Sayuri:
I rolled over in my sleep. I wasn't sure where I was but it felt comfortable. I was warm and protected and an almost nostalgic feeling of safety washed inside me. Then the noise of the world began to infiltrate my ears and push me awake.
"Sayuri?" a voice called.
I opened my eyes. I was lying down somewhere and in front of me bright red hair. The Demon Lord! I jumped back in shock reaching for my katana which I couldn't find.
"Whoa careful you're still not okay yet," he reached out towards me. He was kneeling. Had I been lying on his lap? My vision started to become clearer and the red hair shifted to brown with light blue roots.
"Dave?" I asked confused.
"Yeah that's me. Are you alright?" he stood up.
"I feel… I feel a bit sick." Did I just think Dave was the Demon Lord? Looking at his face now… they really were similar.
"Sorry I didn't mean to surprise you." He looked away, "Gary you said she'd like that. She clearly didn't."
"No I think Sayuri enjoyed that lap pillow a little too much," Gary laughed in reply. So I really had been sleeping on his lap… my face began to heat up. "See, look at her blush."
"Ugh," my heard hurt again.
"Sayuri hold on," Alicia held me up.
"Thanks, but where are we?" I looked around. We were in a large room overlooking the ocean. From the view it didn't seem like we were still in the Elder Council chamber.
"We're in the headquarters for the Lord's faction," Carl replied. "After you were taken out, the Lord's faction came. Apparently the Purist were convicted of treason to the Demon Lord and now their whole faction is crumbling. Because we were directly involved in fighting we were taken here by order of the Dragonkin General."
"I was taken out?" my head started to hurt again.
"What's the last thing you can remember?" Dave asked gently from beside me.
"I remember… I remember seeing the Demon Lord. You weren't there, then the Grand Elder was going to kill you so I charged and then…. I see, so I lost. Dave did you heal me?"
"I did," he nodded guiltily.
"Thank you. It's not your fault I rushed in." I tried to smile despite my pounding head, "I should have been more careful."
"No, I shouldn't have bought you with me," he shook his head. "I put your lives in danger when it didn't concern you. Sayuri you almost died because of me."
Carl replied before I could, "Dave like Sayuri said it's not your fault. We wanted to be there for Mr Draft. The fact that the Demon Lord came wasn't something we could predict. Just, next time don't go run off on your own like that."
Gary nodded, "Yeah, from what I heard you beat the Grand Elder but lost when the rest of them showed up. Sad to say but we really owe the Demon Lord for saving you."
"That's because he didn't recognise us," I said bitterly. "If he had, he probably would have finished the job instead." I looked around the room again, "Where's Mr Draft?"
"We sent him home," Dave answered "It's been two days since then after all."
"Two days?" I was shocked.
Alicia hugged me tightly, "Yeah, your head was pretty much split open. We almost thought you wouldn't make it."
I faced Dave again, "Thank you… really, I mean it." He let out a soft smile. A smile that was genuine and kind but instead of feeling warm my head began to beat in pain.
"Okay let's give her some space," Alicia pulled me away from the others, "Now that you're awake and Dave's done with your treatment I'll take you back to your room. Get some rest for now."
As we left the room I took one final glance at Dave. Why did my head hurt when I looked at him? It was like I was trying to remember something I shouldn't or maybe I was remembering something I didn't want to.
Davarious First Born Light of the Autumn Wind:
I watched Sayuri and Alicia leave the room. Honestly I was relieved she woke up. There were many stories of people who never woken up from injuries like that no matter how much healing was given. Being a Hero I knew just how hard they could be to get rid of. Legends of battles with my predecessors that described how no matter what they would always come back. Even my father told me himself that it was as if the world itself couldn't let them die. But there were fates that were worse than death and seeing Sayuri in her unconscious state… I feared she'd remain like that forever. Fortunately she woke up. Unfortunately she was still getting headaches, but then again hitting a wall that fast head first was bound to give you something.
A few minutes later Alicia came back, "She's sleeping soundly again, but next time she wakes up we should really feed her." She clenched her fist angrily, "If we…. If I had just gone with her instead…."
"Alicia it's not your fault either," Carl took her fist and loosened it, "we had a hard enough time fending off the guards. It was Sayuri who wanted to go find Dave."
"Yeah, let's just be thankful everything went so well, but seriously we keep getting stronger but we also keep losing. What's with that?" Gary sighed.
"You were fighting people who have been alive for centuries longer than you," I began, "That's a lot of experience raw talent can't make up for so easily." They nodded in understanding but their eyes showed their true feelings. I was about to console them but a soft gong echoed indicating the time. They would have to deal with their issues themselves. "I need to meet with the General now," I told the Heroes and headed for the door.
"Oh oh," Gary jumped, "Send her my regards."
Alicia pulled on his ear, "Don't get so excited. She's one of the Demon Lord's generals, we're more likely going to have to fight her than not."
"But she certainly is a beauty."
"You know she's not human right?" Carl pointed out.
"Hey, I don't discriminate on race."
Alicia scoffed, "Like you have a chance anyway."
"… I'm going to leave now," I waved to them.
"Right, see you later," Alicia dropped Gary and waved back.
It had been two days since the incident and since then, the General had been forced to handle the collapse of the Purist faction. Thankfully it had gone smoother than I expected even with the fail safes I had laid out in the background. Officially it was reported to the people that the Purist Elders had been abusing their power by forcing people into the rite of Servitude, which mind you they kind of had. The Demon Lord disguised himself and snuck into the rite only to witness foul play at hand and stopped it. The Elders decided to take this chance to usurp him but were beaten in battle. The Grand Elder was stripped of his power and sent to solitary confinement while the rest of the Elders were questioned. Those loyal to the Purist quickly fell to pieces as the evidence was piled against them and the Lord's faction managed to keep the city moving with the people's support. It was the first time in several centuries that Dragon Quay had been united under one faction. Of course there were still problems and quite a bit of racial adversity but it would wear down in time.
I entered the General's office with a light knock. She was kneeling on both knees waiting for me, her tail was swaying happily.
"I greet the Lord," she bowed.
I nodded to her, "Please rise, you have done an excellent job. I commend you for your efforts these past few days, especially with so little warning." She had been acting alone pretty much since I ran into her that night.
"Your praise is too much, if it weren't for the Lord this opportunity would never have risen. Today the Dragonkin take a valiant step forward because of you."
"General I give credit where it is due."
"Please my Lord, I have asked you to call me Lana."
"Well Lana," I replied a little awkwardly, "again good job."
"Then may I ask for an award?"
Here it comes…. "You may ask…."
"Please make me your wife, if not, then your mistress!" she said sternly.
"No!" I replied bluntly.
"Why?" she asked in a business like tone, "Are you displeased with my performance? I have worked my hardest to ensure to not disappoint your faith in me."
"It's not about your work…."
"Then is it my looks? I have been told by many of the races that I am rather beautiful. Even General Ever-Bell of the fay has praised my facial features. However unlike the rest of my race, as you know I am unable to take a dragon form. Is that what displeases you?"
"It's not about your looks either. You're fine the way you are."
"Is it my age? Although I am considered young for my race at a single century, I understand that you are only 18. However we are both adults and age should not matter. I can assure you my appearance will not change for at least several centuries."
"It's not that either…." Jeez this is why I didn't like dealing with her. Even before I became the Demon Lord. Ever since I had beaten her in combat when I was 14 she had continued to pester me. At first I managed to pry her away because I wasn't of age. But since I turned 16 she had become particularly blunt and incessant in asking me.
"Then please tell me in what ways I can change myself? I have heard men desire a women with a large chest volume. Although mine are quite modest I can somehow make them larger."
"Not all men think that way. Ah, what am I saying, just stop for a moment please…." I sighed. "Lana as I have said before, you are a wonderful women and many men would desire you. In fact I know someone very close who does but I can't be that man."
"Do you have another women in mind?" the question came quite unexpectedly and an image of Sayuri did pop into my head. Not the image of her half stripped wearing my mantle mind you, but the normal picture of her smiling. I cleared it away.
"O-of course I don't," I coughed.
"Good, then I shall try again later." Argh, this women!
"Anyway!" I said a little too loud but calmed myself, "Anyway, I'd like you to continue to guide the people of the Dragonkin territory. Send a full report to my father about the events here and continue to watch for ships that may belong to the Miltis Empire. If anything happens you can contact me through Sebastian. Now is there any reward you'd like that doesn't involve me?"
"Can I have a hug?" her expression was as business like as usual but there was a small hint of longing.
"No. That clearly involves me." Now I know a hug wasn't much but I really did not want to encourage her.
"Then I shall ask for funds to build a new ship."
Finally we were getting somewhere, "Granted. Your budget is 10,000 gold. Anymore and you will need to ask for further permission."
"Thank you my Lord. May I ask one more question?"
"You may…."
"It is about those companions of yours." Honestly I was surprised it was an actual question. "I bore witness to them fighting. They were each able to take on dozens of the Purist's elite guards and still be lenient with their lives. Just who are they? I have never heard of skilled adventurers like them."
"Oh they're the Heroes," I said nonchalantly.
She walked to the wall and picked up her spear. I blocked the door.
"My Lord why do you impede my progress?"
"You're obviously going to try do something to them."
"My duty is to serve you. My Lord, you are too trusting, many of the other Generals agree. I will prevent you from being hurt."
"General, no, Lana. The Heroes are off limits. I still have plans for them." Her expression stiffened even more than it already had. "Do you understand?"
"Yes my Lord," she placed her spear back on the wall.
"Now tomorrow I will be leaving the city. I entrust things here to you."
"Yes my Lord."
I turned to leave, "Also one more thing, thank you." I shut the door behind me.
The night air washed over me. The sea breeze was uniquely refreshing as I watched the lights below. It helped calm my mind and allowed me to focus on what was next. I sat atop the cliff looking down at the buildings of the Lord's District. Few people still remained outside and slowly one by one the lights inside were extinguished.
A hulking yet gentle figure sat beside me.
"Dad," I greeted him.
"First," he nodded in return and let out a deep relaxed breath as he took in the surroundings. "You did well these past few days."
"It was mostly luck. If I hadn't been in the right place at the right time to find Gilby all this wouldn't have been possible."
"Our family does not believe in luck."
"Or fate," I added with a smile. "What we do believe in is each other, and the dream to one day make the world a better place.
My father chuckled, "That we do."
"By the way, why are you here?"
"I heard the Dragonkin were stirring so I thought I'd come by but it seems my son has already finished the job."
"Well you know me, just love working."
He laughed again and rubbed my head, "Then how about you do some paper work for once?"
"And steal it away from you? Never!"
We sat in silence for a good while, simply watching the sea. In my father's company I felt safe. It was a different feeling from the confidence I already had. I knew hardly anyone in this world could be a threat to me, that I could live freely. But this feeling was different, it was a warm protective sensation only my father could give me.
"Davarious, your mother world be proud," he looked into the distance.
"I know she would," I smiled, "She's been watching me, I can tell. I swear she's the one egging me to play pranks on the Heroes."
"Yes, she always did like her tricks." He turned to face me, golden hair blowing in the wind, "About the Heroes, when should we expect them?"
"Five days from now we'll arrive in the High Demon's territory. I'll send you more details using the usual methods once we arrive in Haven."
"And do you believe you can trust them?"
"With all my heart."
"Your heart is a big one."
"That's the point."
He stood up, "We shall eagerly await your arrival. Sebastian will come to get me soon. Until then I think I'll enjoy this view some more. You however should head down. They are surely waiting for you."
I leaned over the cliff and let my weight drop, hovering with my feet still planted on the wall, "When I arrive, we'll make it a grand welcome. One fit for the Demon Lord!" I released my magic and turned as I fell freely, watching my father grow smaller.