A gentle rumble vibrated off of the large walls in the royal chamber as the beast shifted in her resting place. Though her eyes were not open, her shimmering scales, horns and tail were intensely in tune with the air currents in the area, which whispered her everything her eyes usually would and more- everything was quiet and still, just how she liked it. She sighed another rumble of immense contentment, this time larger than the last- she had a full belly with a body without wounds or shackles. She could fly however high and far she desired and devour whatever she could sink her claws into; this freedom was a luxury she never thought she'd obtain again. Her long, scaled body was wrapped as closely to the throne as she could possibly manage, creating a large C-shape around it. The fire breather's massive head rested on the right side of the armrest with her long tapering tail to the left of it. Her left wing was draped over the royal seat in a protective manner, shading the one beneath it from the world. The dragon didn't have to open her eyes to make sure he was still there: his breathing was deep and steady like his heartbeat, though slower than usual, implying he had fallen into a light slumber. A slight shift in the air and unfamiliar change in scent wafted through the room, causing her to raise her head to the source, her golden eyes narrowing at the entrance way. A polite knock echoed through the royal chambers, allowing a pregnant pause before the doors were gently opened.
"Milord?" A male voice quietly called out.
A patch of blond hair poked its way into the room with sharp hazel eyes that peered around. His eyes widened at the massive dragon that sat where his King once did. He quickly jumped into an offensive stance, his arms pulled into an X in front of him, displaying his long, dark claws. The fire-breather studied him curiously, though unfamiliar in scent, he had an extremely nostalgic feeling about him.
"M-m-maou-sama?!" The demon called out, unable to hide his frantic tone.
She growled at him menacingly, warning smoke emanating from her nostrils. She would not tolerate any forms of threat towards herself or her savior. She could feel a slight shift beneath her wing before the Demon King sighed beneath her canopy, gently tapping at her thin membraned wing. Keeping her gaze locked on the stranger, she lifted her enormous scaled wings, tucking it behind the throne into her body. A look of relief washed across the blonde's face as he swiftly dropped his fighting form before falling to his knee in a fluid kneel.
"I'm so glad you're safe! I came to give you my report!" He sputtered from the crushing gaze of the dragon.
"So speak." The King muttered, gaze staring outside of his glassless window.
The subject's nervous gaze flickered over to the dragon that encircled his lord.
"Ah, I forgot to tell you. This-" He motioned behind him, "is my new bodyguard. She is called Pale Eyes."
"Your bodyguard?!" The demon half yelled; the bewildered expression on his face did not go unnoticed.
The dragon flickered her eyes towards her savior in near amusement as she spread her large, strong wings menacingly towards the lower demon, hissing threateningly in a display of power.
"Now, now." The Demon King muttered, "He is one of my Generals. No need to crisp him up. His name is Alciel." The chipper tone in his voice contrasted starkly with the tension in the room.
When she did not back down from her glower, he patted her snout in reassurance before she complied with his wishes, narrowing her blonde gaze at the intruder. She huffed dark smoke rings in his direction, neatly folding her wings back into her sides.
"Do you have a report?" The King resumed resting his head against his fist that was supported by his elbow.
"Y-yes, sir. Preparations for the invasions are nearly complete. We require some more provisions so growing those may take some weeks more, milord." The General maintained his stiff kneeled position, not daring to make eye contact with the beast.
Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly as she deemed the demon before them harmless to her savior. The dragon chuffed at him, curiosity settling into her once more. Tilting her head ever so slightly as her curiosity piqued; she desired a better look at this demon. Her scales lifted marginally to allow for steam to escape her massive armored body. Her glowing blonde eyes disappeared into the grey vapor as it enrobed both her and the Demon King.
"Maou-sama!" The subject cried as his head snapped forward, body tensing ready to pounce into action if need be.
Her now fleshed feet felt cold against the stone floor as she straightened her wings into a full stretch. The feeling of condensing her mass into a smaller form was never a comfortable process but the fire-breather wanted a better look at the being named "Alciel." Standing up straight from her four legged form, she traced her fingers along the soft flesh that now suited her, a little irritated from the lack of protection it provided. Stepping out of the smog, she immediately headed towards her point of curiosity. The General visibly tensed as she approached in her unclothed form, shielding his eyes from her naked form, save her face. Her voluptuous curves and hips were a sight to behold indeed but it was not the time to drool over a womanly body in front of his Lord. Alciel bit the inside of his mouth, biting back a lecture he so wanted to yell at towards the King's new "bodyguard." Beads of sweat began to form along his temples from the testing of his discomfort and self-control. Ignoring his uneasiness, her large eyes trailed over his body, examining every crevice of him carefully. She took in his scent, analyzing it thoroughly with her ancient mind. What form of demon was he? Why did he smell so familiar? It was something she could not exactly place her claw on.
An amused voice caught her attention, "I believe you're forgetting something."
She carelessly swung her ivory horned head towards the General to face the Demon King- slicing some strands of end hairs off of Alciel's platinum blond head. The lower demon flinched at her inconsiderate actions, keeping still even though his instincts screamed at him to dodge- showing weakness to either of the figures that stood before him was not something he wished to display. The General merely narrowed his hazel eyes at the smooth skinned, nude female, creating a mental list of things he may be able to talk her about in the future. The King held a dark cloak in his hands, smiling as he held it up for her.
"Must I wear such useless garb?" The dragon muttered, crinkling her nose in distaste as her bare feet pattered against the stone floor while she impatiently made her way to him to snatch it.
Throwing it around herself, she nestled into it, not bothering to fit her wings through. She quickly ran back to Alciel, circling him as she would a prey but the expression on her face represented a curious child much more than a ferocious beast. The tailed demon gulped subtly, averting staring out the window to avoid eye contact. The sweat that rolled down the back of his neck didn't go unnoticed and his the nervousness he did not go unnoticed- it made her grin inwardly.
"I heard stories of some of my brethren mating outside of our species but I did not believe them to be real; however…You are descended from a dragon, are you not?" Her piercing gaze never demon General.
"I know not what I am as my parents before me." His eyes locked onto hers as he stared straight back in a strong stance.
She continued to circle him leisurely, "But you do know. You can feel it when you see me." The power in her sultry voice echoed off of the empty walls around them.
The sound of cloth crinkling in his balled fists made her all the more interested- he knew something that she did not. The fire-breather continued to observe the General, narrowing her eyes to take in more of the details on him.
"Although, you resemble our distant cousin, the lonesome lizard, more than a dragon." She studied his dark tail whose scales were not nearly as tough as even a hatchling's. Perhaps this demon's lineage is so far from a dragon that he merely smelled like one.
Alciel clicked his tongue under his breath, gritting his teeth. He briskly bowed once more to his Lord, "I have nothing more to report, Maou-sama. I will be taking my leave." His abrupt stand nearly startled the winged beast as he made a beeline out of the throne room, closing the door not all too gently.
"Oh ho. Look what you did." A deep voice playfully called from behind her.
She turned to face him with bright, intrigued eyes, "What did I do?"
He smirked, "He doesn't seem to like you."
She chuffed in amusement, forming small sparks in front of her fangs, "It matters not what he thinks of me," She paused momentarily as she contemplated her next words, "Fledgling, I would like some time to hone my skills if that is okay with you. I am…unable to control this form adequately."
The Demon King's ruby eyes closed, allowing a slight smile to hug his lips. The dragon described her immense instability into an easy euphemism- It made him want to bellow out into laughter.
He graced her with a smile, motioning towards the glassless windows, "You may take as much time as you wish. I only request you to be back when my Generals are present (so that they don't make a big fuss)."
"As you wish." The fire-breather nodded her head in respect before heading towards one of the high, arched windows that peered out into the village beneath them.
A strong gust of wind whipped her long, silvery hair in many directions, making it flutter angrily. She turned to face her savior once more, giving him a fond look before launching herself out of the royal chamber and into the breeze. Her powerful wings easily carried her along the current, allowing her to glide in the general direction she wanted. Allowing a brief moment of vulnerability, she closed her keen eyes, inhaling the freedom that was bestowed upon her and feeling the nature and the sky all around her near naked body. The current that sailed around her dark, membranous scaled wings embraced her fully, swirling under her sails as she soared through the dusk sky. Slowly opening her golden eyes, she scoured the village below her, her ancient pupils narrowing to get a better view of its inhabitants- many were poorly clothed in torn rags and skins of other creatures. Was this their culture? Or perhaps they honestly did not notice the foul stench that the dragon could pick up from high above in the skies. The cloak given to her by the King fluttered behind her, clinging to her tall frame by the thin chain that hugged her neck. Taking in the view from above, she idly flew towards the direction that smelled of faint dry dirt. It didn't take her long to find the barren location she had her last battle on- several day old blood splatters and shattered rocks lay scattered in the craters created by herself and the Fallen Angel. Her clawed, bare feet gently touched down onto the cold, dead Earth as her sharp eyes scanned the area for any unwelcome intruders. This area would do well to suit her combat needs. Crinkling her nose once more in annoyance at the scrap of fabric that hung around her, she growled quietly, continuing to acquiesce with her savior's desires. Setting her sights at a nearby boulder, she took an offensive stance, drawing her right claw backwards for a full frontal assault. She would protect this fledgling with everything she had.