The Soul of a Demon Lord

The small campsite in Arcvon Forest? Yeah, it looked cozy, but for Lady Reyus, it was a battleground. She was stuck between wanting peace and dealing with the goddess Aeriys's nagging. Reyus's willpower was getting a serious workout. The others had no clue their trip back to Arcvon was caught up in this huge, cosmic fight.

Admin turned to Lady Reyus and asked “So… where to next?”

Everyone looked around, waiting for someone to speak up.

Admin looked at Lady Reyus and asked “Got any ideas? Or is that asking too much?”

Lady Reyus kept a calm face, but inside, Aeriys was cranking up the pressure. The goddess just wouldn't quit, messing with Reyus's hard-won peace. It wasn't just her new friends at risk, but her shot at a life without chaos.

Admin saw she wasn't okay and gave her a worried look. Lady Reyus, you seem out of it. Something up?

Tundra, always on guard, checked out their surroundings, hand on her sword. Maybe we should camp here tonight. Get some rest and think about what to do next.

Mirai shrugged. What will happen, will happen.

Eyrie was staring into the distance, probably thinking about finding her folks. She didn't say a word.

Taking a deep breath, Lady Reyus faked a smile. I'm fine, Admin. Just tired. Sleep sounds good. She knew she couldn't dodge Aeriys forever. She had to shut the goddess up and get her life back.

As she walked to the edge of the clearing for some alone time, Aeriys' voice popped into her head, dripping with this creepy mix of amusement and hate. Such noble plans, Reyus. How boring. You think you can ditch your purpose? You think you have a choice?

Lady Reyus clenched her fists, jaw tight. Leave me alone, Aeriys, she whispered. I won't let you win.

Aeriys laughed, and the sound seemed to shake the trees. Win? Honey, I made you! You're Mishanter, the Demon Lord, a bad guy who's needed to test the hero of this world. Admin. He needs a real enemy to beat to finish his destiny. It's all part of my story.

Lady Reyus flinched like she'd been hit, eyes wide with panic. You made me… to be a villain? A pawn in your messed-up game?

Bingo, Aeriys purred. But you're not playing along, and it's getting on my nerves. I made you for Admin to kill, but you said no to my idea as a goddess.

You don't care what I want? I get free will, right? Is that what you are telling me? Replied Reyus in her head.

Whether or not you have free will, I want to see you be what I built you for, so the world can be saved, said Aeriys.

Your thinking is awful. You want Admin to be a hero, but you want me to suffer, to be the bad guy in someone else's story? I don't want this, Reyus thought.

Aeriys' voice turned cold, with a threat. If you won't play your part, Reyus, I'll just make another one. Another Demon Lord who'll be happy with their destiny. You think you're that important?

Fear hit Lady Reyus, but she wouldn't give in. Make all the demon lords you want, Aeriys, she said, voice shaky but firm. You'll never own me. I'm more than just a puppet in your story. I'm Mishanter, and I'll make my own way.

Like an answer, power shot through her, wild and raw, almost too much to handle. Aeriys was testing her, seeing how far she could push her, trying to break her.

Fighting back, Lady Reyus zeroed in, using the strength of her new friends, Admin's kindness, and the hope in Eyrie's eyes. She wouldn't bend to Aeriys. She wouldn't be the monster the goddess wanted.

Aeriys laughed, a creepy sound in Reyus's head. Such willpower, Reyus. But it's pointless. You're just a toy for me, and you think you're not in my control. What makes you think you will decide when I literally gave you life?

That got to Lady Reyus, and she snapped. I'm not your toy! she yelled, voice echoing in the forest. I'm a person! I have feelings, wants, and the right to pick my own path!

The power grew, about to tear her apart. But Lady Reyus stood tall, willpower strong, spirit unbroken. She wouldn't be a pawn. She wouldn't let the goddess run her life. She'd fight for her freedom, her friends, and her right to choose.

Back in the clearing, Admin was watching Lady Reyus act stranger and stranger, and he was getting worried. He could feel the fight inside her, the hidden forces trying to rip her apart. He knew something was terribly wrong, and he was afraid it could destroy them all.

We have to help her, he said, voice urgent. But I don't know how. Whatever she's facing is beyond anything I've seen.

Night in Arcvon Forest got darker, the gloom matching the mess inside Lady Reyus. The talk with Aeriys had shaken her, but she was more determined than ever. She wasn't just fighting to ditch her role as Mishanter; she was fighting for her life and the right to be herself.

Coming out of the trees, Reyus tried to hide what was going on with a fake smile. She couldn't scare her friends, not yet. They already had enough on their plates.

Admin, always sharp, saw through it. Lady Reyus, you sure you're okay? he asked, voice worried. You look like you've seen a ghost.

Reyus touched his arm, surprisingly firm. I'm fine, Admin. Just a bit overwhelmed. But I'm okay now. Let's focus. We need to get to Arcvon.

Tundra, eyes narrowed, watched Reyus closely. That's wise? We haven't even talked about avoiding the Royal Guard. Or what we'll do if they're waiting.

Trust me, Tundra, Reyus said, voice confident. I have a plan. A way to get through the city without being seen. Just follow me.

The friends didn't know, but Reyus's plan was a long shot. She hoped to use her knowledge of Arcvon's hidden paths to reach Eyrie's parents without Aeriys noticing. It was a maybe, but it was the only shot she had to keep her friends safe and take back her life.

As they got ready to get moving, Aeriys' voice popped into Reyus's head, full of scorn. You think you can beat me, Reyus? You think your weak tries will matter? You're a fool.

I might be a fool, Aeriys, Reyus thought back, mind closed off to the goddess. But I'd rather be a fool than a puppet.

The next morning they were going across the forest.

You know, I can make them hate you. said Aeriys.

Are you threatening my friends? Is that what is happening? Asked Reyus.

As they went deeper into Arcvon Forest, Reyus felt things changing. The trees seemed to whisper warnings, the shadows got longer, and there was this heavy sense of dread. She knew Aeriys was watching, waiting to strike.

In her head, Reyus started talking with the goddess.

Why do you hate my friends? What did they ever do to you? Oh wait, that's right, they want to help me

Aeriys would say that I want to save the world, and what better way to make Admin the Hero. I will kill all of them, including you. You were a mistake anyways

Reyus had said to Aeriys, Why do you feel the need to use me? To make me the bad person, but you know what that isn't going to happen, and you need to deal with that.

Help you? Change you? They're fools. You can't be changed, Reyus. You're Mishanter, the Demon Lord. That's all you'll ever be.

I won't buy that, Reyus thought, mind on fire. I'm more than a title, a fate. I'm a person. And I'll choose my own path.

Aeriys was quiet, thinking. Then, her voice was back, softer and sneakier. But what about your new friends, Reyus? What if your choices put them in danger? What if you not taking your destiny leads to their end?

That hit Reyus hard, making her feel guilty and unsure of herself. She knew Aeriys was playing on her fears, trying to use her love for her friends.
It is better if I just die, because I'm only going to screw up.
Reyus said in her head.

As a new try to get to Reyus, Aeriys told her Why do you even care? I'm bossing you around! What are you going to do when they know that you were lying to them all this time? Do you think all those relationships will be fine? I made you for all of this. So what even is the point fighting me?

Reyus stops and says It's because I care for them, and it's because of that I'm going to reject you.

Why did you stop?! Are you trying to reject me again?! What is even the point, they are going to leave anyways

The weight of her secret, and the fear of Aeriys's threats, felt like it would crush Reyus. But she wouldn't give. She wouldn't let Aeriys use her friends against her. She'd find a way to keep them safe, even if it meant losing herself.

That night, as the group set up camp, Reyus knew the time was near. She could feel Aeriys getting closer and stronger, and she knew she couldn't keep her secret hidden much longer.

She needs help and I hate saying this

Later that night, Aeriys had told Reyus that What about Admin's world? I could wreck that. How would you like that?

Reyus yelled Fine go do that, and make everyone suffer, for all I care they are all going to forget me because I'm Mishanter. All I am is darkness so I shouldn't worry, but even after all of this, I still believe there is something good

As the others slept, Reyus slipped away, wanting to face Aeriys without putting her friends in danger. She found a quiet clearing in the moonlight, shut her eyes, and got ready to fight.

So, you're ready to face me, Aeriys' voice sounded in her head, filled with mean joy. I have to say, I'm shocked. I didn't think you had it in you.

I'm not scared of you, Aeriys, Reyus thought, voice full of resolve. I might be the Demon Lord Mishanter, but I'm also Reyus. And I won't let you tell me what to do. I'll fight for my freedom, my friends, and my right to choose.

And that's when the fight for Reyus's soul started.

Back at camp, Admin woke up, a feeling that something was wrong. He couldn't shake that Lady Reyus was in danger. He got up and looked for her, but couldn't find her as the moonlight shadowed where she was.

He woke Tundra and Mirai up to look for Reyus when he felt she was in great danger, he felt he had to save her. Something just told him to do that, and the need to keep her alive. The group started looking for her.

They didn't know it, but their trip, and maybe the world, was riding on the fight inside Lady Reyus. Getting it done might save everyone or mess up her life.