A strong scent of blood was in the air. Kalika opened her eyes to find that she was watching herself in the underground arena. There didn't seem to be any spectators around.

"Another one of those strange dreams…but this is… different…"

She seemed to be fighting against a gruff, muscular old man. She watched as the man expertly parried and blocked the incoming attacks from Kalika's blood blade dagger until he killed her with expert precision.

"Isn't that me? Fighting in the arena. I still look… young."

Kalika could feel her unmovable body become angry seeing her own death. A familiar voice then called.

"She's been at it for a while."

Kalika, not in control of what she could do, turned to see Rakon approaching behind her. She felt more calm than expected.

"Then why is that man still alive? Doesn't she care about eating anymore?" Lillian seemed quite puzzled as she turned to look at the match with Kalika, who was readying her dagger again.

"I don't think it's the fact that she doesn't care. I think it may be that she plans to get stronger."

"What do you mean Rakon?"

"That Old man there has been awfully patient with her, and she's been forfeiting the match when she notices him getting tired."

"Is that so…" Lillian said.

"Yes. At this point it's obvious that she's using him as a training opponent. Even that man realizes this."

Lillian's gaze stayed fixated on the fight as the clash of blades and daggers continued until Kalika was killed once more. Once again a swelling of anger arises from seeing this.

"You plan on killing him like the others?" Rakon questioned, He leaned on the balcony overlooking the fight. "Not that I care. But I'm certain killing the man will only wind up upsetting her."

"Then what do you suggest I do?"

"Nothing."

A quick glance was given at Rakon, who continued to watch the fight as he seemed entranced by it. "This will prove to benefit the girl in the long term. The more proficient she becomes with that dagger you gave, the better her chances of winning her future matches. You wanted her to live a more comfortable life now, didn't you?"

She looked back to the fight.

"Besides I kinda like the grit from her, and it'd be a shame if that was snuffed out so fast." Rakon finally finished.

“I’m… Just trying to give her space… That's all. Besides, I have more important things I need to attend to now… You know that.”

“Right.”

There was a pause between the two. As the fight continued, Kalika seemed to have landed a scratch on the man. Although she didn't show it at first, she soon showed a sense of accomplishment and gave a satisfied smile.

"Fine. He can live for now."

Kalika noticed that she was being watched. Seeing this, she began to scowl.

"What's that man's name anyways?" Lilian asked.

"That man there, it's T-"

A sharp pain is felt. Kalika wakes to find herself in her solitary cell. She realized that she was sitting on someone's lap with a hand through her torso. The hand pulled out, and she began to be embraced with a hug from behind.

Kalika immediately recognized the person as Lillian as she shouted out her name. She was very confused and frightened to find that Lillian had come to torment her again,or so it seemed.

"W-what are you doing here!?" Kalika wheezed.

Lillian didn't answer, instead hugging Kalika tighter. She then leaned forward, pressing her chest to her sister's back, and laid her chin on her shoulder.

Kalika was bewildered by Lillian's actions. She not only stabbed her through her stomach, but now she seemed really upset? She hadn't seen Lillian like this since the day she became a demon.

"Lucius proposed to me almost a week ago," Lillian said. The pain from Kalika's wound faded as she heard Lillian. "The Demon King?"

"Yeah."

"And he wants to marry you?" "Yeah."

Kalika's curiosity started to peek. "I thought you two were already married."

Lillian started to become amused hearing Kalika's statement. "No, I only became queen because it was convenient for both of us at the time. So, I was just given the title. In truth I wasn't expecting this."

"So now you'll actually marry." "No… I rejected his proposal."

"I… I see…" Kalika was surprised to hear this.

Kalika felt awkward having Lillian leaning on her and talking to her so nonchalantly. "W-what's going on with Lily…?"

"It actually made me so happy, but… I didn’t expect to feel that way." some of the pain returned as Lillian hugged Kalika much more tightly. "I'm not ready."

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There was a long pause between the two. Lillian was comforting herself on Kalika as Kalika herself could only find the strangeness of her demon sister just embracing her like some teddy bear.

"Is this why you're here?" Kalika asked nervously.

Lillian took a moment before answering, "In the morning, Lucius and I will leave… Along with some of the generals to march the army south. I'd like to bring you, but… I doubt you’d try staying put. knowing you, you’d do something reckless."

"So… You’ll be staying here…”

Those last words made Kalika nervous. She remembered when Rakon and Lillian were talking earlier about Lillian and the Demon King being on the front lines and when Rakon talked to her about being the one in control.

"I-I see. So, it will be just like the old days of waiting without being tortured."

Lillian chuckled a little. "I guess you can say that. But you're still under the rules of a normal prisoner so Rakon will be looking after you."

"R-Rakon…" Kalika repeated, a little more terrified.

Upon hearing his name, Kalika's predicament started sinking in.

On one hand, she would be freed of her sister's torment and torture. On the other hand, Rakon seemed to have a strange obsession with her. It was that demon that felt like the biggest wildcard. Kalika found that he was incredibly unpredictable, which she disliked.

"Lily… isn't there anyone else you can put in charge??"

"What do you mean?" Lillian asked, confused.

"Rakon. You can't trust him!"

Lillian rolled her eyes. "This again. I told you a million-time Kalika. He's our most trusted advisor.

Besides, he is a pretty good guy compared to most other demons I've met."

"Lily! Please! Trust me! He's not what he seems-!" Kalika started to become more panicked. The wound on her stomach started to become more noticeable as she flinched from the returning pain.

Lillian sighed. "I know you can be pessimistic, but you shouldn't worry, Kalika. Everyone staying here won't lay a finger on you. And I made sure of it."

An unfamiliar maid entered the cell. ""

The maid was speaking in the demon language. Kalika couldn't help but look at the maid with pink eyes. "Did I understand that correctly?"

Kalika's suspicions were confirmed as Lillian healed Kalika's wounds. "Sorry, Kal. It looks like we're all out of time." Lillian began to leave alongside the maid.

"W-wait!" Kalika reached out to Lillian.

Lillian, at the door, looked back to Kalika with a somber smile. "Don't worry. I'll be back before you know. And that's a promise."

"Lily. No, wait-!" The steel door closed.

Kalika could do nothing as the sequence of closing steel doors slowly became quiet.

Before she knew it, Kalika had once again found herself alone in her prison.

Kalika gave a doubtful sigh as she leaned back on the wall with her head held up. She opened her eyes to find something strange on the ceiling above her. It looked like an eyeball with green pupils.

Kalika rubbed her eyes and found that it was no longer there. "I must be going crazy…"

Kalika leaned her body into the corner cand cozied herself up for another long, boring day.

********

Sometime later, in the castle above, servants of all kinds of demons are rushing through the corridors for some last-minute preparations. Among them is Rhonda, who is moving the clean laundry back into the bed chambers along with some other maids.

As she rushed through the corridor, she ran into the Demon King Lucius. He was dressed in heavy armor that went up to his chest. His arms and head were the only parts freed of the metal protection.

"" Lucius started talking in their native demon language. "" Rhonda was very shy. Avoiding eye contact with Lucius.

Surprisingly enough Lucius then offered Rhonda a handkerchief. ""

Rhonda was puzzled by this until he gestured, using his face as an example. She immediately got flustered and dropped the basket of folded clothes in favor of cleaning her face.

"" Rhonda gave a deep bow.

""

Lucius wasted no time taking the handkerchief back from Rhonda. He immediately burned it to ash once she let go of it. Rhonda couldn't help but look down shamefully.

""

"Rhonda." Lucius broke Rhonda's from a trance. "" She stood at attention.

""

Lucius handed a golden crested pendant to Rhonda. ""

""

A servant rushed up to Lucius, interrupting their conversation. ""

""

"" the servant reported.

"" Lucius sighed.

""

Lucius, on hearing Rhonda, turned his attention back to her.

""

""

"" Rhonda gave another solemn bow.

With business finished, Lucius took his leave. ""

Upon Lucius turning the corner, Rhonda held the golden crest in her hands, looking at it deadly, feeling its groves and engraving. In blue-painted letters, there was a language she couldn't understand.

With resolve, she finally pinned the crest onto her maid outfit. She grabbed the laundry basket and went ahead to finish her chores.

She proceeded into the bed chamber, finally setting the curtains and the sheet for the bed. She finished by setting the clothes into the closet.

Rhonda looked out the bedroom window to see the demon army on the march. From where she was, they were all starting to look like ants. Seeing this, she knew that the war would soon be over.

Upon finishing the last of her chores, Rhonda opted to finally visit Kalika. Grabbing some cleaning supplies, she made her way through the castle corridor.

Eventually, she passed by a group of three demon ladies on her way to the dungeon. They looked like they were all laughing carelessly and walking around like they owned the place. Rhonda could only look at their backs curiously.

"Where have I seen them before?"

Rhonda simply shrugged them off, venturing forth into the dungeon. She passed by many of the familiar guards, bowing respectfully as she went along. until she finally made it to Kalika's solitary prison.

Strangely enough there weren't any guards around the steel doors. This didn't deter Rhonda as she started to enter the cell with a smile.

Rhonda's excitement turned to horror as she found herself in front of a bloodied, cut, and bruised-up Kalika.

"K-KALIKA!" she yelled.

Rhonda was frightened by the scene in front of her. Mustering courage, she rushed over a completely bloodied and bruised Kalika.

"Rhonda. Perfect timing."

Rhonda looked behind herself quickly to find Rakon.

"It looks like the other girls had a bit too much fun with Kalika. Please clean up this mess."

Rakon threw a blade on the floor for Rhonda. Frightened, she backed away from the small blade weapon.

"Do you plan on prolonging her suffering?" Rakon asked.

Rhonda was wavering until Kalika tugged at her skirt. Rhonda could see Kalika's hands trembling.

"P…Please. Rhonda."

Rhonda Looked at the blade on the ground and went back to Kalika. Resolving herself, she grabbed the blade.

"F… Forgive me," Rhonda said tearfully.

Rhonda tried to make it as quickly as possible for Kalika, opting to aim for her heart. Soon Kalika died and resurrected quickly after, recovering from all the cuts and bruises that were given to her. Her breathing had become much shallower, still trying to register the pain that she had just endured.

"Y-you bastard!" Kalika glared at Rakon as tears were falling from her face.

Rakon simply smiles back at Kalika with content.