The Corruption Within Us

Not Like Before

Scott's Perspective-

Wallis had left early after breakfast to go to The Lost Empire and Gem visited to talk to Scott.

"Why did you call me here?" Gem asked, following Scott to his room.

She had a wand in her hand and a satchel that carried a spell book and journal. According to her mother, she would be able to have her staff once she becomes a good wizard, so Gem was training hard each day. If anyone was able to help him, it would be her.

"I wanted to ask you about something." Scott said, shutting the door behind them.

Gem raised an eyebrow, "What's up?" she looked around, smiling a bit as she saw a llama plushie on Scott's bed.

"I wanted to know if there was a way I could get rid of the demon without hurting Xornoth."

Gem's smile faded.

"Scott, I...I don't think there is."

"There has to be. Please, I can't kill him in the process." Scott begged, tears in his eyes.

Gem sighed, "I- I can look into it. But I can't promise that you'll get the results you want."

"I just need to know if it's possible..."

Gem nodded and Scott sighed.

"I heard my dad said that the demon went ahead and attacked The Lost Empire."

"Wait, but why do you have to take care of the demon? Why can't your dad?"

Scott hesitated, realizing that Gem didn't know the truth about him.

"Well I'm like...chosen to. I was blessed by Aeor." He motioned to his deer horns.

"Wait- are those...real? I thought that was just an accessory."

Scott chuckled, "No, these are real."

Gem gasped and her eyes sparkled like gemstones.

Scott smiled and he spent the rest of the afternoon catching Gem up on everything. She seemed very interested in the matter and told Scott she would get started on researching right away.

Wallis' Perspective-

Wallis arrived in The Lost Empire and his eyes widened as he saw huge tentacles around the main village and temples.

"Finally, you're here." Azar huffed, impatient as always.

"Yes, you said the demon caused this?"

"Correct. I saw him slide across the ground and these appeared."

Wallis frowned.

"This isn't like how he was the first time." Azar said.

"Yes, he seems to have gotten stronger."

"So? What do we do? How do we stop your demon son from ruining my empire?"

Wallis felt his eye twitch and he took a deep breath, trying to contain his anger.

"First off, it's not my son's fault. This is the demon causing this. And on the matter of getting rid of these," Wallis looked up, "I suppose we just try and break it down."

"How."

"Well, it looks as though it's made of corruption which is mostly just plants. I suppose these won't be too hard to get rid of." Wallis said, "Now, please grab me a shovel and we should get started with removing these."

Azar asked a villager to go grab two shovels before turning back to Wallis.

"We could just let some of my people to do it." He said, shrugging.

"Azar, we are their leaders. Sure, they may do most of the work, but we have to deal with this demon to ensure their safety."

"Yes, but isn't my safety more important? I am the king."

Wallis scowled and Azar smirked.

"How about you can do the dirty work for your people, and I'll do what I want?"

"You're not being a good leader for your people."

"Says the one with a demon son."

Wallis growled, "Say that again." He said in a deadly tone.

"Um...my king, I have what you requested." A villager said, holding up two shovels.

"Ah, right on time." Azar smirked, taking the shovels and handing one to Wallis.

Wallis sighed and tried to calm down.

"So? Are you going to help?" He asked.

Azar sighed and looked around at all the tentacles.

"Fine." He said after a moment, "But if this happens again, I'm asking someone else to do it."

Wallis rolled his eyes but didn't say anything else.

The Next Day-

Wallis got an urgent message from Azar about tentacles coming back.

Wallis sighed but decided to go see why he whining so much.

When Wallis arrived, he was shocked to see new tentacles that were bigger and even stronger. They were made out of wood and stone now instead of simple plants.

"How do you fix this?" Azar snapped, looking mad.

Wallis frowned, "We'll have to ask Rose."

"Rose?"

"Yes. And I imagine she won't be too happy with this."