"So what did you two plan for?" her voice reverbed within the nearly vacant castle. Beside the demoness, was the downcast and dour face of her partner. He almost completely concealed himself within his arms as his head rested against them. He sat there and leaned on the edge of a table like a burnt-out schoolboy. Softly before Amon could even think of a response, he felt her fingers dance along his thick mane. It was then his brain had turned to jelly, making any further thought nearly impossible. He focused on the sensation allowing it to consume and ease his whole being. The action had relaxed not only his body but his jaw as he, at last, found the words to speak.
"I don't know, I don't think we have the same opinion when it comes to tactics. For now, he said we'll work on training and build onto the plan from there."
Nike's expression crinkled as if detecting something foul, "Good riddance. If he wants to make a plan with us, then he better get to it or else we can just take matters into our own hands."
Amon lifted his head with an everlasting gloom, "Yes, if it ever came to that severity. I'd rather not have to take on this task on my own, but I suppose if I had to…"
He shrugged his shoulders sitting back in his chair as if physically attempting to release the strain he felt.
"You'll never have to do it alone," she placed a warm hand on his shoulder. He responded silently as he took that hand in his own, turning it over to leave a soft kiss. A smile bubbled up to her eyes as she nestled into his neck dotingly.
The pleasantness of the moment was not allowed to last as the sound of heavy steps invited themselves inside. A knock followed and soon after the frame of the familiar demon came into view.
"Greetings mighty Amon, I must say it is a surprise to see you again," the deep voice bounced within the castle chamber.
The crimson demon's brow furrowed, "Kiam?"
The dinazo nodded his head. He had a sharp expression that remained idle on his face, even in his friendly attempts.
"I have come to escort you both to the celebration, come there is little time. Much of our leisure events have been eliminated due to circumstance, so you should be most honored by our offering, even if it is small."
The couple followed him out of the room, keeping as composed as possible. Kiam had a way of hiding his emotions with composure and Amon could tell this instance was no different. The green devil had hardly looked at him let alone made eye contact. The beastie wasn't sure exactly the reason, but there were a plethora of things to choose from with his background. He simply couldn't care.
The sound of mild chatter began to stream down the halls, becoming ever more present the further down they went. A streak of light split the stone floor, originating from a creek in the doors of the grand hall.
"The festivities are inside, make yourselves at home. There are plenty of demons eager to meet with you, Amon," Kiam spoke in business as he thrust open the doors. The enchanting glow of flames greeted Amon's eyes as he and Nike took their first steps inside.
Once inside everything became incredibly still, almost unnaturally still. The couple took each other's hands as they remained where they were with every pair of eyes locking on them.
"It's Amon!"
"At last he's come back for us!"
"I always knew he would!"
The floor suddenly exploded with good cheer from all around. They soon began to swarm and incase the two, looking them over as if they had just manifested there from thin air.
"This is incredible! The great demon has returned. I always believed you would, no matter how much everyone else doubted!" the voice of one demon rang out over the others. With a turn of his head, Amon could see this small demon had squeezed his way to the front.
All of them climbed over one another to get a closer glimpse. Much of it was overwhelming, to say the least, but the worst of it all was the implications. According to their comments, Amon could only assume the fear and woe he had sewn from his past actions. His face contorted, with the guilt that welled up inside him.
"We can all rest easy now, knowing you're here your greatness."
Amon wanted to drift away from it all, and disappear from that moment, that feeling. He knew there was nowhere for him to go though. Therefore, the beastia did all that he knew how, he lifted his head and faked prestige.
"It is an honor to return to you all," he bowed his head and pushed his way through the crowd, bringing Nike with him.
Once well enough away, the demoness could see his attention was pinpointed to the limited reserves of alcohol in the corner.
"I'll be right back," he said in a hurry.
Nike wasn't surprised, any remedy for the stress he was under was understandable. She sighed and lingered behind allowing him to obtain the relief he so desperately sought.
"So Nike, after all this time. I can't believe I'd ever see you again," the venomous voice chuckled at her back.
The witch sunk the moment the sound touched her ears. She took in a long and bountiful breath, mustering every bit of strength she could before turning around. The frame was just the same as always. The harpies white feathers caressed her skin beautifully and her head held high with an unwavering sense of pride.
"Me either," she replied disinterestedly. The demon bird smirked at her contemptuous manners. She was just the same as Sirene had always remembered.
"So tell me, for old times' sake, how did you ever find our beloved Amon? I've surely missed him. I know we've had our scuffles in the past, but I must truly thank you for returning him to me."
Nike felt her heart nearly skip a beat as her face morphed into an undeniable look of shock and disgust.
"What are you talking about? He came back on his own after your holy lord went and found him. And what do you mean return him to you? He's not your pet, he's here for the sake of all demons."
Sirene got a feverish look in her eye as she glared at the opposing harpy. A wicked smile creased her delicate features.
"Oh, don't you know? Why Amon and I are engaged to be mated. It was all sorted before he ever even left," the angelic demoness cackled.
Nike's features slightly rose in a state of shock. She kept her reactions as well contained as she possibly could. The last thing she would want is to grant her counterpart the pleasure of seeing her perturbed. Surely this was a meaningless threat. Perhaps at once, it was true, but Amon had changed since then, he had changed with her. The witch reined in her features, glossing over the wench before her carelessly.
"Hmm, how unfortunate…"
Sirene's smirk only grew as she gazed down at her primmed claws.
"Yes, I sure do hope you didn't have other plans. I'd so love for my old friend to attend such a wondrous occasion."
"I couldn't imagine how it could be so wonderous."
Sirene's brow perked suspiciously, staring at her from only the corner of her eye. Her nose wrinkled as her lip turned up.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Well, how could a mating be so wonderous without its groom," Nike couldn't help the smile that spread at the corner of her face. Seeing the fluster of the demon bird's perfectly groomed feathers brought delight to the witch. She enjoyed every subtle reaction her rival battled to hide. "Amon certainly won't be there, he wants nothing to do with his previous life," she further approached Sirene, steadily putting one talon before the other. "He wants nothing to do with this thankless glory, he wants nothing to do with this façade of righteousness, and he wants nothing to do with you!"
Nike was nearly a finger length apart from the shuttering demoness. If she could hand her old opponent one thing, she truly never did back down, even if she was caving from the inside.
"You vile witch, you've poisoned his mind with the same toxin that contaminated you!" Sirene barked shoving the other demon away from her. She stomped away from the encounter with a rugged face but did not go so far away as to not add one last comment. "You may think you have a hold on him, but the passion between Amon and I still runs stronger than ever. You'll see, one day when I get the chance again, he'll choose me. There's no force out there strong enough to keep us apart. Not even you!" she smiled sickeningly.
Nike watched her flip around as elegant as ever, despite her crazed mindset and stormy steps. There were many things she could have said but choose against them. Her features were stiff as she stood there feeling almost sorry for the lost demoness. Not much time passed after that did she hear the clomping footsteps of the beastia come up from behind her.
"Sorry about that I really needed a little something," Amon returned sheepishly. "I got you some too."
The witch glanced over to see the offering he held out to her. It took some moments, but her body soon reactivated as she graciously took the beverage from him.
"Thank you," she replied quietly.
"What's the matter?" he asked, taking notice of her dimmed demeanor.
"Oh it's nothing," she sweetly lied. A blissful moment of peace somehow snuck its way into the night as the couple enjoyed each other's company without hindrance. In that short phase, they observed the other partygoers, noticing both old friends and foes and commenting on whatever had become of them. In the back of his mind, Amon particularly searched for his dearest friends, his own men that he was forced to send away. Unsurprisingly they were nowhere in sight and admittivity that was probably best given the type of crowd.
The hum of the music was low and had gone unnoticed by the beastia until he felt the sway of Nike lean up next to him. It seemed she may have unintentionally gotten carried away by the underlining tune and spread it across to her partner. The tips of his mouth turned upwards as he graciously took her around the waist. She seemed a tad confused by his sudden gesture and when finally she understood his suggestion, she was even more bewildered. He actually wanted to dance, then and there, amongst this crowd of strangers and possible foes, all while at the brink of war. The shimmer in his eye all pointed to yes, and somehow, she felt all the more delighted for it.
She allowed herself to get caught in his arms, as they slowly drifted together across that stone floor.
"What's gotten into you? You never do things like this," she jested.
He viewed her with a quirk of his brow, "Well you know me, full of surprises. Besides I know you could hardly contain yourself, you practically leaped into my arms first chance you got. I can't blame you though, we both know I'm a magnificent beast," he boasted in a kidding manner.
Nike could hardly keep her eyes from rolling out of her head, though simultaneously she couldn't remove her smile either.
"You are just a piece of work you know that?"
Amon chuckled deeply, "Well, I am a god after all I suppose."
Her head lightly shook with the delicacy of their waltz. A sweet sigh emitted from her lips as the beauty of her eyes beamed back up at him.
Staring at him adoringly, she whispered, "Amon, you're so much more than just a god…"
The look she gave, and the coo of her voice radiated warmth. A sensation that took hold of Amon both heart and soul in a way he could not describe. The only reply worthy of such a sentiment was an enduring kiss the great demon leaned down to share with his love. He cradled her cheek in his hand as the two allowed their lips to embrace. The music and the chatter blurred into the background as their worlds became nothing but each other, lapping in every second they could.
When they pulled apart, Nike rested her head on his chest.
"This is nice, Amon. I don't know what it is, but I just haven't felt right ever since we got here."
"Whatever do you mean?" he questioned, resting his chin against her head.
She mused for a few seconds before finding her voice again, "I don't know. I sense are time might be shorter than we think. That's why this is so pleasing, to have this precious time with you," her head arose to gaze at him.
The beastie was touched by her explanation, but noticeably somewhat puzzled by it. With a shake of his head, he smiled anyway, taking a hold of her chin.
"Oh my dearest Nike, don't worry of such things. I'll always make sure to come back to you, you shall never worry about our time together, because there will always be plenty more."
Her features bloomed with a grin as Amon rubbed his head against hers' soothingly. Nothing more was left to say as contentment filled the gap between them.
All good things come to an end however, and the pair's brief moments of tranquility were broken by the utterance of a familiar voice.
"I don't mean to intrude, but I pray your two's night is going well?" the polished ring of Satan's voice chimed.
Nike felt her skin crawl listening to the false positivity. Amon held the same suspicions as he cleared his throat and put on his warmer regards.
"Yes, everything has been going nicely."
"I'm glad to hear it, and you'll be glad to know I've at last settled on my decision."
"Oh?" Amon appeared genuinely shocked.
"We shall be going forward with the plan you suggested to me. I trust a great warrior like yourself will know best for his people. I would be more than honored to humbly assist you," the angel dipped his head. Amon was put into a state of complete surprise gawking at the unusual display before him. It was so unlike Satan to make such a declaration out in the open. Looking to his mate, Nike too was having a hard time buying the prospect.
"You mean you actually think it's a good idea?" Amon asked with a knitted brow.
"Why of course, at its core it's solid, a little bit of ironing out should do the trick and get it all streamlined," he reassured.
The beastia could hardly believe his ears. He felt a flush deep in his gut, an untrusting and unproducible experience, but his mind pushed it aside as much as possible. This was exactly what he had been hoping to hear, everything that would make his life that much easier, and yet this unbenounced stir within him spoiled it. He forced it away, wanting to have all of this taken care of and accounted for with no further hindrance.
Sharing a glance with his Nike, who appeared even more unrested than himself, Amon compelled himself on. Looking back over the angelic lord.
"I'm glad to hear it. Shall we begin preparations immediately then?"
Satan smirked, crossing his arms in confidence, "Finish up that drink of yours and begin at the training grounds. Your mate has a chamber set up if she would like to rest there instead. I have an errand to attend to myself, but I will be down to meet you there briefly, Amon."
"Um, yeah that should work out fine enough."
"Splendid, I look forward to our next encounter."
Satan turned on his heel, strolling away from the conversation, presumably to the destination he had spoken of. Amon watched him away with conflicting features.
"I'm surprised," Nike confessed. Her tone was so flat it was hard to read, but the great demon knew her intentions were skeptical.
"Are you going to go?" she questioned.
"I suppose I will if I want to get home any sooner," Amon made humor with a shrug. "I know you're probably tired dear, if you want, I'm sure they'll lead you to the chambers Satan mentioned," he said brushing back the feathers atop her head.
A look of consideration dashed across her features, but only for mere seconds as her weariness overrode her judgment.
"You know, normally I'd love to come along but I think for this one, I'll just have to take you up on that," she sighed pleasantly. "But don't you dare do anything dumb, or else I might just have to come after you."
He smiled at the teasing wink she sent him. She had a way of making herself both pesky and enduring. The mighty beast shook his head jovially, before planting a kiss on her forehead.
"I'll see to it," he replied.
"Yes, and don't be too long either, that's an order," she said as the couple was beginning to drift apart in their own directions.
"For you my dearest, I'll be running back to you," Amon declared. He heard her laugh as she became further and further from his sight.
Taking a long inhale he settled himself on carrying on to his next task. He had much he wanted to keep up on and there was little time to waste. It was hard for him to explain, but it felt as though a shadow of apprehension followed him. After what Nike had mentioned and how easily plans were moving, something about it just didn't seem right. He tried to brush it off as if it were nothing, however even in doing this it loomed in the back of his mind.
