"Sir Filo," Vanz'goran began, "I'm glad to see you are well."

Taka used his TELEPATHY skill on Vanz'goran.

You as well, Your Majesty, Taka sent in reply.

This was the first time he had to interact with so many different people at once, Taka realized. And although Taka could hear what they were saying aloud through Vanz'goran and Deon's hearing, no one else would be able to hear what Taka was saying telepathically. While he was already starting to feel his strength return, Taka knew the strain of maintaining 3 connections at once in his current state would likely be too much. That's something I should figure out sooner rather than later, Taka thought to himself as he inspected the retired Demon Lord. Vanz'goran was smiling cordially, but his expression felt almost political, a front he was putting on as a pleasantry.

"Now, let us get into it, shall we?" Vanz'goran said, more telling what was happening rather than asking.

Taka nodded as Deon shifted on the bed. Vanz'goran sat down next to the elderly lizard man and tried to stroke his cheek, but Deon swatted his hand away. Vanz'goran let out a laugh as Syla stared at them, annoyed that she was being left out of the conversation. Maeve stood next to the elf child, nervously eyeing chain-bound Zirko, whose head hung low between the lizard folk guards.

I'd like for this conversation to remain between us for now, Vanz'goran sent to Taka.

Taka wriggled around slightly. He was hoping to have this conversation aloud so he'd be able to get Deon's input in real-time, but, this would do. This might even be safer, Taka thought to himself, I still don't know enough about the attack, or what Deon did with the bird that flew through his portal...

I've already heard about the initial encounter in the mess hall from Maeve. I would like to thank you for saving the lives of one of my knights, Vanz'goran sent. Gorran's fate was unfortunate, but I owe you a debt for saving Maeve and Bick.

Taka tilted his head in confusion, Gorran?

Ah, yes. Gorran is -- was, Maeve's companion. They were betrothed.

Taka looked up at the fox girl. He could tell Maeve was nervous being around Zirko, but she wore the hardened expression of a seasoned warrior on her face. Even after losing her partner, she was working hard and moving forward. Taka's heart went out to her. Taka's attention snapped back to the retired Demon Lord, remembering himself.

And Bick? Taka asked. He'll be alright.

Vanz'goran bit his lip, Most likely. He was conscious for a little while, but he was unable to stay awake. He is resting now, and his strength seems to be returning.

Taka let out a sigh of relief. He was terrified that he had accidentally killed Bick when he used his LIFE STEAL skill, but the orc was still alive. Taka shuddered at the memory, the power he felt surge through him as he took Bick's life from him, how good it made him feel. That sort of power was dangerous, and was exactly why Taka couldn't blame Vanz'goran for being weary of him now. All he could do was try to show that he wasn't a threat to the people of Kronkswell.

What I need from now, Sir Filo is an explanation of 2 things, Vanz'goran said as his gaze darkened, his smile disappearing. The first of which is how you managed to stop Daldrus's attack. And secondly, how you saved Deon.

This is what Deon had warned him about. Vanz'goran was taking back the initiative and planning his strategy going forward, and Taka now understood that he was in a precarious position as an unpredictable piece on the board, an unknown that could either help or hinder greatly. The risk he posed, even if Vanz'goran believed his story, might be greater than the demon was willing to take on.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Deon, Taka sent only to the lizard man, I'll send you everything I send to His Majesty, but he won't know, so do not react.

Okay, Deon sent back, his face blank.

Taka sighed. While he didn't trust the old lizard man 100%, Taka wasn't planning on revealing any information to Vanz'goran that Deon wouldn't be able to piece together himself, so it was better to keep building that relationship. For now, at least.

After I fought off the first bird assailant, I felt something shift in the back of my mind, just out of reach. When I entered the throne room and saw Daldrus using his magic, I remembered more of my past. From before I was... before I awakened in the forest. A memory of my mother, and with it came the ability to use that magic. I am not sure how I did it, but something reawakened within me during the fight.

Taka's hastily constructed series of half-truths came out more coherently than he expected. Nothing he said was technically a lie, just, slight variations on what actually had happened. The magic did awaken, and he did really have some sort of fever dream about his mother induced by a god, he just left out the bits that weren't specifically relevant to this situation

Good, Deon sent to Taka, the lizard man's face without a trace of hearing Taka's explanation.

Vanz'goran stared at Taka for a moment, and then kept staring. He eventually nodded his head, satisfied with the answer.

Are you able to use that magic again? Vanz'goran asked.

Maybe, Taka sent to both the demon and Deon, knowing that Deon wouldn't know what Taka was responding to. Taka's next task was lowering his threat level, the key to which was making both Vanz'goran and Deon feel like Taka would do whatever they said. Almost like playing dumb, except dumb was dangerous, so playing easily controllable was the better bet.

And saving Deon? Vanz'goran asked, looking over to he lizard man.

Taka took a deep breath. This would be harder than the last to answer. Taka did not want to tell Vanz'goran about his skills, or his ability to use raw magic, so he had to tread carefully.

Unfortunately, Your Majesty, I am not quite sure myself. I have been conducting experiments on golems, and I believe there was a reaction between a golem, one, that had given a significant amount of mana, and the new strange magic I have awakened. I will have to explore this further before I am able to offer you a suitable explanation, but as soon as I do, you will be the first to know.

You're playing a dangerous game, Filo, Deon sent as he rubbed his eyes.

Vanz'goran continued to look at Taka. The demon's void-like eyes stared right through Taka, dissecting every piece of him bit by bit. Vanz'goran blinked once and his smile returned as if it had never left his face.

That will suffice, for now, Sir Filo. Thank you, Vanz'goran sent.

"No moving on to other matters," the demon said aloud as he rose to his feet, I believe you may be able to assist us with another matter.

Vanz'goran gestured toward Zirko.

How? Taka asked.

"As you know, Zirko's mind is being affected by strong Magia," Vanz'goran began.

"It's getting better," Syla jumped in, "but we cannot remove it fully, it keeps coming back."

The retired Demon Lord nodded, "we believe a spell was seeded deep within his mind, likely ancient magic that none of our compatriots are familiar with, making it more likely than not that it is spirit magic."

Spirit magic. Taka had heard it discussed a handful of times before, but he didn't know what it actually did. Ancient magic was supposed to be strong, the kind of magic that couldn't be explained by the normal rules of the world. *Was Daldrus using spirit magic? No, not important right now.

"I would like for you to try using your, re-awakened powers to expel the seed from his mind," Vanz'goran said.

Expel the seed from his mind? Taka thought to himself. He wasn't sure exactly what his new magic was or did, and although it would make sense that it was some kind of ancient magic, he was fairly certain it wasn't spirit magic. He couldn't quite figure out why he felt that way, but he could tell by the way it felt when he used it to eat Daldrus's spell that it wasn't spirit-based.

I don't believe it is spirit magic, Taka sent.

I am aware, Vanz'goran sent back. "Whatever Magia it is that you were using," the retired Demon Lord continued aloud, "it seemed quite effective against Daldrus's spirit beams."

Spirit beams, so that's what they're called, Taka thought. The confirmation that Daldrus was using spirit magic boosted Taka's ego a little and made him feel more confident about trusting his intuition.

I would like to help, but I must admit, I am unsure how to do so, Taka replied.

"Simple," Vanz'goran said. "Use the spell you absorbed Dadlrus's attack with to devour Zirko entirely."