Reyna flattened out the mud and then divided it into four equal parts: for the head, the torso, the pair of arms, and the pair of legs. Grabbing one, she rolled it into a ball. As the mud smoothed out in her palms, it amazingly began to strongly solidify. It did not fall apart or dry up. In fact, it felt like genuine molding clay.

She perched the sphere on top of the fingers of her left hand. Extending her right fingertips towards it, she began to sculpt a head. As her fingers moved, a built up of some sort of force exerted from them. It was a familiar feeling yet more concentrated and whole. Tamer than the last time she used her powers.

Her fingers danced over the mold, dozens of microscopic knives on each fingertip. As she worked, the clay became lighter in color, making her progress visible. Though small, perfectly minute details –eyelashes, small face creases, hair strands– of Mundus’ visage could be seen. Soon, Reyna was holding a small replica of Mundus’ head in her hand. She placed it aside on the table. It stood solid and sturdy on its neck stub.

She picked up another piece of mud and repeated the process, sculpting arms, legs, and a torso, adding folds of clothes where appropriate. She had been especially nervous when she had to do the crotch area, but she managed her best. The absence of Mundus’ teasing immensely helped.

At last, she placed all the body pieces together. Each contact was a perfect connection. The clay doll in Reyna’s hands was a grey color about a foot tall. The flawless details were undisturbed by her touch.

 “Whoa. They actually fit,” she said, astonished.

Amon watched in silence as his niece’s overjoyed face. He had watched in silence as she meticulously used her powers to create the body of a demon, something that was unheard of thousands of years ago. The necklace had helped immensely. Not only had it guided Reyna, but it gave her the confidence to take on the Body Construction perfectly upon her first try.

Do you like it, Mundus? Reyna bashfully asked.

“It appears adequate enough,” he responded.

Reyna rolled her eyes, knowing that was the best answer she was going to receive.

“Now what?” Reyna asked her uncle.

“For now,” Amon said and took the Mundus doll out of her hands, “we place this outside to allow the Healing energy to expand. Go back to the room you woke up in and wait for me there.”

Sitting once more on the potholed bed, Reyna pulled her legs into her arms and rested her chin on her knees.

You’re going to have your body back, Mundus, she told him, staring at the floor. She wished she had her mirror.

“You fear entering Demon World,” Mundus said. The heavy apprehension radiating from her could be felt by anyone.

She hugged her legs tighter. Yeah. I don’t know if I’m strong enough to fight a demon. Much less confront a lot of them in their home world.

“Do not fret. I shall aid you.”

But what if the body I made doesn’t work? Or it falls apart? Fear suddenly rushed into her. What if your soul is lost forever? I mean…summoning a soul is a really big thing. And a demon’s soul is probably harder.

“If the temporary body were to fail, I would simply return to you. However, I doubt such an event will occur. You possess the adequate power to accomplish such a feat for you Summoning abilities lie in the highest tier of such Magika.”

I’m still scared, Mundus.  Hot tears graced down her cheeks.

Mundus’ presence suddenly fortified. “Recall that I shall accompany you, regardless of what comes about.”

She nodded as slithers of comfort warmed her. Okay.

Reyna slid off the bed, tired of waiting for her uncle. Instead, she walked around the room, stopping in front of the closet door. Knowing it was empty, she opened it nonetheless, simply to have something to do. She was about to close it when she saw something. A flicker. She scrutinized the emptiness. A faint outline of an oval appeared. It wavered like a reflection on water, but then the shape began to solidify enough for something to be seen. The simple white color of the closet wall seemed distorted with faint, shimmering smears of red, green, and black.

“You found the portal,” Amon’s voice encased the room as he entered. Reyna continued staring at the strange oval, having sensed his entrance.

“If you can see it, you can Summon it,” Amon continued to speak. “But not now. First, we need you to Summon Mundus’ soul out. It’s almost evening. By then, Mundus’ body should be complete.”

“So we have to wait till night for me to Summon Mundus out?” Reyna asked, eyes still on the portal.

“No. We have to start now. In order to Summon out a soul as powerful as Mundus, you need to channel out the spell for several hours in order to provide a strong enough path for his soul to travel through.”

Reyna gawked at her uncle. “Can I even do that?”

“With the help of the necklace, yes. You have to concentrate to separate him from your body, obviously. Don’t expect the necklace to do everything.”

Reyna walked to the bed and sat down. She looked up at her uncle, dazed. “What do I do exactly?”

Amon sat down next to her. “Reyna, I know this is a lot for you to take in, much less do, but right now, you’re the only one who can do it. Only Summoners can access and open the Demon Portal. In order to defeat Ram, we need Mundus’ real body so he can access his true power.

“I’m sorry to put you through this, and I wish I could go with you, but I have to stay here and take care of my sister and her husband.”

“My parents!” Reyna’s head shot up. In her distraught state, she had forgotten they had come with them. She felt her stomach drop in self disappointment for forgetting about them.

“They are asleep in my room,” Amon quickly assured. “Don’t worry. The bed there is bigger and more comfortable.” He smiled at his definition of a joke. She shakily returned it.

“It’s no coincidence you moved here, right? For the portal?” Reyna quietly asked.

“A portal. There are several throughout the world. The isolation here is a bonus though. It helps provide private training.”

“It was here where you trained Ram. Where you got your scars,” she whispered.

Amon was silent for a moment. “Yes.”

Reyna’s eyes went wide. “I’m sorry, Uncle Amon! I didn’t mean to say that!”

He shook his head. “No. What you said was true.”

“So I channel here then?” she quickly asked, eager to change the subject.

“Yes. Just concentrate in however you feel comfortable. The necklace will conduct you.” Amon stood up from the bed and closed the closet door before exiting the room with a confident nod towards Reyna. She collapsed on the hard mattress, her legs dangling over the edge.

“Do not fret. I am here with you.” Mundus’ voice was gentle. His face with their dark features hovered in Reyna’s mind. Suddenly, she felt she did an inadequate job reconstructing them.

I know but this is just so big! I know I wanted to help before, but now I don’t know if I can do it. Reyna agonized.

Instead of answering her, Mundus remained quiet, letting the silence expand inside her mind. It lifted her with invisible strings. The tug was gentle, giving the scene of floating. Her feet were pointed down in a ballerina stance, seeking a foundation to stand on. Mundus appeared by her, also hovering within the stillness. Even in midair, his posture was defined and strong. He looked at Reyna.

“I can not accomplish this without you,” he said and his hand extended over to caress her cheek. His touch was warm.

But I don’t know what to do, she answered.

“Such power resides within you.”

But I don’t want you to go.

He shook his head. “You must release me.”

But if you go, you won’t be here anymore. She placed an open palm over her chest.

“Reyna, I am eternally with you.” He pulled her closer to him, their bodies gliding together. He kissed her.

When she opened her eyes, a white ceiling greeted her, but it could barely be seen. Reyna was sprawled on the bed as if she had fallen onto it from a great height. Quickly pushing herself up and off from the bed, Reyna grasped her chest, sensing his absence. It was a despised feeling.

Mundus? she mentally called. No answer was returned.

“Mundus?” she frantically called out loud.

The dark room suddenly flooded with light. Blinded by the unexpected florescent rush, she only heard his voice.

“Mortals can not perceive well in darkness.”

Blinking the spots away, Reyna at last saw the demon that stood under the doorframe. He looked new. He seemed to stand taller than before, and his ever present dominating essence had increased tenfold. Even his smirk was slyer than usual.

“Mundus?” Reyna gasped at him.

He said nothing as he strolled over to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. The unanticipated pull towards his body caused Reyna’s head to tilt up at him in surprise. It was at that moment Mundus leaned down and kissed her. She quickly relaxed into his embrace, the empty hole in both their chests disappearing.

A clearing of the throat was then heard. The couple turned to Amon. Mundus’ sword was in his hand. Mundus’ eyes gleamed as he pulled away from Reyna to reach over for his blade. He gazed at it lovingly, knowing he was going to properly unleash its powers soon.

“Yes, I thought you would want it,” Amon said. Mundus slid the sword under his black cloth-belt, using the curved guard to secure it onto his sash. He then opened the closet door. The portal inside was shining brightly and the scenery inside was solid and familiar.

“Why is it like that now?” Reyna asked moving towards the portal.

“It is reacting to Mundus,” Amon spoke with astonishment in his voice. He then looked at the demon who smirked back at him.

“I don’t get it,” Reyna spoke.

“Usually Summoners are the only ones who can open portals from this world to Demon World,” Amon explained. Then, looking at Mundus, he said, “But this portal is harmonizing with you. It’s opening, yet you’re not fully powered yet.”

“Then, are we going now?” a nervous Reyna asked.

Amon looked at the portal. “I don’t see why not.”

Both gazed at Mundus, waiting for his input. He grinned at them, his answer obvious. Reyna turned to her uncle.

“We will be back soon,” she said and hugged him. “Stay safe and take care of my parents.”

He nodded. “I shall await your return.”

No sooner had they said their farewells, Mundus grabbed Reyna’s hand and pulled her through the gateway. Immediately the scenery changed. A gigantic tree grew yards from them. Its dark trunk was colossal, wide as an apartment building, with twisting branches thick as a small pillar. The leaves cradled by them were a deep red. Aside from that, there was nothing else to be seen. They were standing in an endless green plain. The sky above them was an impenetrable black, yet all was visible as if seen with daylight.

“This is your world?” Reyna gasped in awe. Her question went unanswered as a female figure heading towards their direction came into view.

What seemed like clothes at first was actually her hair. Knee length and bleach white, it was cycling around her like floating armor. Her actual clothes resembled a tight and short dress that, upon closer inspection, appeared as if someone simply wrapped a long thick ribbon of red around her, like a mummy. It swathed her from her upper thighs up to her breasts that made Reyna’s C cups look like an ironing board. She was racing towards them on feet that weren’t touching the ground.

Arriving in front of Reyna and Mundus, the female jumped at the demon, arms outstretched –where red cloth also wrapped around her wrists up to her elbows. She latched herself around Mundus’ waist and pressed herself tight up against his chest.

“Master!” she cried. “The one has missed you!”

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Author's Note: Hope you're enjoying the story. Thanks for all of your support thus far! ^^