The Soul Keeper

Silence followed the Demon Lord's words. No one dared speak.

"Prepare our guests rooms for the night," His next words were more surprising than anything else. As one of the demons in the room dashed outside to have the Lord's order done, Inspector John's face went pale.

"We wouldn't want to inconvenience-"

"You will spend the night, and tomorrow at dusk, we march." The Demon Lord's eyes met with Vixia's, who was leaning on the wall by the entrance. "Make the preparations."

She bowed slightly with a wicked grin on her face and left the room. Two soldiers followed her, probably to help round up their forces.

"Fetheion, the choice to join the battle or remain here is yours. I will not force you." The Lord's voice was much softer than moments ago. The Exiled Divine shook his head. "I haven't repaid my dept to Kai just yet. I will fight by your side."

My expression soured. 

"And what about you?" The Lord's voice changed once more. As looked at the Keeper, he slightly lowered his head. I could feel his grip loosen a bit as well. "What is your wish?"

The Keeper remained silent for a moment. "Only time will tell." He finally spoke. His gaze lingered on me for a moment before he looked up, out the paned glass windows. "I shall take my leave for now. Do try not killing the child." As he spoke, a rift appeared behind him. He stepped through it and disappeared.

Silence ensued once more. Inspector John took a deep breath, preparing to speak, but Fetheion was quick to stop him. "In that case, we wouldn't wish to disturb you anymore." He hesitated as his gaze fell on me. "Would you allow us all to take our leave?" 

The Demon Lord's lips curled upwards. "Of course," His gaze lingered on Fetheion, waiting for him to lead the other two out. The Exiled Divine hesitated, glancing at me, then at the Demon Lord.

I gulped, wasn't he going let me go? What could he possibly want from me?

"Well?" The Demon Lord asked, his lips forming a wicked smile. Fetheion's shoulders dropped. "Allow us." He said, then lightly pushed Aoife and Inspector John towards the entrance.

My sister's eyes widened. "Wait! What about Kai?" She asked, with a look of terror in her eyes. She wanted to walk towards us, but Fetheion was quick to stop her. He caught her by the arm and dragged her towards the exit.

"Let go of me!" She shouted, then glanced at the Inspector. "Do something! Say something!" 

I closed my eyes. She was making a scene – she was garnering more unnecessary attention on herself. I knew she was doing it out of worry for me, but still, I wished she could just do as she was told. 

"She cares a lot about you."  The Demon Lord's words startled me. "Why would you bring her here? You are not a fool – you know how dangerous it is for your kind here." 

His grip tightened. I gasped for air. He watched me struggle for a little bit, then let go of my throat. My knees and legs gave out; his firm, painful grip was the only thing keeping me standing so far after all. I collapsed on the ground, gasping for air and touched my throat.

"Well?" He asked. I took a few shallow breaths. I didn't trust my voice enough to speak right now, but I wouldn't dare keep him waiting.

"I didn't have a choice – more Ereth would come eventually. They wouldn't hesitate to kill her." I coughed and glanced at my hand. My fingertips were bloody.

The Demon Lord laughed out loud. "So you thought this place was safer?"

I gritted my teeth and looked up. Our gazes met. His purple eyes seemingly peered into my soul. "You won't kill her for no reason. Or the representative. As long as I play my part, they will be safe, am I right?" It took all of my courage to speak those words. I was playing with fire, I was very well aware of that.

The Demon Lord seemed surprised for a moment, then a wicked grin appeared on his lips.

"Well said, Kai Friseal. Very well said." He laughed. His bellowing laughter echoed in the throne room. It was a terrifying laughter, filled with evil and sinister purpose. I looked away as a chill ran down my spine.

"You will play your part. And so will I, the Exiled Divine and the Keeper." His low voice struck me as odd, but I wasn't about to question anything right now. "Now – let's get everything ready for tomorrow's battle. Wait here." He lightly waved his hand in the air before heading towards the entrance.

I flinched as a set of magical glyphs appeared around me. He glanced at me, daring me to try and step out of the circle of glyphs. I simply looked away. I wasn't stupid enough to try anything right now.

With the faint remnants of a wicked smile on his lips, he walked down the stairs and towards the entrance. Two guards were quick to open the gates to let him pass through.

I watched as he left and held my breath as I came eye to eye with Inspector John. He, Aoife and Fetheion were standing right across the gates, probably waiting for someone to take them to their accommodations. Aoife and Fetheion's backs were turned to the gate, so they didn't notice me.

The Inspector glanced at the Demon Lord, then at me with a pale face. I quickly shook my head in an attempt to warn him not to do anything stupid. He bit his lips but didn't do anything else.

Soon the gates closed, and I breathed a sigh of relief. With the Demon Lord gone, the sheer pressure his presence alone created had also dissipated somewhat. Breathing was a bit easier, and so I just closed my eyes and took deep breaths.

I didn't know what the Demon Lord wanted from me. What my 'role' in all of this was. He hadn't told Inspector John what he wanted in exchange for the Demons' aid either. 

I knew I was the most likely person to be able to approach the Divine Pillar, simply because I wasn't a demon. The light wouldn't hurt me as much as it would hurt them. But I couldn't shake the feeling that he had something else in mind. Something more.

Something I wouldn't like.

Soon, the door swung open once again, and the Demon Lord stepped in. I glanced at him, then back at the glyphs once more. What was going to happen now?

His immense presence filled the room once more. He approached me, and as he did, I quickly got up. Without a moment of hesitation, he grabbed me by my throat again. I gritted my teeth – I hated this.

He pulled me closer as a rift appeared behind him.

"Time to restore your powers."