Chapter 4

For the first time in a long time, Emily slept peacefully. One would think that being within close proximity of, not one, but two demons would feel chaotic and hostile. But all she felt was peace and serenity; like nothing could harm her. She had specifically called them for protection, but they made it feel like they wanted to protect her and not just something that was being forced on them.

Emily opened her eyes to see the most beautiful sight before her. She was standing on the edge of a lake watching as the still, deep water glowed. She had heard of such a place before but never imagined it could actually exist. She took in the beautiful sight before she turned around and gasped. Before her stood thousands of bioluminescent trees on either side of a dirt road as far as the eye could see.

“Come.” A voice called out to her, yet no one was around.

“Come.” The voice called out again.

She knew she was alone and yet she could clearly hear the voice as if the person was standing two feet in front of her. She felt a pull coming from inside her, guiding her, wanting her to follow.

Slowly she made her way down the seemingly never-ending dirt road, until finally arriving at a glorious temple. Never had she laid eyes on a more magnificent building. The roof and pillars were made of what looked to be gold marble. The walls were glossy black with gold designs of every majestic creature imaginable. Even the idol depicting the demon king sitting in the middle of the room was made of gold.

“Why are we here?”

“To remember.” She could feel their breath on her ear as they whispered the reply.

Emily was suddenly awake. She had never had such a strange dream before. What was even stranger was the fact that she was left with a sense of deja-vu and longing.

“Are you okay?” Emily jumped and squealed as a voice behind her spoke. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”

“You didn’t,” she spoke, putting a hand over her heart. “Okay, maybe just a little.” She giggled lightly. “Honestly I figured you would have left.”

“We told you yesterday, one of us will always be by your side. Until you feel absolutely, one hundred percent safe.”

“I didn’t think you were being literal.”

“We take our vow very seriously.”

“I am starting to get that.”

“Now tell me, what was wrong?” She could hear the concern in Sal’s voice and see it in his eyes.

“Nothing is wrong, or was wrong.” She paused for a moment to collect her thoughts. “Strange dreams, that's all.”

“Want to tell me about it? Sometimes talking helps in more ways than one.”

She took a moment to recall and described to him in detail the beauty of the water and the trees. How the path led to the breathtaking temple and even the voice that beckoned her. Next, she told him of how it left her with a longing to go back, of how it felt like home.

“I know it isn’t home since I have never been there or laid eyes on it other than in my dreams, but the feeling it was giving off, felt like I could call it my safe haven, like that is where I belonged. I know it sounds absolutely bonkers, but if I found out that place was real, I would walk to the other side of the world just to get there. Even if it took 15 years.”

“If a place like that existed, it would not be on Earth.”

“Really?”

“If a place like that existed on Earth, it is long gone. Most humans don't know how to care for old temples or even know how to leave temples alone. They want to tear down and build unnecessary parking lots or strip malls.”

“Unfortunately, I have to agree. The way I see it, if you tear down a temple or desecrate holy ground, the god or goddess of the temple should send lightning and fry your ass. And if you tamper with a tomb or burial ground, the ghost of the ones buried need to haunt your stupid ass for eternity, or at least until you learn your lesson.”

“The only issue is, most gods or goddesses don't really care about humans or what they do. There are a few that still care, they tend to take time and walk among humans and try to help. Unless they are in their own realm, they usually do not see what is going on in their temples at the time.”

“What else is out there?” He could see the curiosity shining in her eyes at the possibility that creatures she had only heard about in myths existed. “I mean demons obviously exist, and you just confirmed that gods and goddesses exist. So are they the only things that exist or are there others?”

He grabbed her by her waist and put her over his shoulder, before she could even protest he spoke, “You don't need to walk just yet, so I am taking you to our library.”

“You have a library? How big is this place? Do you have an individual book for each creature? Or is it just like a giant book with a collection of everything?” She asked every question that came to her, barely giving her a chance to breathe.

“Curiosity killed the cat you know.” He was grinning as she continued bombarding him with questions.

“It is a good thing I am human.” She continued on, “Oh, are there dragons? What about fairies, shapeshifters, skinwalkers? How about werewolves? Werewolves are technically shapeshifters though. How about ghouls, imps, pixies?”

“What is she going on about?” Mankbako looked up as Sal put an eccentric Emily in the chair. “She should be sleeping.”

“Strange dreams. She woke up and has not shut up since.”

“So you brought her here?”

She had finally stopped asking questions when she noticed shelf after shelf filled with books. She had only seen libraries this big and beautiful in movies. Seeing how many books there were, her questions got stuck in her throat as she admired the magnificence of the room.

“I figured it was the only way to get her to shut up. It seems to have worked.” The brothers snickered at the sight of her admiring the room.