Chapter 684: True Demonlord [15] (1/2)
Reality shifted; the Shadow Realm switched for the Overworld. Only a few hours ago, a battle of epic proportions devastated the landscape. Instead of returning, Lilith thought it best to have Draconis and Saniata remain, the training would be harsher.
”We finally meet,” said Igna sat on the stairs.
”Master, please be kind and remove thy shoes in thy room?”
”Just for once,” he leaned back towards the corridor, ”-Asmodeus and Kul, you two, head to the basement right away.”
”I'm going to sleep,” said Aceline, her long legs swiftly stride across.
”-Aceline, wait,” her steps slowed, the trio nodded and left.
”Are you irritated?” he approached gently as to not wake a bear.
”OBVIOUSLY,” she snapped, ”-I WAS NEARLY KILLED!”
”Didn't Éclair save you?”
”Save me?” her eyes narrowed, ”-the images of him being shot in the face while protecting me is called saving?”
”He's a hero then, you should be glad for he arrived like a knight to rescue a princess.”
”Drop the shit!” yelled across the hallway, ”-I was terrified and sad, I thought the manor would be destroyed, I didn't know what to say or do, I have nothing else in this world. You selfish, the moment you collapsed from saving those two – the guilt they felt, the heavy the house got, I couldn't take it.”
”And?” he held her hands, ”-I won't apologize for my actions. What I did was right, and I won't argue otherwise.”
”Don't you have a heart?” her lashes flickered.
”Me?” he paused; ”-I have a beating heart. What I feel is numbness,” he placed a hand onto her shoulder in compassion, ”-the reality is a harsh pill to swallow. The reason we're in Alphia isn't morally gratifying. I won't go into details, which is why I'll give you a way out. I understand my actions to bring you back were selfish, and I've done nothing to make the return worth the time. I was fixated on revenge, now I see, I should have kept a higher sight.”
”So, you going to abandon me?”
”Yes,” he firmed his resolve, ”-I am, and the decision is final.”
Words of grave consequence reached her ears, her face utterly embraced the epitome of despair and betrayal, for her, the idol who had been betrayed by all was going to be abandoned, the fear of solitude, her anger, it portrait across clearly. ”-That's it,” her voice lowered, ”-since I don't have a use, and the plan of being an idol is out the window, I'll be sent away. Igna…”
”Don't,” he placed an index to her luscious lips, ”-think what you may. I won't give any excuses, having you here at this moment is dangerous. The prior events speak for themselves, Hate me, I'll still be by your side. Long ago, the Aceline I met before becoming her bodyguard, was a person dead-set on fighting the world with her music. Back then, I was a fledgling who knew not of the true depth of where we lived. I'm not ashamed to admit, I was ignorant. People change, and so do the priorities; Alphia isn't the place to be. Gang violence, and the monster invasion, will become worse – Asmodeus and Kul, two of the strongest people I've met, were soundly defeated by a servant no less. If I allow a close companion of mine, the best friend to queen Gallienne be hurt, I'll never hear the end of it. Take a step and breathe, your personality has changed from nervous to confident. Hidros is where you're meant to be.”
”I know,” she sighed, ”-I know,” she approached and stared his deep crimson eyes, ”-part of me doesn't want to leave. Stop facing the enemy alone, stop facing the world alone, am I not support?”
”You are,” the eyelashes blinked softly, ”-you're strong, there's no denying,” he smiled and shifted to allow a better look behind, ”-who says I'm alone. I have Éclair, Asmodeus, Kul, and, ” two figures materialized, ”-Cora and Starix.”
”Basically, I'm unwanted?”
”No,” he shuffled her hair, ”-I'm saying to work harder in Hidros. Arda's yet to recover from war, the Federation need a beacon, someone to rally behind. The Pride of Hidros is still a title worthy of the name. Return to Apexi, show the new generation what it means to fight without violence.”
”What about you?”
”I'll do what I've always done, embrace the darker side of what the world has to offer. The greater the light, the deeper the shadow – become the light the people need, become someone they strive to be.”
”I yield.”
”Huh?”
”No way I'm going to win an argument against you. Share the burden with the others, I know there's much to be done,” the troubled face forced a smile, one of which he knew the value, ”-I'll carry your wishes to Hidros. We've yet to form the band, guitarist. I'll start the selection of members. We made a promise to perform as one, I'll hold those words until thee dies.”
”If you can last an eternity, then I'll be happy to oblige.”
Thus, the conversation ended. The prince and the demoness, aided by Éclair, took off from the roof and made for a different airstrip. There, Aceline would return home without trouble. The jet would take flight at the crack of dawn, an aerial view of the continent, especially the warzone of northern Odgawoan, firmed what he told. '-He had our best interest in mind. The music world, here I come once more. Igna, don't get yourself killed.'
A few hours after the take-off, the manor's rumble increased at intervals. ”-Master, I've stationed the guards around the hill, anything else I must attend?”
”Where is Starix?” the feet were kicked onto a smaller table inside the study.
”I have no idea, master.”
”Send for her immediately.”
”As wished,” the door closed to a relieved exhale, '-how imposing can a man be. I still can't get used to his voice. I sense more power within, does he not know the limit of his own strength?'
”What's with the gloominess,” inquired a chirpy Éclair.
”Gloominess?” they walked to the ground floor; ”-I don't understand.”
”First time working for the master, right,” he smiled with head held high.
”No, I was present when he laid another world to waste.”