[87.6] Unification

Cyrus spent the rest of the night and until early evening getting to know, and catching up with, his remaining family. Once the sun started to rise over the mountain, we all went into the main part of the village where Bale had gathered everyone. When we arrived, the center was filled with several voices.

"Bale, what is this about?"

"Is it about the two newcomers?"

"That's right! I heard from the Bat family that two people had arrived."

"I heard it was a fairy and a human!"

"A fairy???"

The elder stepped forward, "Bale. Why aren't you explaining?"

He laughed awkwardly, "Because suspense is more entertaining?"

After hearing him say this, I sighed and shook my head. Cyrus squeezed my hand and asked, "Are you ready?"

Seeing his gentle smile, I smiled back, "If you are."

He gave me a kiss on the cheek, "Just don't scare them too much."

I chuckled and approached the group. As soon as we all stepped forward, a hush came over the crowd. Most were confused, but those who had seen me over a thousand years instantly collapsed to their knees.

They cried out as if they'd seen a god, "GREAT FAIRY!"

The rest of the crowd were shocked before also falling to their knees and following suit.

The elder in the village trembled, "G-Great F-Fairy… You've returned…"

I stared down at her, "I never died, but instead I have returned for an important reason. I need your aid."

She lifted her head, "How can we help, Great Fairy?"

I pointed at all of them with a booming voice, "The Great Fairy demands help in the war against our Kingdom! If Kingdom Odalis falls, then so too will the rest of the land it touches!"

Lele cried out, "Great Fairy! We humans and demons have been living in peace since this place was established!! We don't know how to fight!"

Another demon added, "Plus those humans would kill us with no hesitation!!!"

I scoffed, "Don't you see? This is a chance to create a world where demons and humans can live together peacefully." 

I motioned to Cyrus, "We have a King who is the very symbol of that."

"Great Fairy, even still, we can't!!"

"Fine, fine. I won't force people to fight and kill."

They all collectively breathed a sigh of relief.

I added nonchalantly, "I will just take down the barrier around this place instead."

Their expressions paled, "WHAT!?!"

The Elder shouted desperatly, "You can't do that!!!"

"Can't I?" I looked at them with cold, detached eyes, "Why should I protect a place that turned my children away in their time of need? Do you really think I'm magnanimous? If so, then you really don't know a thing about me."

The plants at my feet started to die as the barrier cracked.

I could feel my chest ignite with flames, "My children were innocent and you pushed them towards death."

As I felt myself starting to lose control, a voice spoke from the group, "I will fight."

As Bale stepped forward, the fluctuations around me lessened. His gaze was determined as he spoke aloud, "Vira killed my brother-in-law, my wife, and my child. They almost killed me too, but I continued living for one purpose. I waited over a thousand years for vergence. I'm not going to wait another day."

Caldwell, who had been tightening his grip around Gonza's waist suddenly felt a hand squeeze him. He looked down and saw Gonza give him a small nod of approval.

Caldwell's expression lit up, "I'm going to fight too. I had to sit by and watch Al poison my brother until he killed him. I want revenge too!"

I felt Cyrus's hand tighten in my grasp and stepped closer to him to comfort him. As our shoulders touched, he gazed down with an affectionate smile that brought a blush to my cheeks.

Gonza nodded shyly, "I-I can't do much, but I will help in any way I can."

Caldwell's mother stepped forward with a furious expression, "My husband and I will also fight on the condition that I get to kill the man who killed my son."

An older demon stepped forward, clear wisdom on his face as he spoke, "Me and my siblings will also join. We were never able to properly apologize for bullying your children that day and now we will never have the chance. Joining this war is the least we can do."

I studied his and his sibling's faces closely and finally recognized them as the coyote siblings who had made Atta cry.

A few more demons and humans stepped forward, but it was not as many as I preferred. I looked to Lele who avoided my gaze. I let out a disappointed scoff, "Your grandmother would be disappointed in you."

She pursed her lips in guilt but didn't speak. Sanc was in her arms and soon started thrashing.

"Sanc will fight! Sanc is a warrior!"

She panicked to placate him, "Y-You're too young!"

I chuckled and smiled at him, "Your mother is right. I know you want to help your savior but-"

"F*ck my savior! Sanc just wants to fight!"

I held my heart from the shocking blow and fell back into Cyrus's arms. I cried out dramatically, "He's nothing like his grandmother!"

Cyrus caught me and whispered, "So how are we going to get all these people to the Kingdom?"

My eyes snapped back open, "Eh. Good question. I didn't think about that. Marx only gave the transportation tokens to the others. Should we walk?"

"The journey on foot should take a few days and they will need to rest. It's not ideal."

I furrowed my brow, "Well… There is one thing we can do."

We left the Macabre forest with a couple hundred demons following and stepped outside the barrier. Sanc had tried to follow us but was stopped by his parents.

I closed my eyes and focused with difficulty. An ice dragon suddenly materialized under my feet and lifted Cyrus and me into the air. I forced it to lay flat, "Okay everyone. Climb aboard and hold on. I can't maintain this for very long so I have to move fast."

They all did as I asked and climbed onto it. Once confirming they were holding on, I sped off towards the Kingdom much faster than that of my ice chunk. Cyrus sat behind me, hugging my waist. I tried to focus on flying, but my mind kept wandering to the large, calloused hands gently gripping my hips.

No.

Reika, snap out of it.

I shook my head to dispel the naughty thoughts that caught Cyrus's attention.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded, "I'm fine."

"Are you tired?" His expression showed his concern, "You've been awake for a while and are probably exhausted. We can take a break so you can take a nap."

I shook my head, "No, it's okay. I wouldn't be able to sleep until we are back at the Palace."

He unwillingly relented, "Okay, but once we are back I expect you to sleep."

I gave him a peck on the cheek, "Only if you're next to me."

He tilted my chin and pressed his lips against mine. Without pulling away, he whispered, "Where else would I be?"

My cheeks flushed red as I turned my head foward, still feeling the slight tingling on my lips. Smoke bellowed out from the bottom of the dragon, but I somehow managed to keep control of it.

Once we got closer to the town, I quickly slipped on my coal mask and pulled up my hood.

A crowd had gathered, most of which were those dressed in armor and holding magical weapons. I looked over all of them as I hovered to the ground.

It seems like the entire capital is participating in this war. Even children are helping by distributing food, water, and medicine.

As I looked over the crowd, I missed the burning gaze of someone following the dragon. A young girl identical to the boy leaned over, "Zephyr. Doesn't that dragon look familiar?"

Zephyr pursed his lips, "That's because it is."

A surprised and fearful clamor rang across the crowd as they watched demons hop off the dragon and land on the ground. However, their looks of fear were turned to Cyrus as if begging to know what to think or say.

Cyrus looked over all of them and said, "My people, it's no secret that Vira's forces are more formidable than we expected. We've lost so many and we might lose more… But with the help of demons, we can ease the damage."

Whispers broke out and shouts of explanation came forward.

Cyrus raised his hands, quieting them down. "For centuries humans and demons have been enemies, but all of this was orchestrated by Vira herself. Demons were pushed to near extinction with little to no hope of survival. It was only by hiding could they escape… But they are here now to help us. If anyone disagrees with this, you are free to leave."

The crowd looked at each other, but no one spoke nor did they leave.

I was surprised to see them so accepting until I realized the truth.

It wasn't that they were suddenly accepting demons.

It was that they feared Vira more than they feared demons. They would still keep their prejudice against them, but they would accept the help for now.

As for why they would do this could only mean one thing.

My eyes cast to Cyrus who stood in confidence before them. His posture was perfect and his eyes resolute.

These people followed his every word.

He was a born leader who had worked hard to gain their trust.

If it was anyone else…

These demons would have no chance to fight alongside them.

Cyrus succeeded in unifying the capital when no one else could.

My lips curved up as I had this thought.

Asmonious…

I wonder if you would be happy to see this?

Cyrus went to his generals and gave a few orders for the crowd. Once finished, he came back to me and held my hand. He led me away from the crowd and to the palace.

"Let's take that nap."

Before we could get far enough away, a flash of reddish-blonde hair bounced towards us from the crowd. His voice cried out, "Cousinnnn!"

Cyrus turned to him, "Nicholas."

I followed his gaze and immediately froze.

Nicholas was running towards us, his eyes curved in a smile that many would think resembled an angel.

"I'm here to help!"

I suddenly stepped in front of Cyrus and shouted at him, "Don't take another step!"

Nicholas suddenly slowed down, "Eh? What's wrong?"

Cyrus gave me a confused look, "It's okay, Reika. Nicholas is on our side."

I ignored him and felt my hands heating up so I quickly pulled them out of Cyrus's grip.  My voice was as venomous as a snakes, "Orphelio."

Nicholas blinked at my words, "Hm? My last name?"

My fists tightened, "...Your first name."

Cyrus looked surprised by this, "What are you saying?"

Nicholas chuckled as a darkness invaded his gaze. His eyes were still curved from his smile, but now his expression had turned ominous. 

He could only be a devil disguised as an angel.