Binding Oaths and Unlikely Allies

"How desperate must Leonhardt be, to send the first prince himself..." Zephyra taunted, her cruel smirk widening across her face. I surveyed the scene around me, Valeria and Katarina, my loyal bodyguards, lying incapacitated on the ground.

Zephyra unleashed a powerful blast that sent me crashing into the wall behind me. The pain was excruciating, but I refused to yield. "Considering how your father treated our kind, this is just the beginning!" she hissed, her voice filled with bitter resentment.

She was right. As much as I wanted to vilify her and her kind, I couldn't deny that my father had crossed a line. Attempting to eradicate an entire race was unforgivable. If I were in Zephyra's shoes, I might seek the same outcome—to eliminate the prince and ultimately invade and dismantle the entire kingdom. However, I couldn't bear to witness my people suffer due to my father's foolishness.

"You will become the same as your father," Zephyra's words pierced through me. Once again, she unleashed a powerful blast of magic towards me. This time, I used my sword to defend myself, but the force of her attack still pushed me back.

With all my strength, I plunged my sword into the ground and clung onto it tightly. Taking a deep breath, I steeled my resolve. "No," I responded firmly, rising to my feet despite the pain coursing through my body. "I refuse to follow in my father's footsteps. I will rectify his mistakes and find a way to restore peace between our races. This ends now.”

Zephyra sneered in response. "This ends now? Yeah, it ends with you dying," she screeched. The anger in her voice was justified. After all, my father, King Leonhardt, had orchestrated the slaughter of countless demons, including Zephyra's family and friends. My father remained trapped in the past, still believing that two different races couldn't coexist as equals.

"No, this ends with me surrendering," I declared, releasing my sword. "You can kill me now if you want, but killing me alone won't put an end to this, Zephyra. The Leonhardt Kingdom has many allies. With me dead, my father will rally forces from our allies and attempt to wipe you all out.”

As I spoke those words, Zephyra paused, her gaze locked onto me, the anger still burning in her eyes. "I'm not saying this because I want to save my own life. If killing me would satisfy you, then go ahead. But I'm saying this because I no longer want to witness the senseless slaughter of you and your race," I said, sighing heavily. Zephyra raised her hand, a massive energy ball forming within it, drawing in the surrounding air.

"Then what do you suggest?" she questioned, her tone wary. If I said the wrong thing, I might be blasted away by her fury. Yet, I didn't mind if it meant paying for my father's crimes.

"Although many kingdoms are allied with ours, not all of them view the Demon race as inherently evil. I will work tirelessly to ascend to the throne of Leonhardt and strive to change the perceptions of Demons from within," I proposed. The energy ball in Zephyra's hand vanished. "And I will do everything in my power to protect any Demons from unjust harm," I declared.

"Seriously? How am I supposed to believe anything coming out of your mouth? You're a human, and worse, a prince! The direct descendant of those heartless Leonhardts who butchered our kind," Zephyra declared with a scowl. Okay, I had to admit, she had a point. Why would she believe a word I say?

"I know I don't have much to prove myself right now," I started, trying my best to sound sincere. "But actions speak louder than words, right? Look, I understand the pain my family and us human has caused your race. It's messed up, and I won't pretend otherwise.”

Zephyra crossed her arms, her eyes narrowed suspiciously. I gulped, hoping she would give me a chance to explain myself. "But," I continued, summoning all the determination I had, "I'm not my father. I don't share his twisted views. I want to break the cycle of hatred and find a way for our races to coexist.”

She tilted her head, a glimmer of curiosity in her eyes. I had her attention, for now. "I know words alone won't change anything. That's why I'm willing to put in the work. I'll study, learn, and understand your race’s struggles. I'll fight for equality, for justice, and for a future where both humans and demons can thrive side by side.”

Zephyra's frown softened slightly, but doubt still lingered. I had to give her more. "Listen, I can't undo the past, but I can shape the future. Let me prove to you that not all humans are like my ancestors. Give me a chance to earn your trust, and together, we can build a better world for everyone.”

Silence hung in the air, tension thick enough to cut with a butter knife. I held my breath, waiting for her response. Would she believe me? Could she see the sincerity in my eyes? Only time would tell.

After what felt like an eternity, Zephyra let out a sigh. Her voice seemed to lose its demonic edge and soften a bit. "Fine," she said, still sounding a tad suspicious. "I'll believe you, but you have to stand there and let me hit you. No dodging, no defending. Just take it.”

Well, this was either the bravest or dumbest thing I've ever agreed to. I tightened my grip on the sword, still lodged in the ground, and stood tall. "Okay," I replied, my voice steady despite the nervous flutter in my stomach. This time, I wouldn't raise my defenses. I had to prove myself to Zephyra, even if it meant taking a beating.

Zephyra raised her hand, and a powerful spell began to take shape. Swords of various kinds emerged from the ground, circling above her hand. It was a sight both awe-inspiring and terrifying. Deep down, I was scared. Scared of what awaited me once those swords were unleashed. But if this was what it took to gain Zephyra's trust, then so be it. I braced myself for the impact, ready to face whatever came next.

With a swift motion, Zephyra released the swirling swords towards me. They flew through the air, each one carrying its own unique energy. Demonic, angelic, short, long—they all converged on me like a storm of lethal blades. This was it, my end. I stood my ground, holding onto my sword tightly, and closed my eyes, ready to accept my fate.

And then, I heard it. The unmistakable sound of metal hitting the ground. Confused, I cautiously opened my eyes and saw all the swords that Zephyra had unleashed lying harmlessly at my feet. Zephyra had lowered her hand, her expression a mix of surprise and uncertainty. "I believe you, Cid," she said, her voice softer than before. "I hope I won't regret trusting a Leonhardt.”

"Thank you," I murmured, my voice filled with gratitude as I dropped to one knee, still holding onto my sword, which remained lodged in the ground. It was the first time I had ever knelt before someone who wasn't my father, the king. But Zephyra had earned my respect, at least for now.

My gaze shifted to Valeria and Katarina, my loyal bodyguards. Zephyra glanced at them and reassured, "Oh, don't worry." With a snap of her fingers, the two fallen bodyguards rose back to their feet, their lifeless expressions replaced by vibrant red eyes. "My Lord?! Are you alright?" they asked in unison, concern etched on their faces. Something had changed about them. Their eyes, once a serene blue, now glowed with a demonic hue.

"They're demons now," Zephyra explained matter-of-factly. "While I trust you, Cid, they will serve as a reminder of my watchful eye." I shifted my gaze between Valeria and Katarina, a mix of emotions welling up within me. They were still themselves, their original souls intact, but now bound to Zephyra's will.

"Kill Cid Leonhardt," Zephyra commanded, and the two bodyguards immediately rushed towards me, their swords poised to strike. Their faces displayed a struggle, their souls resisting, but their bodies were no longer under their control. My heart raced, but before any harm could be done, Zephyra intervened, halting their attack. They dropped their weapons and began apologizing profusely. "Don't worry, Cid," Zephyra assured me. "They are there to ensure your actions remain in check.”

I nodded, acknowledging her authority over them. It was a necessary precaution given the circumstances. With that, Katarina, Valeria, and I left the Demon Queen's castle, traversing through numerous demon towns along the way. The sight of demon children scurrying into houses at our approach painted a bleak picture. Fear permeated the air, a reminder of the dark history that had unfolded between our two races.

Mounted on my white horse, with Val and Katarina on their own horses trailing behind me, we made our way back to the Kingdom of Leonhardt through the forest. Thoughts raced through my mind as we journeyed. What would I say to my father? I had been sent on a quest to eliminate Zephyra, but instead, I had struck a deal with her. A heavy sigh escaped my lips, echoed by Valeria and Katarina behind me. It was as if they could sense my inner turmoil.

"I apologize for involving both of you in this." I expressed, my voice filled with remorse. Their response came in unison, their voices unwavering, "Don't worry, my Lord. We are ready to follow you wherever you may lead.”

With that, we slowly rode back to the Kingdom of Leonhardt, the weight of my decision heavy upon us.