Demonheim

Chapter 8

The sentry posted around the World Tree seemed shocked to see her as she emerged from the golden glow. There was an instant pause before a soldier recognized them.
"Lower your weapons! It's the demon lord's consort!"
She dropped on her knees and managed to heave Roy's unconscious form off her shoulder before she herself collapsed in exhaustion and relief.
"Send for medics, get the stretcher!"
The voices grew faint as darkness crept across her vision.
When she snapped her eyes open again she was staring at the bronze coloured high ceiling of the infirmary halls. The warmth of healing magic washed over her, soothing and soft. She wanted to give in and let her eyes closed again but fear would not let her.
A pale white face was staring down at her, flowing golden blond hair rippled like liquid gold around her head, framing a perfect heart shaped face. Innocent doe eyes regarded her curiously.
"You are awake"
The voice was just as she remembered, like soft wind chimes whispering to the passing of zephyr.
"Symphria" she croaked hoarsely. Her voice was crude, sounding like broken glass compared to her's.
"Have you come to save me?" Her voice was pleading.
The figure smiled. The smile of a divine being, able to warm the soul.
"Yes child"
It was the same voice, the same divine aura, it was Symphria who had appeared in her dream many years ago and put her on the path to become a paladin.
"In time"
The goddess pulled away, drifting like the wind till she slowly faded out of existence.
"Wait! Please!", silence met her, her goddess was gone, her absence left a void in her soul that ached to have back, it ached to be in her divine presence once more for it was the greatest honour of all. But gone she was and her next visitor was less welcome.
There was no echo of footsteps. The figure floated through the air to stop beside her bed. Gazing down on her with intense eyes.
"Are you well enough to walk?" Her voice was soft and toneless as always, not like her goddess's. It only brought upon her the frost of winter.
The princess tested her legs, she could move them freely. She rose to her feet and nodded at the petite demon.
"Good, the nurses will prepare you" Dera said.
"For what?" Odiana enquired.
"To meet the demon lord"
"Why?"
"You don't ask "why?" If the demon lord summons you, you heed" was her clipped reply.
Odiana had a sinking feeling, nothing good would come out of this.
"How is Roy?" She asked as Dera led her along the dizzying hallways and up multiple flights of stairs.
"He's been summoned as well, he should be there"
Her eyes widened, "you can't do that, he's badly injured and the dark flames..."
"He has been stabilized" Dera interrupted tersely.
An awkward silence descended on the two. Odiana tried to keep up with the flying demon as best as she could.
"Do you trust him?" Dera asked suddenly.
"What?" Odiana was confused, Dera almost never spoke unless spoken to, let alone take the initiative to ask questions.
The other demon stopped and turned to face her. A plethora of emotions played across her face before it settled back on blank.
"Do you trust Roy?"
Odiana paused to ponder the question. Roy was an arrogant bastard but the last two months they'd spent in the Dark world had revealed a side of him that was usually kept locked away. Roy protected her and stood by her as much as she stood by him. She got to see the real man underneath the fool he pretended to be.
"With my life" she replied.
Dera smiled, on such a beautiful face it should have been breathtaking but it was a ghastly expression on her face. Unlike Symphria's smile. Something feral and sinister revealed itself in that instant just before she waved her hand and the massive doors that led into the great hall opened.
"I hope that trust is not misplaced" was her ominous reply.
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A/N: it's short, I know but the next chapter will be much longer. Please vote and comment. Thank you