Introductions

— Going somewhere? she asked, her tone deceptively calm.

The boy's red eyes darted around the tavern, looking for any possible escape route. When he found none, he straightened up and tried to compose himself, though his hands were visibly shaking.

— I... I do not know what you are talking about, he said, his voice high and nervous. I was just trying to get some food. I have never seen you before in my life.

His acting was terrible. Every word came out stilted and unconvincing, and he couldn't maintain eye contact with Suzaku for more than a few seconds at a time.

Alpha looked between Suzaku and the boy, confusion clear on his pixelated features.

— Suzaku, do you know this child?

— I have never met this boy before either, Kuria added, still recovering from their collision. He seems frightened enough already.

She stepped forward slightly, her maternal instincts taking over despite her own weakness.

— Please, Suzaku, stop bothering the poor child. Can you not see he is scared? He is probably just a local orphan trying to survive.

But Suzaku's expression only grew darker at Kuria's words. Something flickered in her eyes - not just anger, but fury barely held in check.

— You want me to stop bothering him? she repeated, her voice taking on a dangerous edge that none of them had heard before.

— Yes, Kuria said firmly, moving to stand protectively near the boy. Whatever you think you recognize, you must be mistaken. This is just a child.

Suzaku's control finally snapped. Her hand shot up, immediately wreathed in blue flames that cast dancing shadows across the tavern walls. The temperature in the room spiked as her magic flared to life.

— A child? she snarled, her usual quiet demeanor completely gone. This is the demon who ambushed us on the aeronef! The one who speared you through the chest and nearly killed you!

The entire tavern fell into stunned silence. Even the crackling of the hearth seemed to quiet in the face of Suzaku's revelation.

Kuria stared at her in shock.

— That is impossible. The demon was enormous, heavily armored, with a spear and—

— And the ability to dash instantly to wherever his weapon landed, Suzaku finished. Tell me, boy, where is your spear hidden? Still wrapped in that blanket on your back?

The boy's face went white, and he instinctively reached back to protect the long object he carried. The motion was all the confirmation Suzaku needed.

Dave floated closer, his mind racing. If this was really the same demon, then how had it survived that devastating explosion? And more importantly, how had it changed its form so drastically?

Alpha drew his sword partway from its sheath, ready to act but still uncertain.

— How is this possible? he asked.

Suzaku's flames burned brighter as she stared down the trembling boy.

— An excellent question. Perhaps our young friend here would like to explain how he survived my [crimson_apocalypse_10] and why he looks like a child instead of an armored monster.

The boy straightened up slowly, his nervous demeanor melting away as he realized there was no point in continuing the charade. When he spoke again, his voice had lost its frightened tremor, replaced by a colder, more prideful tone that was completely at odds with his youthful appearance.

— Very well. You have caught me, he said with dignity that seemed strange coming from such a small frame. This has always been my true body. The armor simply made me appear more intimidating, as was intended.

Kuria stared at him for a moment, processing this revelation. Then, without warning, she began to laugh hysterically. The sound echoed through the silent tavern, completely inappropriate for the tense situation.

The demon boy's red eyes narrowed dangerously.

— What exactly do you find so amusing about this situation?

— I am sorry, Kuria gasped between fits of laughter, wiping tears from her eyes. But I cannot take you seriously at all! Not with that tiny body and squeaky little voice! You almost killed me, and you sound like you have not even hit puberty yet!

The demon's prideful composure cracked slightly, and he actually pouted.

— Do not treat me like a child! I am far older and more dangerous than you could possibly imagine!

— How old are you then? Kuria asked immediately, still giggling.

— I am ten years old! the demon declared proudly.

This revelation made Kuria laugh so hard she had to lean against Alpha for support, and even Suzaku's furious expression began to soften with amusement at the absurd situation.

— You know what? Suzaku said, her flames flickering lower. This is almost too ridiculous to stay angry about. Alpha, cast [paralysis_7] on him. I want to ask him some questions without worrying about him running away or pulling out that spear.

Alpha hesitated for a moment, looking at the boy's small form.

— Are you certain? He is just a child.

— A very dangerous child who nearly killed our friend, Suzaku reminded him firmly.

Alpha sighed and raised his hand.

— [paralysis_7].

The spell took hold, and the demon boy's body went rigid, though his red eyes continued to burn with indignation.

Satisfied that their former attacker was secure, Suzaku finally let her flames die out completely.

Slowly, the other patrons in the tavern began to return to their drinks and meals, though the atmosphere remained thick with tension. Conversations resumed in hushed whispers, and people deliberately avoided making eye contact with the group that had just subdued what they now knew was a demon in their midst.

Suzaku's gaze swept across the tavern until it settled on a large wooden table near the back corner. A group of friends had been sitting there moments before, but as soon as Suzaku looked in their direction, they quickly gathered their belongings and hurried out through the front door without finishing their meal.

— That table will do, Suzaku said, gesturing toward the now-empty seats.

Alpha carefully carried the paralyzed demon boy over to the table, propping him up in one of the chairs where he could be easily watched. The boy's red eyes followed their movements with obvious frustration at his inability to move or speak while under the spell's effects.

Dave floated alongside them, still processing the bizarre turn of events. Their most dangerous enemy had turned out to be a ten-year-old with an attitude problem.

As they settled around the table, Kuria flagged down the nervous-looking tavern maid who approached with obvious reluctance.

— Could we get some food and ale, please? Kuria asked with her usual cheerful demeanor, as if they hadn't just captured a demon in the middle of the establishment. We have had a very long day of travel.

The maid nodded quickly and scurried away, clearly eager to avoid getting involved in whatever was happening at their table.

Once they were alone, Suzaku leaned forward and fixed the paralyzed boy with a cold stare. Her earlier amusement had faded, replaced by the serious demeanor of someone conducting an interrogation.

— Now then, she began, her voice low and measured. Let us start with the obvious questions. How did you survive my attack, and what exactly are you doing in this town?

The demon boy could only glare at her silently, his mouth unable to form words under the paralysis spell.

— Alpha, can you reduce the spell's effect so he can speak? asked Suzaku.

Alpha hesitated for a moment, then concentrated on weakening his magic.

— [paralysis_reduction], he said.

The boy's jaw worked for a moment before he could finally speak again, though the rest of his body remained immobilized.

— Before I answer anything, he said with surprising dignity, do you not think it would be proper to introduce ourselves first? It is basic courtesy, after all.

Kuria raised an eyebrow at his request.

— You are talking about manners? During your ambush on our ship, you never cared about introductions. You just tried to kill us. So why are you insisting on proper etiquette now?

The demon boy's red eyes widened in genuine surprise, as if this thought had never occurred to him before. His expression shifted from prideful indignation to something that looked almost like shock.

— I... you are absolutely right, he said quietly, his head drooping in shame. I completely forgot about introductions during our first encounter.

What followed was completely unexpected. The dangerous demon who had nearly killed them began apologizing profusely, his young voice filled with genuine remorse.

— I am so sorry! I was so nervous about the mission and capturing the life bender that I completely forgot my manners. That is inexcusable behavior, especially for someone of my position. Please forgive my terrible rudeness.

Dave floated nearby, watching this bizarre display with fascination. Their former enemy was essentially having a breakdown over forgetting to say hello before trying to murder them.

Alpha and Kuria exchanged bewildered glances, while Suzaku just stared at the boy with an expression of complete confusion.

After his profuse apologies finally subsided, the demon boy straightened up as much as his paralyzed state would allow and spoke with renewed dignity.

— My name is Bolg Nir. It is an honor to make your proper acquaintance, despite the... unfortunate circumstances of our previous encounter.

Kuria was the first to respond, her natural politeness taking over despite the bizarre situation.

— I am Kuria, she said with a slight nod. I specialize in healing magic and support spells.

Alpha followed her lead, though he still looked uncertain about the entire exchange.

— Alpha. I am... well, I suppose you already know I am the life bender you were sent to capture.

Even Suzaku, despite her earlier fury, seemed compelled to participate in the strangely formal introductions.

— Suzaku of the Southern Skies Guild.

Bolg Nir's red eyes brightened noticeably at each introduction, and when Suzaku spoke, he actually smiled despite already knowing who she was.