The next day arrived quickly. Yua and Max were already outside waiting for Lazari who was still up in her room.
- ...damn it- Laz was looking in the mirror seeing herself now with her hair dyed and with an eyepatch covering her left eye. - I never wanted to dye my hair ever again- She said as she looked at her hair. The ends of her hair were now dyed red resembling a demon's hair. The eyepatch covered her purple eye the only thing resembling an angel.
- Sis? Are you re- Liam walked into the room only to freeze the second he entered. -..you look just like her- He muttered just loud enough so Laz heard it.
- I know..let's just get this day over with- She said as she left the room.
- Liam! la- Yua called out to the siblings only to look a bit shocked when she looked at Lazari.
- ..if I wouldn't know that she is gone..I would think she is standing right here- Max muttered as he looked at Laz. The knight has served under Leila before and when looking at Lazari he saw a clear resemblance to the demon princess..as if she would be standing right in front of him.
-...- Laz looked away from the two demons. As much as it would be a compliment to others..for her it was nothing more than a reminder. Looking so similar to someone..the same thing she went through back in heaven. God made sure that she looked like Angelica...and now there she was looking like Leila. She didn't want to relive those events..but again there was no denying that she looked just like the demon princess at the moment. - can we.. please act like I don't look like her? As much as it's true..I am not her. Let's not forget that- She said. She didn't want Yua and her father to look at her as if she was Leila.
- I..yes of course- Max shook his head getting himself out of his thoughts.
- Here. Just in case..- Yua gave Laz a katana.. which surprised both her and Liam. Lazari smiled and attached the katana to her hip.
- Thanks Yua- Laz looked at the girl who turned away with a slight blush on her cheeks.
- Okay you three let's get going.- Max said as he started walking.
- See you two later slow pokes!- With that said Liam ran after Max catching up to him. Laz let out a sigh as she watched her brother run after Max.
- We better catch up to them- Laz said as she was about to go after her brother.
- Y-yeah let's go- Yua replied and started sprinting towards her father.
- H-hey wait up!- Laz called out and started running over to the three of them.
The four of them were heading northeast to the kingdom. Laz was excited but also quite nervous about going there knowing that Zach might be waiting. Even tho Liam and Yua assured her that they can trust in the people living there Laz couldn't help but feel uneasy but no one blamed her. She didn't know anyone and Zach was after her it was more than understandable why she was worried. As they approached the gates of the kingdom two guards stood there.
- Halt! What do you fou- Before the young knight could finish his sentence Max stepped forward.
- They are with me. I believe you can let my daughter and her friends inside with me here can you not Marcus?- Max said as he looked at the guard.
- A-ah yes of course...go on ahead- With that the guards took a step back letting them go inside..but Laz saw how they looked at her. The same expression Liam and Yua had when they saw her.
Once they entered the kingdom Laz looked around in awe. Homes shops and forges we're everywhere. To her right she saw children playing while their parents were talking and laughing to her left she saw a few men buying weapons from a friendly swordsmith. She couldn't help but smile. Hell wasn't so different from heaven after all.
- So..where are we going?- Liam asked after a few minutes of walking.
- Oh we are going to visit an old friend. Liam do you remember Ren?- Max looked at the boy.
- How could I not remember her? She was the first female sword smith I've met!- Liam said with a hint of excitement in his voice. - Oh right I should probably fill Laz in- He slowed down and now he was walking side by side with Lazari.
- Ren is a really good female swordsmith here in hell. She made a sword for the princess herself once and I've known her since I was a child.- He said feeling proud.
- Alright..but why are we meeting up with her?- Laz asked and looked at Max who was still walking in front of her.
- Because she could make you a sword that actually fits. Every single warrior has a trusted weapon that fits them to their best as if it was a part of them their whole life.- Max answered as he continued walking.
While they were heading to Ren a kid bumped into Lazari causing the child to fall.
- I-I am so sorry miss I didn't mean to!- The young girl apologized as Laz turned towards her.
- It's alright. Here let me help you up- Laz extended her hand towards the child who looked at her in awe.
- Wow..you look just like the princess!- The little girl took her hand and got up then hugged her. At that moment Max Liam and Yua looked back seeing that Laz stopped. - I-I'm sorry miss I just..- The little girl realized what she was doing and quickly let go of Lazari.
- it's fine kid. what's your name?- She looked at the girl.
- My name is Laura! What's your name miss?- The little girl asked. Laz looked back at Yua who simply nodded. Laz then knelt down to look the child in the eye then removed her eyepatch for a moment and winked at the kid.
- I'm Lazari but that's a secret okay?- She said it with a smile then put her eyepatch back and stood up. The child looked at her in awe and hugged her again then excitedly ran back to her mother. Laz turned around and went back to Yua Max and Liam.
- You are a good kid Laz- Max said as he continued walking.
- Mhm! My sister is the best!- Liam exclaimed happily.
As the four of them arrived at the blacksmith Laz leaned against the wall while Max went inside. Tho she could still hear the conversation.
- Well hello Ren. Haven't seen ya in a while- Max greater the woman.
- Max! I thought you wouldn't even come back to the kingdom!- A woman's voice answered. Tho it was a little deeper than most female voices. - Did Yua come with you?- The woman asked.
- Not only her but two other people. Come outside and greet them would ya?- with that the door opened and Max walked out. Behind him a woman came out..the woman had short black hair which ended in red just like Max's. Her eyes were ruby red making it stand out. She had a few black stains on her face thanks to working near a furnace all day.
- Never in the two realms did I think I would see you again Liam!- Ren smiled and shook hands with Liam who gladly returned the favor.
- It's been a while Miss Ren.- Liam said.
- Just call me Ren. Your old enough not to call me miss anymore!- the woman chuckled then turned her attention to Yua. - Yua I haven't seen you in ages! How have you been?- She asked.
- I am doing great Ren. Thanks for asking- Yua smiled.
- Good to hear good to hear!- The woman then turned her attention to Laz. - and who might you be?- She asked looking at the princess.
- Oh I..- Laz looked at Yua who nodded. - I'm Lazari. It's nice to meet you Miss Ren- She smiled and lifted her eyepatch up showing the woman her purple eye.
- Max..why did you tell me that you brought Lazari with you?!- Ren looked at Max her tone sounded more like an annoyed older sister than anything.
- Hehe..I couldn't just spoil all the fun for ya now can I?- Max asked looking at the woman.
- It's an honor to meet you Lazari! I can't believe this idiot brother of mine couldn't let me know that he was taking you here- Ren said as she smiled at Laz.
- Wait..brother?- The princess looked at Max.
- ....MAX I SWEAR TO THE TWO REALMS!- Ren looked at her brother and gave him a hit on the head.
- Ow! Okay okay sorry- Max laughed. - Yes Lazari I am Ren's brother.- He looked at the princess.
- Younger brother to be exact- Ren looked at him.
- I swear Dad you two arguing is even worse than hearing a newborn devil cry- Yua let out a sigh and Liam desperately held back a laugh.
- Ahem anyway..what are you guys here for?- Ren finally calmed down.
- I would like to ask you a favor..could you forge Lazari a sword that would fit her?- Max asked his sister.
- Oh..of course. Let's see...for a girl who now has seen both worlds and resembles the princesses from the two kingdoms..ah yes I got it!- With that she went inside with no explanation at all.
- uh..what was that?- Laz asked and looked at the three demons.
- Ren believes that a sword has to be made of something that actually connects to the one who wields it.- Yua said as she looked at the princess. - That's why mine was made out of dark oak instead of casual oak- She said to Laz as an example.
After a good forty minutes Ren finally came out of the blacksmith with a katana in hand. The katana was already in its sheath which was black and red decorated with golden angel wings.
- Here.- She gave it to Lazari. - try and unsheathe it- Ren said with a smile.
- Okay..- After a second of hesitation Laz unsheathed the katana. The blade was sharp and it was shining in a beautiful white color. The handle was black colored with a gem-like thing in the middle. It felt natural in Lazari's hands. - Wow..- she looked at the sword in awe.
- Huh..what is it made out of Ren?- Liam asked as he looked at his sister's sword.
- It's made out of holy metal that got left here before the barrier was finished. The handle is a mix of dark oak and spruce wood since spruce is found in many places in heaven and in the middle it's a phoenix gem. The same phoenix gave me that was flying around back when the two princesses were still around- Ren said with a proud smirk. Laz put the katana back unit its sheath.
- It's perfect..thank you Ren.- Laz smiled at the woman.
- Don't mention it Lazari! It's the least I could do- Ren smile. - Now you guys should get going. From what I heard Zach is planning to go on patrol today here in the kingdom.- She said and looked at Max.
- Thanks for the info sis. Goodbye! Love you!- with that Max started heading back.
- Thanks Auntie! Love you!- Yua hugged Ren and ran to catch up with her father.
- It was nice seeing you again. Once all this chaos dies down I will be sure to visit you with the rest of the family.- Liam said and started running - Oh yeah and Laz is my adopted sister!- he yelled back as he ran towards Yua and Max.
- Once again..thank you Ren- Lazari smiled.
- Like I said don't mention it kid. Now go before Zach shows up and good luck. Do me a favor and keep an eye on my brother okay?- The swordsmith asked with a slight chuckle.
- Will do that. Goodbye Ren! Take care!- after she said her goodbye Laz sprinted to catch up to the three demons. If there was one thing she was certain of at the moment was that hell and heaven are not so different. Just work under different rulers. Her journey was far from over and who knows...maybe she will have a chance to show the two realms a much better future.