A/N: Hello everyone, I know that neither Rahzel nor Ghirahim were in the last chapter. In case you were wondering the young demon from the last chapter was Midna. I don't think I described her well, so I'm telling you. So without further ado, I'll like to thank black rose a.k.a jane and bo mayor of odon for putting this fic on their alert and favorite list. You guys are awesome.
Chandelier light filled the grand hall flickering slightly as the flames wavered. Light, fluty music bounced against the gray stone walls. Brightly dressed figures of every size and shape twirled and glided to the beat of the music. Ghirahim passed all of the couples dancing. They all faded into the background because only one figure held his attention.
She stood at the edge of the dance floor. She watched all the movement in front of her, one hand clutching an invisible weapon. Ghirahim grinned at the sight; thinking how things never change. The woman's red eyes caught his brown ones. "There's no need to be so anxious," the demon lord said in greeting.
The woman nodded her head in acknowledgement, "If you say so. I prefer to be prepared for the worst case scenario."
"How prepared can you be without a weapon?" Ghirahim teased.
"I told you already. My fists are deadly weapons," she answered with a smile. Ghirahim chuckled at the memory of when she first said that comment. "Besides who says I'm unarmed?" She continued. Ghirahim looked at the woman's red ball gown and briefly wondered where the woman managed to hide a weapon. The woman continued speaking about why she was unsure of her surroundings.
Ghirahim listened for a moment before he blurted, "May I have this dance?" The woman paused for a moment. "Rahzel?" Ghirahim asked.
"You do owe me one dance," Rahzel answered laying her hand on his outstretched hand. Ghirahim grasped her hand tightly and led her to the dance floor. He spun her softly to him. She lightly placed on hand on his shoulder and he laid his on her shoulder blade.
Ghirahim led her through a simple waltz and Rahzel followed seamlessly. "I'm surprised that you haven't stepped on my feet yet, Rahzel."
"I never stepped on your feet," she said with a mock surprise. Ghirahim chuckled and tucked a strand of hair behind the albino's ear. Then slipping his finger under her jaw to nudge her face up to look in his eyes.
"Ghirahim," the woman said in Vladimir's voice. The mix-match of the voice woke the demon lord up.
He groaned at the sight of his advisor's face glaring down at him. "You couldn't have let me sleep for five more minutes? I was having such a nice dream," Ghirahim sighed as he pushed himself off the stiff bed.
"Sir, the officials of Dusk want to speak with you," Vladimir said holding out Ghirahim's cape.
"Then I shall hurry and finish, the sooner we are out of this realm the better," Ghirahim said taking the cape from Vladimir's hands and walking into the bathroom.
Vladimir held the door for the demon lord. Ghirahim exited the inn and began traversing the tunnels that held the small city. He held his torch in front of him lighting the path in front of him. Dirt crumbled from the ceiling. Ghirahim dusted off the irritating particles from his clothing with his single free hand. At the edge of the circle of light, a wooden ladder was held by a dirt wall. "we exit here, my lord," Vladimir said from behind the demon lord.
Ghirahim nodded his understanding and begun to climb the wooden ladder. He reached the surface and put out his torch. He looked around at the bland landscape. The people of Dusk lived mostly underground and used the surface to grow the crops that fed all the shadow realms. Ghirahim couldn't understand how this people could live under the ground away from the light, limited as light was in the shadow realms. "Why are all the cities of Dusk underground?" Ghirahim complained to himself as he dusted more dirt off of himself.
"There is a great beast that hunts on these lands. Most of the citizens here are farmers or scholars so they are not trained to take down the monster."
Ghirahim listened to the bird as he led the way through the field of corn. He knew that there was another opening somewhere nearby that led to a tunnel that traveled to the Institute. Ghirahim stopped short as the path he was traveling on stopped suddenly at the hole. The noble lowered himself onto the ladder and climbed down swiftly. He continued on the path and listened for the sounds of Vladimir following him. Luckily, the tunnel was fairly straight. The tunnel opened to a large cavern. In the center of the cavern was a wooden structure. The architecture was lackluster and Ghirahim shook his head as he neared it.
The noble opened the door to find a large circular table with many different beings sitting around it. They were all dressed in scholar robes. The scholars rose nervously as Ghirahim walked to the table. They sat down when Ghirahim took his seat. "Lord Ghirahim, may I welcome you to the Institute of Higher Learning," said one of the scholars who was dressed in blue.
"It is an honor to be here," Ghirahim spouted without thought. " I take it you understand why I'm here," Ghirahim said looking around the table. The scholars seemed nervous shaking slightly as Ghirahim looked at each of them.
"Yes, and we all agree that it wouldn't be in the interest of our people to join this empire that you are creating," the first scholar said shaking as Ghirahim focused his attention at the smaller demon.
"Empire has such a negative ring to it. It is more along the lines of all four realms becoming one kingdom," Ghirahim explained as he motioned with his hands.
"And you want to be the king of this kingdom?" A second scholar spoke up.
"That is my wish," Ghirahim nodded. The scholars looked at each other.
"We do not believe that you are the best option to lead all of us," the first scholar said getting the courage to respond.
Ghirahim gritted his teeth in irritation. His calm and composed manner will soon crack. The noble pinched the bridge of his nose and breathed deeply. How would Rahzel handle this? Ghirahim put his hands down realizing what he had to do. "I'll show you why I'm the only option to be your king," Ghirahim said pushing himself to his feet the chair he was sitting on clattered on the floor. The scholars cowered in fear at the noble's swift movement. "I'll destroy the beast that terrifies you. A king must be able to protect his people and I'll show you that I can."
"If you manage to destroy Mordana the destroyer, we can discuss the manner again," the first scholar said relaxing.
Ghirahim bowed before turning sharply and leaving the Institute. "What was that Ghirahim? The forces of the Lower Realms could have taken control of this area by force," Vladimir said catching up to the noble.
Without turning to face the advisor Ghirahim answered, "My troops could have, yes. But they wouldn't have been loyal to me. Demise did the same thing; he ruled by fear." Ghirahim climbed the ladder to the surface.
"Yes, but.." Vladimir interrupted as he reached the surface.
"No, buts. You gain trust by actions, not words and not by fear. Like Rahzel, she showed me that she could be trusted," Ghirahim said looking around wondering where the beast could be.
"Yes and look what happened to her," Vladimir said rather rudely.
Ghirahim growled, spun, and grabbed his advisor's collar. The noble raised the bird-like demon off his feet. "Don't you ever speak ill of her again," Ghirahim snarled.
"I'm just warning you," Vladimir choked out. Ghirahim sighed and lowered his advisor. The noble picked a random direction and continued walking.
He reprimanded himself for loosing his cool. His advisor had a point though; Rahzel never reappeared after she was taken by the Sheikah and Ghirahim could have imagined what they would have done to her. He shook his head and continued forward trying to forget. Vladimir ran to his side. "I apologize my lord. It was insensitive of me," the bird tried to apologize. Ghirahim just nodded not wanting to look at his advisor after all, the bird-demon was the reason that the noble left Rahzel to her fate. "Do you know where this beast lives?" Vladimir asked. Ghirahim shook his head. A large cawing answered the unsaid question that both were wondering.
Both demons looked up to see a large shadow circling them. Ghirahim summoned his twin rapiers and prepared for battle.