Aeliana's fingers pulsed with magic as she unleashed her spell, her golden energy weaving into intricate patterns around Lucian. The Demon Overlord hesitated for a fraction of a second, his crimson eyes narrowing as he braced for the attack. But instead of a devastating blow, the light coalesced into shimmering shapes that distorted the surrounding air.
"Illusion magic?" Lucian growled, slashing at the shimmering mirage, only to find his blade meeting nothing but empty air.
The spell took hold, the golden light engulfing him. His horns cracked and crumbled into dust, his demonic armor disintegrating into wisps of smoke. His aura flickered and vanished, leaving behind a form far more vulnerable—no horns, no armor, no overwhelming power. Just Lucian, his appearance fully reverted to that of a mortal man with dark hair and piercing, haunted eyes.
He staggered slightly, clutching at his chest as if some unseen weight had been torn from him. His gaze shifted to Aeliana, who now stood before him, calm and resolute. He frowned, his voice quieter, almost hollow. "I didn't expect this… Elf Princess. You've stripped me of my strength."
Lucian dropped his sword, the weapon clattering to the ground as he sank to one knee. He met her gaze steadily, defiance replaced with weary resignation. "Do it. The glory is yours, Princess. Avenge your people."
Aeliana stepped closer, her radiant form still pulsing with power. Her eyes softened as she studied him, her hands still glowing with residual energy. For a long, tense moment, silence filled the chamber.
Then she reached into her satchel, pulling out a weathered book. She let the golden energy fade from her hands and set the book down gently between them.
"No," she said firmly. "I won't kill you."
Lucian's eyes widened slightly, confusion flickering across his face. "What?"
She gestured to the book. Its cover bore ancient symbols of demonkin, and its pages were filled with meticulously inscribed notes. "This is what I've been working on. It's a proposal for peace. Demonkin politics, laws, and traditions—ways we can coexist without endless bloodshed."
Lucian stared at the book, then back at her, his expression unreadable. "A truce? After all, I've done? After I…" His voice faltered, a shadow of guilt crossing his features.
Aeliana knelt, bringing herself level with him. "I'm not here to destroy you, Lucian," she said softly. "I've lost too much to the cycle of hatred. If I kill you now, it won't bring back my parents or my people. It'll only add more fuel to the fire. We need to break this cycle."
He frowned, his expression unreadable as he looked down at the book. "And you think a truce is even possible? Between elves and demons?"
"It has to be," she said, her voice resolute. "Otherwise, everything I've fought for means nothing."
Lucian was silent for a long moment, his gaze lingering on her. Then he gave a low, bitter laugh, shaking his head. "You're either incredibly naïve or incredibly brave, Princess."
"Maybe both," she admitted with a faint smile. "But you're alive to find out."
Lucian leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing. "And what makes you think I won't just return to my former power and crush you later?"
Aeliana met his gaze, unwavering. "Because now you've seen another way. The choice is yours, Lucian. And if you choose war again… I'll be ready to stop you."
It started soft but grew louder, echoing through the chamber. He leaned back, his arms resting loosely at his sides, the tension in his shoulders giving way to an air of amused confidence.
"You truly are something, Princess," he said, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "You think this—" he tapped the book with two fingers "—is new to me? I mastered these philosophies, these demon kind politics, a long time ago. I know every word written on those pages."
Aeliana blinked in surprise. "You… what?"
He smirked, tilting his head. "It's true. I've read this book and others like it countless times. The principles, the ideas—noble, idealistic, even commendable. But you think a Demon Lord like me can just sit at a table and shake hands with elves, humans, or any of the others who fear us? You're bold, Princess. I'll give you that."
Her resolve remained firm, but she couldn't hide her surprise. "If you know all of this, why haven't you tried for peace before?"
Lucian sighed, standing to his full height and brushing imaginary dust from his tunic. "Because peace was never something I believed I could afford, not with enemies on all sides." He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a smoother, more intimate tone. "But you… you're making me reconsider. Maybe it's your tenacity. Maybe it's your conviction. Or maybe…" He grinned, his fangs barely showing. "…I just like the idea of you sticking around."
Aeliana tensed, wary of his sudden shift in tone. "Sticking around?"
He nodded, his smirk growing. "If you keep pursuing this dream of peace, Princess, you might find yourself in an unexpected position—my queen. Imagine that: you, ruling alongside me, stuck with me forever."
Her cheeks flushed, but she quickly shook off the momentary distraction, narrowing her eyes at him. "You're joking."
"Not entirely," Lucian replied, his voice low but playful. "I may be a stranger to you now, but you've already seen parts of me that most never will. And let's not forget…" He waved a hand nonchalantly. "I've saved your life a couple of times. No big deal, of course."
Aeliana crossed her arms, glaring at him. "Saved me? When? During which attempt to kill me?"
Lucian chuckled again. "Oh, come on. The ambush just before you entered the grand library? Those rogue demons that are hiding in the shadows and followed after you? You think they just decided to leave you alone? I was keeping an eye on you, Princess. Always have been. Call it curiosity, if you will."
She shook her head in disbelief, though a small part of her wondered if there was truth to his words. "So what now?" she asked, her tone sharp. "You agree to the proposal, or is this just another game to you?"
Lucian's expression softened, his smirk fading into something almost sincere. "I'll give you this, Princess," he said. "Your conviction is hard to ignore. I'll entertain your truce—for now. But make no mistake, peace won't come easy, and trust between us will take even longer."
Aeliana met his gaze, her voice steady. "I don't expect it to be easy. But it's a start."
Lucian let out a breath, his smile returning, softer this time. "Then let's see where this madness takes us. You have my attention, Aeliana."