Demon Lord Detour

A crater stands in front of us. Within it lies the limp body of Penelope, my protégé summoned from another world.

It was swift, and spectacular-- a single burst of blinding magical energy was all it took to leave such a terrible, massive impact upon the earth.

Of course, despite how undoubtedly impressive the display was, I would prefer to not have just witnessed the death of one of my companions. I rush out of the bushes Khil’nub and I used as cover, breaking in a sprint to check in on Penelope.

...I will admit, I do find myself somewhat nervous.

...

...

Okay. She's still alive. Unconscious, but alive. This is good news.

My gaze turns to that of the lamia, stepping out of the crater towards them with a slow yet deliberate pace.

They double take, looking down at me in a mixture of shock and disbelief.

"L-Lord Exgrave? Is that really you?"

Hmm? I hold no familiarity with this individual. Yet, the respect they hold for me suggests that I should.

"You refer to me as if you were under my employ. Who are you?"

"Ah, whoops-- sorry." They tilt their head away, placing a hand along the back of their neck in embarrassment. "I've always wished to join your army-- I refused to believe you were actually dead, so I finally worked up the courage to see for myself."

They crouch down to offer a hand. "Zephyrus Tailwind-- Zephys for short."

Tailwind.

Ah... That name is one that I am familiar with.

I return the handshake with a sigh.

"If you don't mind me asking, what happened...?"

"I died."

"Ahh... then I'm guessing you attempted to resurrect yourself, then?"

"Of course."

They slither around, eyeing me up and down. "It looks as though the spell was interrupted-- though I am impressed that it was still able to compensate and produce a fully functioning body."

I'm flattered.

They pause for a moment, before a look of remorse washes over their face.

"T-th... the dragon in the crater wouldn't happen to be yours, would it?"

It appears that she's finally put it together. "They are my protégé, yes. I would prefer it if you did not-- H-hey...!" They rush past, nearly knocking me off my feet as they check up on Penelope. Khil'nub has moved in by now, hissing at Zephyrus as they approach.

"S-sorry, sorry! I didn't know." They begin to prepare a spell, once more, this time one of mending. Khil'nub doesn't realize this, however, and draws her spear.

"Stand down, Khil'nub-- They mean no harm."

"No harm?? She blew up my sister!" She growls out, refusing to let Zephyrus approach.

"They were acting under incomplete information."

"Y-yeah. If I knew you were all associated with Lord Exgrave I would've shown more respect! Much more respect. So uh, please... let me make up for it."

She looks towards me, unsure of if Zephyrus should be trusted or not. I look to her expectantly, as if to say 'please, just trust them already,' and after pausing to think over if my judgement should be trusted, she lowers her spear.

Zephyrus lowers their shoulders in relaxation before tending to Penelope's wounds. Thank the gods she was not grievously injured...

"I'll set up camp. It's the least I can do after, uh.... y'know." She gestures towards Penelope, before slithering off to start a fire-- curiously, without the assistance of any magic. Or at least, not any spells. With how much equipment they are pulling out, even with just the essentials they clearly must be in possession of some sort of pocket dimension carrywear.

In any case, me and Khil'nub pull Penelope out of the crater and carry her to the campsite.

...

...

...Even with me retaining more of my strength than one would expect, I still find myself out of breath afterwards. I suppose it is fair given she is twice my size, but it still feels humiliating.

I sit beside one of the overturned logs, staring vacantly at the sunset as Zephyrus and Khil'nub prepare a meal.

...

"You know a lot about cooking, don't you?" The latter explains, surprised.

"Nah, I'm nothing special-- just some basics I had to pick up in my travels."

"Fair. Ya gotta teach me sometime, though! Would love to surprise Mom her next hatchday~"

I'm surprised how quickly Khil'nub has turned around on them, however. One minute she was at her throat, the next they’re making casual conversation? Perhaps the kobold is less prone to resentment than I am.

"Dinner is ready, my lord."

Or perhaps I had lost track of time.

They place a bowl beside me, filled with a hearty stew of vegetables and meat. The scent alone brings me to lift my visor up, even setting aside the obvious truth that I would have to do so before partaking in eating. The earthy aroma of the potatoes and onions, not to mention the strong warm smell of the fresh ham... I find myself taken back to the days of my youth. The taste itself is basic, but that very simplicity is what fills me with an overwhelming sense of nostalgia.

Back when it was just me, and Elioxus. Before Crimson or Sangria were ever in my life, let alone any sort of army-- my fledgling days as a demon lord. When all that had mattered was our day-to-day survival. Just living in the moment, not even holding a single strand of thought for what the future may hold.

...

I sigh.

"Is something wrong, my lord? Do... do you not like what I made?" Zephyrus looks to me as though they are readying to prostrate themselves in apology.

"No, it would be dishonest to say as such." I give a small smile. "I'm more than grateful for your meal, really."

"What's got you so glum, then?" Khil'nub asks what Zephyrus was too afraid to say themselves.

I restrain myself from sighing again... unsuccessfully. "Nothing."

"You don't sigh twice if you're in a good mood, Exy."

Zephyrus recoils at the nickname, not out of a disgust for the lack of reverence, but more shock at how casually they're treating me.

I remain silent, not wishing to relent to the prodding of a teenaged kobold.

She huffs out in disappointment. "Things don't get better if you bottle up your feelings, you know."

"Demon lords are not meant to show weakness." I growl out, getting frustrated with her persistence.

"Who told you that? Sounds pretty stupid if you ask me."

"My parents."

Her face twists, realizing she's stepped too far. Zephyrus looks as though they're going to faint. "W-well," she pivots, "You talk to Pento a lot, don't you? Seems like you trust her."

"She is my protégé-- not a soldier nor a civilian. I've put my trust in her so that she may be willing to do the same with me."

"Alright then, fine!" Khil'nub ducks over to where Penelope lay. After a moment she stands back up... puppeteering her unconscious body as if she were awake.

"What's wrong, Exgrave?" She's doing an impression of her sister now. "You can trust me, Penelope!"

I am in awe.

Would it be rude to tell her to never get into theater?

...Fine, I will play along. Anything to get her to stop pestering me.

"I am just frustrated with myself. I feel... so weak and useless in this form."

She lowers Penelope's head. "You can always get stronger again! Just train yourself while training me!"

"Yes, but to what extent can I get stronger? Surely not my prime. Not with this pitiful size, at least."

"Cute size."

"Bah."

Khil'nub chuckles to herself, before continuing the impersonation. "Just because you can't regain your old strength doesn't mean you can't still get strong! I'm sure with enough training, you'll be able to pick me up with one hand!"

I chortle, amused by the mental image. "I suppose you may be right."

"And besides!" Zephyrus interjects. "You don't need physical strength when you have strength in numbers!"

"Look." They move to sit beside me, a spark of determination forming in their eyes. "I'll join your army, my lord. You've seen my strength! I just... I just need to learn how to actually control it. But in the meantime, I'm training to become a physical fighter. I would love to train with you and your dragon!" She realizes she's rambling. "I'll-- I'll do whatever you wish, if you'll have me, lord."

I grimace at their proposition. They notice this, and begin to panic. "S-sorry...! I-I'll shut up now.."

"Mmmm. I am not one to turn down those who wish to join my army, Yet..."

She has her mothers eyes. That look of determination-- the burning fire saying she won't take no for an answer --instantly took me back.

...

Back to the moment the light left them, as she was trying to protect me. I can't help but replay that vile memory whenever I try to sleep-- much the same for any of my soldiers I've lost.

...Any day that I am able to have a good night's rest is a miraculous one.

"Your mother is dead because of me. I would not be able to live with myself if her daughter died under my command as well."

That look of determination returns, surprisingly enough. "If she died in your name, then she didn't die in vain-- you're still alive."

"The past is the past," she continues, "and the present is now. I'll do anything for you-- just give me a chance, my lord."

Those words linger in my head. A truth I'd known since I was a cub, fighting for survival. 'Live in the moment. Don't linger on the past; don't worry about the future.'

Yet, to hear it from the mouth of someone else...

...

A grin creeps up upon my face.

"Very well, then. I shall train you to be a soldier with skills that would rival even that of your mother Hemera."

She claps with excitement, before quickly feeling embarrassed and regaining her composure. "T-thank you very much, my lord. You have my word... I will not let you down!"

"Mmmmnh..."

...?

Ahh-- Penelope is finally regaining consciousness. She shifts around, eyes fluttering as she realizes that her sister was puppeteering her.

"G-gahh!" Khil'nub jolts, nearly dropping her sister in startlement. "I didn't think you would wake up so soon!"

"What... What's happening? What's going on?" Penelope hazily asks, trying to make sense of the situation. Noticing Zephyrus, they jump backwards in a panic, preparing for an attack.

I raise a hand. "Stand down-- they're on our side." A sense of déjà vu takes over, though this time I'm met with confusion rather than distrust.

"She's the daughter of one of my finest soldiers-- and she wishes to carry on her mother's legacy."

"...Right." She takes a moment to eye Zephyrus for herself, before eventually relaxing her posture and sitting on her hind legs besides her sister.

"Ah! I almost forgot." Zephyrus moves to hand her a bowl of stew, only for her to furrow her brow.

"Are... are you not hungry, Lady Penelope?"

She pauses, trying to formulate her response. "No, sorry. I... just got distracted is all. And 'Pento' is fine."

That look. It's the look that she has on her face whenever time reverses for her. ...I cannot imagine what it must feel like.

"She's lived in a cave for her entire life." I interject, trying to cover for her. "It must have just been some wildlife-- Pay it no mind."

Zephyrus nods. "Right-- I would imagine you would be experiencing some shell shock, Lady Pento."

I cannot help but chuckle, amused by her insistence on honorifics. Penelope meanwhile takes to her meal, probably figuring it not worth correcting her.

Her eyes widen. "You made this? It's really good."

"Ah, yes I did! Thank you very much." They smile brightly. "I had said it to the others-- it's just one of the basics I'd learned traveling on my own. Nothing too special."

"I've only had raw meat all my life, so even these 'basics' feel extravagant."

"I couldn't imagine living like that-- no offense, of course. Cooked food is just on another level."

"Maybe you could teach me some time."

"Hey-- I asked to be taught first." Khil'nub pouts.

Penelope laughs. "Then we can learn together, sis!"

"I would love to teach the both of you, sometime-- it would do you all well in your travels."

"That does remind me, though." Zephyrus turns to face me. "You were heading back to your castle, yes?"

"Indeed."

"Would you want to sleep here, then? Or should we head out? It is getting late, after all."

I look to the others, holding no preference of my own. Khil'nub shrugs her shoulders.

"Exgrave said it earlier-- this is a second home to me." Penelope looks towards the castle. "If it's not a big ask... I'd prefer sleeping there."

"Of course! Should we be off, then?"

As we clean up camp, Penelope gestures for us to mind-link.

"You keep calling me by my old name. Why is that, anyway?"

"Do you enjoy being called 'Pento?'"

She pauses. "I don't mind it, really. I'm a new person here. It's my new name, I guess."

"If you want me to stop, then say the word."

"Nah, nah, it's no big deal. I was just curious, is all."

I chuckle a bit to myself. "You seemed apprehensive to the name."

"Well, yeah-- it was chosen for me. Just felt a bit weird, I guess. Is that really it, though?"

"People use first names as a show of trust and care for each other. 'Pento' seemed more like a nickname, and so I figured I would use your prior name as a show of respect."

She seems caught off-guard by my answer, but smiles meekly regardless.

"That, and I felt it important for you to remember your old life-- especially with all the changes having a second childhood has had on your mind. 'Those who forget the past,' as they say."

She nods, before laughing a bit to herself. "You're more chipper than I've ever seen you, did something happen?"

"I just had some time to re-center myself, thanks to your sister."

"Ahh." She looks to Khil'nub, who tilts her head in confusion-- most likely wondering what the two of us were talking about.

I disengage the mind-link, speaking aloud as we finish putting everything away. "Let's go."

Truthfully, I find myself with a renewed sense of confidence, having wasted five whole years of my resurrected life wallowing in self-pity. How long will this good mood last? I find myself unsure.

But, as was said before-- the present is now. So I shall enjoy this renewal for as long as it lasts.