Dawn in the Demon Realm was a unique phenomenon. The skies, always veiled by eternal darkness, were dyed a pale grey in which one could barely make out the arrival of the new day. In the palace of Tenebrous, that dawn brought with it an atmosphere charged with expectation. Today, Sophia would meet the queens of the kingdom, the wives of the Demon King, in a formal audience.
She had heard much about them: powerful and feared women, each ruling an aspect of the kingdom and, according to rumors, possessing power that rivaled that of Kael himself. Sophia knew that this meeting would mark a crucial point in her preparation for the Aren. Not only would she have to impress the queens, but she would also have to learn to navigate the treacherous waters of demon politics.
The hallway to the throne room was long and grand, decorated with statues of ancient demons and tapestries telling stories of glorious battles. The echoes of their footsteps resonated in the stone, accentuating the loneliness of the moment. Sophia walked with her head held high, her bearing elegant, but internally she felt a mix of nervousness and determination.
Arriving at the doors to the throne room, the guards slowly pushed them open, revealing the majestic interior. The room was lit by a faint glow emanating from the obsidian walls, with tall windows offering a view of the shadowy mountains surrounding the capital. In the center, upon a dark, ornate throne, sat the Demon King, Kael, staring with piercing red eyes.
But he was not alone.
On either side of the throne, in their respective seats, were the queens. Lyra, the Queen of Shadow, with her hair as black as midnight, maintained a relaxed posture, but her eyes did not miss a detail. Aria, the Queen of Rain, radiated serenity, with an aura of freshness and drops of water suspended in the air around her. Kaida, the Queen of Mist, was enveloped in a veil of silver mist that made it difficult to distinguish her features. Zephyr, the Queen of Wind, stood upright, with a constant breeze moving her hair and dress. And finally, Nyx, the Queen of the Night, remained silent, her gaze fixed on Sophia, as if she already knew each of her thoughts.
"Sophia of the House of Astrid and Thane," Kael announced in his deep, authoritative voice, "welcome to court."
Sophia curtsied deeply, with calculated respect, aware that every move would be judged.
"Thank you, Your Majesty. It is an honor to be in the presence of your court," he replied firmly.
The queens exchanged glances, sizing up the young demon before them. It was Lyra who spoke first.
"You are young, Sophia, and you have been chosen to participate in the Aren. An honor that many seek, but few understand. What do you hope to achieve in this competition?" he asked, his voice soft but with a sharp edge.
Sophia raised her head, meeting Lyra's dark eyes.
—My wish is to serve the kingdom and Your Majesty to the best of my ability. The Aren is a test of skill and loyalty, and I am determined to prove myself worthy of this honor.
Aria smiled slightly, leaning forward.
—Words are easy, but the Aren is merciless. Here, only the strongest survive. Do you have the will to face your own weaknesses? Because in the Aren, they will be your worst enemy.
Sophia nodded, aware of the weight of her words. It was true; the challenges of the Aren would not only be physical, but mental and emotional as well.
"I have overcome much to get here, and I am not afraid to face my own demons, Queen Aria." Her voice was filled with a conviction that even surprised the queens.
Kaida, whose presence was almost ethereal due to the mist surrounding her, spoke for the first time, her voice echoing like a whisper.
—The shadows of the past and the winds of the future are always at war. Do not forget that here, in the realm of Kael, it is the fog of the present that can drown even the strongest of souls. Keep a clear mind, Sophia, and you may survive to see the dawn.
Zephyr nodded approvingly at Kaida's words and added:
—But remember, in a storm, the slightest breeze can turn into a hurricane. Stand firm, young demon, and do not let the winds carry you away.
Finally, Nyx, who had remained silent, leaned slightly towards Sophia, her gaze as intense as the darkest night.
—I have seen many like you come to Aren with hopes and dreams, only to be consumed by darkness. Do not be fooled by the light you think you carry. Here, true strength is measured in darkness. Prove that you can master it, Sophia, and you may find your way to the throne.
Silence fell over the room after his words. Sophia felt the weight of the queens' expectations, but also a new determination. Each of them, in their own way, had given her advice, a veiled warning. She knew she was entering a world of power, intrigue and rivalry, and that any mistake could be fatal.
—Thank you, Queens of the Demon Realm. I deeply value your words and will carry them with me every step of the way to the Aren.
Kael nodded, ending the hearing.
—So, let your training begin in earnest, Sophia. The gates of the Aren will open soon, and only those who demonstrate true power will be worthy of crossing them. .
With a final bow, Sophia left the throne room, her mind filled with thoughts of what had just occurred. She had passed the first test, facing the queens, but she knew the hardest part was yet to come.