It was a stormy day that afternoon, wind roaring over the great capital’s rooftops as rain barraged the streets just as well.

Not a soul was visible, not a light shimmering in any of the windows.

All but the castle up high on the hilltop at the citadel’s center, lights flickered and flashed, music played and people chattered.

As the storm raged outside, a party raged within the castle walls, magically expanded to fit the entire city and more. The party had far surpassed extravagant, as little wyverns flew about the massive hall carrying platters of the most exotic foods conceivable through trade.

Yes, Draconia was a wealthy country indeed, and for today’s occasion the King had brought out every single stop.

For today, was princess Erika’s 16th birthday.

And if she chose it to be, the day she would be officially crowned as the Heir.

Erikathyr roamed the crowded party with his two wives grasping either of his arms, not only were his two sons barely seen about, but the prime guest…

Erika herself was nowhere to be seen.

Sighing to himself, he knew how difficult a choice lay before her.

“Do you believe she will be alright?” Thea grumbled under his breath to her husband, Erikathyr.

“She will make the choice for herself, whichever it is, it is hers and as long as it is hers-” Erikathyr began to say, but was cut off by Makaela.

“Yes, yes, we’ll support it. I just hope it doesn’t overwhelm her.” Makaela added.

“She has my blood running through her veins, Erika will do fine my dears.” Erikathyr assured, but just in case, he made eye-contact with a decorated soldier standing by.

A Dark Elf with a young complexion albeit his many honours of war and service riddling his suit, Kailu met his overstaying gaze and immediately understood the order he was being given. Not having been posted but was supposedly to be enjoying the party, he was only happy to oblige his majesty and leave the chattering behind.

A dark skull hung off his neck like an amulet, gleaming purple when he stepped outside.

“Yes, yes, I’ll keep you dry.” Kailu sighed, hiding the amulet under his shirt, he proceeded to walk out into the storm.

Even as the rain pelleted him, it seemed to magically swerve around him, leaving him mostly dry.

“Picky demon,” He mused to himself, taking the dreadfully long steps down the hill, “Oh nothing, sleep.” He mumbled to himself.

Reaching a flat piece of land about half-way down the hill, the flora filled his purview with a great garden of many colours.

Even a small maze made of hedges lay within the garden, and Kailu moved exactly in its direction.

Entering the maze, he made his way through the many passages almost automatically. Knowing every outcome by heart from the thousands of times he had tread it.

Looking for the one, he would usually tread it with.

Coming out to a cliff’s edge, where he found her where he always did.

Sitting cross-legged and facing the city below, even as a storm went over it, the city was a majestic sight to behold.

Some might even call it magical.

“Already out of your dress my lady?” Kailu carefully announced.

As the normal human looking girl before him rose up, dusting off her casual clothing. “It was getting uncomfortable, plus Maka would kill me if I got it drenched.”

“Here to ponder some more then I garner?” Kailu asked as she stretched her arms and back.

Erika sighed, “There is only so much to think over, we prepared too much food.” She said with a solemn tone.

“We shall be economically sound even after.” Kailu added.

“Ah, and that mountain of presents…they really didn’t need to.” Erika grumbled.

“Gifts should never be turned away, especially when they come from a place of respect.” Kailu continued reply.

“Oh but then there’s the racket we’re making, won’t it drive away wildlife?” Erika continued to ramble.

“My lady, your people await you.” Kailu then pointedly said.

“Ah…yes, they do.” Erika sighed once more. “But this view…it’s not everyday father allows me to choose the weather.”

“And quiet the peculiar choice you’ve made,” Kailu said with a mild grumbling undertone, “Nonetheless, the view won’t escape to anywhere.”

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Erika glanced back at him, her wet blue hair sploshing to the side of her back as her golden eyes briefly met his before quickly turning back to the city. “No, I guess it will not.”

“The ceremony is today, you cannot escape the fact that you must choose. If you’re this indecisive, maybe what adventure lays out there better grasps your fancy.” Kailu pondered.

“Oh, and disappoint father? Surely you jest.” Erika replied with a chuckle.

“I very much doubt his majesty would take offense, you are his daughter after all.” Kailu calmly protested.

“Then whichever choice I make…it’s fine right? Not like I will feel guilty for abandoning my family…my people. My birthright.” Erika exclaimed dramatically.

“Whichever choice you do choose, it will be your choice, and if you truly believe in it then it is the right one.” Kailu quoted, “Your father said that once.”

“Or many, many times.” Erika sighed, turning around then she began to walk back, but briefly paused beside him. “Word of advice, if you were looking for a moment to offer a damsel in distress to escape with you to a life of adventure, that was it.” She teased with a smirk, only confusing Kailu as she then hurried off into the maze.

Her cheeks flushed red as she left the soldier behind her, she grumbled to herself in a whisper he wouldn’t hear. “So that’s as much of a confession I’m capable of it seems…”

Roaming through the twists and turns, she fully set her mind on the test before her.

To rule a kingdom.

A kingdom whose very existence held the entire world’s balance on its fingertips.

“No stress…No, no problem. I can do it, Papa raised me for this. I can do it.” She told herself, prepared to face the outcome, whatever it might be.

Except, the outcome seemed to have been lost on the way, Erika knew she should have been out of the maze by now and she was absolutely sure she had taken the right path.

Stopping suddenly, Erika glanced about, something felt off.

The maze…an eerie sensation poked at her, the maze…

Then suddenly another sensation barraged her.

Horror.

Wickedness.

Evil.

A sense of disgust filled her mind when a shadow formed before her, the darkness tearing away to reveal some of the humanoid’s appearance. Wearing a suit of dark red with a black undershirt, the man had greyish scaly skin whilst having not a strand of hair, two long horns of black adorned his bald head.

Lipless and with a pointy nose, what truly caught her fright was his eyes.

Crimson slits surrounded by green glowing molten hot.

Erika took a step back, and the being bowed courtly.

“Apologies princess, I meant not frighten you. Simply I wish to ask for forgiveness, it seems that I have arrived late and all the presents have been given.” The creature said with a raspy, almost serpentine voice.

Rising back, he reached in for something out of his suit jacket’s left innards, “I do hope you accept my humblest apology, and still accept my lord’s gift?” He asked with what could have been mistaken as guilt in his tone.

Forwarding her his clawed hand, grasping a small book whose cover seemed made of rocky red leather. “Terrible weather I’m afraid, oh but please don’t let me make prattling excuses.”

Erika stared at the book for several quiet moments before, “Uhm…But yes, of course…there is nothing to worry about.” Reaching out, she grabbed the book of which he immediately let go.

Holding it in her hands, she was sure it felt like it was made from a strangely rubbery rock. There was nothing on the back or the side, just a short title carved in bright yellow on the front.

“Ah yes, the flight here wasn’t too bad I must admit.” The being added.

“Flight?” Erika asked, reading the title right before moving to open the book to the first page.

The title was of a language she did not recognize.

“Oh yes, what demon in their right mind would walk?” The demon added, his lipless mouth now widening into a grin.

“De…” Erika’s eyes widened to their fullest, the book now laying just as wide open before her, within the pages though she saw not words but instead…

A whole different world, a great forest of dark green and bright orange.

“Demon!?” Erika exclaimed, immediately dropping the book and stepping away…

But it was far too late, as it fell to the ground yet remained open.

“Ah yes, Hahaha!” The Demon cackled, “My Lord said you’d react this way.” Raising his right hand forth, Erika suddenly found herself unable to move.

As out of the book spiraled out black energy.

Fear filled Erika, she had heard of these damned creatures from her father, but to face one? At this moment? She was stunned with surprise.

“My lady!” A voice echoed out from the sky above as a shadow descended in between them, the very ground quaking as it landed.

Kailu pulled the amulet off his neck, tearing the string as the entire skull morphed.

Growing into a massive scythe, with one fell swoop forth he cleaved the Demon into two. Immediately turning about, he watched horrified as the black swirling magic engulfed a still standing Erika.

The demon’s laughter continued on, “Congratulations I bring! Greetings I bring! My master Xokith, Devil King, sends his regards!” His maniac laughing echoing out throughout the maze and Kailu’s mind as he watched Erika disappear into the book.

Even as he reached out, trying to grasp the darkness, it simply slipped out of his fingertips.

“Huahahaahahaha!” The demon laughed, as fury rose within Kailu.

As he turned to the creature…

When suddenly, silence.

The clouds parted, giving way to the sunlight.

The sounds of music and chattering halted.

A pressure engulfed the garden…no, the whole city.

Still the demon laughed, “I have completed my task my lord! I await your embrace! Bring your loyal servant back! That we feast till the hell fall!” He exclaimed, yet nothing happened.

Not until, lightning crackling through the very ground beneath them.

Rising and taking shape, Erikathyr’s form appeared giving them his back.

The demon stopped laughing at this sight, watching tentatively as once more darkness seeped out of the book’s pages.

Quickly now it swirled up, searching to envelope Erik whole.

But was stopped as Kailu appeared in its path, and it grasped him. Engulfing his left arm, and slowly moving on to the rest.

Erik turned to assist Kailu but, a sensation reached his mind then.

As the sky above tore open, hell itself breaking into their reality.

“Go master!” Kailu exclaimed, “The people…need you!” He said, crashing down his scythe upon the demon’s head just as a swarm of them rained out of the rift above.

“Erika…I must-” Erik turned to the book.

“I know, but it was my failure!” Kailu exclaimed, meeting Erik’s gaze. “I will bring her back, I promise you this, on my soul.” Kailu stopped struggling then, and the book devoured him.

Erik didn’t even have a chance to respond to him, “You’ve long proved your soul worthy, fool.” He grumbled, turning to face the blackening sky. “Fine, you little bastard. I’ll leave my daughter to you for now…” He mumbled out.

As wings burst out of his back, pure white and netted with shining gold, Erik’s eyes glowed a fierce light. “I shall take care of a misdevious reality first then. Wait for me my love, my daughter, my light!” He bellowed, glancing over at the book before gazing off at the castle as demons swarmed it.

“I will find you both!” Erik said, flapping his wings, he soared into the sky.

Leaving the book where it lay…

The world on its pages…changed.

No longer the forest Erika had seen, instead, it was a vast desert of grey.