The two sat at their kitchen table, not meeting each other’s eyes.
“So, um, thanks for restoring my leg?” Liara tried.
“Your, uh, welcome.” Michael awkwardly replied.
“Soooooo…. What, um, what else should I know about?” Liara asked.
Michael didn’t want to say! If he did, everyone would know what he is. Even worse, Liara might leave him. Sure, they had only known each other for a total of four days, but he didn’t want to lose her. There was something special about her beyond the mind-blowing sex.
“I… can’t say…” Michael said.
“I see. Can you tell me why?”
Michael said nothing for a moment, his large frame beginning to tremble. “I don’t... want to lose you.”
Liara could tell it was something that terrified him. So, she decided to be the first to open up.
“I have something to tell you.” She began.
Liara was nervous, but she wanted to open up to him.
“The truth is, I’m… not a demi-human,” Liara stated. “I’m… a half-breed.”
“You mean, half-demon?” He asked. Michael remembered what he had been told before that the treatment of half-demons was like slavery.
“Yes.”
“You don’t have to worry about me. I don’t have any prejudice for that.” Michael assured her.
She stood up abruptly. “Can you say that when you see what I really look like?”
A light mist melted off Liara, disappearing into the air.
Liara had a set of wings on her back. On her forearms, shins, around her collarbone, and a few on her cheeks were golden-colored scales. Her canines were also a bit more prominent. A set of horns started at the back part of her upper skull and pointed forward. The last thing Michael noticed was her tail was three tails tied together. She was beautiful.
“So… Can you love a monster like me? The fae wanted nothing to do with me, and demons would have been worse...” Liara asked, trembling.
Michael stood silently, pushed the table out from between them, and pulled her in for a hug.
“You’re beautiful, Liara.” Michael tried to envelop her whole body, hugging her with his arms and wings.
Liara teared up and began crying, trying to stop herself from breaking down.
Five minutes later, they are lying in bed, their bodies entwined. They were still fully clothed and mostly being each other’s emotional support.
“You’re not a monster, Liara.” Michael reiterated.
“Thank you, Cael.” She sighed and looked up into his eyes. “I am half-demon, half-fae. My mother was a fox spirit with a unique ability. Do you know of hereditary abilities?” She asked him.
“I’ve heard of classes but not abilities,” Michael answered.
Liara nuzzled her head to his chest. “All races covet hereditary abilities because a person could change class without worrying about losing that ability. Demons are the worst when it comes to coveting them.”
“How rare are they?” Michael asked.
“Classes could be counted as 1 in 500,000. Abilities are closer to 1 in 6,000,000.” She answered. “My mother had a powerful hereditary ability called ‘Misty Veil.’ It is known as one of the most powerful Illusion magic in the world.”
“That’s how you made yourself look like a demi-human.” Michael understood.
“Yes and no. See, I can’t use the ability beyond 10%. Just enough to change the way I look.”
“Do you know why?” He asked.
She shook her head. “I wish I did. If I knew, my father would not have discarded me after my mother died during childbirth.”
“He what!?” Michael got mad.
Liara giggled, happy he got mad for her. “Like I said, demons are the worst when it comes to coveting abilities. The moment he realized I couldn’t use the ability, he had no further use for me.”
“Did you try to go to the fae-folk?”
“Yes. But they called me a monster and refused to let me stay with them. Lost, alone, and starving, a demi-human saved me. She adopted me and treated me like a true daughter. I miss her.” Liara smiled, fond memories of her mother coming to mind.
“I’m sorry. How long ago did she pass?” He asked.
“Well… This is going to age me a bit, but she passed away from old age forty years ago.” Liara playfully said.
“Well, you look good for being in your… fifties?” Michael tried.
Liara giggled. “I’m ninety-seven.”
“Then you look DAMN good for ninety-seven.” Michael joked.
They shared a laugh.
“Demons and Fae age considerably slower than most races. From what I have read, though, I might live for a long time with my mother being a spirit.” Liara said.
“Hey, more time for us.”
Michael took a deep breath. “Okay. I think I will start now.”
Michael separated from Liara and sat on the bed before her.
“I’m not from this world.” Michael started.
“Huh?! So, are you like the Heroes!?” Liara asked excitedly.
“Yes and… no. See, I was… Dammit. Sorry, I’m trying not to get angry here.” Michael cursed.
“Would you direct it at me?” She asked.
“What? No!”
“Then get angry,” Liara ordered.
Michael smiled at her and stepped onto the floor. “It was that bitch of a goddess, Sylfaerune! In my old world,” Michael utilized some water magic and created a replica of what he looked like before, “This is what I looked like.”
“You were human?”
“Yes. In my world, there are no fae, demons, or demis. Only humans. No magic or monsters. Just humans, bugs, and animals. Life there was comfortable since all the stuff from OWP was based on the products of my world. I had a troubled childhood, nowhere near yours, but it made me into a somewhat useless person. But I got help from my younger brother and my parents to change my life. I was doing so well, and THAT BITCH RIPPED IT FROM ME!” Michael destroyed one of the dressers.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
“I’m glad that has a repair enchantment.” Liara joked but then became serious. “You’re saying a goddess killed you and turned you into a demon? Why?”
Michael calmed down a bit. “She murdered me for her greed for the ‘Perfect’ hero. With the way I looked then, I didn’t fit the bill. I swear in the name of Io that everything I have said is true.” The silver light rolled over his body.
“She judged you by your looks? She sounds like a garbage goddess.”
Michael laughed at Liara’s comment. “That’s what I said! So, I argued with her, demanded she send me back, but she decided to turn me into… this.”
Liara could tell he hesitated. “It’s alright, Cael. You can tell me. It can’t be worse than my situation of being hated by three of the four races.” She joked.
“Heh. I’m sorry to say it, but it is worse. The last thing she said before sending me into the world was… I should enjoy my time in the world as I am hunted by everyone. My fate is to lie dead at the feet of others.” Michael was terrified of what she would do when he told her.
“What kind of fate is that?” Liara was getting angry over the goddess.
“She made me… Into the… Demon-Lord.” Tears ran down his cheeks as he closed his eyes. He didn’t want to see her reaction.
“Do you wish to destroy the world?” Liara asked.
“No. I just want to live a peaceful and fulfilling life. I swear by Io!” Michael refused to open his eyes.
He heard her shuffling about and then felt her hug him tighter than ever.
“I’m sorry. You must have been terrified to tell me.” Liara cried into his chest.
Michael fell to his knees, and his shoulders shook as he tried to fight back his sobs.
She hugged his head to her chest. “I am with you. I will not leave you alone.”
The following morning, sunlight poured into their bedroom.
“Ugh, we forgot to get curtains,” Liara complained.
“I got it,” Michael replied exhausted.
Using some dark magic, he covered their bed to limit the light.
“Nice, but we probably should get up.” Liara laughed.
Grunting, Michael faded his darkness dome to let their eyes adjust.
“You look horrible.” Liara joked. His eyes were dark from trouble sleeping.
“You’re not so bad yourself.” He retorted. Her face was puffy from crying.
“Bath?” “Bath.”
The two of them enjoyed a warm bath together and headed to the kitchen to eat breakfast. Neither of them felt like cooking and didn’t have a lot of supplies, so Michael used his last two noble meals.
“We must find a cook. It will be too much work to go out for it now that we live here.” Liara said as she ate.
“Any ideas on how to find one?” Michael asked.
“The Workers Division at Central Hall is where we can post a job. We can also try asking Mary if she knows anyone.” Liara answered.
“What is the Workers Division?”
“It is a job placement agency. Businesses can post what they are looking for there, and people can browse the available jobs.”
Michael liked the idea and said they could head there after ordering curtains for the bedroom.
Liara used her illusion magic to make herself look like a demi-human once more since she was only comfortable around Michael for now.
Michael looked up at the massive building they stood before.
“So, this is Central Hall?” Michael commented.
The building reminded him of photos of the Capitol Building of Washington, D.C., back in his old world, except this one was a few floors taller.
“Come on. We will probably have to wait a while. Out of all the locations in the city, this is the busiest place.” Liara pulled at his arm, dragging him inside.
A large section on the right side of the building was dedicated to the Workers Division. Ten filled lines were going to a large counter, and then two double sets of lines to the sides of the area. The left sign said, ‘Business Requests,’ the center sign said ‘Application and Placement,’ and the sign on the right said ‘Household/Personal Requests.’
“Come on, we’re on the right.” Liara led Michael to the two lines on the right.
Twenty minutes passed, and the couple was halfway through the line now.
Michael sighed, wishing it would not take so long. Bored, he looked around the room again.
“Huh?” Michael did a double take, seeing a familiar set of black and white fur and ears. She was standing in line with her extremely bored daughter.
“Rana?” Michael said.
The demi-woman’s ears perked up, and she turned. “Lord Caeldaemos!” She smiled brightly, and her tail began to wag.
“Big brother!” Rana’s daughter, Lily, ran over and hugged him.
“Someone, you know?” Liara asked.
The moment the eyes of the two ladies met, sparks of suspicion began to fly.
“Uh, yeah. I told you last night about how I saved a demi-woman before I went to help in Hallibrush, right? This is her, Rana.” Michael answered.
“I see.” Liara’s eyes narrowed at Rana.
“What brings you here, Rana?” Michael asked.
The mother smiled. “Should it not be obvious? I am looking for work. I decided to move to the city for Lily’s education. I see you are looking to hire. What job are you posting?”
“I received a mansion as a gift and well… Neither of us is great at cooking.” Michael replied, a bit embarrassed.
“Really!? Mom can cook! Hire mom!” Lily became excited, bouncing on her heels.
“Um.” Michael looked down at Liara. “Shall we discuss it?”
Liara thought for a moment. “I guess we can discuss it.”
They left the capital building together and were in a restaurant booth. Lily checked the menu while the adults reviewed what they were looking for.
“Hmm. I am sure I can be your household maid. My cleaning is not perfect, but it should be sufficient. I used to work at the inn restaurant as a cook in Hallibrush, so I am confident in my cooking skills.” Rana informed them.
“I am unfamiliar with pay or contracts, though,” Michael admitted.
“We can maybe ask someone for advi-.”
“Miss Liara, Mr. Caeldaemos! How nice to see you two.” Roger stopped to say hello.
The banker was with his wife and two children.
“Maybe we can ask him?” Liara offered.
Their table arrangement changed after Roger’s wife approved for them to talk a bit of business, especially when Michael offered to pay for their meal. Lily and Roger’s children seemed to hit it off well and were chatting amongst themselves.
“Oh, this is very simple. We have a contract with a nanny to look after the kids when my wife and I are at work. We pay her 10 Tress per hour, which is above average. Our nanny is my wife’s cousin, who had fallen on hard times. The contract does not have to be too complex. For a live-in maid… You won’t have to consider living and food expenses for them since that will be a part of your household expenses, so the pay can be lowered. Hmm, but what would be a good rate….” Roger said.
Roger’s wife, Rachel, spoke up. “I would recommend between 20 to 30 Tress per day. That is more than enough for a person to live for a day if you provide room and board.”
“Okay, thank you, Rachael.” Michael thanked her.
Rachael continued. “The contract does not have to be made by a professional. If you discuss it amongst yourselves, you can write one up. But if you want, I can help with that. I don’t work in the Workers Division, but I am a clerk at the capital building.”
“We would appreciate the help. I will pay you for your time.” Michael thanked her once more.
They agreed to meet at Michael’s home tomorrow to write the contract.
After enjoying their meal together, Roger and his family went home. Michael learned from Rana that when she arrived at the city, she traded in the armored carriage she took to replace her destroyed one and got a wagon for around the town.
Magic Wagon
Effect(s): Repair (Rank 3), Mana Efficiency (Rank 2), Mana Store (Rank 2), Holding (Rank 3)
The wagon was smaller than the carriages, where you could seat almost four people in the front compartment. The wagon would only allow two comfortably. The back was open, with seats where four people could sit, two on each side, and a storage compartment on the floor with a Holding enchantment.
Michael had Rana follow behind him and Liara on his cycle to his home.
“WOW! This is amazing, Big Brother!” Lily jumped from the wagon and excitedly bounced around in front of the home.
“Lily! That was dangerous! I did not come to a complete stop!” Rana scolded her daughter.
Michael had Rana park her wagon in the garage, and he stored his cycle.
After finishing the tour of the home, they gather in the kitchen.
“This is certainly more than I could have asked for, though I will need some additional items for the kitchen if I am to use it. Heh. I saw that what you have is bare bones.” Rana laughed.
“The Philbra shop is closed for the day, so we won’t be able to get the necessary items today. Tomorrow, we can head there to purchase what we need. I will also get some furniture for Lily’s room. The two of you can share the guest room tonight. I’ll make the one across from that into Lily’s room.” Michael said, thinking.
“Really? As a live-in maid, I feel that we should be in the servant quarters.” Rana stated.
“I’d feel bad doing that to a friend,” Michael complained.
“Rana is right, Cael. You seem to know quite a few important people. I think it would be best.” Liara argued.
With it being two against one, Michael caved in. The servant quarters were similar in quality to the guest room, just half the size.
The doorbell rang. “Oh. I wonder who that is? I got it.” Michael got up to answer the door, and Lily curiously followed.
Liara looked at Rana. “So, you’re into him too, huh?”
“I don’t know what you mean. We are merely friends.” Rana feigned ignorance.
“I can smell the heat from you when you are close to him. Do not try to lie to me.” Liara growled.
“My, aren’t you the jealous type.” Rana mocked.
Liara changed to a sultry smile. “But unlike you, I have bedded him many times.”
“And how do you know I have not,” Rana asked.
“Because there is not even a hint of your scent on him. While mine permeates his body.” Liara victoriously stated.
Rana’s expression changed to frustration. “I tried, but he was shy.”
Liara laughed. “He wasn’t so shy with me.”
Rana became more frustrated. “Well, I know something about him that no one else knows!”
“Oh yeah? And what’s that?” Liara smiled wickedly.
“It’s the reason I call him Lord!” Rana barked.
Liara froze, her expression turning to worry. “W-What do you mean?”
Rana was still upset and did not register Liara’s change. “I was able to put two and two together and figured out he is the…!” Rana stopped herself, clapping her hands over her mouth.
“You know,” Liara said.
“Wait. He told you?” Rana asked in surprise.
“Is it something that would make him a lot of enemies?” Liara asked.
“Yes,” Rana replied.
“Tonight. After you put your daughter to bed. Come to our room. We’ll… talk.” Liara said.
Michael and Lily returned to the kitchen. “Sorry about that, but I got the remainder of my reward for… Did something happen?” He asked, sensing the tense atmosphere.