Chapter 23

A few hours later, Keira got out of bed and paced the room. I can't stay here like this. The nap was all I needed, and now I'm restless!

She threw a few punches and practiced her kicks.

Doing surprisingly well, considering how I was feeling.

Crash!

Her window burst inward as someone in a black cloak crashed through it, landing on the floor beside her.

Dammit.

Keira's eyes glowed as she summoned an ice sword in her hand.

"Who are you?" Keira pointed her ice sword at the figure.

They stood up, their glowing red eyes the only thing visible under the hood, and slashed through her sword with their own.

Keira cursed under her breath as she rolled out of the way of their swing and drew her sword from her things sitting off to the side. She matched their swings blow-for-blow, but the vibrations rang up her arm.

Dammit. How strong are they?

She put ice magic into her sword, and with the next swing, ice started consuming their sword.

"Tch." They tossed their sword at Keira before the ice could reach their hand.

She jumped to the side, and the sword smashed against the wall behind her.

I'd hate to ruin this room more than it is, but I don't think I can hold back against this.

They took a swing at Keira with their pale hand and long red nails.

What the hell is this thing? Are they even human?

Keira jumped back and flung the vase at it before lunging off to the side, rolling and swinging up, slicing through its cloak.

They tossed their cloak aside and tilted their head to the side with a thin, wide smile.

Horns? Are those wings, too? They look like those of a bat.

"What are you?"

"Not human, that's for sure," he said, his voice deep and gravelly. He cackled and charged towards her.

Maybe it's another demon from the seal. I've never seen one so... human-looking.

She dodged to the side, and he broke through the desk that was behind her. "Wait, you speak our language?"

"How little you know." He swung at her again.

She used her sword to slice through, but he caught it, and the dark red glow in his hand spread through the sword to her.

"Tch." Keira let go and stumbled back. I can't let him touch me.

Summoning magic in both hands, she blasted him.

He blocked with his hand, and the ice magic crackled as it froze it.

"As powerful as they said." He licked his lips and jumped out the broken window before the ice could climb any further.

Keira dropped to her knees as the door to her bedroom opened.

"What... happened?" Aki huffed, having run from outside, in the stables with Sora after he heard the window smash. "Keira!" His eyes widened at the sight of her room, and he dropped to his knees in front of her, reaching out with a trembling hand.

"I'm fine." She sighed, shaking her head.

"No, you're not." He gently picked up a lock of her hair; more than half of it had turned white.

"Crap." I didn't even notice. "It'll go back to normal..." Eventually. But if Rui sees, he's definitely going to be ticked off. I used too much magic considering my condition, but if I didn't, he might've killed me.

"W-what happened?" he asked again, looking at the damage.

"A demon attacked me and ran away after I blasted him with ice magic."

"Here? A demon? But... where did they come from?"

"I don't know." Keira sat back, playing with the tips of her white hair. I wonder if I should've chased after him to finish him off. What if he comes for me again? I'll have to be more careful from now on. Nowhere is truly safe.

"I-I should share my energy with you." Aki held his hand out. "Oh, wait, should we get you out of this room first? Wait, why didn't anyone else show up? He has staff."

"Do you think Asher is in on it? He somehow sent a demon after me?"

"I don't even know if that's possible, never mind what reason he'd have to."

More footsteps rang down the hall toward them.

"Speaking of..." Keira gazed up at the women from earlier who gave her the room.

They looked around the room, stunned.

"If this was your doing, I'll finish you off now." Keira picked her sword up from the ground.

"We didn't do anything!" They hugged each other, cringing as they awaited their fate.

"Wait!" Aki held his hand up and stood between Keira and the shaking girls. "We don't know anything yet, so we shouldn't act on impulse."

I know that, but it's better if they fear me. "Are there demons in town?"

"N-not that I know of," one of the girls replied.

"Then where did he come from?" And what kind of demon was he? He seemed... almost human.

"We don't know," the other girl cried out.

"And why did it take so long for anyone to respond to the broken window?"

"We ran to tell the guard to inform our lord and His Majesty before coming to check on it ourselves."

Maybe that fight was shorter than it felt. "Do you only have one guard?"

"It's a quiet place, so there's never been a need for more."

Keira sheathed her sword. "Can I get a different room? I'd freeze the hole, but I'm sure it'd just melt in this heat."

"O-of course." They bowed to her and stepped back into the hall. "You can use one of the bedrooms on this side, with the courtyard below rather than outside the town past the gate."

"Okay, thanks." Keira picked up her things with Aki watching her.

"L-let me help." He reached out for her sword, and she turned away.

"I'm quite capable, thank you."

"But—"

She glared at him, and he stepped back. With her sword and the undamaged part of her armour in hand, she went to the room across the way. This room seems a bit cooler in general.

"So, what did I miss while I slept?" Keira asked, sitting on her new bed.

"Shouldn't we be more worried about the attack?"

"It's too late to chase after him, so all we can do is speculate, especially if Asher isn't here to question. So where are the others?"

"Rui is out in town with Fiona, though he promised to check on your armour. I'm not actually sure where Asher and Malik are, other than not in the residence. And Aria..."

"Let me guess, vanished as usual?"

"Yes, she does seem to leave on her own no matter where we are."

"It's fine as long as she's safe." Keira shrugged. "Anything else?"

"Sora ate recently."

"You fed her?"

"Yes."

Didn't think she'd let someone other than me or Rui feed her.

Aki glanced into the hall and closed the door. "It's not getting better." He pointed to her hair.

"Because I need to rest first."

Aki sat on the edge of the bed, fiddling with his thumbs. "Y-you know, I'm doing quite alright at the moment, and I can spare some energy for you." He shifted closer on the bed and rested his hand on it, palm up.

I'd hate to keep using him like this.

"You wouldn't want Rui to see, right?"

Keira sighed and took his hand, engulfed in green flames. "Sure you're well enough for this?"

"I have to be. Honestly, I think my stamina and magic reserves have grown astronomically since starting our journey."

"It hasn't been that long, though."

"But I'm finding each time I use my powers, they get stronger. The first time I shared with you, I got quite drained—"

"I used a lot of my magic on fixing the seal that time."

"And it almost took me down, but I've already gotten better. Hey, look, your hair is going back to normal."

"Good, the last thing I need is Rui on my case again."

"Um..." Aki swallowed hard. "Do we need to worry about how much of your hair turned white this time? That can't be good... right?"

Keira shrugged. "It went back to normal; that's what matters."

"B-but what happens if it turns completely white? Considering it's from using too much—"

"I'm fine, Aki." She pulled her hand away from his. "I'm more concerned with figuring out more about that demon..."

"Oh." His shoulders slouched. "I just... Never mind."

What's he so sad about?

"Now I'm re-energized, but you look like you could use a nap." Keira stood and stretched.

"I doubt that was enough to replace real sleep..." Though he gave her enough that if he lay down, he'd probably pass out right away.

"For me, it was. Besides, I hate staying in bed all day. I need some fresh air."

Thud. The front door closed.

"Guess someone is back. Feel free to nap here." Keira waved back to him as she left.

"But this is your room..." He shook his head and followed her.

Rapid footsteps came up the stairs until Keira met Malik and Asher in the hall.

"Keira! Are you okay?" Malik rushed up to her, checking her over for injuries.

"I'm fine, but his house certainly isn't." Keira gestured toward her old room with the broken window, damaged floor, and a missing vase that had since been cleaned up. She told them about the demon and her fight with it.

"It feels like you were targeted while we weren't here..." Malik turned to Asher, drawing his sword. "I have more than a few questions about this incident, old friend." He pointed his sword at Asher's neck.

Asher's eyes widened, and he held his hands up. "I had nothing to do with this. Why would I? How would I? The demon must've followed you all from outside and waited to pounce."

Malik's eyes narrowed.

"Your Majesty, I promise I have nothing to do with this. I would never betray you."

"As much as I wish to believe it, the circumstances make it a bit hard to overlook."

His eyes shaking, Asher looked into Keira's eyes. "I promise I had nothing to do with the attack. I'll even hire more guards while you're here, if you want."

"Don't worry about that. I can take care of myself." Keira took a deep breath, watching him carefully. "Put your sword away, Malik; he's telling the truth."

"Are you sure? How do you know?" Malik asked, following her order.

"The look in his eyes, the fear in his voice, and the feel of his energy. He holds no malice toward me, so he has no reason to send a demon after me. Besides, a demon as intelligent as that one likely doesn't need a human working with it."

"Okay." Malik gave his friend a small bow. "I'm sorry."

"No, no, don't bow. It was understandable for you to suspect me. I'll do anything to make up for this."

"I wouldn't worry about it too much. I'm hoping everyone will get some rest and we can leave tonight. Otherwise, I just suggest keeping the extra ears and eyes you have around town open. Wouldn't want the demon coming back, especially if we aren't here," Keira said, remembering the demon as she stared at the room. I have a feeling there are more like him... likely being held back by the seals.

"Keira?" Malik called out to her.

"Hmm?"

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine." It'd be better if people didn't ask me that so often. "In fact, I think I'll head out for a walk about town for now. It's been a long time since I was here."

Malik and Aki's eyes widened. "Nope!" they said at the same time.

"You were just attacked! Are you going out as bait, hoping it happens again?" Malik asked. "I forbid it."

"How? You're not my king. In fact, you joined my group, under my leadership." Her eyes glowed.

Aki gripped his shoulders from behind. "Calm down, please," he whispered.

Malik crossed his arms, eyes narrowed. "I may not be your king, but you are in my territory. And as much as I love strong women, that doesn't mean I'll let them roll over me to put themselves in danger." Electricity sparked in his eyes.

Does he want a fight?

"Stop!" Aki stood between them, hands out on both sides. "Please. Malik, please calm down. Keira... I'll tell Rui."

She snarled at him, and he shook.

"Relax for the rest of today, and we'll be off in the evening." He forced a smile.

He's always going to hold that over me, isn't he? Might be better off telling Rui then. "Tch." Keira headed back to her room, slamming the door shut behind her.

"Oh." Aki dropped to his knees, nearly hyperventilating.

"Interesting," Malik mumbled. "So, you have something on her, do you?"

"Uh..." He wanted to get up to flee, but his legs felt too weak. "I think I should rest." Aki started to crawl away.

"You can relax over a drink with me."

"Ah!" Aki yelped as Malik picked him up, throwing him over his shoulder. "W-what are you doing?!"

"It's easier this way, seeing as you couldn't walk."

Aki covered his burning face with his hands. "How can you do this to me?"

Asher sighed and stared at the broken window. "Since when do demons target like that?" He shook his head. "I'll have to get that fixed."