The Twin's Downfall | COMPLETED

Part III - Demon World, Demeter

Waking up from a deep slumber was like being yanked up by a fishing hook where you've been floating idly in deep waters and breaking the surface of the water gasping for breath. Surfacing from sleep felt like so – the sounds were muffled and everything was so muddled that it took me a moment to remember where I was.

Oh, I'm back.

I sat up and allowed my mind to recall the things that happened – to calmly access any damage I might have done. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, before I got up from the bed to get something to eat.

There was a muted clanging down the hallway – probably my men were busy making new armour in the armoury and I headed to the mess hall further down on the right where most of the men were currently at.

Seeing me enter, Arzel got up from his seat to give me his report. Hearing him babble about the state of the men, armour and ammunition supply, I stopped walking suddenly and glanced at him as he continued on with his updates.

He paused when he noticed me staring. "Is there a problem, Your Highness?" he asked immediately, worry creasing his features.

"It certainly has been a long time since I've heard you update me on this kind of thing. I miss it," I pointed out with a grin. "Six years is very long in the human world. I am pooped."

Arzel gave me a peculiar look. "You should talk to the men," he said. "You owe them an explanation."

"Okay, bring them in."

I cleared my throat. I didn't understand why Arzel wanted me to speak to the men in the mess hall but I knew that they needed to know what has happened to me, and they deserved to know it too. Honestly, I did not want any doubts in their minds as they fight and work for me. I wanted them to know what has happened to their leader.

"Good morning to every single one of you," I started awkwardly, suddenly feeling exposed to the numerous eyes staring back at me. It certainly has been a long time since I spoken to many people at a time. "I am sure that you want to know why it happened while I was gone and the reason behind my sudden disappearance."

"It is sad to say that the royal family is no more and that they were hunted down by my ex-fiancé Quinn. It is rather disheartening to know that we were betrayed by him but I know he would not do such a thing to us – to me. During my battle with him, I knew that he was being controlled by a powerful demon and one who had the ugly desire to rule our world. It is unfortunate to say that he is my twin brother of whom the presence has been hidden since birth."

Murmurs and whispers spread uneasily across the ranks. I stood firm and understood what they must be thinking. Arzel held my gaze and nodded firmly – owing to his undying loyalty to me.

"I shall not burden you with the knowledge of how my twin brother was separated from me and I shall not indulge of how Quinn fell into his control. However, I shall tell you of why I decided to disappear. It was not an easy task – leaving behind my family to the wrath of my brother and leaving you behind to face the change of the world without a leader. It was a decision made by the King and I had little choice but to flee to the human world."

"I was to live conspicuously and to hide my presence as best as I could. However, it was very difficult in the world where spirits and the other realm intersects often. I was gone for six years but to you, it was far longer than any could bear. I apologise for not being able to inform any of you about my departure as it is highly secretive as we didn't want my brother to know. However, he did find out by accident."

I spread my arms with a grin. "And here I am."

"Are we going to kill your brother, Your Highness?"