Year 2: The First Conflicts - Chapter 9

The cool night air soothed David’s aching limbs as he sauntered over to the balcony.

Wearing only a dressing gown, he sighed peacefully as he leant against the railing, before smiling behind him at his sleeping wife.

Honestly, if it wasn’t for Lilith, I feel like I would’ve gone insane a long time ago.

He was so at peace, in fact, that not even the world turning a dull grey was enough to ruin his mood.

“...The moon’s rather beautiful tonight, isn’t it?”

“...What have you come here for this time?”

Eris giggled as she floated down onto the balcony, swinging her legs over the edge. “Couldn’t it possibly be just to simply admire the night sky?”

David sighed. “If I believed that, then I’d be the biggest fool in the universe.”

“Oh, how hurtful.” Eris’s smile grew ever so slightly.

“...What?”

“Nothing. It’s just that I remembered how you used to act before me and felt a little bit sad that you’re all grown up now. You’re no longer David Athelward; you’re Lord Allaric, emperor of the Demon Empire. I wonder if this is what it feels like to be a mother.”

Don’t let your guard down. David hardened his expression. She’s just trying to find a new weakness to pry at. Don’t-

“I saw the wonderful present you sent the summoned heroes. I’m sure your lover greatly appreciated it, too.”

“...I don’t care.”

“Oh?”

“She knows who I am and accepted me. Even now, she accepts me, so it doesn’t matter.”

Eris giggled gently, raising a hand to cover her lips. “I’m sure she loved it.”

“What-?”

“Did you know that Lilith’s childhood dream was to be a mother? Ever since she was a little girl, the Heir Apparent of the Vampire Court dreamt of her wedding, of her husband, of her adorable children that she would nurture and treasure above all else. Lord Ruthvan, of course, was less enthusiastic. He didn’t want to hand over his precious child to just anyone. They had to be someone truly special.” Eris glanced over at David and smiled softly. “Perhaps he found someone that fit the description.”

“Why are you-?!”

“Oh?” The air around Eris turned ice cold. “All I wished to do this evening was chat merrily with my Demon Emperor. Is he incapable of even doing that for just five minutes?”

David scoffed. “Why would I?”

“Even if I told you about your family?”

“...What?”

Eris laughed. “Your old family - the Athelwards. Your dear father, mother and sister whom you have killed hundreds of thousands to protect. The ones who you will continue to protect as the Demon Empire grows and as more people suffer under your thumb. Wouldn’t they be so proud?”

Don’t rise to the bait! Don’t let her-!

“Even Hailey would-”

David conjured his armour and blade and swung, but Eris stopped the sword right before her eyes.

She let me get that close!

“Did I hit a nerve, perhaps?” Eris’s usual cruel smile crossed her lips. “If so, I’m very sorry.”

“You-!”

Eris giggled and released him, forcefully dismissing his armour as she did. “My deepest apologies for ruining your mood. Don’t worry though, you might have already finished with your wife tonight but there’s still your mistress that you can go and see.”

Eris’s body turned into feathers, leaving David alone as colour returned to the world.

***

Every month, they met.

Under the moonlight, in a lake surrounded by woodlands, they’d meet.

On the tenth day of every month, he had come to the lake, not to meet her, at first, but to escape it all.

To vent

To dismay.

To relax his guard.

Here, he’d run into her.

She too had come to the lake to escape.

The war.

The training.

The painful memories.

It was by pure coincidence that they’d met again, but neither of them knew what to feel.

Happiness?

Sadness?

Anger?

Regret?

Perhaps they felt them all.

To them, this time was special, it was isolated from the rest of the world, away from the war against the Free People’s Alliance and the struggle of their stations.

“Kella.”

He smiled solemnly at her approach.

She, in kind, smiled back, though her expression was a lot more painful to behold than his.

Slowly, Kella walked towards him.

“David.”

The last meaningful connection he had was to the woman he’d robbed of everything.

***

“Not tonight.”

“No?”

Kella shook her head. Instead, she opened her arms and whispered, “Hug me.”

He did so without a second thought.

It was a peaceful, gentle embrace and both relaxed into the other’s grasp.

“...What happened?”

“...I don’t want to talk about it.”

“That’s…okay. I, uh, I’m not…in the best mood either.”

She looked up at him, curiously. “Why?”

“...Eris.”

Kella said nothing, but put her head onto his chest again.

Eventually, the two grew tired of standing and lay together on the lake side, with Kella resting her head on his shoulder as David stroked her hair.

The two said nothing for long periods of time, only occasionally sharing a small kiss, before going back to relaxing.

Sometimes, this was all they ever did.

Sometimes, they were more physically intimate.

Tonight, however, neither of them wanted anything more than this.

Whatever it was that they felt for each other, neither of them knew.

Yet, they couldn’t separate themselves from one another.

It’s impossible to imagine my life without them.

After an hour of peaceful cuddling, Kella slowly rose and planted her lips against his. “Thank you.”

With a small smile, David said, “You’re welcome.”

And then, they parted without so much as another word to one another.

Yet it was not an unpleasant departure.

Unaware to them both, however, was that they had been observed.

***

Sat in the Endless Space, the Greater Goddess smiled.