Crown Prince Nil arrived soon after, seeing Lux happily testing out her new abilities. Lady Luna was with him, which wasn’t unusual. Those are the oddest two kids. Lux immediately went after Nil. Nil simply moved him and Luna out of the way, before reappearing with his eyes glowing. Of course, Lux wants a rematch. Nil was more than willing to oblige his . The two clashed, with Nil using that bizarre he learned from Krahinn near immediately. Nil additionally was using that black barrier to stop Lux cold. Hoggdin was watching with interest as Lux and Nil dueled again. Nil’s ability to vary the time of when his attacks occurred was nothing short of terrifying. He could instantly make his happen or delay his sword swing slashing you as he repositioned to maintain an endless assault. I never dreamed such was even possible. Lux alternated engaging her halos to try and turn the tide against the frightening Nil, but it was proving ineffective. Whatever Krahinn taught Nil was unfortunately too much for her to overcome. That black barrier, his time manipulation, and just how much his improved were way too much for Lux currently. Nil stood victorious, at least panting more than earlier. Lux went to try again, but Hoggdin stopped her.

“That’s enough for now. You need to make sure to properly heal all the damage that’s been accumulating. Take at least ten minutes to make sure you are recovered.” Hoggdin ordered Lux. She begrudgingly complied with his order.

“Hello again Hoggdin. Nice to meet you under more pleasant circumstances.” Nil stated politely with a bow. Luna at this point walked over back next to Nil.

“Krahinn sure showed you some interesting . That is hardly fair, but Lux will catch back up. are not exactly the epitome of fair themselves. That does have a weakness you cannot currently overcome.” Hoggdin told Nil with a toothy smile.

“Tell that to Krahinn. He believes it is his greatest innovation in the last millennia.” Nil taunted with a shrug.

“Oh, it is. The weakness is you, not the idea.” Hoggdin corrected Nil.

“I’m still learning. I’m amazed you can shrink down this much, or did you make yourself that large?” Nil replied, seeming unbothered. What? Hoggdin was already massive.

“Currently, I have shrunk myself with . That being said, I actually have a new idea. Let’s see the dream team in action. You two versus me.” Hoggdin told Nil and Lux. which made both of them sigh.

“I’m tired.” Lux tried, knowing Hoggdin was going to be holding back a lot less.

“We stand no chance against you.” Nil pointed out.

“Poor attitude you two. Lux, you will be fighting much more than this on Phestia, so we need to build your endurance. Granted, I doubt your opponent will be my caliber each time. As for you Nil, you need to try that against someone it’s not so effective on.” Hoggdin chided as he was still smiling.

“If it isn’t effective I’m doomed.” Nil retorted drily.

“I don’t think we’re getting out of sparring him.” Lux sighed. The two were clearly having a quick mental conversation to plan to take on their monstrous foe. Krahinn stepped out next to Nil.

“You two got this.” Luna assured them as she walked over next to me.

“There you are.” Krahinn snapped, still sounding irritated.

“Krahinn, I was about to spar your little protégé and his . They both need more combat experience.” Hoggdin informed Krahinn. Krahinn glared at him, before a malicious smile spread across his face.

“I’m going to give these two a quick pep talk. Let’s make this real interesting.” Krahinn stated. Hoggdin gave him a knowing stare.

“What could you possibly tell them in a pep talk that’s going to change my victory?” Hoggdin laughed. Krahinn was smiling evilly at Hoggdin.

“Oh, you’re still going to win, but I feel the two need something to help even the playing field. Why waste such a valuable test?” Krahinn retorted, his smile getting crueler. He has one massive ego if having to admit he was wrong angered him this much. Krahinn glared at me.

“Focus. Now is your precious time.” Nil teased him with a smirk. Krahinn simply put his finger to Nil’s head who looked like he was in agony.

“Lord’s that method of learning is horrible.” Luna shuddered next to me.

“What is happening?” I asked Luna, curious as to what Krahinn was doing.

“Krahinn is imprinting some into Nil’s brain to teach him it. It is highly unpleasant.” Luna answered, looking like she was recalling something terrible.

“Your turn fluffball.” Krahinn declared, catching Lux real fast as Nil was clutching his skull.

“Did you have to make it hurt that much?” Nil snarled at Krahinn as Lux now looked like she was hating life.

“There’s no painless variant of that method. What it lacks in pleasantness it more than makes up for in efficiency.” Krahinn explained as he dropped Lux. The two glared at him, as they both clearly were having a mental conversation on what to do.

“That wasn’t nice Krahinn.” Hoggdin chuckled as he seemed to be unbothered by the display.

“I didn’t realize asking a favor of one of your few acquaintances was such a war crime Krahinn.” Ipnerslei sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“We argued about it for over five centuries, and now he can claim I admitted he was right! For what? Helping out this ungrateful fluffball!” Krahinn defended himself.

“It is a book series you two are likely the only two that can remember. No one else would care about it.” Ipnerslei pointed out. The only thing that rivals his knowledge is his pettiness.

“It was a masterpiece.” Hoggdin snapped at Ipnerslei.

“The series was truly the accumulation of genius, hard work, and epic mythology!” Krahinn added on.

“Do not discredit the sheer brilliance of the work! I still have my copies stored in pristine condition on Phestia!” Hoggdin growled with his voice making the castle shake. At this point, the Imperial Family, Nautilus, Helga, and Duke Dawnsfield came to investigate, seeing Hoggdin.

Why is there a massive dragon in the courtyard? Nez asked, admiring the sheer size of Hoggdin.

He’s the ruler of Phestia who has agreed to help Lux. He is some sort of friend slash rival of Krahinn, but infinitely more pleasant. I answered as Empress Senna noticed the outer wall.

“What happened to the wall?!” Empress Senna yelled, looking around for her answer.

“I punched Lux through it.” Hoggdin said nonchalantly.

“Why did you punch Lux through the wall?” Empress Senna pressed. Hoggdin glanced at her for a second.

“In a moment. Now Ipnerslei, take back that heretical statement of yours. It is a literary classic.” Hoggdin demanded, slamming his fist in irritation which made the ground shake.

“I cannot believe you would slander such a series. Take it back.” Krahinn spat, sounding just as annoyed.

“IT WAS A BOOK SERIES MEANT FOR CHILDREN YOU TWO! NOT TWO, CENTURIES-OLD ADULTS!” Ipnerslei roared at them, seeming done with their stupidity.

“It is a timeless masterpiece.” Krahinn defended it. Nil had an immensely complicated expression as he looked at the two of them.

“The morals and life lessons do not discriminate based on age.” Hoggdin snapped, looking incensed at Ipnerslei who was shaking her head.

“I am sorry I insulted the true, literary classic of The Heroic Adventures of Greeny you two!” Ipnerslei apologized, sounding utterly exasperated.

“That didn’t sound sincere at all.” Krahinn pointed out while folding his arms.

“I am not feeling it either.” Hoggdin agreed. Every non- was looking on, shaking their heads.

“WHY IS IT YOU TWO CAN AGREE ON THIS?!” Ipnerslei screamed, radiating a harsh light.

“You insulted one of my favorite things.” Krahinn stated calmly.

“You were the one who instigated this slander, completely unprompted.” Hoggdin informed Ipnerslei. I could almost see her eyes twitching she was so done with the two of them.

“I truly apologize for slandering the great name and reputation of the esteemed literary classic, The Heroic Adventures of Greeny.” Ipnerslei tried, her voice sounding barely controlled.

“I think I can forgive you now.” Krahinn stated while nodding his head.

“Likewise.” Hoggdin agreed. The two both were looking like it was a great act on their part. Nil had a truly evil smile on his face as he walked up. The gleam in his eyes sent chills down my spine.

“Krahinn, if it is a children’s series, why did it matter that Greeny ended up having their happily ever after with someone?” Nil asked, sounding as innocent as possible. Ipnerslei snapped her head to Nil, her wrath emanating from every pore as the sun seemed to shine brighter.

“Because Greeny was a well-established character, shown to be independent throughout the entire series as she saved the bumbling prince, and somehow at the end, decided the buffoon was a good life partner. It sets a bad example for kids.” Krahinn explained. What was wrong with that question? Nil’s eyes were gleaming way too much for it to be as innocent as it sounded.

“No, she saved the prince because she loved him, and them ending up together was the culmination of her efforts to make a peaceful life for the two of them.” Hoggdin snapped back. Luna walked up to Nil, grabbed his ear, and dragged him away as she clearly began cussing him out mentally. Krahinn and Hoggdin both glared at each other.

“As I’ve stated before, Hoggdin, the prince was clearly an idiot designed as a plot device to create the central struggle of each novel, not some love interest she cared deeply about. Greeny clearly cared about the kingdom.” Krahinn stated. Nil looked so pleased with himself as the two were beginning to radiate wisps of , which only motivated Luna to start pulling harder

“Look, Krahinn, the prince was a well-meaning soul who was thrust into a hopeless situation time and time again, holding everything together the best he could while Greeny went to find what they needed to solve the crisis. It was a story of trust, companionship, and working together to achieve a common goal.” Hoggdin argued. Both of their eyes were starting to twitch at each other.

“Hoggdin, Krahinn, are you really going to let Nil shamelessly bait you two into arguing to avoid the spar he and Lux were about to have with Hoggdin?” Ipnerslei interjected, trying to defuse the situation.

“We are having a civilized discussion.” Krahinn insisted, despite his anger creeping into his voice.

“Correct. We are being courteous and respectful in our discourse.” Hoggdin agreed while his tone sounded equally annoyed.

“I think Hoggdin had a great point though!” Nil called out, to Ipnerslei’s visible chagrin.

“Hoggdin, I think a cheeky and traitorous Demon needs to be taught a lesson.” Krahinn stated with a malicious smile. Nil now stopped smiling as it was apparent Krahinn was seething.

“Krahinn, you are right. This is Nil’s fault. We are seeing eye to eye so well today.” Hoggdin agreed with a villainous grin. Nil’s family looked at him, patted his shoulder, and left so it was just him, Lux, and Luna. Nil reached out in vain as he was being left to his fate.

“Hold on, let’s not be too hasty here.” Nil tried desperately, looking like he was debating his chances of fleeing the two of them. Lux was cackling next to him.

“Way to go Nil.” Luna praised Nil with a laugh. Krahinn and Hoggdin both looked at Lux and Luna with their own evil smiles.

“Why are you two laughing?” Krahinn checked. His tone alone made me want to run.

“What are you getting at Krahinn?” Ipnerslei inquired with a bit of concern in her voice.

“We’re teaching all three of you a lesson.” Hoggdin informed them. Lux and Luna immediately stopped laughing.

“What did I do?” Luna asked as she gestured in annoyance.

“Why?” Lux grumbled, looking at Hoggdin.

“You two share Nil’s fate, so you all need a lesson reinforcing that fact. Nil might not run his mouth so carelessly, and you two will know that if it affects him, it might impact you as well.” Hoggdin explained. He and Krahinn both looked mighty pleased with themselves.

“That’s hardly fair!” Luna snapped at them.

“It didn’t matter which of you got mouthy; it just happened to be Nil. Do not worry, if you or Lux were as impudent as Nil, we’d still punish the three of you.” Krahinn assured her. Both of them glared at Nil.

“I’m sorry.” Nil apologized weakly, averting his gaze.

“That’s still not fair.” Luna pouted as she looked desperately at them.

“It’s not, but you have an opponent who is going to guarantee you three share the same fate. It’s good practice for you all to think about how you impact each other.” Krahinn retorted. Nil slumped his shoulders as the two let out a defeated sigh.

“What, the three of us against Hoggdin?” Nil sighed, looking guiltily at the other two. Krahinn and Hoggdin had a quick mental chat.

“No, it’ll be a three of you versus the two of us.” Hoggdin corrected Nil. All of them looked nervous now.

“Can we at least have some time to prepare?” Luna requested. I mean, they have a point. It’s a bit harsh and unfair, but a valid one.

“You have five minutes.” Krahinn granted with a villainous grin.