Kapitel 52: Chapter 52: The Plan

In the castle's throne room Rakon sat down sourly looking at Rhonda as she was brought before him and forced to her knees by the guards. She looked around and found the faces of Demons she's never seen before.

A blue demon the size of Bjorn stood tall with his trusty giant ax by his side. He looked to be growing impatient as he stroked his gruff gray beard. His red eyes and bull-like horns aimed straight at Rhonda.

Another she could tell was in Incubus with his sleek black hair and eyes no different from her own. His attire was that of a noble that gave him somewhat of a sleazy look to him. She could tell just by his crooked smile that he was a professional trickster.

The last was a demon that looked no older than a girl at the age of fifteen. She was much shorter than Kalika, had blue skin, white hair with bright blue eyes. Her horn poke from the side of her head curving to the side like animal ears.

Rhonda looked back at Rakon, seeing him hold back an indistinguishable rage. He seemed to be pondering something as he felt the hilt of his sword next to him. He gripped onto the handle holding it for a few seconds before releasing it.

"<Do you understand how much I want to kill you?>" Rakon question

Rhonda stayed silent, too frightened to speak.

"<Well do you!?>" This time he raised his voice, Frightening Rhonda further.

"<Even a snake knows his place in my presence! But YOU, EK and KEL tried to worm your way around me. I could've had each of you torn limb by limb, But I gave you each a chance at a more dignified death! >"

Rakon grabbed the sword once again, this time lifting and slamming the tip far in the ground. "You can't even die properly can you!!"

After a few seconds Rakon got from the throne, pulling the sword from the ground. He marched himself to Rhonda slamming the blade of the sword once again, this time nearly killing Rhonda.

Rhonda reluctantly glanced at the sword right next to her face, seeing her own reflection through it.

"<What a truly lousy maid you are. Even when the time comes for you to die, you can't get that right.>"

"<Shall we set up a time of execution of my liege,>" The Incubus said.

Rakon continued to glare down at Rhonda, taking his time to ponder.

After a few moments Rakon pulled the sword from the ground and walked away from Rhonda. "<No. She will be banished from this country.>"

"<Are you sure? She has been quiet the troublemaker for you these couple months alone.>" The incubus walked up next to Rhonda, examining her closely from a distance. "<Not to mention that this poor, poor girl will be recognized with those horns and tail.>"

"<Just cut them from her body. Your kind can easily blend in without them. You know this well Gaz.>"

The incubus Gaz Chuckled to himself. "<Caught me~.>"

"<This is no joking matter!>" The Big Demon Noted.

"<Calm yourself Magnus. Surely you can take a jest.>" Gaz rebutted.

"<Joke or not, this is a serious matter!>"

"<Oh, dear.>" The Young Demon yawn. "<Surely you two aren't going to start a fight again.>"

"<Just the opposite, Mae>" Gaz reassured. He turned back to Rakon, giving a bow. "<I will see to it that the maids horns and tails are cut and prevented from growing.>"

"<Good.>"

Without another word the guards lifted up Rhonda.

"<Follow me,>" Gaz said.

They followed behind Gaz as he led the way out of the room, leaving Behind Rakon and the other two demons.

"<What do you plan on doing with that Immortal girl now that she'll become your slave?>" Mae asked.

"<That?>" Rakon pinched his forehead in frustration.

"Is there a Problem?"

"<Yes... I never expected her to enact the penalty to willingly become my slave.>"

"<And is that a bad thing?>" Mae pressed.

Magnus stepped up to explain. "<You're too young to know this but over a hundred years ago, The Previous Demon King, Lucius, forbad further use of slaves. Or to be more specific, Slave contracting.>"

"I still don't understand."

"<Slave contracts are magically binding, just like any of our other contracts.>" Rakon said. "The only difference being that the material's to make it are hard to get, aside from my brother considering them unethical to use…"

Rakon continued. "<I don't have one prepared since I only meant to use it as a bluff like that second contract.>"

"<The one that would've forced her to be your concubine?>" Mae asked.

Rakon Didn't respond. Instead, he sighed, sinking deeper into the throne.

Magnus cleared his throat. "<Do you plan on canceling the celebration and your arrival?>"

"<No.>" Rakon took a deep breath. "<I'll still come like a plan. But only to join the celebrations and for tying up some loose ends. After that I'll leave to get the material for the slave contract. Hopefully by then, I'll have another month before the effects of the contract kicks in.>"

"<I see so you did use 'that clause' in your contract, didn't you.>" Magnus sighed. "<Rakon. If you'll allow it, can you allow us to help?>"

Mae glances at Magnus before turning to Rakon as well. "<I certainly wouldn't mind staying in the pit a little longer, And I think Gaz planned on going back anyways to return some favors.>" Magnus stated.

Rakon pondered to himself once again. After a while of deliberation, he finally gave his answer.

"<Hmm… Fine. But I'll need to bring along one other person.>"

********

Kalika was sitting in her bed humming happily. Her thoughts on Rakon's angry reaction as she lost the fight against her maid, Rhonda, had put a smile to her face. It became hard for her to remember the last time she was this happy within the mountain of misery and hardship she had endured and became numb to.

Even knowing the miserable fate, she is guaranteed; she wanted to relish this rare moment of happiness while she could. As even she knows that the feeling would be fleeting.

"What are you so happy about?" Rakon said, with much annoyance.

Kalika peeked just outside her cell, finding Rakon wearing an annoyed expression.

"Oh. nothing… But you took your time, I thought you'd be here sooner with some chains and a steel collar."

"We don't use chains and collars to enslave others." He retorted. "The way we do it is through a slave contract that strips the will of the person. They become mindless and obedient."

Kalika hearing this gave a long, shallow sigh. "Of course…"

"Lucky for you we don't have the contract, but that's just a minor inconvenience until we can make it…"

Rakon, walking, ran his fingers alongside the bars of the cell. "Once the war celebration above is done, I'll meet you face to face. Afterwards you'll come along with me into the Pit where you'll eventually become my personal slave…"

"The Pit?" Kalika asked.

"The Pit is where all my kin were born. It's a much more hostile world down there, teeming with monsters of all sizes… unlike what your world has here…"

"I see… And I guess what you really want is down below, in the pit…"

"Very observant…Kalika." Rakon said. He leaned himself on the bar of her cell with his arms now crossed.

"A... Are you sure this is a good Idea... The last time I left these confides; Lily killed the Heroes of Prophecy. She'd Likely do the same to you if she found out."

"You're right… That might've been the case. if she were still alive."

Kalika paused for a moment, she turned, seeing Rakon with his back still towards her. "Huh?"

Kalika's feelings started to drain from her. "Y…You're obviously lying."

"Would you like to know how she died?" Rakon asked.

Kalika squeezed the sheets of her bed in between her fingers. Her body became stiffer as she kept herself collected. "S-sure… Entertain me. How did she did exactly?

Rakon glanced back with his same sour look.

"She died alongside my brother fighting your God's angel. This very angel completely destroyed the City of Gralin with a single attack. All that's left there, is a crater three times larger than the city."

Kalika chuckled nervously. "That's an offly long tale you're telling Rakon."

"If you don't want to believe me, that's your choice. Nothing will change." Rakon turned to face Kalika. "You have no one that can come to your rescue anymore. And any oppositions I would've faced are no longer a roadblock… And in every sense of these words, you do belong to me now."

Rakon, seeing Kalika moving her attention to the ground, opted to walk through cell bars, entering her locked cell. "I can do anything I want to, whenever I want to…"

Rakon Kneeled to Kalika's level, lifting her head to meet his gaze. "And now you will soon become the perfect obedient slave. It's just what you wanted. Right?"

Kalika was at a loss for words. Seeing this, Rakon quickly got up, patting her on the head. "Hmph. You gave up your freedom all for that lousy maid of yours, didn't you? You had your chances to kill her. And if you did, we wouldn't be here."

"And here I thought you hate demons." Rakon chuckled, slyly.

"I-I do hate demons… I do. I just don't want anyone else to die because of me."

Rakon Stopped. Looking down at Kalika, he found her now crying. Without another word, he stepped back, giving her space.

Seeing his reaction she quickly wiped her face clean. She averted her eyes, embarrassed by the situation.

"W.... What happens to Rhonda Anyways?"

"Don't worry about that woman. As far as you should be concerned, you'll never see her again. And I'll leave it at that for now."

Kalika became disappointed hearing Rakon. She laid herself in the bed, turning away from Rakon.

"I'll return later tonight. Just be prepared to leave when I arrive." Not long after, Rakon turned into a bloody mist, leaving Kalika behind to her own thoughts. She looked at the bruise on the back of her hand. It looked bigger than last time.

She was at a loss for words. Unable to comprehend her own feelings.

********

Deep in the lowest levels of the dungeon, Rhonda found herself heading much deeper into the deep dark abyss feeling the heat from the pools of carefully guided lava. surrounding her were empty tables where blacksmiths and other craftsmen alike would work.

Rhonda recognized this place as the entrance to the Pit.

She glanced back, seeing that Gaz was still right behind her. The guards with them suddenly left, leave the two alone.

"W-what are we-"

"There's no use hiding your intention from me. Even if Rakon does want you banished you'd only scurry back in like a rat." Gaz snaked from his mouth.

Rhonda is suddenly stabbed in the back by Gaz. Desperate, she quickly wrapped her tail around Gaz's neck, but he sliced it off just as quick!

She screamed out in pain

"You're better off dead since you'd only cause more of a headache for my master."

Rhonda attempts to escape but is caught by her horns. Not long after Gaz slices one horn off her.

"YAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!"

Rhonda teared up from the pain. Shortly after Gaz slices the other off her. Rhonda fell to the ground hard, writhing in the pain.

"This should suffice. My master will be happy to have these, I'm sure it'll compliment his new slave. But the rest of you won't be needed."

Hearing his words, Rhonda quickly stumbled to her feet, turning to face the incubus with her own conjured blood blade dagger. Rhonda winced in pain trying to keep herself steady against the man.

Her eye glowed brightly.

But Gaz only smiled, amused by Rhonda, and beguiled by her determination. "You are such a fighter. And look at that! You're trying to confuse me too."

Rhonda's glowing pink eye dimmed. Left with no other choice she went on the offensive.

Gaz easily caught her blade, aimed towards his chest. And with ease he maneuvered his own dagger piercing just under her chest.

"Too bad you're not good at fighting." He spoke.

Determined, Rhonda used the blood blade power, Extending the blade into Gaz's chest.

Shocked, he pushed Rhonda off him, pulling the blade from his chest! "Shit! I forgot about that!"

Without wasting much time Rhonda ran from Gaz, forcing him to tend to his wound first.

Running through the hall Rhonda licked her own hand, quickly placing it at her two wounds

In moments the wounds closed up, leaving two guards in her way.

Being caught, she readied her dagger and gulped down her own saliva. She then took another gulp and raced to confront the guards.

One of them Swung, nearly hitting her. Seeing the opening she killed the first guard with a thrust. She followed up swinging her blade to the neck of the second, killing him instantly.

The effects are caught up to her fast. But the sound of footsteps behind pushed her to continue her escape.

Gaz, infuriated, was now on the pursuit looking for Rhonda. He found the guards continuing the pursuit eventually coming across an intersection of the dungeon that branched to three separate paths. He had lost her.

He balled his fist in fury. "Damn it!!"

"I need to find that damn woman fast! Otherwise, she'll cause more trouble for the party tonight."

********

"<Night Time!>"

The locks around the prison echoed throughout the prison.

Donovan stared just outside his cell looking at the same unchanging hall.

"Not a lot of guards tonight." He yawned. "I wonder why..."

Noises of stumbling and something panting slowly became audible to him. Confused and curious he got from his bed to peek out the cell.

a bloodied hand made its presence known, grabbing the cell bar. Slowly the face of a black-haired woman was revealed. Her face was flushed red as she panted with blood running down the top of her head, dripping off her cheeks. With her one pink eye she stared at him with recognition.

upon seeing Rhonda, Donovan screamed in terror.

"Oh! Shut up will ya!" One of the prisoner's screamed.

"Who's screaming this time?"

"I Dunno."