flew around Flame Fiend Hall, Sidra pointed out various buildings to me and explained their purpose. There were so many that I had trouble keeping track of them all. However, a few stood out to me.

There was the manual pavilion, which contained the manuals for the mystic arts and techniques that were unique to Flame Fiend Hall. There was the lecture hall, where the elders took turns each month to give lectures on cultivation. There was also the alchemy pavilion and the crafting pavilion, where disciples could brew elixirs and create magic treasures respectively, if they were so inclined.

And then there was the arena.

Disciples participated in the arena in order to earn prizes. These prizes were usually cultivation resources, spirit stones, or magic treasures. Instead of a monthly stipend, this was how most disciples of Flame Fiend Hall earned their spirit stones and cultivation resources.

In the arena, disciples fought spirit beasts, demon and demonic beasts, and other disciples. Sometimes, they went through some kind of trial or obstacle course instead of fighting. The elders of Flame Fiend Hall also hosted an annual tournament, in order to foster competition among the disciples.

The arena was also where disciples resolved conflicts with one another and settled grudges. They fought it out and the winner was in the right, no matter the circumstances. I didn’t think this was fair, but given how martially inclined Flame Fiend Hall was, it made a certain amount of sense. Regardless, after the disciples fought it out, the matter was considered dealt with. Anyone who brought it up again was severely punished. Given its importance, it was fair to say that the arena was the heart of Flame Fiend Hall.

The last two areas of importance were the central square and the Hall of Elders. The former was where disciples gathered to socialize with one another and make trade deals. Some had even set aside an entire area of the central square for that purpose, turning it into a small marketplace. The Hall of Elders was where Flame Fiend Hall’s elders gathered to make important decisions regarding the hall’s future.

Once we finished with the tour, Sidra brought me back to my estate.

“That concludes the tour.” she said. “Any questions?”

I shook my head.

“No, Big Sis.” I said. “You explained everything pretty well.” I paused. “Wait, I do have one question. When can I see my friends?”

Sidra’s expression, which was already cold to begin with, grew even colder.

“By friends I assume you mean the girls who helped you during the entrance exam.” she said.

In that moment, I remembered that Astra, and my other sisters, harbored ill feelings towards Cultivator Willow, Cultivator Harlow, and Clarissa.

“You can see them whenever you wish.” Sidra said, smirking at me. “However, given the distances involved, you’ll either have to bargain with someone to give you a ride, or wait until you can use flying magic treasures yourself.”

Of course that was the case.

“I suppose it’s too much of me to ask you or our other sisters to help me out in that regard.” I said.

“Correct.”

I sighed. So much for that idea. Well, no matter. I would find a way to see them again. Somehow. For now, I would focus on my training and cultivation.

“Why do you and our other sisters dislike them so much?” I asked.

Sidra raised an eyebrow at me.

“Is that a serious question?” she asked. “You’re our baby brother and it’s our responsibility to protect you from those who would try to take advantage of you.”

“They wouldn’t take advantage of me.” I argued. “They’re my friends.”

Sidra looked thoughtful at that.

“You may be right.” she conceded. “However, even if those three wouldn’t take advantage of you, someone else might use them to get to you.”

“But why?” I asked. “Big Sis Astra mentioned the same thing, just before I went through the Crucible of Flames.” I frowned as I remembered something that I had forgotten until that moment. “She said that our family has particular traits that others have tried to take advantage of before. When I asked her about it, she said that you would explain things.”

Sidra shook her head.

“Of course she would say that.” she said. “Though, perhaps it is for the best, given my history with Mother.” She nodded her head towards my estate. “Let us go inside to discuss the matter. This is not the sort of conversation we should have in public.”

I resisted the urge to let out a frustrated sigh. Instead, I gestured for her to follow me as I went inside the estate.