Thorold sat on his throne, his head resting on one hand, his crimson hair gleaming faintly in the soft torchlight of the demon king's hall. The weight of leadership, combined with sleepless nights, had finally taken its toll, and he drifted into a light slumber. As his breathing steadied, a gentle breeze swept through the chamber, carrying with it a faint scent of jasmine, a scent that reminded him of someone he had long tried to forget.
His rest was short-lived. A strange tickling sensation brushed against his nose. Groaning, he swatted at the invisible annoyance, but it persisted. His eyes snapped open to see a familiar white puppy, its tail wagging enthusiastically as it licked his face. Thorold blinked in disbelief, his hand reaching out instinctively to stroke the silky fur of the creature.
"Vesper…" he murmured, the name coming to him as naturally as breathing.
The puppy...no, the spiritual dog, perked its ears at the sound of its name, then looked at him with knowing eyes. Thorold had given this very creature to Mazikeen fifty years ago, entrusting it with the duty of protecting her during her journey to cultivate her powers. Seeing Vesper here now, Thorold's heart raced. If Vesper was here, where was Maze?
"It's been a long time, hasn't it, Dolly?" Thorold said, a faint smirk tugging at his lips as he ruffled the dog's fur.
"My name isn't Dolly anymore," Vesper corrected, his voice echoing telepathically in Thorold's mind. "My master renamed me Vesper. She thought it suited me better."
Thorold chuckled. "Of course she did. Mazikeen always had a knack for finding the right names. 'Vesper,' huh? Not bad. I'll admit, it suits you better than 'Dolly.'"
The pup huffed, as if to say, Glad you noticed.
Thorold's playful demeanor quickly shifted to concern. "You've been gone for so long. I thought you'd at least keep me updated, but you vanished. I couldn't sense you. What happened? Is Maze...?"
"I've been busy," Vesper interrupted, his voice calm but firm. "I serve my master. My loyalty lies with the one in whose care I am entrusted. That's the rule."
Thorold raised an eyebrow. "And whose care were you in before I gave you to her, hmm? You were mine. You don't remember that?"
"Of course I do," Vesper said, his tail wagging faintly. "But things change. My duty is to protect her now."
Thorold sighed, leaning back in his throne. "Fair enough. How is she, Vesper? Tell me the truth."
"She's…" Vesper hesitated, then continued, "She's stronger. Much stronger than before. But she still has a long way to go. Her powers are still evolving."
Thorold frowned, his fingers tapping against the armrest of his throne. "Fifty years is a long time to cultivate, even for someone like her. If she's still not at her peak, does she have the guidance she needs?"
"She's doing her best," Vesper replied, his tone growing defensive. "She's smart, resourceful. She'll figure it out."
Thorold let out a low growl of frustration, though it was more at himself than anyone else. "I should have been there for her. Who's watching her? Who's protecting her if something goes wrong?"
"She has me," Vesper said, lifting his head proudly. "And she doesn't need anyone else."
Thorold sighed again, knowing there was no point in arguing. Vesper's loyalty was admirable, even if it grated on his nerves. "Fine. But you're here now. Why?"
Vesper's eyes glinted mischievously as he reached into the small pouch tied around his neck. With a flick of his paw, he tossed a carefully folded piece of parchment onto Thorold's lap. "She sent this."
Thorold's eyes narrowed as he picked up the parchment, his fingers brushing over its elegant design. The seal, a delicate insignia of a star and a flame intertwined, made his heart skip a beat. It was Mazikeen's. With trembling hands, he broke the seal and unfolded the letter, his eyes scanning the delicate, flowing script.
~~~~
Dear Thorold,
I hope this letter finds you in good health. It has been fifty years since we last saw each other, and though time flows differently for beings like us, I find myself missing the moments we shared. I apologize for not sending words for the past years and I hope you would forgive me
My journey to cultivate has been long and arduous, I found a few things on my stay here, I had an encounter with the werewolves and vampires leaders, they helped me a lot and told me a few things about myself and my parents. Do you know that my powers were sealed by someone in the heavenly realms? Someone they refused to tell me about, I wished you were here so we could figure out something together but I still have hundred and fifty more years to cultivate and when I'm back I will make sure my powers are unsealed cause a great responsibilities lay on my shoulders. You need not worry much about me, I'm fine and I've got Vesper, and he has been a steadfast companion. I do not know when we will meet again, but I hope that when we do, I will be someone worthy of standing by your side—not as a burden, but as an equal.
Take care of yourself, Thorold. The realms need a king like you, even if you don't realize it.
Yours,
Mazikeen
~~~~
Thorold read the letter twice, his hands tightening around the edges as a mix of emotions churned within him. Relief that she was alive and safe. Pride at her growth.
"She misses you," Vesper said softly, breaking the silence. "Though she'd never admit it."
Thorold folded the letter carefully and tucked it into the inner pocket of his robe. "She's always been stubborn," he muttered, a faint smile playing on his lips. "But that's what makes her... her." He said with a smile and continued "come to think of it Vesper, how did Lord Xandros and Master Kairos find her and how come they know so much?" He asked turning to look at Vesper
"Well they seem to want what's good for her, I didn't sense anything wrong with them and for them to know so much, means everything happened in their time" Vesper said
"I don't know so much, the elders in the realm would not tell me anything about her, they seem to fear her name" Thorold rose from his throne, his red hair glinting like fire under the flickering torchlight.
Vesper tilted his head. "So? What will you do now?"
"What I should have done fifty years ago. I'll prepare for her return."
"She still has a hundred and fifty years left to cultivate, and if she doesn't come back?" Vesper asked, his tone serious.
Thorold's eyes darkened, the determination in his gaze unshakable. "Then I will make her return
With that, Thorold strode out of the hall, the letter pressing against his chest. Vesper watched him walked out of sight, then he sighed and disappeared back to the mountain.