Chapter 24

We had made it back to the top of the City Center where my suite was. Donovan was sound asleep and I was glad to have gotten him out of the heat. I felt hesitant about letting go of Saharin's hand. I couldn't bear to feel the emptiness in my palm again. But without many words, she slipped away and closed the door before I could object.

I lied Donovan down on his side of the large bed. I used a towel from the room to swaddle him the best I could to help him rest. There were some bottles of food still on a counter on the far side of the room. I did not need to worry if he woke up and needed something to eat. I didn't have much more to do than to think to myself, which was a dangerous pastime.

What I heard from Agorith today was something that stirred in my stomach. I felt as those I had something I needed to do with what he said. I knew what I had to do, but a mental block was keeping me from wanting to know. I felt like I was following a path of footprints that had been faded and had no definitive destination. I was hesitant, yet at the same time, I knew what my first step was.

I reached into the satchel. I pulled out a small vial. I went to one of the many cupboards in the room and searched for something. I was able to scrounge up an old soup dish that looked that it was meant more for decoration than anything else. I still brought it over to the edge of my bed and took the small cork from the vial and let a drop fall out into the dish. I quickly sealed it again and put it back in the satchel.

I did my best to remember the spell Ghirahim had taught me. I knew my situation was limited and I hoped this silly little dish would work for what I needed it for. When I finished using my powers, I swiped the single drop of blood up with my index finger and wiped it on the bath of my left hand. I took some deep breaths and felt a cool breeze come over my body. I looked down and saw the now baggy funeral gown deal over my body. The shoulders began to fall and I tried to hold it up the best I could. I began to look for the clothes I had worn into the city. They were nowhere to be found.

My gown was not going to do much good for me in this situation. It would fall or I'd trip on it if I tried to journey out of the room to find out where my clothes went, besides, I wasn't going to leave Donovan alone in the room for any given amount of time.

I carefully drug myself over to the door and looked around the small hallway the led the stairs. There were several trash and laundry shoots around the hall and a ladder that led up to a door on the ceiling which I can only assume would be the roof. The setting sun was stealing the little light left for me to examine the room, but the rising moonlight helped by glimmering on a small brass object next to me. There was a string right outside my door and it was attached to a small bell, but it also led into the wall and out of sight. I reached for the bell and rang it firmly, then closed the door to wait a few moments.

A few quiet knocks were audible and I hurried to answer the door. Saharin had an amused look that quickly shifted to confusion. She probably had no idea who I was at this moment.

"It's me," I assured. "I had to change to my human form but I need your help." Her face looked down at my falling dress and looked as though she blushed slightly.

"I thought you were going to rest for the night." She asserted.

"I was after I finished this, but I can't find my clothes from before," I answered. "I don't remember where I put them and they aren't in the room."

"I took them down to wash and restitch." She informed. "What do you need them for?"

"It's unimportant right now. I just need you to get them for me if you can." I instructed. She nodded in obedience. She turned around and walked out. I sat patiently at the foot of my bed quietly waiting for her to return. Within a few moments later, a quiet knock on the door nibbled at the silence. I walked up and opened the door for her again. However, with how fast she was, I was expecting it to be someone else.

"Here." She handed me the folded clothes and I held out one arm to take them.

"How did you do that?" I asked her quietly. "You can't teleport, so how are you get up all those stairs so fast without breaking a sweat?"

She pointed to a small hatch door in the wall. "It's a pulley and lift. I can take myself up and down multiple floors very quickly. It goes down to the servants quarters and workspaces which can't be accessed by professional staff." The door was small, it looked like it could only fit one person if they scrunched themselves inside. "It was originally just meant for item deliveries between floors, but since I am small enough and can't teleport, I have been using it as transportation too." I didn't realize how small she was for a demon. She was around my size while in my human form, which is by no means small for a human.

"Thank you," I said to her. She must have thought it was for the clothes, but I meant it for the information she just gave me. She bowed her head to me slightly and I closed the door. I got changed into the clothes that property fit me and got into the bed next to my brother. I stayed away from him in hopes not to roll over him. Having little to no sleep over the last two nights was beginning to bear down on me. I had a lot of things to think about and consider. As I slowly began to drift asleep I felt my eyes close and then I remembered something important.

I shot up in my bed and remember I still owed Lanayru a visit after him helping me. When I turned around I noticed Donovan was not next to me anymore. I began to panic and thought he might have rolled off the bed, but that's impossible for a baby his age.

"Good morning sleepy head." A voice hummed from the other side of the room. My sense of perspective was not right at this moment. Good morning? I scanned the room and saw Saharin holding Donovan and feeding him a bottle. My stomach felt tense and I wanted to scream.

"I was awake just a second ago, how is it morning?" I accused.

"I don't know, you were dead asleep when I came to bring you breakfast, I was worried because Donovan was crying quite loud next to you. So, I fed him his bottle and let you rest since I could not wake you up when I tried." My heart was pounding. I must have been so tired I didn't even notice I was asleep.

"Do you mind giving him back to me." I barked. She looked panicked by my harsh tone. "You don't get to touch him,"

"I-I'm sorry, my lady." She whimpered and brought him over to me and placed him in my arms. He began to stir and whine until he broke out into tears. I realized what I had done. Saharin was gathering her things and looked very hurt by my rudeness and was ready to leave.

"Wait." I hollered, "I'm sorry that was out of line, you can hold him again, I'm just on edge and very protective." I felt bad seeing her look so upset. We were both just beginning to trust each other.

"My lady, I am sure that you can use your space." She defended, but I shook my head.

"I have to leave and run an errand." I blurted.

"I will send for an escort into town-" She didn't seem to understand.

"No, I need to leave the city, I would like to take you with me." I offered. She didn't seem excited or tempted in the slightest. She just shook her head slightly.

"My lady, I don't believe that you will be permitted to leave so soon. The City Center staff and servants have been instructed to keep tabs on you at all times and not permit you to leave without permission from the prime minister."

"Well, I can just go ask." I shrugged. She shook her head again.

"He will not permit you to leave, he will especially not permit me to join you as well." She denied.

"I am the demon the Lady I can just tell him-"

"My lady, while your title did hold value, but it still does not overthrow the power of the prime minister. He lets you believe you have power for the sake of show and his benefit. He still has tried to dictate everything you do to some degree. As far as power, he has it all. He doesn't want to give it up."

"Ok, then we'll just leave so that way-"

"He will not allow that. We can't leave the city... but I can help you escape."

"What about you? You wanted to see the rest of the surface all of your life." I argued. She smiled and didn't seem to mind.

"If I am caught trying to escape again I will be killed. But I know a way you might be able to get through and I can remain here."

"What is that?" I asked. She genuinely cared about making sure I got out. And a part of me realized I wouldn't be returning if I left the city. It would be best for the people if they learned to have faith in their own elected leader, and not someone they have no control or say in. Being a model for people to respect is too much pressure for myself, there is no way that I could live the rest of my life here trying not to mess up or create a bad representation for the honorable person they believe Ghirahim to have been.

"You will need to exit the City Center without the council members seeing you. They will insist on escorting you and they will not let you leave."

"So how do I leave without a single person noticing me?"

"You don't need no one to notice you, just not people who hold authority." She grinned. I didn't get her point but she grabbed my hand and led me out of the room. I held tight to Donovan and followed her. "I will guide you out, you just need to get down to the servant quarters." She giggled as she pointed to the lift that she used last night. She opened the hatch door and a small compartment that was no wider than a crate sat empty. She pushed me slightly to encourage me to go inside. I crawled in and cradled my brother so he would not be disturbed by the uncomfortableness we were in. "There is are two ropes to your left. You need to control the direction you go in but pulling one or the other. You need to go to the bottommost floors, so do not get out or be seen until you can not move any further down. When you are there, I'll pull it back up and meet you down there." She seemed excited about the adventure we were about to go on. It gave me similar feelings to the risks that Mable and I took to sneak out at night to meet each other.

"Wait, I need the satchel that's in my room before I leave," I told her. She nodded and closed the door on me. I waited quietly as she went to go retrieve it. When she walked out I heard an extra pair of footsteps walk around.

"Where is the lady?" Argorith's voice questioned her. "Is she in there? Why do you have her items?"

"Your honor, she went for a walk around the Center to explore. I do not know where exactly she went, she asked me to retrieve her items though; I was just about to go hunt her down." Saharin lied. Argorith groaned in annoyance.

"You have gotten awfully close with her very quickly don't you think?" He complained. "I suppose like minds think alike."

"Well, I was very close to the lord when he was residing here as well, perhaps it is in her blood to trust me." She excused.

"Yes, well we all know how close you and our lord were, none of us forget that." There was a pause of silence. "However, you are good with your work and you honor the divine blood well. I will praise you for that."

"Thank you, your honor."

"Come, let us go fetch the maiden, any clue what direction she may have wondered?"

"No, sir. I was hoping to find her quickly, I have many duties to finish up before she returns. Her laundry must be pressed down in the quarters in ten minutes." She added a bit of emphasis on her last sentence. It was a signal for me to follow.

"Understood," I heard the footsteps fade away down the stairs. I let out a loud sigh. Donovan had fallen asleep again in my arms, I had to be gentle while pulling the rope. It brought the crate we were scrunched in down the shaft. I saw many doors pass us. I lost count after twelve or so. All I know is that I was not prepare for the forceful slam of the crate hitting the last floor. It hurt my head as I bounced upward and slammed it on the top of the box. Donovan awoke and erupted in a loud cry. I heard many whispers outside the door. I used my foot and gently pushed it open. There was a big, musty workroom with hundreds of demons working and relaxing among themselves.

The floor seemed to be split between a living space and a working space. I was on the working space filled with large laundry cauldrons and fireplaces. There were so many different trades being practiced including blacksmithing, cooking, carpentry, and so many more. The living half had several layers of hammock cots that stacked over themselves. Many were already asleep in them, but more were empty. A few children sat on the floor or at small tables with card games or checkers. Some of the older people had books or notebooks they were using. It was in all honesty, an entire city below the city.

"Excuse me, but who might you be?" A nasal voice asked me as I began to step out and examine my surroundings. I looked over at him and was a bit surprised to see a greenish tinted demon who was hunched over slightly and only had one arm.

"I am the Demon Lady, I was told to meet Saharin down here in ten minutes," I explained. He seemed to be irritated as soon as I said her name.

"That child is truly a rambunctious fiend. Her daydreams and status interminglings are truly going to get us all into trouble one day." I didn't think of Saharin being a kid. There was a lot about her I didn't know, I suppose I never asked her either. As for now, this demon didn't even seem phased by my form or that I was practically royalty to him. He just huffed to himself. "I would offer you a comfortable place to sit as you wait, however, I don't want that little one waking the night shifters." He bickered. I continued to shush Donovan and try to calm him but it wasn't doing much good for the moment.

"I don't need a place to sit, I can stand, I just need to be where Saharin can find me." I insisted. The demon grumbled to himself In response.

"You are as difficult as they come." I felt a bit offended by this at first however I took a second thought. I wasn't in a mental place to truly become angry. I still felt so empty and all I wanted was for things to go back to the way they were before. I wanted to do anything to bring my parents back. I wanted to do anything to make it right. Everything else was futile. Getting angry at an old demon who probably has better things to worry about than my ass isn't worth it for me.

I studied the area. It seemed sad at first; everyone was being put to work and living underground in a giant castle. But the more I inspected, the more I noticed people seemed happy. There was structure, there was equality, there was a connection with everything. There was no need for status or common unity. It felt like everyone was a big family here, away from judgments. I didn't want a life of being a mascot for people I don't know. I wanted something like this.

"I hope I didn't keep you waiting long." Saharin panted as she ran up to me. She had my satchel and looked exhausted.

"Did everything work out?" I asked her and she nodded.

"We will have to be quick to get you out of here. The Prime Minister did not seem fond that he could not find you. He will have someone aura track you soon enough." She explained and grabbed my hand. She took me to a large gate that led to a dark tunnel. This area was much larger than I originally thought. "I will follow you to the end of this. You will be on your own from there." She explained as she opened the gate and began to walk down the damp dim tunnel.

"I understand. I don't want you getting in trouble." I stated while following her. Donovan was calming down and falling asleep once again in my arms.

"As far as they know I am just following orders. I would be in more trouble if I wasn't." She huffed. It was difficult to see the end of the hall. It must go in a long way. We walked for several minutes in silence.

"I didn't realize you knew my father well." I sparked a conversation.

"I didn't realize you heard all that." She sighed. "I used to serve your father as I did you."

"How old are you?" I inquired to understand a little further. "You said you were pretty young."

"I am young. I'm seventy-seven. I'm less than a century." She seemed insulted by my questioning. "I looked up to your father, he was very close-" she interrupted herself to change her sentence. "We were very close." She finished.

"That's good, I wish I had that luxury," I responded. Something was bothering her.

"You are a lot like him though, my lady. You are much kinder and wiser than he was." She meant what she was saying and it meant a lot to hear it from her. The tunnel was getting dimmer and damper too. I walked close to her and grabbed her hand, intertwining our fingers and squeezing it tight. She squeezed back and led us into the dark further and a while, our feet stopped and I felt Saharin's hand drop from mine. Every time she did this it was like a void inside of me opened. I raised my empty hand to gently pat the back of my little brother who was snoring slightly in my arms. A small crack of sunlight appeared right over us. I was finally able to see again, but the light was very bright. I looked over to see Saharin pushing a stone above us out of place.

"This is the end of our journey, for now, my lady. You will need to get out and head up towards the gate you came into the city from. There is an enchantment on the city. You can not teleport between the outside world and the city. You will have to go into the entry threshold and teleport out from there and to return you must enter through the gate again. Please be safe." It was a lot of information but I nodded in hopes I understood. I think we both understood I had no intension in returning anymore. She knelt and I stepped on her leg. She boosted me up and out of the hole. I discretely placed the stone overtop the hole again and looked towards the tall staircase that led back up to where I came in yesterday morning. The hot sun was beating down on me and I tried to block it from Donovan's face.

It was much more exhausting going up the stairs than down. But luckily I reached the stop where the grand doors and many stain-glass windows glimmered and gleamed down at me. Two guards were standing ready in front of the doors.

"State your business, human." They spat in unison without making eye contact.

"Excuse me, forgive my disguise for walking about the city, but I am the Demon Lady." I snapped. They seemed a bit shocked at first.

"Our apologies, our lady." They apologized. "Please state your reason for visitation."

"I need to head inside real quick." I tried to push past them and through the doors. But they readied their weapons and did not let me through.

"We are sorry, our lady. However, you need explicit permission to enter the threshold." I groaned to myself.

"I give myself permission," I argued but they did not move. I knew that what Saharhin said what right, I had very little political power. Out of pure irritation and frustration, I decided I was done dealing with them. I used my power and swiped them away and down the stairs. It took a lot of energy because I could tell they were resisting and were very powerful. However, I gritted through with some determination and I won the battle. They fell forward several stairs onto one of the platforms. I pushed open the door and more guards seemed surprised by me. I turned to see the guards I threw running back towards me and I quickly snapped my fingers and disappeared.

I reappeared in front of a great skeleton that was too familiar at this point. I walked up to the same old crystal and tapped it once again. The area lit up with life. The loud coughing of a terrible illness filled the air and I turned to the dragon Lanayru. He seemed a bit please to see me but preoccupied but his coughing.

"A deal is a deal." He laughed through a scratchy throat.

"I wasn't going to not fulfill my end of the bargain. Thanks to you the water helped a lot." I was grateful for my words.

"I see, and the little one was able to make it then." He gestured to Donovan. I nodded. My eyes teared up. "And my dearest Catto, she seemed to not have made it. " I nodded again.

"How do you know all this?" I asked him in a sharp tone.

"My darling, you already know how I know." He cooed. He went into a coughing fit. I took my free hand and held tight to the necklace that sad cool against my breast. "I only have a few moments left here, you will be best off if I showed you how to use it for the time being." He huffed. I grew concerned. I had come on his last day completely unintentionally.

"I'm sorry, I would have come sooner-"

"You have nothing to apologize for, child." He comforted. "Take your necklace and harness much of your power. You won't need much to travel a mere four days, but it will exhaust you if you are not careful." I took a deep breath and held on tight to the necklace. I summoned a great amount of energy and it sucked it quickly away from me. When I looked up I was standing outside the cave where Ghirahim, Catto, and I were staying before. We were just beginning to settle down in the cave.

"Reset here, I'm going to gather some supplies for a fire." Ghirahim sighed as he began to turn towards me and Donovan. I quickly turned and ran to hide behind a small desert bush. But it was not very discrete and he was walking towards me regardless. I held my breath and dealt with the heat of the sun baking down on me. I closed my eyes and listened carefully to the approaching footsteps.

"I hope whatever you're planning works out." His voice calmly cooed at me. I peaked my eyes open and looked up at my father looking down at me. It was a feeling that chilled me to the bones in a hot desert.

"I-I need to tell you something!" I began to blurt, but he held his hand to silence me.

"I don't mess with timelines, Akomin." He said blandly. "I see that things have worked out negatively for yours, but I know that you're willing to make the sacrifices it takes to make things right. However, I do not intend on playing any role in it." My mind was running a thousand miles an hour just because of having this conversation. My Ghirahim was dead and six feet under, yet here he was standing in front of me and disagreeing with me as normal. I watched him continue on his way and walk towards a trapped tumbleweed. I snapped my fingers and appeared in front of the giant skeleton I had seen just moments before.

"You are my dearest Catto's offspring, are you not?" He asked for confirmation. I nodded and looked up at him. "How is she doing? Was she able to reunite the three of you?" His question was bittersweet. She had reunited the three of us. She worked hard to foster a relationship between all of us. I thought I had been coming to grasps with my parents' death very well, however, I realized I was just suppressing emotions about it all. I have still raw inside. Remembering Catto's warm hard press against my cheek slip away felt like the world slipped away with her. My eyes welled up and I took some solid deep breaths.

"She- she-" I tried to muster the courage to give him the answer he needed. But he cocked his head in pity and shushed me politely.

"Say no more child. You have suffered greatly." He calmed. "I see you have another of your blood." I nodded and kissed the top of Donovan's head to help calm me down.

"How can I assist you?" He asked, but I realized I had a purpose of being here. I needed to tell him how I got here and I wanted to find out how to complete the mission I was setting myself up to begin in the first place.

"I came about four or five days in the future. You showed me how to use this." I held out the necklace that was around my neck. "I practiced using it by coming back to see you before-" I realized I may have said too much and stopped myself. A loud cough reassured me that what I would tell him wouldn't be a surprise.

"I am sure that my future has been predicted for a while now." He laughed calmly towards me as he tried to clear his throat some more.

"I'm trying to go back pretty far," I explained to him. "But I don't know exactly when. It's someone else's life."

"It is going to cost you a great deal of energy. Hopefully, you are powerful enough to make all the stops in between your destination." He explained. "I suppose you're planning to do something very great?" I reached into my satchel and felt around for a few moments. My hand clenched around a small vial and I pulled it out. It had a good amount of blood remaining in it.

"I'm going to try and help a lot of people," I answered. "Especially, the people who matter most to me."

"Then who am I to stand in your way?" He huffed and bowed his head. I was well aware that there was no turning back from this decision.

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