The Prince of Demons

Luna

Krahinn vanished into the portal as the adults glared at me; they had no idea how close to disaster they were. How could Krahinn cast the that had yet to exist? He said there was a compendium of Nil’s knowledge but how would that work? After seeing , it would not surprise me he would be able to cast . I definitely wasn’t able to follow Nil to Ygdazi which was a shame. How long until Nil returned? I had no idea how long the process would take; I had to hope that Krahinn was just taunting us with that mess comment. Leave it to Nil to manage to get kidnapped by his own .

“Luna, why did you answer him?” Emperor Father Nil inquired with a sigh.

“I was not keen on seeing the that originally annihilated the Modinar Kingdom. Krahinn demonstrated he could cast the equally shouldn’t exist yet , so I was not testing if he was bluffing.” I answered. At this point, Lux and Orga left to resume training.

“What does that even do? to be precise.” Nez probed. The others gave him a bit of a side eye for asking that.

“I don’t know the specifics of how it works, but Nil basically created his own sun. It does something that generates an incredible amount of energy and heat before unleashing it in a massive explosion. I think it had another use if I recall correctly, though the one that everyone in the world remembered was it being used to evaporate the Modinar Kingdom off the map, rats and all.” I explained. Even if Krahinn cast it at a fraction of the version I was aware of, it should still be able to destroy the capital.

“He was still rude.” Empress Senna grumbled. His personality definitely left much to be desired.

“Nil should hopefully return soon with a .” I stated as I wanted to get back to training. I still needed to come up with a plan to accomplish Dha’s challenge. I’m still not sure if there’s a time limit on it.

Despite what I wanted, the adults wanted to wait around and discuss what to do moving forward a bit because Nil was dragged away through his own portal; they were clearly annoyed Nil touched the portal and got yanked in. He’s a bit too reckless when it comes to his . I sighed as I went back to thinking about Nautilus and Helga. It’s such a ridiculous challenge. What should I even do for that? I mulled it over trying to think of how to approach it. Helga had arrived from running whatever errand she was sent on seeing the adults all huddled and joined the conversation. After not even fifteen minutes, the portal reopened. That took surprisingly little time. Nil and Krahinn stepped out back into the courtyard. Nautilus immediately tried to punch Krahinn. Why am I not surprised? Krahinn bent Nautilus’s arm around him so it wouldn’t hurt him. He chuckled as everyone was glaring daggers at him; I walked up to Nil and gave him a quick hug. Every adult was forming aggressive as they all glared at Krahinn. Krahinn poked Nil and motioned to the adults.

“Don’t attack him. He’s currently my guest.” Nil informed them all.

“Really?” Empress Senna asked, barely hiding her surprise.

“Yes, really. My charming personality. You should try having some.” Krahinn taunted. Nil let out a deep sigh.

“Can we add a rule where you are a pleasant guest?” Nil inquired. Krahinn chuckled.

“Not a chance.” Krahinn snapped back immediately.

“How did acquiring a go?” I probed which made Nil look at Krahinn.

“It’s a work in progress.” Nil answered with a sigh.

“Sure. Work in progress.” Krahinn taunted with his fake smile painted on. Nil looked bitterly to the side.

“I don’t understand.” Emperor Azzeck stated, looking between the two of them.

“We have a wager that if I win, Krahinn becomes my . If I lose, I am basically not going to have a .” Nil informed everyone. What? Why? Did Krahinn do something?

“Why Krahinn?” I asked. Krahinn began chuckling evilly.

“Yes Nil, why me?” Krahinn probed maliciously.

“Krahinn is the only one even giving me a chance. The others wouldn’t even talk to me.” Nil confessed, visibly deflating.

“Why?” I checked. That didn’t sound right.

“Someone can’t reset time anymore. None of them want to risk the Void King without that.” Krahinn answered with a bit of glee in his voice.

“And what made you so willing to be nice?” Emperor Father Nil inquired. How did Nil manage to convince Krahinn? The way he acted would not lead me to believe he’d behave with any form of generosity or compassion.

“Ipnerslei guilted him into it after how he behaved.” Nil informed us, glaring at Krahinn.

“It was a good learning experience.” Krahinn laughed with a shrug. Nil’s face gave me all the answers I needed as everyone was glaring at Krahinn.

“I’d like to please eat. I was in Ygdazi for several hours.” Nil said with a sigh.

The adults all looked at each other before conceding nothing was likely changing right now, so we dispersed. Nil went with his mom to eat. Nez and Nox walked together to go give Ein his lessons. Emperor Azzeck and Empress Mother Poam left to discuss the policies needed to improve the hygiene in Speranza. All that was left was Nautilus, Helga, Emperor Father Nil, Krahinn, and me. Helga walked over and stood by me as Nautilus and Emperor Father Nil both stared down Krahinn. He began chuckling, seeming more amused by their anger than anything.

“What? Was I a bit rude?” Krahinn taunted. He made an impish smile roll across his face.

“What did you do to Nil?” Emperor Father Nil probed. I realized Nautilus was slowly getting in front of Helga and me. Ah.

“A little demonstration of . Not my fault he had the hilarious idea he stood a chance of even sucker punching me enough to recast .” Krahinn answered, all nine of his glowing eyes looking happily at Emperor Father Nil.

“What’s the game with my grandson?” Emperor Father Nil inquired. Wait, why was Krahinn answering questions so freely? He refused to before. One of his eyes darted to me, and he made a shhhh motion.

“Stop asking him questions!” I exclaimed immediately. Krahinn sighed, before appearing in front of me.

“Why are you such a joy kill?” Krahinn probed. When did he move? Nautilus and Emperor Father Nil both seemed caught off guard on how he did that.

“You never specified what you are charging to answer questions this time around.” I informed him. Krahinn began chuckling.

“Nothing, as I did make a promise to answer questions within reason during the game. Not sure how far I should extend said promise, but I keep my word.” Krahinn explained. So how was I ruining his fun?

“I can’t point it out if you do. Can’t even make them sweat for a second.” Krahinn whined, before reappearing several feet away. I noticed he was looking at the sun currently.

“So, what is the game?” Emperor Father Nil asked again.

“It’s simple, why am I the Great Blasphemer? All he has to do is answer how I got that title.” Krahinn stated as he kept staring into the sun. That challenge sounded way too easy.

“Wha’ are ya afte’?” Nautilus inquired. Two of his eyes turned to look at her.

“Ipnerslei wanted me to give the brat a chance as an apology. I want him to fail as soon as possible so I can leave.” Krahinn informed us. He definitely sounded annoyed by the turn of events.

“Sad ya whipped?” Nautilus taunted. Krahinn let out that fake chuckle of his again.

“You couldn’t be more off. Never have nor ever will date her.” Krahinn told her. So, why would he agree to something he clearly didn’t want to?

“Some of us have honor Luna. It’s this marvelous concept you all should learn.” Krahinn mocked. I hated that he could apparently read my mind at will. Krahinn let out a genuine snort in response.

“You? You are nothing but rude.” Emperor Father Nil challenged him, sounding baffled by such a bold claim.

“Respect your elders! I am older than all of you combined. Furthermore, you had a King visit, and you all acted high and mighty rather than hospitable. Why should I be anything but rude?” Krahinn retorted in an instant.

“How would we know you were a king?” Emperor Father Nil probed. Krahinn looked at Emperor Father Nil like he was an idiot.

“King, with a capital k. It is a rank held by nine , that should always be said with the capital as it signifies the ever-lasting glory of the title.” Krahinn corrected him. How did Krahinn know he wasn’t capitalizing the initial letter when he said it out loud?

“I can read thoughts genius.” Krahinn taunted. Wait. Was Krahinn someone actually important?

“I am sorry for our rude greeting, King Krahinn.” Emperor Father Nil apologized sincerely.

“Technically, I am King of the Wastes; you can just refer to me as Krahinn. And I accept your apology.” Krahinn replied. His personality and domain matched surprisingly well. As I thought that, one of his crimson eyes locked onto me.

“Emperor Father Nil, I must apologize for something I answered earlier. I vaguely said a demonstration of , and that was disingenuous of me. I will demonstrate the one as a show of good will.” Krahinn said with the most insincere flattery in his voice.

Running was pointless as I felt the space around me warp into a tiny ball. There are no words to describe the sensation of your feet and head sharing the same space but kind of phasing through each other. It was unimaginably unpleasant as I tried freeing myself. Ten seconds later, the space around me unbent as I glared at Krahinn. He had a malicious smile as he coldly chuckled at me.

“That was the kinder of the three things I demonstrated. If you wish for me to demonstrate, keep thinking such rude things in my presence.” Krahinn threatened me.

“You could stop reading my thoughts.” I pointed out. Krahinn just laughed while Emperor Father Nil truly began scowling at Krahinn.

“Could, but I dislike it when things vastly weaker than me are so blatantly thinking such disrespectful things. You are but a speck of dust in a grand timeline, a being whose life will be so short it will be less than a blip in mine. On top of that, you arrogantly think such rude things of me without any fear of what happens if I express my displeasure. Know your place, Luna Odeus Dawnsfield. Now that I think about it, if you keep being rude, I will show you a horror beyond your worst nightmares. Go ahead, test what that is. You will never forget it for as long as you live.” Krahinn stated with such venom in his voice it sent chills down my spine. One of his eyes was on his face as he said that with this fathomless wrath that made my blood ice.

“Good.” Krahinn chimed as he faced Emperor Father Nil again. Nautilus and Helga were both checking on me as the courtyard felt substantially colder.

“You made my grandson a ball?” Emperor Father Nil inquired in an incensed tone.

“Temporarily. It doesn’t hurt, it’s just wildly distressing.” Krahinn informed him with a shrug.

“So much better.” Emperor Father Nil snapped sarcastically.

“Little bit. Now, are the adults done feeling annoyed at me? Until Nil fails his game, I’m not leaving. Should he somehow succeed, you better learn to live with me.” Krahinn checked with a shrug.

“Glad ya such a nice guy.” Nautilus joked with him.

“Someone gets it. I am quite a pleasure.” Krahinn agreed which made the rest of us sigh.

“Welcome to Speranza, Krahinn. I hope you enjoy your stay.” Emperor Father Nil said in the most monotone politeness I think I had ever heard.

“We’ll see. Thank you for hosting me.” Krahinn replied before vanishing.

“Lords above he’s unpleasant.” I snapped immediately.

“Ya shouldn’ thin’ stuff like that till he’s gone or decides t’ relax.” Nautilus lectured me immediately.

“There’s no way you three are not thinking something similar.” I defended myself.

“I am going to go talk to my grandson and daughter-in-law. I assume you two have this. Good day.” Emperor Father Nil stated before he also vanished.

“Luna, sometimes you need to control your thoughts no matter how unpleasant the individual is. Someone like that is just going to make a point if you press them.” Helga told me. I sighed in frustration. She was right.

“Lass, I may thin’ that, but I can figh’ ‘im wel enough fo’ him to consider is i’ worth i’.” Nautilus added on. Ori wasn’t that strong; Ori had some power and was closer to adult Lumen, but Krahinn just radiated might when his control slipped.

“He’s just irritating.” I grumbled. Helga gave me a light swat.

“You need to control your tongue and thoughts around him Luna. I would not push to see what that horror he promised is.” Helga lectured. I sighed again.

“You two are right. I’m sorry.” I apologized. Nautilus ruffled my hair in response.

“Don’ wor’y. We can cheer ya up wit’ combat lessons.” Nautilus said excitedly. Oh joy, what a great pick me up.