The room had massive high ceilings, gold vaulted anchors holding a massive ominous red chandelier. The room is decorated in extreme detail, not a inch undetailed in beautiful wood carvings and red flames.
Demon Lord Ikati kneels before Demon Lord Buki, whose shadow looms over the room. Ikati's long blue hair drooped over his shoulder, hiding his mouth. Flickers of torchlight dance on the stone walls as the two demons converse.
"My lord, I bring troubling news from Achlys's territory. The disease manufacturing plant… has been destroyed... The alliance led by Alien King: Yuma struck, and… destroyed the island." Demon Lord Buki leans forward on her throne, her black eyes gleaming with cold, calculating malice. White stars in the middle. Her long spiky red hair glaring over her eyes.
"So… Alien King: Yuma has struck a decisive blow… I think that's the boy the World Government notified me about… What of the slaves? The production?" Ikati lowers his head further.
"Gone, my lord. The children, the disease—everything was lost in the attack." He hesitates, the weight of his words clear.
"But… this creates an opportunity." Buki raises an eyebrow.
"Opportunity?" Her voice is soft but dangerous.
"Explain yourself, Ikati." Demon lord Ikati nods and looks up at Demon Lord Buki's shadow engulfed face.
"The people now depend on the cure, and with Achlys out of the picture, there will be panic—chaos. We can expand. The islands, the resources, the slaves… all can be ours… and take out Alien King Yuma in the process…" Buki releases a shaky exhale.
"And what do you want in return? You're not the kind of person who'd tell me about this opportunity without asking for compensation" Ikati bows his head to the floor again. Ikati gulps under the pressure of her glaring eyes.
"I want to become free from your command… to be my own Demon Lord and not be under your command" Ikati death glares at Buki. Buki stands, walking slowly down the steps of her throne, a twisted smile forming.
"That'd put you on the same level of power as me… do you think you're really as strong as me?" Ikati looks down. Staying silent. Buki exhales and turns back to her throne.
"Good. As for the Alien King: Let him continue to 'save' the islands. With every action, he comes closer to our grasp." Buki smiles maliciously.
-----
Kinsha wiped sweat from her forehead, her cat ears twitching as she bent down to grab the mop. Her tail flicked with slight annoyance as she saw the new kid struggling to sweep the floor.
He was small—barely 10 years old—his thin frame hunched over as he awkwardly gripped the broom. His brown hair was matted with grime, and his oversized clothes hung loosely on his body. His pale blue eyes looked lost as he glanced around, unsure of what to do next. Kinsha sighed softly and walked over to him, her tail swaying gently behind her.
"Hey," she said, her voice quiet but not unkind.
"You're not holding it right. Here, let me show you." The boy looked up at her, startled by her sudden presence. He stepped back a bit, nervous. His eyes darted around, as if expecting someone to scold him for doing things wrong. Kinsha noticed his hesitation and softened her tone.
"Don't worry, no one's going to yell at you here… At least not me… What's your name?"
"Uh… Maiko," he whispered, barely audible.
"Maiko, huh? I'm Kinsha." She gave a small smile before grabbing the broom from his hands.
"Here, like this." She placed his hands properly on the broom and demonstrated a slow, sweeping motion.
"Keep your back straight, and don't rush it. If you rush, you'll just make things harder for yourself." Maiko nodded, trying to mimic her movements. He struggled at first, the broom awkwardly scraping the floor, but Kinsha kept adjusting his stance, gently correcting him until he got it right.
"See? Much better," she said with a nod of approval. Maiko looked up at her with a shy smile, proud of his progress.
"Thanks... I just... I've never done this before." Kinsha leaned against the wall, watching as he continued to sweep with more confidence.
"Yeah, it's tough at first. I was about your age when I was brought here," she said quietly.
"You get used to it. But that doesn't mean you should ever forget why you're doing it." Maiko paused, looking at her curiously.
"Why… Why are we here? Why are they making us do all this?" Kinsha's ears flattened slightly, her tail slowing its movement. She hesitated for a moment, her mind flashing back to when she was new—just like him. The confusion, the fear, the sense of helplessness. Back to right after she was captured from Yuma.
"They want control," she said softly, her voice tinged with bitterness.
"They want to break you, make you think this is all you're worth. But you're more than this." Maiko looked down, his grip tightening on the broom.
"It's just… so unfair… Why would anyone do this?" Kinsha's heart sank at his words. She crouched down beside him, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
"I know. I miss mine too. But you're not alone in this. You've got me now." Maiko blinked, a glimmer of hope flickering in his eyes.
"Really?"
"Really," Kinsha replied, her voice more firm now.
"We look out for each other here. You'll see. Just stick close to me, okay?" He nodded, a faint smile appearing on his lips. For the first time, he seemed to relax a little.
"Come on, let's finish up here," Kinsha said, standing back up and grabbing the mop.
"We've still got the dishes to do after this."