A World With/Out Home

Chapter 15: Before (Part 2)

Kyle found himself in a strange hall of gold and red. The high ceiling and lavish banners gave off the feeling of power and royalty, while the long walkway to the throne a sense of inevitably. On top the raised chair sat a single man. The figure looked towards the far off door with an amused smirk waiting for whatever entertainment would come. It was clear he wasn't human with a blood red stone embedded in his chest. His eyes as well shone with a strange light, looking closer to a reptiles than a humans and finally floating past his shoulders were strange golden like wings.

There was only one person Kyle could think of who looked that way but the only reason he'd see him was if he were dreaming. He looked around trying to find the reason. The last he could remember was sitting down beside Lillia as the crew prepared the next stage. Suddenly a strange throb echoed in his chest as the throned man turned his eyes at him. Kyle felt his heart freeze. Could he see him? In the next moment however the devil's eyes flicked back to the door as with a resounding crack it flew from its hinges and crashed against the floor passing straight through him. As it did so Kyle felt his consciousness fade and the dream once more took over.

Estile stood on the other side with her leg still raised from kicking the large work of art, "Oops sorry I thought the hinges would hold."

"Estile my lovely white haired darling," the devil gestured towards her in welcome. "How kind of you to visit."

"Kalvara," she nodded in reply and stepped towards the throne. Each motion of her body while seemingly relaxed was tense and ready for whatever could happen showing not a single gap. "How kind of you to let me find you."

He laughed in his posh tone, "Well how could I refuse when I felt you snooping."

"I'll get straight to the point," Estile firmed herself several metres from the throne. "Are you responsible for what's happening?"

"My, what makes you think that?" the Archdevil chuckled.

"Oh I don't know. An army of shadowy creatures summoned from god knows where hell bent on destroying civilisation, sound familiar?"

"Please Estile, don't tell me you're still hung up about that little spat," Kalvara waved it away as if it were nothing.

"You killed thousands of people and enslaved tens of thousands more." She grit her teeth, "Now tell me, are the demons you're doing? Out of all the Archdevils you were the one who hated the other races the most. It would be just like you to try tear our alliance apart with your tricks."

Kalvara smirked, "Well you have one part right, the whole thing definitely sounds like something I would do. After all as I said to you to before, the one thing you humans do right is calling them sub-races. Just thinking about the tension and fear you're all going through sends a chill down my spine. But alas it's not me this time."

"You think I believe you?"

"Why Estile think of it this way. If I had the power to summon such grand armies you'd have been wrapped in chains the moment you walked before me." He tapped on his throne amused, "The other Archdevils and I have all agreed to stay out of this one. There are things out there that even we'd rather not agitate."

The white haired girl frowned, "Something that even you're scared of?"

Kalvara copied her expression, "I am not scared. It is merely more advantageous to let it lie where it is. Besides it does its work well and why should I interfere if its goals align with my own." A sly smile crept on his lips as he looked down at Estile with a dark longing, "Of course I could be convinced to lend a hand."