Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

Their universe was filled with legends and myths. It was filled with magical creatures, secrets, and powers that ruled the fates of mortals and immortals alike.

In the Olympus Nebula, it’s believed that the orderly world and the first gods arose out of chaos. Further north-east of the overworld, the legends of the Asgard Nebula told that the giant Ymir and the world tree Yggdrasil were the beginning of everything. Other peoples and gods even had multiple creation myths that contradicted each other. These included the legends of the Papyrus Nebula, as well as many other human myths that had been forgotten over time.

Only the oldest and most powerful of the gods knew the reason and true story of their world's creation. Many of them had done everything they could to usurp the myth and fill it with their own stories to assert their claims to power in their realms. Over the millennia, the truth had been forgotten. Even those who knew the truth would eventually forget about it. As the longer they lived, their reason for existence became- meaningless.

The rulers of the underworld had also succumbed to this falsity, for many millennia. 

Though now the queen and king of the Underworld Nebula were faced with something that shook their entire existence and made them fear for the fate of their whole world.

"How long do you think it's been here?" Persephone whispered. 

Her husband slowly materialized out of the darkness that wrapped around her protectively and warmly like a blanket. She could feel his nervousness. His fear. Even if he tried to hide it from her, it was noticeable. His ghostly fingers trailed down her arm until his fingers locked with hers. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see his form gaining more shape.

"I don't know." His expression was pale and rigid. His long black hair fell loosely over his shoulders. His chiton and chlamys flowed, even though there was no air or wind in that place. Nothing could live or even grow here.

Yet, to the astonishment of the Queen of the Darkest Spring, they saw such a miracle happen in front of them.

In that deep secluded cave of the underworld, far from their workshops and palaces, far from the spirits of the dead and prying eyes— was a glowing sphere of light. The shape of this sphere reminded the goddess of a cocoon. Threads of light seemed to emanate from the sphere and reached the walls of the cave. The nature of the underworld was perfect for hiding something as the magnetic field of those caves hid magical signatures. But it was new for the ruling couple that this feature was being used without their knowledge.

Someone had hidden something here without their permission. 

Or someone was hiding.

Without the king’s and queen’s permission.

It was only by chance that one of their subjects had discovered the cocoon. The man had broken in while working in the mine and had come across this place while walking through the cave mazes, attracted by the warm light.

But now, so close to the cocoon of light, both Hades and Persephone could sense its energy. They could even taste and smell it. It smelled of fire and gas, older than anything they had ever known. Yet,as new and untouched as anything they had ever seen.

"It smells like stardust," she whispered. Hades nodded beside her.

"It reminds me of the first thing I ever saw." Hades' shadows trembled at their feet. "It feels like the beginning of everything."

Persephone could only nod. The sight made her shudder and tremble. With every second she gazed at the cocoon of starlight and dust, she felt more and more long-forgotten memories return. But it still didn't answer all their questions.

She stepped over the barren ground, stopping in front of one of the threads of light. As she carefully tried to touch the thread of the cocoon, her finger slipped through it. She felt a strong suction and when she pulled her finger back, it was still tingling.

If these threads weren't there to hold the cocoon in the air, then what were they for?

Persephone ran her finger over the thread once more and felt the energy being drawn towards the cocoon. She blinked in amazement before turning around, startled. Her husband was still standing in the same place, staring up mesmerized at the cocoon.

"Darling," Persephone approached him, but he hardly seemed to hear her voice. "Darling. That thing eats."

That was enough to startle him. Hades fixed his gaze on her, his eyes  widened with concern. “There's nothing here to eat. No magic. No life. Nothing."

"That's true, but I believe..." Persephone's gaze slid back to the threads of light. "... it fetches its food with the threads and grows so."

“What is it eating? Magic?"

"No. I do not think so." Persephone's gaze slid back to the cocoon. The magic of this thing was weak - but she had a feeling that the creature was hiding its true strength— with the help of the underworld. Even if the creature was young, she could sense ancient magic. Such a being required no alien magic to grow. Suddenly, the goddess of spring had an idea. She summoned a scroll. It was a fable, something many constellations considered a delicacy.

As the parchment touched the nearest fiber of light, it immediately began to dissolve the material. It crackled as the substance dissolved into light and was absorbed by the threads.

Hades sharply breathed  in. “It … it feeds on fables? Are we seeing the formation of a new constellation here?”

"That would make sense," the queen whispered, stepping back in concern, "but why does it feel so old?"

"Maybe it would be better if we destroy it as planned." The Father of the Rich Night curled his lips. As if the thought was repugnant to him and his wife immediately felt a sense of rejection and fear. She shuddered and stroked the jewelry on her wrist.

"Darling. I want to try something else." She grabbed his hand before pointing to the orb of light hovering above them. After she explained her plan, Hades nodded then went to work. Shadows darted toward the cocoon, enveloping it. The cocoon neither resisted nor moved, instead, something else happened.The light dimmed more and more. For a few heartbeats, it grew dark as the night around them. Then they saw the darkness break. Bit by bit, a new light appeared. But the glow didn't come from the cocoon itself. No, it came from the being hiding inside.

For a moment Hades and Persephone saw in the darkness a figure of light. The silhouette was in the form of a small human - perhaps even that of a child. It had curled up to sleep, and just a tiny moment before Hades' spell broke, they heard it:

A child's cry. Weak and heartbreaking.

They both froze. They had heard it before. On that long-faded day when they took shape in this world.

Persephone felt her pulse quicken and tears trickled down her cheeks. Beside her, her husband gasped and staggered as if he was going to kneel at any moment.

"He mustn't wake up," he murmured in a trance. His form seemed to crumble into shadows again. As if he couldn't bear to be in the presence of this ancient being.

"I know," she whispered. Her head was pounding, her hands shaking at the mere thought.

It needed to sleep. It needed to continue dreaming. It could never wake up.

And yet ... what she felt when she fed the fable to it told her otherwise. The child in the cocoon fed on stories and legends to materialize in this world. In that aspect, it was not so different from her beloved husband.

Nothing like this had ever happened before. From the beginning of the world, this being had been hiding from them. It had always existed at their side but had never directly intervened or become part of their world. 

Why now? Why did he want to wake up now? Did he want to destroy them all?

No. That thought felt wrong. What she felt when she heard the child scream didn't sound malicious. It hadn’t been angry. It sounded lonely. Longing for love and warmth.

Persephone's feet lifted off the ground. She floated through the cave and closer to the cocoon. She heard a soft rustling behind her and felt the presence of her husband, who followed her until they both reached the cocoon.

Slowly she reached out and touched the surface of the cocoon. Her fingers didn't penetrate the light this time. No, it was strangely soft and warm. As if she were touching a living being.

"Hades." She gasped. Persephone’s body trembled before she grabbed her lover's hand and pressed it against the cocoon. His eyes widened. No doubt he could feel it too.

A gentle heartbeat.

The father of the Rich Night started to cry. His tears were like jewels as a warm smile spread across his lips and he gazed in wonder at the cocoon. 

"He is calling me," he finally murmured and Persephone nodded. She could hear it too. There was a small faint voice in her head. There were no words. It was more like a soft melody that seemed to draw her in. And with the sound came images. Emotions. So fast that she was barely able to catch them all, but the message it conveyed was burned into her heart.

"It’s fine.This child is just a part of his dream." She ran both hands over the cocoon soothingly, as if she were comforting a child. “He's taking a risk for all of us. For the world, he loves so much and sees in his dreams."

“We have to help him. He needs more food to grow." Hades copied her. Fascinated, his fingers stroked the soft surface of starlight.

Persephone's voice became sweet and gentle: “I will bring you the most beautiful legends. The most nourishing stories. The sweetest treats. Until your body is ready…”

"And then we will protect you," added her husband with shining eyes. An excited smile on his lips. “We will protect you and spoil you. Until you grow big and strong."

They had always wanted a child, but this wish had been denied to them. But now they had received this unexpected gift - perhaps they had even been chosen by this child. That thought warmed their immortal hearts.

“No one is allowed to find out who he is. It could destroy our world."

Hades nodded in agreement. She could see that her lover already cared more about this child than their world.  His shadows vibrated around them with excitement and now began to envelop the cocoon, warm and comforting, like a blanket.

They would feed, nurture, and care for the child. They would protect him and raise him as their child and heir. Until the fragile constellation was strong enough to leave the underworld. However, now they have to wait and bring fables. They have to prepare everything.

Until the day The Most Ancient Dream awoke.

****************

With wide, almost childish eyes, Kim Dokja stared at the words projected by the dokkaebi stone. The words floated in the air in a blue light, but they were hard to understand.

Again, he read Yoo Joonghyuk's message.

>Winter solstice. Festival of Dreams.<

He had never heard of such a festival before. And in combination with the date, he could only assume that the crown prince was making a suggestion. Or was it an invitation?

Sure, they'd exchanged messages over the past few months, but most of the time Kim Dokja had contacted him first. He had told the Prince of Ruisur about the books he was reading and which authors were popular in the Eastern Demon Kingdom. They wrote about Yoo Joonghyuk's little sister and her magical gift. That was the  only private topic the crown prince mentioned; apart from small comments about training, hunting, or attacking demons.

Sometimes he had feared that Yoo Joonghyuk was annoyed by him, nonetheless he had read every message and answered every question. However, his replies were short. 

Kim Dokja leaned back until he touched the soft pillows of his bed. Next to him were several thick books that he had read over the past few days. Yet , none of them were as exciting as deciphering Yoo Joonghyuk's short and cryptic messages.

"What do you mean? Is that an invitation? If so, where is this festival taking place?” The blue crystal in his hand glowed as he spoke, and the words were absorbed by the magical object. For a moment, the words appeared in the small stone before it transmitted his message to its counterpart.

Much to his amazement, he didn't have to wait long for an answer. The stone began to blink when it received a new message: >Yes. Of course. The festival's in the capital of Ruisur, you fool.<

Kim Dokja blinked.

What? Did that guy want him to drop everything and travel to the neighboring realm for a festival he had never heard of? That was-

>I got the book you wanted. The one you can only get in my kingdom.<

“Wait- you got the next volume of The Prince and the Roses ?” Kim Dokja's eyes widened as he stared at the stone, which lit up once more at the sound of his voice, “I thought it was completely sold out? Even within Ruisur, it was impossible to get! I've been to three cities and I couldn't get it!"

>I'm the Crown Prince. I can do everything.< Even without hearing the man’s voice and just seeing floating words of light, Kim Dokja noticed the arrogance in his answer. >I'll wait for you, mage.<

Then the light went out and the color of the stone changed. The light blue turned into a dark sea blue - a sign that Yoo Joonghyuk had deactivated his dokkaebi stone. Even if Kim Dokja could think of a reply, the prince wouldn’t see it until he activated the magical crystal again.

Kim Dokja was  certain the ruthless bastard did it on purpose to bait him. And now he denied Kim Dokja the opportunity to decline - not that he didn't want to go, but he couldn't just leave the eastern demon realm for a festival.

On the other hand… he really wanted the next volume of his current favorite series. The last book had a mean cliffhanger and he had been waiting for the next volume for over two years.

"Bastard," Kim Dokja mumbled. 

Yoo Joonghyuk knew exactly how to lure him back - it had been a mistake to tell him so much about his favorite books.

Overcome by a wave of excitement and annoyance, he rolled over on his bed. His stomach tingled before he pressed the blue stone to his lips and blushed in embarrassment. Damn sunfish bastard. He would only go to Ruisur's capital for the rare book. Not because of this arrogant, commanding crown prince. With his exaggeratedly perfect face and body. And his delicious cooking skills, which Kim Dokja definitely didn't miss.

With a squeak, Kim Dokja flopped onto his stomach and buried his face into the pillows.

He wanted to scream. 

Was the bastard doing this on purpose? How should he answer? How could he refuse?

“Dokja-ssi?”

His whole body immediately went stiff. He looked up and towards the door with horror in his eyes. There, eyebrows raised but a big grin on her face stood Jung Heewon.

"... how much have you seen?"

"Too much."

Before he knew what he was doing, he grabbed one of the pillows and slammed it to Jung Heewon's face. She caught it before it hit her, but her gaze stayed on the dokkaebi stone. 

"It seems like you had fun while you were traveling with that prince."

She closed the door behind her and while he was relieved that none of the servants had noticed his childish, unroyal outburst. He couldn't help but feel embarrassed in the face of his old friend. He pushed himself to an upright position, arms wrapped tightly around one of the pillows and buried his red face into it.

"It was nice. I missed traveling." Like the good old times. But those words remain unsaid. "It was almost like the time when the East was still in chaos."

"Like when  you accompanied Yoo Jonghyuk the first?" Jung Heewon didn't need to use many words to understand him. "Your little adventure with his descendant of the same name must have brought back some old memories."

Slowly, Kim Dokja lowered the pillow a little and looked to the side. "They’re similar."

Jung Heewon sighed, sitting down next to her king on the big bed. Being alone with him, she didn't hold back and put an arm around his shoulder. "It's been over a thousand years, Dokja-ssi."

“1864 years.”

The reply came quickly. Jung Heewon winced - even after all this time- the Demon King had not forgotten his first love. He never opened his heart again.

"It’s fine." She wasn't sure exactly what she meant by that, but she knew the dark look on Kim Dokja's face. The self-hate. The self-reproaches. The pain. Rarely did the Demon King of Salvation allow himself a moment of weakness. Too often he kept his thoughts to himself.

For a moment they sat side by side, silent.

Then, when Kim Dokja was ready, he cleared his throat and pulled away from her. "Why are you here?"

"Your guests have arrived."

With a groan, he fell back. Right. Because of a certain crown prince, he had almost forgotten what waited for him today.

****************

The servants of the castle had decorated the table in the royal garden and covered it with all kinds of sweet delicacies. Surrounded by beautiful roses of different colors, the round table was in the center, placed upon white marble tiles. The golden decorations on the porcelain cups and the noble teapot shimmered in the warm light of the sun. The shape and decoration of the plates resembled large blossoms. They were filled with cakes, decorations and cupcakes. The sweet treats were made by the royal bakers. When Kim Dokja saw the beautifully decorated slices of cake, he knew they had outdone themselves once again.

He chuckled slightly as he sipped his tea and savored the delicious aroma.

His servants who dressed him for the tea party stood at the edge of the circular plaza like statues, awaiting orders to serve the Demon King of Salvation and his venerable guests. But for now, the three mighty beings were enjoying their tea party in peace. More or less.

Kim Dokja carefully put his teacup back. His hand pulled away from the cup's handle, adjusting the white gloves he was wearing. Then he raised his eyes slightly to examine his two guests. 

Han Sooyoung, the Empress of the Black Flames, was similarly dressed like him. She wore a purple uniform with silver and black trimmings for the formal occasion. Her shoulders were adorned with pauldrons made of black dragon scales, connected across her chest and back with several rows of silver chains. The heiress to the Dragon Emperor, who ruled the adjacent Abyssal dimension knew how to show her wealth and heritage. But Kim Dokja valued her as one of his favorite authors. It was a friendship that had started unexpectedly centuries ago when his old comrade had introduced him to his new heiress.

"Dokja-ssi," he suddenly heard a melodious voice that demanded his attention. Lady Uriel gave him a sweet smile while spreading her beautiful white wings. Briefly, her long feathers touched his black ones. 

She leaned forward, folding her wings. Her eyes shimmered as she gestured at the food. "What do you want, my dear?"

"Strawberry cake," replied Kim Dokja.

Uriel placed a piece of cake on his plate, humming and happy. The fresh strawberries were red and just looking at them made him lick his lips.

Satisfied, Uriel watched as he ate the cake and then sighed with pleasure. The archangel chuckled at his reaction and then played with a strand of her long golden hair that fell over her narrow shoulders and covered part of her black dress. Her friendly disposition could deceive - at least anyone she considered an enemy.

Uriel didn't bear the title Demon-like Judge of Fire for nothing, and Kim Dokja knew that he would always trust her mighty blade in a fight. Though it had been a long time since he had explored the adjoining dimensions and realms with her and his other two companions. Still, all of them were loyal friends.

Even now Uriel worried about him. 

"I heard there was a diplomatic incident," Uriel began sensitively, eyeing Kim Dokja's slim frame with concern.

Kim Dokja swallowed the piece of strawberry shortcake and picked up a napkin to wipe his mouth, trying to find the right words. He was aware that Jung Heewon must have told her patron and mentor about the incident with the royal messenger. But he didn't know what else she had said to Uriel.

"Demon King Asmodeus' messenger did not survive his mission," he said, hoping that would settle the issue. Just  the name of the other demon king was enough to make Uriel's mood worse.

Han Sooyoung, on the other hand, rolled her eyes. "Don't hide the best part," she grinned devilishly, immediately relishing Uriel's interest. “Lee Gilyoung smashed his chest in with his hammer and then impaled him on the castle tower. I heard he feasted his insects on the messenger's corpse."

"Oh," Uriel put her hand over her mouth as if in shock, but Kim Dokja felt her dark aura change and glow with joy. He shuddered briefly, worried, and then shook his head.

"Lee Gilyoung overdid it. That demon was still a royal messenger. This event wasn’t good for the diplomatic relation between our realms. At worst, it can cause more problems."

Kim Dokja's objections fell on deaf ears.

"Oh please," Han Sooyoung snorted, "We're talking about the sick bastard Asmodeus. The message was probably so disgusting and perverted that any of us would have lost their shit."

"I would have done the same thing in his stead," said the angel in a cold voice. The teacup in her hand trembled slightly while she was radiating a murderous aura. Some of the servants behind her began to shiver and exchanged nervous looks. "Demon kings deserve no less."

Kim Dokja raised an eyebrow.

Her gaze instantly softened. Her aura turned back to her usual bright and floral state. "Except for the one present, of course." Uriel winked at him while Han Sooyoung giggled.

"Mmm, they didn't tell me the exact words, but you're probably right." He sipped his golden tea. "However, Lee Gilyoung's development has been bothering me lately."

"He's grown tall and strong. And very handsome." Uriel took some cookies. She loved the ones with frosting. "But his position is still in jeopardy. He’s a thorn in the side of many old demon lords - and he’s a former human that became very powerful and is in your favor. No wonder they hate him."

"I remember how some demon lords wanted to use him against you, thinking they could make him king and control him." At Han Sooyoung's words, Kim Dokja pursed his lips and leaned back. How long ago was that? 70 years ago? 100 years ago?

Lee Gilyoung hasn’t even been a demon for a decade. Yet he was given a title and land because of his protector, the Demon King of Salvation, and because of his excellent skills and achievements. Many had been angered by Lee Gilyoung's very existence, others had been jealous or felt they could have taken advantage of Lee Gilyoung. They wanted to use him against the king, but in the end, they underestimated Lee Gilyoung's loyalty and scheming mind. He reported everything in detail to his beloved king and benefactor. Then he exposed the traitors and lured them into a trap. In the end, he had been rewarded for his service. 

"Some of them are still foolish. They doubted Lee Gilyoung's position recently. Not because of his loyalty, but because of his social standing. He hates to deal with the royalty."

"I'm afraid he got that from you." Uriel looked amused. "You two can't stand all the noble events."

"But it's part of our duty. He can't make connections unless he shows himself in court. He can't socialize or expand his influence unless he associates with the other lords and ladies." Kim Dokja's fingers tapped the table. "Instead, he treats even the old noble houses disrespectfully. They keep bugging me about it."

Han Sooyoung rolled her eyes. "Lee Gilyoung is superior to them in rank and standing despite his human origins. You made him a member of the royal family. They only complain because he refuses all marriage proposals and isn't paying attention to their daughters and sons." She took a lollipop and put it between her lips. No longer interested in the other goodies.

"Wouldn't it be better if you allowed him to start a cult?" Uriel intervened, taking a piece of carrot cake with marzipan. "A cult would increase the prestige of you two and cement his standing among the lords."

"I haven't allowed a cult to honor me in centuries. My job is to rule. I don't want to watch and control any more cults. They're like annoying diseases."

"I would worry less about the cult problem than about the boy."

Kim Dokja's head jerked around to Han Sooyoung, who was leaning back in her chair. A commanding hand gesture followed and a servant immediately rushed over to fill the teacup of the Empress of Dark Flames. 

"What do you mean by that? Lee Gilyoung is loyal."

"Oh he is loyal, but lately he's been getting more and more fanatical after what you told me." The yellow lollipop tapped her lips. "And besides that, he’s at that certain age."

Kim Dokja continued to look at her confused.

"Dokja-ssi ... Lee Gilyoung is over a hundred years old. Just because he doesn't have a fiancée, it doesn't mean he hasn't sowed his wild oats." At Han Sooyoung's comment, Uriel started to smirk and hastily hid her smile behind the cup. Kim Dokja's, on the other hand, frowned.

"The only reason why he isn't married yet is you, Dokja."

He leaned back and sighed. "You're right. I burden him too much. He shouldn't have to give up finding someone because of me. My duties and worries shouldn't be his. These intrigues at court are so damn tiresome."

Han Sooyoung grunted and put the lollipop back in her mouth. She  decided once again that Kim Dokja was obviously blind. 

With a soft hum, Uriel pushed some cake onto her fork and held it to his lips. Without hesitation, Kim Dokja opened his mouth and Uriel's eyes sparkled happily as he ate the cake. "Mmm, there's something I need to tell you guys. I was in Ruisur to gather some ingredients and scout the situation. And there..."

He continued to tell of the strange events in the kingdom of men. Of the systematic assaults and raids of the demons. The false leads pointed to his kingdom and how he let Jung Heewon investigate the situation. He was sure that the attacks were the work of the western demon realms.

He also told them about the demon hunters, including a special prince.

He didn't know why, but Uriel quickly lost interest and focused on the crown prince. Even Han Sooyoung seemed to enjoy the story.

"... he cooked for you? "

"Uriel, that's not the point. The demons - "

"No, no. Back again to the prince. He saved your little ass from demons - "

"Han Sooyoung, I could have freed myself at any time. He was just faster -"

"- and then he kidnapped you?"

"He didn't kidnap me! Don't twist my words! He carried me-"

"How did he carry you?" Uriel's voice was an octave higher as her fingers dug into the tablecloth. For a moment, the Demon King feared that the table would not withstand her immense strength.

Kim Dokja didn't understand why it mattered. The problem was the western demons posing as citizens of his realm and raiding the people of Ruisur. Still, he replied, "He carried me in his arms at first, but then he threw me over his shoulder like a damn potato sack."

Uriel hastily covered her face with her small hands. Her eyes twinkled like stars.

Kim Dokja ruffled his black wings in alarm.

"If anyone finds out that a human has touched you, there will be a riot." Han Sooyoung laughed loudly and spitefully. "Ohhh, how dare a mortal lay hands on the great Kim Dokja? Such audacity!"

"Such courage!" Uriel squeaked, "You must like him, Kim Dokja-ssi, if you allow him to treat you like that."

Annoyed, he buried his face in his hands. They both stopped listening to him. It was hopeless.

****************

After Kim Dokja had promised the crown prince to visit the festival, he wanted to prepare himself a bit. However, whenever he had visited the neighboring realm, he had avoided the capital. Most of the time he had stayed on the outskirts, but it had been more than a thousand years since he had visited the inland.

So he went to the library where Yoo Sangah, his royal librarian and advisor, helped him gather books and documents about the human kingdom. Some books and scrolls were already piled up on one of the tables in the library, but Kim Dokja wasn't satisfied with the selection.

His fingers brushed the spines of books as he paced the shelves. The words and symbols told him countless stories. In different languages, they lured Kim Dokja with their sweet words, but he had to resist. He had a goal in mind.

His eyes fell on a book with golden letters written in the tongue of Ruisur. He pulled it off the shelf, opened it and scanned the description of the contents. But the chapter titles weren't helpful. The opus dealt with Ruisur’s rulers and fights in the 5th century, a turbulent time full of intrigue and power struggles for the throne.

With a sigh, he closed the book and put it back on the shelf.

"I think I found something, Dokja-ssi." Yoo Sangah's soft, calm voice caught his attention and when he looked over his shoulder he spotted her holding an old-looking scroll. He followed her back to the table where she was unrolling the parchment. The ink was a little faded, a sign that she had received the document sometime after it was written. Yoo Sangah enchanted every work in the library so that it could survive the centuries in good condition. She had made it her mission to collect, care for, and preserve all of Kim Dokja’s books.

Some of the books in their royal library couldn’t be found anywhere else in this world. Some were even from other dimensions. It was one of the reasons why Kim Dokja referred to the library as his second treasure chamber.

"Here," Yoo Sangah pointed to a spot at the beginning of the text. Her brown hair fell over her shoulders as she leaned forward. Kim Dokja also leaned closer to read the words in the foreign language. "It's a record of various festivals, with a brief description."

“So, the Festival of Dreams has existed since the founding days of Ruisur. It was first held under the founder, Yoo Joonghyuk I. It goes on for a week or two, and over time it often reflects the current prosperity of the realm or the generosity of the ruler,” he murmured, frowning thoughtfully. "That means it's usually hosted by the king or queen, but isn't it uncommon for it to be hosted by the crown prince?"

“Well, the political situation in Ruisur is a bit tense at the moment. Prince Yoo Joonghyuk could use the festival to win the favor of his subjects. If he wants to further consolidate his position, it's a good method."

Kim Dokja nodded in agreement, putting his finger to his lips thoughtfully.

“Yoo Joonghyuk fulfills his duty by defending the realm and hunting down the western demons that keep invading it. The West is taking advantage of the fact that Ruisur is politically weak at the moment,” Kim Dokja couldn't help but sound worried. In his way, he had protected Ruisur for centuries, but he did not interfere in internal politics. It was none of his business as long as his eastern demon realm was not threatened.

“But when he's out hunting, he's not in the capital. Which  despite his small military victories and the sympathy of the citizens, weakens his political position. His little sister is still young and cannot be used as his deputy. In his absence, his trusted followers take care of everything ... but the king's condition got worse in the past few months. He can't await his father's help should the noble faction start a coup."

Yoo Sangah's small, delicate hands stroked the parchment as if trying to smooth it out. Then she ran her index finger over the letters before drawing her king's attention to a certain spot. “The eternal god of dreams shall be appeased by the festival. A successful festival is often taken as a sign of a wealthy new year. Accidents, death, or disasters such as: disease, storms, or flooding of the approaching shore- are taken as signs of a bad ruler."

"Ah," Kim Dokja sighed and ran his hands through his hair. “No wonder he wants me there. A skilled healer and mage could avert such things. He can't afford to make any mistakes in his situation." The demon king snorted briefly in annoyance. "I should have asked for money as payment."

Beside him, Yoo Sangah gave her king a surprised look. Then, sighing, the former Oracle of Moonlight shook her head. She was about to object when a male voice interrupted the librarian and the king.

Both turned in surprise and saw Lord Lee Gilyoung. The young man with dark brown hair wore his dark green military uniform, with panels of white fabric falling in elegant folds from his right and left shoulders. The fabric almost resembled the wings of an insect. On his chest, instead of a medal or badge, he wore a pin in the shape of a golden grasshopper.

The young demon lord bowed nervously, knowing full well that the king was not to be disturbed when he was in the library. But for Lee Gilyoung, his protégé, Kim Dokja would always make an exception. Whether he was 10 or 100 years old. He would always be the boy Kim Dokja had saved from the hands of his abusive family. The king remembered well how Lee Gilyoung had been half-frozen, sitting in white snow as he had clung with little hands to Kim Dokja, begging him not to abandon or cast him out. That day, Kim Dokja had vowed to never leave him behind.

"Please forgive my intrusion, my king," Lee Gilyoung said. A few strands fell across his forehead, and the rest of his curly hair was styled back to look more noble and masculine. The candlestick's light accentuated his high cheekbones and lit his cold, narrow eyes.

"May I speak to you alone for a moment?"

Kim Dokja exchanged a look with Yoo Sangah. His advisor bit her lip as her eyes darted between her king and his protégé. Lee Gilyoung had already been rebuked for his behavior towards Asmodeus' messenger; however, since he had defended his king's honor and was considered a member of the royal family, Yoo Sangah’s and Jung Heewon's hands had been tied. They lacked the right to punish him and Kim Dokja had preferred a gentle rebuke. The lords and the hostile demon kings needed to know they couldn’t make a laughingstock out of him. Lee Gilyoung had shown strength in killing the brash messenger and thus strengthened Kim Dokja's position.

However, the messenger's execution had occurred without the permission of the Demon King of Salvation and still constituted an uncomfortable diplomatic incident.

"Of course. Yoo Sangah? Will you give us a moment?"

His royal librarian nodded before bowing in farewell, exiting the library through the large door. A strange silence remained. Lee Gilyoung couldn't even look at him. A sign that the boy had a guilty conscience.

With a gentle sigh, Kim Dokja took a seat. He hadn’t summoned his black wings, as they were a nuisance between bookshelves, but his red horns peeked out like rubies from his night-black hair.

He crossed his legs and rested his forearm on his thigh. The white fabric that was a symbol of the royal family flowed down his body in gentle folds. The slit revealed his long leg and fair skin that looked as if nobody had ever touched him. On his thigh, the gold chains became visible, stretching around his thigh and jingling softly whenever he moved. The fabric fell loosely over his torso and was attached to his neck by a gold chain, opened at the side. It partly revealed  his chest.

"So? What do you want to talk about?"

Lee Gilyoung stared down at him. His eyes were wide, while a faint blush spread over his face. He bit his lower lip before the demon lord suddenly fell to his knees. Kim Dokja was started because the situation neither called for him to bend the knee nor did he expect another apology.

“Please forgive my impertinence. I put you in a difficult diplomatic and political situation." Lee Gilyoung clenched his hands. “But I don’t regret that I executed this unabashed messenger for lese-majeste. I would do the same to his king if I had the chance."

Kim Dokja thoughtfully looked down at the kneeling man. Lee Gilyoung's hair almost touched Kim Dokja's bare lower legs.

“Lee Gilyoung, please sit up. I can't stand it when my beloved protégé kneels before me."

Slowly, still ruefully, Lee Gilyoung obeyed. His eyebrows were drawn together, almost pleadingly, as he stared at Kim Dokja with wide puppy eyes. Kim Dokja patted the young demon lord's hair, sighing. "It’s fine. I'll sort that out with Asmodeus. Don't worry."

Lee Gilyoung slid closer on his knees, a small smile on his face. Then he took his king's hand. His fingers were warm. His hand was now bigger than Kim Dokja's small, delicate one. But it wasn't rough and scarred like Yoo Joonghyuk's.

"My king", Lee Gilyoung blew a kiss on the back of Kim Dokja's hand, "Was it good that I got t rid of him then?"

With a suppressed sigh, he stared down at the loyal demon lord. The boy was giving him more and more headaches lately. First the attempts to establish a cult in honor of Kim Dokja, then the execution of the messenger ...and the situation between Lee Gilyoung and many old demon lords remained tense. Yoo Joonghyuk wasn't the only one who had to assert his position.

"It was necessary," Kim Dokja said instead, while Lee Gilyoung placed the king's hand against his cheek. Smiling contentedly, he nestled his cheek against Kim Dokja's warm palm.

But the young demon lord had something else on his mind. "Do you really want to go to the human kingdom?"

He didn't say it but seemed to dislike the idea.

Kim Dokja nodded. He stroked the young lord's cheek with his thumb. "It's just for a festival. It'll be maybe two weeks. Yoo Sangah and Jung Heewon will take care of everything in my absence." As he spoke, he shifted his seated position until his thighs pressed against each other.

Lee Gilyoung briefly bit his lower lip before adopting a pleading tone:

"Hyung. Don't go. Humans are devious creatures." His fingers dig into the wisp of fabric covering Kim Dokja's thighs. "What if this prince has impure thoughts? Who will protect you if you go alone?"

Addressing him by the familiar term instead of his title showed how worried Lee Gilyoung was and what tools he was willing to do to get his way. It was always difficult for Kim Dokja to refuse the boy’s wish.

"I've already accepted the invitation. I can't cancel my plans," he said softly, looking down at his protégé who was snuggling against his hand like a puppy. Still kneeling.

A shadow darkened Lee Gilyoung's face. "Do you like that human prince?"

"No!" Kim Dokja cleared his throat, his ears were red. "But I want that book he got me and to stay for the festival for political reasons. Maybe I can learn more about their people and culture.”

He looked away. So he didn’t see the scowl of the demon lord, sitting at his feet. Lee Gilyoung clenched his fists before controlling his expression. Sighing, he laid his head on Kim Dokja's lap and then buried his face in the white fabric. He took a deep breath.

"I'm a man, too", he mumbled, "I'm not a child anymore, hyung."

"I know," Kim Dokja smiled softly and amusedly, stroking his protégé's hair.

None of them noticed the silent observer who had overheard the conversation, hidden behind the bookshelves.

****************

The dokkaebi stone filled the small room with its light, while everything that the light didn't reach sank into darkness. The stone trembled slightly in the hands of the man holding it.

Baron Han Myungoh was aware that he wasn't exactly famous for his loyalty or anything else. His relationship with the Demon King of Salvation was marred by the past and some unfortunate events, but after all these years he had come to terms with the situation.

The empire had grown. It was safe and prosperous since the king had united it. The baron had also benefited from it.

He had therefore not participated in the last rebellion.

There were other ways to improve his position. Often enough he had tried to influence Kim Dokja, but the Demon King of Salvation was not one to be fooled easily. His anger was terrifying and his punishments were merciless.

And yet, Han Myungoh had no choice.

The baron stared at the crystal that reflected the words of his contract partner while it conveyed his message across many miles.

"Everything is going according to plan. I will not disappoint you."

He swallowed. Knowing full well that if he made a mistake and was discovered, his betrayal meant death. He knew what had happened to the royal messenger and the rebellious demon lords.

But, he would do anything to save his daughter. Even if he had to sell himself to the enemy.

"There's a change of plans-"

The stone glowed again. The blue light hurt his eyes. He had to blink several times before he could read the angry words.

"No, Your Highness. That… I will do whatever you ask." His voice broke and the stone almost fell out of his hand.

Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down.

"The Demon King of Salvation will be heading to Ruisur's capital soon. Alone."

He could see that this information pleased his interlocutor. He hurried on. "There'll be a festival. It will be the perfect time to attack him."

Baron Han Myungoh closed his eyes in sorrow. He knew he deserved no mercy, but he would sell the Demon King of Salvation to his enemies in order to save his  little girl.

It was worth the price he was offered.

****************

Yoo Joonghyuk had spent the last few days in the library of the castle. This was already very unusual and made his guards whisper, but his behavior was becoming increasingly strange. And impatient. He lost his patience very quickly or seemed often lost in thoughts. His pupils saw him often secretly disappearing to receive the mage's messages.

He always carried the rare blue stone with him, if not always visible. He had attached it to a silver chain, the edge of it could still be seen peeking out from under his shirt as he returned to his room with a pile of books. Kicking the door open, he went to his desk to put the books down. A few letters and old documents slipped out and tumbled onto his desk with a rustle. 

In the last weeks, Yoo Joonghyuk had tried to gather everything he could to learn more about the demons of the West and East. As well as about their war and their history. He wanted not only his empire's view of the past but hoped for more useful information that would not only tell about the heroic deeds of his ancestors and glorious battles. He wanted information about the life, customs, politics, and economy of the other realms. All of this was done  to understand the enemy and find out what the demons were planning.

No matter how many times they captured demons to interrogate them, the bastards either killed themselves or were bound with spells that killed them before they could reveal anything useful.

It was frustrating.

His eyes fell on another item on his desk. 

It was also a book but wrapped in fine, colored paper. Finding that book had been harder than chasing down demons. In the end, he even involved Lee Jihye and Kim Namwoon in his search. The two young knights had cursed the prince’s order, but in the end, they not only searched the capital but every small and large bookshop in the next town. Until they had successfully brought the book back to their prince.

As if just the thought was enough to summon the mage, the dokkaebi stone lit up beneath his shirt. He pulled it out and after reading the words, he almost hastily left his room. The palace guards gave him startled looks, but the crown prince didn't care. He started running.

Suddenly, Lee Jihye appeared from a corridor. His pupil’s face brightened when she saw her master. In her hands, she held a box with the logo of one of the most popular tailoring shops in the capital.

"Master! I picked up your commission-” she didn't get to finish her sentence as Yoo Joonghyuk just walked around her and left her standing in the corridor. Lee Jihye cursed as she stared after him, clutching the box to her chest.

Impatiently he took the shortcut through the third wing of the castle. There was a balcony that offered an excellent view of the inner courtyard and below was the training ground. It was early morning and the knights were training. Not that it bothered him.

Yoo Joonghyuk's hand touched the parapet before he braced himself and jumped. Effortlessly and unhurt, he landed several meters below the balcony. He whirled up sand, causing startled shouts as the knights and royal guards stopped in their movements.

"Shit", he heard Kim Namwoon's trembling voice. Out of the corner of his eye, Yoo Joonghyuk saw his young bodyguard standing beside him, bow in hand, clutching the material tightly. "I thought I was going to die."

Without giving the white-haired boy another look, Yoo Joonghyuk stood up and brushed the dust off his black trousers. Ahead of him appeared Baron Lee Hyunsung, clad in training armor, dented and scratched. He frowned, but his tone was almost pleading as he addressed his prince: “You promised me not to use that shortcut again. What if something happens to someone?"

"Then they shouldn't be part of the castle guards if they can't react quickly enough," Yoo Joonghyuk replied coldly, before grasping the blue crystal with one hand that was now hanging in front of his chest. 

He waved his other hand. "Go on."

With quick steps, Yoo Joonghyuk left the training ground and ignored the looks that followed him. He had one goal in mind and that was the main gate of the castle. The castle itself was surrounded by a large lake, picturesquely reflecting the century-old building against a blue almost cloudless sky. A white bridge spanned the lake and led to the shore. From the founding of the castle and the capital Dreamsee , the city had grown around the sacred lake until it took up the entire valley. The castle had also continued to expand until it reached its current size and splendor.

Yoo Joonghyuk rushed across the bridge. The wind ruffled his hair as he passed by servants and soldiers, eyes on the far end of the bridge. It was thanks to his superhuman speed that he effortlessly covered the distance and reached his destination without fatigue.

The white, familiar mage's robes appeared before him, half-hidden by guards blocking the mage's path and arguing heatedly with him.

The young mage looked just as the crown prince remembered him. Straight black hair that fell over his narrow, noble face. He was still worryingly pale, but as he argued with the guards, his cheeks glowed a soft red. In his hand, he held his staff. The light refracted from the milky-white crystal at the top of the weapon, making the quartz shimmer like the water that surrounded them. At his feet lay a pouch containing the magician's few belongings. As expected, the man had traveled light. That's what Yoo Joonghyuk had expected.

However, he also doubted that the mage from the eastern demon realm knew their festival attire. Though the crown prince had already taken care of this problem. He had prepared clothes for his guest.

Briefly, Yoo Joonghyuk smoothed down his black shirt to make himself a little more presentable. Then he effortlessly pushed aside the startled guards and leaned menacingly over the petite mage in white.

"You're a week early, mage."

Kim Dokja looked at him with wide eyes. Yoo Joonghyuk had forgotten how long the dark lashes encased the mage’s intelligent eyes and made them shine. 

Immediately, a cheeky smile appeared on Kim Dokja's softly curved lips. And for the first time in months, Yoo Joonghyuk finally heard the mage speak with his silver tongue again: “Your Highness. What an honor that you greet me personally. I hope you'll excuse my rudeness for being early to an unknown festival rather than late."

In response, Yoo Joonghyuk just grunted before casting a dark look at the guards. They immediately moved back and bowed deeply to the crown prince, who stepped closer to Kim Dokja. He wanted to grab the wind mage and throw him over his shoulder before Kim Dokja could disappear once more.

As if Kim Dokja had read his mind, the mage gave him a suspicious look before taking a few quick steps onto the bridge to show he wasn't about to run away. Satisfied, Yoo Joonghyuk followed him and led him across the ancient arched bridge. They passed the statues that stood like guards on the bridge piers, looking down at them. It showed heroes of the realm who still watched over the royal family and people.

"I hoped to find a good inn, but there is no room left because of the festival," Kim Dokja said. He sounded a bit annoyed and Yoo Joonghyuk suspected that this was the real reason why the mage had arrived in the capital so early.

"It's not necessary," Yoo Joonghyuk said as they entered the castle's courtyard. He felt the questioning and puzzled looks on himself and the mage in white, but as soon as he looked in the direction of the curious guards and servants, they quickly averted their gazes.

"What?" Kim Dokja frowned in concern. “Should I just sleep in the streets? Cities are more dangerous than the wilderness. I can't do that."

Yoo Joonghyuk snorted. His hand rested on Kim Dokja’s back. His gaze swept over the small mage, who seemed even more delicate than the last time he saw him.

Did he eat enough? He looked tired. How long had he been traveling?

Had he known that Kim Dokja was coming earlier, he would have had the chefs prepare something to eat.

But now he would cook something for the mage himself. In the meantime, Kim Dokja could take a warm bath to not get sick. It had been cool and rainy the last few days. The  warm water would also please his tired limbs.

"You’ll sleep in the castle."

Kim Dokja stopped immediately. His muscles tensed under Yoo Joonghyuk's hand. Wide-eyed, he looked up at the crown prince, his mouth opened  in a cute way as he processed the information. It was always amusing when Yoo Joonghyuk could surprise the oh-so-clever mage.

"What?" asked Kim Dokja again, looking at him as if he had two heads.

Yoo Joonghyuk frowned. His gaze was hard. He would not tolerate any objection.

"I let the servants prepare a room for you."

"Why would you-" Kim Dokja raised his hand as if to stop Yoo Joonghyuk from speaking, but he stayed silent instead. The Crown Prince of Ruisur could see how Kim Dokja tried to understand Yoo Joonghyuk's behavior. “...Your Highness, I cannot accept this. I'll find another place to stay."

"No," Yoo Joonghyuk said.

"Prince Yoo Joonghyuk," the bold mage continued, ignoring his authority, "I cannot accept that. I'll just take the book and stay somewhere else in town."

"No."

Yoo Joonghyuk's hand clutched the mage's white robes.

He had been waiting for him for months.

Kim Dokja wouldn’t escape him.

"We had a deal." Yoo Joonghyuk looked down at him. Anyone else would have trembled in fear at his dark gaze, but Kim Dokja faced him fearlessly. The smaller man was outraged when he heard the next words. "If I give you the book now, you'll leave. You'll get the book after the festival."

The little mage gasped in exaggerated shock.

"What do you take me for? I would never do such a thing."

Liar.

Yoo Joonghyuk could see that that had been Kim Dokja's plan.

"A hot bath," Yoo Joonghyuk leaned closer, his voice dark and soft. He stifled a smile as he saw Kim Dokja perk up. "You can relax and wash off the dirt."

The prince's gaze slid over the mage's dirty black boots. Dried mud clung to them. Dust could be seen on his black trousers and the prince discovered a small leaf in the magician's hair. Only the snow-white robe was clean. That seemed impossible, but Yoo Joonghyuk had a hunch that the garment was enchanted to better withstand the elements.

Carefully he removed the leaf and let it slide to the floor. The mage watched the leaf slide down to the ground, his ears turned red.

"That sounds tempting," Kim Dokja murmured.

"They will give you new clothes and wash yours," Yoo Joonghyuk continued before pushing his body in front of Kim Dokja. He would make Kim Dokja as comfortable as possible so that he would enjoy his stay. Maybe then he would stay longer. "Would you like something to eat?"

Kim Dokja nervously took a step back from the tall crown prince.

"I don’t need anything-"

Almost menacingly, Yoo Joonghyuk leaned closer. Kim Dokja couldn't even look him in the face. "I can cook for you, mage."

Immediately, Kim Dokja lifted his head. His eyes lit up at the idea. The mage licked his lips and pressed his hands over his stomach.

Got you. Yoo Joonghyuk's mouth twitched.

Kim Dokja opened his mouth to reply, but instead, a deep, excited voice cut him off. It was Baron Lee Hyunsung who walked over to them. He beamed all over his face like an excited dog, not seeming like a grim instructor. The crown prince had never received such a reaction from his bodyguard.

"Dokja-ssi!"

"Baron Lee!" Kim Dokja laughed before freezing as the giant pulled him into a bear hug. Kim Dokja's face turned red. He giggled in embarrassment and patted Lee Hyunsung's back. "It's nice to see you again. How have you been?"

"I am fine. I'm glad to see that you are doing well too. You-"

Yoo Joonghyuk had enough. Annoyed, he broke the hug and pushed the knight away from his mage. "Mind yourself, Baron."

The prince frowned.

“The mage has come a long way. He should rest and take a bath first."

Lee Hyunsung blinked in surprise before clearing his throat and pulling away. He bowed to his prince while Kim Dokja assured them that it was okay. But it wasn't okay. At least not in the eyes of the crown prince.

Before the baron could hold them up  any further, Yoo Joonghyuk grabbed the mage's wrist and pulled him away. The baron stayed back as they passed the training ground. Each knight stared at the odd couple. Most have never seen the mage in white, but what puzzled them was the prince's demeanor. Yoo Joonghyuk ruthlessly pulled Kim Dokja on. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the mage waving to Kim Namwoon. The young archer grinned widely before waving back.

They left the yard without further disturbance and walked through the corridors. Anyone who saw them either stopped in confusion or wisely flinched and avoided them. 

Yoo Joonghyuk didn't want any more disruption.

But the next disruption came.

However, this time, by Kim Dokja himself. They were crossing the garden when Kim Dokja stopped. Though not to admire the beauty of the garden. Frowning, he stared at the building that not only formed the center of the garden but also the entire castle. It was a temple with white columns and a black marble floor. The stairs shimmered polished in the light of the morning sun. At the foot of the stairs, on a pedestal, stood a statue. The temple was closed. Only the royal family and priests were allowed to enter the building.

"What is that?"

Of course, the scholar was interested in the temple. However, Kim Dokja didn't seem to know much about their religion. Every child in Ruisur knew about the importance and impact of the dream catchers that Kim Dokja had noticed on their last travel.

Instead of answering, he led Kim Dokja past the rose bushes until they were in front of the statue. It showed a noble figure wrapped in a cloak. The white marble had been created by an artist centuries ago. The coat of the statue fell so elegantly that the folds looked as soft as real fabric. The artwork showed the body of a man with his arms crossed over a sphere. His chin rested on his arms, full lips slightly parted. His eyes were closed as if he were sleeping. Panels of cloth covered his naked body, which was partially exposed by his cloak. Six magnificent wings rose majestically from his back. Four of the wings were made of white marble, while the central wings shone black as night. Each feather had been finely carved out of the stone.

Inevitably, Yoo Joonghyuk reached out to touch the feathers. He knew they were neither soft nor fluffy, but the statue fooled him every time.

Kim Dokja also approached to touch the statue. But his hand ran over the veil covering the statue's head. His fingers slid over the faux fabric before it settled against the statue's cheek. "Who is this? Your deity? Or a saint? A priest?"

Yoo Joonghyuk stifled a smile hearing the curiosity in Kim Dokja's voice. The magician was so inquisitive. Oddly enough, he liked this characteristic of his.

“It’s our god. The nameless god of dreams."

Kim Dokja frowned. Then he hurriedly withdrew his hand. "Oh right. I heard you worship such a deity, but it's the first time I've seen a statue of him."

"He has many forms," explained Yoo Joonghyuk. “Not every portrayal of him is recognizable as our dream god to anyone outside of Ruisur. He’s without substance as he moves between light and darkness. Between dream and reality.”

The mage at his side remained strangely silent. And so the prince continued.

“In the North, he is often depicted in the robe of astrologers. In the paintings of temple ceilings in the east, he is often shown as the brightest star in the starry sky.” Yoo Joonghyuk frowned as Kim Dokja looked nervously from the statue to the temple. “Some call him the first of all dreamers. Others call him the oldest dream. In the western part of my kingdom, especially at the border of the demon realms, he is depicted as a child or youth wrapped in bandages.”

Kim Dokja winced at his last words. The mage turned away as if he could not bear the sight of the statue anymore.

Before the prince could ask, he was cut off again.

Along with Kim Dokja, Yoo Joonghyuk turned around. A young woman approached them. She wore a long-sleeved chiton that covered her narrow shoulders. The light robe flapped slightly in the warm breeze. The clothing was held together with a gold belt around her waist, and she wore gold bangles. Her white hair flattered her youthful face.  

"Lady Lee Seolhwa," the prince greeted her curtly. She was the best healer in the castle and also the personal physician of the royal family. The Immortal Doctor seemed young, but in reality, Lady Lee was already two centuries old. Only her hair indicated her true age. The lady had been in the service of the empire for a very long time - but how she extended her life remained a mystery. Yoo Joonghyuk suspected it had to do with her white magic.

"My prince." She bowed elegantly.

Because of her clothing, which resembled the traditional attire of the Olympus realm that was far behind the eastern demon kingdom, Yoo Joonghyuk suspected that she had performed a ritual. 

She took care of his father since her magic allowed her to approach the terminally ill king without becoming infected. However, she always had to clean and bless his room and servants so that the curse didn’t spread.

Yoo Joonghyuk tightened his hand into a fist.

Eventually, he would find the demon responsible for the curse and cut his head off.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Kim Dokja cleared his throat and bowed elegantly to the lady. Lee Seolhwa eyed him curiously before looking back and forth between Kim Dokja and her prince. “I'm Kim Dokja, a third-level wind mage. And a scholar."

“Oh”, Lee Seolhwa smiled and curtsied elegantly, “You are the talented mage who helped our crown prince in my place. I owe you a debt of gratitude."

“I was paid well. You don't owe me anything”, Kim Dokja smiled, with an amused glint in his eyes, “I hear you have a lot to do. Unfortunately, there are so few white mages in Ruisur. With such a beautiful temple I would have expected more of them.”

“It's an art that needs talent. But the priests are excellent - I heard you also use white magic. Maybe you should talk to them. They could help you improve your skills."

Kim Dokja hid his grin behind his hand. His eyes lit up with amusement. "I'm afraid that even the honored priests can't change my lack of talent, but I'm impressed by the artistry of this place."

Both looked at the statue. Inevitably, the medicus started to smile. “You have a good eye. It’s one of the most beautiful statues in the kingdom. Yet it’s said that the statue in the sanctuary with the true face of our god is unsurpassed in beauty."

The young mage blinked. The wind tousled his hair.

"What do you mean by that?"

Smiling, Lee Seolhwa pointed to the temple's front gate. “The god of dreams has innumerable faces or is often shown veiled. However, in the burial chamber of Yoo Joonghyuk I., there is a statue that watches over our founder. It shows the real face of the ancient dream. But only the new ruler on the day of his coronation is allowed access to the tomb, where he takes his oaths in the face of the founder of the empire and our tutelary god."

All the color drained from Kim Dokja's face. He laughed nervously. "For real? Fascinating."

Yoo Joonghyuk felt ignored.

He put a hand on Kim Dokja's shoulders and squeezed them while leaning over him.

"Come."

This time Kim Dokja listened to him. It almost seemed as if he couldn't leave the garden fast enough.

****************

Sticky black blood dripped from her claws as the towering, mystical beast lay dead at her feet. Her cloak, made of countless white feathers, was stained with the blood of her prey- but she didn't mind. With a satisfied smile, she brushed her hair back from her face and began tying her long, silver-gold hair into a new ponytail.

The area, made up of high mountains and barren rocky ground resembled a battlefield. There were marks of claws and shattered rocks everywhere. It had been a long but successful hunt. She had hoped to control the beast, but in the end, she had no choice but to slay the dragon-like creature.

For too long the monster had been terrorizing the kingdom's inhabitants, killing many citizens. But now tranquility would return to the area - security and peace had been restored. Even if the long hunt had pushed her to the borders of the realm.

She didn't want to imagine what would have happened if the beast had invaded the human realm. Luckily she found out about it in time and went hunting in her ahjussis' absence. Just like him, she wanted to protect her homeland, and also the innocent neighbors of the empire. Humans were so fragile - and a monster like this would surely have stolen countless lives if she hadn't stopped it.

The young woman knelt down to stroke the beast's scaly body. Many powerful weapons could be made from the remains. The rest could be used to make medicine and other magical items.

A light distracted her and when she looked down she saw that the crystal, which was attached to her wrist with a leather bracelet, had started to glow. But it was something else that surprised the beast slayer.

It was a message from the Empress of the Black Flames.

****************

The interior of the house felt more like a butcher's shop than the home of a family of five. None of the family members were still alive. The walls were smeared with blood and body parts were scattered in every room of the house. Furniture was destroyed. Claw marks were visible on the floor and the walls. The father laid on a half-ruined table, his arm twisted unnaturally. He stared at the ceiling with glassy eyes. Lips parted for one last scream.

“The mother, or rather her headless corpse, lied by the cot. The cradle is empty but it’s so bloody that I think the baby died there," Lee Jihye sounded bitter. No matter how many dead bodies she had seen so far, it never got easier. Especially when it comes to children.

Kim Namwoon pinched his nose as he stepped over an arm that seemed to belong to the father. The white-haired man didn't look quite as moved as his peer, but rather disgusted. The smell had been acrid when they entered the house, but Kim Dokja's magic had made it bearable.

It had been this smell of death that had alerted the neighbors. However, no one had heard the sound of a fight. It seemed impossible since the house was in the middle of the capital.

Baron Lee pressed a handkerchief over his mouth and nose as he crouched by the father's body to examine the wounds. “I'm sure it was demons. The tracks are like those we saw on the eastern border.”

Kim Dokja did not contradict. It was no doubt the work of demons that had feasted on the corpses, but they had been powerful enough to use magic to hide their attack on the family. These weren't mere lower demons like they'd been hunting in the east.

Even the crown prince seemed to have doubts. He stood in the middle of the room, turning around to study the crime scene. His hand stayed on the hilt of his sword. His expression was a cool mask, but Kim Dokja could sense his concern. However, it wasn't just because they were staring at a hideous crime scene, but also because the Festival of Dreams would start in four days.

The preparations were in full progress. At the same time, Yoo Joonghyuk ordered to keep the attack top secret. The prince didn't want to risk panic - but thanks to Kim Dokja's research, the demon king knew how important the festival was for the prince.

If anything happened during the festival, his opponents would tear him apart. Superstition was one thing, but the threat of the opposition was another. They would use it to denounce Yoo Joonghyuk’s future rule and blame him for failing to protect the empire. It was the perfect chance to undermine his successful demon hunts and achievements in the east.

Kim Dokja sighed.

Why was he here? Why was he involved in this chaos?

"Are we sure it wasn't the old noble bastards?" Kim Namwoon said suddenly. Kim Dokja was surprised that the young bodyguard was so clever. The prince gave him an annoyed look.

"We cannot rule it out." Kim Dokja joined the boy, his staff in one hand. A white light emanated from the crystal, illuminating the room while simultaneously cleansing the house of the demonic aura that had seeped into the place- alongside with the victims' blood.

The boy with white hair gave the mage a surprised look. Kim Dokja ignored it. Instead, he studied Kim Namwoon's aura. It was darker, although it had seemed normal for the past few days. But as soon as the archer was exposed to demonic influences, he absorbed the energy like a sponge.

That was worrying.

“I'm sure the perpetrators were demons. The building is infested with their dark magic," Kim Dokja continued while all eyes turned to him, "But it’s unusual that they’re so far in Ruisur to the point they could invade the capital. Maybe they had help."

Kim Dokja had seen the rune stones circling the capital. They were old, but the runes on them were regularly renewed to keep the demons out. The city was also surrounded by an old protective wall. Sure, the capital Dreamsee had grown in recent years and the old wall didn't enclose all areas, but entering the city wasn't easy. Also, Kim Dokja could feel the magic in the heart of the city. There was a place of power where the castle and the temple stood. This magical source protected the city. No normal demons could enter the city without help.

"Wow," Lee Jihye grinned while tying her hair into a high ponytail, "You're still sharp-tongued. You don't even belong to our kingdom, but you accuse the leading nobility of high treason. And that they work together with filthy demons. Respect, ahjussi.”

"I wouldn’t be surprised if they did." Yoo Joonghyuk frowned. “Search everything. Whether it points to the demons or a conspiracy, everything is important."

Then his gaze shifted to Kim Dokja, who inevitably shuddered. It was almost as if the prince could see through his disguise. For a moment his eye seemed to gleam golden.

"Will you help us?"

"For the right price..." Kim Dokja smiled. Yoo Joonghyuk just nodded as the teenagers rolled their eyes and got to work. Only Lee Hyunsung gave Kim Dokja a disappointed, almost outraged look.

But the knights didn't know that the mage would have helped them anyway.

Kim Dokja was appalled. And above all angry.

He didn't know what the demon kings in the west were planning, but he was sure that there was more to this attack than just pointless bloodshed. The killings were bad enough, but if this was a political attack on the next ruler of Ruisur ... then it was also a matter for the Demon King of Salvation.

The next day there was a corpse near the market square.

The body was covered in magical symbols, carved into the young girl's skin. It was another terrifying clue, but Kim Dokja wasn't sure what was going on.

The following night, a man disappeared and was found on the shore of the holy lake the next morning. Kim Dokja knew it was no coincidence.

Tired and grim, Yoo Joonghyuk rubbed his face. The first rays of the sun framed the towers of the castle located on the other side of the lake. So close to his home. It must be awful not being able to do anything.

Lee Hyunsung carefully dragged the body out of the water and laid it on the soft earth of the bank.

"That makes it victim number seven," Lee Jihye muttered. She looked pale and shuddered as a cool wind blew across the shore.

Her comrade Kim Namwoon squatted down beside the body, pushing aside the dead man's shirt collar. There were livor mortis in the form of a band around his neck. “Who strangles a man and then throws him into the holy lake? Couldn't he have just drowned him instead?"

"Maybe they just wanted to get rid of the body?" the baron replied, wiping his wet hands on his thick cloak. “We cannot say where the body was thrown into the water or how long he has been dead. Maybe the body floated this far."

Soldiers had discovered the corpse this morning and immediately alerted the crown prince's shield. And the baron, in turn, had informed the prince and his companions.

“But it doesn't look like the work of a demon,” Yoo Joonghyuk replied, arms crossed over his chest, “It looks more like a robbery gone wrong. Or the result of a fight."

Kim Dokja sighed, taking off his cloak and putting it around the shoulders of the freezing girl, who was wearing only a shirt and trousers since she had hurried to the shore. Lee Jihye blinked in wonder. She murmured her thanks and then grinned at her master.

Yoo Joonghyuk's expression darkened.

But Kim Dokja didn't notice any of that. He stopped next to the body and frowned. It was very faint and even a priest wouldn’t have noticed since the traces had been washed away by the water, but....

“... traces of demonic energy are still faintly visible on the victim's neck. Probably because he was strangled.”

Lee Jihye in the background moaned annoyed. "What the fuck is going on? Why do these demons keep changing their methods? We don't even have a victim profile! No murder weapons! No damn tracks! What are they planning?"

"This killing method is also unusual," the baron pointed out, which earned him annoyed looks from the younger bodyguards. Kim Dokja nodded in agreement, but he was lost in thought.

What was going on?

The first family seemed like the typical slaughter of a demon horde. The second victim seemed like a ritual murder. The next victim didn't even seem to belong to the other victims, while the first few murders indicated the work of demons. Kim Dokja didn’t believe it was the noble faction since there were traces of actual demonic energy.

They didn't have much time left. The day after tomorrow was the day of the festival opening. They had to find the demons before they caused a massacre during the festival.

A fly buzzed near his ear.

Kim Dokja jumped and watched as the insect flew to the corpse and began to circle above it. Kim Namwoon tried to shoo it away, but it just avoided him. The wind mage frowned.

The fly settled on the strangulation mark on the corpse’s neck, buzzing.

For a moment, the fly paused, then it rose up, circled the baron and then flew towards the houses. Kim Dokja bit his lower lip. Was it possible that…?

Warm fur tickled his cheeks and when he looked up, he saw the crown prince's noble face. Yoo Joonghyuk eyed him. “You guys can take care of the rest. Lee Hyunsung, take the body to Lady Lee. She will examine it. Kim Namwoon and Lee Jihye, take care of the crime scene. We will interview the victim’s family this afternoon."

The royal bodyguards nodded obediently. Neither of them dared to object or look away as they watched their ice-cold prince wrap the mage in his cloak. It wasn't the first time, but it was still strange to see the proud warrior taking care of someone who wasn't his little sister.

Almost carefully, Yoo Joonghyuk stroked Kim Dokja's pale cheek. His tone changed as he spoke, "I'll make you breakfast. Something warm. And you should take a hot bath. You’re cold."

Kim Dokja swallowed. His skin began to tingle where the prince's scarred hand touched it. It was warm.

He hastily looked away. He had to concentrate.

No matter how strange Ruisur's crown prince acted toward him. It didn't matter. It didn’t matter that he had been given a splendid chamber near the prince's private quarters. It didn't matter that Yoo Joonghyuk treated him to home-cooked meals and even granted him access to the royal library. It didn't matter that he had brought Kim Dokja clothes for his stay.

They had murders to solve and demons to catch. 

But it was hard to ignore the excited tingling in his stomach whenever he looked at that damn perfect face or heard Yoo Joonghyuk's deep voice.

After a royal meal and, a new pair of trousers and shirt, Kim Dokja and the others visited the family. 

Kim Dokja wasn't much help dealing with the family, so he snuck away from the group. The seventh victim's home was not very far from the house of the murdered family. It was in the same neighborhood and close to the market square. It was clear that the attacks were aimed at the center of the city.

Kim Dokja walked past some shops. A lot was going on, the streets were full. People were shopping or working. The buildings were decorated with flags and garlands. Magnificent flowers bloomed in front of the windows. The mood was cheerful and lively. No one seemed to have noticed the gruesome murders.

The city guards had done a good job.

A buzzing distracted him and when Kim Dokja turned his head, he saw a fly. Its body and translucent wings shimmered blue and purple. It did a few laps around his head before disappearing towards an alley.

He had a bad feeling, but he followed the little insect until the alley's darkness swallowed him. His eyes quickly adjusted to the light conditions and when he stepped over some rubbish he almost slipped on rotting fruit. Cursing, he held on to a brick sticking out of the wall of a house.

Growling in annoyance, he went down the dark alley, looking for something strange. He heard the buzzing again and turned his head to see something on the floor.

Kim Dokja got on his knees.

It was dried blood. Someone had written words on the ground with blood. It was the language of the eastern demon realms. The demonic energy in this place was low, almost non-existent. 

The words were even more disturbing. It sounded like a summoning spell, but without the consequences of an incantation.

"I see," Kim Dokja murmured, raising his hand in front of his face. A trace of the demonic energy that had clung to the blood was now on the tip of his index finger. 

A demon had attacked the seventh victim at this place and then wrote these ominous lines with human blood, presumably that of the sixth victim.

The fly buzzed as if to confirm his suspicion and perched on his finger. Right where the demonic energy clung to him like dirt.

“If this is a ritual then they have split it into several parts so as not to make it too obvious. Or..." the Demon King of Salvation murmured, "... the being they wish to summon is so strong that it needs more time and preparation."

It tickled as the fly ran down his finger. Kim Dokja smiled.

"Thank you for your help," he whispered in a soft voice, "Give my thanks to your master."

Now he knew what he had to do. It was time for a trap.

****************

"That's a stupid idea."

Kim Namwoon looked around. The sun had just set. The lanterns lightened up the night as they walked through the empty streets. Kim Dokja sighed. The nagging was getting on his nerves, but he had agreed to team up with the archer on purpose. He wanted to keep an eye on him.

“They need one last sacrifice. If I am correct and they want to summon something, then tonight it will happen."

“And we're playing the damn bait for a demonic blood sacrifice. That's the stupidest thing we've ever done." The boy gave him an annoyed look. He wore a threadbare traveling cloak to hide his twin blades underneath. "Apart from this …"

Kim Dokja felt his skepticism and contempt.

"... you're a shitty bait."

The demon king was getting a headache.

"How so?"

“We should use a pretty girl. Instead, I walk around with an ugly ahjussi. The demons just take one look at you and run away."

Kim Dokja snorted.

“I am a white mage. Demons think I'm a treat. All I have to do is show some magic." To clarify, Kim Dokja raised his hand, small sparks of light rose and danced through the night. “It's like a lure that will lead them to me. Lady Lee Seolhwa does the same while being accompanied by Lee Jihye."

Baron Lee was the support for the other group. He stayed hidden and protected the lady and the young bodyguard from afar.

Slowly, Kim Dokja turned his head and looked down the empty street. Somewhere back there Yoo Joonghyuk was hiding in the dark. The swordmaster knew how to hide his aura. He was the reinforcement for their small group, even if he had clearly shown that he didn't like the mage's plan.

They had been walking through the streets for hours now. And so far nothing has happened. No sign of the demons or  other victims.

"Nevertheless," Kim Namwoon kicked a rock. It rolled noisily across the floor. The brat pouted. “I would prefer a pretty woman instead of an old ahjussi. I don't understand what our crown prince sees in you."

Kim Dokja blinked.

What ?

He opened his mouth to ask Kim Namwoon what he meant when they both heard a scream. Alarmed, they turned their heads in that direction. It was a woman screaming for help. The fear in her voice was unmistakable. They both exchanged a look before running. Trusting that the prince would follow them.

The screams didn't stop. They grew louder and more panicky - but they sounded strangely hollow. As they ran, Kim Dokja began muttering a wind spell. Within seconds his suspicion was confirmed. The voice they heard was a trap. It had been magically fabricated. They were probably the only ones who heard that female voice. One of these demons was able to manipulate sounds. This is how they must have killed the family unnoticed.

"The voice isn't real," he called out to the boy as they kept running. "They want to lure us into a trap!"

"I hate you," Kim Namwoon hissed while drawing his weapons from under his cloak, "And I hate this stupid plan!"

They reached an alley. Kim Dokja cleared his throat and motioned for the young warrior to follow him. It was a stupid idea to go ahead since he was only a mage and not a melee fighter, but it was part of the plan. Little did the enemy know that they were not easy victims.

"Hello?" Kim Dokja called cautiously and slowly entered the alley. His staff began to glow slightly, illuminating the walls. "Is someone there? Do you need help?"

He walked on slowly. His eyes searched the alley. But it seemed empty.

Were they in the wrong place?

“I am a healer. I can help you."

A shrill, inhuman sound hit them both. It was so unexpected that for a moment Kim Dokja thought it would rupture his eardrums. The sound was strong, almost paralyzing. His teeth started chattering and when he turned his head it was already too late. Kim Namwoon was on his knees. His eyes were squeezed tightly shut as he cupped his hands over his ears. Blood trickled down his face and his body began to convulse. His blades lay useless beside him.

Damn.

A wind rose and enveloped them both. The spell succeeded. The magically generated sound stopped. It went silent except for Kim Namwoon's curses and whimpers. When the boy felt the enemy's spell stop, he lifted his chin and took his hands away from his head. Blood was running out of his ears and his lip was bleeding.

"What in the name of all demon kings was that?" he roared at Kim Dokja. The latter quickly rushed over to the young warrior, certain that answering was useless. Kim Namwoon wouldn't be able to hear him. He leaned the staff against the wall of the house before pressing his hands over Kim Namwoon's damaged ears. Immediately his palms lit up. A warm light glowed in the dark as he used magic to heal the boy.

Kim Namwoon stared at him with wide eyes.

"Better?" he then asked softly. The boy just nodded and hurried to pick up his weapons, taking a protective stance in front of the mage. Kim Dokja, on the other hand, grabbed his staff. "And to answer your question, I think they have a strong mage. He uses sound magic and curses. But he's no match for me."

Kim Dokja’s eyes darted down the alley and back to the exit.

Where was the crown prince?

“They wanted to weaken us, but that didn't work. They will surely attack us again to prevent us from escaping and to warn anyone. We must-"

Something broke his wind barrier. Kim Namwoon was yanked aside. His body hit the wall. A misshapen creature with sharp claws and teeth grabbed him and sinked its fangs into his shoulder. The boy cried out as the flesh was ripped from his body.

Kim Dokja's staff slammed into the demon's skull. It howled as a ball of light exploded at the same time. The white magic burned the monster’s hideous face and blinded it.

Dazed, the demon staggered away from its victim, only to shake its heavy body. Kim Dokja raised his staff to end it, but as the crystal at the staff’s tip glowed brighter, the light also penetrated  the enemy's cloaking spell. Suddenly they were surrounded by at least a dozen of these demons.

"Yoo Joonghyuk!" he exclaimed. If the prince wouldn’t heroically show up to rescue them soon, they'd have a big problem. The boy wouldn’t survive without help. Only when Kim Dokja revealed more of his power and compromised his disguise could he destroy those bastards on his own.

The crown prince didn’t answer him.

The demon he had just blinded jumped at the mage, bloodied fangs bared and claws raised, ready to rip his foe to shreds. Kim Dokja raised the staff but had no chance to attack.

The demon's skull burst into bone, brain matter and blood.

Shattered by a dragonbone warhammer.

Someone had barged into their fight and within seconds the man attacked another demon. A dark aura reached Kim Dokja before he fully realized what had happened.

"Hyung," he heard a familiar voice as the young man straightened up and slung the heavy hammer over his shoulder. Wild brown hair, but simple travel clothes. Green fireflies flew through the air like shooting stars. Their light casted an eerie shadow on the familiar face as Lee Gilyoung smiled at him. "Don’t worry. I'll take care of these rats. And the human."

Still stunned, Kim Dokja stared at his protégé. He had known Lee Gilyoung was watching him, but he didn’t expect  to see the boy himself here. How did he get into the capital? Why had he come at all?

Lee Gilyoung moved with lightning speed before the demon lord's hammer collided with the nearest monster. Bones cracked as the demon flew into the wall.

The sound snapped Kim Dokja out of his paralysis. He ran to the young knight who had lost consciousness. The wound looked bad, but it wasn't anything his healing magic couldn’t save. Hurriedly, he stopped the bleeding and allowed the tendons and skin to grow back. But the bite wound wasn't what worried him. The color of the skin around the bite mark had changed. It looked purple and grey. Almost like dead tissue. The bite mark remained even after the shoulder was fully restored.

Worried, the Demon King of Salvation bit his lower lip.

Oh no.

Before his eyes, Kim Namwoon's aura began to change. It kept getting darker. Quickly, he put a hand on the purple bite mark. He had no time to deal with the cursed mark, nor the ability to heal it. He would have to deal with that problem later. So Kim Dokja just put a spell on him to slow down the procedure.

"Hyung!", the Insect King demanded his attention by sending him several green fireflies. “The big bastard went in a different direction. He must have heard a different voice than you! My servants will take you to him. They sense a tremendous accumulation of demonic magic in the direction where the prince vanished."

Terror gripped Kim Dokja's heart with icy claws.

If that was true, then maybe there was a female victim after all. Maybe the screams had been real, but they'd only been lured away from the actual crime scene. "I trust you to take care of them, Lee Gilyoung!"

He had to stop it. Before those bastards summoned a high-level demon in the middle of the city.

Muttering a spell, Kim Dokja harnessed the wind, launching his body into the air and then sped across the rooftops. He easily overcame the distance between the roofs with the help of his wind magic. Lee Gilyoung's bugs showed him the way.

Thousands of fireflies had gathered around a building near the decorated festival place. They danced around the building like green stars and were reflected in the glass of the windows. Other fireflies didn't move. They had gathered in the formation of glowing green runes like a barrier around the house.

It was an attempt to disrupt the ritual going on inside. Or at least delay it.

The location of the house was perfect. Presumably, the demonic mage had chosen the place for the last sacrifice, to summon the high-ranking demon unseen and hide it until the next day when the streets were filled with people. 

A camouflage spell was also placed over the house, which became visible thanks to Lee Gilyoung's insects.

Kim Dokja hated that he hadn’t noticed it sooner.

But it also showed him that this dark mage was more dangerous than he had thought.

Taking a deep breath, he jumped off the rooftop. For a moment, he seemed to levitate before his feet touched the balcony. Even the door wasn’t an obstacle when he entered the house - and at the same moment, the damage inside was revealed to him.

The interior space of the house looked like a forest. Black roots had found their way across the floor and furniture, covering everything. The demonic energy was so strong that it would have knocked out a normal person. But Kim Dokja was not human.

He hurried on, following the flow of energy in the roots, until he came to the entrance hall of the house. He stared down the stairs, only to find a dead tree in the middle of the room, bony branches stretching toward the ceiling.

And in front of it was none other than crown prince Yoo Joonghyuk.

More demons lay at his feet. And pierced by the point of his sword hung the man responsible for it all: the now lifeless dark mage.

Kim Dokja paused, a little impressed. That damn sunfish bastard had just single-handedly defeated a high-ranking dark mage. Without help.

Kim Dokja couldn't believe it.

"Your Highness!" he hurried down the stairs and towards the spooky tree towering over Yoo Joonghyuk like a dark omen. The prince kicked the mage's corpse in the chest until it slipped from his sword falling dead to the ground. Then he wiped the black blood from his sword with the dead man's clothing.

Panting, Kim Dokja approached him, his eyes roving over the man dressed in a black. But the prince’s clothes were intact. The only blood he saw wasn’t from the prince. Kim Dokja let out a relieved breath.

Suddenly he felt pressure on his wrist. Yoo Joonghyuk pulled him closer, frowning as he tugged Kim Dokja's hand up and examined it. Only now did the mage notice that his hand was still bloody.

"It's Kim Namwoon's blood - don't worry, I healed him. It was a trap."

Yoo Joonghyuk grunted. His fingers slid over the palm of Kim Dokja's hand. The leather of his gloves rubbed against Kim Dokja’s skin before he held his hand with light pressure. Kim Dokja's small hand almost seemed to sink into it. 

Then the swordmaster pulled him closer with a quick movement. Kim Dokja crashed into him, feeling another hand on his waist. His whole body froze before he looked up at Yoo Joonghyuk in confusion.

What was wrong with him? Was he under a spell?

The prince's lips parted, but Kim Dokja forestalled him: “What about the eighth victim? Where is she?"

"What?"

Frowning, Yoo Joonghyuk stared down at him.

At the same moment, Kim Dokja realized that Yoo Joonghyuk was an idiot. And that behind him, entwined by the roots, laid the last victim. Her life energy had already been absorbed by the dark roots.

Blue fire blazed up. It spread over the branches of the tree like fresh leaves. But the spirit flames burned neither the tree nor the house. Instead, the trunk of the tree snapped open with a loud groan.

Black ether overflowed to the point of manifesting black flames in the nucleus of the dark root.

A pale, bonelike hand erupted from the wood, followed by an arm and huge body- tall as the tree itself. Tatters of a robe waved ghostly, lit by the blue flames. The creature's body left the black tree and straightened up. Blue-purple tentacles protruded from his back like more arms.

"Kamun, der, etur," the high-ranking demon's voice was like a hiss. Yellow eyes stared down at the prince and mage. A grotesque mouth opened under the hood, reminding Kim Dokja of the jaw of a skeleton.

But it wasn't the sight that made him shudder. It was the monster's words.

"Etur...!", it spat out again, its black aura flaring and its tentacles flexing with excitement.

"What is that?" Yoo Joonghyuk pointed his blade at the monster, standing protectively in front of the mage, who was nervously clutching his staff.

"The Warden of the Dark," the mage replied tensely. That wasn’t good. He had hoped to avoid a fight and stop the ritual in time.

"Eture!"

Another impressive wave of black energy rolled over them, but they both held their ground. Yoo Joonghyuk gasped and Kim Dokja was really impressed by the swordmaster's resilience.

"What does it want?"

"Mother," Kim Dokja mumbled, seeing Yoo Joonghyuk give him a strange look.

"It says mother."

"A demon calling for its mother?"

Yoo Joonghyuk frowned in irritation before blocking an attack from the tentacles and then slashing it. The warden cried out as the sword severed his limb with ease.

"No." Cold sweat rolled over Kim Dokja's forehead. The monster was a direct servant of the Demon King of Lust and Wrath. “This demonic species reproduces by impregnating other species with their offsprings.”

Another deafening scream cut through the silence.

"Kalidu!"

Kim Dokja flinched again. The thing pointed a bony finger at him. Shit. "Well ... it's asking us to be a mother."

Yoo Joonghyuk blinked. His perplexed look was almost comical. "What?"

One of the cursed tentacles almost got close to the crown prince, but the next moment the end of the tentacle exploded in a ball of light. "Just don't get it in your mouth!"

“Why should I-”

A tentacle sneaked up on the prince, grabbing his ankle. It knocked him off his feet and pulled him into the air. Kim Dokja cried out in alarm, but before he could do anything, he felt a pressure around his ankle as well. The huge monster dragged them both in the air like mere toys. Another tentacle snatched the staff from his hand.

Yoo Joonghyuk slashed the air with his sword. The magic erupted from the blade, severing a tentacle from a distance that was trying to grab his sword. But there were too many - and the monster had a plan.

It used the magelike a shield. The prince immediately stopped swinging his sword. His eyes widened before more tentacles grabbed him.

Their bodies collided.

Before Yoo Joonghyuk had a chance to cut Kim Dokja free, more tentacles wrapped around them both. The monster wrestled the blade from him while his horrific cries rained down on their ears.

Kim Dokja's cheek rubbed across Yoo Joonghyuk's broad chest. He felt the fabric of the shirt against his skin as the tentacles drew his arms behind his back. Their legs got tangled in each other. He felt Yoo Joonghyuk's leg between his thighs as his own pushed against the prince's.

"Don't move!" Kim Dokja hissed without opening his mouth too wide.

Yoo Joonghyuk grunted and tilted his head back. His jaw clenched and his eyes narrowed. With sheer physical strength he tried to free his arms - even the demonic tentacles had a problem keeping  the prince under control.

Kim Dokja could feel the warrior's body tense. His muscles were as hard as steel, but he was only human after all. He couldn't escape.

It was hopeless.

Suddenly, Kim Dokja smelled something strange. He frowned in confusion before realizing what it was. It was the scent of pheromones. Not only that, the tentacles had begun to secrete a strange clear liquid that was soaking their clothes.

Eyes wide, he watched as the liquid soaked through the black shirt before his eyes ... and witnessed how the material slowly dissolved, leaving the skin beneath intact.

Oh no.

Why were Asmodeus’ servants all perverts?

Kim Dokja gritted his teeth. But no matter how hard he tried. He couldn't ignore the weird feeling.

The slime dripped down on them, soaking shirts and pants. More and more holes and cracks appeared. More and more skin showed as the tentacles rubbed the men’s bodies, squeezing them tight together. 

"Stop moving," he hissed at the prince, but Yoo Joonghyuk didn't seem to hear him anymore. The prince's breath quickened. His broad chest moved rapidly while his eyes shone feverishly. Sweat glistened on his forehead and his cheeks were flushed. But the worst part was the devouring look he gave Kim Dokja.

Shivering, Kim Dokja began to struggle again, but the tentacles only took that as an opportunity to tighten their grip. It grew painful as smaller tentacles climbed up his legs. He felt them rub against the rest of the fabric and his hot skin. The touch caused a tingling sensation that ran through his whole body, feeling the mucus run down between his thighs and ass.

The pheromones in the air were so strong they drove even Kim Dokja slowly insane. It became difficult to concentrate. He knew he could win and break free. All he had to do was transform into the Demon King of Salvation to stop all of this, but he couldn't. Not when he was pressed against Ruisur's crown prince. Though if he didn't do anything, the damn Warden of the Dark would lay his eggs inside them and curse them with his offspring.

Kim Dokja frowned.

Wait, why hadn't the high ranking demon done it already? What did he intend with this weird behavior-

"Kim Dokja," Yoo Joonghyuk's deep voice made him tremble. A soft gasp escaped the mage as Yoo Joonghyuk moved his leg and pressed his powerful thigh harder against Dokja's crotch. His abdomen jerked as the prince bent lower. His lips trembled.

And for a moment, Kim Dokja feared that Yoo Joonghyuk was the real predator in this place.

"Etur!" the warden hissed again. His voice echoed eerily off the walls.

It was difficult to breathe. It was hot. Wherever Yoo Joonghyuk touched him, his skin seemed to burn. Even the cool slime couldn't change that. Kim Dokja tilted his head back, whimpering. Kim Namwoon was right. It had been a stupid idea.

Yoo Joonghyuk leaned closer. His strong shoulders shook before he buried his face in Kim Dokja's dark hair and took a deep breath, his eyelids closed. The prince was out of his mind. He had given up fighting the tentacles, instead he had wrapped his muscular arms around Kim Dokja's slender frame and held him captive along with the monster.

He heard Yoo Joonghyuk speak in a muffled voice. There was a dark lust in his voice that threatened to engulf Kim Dokja as well. "Don't move ... or I can't hold back."

"Pull yourself together," the mage hissed against Yoo Joonghyuk's chest. Not much was left of the prince's dark clothing. Instead, he now felt the other’s heated body under his cheek and a loud pounding heartbeat.

Kim Dokja bit his lower lip. He might have more resilience than humans, but his limit would soon be reached when the Warden of the Dark showered them with even more pheromones.

He could feel the tentacles travel up his inner thighs, sliding almost massaging over his ass. As if they were looking for something. And he didn't want to know what it was. Kim Dokja gasped loudly as he heard Asmodeus' servants giggle. It sounded oddly resonant. The sharp teeth clicked together like bones rattling. It was a sickening sound.

It was enough.

The Demon King of Salvation wouldn’t be humiliated. Even if he had to give up his cover, he needed to save himself and the crown prince. Kim Dokja took a deep breath to concentrate. The magic in his body began to tingle. Ready to be released.

Glass rattled. Wood broke. In the next moment the ritual tree was split in two. The ghostly blue lights started to expire.

A white cloak consisting of innumerable feathers whirled up. A young woman was standing on the thick root behind the warden. Her shimmering gold hair, pulled back into a ponytail, waved in a ghostly wind. Long fingernails seemed like claws as she raised them, grinning, ready to finish off any opponent with ease.

"Ahjussi!" Shin Yoosung smiled happily, before her face froze, as she saw Kim Dokja's precarious situation. And the next moment an aura of dark bloodlust enveloped her. But Kim Dokja didn't know if it was because of the monster or because of the crown prince, who was being pressed against Kim Dokja’s exposed and wet body.

Before he could decide, the roar of the beast master echoed through the building. The last thing Kim Dokja saw was the golden light of Shin Yoosung's magic rolling over the room like a supernova.