Reborn in Flame

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I could feel magic in the blade, but I wasn't an enchanter or craftsman.

I didn't know exactly what the blade could do, and Clarissa was busy playing with her new toys in her private lab. I wasn't going to interrupt her for something so simple that I could learn later.

"Is something troubling you, my king?" Yubelluna, who was sitting across from me on the sofa, a cup of tea in her hands.

"Nothing's wrong." I said, sheathing the blade in a simple leather sheath I looted off one of the plain swords Serafall had left behind in the armory.

"I'm just wondering what makes this sword special, but I can worry about that later." Resting the sword in my lap, I smiled up at Yubelluna. "We haven't really had a chance to talk since everything went to shit. How are you holding up?"

Placing her tea down on the coffee table between us, Yubelluna said, "You do not need to worry about me, my king. I am well."

Having mentioned everything going to shit, my mind drifted to a potentially important manner and I nervously swallowed.

"Have you been in touch with your parents since this all kicked off? Are they alright? Lady Phenex didn't go after them to get at us, did she?" I'd set Yubelluna's parents up using the Phenex Pillar's money, if the harpy was feeling vindictive, she would have gone after them.

Yubelluna smiled pleasantly, causing me to sigh in relief. "I saw them just yesterday while you and Clarissa were inspecting the contents of the lab.

They have had no trouble from the Phenexes, but have decided to move to a further city anyway as a precaution."

"Will they have enough to get away cleanly?"

"Yes, my king. The work you provided them with has been more than generous. I still cannot thank you enough for that."

I waved her off. "I told you, you don't owe me anything. I'm just glad they didn't encounter any trouble. The last thing I want is for them to get pulled into this mess."

We lapsed into silence for a brief time before a frown grew on Yubelluna's lips.

"What's wrong?" I asked.

Yubelluna shook her head. "Nothing, my king. It's just…I must apologize."

"For what?"

"My actions during the Rating Game. I acted improperly and my actions were likely the catalyst for the ills that have befallen you. I failed as your queen." Yubelluna bowed her head as she finished speaking.

Shifting the sword off my knees and resting it against the side of my chair, I stood and walked over to Yubelluna, sitting down on the couch next to her.

She held her position as I sat down next to her, and I heard her breathing erratically.

Well I couldn't have that.

Gently, I reached out and grabbed her chin with my hand, turning her face up towards me while I leaned in.

As I kissed her, I felt her tense before slowly accepting it and grabbing my arm with her hand.

Pulling back, I smiled and said, "Nothing that happened is your fault. Even if it were, I'd probably be thanking you. What happened caused the Phenexes to show their true colors, and I'm glad I got away from them as cleanly as I did.

Ravel and Ruval excepted of course. I was a little surprised by you suddenly kissing me, but I didn't dislike it. I actually really liked it. You've known me longer than anyone except my family, so you know I'm not the most socially capable guy there is, but I want to see where this," I motioned between the two of us. "Goes. Would you be alright with that?"

Yubelluna's face lit up and she eagerly leaned forward, pressing her lips against mine. When she pulled back, her smile was even brighter. "I would like nothing more, Riser."

"Then I guess we'll see where this goes."

A loud tolling bell interrupted me as I went in for another kiss. The large grandfather clock in the room was striking five o'clock.

"I should prepare a meal." Yubelluna said, standing from the sofa.

"Yube, we can just eat sandwiches. You don't need to make anything."

"I want to. I will see you at dinner." She left the room, a skip in her step I hadn't seen before. I'd like to think I was the cause of that.

I watched her go, then walked back to my chair to retrieve the sword I'd won from the Old Satan Faction devil.

I picked it up and headed towards my private lab, the other lab Clarissa and I had worked on yesterday and decided its proximity to the master bedroom meant I should claim it. I wanted to find out what this sword did.

You show generosity. A cool, silvery voice spoke.

I drew the sword and spun around in a circle, looking for whoever had just spoken.

Look at your hand, devil.

My eyes panned to the sword in my grasp, and my jaw fell open. "No. There is no way."

Yet that is the case, banished scion of the phoenix. You are not like the last devil who wielded me.

She was consumed by selfish desires and revelled in the slaughter and torture of others, yet you ask after the well being of those connected to your servants; who distract them from their duty. You even go so far as to provide them a home and labor. Why?

"Um…Why what?" I asked, still trying to come to grips with the fact I was talking to a fancy piece of metal.

Why waste your energy aiding those beneath you, devil? Is it not your way to dominate and revel in carnage?

"Um…I consider myself a new age devil. The whole domination thing isn't up my alley. Too much work."

More work than waking a young woman who had been slumbering for a century? Whom even the greatest minds of my previous wielder's faction could not awaken?

"That was…I'd been working on that a while, and I have advantages they don't. My phoenix regeneration is practically the antithesis to any disease, no matter how strange.

Sorry, can I ask your name? I'm Riser." I felt like we'd skipped a few steps in the introduction process and attempted to back track.

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