We arrive with very much fanfair; the Shamans apparently having told the village that we were coming before running out to stop their warriors.
Thousands of Kobolds come running from the abounded homes of an old neighborhood and cheer from the trees as we come marching through their hastily expanded village.
Many of the gathered Kobolds look haggard and worn. Exhausted and wary after traveling for so long though monster infested territory. They throw themselves to the ground as they shakenly call out to Sky. Hands held out as if beholding a miracle.
Pups of all ages and sizes remain latched to their mother’s side or gathered in groups as they watch the warriors march and escort their Empress with pride. The pups' eyes glow with longing, probably swearing that someday it will be them standing as warriors, marching and fighting in honor like the warriors before them, in service to their Empress.
Many eyes eventually find myself and the soldiers, but most disregard the humans to focus on me. The shadowed Demon walking beside their Empress. Many understand where I stand from a simple glance. I am Sky’s power, her enforcer, her guardian. The shadow to her light. I don’t let their fear get to me. This is a role that I will hold with pride if it means making Sky shine even brighter for her people.
Arriving in the center of their village, Sky calls out to the all the thousands of gather Kobolds. Their attention locked onto her as they all kneel and watch. Her speech is short and sweet. Probably not wanting to waste time, as we need to get moving now if we are going to be escorting so many people.
With her speech given, the gathered Kobolds rush and run about to go and gather their things. Packs are swiftly made, store fronts are disassembled and emptied of trinkets and goods, homes are emptied out and whatever furniture that can be carried is hauled out by family groups. The young get yelled at by their parents to help out, babies get strapped to mother’s chests. And those who can move to help the elderly and wounded get ready to move.
It takes about an hour, but in due time the Kobolds are gathered and ready, excitedly waiting for their Empress to order them. To lead them.
Sky raises her hand before the thousands of gathered Kobolds and gives them a single order.
They cheer and move. The Kobolds great migration will finally be coming to a close.
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Despite having now lived in it for a couple of months now, this is the first time that I have properly walked through the base on my own. I have always been driven around when it was time to go on missions and I have never stepped foot out of the central zone of the base.
It’s almost liberating. To finally be able to walk amongst the people. To see how the civilians and refugees have been living without having to peer through windows past my guards and the folds of a black cloak. To finally walk on the same streets as everyone else.
Well, even if everyone else isn’t currently on the street with me, but are instead watching from the sidewalks as we pass. In fact. My reentry to normal society is feeling a bit awkward what with all the eyes on me.
Not that I can help it considering that I am practically leading a parade of thousands of Kobolds straight through the middle of the base…
Up and down the streets, people are watching us as we go. Humvees with monster corpses strapped to their roofs, Sky and I leading from just behind the first vehicle, with the other vehicles spread throughout the parade of Kobolds, their seats filled with the injured and weak Kobolds that couldn’t finish the journey on their own two legs. The soldiers walk along the periphery, making sure that the watching crowd keeps their distance from the skittish and rightfully defensive Kobolds. The warriors of the Kobolds walk with straight backs and their spears on their shoulders as they follow behind Sky, pride filling their chests as they try to show themselves off to the gawking humans.
And why shouldn’t they walk with pride. Their Empress has returned to them and even the human soldiers are seemingly obeying her. They are marching for their Empress, and they are proud.
Watching over the progression of the walking Kobolds, I laugh a bit as I see a kid break away from their mother to try and run towards the Kobolds. The kid is probably around five years old, and he looks like he wants to play with the walking dog people. He gets quickly stopped by a soldier blocking his way before getting caught by his mother and promptly scolded. His last words before getting dragged away by his mom is, “But the doggies!”
The Kobolds that almost got hugged by a toddler look a little startled, but they are quick to relax as their eyes fall back on Sky. She isn’t afraid, so why should they be?
Ahead of the parade, in the lead vehicle, SSG Haren is speaking through a megaphone and addressing the gathered people, repeating his words as we make our way through base. “Please clear the way. Do not be alarmed. The Kobolds are allies and have been granted refuge on base. They will not harm you; the Kobolds are under the command of their Empress and are our allies. Anyone that attacks the Kobolds shall be tried and punished the same as if you had attacked a human, do not attack the Kobolds. All will be made clear soon and notices shall be posted, and announcements made soon in every gathering area. Please make your way to the nearest noticeboard to receive the news. I repeat, please make your way towards the nearest noticeboard to receive the news.”
Letting SSG Haren’s words become background noise, I keep an eye on the gathered humans as they watch us, paying attention to how they are looking and responding to this new development. Many people are looking honestly curious or even amused. Some look frightened, the presence of the soldiers being the only thing keeping them calm. Some people look pissed. Clearly not happy about having a bunch of Kobolds walking though the place where they live.
I know that the army has already spread the word a while ago that Kobolds are in fact, not monsters, but are actually people. But I’m not so blind as to believe that all humans will just be suddenly accepting of other races. We had a hard enough time before the apocalypse with racism, and that was just for differently colored humans. Now there are new people, and they aren’t even human shaped…
To say I am apprehensive about how some people will act now would be an understatement.
Keeping an eye on things as we walk, I sigh a breath of relief as more and more soldiers continue to show up and place themselves between the watching crowds and the Kobolds. It wouldn’t be good if I have to stop a riot - my shadows tying up people would just cause more panic - and thankfully the soldiers’ presence seems to have a calming effect on the gathered onlookers.
Continuing to keep my head on a swivel, I make sure to smile and wave to any person that I find looking my way. I notice that a lot of people look incredibly confused by me. Especially considering that I am not a part of the announcement being broadcasted by SSG Haren. I certainly don’t look like a Kobold, so I am sure that quite a few people are scratching their heads at the sight of me. I just smile. The humans will be learning about me and my new peoples soon enough. For now, this is Sky’s parade.
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We thankfully managed to make our way through the base and to the center without any riots getting started. We had a bit of a scare when a group of drunks got a bit worked up and tried to throw stuff at the little people, thinking that it would be funny. Thankfully, the surrounding people, obviously not wanting to get dragged into trouble, backed off from them and the soldiers were able to quickly detain the drunks and drag them off before anything could escalate. I noticed some of the Kobolds snatching up their dropped bottles of booze while everyone else was distracted before quickly moving to rejoin the parade of Kobolds. I don’t think any people even noticed them doing it, so I had to silently congratulate them as I watched. They really are sneaky little thieves.
Besides that one incident, we thankfully managed just fine. Now we are back in the center of the base, working with soldiers and volunteers to get tents set up in the park. The Kobolds will be staying here for a couple of days as medical staff goes over their injured and sick as we help make sure that no one is about to keel over and die. Once word has been spread, and the west expansion is ready for us, we will be moving the Kobolds there so they can construct their new homes.
Off to the side, the monster corpses that we brought back are being quickly processed and butchered. Giant roasting pits getting set up while thousands of hungry eyes watch from the side lines. There is easily enough meat to last them all a week or two, but with how they are looking at those bodies, I’m starting to think that the food will only last a day or two at best.
As we wait for the food to get finished, I lead Sky to an open and elevated area and help her get everyone’s attention.
Her following speech is a simple one, but it lets the Kobolds know what to do. Something along the lines of, “If you’re injured, go over there and let the humans take care of you. They are here to help you, don’t attack them and let them do their thing. Once the food is ready, there will be enough for everyone to fill their stomachs. This food was hunted by my mate, her gift to all of you. She is mine! In a couple of days, once everything is ready, we will be moving to where we shall build our new homes. Please be patient and relax here until then. Rest and let yourself recover. You are safe here. Lastly, no stealing from the humans. We are under their hospitality, so mind your manners.”
The exact words were lost in translation, but it gets the general idea delivered when she repeats herself for those of us that were listening. Escorting Sky over to the pop-up medical area so that she can help her people with the doctors, I get pulled off to the side as SSG Haren gets my attention. “Miss Lain, could I have a word with you?”
“Sure. What is it?”
“I’ve just received notice from the General. The council meeting has been adjourned and they have come to their decision.” He says, handing me some folders and a stack of papers.
He continues as I look them over. “The council wasn’t happy about being strong armed into accepting your conditions, but the General managed to eventually get them to accept. You’ve been given a seat on the council as Representative of Nonhuman Relations. The documents here go over your responsibilities as a member and what is expected of you. Furthermore, in regard to the mansion that was promised, there is a property within the area that should fit your requirements. Eighteen bedrooms, six bathrooms, three car garage and a basement. The property also has a barn and stable for horses, though most of the land is now wooded. If you’d like to, we can bring you to see the property, and if you decide to take it, then we shall begin working on restoring it.”
“Yes, I would like to see it. I’ll have some time available tomorrow after my therapist appointment. I have to say, the General is working fast.”
He simply gives me a hard look, which I return without giving an inch. “Yes, well, considering that he put his soul on the line…”
“Don’t look at me like that Staff Sergeant. The General was the one who proposed the contract, I simply listed my price. He had every opportunity to refuse, but he chose to accept regardless. If anything, I am surprised that he chose to tell you the details.”
“The General is a dedicated and determined man. He knows that this isn’t something that he should be keeping to himself. I only wish that he would have consulted the rest of us before selling his soul to the Devil.”
“He didn’t sell me his soul. It is only collateral. And so long as humanity abides by the agreement, his soul shall remain rightfully his. Trust me when I say that I don’t particularly want it. What would I even do with the soul of an old man anyways…? Nah, I would much prefer that he keep it. So do be sure to help in ensuring that the contract is kept and held.”
He simply continues to watch me for a short while, a mild feeling of hate behind his eyes. It makes me sad to see it, but I accept it none the less. He is free to hate me if he so pleases. I did what I had to for Sky. I would do it, and so much more, again in a heartbeat if it is for her.
He eventually speaks up again. “Three hundred years. Don’t forget.”
“Mhm, I promise you, I won’t. I don’t even have a choice in the matter… Was there anything else?”
He pushes down his personal feelings and gives a slight nod. “Yes, two other things. First, are the announcements that are being posted to the civilians. You have a copy in the papers I just handed you, please give it a look later. And finally, the General has put out the call to gather anyone that is interested in the chance to become a Demon. Be expecting an assembly in about a week or two. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to.”
Saying that, he turns and walks away before I can have a chance to stop him. It hurts to have someone that I have fought beside to hate me now, so I feel tempted to call to him. But I choose to stop myself and let him leave. I’m not going to be able to change his mind right now and the best I can do is hope that time will help.
Turning away and pushing him from my mind, I return to Sky’s side as she is helping a medic try to fix a Kobolds broken arm. The poor thing is definitely not enjoying itself right now, and Sky is the only thing keeping it from trying to run away or bite somebody. As I get closer, I wave my hand and make several bindings form to strap the Kobold to the table and keep it from moving, putting a gag in its mouth to stop its screaming and from biting off its own tongue. The medic seems a bit startled by the suddenly forming shadows, but is quick to get back to work and is finally getting the bone properly reset now that the Kobold can’t flail around anymore. Checking to make sure that it is lined up properly, he quickly gets to work on getting the arm wrapped and a cast made. Sky is soothing the poor Kobold as it looks like it wants to cry, chirping to it softly and petting their head. It eventually calms down enough that I can remove the gag and let them talk. Sky happily chats with them, probably reassuring them that everything will be ok.
We spend the rest of the day tending to the Kobolds and making sure that everyone is set for the night. Many of them throw a party as they feast on monster meat BBQ, while many others retire for the night, finally able to get a peaceful night's rest after traveling for who knows how long and risking their lives.
At some point during everything, my family showed up and started to help out as well. Mom immediately set to work on helping the medics without a word, while Anna and dad helped out with setting things up for the Kobolds temporary shelters or passing out food and drinks.
It would be long into the night before Sky and I finally head back to our apartment. Sky almost immediately passes out after getting home, only really having enough energy left to give me kiss before collapsing on her nest. She's out like a light almost as soon as she hits the small mountain of pillows and blankets.
I just smile as I watch her for a bit, work to get her jewelry off and put away, and then put a blanket over her. She’s had a long and eventful day.
After watching her from the doorway for a short while, I eventually make my way back into the living area, make myself a cup of coffee, and then collapse onto the couch to relax. As much as I would love to crawl into bed with Sky and spend the rest of the night watching her sleep, I have things I need to do. Papers I need to read, and plans that need to be made.
I have my new position to consider. I need to make plans for how to safely integrate the Kobolds and my people into human society. I need to think about how to go about teaching magic to others, ways that I could make it work. I have to think about my Gremlins and their education. The Kobolds are going to need to learn English. We need to get to work on preparing for the tens of thousands of Goblins that Sky said are coming next. I need to think about how my future is going to look in a couple of hundred years. And also, how the hell does someone even build an Empire!?
Sitting alone in the dark, sipping coffee and fidgeting with my shadows in one hand, I continue to think and think. Hardly moving unless it is to go refill my coffee or to use the restroom.
Eventually, the sun starts to rise, and Sky starts to stir in her room as she slowly wakes up. I get up to go and make breakfast for us.
I have a lot of stuff to do…