A Tamia's Tale

Chapter 30: Sominium Vale



The Gateway. It was the sole passage through the colossal mountain range that divided the northern part of the continent, its gaping maw carved deep into the earth by a powerful magic. Beyond this shadowed tunnel lay the Ark—a realm shrouded in ash and despair, home to the demonkind. Few dared to traverse the Gateway, and fewer still returned.

Luka and Saki stood at the entrance, dwarfed by the towering cliffs that framed the ominous passage. The air here was heavier, colder, as though the mountains themselves were warning them to turn back. The faint sound of howling wind echoed through the tunnel, carrying with it a faint scent of humidity.

"So, this is it," Luka murmured, his breath visible in the biting air. 

"Yup," Saki replied, her voice uncharacteristically subdued. She folded her arms, her emerald eyes scanning the entrance with a mixture of apprehension and nostalgia. "Last chance to change your mind, you know."

"This is also where I leave you," Granbell added. He had been tasked by the Jarl to escort them, especially to remove the stone blocking the path.

The dragonkin stepped forward and placed his hands on the side of a boulder as big as a car. With just the strength of his muscles, he lifted it and tossed it aside with a thundering crash. Dust and small stones scattered, revealing the dark maw of the Gateway.

Ugh… I should really not mess with him, Luka thought. Seeing a guy casually lift a boulder this heavy made his skin crawl both in excitement and fear. 

Either way, he turned to the dragonkin and presented his hand. "Thanks for everything, Granbell."

Granbell snorted, his yellow eyes narrowing. "Don't thank me. I still think this is a terrible idea. You are no warrior, after all."

Without another word, Granbell turned and began walking back toward Dreikheim, his heavy footsteps echoing against the jagged cliffs. 

"Let's go. I wonder what the Ark looks like," Luka said, stepping first inside the tunnel. A few steps further and the temperature seemed to plummet, and the dim light of the outside faded into darkness. Saki followed close behind, her eyes shining in the darkness. 

Looking back, he was even surprised at how much her light shone in the dark. "You're like a little lamp," he noted, chuckling to himself.

"And you're about to walk into a pile of dung. Careful."

"Wha—!" Luka stepped back just in time before stepping into some kind of mess. He stumbled slightly, catching himself against the cold, damp wall of the tunnel.

Saki smirked, her laughter echoing softly through the dark passage. "You're welcome," she said, brushing past him. "Maybe try watching where you're going."

The tunnel stretched on for what felt like an eternity, its walls lined with jagged, uneven stone that seemed to pulse faintly with an eerie blue light. The air grew thicker, laced with a faint sulfuric tang that made Luka's nose wrinkle. Tracing his fingers on the walls, he could even feel a substance similar to ash sticking to his fingers.

After a while, they found light at the other end of the tunnel. One that he was already very familiar with. An oppressive heat had now replaced the cold stony corridor and the change of temperature made Luka's skin shiver. 

Right in front of them, the desert had taken over the tunnel and expanded further in. As if the mountains had disappeared, the tunnel cut right at this place, the ground even.

"Damn…" Luka took in the sight, appalled. "You told me about it but seeing it is something."

Saki nodded as she took in the vast expanse of sand. "Kaal's rampage reshaped everything here. The desert ate the mountains and left this scar. For a long while, no one could take this path."

Luka swallowed hard, his throat dry. "It's like walking into a furnace. How do people even live here?"

"They don't," Saki replied. "The Ark is further in the desert. At least we are lucky that the goblins were mostly wiped out by the rampage. This mountain range used to be their home."

She started forward, her wings spreading wide. "Now, grab onto me, I'm going at full speed."

"Huh... Okay," Luka replied, his voice uneasy but compliant. He stepped closer, hesitant, before gripping onto her waist.

"Hold tight," Saki said, her tone half-serious, half-amused.

Before Luka could prepare himself, she launched into the air with a powerful beat of her wings. The ground blurred beneath them as they soared forward, the rush of wind and heat stinging Luka's face. The landscape stretched endlessly, dunes rising and falling like waves in a golden sea. The oppressive heat radiated upward, but Saki's pace offered a welcome breeze.

"Wow," Luka muttered, his grip tightening instinctively as they ascended to avoid a jagged rock formation jutting out of the sand. "You're going way faster than usual!"

"It's because I'm in a hurry. I'm tired of deserts so I'm using my stocked-up energy." Saki called back, her voice carried by the wind. "Still afraid of heights?" she smirked.

"Just a bit!" Luka clenched his teeth. Even after experiencing this feeling multiple times, he couldn't get used to it. To him, humans weren't meant to fly.

After a while, the sand began to give way to a strange ash-like terrain filled with rocks and bordering the sea.

Saki's pace never slowed, and Luka couldn't help but marvel at her energy, at the power in her wings that propelled them ever forward.

"I thought you were hungry yesterday," Luka said, trying to mask his unease with a half-joking tone.

Saki gave a quick glance back, her grin still visible despite the wind. "I am still hungry, but that doesn't mean I'm about to die."

"Huh." Luka nodded, trying to steady his nerves. But before he could say anything else, he felt the wind rush past him as Saki dove downward with sudden speed, the ground rushing up to meet them.

His grip tightened instinctively around her waist, and Saki's wings flared out, slowing their descent. She landed with an effortless grace, her magic supporting her weight and allowing her to float just above the ashen earth. Her feet finally touched the ground, and she turned to tap Luka on the shoulder, who was still clutching her with his eyes shut tight.

"We've arrived. Stop latching onto me, you're heavy."

"R-Right, sorry." With a heavy breath, Luka stepped down and moved away from her. His boots filled with ash, and he shook them out in disgust. The sand he could handle, but ash? That was another story.

"Why is there ash everywhere?" He asked, his irritation creeping in. There were a few dead trees scattered here and there, but none of them explained the presence of so much ash, blanketing the ground in an endless layer of grey.

Saki glanced around, her gaze scanning the desolate terrain. She opened her mouth as if to say something but then quickly shut it and turned her head toward him with a smile. "I don't know. I don't think I've ever thought about it."

Luka frowned, his gaze scrutinizing the landscape. "It feels… wrong. Like this place was never meant to be."

Saki didn't respond immediately, her eyes focused on the distant horizon. After a long moment, she spoke again, her voice softer. "I thought you didn't believe in destiny?" 

"Right…" Luka muttered, looking back at her, but still caught up in his thoughts. "Still, it's weird. The only thing that could explain it is a powerful magic." He then clapped his hands and raised his hand above his eyes to shield himself from the sunlight. "Now, where is your hometown?"

Saki didn't answer and instead turned around and looked at him with pleading eyes. Her short brown hair fluttered against the wind, and for a moment, her face softened, only to be replaced by a deep scowl.

"Luka…" she finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. She lowered her gaze, shifting uncomfortably before looking back at him. "Before we go, I want to tell you something."

Luka blinked, momentarily taken aback by the seriousness in her tone. "What is it?" he asked, his brow furrowing, suddenly unsure of what to expect.

Saki hesitated for another moment, her eyes briefly flickering to the horizon before returning to him. "I need to tell you about the way succubi treats humans…" 

Her body tensed, and she could feel her heart burn in her chest. Just thinking about it made her stomach churn, a nauseating disgust welling up inside her. But no matter how much she wanted to voice her thoughts, the words felt trapped. Luka had this misguided idea of bringing succubi to humanity's side, but it was an impossible, reckless plan. A part of her wanted to warn him, to explain just how dangerous it could be, but she knew he wouldn't understand.

No words could explain to him what was waiting.

The only thing she could do was hope for the best and protect him to the best of her abilities.

She swallowed hard, pushing down the urge to say more, and instead, just let out a heavy sigh. "Nevermind…" She shook her head, a bitter smile pulling at her lips. "You'll see when we get there."

"Don't worry. I can tank it." Luka smiled at her, seeing her unease. 

She hoped so. Deep inside her, she hoped that Luka wouldn't fall into utter despair upon seeing the town, but another part of her wished he did. Because if he could support it, then it wasn't normal.

Because if he could support it, then it was not normal.

With a step forward, she lead the way, deeper into the Ark, the last home of the demons.

After several more hours of walking without interruption, they arrived at a small valley. The ash had faded, replaced by dark rock, and the sky had gradually shifted to a deep shade of purple, casting everything in a strange, eerie light. Luka could feel a subtle yet powerful oppression in the air, his lungs struggling with the strange flowery scent that lingered, thick and heady.

Without hesitation, Luka's gaze hardened. Chanting softly under his breath the control spell, he switched off multiple emotions inside him in a preemptive manner. He was walking straight into a town full of manipulating demons, capable of brainwashing even the strongest of warriors through emotions.

However, thanks to Daji, he had learned the nuances of brainwashing and how he could easily protect himself from it. He could thank his nature for having the Control trait, one of the few spells capable of providing absolute defense against any form of manipulation, suggestion, or mental influence.

They then descended a set of stairs leading right toward the entrance of the town, enclaved in the valley. From up there, it looked like a fairly normal human town, almost as big as Eran, the capital of Sora.

But the closer they got, Luka saw a few things that made him tick. The houses had farms just like any other town and some buildings had strange scriptures on it, which he didn't want to assume. 

As they reached the foot of the stairs and stepped into the town's outskirts, Saki stopped her steps, her wings folding tightly against her back. She stood still for a moment, looking up at the buildings with a heavy expression.

"This is it," she sighed, her voice strained. "Welcome to Sominium Vale, the only haven of the succubi."

Luka looked around in awe at the buildings scattered here and there. The houses were modest, their wooden walls worn with age but reinforced with the same dark stone surrounding the valley. Some buildings had faint glowing signs on them but he couldn't quite read them as they were too far away. 

Saki turned to him, snapping her fingers to draw his attention. "Luka, one last time—stay close to me. Are we clear?"

"Geez, you're way more tense than me," Luka chuckled. "Calm down, everything will be okay. I just need to see their leaders."

"Then the queen," Saki replied, her tone shifting to something more serious. "She lives in the center of the town, her manor next to the… place."

Luka raised an eyebrow, intrigued by her choice of words. "The… place?"

Saki didn't elaborate. Instead, she just gave him a hard look, her expression warning him not to ask any further questions. They would get there soon enough, she seemed to imply.

"Alright, alright," Luka muttered, his hand instinctively reaching his pockets. "Lead the way, my dear captor."

Saki raised an eyebrow. "Oh, so that's our cover?" 

"Of course, what did you expect?" Luka chuckled. "A free human in this town isn't something natural, right? I kind of figured how humans would be treated here before even coming."

He waved his hand dismissively, stepping confidently in front of her. "So, lead the way. Don't worry—I won't say a word until we arrive."

Saki gave him a long look, her expression unreadable, before finally nodding and stepping forward. 

They entered without a problem as no guards were standing outside of the gate. Well, actually there was no gate as it was an open city with only one way to leave. The streets were bustling, filled with succubi going on with their daily lives. 

Luka walked alongside Saki, with her giving him glances every few seconds to check on him. By now she expected to see him looking embarrassed but nothing short of it was shown on his face.

Suffice to say, the demons of the night weren't very accustomed to wearing clothes, even in broad daylight. Shame wasn't part of their vocabulary. If it weren't for the control spell he'd cast earlier, Luka would have had a hard time avoiding the awkwardness of the situation, especially with the array of bare-skinned figures walking around them. But the spell kept his emotions in check, allowing him to remain unaffected, at least on the outside.

This emotional clarity allowed him to focus on his surroundings, and he couldn't help but notice the architecture. The buildings were mostly uniform—constructed from what appeared to be the same dark stone and strange materials. He noticed they resembled wood at first, but as he studied them more, he grew unsure. It was something unfamiliar—something he didn't recognize. His lack of expertise in architecture made it hard to decipher, but the consistency of the design felt deliberate.

He couldn't shake the feeling that something about the town wasn't quite right. It wasn't just the people, or the strange atmosphere in the air. There was something in the way the structures stood, as if they were both ancient and unnervingly new at the same time.

Saki turned to him as they walked, her gaze scanning the streets. "What do you think?" she asked, her voice low but with an edge of curiosity. "Is it what you expected?"

Luka glanced around once more before responding. "It's... different. I thought it'd be more... chaotic, maybe. But it's almost peaceful here."

His words hung in the air for a moment, but the moment he arrived near a farm, everything changed.

Saki abruptly stopped, her wings stiffening as she realized just how bad the situation could be. A bead of sweat trickled down her forehead, and her mouth went dry. Luka, still walking beside her, had his gaze fixed on the idyllic scene in front of him, unaware of what he was about to see.

Rows of crops, modest structures, a handful of succubi tending to them. But as Luka took in the details, his eyes froze on the small figures—children, playing in a fenced-off garden, their laughter filling the air.

The fence surrounding them was no ordinary boundary. It hummed with magical energy, almost as if it were a warning, a force field meant to deter anyone from approaching. The children looked happy, and carefree as they played around with a ball. 

His shoulders tensed and his fists inside his pockets clenched. 

Of course, it was obvious. Succubi do not need any other food to survive.

The 'animals' here for them were humans.

Saki turned around, seeing Luka's tense arm from the corner of her eye but she couldn't speak. His eyes were saying everything. A silent acknowledgement before sliding toward Saki's.

"What's gotten into you? Keep going." Luka said, his tone calm as if he had seen nothing. "Everyone is watching us."

Saki swallowed hard, her heart heavy with the weight of what they had just witnessed. She knew Luka's control over his emotions was extraordinary, but the sight of human children being used as nothing more than livestock for energy should have rattled even him. Still, he wasn't breaking, and for some reason, that seemed to weigh even more on her.

"Right…" Saki nodded after a brief pause, forcing her feet to move forward.

As they walked, Luka's fists kept clenching. Saki felt the mark of their contract burn in anger, a raw anger that made even her blood boil. 

Luka was angry. 

It was a relief, she thought. He was a better comedian than she expected.

However, that was misguided as Luka's fear wasn't directed toward their way of life. Luka pressed on, visiting the city like a tourist, his gaze cold yet calculating as he observed his surroundings. Shops for potions and clothes lined the streets, and there were humans scattered in the crowds, chained up like cattle, paraded and treated like nothing more than commodities. 'Hotels' with twisted advertisements boasting their 'specialty meals' for demons.

Luka's eyes narrowed, but he remained silent. Even from the corner of his eye, he could see two succubi arguing over a stolen item, their voices escalating until a third group intervened to break up the tension. It was a typical day in Sominium Vale, it seemed—tension under the surface, a constant push and pull between those who held power and those who were used.

Luka's sharp gaze moved further down the street, catching sight of homeless succubi, their hands outstretched with signs begging for a sliver of compassion. Some of them looked so weak, so famished, that they didn't even move anymore—no strength left to fight for survival.

Soon, they arrived at the 'place'. A large space with a fountain at the center and a stage, supposedly to give speeches to the whole population. But today, on it, was…

"Come on, two hundred bronze coins for this specimen!" The voice rang out, filled with sickening excitement. A well-clothed succubus in a fur robe swung a hammer lightly against the bare, chained man, tapping it against his shoulder as though he were a mere object, a commodity to be sold. His hollow eyes reflected no life, only emptiness, as he stood there, completely stripped of dignity.

Around her, a crowd gathered, eagerly raising their hands to bid, each one seeking to outdo the other in a twisted game of ownership. One succubus called out gleefully, "Three hundred!" followed by a laugh that carried too much joy for such a grim spectacle. The others murmured in agreement, some eagerly nodding, eyes sparkling with malicious delight as they watched the auction unfold.

Saki, who had been walking beside him, stopped short. She hadn't wanted to come this far into the heart of the town. Her eyes were dark with suppressed emotion, and she stared at the manor in front of the place, not giving even a single glance at the auction going on. It was a dark, looming structure, its tall iron gates guarded by grotesque gargoyle statues that seemed to watch over the entrance like silent sentinels. The air around it felt colder, and the garden beyond the gate, manicured yet eerily silent, only added to the ominous aura of the place.

Luka, however, couldn't help but take in the scene, curiosity filling his eyes. One of the succubi near him turned around and gave him a teasing look. "Would you like to go up there too?" she giggled.

Saki stepped up and gave her a menacing look. "He is not for sale," she shot. 

The succubus blinked, momentarily taken aback by the sharpness in Saki's tone. She hesitated, then backed off with a soft laugh, clearly deciding it wasn't worth pursuing the matter further. "Well, suit yourself," she said nonchalantly, turning her attention back to the auction.

Saki gave Luka a lingering, concerned look, but he simply shrugged, his smile faint but steady. There was no breaking his calm exterior, despite the horror they had just witnessed. His ability to compartmentalize everything, to stay focused, was something Saki found both unsettling and admirable.

"We should get going," Luka murmured, his voice almost too casual for the weight of the situation.

Saki couldn't help but frown, her worry growing. "You're taking this pretty well..." she whispered, her words more an observation than a question. It troubled her how Luka seemed unfazed by the atrocities around them. She could see the tension in his posture, the subtle tightening of his fists, but his face remained neutral, as though he were simply walking through a disorienting dream.

"Don't worry about me."

"Alright," she muttered, not fully convinced, but nodding anyway. "Let's go."

They arrived at the towering iron gate. To Saki's surprise, it wasn't locked. The heavy metal doors swung open with a low groan as they pushed them aside, allowing them to enter at will. Saki stepped forward cautiously, her senses on high alert, and gestured for Luka to follow.

Inside, the contrast was stark. The grim atmosphere of the town outside gave way to opulence, and Saki couldn't help but feel a wave of unease settle in her chest. The grand entrance was lined with towering columns made of smooth marble, leading into a large foyer. A rich velvet carpet stretched down the length of the hall, its deep crimson color glowing faintly under the dim lighting.

Luka glanced around, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The mansion was lavish—ornate tapestries hung from the walls, and chandeliers hung from the ceiling. Everything reeked of power and wealth on the surface.

Saki stepped forward, her shoes creating soft sounds on the carpet. Luka followed suit but they were soon interrupted by a bunch of human butlers.

"May I ask who invited you?" one of them asked, addressing directly to Saki.

Saki paused, her gaze narrowing slightly at the sudden interruption. The human butlers stood in a neat row, their expressions vacant yet obedient. Their hands were clasped together in a rigid, practiced manner. They were all well-dressed in a crisp mix of white and black, their attire impeccably tailored and spotless.

Saki's lips tightened into a thin line. She wasn't fond of being questioned, especially not here. "I didn't realize an invitation was required," she said smoothly, running her hand in her hair in a flourish. 

The butlers exchanged a brief glance before one of them, slightly more assertive than the others, stepped forward. His expression was polite but cold. "The queen expects all visitors to be properly announced," he said, his voice devoid of warmth.

Luka, who had been silent until now, took a step forward and placed his hand on Saki's shoulder. "From now on, leave it to me." 

With a confident strut, he stepped in front of the butlers who looked intrigued by the sudden development. 

"Tell Your Majesty that we're here on urgent business. I, Luka, hero of Sora have a proposition to make."

Saki froze, her mouth dropping open in disbelief. "Hero?!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide, unable to hide her surprise.

The butlers, too, seemed taken aback by Luka's bold proclamation, their eyes flickering with uncertainty.

"Yes, hero," Luka said with a playful smirk, brushing off Saki's shock. "You've heard of me, haven't you? I'm famous around Sora now. Unless you want me to start recounting the tales of my exploits, I suggest you relay my message to the queen."

Saki glared at him, her face flushed with a mix of exasperation and disbelief. "You're actually going full pretentious mode?" she muttered under her breath, but Luka just shrugged it off, his smirk never faltering.

The butlers stood still for a moment, their expressions unreadable. Finally, the more assertive one inclined his head slightly, his eyes narrowing just a fraction. "Very well, hero of Sora. Please wait here while we inform the queen."

With that, the butlers turned, moving swiftly through the ornate doors at the far end of the foyer, leaving Luka and Saki alone once again. Saki exhaled sharply, the tension still lingering in the air.

"Luka, I swear sometimes you scare me a lot," she muttered, though there was a hint of amusement in her voice, despite her frustration. "Where did all that confidence come from?"

Luka simply shrugged again, his eyes already drifting around the luxurious surroundings. "I would be lying if I were to say my control spell didn't have a part in all of this. I blocked my fear, also other emotions."

Saki couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at him. "You just... suppress everything?" she asked, incredulous.

Luka's gaze flickered back to her, a flicker of regret in his eyes. "I know how this sounds. I would do anything not to suppress my feelings this way, but sometimes... I have no other choice." He paused, looking away as if unsure of how to explain himself.

Saki's expression darkened, a frown pulling at her lips. "Don't rely on it too much. It feels like you changed completely."

Luka's eyes met hers. "Let's just say I always had it in me. I just stopped cowering like an idiot. I've had enough of being afraid."

Saki's frown softened but she remained silent. For now, she would just observe.

Before she could take in the surroundings again, the butlers returned, their footsteps muffled against the plush carpet as they moved to stand before Luka and Saki. 

The cold, polite smile of the lead butler returned, and he gestured for them to follow.

"Please, the queen is ready to see you now," he said, his voice as monotone as ever.

Saki shared one last glance with Luka, and they both followed the butlers down the grand hall.

It was time to meet the queen of this land.


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