"What kind of name is that?" Ajefe said with knitted brows.
"Sounds weird", Kamyla added. "Le- Leeveethain? Levy?—"
"It's Leviathan", he corrected.
"Leevatanian?" Ajefe scrunched his face. "Damn, it's long".
Other villagers began trying to pronounce his name, ruining its syllabus with their accents.
"Leevee..."
"Leavemeatin?"
"Levvile?"
"Levitantan?"
"Leveithenai?"
"Levegerarian?"
"Leavevileatone?"
"Livere—"
His brows twitched. "Leviathan!" He raised his voice, causing their lips to seal in fear. Leviathan snarled, hardening his gaze.
Baba Elawo glanced at him and back, clearing his throat softly, "Since he has introduced himself. Kamyla?"
"Yes, Baba?"
"Please step forward and introduce our land to the Demon Prince".
Her brows quirked. "Me?!"
He nodded with a smile.
Kamyla glanced at her two friends by her sides and back, pushing out a perplexed expression.
Rhou growled in disagreement, attempting to block her from stepping forward. Kamyla smiled, patting its head softly, "It's okay, Rhou..."
It scowled.
She slowly stepped forward, returning her Kuiza to her back strap.
Leviathan's eyes followed her keenly as she shortened the distance between them to halt at the foot of the stage, having her eyes locked down on the ground.
She gulped softly, taking a few moments before parting her lips to speak. She instantly held her tongue, not sure how to address him and which title to use.
"Aren't you going to look at him, Kamyla? It's rude to stare away", Elawo said.
Kamyla nodded, gingerly raising her head to look up.
Their gazes locked.
His intimidating blue eyes merged with a subtle green pigment stared blankly at her, looking hallow and vague with little to no emotion traceable in them; which added to the uncomfortability of the assignment.
What kind of creepy eyes are those? Why did his eyes have such colours!? What kind of colour was that? He looked like witchy witchy!
And why such a glare?! Why was he gazing at her as if she was the one who poured hot water on his body that turned him white!? Why was he already looking annoyed before she spoke.
His gaze was heavy and belittling! How dare he! Damn... He's scary. He should look away...
What was with the three horns? Why was one bigger than the rest? Why was half of his face hidden? Why was his hair so long? Is it as soft as it looks? Why was his chin so hairless like a baby's butt? Even Ajefe had six miserable strands of beards coming up... And why is his nose so thin? Can he breathe properly?
Why the hell was he still looking at her!?! Oh shit! She was still staring.
"Kamy?"
She snapped her eyes at Baba, blinking repeatedly. "H- Huh?"
"Introduction", he coaxed.
She cleared her throat, slowly lowering her head to a slight bow, "Leviathan", she managed not to bite her tongue, "Third Prince of Hell, welcome to Diowo village of the Sah'Jangi Empire, ruled by his Honourable Majesty, Emperor Ado Kalim and his family", she waved at the Emperor.
Leviathan barely lowered his head for a second bow at the Emperor, seeming already bored of their atmosphere.
Kamyla returned to her previous position next to the men.
Emperor Ado then looked up to Baba Elawo, "Baba, what could have gone wrong with the Ritual? I thought you said you had all the requirements for the Summoning?"
"But I did, Your Majesty".
"Then what went wrong?!"
Baba Elawo laughed nervously, "I am not too certain, Your Majesty. I may need to return to my shrine and take some time to study and find the fault in today's ceremony, alongside how to correct".
"So what do you suggest we do now?"
"Well, for a start", he started, "The ritual wasn't a complete failure. So I suggest we use what we have managed to scavenge from our mistakes".
"Scavenged?" Leviathan glared at the old man from the corner of his eyes. "Did you just call me scavenges?"
"Of course not", Baba smiled.
"What are you talking about, Baba?" Emperor Ado was growing impatient.
"What I mean is, Your Majesty. We may have not summoned the great Aku Makil, but we did summon a being far stronger than us as well. And as we are all aware of the problem on ground, we need all the help we can get".
"So you are suggesting we use the help of an accidental foreign visitor that is not from or familiar with our ancestry or custom?" An Elder furrowed his brows.
Baba Elawo responded, "Just for the meantime. At least till I have evaluated a solution".
The Elders shared wary gazes and back, not sitting well with the sudden suggestion of working with a foreign odd-looking Demon Prince.
Another elder then asked, "Okay, if indeed we decide to work with this... Prince? In the meantime. Where will he stay? How will we manage him and his activities?"
"Baby steps, My Elder, baby steps. But the best I can say now is, obviously he will have to resident here in Diowo because we can't take him out and let other people of the land see him. We are the only population aware of what is actually going on".
They furrowed their brows, glaring at the Chief Priest.
Baba added, "Mind you, Your Majesty and Elders, at this very moment, I do not have a single idea or method on how to return the Demon Prince to his realm. I will still need time for that".
The Supreme Heads stayed silent, taking a few moments to fantom on their well-narrowed options.
Emperor Ado then turned to the villagers. "Who is the chief of this village?"
A middle-aged man quickly stepped out, laying down to greet, "Ihiwea".
"Raise".
He quickly stood up before the Emperor with his gaze locked down.
Ado then asked, "You being the chief and understanding both the situation of your people and the Evil Forest, how would you feel if this Prince of Hell residences in your community?"
The chief stayed silent for a few seconds as he thought, glancing at his villagers and back. He then looked up. "Your Majesty? My Elders?" He bowed again.
"It was a privilege to be blessed with your elite presence and trust of such a sacred assignment today. My people and I are very understanding of the current status of our land, and it is with all honour and pride we will accept this request as support to the objective to save and protect our lands".
The Emperor couldn't help but smile at his loyal citizen, before raising his gaze to look at the other villagers behind.
They all bowed their heads in agreement, willingly risking their community and safety for the betterment of their Empire.
Ado then turned to Elawo. "Baba?"
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"Can the Demon Prince assure us? Me and the people of Diowo, that until our return from the Capital with a conclusion on this matter, he will not cause any harm or havoc in their lives, homes and activities".
"I am sure he can do that, Your Majesty". Baba Elawo turned to Leviathan, "Right?"
Leviathan blinked lazily at the Emperor and Elawo. He simply nodded. "You have my word".
"Please, assure the people", Baba coaxed.
Leviathan looked up at the attentive eyes of the villagers, saying once more. "I will cause no harm to you or your community. I swear to you".
The people of Diowo nodded, having their faces still flushed with wariness and hesitation about their own decision. They gulped.
Baba Elawo then stabbed his staff on the ground. "That is settled then! But before that, there is one more thing left".
Leviathan crooked a brow.
Elawo continued, "Even if you have promised us, I still feel the need for some methods of precaution".
"Precaution?" Ado asked.
"Hm". Elawo turned to the three warriors. "Kamyla?"
"Yes, Baba?"
"Our guest, Leviathan, will be under your supervision until further notice".
"WHAT!?"
"WHAT!? Danji snapped as well.
Kamyla stammered, "W- W- Why—"
"Why her!?!" Danji beat her to it.
Baba Elawo narrowed his eyes, "Was I talking to you, Danji?"
Danji quickly lowered his gaze, "Apologizes, Baba, I know but, Kamyla is one of my soldiers, therefore one of my responsibilities. I am obligated to involve myself in whatever compromises her safety as my soldier".
"This isn't a mission, Danji. Stop acting like her husband".
Danji bit his lips, clearing his throat loudly. "Baba, that's not wha—".
"It doesn't matter what you mean, Danji. My decision is final. Kamyla, Second in command, will be put to supervise the Demon Prince, Leviathan Dev II until the final decision regarding his stay with us is announced by the Supreme Heads".
Kamyla then stepped forward, "But why me, Baba?"
"Because I said so".
"But—"
"Besides, Kamyla, if you can handle a tiger beast from childhood, a Demon Prince shouldn't be too much for you at this age", he smiled.
Kamyla parted her lips to speak, "But, Baba—"
CHING!
"That's that! No more argument". Baba Elawo looked away from her, stepping down from the stage and walking up to the Emperor.
He then bowed, "Your Majesty, we should be on our way now".
Ado nodded, turning to the side and walking towards their carriage. His family, alongside the Elders, trailed after.
Kamyla stared at the Heads majestically walking away and into their carriages, carrying on to leave the village like they didn't just leave behind a devil. A crowned one at that!
Their carriages rode off.
Kamyla and the rest of the villagers slowly drew their gazes to the horned Prince of Hell.
His cold crystal eyes shot at Kamyla's figure. She gulped.