The Prince of Demons

Luna

An overwhelming silence took over the Imperial Hunting Festival. That was who: the Void King. It wasn’t the world wanted to destroy Nil; it was the Void King. I knew from what he just stated and what was to come that there was no talking to him to stop this. That was someone hellbent on ensuring the complete annihilation of Nil. But. Not even the Eternal Emperor Nil I knew could fight that. He might have been able to fight Mahdi. I knew the real Mahdi would be a substantially stronger than the , but I never dreamed just how powerful he truly was. And the Void King utterly dwarfed him. How? How do you get that strong? Something occurred to me: Nil wanted to change the past to avoid the future. He was a bit vague in his explanation. Did he know? Did he realize what was about to happen and tried to avert the apocalypse? The Void King knew for a fact that Nil was a Reincarnator, but he didn’t know I was a Regressor from what I could tell though. That monster also called himself the . Isn’t that a ? I shook my head. Nil looked like the world was collapsing around him.

I ran to his side as the gravity of what the Void King just did was setting in. I saw the humans; it was the royal family of the Modinar Kingdom. Several horrible events were beginning to click. The Void King also killed Grand Archmagus Solomon. I can’t have you betraying Nil and invalidating the now. Just how much effort did he go through to ruin Nil’s life? Nil was staring blankly into space as what horrifying fight that was waiting for him was clearly sinking in. I buried Nil’s head into me as I began stroking his hair. How do I try and say that he wasn’t staring down a death sentence? Nil was motionless as everyone was slowly overcoming the shock of what had just occurred. A massive uproar erupted as his family sprang into action. I hugged Nil closer as the guards immediately began checking on the various Magi that were suffering from severe . The Void King shattered that barrier and did massive damage to all of them in an instant. Nil, Lux, and I were immediately whisked away to the castle by his grandfather and grandmother.

“What did he mean?” Emperor Father Nil asked. Nil was dazed, barely responding. I realized Emperor Mother Poam was looking intensely at me.

“Why are you not more surprised?” She inquired. Both of them were looking sternly at us; Lux was hyperventilating next to me as she was also freaking out.

“I am freaking out.” I replied. Unfortunately, I knew they were not convinced. Too many things were beginning to make a lot of sense for me to process the two of them better.

“You know the answer.” Emperor Father Nil snapped at me. How? Was lying or telling the truth better? I looked at Nil who was despondently leaning into me. He was not mentally going to be helpful for a few minutes.

“What answer?” I deflected. I needed to think, but these two were not going to be easy to deceive or get off topic.

“Who is the Eternal Emperor?” Emperor Mother Poam interrogated. What? How did she know?

“So, you know the name.” Emperor Mother Poam pressed. Crap. I. What was the move here? I. I just needed a minute.

“Are the two connected?” Emperor Father Nil continued. His eyes were glowing dangerously as he bore holes into my soul.

“I don’t know.” I lied. Their got intense.

“Do not lie Luna. You know the answer. If you want our help before the rest get here, you need to tell us now.” Emperor Father Nil informed me. What was the move? The two were exerting nearly all of their at this point.

“Oi. Relax.” Nautilus interjected, manifesting next to me. How did she move that fast? I noticed she didn’t bring Helga along as she stood between us.

“Those two know more than they are letting on.” Emperor Father Nil retorted. The two were staring each other down as Nautilus stood unflinching.

“I kno’ th’ grublins do. Royal grublin is te’ified and sh’ don’ kno’ th’ move. Ya scarin’ them.” Nautilus snapped back. The two took a deep, composing breath.

“We need to know. That is someone who just created a day of tragedy out of some grudge with Nil.” Emperor Father Nil stated calmly. Please forgive me Nil. I. I. I just never dreamed someone like that wanted you dead. I don't know what to do.

“Nil is the Eternal Emperor. Or will become him technically speaking.” I confessed. I could feel the shock of his grandparents.

“He can alter and mess with time. How? How does he not create a disaster? Wait, how do you know this?” Emperor Mother Poam inquired. The three were all looking at me with varying expressions of surprise.

“Nil sent me back; I have memories of what will happen, or what had happened. When you alter time, it destroys from the point of alteration forward. Time is quite fickle from my understanding, and to monitor and effect the change you need a .” I informed them. Nautilus made sure to stay between us, so that Nil and I were safely behind her.

“Ori.” Emperor Mother Poam muttered. That’s what Nil meant by monitor. Poam can use and he controlled the ability to see the upcoming disaster.

“That was the Modinar royal family.” Emperor Father Nil grumbled as he was piecing it together.

“Void King anni’ilated anythin’ he influenced. Nothin’ t’ risk the .” Nautilus deduced. They all looked at us as Nil began realizing he was being stared at.

Why did you tell them? Nil inquired, with his voice full of fear.

Because a monster is out to annihilate you and everything you touch. I retorted. Nil leaned on me harder as his breathing was quite fast.

Why? What did I do? Nil probed, sounding full of despair.

It’s not your fault Nil. That beast made endless tragedies and disasters on Tenebrae to destroy you and your life. Focus for now. These three are going to want answers for now. I told him. Nil took a composing breath.

“Nil, what did he mean by, ‘you know what is different about you’?” Emperor Father Nil asked him. Nil looked at me; his face was so distraught.

“I. I. I.” Nil stammered as he began shaking.

“Nil, I know this is scary, but if you want us to help, we need to know.” Emperor Mother Poam explained. Nil looked petrified. Lux was looking at him having overcome her initial fear, wondering what was scaring him so much.

“I. I. I. I’m. I’m. a. I’m a.” Nil stuttered as he looked like his heart was stopping.

“It’s okay Nil.” I assured him, rubbing his back a bit.

“I. I’m a. I’m a Reincarnator.” Nil confessed while his breathing was so rapid as he looked like the world was spinning around him.

“How ol’ are ya tw’ mental’y?” Nautilus inquired, seeming to take the news in stride. Or at least like she suspected it.

“Thirty.” I said sheepishly.

“Thirty-one.” Nil answered. He looked at Lux, his face contorted with guilt.

I KNEW IT! YOU DID CHEAT IN OUR DUELS! I AM STILL UNDEFEATED! Lux declared victoriously. I. She. Wow. Her self-obsession was impressive. Nil looked at her, who was smiling smugly.

“You are still our grandson Nil.” Emperor Father Nil told him. Nil looked speechless as he realized their reactions.

“You both are still quite young.” Emperor Mother Poam stated with a chuckle.

“What?” Nil asked, seeming stunned by the reaction.

You cheated. You have experience and I am still learning so our duels should have had a handicap, therefore, I am still considered the winner. Lux explained as she gave Nil a massive smirk.

“Nil, you will always be our grandson. We can talk about this more later; we will help cover that for you two for now. Nautilus, can you watch them while we smooth out and handle this mess of a situation?” Emperor Father Nil requested. Nil was stunned.

“Fine.” Nautilus agreed, taking the three of us to Nil’s floor.

“Where’s Helga?” Nil inquired as we all sat in the tearoom Nil and I used.

“I figu’ed th’ ol’ royals were gonna have questions for ya grublins that she shouldn’ kno’ th’ answe’ t’.” Nautilus explained as we all sat down. Lux looked so smug.

“How did you know?” I asked her. Nautilus mulled over how to articulate he response.

“Ya tw’ are weird. An’ I can use , no kids gonna have values like ya tw’. Royal grublin, did ya have in ya ol’ life?” Nautilus answered with a smile.

“No. was a fantasy.” Nil explained as he seemed to be struggling to process what was happening. Nautilus gave me a wildly disapproving stare.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” I checked not understanding why I was being glared at.

“Ya have tw’ de’ades on royal grublin and he still bette’ at than ya.” Nautilus pointed out.

“My original teachers were woefully inadequate, and I didn't train from being born.” I defended myself. Nautilus kept glaring at me as Nil was still reeling.

“Why? Why are all of you taking this so well?” Nil whimpered. I grabbed him, setting his head beneath mine.

“Because we care about you Nil. Am I feeling great about knowing some genocidal maniac wants to kill us all? No. But you did nothing wrong, this is not your fault. We will think of something.” I assured him. Nil hugged tightly into me as I stroked his hair.

“Grublin, those thin’s ain’t gonna stop jus’ cause ya sad. Bein’ mad at ya fo’ somethin’ ya couldn’ control is poin’less an’ cruel. I knew ya would drag m’ into a world o’ trouble, but it seemed fun. Ya royal grandpa’ents made a simila’ choice. Focus on winnin’ fo’ now.” Nautilus told Nil.

“How? How could I possibly defeat that? He overwhelmed the world.” Nil inquired, clearly fighting hard not to break down.

“You need a to start; your most terrifying requires one. You become powerful Nil, and I think if anyone could do it, it’s you.” I informed Nil. He was still shaking into me. Lux hopped up next to us and curled up into a ball on Nil.

You aren’t alone you idiot. Lux snapped at him.

“What if I can’t? What if I lose you all?” Nil whimpered. His grip on me was getting tighter.

“Did ya listen t’ wha’ he said? Ya got stron’ enough t' stall him out. Wit’ a bit o’ effort, ya can prolly win. That he made t’ break a stalemate.” Nautilus pointed out for Nil.

“You aren’t going to lose us Nil. And I will be right here, appreciating all the effort I know you will put out to make sure that doesn’t happen.” I assured Nil. Nil at that point lost it as he began weeping into me; I stroked his hair while he let it out.

It’ll be okay Nil. I told him. He just hugged me even harder in response.

Nil cried for a solid forty minutes before remotely calming down. Once Nil was more coherent, he turned a deep shade of crimson as he looked embarrassed. Nil tried squirming away from me but my grip on him was solid. He clearly debated trying to free himself before I glared at him. Nil decided not to push it and just relaxed a bit as he stayed an impressive shade of red. I kept stroking his hair to help calm him down as we stayed in the tearoom. Nil gradually relaxed a bit as his face slowly went to his more scheming expressions. Good. His face was still a bit torn up as he was steadily feeling better. I could see Nautilus smirking at me where she was standing. She was oddly calm and relaxed about all of these events all things considered.

What are you smirking at? I snapped at her, not getting what she found so amusing.

Ya came bac’ in time t’ be Empress. Ruthless. Nautilus teased. My face definitely began feeling hot.

I did not! I defended myself.

Uh huh. Sure lass. Sure. Jus’ bef'iended royal grublin outta th’ kindess of ya heart. Nautilus taunted with a very self-satisfied smirk.

When you become Empress, can you make sure Nil sees I get the finest fish? Lux interjected. I swear to the Lords these idiots.

“What are you all talking about?” Nil inquired sheepishly.

“How we are here to help you.” I answered immediately. Lux and Nautilus both had shiza eating grins.

Help th’ royal grublin continue th’ family line. Nautilus stated, struggling to keep a straight face.

“We got the others to agree to give you a little bit of space for now, but we do want to talk a bit more.” Emperor Father Nil stated as he appeared with Emperor Mother Poam.

“Why are you so red, Luna?” Emperor Mother Poam inquired as she looked at everyone. Nautilus clearly told her something before she clearly bit her lip to avoid laughing.

“No reason.” I spat, glaring at Nautilus.

“Why are you and Mama taking the information so well?” Nil asked with a guilty expression.

“Because at the end of the day you are still our grandson.” Emperor Mother Poam told Nil.

“What if I’m just some imposter that took the place of your actual grandchild though?” Nil probed. His stress was palpable as he asked the question.

“You are not an imposter; you are Nil Sathanas Crowthorne.” Emperor Mother Poam replied with an assuring smile.

“Because your soul is the one that joined our family; you just came with previous experience. We can tell you appreciate and are grateful for what is around you, even if you can be a bit of a troublemaker. And to answer your previous question Nil, we have known you are different for a while, we just accepted that about you so it is not a surprise to learn you are mentally a bit older.” Emperor Father Nil explained. Nil made a complicated expression as he looked at them.

“What should I tell Mom? And Dad? As well as the others?” Nil inquired, beginning to breathe fast again.

“Probably the truth when you are ready to. You do not have to force yourself to.” Emperor Father Nil answered. Nil still looked like guilt was eating him alive.

“Everyone is in danger because of me though. That maniac wants to kill me and everyone close to me.” Nil lamented with a bitter tone.

“We are the rulers of Speranza; people want to kill us a lot of the time. Granted, I think you win as far as the lengths they are willing to go and overall strength, but that is nothing new to us. No one has ever gotten to peacefully sit on that throne for longer than a decade or two. We will do what we have always done, find a way to overcome it.” Emperor Mother Poam assured Nil. His face got a lot better after hearing that.

“So, what do we do for now?” Nil inquired. He seemed a lot more relaxed than before.

“Work on gettin’ ya a appa’ently.” Nautilus answered. His grandparents clearly took a mental note.

“For now, you, Luna, and Lux relax for the rest of the night. Tomorrow, we begin the effort to get you a .” Emperor Father Nil stated. Nil made a face.

Why don’t you need a ? Nil probed. I chuckled a bit.

I imagine I’ll work on getting one with you. I never had one, but you did. If you need to get strong enough to defeat that monster, it’s one of the fastest ways as have a lot of knowledge and insight. I informed him. Nil blushed a bit as it clearly didn’t occur to him.

“Okay.” Nil agreed with a nod.

“Now, good night you two. You need to sleep as we are going to have several long days ahead of us.” Emperor Father Nil ordered as the two of them went to leave.

“Can ya go grab Helga fo’ me?” Nautilus requested. The two smirked, and Helga materialized looking bewildered at suddenly being here.

“Thank ya. We gotta watch th’ grublins t’night.” Nautilus stated with a smile. Helga’s face screamed she had a lot of questions but didn’t press it.

We all returned to the room that Nil, Lux, and I had been sleeping in. Nil and I took turns changing into pajamas before I joined him on his bed. Helga went to protest, but Nautilus let us have this one. Nil hugged me close, holding me tightly into him. Lux curled up in a ball by our feet getting ready to sleep. So now I knew why everything went so poorly last time; it was an orchestrated destruction of Nil. it was a haunting revelation. I shifted into Nil a bit as we got comfortable on the bed.

I appreciate you for supporting me like this. Nil told me as he held me closer.

It’s fine Nil. I know today ended badly, but I do appreciate how hard you tried for today. You are not alone Nil. I informed him. Nil held me a bit tighter.

Thank you. Nil stated as I could tell he enjoyed hearing that.

Now, I’m going to tell you everything you did today I appreciated. I replied.

Nil went to ask for clarification, but I began going detail by detail about the effort he put out for me and how I liked it. After the second one, Nil was hugging me incredibly tight, just listening to what I was telling him. It’s fine Nil. I know neither of us imagined this, but it will be fine. I wish today wasn’t marred by tragedy. It was such a happy, good day with Nil until the Void King appeared. We’ll just have to try again for a day like this. I kept talking to Nil, letting him know I was thankful for all of his effort, and I didn’t plan on going anywhere. Nil at that point just curled around me, protectively holding me as we both slowly drifted off to sleep.