I walk to the door where two guards are standing at attention. I’m hesitant to enter and pause just outside the door taking a deep breath before opening the door to see my sister sitting in a chair off to the side is a state of shock.

Quietly closing the door behind me I take a seat next to here causing her to react and look me in the eye. Our eyes meet and we stare each other down not sure what to say to the other.

Man, this is awkward, I should have allowed Felicia to accompany me instead of turning her down. No, I decided I’d deal with this myself. I take a deep breath before trying to speak.

“So how are you doing Anna.”

I feel myself cringe in disgust at the words I choose. I find my sister in the middle of this whole mess, and the first thing I do after having the guards arrest her is ask her how she’s doing!

“Not too bad all things considering I just found out my brother is now a woman and is now marrying the demon king of another world. I mean you could have at least sent us a postcard.”

I laugh as I try to figure out what to say next. I mean she summed it up pretty well all things considered but I felt like we needed a lot more time to actually tell each other’s stories.

Luckily Seliph isn’t here but I’ll also need to figure out how to protect her now that she is here. Even if I’m not her brother anymore I still want to make sure she is safe.

“Just so you know this wasn’t my idea. I, accidentally fell into his trap when I went to confront him thinking it was perfectly safe. As it turned out that wasn’t necessarily the case.”

“And now he wants you to be his queen?”

“Not my idea it was his.”

“And you’re okay with this?”

“Honestly, I wasn’t, but at this point. I didn’t have any other plans at the moment.

“I’m still working on the details at this point.”

“What details? What you are going to wear to your wedding.”

“How about I start from the beginning and then you can tell me how you got here and we can compare notes afterward.”

“Fine, but I want you to explain ‘EVERYTHING’ got that.”

“I understand, give me a break this isn’t easy for me either.”

I then explained my whole experience of having been summoned, the training I had gone through, most of my experiences of being in the army, and how I had failed in defeating the demon king and everything after.

She gave me a few looks when I talked about the war, but she stayed quiet. She then told me how she had made a deal with Talos and showed me her transformations as well. I was shocked when I found out that her ears were pointy, her highlights were `real, and she had an arrange of tattoos on her body.

When I asked about her horns she took them off after slowly working mana into them for a few minutes. I was relieved that she wasn't an actual demon. Nothing wrong with it I just think mom and dad might be less mad at me as a result if we make it back.

When she had finished her story I realized that the sun was setting and that it had gotten quite late.

“Well, I’m glad you’re okay at least. I didn’t know what to think when I found out you were here.”

“I’m fine, you, on the other hand, have bigger things to worry about. Especially since you are now getting married to this guy. Are you sure ‘you’ are okay?”

“Don’t worry about that, let me worry about you first. I might not be your brother anymore, but I still have to make sure you stay safe.”

I hear a knock on the door and turning I see Felicia come in with two trays of food.

“Sorry to intrude-”

She seems surprised to see Anna without her horns, but she soon recovers.

“But I thought you would like something to eat. It is getting late after all. Would you like me to prepare her a room?”

“Yes, thank you Felicia. We shouldn’t be much longer.”

She then left leaving us to enjoy the food and each other’s company. We took the time to contemplate each other’s experiences. It was a lot to take in after all and things didn’t look like they’d get any easier anytime soon.

As Anna finished she laid back in her chair putting her hands behind her head.

“Well, this definitely is some complicated stuff we’ve gotten ourselves into. I thought all I had to do was help you defeat this demon king and we’d be able to get back.”

“That’s all I thought I had to do, and I thought that was going to be tough enough.”

“We’ve both way over our heads, aren’t we.”

“You’re just now realizing that?”

“I, didn’t have all of the details. I thought there was still a war going on.”

I rubbed my hand through my hair as I tried to think. Right now we were ‘guests’ of the demon king and didn’t have any other ideas on how to proceed. I was glad Anna was okay, but I worried now that she might be used against me.

The problem with love is that it is a strong motivator, but it is just as easy to threaten. Though if what Anna told me is true then she should be able to take care of herself.

“Let’s just call it a night. We both have a lot to think about.”

She looked conflicted but soon agreed. I think we both needed some time to come to terms with today.

I make my way to the door and tell one of the guards to escort Anna to her room and Felicia comes by to take me to my room.

“So how did it go Diana? How is your sister?”

“I’m happy to see she is okay. I was scared that she was in trouble when I first found her. Humans aren’t exactly welcome around here yet.”

“That’s understandable, it was a surprise to me as well. But I’m glad that everything is working out.”

“I am as well, but I’m a little worried. I have a lot to think about already and then this. I just hope I can make this all work in the end.”

Though what that end implied I’m not exactly sure.

When we reached my room she bid me goodnight before I made my way inside. I then got undressed and took a quick bath trying to relax.

I then did a light mana exercise to cleanse my system from the overload I had pulled today before getting into my pajamas and proceeding to brush my hair. As I did I stared out at city while sitting on my bed.

I tried to think of something I could do, but I felt lost. I just didn’t know enough to help. Even with Flora’s help, I was still too ignorant. For all my power I was unable to find a way to use it effectively.

All I could promise myself was that I’d do everything in my power to make sure my sister was safe.

As I am about to lay down and go to bed the door opens and Seliph walks in. He looks tired and loosens his clothes as he makes his way towards the closet.

Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

“Is something wrong?”

As he takes off his jacket and hangs it up he turns to face me with a forced smile on his face.

“Is it really that obvious?”

“It is when you come back so late with that look on your face. What’s going on? Does this have anything to do with monster attacks?”

He looks surprised before quickly recovering.

“Done some digging I see. I really can’t keep anything from you can I.”

“Not when my source surprised even me.”

He takes off his day clothes and I turn away as he gets into his night clothes. He renters the room picking up the conversation where I left off.

“Oh, and who might this source be.”

“My sister.”

At this he becomes surprised again and walks over to my bed sitting next to me.

“That does seem like quite the surprise.”

He tries to take the brush from me, but I turn to the other side cutting him off. He smiles and stops his advance not pressing it.

“It was, I only found her because of an experiment I was conducting. I was trying to find my family on the off chance I could find a way home, and my family just happened to be here.”

I stared off into space unsure of what to say next when I feel a reassuring rub on my shoulder snapping me back to reality.

“How was she?”

“She was posing as a maid actually. She apparently came here with Alice to attend the betrothal announcement. Unfourtaly, Alice’s grandfather was killed in a monster attack.”

“I heard about that incident today. Apparently, that wasn’t the only attack. We had reports of over five different attacks today alone. Most of them were repelled, but the threat remains. My generals are getting ready to deploy and thanks to the ceasefire with the humans I can divert our forces to defending my people.”

“So wait, this is a growing threat?”

“Everything I’m seeing is pointing towards that unfortunately. But with our forces, the situation should be under control by the end of the month.”

Maybe I could help him deal with this threat. I could help them fight this threat solidifying my commitment to this peace. Also, I want an excuse to let loose and get away from Flora.

I set the brush on the bed and turn to face him. He probably won’t like this idea though.

“Would you like my help then?”

He looks puzzled as he stares back at me.

“With what?”

“With this monster crisis. I could help spearhead the defense and help end this quicker while further cementing the idea of the peace.”

He sighs thinking over the idea in his mind. He seems conflicted but I think he is willing to accept the idea.

“It’s not a bad idea actually.”

He then smiles with a mischievous grin as a new idea surfaces.

“Want to make a game out of it then?”

“What do you mean. How are you going to make this into a game?”

“There just happens to a nice lake in the middle of the monster pocket. Last one there has to do anything the other one says. Sounds like an interesting idea, does it not?”

I stare him down trying to see if he has a hidden agenda, but for the most part, he seems to be putting it all on his face. But, just to be safe.

“Let’s keep our bet civil though. You better not have any bad ideas on what you want me to do.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it. In fact, I think your mind is the one in the sewers.”

“Just trying to be safe.”

“I think you are seeking quite the opposite with the fact that we are going to be fighting monsters.”

I laugh as he’s quite right, but I’d rather face a horde of monsters than lose this bet. I’m still quite conscious about our relationship and even my own body.

“So you do laugh. I thought I wouldn’t see the day. In fact, it just made my day.”

“I laugh, your jokes have just been lacking.”

He gets a chuckle at that before standing back up and making his way to his own bed.

“You are right about that. I’ll have to work on it won’t I.”

“I’ll say, we’ve been quite busy haven’t we.”

He chuckles again as he lays back on his bed.

“It will only get worse. Our work has just begun after all.”

“We better make some time to relax though or we’ll both burn out.”

“Isn’t that what we’re doing right now? I mean you can always come and join me over here if you like.”

I roll my eyes at the obvious jest and turn away to lie down. I hear another chuckle as I close my eyes to get to sleep.

“You make it to easy Diana. At least try to make my teasing difficult for me.”

“Good night.”

He chuckles one more time before we both go to sleep. I don’t know why but our exchange helps me calm my nerves. I just hope it can stay this way. Though I know it probably won’t.

I feel a slight nudge and open my eyes to see Seliph putting on his shirt.

“It’s time to get up Diana. We’ve got a campaign to plan.”

I roll off bed and rub my eyes trying to wake up. I feel something land on my lap and look to see a hairbrush.

“But first it looks like you need to tame a different beast at the moment.”

“Now you’re just trying too hard.”

“Doesn’t mean I’m wrong.”

I make my way to the closet brushing my hair trying to get out the tangles in my hair as I decide on what to wear. Choosing a long skirt and blouse in case we move out today. Oburo said it would be a good traveling outfit. I’ll have to make sure to pack something more battle appropriate though for when I reach the frontlines.

Though my knowledge of woman’s attire was growing I still felt lost in the sea of clothes Oburo had made.

Pulling my hair out from under my shirt I join Seliph as he finishes getting ready himself.

“Looking good, ready to go?”

“At least my skills will be put to proper use today, and to help others no less. Fighting monsters will be a lot easier than fighting your men.”

“I would hope so. You’ll be leading them after all. I’d hope they are a better fighting force than some ragtag group of monsters.”

I follow him to a room where a map is spread out on a table. Around the table, a group of people are bickering while moving some figurines around.

Laslow is among them but he’s standing against the wall trying to not make a ruckus. He seems more annoyed than disinterested and I can see why.

One of them is a tall bearded man with a scar across his cheek, and he is pushing the figures forward. While the man opposite of him is a older looking man with a well-trimmed goatee who seems to take great pride in appearances. Flora is standing between them while trying to keep them both calm.

“We need to gather the troops and drive them back immediately. I can have my men retake the area within the week.”

“And in the process, our supply lines would be stretched thin and if a counteroffensive was taken our lines would be pushed to the brink. We need to make a slow advance and make sure to relieve the civilians who were caught in this mess.”

“And we would be able to help them better once the monsters have been driven out. I promise you I could hold a defensive line for two weeks once we take the area. That would be more than enough time for you to reorganize our supply routes.”

Flora looks up from between them and addresses us.

“That’s enough gentlemen, we’ll let the king decide on what we shall do.”

Their attention turns to us and they all make a short bow.

“At ease gentlemen, I want to know how our defense is before I plan our attack. Now, what’s the situation?”

“The line is holding but the attack was so quick that most of the cities didn’t have time to properly evacuate. The town of Bisbee was completely surrounded before we could relieve them which is why we need to attack immediately.”

He slams his fist down on the table showing his determination with his plan.

“They have enough supplies to last a month. They don’t need to be immediately resupplied.”

“When have they last been resupplied Markus?”

“I don’t know sir, but I would guess sometime this week. At the very least they’ll last three weeks which is more than enough time for our men to reach them.”

“Only if resistance is what we expect.”

Laslow speaks up and walks over to the map.

“We’re all acting like this will be a cakewalk but we have to remember they pushed us this far in less than a week. We need to be approaching this with more concern and I’ll have to agree with Dorcas on one thing.

We need to wipe them out and secure our people’s land first. We’re all acting like this is the only force this enemy has got. We need to be acting like there will be more. Otherwise we’re just asking for trouble.”

“He’s right.”

All the eyes turn to me as I speak up.

“We need to drive them back and secure this threat quickly. The longer this takes the more things can go wrong. That’s why me and Seliph will be leading two armies personally.”

At this, their eyes open up in surprise. Flora doesn’t look convinced and turns to Seliph.

“Are you sure about this your majesty?”

“Yes, we’re having a little competition actually. Laslow, you are going to join up with Leila and Matthew and cut through the forest with Diana. While Wallace will come up and join you at Leinsburg after you’ve cleared the forest.

Meanwhile, Markus and Dorcas, you two will join me in relieving Brisbee and moving on to secure Narsk. Once we have accomplished this we will rendezvous at lake Renvall. First one there wins our little bet.”

“Sounds like an easy win then it’ll be over in a week for us.”

“We’ll see about that Dorcas, I’m sure with Diana’s help we’ll be there a day earlier.”

“Haha, preposterous, that forest is dangerous! There’s no way you’ll be out by then.”

I think I have just the trick to make that possible.

“Then we’ll just have to prove you wrong.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it.”

“Then I think it’s settled, we’ll depart at noon. We have a country to save people let's get to work.”

A war map to help you orient the coming war. [https://imgur.com/g8RaSjR]