Some of the prompts on the list I've used for this story involve some Very Serious elements, but some of them end up being pretty lighthearted, even when the Very Serious elements are ongoing. I think, were I a younger author, I might have decided to scrap such prompts and make sure to keep the tone consistent.
But now, I find myself thinking of these sorts of situations as a challenge to myself.
Even in the most serious stories, there ought to be room for laughter and lightness.
That's kind of the whole point of what I write these days.
.
One of the monsters to have answered Seto's call was a tiny little hellhound; just a pup coated in flickering flames. Other than this peculiarity, the little dog acted like any dog he'd ever seen, and it took an immediate shine to Kisara. So it was that she ended up on the grass with a little flaming demon-dog in her lap, while she watched with childlike wonder as the battalion went about their preparations.
Mostly, what this meant was sharpening weapons—swords, spears, axes, horns—and polishing armor. They didn't seem inclined toward sport or sparring in this place; they understood, to a monster, that they were currently in their king's gardens, and that—for as expansive as the Kaiba Estate grounds were—too much noise would attract unwanted attention.
The Lord of Dragons stood with Seto, speaking quietly, while Kisara busied herself with the hell-pup; its flames seemed to be under its control, so that it could decide who to burn. Kisara petted the little hound's back without hurting her hand. All there was, was a pleasant warmth radiating out from the pup's body. It seemed like this little demon could sense that Kisara was anxious, and had thus decided that its position, its station, would be at her side.
Eventually, the Lord of Dragons approached Kisara and squatted down to sit on his armored heels. "My lady," he said. "Would it be amenable to you if this little one remained with your person? He requires time and training to build his strength. He has learned much, but he has little practical experience. This is to say, in other words, that he is not so much a guardian as a squire."
Kisara frowned thoughtfully. "This is a field test," she guessed.
"After a fashion." The Lord of Dragons cleared his throat; if not for the helmet he wore, she surely would have seen his face flush red. "You see, this pup was not chosen for this mission. He is too young. But he comes from a long line of trickster spirits, and so he managed to sneak along when Her Illustrious Majesty opened the rift for us to travel here."
Kisara's eyes sparkled; she flashed a toothy grin. "Is that so?"
"It is," said the Lord of Dragons.
Kisara nodded. "All right then," she said. "It would seem I have a new champion."
The Lord of Dragons hummed amicably. "He is untested, yes, but his power is potent. He is singularly protective of humankind and he will surely serve you faithfully. Along with Her Majesty's blessings, you should be well-equipped and ready for any adversity that would set its sights upon you."
"What will my family make of this?" Kisara asked. "How am I to explain that I've adopted a hellhound?"
The Lord of Dragons chuckled lightly. "Your fellow humans will only see an exuberant dog. Only you, who have awakened to the truth of magic and its weavings, can see his true nature." There was a pause. "If you are concerned about the safety of your new champion, or for any of us, permit me to assuage you. If our bodies are destroyed here, we will reconstitute in our home realm. We are of the dead, after all. We cannot be killed a second time, not by anything mortal. Fret not, in short, my lady. All will be well."
Kisara nodded. "I understand. Thank you for your assurances, ser."
The little hound yipped happily from her lap.
Seto, arms crossed over his chest, was watching the other monsters go about their business.
"I want a sword," he said.