Dah awoke with a stifled yawn. Still sore from yesterdays training he knew he would have to get up and do it all over again. Raphael had put together a training regimen for him and he had no choice but to admit its effectiveness.
'But he didn't have to look so smug about it'
Indeed the minister reminded him of someone that would create the hardest program they could for someone, a program that not even they themselves could complete. Thinking about the shorter and more rotund minister he couldn't help but agree with the comparison. When presenting the program to Dah, he could clearly see the amusement held within his eyes.
For the first time Dah cursed about a demon.
His training regimen was intense, although in many ways straightforward, it focused on three main parts training his body, soul, and mind.
Rolling out of bed Dah quickly changed into the days clothing. A simple shirt and pants. Every day was the same from when he had started two weeks ago. The schedule was fast paced and not maintainable for long periods of time, but he was already stronger for it. Wake up early and then throughout his day he would physically train, receive lectures, participate in combat training, perform spells, and practice soul training.
He began his morning run with only a hint of resentment. After all running was what he had done in his previous life and he wasn't unfamiliar to the strains it put on his body. As he ran he began to laugh, he had tried so hard previously to get into a university with a track team and now here he was running faster and longer then any human on the planet without even trying. Indeed Dah ran ten miles that morning in around thirty minutes.
His warm up complete he began strengthening his core, chest, and arms with a variety of exercises that Raphael had instructed him on 'but never actually demonstrated' Dah thought slightly smirking.
His physical training complete he headed to the dining hall to obtain breakfast. As it turned out Annabelle was actually the one who made him his breakfast every day. She could turn calorically dense meals into flavorful works of art and todays breakfast was no exception. Today she had created a breakfast that had all of the essentials, nuts, seeds, fruits, and proteins.
'Really this food is pretty similar to what I used to eat' although ever since he had become a demon he realized that he appreciated good food a lot more then he used to.
Annabelle greeted him warmly dressed in what she normally wore but also wearing a white apron that had little blue frills on the sides and bottom. It's something she always wore while cooking in the kitchen Dah had noticed. In fact he didn't look forward to just seeing his breakfast in the mornings. He had come to find that he also enjoyed his brief chats with her in the morning as well.
Maybe it was because it was due to the fact he didn't have a lot of other times where he could relax but he found that their conversations always flowed so naturally.
This morning, being no exception, they had discussed how his training was going. He liked that Annabelle always took a keen interest in him.
'Maybe it's just cause I'm the Demon Lord now'
Dah thought, but upon closer reflection he had decided that even if he wasn't the demon lord they would have become close.
'Unless he was a human' he thought in which case she likely would have killed him. He wondered how she would've killed him but quickly pushed those thoughts out of his head.
Examining her once again Dah decided that she really was quite beautiful from the way her hair contrasted with her apron and her little smiles and sideways glances towards him he could never stop himself from wondering what she was thinking.
'How did this happen' Annabelle questioned herself. Here she was making breakfast in this cute apron for Dah. She didn't need to make him breakfast, there were many cooks available to do so. Instead she wanted to cook him breakfast. She wanted to have these conversations. She was purposefully making herself available at the times where he would have time to talk.
Annabelle somewhat regretfully knew their time together was going to soon come to an end. Once she revealed to him her secret she knew there would no longer be room for her within these walls. She recognized that her death was inevitable and that soon she would be in this world no more.
'But for now I'll cherish these memories' smiling once again at Dah she saw he had eaten his whole meal.
Hiding her sadness her hands, trembling slightly, reached out and collected his dishes.
Dah not noticing her bizarre behavior thought nothing of it and thanked her again for such a wonderful meal.
Per their normal routine Dah then headed off to practice soul training leaving Annabelle behind.
After making sure Dah was completely gone she collapsed onto the floor tears streaming her face. Beauty undiminished she lay there for several minutes before standing back up.
She resolutely decided, 'I'll tell him tonight.'
Knowing this would be her last day on earth relief washed over her tear streaked face. At least she wouldn't have to be afraid anymore. It would all be over soon.
…