The Demon King And The Hero (Part One)

Chapter Six: Nemis' Plan

Chapter Six: Nemis' Plan

Nemis continued chatting with Errias for a while longer, the both of them talking about various unimportant issues while the demons around him began to grow bored. After a good amount of time, it seemed they'd all stopped paying attention and their own gossip became more interesting than the current affairs of Errias' terrible back pain and his wife's new hobby. 

From the corner of his eye, he could see his aunt laughing, her arms wrapped around Mao, as she talked to Ookami. They all played it off well, but they too could sense what he felt and just as he was waiting for whoever it was to make their move, they were as well. Errias coughed and Nemis turned his full attention back to him. 

"Should I bring you a glass of spirits, your Highness?" He asked, his voice almost dreamy, though his eyes spoke otherwise. 

Nemis nodded ever so slightly. And with that Errias swiftly made his way through the crowd, bobbing between people and searching for the servant he knew to be carrying the drinks. Inwardly sighing, Nemis scanned the room. With a disinterested look, he dared those around him to come talk to him, dared them to bother him. Even though they all had their eyes on him, they all knew he was not to be approached. Only those special to the Demon King had that honor.

It took but just a moment for Errias to return, silver flutes in both hands. Handing one to Nemis, he glanced down at his own and smiled, a fang ever so slightly protruding. Errias winked and drank.

Nemis did the same and lifted it to his lips. 

With bated breaths the whole room watched as he swallowed. Throwing the flute to the floor, he watched as those around him shuddered. 

Quietly, without emotion he spoke. 

"It seems someone in this room saw fit to poison me tonight, would you say the same, Lord Errias?"

Errias still held his flute in his hand and was sliding his finger across the rim, his face serene but his aura was already radiating out of him, seeping  curling black tendrils around them. His anger barely controlled.

"Indeed, My Lord. They also saw fit to poison my glass as well." 

Nemis laughed, it boomed through the room as the those around him began showing signs of barely controlled terror. 

"I was already forced to attend this farce, and someone had the audacity to try and murder me." He looked around the room. The hatred towards him was growing stronger amidst all the fear. "Yet we all know it will take much more than anything any of you can do to make me fall. How droll." 

Waving his hand, he motioned for Ookami and Mao. Within a second she was before him, eyes blazing. Mao had quickly and quietly arranged himself in front of the exit, his own eyes showing no emotion. 

"Lady Ookami, is it possible for you to determine who tried to assassinate me? I fear I must punish them. Its been far too long since I've made an example of someone."

She nodded and took the cup from Errias. Just as he had done, she ran her fingers around the rim. After a second, a faint red spark erupted and lit across the floor. Those in it's way jumped, for fear of being the one it led to.  It didn't take long for it to reach its intended person. Before Mao stood a man in Naimer color, his face seething with fury. Trying to get past Mao, the man was knocked to the ground and pinned. 

Nemis sighed. "Only a fool would try to run from fate." Taking elegant steps towards the demon, those around him parted, breaths bated as they watched to see what would happen. 

Once he reached them, he looked down. Features twisted in a smile one could only describe as pleasure. 

"Speak your name." Mao barked. The man defiantly looked away, only for his head to be smashed into the ground repeatedly, leaving a crater in the floor. 

"And only a fool would ignore Mao." Nemis added gleefully.

The man still did not speak, blood dropping down his brow. Again he suffered the same treatment, the ground below him becoming deeper and deeper with each hit. 

"Speak your name." Mao demanded, his voice sharp.

The man spit and for a third time was pounded into the floor. Nemis waved his hand once more. Looking down at the man with contempt, he chuckled. 

"Mao, stop for a moment," turning, he faced Ribald's direction. Without words he beckoned the lord to him. The hilariously shocked face told him more than he needed to know. "Lord Ribald, this is one of your men, is it not? Look how he wears your colors, surely you cannot deny he is one yours."

Ribald's eyes bulged. He could deny the obvious or he could agree, either way he knew both options would do no good. 

"I...I have never seen him before, but I cannot say he isn't of Naimer. That is obvious." He licked his lips. "Lord, I-" 

Nemis quieted Ribald with his hand, palm outstretched, black and red forming a swirling ball. Ribald shuddered and seemed to shrink. Smiling from ear to ear, Memos lifted an eyebrow. The silence in the room was almost deafening. He could feel Mao release his hold on the barely conscious man and moving to stand a few feet away, knowing his lord well.

Turning from Ribald, he directed his palm to the other Naimerian and released the energy. The resulting explosion drenched him in blood and no longer did the would be assassin have a head. His smile did not leave his face as he turned back to those around him.

"Let this be a warning," Menu waved his hand, as if bored "those who truly try for my life won't be as lucky.  A quick death will not be allowed."

And with that he exited, his night just beginning.