A Weapon’s Serenade

A familiar melody rang through the observation dome. Isha was greeting her friends as she approached them. Everyone waved at her as she came to a halt outside the window, she returned the gestured.

Serena instantly turned bouncy. “Isha! Can you understand me?”

Isha tilted her head slightly. “I can. The demon’s translation magic works even through glass and water… amazing.” There was still a sing-song-y quality to her voice but the translated words weren’t as musical as her greeting.

“This is incredible!”

“I want to talk to you so much, but I first need to know if the others can pass into the demon’s world now. We are all eager to visit.”

Serena looked at Famine, who returned a nod. “They may pass through the portal and remain in Hell for as long as they please.”

“Thank you. I will tell the others. Please, excuse me for a moment.” Isha turned away from the dome and returned to a large group of sirens waiting in the distance. After several minutes she returned and watched as the rest of the group passed through the portal one by one. “Is there another of these bubbles in Hell? I want to spend time with you all but I would also like to experience that new world.”

Famine nodded. “Of course. We can meet you there.”

“Then we shall talk in Hell.” Isha looked quite happy.

In Hell, the group of sirens had dispersed a bit already. Some were inspecting interesting fauna, others had opted to reach the surface and one group was carefully studying a nearby school small fish. Isha had found a comfortable spot to float out of the way of the portal but still very close to the glass dome. She was currently taking in the sights.

The group of land-dwellers let their siren friend take all the time she needed to marvel at a whole new world.

“I understand now why you offered us a home here. The water is so clean, so fresh…”

Famine chewed on her words for a moment. “Do you believe that some will accept our offer?”

“It seems almost inevitable that some will want to remain here. I have heard stories about humans who are transformed into demons and live here in Hell from then on. Can sirens become demons too?”

“Do you want to?”

“I don’t know. I guess I was just wondering out loud.”

“We never tried turning a siren but we can turn humans. Melody and Anne are going to be turned in the next years.”

“That is wonderful! I look forward to meeting you as cute demons.”

Melody returned a warm smile. “We can go diving with you properly then. Demons don’t need to breathe after all.”

“That will be amazing and so much fun.”

“I really wonder why you asked about becoming a demon. Is that something you would want or do you fear that you would have to become one if you moved here?”

Isha hesitated for a moment before answering. “We have been alone for a long time now. When we spoke about leaving our home to live here, the option of not just moving to your oceans came up.”

Melody looked at Famine for an answer. The demon obliged. “You want to share your culture with us and experience ours.”

“Yes, we want to live with you. We want to no longer be alone. If there is a way to not just live along your shores but to… walk your cities, to breathe your air and to go back to the seas and delve into our depths, then there would be many among us who would choose that over everything else. I would choose that way.”

“I will have to ask our specialist, but I believe that we can turn you into a demon and that you would become something unique, a water demon.”

“I would love that. It is best not to rush though, we need to explore this world first, meet more of your kind.”

“Of course.”

“Serena, are you happy with our choices?”

Serena nodded eagerly. “Very! All I want is for you to have good lives. If I get to learn a bit more about you and spend time with you, that’s a nice bonus but what matters to me is your happiness.”

“You are a wonderful person, never forget that. Now, please tell me what you did since we last met.”

Serena happily did just that. Umbria decided that this sterile little bubble needed a bit more comfort and conjured a set of couches and armchairs on which everyone got comfortable. Stories were shared about all the things that had happened in the last week, the girls’ plans to go to Germany, Melody’s academic success, Kuria’s current whereabouts, and even introducing Ara, who Isha called the lightbringer.

Eventually, Kuria returned. She happily greeted Isha and seemed a lot more upbeat than when she had left.

“You spoke to your high inquisitor about the magical stone, right?” Isha was quite curious.

“I did. Had a realization that Ara had given me a lot more information than I had put together.”

“Can you tell me more? I would love to know more.”

“The stone your people gave to the Asurans was a list telling of a map and a key to access a power beyond any that the demons possess. That power is apparently something Ara has imprisoned on earth billions of years ago. High inquisitor Azazel told me that she will see about finding out what that thing is and if we can contain it in a better way. Azazel is far more powerful than any demon and we wield more power than eleven thousand years ago when that claim was made in general.”

Ara spoke up. “Azazel might stand a chance but after you left, I told your companions that this entity is like me. Less developed but a coalescence of a concept. Even I do not know what has coalesced there, just that its influence is very dangerous. I have hopes that the unique abilities Azazel possesses can be our solution.”

Isha frowned. “That sounds horrible. And another reason to leave that world. Funny that you call it earth, we call it water.”

“That is actually quite cute. But yes, I agree. It’s a reason to leave. One thing Azazel was able to confirm with Jolene is that the other parts of this pattern emitter puzzle are still on the planet. They haven’t been taken anywhere else. Overall, she is optimistic that things will work out fine. She also told me to make sure that the sirens know that moving to Hell is not a decision you need our permission for. We have offered you this option, you just need to accept it.”

“Thank you. That means a lot and I will inform the others when we part ways later. I wish I could tell you more about this pattern emitter, I actually asked our orators but they don’t know anything more than I do. I’m sorry can’t help more.”

Famine shook her head. “Do not be sorry, you have helped a lot already. It is our time to help you.”

Melody spoke up again with a question. “What’s an orator in your culture? They seem to have some importance.”

Isha smiled. “They are our story tellers. They keep our oral history and pass it on between generations. I wanted to be one when I was younger but the orator I talked to helped me find something that fit me even more. I create tools for the few times we need them. We don’t need tools that often but when we do, we usually need to make them from scratch and that is what I have learned.”

“That is deeply fascinating. It’s similar to what humans and demons do but in a very unique way. Our smiths keep working to create tools for when they are needed, so we are never without one. Our story tellers write down stories so others can read them on their own or they act out stories others have written. Humans do all that to earn currency from others to trade in for food, shelter and a variety of services and things from others who offer it for currency to also trade it in for everything. Demons do it all to share their passions with others, to create a world where all necessities are met for everyone.”

“The human system seems flawed. Some skills are harder than others, are they also worth more currency? What about difficult things you need often?”

“The intention is that supply and demand regulate the price. If something is difficult but in high demand, the price will rise attracting more people to offer that service or item which then brings the price down. With that baseline, everything will eventually find a stable price range or just dynamically adapt to the market. In practice, a group offering a certain thing can manipulate the market and keep prices high artificially if they all agree to ignore the demand factor. Demand may also be influenced by manipulating what people desire. It is a fragile system that is becoming ever more unstable and held together by the sheer unwillingness to change the system. That’s also why humans are so destructive. It is not profitable to do the right thing. The pursuit of currency has surpassed everything else for those in control of resources.”

“That is… stupid. I hope you don’t mind me calling it that.”

“Oh, I fully agree, it is really stupid and incredibly self-defeating. At this pace, humanity will end itself with a lot of collateral damage unless something changes.”

“How sad. Even with all the destruction they have wrought, I don’t want the humans to suffer or die. I want all beings to live happily.”

Famine got up from her armchair and put a hand on the glass near Isha’s face. “You would be a wonderful demon.”

Isha blushed dark blue. “...I don’t know what to say.”

Famine simply nodded understandingly.