The Monster Multiverse

The sky in the endless void was black as night, no moon or sun to illuminate the area and the ground was dark blue and rippled as if it was made of water as a figure walked around in the dark void covered from the base of his neck down to his toes in plate armor as black as the endless darkness itself. The figure's black cape hung off his shoulders and flowed as he moved about in the void, his black helmet covering his head completely with two holes at the eye level, revealing his neon green eyes, which glowed as he moved.

As the male figure walked on, he was tailed by two wisps who floated a few inches behind him, the one on his left was the size of an ripe orange and was as brightly colored as one while the one on his right was the size of a cantaloupe and was lime green in color. As they moved, the lime green wisp spoke up, a gruff, but feminine voice emanating from her body.

“Sir Lyger, shouldn't we speed it up a little? I mean, that kid and that Shadow Devil are gonna wake up at any moment and I don't wanna miss them in case either of them are hurt or need help.”

The figure, known as Lyger, kept walking along, barely even turning his head and remained silent as the orange colored wisp began speaking to the lime green wisp, the voice soft, but male in tone and all most speaking in a whisper.

“Nara, be patient please. I know you've been worried about the both of them, but Lady Inalla has been working to make sure that the both of them are all right. So please...relax.”

Even as the orange wisp spoke, the lime green wisp, Nara, scoffed at his proposal to calm down and was about to speak when Lyger stopped and held his right arm up and made a fist, making the two wisps stop in their tracks. As the two wisps stopped and turned their ghostly bodies around, Lyrger brought his right arm down and pointed ahead of him, causing the two wisps to float forward and up to his shoulders, both on either side of him, and both looked ahead of them at an object in the distance.

In the distance was a large, black colored sphere floating in mid air and in front of it was a figure in a gray cloak that covered the figures body along with a hood that covered the figure's head. The two wisps floated full speed ahead of Lyger and withing seconds were circling around the cloaked figure while Lyger continued to walk at a slow pace, taking a minute to finally reach the cloaked figure and stopped a few feet behind said figure. Lyger then slowly dropped to one knee and bent forward, bowing his head in the process and speaking in a soft, yet harrowed tone.

“I...have...arrived... as you...requested...Lady Inalla.”

The cloaked figure, known as Inalla, turned around and faced Lyger, her face completely obscured by the hood she wore, with the only thing being visible were the navy blue glow of her eyes. The two wisps stopped circling around her and floated back to Lyger's shoulders and they both spoke one after another, with Nara speaking first and the orange wisp speaking after her.

“Shadow Devil Nara reporting Lady Inalla!”

“Shadow Devil Shrike here as you requested of me Lady Inalla.”

Inalla kept silent for a few seconds as she looked the three over, then brought her hands up to her hood, pulled it back and let it fall behind her. As she does this, her straight jet black hair is let loose, the length resting on her shoulders, the color contrasting her pale white skin and her navy blue eyes and her ears were slightly pointed outward while her lips were as pale as her skin, which had formed into a serene smile that was directed at the three in front of her. As she spoke, the tone of her voice was as serene as her smile, but also produced an echo that filled the void and caused the watery ground below then to ripple slightly.

“Lyger...Nara...Shrike. It's good to see you three again after all this time. I hope that you three didn't have any problems getting here?”

Nara and Shrike bounced up and down on Lyger's shoulders as the latter stayed in his position, only nodding at Inalla's response to him and stayed still as if waiting for something from her, which caused Inalla to giggle.

“You may rise Lyger, though I don't understand why you need my permission to do so.”

Lyger nodded again and rose to his feet, causing Nara and Shrike to move a few inches away from him in order to give him some space and once Lyger was one his feet, Nara and Shrike circled around him a couple of times in order to make him speak and only stopped when Lyger held his left hand up. Lyger stayed silent for a few seconds before letting his left hand drop to his side and looking at Inalla and speaking to her.

“It...is a...sign of respect to....you Lady Inalla...my Shadow Goddess....I see no reason...to not kneel...in your presence.”

Inalla let out a sigh and slowly shook her head side to side as Nara moved to the giant sphere behind her and moved around it, the tone of her voice filled with curiosity as she spoke.

“So Lady Inalla, these two all most ready to be let out? I mean, it has been about four years since you brought that nearly dead kid here and let that jackass Shadow Devil volunteer to be apart of this.”

Inalla turned around to face the black sphere behind her while Lyger walked over to her right side and Shrike floated over to her left and both watched as the sphere swirled and rippled, Inalla's voice bringing the two out of their thoughts.

“They should be just about ready to come out....Though I worry about the well being of their bodies, especially the humans.”

Shrike spoke up this time, his voice wrought with curiosity and worry at the same time as he floated over to Inalla's left shoulder and let his wisp like body settle down, wrinkling her cloak in the process.

“You're worried that the human...may not be human anymore, aren't you Lady Inalla? You're worried that something may have happened because of the inherit nature of the Shadow energy and it's changing effects when applied in mass on a human...or you're worried that despite the Shadow Devil who is in there and a part of the kid, that his mind may have been lost in the process. Is...that why you're worried Lady Inalla?”

Inalla stayed silent as she listened to Shrike voice his questions and concerns while Lyger watched the black sphere ripple again and squinted his eyes upon seeing a blood red light inside that dimmed seconds after shining brightly, which caught the attention of the others as the light shined and dimmed again, causing the sphere to ripple even more and shudder once again. Nara floated over to Lyger and hid behind him when the sphere rippled more violently, with her taking a peek from behind his right shoulder as he turned his head and looked at Inalla while speaking, causing Inalla to look over at him.

“Lady Inalla...should we...free them from...the sphere?”

“Yes Lyger...We should free them, though I want you to catch the boy once he's free, because he most likely won't be able to move let alone able to form a coherent thought after being inside my sphere of shadow energy for four years.”

“Understood...Lady Inalla.”

Once finished, Inalla moved over to the sphere and moved her right arm out of her cloak, laying the palm of her slender and pale white hands and fingers on the surface, causing it to ripple again. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath, then suddenly opened her eyes and pushed hard against the sphere, which shook, cracked and then shattered, causing the pieces to fall to the ground and ripple before they dissipated into black waves of energy which flowed throughout the void and away from the four...or six as Inalla and the others saw a figure in a fetal position surrounded in an aura of blood red energy floating in midair along with a small blood red sphere circling around the figure.

As the aura dissipated, the figure's form was slowly revealed, showing a young boy, naked as the day he was born, who was barely close to being in his teens, who's skin was pale white similar to Inalla's and who's hair reached down past his shoulder blades, with small, black wings growing from his lower back. A small, slender tail had grown from the base of his spine, along with two small black horns that grew from just above his ears and curved slightly, but never reached to his forehead. As the young boy continued to float in midair, the small blood red sphere stopped circling the boy and floated behind him, then shuddered and began to grow in size till the sphere formed into a large wisp.

The large wisp then began to shudder and contort, it's form slowly taking the silhouette of a muscled, middle aged man who's upper body was covered in transparent, blood red plate armor that stopped at his neck and wore a helmet of the same color and ghostly consistency as the armor, with the helmet covering it's entire head, with two curved horns protruding from the sides of the helmet and curving upward. The figure shifted slightly, the faceplate on the helmet forming and covering the figure's face from it's chin to it's nose, leaving it's amber gold eyes uncovered at it's actions and it's ghostly tail forming and gently waving about in the air.

The ghostly figure grabbed onto the young boy, unfurling him and carrying him in his arms bridal style and floated down to the four on the ground, stopping just a few inches in front of Inalla and just floating there. Nara floated away from Lyger and moved up to the ghostly figure and the young both, then began circling around the two of them before finally coming to a stop in front of them and took one more look at the two of them before she began speaking, the hesitation evident in her voice.

“......Red? Is...Is that you Red?”

The ghostly figure known as Red looked at Nara for a few seconds and nodded before looking over at Shrike, then stopped for a few seconds before looking at Inalla and Lyger, his eyes squinting slightly, and began speaking to them.

“Lyger...Inalla...Are you two gonna leave my new partner naked all day or are you two gonna at least give him something to cover him up?”

Inalla looks at Red and let a giggle escape her lips as Lyger just nods at Red before moving his hands to the clasps of his cap, undoing them and then taking the cape off and draping it over his left arm while motioning Red to come closer with his right. Red floats closer to Lyger and gently lays the young boy on the ground , the young boy stirring slightly as his back comes into contact with the watery ground, but stays asleep all the same as Lyger kneels down and covers him with his cape, causing him to let out a silent groan as the soft, cloth material of the cape touches his skin.

Lyger stays kneeling by the boy's left side as Shrike and Nara move over to Red's right side and float just above his shoulder while looking at him and speaking, Shrike first with concern filing his voice and Nara second with excitement coming from her own voice.

“So are you okay Red? I mean, you look..completely different now than you did four years ago.”

“Yeah you jackass! You leave for four years and you come back looking more like a ghostly warrior than a Shadow Devil! Not to mention that the kid doesn't look human anymore himself! So what gives?”

Red just looks at the two and shrugs his shoulders before raising his right arm and pointing at Inalla, then begins to talk with hints of sarcasm in his voice as he does so.

“Lets see...You're asking a Shadow Devil why he looks completely different after he spent four years inside a giant black sphere being soul bound to a kid who was nearly dead while being pumped full of shadow energy from the Shadow Goddess herself...You two ever think that maybe you should ask the person who thought up this plan as to why I look different and why the kid doesn't look human anymore?”

Red stopped speaking and crossed his arms while turning and facing Nara and Shrike, then let out a light laugh.

“Then again, you never were much of a thinker were you Nara? And don't laugh Shrike because while the concern you're showing me is nice and I appreciate it, I thought that you of all people should have been smart enough to ask Inalla why the kid and I look like this instead of asking me something that I have no clue about.”

Nara growled and was about to lunge her body into Red's face when Shrike moved in front of her and stopped her from moving towards Red, making him laugh at her outbursts.

“Quit laughing you jackass!” She replied.

“Not a chance in hell Nara! You're just too damn easy to make fun of!” Red said.

“You asshole! I'll blast you for that comment right now!”

“Ha! Let her go Shrike! I wanna see Nara try that before I swat her away like a fly!”

Inalla watches the two argue and threaten each other while Shrike tries to calm the two down, only for her to flinch when she hears small groans come from the young boy's as he starts tossing and turning from side to side, sweat slowly building up on his face while his breathing starts to become slow and hoarse. Lyger gently lays his right hand on the boy's forehead, staying silent as he does so, and closes his eyes while Inalla moves over to the boy' right side and kneels down, looking at the boy with concern on her face before looking at Lyger, who opened his eyes and looked at Inalla, his voice showing worry and concern over the boy's condition.

“Lady Inalla...the boy is...in pain and...is running a fever. He...is not fully...ready for the transformation...He will die...should something not...be done.”

“...I know Lyger. I will have to suppress the excess shadow energy in his body till he is truly ready for it. To leave him as he is now will surely result in his death.”

Red and Nara, having stopped their argument and Shrike who had ceased trying to stop them, turned and went over to Inalla and Lyger and floated behind her, with Red moving up to her right side and looking down at his partner, his eyes flickering for a bit before looking over at Inalla, his body trembling slightly as he leaned over and bowed and spoke to her.

“Lady Inalla...You of all people know that I don't ask for help from anyone...but please, help the kid. I don't know what happened to him that nearly killed him, but he doesn't deserve to die especially when he never did anything to anybody. I'm not asking you to save my life...but please save his Lady Inalla...Please.”

Inalla looks over at Red as the Shadow Devil bowed before her, then looked down at the boy, who's face was flushed red and was sweating even more, then looked back at Red with a smile on her face and spoke to him with a serene tone.

“Red...You don't need to bow to me or ask me to save the boy. I had planned on doing just that long before you even asked me to...though it warms my heart to see you show so much care for him despite not knowing him for long and the fact that you did it without a hint of sarcasm in your voice makes me even more happy.”

Red shot straight up and looked at Inalla with his eyes wide open in shock as she continued to smile at him, only or him to shake his head and let out a small laugh.

“Don't get used to it Inalla. Only reason I'm asking is because I've grown attached to the kid...But if there's anything I can do to help, then please tell me” He replied.

“Well then Red, all I need for you to do is to get inside the boy's body. The suppression seal that I'm going to put on him will affect you too and it wouldn't hurt to have you helping to regulate his spirit and shadow energy while I do so. Understand Red?” Inalla replied back.

Red brought his ghostly hand up and together, cracking his knuckles and nodding before floating over the boy and compressing himself till he was back in his wisp form, then floated down and sunk into the boy's chest, his body disappearing inside the boy's body and leaving a small trail of blood red light that dissipated after a few seconds. Inalla looked behind her at both Nara and Shrike, bringing her left arm up and makes a pushing motion with her arm, which causes both Shadow Devils to sawy side to side before both slowly back a few feet away from her. After doing so, she turns her head and looks at Lyger, who takes his hand off the boy's forehead and stays silent as she speaks to him, her voice taking on a more serious tone.

“Lyger. I need you to lower your cape down to the boy's waist and then back away from us as I put the seal on him. I'm going to need to concentrate on this, so please don't come near me till I'm done and make sure that Nara and Shrike stay away as well.”

“Understood...Lady Inalla.”

Lyger nods his head in acknowledgment before grabbing onto his cape and pulling it down the boy's body till it reaches his waist, then looks at him and places his hand on the boy's forehead once more before standing up and backing away while looking ahead at Shrike and Nara. Lyger nods at the two as they float past Inalla and the boy and move up to his shoulders, with them backing away a few feet along with him, then stopping once they were far enough away, with Lyger calling out to Inalla.

“When ever...you are ready...Lady Inalla.”

Inalla looks up at Lyger and smiles before looking down at the boy and placing her right hand on his forehead and gently rubs it, causing the boy to shudder under her touch. She feels the sweat on his forehead come into contact with her hand and feels the heat coming from his forehead, but smiles all the same as she slowly moves her hand down his body, a faint black aura emanating from her hand that trails a path along with her hands movement, then stops once her hand is hovering above the boy's chest and gently sets her palm in-between his pectorals, causing him to groan again. She leans her body down till her head reaches his ear and whispers to him in a sweet and serene voice.

“This...will be painful, but I promise young one that you will not die. I'll make sure of it.”

Inalla then leans back up and grabs onto the boy's right hand with her left and gives it a gentle squeeze, causing the boy to shiver at her touch, but unconsciously squeezes back as she looks back to her right hand on his chest and begins to utter a chant as her hand is completely covered in her black aura and a white magic circle appears beneath them.

“Arkde, invelode, vespirgal nocturne. Arkde, invelode vespirgal nocturne! Arkde, invelode vespirgal nocturne!!!”

A a great pillar of white light erupts from the magic circle beneath the two and completely envelops them, with Lyger looking on at the light that erupted while Nara hid behind him and Shrike rested on his left shoulder. The white light flickers brightly, then begins to slowly change, with a black veil of shadow rising up the pillar of white light, changing the light from pure white to pure black darkness. Inside the pillar, Inalla continues to hold her right hand on the boy's chest while keeping hold of his right hand with her left, then closes her eyes and lets a soft whisper escape her lips.

“Come to me O dark shadows.”

She takes her right hand off the boy's chest and lifts it high in the air as her cloak parts slightly, the mighty pillar shuddering with it's great power at the call of her words and as she flexed her fingers, the pillar distorted and began collapsing towards her hand, the dark energy crackling as it moved towards her and swirled violently. Lyger, Nara and Shrike watch as the power and magnitude of the pillar fell towards her hand and slowly collected itself, taking the shape of a small sphere, which grew in size as the energy from the pillar filled towards and inside it, crackling all the way, till finally the pillar was no more and the black sphere rested in her hand.

Keeping a tight hold on the boy's now sweat ridden hand, Inalla looked down at him and gently brought her arm down on the his chest, letting the sphere rest in the middle of his chest as it crackled and shuddered with power. She smiles and gives his hand one more squeeze before using her right hand to gently push the sphere into his chest, it slowly creating ripples of energy as half of it enters his body, causing him to suddenly open his eyes, revealing his navy blue irises and pupils, and arch his back as a wordless scream escaped from his mouth as she whispers to him in a serene voice.

“Please endure this. It's all most over, and once that's done, you'll be okay.”

He grunts as she slowly pushes the rest of the sphere in his body, with her hand connecting to his bare chest, his eyes wide open as he feels a rush of energy and power creep and fill his entire being, and squeezes her hand tightly, his knuckles turning even whiter as he holds onto her hand for dear life as he convulses and writhes on the inky blackness of the ground. She keeps her hand on his chest and slowly forces him to lay flat on his back even as his wings and tail shake and flutter about, but doesn't move as she begins to recite the last of her chant.

“I as the ruler of the shadow command you, seal thy power in the body of this young soul who follows me. O entrancing darkness, seal thy power and create thy outlet for him as proof of my choice of one of my followers! Entrancing Shadow! Daemon Nocturnal Seal!!!”

Inalla presses her hand on the boy's chest, the inky black energy from her hand pouring out and tracing various black runes and cracks all across his body, from his head to his feet, which all glow brightly and burst with power. The boy writhes again as the feeling of overwhelming power fills his entire body, and as he holds onto her hand, the encroaching darkness fills his eyes completely, the waves of energy emanating from them like a lit flame. He finally lets out a loud, ear splitting scream as the ruins and cracks burst with energy, the energy rising towards the sky of the foreboding darkness above in all their brilliance.

His screams turn blood curdling as the horns on his head slowly recede back into his head, every small inch they move causing hims to flinch and shake under Inalla's hold and his screams ripple the very ground itself as his wings and tail recede back into his body, and disappear after a few painful seconds along with his horns. He lets out a small cry as the energy leaves his eyes, revealing his now black sclera and his amber gold irises and pupils, and even his skin starts to gain color, the blood circulating from inside from his body making the color turn from pale white to a lighter tone, beige in color and hue and his hair, once white, now turns scarlet red, with two small strands dangling in front of his forehead.

As he lays on the ground, the ruins and cracks on his body slowly dissipate, leaving his skin clear of any marks, and tears start to slowly trickle down his cheeks and small cries escape his lips, his eyes now closed as the pain remains. Inalla removes her hand from his chest and moves it under his upper back, curling her arm completely under him and lifting him to a sitting position before bringing him close to her chest and hugging him to her, stroking his back with her right hand while keeping hold of his right hand with her left, letting his cries and sobs echo throughout the area and his tears trickle down on her cloak. Even as Lyger and the two Shadow Devils approach them, she never stops holding him and lets out a whisper to him as she hugged him closer.

“It is done and you have endured this pain young one. A pain that would bring those much older than you to their very knees and yet you have taken it all. You're eyes are proof that you have endured this pain and have become something more...I am proud of you and I am sorry that you had to experience such a pain.”

The boy cries and sobs slowly begin to die down as Lyger, Nara and Shrike reach the two, with Lyger looking down at the young boy in Inalla's arm and letting out a sigh of relief. Inalla continues to hold onto him, her right hand still stroking his naked back, before slowly pushing him away from her, his body shaking at the loss of contact and warmth from her own body against his and his tears begin to form anew. She wiggles her left hand from the grip of his own hand and frees it, then slowly lifts her arm till it's level with his head and places the palm of her left hand on his forehead, all while a dark, aura surrounds it.

“This...has been a difficult task for you to endure young one and for that, you deserve a long rest for your efforts. Please, sleep for when you awaken, you will be somewhere safe and sound, away from anyone or anything that would hurt you. Rest...Reilus Curtiss... My shadow champion.”

Reilus shudders at Inalla's touch even as the tears from his eyes continue to fall and tries to speak, only to feel the exhaustion from his previous endeavors catch up to him as the aura from her hand seeps into his body, causing him to slowly lose conciseness to the world around him. He opens his eyes slightly, his amber pupils holding a kind of innocence to them, and gazes at her face as darkness starts to block his vision as her spell overtakes him and he falls into a deep sleep. She smiles as she takes takes her hand off his forehead and lets his head fall onto her chest before hooking her left hand under his legs and lifting him and Lyger's cape along with her as she stands up.

Lyger watches as Inalla adjusted her right arm and hooked it around Reilus in order to keep him up, then slowly turned around to face him, her hair flowing smoothly about as she does so and the cape fluttering as it clings to Reilus's lower body. She stops turning once she's completely facing Lyger and looks him over before looking at Shrike and Nara, then lets her eyes close and the words from her mouth flow, their weight as free as the wind itself.

“Lyger, Shrike, Nara. I thank you for coming here and witnessing the birth of my new champion. It...is an honor to know that you three were so willing to come here, despite your duties of guarding the realm of the Shadow Devils.”

Lyger, Shrike and Nara all watched as Inalla spoke and all three stayed quiet for a few seconds before Nara spoke up first, her wisp like body shaking with excitement.

“Hahaha! No problem Lady Inalla! Glad I could be here, even if that bastard Red was the one who chose to go along with this!”

“Yes Lady Inalla. It's an honor to be able to witness such a thing.” Shrike replied.

Lyger only nodded his head and made his way to Inalla and Reilus, stopping a few inches away from them, then reaching out with his right hand, he touches Reilus's head once again and gently rubs his hair, causing Reilus to silently murmur to himself and snuggle closer to Inalla. Inalla looks down at Reilus and smiles again before looking back up at Lyger, who takes his hand away and looks straight at Inalla while speaking out to her.

“So he is...your new champion...Are you...worried that he...may end up...like the last two...my lady?”

“...Yes Lyger, I am worried that he may end up like my last champions...Dynas died from the overload of shadow energy after he was ambushed by a faction from the Order and after the skirmish that happened years ago between the Shadow Kingdom and the Demon Lord's rogue army, Cecilia went missing...Still haven't found her after all this time, but I still look for her and hope that neither side has found her while visiting Dynas's grave to pay my respects.”

Inalla lets a sigh escape her lips as she looks back down at Reilus cradled in her arms, watching his chest slowly rise up and down as he slumbers. She can't help but let a smile creep on her face as she watches him and gently hugs his body against her, causing Reilus to unconsciously groan at her hug.

“I won't let it happen again Lyger. I lost Dynas and Cecilia, but I won't lose Reilus. I refuse to let him go like those two did.”

Lyger lets his eyes travel down to the sleeping Reilus, then back up at Inalla before letting out a sigh and putting his right hand on her left shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze, causing her to look straight at Lyger, her gentle smile still on her face.

“My Lady...if you are...as diligent as you...all ways are...then I have...no doubt that...young Reilus here...will be fine...I'm assuming...that you will...take him to...the Shadow Kingdom?”

“Why of course Lyger. I was going to head there eventually and drop off Reilus. I also need to inform Lucia about him and speak to her about the recent attacks on both the Shadow Knights and the recent attempts to invade the realm of the Shadow Devils...Though I do thank you for your kind words, my old friend and loyal subject. You didn't have to come here to witness this, but I'm glad that you did...Though I believe that you should be getting back before one of the Witches stumbles into the realm while you're gone.”

Lyger just lightly shakes his head and lets a whispered laugh, causing Shrike and Nara to gasp upon hearing him do so. He looks up at Inalla and bows his head, then straightens and looks her in the eye.

“Understood my lady...We will be...taking our leave...and don't worry...about my cape. Let young Reilus...keep it as...a gift from me.”

Lyger then rolled his shoulders a couple of times as he turns his head and looks at Shrike and Nara, his voice booming slightly and holding a commanding tone.

“Shrike...Nara! We leave...for home...I don't...trust those fools...of the Demon Lord's forces...to wait for us to...get back...while they try...and trespass again. We move!”

“Yes Sir Lyger!” Both Shrike and Nara reply.

Lyger turns and makes one more bow at Inalla before he straightens up and begins to turn around and walk away from her, with Shrike and Nara moving and circling around her and Reilus before moving away from the two and floating after Lyger, their lithe wisp bodies letting them catch up to him in seconds and move with him off into the cold, endless void of darkness. Inalla watches as the three disappear in the distance before looking down at Reilus, who's breathing is steady and slow as he sleeps in her arms, then stands still as a black portal slowly ripples beneath her, then swirls and releases a dark veil of darkness, which encompasses both of them completely before slowly sinking into the ground and dissipating into the watery ground of darkness.

Loud foot steps rang out on the stone floor in the hallway of Castle Drearch, the symbol of the Shadow Kingdom itself. Footsteps continued to rang out in the hall, the sounds echoing off the smooth, gray stone walls, rising up to the ceiling, where the stone roof could be seen, along with the fresh wood of the scaffolding that held the walls and roof together with lit torches lining the walls and being held up by black, metallic rings, with the light emanating from them showing off each of the creases of the stones themselves.

Louder and louder the steps ring out as a womanly figure comes into view, her ruby red dress hugging onto her slender, yet slightly curvy frame with not a sight of skin showing along with the long sleeves reaching down to her delicate hands and the length reaching down to her feet, covering the snow white and slightly elevated heeled shoes on her person. Her own stature was that of a woman in her early thirties, five feet and six inches in height, her pale white skin contrasting her own dress and the red lip stick on her lips, with nary a blemish in sight, her sapphire blue eyes staring out at the long hall as her she continues to walk, her straight, jet black hair waving freely from side to side and down to her lower back.

Her steps continue to echo in the hall as she passes by another torch, moving at a slow, but brisk pace, nary a word escaping her lips as she passes by a small, rectangular window, not even stopping as the light from the red sun shown through. Minutes pass as she walks in silence, even as a small, gray colored light shines on her chest, with a small wisp floating out only seconds later and hovering just above her left shoulder and finally breaking the defining silence with his own gruff, yet polite voice that permeates the area.

“Looks like Maria and Reginald got here before us Lucia.”

“Yes they have Phantom.” the woman, known as Lucia, responds as her pace quickens slightly upon rounding a corner and seeing another figure, a woman of thirty-one years, off in the distance leaning against the wall to her left. Parts of the woman's silver bracers shine from under her long sleeved dark green coat, which was unbuttoned and showed off her chain-mail, silver in color, which covered her beige colored shirt and served as her protection for her slightly large and tightly held bosom. Her peach colored skin tone showed most on her toned and muscled legs, which were shown for all to see up to her upper thigh, where her dark green shorts can be seen hugging her legs and hips.

She adjusts her legs slightly and stretches them out a tad, letting her laced, brown boots flex a bit from her movements and her jagged, silver colored grieves stick firmly to her lower legs, reaching from just below her knee caps down to her ankles, the small, indented blades in the grieves themselves shining from the light of the torch, looking freshly cleaned and sharpened. Her face contorts slightly as she looks to her right, watching with her piercing blue eyes as Lucia and Phantom slowly approach her before her face returns to the stalwart expression that she had before while her metallic blond hair, which she has tied in a ponytail that reaches past her shoulder, waves slightly in the air from her movements before finally stopping.

Even from a distance, if one were to look closely, they would see the height difference between the two women, with Lucia standing just about six inches shorter than the woman leaning against the wall, who finally moved off it and stood up straight as Lucia finally reached her and stopped, a warm smile crossing her lips as she stares up at the other woman before finally letting her voice ring out.

“Maria 'Hair Trigger' Hohenheim...I see you're early as usual.”

“Heh. And I see you're a little slow in getting here Queen Lucia Vespira.” The woman known as Maria answers with a smirk on her face.

“Ah, but Maria, I have various meetings to go to and duties as a queen of the Shadow Kingdom that must be done. My being slow is understandable...Unlike you. If you're here early, then that means that General Kiala must not be giving you enough to do.”

“Oh she gives me plenty to do Lucia, most of which involves going outside and actually fighting instead of being able to relax on a throne while listening to diplomats and nobles spew the same crap all day long.”

“Listening to diplomats and nobles is just as dangerous as fighting against a monster, Maria. Why, I'm in danger of dying from boredom hearing those nobles talk about the same things, over and over again and I would be near dead if it wasn't for my illusion abilities and Phantom's speaking skills. Isn't that right Phantom?” Lucia says with a light chuckle.

“That is right Lucia, though I wish you wouldn't say such things” Phantom says as he lets out an exasperated sigh, which only caused Maria to chuckle at the sight, as a small, purple colored light shines from her chest. Only moments later did a wisp of purple shade finally exit her body and floats in front of her, twisting it's ghostly body in Phantom's direction and finally, after a few moments of waiting for Maria's chuckling to die down, did it finally speak, a male voice that is dignified, yet slightly arrogant, ringing out from him.

“It sounds as though Lucia is leaving you to deal with such situations Phantom and one such as you should be able to deal with those pompous whelps who insist on repeating the same things they all ways do to our queen. Don't know how you can stand to listen to them for even a few minutes without wanting to break them down and tell them that they are not even worthy of cleaning Lucia's shoes.”

“Well,we can't all tell people off without any kind of consequence for our actions Reginald. I swear, the way you spoke made you sound like a certain pair loud mouth Shadow Devil's that we know.”

“You are seriously insinuating that I'm anything like those two, are you Phantom?”

Phantom merely chuckles at Reginald's discomfort and disgust, the gray hue of his wisp like body shining slightly as he does so, while Reginald scoffs and grumbles slightly by the teasing. Maria and Lucia both giggle at the sight of the two Shadow Devils chuckles, teasing and grumblings, the former moving till she's standing right next to the latter on her left side and looking slightly down at the shorter woman before crossing her arms and turning her head towards Reginald and finally speaking, a hint of amusement in her voice.

“That's enough Reginald. While I understand how you feel and agree with some of your sentiments, I do agree with Phantom that you should tone it down just a little, lest you do become like Dark and that one other loud mouthed Shadow Devil you sometimes talk about.”

“That and we should be going....Can't forget what today is.” Lucia says as she slowly loses her smile, a sorrowful look forming on her face as she lowers he head and closes her eyes. Maria looks over at her and upon seeing her head lowered, proceeds to wrap her right arm around her and gives her a quick, yet firm hug, something that doesn't go unnoticed by the two Shadow Devil's as Maira speaks, her stalwart expression slowly disappearing while a small smile forms on her face.

“Yeah...It's been four years since we lost Minerva, Tarvek and little Rei. We found the wreckage from the carriage they were on, along with the bodies of the ones who attacked them, but only Tarvek's body was accounted for and...”

Maria stops her talking as her own smile disappears and a somber expression appears on her face, her left hand balling into a tightly held fist and her body trembling, only slightly, as she restrains her growing anger. Phantom and Reginald look at the two women before staring at each other for a few seconds, the two staying silent and glancing as best as beings without eyes could, then turned their bodies and looked at Maria and Lucia, with Phantom speaking first in a calm voice.

“Yes...We lost one of the Trinity that day. Minerva 'The Scarlet Devil' Curtiss, diplomat Tarvek Curtiss and their son Reilus Curtiss. This just shows that our hunch about our Shadow Knights being attacked by an unknown force was right.”

“Indeed Phantom and it is most unfortunate.” Reginald replies in agreement with Phantom's statement while floating over to Maria's left shoulder, only stopping once he's hovering above it and speaks out to her, his voice carrying it's usual tone of arrogance, yet even so, has hints of sincerity.

“Maria, you need to calm yourself. Minerva's was your best friend and like a sister to you, I know, but letting yourself grudge up old memories of your powerlessness to save her, Tarvek or Reilus will only serve to make you sloppy when a mission comes about. You yourself said to keep ones feelings in check both on and off the battlefield, so please calm down my partner.”

Turning her head towards Reginald, Maria's expression slowly changes, moving away from the somber, yet angry expression to her stalwart one as she contemplates his words. Phantom begins to move himself and only stops once he's floating in front of Lucia before dipping down till he's near her waist and looking up at her, with her vision meeting his corporeal form as he speaks.

“The same goes for you Lucia. As the Queen of the Shadow Kingdom, you need to be strong in the face of adversity in order to keep the moral of your people up. I do miss Minerva, Gyretch, Tarvek and Reilus as well, but we must try to keep moving on...So please buck up and remain strong my queen.”

Sapphire blue eyes stare down at the gray hue of Phantom's body, Lucia's mind a blur as his words enter her mind. To her, his words rang true and she knew that she had to be strong, for both the people, the knights and the Shadow Kingdom and as she slowly raised her head, a light smile formed on her lips and an innocent glint formed in her eyes even as Phantom raised himself to her eye level and stayed silent as she turned her body to face Maria and Reginald, the latter of the human removing her hand from the formers shoulder, as she spoke to the three.

“...You're right Phantom. The death of the rest of the Curtiss clan is something that will continue to weigh heavily on me, just like the death of any other knight in our kingdom. But we must move on and remain strong while honoring the dead best we can. We must also do our best to find out why our knights are getting attacked and why the bodies of some are gone even after the evidence points to the potential death in the insuring fight. We must remain strong...Right Maria?”

“Heh. That's is true Lucia. Gotta keep the moral up, especially with these young recruits coming in. Have to show them how us veterans run things in the Shadow Knight core after all.”

A smirk appears on Maria's face as she nods and speaks her peace, her arms crossing over her chest as she does so, the sound of Reginald's chuckling filling her ears, along Lucia's giggling and nod of approval as Phantom sways side to side before floating over and setting himself on Lucia's left shoulder, the material of her dress crumpling slightly from the pressure of his ghostly body settling down on it. Both women stop their speaking and giggling as they stare at the other and nod before attempting to walk onward through the stone hallway and to their intended destination.

Attempt was the word as Lucia suddenly stopped all her movements and began to shudder with wide eyes as she jerked her head left and right, scanning the hall for whatever she felt. Phantom's body had began to glow again as he lifted himself off her shoulder, floated just above her head and began to slowly spin in a circle, staying silent as her tried to feel whatever set his senses off, both actions not going unnoticed by both Maria and Reginald, who stop, turn to face the latter two and stare at them.

“Something wrong Lucia?” Maria asks her stalwart expression still remaining, but the concern evident in her eyes as she continues to stare at Lucia.

Lucia remains silent as she scans her surroundings, a brief bout of confusion striking her features as she remains still, with Phantom circling above her, both their sense on high alert the feeling they both had slowly fades away. Phantom stops circling above, but remains still even as Lucia starts to sigh in relief and, facing Mari, begins to try and speak when her sense flare again, her body flinching from the sudden appearance of a powerful, yet restrained energy. Lucia's eyes close as and her hands ball into fists as she lets her senses scan the entirety of the castle area, Phantom letting his own senses flare as well along with hers as he begins to circle around her from above.

“Lucia? What's wrong?” Maria asks once again, her voice being drowned out of Lucia's head as she lets the energy of all those in the castle fill her mind's eye. Silhouette's of people and some with small balls of light of energy in various colors fill her mind, both on the floor level she's on, some below her and some above her, as she concentrates on the source of power that she felt before, her closed eyes twitching slightly as she strains to keep her concentration, despite hearing Reginald yell out to her.

“Queen Lucia! What do you feel? Is it an intruder?”

No words were spoken as Lucia kept her concentration at full blast, the blackness of her mind's eye letting the illuminated light of the people's energy flow through. She slowly turns her head to the right as the powerful force makes itself know once again, this time in much smaller doses, the energy rising then fading over and over again. Her head finally stops moving when she spots one...no two energy sources in one singular spot.

“Found it Lucia.” Phantom whispers as the color of the energies distort slightly, the source of scarlet red aura looking as if it's lying on it's back, the human shaped figure making up the energy rising slowly, then fading repeatedly along with a pure black source standing next to it, it's energy now a constant, yet powerful glow. The new sources was a surprise to Lucia as they both were something she hadn't felt in a long time...Yet to her, both were so familiar that she let two whispered words escape her lips.

“Inalla? R-Reilus?”

Lucia's concentration breaks as she suddenly feels two hands on her shoulders and her body is slowly shaken till she finally opens her eyes, coming face to face with Maria's surprised expression at the words she heard come out of the former's mouth.

“Did you say Reilus, Lucia?” was all Maria asked as she restrained her voice, only letting a smile come across her features as Lucia smiles herself and nods her head up and down. Silence permeates the hall as Maria lets the information truly sink in, her grip on Lucia's shoulder slowly loosening before finally letting go and letting her arms fall to her side, only one whispered word escaping her lips as she stares down at Lucia while looking her straight in the eye.

“Where?”

“Minerva's old room from her days as a single woman. Shouldn't be far from here as you recall Maria.” Lucia replies as she gently takes hold of the front of her dress and lifts it up to ankle level before stepping to Maria's right side, turning her head and smiling again before taking off running, the echo of her shoes hitting the ground permeating the area as Phantom silently chases after her, with her only stopping for a second to turn around and address Maria in an excited tone.

“Come on 'Hair Trigger'! Our goddess and our old friend's son await us and I know you're not slow at all, so keep up and follow me!”

“...Heh! Right then! Come on Reginald!” Was all Maria said as she turned around and took off running after Lucia, catching up to her in seconds and keeping pace as Reginald and Phantom followed behind the two. Minutes pass as the four kept running, passing by servants of both genders, who looked on in confusion as the four passed them by, not even getting the chance to bow to their queen before returning to their duties. More torches and glass covered windows are passed as the four move, their shadows appearing on the walls and the ground of the gray stones of the castle floor as they turned left at an intersection, passing by a large set of metal doors that would lead to the courtyard, though it was of no interest to the group as they kept moving along the hall itself.

Finally, the four slow down as they reach a wooden door to their right, the smooth texture showing the maintenance that had been kept on it was still good. Bending down slightly while grabbing her knees, Lucia pants as she tries to catch her breath, the sweat appearing on her forehead and face as she does so, with Maria looking no worse for wear as only a small trickle of sweat flowed down her cheek and standing tall as her chest slowly rises and falls. Phantom and Reginald go to their respective partners, with Reginald floating above Maria's left shoulder as she stands to Lucia's left, with Phantom floating on her right side and speaking, though he can hardly hide his amusement as he does so.

“You really need to attend some training sessions Lucia. You're getting kind of slow and you're running out of breath on a simple run as this one.”

“Phantom is right Lucia. Maybe some more basic training with me sometime ought to help with that physical stamina of yours.”

Lucia narrows her eyes as she turns her head and stares at Maria, who doesn't try to hide the grin forming on her face as she stares at the latter, with Reginald letting out a curt laugh as she turns back and gives Phantom a glare before sighing to herself and standing upright, smoothing out the front of her dress before her expression turns deadpan while speaking to the others.

“No thank you Maria. I know what your training is like and I'll have no part of it. I'll be dead on my feet for days if I trained with you at all...and I thank you for pointing out my slowness Phantom, but it's hard to run while in a dress and heels.”

Clearing her throat for a second, Lucia faces the door to Minerva's old room and sighs to herself while keeping her hands to her sides as Maria turns and faces the door as well, with their respective Shadow Devil's doing the same. Not a word was spoken as the four remain where they are, the energy permeating the room behind the door suddenly coming to life on their senses and causing hesitation among the four, none of them so much as moving an inch as they remain still. Only when they hear the sound of Inalla's voice do they do anything, Maria and Lucia flinching while Phantom and Reginald gasp as the goddess's voice rings out from inside the room itself, the amusement evident in her tone.

“Was wondering when you four would come. Don't stand outside like strangers! Come in, come in!”

Lucia and Maria slowly turn their heads to each other and stare at one another as Reginald and Phantom both sway in the air before facing the door, rearing back and floating on inside, their bodies passing through the door like the ghostly wisps they are. Maria keeps staring at Lucia as the latter slowly nods, then with a sigh, slowly strides up to the door and grabs onto the metal handle with her right hand. Steeling herself as Lucia moves behind her, she turns the handle down, hearing the click of the lock and slowly pushes the door open as she steps in, with Lucia behind her, the room itself finally coming into their sight.

The hue from the light of the red sun shines through the glass of the large, rectangular window in the middle of the room, illuminating it with a red light that shows off the same gray colored stones making up the walls, with old, black tapestries hanging around the room in various places on the walls. Small though the room is, it is large enough to hold a single shelf book case near the top left corner, the dust apparent on the books themselves, and a small, well crafted dresser made of wood and a single, oval shaped dusty mirror residing on top of it on it's right and a small, light brown wooden and dusty desk on it's left.

Maria and Lucia look to their right, their eyes spying the small, queen size bed sitting near the right of the room, the front to the end of the bed facing towards the bookcase, with Inalla sitting on the left side of the bed, the small, armless chair showing off the crafted wood it was mad of and the small, red cushion retracting from Inalla's weight. Above her, Phantom and Reginald float, both looking down at the sleeping Reilus laying on his back, his body covered by the beige colored sheets and black, wool blanket, his head resting on the fluffed up pillow as his chest slowly rises and falls.

Inalla remains still while continuously watching Reilus, her head never turning as Maria and Lucia approach her, both their steps echoing on the stone floor as they reach her side, Maria on the right and Lucia on the left. Without a word, she waits as both women look down and see Reilus resting, a gasp escaping from Lucia's lips as Maria's expression changes from stalwart to shock as she tries to contemplate what she's seeing in front of her. She slowly reaches out with her right hand towards Reilus's head, the speed all most moving at a crawl till her fingers finally touch his face, a small moan escaping his lips as he feels the contact of her smooth skin on his. She lets her fingers slid along his cheek till her whole hand is cupping his cheek, her mind going ablaze as the realization of who she's seeing hits her fully, only slowly turning her head towards Inalla, who smiles up at her and speaks before she can say anything.

“Yes young Hohenheim, that is little Reilus you're seeing and touching right now...He is alive, thanks to my efforts.”

Maria feels her body shake slightly as she slowly turns back towards Reilus, hand still cupping his cheek, and looks back down at him again, watching his sleeping, yet peaceful face, never moving an inch even as Inalla gets up from the chair, smiles and gently slides it behind Maria before pushing it forward as it connects with the back of her legs, the softness of the cushion material along with the hardness of the wood forcing her to sit down and finally taking her hand of Reilus's cheek. Her eyes never move from him as she watches him, not even when Reginald sets himself on her right shoulder and waits, nor the voice of Lucia as she turns towards Inalla and speaks to her.

“Lord Inalla...Just...Just how is Reilus alive? The investigation team sent to find them only found the bodies of both the monsters who attacked them and Tarvek Curtiss. There was no sign of neither Minerva nor Reilus so how?”

The somber expression on Inalla's face was more than evident as she turned and faced Lucia as Phantom floats towards the latter and hovers just above her shoulder, Inalla's words flowing out, the hint of sadness apparent to both her and Phantom.

“The only reason I even knew about the Curtiss family being attacked was because of my old friend, Rykros, who had made it apparent to inform me as soon as he had found out about it...But even then, I only arrived after everything was said and done, with Minerva's body gone and Reilus lying near the body of his dead father Tarvek. The only thing I know for certain is that the attackers came from the Demon Realm.”

“That...makes some sense Lord Inalla. The tattooed symbols on their bodies looked familiar, but we weren't entirely sure if they originated from the Demon Realm.” Phantom chims in as he continues to float above Lucia's shoulder, whom had listened intently to Inalla's explanation.

“Yet...There was no sign of Minerva at all Lord Inalla?” Lucia asks.

“Only her residual energy was found by my senses and even then she was long gone...And Reilus was my top priority as he was nearly dying from the injuries he sustained from the attack and needed to be ready for the process of-.”

“Of what Shadow Goddess?” Maria responds while never taking her eyes off Reilus, the tone of her voice carrying a hint of curiosity and anger, something that barely fazed Inalla as she looked over at her, then at Lucia and Phantom as she took a deep breath and let her words flow through without a hint of hesitation.

“For the process of becoming the Shadow Champion.”

A deafening silence filled the room as those words were spoken, the room so quiet that a pin could be dropped and it would be the only thing heard as Lucia's eyes slowly widened in shock from the sudden revelation and Phantom's body flickered glowed. Maria herself remained silent as she looked down at Reilus, but only for a second as she slowly turned her head towards Inalla, the air around her growing cold as her deep purple aura slowly seeped out of her body and flowed like a contained flame, with eyes fixed in a glare as Reginald let his own voice out, more attuned to held back annoyance and a hint of surprise.

“...Inalla...From what Cecilia told us, the process of becoming a champion was an extremely painful one and something she was barely able to endure herself and she was a tough woman. You're seriously telling us that you put Reilus through THAT?”

Nary a sound left Inalla's mouth as Reginald's words flowed from his body, her expression completely blank and unreadable and her body remaining motionless. Aura slowly rising, Maria slowly rises from her seat and nary a word left her mouth as she strode up to Inalla, stopping only when she was in the latter’s face and staring down at her, the glare from her eyes intensifying, her fists clenched and her body tensed as she remains still as she spoke, her own words restrained with slowly building anger.

“...Why Reilus? Why put him through that Inalla?”

“It was either that Maria or I let him die right there with his father.” Inalla said coolly, no fear in her voice, her eyes never once wavering from Maria's glare and her body remaining unmoving even though Maria's own was poised to strike at any moment, with Reginald ready to move at a moments notice, something Lucia and Phantom both noticed and were attempting to stop when they all heard a voice ring out in the room itself.

“Oy! Will you guys shut it!? You're gonna wake the kid up with your fighting!”

All bodies except for Inalla's froze from the sudden voice ringing out, Maria's aura dying down in the process and all looked towards Reilus, only to see a familiar scarlet red wisp settled on his chest and slowly rising till he's only inches above him. The wisp looks back at Reilus, whom had stirred slightly from the noise and sudden rush of energy, but only turned on his left side and continued sleeping as the wisp chuckled at the sight before turning back to the other five in the room. Silence once again filled the air as they watched the wisp remain where he was...Only for it to be broken by a loud groan from Reginald and a small laugh from Phantom, both of whom had floated over to the wisp and stopped near him, Phantom being the first to speak to him.

“Red? Holy shadow, son! What are you doing here!?”

“What do you think old man!? I'm the kids new partner and...Oh damn, don't tell me that's 'stick up his non-existent ass' Reginald I see?”

“Red...Still the same loud mouthed braggart I see.” Reginald says while not even trying to hide the annoyance in his voice, something that only made Red chuckle and float right in front of Reginald, their wisp like bodies only inches apart as he speaks with hostility in his voice.

“Heh. Things were pretty quiet back home without you thinking you were better than everyone else, Reg. Still think you can talk down to everyone without being called out on it?”

“And I see you still don't remember how to keep your non-existent mouth shut braggart or did you forget how I dealt with you back home? I'm sure another blast from yours truly will remind you of your place Red.”

“Ha! You think a few years away from you has made me soft!? Not a chance in hell Reg, so you better come up with something new before I decide to show you what Inalla gave me!”

“Oh really Red? Well, why don't I put you down like I all ways did, since it's more than apparent that you need to shut whatever trap you have you idiot savant!”

The glow that emanated from the two Shadow Devil's slowly shined brightly as they stared each other down, neither moving even as a loud sigh escaped Lucia's lips and a snap of her fingers, the air around the room distorting slightly as the energy near the two shivered. Red and Reginald continued their arguments, both looking to attack the other at a moments notice and nearly did if not for a pair of hands suddenly grabbing onto their bodies and squeezing tightly, the feminine fingers sinking into the wisps themselves before lifting them in the air. A yell from both resonates as the figure that grabbed them comes into full form, the body itself from the tip of the head all the way to the feet shaped and formed to look like an exact copy of Lucia herself, clothing and all.

Both Red and Reginald attempt to squirm and wiggle free from the copies grip, but to no avail as she only tightens her grip before walking the short distance past Maria and Inalla, with Phantom following right behind her and straight at the original Lucia, who is standing with her arms crossed over her chest and a dubious smile on her face. Upon reaching her original, the Lucia copy raises her arms up, both Shadow Devil's in tow, to her eye level, allowing her to speak to the two as she begins to scold the two of them in an all most motherly manner.

“Now that's enough you two! I don't know the history you two truly have, but here is not the place to have such an argument. Reginald, you know better than this and have all ways composed yourself better, yet here you are putting yourself down on anothers level just because he annoys you a bit. Your...Red I presume? You said it yourself that Reilus is sleeping, so shouldn't you also not antagonize Reginald as well? You remind me of Dark in some ways, yet you obviously have some good points and a heart, so try to get along with Reginald or at least stop the fighting, okay?”

A small grumble emanates from Red and Reginald as they remain still, both never moving even as Lucia's words ring a bit of truth, Lucia herself and her copy never losing their smiles as they wait for an answer from the two. Maria keeps watch on the four before turning her sights back to Inalla, who is currently smiling herself, which only raises an eyebrow from the former as she places her hand on the latter's shoulder and stares her right in the eye, Inalla only staring right back up with her same smile on her face as she holds her hand up and stops Maria from speaking.

“Maria, I know what you're going to say to me, but I believe what I did was right. Without my intervention, Reilus would have died that day and he wouldn't be here right now, alive and well.”

“Plus, the kid's tougher than he looks! He's here alive and well, right!?” Red finally says while still squirming a bit in the copies grip.

“That's correct Red. Reilus showed how tenacious he can be and as Red said, how tough he really is...Something he inherited from his mother and father I believe. Reilus is stronger than you believe Maria and I think he will make a fine champion in the future, but he will need training and guidance from the people who can best train him and those he trust most. Not to mention the transitional period that he will have to go through as well, what with his new found power and all.”

“...What are you saying Shadow Goddess?” Maria asks, her left eyebrow arched as confusion hits her.

“She's saying that she thinks you would be one of the people who should train Reilus, Maria.” Lucia responds while slowly walking over to Maria and Inalla's side, completely passing by her copy as Reginald and Red try to struggle again from her iron grip while mumbling and yelling out before reaching the two women, hands resting on her side as a small smile peruses her lips as she stop moving.

“Maria. You've known Reilus for most of his life and you and Minerva have been friends, even like sisters, for years. The only other people who know Minerva and her fighting style even half as well as you do are myself, Cyrus and Kiala and two people on that list either aren't qualified to train someone or are too busy with their other duties with the knights to be able to dedicate their time to do so. If asked, Cyrus would be happy to train Reilus in the art of a Shadow Knight...Are you willing to do the same Maria?”

Maria's eyes never leave Inalla's, but still listens all the same to both her and Lucia's requests, a sigh escaping her lips as she finally blinks for the first time in a while, slowly taking her hand off Inalla's shoulder and turning her head to look at the queen herself. An answer formed on her lips, but before she could say a word, a small groan was heard from the bed, with small movements being heard as well as they all turned, even Lucia's copy, to see Reilus turn over on his back and slowly sit up, the covers of the bed falling down to his waist as he does so, leaving his naked chest bare.

Only taking a moment to do so, Reilus lifts his hands to his closed eyes and rubs the sleep away, only small squeaks escaping his lips as he does so before dropping them on his lap and finally letting his eyes slowly open. A blur of all the figures in the room was all he could initially see before blinking a couple of times, his sight becoming more clear as he does so and the faces of those in the room become clear as day. His amber gold eyes first look at Inalla, the black sclera in his eyes contrasting the light of his pupils and irises as he scans away from Inalla and looked at Lucia and her copy, along with Reginald and Red who were still being held, then at Phantom, blinking a couple of times as he stared at them.

Nothing initially came to Reilus's mind as he stared at the five, his expression completely blank as he finally moved away from looking at them and stared at the final person in the room, stopping when Maria comes into his field of vision. He stares at her for a moment as she stare at him, silence filling the room as he cocks his head to the left slightly as he watched her, his eyes scanning her entire body up and then down before finally moving back up to her face. As if unsure of who he was looking at, he stares at her as his mouth opened slightly and only two words left it.

“Aunty...Hohen?”

Those words. Those two words hit home as the stalwart and stoic expression she tried to sport upon seeing Reilus awake slowly crumbled to nothing, a much softer expression appearing on her face as she slowly turns her body and moves back to bed, only stopping once she near the head and by extension, by Reilus himself, his head slowly turning as she comes closer. She kneels by the edge of the bed and stares at him as a small smile creeps on her face, a feeling of happiness filling her being even as a smile slowly creeps on his face as well.

“Aunty Hohen...Where am I?” He asks while looking around the room a bit, the dusty bookshelf in particular catching his attention before he quickly looks at the other figures in the room as well, spotting another familiar figure in the small group, Lucia herself, who lets a small smile form along with Phantom and Reginald, the only two familiar Shadow Devils in the room, then finally at the only two unfamiliar figures in the room, Red and Inalla before looking back at Maria as he speaks to her again.

“Um...Aunty Hohen? Why are there so many people here...and who is the lady in the cloak and the red colored wisp?

“Hey! I have a name kid!” Red yells out while still in the copies grip, only for Lucia to sigh to herself and snap her fingers once again, the copy shimmering slightly before disappearing in the blink of an eye, leaving Red and Reginald free of it's grip, the two shaking their bodies slightly before taking one look at each other, snorting, then going to their respective partners. Reginald hovers near Maria's shoulder as Red makes a beeline straight for Reilus, stopping only when he's inches away from the face of the latter.

All eyes, even the ones with no eyes, lay straight on the two as they stare at each other, Red's body flickering as Reilus blinks a couple of times, both not even moving an inch. Reilus cocks his head to the left side as he inspects Red, who follows the formers movement by tilting to the right and follows as Reilus cocks his head to the right, only stopping once they reach back to their original positions. The others in the room wait patiently for something to happen, only for Reilus to slowly bring his hands up, gently cup Red's body and grin at him.

“You have a name wisp?” Reilus asks.

“It's Red..and don't call me wisp!” Red answers.

“Only if you don't call me kid, Red.”

Both stare at the other, Reilus's eyes narrowing as his grin slowly disappears and Red snorts though his non-existent mouth and nose. Without warning, Reilus begins to rapidly move his arms up and down, a yelp emanating from Red as he's shaken by the former, who doesn't stop doing it for a few seconds as a laugh is heard from Reginald, who didn't bother to contain it as he watches Red get shaken. Reilus finally stops shaking Red, who stops yelling long enough to free himself from the former's grip and float to the top of his head, only to drop down like a small rock as he hardens his body for a physical assault.

Reilus yelps as Red hits his head, a small surge of pain coursing on and around the spot that was hit and covers his head as Red lifts himself in the air and drops again, only for Reilus to swipe his hand at him, hitting Red and sending him flying towards the foot of the bed, using the energy from his body to suddenly stop and with a growl, flies straight at Reilus, stopping right back in his face as the latter glares at him and rubs his head.

“Hey! What's the big idea hitting me wisp!?” Reilus yells out in an annoyed tone as Red just growls again and answers him with the same tone.

“That's what you get for shaking me kid! Want me to hit you again for good measure!?”

“Do it and I'll swat you away wisp!”

Both Red and Reilus stare and growl at each other, Reilus's own hands gripping the sheets of his bed as if to try an swat at Red again when a laugh is heard from Inalla, who smoothly moves towards the two, moving past Maria, moves her arms forward and sticks her hands between the two before moving them outward, forcing the two apart a few inches away. With a smile in tow, she speaks in an all most whimsical and playful tone at the two in question.

“Now that's enough you two. My goodness, who knew putting Minerva's son and a loud mouth Shadow Devil together would produce such results!? Now I must ask that you two try to get along. After all, you're partners bonded by the soul, so you must get along from here on out. Now look at each other and apologize.”

Red and Reilus remain silent as Inalla moves her hands away from their respective fronts, putting them at her sides as the two look at each other, a blank expression on the latter's face while the former's body just flickers.

“...I'm sorry...wisp.” Reilus says while closing his eyes and sighing.

“...Yeah, yeah, I'm sorry too...kid.” Red speaks out while floating in the air before flying over to Reilus, hovering just above his head and slowly descending before finding rest on Reilus's skull, his hair ruffling slightly as Red finally comes to rest and stays put. Reilus looks up at Red best he can without moving his head, but only sighs as his vision can't see the Shadow Devil resting on his cranium and shifts slightly in his bum to keep his legs from falling asleep as he stares over at Inalla, eyes narrowed, and speaks.

“Um...Do I know you miss? Your voice...seems familiar for some reason.”

“Well I would hope so little one considering that I'm your goddess...that and I also saved you from an early death” Inalla replies in her same whimsical tone.

“...Goddess? Death?” Reilus responds as he cocks his head to the side, Red never moving as he does so. Maria looks at the confusion evident on his and only places a single hand on his naked shoulder, a small shudder running down his spine as the feeling of her warms hand touches his skin as she speaks, her tone completely serious.

[youtube]ta88HALSALs[/youtube]

“Reilus...You're in the Shadow Kingdom. You were thought to be dead four years ago when you, your mother and father were attacked by an unknown enemy. Inalla here managed to save you just in time and kept you alive that long. Do you remember anything that happened to you Reilus like what happened to you, your mother and your father?”

Many things went through Reilus's mind as the revelations that Maria spoke of went through his mind. Shock and confusion ran across his face as the revelation that it had been four years since he was gone became more evident, his body trembling as he tried to come to grips with how long he had really been gone. All most on instinct, he slowly raises his right arm, his palm completely flat and places it just above his left breast and below his collar bone, feeling and all most grabbing for something that wasn't there as he feels his skin for something that simply wasn't there.

“I...I don't know Aunty Hohen.” Reilus says as he stops grabbing the area and just stares at Maria.

“What do you mean Reilus?” Maria asks.

“I...Can't remember Aunty Hohen.”

Maria continues to stare at Reilus, watching his every move as he lowers his hand back onto the bed and slowly closes his eyes while turning away, body trembling slightly as he does so. She feels his trembling, watches him close his eyes and stop looking at her and when she gently squeezes his shoulder, he flinches from the pressure and doesn't turn.

“I...just can't...”

Red remains atop Reilus's head, remaining silent for a few moments before finally levitating off his head and stops when he moves over to Maria, stopping near her face and speaks, his tone for once devoid of any sarcasm and only full of concern.

“Hey Maria, Hohen, whatever you want me to call you, I don't care...But please lay off the kid for a bit okay? If he doesn't remember what happened, then he doesn't remember and trying to press him on it will only make him feel worse off...so don't press him on it okay?”

A small, yet audible gasp was heard from both Phantom and Reginald, neither one believing the words that left Red and both shaking their bodies in disbelief, as if what they heard was an illusion or a dream.

“Red...Kid, did you just say that without being insulting?” Phantom asks.

“Yeah I did old man! What of it!?” Red yells out after moving away from Maria's face, floats over to Reilus's head and sets himself down on top of it once again.

“Heh. I guess even a loud mouth mongrel like you can know when to try being nice after all.” Reginald says, his voice carrying his usual tone of smugness and arrogance.

“Hey, the kid's my partner okay!? Plus he's been through a lot and last thing he needs is to have someone try to make him go down a potentially painful road of memories when he doesn't know what happened, so lay off Reg!”

Reginald merely snorts at Red's comment and being called 'Reg', opting to not bother arguing with the other Shadow Devil in question, while Phantom chuckles at the sight of Red's change in demeanor. Maria for her part looks at Red, then at Reilus before sighing to herself and letting go of his shoulder, only opting to then smile at him and lean in close to whisper to him.

“Reilus, I'm sorry I tried to press you on this...But know that I'm here when you wish to talk about it okay?”

Reilus slowly turns his head till he's looking Maria dead in the eye, a look of shock on his face because of Maria's words, but settles into one of somber as he nods at her, which elicits a smile from her as she brings her arm up and gently moves Red away, the Shadow Devil floating a few inches in the air above as she rubs his hair, something that make him squeak in response, but brings a small smile to his own face as he whispers to her.

“Thank you Aunty Hohen...”

Lucia, watching as everything unfolds in front of her, lets out a subdued sigh before finally making her presence known to the others by loudly clearing her throat, the sound causing everyone in the room to look straight at her. Confusion, curiosity, annoyance all filled their faces as she merely puts on her best smile, her eyes never leaving the others as she speaks.

“Okay everyone, I believe that we should give our new champion some rest, food and clothing, then decide on when he should begin training another day. Lady Inalla, I request that we talk somewhere else on any official business you may have while you're here as I don't fully believe that Reilus is the only reason you're here.”

“Sharp as all ways Lucia. Haven't gotten old yet I see.” Inalla says in her usual whimsical tone as she turns to look at Lucia, who only rolls her eyes at the Goddesses statement while looking straight at Maria, her expression now more serious than before as Maria only looks back while keeping her hand on Reilus's head, her fingers running through his soft, scarlet red hair as she listens to Lucia speak..

“Maria...Will you help to train Reilus?”

Maria's expression remains neutral as she contemplates the question that was asked of her, eyes closing and her breathing slowing down to a crawl, Barely any movement was seen from her as she remained still. Save for her chest which rose and fell in an even pace, her hand remaining atop Reilus's head, who keeps looking at her, the confusion evident on his face as he blinks a couple of times as she finally opens her eyes and turns her head to look at him, rubbing his head once more with her hand and musing up his hair as she smile at him and speaks.

“I will...Only if you want me to Reilus. You should have some choice in this after all kiddo.”

As Maria takes her hand off of his head, Reilus just stares at her, his hair a mess and a few bangs falling near his eyes and blinks a couple of times before looking up at Red, who only floats above him and sways a bit before he slowly drifts down and rests himself on Reilus's lap and twists side to side as he gets comfortable, nary a sound made from him as Reilus just sighs and looks back at Maria.

“Will...I become as strong as you and Sir Redgrave, Aunty Hohen?”

“Under my training Reilus? Of course!” Maria says with pride.

“...What about mom?” Reilus asks

“Well, you are the champion Reilus, so sure.” Maria answers.

“...What about you wisp?” Reilus asks while looking down at the Shadow Devil in his lap, who answer without any hesitation.

“Hey, we're partners now and forever kid, so whatever you decide, I'll go along with it.”

Reilus blinks a couple of times as Red's words register in his head, a small shiver running up his spine as he feels the stares of everyone in the room on him, an act that only causes him to close his own eyes as a single thought ran through his mind

“I...want to do this...to find the person who attacked mother and father...who attacked me...Who killed father...”

That one thought was all it took for Reilus to finally open his eyes, turn his head left and look at Maria straight on. A flicker of light, amber gold in color, shines in his eyes, something that does not go unnoticed by Maria, who only looks back at him as a grin slowly creeps on her face. Confidence and conviction builds up in him as he takes a deep breath and speaks with no hesitation in his voice as he does so.

“Aunty Hohen...I do want you to train me. I want to be a Shadow Knight who is as strong as mother and any before the Trinity and the champions before me...Please Aunty Hohen.”

Maria's grin could not get any bigger as she raised her right arm, flattened her palm and slapped Reilus on the back, him lurching forward a tad as the small feeling of pain coursed through him before subsiding as quickly as it came.

“Reilus, by the time I'm done with you, you'll be giving both Cecilia Staddart and Dynas Breda a run for their money!” Maria says with pride in her voice as she smiles at the young boy beside her and much to their delight, Inalla and Lucia smiled as well at Reilus's shown conviction. Silence again starts to permeate the room once again, only for a low growl to interrupt it, with all stares falling on the one person whom it could have came from. Reilus himself looks down as the low growl sounds again, him staring down at his stomach as a slight twinge comes over him, with Red floating over to Reilus's belly and leaning in close as the growl comes out again.

“Heh! Sounds like you're hungry there kid!” Red says with a laugh as Reilus looks up at the others in the room and gives a nervous smile while rubbing his stomach with his left hand with the laughter erupting from the others in the room, both human and Shadow Devil, only seconds later. The laughter quickly dies down as Lucia shakes her head, letting a small smile form on her lips as she spoke.

“Well then, I think we can remedy that. Maria, since you're the fastest of us, could you go inform the cooks in the kitchen to prepare a little meal for our champion?”

“Was going to do that myself anyway, but since you asked, I'll take care of it.” Maria replies with a grin as she looks back at Lucia.

“And Lord Inalla, since you wish to speak to me, we shall do so in the old meeting room we use.” Lucia says while looking over at Inalla, who nods at the queen while speaking herself.

“Oh and if possible, could you get Kiala and Bertram come as well? The matters I need to speak to you about concern both of them as well.”

“Of course. Phantom, if you would, could you inform General Kiala and Bishop Bertram where to meet me?”

“Of course Lucia. It'll be a bit to get the bishop, but it will happen.”

No sooner had Phantom said those words did he float towards the door and without missing a beat, phased through it without any trouble at all, Lucia and Inalla shortly following before stopping at the door itself and looking back at Reilus, Lucia, Red and Reginald, Inalla giving a small wave as Lucia smiled at them before opening the door and leaving the room itself. Maria just chuckles to herself before finally standing up and looking down at Reilus, a smile creeping on her face as she once again rubbed the young boys head, mussing up his hair once again as she spoke.

“Sure you'll be okay for a bit without me Reilus?”

“I'll be fine Aunty Hohen. I have the wisp here with me so I'll be okay.” Reilus said with a grin as Red just sighed to himself, not wanting to say anything for once and just remaining where he is, even as Reginald chuckled at the sight before looking over at Maria.

“Well Maria, I say that you can handle getting Reilus here some food while I get the maids in gear and put them to work for once getting the young man some clothing. Can't have him running around naked after all.” Reginald says, which elicits a nod from Maria as she rubs Reilus on the head one more time before smiling at him and turning towards the door, but she heads out, she stops at the entrance, looks back at Reilus once more, who had followed her movements with his eyes and had turned to look at her as she looks back at him before flashing him a grin, one which he returned and finally left the room, Reginald right behind her as she closed the door completely.

Reilus continued to watch the door as his slowly disappeared, leaving a tired expression on his face as he turns his head and looks down at Red, not a single word leaving his lips as he stared down at both the sheets covering him and the Shadow Devil in his lap, who also remained silent as he sat in his spot, but only a few seconds passed by before a single whisper escaped Reilus's lips.

“Wisp...Thank you...”

“For what kid?” Red whispered back.

“For...helping me out back there with Aunty Hohen. I...I just don't want to talk about that incident right now. I can remember some things that happened but I just don't-”

“Kid. Shut up okay? You don't wanna talk about it, then don't. No need to hurt yourself trying to talk about something that you're not ready to talk about so... Yeah.”

“...Thank you anyway wisp.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever kid. You're my partner which means I gotta look out for ya and I expect you to look out for me as well okay?”

“...You got it wisp.” Reilus says as a soft smile forms on his face, something that Red just chuckles at as he twists and turns on the young boy's lap once again, the blankets and sheets wrinkling and adjusting their form from his movements. Reilus remains still as he looks down at Red and blinks, the latter letting a sigh of content escape him, but shifts backward slightly, letting him look up at Reilus and specifically, his eyes, a sound similar to a whistle coming out as he stares at the young boy's eyes and after a moment, decides to be serious and speak.

“So kid...How ya liking your new eyes kid? They look kinda creepy with the black sclera and all, but the amber gold does give ya some light.”

“...My eyes? What did you say about my eyes wisp?” Reilus questions.

“You heard me kid. Your eyes aren't normal at all. If you wanna see, the mirror is right over there on that dresser.”

Reilus only looks at Red as his eyes narrow before looking over at the dresser on the far wall on his left side, with a small sigh escaping his lips as he slowly slides himself to the edge of the bed before finally moving from under the covers and planting his feet onto the cold stone floor, a shiver running up his body as he does so. Another series of movements later and he was completely off the bed, standing up with nary a bit of cloth on his body as he slowly makes his way over to the dresser, step by little step till he was finally there, discovering that the object itself wasn't too tall for him to stand in front of.

Chalking that up to his height, Reilus looks at the mirror and grimaces as the dust blocks his vision and with only a few quick motions, takes his hand and wipes the dust off the mirror itself...and is greeted by his own reflection staring right back at him, new eyes and all. He flinches upon seeing his eyes and steps back, mouth agape, and blinks a couple of times as he steps back forward and looks at his reflection again, staring straight at the eyes of his other before a heavy sigh escapes his lips. Even as Red floats over to his right shoulder, he never stops staring at his reflection's eyes and remains quiet as Red speaks up.

“What's up kid? Your eyes freaking you out that much?”

“...Somewhat wisp.” Reilus says, shaking his head a couple of times while closing his eyes, then pinching his left cheek, letting out a small yelp as the quick and sharp pain courses through his cheek before sighing and staring back at his reflection, his expression neutral.

“My eyes are weird but...It's even weirder that I'm alive right now and that four years have past since that day...”

“Kid, you were near death when you were brought to our little home in the realm of the Shadow Devil's and were going to die had I not stepped up. You're alive right now and while it's gonna take some adjustment to being able and moving, it shouldn't be too hard since I'm here with ya. Plus you got that Maria woman with ya as well along with...Reginald, so don't go thinking you're alone. Also, you should be proud of those eyes! Makes you look dashing and powerful, especially for a squirt like you!”

The movement of Reilus's head as he turned and looked at Red was slow moving, all most at a snails pace before his eyes finally locked onto Red's body, an eyebrow raised as the Shadow Devil just chuckled to himself. The dreariness filling the room slowly disappears as Reilus himself starts to chuckle along with Red, whom chuckles louder and in seconds, both are laughing it up at Red's own words. For a time, the only sound in the room is their laughter, after a few seconds of fits, both begin to calm down, their laughter turning into giggles that slowly turned into nothing more than light and happy sighs as the two just stare at each, a smile forming on Reilus's face as he speaks.

“Wisp...Thanks for that. I...think I really needed to just laugh a bit after everything that's happened.”

“Heh! Not a problem Rei. I'm your partner so I gotta look out for ya and all...and speaking of looking out, I think you should get back in the bed unless you want someone coming in here and seeing your naked ass.”

Looking down at his naked body, a a red tint appeared on Reilus's cheeks and with only a quick nod to Red, quickly turns and skitters back to the bed and immediately gets under the covers, opting to lay down instead of sitting up. Head resting on the pillow, Reilus looks up at the ceiling even as Red floats over to him and sets himself right next to his head on the right side, looking up at the ceiling as well or as best as a Shadow Devil could look up, both staying silent with nary a word escaping from either of them.

“...Wisp?” Reilus asks while still looking up.

“What is it kid?” Red answers.

“I only just met you...but I think we can become good partners...and sorry about shaking you.”

“Heh. Sure kid and sorry about that hit I gave you on the noggin...You think you're ready for whatever is gonna be thrown at us?”

“I don't know...But I think I can be ready if I have you by my side...Red.”

“You called me by my name...Well I'll be damned! Heh! I'll be with ya no matter what and you won't find a better partner than me Reilus!”

Turning his head to meet the Shadow Devil with his eyes, Reilus gives Red a soft smile, something that makes Red just chuckle at the sight before the two stare back up at the ceiling, content to wait for Maria's return, the air around the room less hostile as the two let out a happy sigh at the same time, both wondering where their partnership will take them, but shaking it off once they look at each other once again and softly laugh while actually enjoying the others company.

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Far away, outside of the dimension of the Shadow Kingdom and across the world itself, through forests, plains and cities alike, all the way to the interior of the Demon Realm and straight to the castle in the heart of it, right into the halls of the Demon Lord's abode, black stones around and red carpet on the floor made up the rather large interior of the hallway. Farther down the hall lie a set of large, black metal doors, standing tall and completely shut,with ornate designs on the doors themselves in the shape of a woman holding up the world itself in her hands.

A young woman, past the brink of womanhood, looking to be in her early twenties, and about five feet, six inches in height, stands in front of the door itself, her long, silver hair reaching down to her lower back, her long black horns jutting and reaching from the back of her head and curving along to the top and her bat like wings starting from her lower back, similar to her hair in color, spread out as she stretches before furling back and inward. Her silver colored tail gently sways side to side, it reaching to the floor as the spade shaped tip gently scrapes against the carpet itself and as she finally lets out a low sigh, it stops swaying and remains still.

Small, heart shaped earrings dangle from her pointed ears, the ruby red color of the earrings themselves contrasting her smooth and slightly pale white skin and in comparison, nearly matching her blood red eyes, the left eye visible while the right is covered by her hair that juts down and curves out, neatly covers the right side of her face. As she remains still in front of the door, her clothing, completely black in color, shows off her toned figure completely, the material sticking to her like a second skin as the jacket/body suit covers most of her top half, from her shoulders to her arms and hands, with two small coattails hanging from the back and the material on her arms.

From the back, it would look like a regular cloak, which ends once she does a small twirl, showing off that the cloak in question opens up near her bust, leaving her cleavage open for all to see as the body suit covers the sides of her firm breasts, small enough to avoid hampering her movement, but big enough for a handful with some room left over, along with a small button connecting her suit just below and leaving her firm stomach completely bare and on her bottoms, a set of latched suspenders reaching down and around the curves of her hips, covering up her woman hood and holding her bottoms in place. Legs apart a few inches away shows her stocking, color and material the same as her outfit, starting just above her knees and ending down to her ankles, leading to the deep brown coverings on her feet, acting as her foot wear as it stretches out when she instinctively flexes her toes.

“A light twirl just for fun...Cause that's all the fun I'm going to have before I walk in there. Why did I let Sarah convince me to come back after a year of being away?”

The woman sighs to herself as she tries to shake off the bad feeling welling in her stomach, her wings and tail following her own feelings as they instinctively twitch at the prospect of why she's here in the Demon Lord's castle and why she's standing in front of this particular door. Closing her eyes, she begins a series of slow, deep breaths, in and out, one right after the other, her chest slowly rising then falling as a small, yet noticeable swirl of energy, purple in color, forms a silhouette around her whole body. Thin in layer, the newly formed aura sticks completely to her body, acting as another layer of skin that refuses to budge or waver as her breathing continues to flow, the the small amount of tension in her body that she could get rid of leaving her and helping to make her more relaxed as she whispered.

“Come on Xentheria. Your a Lilim for goodness sake. It's just a talk with mother and father is all. Just try to avoid getting into another argument with mother and you'll be fine...That's what Sarah told you and that's what you're going to do, no matter how much you and mother don't get along. I just hope that this is a good idea.”

A heavy sigh escapes Xentheria's mouth as her aura dissipates and her eyes finally open, staring once again at the door in front of er, the mental efforts made to psyche herself up doing only little to prepare her for what's about to happen as she lifts her arms and presses her palms against the door itself while putting her weight on the door, the creek of the hinges sounding loudly before giving way. Pushing forward, the doors begin to open slowly, inch by inch until finally they open completely and with an effort to appear friendly, she puts on her best smile as she announces herself to all in the room.

“Mother...Father...I'm home!”

With the door open, the room inside finally comes into Xentheria's view, the familiar sight of the large and luscious bed on the far wall, black satin sheets laying cleanly on it for once along with the pillows fluffed up and unused, with special black framed rods adorning the sides and top of the bed itself. All around the walls of the room itself are many tapestries, each hanging high up and back on the ground, the smooth red carpet spanning the entire ground of the large area itself. As Xentheria looks away from the bed and begins scanning the room, a voice, both feminine and regal, catches her ears to her left.

“What do you mean you're pulling your alliance Ryong?”

Staying near the doors, Xentheria kept looking to her left, the sight of the candles burning about and giving more light to the room as the sight of rows of the smooth, wooden bookcases with many tomes stacked up neatly lining the left wall comes into her view. Slowly she scans the bookcases themselves, her visible eye moving at a brisk pace till her vision finally falls on a figure standing a few feet away from the wall itself, back completely to Xentheria.

Even with her back turned, Xentheria could still feel the aura of power and sexuality emanating from the female figure in her vision. Hair of silver just like her own fell waist deep, resting against the long, floor length black cape currently wrapped around the figures body, large, black horns jutting from the back of her head and curving up and around her cranium, along with a second pair that formed their base just above the base of her long pointed ears, showing off her pale white skin tone and flowed forward while curving upwards. Even though she wasn't facing her, Xentheria knew exactly who the figure standing away from her was and cringed at the sight of the person in question as another voice, feminine and soft in tone, permeated the room.

“It is exactly as I have said Demon Lord. As of today, you will no longer have the support of my people in any of your future endeavors.”

“Ryong...May I ask why you have made such a decision?” The Demon Lord asks, her voice taking on a more curious and questioning tone as the voice of Ryong speaks again.

“Is it not obvious? For the past few years my people have been seeing more attacks since our alliance than we have before hand. The soldiers you sent here to protect us have only provoked attacks from the anti monster clans in the area who have taken the increased numbers as a sign that we are mounting an assault...Not to mention how your soldiers actually act.”

“And what's wrong with them showing their expressions of love and freedom Ryong?”

“Nothing at all Demon Lord, except that instead of actively defending my people, they spend more of their days rutting about like common dogs! I like the union between humans and monsters, but when it comes to the safety of my people, the ones whom I count on defending us are not doing their jobs. Not to mention how the ones who aren't wed have been seen hunting for men in our area and at the borders, something that could very easily start a conflict that we don't want Demon Lord. Just how much control do you have over your own soldiers?”

“I have more than enough control over them Ryong and if you would give me the chance to exert it then I will make sure that they do what it is I tell them to do and what you tell them to do.”

Xentheria watched and waited as the voice of Ryong went silent for a moment, with only the rising and falling of the Demon Lord's breathing as she also waits for Ryong's answer to her query. Both would not have to wait long as after only moments of deliberation, Ryong's voice could be heard once more, but instead of her more soft tone, another took it's place, a tone more of skepticism and defiance.

“You promised me the same thing before Demon Lord and things did not change. Do not believe that your position gives your people the right to not conduct themselves and put my own people in more danger than before. I will be cutting our alliance and you will be getting every last one of your soldiers out of my territory as I can no longer have faith in your ability to protect us. Maybe in the future, when you've learned how to properly control your people, we can reform our alliance, but until then, I will find others who will protect us in our time of need and be able to do their job so the ones who worship and look to me for guidance can sleep easily at night.”

“And who, exactly, would be more qualified to protect your people than my knights of the Demon Realm, Ryong?”

“The knights of the Shadow Kingdom. I have heard the rumors about their prowess and they have proven themselves able to protect those whom they are allied with.”

“You mean to have talks with them Ryong!?” The Demon Lord responds as her frustration begins to grow at the mention of the Shadow Kingdom. Ryong however, is not deterred as she answers the Demon Lord, her voice calm, regal...and full of regret.

“Yes I do Demon Lord...Which means that this is good bye. I hope that this will not be the final time we talk and that you can see why I have made my choice...But if it is the final time, then I will only wish you the best of luck in the future. Farewell Demon Lord.”

Just like that, with one single proclamation, Ryong's voice fell silent, leaving the Demon Lord to stare down at the ground as a small orb lands on the carpet with a muffled thud and rolls off to the side for only a second before finally stopping a few inches away from the Demon Lord's feet. She remained still and tried to control her building anger as her aura slowly seeps out into the room, the torches placed around flickering brightly before slowly losing their light, the air around the room growing heavier with each passing second. Sensing the coming fury and the pure power emanating from the Demon Lord, Xentheria takes a deep breath and while bracing herself against the heavy air, speaks out in as cheerful voice as she can manage.

“Mother! The baby of the family is home!”

Xentheria waited with bated breath as the Demon Lord's long and pointed ears twitched upon registering the voice of her daughter, the dense feeling of the air leaving and the aura the succubus queen had dissipating as she quickly turns around to see her daughter with her own blood red eyes. Not a blemish, nor a mark stained the Demon Lord's face as her features turned from frustration to confusion as her hands shifted beneath the cloak. Waiting still, Xentheria took two steps in the room and towards her mother, her lips shifting open slightly as she began to speak, only for her mouth to remain silently open as she felt a pair of arms wrap around her body and pull her into a hug.

Xentheria, not expecting her mothers sudden embrace, stiffens upon feeling the contact of her mothers body against hers, the familiar feel of the smooth, metallic material of her breast plate brushing against her skin and the soft, yet durable cloth of the cape wrapping itself around her as she slowly accepts the embrace of her mother. She returns the embrace by wrapping her arms around her mother and resting her head in the crook of the Demon Lord's neck, a content sigh leaving her lips as she feels her mother slowly and gently rub her back with her left hand.

For a few moments, mother and daughter embrace each other, enjoying the sight and touch of the other till finally and with great reluctance, the Demon Lord slowly lets go of Xentheria, whom also lets go and looks up at her mother, remembering that the Demon Lord was indeed a few inches taller than her, and smiles warmly. The Demon Lord steps back, only an inch or two, and brings her hands up to Xentheria's face, cupping her cheeks with her hands, the metallic gauntlets, light purple in color, shining from the light and feeling cool against the Lilim's skin.

Xentheria doesn't move an inch as she looks on at her mothers face, the face of a loving parent filling her vision, along with that of a woman of unrivaled beauty. Skin as smooth as silk with not a blemish in sight except for a single beauty mark on her left cheek, a face angular in structure and a small, blood red diamond etched on her forehead. The Demon Lord's lips, kissable and light pink, part slightly as she leans forward and plants a single light kiss on Xentheria's forehead, holding her position only for a second before finally leaning away, looking down at her daughter and speaking out to her.

“Xentheria, darling. It's good to see you again.”

“It's good to see you too mother.” Xentheria replies sincerely, the smile on her face never leaving as she continues to stare up at her mother, wondering if she should say anything else...and if she should say anything about her mother still holding onto her cheeks.

“Um...Can you let go of me please?” Xentheria asks, clearly feeling a little uncomfortable with her mother still holding onto her face, which only gets a chuckle from her mother as she finally lets go and takes a step away from the Lilim while once again wrapping her cape around her body, keeping herself from view as she smiles at her daughter.

“It's been a year since I've last seen you Xentheria. You really can't blame a mother for acting this way around her daughter after something like that.”

“Yes, I do understand mother.”

Xentheria would not admit it outright, but even she understood just what her mother meant and her feelings on the matter of her absence for the past year, the very thought creeping back into her mind as to just why she left in the first place. Shaking those thoughts from her head, the Lilim looks towards her mother, a brief thought of why her cape was wrapped around her body entering that disappears just as quickly as it came, and looks past the Demon Lord towards the fallen orb on the ground, her attention turned to it only for a second before looking right back at her mother.

“So...who were you talking to mother?” Xentheria says with a smile as she tries to feign ignorance, knowing exactly what had happened just moments earlier between her mother and the voice of Ryong.

“Just some business with a now former ally Xentheria” says the Demon Lord as an exasperated sigh escapes her lips.

“Another one? Who left this time mother.?”

“Ryong, leader of the northern province of Zipangu and all the pro monster states that reside within it.”

“Ryong...She's the Ryu that did you a favor a few years ago, isn't she mother?”

“The same Xentheria.” Was all the Demon Lord said at the moment as she turned her back to Xentheria and made her way to the bed in front of her, her steps swift and nearly floatless before reaching the padded mattress moments later. Xentheria watches her mother turn around and, with a slight adjustment of her cape around her legs, sit down on bed itself, her smooth legs hanging over the edge, showing off the light purple and metallic boots that reach up to her upper thighs. The Demon Lord only sighs as her eyes close, silently mulling over Ryong's words to her and her loss of an alliance, so much so that she barely registers that the doors to the room had been shut, the light thud filling her ears and causing her eyes to slowly open, the sight of Xentheria's back to her bringing about a sigh of relief.

“Thank you Xentheria” The Demon Lord responds as Xentheria turns around to face her, the Lilim giving her mother a quick nod before she makes her way over to the bed and taking a seat, the soft cushions and blankets feeling rather nice against her bottom. Resting on the Demon Lord's right side and so relaxed Xentheria was feeling that she never noticed the sudden soft, yet leathery feeling of wings, similar to her own in both color and shape, wrapping around her shoulder and waist. Her body flinches from the sudden contact of her mothers wings on her body as she turns her head and looks at the lord succubus herself, who only smiles warmly at her daughter before gently nudging her to move closer.

Xentheria hesitates for a moment, unsure of whether to get closer to her mother at the very moment, but for her mother's sake as she rationalizes, she scoots just a little closer, hands on her legs as she feels her shoulder touch her mothers own, the latter not only wanting to happen, but encouraging more as she adds her arm to the process by wrapping it around her daughters should, just under her own wing, and with an even bigger smile than before, lets her own voice out as she speaks.

“Let's put that bit of unpleasantness behind us for now Xentheria. Now then, how was your time at the Del Rizer mansion? Good I hope?”

“Oh it was excellent mother. A good place to get my head clear and Sarah's servants are friendly as all ways.”

“That's good to hear Xentheria. The people of the Del Rizer clan have all ways been good to us when it came to our alliances.”

“That is true mother. Not only that, but Sarah also taught me a few things while I was there. Here, let me show you.”

Without waiting for her mother to answer, Xentheria wiggles her way out of the Demon Lord's grasp and stands up while slowly moving away from her before finally stopping a few feet away from the bed itself. With a turn, Xentheria faces the Demon Lord and closes her eyes, breathing slowed to a crawl and arms held at her side. Her wings twitch as she begins to gather energy in her body, the deep hue of her aura slowly seeping out and around her.

Xentheria raises her arms and brings her hands out in front of her, fingers bent as if she was gripping an object that wasn't there, a tingling running up her body as she does so. Her aura forms around her chest, then begins to flow to her arms, the energy starting to crackle as it moves along till finally, it stops on her hands. The aura bursts out as the energy forms into purple lightening that cracks on her hands, then flows within the space in-between her digits, the air gaining an electrifying tingle as the Lilim keeps her concentration on the slow forming sphere of lightening.

This rise in power and change in the air does not go unnoticed by the Demon Lord, her eyes widening at the display of power and control that her youngest daughter is showing, a smile slowly forming on her face as the shock wears away and is slowly replaced with one of interest. The lightening ball in Xentheria's hand continues to expand, the sides eventually coming into contact with her hands and her instincts taking over as she holds onto it. The strain on her body begins to lessen and she visibly relaxes as her eyes open, the lightening ball emitting a low glow as the inside crackles with power. Her attention however, turns away from the ball in her hand to her mother when she hears the latter chuckle at the sight of the sphere itself.

“Elemental manipulation. So you have been learning something new Xentheria.”

“Heh. Well I have to learn something besides seduction techniques mother as those won't protect me from a sword to my stomach by trained human soldier.”

“Really Xentheria, you sell yourself short. No human alive could resist the charm of a monster, especially my own daughter.” The Demon Lord says while shaking her head.

“Oh it would surprise you just how strong and tenacious humans can be mother and just how powerful they can become.” Xentheria replies back, the orb in her hands slowly breaking apart, then dissipating as she crosses her arms over her chest while attempting and failing, to keep a scowl from forming on her face.

“I remember the Shadow Knights showing all of us what happens when monsters underestimate the strength and prowess of humans in general.”

At this comment, the Demon Lord stopped any movement of her body, eyes narrowed as she stares at her daughter, wondering why she made such a comment in the first place. With a dismissive wave of her, she opts to speak again, holding back any annoyance at the statement in general.

“Please do not mention the Shadow Knight's in my presence again Xentheria. After what they, I hardly think that speaking about them in anything close to a positive light is wise.”

Xentheria resists the urge to roll her eyes at her mother's statement, her wings twitching ever so slightly as her annoyance towards her mothers dismissive attitude grows with every passing moment.

“Why is that mother? Is it because they prove that not all humans are weak or is it because they didn't like that your forces invaded their territory, fought back and won, sending your soldiers home with many dead and quite a few injured in the process?”

“...I see you are still naive enough to think that what happened in the war was the fault of my forces when the Shadow knights invaded one of our forts just to get back a single soldier.”

“So capturing a soldier and not giving him back after his kingdom opens talks of negotiations for the return of said knight is okay mother? The whole war itself could have been avoided had you given the knight back in the first place.”

“While letting the Shadow kingdom do what they will? I was preventing them from letting any of their forces just walk into our territories and doing whatever they wanted to Xentheria, even if it meant showing then the might of the Demon realm.”

Xentheria could feel it, the rising anger towards her mother, the same feelings of old that she could remember when they talked on the same subject a year ago. Her wings once again twitch as she closes her eyes, brow furrowing and a frustrated sigh escaping her lips.

“The might of the Demon Realm? Mother, you found a way into their dimension and had your forces take down a couple of forts and that amounted to nothing because when the invasion force met the Shadow knights in battle, it was a complete route. Many monsters died between the time our invasion forces were stopped to the loss of the forts we had to fight just to take in the first place and eventually the lose of nearly all the monsters that had been apart of the army.”

Xentheria kept her eyes closed as she let the information she spoke of sink into the Demon Lord's mind, her exact words striking a cord within the succubus lord as she fights to keep herself calm. Aura slowly seeping out, the Demon Lord moves her mouth, trying to speak up, only to be interrupted by Xentheria, while speaks as she opens her eyes and glares at her mother.

“The might of the Demon Realm is a complete and utter joke! Countless monsters died in that war and for what reason!? Because their lord couldn't swallow her damn pride!? Their lord couldn't put her arrogance aside and actually think about just who she was messing with!? Really mother, you are so arrogant and can't stand being wrong that you couldn’t see the truth in front of you that the invasion was a lost cause! You underestimated the Shadow Kingdom and because of that, the deaths of thousands of monsters rests on your soldiers!”

Xentheria takes in a deep breath, her own aura expanding around her, the lightening element of her power crackling about as well as she continues to glare at her mother and speak once more, making sure that there is as much venom in her voice as possible.

“You want to know the worst of all this? The worst is that your arrogance trickled down to my older sisters. You, who so believes she's right in her goals to unite the humans and monsters as one race under your eyes and you, so high after Lescatie's fall years before, let one of your own daughters lead the charge...and lead her to her own fate at the blade of the Shadow Kingdom when they finally took their last fort back. She was as arrogant as you are and she paid for it with her life...and it's all your fault mother for letting it happen. Your fault...Your fault that my sister is dead!”

The air both inside the room and outside grew heavy as the Demon Lord suddenly got to her feet and strode across the room towards Xentheria, who only stood her ground as her mother stopped a few feet away from her, her anger reaching it's peak as she rears her right arm back and shoots it forward. The sound of metal hitting flesh was deafening as the Demon Lord slaps Xentheria across the face, her head snapping to the side and her body flinching from the force of the blow.

Xentheria remains still even as a small tear falls from her left eye, the sting of the blow remaining and her body never moving. The Demon Lord takes her hand back to her side, wrapping her cape around her body once again, her calm voice betraying her rising fury.

“That's enough Xentheria. Do you really think that I am happy that one of my own children is dead? Do you honestly believe that her death does not weigh heavily on me? You are wrong Xentheria and I don't ever want to hear you say something like that again. Elena is dead and nothing will ever change that, but that does not mean that the Shadow Kingdom is innocent in their crimes against use and the fact that you defend them despite them being responsible for the death of your sister disappoints me.”

Xentheria's eyes widen at her mother's words, the feeling of betrayal welling up inside her and on her mind. She turns her head and body around, ever so slowly, till she is finally standing upright and staring right at her mother, who has chosen to turn her back to her daughter. Xentheria's aura grows, then flows down to her hands as she slowly balls them into fists, lightening energy slowly gathering around them and her own anger reaching it's boiling point.

Neither woman realize that the doors to the room had begun to slowly open nor did either one care as the Demon Lord spoke for the final time.

“Now please...Leave my sight Xentheria. You are my daughter, but I will not tolerate you talking to me as you did again. If you do, then you will be punished for your actions against the ruler of the Demon Realm. Now leave.”

Xentheria's eyes widen at her mother's blatant dismissal of her own daughter and the threat that was made against her should she speak as she did again. Shocked she was by her mother that she never noticed that a figure had entered the doors behind her; however, she did care as her anger tipped over, her knuckles cracking as she glares at her mother before charging at her back. Right arm raised, Xentheria skids to a stop as she rears her arm back, the crackling of energy around her filling the ears of all those who could hear and feel it, and thrusts her arm forward.

Her every intention was to hit her mother, but found arm stopped in it's tracks as the figure moves in front of her mother and blocks her punch with his weapon, a black steel claymore, six feet in length, with a blade four feet in width. Blocking her fist, the figure pours spirit energy into his blade, the dark blue aura bursting out and blowing away Xentheria's own aura and herself in the process. Xentheria flies back, her feet skidding against the ground as she slowly comes to a halt near the entrance of the door itself and looks at the familiar figure standing in front of her.

The figure stands a head taller than her mother, his more tanned red skin contrasting the Demon Lord's, his jet black hair clean and pressed back along with his blood red eyes, small and held in a stoic expression, with slightly pointed ears. His clothing or what there is of it, consists of a black, short sleeve vest that is open completely, letting his muscled figure show off for all those to see, his wool pants, black in color as well, were thick, flowing down to his legs where his black, leather boots stood covering his feet.

Th man only takes a second to look back at the Demon Lord as she kept her back to both him and Xentheria, then looks back at the young Lilim and harshly sighs to himself as he finally decides to speak out to her, voice low and stoic.

“Xentheria...It is good to see you again.”

“Likewise...father.” Xentheria says as she looks at her father.

“...And I see you and your mother have gotten reacquainted once again...And I think you need to leave and cool down for a little while Xentheria”

“F-Father!?” Xentheria says and is about to speak again when her father holds his free hand up, stopping her from saying a word as he closes his eyes and speaks once again.

“Xentheria...You just made an attempt to attack your mother. I do not know why, but I will not stand here and let my wife and my daughter fight each other when today should be a day we should be celebrating. So please, leave us alone for a while and cool down yourself so we can talk about what happened much later, okay?”

Xentheria continues to stare at her father as the realization that he wasn't going to budge hit her. Still feeling angry at her mother, she turns and walks out of the room, stopping just at the entrance and without turning around, makes one more statement.

“I knew it was a mistake to come back.” Was all she said as she finally exits the room, leaving her mother and father behind, not once caring about what she had said as she makes her way down the dark hall, fists still clenched, tail waving in the air and the sting of her mothers slap remaining on her face.

Anyone who saw Xentheria pass by automatically knew just how angry she was, her aura being felt by many of the monsters as she finally made her way outside, the bright purple sky filling the air and the sun, peeking through the dark mist, shines down on the courtyard. Filled to the brim with small shrubs of dubious origins, with small, black roses growing out, along with a small, stone path flowing forward and curving about around the rather large fountain with a naked succubus holding an ordinate jar that lets the water flow from inside down into the depths of the fountain itself. Surrounding the outside of the circular stone path are small benches made of smooth marble, of which various couples were sitting at, going about their business or starting a different kind of business of their own with their lover.

This was not to last as Xentheria made her way along the path, her aura slowly crackling around her as the other people in the area take notice and begins to move away from her, some scrambling off the benches as fast as they can just to put some distance between them and her. Eyes straight, she finally stops at a bench facing the front of the statue and sits down, crossing her arms over her chest as the cool stone comes into contact with her shapely bottom. Eyes closed, she lets out a harrowed sigh as she tries to calm herself down, her aura slowly dissipating. Only moments later does she feel herself calm and her aura dissipate completely, much to the relief of those who had not cleared out of the area.

Whispers could be heard as those who had remained talked amongst themselves while taking peeks at Xentheria, who had remained still in her seat as the murmurs reached her ears. The people around her started to go back to their dealings, feeling that it was safe to do so, when they felt Xentheria's aura once again flare up, the lightening crackling around her body as she slowly opens her eyes and looks around at those who remained. Various monsters flinch at the sight and grab onto their husbands best they can before either slithering, running or flying away, clearing the courtyard and leaving the Lilim on her own.

She sighs once again as her aura dies down and looks at the ground, the gray stone coming into her sight as her arms leave her chest, hands falling and resting flat on her legs. Keeping to herself, she only lets the sound of water rushing break the silence of the courtyard and the dull throbbing of her cheek occupy her mind. Her hand lifts up and gently caresses her left cheek, the sting dull, yet still felt by her as she flinches from her touch, but continues on, rubbing her cheek as her left eye gently shuts.

“Guess that proves that I should not have come home after all.” Xentheria whispers to herself as she continues to rub her cheek, her other eye only seeing the strands of her hair as it blocked her vision. The sound of heeled footsteps on the stone grounds filled her ears, causing her to make her aura rise once again, a clear intent that she wanted to be left completely alone. The foot steps however, did not stop until the figure who was making them finally stopped right in front of the Lilim herself. Not wanting to say anything, she let her aura do the talking for her as she lets it flare up once again, her body slowly being covered in a cackle of lightening.

“Now Xentheria. Is that anyway to treat a friend of yours?” The figure says, her voice smooth as silk, yet has a haughty tone hidden within.

“What?” is all Xentheria says as her aura suddenly dissipates upon recognizing the voice of the friend, her eyes opening and looking up at the figure standing in front of her. Lithe in figure and chocolate brown skin. The woman rests her hands on her hips, her rather short, thigh length skirt keeping her bottoms hidden from view, with a short sword held on her hips by a leather bound belt tied to the sheathe, along with a small amount of skin shown between the rest of her thighs and the start of her knee high boots. Even as the woman bends over to look closer at the Lilim, her moderate size bust is kept confined in her leather corset, her dark purple jacket covering the rest of her torso.

Blood red eyes stare into Xentheria's own and a strand of the woman's shoulder long silver hair falls in front of her left eye, prompting her to remove her hand from her waist and brush the strand aside, a rather haughty smile forming on her lips as she speaks out.

“Really Xentheria. I can see that you are angry, but no need to threaten me of all people.”

“Leona? I thought that Sarah gave you orders to return after seeing me arrive safely?” Xentheria asks, the confusion evident on her face.

“She did, but she also gave me another order as well. I'm to keep an eye on you Xentheria because Lady Del Rizer was worried that your homecoming was going to go sour...and it appears that she was right in that regard.”

“...You could tell huh?”

“I know a slap mark when I see it Xen.” Leona responds as she gently places her hand on Xentheria's left cheek, the Lilim wincing from the touch as the pain in her cheek surges again. Leona's gaze remained on her as she gently caressed her cheek, a gentle smile forming on her face as she finally stops and stands upright, confusing Xentheria until the Dark Elf moves to her left side and sits down on the bench beside her.

“So what happened Xentheria? Leona asks.

“...Just the usual Leona. Things started off fine when mother saw me, we shared a hug and I even got the chance to show her the new skills I learned. Then the issue of the humans came up and the Shadow Kingdom soon followed. You can guess what happened after that.”

“Hmm...Your mother is still angry about the death of the fifth and you blamed her didn't you?”

“Why do you think she slapped me?” Xentheria retorts, her lips contorting into a grin even though she tried to avoid it, something that caught Leona's notice as her left eyebrow arched itself.

“I can see that you are feeling a little better if you can revel in pushing your mother that far.”

“Please don't say it like that Leona. I don't revel in it, but someone has to let mother know that her actions have caused a great amount of strife, and with the exception of one particular monster, others won't say a word about it.”

“Hmm. I wouldn't say that Xen.” Leona says as Xentheria turns her head, stares right at her and blinks twice before speaking again.

“What do you mean Leona?”

“What I mean is that not all monsters have not been silent on the Demon Lord's actions. There have been quite a few who have refused her help because they can see the weakness of her power. Lady Del Rizer is one of them.”

“Wait, Sarah!?” Xentheria yells out, causing Leona to place a single finger on her lips, keeping her mouth closed as she speaks again.

“Yes Xen. I'm surprised that the Lady never told you...and keep your voice down will you?” Leona says as she removes her finger from Xentheria's lips, who instinctively licks her lips afterwards and speaks again.

“Sorry Leona...Now what do you mean about Sarah?”

“It's just as I said Xen. With the exception of you, Lady Del Rizer has turned away any allies of the Demon Lord from the castle, both monsters and incubi. The death of the late Melody Del Rizer, Sarah's sister, during the war with the Shadow Kingdom, along with the Demon Lord's inability to keep her forces from doing their own thing seems to have had a hand in that.”

“I see...Wait, Melody? I remember Sarah mentioning a Melody when we talked sometimes...So Sarah lost her sister like I did and I never knew.”

Xentheria's expression turned somber as she looked away from Leona and held her head down. A low sigh escaping her lips as she thought about the person who took her in a year ago and the situation with her dead sister. Leona, not content to watch her friend feel sorry for herself, wraps her arm around the Lilim's shoulder and pulls her close. Shoulder touches shoulder as the Dark Elf feels her friend flinch from the contact, but relaxes and sighs once again, leading to a tired smile forming on the others face as she deigns to speak, her voice gentle as she gives her friend's shoulder a gentle squeeze.

“The Lady never told you because she did not want you to feel bad for her. You two became so close during the time you stayed with us and she wanted to hold up her image of a strong and noble vampire.”

“...I guess so.”

“...I'm going to tell you two secrets Xentheria, so listen up okay?” Was all Leona asked of Xentheria, who kept her head down, but nodded in silence.

“The first secret...is that Lady Del Rizer sees you as more than a friend. She sees you as family...Like a little sister.”

“What?” Xentheria says, her head lifting up to stare right at Leona as her eyes widen at the revelation. Leona herself just giggles at her friend's shock and gently hugs her with one arm as she speaks again.

“It's true Xen. The Lady thinks of you as her little sister. You should have heard her go on and on about you whenever you weren't around. I swear she nearly talked my pointed ear off when I was teaching you elemental manipulation and just how proud she was of you. You know that she didn't want you to come back home and wanted you to stay, but convinced you to go anyway?”

“I...had no idea, but that would explain why Sarah looked so somber when she convinced me to come home...She was really proud of me when I learned how to channel lightening safely through my body?”

“Yes and yes.” Leona responds with a smile.

“Wow...” Was all Xentheria could say as she falls silent, a small crack of a smile forming on her lips. Leona, understanding that Xentheria was feeling better that ever, leans in close to her ear, a whisper leaving her lips.

“That leads to my second secret. In about two weeks, I will have to return to Lady Del Rizer's mansion to make a report. If things between you and your mother get worse, then she requests that I escort you back...and that you take up permanent residence at the mansion.”

Xentheria's eyes open wide as the words hit her mind, her body remaining still as her head slowly turns, her eyes locking on Leona, who has a smile on her face, gentle, yet knowing of something more.

“...Why?” Xentheria questions.

“Why? It's because Lady Del Rizer remembers how you felt when you first arrived and how sad and defeated you looked. While she did convince you to come back, she did so because she wanted to see if things between you and your mother could be patched up. She hates seeing you that way and does not want you to continue to be in such a state, which is why she sent me to look after you and, in the case of you agreeing, escorting you back to the mansion for a more permanent residence.”

“...But to stay there permanently...”

“Xentheria. How happy have you been here since the death of the fifth?”

Leona's question shocked Xentheria to her core, her mouth hanging open for a second as she tries to formulate an answer. Mouth slowly closing, she gazes down at the ground itself, a low whisper leaving her lips.

“I'm somewhat happy Leona.”

“...I'm not buying it Xentheria. It's has not even been a day since you got back and already you're on bad terms with your mother. Do you really believe that you will be happy if you continue to stay in a place where you are likely to attack your mother when things between the two of you go sour?”

“...I all ready tried to attack mother.” Xentheria responds in a low whisper, something that Leona picks up on and whistles as a response.

“Looks like you've proven my point, but it's still your choice. My Lady did not want me to try and force you to come, but I honestly hope you think about the offer. Remember, you have two weeks to decide my friend...and I do hope that you take mistress up on her offer.”

Leona gives Xentheria one last comforting hug before letting go and rising to her feet. As she begins walking, she takes one last look at her friend as she looks up and smiles, her arm lifting up as she waves at Xentheria whilst calling out to her.

“One more thing! Keep the subject of our talk to yourself please! Don't wanna cause any trouble after all!”

Xentheria continues to watch Leona walk away from her and eventually disappear from the courtyard itself as she re-enters the castle doors to her left. Left by herself, she sighs as the weight of her friend's words fall on her shoulders, slumping in the process. As she lets the question of leaving permanently enter her mind, a single whisper leaves her lips, the question breaking through from her mind to her mouth.

“...Is Leona right? Will I really be happy if I continue to stay here?”
__________________________________________________________________

Unbeknownst to Xentheria, a figure stands up on the balcony looking over the courtyard, her light purple cloak covering her body as she watches the Lilim down below. Hood down, the figure's snow white hair flows down to her shoulders, kept tied in twin braided ponytails that reached behind her head and a light purple halo gently hovers a few inches above. Her face, youthful in look and showing the age of a girl in her late teens, stays in a neutral expression as the light shines off her light purple skin. Eyes maroon in color keep looking down at the young Lilim, watching as she continues to stare into space with her head held down.

The woman's black wings flap once in the air, the feathers falling slightly and floats down to the balcony floor. Her neutral expression slowly forms into a toothy grin as she crosses her arms over her chest, the black gloves on her hands coming into view as she just whispers to herself.

“So the Demon Lord's little brat and Del Rizer's bitch are having a chat all alone...Interesting. Shi will definitely want to know of this little tidbit.”

The woman with black wings lets out a soft chuckle as she begins to turn around and walk back inside the castle, only to be greeted by the sight of another figure slowly walking up to her, the crimson robes hugging tightly to the figures body, showing off her womanly curves, small hips and her medium sized chest. Her silver hair, reaching past her shoulders, sways in the air as she moves, with two braids standing on the outside of her long, pointed ears with a pair of blood red diamond shaped earrings dangling from her lobes, contrasting the paleness of her silky white skin. Two jet black horns jut from the back of her head and curve along her skull, stopping just short of her forehead and on her left horn, a single golden hoop is pierced near the tip, dangling as she finally comes to a stop at the balconies edge and looks down at Xentheria below, her blood red eyes locked in a piercing gaze.

The black winged woman looks over at the other, spotting her silver wings folded and resting at her back and her tail gently swaying in the air, only stopping once she looks back a the woman and bows, her grin slowly disappearing as she speaks.

“Hello Master Shiala. Pleasure seeing you here on this particular balcony.”

“Oh cut the niceties Tyra. We both know that you do not speak that way normally.” The woman known as Shiala says as she continues to stare down at Xentheria, her eyes spotting the young Lilim lifting her head up and gazing at the sky. Tyra only grins as she stands and moves next to Shiala and looks down at Xentheria as well, never once minding that she was shorter than the woman standing next to her, only coming up to her shoulders.

“So Shi, your little brat of a sister is back. How do you feel about that?”

“Lousy. I thought mother drove her off a year ago but apparently the runt of the litter decided to come back.” Shiala says with contempt in her voice, something that Tyra immediately picks up on when she speaks again.

“Still sore about her aren't ya?”

“That much should be obvious.” Shiala responds with a sigh.

“Well then, you'll be happy to know that your little sister and Del Rizer's Drow bitch were having a little chat by themselves.”

“...Oh really?” Shiala asks, looking over at the Dark Angel with an eyebrow raised.

“Yes really. Couldn't hear the best tidbits, but I have a feeling that the Drow is going to be here for a little while and is gonna have more chats with the runt.”

“Lovely. Having my sister and one of Del Rizer's pets here will only distract me from my current plans involving the Shadow Kingdom and those damn Shadow Knights. The last thing I need is seeing her around and having to beat her down once again.”

“Heh! I loved how you slammed her through a wall, then tossed her straight into the dining hall. Gave me some tips on how to kill a few of those Shadow Knights. Not like those guys with their floating balls of crap will be missed. ”

“Yes, they deserve nothing more than death after what they did to my elder sister.” Shiala says as a growl escapes from her lips.

“Getting a little pissy there Shi. Save that for out enemies instead.”

Tyra's words, along with her pressing hand on the Lilim's shoulder, slowly calms her as she takes a deep breath. Letting it out, she looks down at Xentheria, who had finally gotten up and was heading into the castle itself. Seeing this, she can only fixate herself on her sister before looking back at the Dark Angel with a neutral expression on her face.

“Yes, you're right Tyra. It does me no good to let my anger be used now...By the way, how has your wound been?”

“Better than it was four years ago. After the battering that Shadow Knight bitch gave me, I'm actually surprised that I'm still here.”

“You got off light considering it who it was you were fighting that day.”

“You’re right, but damn if that bitch didn't put up a fight, especially after I took out her man and kid. Real fight started then and she was blood thirsty. Hell, despite nearly dying as a result, I was excited to see the bitch fight at full force, like a monster cut loose!” Tyra replied as the grin on her face formed and slowly grew wider.

“Yes...But was it worth losing the entire squad I sent with you just to leave her for dead?”

“You bet it was Shi! The others couldn't keep up and ended up dead in the process. Their lives however, meant that the bitch bled out in an open field somewhere and died knowing she couldn't do a damn thing to save her loved ones. Send shivers down my spine thinking about it!”

“...I'm not sure I entirely agree with you Tyra. I'm having doubts about such actions.” Shiala responds while slowly shrugging off Tyra's hand from her shoulder, her eyes downcast and slowly closing. This however, only got the Dark Angel's ire as she immediately gets in her face, eyes ablaze with a dark light, her voice low and filled with restrained fury.

“Doubts!? Don't even begins to think you can wuss out on me Shi! Remember, you came to me wanting revenge on the Shadow Kingdom for what they did to your sister and I damn sure recall telling you that a lot of monsters and incubi that join you are going to die by the time you complete your mission. You said back then that you were willing to do whatever it takes to kill the Shadow Knights and were willing to use as many lives as it took to do so. Have you lost that nerve!?”

Surprised by Tyra's sudden and brazen actions, Shiala can only remain quiet and still, not wanting to move even an inch otherwise as the thought of revenge versus her own morality took control inside her mind. The anger inside her built as thoughts of her sister being killed by the Shadow Knights came to bare, the very thought that they had escaped punishment for their actions while one of her family lay dead in the ground. Her own, deep black aura slowly came to bare around her body, her eyes glowing red at the prospect of her revenge being stopped because of her own thoughts...Yet that same aura started to die once she thought of the price of getting her revenge.

The thoughts of the monsters whom she recruited came to her mind, her anger slowly dying when she remembered how Tyra looked when she was brought back. A flash of blood on the Dark Angel's back and front flooded her memory and made her flinch as she took a step back. Her rational mind thought of the number of monsters that did not come back from that fight and how Tyra, the one whom she went to herself, nearly died from the fight itself.

Both of these thoughts filled Shiala's mind, but even as her desire for revenge came to the forefront to form her answer for her, her rational mind won out as she looked straight at Tyra, her own aura slowly fading as she spoke.

“I still desire revenge Tyra, but I will not needlessly sacrifice the lives of those who follow me to get it. I will not lose you nor anyone else like that again.”

“...Bah! Still soft, but at least I can say you cared.” Was all Tyra said as she finally backs away and sighs to herself, her wings twitching when she turns and looks up at the sky above.

“...So I take it that you're cooking up a plan of some sort Shi?” Tyra asks.

“One plan anyway. It will allow us to get some monsters into the Shadow Kingdom and let them keep tabs on what is going on so we can better plan our attacks. We've been poking around for awhile and I think we're finally ready to open a portal to the Shadow Kingdom. It...will require the sacrifice of a monster to do so, however I already have such a monster planned for that.”

“Let me guess: The brat you transformed recently?”

“The same. Still so brazen despite giving he the gift of being a monster. I do not want to sacrifice one with such potential, but if she refuses to even speak to me, then I see no reason to keep her around and let her possibly say something to the wrong person.”

“Well then, just let me know when this plan is going into action cause I wanna be there when it goes off!”

“You will be the first to know Tyra...Oh and Tyra?”

“What?” Tyra asks, her wings twitching once again.

“I want a couple of Kunoichi to keep an eye on the drow. She can't be here just for my little sister. There has to be something more to it than that.”

“Ha! I'll see about rounding up a couple and give them the kill order if the drow bitch does anything funny.”

With those words, Tyra bows, then slowly turns around and makes her way back into the castle, leaving Shiala alone on the balcony. Her thoughts as she leans over the railing and watches the monsters and their husbands slowly come back into the courtyard are filled with the idea of her sister being dealt with, the monsters of the past who lost their lives for her cause and the road ahead. In silence she remains as she closes her eyes and lets out one last sigh, her body trembling at the thought of what she must prepare herself to do in the coming weeks.
_____________________________________________________________________________________

“So it's settled then. Two weeks from today, Reilus Curtiss will be taken to the Hollow Training Grounds in the north to be trained as a Shadow Knight by both Maria Hohenheim and Cyrus Redgrave.”

Lucia remains seated on the posh and well crafted oak chair, eyes closed as she waits for any signs that someone else was going to speak.

“No objection on my part your majesty.” The voice of an older gentlemen rings out.

“Nor any from myself and Luna, though I still wonder if Curtiss will have his mother's talent and fighting capabilities.” Says the voice of another, an older woman by the tone.

“Oh have some confidence in the boy Little Kiala. He may surprise you.” Says Inalla in her usual whimsical tone as Lucia finally opens her eyes and takes in the sight of the room once more.

The room itself shows itself to be simple in design, with two stained glass windows shut closed behind her and to her left. The red hue of the sunlight passes through the glass, filling the room with a dull light as it bounces off the gray stones of the walls themselves. Lucia lets her elbows rest on the rather large, circular table, well crafted from the finest oak in the Shadow Kingdom, and looks to her left at the figure sitting down in one of the chairs.

The older gentleman in his mid forties sits in his chair, a few strands of his shoulder length, dirty blond hair falling in front of his jet black eyes. His skin, a subtle color of peach, mixes and contrasts with the dark red robes he was wearing, a line of black forming along the trimmings of the outfit itself, his somewhat strong hands resting on the table as he looks at Lucia herself. The small wrinkles on his forehead move along with the rest of his face as a coy smile forms on his lips and he speaks once again.

“I must agree with Lord Inalla. After all, Minerva surprised you as well, remember Abby?”

The older gentleman looks over to his left at the woman sitting next to him, her ashen gray hair remaining in the bun she tied it up in, long before she got here. Looking to be in her forties as well, the woman's eyes remain closed and her gauntlet covered hands rest against one another, her fingers interlocked with each other as her own gray armor shines from the light. From the neck down, her body is covered in plates of steel armor, and the sight of small interlocked chain links can be seen between the armor joints on her person. Her light green eyes finally open as she looks over at the older gentleman, her more neutral expression contrasting the man's own coy and bemused one as she speaks to him.

“Do not think I have forgotten Bertram. Just a young girl wanting to become something more than a farm hand and she ended up becoming one of our strongest Shadow Knights...And please don't call me Abby. It's either Abigail or General Kiala and don't make me remind you again Bishop Durant.”

“I apologize, but you really do need to loosen up a tad Abby.” The gentleman known as Bertram responds, with Abigail only narrowing her eyes, then rolling them.

“How is it that your wife is more focused and much less playful than you are Bertram?”

“She is part of the medical Corp of the Shadow Knights after all. No room to be as playful as I can be.”

“Of course you say that...Anyway, we should be getting back to the matter at hand.”

Bertram only nods and smiles as both her and Abigail turn their attentions back to Inalla and Lucia, both whom wearing rather amused expressions on their faces. However, Lucia is the first to drop her expression in favor of a more serious one, her eyes narrow as she looks over and nods at Inalla before turning her attention back to Bertram and Abigail, her voice holding a more serious tone as she speaks.

“It is unfortunate that we can't be happy on this day for long, but the issue must be addressed. The Curtiss family being attacked four years was only the start. Since that day, more Shadow Knights have been ambushed on their way to and from missions. These attacks for now seem more like isolated incidents, like a wild monster looking for a husband, but it worries me that more monsters have become brazen enough to attack our knights, to the point where the incidents are looking less isolated.”

Lucia stops for a few seconds, waiting to see if the others in the room were going to speak out as Phantom leaves her body, his wisp form floating outwards and coming to rest just in front of her planted elbows. At the same time, Bertram lets out a sigh and crosses his arms as his lips part and his voice comes out once again.

“That...is indeed troublesome my queen. The Shadow Knights aren't just the strongest of out military. They are also the symbol of power and safety for our people. Hearing them being ambushed is sad indeed and that incidents might not be isolated is...troublesome.”

“Indeed it is Bertram. Then there is the matter of the attempts by some to enter our Kingdom. From the reports the mages have made, the general idea is that some on the outside have been trying to find ways to open portals here, though said attempts have failed since the strengthening of the defenses all around the Shadow Kingdom.” Phantom says as he continues to rest on the table itself as Lucia spoke again.

“Which means that we will need to increase both our patrols and our knowledge on just who is attacking our knights and why. There is already enough trouble trying to make new alliances with those on the outside and helping to protect the ones that we have. Having our knights constantly being attacked will only weaken our strength and the confidence that our allies and potential alliances will have in us.”

“So what would you suggest Little Kiala?” Inalla says, finally speaking up after remaining silent for quite a while. Abigail's attention turned to the standing Shadow Goddess and her hands instinctively flex as she opens her mouth to speak.

“...We increase the training regiment of our current Shadow Knights and our newcomers. With our knights already in the field, I would suggest increasing the normal group amount to four knights instead of two. This would stretch us a little bit, but for the safety of our knights, it is something worth doing, especially if it means that the monsters ambushing us will think twice when they see four knights instead of two.”

“As sound a plan as any Little Kiala. However, how do all of you plan to deal with the people if news of these attacks get out?” Inalla asks with a whimsical smile on her face as Bertram looks over at her and speaks.

“That is where I and the rest of the clergy of the the Church of Shadows will come in Lord Inalla. Helping to keep hope with the people has been the job of the church for years now and with Queen Verspira's words, we'll be able to keep the people from losing hope and having potential panic run amok in the kingdom.”

“Yes Bertram, the aid of the church will be most appreciated in this manner. If you can help the people, then I'll be able to better give my encouraging words and lay their fears to rest. The only group that gives me pause would be some of the more prominent nobles of the Shadow Kingdom. Most will be able to stay calm and agree with my course of action, but there is always those few that seem to be waiting to talk my ear off and ready to use the opportunity for their own gain at a moments notice. Luckily, I have a few ways of dealing with them and keeping them out of trouble.”

“And the attempts at entering the Shadow Kingdom?” Inalla questions.

“The mages can bolster the barriers in order to keep those who we don't allow out while looking for holes in the defenses. If an event came to pass where someone is able to get in like what happened years ago, then we can have them transported to a remote location and have the local wildlife help us to weed them out.”

Lucia fell quiet once again as she looked around the room to gauge the current feelings of all those sitting in. She sees Abigail rest her chin on her hands, the neutral expression still remaining on her face, then looks over at Bertram, who is currently watching the movements of everyone else in the room while silently waiting for someone to speak. Finally, she watches as Inalla slowly walks around the table, the tail of her cloak following her as she keeps her whimsical smile and speaks out to those that are present.

“As usual, all of you are on top of things and are ready to handle any situation that comes at you. I swear, mortals continue to impress me and that said mortals are my own people at that...Well, it just makes a goddess feel so invigorated and down right happy.”

Inalla continues to walk, slowly pacing around the table, passing behind Bertram, then eventually Abigail, both of who turn their heads and follow her movements till she is finally standing directly behind Lucia. Still turned to the side, she never lets her smile waiver as she takes two more steps forward, stopping a few feet from the queen herself as speaks again as she closes her eyes.

“Which makes my leaving much easier than I originally thought. If little Reilus is to truly be acknowledged as the champion, then the trials must be set up, which means that the trial masters must be awakened and must prepare themselves. That's going to take three years as it is and any personaly touches they may want will only add to that, not to mention preparing things for little Reilus as well...So much preparation.”

“So how long would this preparation of yours take Shadow Goddess?” Abigail questions.

“Hmm...five years would be enough for all the preparations...But I think I'll stretch it to nine, just so my little champion can have as much training time as he can get. He is starting from the beginning after all.”

“Nine years without your presence. That is going to be a long time Lord Inalla, but we will be able to manage, especially if it means that Reilus, and by extension the Shadow Kingdom as a whole, will be able to benefit from all of this.” Bertram responds with a mixture of doubt and optimism in his voice, which only makes Inalla smile at the gentleman before looking at Lucia and Abigail to get their answers as well.

“We have managed before without you Shadow Goddess and we can do so again. The Shadow Knights will be okay without you for a few years, but they will surely miss you like everyone else.” Abigail responds coolly, her hopeful and somewhat concerned tone betraying her more neutral expression.

“The Kingdom will be all right without you and while the Shadow knights and the people of the Shadow Kingdom will miss your presence, we all know that you will be back sooner than we think and that even while gone, you will still be with us.”

Slowly turning her body, Inalla never lets her smile waiver as she looks at the other beings in the room, her hands coming together under her cloak as she confirms just what each person said before finally speaking again.

“I swear, all of you have a way of making a goddess feel embarrassed. I really don't deserve such understanding subjects like all of you.”

“Please stop with the dramatics Shadow Goddess. It's quite embarrassing to see a goddess act they way you do.” Abigail responds in a deadpan manner, causing Inalla to only give the armored woman a playful smile while waving her sleeve covered hand in a dismissed manner.

“Oh Young Kiala, you should really loosen up! Yes, I am being a tad over dramatic, but there is truth seeped in my words.”

“Yes, yes, we know Shadow Goddess. You are quite proud of us mortals and have said as much when you get the chance to do so. With that said, was there anything else you wished to discuss with us?”

“Hmm...Nothing more to add really! I actually must be going myself if there is to be anything done. Trials to set up, people to meet, years to spend waiting for the day that little Reilus is ready to become my champion.”

Inalla smiles as she backs away from the table holding the others in question and closes her eyes as a black, swirling portal of energy forms beneath her feet. As it cackles with energy, she slowly begins to sink inside, her eyes opening as the others in the room watch her body slowly become enveloped by the black swirl of energy; only when half of her body in gone does she open her eyes and smile, her voice coming out for one final time.

“Be sure to take care all of you...And Lucia? I wish to see a little boy or girl from you when I come back!”

Inalla quickly sinks into the small portal before Lucia could so much as utter a single word, her face contorted in a deadpan expression as she watched the portal itself dissipate into nothing. A harrowed sigh escapes her lips, her hand already rising to cover her face as the onsets of a small blush appear on her cheeks, something that did not go unnoticed by either Abigail, who only smirks at the queen and Bertram, who chuckles at the sight of his queen being embarrassed by the goddess' statement.

“Why would Lord Inalla say such a thing?” Lucia questions to herself, only to have Phantom answer her while holding back his own laughter.

“It is because she cares Lucia. You are getting older you know and Lord Inalla is right in a way. The Shadow Kingdom has been in need of an heir for quite a while.”

“Phantom...let us leave that topic for another time. For now, I must ask if there is anything else we need or wish to discuss?”

“Nothing from me my queen. I however, must be going if preparations are to be made at the Hollow Training Grounds.” Abigail responds as she pulls away form the table and rises to her feet, with Bertram following in suit as he speaks.

“I must depart as well my queen. We of the Church of Shadows must make preparations as well for the news that will reach the people. Farewell...and if you should want to, I could introduce you to a few nice, young men in the clergy that would love to see you.”

Lucia once again lets her palm meet her face and sighs heavily as Bertram chuckles in delight, which only stopped when Abigail turns and glares at the man. Bertram shivers from her gaze, but still smiles all the same as he turns back to Lucia and bows, with Abigail doing the same before the two of them straighten up and turn towards the door. Within moments, the older Shadow Knight opens the door and walks out, with the gentleman following soon after as he close the door behind him. With another sigh, Lucia looks down at Phantom and gives him a tired smile, something the Shadow Devil wishes to return, but only makes due with a small laugh of his own as he speaks to her.

“Quite the turn of events Lucia. We have our work cut out for us once again.”

“Yes...Yes we do Phantom...And Phantom?”

“Yes Lucia?” Phantom asks.

“Please inform the mages about the means of the barriers for the Shadow Kingdom and to be on the look out for intruders as well.”

“Heh. Yes Lucia. I will inform them.”

Two weeks passed in the world and in the Shadow Kingdom, the day goes on as normal for most, with the red sun shining brightly high in the sky, signaling the coming noon. Servants do their jobs of keeping the castle neat and tidy, cooks make refreshing meals and knights patrol the area itself, looking for anything out of place. This is true for one particular room in castle Drearch, the room that housed Reilus Curtiss and his Shadow Devil partner Red.

Reilus, laying on his bed, fully clothed in brown, cotton made pants and a blood red tunic over his gray, long sleeve shirt, was barely conscious to the world around him, his eyes slowly coming to a close and his breathing coming to an even, yet restful pace. Moments pass as the world around him ceases to exist and the only thing that flows through his mind is the peaceful rest that he finally attains.

The rest that Reilus so wants however, is one that will not be his as a vision slowly enters his mind, a vision of smoke gathering around his body. Another image enters his mind along with the smoke, this one of a splintered carriage with scorch marks surrounding the wheels. Still in the pitch black of his mind, the vision of the carriage and the smoke give way to something different; a figure of a man in his late thirties standing a few feet away from him. The man's body was covered in a series of light gray robes with tears all over the man's arms and chest, with small drips of crimson red blood falling from the cuts on his muscled body. The man's face slowly forms in Reilus' mind, his peach colored skin slowly draining to that of a pale white and his eyes, his jet black eyes losing whatever light they originally held.

The look on his face slowly changes from a neutral expression to one of pain and his jet black hair sways in the air as his upper body is forced back by a delicate hand on his shoulder. Only seconds later does Reilus see a blood red blade burst through the man's chest, the man's mouth hanging open and his deep scream reaching Reilus' ears. The younger boy feels his body shake, feels tears fall from his eyes and can only whisper at the man.

“No...Father.”

Reilus can only remain where he his as the vision slowly changes, with another figure appearing behind the man known as Reilus' father. The only thing Reilus could see of the figure was her black, feathery wings, but that did not last long as the figure's face came into view, with her wicked grin showing. Light purple skin tone was something that Reilus immediately recognize and those same maroon colored eyes bore into him as she stokes his father's cheek with her free hand, his body twitching from the touch and as she pushes her sword deeper into his body, he gasps and speaks the only words he can manage.

“R-Reilus...R-Run Reilus!”

Reilus shakes as he watches the woman push her blade up to the hilt in his father's chest, his gurgled cries and his whatever words he can muster stopped by the blood flowing from his mouth, along with the blood from his chest flowing down the blade. Even as he watches his father slowly lose life in his body, not once does the black winged woman take her eyes off him, her wicked grin remaining as he hears her speak to him, voice full of glee.

“Awww! Did Tyra kill your father little boy? Oh don't worry you little brat. Everything will be alright...Because you will be joining him soon enough!”

In one quick motion, she pushes the man away and removes her blade from his chest in one fell stroke, her wings spreading out as she takes a single step back and waits, just long enough for the man's body to fall to the ground. The second his body hits the floor, she charges, her body literally floating in air as she rushes towards Reilus, her cloak fluttering in the wind as her wings let her reach him within seconds. Before he could even react, she is on him, her blade literally inches away from his body. He can only gasp in horror as the blade comes within inches of his neck and just as the tip touches his flesh, he hears a loud yell from one who he had not fully recognized at first.

“Damn it Rei, wake up!!”

Reilus' eyes shoot open and he suddenly sits up, sweat pouring down his face and his chest rises and falls in a fast motion, him struggling to regain his breath as he looks over at the one who called out to him. He sees Red floating just inches away from him, his body emitting a faint glow as he remains still and silent, only staring at the young man in front of him. Only when a couple of seconds have passed does the Shadow Devil finally speak, his tone devoid of his usual sarcasm.

“You okay there Reilus!? Damn, that sounded like one hell of a nightmare you were having, especially if it was enough to have you start crying!”

Reilus remains silent even after Red stops speaking, his tears slowly falling from his eyes and down his cheeks, his body remaining still as he slowly lets his eyes close. The mere thought of the nightmare, Tyra's face and her sword near his neck causes his body to tremble in response, with his tears flowing once more. Red, seeing this, only mutters a dew words as his body gives off a faint glow.

“Bring about the binds from hell. Devil's Chains.”

Mana releases from Red and the glow from his body slowly ebbs away as two swirling blood red portals form on the bed itself, one to Reilus' left and the other to his right. Metallic chains, blood red in color, rise from the portals and sway in the air, the links rattling together and breaking the silence of the room. Reilus doesn't open his eyes even as the chains rattle once more before circling around his upper body, then slipping under his arms and wrapping themselves around his chest and back. He flinches and opens his eyes once the chains stop moving and give a gentle squeeze to his body, the chains themselves feeling heavy to him despite being made of pure mana.

Reilus finally stops looking down at the chains and looks up at Red in confusion, tears still falling from his eyes as the Shadow Devil just sighs to himself and floats over to the young boy, stopping only once his body is inches from the young boy's face. Only after a few moments in silence does Reilus speak, his voice filled with confusion of just what Red was doing.

“R-Red? What are...you doing?”

“Well, how else am I supposed to help ya? I can't exactly give you a hug Rei, so I had to improvise with the only spell I know of that could do the job!”

“...What?” Reilus responds after blinking twice, something that only makes Red sigh again.

“Rei. I don't have a body as you can plainly see and Lyger once told me that when a human needs comfort, another will give them a hug. I was trying to do just that with what little I had to work with, which involved chains so...yeah.”

Reilus blinks once again at Red's statement, then looks back down at the chains gently embracing his chest and blinks one last time. Looking back up at Red, he can only tilt his head to the left for a second before straightening up, his lips slowly contorting into a smile. He lifts his arms cover his mouth with his hands as the onslaught of giggles begin to leave from his mouth. Red gasps at the sight of the once downtrodden boy now trying to stifle his laughter, especially at his attempt to help and can only growl in response before finally speaking again.

“What the hell Reilus!? I'm trying to help here and you just laugh at me!?”

“I-I'm sorry R-Red.” Reilus tries to respond in-between his giggling fits while trying and failing to stop himself from laughing even more, something that only continued to infuriate Red. After a few more second of giggling does Reilus finally try and calm down, the laughter in his voice slowly dying down even as the smile he has remains.

“Red...hey Red!” Reilus yells out as Red opts to turn and float away from the young boy, only to feel a pair of hands grab onto him and keep him still. The Shadow Devil squirms in the young boy's grip and only growls in response to the hold Reilus has on him, who then pulls his partner to his still smiling face, which only serves to infuriate the shadow devil once again as he struggles to get out of the grip.

“Let me go Reilus! What's the big idea!?”

“Will you stop so I can explain Red!?” Reilus yells, stopping Red in his tracks and causing him to remain perfectly still, with only the flickering energy of his body being the only movement from him. Reilus waits for a second to pass, wanting to see if Red will listen to him. After seeing nor hearing any objections from his partner does he take a deep breath and speaks his peace.

“Red...I'm sorry for laughing at you, I really am. I just found your attempt at helping me to be funny is all...That and you using chains to give out hugs seems weird.”

“Bah! Having no body and only knowing one spell does that to ya Rei.” Red responds with a huff.

“I understand Red...and thanks for trying to comfort me in your own, weird way.”

As if to confirm his thanks, Reilus lifts Red up and lets his forehead touch the Shadow Devil's body. He gasps and shivers when the shadow devil does not remain solid, but instead slowly enters his body his grip slowly lost as his partner disappears from sight. Confused, the young boy can only blink twice and wonder just why his partner had entered his body, only to receive his answer from said partner inside his own mind.

'Feh. You're welcome Rei. Just can't stand to see ya cry. Kid like you should be laughing, not bawling his eyes out.'

“Just like I did a second ago?” Reilus responds out-loud with a grin on his face.

'Yeah, yeah, just like that...And I don't have to be outside your body to know you're grinning Rei.'

At this, Reilus lets out another series of giggles, much to Red's dismay, who lets out a sigh within the young man's mind and wishes that he had eyes so he could roll them. Still giggling, Reilus slides himself off the bed and makes his way over to the dresser, the chains dissipating in the air as he does so, long since free of dust and as clean as the day it was finished. Once he finally arrives, he takes hold of the chair and drags it away from the dresser before taking it's place and standing still in front of the mirror, his once tear stricken eyes damp from any fallen liquid that may have came from them as they come into view. Taking the front of his tunic, Reilus lifts it up while lowering his head and uses it to dry his eyes of the leftover tears while also trying his best to clean up his face, only stopping once he is finally done and sees his old image in the mirror itself as he lets go of his tunic.

Staring back was his own image, the same face that he had two weeks ago, and the same black sclera eyes with amber gold irises blinking once again. Reilus slowly feels his smile fade away, replaced with a more somber look, one that showed his growing sadness at the nightmare he had and the same that continued to haunt him, with only the voice of his partner breaking his slow growing trance.

'You sure you're going to be okay Reilus?'

“I'll...be okay Red.” Reilus responded out loud once again.

'So what was the nightmare this time?' Red asks.

“...It involved something happening to my father. Something terrible.”

'Oh...Well Rei, don't forget that I'm here if ya need me and want to talk about those nightmares okay?'

“I'm...still not ready to talk more about them Red, but when I do, you'll be one of the first to hear it.” Was all Reilus said as he went back to staring at his reflection, a strand of his still messy hair falling in front of his left eye. Barely paying attention to the strand of hair nor the world around him, the young man flinches upon hearing a loud knock on the door. Turning to face it, he only gives it a confused look before hearing a set of knocks again, with a familiar voice sounding out only seconds after the last knock.

“Reilus, time to get going. You ready?”

“Can I have a second Aunty Hohen?” Reilus calls back.

“Sure kiddo. Just make it quick okay? Can't stay here too long after all.”

After hearing so, Reilus takes a second to try and compose himself, giving the mirror one last look just to make sure that he looks a little presentable. Tear stains wiped from his eyes was all he really cared about at the moment, his hair still messy, but to him more than fixable later on and with a sigh, he turns away from the mirror and quickly makes his way to the door. Hand already on the handle, he gives it a turn and opens the door while looking up, Maria's face coming into view and a her lips slowly curving into a smile. He only returns the warm smile with one of his own before taking a few steps to the entrance of his door, his every intention to leave the room with his caretaker, though his movements are stopped when he bumps into her body and recoils slightly from the contact. Though he flinches, she doesn't and as he looks back up at her face, he sees that the smile she once had is now replaced with a frown, along with her arms crossed over her chest, her jacket closed as she presses her arms on her upper torso.

“Do you really think you're going out with your hair the way it is Reilus?” Maria asks in a stern tone, which only makes Reilus flinch as he answers her, his eyes looking straight at her own.

“...It's a little messy Aunty Hohen, but nothing too bad right?”

“It looks like you've been wearing a helmet for a few hours. Come on, we'll get it fixed up because we are not leaving till your hair looks presentable.”

Without warning nor another word, Maria takes Reilus' hand with her own and literally drags him back into the room, much to the protest of the young man who tried to squirm out of her tight grip. Within seconds both reach the dresser and with a free hand, Maria opens the top left drawer and reaches inside, her fingers coming into contact with small bits of clothing and other objects, with Reilus squirming once again in her grip and frowning as he hears the laughter of his partner inside the reaches of his mind. After a few moments of searching, with two more drawers opened in fact, the older woman finally smiles as her hand grasps the object she was looking for and pulls it out, the soft, clean bristles of the brush finally coming into sight.

Reilus, finally stopping his struggles, takes one look at the brush in Maria's hand and lets out a loud sigh, the prospect of having his hair brushed by the woman making him wish he had done so himself earlier. Maria lets go of his hand, closes the open drawers and takes a step away from the dresser before moving the chair back and looking down at the cushion before turning her gaze back at Reilus, who was attempting to shift away from her ever so slowly while keeping his gaze away from her. While the woman's smile remained on her face, her voice was not as gentle, as she spoke out to him in a more stern tone.

“Do not make this difficult Reilus. That hair of yours is getting fixed up, so get your little butt in this chair before I have to make you sit.”

Reilus froze right on the spoke and kept his gaze at the ground below, finding more solace in that than at Maria's face. Not wanting to incur any anger from her, he lets a sigh escape his lips and slowly moves towards the chair and after reaching it, sits down on the soft cushion while keeping his gaze at the ground. Though he wanted to keep from looking anywhere but down, a light tap on the top of his head from the older woman's fist forces him to crane his neck back and look up at her face, a now neutral expression replacing the unnerving smile she once had as she speaks.

“Come now Reilus. The sooner we do this, the sooner we can go okay?”

“...Yes ma'am.” Reilus responds with another sigh as he cranes his neck back down and looks straight at the mirror in front of him, the visage of his and Maria's reflections staring back at him. Taking one last look at the brush in the reflection, Reilus closes his eyes and waits for the bristles to inevitably come into contact with his hair and the painful pulling that would result from such a thing. He waits and waits for the brushing of his hair to begin, his body tensing up when Maria's free hand grasps his shoulder, her other hand slowly descending until the bristles of the brush finally comes into contact with his hair.

Feeling the brush on his locks, Reilus flinches, but continues to wait for the pull that will inevitably make him yelp out in pain. The pain however never comes, but is instead replaced with a gentle tug down the left side of his head. Confused by this feeling, the young boy slowly opens his eyes and sees the reflection of Maria's hand gently pulling down on the brush and letting his hair flow along with it, the strands forming from a mess of hair to more straightened strands. He blinks twice at this and looks at the reflection of Maria's face as the vision of her amused smirk comes into view, something that only makes him blink in confusion once again.

“What? You think that I can't be gentle?” Maria asks with a chuckle as she continues brushing and waits for Reilus' answer.

“You...can be a little rough sometimes Aunty Hohen.” Reilus responds while averting his eyes from the mirror, feeling another gentle tug as more of his hair is brushed by the older woman.

“I'm only rough when I have to be Reilus. The fact that I helped take care of you at times when you were younger should more than show you that I can be rough and gentle.”

“...True.” Reilus responds before going silent and turning his gaze back to the mirror and watching the older woman brush his hair. Reilus continues to remain silent throughout the process, even as Maria starts to maneuver the brush around the back of his head and gently pulls down, his hair going along with it. Strands of scarlet red hair turned from mess to straight as time went by, with Reilus still silent.

Maria, even as she brushed the young boy's hair, could not help but notice a feature on Reilus' shirt in the reflection of the mirror, her eyes spotted the signs of dry tear stains and her mind immediately awash with thoughts on why they were there. Concern briefly flashed on her face, eyes narrow and lips forming into a frown, but only for a moment as her features returned to their more neutral expression.

'Why is Reilus' tunic wet?' Maria thought to herself, half expecting Reginald to ask the same thing and even try to answer her question, but only silence remained as she finally moved onto the other side of Reilus' hair. This silence however, was finally broken by the young boy himself as he yelped, a small shot of pain coursing through his head from a particularly hard tug of the brush being the cause, which got Maria's attention rather quickly as she spoke.

“Sorry Reilus. I didn't hurt you, did I?” Maria asks, a hint of concern being heard in her voice.

“I'm okay Aunty Hohen. Just stung a little. Not as bad as the first few times I remember mother trying to brush my hair.” Reilus responds, faking a wince as a smile starts forming on his lips at the memory, something that makes Maria smile as well.

“I remember Minerva telling me about that. I swear, she can fight with the best of the Shadow Knights, survive untold amount of battles, develop techniques that make her deadly to face off and participated in a war for Shadow Goddess sake...Yet when it came to brushing the hair of her child, she was utterly lost and just plain clumsy.”

Maria could not help but chuckle at the memory, something that was shared as Reilus let a chuckle out as well. Sensing the situation at hand, both Maria and Reilus went from chuckling to outright laughing, both sharing in the good feeling that was being spread around them. So much was the good cheer being spread around that Maria had not noticed that she was still brushing the back of Reilus' head, though Reilus himself did not mind as he felt comfortable with the brush moving smoothly through the locks of his hair. Maria however, caught herself and let out a happy sigh as she moved from the side of Reilus' head, switching her brush hand as she let the object flow through his hair in the process, and continued her brushing, even as he decided to speak out once again.

“Aunty Hohen?”

“Yes Reilus?”

“I have a question...Will the training be difficult to handle?”

“It will at first. You are being trained by two of the Trinity after all, which means that you will be subjected to all that we know and all that will entail the training a Shadow Knight receives.”

“...Will it hurt?”

“A lot.” Maria answers without any hesitation while looking completely serious at the same time, her eyes never leaving Reilus' head as she slowly adjusts her grip on the brush while moving to the top of his head, only using a few strokes to smooth his hair out in the process. Moments later, she finishes up her brushing then begins the process of looking over her handy work while keeping the tool on hand just in case. While she was doing that, Reilus had once again returned his attention to the mirror and looked at the reflections of both himself and the older woman, only to turn said gaze back to his own reflection and keep it there as he sees the once mess that was his hair looking straight and smoothed out. He tries his best to keep the smile from forming on his lips while trying to admit to himself that his hair looks better now than it did before, though his partner has no such reservations as he speaks.

'Ya look much better with clean hair than that mess ya had before Rei! You should try cleaning yourself up more often!'

“Whatever you say Red.” Reilus responds, causing Maria to stop her actions and look down at Reilus with a single raised eyebrow, who flinches when he realizes that he just spoke out loud. Looking up, he never expected to see the older woman smirking down at him, which only makes him feel embarrassed at his sudden talking, his cheeks alight with a small, red blush.

“Don't worry Reilus. We'll train you on being able to effectively communicate with your Shadow Devil without having to speak a word.”

“Yeah...” Reilus responds while still feeling embarrassed.

“Also, it happens with everyone. You think that you're the first to speak out loud when talking to your Shadow Devil?” Maria says as she goes back to inspecting Reilus' hair, reaching over to put the brush down on the dresser in the process.

“Did it happen with you Aunty Hohen?” Reilus asks.

“Not really. I'm what you call a prodigy when it came to that aspect.” Maria says as the smirk on her face turns into a wide grin.

“Oh please Maria. I still remember the day that General Kiala jumped on you because you said something insulting to me without realizing that you had just yelled that to her face.” Reginald says as he exits Maria's body and floats just above her left shoulder, a chuckle escaping from him only a second later.

“Reilus did not need to hear that Reginald.” The older woman responds as her grin fades while turning her head to look at Reginald.

“It is not my fault for telling the truth my dear partner. You should know that we should avoid lying to the boy.” Reginald says with a hint of smugness in his voice.

'This stays between us Reilus...But I have to admit that Reginald did good on this one.' Red pips up, which only makes Reilus giggle in response. His giggling fit did not go unnoticed as Maria looks away from Reginald and down at him, her eyes narrow and her face contorting into a deadpan expression. He looks at her reflection in the mirror and after seeing her expression, calms down and stops giggling, though the smile on his face remains.

Resisting the urge to sigh, Maira lifts her right arm, closes her hand and lightly taps the top of Reilus' head with her knuckle, not once but twice. Reilus, feeling the taps on his head, lets his smile fade away, replacing it with a frown instead, though that only lasts a few seconds as the smile slowly starts to come back, prompting Maria to let a sigh escape her lips. Noting that his expression won't change while ignoring Reginald's presence, she instead opts to finish looking over the young boy's hair, smooth and not a strand of hair out of place. Yet despite that, she felt something was missing and looks in the mirror at his reflection, then back down at the back of his head.

Reginald wonders just why Maria is doing this, figuring that the boy's hair was just fine and that time had been wasted enough, and was about to make his opinion known when he sees Maria reach into the left pocket inside of her jacket and fumble around for something. A second later, she pulls pulls the object out, a dark purple band and proceeds to look back down at Reilus's hair for only a second before placing the band in her teeth to keep hold while diving back into her work.

Reilus can only look at the reflections in the mirror and watch as Maria starts to work on his hair again, feeling her take hold of his hair in her hands and gently pulls it back, then using her other hand to take hold of more while holding onto the amount she already has. Keeping all of it still in her left hand, she takes her right hand and moves it back to her mouth, letting the band drop in her hand before moving it back to Reilus' hair.

All this time, Reginald remains quiet for a bit, content to just watch everything from Maria's shoulder, even as Red himself exits Reilus' body, the light of his form glowing then dimming from the young boy's chest. A light sigh escapes the boy's lips as his wispy partner floats above his head and then moves straight to Maria's right shoulder, his body coming to rest on it right as she drops the band from her mouth into her hand and goes to work tying the hair in her hand into a small ponytail.

With a smile, Maria steps back and admires her handy work, not a hair of Reilus' head out of place, everything smoothed out and parted back. To her, the young boy looked better than before and certainly better than he did a few moments ago, something that she was about to voice, only for Red to speak up before her.

“Ha! Nice job working his hair there Mari!”

“I do feel that Reilus looks better now...and she is to be called Maria you insolent welp.” Reginald speaks up, not bothering to hide the annoyance in his tone, which only caused Red to growl in response. Though before either could do so much as yell, Maria spoke up, her tone harsh.

“Not here and not now you two. The last thing this castle needs is for you two to be getting into a fight so do not even start.”

Both Red and Reginald mumble in response to Maria, with neither of the two saying much else, causing the older woman to sigh to herself and wonder why she and Reilus had to get the two Shadow Devil's that can't stand each other. Reilus however, only turned his head in order to see the hanging ponytail with a curious expression on his face. Lifting his arm, he moves his hand towards the back of his neck and with a single finger, pokes the ponytail itself, only to feel the tips tickle the back of his neck after he does so. He resists the urge to smile at the sudden touch of his hair on the back of his neck and instead cranes his neck back in order to look up at the older woman, his expression once again turned to the curious side and his head cocked to the side.

“Aunty Hohen? Why did you tie my hair up?” Reilus asks.

“Why you ask? Personally, I think you would look good with a ponytail and I can see that I'm right.” Maria answers with a smile.

“Oh, okay.” Reilus answers, unsure of how to take such a thing.

“You'll get use to it, but we need to be going. We're late enough as is and those uptight mages will get angry if we delay them any longer.”

Reilus only responds with a nod while waiting for Maria to step back, only moving away from the dresser and with a quick slide of the chair, Reilus is away from the dresser and on his feet, with Red floating off of Maria's shoulder and back onto his head. Not minding where his partner is, Reilus moves to one of the drawers of the dresser, the bottom right as he found, and opens it, then leans inside and starts searching for something in particular. Both Maria and Reginald wondered just what he was looking for, only to see him pull out a folded, black cape moments later, something that caused Maria to raise an eyebrow.

“Why are you bringing that cape with you Reilus?” Maria asks, to which Reilus turns around and answers.

“Well...I don't know Aunty Hohen. This cape feels like something I should have with me, like a gift that a person gave you to use.”

“...I can only I guess that if was the Shadow Goddess that gave you the cape, though I have no reason as to why. At any rate, you can go ahead and take it with you. Now come on.”

Reilus, cape held tightly in his arms, smiles and nods at the older woman and begins making his way to the door, with Maria following right behind him. Red however, had different ideas at the moment, which he voiced after floating off of Reilus' head and stopping just in front of Maria, causing the older woman to suddenly stop, her face just inches away from the Shadow Devil. Both she and Reginald stare at him, with Reginald ready to question and chew out the red wisp for standing in his partner's way, only for Red to speak before either of them could.

“Hey Mari-I mean Maria. Can I have a few seconds of your time to talk to you about something private?”

“And what would you have to say that requires that neither Reilus nor I be here braggart?” Reginald asks with the annoyance practically dripping in his tone as Reilus turns around and looks up at Red, confusion etched on his face as what his partner is trying to do. Maria however, does not speak at the moment, even as Red ignores Reginald and begins to talk again.

“It involves some advice on Shadow Devil/human relations Reginald and before you ask, I want to know this as soon as possible, Maria is the best person here to ask and I don't wanna hear your voice and hear you be a condescending ass because I asked a simple question.”

Maria, sensing something odd about Red, turned her head to face Reginald, who had turned his body to face her. Even without words, both could feel that Red was hiding something, though both had different reasons for thinking so. Reginald did not once buy anything that Red was saying and doubted every word, his process being that such a being like Red was trying to either set up another joke or that he was not serious at all about his question. Maria however, felt that something was off with Red and how he decided to voice his query now of all times instead of earlier. Seeing the Shadow Devil barely budging from his spot only caused her to continue to suspect something hidden in the wisp's motive and one look at Reilus' confused face told her that the young man was not in the know of whatever his partner was up to.

“...Reginald. Take Reilus to the chamber where the mages are currently at. Red and I will catch up to you after we're through speaking.” Maria says with a sigh and a gentle palm to the forehead.

“You do realize that the mages are only going to be even more annoyed at the increased delay?” Reginald responds.

“Then you can tell them to hold onto their masks. They'll be fine for a while.”

“...Okay Maria. Come Reilus. Let us leave Maria and the braggart alone and meet up with the mages.”

“Okay Reginald.” Reilus responded as he turned and opened the door with one hand while keeping the cape held in his other. Soon afterward, Reginald floats off of Maria's shoulder and move past the young boy, turning to his right and moving down the hall while slowing down his movement in order to let the young one catch up and keep pace as they moved through the lit passageway to their eventual destination. Still waiting, the sound of footsteps slowly ebbing away rings in Maria's ears, though she moves forward, with Red moving out of the way, and closes the door, then turns around and leans back against the door itself and crosses her arms over her chest, a few of the links to her chain mail being felt under her jacket. With her eyes narrowed and her mouth curled into a frown, the older woman looks straight at the Shadow Devil and finally speaks to him.

“Alright Red. What do you really want to talk about? And don't beat around the bush or else I will end this conversation now and we talk about it when we get to the Hollow Training Grounds.”

“Heh! You don't piss around, do ya Mari?” Red said as he floats in place and does not move an inch, his body flickering every second even as he speaks again, his voice full of concern.

“I'll get straight to the point then. Rei's been having nightmares and they've been pretty bad.”

“Really? What kind of nightmares?” Maria asks, her own concern tone betraying her more neutral expression.

“I don't know and Rei won't say. What I do know is that they seem to involve his old man and that they've been getting so bad that he's been crying in his sleep and waking up with tears in his eyes.”

“...I wonder...The wet spots on his tunic...Red. Did Reilus have a nightmare at some point before Reginald and I came here?”

“Oh yeah. Tears streaming down his face, sweat pouring, body trembling. Sounded like a bad one.”

Maria closes her eyes and closes her mouth while letting herself become lost in her thoughts. The thought that Reilus has been having these nightmares about Tarvek's death causes her to close her fists, her knuckles cracking in the process. The mere fact that whoever killed him had to have done so right where Reilus could see and he was now having nightmares of the incident was something that she deduced on her own and only fueled the growing frustration in her mind.

“Hey Mari!” Maria hears Red yell out, which causes her to open her eyes and stare at the Shadow Devil, the frustration more than evident in her gaze, though she hides it through her even tone as she speaks to him.

“I'm still here Red. So...I can see why you wanted to tell me this alone...But what is your reason for doing so?”

“Like you have to ask! I'm worried about the kid! These nightmares are hell on him yet he doesn't want to talk to anyone about them!” Red yells out.

“I see. So you told me because you think Reilus will talk to me about his nightmares, despite not remembering much about what happened to him?” Maria questions with a raised eyebrow.

“That's one reason. Another is because I think that you can get him to talk about this. Rei won't say anything on his own and despite what he says, he won't open up to me about this and I think that if I tried to force him, he would end up hating my non-existent guts. Now I'm use to having people hate me, but Rei is my partner and I like the kid, so I wanna make sure that we get along very well. You however, are the closets person he has to family now. If anyone can get him to open up about this and get him to admit just how much he really knows, it's you Mari.”

“...Reginald was a tad wrong about you Red.” Maria responds with a smirk on her face, which only confuses Red when her comment fully sank in.

“What did the bastard say about me?” Red asked with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.

“Reginald thought that you would be sending Reilus to me crying all the time with your comments and that ultimately, you would make his life a living hell. “

“...That son of a-” Red says, more than intent on finishing his sentence before Maria lifts a single finger and promptly interrupts him before she speaks again.

“But, I can see that you aren't like that and that you really seem to care for Reilus, despite only knowing him for a few weeks. Quite frankly, I think you might do Reilus some good and make a good partner for him.”

Maria's smirk turned into a soft smile as she finished speaking, something that made Red go quiet for a few seconds. Those few seconds only lasted as such as he lightly chuckled to himself and sways side to side, feeling more than happy at the compliment given to him, so much that he floats straight over to Maria, then hovers just above her head a second later. Only a small moment later, to the surprise of the older woman, he gently lowers himself until his body is resting on top of her head, with her feeling his body solidify enough to actually feel him on her cranium.

“You know what? You may be Reginald's partner, but you're alright with me!” Red says proudly while Maria looks up without moving her head, with Red's position preventing her from being able to see him with her eyes, yet still knowing that he's there. Unfolding her arms and shrugging her shoulders, she steps away from the door and turns around, her hand already moving towards the latch on the door itself to open it.

“Well I am glad you are alright with me. Will make training you and Reilus a lot easier in the future.” Maria says to Red as he hand comes into contact with the door latch.

“Yeah sure. First things first. Reilus needs to open up and admit that there is a problem.”

“I know Red and I'm already thinking about a way to get Reilus to open up. From what you ave said, Reilus either knows what happened that day and is not telling or he still doesn't remember, but the nightmares are coming to him as a result of his memory coming back...Which means that I will have to be alone with my little nephew so he can feel comfortable enough to speak to me about what happened to Tarvek, Minerva and himself.”

“Then I'll leave that to you Mari! Now how about we catch up with that snotty bastard Reginald and my partner. I'm starting to think that Reginald is trying to warn Rei about me and is talking bad things about me.”

“Heh. Then let us hurry Red. We do not want to keep those two waiting.”

No more words were spoken between the two, Maria opening the door to the hall, stepping out and then closing the door behind her. With Red still on her head and remaining still, she turns to her right while taking a deep breath and bending her legs until she is in a crouch. Eyes alight with a deep purple hue, she takes off in a dead run, her body holding strong as she quickly moves through the hall, more than intent on ignoring any in her way, even as Red keeps himself firmly planted on the top of her head and yells out in excitement at the speed the two are moving at.

It was not long, after some twists and turns while dodging some wayward servants and after traveling down the darkened stairway, before Maria and Red reached their destination, a rather large door, metallic door reaching to the ceiling, which was wide open from recent use. Taking a second to wipe a small bead of sweat from her brow, she and Red, who moved from the perch on her head and floated next to her, move inside the room and look around at the area itself.

Various runes of all shapes and sizes lay inscribed on the walls of the large, circular room. Nothing else lay on the walls, no window presided in the room to give light, yet the magical octagonal glyph on the ground dims with a deep blue light, with six of the eight people, all with their face obscured by black jester masks, each with a smile on the face of the mask itself, all stand at the corner points of the figure. The six who are still standing all mutter to themselves, their own mana pouring from their bodies and around plain black robes with blood red trims, all with their hoods covering their heads where their masks can not cover.

Looking to her left, Maria sees the two robbed figures that were not channeling their mana into the glyph, both of whom were wearing identical robes and masks, with one kneeling in front of Reilus and slowly weaving their arm, as if the person was showing him something while explaining it to him. Maria sees the young boy nodding his head while keeping the cape clutched in his arms, with Reginald floating above his head, his own attention on the other robed person, who was keeping a bag next to her.

“...And by taking the Shadow energy from our bodies, we can then transfer it to the glyph and with that, we can transport anyone to a different location in the Shadow Kingdom.” The person, whose voice was low, rugged and male in tone, said as he finished speaking to Reilus, who nods in response.

“Is that how you are going to transport Aunty Hohen and I?” Reilus asked, to which the robbed man nods and reply back.

“That's exactly it. We'll be sending you and 'Hair Trigger' Hohenheim to the Hollow Training Grounds as soon as she gets here.”

“Speaking of here-”Maria starts, only to interrupted by Red.

“Hey there everyone! We have arrived!” Red yelled out, loud enough that everyone in the room other than Maria flinched in response, though only three heads and a wisp turned towards the two of them, with the other figures in the room recompose themselves and going back to muttering, the glyph glowing brighter as a result. Reilus, after taking one look at both his partner and Maria, turns back and bows at the robbed man in front of him, giving the man a quick 'Thank you.' before quickly moving to Maria's right side and standing next to her. Reginald was the next to move, deciding that Maria's left shoulder was a nice place to rest and set himself down, all while the other robbed figure looked at the woman, then at Red before speaking in a harsh and feminine tone.

“You. Shadow Devil. Do you realize that this is a delicate operation that requires my fellow mages to keep their concentration at all times?”

“Nope. Not one bit lady.” Red said cheekily.

“Well then, maybe I should tell you that had their concentration broken from your outburst, that we would have had to start the whole process again and we all are not very keen on doing that. Do you really want eight angry mages trying to trap you in a barrier, then pelting you with one spell after another for making them restart such a process as this again?”

“...Not really.” Red said again, this time more quiet, which earned a chuckle from Reginald. Turning her masked gaze away from Red, the robed woman looks straight at Maria and speaks again, her harsh tone still the same.

“Hohenheim. You kept my mages waiting. You know how much I hate to keep my mages waiting.”

“Other matters came up Kreia. Matters involving my nephew here, who takes precedent over all of you.” Maria said while crossing her arms over her chest and keeping her neutral expression on tack, which only made the robbed figure known as Kreia sigh behind her mask.

“You always were one who put friends and family ahead of anything else. Anyway, you're still late Hair Trigger, but we will have to overlook that for now because of a more pressing matter.”

“Like what?” Maria asks.

“Two weeks ago, we received orders from the Queen herself about increasing the strength of the barriers around the Shadow Kindom's dimension while looking out for any intruders.”

“I heard about that order. What about it?”

“Put it simply: we've been seeing an increased activity in the amount of times the dimensional barriers have been poked by something on the outside today. We surmise that someone is trying to break through into the Shadow Kingdom or at the very least, going to make an attempt at getting inside.”

“Um...Excuse me Miss Kreia? What does that mean for Aunty Hohen, Reginald, Red and myself?” Relius finally says while looking up at the robbed woman, who waits as the robbed man from before, who as Reilus saw was an inch shorter than the woman, moved up and looked down at him while speaking.

“It means, little one, that sending all of you straight to the Hollow Training Grounds right now will possibly invite disaster from whoever is trying to break through should their attempt be successful.”

“And where does that leave us?” Reginald says.

“Do not worry. We already have a plan of action for all of you. We will be using one of the hidden ports near the Hollow Training Grounds in order to get you as close to the location as we can while also isolating the path that the potential intruders are trying to use and putting them in a more...dangerous area of the Shadow Kingdom. At best, it only take you a day of walking to the training ground and at worst it will be a three day walk.”

“And what if one of those intruders is put there with us? I'm kind of limited on what I can do to protect Rei here.” Red finally says while floating just above Reilus' head.

“Then you will have to depend on Hair Trigger here to keep you safe. Trust me though, we will keep as many of their numbers away from you as possible and we have already informed the Shadow Knight's stationed at the Hollow Training Grounds to be ready to act the second they feel something other than you four. As well, two Shadow Knights will meet you when you reappear and see you off from there.”

“I take it that Cyrus Redgrave is among the group that will be patrolling the Hollow Training Grounds?” Maria asks, which earns a nod from Kreia, who also directs the robbed man to his position on the glyph, something he does with quickness and ease. As he takes his position, Kreia moves back and reaches for the bag on the ground, her glove covered hand grabbing onto the thin rope, then picks it up and hands it over to Maria, who takes hold of it in her left hand while looking at the robbed woman.

“There should be enough supplies in there to last all of you four days. Never hurts to be prepared just in case.”

Maria nods in response, then pats Reilus on the back and smile as he looks up at her while Kreia leads the four towards the glyph, only waiting until all four of them had finally crossed the threshold and stood right in the center. Waiting, both Reilus and Red can not help but look around them, seeing all the mages continuing to mutter to themselves, watching as the aura around their bodies formed and rose like a lit flames, the energy crackling with power. Looking back, Reilus sees the robbed man doing the same, his aura matching the same light blue color as the others, then his eyes turned to Kreia, who had taken up the remaining spot and started doing the same as her fellow mages.

Reilus could feel something on his senses, the power of the mana making him shake as the glyph below them glowed brighter. Looking down and seeing this, Red gently set himself atop Reilus' head and nuzzles in, his way of trying to calm his partner down. Not feeling calm enough, despite being thankful of Red for his attempt, Reilus keeps hold of the cape in his right arm while reaching out with his left and taking hold of Maria's right hand in his own, who does not outwardly react to the gesture, but gently squeezes his hand in hers, a sign to Reilus that she had accepted his hold and that everything was going to be okay.

“Ledre magara beluke.” The mages whispered as the light fro the glyph filled the room, their bodies glowing alight with their mana, with the four in the middle feeling a lift in their own bodies as the light grew brighter, almost blinding to anyone that could see from outside. In the next moment, the glyph surged and in a flash, the light grew to it's brightest as the four figures in the middle felt themselves being carried by the light, their bodies disappearing from view, heading to their destination with blinding speed.