So This Is The Demon Lord?

Terry stood before the Demon Lord Frozen in place. The mere presence of him was overwhelming. The Demon Lord stepped forward and Terry thought he was going to attack but the Lord walked past him and to the demon still thrashing in its chains. Terry watched him as the man simple flicked his wrist and the chains broke apart and fell off the demon’s body.

The demon struggled to get up and whimpered in pain due to the hole in its paw. Seeing it such a pitiful state almost feel remorseful for being the cause of its injury but he reminded himself that if he hadn’t, it’s very likely the demon could have killed him and the others. Terry then remembered the girls in his group. He searched the tree line until he spotted Blueberry, Pear, and Avocado. Blueberry still had he sword out with a terrified expression on her face as an equally terrified Pear propped and unconscious Avocado against a tree.

Terry was relieved that the girl was knocked out at the moment. He hadn’t known her long but Terry felt she was the type to fight anyone and everyone. Terry then quickly spotted Kiwi nearby. Unlike the girls, she didn’t to be scared. Kiwi only looked annoyed by the Demon Lord’s presence, like he was an unwelcomed guest at her party.

Satisfied that everyone was still safe for now Terry looked back to the Demon Lord who was currently leaning down and inspecting the demon’s paw. Terry saw the man’s lips move as if chanting a spell and purple threads moved from his fingertips to the hole in the demon’s paw. The thread began to stitch the hole back together. The demon let out a pained whimper, the man took his free hand and brushed the side of the demon’s face while he worked on its injury.

The gesture was small but also incredible sweet, Terry began to wonder if he was wrong and this man wasn’t the Demon Lord after all. Just as he was thinking that the man stood up and glared at Terry. He took long purposeful strides over to Terry, not taking his eyes off him.

The closer he got, the better Terry got a look at him. Terry expected the Demon Lord to tower over him but he seemed to be only slightly taller than Terry. If Terry had to guess, he was probably 175 cm.

“Not many are strong enough to injury a demon on their own so if I were to assume you to be the Hero, I would be correct?” The man asked.

Terry nodded. “And I’m going to guess that you’re the one they have been calling the Demon Lord.” The man let out an amused chuckled, “I suppose I am.” The Demon Lord’s chuckle sounded deep and low, Terry was startled by how nice it sounded. He expected a Demon Lord to have an evil cackle.

“I wasn’t expecting them to send a child.” He spoke.

“Hey! I’m not a kid, I’m eighteen!” Terry yelled, he hated his baby face. It was a sore spot for him as many people had mistaken him for being much younger than he really was. The Demon Lord covered his mouth with his hand, clearly trying to suppress another laugh, then coughed and straightened his face.

The Demon Lord look around the open area they were in, his eyes landed on Blueberry, Pear, and Avocado. Terry noticed a small tug of a smile at the corner of the Demon Lord’s mouth that disappeared just as quickly as it happened. He then looked back to Terry and then just beyond him. Terry turned to see what he was looking at only to see Kiwi still standing at the end of the woods, still wearing an irritated expression on her face.

Terry turned back and in the mere seconds it took him to do so, the Demon Lord closed the gap between the two of them. The Demon Lord reached his hand out and Terry thought he was going to attack, but instead he grabbed the bottom of Terry’s chin and tilled his face up at him. Terry was shocked and felt heat rise in his cheeks.

“I suppose I could just rid myself of you now, but I’m not the type to pick on weaklings. So, rejoice, you and your group get to live for now, little hero.”

It took a moment for the words to register in Terry’s mind and when they did, Terry was incredulous. He swatted the Demon Lord’s hand still on his chin but it went right through a cloud of purple smoke. Both the Demon Lord and demon faded into smoke and were soon gone from where they once stood.

Terry was still seething at the Demon Lord’s words when Kiwi finally spoke, “Well, Hero, What now?” Terry looked at her then at the others. He took a deep breath to calm himself. “Everyone. Group meeting now. We’ve got a lot to talk about.”