Minutes slowly passed and the party waited patiently for the king’s word. Would they be granted passage or be forced to leave? It would be quite difficult on them if it were the latter. Time is not a friend. And yet they sorely needed it.The gate of vines soon opened and the guard from earlier walked back outside, he motioned to the group to come closer and told them solemnly, “His majesty has agreed to see you. He has said that he was interested with what the young princess of Benulis has to say.”“That’s great, thank you for your help, sir knight,” she said with respect to the man, then walked forth to the wooden door.The two guards opened it for her, sitting at the sides in an orderly manner. They waited until all three of the princess’ companions followed after her too, before closing them inside.“Whoa,” Samuel started darting his gaze from place to place, “It’s even more colorful on

“Won’t live through it?” Elyenora tilted her head. “May I ask what you mean by that.” “Ely isn’t dying,” Mon’Ter glared from the side. “You,” Elyenora pointed at him, “shush.” “Okay...” he sat behind Elyenora’s chair in a crouched position, holding his knees close and his back to the princess’ seat. “Done with the skit?” Agathon smiled. “More or less,” Elyenora straightened herself with her chin raised high, trying to seem more dignified even after her comrade’s, or well in this case specifically, retainer’s blunder. “So, is it possible that you could you elaborate?” Agathon placed his glass of wine on the table, then clenched his hands together whilst looking straight into the princess’ eyes. “Bei

“Know your bounds, Mora,” Mon’Ter, no, Arth’Roth spoke. “The last time you attempted something, how exactly did that go for you?” “You amuse me, demon prince,” Spiritus Mora smiled. “Or should I call you Usurper? The next Demon King? How would you prefer, you undead bastard?” “I’d rather you just used my name, or better yet, not bring me out of this child’s consciousness by such force,” Arth’Roth glared, the fear he placed upon Mora growing. Each piece of white had now truly seeped itself into crimson. As the two had their stare down, the supposed Arch-Lord class king of the elves looked towards them from the floor. He raised his head while trembling through his entire self, breathing was hard and moving was nigh-impossible. ‘The demon prince… Arth’Roth?’ Agathon’s lip shook. ‘I thought him special as a sane humanoid chimera, but… To think the creature, the person keeping him sane was that prince of demons himself…! ‘Demons should have long si

“That was close,” Arth’Roth mumbled while watching the door vanish. “Can’t have our magic leaking out like that. This child’s friends won’t be able to handle it.”“You’d do best not to ignore me,” Mora said as clocks made from magical energy formed all around them.“YOU’d do best to cease your stupidity and act civil,” Arth’Roth glared back at him, his tail swung around them and shattered each clock in an instant. “I do not wish to stick around for long, so listen carefully to what I’m about to tell you.”“You think you’re in any position to talk like that to me?” Mora narrowed his gaze. “As you are now, can you even exert half of your original prowess? I doubt you could even do a third! While I, I have grown far superior to what I was a millennia ago! You shall not continue to mock me as an inferior to you, Arth’Roth!”<

Elyenora laid in a chair between two beds set out for her comrades, Samuel and Sereia. Neither showed signs of waking up anytime soon, and she was still pondering on whether Mon'Ter was alive or not. It ate away at her, enough so that she wasn't even sure if she was processing it or blanking out. The elves, Lanos and Namir, had gathered personnel from outside the keep. They had managed to round up everyone unconscious and were now taking care of them in this large hall full of beds, everything seemed more or less fine with the people, but panic was slowly setting into the ranks of the guards and medics tending to the victims. The king had vanished, along with their connection to the spirit world, and as an extension, their deity. Words and murmurs travelled, creating circles, twists and turns throughout the area. The center of the hall had beds, with those in need of care under a healer’s hands. Many seemed like some curse had been afflicted upon them, as if