Aside: Carl's room service.
Carl:
"A change of clothes is available in the closet. If you require any other services feel free to call us," the Beastkin maid bowed. It took me awhile to recognise her as the 'informant' Nila from earlier today. "Our Lord has insisted you make full use of our services, the castle can be hard to navigate. Be wary which doors you open."
"Thank you," I replied. She left the room and closed the door.
I heaved a sigh as I looked around. Just how long had it been since I stayed in a room this nice? King sized bed, my own bathroom, couch, nicely decorated and even a sizeable collection of books to read. Dave had really got us this time. Not once did I think he was the Demon Lord. Hiding it all while patiently waiting for the reveal. Inciting us to hate him but at the same time to understand Demonkind. At the end of it all I just felt oddly satisfied. There was no big bad Demon Lord, there was no true evil, just two people with opposing views trying to live their lives.
Outside the window I could see a well-kept garden overlooking the city. Dave had explained how the castle worked but it was still strange to go through one door and end up on the opposite end of where you started. In my room were three doors. One lead out to the corridor and where I had come from, but the other two were a mystery. I approached one of the doors. It probably was a walk in wardrobe of sorts, or maybe a storage room. Naturally I just opened it.
It was a reflection of my own room aside for one glaringly obvious and very different detail. The half-naked girl who was staring at me blankly.
"C-Carl what are you doing here!" Alicia screamed at me and hid herself behind the clothes she was about to change into.
I averted my eyes, "I didn't know I swear!"
"I'm not ready for this so- so get out!" she hurled a pillow at me and I quickly closed the door. My heart was beating like crazy. Alicia was an incredibly beautiful girl and we were 'together' but right now I was just realizing how lucky I was. I slapped myself. I shouldn't have crude thoughts like that. Thank fully I doubted Alicia would mind it so much, in fact she'd just tease me about it later. The only problem with that was the disapproving yet approving glares I got from Gary.
I breathed out easing myself again from the sudden excitement. Now I thought about it, my clothes really didn't fit the situation. Although protected, they had gone through a sewer and weren't what you would call casual wear. I opened the closest and array of fine clothes that were suspiciously my size hung there. I chose a set at random and quickly washed my body in the bathroom. Then I proceeded to put on the new clothes completely unaware that what I had done earlier could happen to me.
"Boo!" Alicia burst through the door.
"Uwa!" I was caught literally with my pants down. In my rush to get them fully on I ended up falling over instead. "Hang on, don't look!"
"Hmmm," she stared at me intensely. "You're my boyfriend so I'll enjoy the view."
I finally got back up with my pants secured around my waist, "I get the feeling this isn't fair."
"That's because I'm a girl and you're… well you!" she smiled and did a twirl showing off her dress. "I've always wanted to wear something this light and frilly."
"You're beautiful," I honestly said. It was a different look considering she mostly wore armour and pants but one that suited her impeccably.
She blushed slightly, "I'd say the same about you but you're still shirtless."
"S-sorry," I quickly finished getting dressed. "I can't believe Dave would connect our rooms like this."
"Oh that was my request," she grinned.
"What?"
"Yep, it was 'room service'."
"…." I really didn't know how to handle this girl sometimes.
"By the way the third door leads to a lounge room. But first…," Alicia pushed me across the room and then with a shove I fell on top the bed. She leaned over me, "Carl I really like you."
"I like you too, but where's this going?" my heart rate spiked.
"The problem is you're dense and never take the initiative."
"A-A gentlemen needs to take things slowly…," I said the words my father taught me.
"But I'm not like that," her face crept closer to mine.
"No you're not."
"Then you understand?"
"I ah… I get it…. but this is a bit too much right now."
She laughed and drew back but instead let her weight go and sat on my stomach, "I know, I'm just teasing. But can I at least have a kiss?" she leaned down again.
I rose slightly and our lips touched. At the same time the third door opened. Dave walked in,
"Hey Carl about th-," he froze as we all stared at each other. He bowed, "I'm sorry for disturbing you."
"Wait Dave!" I reached out to say it was a misunderstanding but it really wasn't….
"Oops," Alicia laughed. "I think I saw Garr in the background as well. Let's finish this another day."
She started to pull away but instead taking her head in my hands I planted one more kiss. We parted, "I'll at least give you a proper one."
Her face was beat red, apparently I had caught her by surprise, "Th-thanks."
Aside End:
Davarious First Born Light of the Autumn Wind:
I sat on the Castle's roof with my leg's hanging off the edge. Below me was the city. Despite the darkness of night the mass of buildings continued to remain bright and active. Its residents unaware of the threat lurking within the mountain. A city built to represent the peace between all of demonkind and right beside it its greatest threat. I had spent the entire day showing the Heroes my home and finally fulfilled my promise to Sayuri. There was still so much more for them to experience, so much more for them to enjoy and yet they might never have the chance.
"Still love high places?" my grandfather's voice came from behind me.
"Of course I do, it's not like I changed that much after a few months away from home," I replied.
"You may not see it yourself but you have changed. You've always been cheerful but now you're a bit more. I can feel your determination to change our land for the better, however at the same time I can feel your conflict," he gently placed his hand on my shoulder.
"How could I not be? Tomorrow I'm going to ask them to fight something far worse than I could ever be."
"Do you think they'll say yes?"
"I'd feel better if I knew they wouldn't. That's the type of people they are. Heroes through and through."
"We could always not tell them."
"You know that's no longer an option. The seal is loosening and only we can reseal it. Who knows how long the next one will last. At most we have four more chances. But most of all… I don't want to see any of my family die again."
My grandfather sighed, "Before I became Demon Lord I watched our entire family die before that Monster. In the end it was only my father and I. He wanted to sacrifice me to keep the seal in place. But instead I turned the spell on him. Do you know why I did it?"
"Because he was a generally terrible person."
"Yes partly," he laughed. "But it was the last thing he said that pushed me over the edge to stop him."
"What did he say?"
"That he'd kill all the humans. In that moment I couldn't tell who the real monster was and in the end I let him die." His lips curled into an odd smile, "It was actually those words that drove me to do the opposite of what he said. So in a way we have him to thank for all we've achieved so far. We've come a long way since then."
"I think if I thanked him for it he'd try to kill me."
"That he would….." My grandfather's smile began to fade into solemn remembrance, "When I gave up being a Demon Lord, it was my wife, your grandmother who died. To this day I can still picture her, her smile as she said goodbye. And when you became the Demon Lord we watched your mother do the same."
"I won't let it happen again," I clenched my hand firmly. "That's why I'm asking the Heroes to help. But grandfather, know this, whatever happens I will not let any of them die for us. Do you understand?"
"Of course I do. When I see you and your father I think the exact same thing," he let out a melancholic smile.
I frowned, "I won't let you or Dad die either."
"I know."
Sayuri:
One of Dave's maids woke me up. It was barely past sunrise. And I thought we wouldn't have to wake up early anymore….
"Miss, the Lord requires the presence of you and your companions in the throne room," the maid said as I started to wake. "Please get dressed."
Dave wants to see us? My immediate thought was that it was strange, usually he would just barge in. It could only be something important. Despite trying my best to reason it out, I only could get a vague idea. Regardless, thinking about it wouldn't get me anywhere and seeing as the maid hadn't left yet, she was waiting for me.
I began to get changed but as I pulled out my clothes the maid shook her head,
"Miss for a young lady such as yourself, may I suggest this instead?" she held in her hands a long fine sleek dress.
"Umm I think that's a bit much…."
"This is a meeting with our Lord, your presentation must be on point."
"But to me he's just Dave," I said awkwardly.
Her eyes narrowed, "Are you disrespecting our Lord?"
"No never, it's just I wouldn't feel very comfortable in front of him wearing that…." It was a bit too revealing…. I had never worn anything that would expose my chest or legs to that degree.
"This dress has been made by the Lord's personal tailor! A masterpiece of design and made from the finest fabrics, to call it uncomfortable is an insult."
"No, I didn't mean it like that. It's just a bit embarrassing for me."
"And why would you be embarrassed in front of the Lord? Could it be yo-,"
I sensed this going a bad direction, "Never mind I'll put it on."
"Then allow me to assist you."
Ten minutes later I had makeup applied for this first time since we entered this world. The dress was a bit tight but as the maid said 'it was to define my curves'. I felt strangely vulnerable. Compared to my usual clothing it was hard to move in and I felt like it was showing off a bit too much.
The maid guided me down the corridor where the others were waiting.
"They dressed you up as well I see," Carl noted while wearing an incredibly neat suit that matched Gary's.
"Sayuri you look amazing!" Alicia jumped at me. She was wearing a similar dress but in a different colour. She whispered in my ear teasingly, "What are you trying to win Dave's heart through bodily appeal?"
"N-no," I shook my head. "I was forced into it."
"Don't worry he'll definitely notice."
"Let's just go."
A butler opened the door and revealed the same throne room as yesterday however this time it was already well lit and lacked any flamboyant flare. Standing in front of the throne were Dave, his sister, father and grandfather.
Dave's eyebrows flexed upwards as we walked in, "Wow, why are you all so dressed up? I mean you look great but you really didn't need to."
"Blame your maids for that," Gary sighed. "They hold you in very high regard."
He laughed, "Sorry I'll tell them to ease it back a bit." His eyes and expression became stern, "Let's not dally. I'll get straight to the point. We need to talk."
"Is it about not being able to send us home?" I asked carefully.
He visibly saddened, "That is one matter. We are not able to send you home as of this moment, however you can trust me when I say we will find a way. The reason I have invited you all here though…." He took a deep breath "I have something important to ask of you on a personal and a global level."
He walked over towards us, his sister, father and grandfather followed. All at once they fell to their knees and bowed towards us, "We the Demon Lord's past, present and future request the aid of the Heroes."
We were shocked, just what did they need us for that they couldn't do themselves? Each of them could take all four of us on in a fight. It could be about peace with the humans, but for that they would never bow so low.
Dave began to explain and turned his head to face us, "Do you remember the story Denton told you about the First Demon Lord?"
"Yes, about the Monster that rampaged the entire continent," Carl answered.
"It is mostly true. That Monster exists but it was not the Demon Lord. Over a thousand years ago that Monster destroyed our land and killed hundreds of thousands of demons. The First Demon Lord sealed it at a great price, however every fifty years the seal must be replaced. Our family, the Demon Lord's family are not just the leaders of our land but also those who are responsible to keep it contained. But now the seal is breaking early and we need your help to destroy that Monster once and for all."
"Is it really that big of a deal?" Gary asked.
"High Demons live for centuries but even my grandfather is only just over 100 years old. To reseal the Monster a member of our family must be sacrificed."
"Then your mother?" I asked shocked.
"She gave her life for us and the title of Demon Lord was passed on to me."
"We'll do all we can to help," Carl valiantly stood forward and we all agreed immediately but Dave raised his voice instead.
"Stop. You don't understand," he cried bitterly. "I need you to know just how much you're risking. Even with all our strength, we have lost every single time. Against that Monster I am nearly useless. If you really will help us, I can't guarantee your lives this time. So please, don't just think about us, think about the ones you love and have left back at home. If you refuse I won't hold it against you."
We were silent as his words sank into our spirits. A monster that not even Dave or his family could win against. I looked to Carl, who looked to Alicia, who looked to Gary. We all smiled.
I took Dave's head in my hands and brought him to stand, "Dave we may be Heroes but we are your friends first. We'll help you."
Out of nowhere he hugged me, I couldn't say anything as I began to redden in panic.
"I swear I will make this up to you all. From this moment onwards you are no longer just the Heroes of the humans, but also the Heroes of my family and therefore the Demons." He finally let go.
Alicia sniggered at me. "But Dave why would you ask just us, don't you have your Generals?"
"Only those who are part of my family can enter the barrier sealing the mountain. If we undid the seal and attacked with all our forces the cost would be too great. That and the Monster is smart. Without the seal there's no stopping it from running away.
"Wait, did you saw part of your family, like marriage?" Gary turned his head and then stepped back in mock distaste, "Sorry I like you but not that much."
Carl also stepped back, "I have Alicia."
Alicia followed Carl, "And I have him."
This left me in front of Dave blushing wildly, "Well I… um I wouldn't mind, that is… you and I... to-to-to," I stuttered uncontrollably.
"Hold it," Dave stopped me. "No one needs to get married. And Sayuri don't look at me with that expression you'll make me misunderstand."
Misunderstand what? I looked at him confused and still flustered.
He continued, "The Heroes are not bound by the laws of this world because you're not from this world. That's why I'm asking you. You all should be able to enter the barrier. Besides marriage in this world is probably a lot more complicated than you think it is."
"Ah right…" I didn't feel disappointed at all….
"Then what do you need us to do?" Gary asked.
Dave grinned evilly, "Well get a lot stronger for one. You've come far but from here on we'll take it up to maximum."
A sense of dread filled all of us.