Chapter 1
Mt. Hakobe long ago was an active volcano, it oozed lava and spouted rocks everywhere. The local Magic Guild decided to build a barrier between the nearby village and the volcano to make sure everyone was protected. Everyone who lived near it was already used to the sudden spouts of lava and ash, but one day a humongous flame burst forth from its center and the ground shook. The citizens were in panic and the magic guild, despite being strong was unsure of their barrier. They all waited holding their breathe; they knew that waves of lava may burst forth at any moment. But to their surprise out of the billowing puffs of black smoke, a figure came out.
The elders gasped and started to kneel. The other villagers were more hesitant but they too followed their elders. The members of the Magic Guild did not know what to do but upon looking up to their Master who was a native of the Village, they were surprised to see him on his knees.
"Master, Master, why are you on your knees?" asked Erzania, the strongest female mage asked.
"My guild, do as I do. And we will be spared. I beg of you to ask your questions later," whispered the normally jolly Master.
All the guild members then followed suit and waited on their knees for the mysterious figure still covered in smoke and ash.
"I believe it is time," came the heavily masculine voice of the mysterious figure. "I believed your village promised me a tribute. The most beautiful maiden as you said in your oath."
The village chief trembled. "My Lord, Great Demon Lord Dragneel, we thank you for sparing our village from your wrath centuries past. We have been waiting for this day to come and it is an honor for any lady to become yours. As tradition, we shall offer you your trophy. Please accept my very own flesh and blood, my daughter, Hisuily, the most beautiful maiden, with hair the color of Jade and skin as fine as porcelain," the village chief declared, trying to keep his voice powerful despite the overpowering aura of the mysterious being.
The maiden, Hisuily, stepped forth from the crowd, to kneel in front of the Demon Lord. She was trembling and silent tears were falling from her eyes.
The Demon Lord gazed at her thoughtfully. "You are a beauty in your own right, but I have been watching over your village and i have set my eye on another maiden," said the Lord.
Everyone gasped at his statement, all others thought they were safe from being the Demon Lord's woman, it was the village chief's daughter who was raised for this and she was raised to think this was some sort of honor. Only a handful thinks otherwise.
The Magic Guild whose members are not locals was surprised, they know of the legend but never expected it to actually happen. They also waited, curious to see what happens. They knew too well to respect the age old customs of the village that was their home.
"I wish to have the maiden with hair as golden as the sunlight, eyes as brown as the finest earth but contain fire that can rival my own and skin that glows like crystal. She is the most beautiful maiden in my eyes. She is what I require. You gave your oath to give me my tribute. Come forward. Or my wrath will once again plague the land."
No one moved, no one dared to breathe. They were too stunned to do anything. The Demon Lord had to be kidding, there was only person who fit that description and she wasn't bound by the age old agreement. She came from foreign lands, with no family. She was a member of the Magic Guild, one of the kindest, everyone would say.
"But.. But My Lord, she is not of our blood, she is not of the fire village, she.." the village chief stuttered.
"Are you defying my decision?" The Demon Lord's voice thundered.
"Not at all My Lord, its just that she has no idea, she was never trained to serve your Greatness."
"Do you wish your village to be slaughtered? Will you refuse me of our agreement?" He seethed.
The maiden in question could not take it anymore; she did not wish harm unto anyone if she can help it.
"Stop talking to him like he is some insect, he has feelings like you and me. And if you need me, I shall come with you, just stop threatening them. And don't call me some tribute, my name is Lucille, I am a mage and if you wish me to accompany you, I shall, but treat me with respect." She stood up and shouted at the top of her voice. She was scared, but she had to brave.
Her guild protested and some were even threatening to pull out their weapons, their magical auras already seeping out.
"Lucy you can't, its too..," Grayzor, their ice mage tried to say but he was cut off by the master.
"Grayzor, keep quiet. It is her decision. Are you sure Lucy?" He asked teary eyed.
"If I can prevent anyone from getting hurt, I'll do anything." She said with her head bowed down. "I will miss everyone, thank you for taking care of me," she lifted her head and walked toward the feared Demon Lord.
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Hi! This is the first ever story which I would be publishing. I've been writing some some for a long time now just some shorts and oneshots although I haven't been confident enough to publish them.
It would be an honor if you could share your thoughts about this story. If I should continue or nah. Thank you so much for reading!
-RadishBumps