The Demon King And The Hero (Part One)

Chapter Nine: Mao's Problem

A/N: Mao’s chapters are going to be shorter than Nemis’ and Shion’s. At most, there will be about three in the whole book. Too da loo.

Chapter Nine: Mao’s Problem

        A small lean man, covered with a dark cloak entered the room. His gold flecked amber eyes swept across it in waves as if he was looking for something. Turning, he called for a servant he knew would have the answer to his not yet asked question.

           “Where is he?” Deep and raspy, the man asked in his quiet, fear inspiring tone. The servant’s eyes dilated, he trembled and squirmed, the fear emblazoned on his face. His master had told him not to tell this man anything, and that was what he was going to do.

         “Can’t…Tell…You…” The servant squeezed his eyes shut while he waited for the backlash of the man’s anger. When it didn’t come the servant opened his eyes.

           “And why can’t you tell me?” The man asked. His voice was as emotionless as a rock. Regardless, the small servant shivered with fear.

        “He…Kill… Me…Feed…Me…To…Family…” It stuttered. The man rolled his eyes.

         “He will not. Now tell me”

         “He..Left…”The man grimaced. He was more than angry, he was livid.

        “When,” He asked. “And to where?” The servant whimpered and shook his head desperately. Bowing, the servant’s tiny head touched the floor. The man’s arm shot out, revealing thick strong biceps and pieces of  stone and chips of metal freckling his skin.  “Tell me or you can piss yourself while you die.” The servant nodded meekly and the man dropped him. The tiny demon sputtered and coughed, and when he was done, he pointed upward. His movements slow and unsure.

          “He…Went…To…Middle…Realm…Human…World…Lord…” The man sighed and patted the little demon absentmindedly on the head. His metallic fingernails glinted in the fire light.

    He sent the Demon servant off and walked toward the only chair in the room. Ornate and gilded with gold, abundantly peppered with precious stones, it was a mockery of his lords true excellence. He had to laugh at it, the farce only a false king could come up with. It hadn’t been his idea, or even his majesty’s idea, but rather the usurper before him.   

        He stared indifferently towards it. His majesty was the only demon king that mattered, neither the father nor the false king were contenders for his devotion. His liege was powerful and strong. He earned the respect of others, he earned his place.

        How he remembered when he found him wandering the human realm as a child. How overjoyed he’d been. The poor kid, his new lord, would never tell him about his life before they’d met, but it mattered little. He took care of his liege, training him, cultivating the power inside his young lord.

      He chuckled softly, remembering the many times he had to shove food into the younger demon’s mouth to keep him quiet. Even back then the Demon King had been a handful. 

       Only a month had passed since he’d left the palace on behalf of his king. Only a month and his liege had somehow vanished. He sighed again. 

      When is he going to stop playing these games…He asked himself, annoyed that he hadn’t come back sooner. He called for another servant and ordered him to pack for a long journey. He sent for a third and waited patiently. The servant arrived quickly and he hand it a bag. 

       “Take this to Ookami, tell her to care for it. I have no idea how long it will take for me to bring our master home this time. Tell her farewell.” The servant nodded and bowed.

        “Yes, lord Mao.”