The Prince of Demons

Ikol clearly introduced himself to Nil, Luna, and Krahinn. With Ipnerslei nearby saying Ikol was my henchman would get me lectured. Ikol went back into physical form as he looked Krahinn up and down. Krahinn looked at Ikol as his malevolent thoughts were written all over his face. I dashed over, tapping Ikol, and dragging him away from the crochety old bird before Krahinn decided Ikol was a fun toy to play with. Nil and Krahinn exchanged glances as the two held a fast conversation while Ikol didn't understand why I pulled him away from Krahinn.

"I wasn't going to do anything." Krahinn quipped, pretending to be offended I suspected him of trying something.

"No bullying Ikol! I know you Krahinn!" I snapped at him.

"I would never bully a guest of the castle; that is wrong and something I would never do." Krahinn lied. Ipnerslei gave him a stare that let me know she was unconvinced.

"Maybe not within thirty seconds of meeting them." Nil taunted Krahinn. The two looked at each other and I pulled Ikol closer.

"Why are you pulling me closer, Chef?" Ikol checked. I recognized their expressions and a duel was imminent.

"Because those two are about to fight and you do not want to be near them when that happens." I explained. Luna flicked Nil while giving him a stern stare.

"There is a guest Nil; we should be cordial and greet him properly. Your <Familiar> has returned and is visiting you." Luna lectured him. Nil grimaced before clearly conceding.

"Later Krahinn." Nil sighed, looking disappointed not to be dueling his <Totem>.

"Wow, barely any pressure from her at all and you caved." Krahinn taunted. Nil took a deep breath to compose himself.

"I am trying to set a good example as this is the first time Ikol is visiting Tenebrae. As the Crown Prince of Speranza it is my job to be welcoming to our guests." Nil replied politely. How many lessons with Duthane did it take for him to be able say that with a straight face?

"Don't be a jerk, Krahinn." Ipnerslei chided. Krahinn let out a long, dramatic sigh of annoyance.

"Fine, I won't bully Ikol for now. I am curious, however, why Lux decided to bring him along, and is even protecting him a bit. That is unlike her." Krahinn conceded, looking directly at us.

"Because I wanted to see where Chef is from! And I wanted to see Nil and the bird that Chef said was stronger than Hoggdin!" Ikol answered immediately. And his mom will behead me if he doesn't have fun.

"Bird?! I am not a bird, I am an <Eternal>!" Krahinn spat in an instant.

"Chef?" Nil probed as a devious smile stretched across his lips.

"She is Chef! The best cook and I should remember her glorious roast fish!" Ikol parroted, not stumbling on a single word. Why now could he pronounce glorious correctly?

"Does she make you go, 'Yes Chef!. Right away, Chef!'?" Nil probed. Of course he was going to pry into that.

"Once in aw-" Ikol began before I held his mouth shut.

"Eppa eppa." I ordered him as I let go. Ikol began nodding along as he stopped talking. Krahinn's anger was soon replaced with joining Nil's villainous smile. You two suck.

"Eppa eppa?" Nil inquired as he smelt blood in the water.

"Anyways, let's get moving along. No need for you two to torture Lux out here." Orga interjected as she motioned for all of us to start moving towards the castle.

Nil and Krahinn looked at me with fiendish smiles as they eyed Ikol. Ikol was trotting along, completely oblivious to the people around him. My best bet at getting the two to leave Ikol alone were Luna and Ipnerslei. Luna was looking between Ikol and I with her face difficult to read. Ikol was happily checking out the plants and would occasionally look at the guards with this wondrous expression on his face. He was bouncing around, staring at the various statues and art on display. He licked a suit of armor out of curiosity. Nil looked at him and then me with a very forced expression on his face.

"This place is amazing, Chef!" Ikol told me as he saw the size of the doors.

"As long as you're having fun." I assured him. Nil and Luna looked at me a bit more intensely now.

What is the deal with Ikol? Nil asked me directly.

Because if the idiot doesn't have a good time or gets hurt his mom will beat the shiza out of me. I explained. Nil's smile became more villainous.

Oh? Someone the great and mighty Chef doesn't want to offend? Nil probed. I wanted to swat that smile right off his face.

Do not encourage him. It's a struggle with him and his mom is just as strong as Hoggdin. I snarled at Nil.

Fine, fine. I'll leave your friend alone and make sure he has a good time. Nil conceded. That was uncharacteristically cooperative from him.

Why? I checked, not getting why Nil was being so cooperative.

You may tease me about Luna, but you are cordial and get along with her. Ikol seems nice so far. On the other hand, I am so giving you grief over this. Nil explained with a smug grin.

Fair, I'll take that. I agreed. It was the best I was getting from Nil.

"So, Ikol, how did you meet Lux?" Nil asked politely. Luna looked at Nil suspiciously. Nil made an I'm innocent gesture with a smile.

"Boss wanted me to help Chef workout! Then we began dueling!" Ikol answered him.

"How'd that go?" Nil probed. Nil was clearly gauging how Ikol measured against me.

"I used to win, then Chef went from wakka wakka to woosha woosha and began winning a lot more. It's been a while since I've won." Ikol explained in an upbeat voice.

"Woosha woosha?" Nil inquired while his eyes were on me with the widest smile on his face.

"Woosha woosha!" Ikol confirmed. I noticed Krahinn give the most deadpan stare to Ipnerslei.

"Who is Boss then?" Nil checked. Ikol looked ecstatic to be talking about Hoggdin.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

"S...sov..er...reign Hoggdin." Ikol answered as he sounded out the word. Krahinn's eyes took on a glint that let me no he was up to no good.

"Hoggdin is Boss?" Krahinn verified. He went from looking completely disinterested to like Nil when fireworks were nearby.

"Yes." Ikol confirmed for Krahinn. Krahinn was now smiling.

"You know, Hoggdin likes being referred to as the Scaled Boss of Old." Krahinn lied. Ipnerslei glared at him.

"Do not listen to Krahinn." I instructed Ikol.

"But didn't you say he was the strongest here?" Ikol checked. Oh, for the love of the Lords Ikol.

Ipnerslei, please help. I begged before this spiraled away further.

"Just because he is strong doesn't mean he is telling the truth." I told Ikol quickly. Ikol looked at me before looking at Krahinn who was nodding like he was telling the truth.

Don't worry, I'll help. Ipnerslei assured me.

"Ikol, Krahinn enjoys causing trouble. Do not listen to him." Orga interjected before Ipnerslei had the chance as she kept reading her book.

"Yes Fox Teacher!" Ikol declared. And he just believed her? To be fair, Miril tolerates me more as Ikol gets to sit in on my lessons. It still irritated me that Ikol just immediately believed Orga.

Krahinn went to glare at Orga, but Ipnerslei clearly was chewing him out mentally. His interest clearly diminished upon realizing that we wouldn't let him pollute Ikol's head with stupid ideas to take back to Phestia. Nil was taking his time as the gears in his head were clearly turning. Why did I have to get saddled with baby sitting Ikol? Stupid Miril. She was going to complain nonstop if I hung out with the airhead, but it was my fault if something happened to him. Ridiculously unfair double standard. Nil did say he was going to be nice and cordial towards Ikol, which gave me some hope that he wouldn't be mean towards him. Knowing Nil though, that didn't save Ikol from getting involved in one of his schemes as some innocent distraction. Luckily, Luna was also nearby so Nil wouldn't be too brazen about whatever he tried.

"Can I spar you, Nil?" Ikol requested after a few moments of silence.

"Just me, or me augmented with Krahinn?" Nil asked, looking at me.

"What does ah-men-ted mean?" Ikol probed. Nil looked like he was enjoying each word that had left Ikol's mouth.

"Just him." I informed Ikol. Ikol was likely going to get beat senseless by just Nil; he didn't need Krahinn helping him.

"Okay, but what does that word mean?" Ikol pressed. Nil using his fancy words.

"Roughly, adding onto." Nil explained. Ikol looked like his mind was blown.

"How do you add Krahinn to you? Does he stand on your shoulders?" Ikol asked. Nil looked like he was silently thanking the Lords for Ikol's presence.

He's not a philosopher, stop looking so happy! I snarled at Nil. Nil looked back at me with his smug smirk going.

I have put that together. I am trying to be pleasant; you are so paranoid. Relax. Nil taunted me. I knew he was still figuring out what angle he was going to work this from.

Uh huh. I spat back.

Nil just activated the tattoo on his hand and fused with Krahinn. Ikol stepped back in shock at the sheer amount of <Mana> Nil possessed in that state. Krahinn's nine eyes floated around him as the ethereal, feathered armor floated just above him. The <Mana> has grown so much since last time. Nil stood there calmly, looking at Ikol who felt that creepy, unnatural crispness Nil's <Mana> possessed. Ikol clearly was unsettled by what he was feeling around him before Nil and Krahinn separated from each other. Ikol looked back at me, his eyes showing how alarmed by the fact he just challenged Nil to a duel he was. I sighed internally as I knew Ikol might start having a panic attack.

You'll be fine. It's just Nil, not Nil and Krahinn. Nil is still a powerful opponent, but he is not able to use what you were just shown without Krahinn. I informed Ikol.

Are you sure? Ikol inquired, sounding quite distressed.

Yes. Nil will not cripple or overly beat you up if you concede before forcing him to prove it. When Nil or one of us says he has won, stop there and you'll be fine. I reassured Ikol.

How much weaker is he without scary bird? Ikol checked as he began repositioning in the group. His eyes were still darting between the two of them.

A lot. It'd be a good learning experience. Plus, Nil promised he'd try and make sure you have a good time. He doesn't break his word. I informed Ikol who was currently next to me. He so subtly put me between him and Krahinn.

"Just Nil." Ikol declared. Krahinn looked like he wanted to say something but stopped himself.

"Krahinn, can you please bring us to one of the training areas?" Nil requested. In an instant, we were all there. Orga looked around and sighed.

"I just wanted to go discuss some theories with Nez and report to their Imperial Majesties." Orga sighed. Krahinn and her vanished in an instant.

"Guess we'll be seeing them later." Nil quipped as he shrugged.

"You better be nice." Luna whispered to Nil, but it was loud enough for me to hear.

"Relax; you are all so jumpy. I am not going to be mean to dear Ikol." Nil stated while moving his hands in a calming gesture.

Nil calmly walked across the small gap and took a starting position with his hands in his pockets. He is totally looking down on Ikol. I felt a bit irritated at that; Ikol may not have been brilliant, but he could still fight. Then again, Ikol had never dueled the nonsense that was Nil. I know why Nil is that confident. Ikol took the other starting spot before I used <Light Burst> to make a starting signal. Ikol went to close the gap on Nil, who already used <Temporal Erasure> to bring Ikol to him. Ikol looked confused as Nil kicked him, with nothing happening; Nil was clearly going to show very little mercy. Nil wove around Ikol's first few swats, connecting with kicks that had no immediate effect before using <Warp> to go behind Ikol. Ikol pivoted to Nil, but it was too late as the <Dead Time> kicked in. Ikol's shock as he was now suddenly getting hit by Nil was apparent. Nil watched as Ikol simply endured the hits while rushing towards him again, still keeping his hands in his pockets. Ikol was quickly able to close the gap on Nil who simply kicked him away to make himself more distance. Ikol was more properly reinforced as he tried getting near Nil; Nil's eyes began glowing now that he was about to kick things up a notch. Nil vanished again as Ikol threw a spear with incredible accuracy at where he appeared. What? Nil's eyes went wide as he immediately formed <Dark Nebula> to stop the attack cold. How did Ikol guess where Nil was going to manifest? I knew Nil practiced with Krahinn hiding his <Warps>.

Ikol did not relent as he charged Nil again, using <Light Burst> to close the gap as fast as he could. Ikol, I hate to break it to you, but you are not going to move fast enough to catch Nil off guard. Nil looked a bit flustered as he deflected Ikol by a narrower margin than I expected. What was happening? Even Luna and Ipnerslei looked a bit confused as to why Nil was struggling with Ikol as he dodged around his onslaught. Ikol wizened up, making his stance more compact and not letting any limb of Nil's touch him. Nil finally took his hands out, summoning his sword. Oh, Nil was getting serious. Krahinn reappeared, looking a bit dismayed, then perplexed as to why Nil was forced to use his sword against Ikol. Krahinn slumped for a second, clearly looking through Nil's eyes, before returning to himself and laughing uncontrollably. Nil formed <Mana> around his left hand before dashing in. He was clearly done dodging as he slugged Ikol full force in the jaw. The room echoed from the sheer amount of <Mana> behind the attack as Nil manifested behind Ikol, dragged him closer with <Temporal Erasure>, and used what looked like <Astral Slash> combined with his <Aqueous Formation> to try and cut Ikol in half. Ikol pivoted and partially blocked the sword, but the explosive <Mana> still connected cleanly. Nil <Shifted> Ikol towards his hand, ripping him forcefully with <Temporal Erasure> as his sword went to impale itself through Ikol. Ikol's body bent around his sword as he stabbed it hard into Ikol's rib cage, clearly dulled with his <Mana> so Ikol collapsed huffing in a heap on the ground. Nil looked frustrated and glared at a laughing Krahinn. I ran over and checked on him; Ikol was already standing back up while stretching as he was nearly healed.

"I didn't know that could counter <Future Peek>!" Nil defended himself, looking incensed at Ikol. Krahinn was still laughing hard enough that he was crying.

"How could it not you forling idiot!" Krahinn laughed. What did Ikol do?

"That was fun!" Ikol cheered as he was bouncing around.

"Rematch." Nil demanded. Huh, Nil didn't win enough for his liking.

"Hold on, what did you do Ikol?" I checked. Nil looked so irritated by Ikol as Krahinn laughed harder.

"Fought!" Ikol answered like it perfectly clarified everything.

"Idiot has no thoughts; he just does. There is nothing but elevator music in that head of his." Nil snapped. I mean true, but how did that work against Nil's <Future Peek>?

"The idiot just goes off pure instinct. Meaning, all the options are being shown by <Future Peek> because not even Ikol knows what his next move is." Krahinn clarified between fits of laughter. Nil stared at Ikol clearly still wanting to fight him again.

Ikol, take that match and run for now while Nil cools off. I warned him. Ikol looked at Nil and at least seemed to grasp Nil was about to duel a lot rougher than before.

"Yes Chef!" Ikol cheered out loud, moving over and sitting next to me. Good musclehead.