Maiden Of The Splitting Moon

She then put the meat back before introducing herself and the two beasts by her. 

"I am Ming Yue. This is Xiao Yin and this is Hei Yue."

Following their introductions, the two beasts let out a chirp and a happy yip. 

"We're headed towards the Cerulean Serpent's Lake, where the Southern Tower is", she explained. 

Upon hearing the lake be mentioned, the demon child pulled back, her eyes full of fear. 

"Why are you going there? Don't go there", she muttered, "Those demons- they're dangerous. They... they took my brother."

Raising her arm, the child wiped away the tears on her face. Trying her best to hold back, she couldn't help but shed a few tears, whimpering at the thought of her brother's sacrifice. Moments later, she felt a soft sensation coax her as Hei Yue moved to comfort the child. 

Ming Yue then slowly approached her, holding out a slice of the boar meat. 

"You should eat first and then tell me what happened."

Her voice was very light, very gentle, as she looked at the child who looked back. She then glanced at the meat and took it with her hands, taking a small bite. It wasn't amazing but the young girl hadn't had a decent meal in the entirety of her escape. Still, she took her time, eating and chewing, savoring the taste. 

Ming Yue glanced at her before eating her own meal as did the other two.

"Can I have your name?" she asked. 

The girl looked at her, still a bit wary and hesitant before finally giving it. 

"I am Shen, Shen Varuna of the Varuna Clan." 

"And why were you here?"

"I- me and my brother had escaped from the fortress across the lake, where the other demons were."

"Other demons?" 

Ming Yue's eyes furrowed. It must have been the forces of Kong Zhi. 

"We were a clan of Varuna Demons, whose bloodline came from the God of Oceans, Varuna. We lived by the lake, surviving off of it. But then the war started and the other demons came to the lake. At first, they were really nice, helping us get food but then when they asked to submit to them we couldn't."

"Why not?"

"They wanted us to go down into the lake and mine it but that would anger the Cerulean Serpent. And doing this was disrespectful, especially because the lake gave us food. The leader even wanted us to attack the humans, destroy their ships. Since none of us wanted to do it, they attacked, locked everyone in chains, separating our parents from us. All the children were locked up in cages, if any of us whimpered or cried, they would hit us. Sometimes, they would take us out just to vent their anger. My brother and I stuck close, trying our best to survive until we saw a chance to escape but..."

Shen Varuna stopped talking, suddenly reliving the moments she was split from her brother. Ming Yue then moved closer to comfort her. 

"It's okay, you don't have to say anymore."

She was able to piece it together, realizing that her brother had been captured. Looking at the demon's body, there was faint bruising on her arms and legs. Considering, how much time must have passed since she escaped, it must've been severe. 

"Bastards, to think they would stoop so low."

Reaching into her spatial ring, she took out a salve and moved closer to the young demon. 

"What are you doing?"

She cowered, backing away until she found herself against the tree. 

"It's just medicine, for your wounds."

Ming Yue moved closer and took a bit of the salve with her fingers. She gestured with her other hand, waiting for Shen Varuna to come forward. The demon glanced at the salve before looking at her face. She was still careful but let Ming Yue apply the salve. 

"Since I'm heading to the Cerulean Serpent's Lake, would you like to come with me? I'll be going to where the other humans are", she said. 

The demon looked at her with a scared look. 

"Are you sure? It's dangerous!"

She was concerned for Ming Yue, scared that she wouldn't survive. However, the young woman was unafraid, her face was calm and confident. So much so that Shen Varuna couldn't help but believe in her.

"Don't worry, Shen. Once we get to the Southern Tower, there will be people to help you. You'll be safe there. Then, we can go save your brother and the rest of the clan as well, I promise."

The little demon's eyes began to look hopeful, there was a bit of light in her pupils. 

"Really?"

Her voice was upbeat as if she couldn't believe what she was hearing. 

"Of course. You should rest for now, the quicker we get there, the quicker we can go save your family", Ming Yue responded. 

Shen Varuna nodded, but there was excitement in her eyes. In the end, she asked all sorts of questions to Ming Yue until late into the night, where she fell asleep on Hei Yue's body. 

Seeing her happier now warmed her heart but Ming Yue quickly thought back to what she learned. 

"Would this mean that the Tide King is enslaving other clans? To think, children would be used as hostages. If I want to save them, I'd have to sneak in, I can't just blow through it all. Not to mention, the Tide King himself, I wouldn't be able to deal with him."

Thinking up of a few options, she stayed awake all night and kept watch. The day soon came and the little demon soon awakened, feeling much better now. With the salve, much of her injuries were healed and her body had recuperated. 

Considering, she was a demon, Shen Varuna's recovery speed was quite strong. 

She looked around and saw Ming Yue quietly training off to the side. Drifting Sky was a blur in her hands as she stood in one place, striking the air. Then her body vanished, reappearing and striking a bush dozens of meters away. 

"Whoa..."

The demon girl was shocked and amazed as she watched her train. Another hour passed as the day had begun but the skies were gray and clouded. It seemed as if it would rain soon. 

When Ming Yue finished, she sheathed her sword, carrying it in her hand while walking back. 

"Ming Yue, you're so fast. I bet you can kill those demons in an instant."

Compared to last night, she was much more energetic, happier too. She was a completely different person now. 

Ming Yue smiled. 

"Let's go eat and get going then."

"Mn!"

With Shen Varuna with them, their speed was considerably slower but Ming Yue didn't mind. Rather, she took this time to ask the little demon more about the base that she was caged in. While doing so, she learned a bit more about the layout as well as the other demons. 

Outside of this, their travels together were quite peaceful but by the look of it, it might take them an extra month to get there. Meaning, they were three months away from the lake. 

Unfortunately, this calmness was soon broken as several demons appeared on the campsite they were at. There were five in total from various bloodlines. These were the same ones from before, still determined to capture Shen Varuna. Even after several days of pursuit, they would not give up. 

Some were on one knee, studying the campsite. 

"It's still fresh, only a few days old."

"Good, she's not far from here! Once we capture her, we can throw her back in with that brother of hers. There is no failure, either we get that little demon or the Tide King kills us."

They nodded to each other, understanding that it was success or death for them.