Chapter 306: Gaming Courts, Lost Foxes, and the Glasses That Came Off
Chapter 306: Gaming Courts, Lost Foxes, and the Glasses That Came Off
Elyn’s POV
Now there were many things I was learning in the demon realm since I began this outing.
I had learned that pick tooths were just toothpicks with a stupider name. I had learned that Cron’s Pops were popcorn by another name. I had learned that children could summon deadly demons by accident, that glitter could be hidden in tails, and that the Demon King would rather sleep through his own fashion show than actually participate in it.
But nothing would have prepared me for what I was seeing at this moment.
Yes, the capital was lively during the night — I had already gathered that much from the crowds and the lanterns and the general chaos of the market district. But I had no idea that there was a part of the capital that was structured just so demons could play games.
And no, I was not joking.
This was a gaming area.
Courts stretched out before me, enclosed by low walls and marked with lines that glowed faintly in the darkness. Some of them looked like basketball courts — rectangular, with hoops at either end. Others looked like football pitches, though the goals were shaped differently, more like arches than nets. And there were tennis courts too, though the nets were made of something that shimmered like spider silk.
Demons of all shapes and sizes moved across the courts, their bodies twisting and leaping in ways that seemed impossible. Some were playing with balls that glowed. Others were chasing objects that flew through the air. One group was engaged in something that looked like a combination of tag and wrestling, and I decided not to look too closely at that.
The courts were surrounded by raised seating areas, filled with demons who cheered and shouted and argued about the games below. Lanterns hung from poles around the perimeter, casting warm light across the entire space.
And given Retheris and Thalira’s expressions — their wide eyes, their open mouths, their light blue hair seeming to glow brighter with excitement — it seemed it was their first time being in this area too.
I looked around.
We were quite a distance from where we had been. The bracelet had led us through winding streets and past crowded stalls, and now we were here, in a part of the capital I hadn’t known existed.
I wondered who it could be that was around this area.
The bracelet pulsed softly, the light still pointing forward, but I paused to take in the scene before me.
Some demons were doing graffiti.
Not on the walls — on the ground. They were using glowing paints to draw symbols and patterns on the cobblestones, their movements quick and precise. The designs shimmered for a moment before fading, leaving behind faint traces that would probably disappear by morning.
I shook my head.
Retheris and Thalira looked interested. Their eyes were fixed on the gaming courts, their bodies leaning forward like they were about to sprint toward them.
I called them back immediately.
"Maintain," I said. "Or you won’t come to the palace again."
They stopped immediately, their bodies freezing mid-lean. Then they turned to look at me, their faces falling into identical pouts.
They looked cute with the pout — I would admit that. Their lips were pushed out, their eyes wide and pleading, and I could feel my resolve weakening.
But I held firm.
"We need to find the others," I said. "You can look at the games later."
They nodded reluctantly, their pouts fading into expressions of grudging acceptance.
The light continued pulsing, and I followed it.
It led me past the gaming courts, past the graffiti artists, past a group of demons who were arguing about something I couldn’t quite hear. The light grew brighter as we walked, and I noticed that the area was becoming quieter, the crowds thinning out.
And then I saw it.
There was a spot where there were boards laid out on low tables — boards that looked like chessboards, with pieces arranged in neat rows. Demons were seated around them, their heads bent in concentration, their fingers hovering over the pieces.
But before I could focus on it, I heard a voice.
It sounded nervous.
"Have you seen a child? A small one? With flames in his hair?"
I turned.
Zayrion was standing near one of the chess tables, his tails low, his glasses slightly askew. He was moving from demon to demon, his voice anxious, his hands gesturing desperately.
"Please," he said to a stone demon who was ignoring him. "Have you seen any child? He’s small. He has fire in his hair too and he was right here."
The stone demon shrugged and turned away.
Zayrion’s shoulders slumped.
I rushed toward him, Retheris and Thalira following close behind.
"Zayrion!" I called out.
He turned.
And when he saw me, his face crumpled.
He looked like he was about to cry. His eyes were wet, his glasses were fogging up, and his voice came out thick and wobbling.
"I’m sorry," he said. "I lost Aziren."
I crouched down to his height.
"Where did you last see him?" I asked gently.
Zayrion sniffled.
"I was playing chess board with some older demons," he said. "Aziren was at my side, watching. He seemed interested, so I let him stay. But I got so immersed in the game — I didn’t notice when he left."
He gestured at the board behind him.
"I’ve asked around," he continued. "No one has seen him. No one recognises the description I’m giving."
I looked at him — at his glasses, at his tails, at the way he was trembling slightly.
"Zayrion," I said softly. "You’ve forgotten that we’re in disguise."
He blinked.
"What?"
"Aziren looks different to the demons here," I said. "You’ve been describing how he really looks — with the flames, the amber eyes, the fire. But to everyone here, he looks like another demon child."
Zayrion’s eyes widened.
"Oh," he breathed. "Oh."
I reached up and gently removed his glasses.
His eyes were wet at the corners, and I wiped the tears away with my thumb.
"We’ll find him," I said. "I promise."
"How?" he asked, his voice small.
I pointed at the bracelet on my wrist.
"This tells me where everyone is," I said. "Including Aziren."
Zayrion stared at the bracelet.
Then he nodded slowly.
I placed his glasses back on his face, adjusting them so they sat straight.
Retheris stepped forward, his expression determined.
"We’ll find him," he said.
Thalira nodded beside him.
"We’ll help too," she added.