The Damned Demon

Even though Drakar wasn't acting as he was expecting him to, Asher realized this only made him seem even more dangerous and cunning. He could guess Drakar was planning something which he didn't want to stay and find out.

But it didn't seem like he had a choice. After noticing the look in Drakar's eyes and hearing his words, he already got the hint that Drakar wasn't going to accept a refusal, and if he resisted now, then things could get really bad.

With him being temporarily crippled, the best thing to do was buy some time.

Asher masked his underlying caution with a diplomatic smile, "Thank you for your generous offer, King Drakar. It would be my pleasure to attend the celebration," he responded, his tone carefully neutral yet courteous.

Drakar's smile widened in response. He clapped his hands together, commanding immediate attention and silence from the surrounding crowd. 

Turning to address them, he announced in a voice that carried authority and expectation, "King Asher and his people are our esteemed guests. I expect everyone to extend to them the highest treatment they deserve. If I hear anyone slighting them in the least, they and their three generations of family would be burned at the stake."

The crowd gulped down and deeply bowed with trembling bodies, conveying that they wouldn't dare to disobey his command even if the skies were to come crashing down.

However, they wondered why their king was giving so much respect and preferential treatment to their mortal enemies.

But they knew better than to question the actions of their king.

"What is he thinking? He is making us lose face…" Rhygar grumbled in frustration but made sure to lower his voice so low that not even his mother would hear.

Amidst this declaration, Asher and Naida exchanged a quick, knowing glance. He could notice the unease on her face and how her eyes were conveying to him that something wasn't right.

Off to the side, Leonidas whispered to Caelum, his expression a mix of confusion and curiosity, "Hey, did their king get swept away by the awesomeness of our king?" he asked, trying to make sense of the situation.

Caelum, his gaze sharp and assessing, responded with a hint of concern, "From what I have heard, he is the last person to get swept away by something like that. I have a very bad feeling about this. We shouldn't be staying here for a second longer."

Silvan, overhearing their exchange, interjected with a pragmatic tone, "We don't have a choice. If we try to leave, it could worsen the already bad political tensions between us. Worst case, they might forcibly hold us here," he said, his fingers tapping against his elbow in a rhythmic pattern, his expression serious.

Leonidas, attempting to find a silver lining, shrugged and asked, "But they can't go against the pact, right?"

Silvan shook his head, his expression turning grave, "Then our king wouldn't have accepted the invitation. He would have hinted at leaving at the earliest. But since he did, it could only mean that we can't really leave just like that."

Leonidas and Caelum's expressions grew increasingly grave as they absorbed Silvan's analysis of their precarious situation. The air around them seemed to get thicker with the tension they were feeling.

However, Oberon scoffed at their concerns, "Oh, shut up. Stop trying to scare us. These draconian cunts can't do shit to us. The pact has protected us for thousands of years, and you think it's suddenly going to stop doing that?" His words were laced with scorn, but internally, he couldn't shake off a creeping sense of unease. 

He wished his mother was here since she would have somehow found a way for him to sneak out.

Meanwhile, on the elevated platform, Lysandra, her expression a blend of cold frustration and disappointment, began to unfurl her wings. 

Rhygar, noticing the change, looked at her with raised brows, "Where are you going, mother?" he inquired, a hint of concern in his voice.

Lysandra, without turning to face him, responded curtly, "There's nothing else to see here. This day couldn't get any more disappointing," With those final words, she took flight, leaving Rhygar's mouth open as he was about to reassure her.

He grunted in frustration, realizing that he let her down. But then he shifted his gaze towards his father. If only he hadn't offered that alien the chance to conquer the tower, his mother wouldn't be feeling like this.

But as he though before, this was also an opportunity for him to prove himself to his mother.

Drakar, too, exited the scene, leaving the gathered crowd to disperse. In the midst of this, Asher and Naida found themselves suddenly surrounded by a contingent of powerful draconian guards. Their presence was intimidating, and their commander stepped forward,

"You will be accompanied by our guards at all times for your own protection. It is a direct order from His Majesty," He stated, his tone leaving no room for negotiation.

"There is no need for that. His Majesty only needs me for protection," Eradicator stepped in, the dark red slits of her helmet gazing directly at the commander.

"We don't take orders from you. If you do not like this arrangement, you should take it up with our king," The commander said while maintaining a steady gaze.

Asher's mind raced as he assessed the situation. The realization hit him with chilling clarity – they were effectively trapped. 

He then noticed Eradicator and the commander having a intense staredown.

"You can stand down, Eradicator. Extra protection can't hurt us," Asher said, making Eradicator look at him and bow as she stepped back.

"Let's just go back to the palace and have some rest," Asher said as the others nodded while his eyes searched around for Lysandra.

Where the hell did she go after seeing all this? He was hoping to talk to her to get out of this mess. But how was he supposed to get in touch with her with all these guards keeping an eye on him and everyone accompanying him?

He can't also ask for Naida's help since they would be watching a powerful figure like her even closer.

-

In the grandeur of the massive Dracan Palace, Lysandra, her demeanor marked by resolve, approached Drakar. 

He stood on the roof of the palace, his gaze cast outward, a smile playing on his lips as he surveyed the horizon.

Lysandra wasted no time in addressing the burning issue, "What are you planning to do? Even though the pact wouldn't allow us to kill him on the spot, there was no reason to show our enemy any respect. You shouldn't have let him enter the tower, and now he conquered it," she said, her expression hardening with each word.

Drakar, still facing the horizon, responded with a sly curvature of his lips, his tone calm and assured, "Relax, Lysandra. You have no idea how special today turned out to be. Today is a historic day. My forefathers are going to be proud of us. You will soon be rejoicing. He is going to be very useful for us."

Her eyes narrowing, Lysandra voiced her skepticism and underlying hope, "I can never rejoice as long as he is breathing. Are you planning to bring him to your side through this celebration and use him to destroy their kingdom before killing him in the end? If that is the case, I can get behind that."

Shifting his head briefly to look at her, Drakar's expression was one of unwavering confidence, "You will find out soon. But I can assure you that you will be in for a surprise," he stated before looking away.

Lysandra, her eyes narrowed, slowly took a breath, a mix of doubt and wariness in her eyes.

-

Asher, followed closely by the draconian guards, made his way to the floor where his room was situated in the Dracan Palace. 

The guards' presence was like a shadow, unyielding and constant. 

Asher, feeling the weight of their surveillance, turned around to confront their commander with a hint of sarcasm, "Are you planning to accompany me into the bathroom too? Don't tell me you guys have a particular interest in—"

The commander, sensing the impropriety of the situation, quickly interjected, clearing his throat, "We shall be standing around the floor. If you have any need, you can let us know," he said, signaling his men to disperse. 

They moved swiftly, taking up positions at strategic points around the large floor, their presence pervasive yet less intrusive.

Naida, observing the situation, commented with a shake of her head, "They are so annoying like pests. It's going to be hard to shake them off."

Asher, his expression serious and focused, replied, "We can think about that later. But first, I want to talk to you about something important." 

Moments later, they were inside his room, away from prying eyes and ears.

From within his robe, Asher produced an object that immediately drew Naida's attention. It was a crimson hilt that seemed to belong to a great sword, but the blade itself was conspicuously absent.

But even just as a hilt, one could feel the humming dark and otherworldly aura emanating from it. Despite having such an aura, it was unnoticeable unless one laid their eyes on it.

Naida's eyebrows arched in curiosity, "What is that?" she inquired.

Asher held the hilt, its presence both ominous and powerful, "This is the thing that is going to help protect our kingdom from the draconians now that the pact is void. Drakaris called it a key even though it seems like a weapon. But right now, I don't have the power to protect it. It can't even be stored anywhere but outside with us." 

After a moment of brief hesitation, he extended the hilt toward her, "So, can you keep it safe until we return to our kingdom?" he asked.