"Chieftain" a shadow kneels in front of a dark cloaked man. He regards the shadow for a moment before speaking. The shadow appears is different from all the shadows that have been tailing the princess. It is darker, body bigger, shoulders wider, eyes redder.
"What is it, Shadow Head?" the man asks. Behind him, sitting on a high throne is the prince of hell, Asmodeus.
"Please, do tell." The prince says his deep and menacing. The shadow flinches for a moment before giving his report.
"W-we found them, the princess and her aide" the shadow reports to his two masters.
"It seems that we have found them my lord" Graeae, the shadow's summoner turns to face the prince. The prince grunts to the slave's report.
"Graeae, you must not lose sight of her again. You know what happens if you do," he says. Smoke coming out of his mouth word for word.
"But of course, my Lord. Shadow Head you heard our Lord, don't lose sight of the princess once again." Graeae tells his summoned demon. After hearing such command, the shadow exits the forest. Leaving the sorcerer and the underworld prince alone one again.
"Graeae, why do you use the service of such weak servants? Given that the princess is escorted by the royal family's most trusted guardians as well as Faistran's strongest individuals. Defeating such creatures must only be child's play for them." The prince says impatiently.
The princess had already escaped from their clutches once, they can't afford to lose her again. The prince stands and approaches the sorcerer one step at a time.
"That is because my Lord, summoning a more powerful demon and transporting it to the human world requires a great amount of magical energy. Which is something that I lack completely." Graeae explains.
"How did such a weak sorcerer like you resurrect me? If only I can use my full strength to restore my élite guards" The prince shakes his head. Graeae's knees are trembling to the point that if the prince would put a finger on his shoulder, he would collapse completely.
"Well, it's too late for regrets now." At that, the prince places a hand on the sorcerer's shoulder. His knees almost gave in but luckily, he's able to grasp on a tree beside him.
Suddenly, he feels a surge of energy flow through him. He looks at his hands, they have started to glow bright red.
"What is this my Lord?" he asks, both terrified and amused.
"Some magical energy needed to at least summon a higher level of demon to pursue that little princess" the prince lifts his hand and goes back to his throne.
"Go on, try it." He says as he sits back down, somehow amused by what he has done.
The sorcerer then raises his staff and immediately plants it down the ground. A large magic circle draws itself. A few moments later, a group of demons appear out of the magic circle. Some with wings, some on all floors, some with weapons. All of them having one thing in common, they all have menacing red eyes.
"Listen my servile minions," Graeae starts. The demons laugh at this. Graeae looks dumfounded in front of both the demons and his benefactor.
"Now, now Graeae. Just because you are able to summon them, does not mean they belong to you." The prince laughs and stands from his throne once again.
"My servants" the prince says and at that the minions kneel in front of him. Graeae looks at the prince and then back to the newly summoned group of demons.
"This is how you do it, Graeae" the prince says and turns his attention back to the newly summoned demons.
"Listen to me my servants, this man here-" the prince gestures his hand to Graeae's direction.
"Is also under my command, heed his orders or I will be the one to end your life." He finishes. The demons say yes in return. To return their attention to Graeae who is still standing, stunned by the sudden submission of the demons.
"Demons, go to the human world and seize the princess of Faistran." He raises his staff and later it produces a cloud that shows the image of Faistran's princess.
"And those who successfully capture the princess awaits a reward upon sending her to me" the underworld prince adds. All the demons howl and cheer for what the prince has added.
Graeae then immediately opens a portal to the human world. Just at the edge of the abandoned area where the shadows had found the princess. The demons exit the forest one by one and enter the human world.
"Come back with the prize in hand," the prince says lastly before the portal closes.
"Now that that is settled," the prince sits upright on his throne. Graeae turns around to give his full attention to the devil prince.
"Yes, my Lord?" he asks.
"What has become of the other kingdoms?" the prince asks. Graeae takes a deep breath before giving the prince a general overview of the other kingdom's situation.
"According to our puppets, the five kingdoms are still continuing their war. Letting them destroy each other, as we had planned. The kingdom of Faistran and Cimean have heightened their security but that does not necessarily mean that they're impenetrable. While, the location of the kingdom of Garenac is still unknown." He reports.
"Have you still not found the exact location where they dwell?" the prince asks almost impatiently.
"Alas, your highness that is the situation." Graeae responds trying to sound calm.
"Well, that is something that we cannot control. What about our forces that have been able to penetrate the kingdoms, are they doing what they are supposed to do?" The prince changes his tone of voice.
"The dwarves and santorans are still in the middle of their petty war but it seems that the dwarves are gaining an advantage." Graeae says.
"Hm, it is still too early to declare that they're the one who will win their war." The prince places his thumb and index finger just below his chin, the gesture of someone thinking.
"As for our forces disguised as their advisers, they are doing their jobs properly. They have successfully inflicted more greed to the kings and queens of each kingdom. We have seized control of almost all kingdoms through greed and soon we will be able to attain your expected results." he adds.
"Hm, go on continue?" the prince nods and continues.
"The Shamans and Lilleans are having a difficult time in invading the Elves' territory. The elves prove themselves strong and wise." Graeae continues reporting.
"Hmm. And what about Faistran?" the prince smiles menacingly.
"Of course, an assassin has entered the palace and had already poisoned the king. It won't take long before he loses his life, the kingdom's light tells us that he is getting weaker as days pass by" Graeae responds.
"It is good that we were able to control an elf to create the poison and of course the abducted Faistran child to enter the kingdom and assassinate the king." The prince smiles darkly.
"It is truly a marvelous idea to abduct children from the different kingdoms and training them to become assassins, my Lord." Graeae tries to compliment the prince.
"That means your influence to our subjects is taking effect, my Lord." He says after.
"Yes, my Lord. Soon we will be able to destroy this land that is watched over by the God of light, Apollo. Soon these people will know your name, Lord Asmodeus the demon of darkness." Graeae smiles nervously but the smile also contains something else, menace.
- -
"Jehen," Kiri calls the knight of the élite force of the kingdom of Faistran who is serving under his command.
"Yes commander" he responds instantly.
"Have the other kingdoms notified about Asmodeous' return?" Kiri asks him. He shakes his head.
"That is something I am unaware of commander but if I must speculate, I presume that they are still not informed. If they are already aware of such news, the war should have ceased somehow." He tells him his honest opinion.
"Does that mean that the cimean messenger's report was a lie?" he presumes.
"I do not know commander. We cannot assume that he is telling a lie. Everyone should be aware of such thing for his existence will result to the destruction of our land." He says absentmindedly.
"This is just an assumption commander, but what if the other messengers were stopped before the message arrived to the other kingdoms?" He asks him.
"Stopped? How?" he asks confused but the word of the possible cause is already at the back of his mind.
"What if they were killed commander?" he asks him terrified. Kiri draws in a deep breath and falls silent. Jehen continues to look at him the thought still in his head.
"How about the king?" Kiri changes the subject. Jehen's face looks troubled, probably because Kiri chooses to avoid answering the question.
"He is still not doing very well according to Tara." Jehen answers regretfully.
Just a few nights ago, the king was mercilessly poisoned by an assassin. It is still unknown who the assassin is but the poison used on him was a powerful one.
"We have been in constant contact with her as per your command. This is her report earlier today." He adds.
"Will she be able to save him?" Kiri asks. Even if there's a way to save the king, no matter how difficult it is, he will do it. He promised the late queen that he will protect the king and he will most definitely do that.
"I'm not sure Commander. According to her they've been studying the poison used but cannot determine its components. Unless they find out what was used to create the poison, they cannot create an antidote." Jehen reports what Tara had told him earlier.
"Can I do anything to help?" he asks him. He shakes his head slowly.
"As I have said commander, I am not aware of any possible remedies or assistance that we can provide to help them hasten their research." He tells Kiri truthfully.
"They've been researching using every herb found within the kingdom. She told me that if the poison used is from another kingdom then it would prove difficult to save the king." Jehen adds. True that not all the kingdoms are composed of the same terrestrial species.
"There is only a slim chance that we would be able to save the king, according to her." He says finally. Regret now visible on his face. Kiri cannot do anything if such words came from the head healer of the kingdom.
"This is terrible. With the elder and Briaphela gone, we cannot properly prepare for the possible war with Asmodeus." He puts his face in his hands.
'Then the elder and the others should absolutely do their best to bring the princess back here.' Kiri adds, saying it to himself.
"Commander?" Jehen calls him. He looks at him.
"Are you okay?" He grins and nods.
"Yes, I am. I will go out for a bit. Just continue what you were doing." He leaves the room with Jehen saluting at him until the door closes shut. He is determined to avoid the topic about informing the other kingdoms.
The cimean soldier told him one other thing before passing away.
'Please, tell the other kingdoms as well. Some of our messengers have already perished in the hands of Asmodeus' forces. The more of us informing the other kingdoms, the faster the news will spread.' He remembers. Now, he regrets not doing what the cimean told him to do.
Kiri continues wandering to the palace's courtyard, there are palace guards stationed in every tower. He looks around more to check if there are guards roaming to ensure the safety of everyone inside the palace.
"Commander Kiri," someone from behind him calls with a respectful and yet curious voice.
"Azorius." He replies. Azorius is the second in command just after Kiri.
"What brings you to the palace courtyard Commander?" Azorius asks his commander who seems lost in thought.
"I am just checking if everyone is present and accounted for." He tries to casual as possible, hoping that his junior would not notice the tension in the edge of his voice.
"Is that so? Yes, commander. I just got back from doing my rounds. Everyone is in their stations and are doing their respective tasks." He reports happily. Kiri couldn't help but smile at that.
"That's good to hear then. Carry on." He tells him. Azorius salutes his commander before leaving.
Kiri continues wandering around the courtyard. With no destination in mind, he arrives in the Royal Guards' quarters. With Shkan off with the elder and Briaphela his squadron is being led by Nozu, the martial artist.
"Commander Kiri! What brings you here?" Nozu asks lightheartedly. He stands from his group whose attention is now directed to him.
"Just patrolling Nozu. Any word from your leader?" he asks Nozu. Nozu, who is all smiles, gives Kiri a bright one before answering.
"Nothing as of now Commander. It's been a while since they've gone. We still have no idea where he is or what he's doing." Nozu says scratching his neck.
The moment Kiri and the other soldiers came back from performing the transportation magic, Briaphela's apprentice, Edeis performed a memory erasing spell. According to her, it was what Briaphela instructed her to do and since she's an apprentice she's ought to do what her master tells her to.
"That sounds terrible. There's no news about the elder and Briaphela as well." He tells them. Nozu looks at him.
"What about Miss Briaphela's apprentice? Have they not contacted each other in some way?" Nozu asks him. Kiri is shocked by the man's sudden question though he has no plans on showing his reaction about the matter.
"It seems that she has abandoned her apprentice as well. She has not contacted her even once after they disappeared." He tells them.
"Is that so?" Nozu replies with a tone that sounds like disbelief. Kiri chooses to ignore this and continues to make conversation with the group.
"I see that someone is also not present in your group?" he notices that Cheem, the team's healer is not present.
"Ah, Cheem? She's on her way to Miss Tara's quarters to continue their research." Nozu responds. Almost everyone in the palace knows about the king's condition. As much as possible, they try not to let the news spread to the other kingdoms.
"Is that so?" he asks absentmindedly looking back to the entrance. Nozu raises a brow at this.
"Nozu if you do not mind, I must take my leave now. I must continue my patrol." He tells him. Nozu smiles and points his chin to the door. Indicating that he is, of course, free to go.
He leaves their quarters and continues his aimless wandering until a figure comes running at him. He is unsure at first as to who the figure is but as it gets closer, he now sees the familiar face of the figure.
Long brown hair with her staff behind her. A short dark blue robe and ankle boots.
"Edeis?" he calls her. She runs faster when he recognizes her, like a person running away from a wilder beast in the forest.
"Commander Kiri!" she calls him. When she's finally standing in front of him, out of breath, she puts a hand up indicating for him to wait a moment before she can speak.
"I must speak to you at once, in private." She tells him frantically. He nods and leads her to the palace's most secluded room.
"What is it Edeis? What is most urgent about this news?" he asks her.
"It is Master Briaphela," she tells him still short of breath. He stands surprised by the news.
He is one of the people who knows where they are and what they're doing. Edeis is the one who is in constant contact with Briaphela using a specific spell they're both able to use.
"What about her? Did something terrible happen?" he asks her almost in panic. She shakes her head desperately.
"I am sure that this is not a terrible news commander but when my master called me, she seemed frantic." She tells him. Kiri is starting to get impatient and he places both his hands on Edeis' shoulders.
"What is it Edeis?" he asks her with a voice that gives away his impatience.
"I'm sorry commander. It seems that they are coming back. My master is preparing the transportation spell." She reports.
"What?" he sounds shocked and obviously, surprise is written all over his face. Then he remembers the reason why they went to the human realm in the first place.
"Is the princess with them?" he asks her. Her answer would be the deciding factor of the probable outcome of the war, maybe even their nation's destruction.
"Yes," she nods. His arms instinctively drop to his sides, complete shock written all over his face.
The princess is coming back.