Another world, another time.
'No news from Raven. Nothing from Zephyr...'
Bookshelves were meticulously arranged.
'He made it outside at least. The rest is in Raven's hands.'
Various papers and parchments were organized.
Nia couldn't communicate with any of them.
She was feeling slightly restless and, therefore, decided to organize her quarters.
Organizing her quarters usually helped her organize her thoughts.
'Whether they take the shortest route or take their time shouldn't be an issue...'
Nia took hold of a peculiar vase and changed its location.
It was a gift she had received, long ago from Al, a fellow General, part of Gaavah's Army.
'Problem is Raven. If the urge to go on a sightseeing trip gets to him...'
She stared at the Vase for a bit, before placing it in front of a Vial in which four glowing eyes floated.
The vial had been given to her as a gift too.
It wasn't clear whether she thought the location appropriate for the Vase, or if she wanted to hide that Vial.
'They're both fickle and eccentric in more ways than one. Mm. I could imagine them forming a duo and completely dismissing the original plan.'
Wanna see a city full of Vampires?
Vampires? Sounds good. I'm sure they'll taste great.
Nia shook her head and quickly got dressed.
Seconds later, she was walking down a long corridor.
The stones that made up the walls and floor seemed old.
Nevertheless, the structure, in its entirety, projected great power.
It was a castle.
A Demon Lord's Castle.
The sound of her dark boots hitting the ground resonated with each step.
Each step, each movement, conscious, deliberate, and calculated.
Nia never took a step without, prior to doing so, thinking about where she was going and why?
About where or on what her foot would land exactly.
Her long dark cloak danced with the wind behind her.
The golden patterns sewed on and there on the cloak accentuated her golden eyes and red hair.
The cloak had been designed by Arani, another fellow General.
It only took a couple of minutes for her to arrive at the gigantic gates.
The doors felt like gigantic gates. Probably because of what lay behind rather.
Or rather, who.
Nia took a deep breath in before pushing the doors open and entering the room.
She took a dozen steps forward before,
"Nia."
Draconia immediately stopped advancing and kneeled.
"My Lord."
"I hope you bring good news."
A powerful voice that made both floor and walls shake.
A voice that commanded respect.
In truth, it commanded respect from Nia simply because she was a General part of his Army.
Were she not, mind-breaking fear would have been elicited.
Gulp-
The Demon Lord Of Pride doesn't hope. He expects.
Something he had never said or expressed. Nevertheless, it was understood by all.
Her gaze lowered to the ground, Nia's lips parted.
"The Devourer has left the Dungeon. He currently should be with-"
"The Devourer."
Nia took a pause. She felt she was forced to do so.
"Yes, my Lord. The Devourer and the Evolving Monster."
"Mark, wasn't it?"
She suddenly rose her eyes towards the Demon Lord.
Shrouded in darkness, a lone red eye glowed back.
"Yes... My Lord." Nia answered as she lowered her gaze once more.
She was surprised that the Lord remembered that name. Or rather, that he cared enough to remember it.
"How do you refer to him?"
"My Lord?"
"How do you refer to the Candidate? By Name or Title?"
"By Name."
The Lord nodded.
"How will you refer to the Candidate once you find him?"
Nia took a pause.
"By... Name. Probably."
"How will you have him refer to you? General? Nia? Or..."
Nia raised her gaze once more.
"Draconia?"
"I have introduced myself as General. But I have had him refer to me as Nia."
"Mm. Good." The Lord took a short pause. "Then?"
"Raven should bring him to me in three weeks at most. An additional two weeks later, the Candidate will arrive here."
The Demon Lord remained silent.
Nia understood it was time to excuse herself.
But before she could stand,
"Do you remember our time in the Human Realm?"
The question greatly surprised her.
Both the sudden timing, and the question in and of itself.
"I do...?" A puzzled tone.
"Take care of the Candidate."
"Yes, my Lord."
Seconds later, Nia was outside the throne room.
She only walked a couple of seconds down on hallway before,
"Waiting for me?" Nia suddenly asked.
A chuckle resonated, and Arani made her way down the ceiling.
"I was." Arani answered while standing in Nia's way.
"What for?" Nia stepped forward.
"Mmm... Nothing in particular."
Nia rolled her eyes.
"Oh. Now that I think about it, it's weird, huh?"
"What is?"
"How come your quarters are the closest ones to the Lord's Throne? When you're the Seventh General? The weakest General? The last to have become a General?"
Nia stared for a bit.
"The Lord doesn't need protection. Which is why having the weakest being closest isn't an issue. That might be the answer. Or perhaps, since I was the last to join, I need the most guidance."
"Hah. You always have a smart-ass answer to give, huh?" Arani sneered as Nia walked past her.
The former stared at the latter's back and noticed.
"You're wearing the cloak I made for you...?"
"I am."
"Why? Did you know I would come?"
"Simply the best I have. Appropriate to wear when seeing the Lord."
Arani's eyes sparkled.
"So you admit I have good taste."
"Only when it comes to attire." Nia added as she walked away.
***
Thousands of miles away,
"You're sure you want to go through with it?" Elisa asked, in the middle of a blizzard.
Her eyes narrowed as the Timeworn Elven Daggers in her hands spun.
Around her neck and head, a piece of cloth had been wrapped.
"Yeah..."
A handful of spikes made of bones exited Mark's Inventory.
The next instant, they were broken and reassembled to form a Spear.
"Let's end this."
