Chapter 20: Just you And Me

Daniela burst through her chamber doors and fell onto her bed with an exhausted moan. The young Tita….Succubus was not adjusting well to her new responsibilities. I didn't really know what she had to deal with in her everyday life (she didn't like talking about work,) but even a Demonic being such as herself would struggle to keep so many Imps in check. Fidelis closed the door like he always did and made his way towards his daughter who was now taking off her clothes. What Daniela failed to notice was the door hadn't been locked like it was supposed to be. "Another long day, my dear?" Fidelis asked with a gentle smile. "Like you wouldn't believe." She answered sleepily.

When the last of her clothing was pulled off her bountiful frame, she ritualistically rolled onto her stomach and gave me a teasing smile. "So….who will be joining me tonight?" Like always, she looked good. Tempting even. But just like every other night, I spun myself around and started drawing random shit into my journal. Daniela just sighed and pulled the old man into her bed. This had been going on for four days now. Every night she would have sex with Fidelis (yuck,) and I would try to distract myself from the noises with my amateurish drawings. I thought it best not to write anything else in my journal in case Daniela decided to have a little read (can't be too careful.)

I was not enjoying my stay here. At least Fidelis was always around to tell me some stories about his younger years. He had travelled to the Fairy Kingdom for the first time when he was about the same age as me. He had no home or family at the time. Nor did he have any plans for the future. That's why Ceana adopted him into the royal family and offered him a knighthood. But he wasn't too sure he was qualified (big surprise there,) so he took some of her money and spent several years travelling the world in search of any swordsman who would be willing to teach him the tricks of the trade. He eventually returned home and, now a grown man, had no issues starting a sexual relationship with his Queen (I'm just glad he left out the details.)

When Daniela isn't around, Fidelis would unlock my chain so I could stretch my legs and use the privy. You can imagine the look on my face when I saw Tiff squeezing herself through the bars of the window on one particular day. As the former captain of the guards, Tiff knew every inch of the castle. We now had a messenger and a way inside for our friends. And after formulating a plan….we were ready.

Daniela's 'fun time' with her Father was soon interrupted when at least ten Fairies (lead by Ren) flew into the room and encircled them. All together they shouted "Proxime! Circum! Claustra!" and a in a matter of seconds their bed was surrounded by a magical barrier that shone a bright shade of blue. Daniela quickly jumped to her feet and went absolutely crazy. "What is the MEANING of this!" "From the looks of it," Ren responded slyly "your about to be dethroned….your majesty." "We shall see about THAT!" Daniela spat furiously. "GUARDS! SEIZE THEM!"

The doors swung open. But to the Queens great surprise they were not Imps. But even more Fairies. Let me explain how this door works. When you lock it, only a select few can open it from the outside (the royal guards are an example.) But because Fidelis didn't lock the door….you get the idea. From where I was sitting I could see the guards had been knocked out by sleeping powder just as Tiff had planned. And the sounds of screams and small explosions echoing in the distance indicated the battle was now well under way.

Daniela did not possess the power to break through the barrier. And being so far away from the battle meant she couldn't assist her followers. She had lost. And she knew it. The Queen crumpled onto her mattress and began to sob loudly. "No! No! I am….the Queen!" Fidelis quickly pulled her towards him and held her tightly to comfort her. He had already told he didn't want to take part in the fight. He didn't even care who would rule Vila. He just wanted to be with his daughter and help her regain some of her sanity (I think a therapist would be a good idea.)

Ren flew over and hugged my cheek. "Did you miss me big boy?" I didn't really know how to respond to that, so I just cleared my throat and pointed a finger at the collar I was wearing. "Prima….Luce….Vincula!" The collar around my neck turned to dust in a matter of seconds and I was free….well, almost. "Don't suppose you could conjure me some more….comfortable clothing?" Ren and a few of her friends giggled childishly. "We have your old clothes outside waiting for you!"

I exchanged nods with Fidelis before leaving the room. And sure enough, my clothes, and even my bow were on the floor in a neat pile. I didn't really care if Ren and a few girls were watching. I just ripped off the horrible leather and pulled on my much more comfortable traveling garments. Ignoring the girls whispering, I swung my quiver over my shoulders and picked up my bow (I missed you so much old friend.) "You guys ready?" "W-were ready!" Responded a red-faced Ren.

The Battle was very different to what I had expected it to be. Sure, Tiff said quite a number of Vila's residents as well as a few outsiders were going to help us out. But the number of them far exceeded my expectations. The whole castle was filled with Fairies, Pixies and even a few Imps who had painted their bodies blue and pink to distinguish themselves as allies. And they fought their heavily outnumbered opponents with an unmatchable fury. There was pinching, slapping, hair pulling and even some spell casting (Though the fire balls and lightning bolts were feeble and inaccurate.)

I realized I was not needed here and beckoned Ren over to me. "Do you know where Yusha is being kept?" Ren pointed down one of the corridors. "There are some stairs that will take you up to the tower. She might be in there." I just couldn't stop myself. I smiled and said in a heroic voice, " Then let's go rescue the Princess!" It took Ren a moment to realize what I had just said. "Ren's a Princess?" I was a little surprised (and disappointed) Ren didn't understand the situation we were in. "Sure she is! I mean, she's probably the most qualified. Don't you think?" After some thinking, Ren flashed me a smile and sat down on my shoulder. With a tiny fist raised into the air she cried out excitedly. "Your right! She is a Princess! Let's go save her, One-eye!"

I sped down the hall as fast as my legs could carry me. Dodging and weaving as the fighting continued all around us. Some of the Imps were already retreating. Others chose to sit down and cry like babies. Screaming "I surrender! Don't hurt me!" I was happy to see things were going so well. By tomorrow the castle should be ours. And I'll finally be able to continue my search for Sherwin!

It didn't take us long to find the stairs Ren was talking about. But climbing them….was an entirely different matter. "C'mon Bain! Keep going!" My little companion urged on. "That's easy for you to say!" I huffed, "You're not the one that's doing the climbing!" I could not believe Ren didn't know any levitation spells! That sort of stuff is supposed to be standard for goodness sake! A few minutes (and at least a gallon of sweat) later, we finally reached the door.

Now, I'm not very experienced in rescuing Princesses from towers. But usually the hero opens the door to find her locked up and guarded by some freaky ass monster or sorcerer. Sure, monsters aren't what they used to be. But I wasn't going to take any chances. I pulled out an arrow and held my bow at the ready. Ren nervously grabbed a hold of the handle and twisted it until it was open by just a fraction. She quickly moved away and I kicked it the rest of the way open with a great 'bang!'

The room was empty. That's what it looked like anyways. The wooden floor panels creaked and groaned under the weight of my steps. There were no candles. But a few windows allowed some moonlight inside. Giving the place an ominous glow. Said windows also allowed a cold breeze to blow through. It made a horrible Howling sound that echoed all around us. This place gave me the creeps.

But then I heard something else. A soft, metallic sound that came from above. It reminded me of a wind chime my Father made a few years ago. "Bain….?" Ren whispered into my ear. "I know." I whispered back. I slowly raised my head into the air to see what above us. Imagine this. Hundreds of old rusted chains with little metal boxes at the ends of them hanging from the ceiling like bird cages. They all had these little holes poked into them. The wind made them clatter and howl in unison with one another. Producing a melody that made my skin crawl. I couldn't see any doors or locks on them. But I could tell these were built to contain small creatures. Contain….and torment indefinitely.

"I'm scared." Ren whimpered. "yeah….me too." The door suddenly slammed shut behind us and Ren screamed loudly into my ear. I responded by jumping back and falling hard onto the floor. With the door now closed, there was less light in the room for me to see with. But that didn't bother me. It was the voices that had me spooked.

"Look sister! He fell over!" Came one voice. "Aww! Poor little guy!" Followed another. "Should we give him a hug?" "I think we should!" I had no clue who, what, or where these girls were. But one thing was certain.

I was in big trouble.