“Deag.”

“Mmm?” Deag sounded as be woke up.

He then let out a low grown upon seeing a half naked Fìor mounting him.

She placed her cold arms on his cheeks and gave him a kiss on the forehead before collapsing onto him.

“Thanks for cleaning up after us. I’ll make it up to you by inviting Wolva and D over more often.” Fìor said only for Deag to whimper in pain.

“Hehe. Anyway, get up. I’m pretty sure you have business with… the Aureate King!” Fìor said dramatically.

Deag rolled his eyes and shoved her to the side.

“Yeah, yeah. Let’s wash up.” He said as he exited the bedroom to find a sleepy Wolva being dragged into the bathroom by Deöra.

“Wait! We wanted to bath first-“

Deöra slammed the door shut, making Deag’s shoulders drop in defeat.

“Why do I even bother with you people.” He groaned as he stumbled towards the couch where he collapsed.

Fìor sat on his lap and held his hand while he thought about everything Thneia said.

He also thought back to the portrait of Katsíki.

His face then stiffened as he remembered all that Yna had taught him.

He remembered how harsh she was to him, Fìor and the others when they first arrived in Coh.

He also remembered how much comfort she gave them during the days of the war.

“Wait! I was just joking about bringing them here all the time. You don’t have to cry.” Fìor said with a pained expression but Deag shook his head.

“N-no. I was just thinking back to when we first came here. I remembered all the time we spent with Yna and I wish… I wish we had tried harder. Maybe we could have-“ Deag stopped himself.

He quickly wiped his tears before slowly wrapping his arms around Fìor, who’s skin was cold to the touch.

“I thought the pain I felt on that day would be the worst of it but even just thinking about her…”

Fìor sighed while wrapping her arms around Deag.

“Don’t worry. I miss her too.”

A moment passed and the two eventually let each other go.

“Go get dressed. You’re freezing.”

“Nah, I’m fine- Achoo!” Fìor sneezed spraying Deag’s face with saliva.

“Hehe. Alright.” Fìor awkwardly chuckled before entering the bedroom where she slipped into a blouse.

She returned just as Wolva and Deöra exited the bathroom only they were dressed in their uniform.

“Ah… oh- good morning, Deag.” Deöra greeted with a toothy grin.

Deag simply scoffed before entering the bathroom along with Fìora.

He then got changed and after saying goodbye to only Fìor, he left for the outskirts of Coh where Rix, a few Kommáti, the one hundred and thirds and Shiru could be seen waiting.

“Good morning.” Shiru yawned.

“Good morning. Are you ready?”

Shiru nodded and the two eventually found themselves standing before the man in gold again.

“Greetings. It seems as though you stubbornly refuse to learn proper etiquette.” He said.

“That may be true to you, but to us, we are simply not compelled to conform to your customs. I’m sure you wouldn’t bow to Lord Katsíki if you ever met.” Deag said with a weak smile.

The man in gold scoffed before raising his left hand.

One of the seven women, the one who’s head was covered in a vail, walked up to Deag and handed him a piece of paper which was rather beautiful decorated.

Sitting at its centre was a list of demands.

“I’ve seen the weapons and garbs your men wear. I want five hundred sets of similar gear among the other things listed. I am also beyond fascinated by the… what are they called- Kommáti? But I also wouldn’t accept any even if you offered. That being said, I would like to request their use.”

Shiru raised her head and looked into the man’s eyes while Deag continued to read the demands.

“There are two groups of savages to the west and south of Disahn that have a nasty habit of trying to take what isn’t theirs. Have your Kommáti kill all of them and this will make me further consider forming an official alliance with you.”

Shiru winced.

“And what would you give us in return for all this?” She asked.

“My consideration, like I said.”

This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

Shiru visibly trembled upon hearing this.

Her mind then kicked into overdrive.

She and Deag could have asked that Rix kill the Aureate King and she could take leadership over the Disahni and forcefully integrate them into the UEF but…

Shiru sighed.

“We will consider your demands-“

“Oh, I’d rather you gave me your answer now. Decisiveness is key in such matters, no?” The man asked with a smirk. His white eyes glowing slightly brighter.

“I see. We can give you five hundred sets of gear by the end of the week, but I will to politely decline your second demand.”

“Understandable. Oh- why not join me for lunch? I feel as though the possible union of our forces could come in many shapes and forms and, feel free to correct me if I am wrong, but it seems as though you are unwedded.”

“I’m sorry, but I have to decline that offer as well. I have business else where and as for the gear. It’ll be here in seven days and in exchange, I want two thousand souls.” Shiru said as she tried her best not to glare at the man in gold.

“What?” He snapped.

“Two thousand men or women. Healthy or sick. Young or old- although I will not accept any children.” Shiru said with a smile.

The man's eyes trembled although his expression didn’t change.

“Leave.” He growled.

Shiru nodded before making her way out of the palace with Deag in tow.

The two reunited with their entourage and made their way back to Coh.

Deag and Shiru entered the war room where they let our collective sighs.

“I’m sorry.” Shiru said bur Deag shook his head.

“No. You did the right thing. He thought he could walk all over us and its good that you drew a line. Unfortunately, this means that we only managed to bring in one of our three original targets. We are severely lacking in strength and-“

“Ooh! There’s still Neaj’s secret project!” Shiru said excitedly, but Deag stops his head again.

“It’s not much of a secret if you yell about it. Also, we don’t even know if it’ll succeed, so I’m not counting it.” Deag said making Shiru’s shoulders drop a little.

“Mmm… speaking of which. Let’s go see how the Sable soldiers are-“

“A vessel carrying the crest of the Golden Prince has been spotted off the coast of Rendaya.” Rear said as she suddenly appeared.

Shiru turned to Deag who nodded before turning to call Thneia, but she dashed out of her office before any words left his mouth.

“Lets go!” She yelled just as Rix appeared.

Coh was put on high alert and several more barriers were placed in key locations.

Deag and Shiru made their way to Serenaya where they met Serylea along with her assistant standing on the pier.

Surrounding them were many soldiers and they all looked out into the ocean at a ship that approached in the distance.

“The Kommáti reported that the ship belongs to the Goldcrests, but what’s strange is that the knights didn’t even try to attack the Kommáti, no matter how close they got.” Serylea reported.

Deag and Shiru let out acknowledging hums as they glared at ship.

It eventually reached the port and it docked successfully.

Everyone watched as six knights and a priest disembarked from the boat.

The knights, clad in silver armour embellished with layers upon layers of gold medals and frills, approached Deag and Shiru who stood on the pier.

The foremost knight walked up to Deag and Shiru with eyes that were dim.

He scanned Serenaya before spreading his arms dramatically.

“Rejoice, mud crawlers, for we, the Goldcrests, have come to offer you guidance and leadership in these oh so dark times!” He yelled before placing his hand above his heart.

“I, Joha Todias Wendell Altruim, will serve as a pillar of light, that will light the way with humility, dignity and strength.” He said with a beaming smile.

Deag and Shiru exchanged angered glances.

“Sorry, human, but we do not need your leadership.”

“And if that is all you came to say, I’d like to ask that you leave.” Deag and Shiru said.

Joha’s face twitched a little.

“It seems as though you do not understand the meaning of my words. So allow me to spell everything out. You will kneel before me and I will guide us all to a prosperous future!” He yelled while spreading his arms.

Shiru glanced at Deag and he nodded.

“No. It is you who is failing to understand.” She said as she walked to the knight.

The sky darkened before twisting in such a way it seemed as though reality itself was broken.

Joha took a single step backwards as Shiru walked up to him.

“We do not need any of your help and I suggest you leave now before we use your lives and deaths in a way that would actually benefit us.”

“Arrogant-“

Joha stopped as the sky was suddenly filled with Kommáti and standing next to Shiru, was Thneia, who’s eyes glowed so brightly, they lit up the dark twisted world.

Joha looked around and his eyes trembled along with his hands.

His head, seemingly against his will lowered and he fell to his knees.

“Please… forgive my earlier hubris.” He muttered.

“You are forgiven. Now, please leave-“

“Wait! Please… the Moon King has ordered our execution… we have nowhere else to go, so please… offer us refuge.” Joha begged as an alien thunder shook the twisted world.

Shiru looked up at Thneia who in turn looked at Deag.

He walked up to Shiru and Joha while crossing his arms.

“Why have your lives been forfeit?”

“Because of our failure in killing Red Death and our continued disobedience thereafter.” Joha explained.

“So you want us to take you in even though you’re clearly untrustworthy.” Deag said and Joha remained silent.

“Mmm… What do you think?”

“I think we should kill them all and absorb their-“

“Please! Anything but that! We’ll swear our fealty to you!” Joha begged interrupting Shiru who looked at the silver knight’s men to find that they all had pained expressions.

Shiru then thought about Katsíki.

She wondered what he would do in this situation.

“Fine.” Shiru said and Joha's face lit up immediately after.

“We will take you in only if one of you willingly sacrifices themselves.” She said and this made Thneia chuckle deeply.

Joha’s eyes trembled.

He then looked back at his men who all looked at him with worried expressions.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Shiru raised her hand stopping him.

“No, I will not take the priest. If you want to stay in any of the city’s the he and his people built, you’ll have to watch as the blood of either you or your men is spilt in the coliseum. The price of your refuge will be the blood of a knight.” Shiru hissed. Her dark eyes even darker in the twisted world.

Joha swallowed before turning to face his men yet again.

“Talon!” He barked prompting one of his men to join him in kneeling.

“I… I’m sorry.” He said but the knight didn’t respond.

“Deag. Could I ask that you let me take care of these… things while you check up on everything here?”

“Yes.”

Shiru nodded before looking at Joha.

“Follow me. All of you.” She said as the world slowly returned to normal.

“Err… of course, but we have many servants on the ship-“

“It’s fine. Deag will ensure that they are accommodated.” Shiru said.

Joha nodded before leading the Goldcrests into Serenaya behind Shiru.

They eventually arrived at the teleportation platforms which they used to return to Coh.

Six of the seven Goldcrests were then instructed to stand around the arena while one of them stood atop it.

Rix then appeared in front of the knight all while Shiru watched from above in the darkness of the night.

“Kill him… slowly.” Shiru instructed. Her heart knocking painfully against her chest and her breaths frantic.

Rix nodded while squeezing his armour clad hands.

“AHHHHHH!” The knight cried as his leg suddenly disappeared.

He fell to the side as everyone noticed that his leg was in Rix’s hand.

A loud explosion then tore the air apart and everyone saw that the knight’s foot had been blown to bits.

Another explosion tore the air.

The knights limbs were slowly blasted off by Rix and his screams were quickly replaced by death gurgles and since he was a knight, those injuries wouldn’t be able to kill him as quickly as they would a normal person.

Shiru watched as the knight was turned to mince and she was fine with it.

If this was what it took to protect Coh while he was away, then she was more than willing to do it as many times as necessary.