Chapter 7 — Demon King’s Reset

In the pits of Hell, monsters and demons surrounded a cocoon.

The cocoon pulsed purple, as if something inside was breathing.

The demons knelt, worshipping it as the pulse quickened.

The monsters started to growl in a chant.

Moments later, the cocoon split open from the side.

The demons didn't dare look at what was coming out. They stayed prostrated, faces to the ground.

A leg stepped out.

Young.

Fragile.

The demons slowly stood, keeping their eyes on the floor.

Then they began stomping their feet against the ground.

The figure emerged from the cocoon, his eyes scanning the room as the demons cheered for his return.

He spoke like a king returning to his people.

"You all still worship me?"

He paused, looking around.

"Very well. Find Luna and Exe."

A few demons shifted through the shadows, already preparing to hunt for Luna and Exe.

He walked up the stairs while his demons dressed him in a black cloak.

Then he sat down, crossed one leg over the other, and leaned back.

His voice carried as if he were preparing for war.

"Prepare the Hell Soldiers."

The demons' eyes turned light purple as they began preparing for the battle that would soon come.

A spy shifted from the shadows and appeared near the throne.

The demon leaned in and whispered something into the Demon King's ear.

After he finished, the Demon King waved him off.

The spy vanished.

The Demon King leaned back.

"Drago… you should've come down to Hell and finished me while you had the chance."

His eyes narrowed.

"But now… You made it personal."

I was sleeping in my room until sunlight beamed through the window and hit my face.

"C'mon, man. I was having a nice dream."

I sat up in bed and started remembering when things were simpler.

"Serenity?"

Oh… right.

I forgot.

I finally got out of bed, stretching as I walked over to my dresser and pulled out some fresh clothes.

"Everything happened so fast… right under my nose."

I gathered my clothes and went into the bathroom.

While I showered, Aries' ears twitched as he rested nearby.

He heard something.

Without hesitation, he slipped out through the window.

Guess he picked up something outside.

After finishing my shower and getting dressed, I dried my hair while staring into the mirror.

As I combed through it, a thought crossed my mind.

"I hope Mom is okay… Drago wouldn't go that far… right?"

I finished up and stepped out of my room, making sure everything was put back in place.

I wanted to check on Exe.

A demon rabbit stood guard at his door.

I walked up and knelt in front of it.

"At ease, soldier. I'm just checking on my little brother."

The rabbit hopped aside.

I reached for the door.

I opened it slowly.

Exe was lying on the bed, completely knocked out.

Ren, Fubuki, and Tenka were all slumped together beside him.

Tenka woke up instantly and looked toward the door.

I raised a finger to my lips.

She stayed quiet.

I started closing the door slowly—

Then I noticed his scythe near the entrance.

Still active.

It looked ready to slam down if I were an intruder.

I rolled my eyes and shut the door.

I headed to the kitchen.

The rabbit returned to its position in front of Exe's door.

Its eyes glowed.

Trap reset.

I turned on the stove and placed a skillet on top.

Cracked a few eggs.

Whisked them.

Lowered the flame.

Dropped in butter.

Then poured in the eggs and added some sausage from the leftovers the older woman gave us.

I squeezed fresh fruit into a jug while everything cooked.

Exe walked out of his room, rubbing his eyes.

"Something smells good."

I started plating the food.

"Did you wash up?"

He waved his hand like it didn't matter.

He pulled out a chair—

Before he could sit, I threw a fork into it.

"Go wash up. I'm not done yet anyway."

He sighed and raised his hands.

Ren, Fubuki, and Tenka were already waiting for him by the door…

With bunny shower caps.

He went with them.

I kept cooking, adding more food, and making a protein smoothie.

A few minutes later, he came back looking fresh, wearing a new set of clothes Tenka had brought him.

He stopped when he saw the table.

"What's the special occasion?"

I took a sip of my coffee.

"I just felt like it."

I closed my eyes, expecting him to start eating.

Instead—

He hugged me.

Tight.

"I forgive you already."

I pushed him off and fixed my posture.

"Go eat before it gets cold."

After we ate, I looked at him for a moment.

"Once we get to the castle… let's find Mom first."

Exe leaned back in his chair.

Tenka, Fubuki, and Ren were stuffed and laid out on the floor.

"That is… if there is still a castle," he said, staring at me.

Before I could respond—

Aries jumped through the kitchen window.

He climbed onto my chair and settled into my lap, eating whatever food was left.

I petted him as he ate.

"How was your walk?"

Aries turned his head toward me and squeaked.

Exe listened.

Then translated.

"He says demons are circling the house."

While Aries was squeaking, a knock came from the front door.

Then another.

We all went quiet.

Exe looked at me.

"How many people know about this house?"

I gave him an unpleasant stare.

"Only Mom and Father."

Exe stood and held his hand out.

His scythe flew from his room into his grip.

He walked toward the door with Ren, Fubuki, and Tenka.

"I'll check who it is. Just relax."

I closed my eyes and took another sip of my coffee while Aries finished the food on the table.

I looked at him.

"Why is everything turning out like this?"

At the door, the knocking grew heavier.

A male voice called out for me.

Exe didn't open it yet.

He listened.

Waited.

The man outside tried to peek through the window, but the curtains blocked everything.

"LUNA, IT'S ME!"

Exe narrowed his eyes.

"Isn't that—"

The voice continued.

"I came to bring you home, Luna! It's me—Derek, your fiancé!"

Exe reached for the doorknob—

I stepped in behind him.

"Let me handle it. I never liked him anyway."

Exe turned to me.

"Are you sure? Drago picked him for you."

"That's exactly why I want to see how he found this place," I said as we switched spots. "Only Mom and Dad know about it."

Exe stepped back into the shadows.

"I'm staying right here."

I opened the door.

Derek stood there in his usual black-and-white noble attire, earrings hanging from his tail, horns smaller than mine.

I leaned against the doorframe and looked him up and down.

"How did you find me, Derek?"

He looked at me like I was supposed to be happy to see him.

"Your brother told me where you'd be."

He stepped forward, trying to embrace me.

"Come on, Luna. Let's go."

I pushed him back with both hands.

"Drago doesn't even know about this place. So let me ask again—how did you find my house?"

Derek adjusted his clothes, his expression shifting.

"I have my sources… now come, my fiancée."

He grabbed my hand and yanked me outside.

"You belong to me now."

His face twisted into something ugly.

Aries launched from inside and bit down on his nose.

Derek shouted, trying to pull him off, but Aries climbed over his head, furious.

I grabbed Aries and pulled him back.

Then I looked at Derek and threw his ring at him.

"The engagement is off. Leave me alone."

I turned my back on him.

"I never liked you anyway."

I tried to close the door—

Derek shoved it open.

"I'm not leaving you here with that loser of a little brother."

He forced his way inside, pushing me back a few steps.

Aries perched on my shoulder, staring him down, ready to strike again.

Derek stepped further into the house and shut the door behind him.

Bad choice.

"Come," he said. "Let's finally get married."

He reached out and grabbed my wrist hard.

Pain shot through my arm.

Aries growled, his teeth sharpening.

"I didn't want to hurt him… he was never like this before. What happened to him?"

I raised my fist and tried to punch him—

He caught my other wrist and slammed me against the wall.

I glared at him.

"You really think you're getting away with this… to a princess?"

He leaned in, that same ugly look on his face.

"You used to be a princess."

I gasped—

And before I could say anything—

Exe was standing right there.

His expression…

Cold.

Derek looked at Exe.

"Get lost."

He didn't loosen his grip on me.

Exe looked at me—really looked.

I could see the panic on my face.

"So… you're not going to marry him anymore?"

I groaned, trying to pull away without hurting him.

"No. Get off me, Derek!"

That was enough.

Exe's scythe slid out from the shadows into his hand.

Derek jumped back just in time and looked at Exe as if he were something disgusting.

"Get lost, runt. I don't care how much your older brother respects you."

Exe tilted his head slightly.

Tenka peeked out of his jumper.

"So… he respects me, huh?"

Behind Derek, the front door clicked shut.

Ren and Fubuki stood there, blocking the exit.

Derek turned in a panic—

Only to see them staring back at him.

He forced a grin, scanning for another way out.

"C'mon, little man. Don't get emotional now."

Exe moved.

Fast.

His face twisted into something dangerous—something that didn't look like my little brother anymore.

Derek backflipped toward the window and crashed through it.

Glass shattered.

He rolled across the ground and pushed himself back to his feet.

Exe stepped forward, pointing his scythe through the broken window.

"Go… before I change my mind, Derek."

Derek raised his hands with a fake smile.

"I'll leave… but I'll be back for your sister."

He turned—

Then glanced back at me and blew a kiss.

Aries launched through the window after him.

Derek sprouted wings and shot into the air.

Aries climbed the gate, squeaking up at him like a threat.

Then Derek was gone.

I dropped onto the sofa, one hand covering my face, breathing hard.

Exe came over and sat beside me.

"Why didn't you kill him?"

I looked at him.

For a moment… he reminded me of Father.

"I didn't think he was like that."

Exe grabbed my arm.

"If he comes back… can I feed him to Destiny?"

I let out a tired breath.

"That woman is always hungry."