Eric paced rapidly down the main thoroughfare of Njord back to the adventurers guild, his hands crossed into the opposite sleeves of his robes to hide his recurrent nervous twitches and shakes.

If I’m to eventually become a branch manager in the Guild, I am supposed to be able to watch and learn how to manage guild affairs. That’s what Baal said. HE said it. So why, when called for an EMERGENCY meeting, would he suddenly change his mind at the door to the city hall and send me back to the guild?

Eric’s lips twitched readily, as his pace accelerated and decelerated in tune with his nervousness.

He said that as long as we supported that kid, I would become a branch manager. But… he didn’t say that it would make me qualified to be one? Does that mean, even after all this time, I am still not good enough? Would I lose my title after our contract is done and Baal leaves? What do I do? I just… I want to curl up in my spot…

In spite of his inherent distraction, Eric subconsciously dodged through the large throngs of people crowding the streets, and made his way back in to the guild. From the intricate carvings of the World Serpent adorning the walls into the guild to the thick and heavy entrance doors, not to mention the near constant presence of adventurers, the Adventurers Guild was the only place Eric ever really felt safe.

Really, it was also the only place he ever thought of as home.

Exhaling in relief after he closed the weighty doors behind him, he proceeded up to Elsie’s desk.

The catkin began her usual routine anytime he returned to the guild, bouncing between each foot as she spoke.

“Wyelcome byack Myster Eric! Did the myeeting end early?”

Her demeanor and tone were certainly disarming enough, and while Baal said such traits would be good for handling rough adventurers, Eric couldn’t help but wonder if she was picked for his own sanity’s sake as well.

“Ah, well, not it hasn’t… by the way, has anyone important come by?”

Elsie’s ears folded back for a moment in thought, and something about her expression and the little green vest she wore made Eric almost want to pet her, much as one would pet an ordinary cat. Thankfully, he knew better. He saw the last person who tried that get mauled. Just the thought sent shivers down his spine…

“Nyah! Hmmm… nyobody has byeen by. Were you expyecting someone?”

Her head tilted quizzically, dangerously even… not because her expression was dangerous. Far from it. It was dangerous for him.

Ah, I will definitely make a foolish mistake if I talk with her much longer!

“No no, well, if anyone does come by, I will be taking care of some administrative business in my office. T-Thanks for all your good work Elsie!”

“Nyo problem!”

Eric hurried along through the door behind her desk, desperately trying to ignore her wave as she bounced back and forth.

Why do some of the most dangerous things come bundled in the cutest packages? Ah, I can’t wait to get back to my room… and relax into my spot on the couch, right in front of the fireplace… it took so long to position it to perfectly catch the cross-breeze too… how come it is so hard to get something comfortable and just right?

‘Twas some of the many great mysteries of life that he pondered, as he made his way through the labyrinthine halls and up a few flights of stairs to his office.

If nobody came by, and nothing seems to be going on, then really… I am still just a hindrance...

The thought was short lived, however. While he was greeted by the usual light fragrance of lavender that grew in pots adjacent to the doorway and the pleasant warmth granted by the Ever-Burning logs of a Mystacian Elderwood in the fireplace, he was not prepared for the glowering expression emanating from a very familiar black-haired boy.

From the moment he stepped into the room, he felt the child’s piercing gaze cut into him, even while he was slouched back into Eric’s favorite Tusker-leather couch. Somehow, the stitched-together light brown shirt and dark-grey pants with the frayed hems just added to the sense of danger surrounding the child.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

He’s the kid who is always following that Diane girl around… something about him always feels so unsettling, just like Baal… is this why he sent me back?!

Then, a rather impulsive thought forced its way through Eric’s head, and he spoke before he really thought about what he was saying.

“Ah, hey! Kid! That’s my spot! Move before you mess it up!”

----------------------------------------

*BOOOM*

*THOOOM*

A thunderous cacophony of destruction, magic, and technology rippled through the dark, freezing air. Lights flashed barely long enough to reveal collapsing stone walls amidst a heavy snowfall.

“WHERE ISSSS HEEE?” Sias-Aryn hissed, as her snake-like body coiled tighter around her prey. The sounds of snapping bones joined the horrendous symphony.

*FWOOOM*

A column of fire erupted outside one of the many windows of the throne room, its red light reflected off of Sias-Aryn’s scales which glistened with crimson, free-flowing blood. The futile struggle of the Minotaur did nothing to assuage itself of its plight as the life was squeezed out of it.

Sias cracked a sadistic smile as she leaned in towards the face of the Minotaur, using two of her hands to secure his head and yank it back to look up at her, while she pointed two wicked, curved blades carefully at its eyes.

“Tell me… how doesss it feel for the oncceee mighty Minotaur to now look sssooo small? If you would jussst tell me where Grath ran off to instead of gurgling so much, I may ssspare you some sssuffering!”

The rapidly fading light from the column of fire only amplified the clear insincerity etched across Sias’ humanoid face.

With its dying breath, the Minotaur eked out a horrifying, wide smile revealing its massive white teeth, covered in foam, blood and spittle, and raised its final challenge.

“Until the last… we will spite… your… every… step!”

The Minotaur heaved violently, and spat towards the Demonic Naga’s face. Instinctively, she dodged back while twisting the head of the Minotaur and constricting her body. A chorus of snapping bones joined the blood spurting out from within the deadly rings of Sias’ body, and various bodily organs bulged up and out of the lifeless mouth of the Minotaur.

“Hmph… ssso be it.” She hissed again, as she slowly unwound herself from the broken corpse of the once proud beast, before slithering past dozens of mutilated bodies towards a broken stone throne.

“The other generalsss received praise for how quickly they finissshed their missionsss… yet I am behind schedule because I have to deal with all these fanaticsss! Even ssso… soon, we shall turn the survivors into demons in ssservice to our lord! Your will is nothing before our glorious Lord!” Her voiced echoed across empty chambers, her body slowly coiling around the throne as the sound of battle died down outside. Her triumphant monologue was interrupted, though, as a small imp came scurrying in. Perhaps one of the smallest of the demons, the creature was no more than 2 feet tall. A mere speck in Sias’ eyes.

While being not much more than skin and bones, with paltry stubs of horns atop their red and black heads, imps did have their uses. Other than their glib tongues and quick grasp of lesser spells, they could also be created in mass and made for fantastic battlefield fodder.

“My lady, my lady! Ah… I see your creativity knows no bounds, my lady! Ah, a report, as well, for you!” The imp spoke quickly with a slick voice, before taking a quick bow at a safe distance.

“Ssskip the groveling and the flattery and be out with it!”

In spite of her outwardly callous tone, Sias had to admit that the damnable imps definitely had a knack for words. Looking across the chamber, she couldn’t help but to take some pride in her handy work. She alone had cleared the throne room of the Daemon King’s staunches soldiers, and had gracefully ensured they suffered to the greatest degree possible in doing so.

The imp, however, twitched a moment before continuing.

“I must say, as well, that you truly look your best, showered in the blood of countless foes! Our Lord Carinthus would even commend your beauty in this very moment!”

“To be watched by our Lord…” she murmured quietly to herself in thought for but a moment, before curtly repeating her command.

“The report.”

The imp tensed up much more visibly, and Sias narrowed her eyes in response.

“Ah, yes, the report. It appears the former Daemon King Grath broke out from our encirclement by the south wall and is fleeing towards the wilderness. However, viscount Tormac has vowed to personally rectify this… unfortunate set of circumstances and has taken his remaining command in pursuit! He is most assured that we will secure Grath for you within the day. Also, may I say th-“

Before the imp could continue any further, Sias grabbed the small demon by its head and feet, and with a furious screech ripped him in two!

“SSSENDING A MERE IMP FOR THIS REPORT! SSSUCH COWARDICE! TORMAC, IT SHOULD BE YOU SSSUFFERING MY WRATH!”

South… south…

The Naga’s eyes narrowed further.

The rest of the plan should be coming together around now… if somehow Grath escapes further south and encounters the humans, it might put everything in jeopardy!

Sias tensed at the thought. Any more blunders, and she might have to face Carinthus’ wrath!

She needed to move quickly. Leave behind enough demons to start converting the Daemon’s, and gather the rest as soon as possible to prepare to march south.

She smiled malevolently, as her mind raced to rework the current plan. From the reports of our scouts and sources, we will easily have more than enough power. And… more importantly… if I start moving within three… no, five days, we will be right back on schedule! Just in time for my next report!