She Who Became Immortal

When the sparkling newcomer arrived, everything shifted.

For Kirina, it was an awakening, a profound feeling.

Despite the lack of dissatisfaction and routine in her life, amid the brilliance and turmoil, every day felt precious, not a moment to spare.

It was startling when Serena, her foster parent, admitted defeat, and equally surprising when demons began to settle across the river.

Contrary to their reputation as the 'evil race' from stories, the demons proved to be surprisingly rational. Junos, for example, was reserved and honorable; despite Serena's provocation, she seemed to trust him. Kirina even found Junos rather cool.

She made friends too.

Among the demons was a girl named Katarina, roughly Kirina's age.

They shared the "Rina" in their names, were close in age, and both loved Euphemia Grimwood, which quickly bonded them.

Katarina referred to Euphemia as "Lady Euphemia," crediting her with saving their lives and leading them to a new way of living. Even their tribal chief couldn't kill Euphemia, nor could Serena.

Kirina couldn't forget the image of Euphemia Grimwood walking unharmed from the flames that consumed her.

Euphemia didn't overpower Serena or enforce obedience through authority.

Yet, change ensued.

Perhaps, even without Euphemia and the demons settling across the river, something would have shifted.

That's what Kirina believed.

The demons were lively, friendly, and respectful.

Their settlement, positioned away from the riverbank, remained hidden from view of Kirina and Serena's house, partly to guard against river flooding and partly out of respect for Serena, the guardian of the borderlands, as per Lion King Randal's decree to prevent border crossings, even if it meant disbanding the fox people.

Euphemia Grimwood once suggested, "Why not settle on the other side of the river?" It was a play on words, not a deceit, but Kirina found the idea surprisingly sensible.

The demons swiftly established their settlement by clearing forests, using timber for construction, and hunting. They showed expertise in forest resources, quickly making the settlement their own.

Euphemia, however, sought progress.

Bringing forest hare meat one day, she mentioned the need for salt, blacksmithing, and cloth. While suggesting they might explore the demon realm eventually, she sought development openly, aligning their place with the beastmen's 'afterlife'.

Serena offered to introduce them to blacksmithing contacts but couldn't spare their rock salt. Cloth remained a mystery for now.

Euphemia reflected, "The world doesn't leave anyone in peace. It's not my nature to let that happen."

With a mischievous laugh, Euphemia hinted at her enigmatic nature, seeming both innocent and wise beyond her years, as if her laughter was a bridge to another world.

"The world doesn't wait," Euphemia Grimwood's words echoed in Kirina's mind, proving true in a stark and unsettling manner.

Kirina's realization came with the sacrificial offering of the pig beastmen.