The Prince of Demons

Luna

I sat on Phestia, dreading the outcome of the events of today. I hope everyone is okay, please everyone be okay. Sitting around only training felt awful, just waiting for the outcome. I will do whatever it takes to not be in this situation again. Hoggdin was lounging around, looking generally disinterested in the events of the day. I guess he has no personal stake in it, even if he is assisting us. I shook my head because Hoggdin was being immensely helpful to us and that wasn't fair to him; Riva and Ein seemed oblivious to the peril their family was currently in. Or my dad, Dad will be safe. I currently was taking a break from training and trying to increase my <Affinity> as my head and body were screaming from it. There had to be someway to train this more efficiently or a way that didn't make me feel so awful after training it for what didn't feel like it was that long. Maybe it was a lacking in this kind of practice, or the fact I was distracted by worrying. Helga seemed to be alright or handling it better than I was from what I could tell. Nautilus is in danger as well, how could she be fine?

Before I could mull it over more, Miril appeared in an instant. The scariest part of her immense speed was the complete lack of feedback that accompanied it. No wind, no booms of sound, she just moved so fast the world couldn't keep up. How did you possibly follow that level of speed? Miril's speed unsettled me in such a unique way it was hard to describe. Why is it different than Nil's <Warp>? He jut appears and it isn't as unsettling. Is it the knowledge she covered immense ground in moments? She seemed infuriated by something, glaring viciously at Hoggdin who paid it no mind. Hoggdin shifted up, smiling at her with a toothy grin. This might be a decent distraction from the anguish of waiting given how irritated Miril was. Where did she run to? She was gone a few hours at most, but with her speed I imagined that could cover most of an entire planet several times over.

"When did you and bird brains have a meeting to conspire against me?" Miril snapped at him.

"Bird brains? I was unaware of someone with that name." Hoggdin coyly replied. His shiza eating grin was something to behold.

"Ilrymax. Don't play dumb with me." Miril snarled in irritation.

"Did someone reach the same conclusion that I did?" Hoggdin inquired with such a toothy grin. Why do so many of these strong beings like smiling to taunt others? I had no idea why they all seemed to enjoy doing it; maybe because Krahinn did it first and infected the rest of them with that thinking.

"Be nice to her. Be better than Cihlt." Miril said mockingly.

"I do appreciate someone else pointed out you are acting exactly like Cihlt did." Hoggdin added on. The anger seeping out of Miril was staggering. Who was Cihlt?

"I am nothing like her." Miril growled at him in frustration. Someone she hated, interesting.

I am glad to see there are other high-powered individuals with the same level of maturity as the ones we know. Helga chimed mentally.

There are a few that act more proper. I pointed out to her.

Two are the epitome, Emperor Father Nil and Emperor Mother Poam. Emperor Azzeck and Empress Senna are quite good as well. The rest, learning. Some much faster than others. Helga replied with a bit of a smile, making an immensely loving expression.

Nautilus is trying her best. I assured her. Nautilus tried so hard for Helga.

I know she is; she is really trying. Helga laughed, clearly remembering when it was attempted to teach her how to eat like a noble by her chuckling.

"I SWEAR TO THE LORDS THE NEXT PERSON TO COMPARE ME TO CIHLT IS GOING TO DIE!" Miril roared at Hoggdin.

"What did King Ilrymax say to warrant such a response?" Hoggdin inquired calmly as he was clearly amused by her outburst.

"That I should try to be nicer to Lux! And we had a chat and it was ultra uncomfortable!" Miril shouted at Hoggdin.

"Oh no, the horror." Hoggdin declared dramatically.

"Lux was all like, 'I have no idea what is going on' the entire time too!" Miril complained. I know how Lux talked about you; I am not shocked.

"I have no idea what could have caused that." Hoggdin taunted her. Miril looked ready to absolutely lose it on Hoggdin.

"You are not being helpful." Miril grumbled as she bitterly walked around.

"You have acted similar to the birth giver of Izol towards Lux and then are surprised that she was not ready for you to suddenly act nice." Hoggdin told her in a deadpan tone. So that's who Cihlt was.

"I have been nice to her." Miril deflected weakly. I noticed Riva began hiding behind Helga now the Miril was irritated again.

You seemed to have gained one Riva. I pointed out to Helga.

If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Yes, it was nice of King Miril to teach her that not every fluffy thing is nice. Helga replied with a smirk.

How do you think things are going on Tenebrae? I asked Helga. They'd all be fine, right? Some part of me was terrified of Nil becoming like the Eternal Emperor again.

As well as they can be. You have the malice of a Lord to contend with. I wish I could say that everything will resume as it was before, but I do not imagine a Lord's irritation not holding grave consequences for those involved. Helga answered in a depressed tone.

I just hope they're all fine. I replied, hating the fact we were stuck here until the end.

I hope so too. Helga agreed, moving a little so Riva was hidden behind her better. Ein seemed relatively oblivious to his sister's distress. He was just admiring different art pieces of Hoggdin.

How much longer do you think it will take? I probed because I wanted to be back on Tenebrae.

I know the time between here and Tenebrae move at fairly similar rates, with here time being slightly faster. It's hard to say, the fighting might have dragged out, or they need to rest and recover their <Mana> before they can come retrieve us from Phestia. Helga explained. I sighed from hoping for a more concrete answer; it was an unrealistic expectation of me.

I just want to be able to return with everyone safe and sound. I lamented to Helga.

Try not to obsess over it. If we sit here dreading it for hours we'll drive ourselves mad. Helga suggested. Like I wasn't going to worry about those we cared about dealing with the wrath of a Lord.

Are you not worried about Nautilus? I shot back. That was crummy of me.

Of course I am. I'm terrified of what's happening on Tenebrae right now and want to just enjoy the nonsense of Miril learning that maybe being a better being towards someone that surprisingly did nothing overly wrong for once in this instance might be better for her in the future. Helga snapped right back.

I'm sorry. That was uncalled for. I apologized. That wasn't fair of me, obviously she was worried about Nautilus, and Speranza.

Can we please just enjoy her nonsense for a little bit? Helga requested as she clearly wanted the distraction.

"Where would Ikol even go on that Lord forsaken Realm?!" Miril whined at Hoggdin.

"I'd imagine in the nice castle where Lux lives." Hoggdin told her drily.

"How nice could a castle be? It probably has rats." Miril shot back in an irritated tone.

"You would find a fault in paradise having bedding too fluffy and comfortable if it meant Ikol may not leave." Hoggdin retorted. Miril made a face at that as her anger was boiling out again.

"You are being ridiculous." Miril insisted with a huff.

"Maybe make friends with the beings that he'd be around and could help ensure he comes back to visit occasionally." Hoggdin suggested. He clearly was done with Miril's whining on the subject. Part of me wondered how many times this or a similar conversation happened based on Hoggdin's reaction.

"That might not be a bad idea." Miril mused, bobbing her head back and forth a bit.

Please entertain her nonsense. I do not want to have this conversation yet again with her. Hoggdin pleaded with me mentally.

How often does this happen? I inquired, figuring Miril was likely just as stubborn and arrogant as Lux.

Whenever she gets anxious over Ikol, or when she tries acting better. I suspect Miril is so used to being her normal petty, arrogant, condescending self that when she tries to act like a decent being her body rejects it. Hoggdin answered me. I fought to keep my straight face at the thought. It would be the right thing to do to pay back Hoggdin.

"So, Miril, how has your day been?" I asked her. Helga gave me a raised eyebrow as she clearly was curious why I was engaging with Miril.

"Awful, why are you asking?" Miril challenged, narrowing her gaze at me.

"I was trying to be friendly with our hosts. Granted, this is Hoggdin's cave, but I imagine in the future we may be seeing more of each other." I answered. Miril looked incensed at that for some reason. What was wrong with my answer?

"Why would we be seeing more of each other? Do you plan on hiding here often? Or are you conspiring with everyone else to take my baby from me?!" Miril snarled, appearing in front of me before I could blink. I could Hoggdin just shaking his head behind her.

"I thought you wanted to make friends with the beings your son my be spending time with soon. Ikol is quite delightful." I tried. I really wished I had some method of sensing or dealing with her being faster than my eyes could follow. Just another thing for me to develop and work on.

"Just because it was suggested doesn't mean it is something I intended on doing." Miril retorted with a huff. I fought the urge to sigh when Miril said that.

"Miril." Hoggdin chided as she made a mocking face at him calling her out.

"I was nice once already and it felt wrong!" Miril defended herself like that somehow made it better.

"Maybe practice being nicer to others." Hoggdin suggested as he clearly was done with this conversation.

"Not today. You all were so helpful." Miril mocked as she vanished. That speed of hers was highly unsettling.

"I do apologize for King Miril, she often takes her stress or worries out on others." Hoggdin informed us. That was unfortunate, but understandable.

"Is she that worried about her son?" Helga asked, seeming to be a bit amused by just how childish she was.

"Mostly that, yes. I think the fact she will soon be ruling is also not helping. I do appreciate the patience you all have shown her." Hoggdin stated politely.

"It is not a problem, Sovereign Hoggdin. We again greatly appreciate you willing to help us out and stay here." Helga replied while fighting how bad she wanted to chuckle at Riva slowly shuffling out from behind her. Ein was still engrossed in all of Hoggdin's art I'm not sure he even realized what just happened.

Hoggdin kind of nodded and just went back to relaxing in silence. I sighed as my attempt to further befriend King Miril failed; to be fair, that was not exactly my best attempt. We all had things that made us worry, I guess. And her having to act in a way she's not used to I guess just was too much for her to deal with currently. Not like I never tried running away from a situation that made me uncomfortable or scared; I let out a sigh as I was now back to just waiting. The silence as we waited was just so suffocating, I hated it so much. Please be all right, please be all right. I felt recovered enough to try and increase my <Affinity> some more which I quickly hit my limit again after only two hours of working at it. I wanted to let out a frustrated scream but that wasn't a good idea to just start yelling randomly in the cave. I stood up to walk laps to try and distract myself when at long last a <Portal> finally opened with an incredibly haggard looking Krahinn stepping out. I felt my stomach drop when I saw the state of Krahinn, as he looked defeated and exhausted. Seeing Krahinn looking that haggard made my blood absolute ice. What happened?